John Desjarlais, journalism faculty at Kishwaukee College, has written a new book, released on Nov. 3. “Blood of the Martyrs and Other Stories” is an eclectic collection that explores diverse historical periods and the marginalized people in them.

“These are stories of people on the edge,” Desjarlais said in a news release. “The edge of society, the edge of sanity, the edge of the world, the edge of death, the edge of hope.”

As examples of people on the edge, he cited, “A medieval cleric investigates a brutal murder that may lead to millions more. An elderly widower strangely seems to find just what he needs when he needs it except the one thing he needs the most. A political refugee tries to avoid being evicted from her business. And a witty lovebird offers his owner advice on relationships.”