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Tabernacle
A wildly successful salesman who sells a product that none of his clients actually wants is going to do everything he can—like adopting a destitute child and buying tons of John Cena t-shirts—to earn the biggest commission of his career.
Tabernacle follows Edward Jones as he treks across the American Southwest in an effort to close his latest sale. Along the way, he ponders the nature of fatherhood, community, and man's impact on the world around him.
A graceful blend of dark comedy, mystery, suspense, and neo-western noir, Tabernacle is sure to be one of the funniest novels you'll read all year.
Tabernacle follows Edward Jones as he treks across the American Southwest in an effort to close his latest sale. Along the way, he ponders the nature of fatherhood, community, and man's impact on the world around him.
A graceful blend of dark comedy, mystery, suspense, and neo-western noir, Tabernacle is sure to be one of the funniest novels you'll read all year.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2019
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Marc Cavella
3 books2 followersMarc Cavella is a professional writer with nearly twenty years of experience crafting material in different genres.
As a child, Marc read pretty much anything he could get his hands on—everything from 19th-century novels to James Joyce to GI Joe comic books. He enjoyed books about history, biographies of famous Americans (especially baseball players from the 1940s, like Ted Williams and Jackie Robinson), and wild stories about musicians like Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen. (Marc is from New Jersey, after all.) Growing up near the ocean, he was also interested in books about maritime history; one of his favorite books in his youth aside from Corduroy by Don Freeman was a collection of paintings of famous naval battles, which he still occasionally searches for at his local library.
Eventually, Marc discovered writers like Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Faulkner. These authors, and many others, inspired him to begin writing his own material, most of which focused on ordinary peoples’ struggles to answer both modern and timeless questions. Marc explores an aspect of those struggles in Tabernacle, his first novella. Tabernacle focuses on the exploits of Edward Jones, a wildly successful salesman, who ponders the complexity of fatherhood and the delicate nature of goodness as he pursues his latest commission. Marc has plans for two additional sequels to Tabernacle, as well as a number of other books. One of these books is A Lot Less Effort, a sweetly humorous take on relationships and commitment that explores the lengths we’ll go to in order to honor our most meaningful friendships, all set against the backdrop of Virginia's Civil War battlefields.
Marc almost didn’t write Tabernacle. In his early thirties, he decided to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology, with the aim of being a marriage counselor. Fortunately for audiences, Marc’s passion for writing was too strong to resist, and he left the program after receiving a master’s degree. Marc’s time as a doctoral student still bleeds into his work, which allows him to write from an incredibly unique perspective and enables him to create truly authentic, original, and complex characters.
All of these experiences combine to make Marc the particularly versatile writer that he is today. In addition to his fiction works, he’s written dozens of articles covering a wide range of topics: psychology and human behavior (aspects of which are explored in Tabernacle); professional sports, including hockey and football; international business; government and politics; and a number of articles about movies and television. Early in his career, Marc also served as a reporter covering local issues affecting communities along the New Jersey coastline.
In his spare time, Marc enjoys relaxing with his family and their pets; reading about history, politics, and current events; and attending concerts. When he’s not working on his next book, you might find Marc looking for inspiration at the card tables in Atlantic City or while watching professional wrestling on Monday nights.
As a child, Marc read pretty much anything he could get his hands on—everything from 19th-century novels to James Joyce to GI Joe comic books. He enjoyed books about history, biographies of famous Americans (especially baseball players from the 1940s, like Ted Williams and Jackie Robinson), and wild stories about musicians like Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen. (Marc is from New Jersey, after all.) Growing up near the ocean, he was also interested in books about maritime history; one of his favorite books in his youth aside from Corduroy by Don Freeman was a collection of paintings of famous naval battles, which he still occasionally searches for at his local library.
Eventually, Marc discovered writers like Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Faulkner. These authors, and many others, inspired him to begin writing his own material, most of which focused on ordinary peoples’ struggles to answer both modern and timeless questions. Marc explores an aspect of those struggles in Tabernacle, his first novella. Tabernacle focuses on the exploits of Edward Jones, a wildly successful salesman, who ponders the complexity of fatherhood and the delicate nature of goodness as he pursues his latest commission. Marc has plans for two additional sequels to Tabernacle, as well as a number of other books. One of these books is A Lot Less Effort, a sweetly humorous take on relationships and commitment that explores the lengths we’ll go to in order to honor our most meaningful friendships, all set against the backdrop of Virginia's Civil War battlefields.
Marc almost didn’t write Tabernacle. In his early thirties, he decided to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology, with the aim of being a marriage counselor. Fortunately for audiences, Marc’s passion for writing was too strong to resist, and he left the program after receiving a master’s degree. Marc’s time as a doctoral student still bleeds into his work, which allows him to write from an incredibly unique perspective and enables him to create truly authentic, original, and complex characters.
All of these experiences combine to make Marc the particularly versatile writer that he is today. In addition to his fiction works, he’s written dozens of articles covering a wide range of topics: psychology and human behavior (aspects of which are explored in Tabernacle); professional sports, including hockey and football; international business; government and politics; and a number of articles about movies and television. Early in his career, Marc also served as a reporter covering local issues affecting communities along the New Jersey coastline.
In his spare time, Marc enjoys relaxing with his family and their pets; reading about history, politics, and current events; and attending concerts. When he’s not working on his next book, you might find Marc looking for inspiration at the card tables in Atlantic City or while watching professional wrestling on Monday nights.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 19, 2020
A first-class neo-Western noir with perfect pacing...
Tabernacle by Marc Cavella is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted suspenseful mystery with a generous sprinkling of dark humor. The story had every element a good story should have. A solid plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class Neo-Western style novel with perfect pacing.
The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Cavella pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or merging meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create a humorous atmosphere that will leave you laughing out loud.
Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.
Tabernacle by Marc Cavella is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel with brilliantly drawn characters and settings. The author weaves a well-crafted suspenseful mystery with a generous sprinkling of dark humor. The story had every element a good story should have. A solid plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class Neo-Western style novel with perfect pacing.
The contrast between tone and content is a characteristic talent of only a few authors. Cavella pays as much attention to his sentences as he does to his plots, shifting or merging meaning with the use of a single word. His writing is impeccably honed, full of juxtapositions and qualifications that help to create a humorous atmosphere that will leave you laughing out loud.
Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me.
November 5, 2020
This book was not what I expected, but in a good way. Filled with humor and some great dialogue, at points it takes a very dark tone before ramping up the humor again like it was nothing. The main character is up to something but you don't really understand it until you're suddenly smacked over the heard with it... and then more humor. The pacing was great and I hope there is a sequel in the works and hopefully a series.
March 10, 2020
Tabernacle by Marc Cavella is about an insurance agent who is known for getting the job done. Edward Jones specialty is getting clients to commit suicide so their beneficiary cannot use cash in their life insurance policy. Mr. Jones is given a difficult case when he comes across a sincerely loved Mormon educator. Jared Young has a beautiful wife and three handsome boys, his record is clean. Edward Jones isn’t above sneaky tactics; like “adopting” a little boy from Mexico, Pablo, or spying on his work computer. He still can’t find anything he can use. Is Jared Young the only good man around, or just good at hiding his evil vices?
Marc Cavella writes an intriguing novel that may make you question your own insurance agent and his motive. Tabernacle is funny, cynical, and thought provoking all in one book. I found the plot compelling when I thought about what this insurance company would do to cancel a policy. Edward Jones moves fast since he is just given weeks to complete this case. The time Jones spends with Pablo is sweet as he gives this boy living in poverty a taste of what we take for granted. Though I was not fond of Jones, and I didn’t trust Young, I found Pablo’s innocence and honesty refreshing. This novel will satisfy any reader looking for a unique read that isn’t covered in other books. The author brings his characters alive with different charms, and the ending is just priceless. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Written by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite.
Marc Cavella writes an intriguing novel that may make you question your own insurance agent and his motive. Tabernacle is funny, cynical, and thought provoking all in one book. I found the plot compelling when I thought about what this insurance company would do to cancel a policy. Edward Jones moves fast since he is just given weeks to complete this case. The time Jones spends with Pablo is sweet as he gives this boy living in poverty a taste of what we take for granted. Though I was not fond of Jones, and I didn’t trust Young, I found Pablo’s innocence and honesty refreshing. This novel will satisfy any reader looking for a unique read that isn’t covered in other books. The author brings his characters alive with different charms, and the ending is just priceless. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Written by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite.
September 12, 2020
Cavella’s outstanding debut centers on an insurance agent’s quest to earn the biggest commission of his career.
Edward Jones is known for getting the job done. But closing his latest sale that involves the much-loved Mormon educator Jared Young is proving to be difficult. However, Edward is ready to go to any length to get the work done.
Cavella has an ear for dialogue and authentic voices, and his knack for compelling prose is very much on display. His sardonic tone laced with wry humor is perfectly suited for Edward’s corrupt moral sense.
Whereas Pablo’s innocence and honesty are refreshing, Cavella’s portrayals of Edward’s tender side bring a sense of lightheartedness and positivity to the otherwise dark theme. Cavella’s confident handling of his protagonist’s different sides and his original plot and its expert execution make this one a page-turner.
Lovers of literary fiction will be wise to pick this one.
Edward Jones is known for getting the job done. But closing his latest sale that involves the much-loved Mormon educator Jared Young is proving to be difficult. However, Edward is ready to go to any length to get the work done.
Cavella has an ear for dialogue and authentic voices, and his knack for compelling prose is very much on display. His sardonic tone laced with wry humor is perfectly suited for Edward’s corrupt moral sense.
Whereas Pablo’s innocence and honesty are refreshing, Cavella’s portrayals of Edward’s tender side bring a sense of lightheartedness and positivity to the otherwise dark theme. Cavella’s confident handling of his protagonist’s different sides and his original plot and its expert execution make this one a page-turner.
Lovers of literary fiction will be wise to pick this one.
March 17, 2020
A complex and gripping drama
A fascinating and recommended story full of suspense that hooked me right from the start. We are introduced to Edward Jones, a highly successful salesman, whose latest assignment is to win a commission that will bring him fame and fortune – at a price. It involves adopting a destitute Mexican child fitted out in the latest style of T-shirts – two immediate requirements that prove essential to his plans. Any more clues would spoil the plot of a complex and gripping drama, full of twists and turns, with a mixture of dry humour and compassion that will keep you turning the pages right to the end, when all is revealed.
A fascinating and recommended story full of suspense that hooked me right from the start. We are introduced to Edward Jones, a highly successful salesman, whose latest assignment is to win a commission that will bring him fame and fortune – at a price. It involves adopting a destitute Mexican child fitted out in the latest style of T-shirts – two immediate requirements that prove essential to his plans. Any more clues would spoil the plot of a complex and gripping drama, full of twists and turns, with a mixture of dry humour and compassion that will keep you turning the pages right to the end, when all is revealed.
May 21, 2024
Tabernacle by Marc Cavella is a darkly comedic neo-western noir that centers on Edward Jones, a highly successful salesman known for selling products nobody actually wants. On his latest mission to secure the biggest commission of his career, Edward adopts a destitute child and buys heaps of John Cena t-shirts, all while journeying through the American Southwest. This offbeat adventure compels him to reflect on fatherhood, community, and humanity's impact on the world. Cavella masterfully blends humor, mystery, and suspense, making Tabernacle a uniquely entertaining read that lingers long after the last page.
June 15, 2021
A subtle, but powerful tale about a man determined to do his job no matter what the cost. Darkly comedic and slightly askew and worth every page!
October 14, 2019
This book is witty and I really enjoyed the dry sense of humor. I enjoy suspense and mystery books and this is a unique twist on what I traditionally think of as a suspense book. Enjoyed trying to figure out just what Edward was up to and the ending had a nice suprise to it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews