Veal: A Novel
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“The atmosphere is undeniably well crafted … Those who don't mind novels that are more vibes based than plot driven will find Nolan and exciting new voice.” — Publishers Weekly
Offering the atmosphere of Twin Peaks and the queer camaraderie of comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For, Veal is a thrilling exploration of friendship, fear, and the thin line between justice and vengeance.
Delores “Lawrence” Franklin is a failed capitalist and a runaway headcase. Following a corporate meltdown, she moves to Mistaken Point, a small town known for two things: Mistaken Point University, where she and her best friend, Anastasia Lanes, are now enrolled, and the grisly murders of countless young women.
At her new part-time arcade job, Lawrence meets Francesca “Franky” Delores, gritty, off-putting, and chronically serious, as opposite to Lawrence as her name would suggest. Franky is convinced there is a monster on the loose, a Frankenstein creature born from hatred, responsible for the string of killings the town insists are solved.
Against the advice of Pippa, Franky's closest friend, Lawrence and Stasia join Franky in her sticky, summertime search for the yellow-eyed monster haunting their foggy seaside town between classes, shifts at the arcade, and eating popsicles by the pool. Motivated by her unquenchable attraction to Franky, Lawrence allows herself to be pulled in strange directions, trying to appease Franky’s mania. Through the trials of hunting a monster only some of them believe in, Pippa, Lawrence, Stasia, and Franky uncover a town's legacy of making women answer for men's violence—and the reliability of urban legends.
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Mackenzie Nolan was born and raised in Newfoundland. Working professionally as a social worker for several years, she found herself better suited to writing interpersonal dynamics, rather than solving them. She lives in St. John’s, NL. Veal is her debut novel.
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Published: October 2025
ISBN: 9781770418066
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 in.
Pages: 288
Reviews
“The atmosphere is undeniably well crafted ... Those who don’t mind novels that are more vibes based than plot driven will find Nolan an exciting new voice.” — Publishers Weekly
“The “patchwork creature” at the center of the mystery is described as “born of hatred”—a characterization that resonates with broader discussions about misogyny, queerphobia, and violence against marginalized groups . Through this lens, Veal offers both a gripping story and a pointed critique of systemic injustices.” — EDGE
“An intimate portrayal of what it is to be a woman in the today, an exploration of all we carry down from our parents, and a moving friendship story, and love story — what does it mean to be loved in a world where your body is an object, when your body is prey? Reading Veal, I felt as though I’d been invited to a staff room filled with women who’ve worked together for decades. The intimacy of dialogue, the familiarity of the narrative voice, and the honesty gifted from one woman to another, Mackenzie Nolan gave me a safe space to imagine what I’d do, if only I had an axe and three fearless friends.” — Junction Reads
“A fantastic debut that is unapologetically queer, atmospheric, and has great creepy summer camp vibes.” — Sarah Connor’s blog
“A thrilling and tender examination of friendship, fear, and trauma, perfect for fans of My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon and Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt.” — Library Journal
“Veal is a page-turner that manages to pair earnest reflections on queer friendship and the impacts of systemic misogyny, with hammy depictions of an incompetent quartet of lovable monster hunters.” — Riddle Fence Magazine
“In general, sapphic horror has a seriousness problem. Many of the challenges we face as a community on a daily basis are incredibly serious, serving as a gray cloud that's perpetually threatening disaster... Veal fills this oxygen-depleted void with some lighthearted banter, campy horror elements, and in-your-face, almost desperate lesbian longing. Essentially, it has fun, and in 2026, that's exactly what the LGBTQIA+ community could use more of, giving us a break from the horrors of the news cycle.” — Literary Cobblestones