Forgive folks at the James Merrill Foundation - as well as citizens of Stonington Borough - for feeling a bit proprietary about novelist Ivy Pochoda.

After all, the writer, whose newest novel, "Visitation Street," was handpicked by superstar Dennis Lehane for his own publishing imprint, was a fellow-in-residence at the Merrill House in 2007.

"Visitation Street" scored starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Booklist and Library Journal. And speaking of stars, this week's edition of People magazine awarded the novel four stars in its lead book review.

Pochoda revisits the area on the "Visitation Street" tour, with an author luncheon appearance Friday at Bank Square Books in Mystic. You'll discover she's not only a wonderful writer but also a very nice person.

- RICK KOSTER

Ivy Pochoda author luncheon, noon Friday, Bank Square Books, 53 West Main St., Mystic; $26 includes lunch, reading/discussion and signed copy (RSVP please); (860) 536-3795, banksquarebooks.com.