Elizabeth Marcus is my guest. She is the author of Don't Say a Word: A Daughter's Two Cents.

The book is about Elizabeth's parents, Edna and Leo, a perpetually warring, tyrannical pair in their 80s. They begin wintering In Mexico, where they abandon their usual prudence to embrace adventure and a bevy of sketchy new friends.

Soon, Edna adopts a pair of shyster builders whom she trusts over her own architect-daughter Elizabeth, and farcical house results. Blithely indifferent to the calamities that result, the pair refuse all help from their too-compliant only child.

Though unique in its loony details, Don’t Say A Word! will resonate with beleaguered adult-children everywhere who will recognize the special misery of watching their parents become taken over by dementia.

Email me, Lisa Stockdale, anytime at [email protected]

Copyright 2026 Lisa Stockdale