SWORD OF BLOOD (2009)

Personal Effects: Sword of Blood is a free podcast-exclusive novella written by J.C. Hutchins, author of the 7th Son trilogy. It is a prequel to Hutchins’ print novel debut, Personal Effects: Dark Art.

Brinkvale Psychiatric Hospital art therapist Zach Taylor is endlessly curious, perhaps to a fault. When his cheerful elderly patient Gertrude “Spindle” Spindler completes her latest quilt and informs Zach that a 30-year-old “grand design of nine” has just concluded, Zach’s curiosity is piqued … and he soon embarks on a quest to unwind the meaning of the woman’s cryptic phrase.

He isn’t expecting a descent into a world filled with mystery and ruthless subcultures. What is The Great Blade of Blood? What are The Charred? What is the grand design of nine? And who is the dark-skinned stranger stalking Zach at every turn, threatening his life?

The answers may lie in Spindle’s granddaughter, a willowy self-proclaimed psychic named Hen. But Zach soon discovers that Hen may be crazier than the patients he treats … and the treasure he’s pursuing may be more dangerous — and deadly — than he ever imagined.

You may download Sword of Blood's episodes below by right-clicking the episode names and saving the linked files.

Episode 1: Chapters 1 & 2
Brinkvale Psychiatric Hospital art therapist Zach Taylor is endlessly curious, perhaps to a fault. When his cheerful elderly patient Gertrude "Spindle" Spindler completes her latest quilt and informs Zach that a 30-year-old "grand design of nine" has just concluded, Zach’s curiosity is piqued ... and he soon embarks on a quest to unwind the meaning of the woman’s cryptic phrase.

Episode 2: Chapters 3 & 4
Zach encounters a stranger ... and meets Hen, a relative of his patient, Gertrude "Spindle" Spindler.

Episode 3: Chapter 5
Zach meets up with his "tribe" -- girlfriend Rachael, brother Lucas, longtime friend Ida "Eye" -- and receives a strange phone call.

Episode 4: Chapters 6 & 7
Zach has a heart to heart with Rachael ... and then goes on an unexpected road trip.

Episode 5: Chapter 8
Zach takes a call. Hen reveals her knowledge about The Charred.

Episode 6: Chapters 9, 10 & 11
Zach unearths the grand design of nine ... and receives a history lesson from Rachael.

Episode 7: Chapters 12, 13, 14 & 15
Zach pursues the Bloodsword. Secrets are revealed. The final episode of Personal Effects: Sword of Blood.

Transmedia PDF: “The Grand Design of Nine” Photos & More
This PDF file reveals real photos of the "Grand Design of Nine" quilt blocks described in Personal Effects: Sword of Blood. This transmedia experience allows you to see the quilt blocks as hero Zach Taylor did, and view the encoded "buttonhole" text -- as well as the hidden designs mentioned in the novella.

Personal Effects: Dark Art Audio Excerpt 1: Chapters 1 & 2
This is the first of two preview-only episodes of Personal Effects: Dark Art, the groundbreaking "transmedia" novel available in bookstores now. Features chapters 1 and 2. Written by J.C. Hutchins and Jordan Weisman; read by J.C. Hutchins.

Personal Effects: Dark Art Audio Excerpt 2: Chapters 3 & 4
This is the second of two preview-only episodes of Personal Effects: Dark Art, the groundbreaking "transmedia" novel available in bookstores now. Features chapters 3 and 4. Written by J.C. Hutchins and Jordan Weisman; read by J.C. Hutchins.