Published by Monsoon books in 2007, the ten short stories in this collection will take you from Tokyo to Colombo, Singapore to St. Louis as they grapple with a sense of dislocation, and the nagging possibility of betrayal that accompanies new beginnings.

In the title story, 'Locked Out', investigate the marriage of a woman confronted by her first gray hairs and her husband's sexy Japanese assistant.

In 'Tiptoe', arrive in Singapore with a young New Hampshire wife and feel her bewilderment as she becomes a magnet for a deeply unhappy child.

In 'The War of the Worlds', accompany an American boy on an unexpected afternoon with a German immigrant to his neighborhood. 

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Buy direct from Alison and get a signed copy - Locked Out 

Praise

“These taut little stories, spare and exact, not only put an insightfully quirky finger on the pulse of expatriate life but touch the difficult business of living itself. An original voice full of residue.” - Meira Chand author of A Different Sky

“Sharply observed debut collection of stories places ex-pat English-speakers in exotic locales.” - Kirkus Reviews

"In this brilliant book, Alison Lester has mapped out a new and tiny country located somewhere between expatriate and patriot, foreigner and native, woman and human being." - Alicia Erian, author of Towelhead and The Brutal Language of Love