Rich Novotney’s novel The Tell-Tale Art addresses one of the enduring mysteries of American Letters: how did Edgar Allan Poe die?  Research for his novel took Rich to Baltimore, Richmond, Boston and, yes, even Wisconsin, Arizona and England. Many temporary professions through the years prepared Rich for the role of novelist: He ran a children’s book store, was a carpenter, sold stocks, bonds and cemetery property, directed musicals, dealt blackjack, managed drug studies, has made and served cappuccinos, and somehow wrangled out a bachelor’s degree studying English Romantic poets. He lives in Madison, WI with his wife Mary and a cat who only coincidentally shares a name with his Poe novel’s other protagonist, Eleanor.