Iche bin adeen haladeelnik

stormy, rain, freezing rain then snow. Wind warning (no, nothing to do with the Montreal apartment)

Well, this was going to be a quiet day. I was longing for a couple of quiet days before beginning to write the next book. That starts Friday. But time slipped away. Went to Vermont for gas and picked up two video's - Extras and Ab Fab - and then had to declare them at the border. My mind is so warped - after being caught smuggling I know I'm in the system, but I still find myself thinking, 'Now, they'll never know. Just put it in your purse. What harm could it do.'

Now there are famous last words. 'What harm could it do?'

By the time I was across the border (DVD's declared) the heavy rain was turning to sleet, and then snow. I could see on my dashboard the temperature dropping by degrees as I drove north, until finally it was almost white-out. Wasn't worried. I know the road so well and Sutton wasn't far. But still, quite dramatic.

Bought food, returned home and made chili con carne. Opened mail, and there was the German publishers spring brochure. Right there, taking up an amazing three full pages, was their spread for A FATAL GRACE/DEAD COLD. Which, of course, now has another name. UND DIE FURCHT GEBIERT DEN ZORN. I don't speak German, but wasn't Zorn a character in an original Star Trek episode? Hope they haven't renamed Gamache 'Zorn'.

The only German I speak I learned in school. All I remember is: Iche bin Frau Seichs. Which isn't as useful as you might imagine. But perhaps slightly more useful than the only Russian I can remember: adeen haladeelnik (sp?) which means - one refrigerator.

But I must say I'm BEYOND thrilled with the German publishers going all out to promote the second book. Adds in all major newspapers and magazines - they've drawn a map of Three Pines and put together a very moody presentation. Fabulous. The publisher is Limes. Impressive.

And more good news about the second book - this time known as A FATAL GRACE. The American audio book has been shortlisted for the prestigious Audie Award, sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association and Audio File Magazine. It's really a great acknowledgement of the skill of the narrator, Ralph Cosham. Congratulations, Ralph.

Take care, and I'll try to write soon.