Ivan Obolensky grew up in high society, often regaled with the mystical ghost stories and fantastic intrigue of his aristocratic and trailblazing ancestors. These tales inspired him at an early age and colored the formation and background of his award-winning debut novel, Eye of the Moon, and its sequel, Shadow of the Son.

Some elements from his life, and his visits to "Rhinebeck" as a child, influenced the novels in unexpected ways.

Considered gothic mysteries of a new class by readers and reviewers alike, Eye of the Moon and Shadow of the Son primarily take place in a single location, and involve universal themes such as the price of vows, of gifts, of curses, and of settling scores; revenge, mercy, and friendship; love, abandonment, and trust.

Readers commented on the exceptional character development, sharp and witty dialogue, and magnificent settings, as they are transported into a fascinating universe that unfolds before their eyes.

Educated in the US and England, Ivan's roots in writing were poetry, nonfiction, and short fiction. His first stories featured the main characters from Eye of the Moon, Johnny and Percy, in the escapades of their youth.  

Ivan's insatiable curiosity has led him on a path of self-study in diverse subjects. In 2011, he wrote articles on the social sciences, which are translated into Latin American Spanish and published online. He has credited his work in nonfiction as critical in developing his skills of weaving diverse subjects together into one good tale.

The authors that influenced Ivan the most are Jane Austen, Raymond Chandler, O. Henry, P. G. Wodehouse, Charles Dickens, Viktor Frankl, J. R. Tolkein, Edith Wharton, and Lao Tzu (The Tao Te Ching, the Stephen Mitchell translation).

Fans of the classics and modern thrillers will enjoy the work of Ivan Obolensky, in his multilayered fiction or nonfiction storytelling.

Ivan lives with his wife, Mary Jo. He enjoys photography, reading, cooking, music, and riding his motorcycle. To find out more about Ivan, visit his website for his blog, updates about projects, and fun stories behind the scenes of his novels.