The French phrase "l'esprit d'escalier" originated when philosopher Denis Diderot found himself so dumbfounded by a remark made by his dinner host that he couldn't think straight until he'd made his way down the stairs towards the door.  Matthew Foltz-Gray's epononymous lead in Spirit of the Staircase never quite manages to reach the bottom of those stairs. Not so his pal, the critter of indeterminate origin who goes by the name of Mumford. He's at home everywhere and with everyone. Together they explore the weird and wonderful world of a very magical Knoxville, Tennessee. 

Originally published in the Knoxville Mercury, Spirit of the Staircase now joins our already storied ranks of offbeat oddballs. We dig it. We think you'll dig it too. 

Start reading "Spirit of the Staircase"