About the Book

Everything you need to know about the most telepathic road-trip novel ever written.

The Story

A young heartthrob, a legendary musician, and one remarkably telepathic terrier stand between a soulless organization and the music that will change the world.

What begins as a mundane ice-fishing excursion on the frozen plains of the Midwest rapidly devolves into a cross-country odyssey of mythical proportions. Epic adventures. Questionable magic. And a dog who just wants a belly rub and a milk bone.

Meet the Cast

Mrs. Henry (Mac)

She’s a Jack Russell Terrier with the spirit of a philosopher and the tactical mind of a general. Known as “Mac” to her pack, her life changed forever after a drink of spring water from an ancient, hidden cup at Pickerel Lake. That single sip opened her mind to the “inner voices” of every human around her, granting her the ability to speak aloud and a sarcasm that cuts through the frozen Midwestern air. She isn’t just a pet; she is the trio’s supernatural navigator and primary shield. Whether she is “shading” her companions from the corruptive reach of the “Organization” or outrunning a fleet of police cars across icy railroad tracks, Mac is the fierce, loyal intelligence making sure the group survives long enough to reach their destination.

Mark

Mark is the compassionate heart of the journey, a man from South Dakota whose genuine kindness and easy charisma act as the group’s bridge to the world. While he carries the quiet weight of deep personal loss, the road has reawakened his sense of wonder and his natural empathy for others. He is the one who manages the resources provided by the cup, often using them to perform anonymous acts of generosity for those in need. With a spirit defined by loyalty and a soft spot for the “majestic” scale of the world, Mark is the anchor that keeps the mission grounded in humanity. He is a man who truly understands the magic of hope, recognizing that the greatest rewards in life are the small moments spent beside a best friend.

Bob (Bobby)

Bobby is an intense, searching musician discovered in the smoky, beatnik corners of Dinkytown. He is a “collector” of the world’s hidden truths, always seen clutching a notebook filled with the scribblings of an era in transition and a mahogany Martin guitar that he treats like a living extension of himself. He possesses a mind that Mac describes as a restless “orchestra” of thoughts, always listening for the notes that others miss. Though he began the journey as a student of other people’s songs, his encounters with the heavyweights of the blues and a harmonica prodigy teach him to “reclaim” his influences and find the grit in his own nasal, rhythmic voice. He is a master of focus, whether he’s out-driving a police pursuit on black ice or commanding the stage of a Philadelphia “Hoot.” By the time he steps onto the cobblestones of Greenwich Village, he is no longer just a traveler—he is a man ready to catch the bone of inspiration and set the world on fire.

The Author

Please, Mrs. Henry! is the debut novel by Brian A. Ask, published by Stinky Tofu Publishing.

Brian A. Ask was born in South Dakota and immediately decided to hit the road. A quintessential nomad, he survived twelve schools in twelve years and attended four different universities across the globe—expertly managing to avoid graduating from a single one of them.

For four decades, he wandered from Fargo to Las Vegas to Los Angeles, carving out a formidable career as a “Chaos Commander” in the relentless, high-stakes arena of event production. Having successfully orchestrated massive corporate galas while managing to thoroughly irritate a whole bunch of people along the way, he has finally traded the corporate grind for the literary world.

Today, he is rooted in one place, sharing his brilliantly chaotic life with a beautiful wife who is truly an angel and a magnificent dog named Tofu. When he isn’t conjuring tales of magical road trips, he can be found failing spectacularly at golf, dabbling in the culinary arts, and listening to great music.

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