Written by Stephanies Vlahos "Before Chaos" is the first book in the Episodic Novel "Mercury's Wake".
Set over 24 hours "Before Chaos" introduces each of the main characters in the series "Mercury's Wake" as they begin their weekend in the expansive setting of Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Through random events and chance encounters the characters are introduced. Each has a significant backstory of personal traumas, insecurity and loneliness. These are gradually revealed to the reader. As the characters collide over the day their stories begin to overlap and a common thread emerges.
Following the death of her mother, Imani Cosmos travels to Los Angeles and finally manages to escape from her controlling boyfriend Geoff. Taking a book and a credit card from him, she seeks refuge in a hotel room in Caesars Palace. Venturing out, she bumps into Rhea Quackenheimer.
Rhea, a hugely successful entertainment lawyer, has similarly sought refuge, by traveling from Los Angeles to Las Vegas for the weekend. She has become increasingly aware that despite her professional achievements she has little to celebrate and share in her personal life.
Imani meets Bozzy O'Reilly youthful and seemingly packed with good luck and charm. Bozzy's passion is 'playing the odds' and he is seeking to increase the 'stakes'. That opportunity emerges as he encounters Lord Westerly.
Westerly, a dissolute Brit, is hell bent on squandering his family's fortune through gambling. He shares that passion with Johnny Correre.
Sometimes philosopher but full-time gangster, Johnny calls in his debt with Weirdo Cool. A pop crooner, who is performing at Caesars.
Behind the scenes Mr Invisible is skewing the odds for everyone.
Moving from hotel rooms to social encounters, gambling tables to hotel kitchens the story entwines each character through conflicts with strangers, acts of kindness, romantic interest, games of chance which reveal a common interest in one book.
Seemingly random events present a cosmic tension of premonition and foreboding towards the future, and what may follow.
