The Utterly Unacceptable Atrocity of Isabelle Marsden

A Novel

by Nan Sanders Pokerwinski

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Pub Date 17 Mar 2026 | Archive Date 30 Jun 2026

Arts & Photography | General Fiction (Adult) | Women's Fiction

Description

Fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine will be drawn to this tale of a woman whose search for a healing refuge leads instead to entanglements, discovery of untapped talent, and a found family that steers her back from the brink of madness.

All Isabelle Marsden wants when she moves from Chicago to Kansas is a place to retreat, reassess, and regain control of her life after an ugly #MeToo experience. But after a chance encounter with a free-spirited artist who carries a wallaby in a baby sling and makes assemblages from roadkill, she’s drawn into a community of eccentrics who soon have her lobbying to rescue their Summer Solstice parade, conducting surveillance at a roadside zoo, and visiting an outsider artist’s strange, yet intriguing, sculpture garden.

Inspired by that wild creation, Belle starts her own peculiar assemblage, convinced it’s the key to repairing her fractured life. As she uncovers her hidden creativity—and madness—her project lands her in trouble with her landlady, the city zoning department, and even the police. Ultimately, her only way through is to rely on help from her found family of oddball characters—and on her newly redefined self.

Advance Praise

“A heartfelt reminder that inspiration and creation aren’t relegated to institutions, but can be found tucked just around the block, hiding in rural environs, or buried within ourselves.”

—Erika Nelson, Cultural Resources Director, S.P. Dinsmoor’s Garden of Eden

***

Read this book for inspiration, as a respite, or just because it has a capybara. Many of us dream of starting over somewhere – a place that sizzles if we’re in a rut, or a simpler place if we’re burnt out. In Atrocity, we can ride along with Isabelle as she retreats to a quiet place. But of course, anyone who’s been to Lawrence, Kansas, could have told her that Lawrence does not fit the vision that “Kansas” evokes. Dorothy doesn’t live there anymore, and she never lived in Lawrence. Along with Isabelle, we discover that Lawrence is a quirky place and right away we see why this novel has such a quirky title. And so the fun begins. The author has filled her story with colorful, eccentric, delightful characters who do whimsical, unconventional, and amusing things. Soon enough, so does Isabelle.

--Ellen Barker, author of East of Troost, Still Needs Work, and The Breaks

“A heartfelt reminder that inspiration and creation aren’t relegated to institutions, but can be found tucked just around the block, hiding in rural environs, or buried within ourselves.”

—Erika...

Marketing Plan

Advance reviews, book events related to the story's themes, outreach to book clubs, bookstores, and libraries.

Available Editions

EDITION	Ebook
ISBN	9798896360971
PRICE	$12.99 (USD)
PAGES	280

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Additional Information

Average rating from 6 members

Featured Reviews

Librarian 1081599

This was such a different book for me so different than my usual picks, I had been a fan of Eleanor Eliohant and I see this book was referencing that so I thought why not check it out! It was a sweet heartfelt story of community and eccentricity but most of all heart. High key enjoyed and recommend

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Cheri S, Reviewer

I wasn't sure, going into this story, of what I had in store for me, but I'm so glad that I managed to get a copy of 'The Utterly Unacceptable Atrocity of Isabelle Marsden: A Novel by Nan Sanders Pokerwinski.'

I read this in one sitting, knowing that from the start that this is a story with charm, love, loss, and so much more than that.

A lovely read for me, and one I will still be thinking of for a while.

Pub Date: 17 Mar 2028

Many thanks for the opportunity to read 'The Utterly Unacceptable Atrocity of Isabelle Marsden'

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Kate H, Media/Journalist

Something a little different but ultimately enjoyable.
It's a very clever concept, to discover a protagonist's backstory through her journey through artistic inspiration/madness, and works really well. The book is filled with wonderful characters, the sort of people I'd love to know myself, and ambles along gently to a most satisfying conclusion - recommend!

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Nancy G, Librarian

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Belle lands in Lawrence, Kansas after a traumatic experience. She meets some eccentric friends and finds purpose in being. In the midst of chaos, she finds healing and the promise of a better future for herself.