…coming 2025

Two years ago I spent time in France with my daughter, Anna. I’d been dreaming about and envisioning this trip for quite awhile, ever since realizing I wanted my next book to take place partially in France, and specifically in Paris. I am now a believer in the expression… ‘thoughts become words, words become actions, and actions become reality’. Otherwise, I might never have made it to France.

Point in case, my wishful thinking and expressing my wishes (often) caused Anna to think of me when discovering there was a work conference she needed to attend two weeks before Christmas… in France. “Let’s spend a week in Paris, Mom, and then take the train to Cannes…” (where the conference was located).

And so we did.

It was two weeks I will never forget. Even the details are still clear to me, although I took copious notes for the book ‘Finley’s Song’. It’s a story about a woman pianist, who is also a singer-songwriter, who blames herself for her husband’s tragic death, causing her entire world to crumble beneath guilt and grief.

Of course these are two emotions Finley could not avoid given the circumstances of his demise, however, the length of time one might dwell on the negatives can make all the difference in other lives one might touch. In this case, her son Max is most affected. He is an adolescent boy when the tragedy occurs, and because his mother doesn’t handle her guilt and grief well, he ends up living with his grandparents… not a happy solution.

Max is the other voice in the book, so we are aware of his struggles and challenges during this dark period when his mom is falling down a troubling path of vises to ease her pain. However, it isn’t all bad for Max. He meets a French girl that pivots him into quite a coming of age story, one that also includes finding out secrets about his paternity that his parents have kept from him.

This book in general leads to the ponderous question: When do we come up for air, reevaluate a difficult situation, and decide to move on because self-inflicted punishment is pointless rather than productive? It benefits no one and can cause further destruction from a tragedy that is best put behind us rather than dictate our future.

It takes our heroine a while to figure this out on her own, and while doing so, she and Max enjoy Paris… from its richly preserved ancient buildings and endless glorious art to the stunning world of fashion and twinkling (on the hour every hour) Eiffel Tower.

The book also takes place in Vail, Colorado where my daughter Anna lives. (I have two daughters and am already contemplating where to travel with the second :). I’ve spent a great deal of time in Vail over the past decade rafting the Colorado River and fly fishing with Anna. I decided it’s the perfect setting for this novel, along with Paris. Although the book isn’t published yet, I’ve been testing the waters with early readers. Here are their early reviews:

“Mattingly owns that elusive skill of delivering us to a distant place while drawing us in to a carefully woven chain of events which somehow involve us. Settle in.” M.C. Smith, author of the anthology Eight Stories from a Dusty Drawer

“Kathryn Mattingly’s Finley’s Song masterfully weaves a tale of love, loss, and self-discovery. Through beautifully crafted prose, Kathryn draws readers into Finley’s journey as she grapples with grief, unexpected revelations, and the fragile dynamics of family. Rich with emotional depth, this heart-tugging story captures the delicate balance between holding on to the past and the bittersweet nature of moving forward, making it an unforgettable read!” …Karista Bennett, author of For the Love of Seafood and The Oregon Farm Table Cookbook, and the memoir A Taste of Belonging (2025)

“Kathryn Mattingly’s Finley’s Song continues her tradition of delivering complex, engaging characters on emotionally twisted journeys. This novel explores first love, lost love, and true love. Finley, burdened by grief and guilt, struggles to be a responsible parent to her son Max, who faces his own path filled with tough decisions and harsh truths. This is a gripping read that will keep you hooked until the last page.” …Jeannie Sifneos, author of the poem The Bench and debut novel How I Did Not Kill My Therapist (2025)

“Mattingly brings us a tale of motherhood, love, and loss. When her husband is killed, Finley is caught between consoling her guilt and supporting her son. When buried secrets are revealed, the mother-son bond is tested. To heal from her pain, Finley must come to terms with past decisions. Mattingly deftly weaves together a poetic page-turner of surprising twists and turns. This complex tale of misguided guilt is set against the backdrop of Vail, Colorado and inner-city Paris.” …Maureen Heim, author of the debut memoir Empty Chairs (2025)

“Finley and her teenage son Max find themselves on parallel journeys through loss, letting go, and finding strength. Set in both France and Colorado, Kathryn Mattingly’s artistic expression paints lyrical scenes. Unexpected twists will forever alter both Max and Finley’s lives. Finley’s Song will grab hold of your heart and leave you wanting more.” …Kirstin Sands, author of short fiction, Take Two, and debut novel Dancing into Light (2025)

“From a concert hall soloist to a Parisian nightclub, Finley’s life and music take a dramatic turn after her husband’s untimely death. Excessive drinking can’t fix her inner turmoil or bridge the gap between Finley and her son, Max, who once had a close relationship. Mattingly artistically leads us on a journey of discovery for mother and son as they explore Paris.” …Anne Marie Garcia, author of debut novel On Grace’s Watch (2025)

“Finley’s Song is the best way to curl up in front of a winter fire in a big comfy chair with a glass of wine and transport yourself to Paris in the springtime. Love passed by, first love, unrequited love and unattainable love scrutinized through the wine and food that only Paris can offer. Add the many ways people deal with grief. You’ll find relatable characters in complicated relationships. Mattingly weaves her story to a crescendo with twists that will keep you reading until the end.” …Kathleen Rafiq, author of the debut memoir The Woman Who wore the White Turban (2025)

“Finley, an accomplished concert pianist, is racked by grief and guilt over the death of her husband, Simon, a successful restauranteur and chef. Her complicated emotional journey parallels that of her young teenage son, Max. Filled with lush descriptions of the mountains and rivers of Colorado to the streets and bistros of France, the reader sees and feels the impact of the accident on Finley’s relationships with her son, her mother, and Simon’s brother, Liam, her first love. Mattingly skillfully weaves a series of chronological events told from two different first person perspectives into a triumph of hope and healing.” …MJ Kuhar, author of debut novel In Vitro (2025)

“In Finley’s Song, Kathryn Mattingly once again immerses readers in a thoughtful journey through the complicated and messy experience of being human. Weaving a tale of life after profound loss, we are shown the paralyzing and devastating impacts of avoidance, blame, and guilt while also being gently led to the liberating power of forgiveness and love born from true, and right, responsibility. Ultimately, Finley’s Song reminds us that while facing life honestly and with integrity can be difficult, in the end, it is the only beacon strong enough to guide us through.” …Leah Guthridge Caron ~ Author of Catalyst: Book of Living vol. one ‘A memoir’

Other novels by Kat Mattingly