Provenance: A Novel

Winner of the 2017 Maryland Writers' Association Annual Book Award for Historical Fiction. Selected for the 2017 Go On Girl Book Club reading list and, a finalist for 2016 Phillis Wheatley Award for First Fiction.

Southern civility turns savage when Hank Whitaker’s dying words reveal the unimaginable. No one—not his socialite wife, Maggie, or young son, Lance—ever suspected the successful businessman, husband, and father they loved, and thought they knew, was a black man passing for white. In 1931, in the segregated South, marriage between whites and blacks is illegal. Maggie, now a criminal, facing jail. When Lance receives death threats to atone for his father’s betrayal, the family flees the U.S. for a new life in Paris.

Still grieving Hank’s death and fearful of their uncertain future as Europe marches toward war, Lance and Maggie mourn the lives they loved but lost. As they struggle to create new identities for themselves, they find friendship and support from a surprising community of artists and American expats that are on the same journey. In a new city, with new friends, new loves and exciting possibilities, they start to believe that it might be possible to change everything, even the past.

Provenance is a sweeping historical saga about love, betrayal, tragedy, triumph, passion, privilege and the universal desire for acceptance—regardless of who you are or where you’re from.

“Such a satisfying read. This page-turner has characters steeped in psychological depth, a setting rich with historical context and a narrative that explores the heart-wrenching evolution of racial identity in America. Sawyer has brought us some solid storytelling with this fine book. I didn’t want it to end!” Karen Deans author of "Playing to Win" and "Swing Sisters"

“Provenance is a gripping story with wonderful characters, and Sawyer manages to blend fiction and history in a convincing way. This is a quick, but substantive read that will nudge (if not force) you to rethink your perceptions of wealth, art, and racial identity.” Kelly Hand author of "Au Pair Report"

“Provenance is the perfect combination of a love story and historical fiction with added reflection on our country’s struggle with race. Although this novel is set in the early 1900s, it was striking how many of the themes around race, privilege and survival are still relevant today.” Kristin Battista-Frazee author of "Pornographer’s Daughter."

“A memorable tale of love, loss and redemption.” Kirkus Review