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Step into the shadows of war-torn New Orleans, where danger lurks in every alley and the bayous whisper with secrets. Download a free sample chapter now and plunge into a tale of courage, intrigue, and survival!
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Preorder ‘Smoke in the Cypress’ and receive limited-time bonus gifts!
Author’s Research Notebook
A PDF packed with fascinating photographs, personal notes, and illuminating insights into the real historical events and figures that inspired this gripping tale of war, intrigue, and survival in 1814 New Orleans.
Soundtrack for the Era
Transport yourself to 1814 New Orleans with a carefully curated Spotify playlist that captures the rich cultural tapestry of Creole society, military marches, and bayou melodies to enhance your reading experience with the authentic sounds that would have filled the air as this dramatic story unfolded.
Deleted Scene
Experience Celeste de Beaumais’s first steps into the New World—a never-before-seen deleted scene showing the ambitious young Frenchwoman’s arrival to Guadeloupe, where her fateful quest for fortune and a new life begins.
Signed Bookplate
Make your copy of Smoke in the Cypress a cherished keepsake with a personally signed bookplate from Owen Pataki—an elegant addition to your collection that transforms your novel into a treasured memento of this epic historical adventure.
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Advance Praise
“Pataki’s talent for creating atmosphere that is as dynamic, intriguing, and treacherous as his characters, sweeps readers into the violent secret world of Louisiana’s bayous during the run-up to the Battle of New Orleans.”
“You will love this new, electrifying tale of war, honor, and survival set against the lush backdrop of Louisiana during the War of 1812. This is a special book!”
About Owen Pataki
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an active imagination. The movies I loved as a kid weren’t just entertainment or distraction, but took me to new worlds and made me feel that life could be as big and exciting as I wanted it to be. Diving into a great book or movie is like going on an adventure; it might be playful, funny, scary or romantic – but when it’s over, you know you felt something. The ‘real world’ can often feel stressful, depressing or dull, but the best stories bring a sense of excitement and adventure that make life a little better. I hope to share the characters and stories that move me with as wide an audience as possible, and bring some of that child-like imagination to others in the way my favorite stories did for me.
I graduated from Cornell University in 2010 with a degree in history. In 2011, I joined the Army, and in 2014 was deployed to Afghanistan, serving with the 10th Mountain Division. Following my military service, I attended the MetFilm School in London. My first novel, Where the Light Falls, I co-authored with my sister Allison Pataki and published in 2017. Searchers in Winter was published in 2021. Smoke in the Cypress is my third novel, publishing in May 2025. I now live in New York where I am working as a screenwriter and filmmaker.