In the tradition of The Thirteenth Tale, Brunonia Barryâs bewitching gothic novel, The Lace Reader, is a phenomenon. Called â[a] richly imagined saga of passion, suspense, and magicâ by Time Magazine, it is a haunting and remarkable tale told by an unforgettable, if strangely unreliable narratorâa woman from an enigmatic Salem family who can foretell the future in patterns of lace. The Lace Reader was a runaway New York Times bestsellerâhitting the top lists in major cities across the country, from Boston to Chicago to Los Angelesâand has immediately established debut author Brunonia Barry as a major force in contemporary American fiction.