Tag Archives: Two Truths and a Lie

In the Novel “Benefits”: Two Truths and a Lie

Here’s a little teaser for your day. I’m going to give you three statements about my new novel Benefits; two truths and a lie. Can you figure out where I’m fibbing?

If not, you may have to read the book. If so, you should read the book anyway to enjoy the circumstances of the statements that are true.

Statement #1

Protagonist Ben Schmidt seems to have a definite love/hate relationship with work. In fact, this guy can’t seem to hold a job. His ego most often gets in the way, and it’s a major character flaw. Good thing he has partner Jake to pick up the pieces! In fact, Ben lost his jobs in both the first novel Benediction (marketing exec) as well as in the sequel Benefits (office furniture salesman).

Cover of Jim Arnold's "Benefits" is a street scene in Cole Valley, San Francisco, used here in blog post two truths and a lie.
Street in Cole Valley, San Francisco, on cover of Jim Arnold’s Benefits

Statement #2

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Ben’s mother, plumbing company heiress Margaret Kanner Schmidt, decides to move to San Francisco as she’s nearing 80. She surprises Ben by doing this, leaving her beautiful home on the shores of Lake Michigan for an uncertain West Coast future. But even more than that, Ben is shocked when Margaret meets and marries Davis Sternberg, who not only is a younger doctor who treated Ben in Benediction, he’s also a bisexual man Ben had an affair with.

Photo of 16th and Utah Street in San Francisco, where novelist Jim Arnold imagined Jake Brosseau's Gallery was located, used in blog post two truths and a lie.
The San Francisco location I had envisioned for a Jake Brosseau Gallery (16th and Utah)

Statement #3

In stark contrast to Ben and his ongoing work dramas, other half Jake Brosseau seems to continue to move up that ladder of life without obstruction. From a part-time job designing window displays for a high-end men’s store, to repping edgy street artists to finally having his own art gallery, Jake has a lot of success. Even when his current enterprise faces economy-related problems in Benefits, a wealthy colleague comes to the rescue to bankroll yet another venture in a new, even better location.

Figure It Out?

So, did you figure out which are the two truths and which is the lie? Good for you! If not, read the book! Hey, even if you did, also read the book. Till next time. . .

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