“[A] masterfully drawn story of one woman’s journey of discovery. In true Manocherian style, the story is beautifully told, with empathy and compassion for flawed and vulnerable characters.”
—LIS WIEHL, New York Times best-selling author
COMING SPRING 2026
About And No One Knew
Gertrude Sidenstricker, a true curmudgeon, lives alone in the same Upper West Side Manhattan apartment she grew up. Because of a lifelong fear of being bullied for the hemangioma covering her left cheek, she turned to books for companionship. One day while searching for a document, she accidentally stumbles upon a secret that totally upends her sense of identity and catapults her on a journey of self-discovery.
About the Author
Novel writer, screenwriter/producer, musical book writer/producer. Formerly a family therapist, divorce mediator and theatre producer - not all at the same time. Married with five children and an ever growing four generational family providing support and material to glean from.
Praise for And No One Knew
“[A]moving and delightful story of a woman who refuses to accept isolation even as society appears determined to saddle her with that inevitability. You’ll root for Gertrude as she learns that finding herself is the step that opens the doors she thought were closed for good.”
—Barbara Josselsohn, author of The Secret Orphanage
“With deft humor and surprises at every turn… And No One Knew kept me riveted, cheering on cranky and endearing Gertrude who’s on an avid mission to learn about herself and those she thinks she’s supposed to love.”
—Jimin Han, author of The Apology
"Gertrude’s story is a journey inward to discover who she really is and to find her place in the world. It’s about resilience and courage, the transformative power of truth, and what it means to finally be seen. And No One Knew is both heartbreaking and hopeful, funny and profound, intimate and sweeping."
—Alexandra Soiseth, author of Choosing You: Deciding to Have a Baby on My Own
“And No One Knew is not only a fabulous stand-alone read, but… a huge gift. [Fans] get to spend more time with one of my favorite characters of all time: seventy-year-old Manhattanite Gertrude. Gertrude is crotchety, complaining—I'll say it—a BITCH. And I love her!”
—Patricia (T.M.), Dunn Award Winning author of Her Father’s Daughter
When Gertrude discovers documents her late parents had carefully hidden, it sends her on a quest to uncover the truth. Manocherian’s irreverent wit animates a quirky cast of characters. It’s impossible to stop turning the pages as Gertrude’s sleuthing propels an eccentric story that upends traditional ideas about family and identity, all wrapped up in an adventure of late-life self-discovery.
—Roberta Baskin, Award Winning investigative journalist and non-profit leader
And No One Knew is filled with sweet mysteries for readers to learn about stoic, aloof, Gertrude, whose alienation mirrors feelings we all share. With settings that weave from NYC to Cape Cod, and literary friends like Jane Austen to accompany her, what Gertrude discovers after her circuitous journey will endear her as our friend for years to come.
—Marcia Bradley, Author of
The Home for Wayward Girls
"A deeply moving family drama about love, regret, and hope, Alpha Bette reminds you of your family ties and the choices you might have made that not only changed your life but those of your loved ones."
—Readers Favorite
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