Scott Dominic Carpenter, whose novel, Theory of Remainders appeared on Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2013 list, has a busy couple of weeks ahead. 

    On Jan. 31st he will speak at an invitation-only event at The American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies in St. Paul, Minn., and on Feb. 4th he will lead the presentation, "France, Trauma & Suspense" at the Barnes & Noble in the Galleria Mall in Edina, Minn. The event begins at 7 p.m. He previewed the events on KFAI Radio's "Write On!" show Jan. 28th.

   Set in France, Theory of Remainders follows an American psychiatrist who seeks to unravel the story of his daughter’s disappearance more than a decade ago. Carpenter, who teaches French at Carleton College and has spent several years in France, asserts that there is also a local connection to the story. “I moved back to Minnesota at the time of Jacob Wetterling’s disappearance,” he says, referring to the 1989 disappearance of the St. Joseph boy. “My time here has been marked by that inexhaustible saga, which has for years oscillated between hope and despair.” Although the story he tells in Theory of Remainders is not based on any actual case, Carpenter sought to portray the effect of unresolved trauma.

   Carpenter is donating a portion of proceeds from book sales to the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center. More information about the book can be found at www.sdcapenter.com.