have you ever loved a magical book above all others have you ever wished the magic were real welcome to the land of laughs a novel about how terrifying that would beschoolteacher thomas abbey unsure son of a film star doesnt know who he is or what he wantsin life in love or in his relationship with the strange and intense saxony gardner what he knows is that in his whole life nothing has touched him so deeply as the novels of marshall france a reclusive author of fabulous childrens tales who died at fortyfournow thomas and saxony have come to frances hometown the dreamy midwestern town of galen missouri to write frances biography warned in advance that frances family may oppose them theyre surprised to find frances daughter warmly welcoming instead but slowly they begin to see that something fantastic and horrible is happening the magic of marshall france has extended far beyond the printed pageleaving them with a terrifying task to undertake