The Malign Ghosts of Summer

Two-time Lambda Literary Award winner Ann McMan presents a lyrical, multi-voiced novel that explores the fragile architecture of the lives we build, the resilience it takes to reimagine them, and the enduring power of friendship that carries us through it all.

Told through the interwoven perspectives of four unforgettable characters—Meg, a gifted chef whose culinary journey anchors the story; Camille, her childhood best friend and unrequited love; Laurent, a sharp-tongued food critic and steadfast confidant; and Kip, a fearless documentary photographer who challenges Meg to live out loud—this richly layered novel spans decades, continents, and the full spectrum of human longing.

From postwar Paris to mid-century New York City to the quiet beauty of Vermont’s Lake Champlain, The Malign Ghosts of Summer traces how the pursuit of love—in all its forms—can shape a life. As each character navigates loss, belonging, and the search for meaning, their voices converge in a story of reinvention, chosen family, and the radiant triumph of becoming who you were always meant to be.

For readers of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Hours, and Honey Girl, this is a tender, resonant celebration of resilience, love, and connection.