Louise Penny

Wild Oats

2012-02-02T10:15:00.000-08:00

sun struggling to come out - very light fluffy flurries - mild temps minus 2

A very nice day - after the torrential rain yesterday. of course, now we have to be aware of what is under the dusting of snow. Hidden. Every time either Michael or I go outside, or someone arrives, we shout, 'Watch for ice!'

The rain yesterday has frozen - and now the snow just hides it. Very sneaky, these Canadian winters. And I suspect winters elsewhere in the northern hemisphere. But I still wouldn't trade it for anything....though....well...

We are off to the caribbean on Saturday!!! Two weeks. We found a place with a private cottage on the beach - the rooms have no TV, no radio, no clocks even. Ahhhh. My Assistant Lise, when I get stressed, keeps sending me photos of our little cottage. Just seeing it relaxes me.

So now we're getting prepared. Small crisis when Michael realized the Superbowl is sunday, and this resort doesn't seem to have a television anywhere. He was a little embarrassed (after a month scolding me for even considering taking my laptop and making me promise to leave it and the blackberry behind) to suggest that maybe the laptop wasn't such a bad idea.

So - fingers crossed (I guess) that we can find it live on the internet. I actually really like football too, so it's no hardship.

We're packing...had to find our carry-on - which I finally did, in the basement, covered in dust and cobwebs. As well, I've spent some of today not only doing the laundry but sewing the cuffs of Michael's slacks. (Now, sewing means sticking seeds in, right?)

We will definitely be the 'lower orders' at this resort....Jed and Granny Clampet, trailing cobwebs and oat seeds. At least we'll be guaranteed our privacy. The cranks on the beach.

Pat and Tony arriving tomorrow, to move in and housesit Trudy, with their dogs, so we can go in to Montreal a day early. I desperately need a haircut....was a little tempted to take the pinking shears to it today, but decided that was a whacko step too far, even for the Clampets.

Have to say, I'm loving sitting here watching the birds on the feeder. Mesmerizing.

Oh, I also wanted to tell you that we have a released date for THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY! It will be out August 28th - and is available to pre-order now. If you haven't already signed up for my free newsletter, you might consider it since we're holding a series of draws each month for advance copies of THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY.

Since we're taking the laptop I might blog once from our little cottage....just to say hi. It's nice to keep in touch.

Dilys and Dorothy L

2012-01-30T05:48:00.000-08:00

sunny, cold, temps minus 10

Very beautiful morning - am in Montreal and heading off for a taped interview with Shelagh Rogers of CBC Radio's The Next Chapter - a terrific national programme on all things literary. Love talking with Shelagh....who also happens to be a friend. So that always helps.

I'm actually declining all interviews and most work-related things - including reading books with a view to endorsing them - to try to do two sort of contradictory things...detach and relax and have fun with Michael and friends. but also, to allow for thoughts of the next book. I realize that I don't multi-task well. Like most people, I do it - but I am beginning to suspect what it means is that I do a mediocre job of many things instead of doing one or two things very well.

So now my priorities are: Michael and my personal life....and writing the next book.

Hard to do, honestly, without feeling willful and selfish. But am trying. I also know that there really is, as I've mentioned before, a season for everything. through the fall I plug into the greater world...open that door....indeed, through the summer it creeps open. But now is the time to close it, and look after my own 'home'.

I imagine you know exactly what I'm talking about. Have to say - along those lines - we had a wonderful time at Hovey!! it was a great 'marriage' of relaxation and work. But the work was simply fun.

Michael and I talked (among other things) about one plot line for book 9, and then when Michael left, Susan and I talked about another plot line. I just love this part of the process. Creating....and inviting other ideas. And eating gourmet meals while we're at it.

have some wonderful news! A Trick of the Light has been shortlisted for the Dilys Award - voted on by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association for the book they most enjoyed selling in 2011! Here's the whole list...

Faithful Place, Tana French (Penguin)
Wicked Autumn, G.M. Malliet (Minotaur)
Tag Man, Archer Mayor (Minotaur)
A Trick of the Light, Louise Penny (Minotaur)
Ghost Hero, S.J. Rozan (Minotaur)

Congratulations to everyone!

And heard last night some more wonderful news!!! A Trick of the Light was voted the most popular book of 2011 at the very popular site, Dorothy L (which refers to the great Dorothy L Sayers). So pleased about that!!! And my friend Julia Spencer-Fleming was close behind with her wonderful book, One Was A Soldier.

You know, I hoped when I started writing to be published...I never dreamed one of the greatest joys would be all the amazing people I get to meet - and the friends I'd make.

Hope you had a fun weekend -

The Missing Link

2012-01-28T12:17:00.000-08:00

overcast, mild, temps about freezing

yesterday was a lovely day inside at Hovey Manor - but rainy and ugly outside. I can't begin to tell you how unusual this is for Quebec - can't quite see the grass, but just about. And no cold or snow on the way. So we're in that netherworld where it's cold enough to be uncomfortable, but not so cold that it's pretty and we can ski and skate and actually enjoy it.

But having fun here...great food (sea bass, filet mignon, magret de canard) and stimulating company. Because of the bad weather yesterday Michael stayed here last night and left this morning...I think he prayed the bad weather into existence! Another dinner and breakfast. The omelette this morning was leeks, brie and blueberry compote - oh Lord. After he left Susan and I got down to work, discussing some plot points of book 9 - and she gave me lots of background....we discussed what facts would fit and where it would need to be fiction. I just adore tossing around ideas, building on each other's thoughts - and when something, even an aside, sparks, well, it's amazing.

Over tea in front of the fireplace we hashed out some extremely confounding areas....and I think you'll like the results. (If not, it's Susan's fault...)

Indeed, we got so wrapped up in what we were talking about, Marc-Andre at the front desk had to come by the remind us that I'd booked us back to back massages, and Susan was already late for hers!

So much suffering for my art - are those tears I see in your eyes? Perhaps not.

We're off to Montreal tomorrow - I'll drop Susan at her home and head to the apartment. Taping an interview Monday morning with Shelagh Rogers for her show, The Next Chapter. Shelagh's amazing and while I've declined almost all interview requests while I've tried to take 'down time' - I so enjoy my conversations with her that I agreed.

Then home to Michael Monday afternoon. Lovely man phoned as soon as he got to Knowlton (to drop off a package of special Manoir Hovey granola to Danny and Lucy at Brome Lake Books) to tell me he was safe and sound. You just never know, after a rain, the roads often freeze.

So, Michael is safe at home, we're safe here - life is good. I'd have made a great primitive man - only really concerned with safety and food. (they did have cream puffs back then, no?)

Speak soon - hope you are safe, and have enough food.

Tailing Michael....or not

2012-01-25T07:43:00.000-08:00

gray day - temps minus 3

Not doing much of anything outside - just cold and damp. We got up at 5:20 this morning - fed and walked Trudy then hit the road at 6am when Tony arrived to look after the house.

My car has a bit of rust at the door handle - the sort of thing that is aesthetic right now, but will become a problem if the rust eats more of the car away. This is a continuous problem in Canada, and why cars don't last all that long...it's not so much for cold as the salt we put on the roads. it corrodes the metal of the cars.

I hate putting salt down on our driveway - but I did yesterday because it was sheet ice. Unbelievably dangerous. So, for the first time since we've lived in the country, I spread salt - and glad I did. But wow, does salt do damage....to the cars, the grass, the gardens, as the snow melts and it all runs away and seeps into the ground.

But for now, our problem was the dot of rust. We'd made this appointment at the autobody shop in Sherbrooke (about an hour from our home) a month or so ago. 7am. What were we thinking? Don't even have the excuse of being drunk! So, off we went at 6am. thankfully the roads were clear, though I could see the sheen of ice. Michael was in his car, I was in the VW beetle. He quickly outpaced me and I lost him on the highway - which was unfortunate since he had the GPS and knew where we were going. I knew it was somewhere in Sherbrooke. And I have to say, in the dark, in the winter, when all cars are covered in filth and dry salt, every car looks the same, so as I scooted along trying to find him, it was almost impossible. finally I got behind a gray car (they were all gray) and figured, good enough. I'm declaring this one Michael and will follow it.

And guess what? it was him! Took us straight to the autobody shop. thank heaven, because I was all but convinced we'd pull into some office building and a stranger would get out - having called the police about the whacko following him.

I asked Michael if he realized he'd lost me and he said yes, but he figured I'd find him again. Which sounds all quite romantic - but wasn't all that amusing or practical at 7am on the winter morning. Still, he was right. Damn him!

We dropped my car off and did what we always do when it's being repaired....we headed to Manoir Hovey for breakfast. Actually, we checked in, since the painting etc will take a day or two. Poor us. But makes for desperately expensive car repairs.

Still, no one's complaining!

The manoir is on Lac Massawippi. We sat and look over the skating rink Hovey has created in the middle of the garden - out onto the lake. Which is iced over. But the pre-occupation here is how thick is the ice? they're sending a crew out today with an auger to hand drill holes and see the depth. Not because they want to walk on the ice, or skate (though we've skated from Hovey to North Hatley one glorious visit after a thaw then rapid and deep freeze - so that the lake was glazed and perfect for skating)....no - the issue is far more serious....two of the manoir's guests will be arriving by ski plane on Friday and plan to land on the lake.

Frankly, the staff of the Manoir are sick with worry, which is why they're sending out crews to test the thickness of the ice. They're suggested other modes of transport, but the people are coming from another inn further north, where ice thickness isn't an issue.

I don't think I'll watch. I guess some people are more adventurous that I. Indeed, I suspect most people are....but I find as I age I'm far less courageous physically, but far more courageous emotionally. The inverse of when I was younger.

A storm is coming in Friday - so there's a pretty good chance the ski plane will be a no-go anyway. For now, Michael and I are sitting in front of the fireplace...reading the newspaper. We're actually also here for some quiet time, to discuss the next book. Some of the plot points. We'll be joined on Friday (weather permitting) by our friend Susan, who is a superb and senior journalist - so we can all toss around thoughts. I have two very specific plot points, but need some help and advice and expertise. I really enjoy tossing around ideas - thinking out loud. Not everyone is suited to help at this stage....it really demands people like Susan and Michael and my brother Doug is great at it too - who have thoughts but understand I need to own it. They can't be bossy. And not every idea will be good, but they all need to be respected....because sometimes the horrible ideas contain just a nugget of gold. There's a sort of alchemy that happens when people who are good at collaborating get together. Very powerful. So I'm looking forward to that too. And fun to do it in such beautiful surroundings.

Will speak soon - hope you're safe and warm!

Balance

2012-01-21T07:29:00.000-08:00

Light snow, temps minus 10

But rain in the forecast for Monday...the oddest winter I can remember - though last winter was splendid. An absolutely picture perfect Quebec winter. Cold but not endlessly bitter. Lots and lots of fluffy snow, that stayed. A couple of storms. Wonderful. Like the winters of my childhood.

I think we just sometimes get odd winters....and sometimes get glorious ones. Most of the time they're a combination.

But, what do I care? I've got Jamaica on and in my mind! Everyday I go to the website of the place we're staying (not an all-inclusive - more like Hovey Manor on the beach) and 'visit'. Trying not to raise my expectations - but really, alI we want is warmth, and peace and quiet. So as long as Jamaica doesn't get the snow Quebec is missing - and then the Hell's Angels come to stay in the next hut, we should be fine.

Had a fun dinner with Kirk and Walter in Knowlton. Thursday night is 'steak special' at the local auberge. At one stage in the conversation we were talking about Downton Abbey, which led to Upstairs, Downstairs (Lady Marjorie....I still get a lump in my throat) - then The Duchess of Duke Street. Kirk and Walter have the first series on DVD and when we dropped them off Kirk ran in and got it. Michael and I made the mistake of putting it on to watch an episode while we ate lunch yesterday. We got up at 9pm... six episodes later. And there are still three more disks.

We're off to Montreal - and will be watching the duchess before and after the football game. NY plays SF. Also tomorrow, New England plays Baltimore. And when we aren't watching 250 pound men slamming into each other we'll be watching an independent woman in Edwardian London. Like our winters, it all balances out. Though we sometimes feel distinctly unbalanced.

To thank Kirk and Walter, we're dropping off the first season of one of my favorite Britcoms, Gavin and Stacey.

Back on Monday -

Am loving this period in my life. Feeling, finally, more human. More relaxed. And getting more and more ideas, more thoughts, about the next book. Not trying, they just come. I collect them, then pick and choose which ones are valuable. some are big, some tiny. Some thoughts start out tiny, vague, like wisps, and grow more significant.

It's a funny sort of process. All the while I search for the way 'in'. The crack that will let me into the story and the characters....the major 'keys' of their emotions. So that I not only understand the story and them, but I feel them. I find and feel the emotion that connects the characters and the action.

I think I'm getting closer and closer with this book. Have had intimations of it. Very exciting. I love this stage. Like watching something I love come alive...get up, and walk, almost independent of me.

See what I mean by 'unbalanced'?!

Next week I'll be doing research for the book....trying to pin down some of the skeleton of the story and plot. The actions of the characters....and then their reactions. Lovely to have the time to do this at my leisure and not be pressed.

Time to head in to Montreal - speak soon -

Oh, puh-leeeeze take me out....

2012-01-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

Minus 11- prodigious wind! Good day to stay inside

About to go outside...take Trudy for a walk. She comes over and starts nudging me and I keep hoping she just wants to play - so I get down on the floor and we roll around for a while - then I get up and five minutes later she'd nudging me again.

I think she wants to go out. Oh, here she comes again...pretend you're dead. Pretend you're...too late, she's seen signs of life. Took a photo...she does this thing with her stinky ball where she nudges us with it, then puts it on the seat and rests her heavy and disappointed head (leaden with sadness and unfulfilled needs) on it.

I'm doomed.

A very odd winter. Desperately cold, then rains and freezing rain yesterday - and overnight it all froze. Great for skating. Michael once fell and broke his wrist in weather exactly like this....so now both of us shuffle along as though our feet are attached to the ground. Do you remember the Carol Burnett show (fabulous) and that old man Tim Conway played who shuffled along an inch at a time? I laughed and laughed at that - and have now become him.

Invited to a wonderful soiree benefice which will be thrown by Blaise Renaud, of Renaud-Bray. They're a huge and influential bookstore chain in Quebec. He's assembling an evening with what's called 'coup de coeur' - in various field...literature, music, art, theatre etc, as a fund raiser. And he invited me (presumably not to make the dumplings). Unfortunately Michael and I will be in Jamaica. But it is an amazing feeling to be counted among the glitterati in Quebec - especially when for years so few Quebecois knew I, or the Gamache books, existed.

I called the very quiet resort and upgraded to a private cottage on the beach...steps to the ocean. I think I'm going to be sick with excitement! Which is most of the fun, of course.

Oh, the other photo is of one of the winners of the Maid of the Mist bright blue rain poncho. Michael and I gave ours away in the fall, in a draw on the newsletter, after we had a family reunion in Niagara Falls, and went on the boat that goes around the falls. Amazing fun!

One of the women who won is Linda (who is wearing the poncho) - and the other women are members of her book club - Kathy, Trish, Tina, Pam, Mary, and Moses (the dog) of The Most Righteous of the Righteous Babes book club. i'm not much of a joiner, but that's one book club I'd belong to!

Hope you're enjoying your day. Now it's time to take Trudy for a shuffle.

Bog people

2012-01-15T10:33:00.000-08:00

minus 27 - no need to say anything else

Here's a photo - I tried to capture what minus 27 looks like....but it actually looks a lot like minus 2. I couldn't quite get the ice fog - when the air itself actually freezes - hanging over the mountain...bitterly cold days are actually slightly misty. But God, as a reward, are they ever beautiful. All shiny, and silver.

Thanks to our friend Nancy, Michael and I have discovered a new piece of winter wear...at least, new to us. They're called (for reasons I can't be bothered to understand) Bogs...and are boots. They look like rubber boots but seem to be made from the same material as thermal scuba suits. They're also very comfortable - soft and squishy underfoot (perhaps that's where 'bog' comes from). And - best of all - they're warm to minus 40. We didn't really believe that, but I can say for sure, after the walk this morning, they're good to minus 27. Absolutely perfectly comfortable - while the rest of me, bundled and thermalled up, still shivered. If they made a Bogs body suit I'd buy it for Michael and me. Then we would, indeed, all look like creatures from the Black lagoon. And loving it.

Kirk and Walter dropped by this morning - had a fun visit. We're having dinner with them in Knowlton later this week. And had dinner last night with Louise, before getting together with other friends.

And Michael and I have decided we need to get away. having finished the line edits on The Beautiful Mystery (which will almost certainly come out in early Sept) and doing other pieces of work, we realize we cannot be at home and completely unplug - we need to actually go away.

So we looked for last minute deals in the caribbean.... all the things people complained about in resorts, we take as positives. No nightlife, no live entertainment after 9pm, no children's programme, no big pool with different bars. No beach volleyball, no waterskiing.

That's for us!

All we want it to be warm, and private...to lie on a beach, sip fruit drinks and swim and read. We don't want to be entertained.

To everything there really is a season, and in this season of our lives we'd love to do next to nothing....and that includes cooking. So a self catering villa or condo was out.

We finally found what seems the perfect place. Will be leaving in a few weeks...yay! I've already been auditioning books....making a pile of the nominees....will choose three or four.

We are so lucky that we can do this. And part of the fun is in the anticipation. Bring on minus 27. Bring on the Bogs. The chapped lips, the hot water bottles in bed...because I have the caribbean in my head. You know, I do have to say, I wasn't raised with this sort of privilege....and no part of me ever expected to be living a life where we could make this choice. And so it just amazed and thrills me.

As long as we're not traveling...

2012-01-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

OK, so right at this moment, there's a storm - but if I blink it might go away. Temps near freezing. snow and blowing snow- very dramatic. Tub filled with water in case we lose power...we're on a well, so if we lose power, we lose water. So when there's a particularly violent storm, we fill the tub.

Apparently whatever we're getting today will get worse tomorrow. Forecast is for mix of rain, snow, sleet and freezing rain.

The wonderful people at Harbor Sweets sent two boxes of chocolates, so we pretty much don't care what happens outside - though we do hope that those of you who have to go out in it are very, very careful. I know - it sounds silly to even say that, of course you'll be careful - but just wanted to underscore it. In canada, not much will blow our houses down - and not many people break into our homes. The threat is almost always outside. It's not unusual to hear Canadians say, 'I love snow storms - as long as I don't have to travel'. There is always that qualifier. And it's how I feel. I just adore snow storms - the more dramatic the better. Bring it on - as long as....

Lise has just been and gone - discussing getting permissions to use poetry, and tax forms for the foreign language editions. who knew there was so much bureaucracy with writing books. Of course, the writing isn't bureaucratic, it's the publishing.

I've come to realize I'm not a detail person....and yet, I thrive in order. Disorder, and certainly chaos, gets me nuts. I'm actually fairly organized - but I hate the details. Of course, we all have things about what we do that we dislike. But wow - if we don't stay on top of the paperwork, and files and details there is complete chaos very quickly. In just a matter of days we're swamped.

Enter Lise. My assistant. She showed up this morning - through the blizzard - carrying bags of books to be signed and mailed, permission forms, licorice all sorts and a fresh loaf of cinnamon bread she'd just baked. I, of course, was still in my PJs, and Michael had egg in his beard. We felt like neanderthals visited by an advanced species.

Lise sorts us, in the most gentle of ways, and when she leaves everyone and everything is smiling and shiny and ordered and happy. she's the literary Mary Poppins.

Am off now to put up pictures our good friend Cheryl painted and gave us as a house warming. I photographed them so you can see. She actually writes and illustrates children's books, but also illustrates publications on herbs and medicinal plants. And the bee is just for fun. I think they're all magnificent. We have another painting of hers in our living room. Impressive woman. I see now there's a weird reflection in the illustrations of the plants...couldn't figure out those lines (not sure if you can see them) then I realized it's the tongue-in-groove ceiling of our kitchen. We have a wood ceiling - very old fashioned, but we love it.

The hammer and nails call - and the storm continues. But inside, all is calm. How perfect.

Winter in the City

2012-01-10T08:58:00.000-08:00

Snow squalls, but mild - and sun coming out now - temps 2 degrees

But, since this is Canada, our temperatures are in celsius - which means - our zero is 32 degrees in the United States. So our plus 2 is just above freezing. It's actually quite easy. Freezing is '0'...then everything else radiates from that....plus or minus. But like most things, it has taken a while to learn. I'm in the 'shoulder' generation. I was in my mid-20's when the switch from fahrenheit to celsius was made. So I grew up with hot being 80 and cold being 20. Freezing was 32 and zero was desperately cold.

We also switched speeds to kilometers from miles, and that has also taken a while to learn. Our speed limit on highways is 100 kilometers an hour....but when I learned to drive it was 65 miles an hour.

I still think in both. When the gas fireplace was put in the 'kids' (young men) who did it apologized for the temperature gage being in fahrenheit, and said they could come back and change it....we said, 'It's OK' - both Michael and I were secretly relieved. I think temperature in F still makes more sense to me. Whereas for anyone under 40 it is a completely foreign 'language'.

But I realize I now think in kilometers. When we travel to the states and I see something is 50 miles away, I think 'kilometers' and then am surprised when it takes so long. Our speed gage on Michael's car is only in kilometers, so we pretty much take a 'best guess' at what speed we should be going. (Michael's guess is lower than mine).

We are a dying breed...those who remember and still, sometimes, live in the 'old days'. Before TV remotes. Before cable even. When we still talked about HiFis and records, and cars needed to be 'broken in'. When I bought my first 45 (Summer in the City) and there was one telephone in the house, attached to the wall. We played outside and took the bus and subway without fear and kids sometimes still died of polio.

I sometimes wonder what those young men who installed our gas fireplace will have to adjust to, when they're in their mid-fifties.

I wanted (on a different note) to thank the Indie Literary Awards. This is the second year they've handed out these awards and the first year they've had a category for Mystery Novels. A Trick of the Light has been nominated! Also on the shortlist are:

Missing Daughter, Shattered Family by Liz Strange (MLR Press)
The Cut by George Pelecanos (Reagan Arthur/LIttle, Brown)
A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny (St. Martin’s Press)
The Two Deaths of Daniel Hayes by Marcus Sakey (Dutton)
Fun & Games by Duane Swierczynski (Mulholland Books/Little, Brown)

Congratulations everyone - wonderful books!

The Indie Lit Awards are compiled in different categories by an association of internet literary bloggers....so the nominations come from all over the place. A panel of judges has been assembled and the winners will be announced in mid-March. I am thrilled to be on the shortlist! Thank you so much.

We're in Montreal now - drove in this morning. Am about to do an interview with the Journal de Quebec for the launch here of book 4 - Defense de tuer.

Tomorrow we have a few appointments (including dentist for me and accountant for Michael) then back home before the snow on Thursday. the line edited manuscript for The Beautiful Mystery has arrived. We will get to that on Thursday.

As you see - 'time off' is a flexible term.

Hope you're enjoying your week! Speak soon -

Saturday

2012-01-07T10:44:00.000-08:00

freezing rain warning - temps 2 degrees - right now just spitting

I know we should probably be glad it's so mild, but on a walk this morning I ran into a neighbour and the first thing we both said was, 'weird weather'. then, being Canadian, we discussed it for ten minutes then parted. But we were of a mind. We'd rather have snow. We'd rather have minus 10.

I remember reading somewhere - actually, it was in a play, I believe it was called "A Walk in the Park" - in which history was described as 'geography spread over time'. I loved that. I understood it, and believe it to be true. Mountains, lakes, oceans, deserts protect us, or make us vulnerable....but I think they also help define our characters.

Canadians are used to cold in winter....if I wanted it otherwise I'd move south. Just like people in Florida want it warm. It's just what is natural. This feels unnatural. Now, having said all that, come April when it's snowy and blowy, we sure complain, like it's never happened before. I'll tell you, at least in this part of the world, April is always unpredictable and often snowy. And yet, every year it seems to come as a shock.

Had a bit of an active morning - but nicely spaced out (don't say it). Mike arrived to put up the mirror in the bathroom and fix some toe boards that weren't quite right. We made him a coffee and left. off to Knowlton. I needed to sign some Vive Gamache bookplates for Danny and Lucy, and some books, so we decided to have breakfast at Cafe Floral at the same time. Good decision! Started with decaf bowls of cafe au lait - then Michael had the waffle with fresh whipped cream, fruit and warm maple syrup and bacon. I had the eggs florentine. He won. My eggs were great, but really? No competition.

Then off to see Danny at Brome Lake Books. Then I drove Michael home, dropped him off and I headed to Vermont to do some mailing and get gas. We always gas up at the Pinnacle Peddler....partly because we just adore everyone there - partly because it's cheaper in the States, and partly as an ongoing protest against the gas station in Sutton for making their new building so tall it ruins the view on the main street of the mountains. The gas station, when we first arrived, was charming (if such things can be charming). A sort of throw-back. There was full service. Young men and women (teens with their first jobs) would fly out of the little enclosure and fill the tank and do the windshield. In the middle of winter it was a god-send. People would come from miles around for that....especially older people. but the new station fired all the kids, made it self-serve and despite huge protests by townspeople, built this huge convenience store. (we already had a small one in town just down rue Principale - so it was a shame to have a second - that competes and ruins the view).

Now, I have to say, when we have gone in the new gas station, the people have been very nice - but I think we'll continue to support the Pinnacle Peddler.

Off tonight to see friends - then home all tomorrow. Hoping, finally, to do nothing. but am beginning to feel like Charlie Brown and the football.

Hope you're having exactly the sort of weekend you were hoping for! Speak soon.

True nature

2012-01-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

snow gently falling, temperatures have risen to minus 6

Now this is my idea of peace. sitting by the fire, cafe au lait, Michael, Trudy, a Michael Innes mystery (There Came Both Mist and Snow)....nothing on the agenda. Yes, we have no bananas. Nobody coming over. Nothing to be done. OK, some laundry - but that will wait. And I can just drift into the laundry room and do it at my leisure.

I realize what I want - and what I suspect most people want - is to set the agenda. Kind and wonderful friends are asking us out...and I said to Michael that it's not that I don't want to see them - but I'd love to do the asking. It must be a psychological thing, of regaining control over our lives.

And for now, solitude and quiet is the goal. I think it's because, at heart I'm a bit of a hermit. so strange and contradictory...I genuinely like people. And need people. And yearn to belong. Long for a sense of community. And yet, I also want my privacy and solitude.

I think, as amazing and wonderful as the last few years have been - and I wouldn't trade them for anything, they really are my dream - there is an element of losing control of my life. going with the flow became a river, then a rapid, then a cascade...of all great things. But I do feel I want to rest on the shore for a while, before plunging back in.

This is our shore.

Hope you're feeling peaceful and energized as you head into 2012. The photo above was taken by Gary last week, when he came to take new pictures. Not sure this will ever be chose as a shot for the dust jacket - put I like it!

Happy 2012!!

2012-01-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

overcast, very mild, temps plus 2

Freezing rain overnight - treacherous to go out - sooooo - we aren't. We take this as a divine sign that we must stay inside this first day of 2012, drinking coffee and hot chocolate and reading by the fire. Or watching movies and football. Oh, God - when will the decisions end???

We hope you're having a great day too.

We went out for dinner and a meeting last night (friends of Bill) - the perfect way to end the year and begin the new one. We spent much of the evening talking with our friends about gratitude, and the power of perception. Home early - but relaxed and ended up staying up to midnight. 12:01, actually. Saw the ball drop in Times Square, then turned out the lights and were 'bagging Zs' as my brothers used to say.

And today? Well, as I say, just a whole lot of nothing. Have been working toward this for years. Two months of tranquility. No plane ticket in my purse (well, one to London in march, but that's a long way off). No place we need to go. only places we want to go and people we choose to see. for instance, breakfast tomorrow with my great friend Cheryl - who I miss so much, and now finally have relaxed time to spend together.

I know you know how wonderful this feels. I suspect most people yearn for this too - time for ourselves. What is the TV network that talks about ;'Time well Wasted.' That's what I hope January will be.

Starting....today!

But I do want to tell you that having you as company makes everything so much more fun. Thank you!!

I hope 2012 is all you hope for, and more. That is it filled with health and laughter, with joy and peace. Good company - and perhaps even, some good books. But mostly, I wish for you what you wish for yourself.

Michael sends warm embraces, as do I. Happy New Year!!!

Yes, we have no storm

2011-12-28T08:17:00.000-08:00

snow, windy, temps minus 2

The storm that was forecast never showed up here in Montreal - but we're very happy to have come into the city a day early. There was a huge storm expected - up to 40 cms of snow...yesterday. Michael's two sons were visiting us in the country and were supposed to stay until today, then drive in to Montreal. We were leaving too - to spend a few days here and relax. But with the 'weather bomb' forecast we had a large bacon and eggs late breakfast, then all packed up and scooted in to the city.

Traveling was so easy - and a relief not to have to worry about the weather.

Arrived in time for a late lunch at Bistro on the Avenue, on Greene ave (Bistro burger and fries) with the guys - then they left and Michael and I rented some movies and lay on the bed and began our 'vacation'.

Awoke to...nothing. No storm. A bit of snow right now, but hardly the blizzard we'd expected. yes, we have no bananas.

Apparently in the country there was epic rain, and now the temperatures are plunging, so the Eastern Townships will soon be a huge skating rink.

I could go on, and I know this is fascinating, but I think I'll stop talking about the weather.

.... hmmm .... nothing else comes to mind. ....

Actually, since we came in a day early (did I mention the storm warnings?) we now have a day 'free'. I plan to spend it writing the January newsletter and drinking coffee. And watching the dvds we rented. So lovely to have pretty much no agenda while here. I have a telephone interview tomorrow with a big Canadian lifestyle magazine (I'll be in the pjs, lying on the unmade bed, with crumbs stuck to my face - talking about my lifestyle) Then have to actually get dressed and head to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation studios for a live interview on Radio Noon. should air about 12:30 tomorrow. Shawn Appel, the host, and I will be talking about making changes in our lives...hitting a certain point in our lives and deciding the joke is over and it's time to finally go for the dream. Or, perhaps, I'll talk about the weather. A gal can dream.

Hope you're enjoying this always magical week between Christmas and New Year. Always seems such a gift, of time and family, of frivolity and quiet times. A deep breath.

Talk soon - hope you're well.

Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel - plus one

2011-12-26T09:49:00.000-08:00

bright sunshine, though woke up to flurries - temps minus 3

I meant to wish you a Merry Christmas but our internet was off and on - so just managed a quick greeting on Facebook....but a longer entry here was impossible. So I gave up and rejoined Michael and Doug by the fireplace.

We had a beautiful Christmas. The photo was taken on Christmas eve....new snow, followed by a cloudless sky. It was simply breath taking. I took the photo from our front porch.

Christmas Day itself was perfect, from our hermetic point of view. Mild, but snowy and windy - quiet dramatic. And made us feel all the more content and snug by the fire. We listened to carols and talked all day - except for a brief period late in the afternoon when we watched a movie. then back to the fireplace.

Such a peaceful rhythm to our lives here. We drop by neighbours with little gifts and cards - and they drop by here. It's almost always a bit of baking.

I have eaten far too much - even had the dreaded 'seconds' of turkey dinner. I love thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Sweet potatoes, potatoes, peas, stuffing, and lise's chocolate and mint mousse. Then chocolates and clementines. I awoke this morning vowing never to eat again. but now am remembering the turkey leg and egg nogg in the fridge. I might need professional help!

Doug has left - and the bedding had been cleaned and beds remade for Michael's two sons who are arriving this afternoon. We made the traditional turkey casseroles from the leftovers - in layers. Made three. One for tomorrow night and one each for the guys to take home with them. Tonight, we have a special treat....Pat's Christmas gift to us is a vat of her spectacular seafood chowder. With fresh baguette I picked up in the village this morning.

Gary hoping to come tomorrow to take some photos - but snow forecast, so that might not work! Then lunch in Knowlton with Lise, at Cafe Floral while Michael takes his sons to lunch. Breakfast on Wednesday with Cheryl. Lovely to have time to see friends.

Michael and I hope you have had the sort of Christmas you wanted - whether it was quiet or rowdy - parties or peaceful times - or a mix of all of that. We wish you warmth and love. And offer our thanks for being there for both of us.

Happy holidays.

Splendor

2011-12-20T10:02:00.000-08:00

slight flurries off and on, then sunny. temps minus 7

Not much snow, but still, just enough to cover the grass. Rain forecast for tomorrow...ugh. but - sometimes, when it's raining in the village, it's snowing up here. Fingers crossed.

The photo was taken by Susan, when we took Trudy for a walk on Sunday morning. Yes, there I am, in my pajamas. Outside. in winter. And proud of it. Thank God I'm already married - this look might not appeal to every man. Or woman. but dogs? They love it!

Having a lovely time - feel myself creaking back to 'normal'. I'm sure you know that feeling....waking up, and immediately 'switching on' - surveying all that has to be done that day. And then that amazing realization...nothing. Or at least nothing crucial. No speeches, no planes, no long drives, no dinners. No book to write, or re-write, or edit. Yet.

this is bliss. Just the regular daily chores and events. Calls to make, slight problems to solve. But no mountain to climb. No need to watch the weather. No need to formulate a plan b. or even a plan a.

Ahhh.

All the beds are made, the big groceries bought, the meals planned, the gifts wrapped. All heading to Friday when family begins to arrive. They're coming in shifts. And we love them all.

Tomorrow Gary is dropping by, if possible and weather permits, to take more author photos - hoping to do them outside, so it needs to be winter-y - but not too cold. happily, there's no big rush. Greece wants one asap, but we have some recent ones we might send.

My great friend Lesa Holstein has named A Trick of the light on her year end 'favorites' list. It's a terrific list, for those of you wondering what to read. And she has wonderful comments about why she liked each book. her blog is called Lesa's book critiques.

Hope you're not under stress and are enjoying the season. Michael just came back - gotta run to say hi and give him a hug. Speak soon!

Little Things and Great Friends

2011-12-18T13:26:00.000-08:00

bright, sunny day - gorgeous - temps minus 8

Brittle day - in every way. heavy frost, like crystals clinging to everything. In the sunshine it is just spectacular.

Had a very fun day yesterday. Susan arrived from Montreal just before noon. We had a coffee together, then she and I hopped in the car and drove to Vermont. Stopped at the Pinnacle Peddler, in Richford, for lunch - then onto Enosburg Falls and the Hannaford store. It's a huge grocery store. Because it's american, there are all sorts of brands we don't get in Canada. Very fun. Susan really loves to cook and knows food - so I just tagged along and impulse bought. (two different kinds of egg nogg! Yum)

then home. We're allowed to bring groceries across the border - we just declare it and show the receipt. The Canadian border guards read it to make sure we aren't bringing in alcohol or tobacco or guns, I guess. Thank God egg nogg isn't considered a drug - yet.

Got home by about 4:30. It was pitch black already. Wow. Makes 6pm feel like 10pm.

Michael and I had a meeting to go to last night - and Susan had already planned to cook. We got home about 7:30. Desperately cold night. How wonderful to come through the door and smell all those wonderful aromas. You can see Susan doing the last minute preparations.

We put out the Christmas plates and set the table with Christmas decorations and crackers. Exchanged gifts. Susan had baked Michael eccles cakes (his favorite and a real treat) and made me a batch of raspberry shrub drink (my favorite). We gave Susan a tacky/fun New York Christmas decoration - since she loves New York more than anyone I know, including New Yorkers. And a personally signed Ian Rankin (she also loves him).

Our propane fireplace, after working brilliantly for a month, suddenly isn't working. Very disappointing, as the cold, and Christmas, close in. What's off, besides the fact it was working so well for so long, is that the flame doesn't just go out, but the pilot light goes out too. Bob, our construction manager, is on the case with AJR Lacroix - where we bought it. Fingers crossed they can solve it soon. But still - there are far worse things! And the rest of the house is working wonderfully.

Last night was the first real test of our geothermal in winter. Got down to minus 15 overnight, but it kept plugging away - keeping us snug and warm. Such a relief!

Now we're enjoying a quiet afternoon. Susan's headed home and we're watching football. Lovely not to have, or need, an agenda. tomorrow some chores in Cowansville - then home we hope for the fireplace repair person.

Watching Denver and New England. Great game so far.

The Messiah

2011-12-16T11:06:00.000-08:00

overcast, dreary, damp - temps plus 1

The last of several days of wet and gray. Very, very mild yesterday - up to seven degrees. And huge amounts of rain. We were very lucky - drove the almost 4 hours home from Ottawa through rain, but not the heaviest.

From Montreal we drove to Ottawa on Wednesday. Arrived just afternoon and went out for Indian food. Again, disappointing. Strange. I hadn't realized how very lucky Michael and I had been by having a terrific Indian restaurant around the corner from us in Montreal for many years. It closed a year ago. I'm afraid I just assumed all Indian restaurants were that good.

they aren't. Still - it was a treat.

Then back to the Ottawa hotel in time for a nap before the evening festivities. Met our friend Bal, his son Jim and Jim's wife Melissa in the lobby, then drove to the national arts Centre. Our friend Trevor was conducting Handel's Messiah. But one of the treats was that before the concert Trevor had agreed to a public 'conversation' in a smaller room, with one of Canada's great interviewers, Eric Friesen. We got there early and had terrific seats to hear Trevor and Eric talk about the Messiah, about music, about Trevor's feelings about music and approach to conducting. He was incredibly open and generous in letting us see into him. And Eric's insightful questions helped, of course.

Trevor had arranged for us to have a private box at the NAC. Just before the concert began we got to the box...the lights dimmed, the soloists walked onto the stage to thunderous applause. Then the concert master. And finally Trevor in his white tie and tails. Thrilling.

But....I have a fear of heights that is situational. I can sit on our fifth floor balcony in Montreal without a problem - but in a theatre I always have great difficulty. And, to my dismay, I felt it wash over me in bigger and stronger and more smothering waves. finally, I had to leave. I stood outside, looking through the glass door and hearing the muffled Messiah.

arrrgh.

Then I had an idea. I snuck back in and whispered to Michael....then I retreated again. And went downstairs to the main floor. Sneaking down the aisle, outside the concert hall, I finally saw what I was looking for. One of those small 'jump seats' reserved for attendants. But this one was empty. And close enough to the stage I could have been called on to have a solo!

So I snuck in, pulled down the seat - and enjoyed the entire concert. It was magnificent. magnified, if possible, by having great affection for the conductor. Trevor actually played the harpsicord, and conducted from there. It was a virtuoso performance. And the orchestra and choir and soloists were glorious. No other word. Glorious.

then the Hallelujah chorus....everyone stood. I asked afterward where that tradition came from...apparently the king (not sure which one) stood at that point in the work, and of course everyone else did. And since then, we all do it at every performance of the Messiah. Very communal.

when we left home for Montreal earlier in the week I forgot my glasses. Need them to read - it was very strange not to have them. But it meant I couldn't read the programme- and still haven't had time to do it. but have saved it for a quiet moment. A treat.

The concert was two and a half hours, but was over in a flash. Standing ovation, of course - and many curtain calls. We were so happy for everyone - they all seemed so pleased. Joyful.

Then our party retired to the NAC restaurant for dinner - when trevor entered to join us the entire room burst into applause. It was wonderful to see a man who deserves every honour, be honoured.

Dinner ended at midnight and we got back to the hotel, and collapsed into bed. Next morning we drove through driving rain to get home. so much rain that the dirt road leading to our house was slick and almost molten. The hills in particular were disconcerting, as the car slipped and slided along. But we were careful and got home in time to see the end of the marble installation. I took some photos to show you - you've been so supportive and encouraging, as our frayed nerves frayed further.

As you can see, the marble looks amazing. What a lot of work for Bob and Mike and Paul and Ashley and everyone who helped. Now we just have to learn to use it - and not treat it as though it wasn't stone at all but silk. Paul - the marble guy - said the sealants are so much better, that we needn't worry about staining anymore - if there is a stain, it's only on the sealant and we can just lightly sand it off, and reseal. It won't get down into the actual marble.

We'll see... But like the floor and everything else, it's meant to be used and lived in - stained and scratched. Like me. At least marble doesn't wrinkle (or grow a mustache) as it ages.

The latest drama is that our wonderful gas fireplace is not longer working. Pilot light went out and refuses to stay on. Lots of gas in the tank - the technician thinks it might be the valve. Michael and I nodded and tried to look intelligent. But it means a repair and no fire through the weekend. too bad.

Our friend Susan is arriving tomorrow - staying just the night. Very fun to see her for a pre-christmas celebration.

Hope you're enjoying yourself and this run up to Christmas. Be well.

Tea

2011-12-13T15:47:00.000-08:00

Snow, sleet, freezing rain, rain, snow, sleet.... temps at freezing

Not the nicest day to drive in to Montreal, but not really too bad. Had breakfast in Cowansville, then Michael and I hit the autoroute and arrived in Montreal just before noon. As you can tell, it's a raw day. Damp and dreary. But I had a real treat to look forward to - afternoon tea!

I thought it was wonderful and very thoughtful of the women at the french Quebec publishers - Flammarion Quebec - to decide to take Lise and me out for high tea. Very english! It's become a tradition. last year we went to a Montreal institution, Birks, for tea. But it was all booked up today - so Louise Loiselle, the publisher, found this other place - Maitre Chocolatier on Sherbrooke St - that serves very english high tea.

You can see the photo. Down the right side, from front to back (the window) are: Louise Loiselle, then Lise (My Assistant - as she is now legally known), then Louise Chabalier (one of the translators) then Marie-Claude, who works at Flammarion. Down the other side, from front to back, are Claire Chabalier (one of the translators - they're sisters), and Anne Saskia, who also works at Flammarion.

We had such fun. They are a terrific group. We laughed, and heard all about Louise and Claire winning the Governor General's award for translation - very moving story. The entire afternoon flew by in a cloud of conversation and thinly sliced cucumber. Lise had brought Hovey manor granola as Christmas gifts for everyone.

Then Lise and I walked back through the Christmas lights of Montreal - so pretty - and down to Ogilvey's, to look at their famous Christmas window. Then I walked her back to her hotel, where her husband Del was waiting, and hopped a cab home. dinner and an early night for Michael and me. off to Ottawa tomorrow to hear our friend Trevor conduct the Messiah at the National Arts Centre. A rare treat.

Speak to you soon - hope you're thriving!!

Peace and quiet

2011-12-10T09:18:00.000-08:00

bright sunshine, new snow, mild, temps minus 3

Perfect winter day. My slight cold seems to have gone to my voice, so I sound like an adolescent boy. Lucky Michael.

So exciting to hear that the Toronto Globe and Mail has named A Trick of the Light one of the Best Crime Novels of 2011! Such an honour - and such fabulous company...it's a great list. I'm afraid I don't know how to do a link here, but Marjorie has a link up on my Facebook page, if you're interested. All great books!

Finally a quiet day. No one expected....though that often means nothing. Still, I have to say, it is very nice to have people drop in, and know they're welcome. But it's also nice to have nothing at all in our agendas for today or tomorrow.

The only issue now is that we're having some difficulty getting the TV to work. But that's not surprising. We're really in the middle of nowhere. No cable. We rely on satellite. If a cloud, or large bird, flies by we lose transmission. Thank God we're not the DEW line!

poor Luc, from Electronquie Knowlton has practically set up a cot here. We're considering putting him in our wills. But now he thinks he's solved it. I think mice in the basement might not help either. High tech, confounded by clouds and mice. Sort of poetic and perfect, really.

King's College Cambridge has ceded their place to Bing Crosby. He's now singing Silver Bells. I'm not sure I'd normally be drawn to the song or style - but this album is so intertwined and empowered by 50 years of Christmas memories, that I can't imagine the holidays without it.

We took the photo last night, to show you the lights on the honeysuckle outside the sitting room window. Hard to see in the photo, but you get the idea.

Have taken advantage of the quiet to wrap all the gifts. Most of the cards done too. Great feeling.

Heard from Linda in Scotland...a little damage from that 'weather bomb' a few days ago - but most back to normal now.

Michael has finished his jigsaw and is now beside the fire with his Sudoku. I plan to spend the afternoon reading. Ahhhh. Hope you're happy and healthy and enjoying your weekend.

Speak soon!

lucky stars

2011-12-08T14:11:00.001-08:00

clear, temps minus 3

We woke up to snow this morning. Not a lot, but enough to finally give us a Christmas feeling. Flurries a few times through the morning, then it cleared up and the day became lovely and sunny.

well, our Christmas tree is up and decorated! Lights on the tree outside too - throwing beautiful light into the house. We're having a few days of near constant activity here - fun things....details getting looked after. You know what it's like. The last five percent of renovation work. but a very fun five percent. Just lots of running around. but now the television is in, the stereo hooked up, King's College Cambridge singing carols, just for us. Fire lit. Michael has his afternoon hot chocolate and I have my tea.

Woke up with a slight sore throat - worsening a bit as the day has gone on. Longing for a bath but ran out of time today. But wow, I just kept thanking my lucky stars that it hit the day after my very last event. Wow. All through the book tour - and into the fall - I just kept praying for good health. A cold on tour is terrible.

and sure enough - now it hits, when I have all the time in the world (almost) to relax. Or at least, no obligations in cement. The last event - and it's not even mine, we're in the audience - is heading to Ottawa middle of next week to see Trevor conduct the Messiah at the National Arts Centre. The day before that, the wonderful people at Flamarrion Quebec have organized an afternoon tea and invited Lise and me - to celebrate the success of the past year and the imminent publication of the fourth book in French, Defense de tuer (which means - no hunting....it's a sort of play on the American title, A Rule Against Murder). Many people around here, ourselves included, have 'Defense de tuer' signs on our properties - warning against hunting on our land.

The nights draw in so early now. 4:30. Lovely to sit by the fire, listen to carols, sip tea and look at the lights outside reflecting off the snow.

Trudy needs to be fed and walked - she's reminded me a few times already (though she starts wondering at about 3pm).

I hope you're enjoying a quiet evening too. We're following the terrible storm in Scotland. Linda Lyall, who manages my website and newsletter lives there and she wrote this morning saying they were all on red alert for 165 mile an hour winds! Can you imagine? We're waiting for news from her.

Hope you're well - talk soon!

Goodbye New York...

2011-12-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

rain, mild, temps 8

Well, we're back home....sort of. Michael's in sutton and I'm in Montreal. But we're back from New York City.

You know, I honestly can't imagine a more magical time! Not a single moment of the four days was marred or flawed or anything other than wonderful. Here are a few photos from the last few days in New York.

You can see Michael and me in front of the famous Picasso back cloth painting, hanging in the hallway of the Four Season's restaurant. We'd actually forgotten it was there, and as we were walking down the long hallway we both stopped at once, and gasped. There it was! And here it is, enhanced by the two goofy, blurry people obscuring it. Enjoy!

That was Friday night. Before arriving for dinner Michael and I went to Saks Fifth Avenue, because he's forgotten all his ties at home. Two suits - no ties. and because he's a bow-tie guy we can't just buy one on a street corner from the fella also selling hot chestnuts and giant pretzels. When we came out of Saks we noticed all these people staring at the outside of the building....some apparently filming it. We turned around and - voila! A light show was being projected on it.

Very fun....and very intricate.

From there we walked down to the rink at Rockefeller Centre - to see the huge lighted Christmas tree. You can see the photo of Michael - having all sorts of bright ideas.

We had a fabulous dinner with my editor, hope and charlie.

Then on Saturday Michael woke up not feeling great - upset stomach - so we ordered room service and spent the day literally in bed. Reading the newspaper, books, watching TV....napping. By late afternoon Michael was feeling well enough to go to the gala at the MetLife Centre for the Nero Awards. It's called the Black Orchid Banquet and the people are all passionate about the writing of Rex Stout - huge fans of Nero Wolfe. it was fascinating to hear them discuss nuances I never knew existed, though I read a lot of the Nero Wolfe books when I was younger....and even developed a bit of a girlish crush on Archie.

The Black Orchid Novella Award (bona) was also given out that night to James Lincoln Warren. It'll be published in the Alfred Hitchcock Magazine, and it sounds wonderful! Congratulations Jim. He also gave a beautiful, gracious, moving speech.

And then the Nero was announced. You know the results. I was so happy to be there - it was a remarkable moment, to be in a room filled with men in tuxes and women in gowns...at the MetLife building in Manhattan....accepting an award named for one of the great creations in detective fiction. Wow.

On sunday Michael and I had breakfast at a nearby neighborhood hangout....Friend of the Farmer - which our friend Susan recommended last time we were in NYC. We loved it so much we returned. Then we walked all the way uptown, to Central Park, and took a horse and carriage ride through the park. then met my british publisher, who happened to be in NYC, at the Plaza for afternoon tea in the Palm room. A really magnificent room!

I'll tell you, New York anytime is wonderful - but at Christmas, it's even more extraordinary. Genuinely magical.

Then today we had breakfast, hopped a cab to JFK and onto a short jetBlue (45 minutes) flight to Burlington, VT. From there we got the car and drove to Richford, to pick up some packages and mail some on....then across the border to Quebec. As wonderful as New York was, it always feels great to cross back into Canada. Nothing political or social or anything more meaningful than home. As simple as that.

Though we are dreaming of a pied a terre in Gramercy Park! Never hurts to dream.

I dropped Michael at home, organized my clothes, then back into the car to drive to Montreal. I'll be speaking tomorrow at the annual Christmas luncheon of the Women's Canadian Club.

Then back into the car....and home! Dreadful rain driving in tonight. Driving rain. And some snow in the forecast for tomorrow - but it sure will be great to close the door behind us....and cocoon.

Thanks for your company in NYC. We left the hotel bill for you to pay....

Nero Award!

2011-12-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

clear, mild, temps 40

Bury Your Dead just won the Nero Award here in New York City. It was given out at a gala at the MetLife building. wonderful, wonderful evening. Lots of fun - whole evening celebrating the works of Rex Stout (who, of course, created Nero Wolfe). Mr Stout's daughter and some of his grandchildrn (and even a great granddaughter) were there too.

Very, very fun evening...and what a great honour. Wow! Michael and I went with Sarah Melnyk, my publicist at Minotaur Books. she's just terrific.

I wanted you to know right away. We have some photos etc, which I'll put on the next blog entry.

We're still in new york on Sunday - having Afternoon Tea at the Plaza with someone from my british publisher, Little, Brown. Imagine that - I feel so terribly fortunate. Wow.

New York City

2011-12-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

sunny, mild, temps mid-forties

Beautiful day, in every way. We're in New York City - staying in the Gramercy Park Hotel. We've been to New York about once a year since the books were published....but we made the 'mistake' (at least for us) of staying the first few times in hotels in midtown. Which is pretty much like staying in the Grand Canyon. Not a lot of neighourhood feel. Just loads and loads of people and office buildings/hotels. Magnificent, but doesn't feel very human.

We honestly didn't like New York very much. Were in awe of it. But there wasn't much affection.

But then our friend Susan, who adores New York City, suggested we stay downtown...Greenwich, Chelsea, Soho....a place that is actually a neighborhood. With small restaurants and markets and where people live. So we found a place on Union Square....and started our love affair with this city. Now we've moved to Gramcery Park and the affair deepens. It just gives us such a thrill to walk out the door, turn onto Lexington and see the Crysler building...or look down park ave and see the empire state building. Just standing on Park Ave gives me a thrill!!! You can see Michael outside the Flatiron building, looking toward the Empire State building.

But I have to tell you about the flight down. We got up in Sutton yesterday morning...had breakfast. Tony came by, then Bob came by - but we got away just after 9am...drove to Burlington, VT for our flight. So much easier to fly out of Burlington than Montreal - we're already across the border, so no airport customs, and it's a lovely, small airport. We arrived early, and I parked the car while Michael checked the bags in. We already had our boarding pass.

When I arrived I noticed there was an earlier flight that had been delayed and was leaving in 20 minutes....I hesitated, but thought I might as well ask....could we get on the JetBlue flight about to leave?

Our bags had already been checked. We had boarding passes for the later flight - and the one I was asking about was about to leave.

the jetblue attendent said, 'I'll check' - which I figured was a long shot. next thing I knew she was handing us new boarding passes, new luggage tags and telling us to hurry!

We hopped it through security...no other passengers there and arrived at the gate just as they were calling the flight....and arrived in NYC before our original flight would have even left. It was wonderful.

The hotel is great - dinner last night was with six people from the publishers....Hope (my editor), Sarah (who does publicity), Jeanne-Marie (marketing), Matthew, who is Vice president of St Martin's Press...Sally, who is the publisher of St Martin's - and Andy Martin, the publisher of my imprint (which is a subsidiary of SMP) - Minotaur Books. We had one of the best meals of our lives...it's the latest Danny Meyer restaurant called Maialino. We shared a cheese plate and a salami plate...some had starter of sweet breads. Then the main course...most of us had roast pork...I had mine with pasta. It was amazing. Then we ended with an assortment of desserts. We agreed that Michael 'won' with vanilla ice creams drizzled with warm esspresso. Dear Lord!

We'd brought cheese wedges for everyone - to celebrate THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY...the cheese was Bleu Benedictine, made at the monastery of St-Benoit-du-lac.

This morning after breakfast we headed over to the Flatiron, I thought to discuss strategy for THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY. But Andy led us into a room and there were fifty people, all part of the publishing team, from designers to marketers, to library and audio people - all people who'd helped propel A TRICK OF THE LIGHT to number 4 on the NYTimes list. And a huge cake with the cover of the book on it!!! And a gorgeous framed copy of the book cover and the New York times list. Wow. Michael got weepy. I got weepy.

It was one of those amazing moments in life...I never, ever expected to be feted in New York. By my publishers. It was a time I will never forget. Nor will I forget their kindness. And the kindess of Elizabeth and Silissa to organize it. Wow.

You can see the photo I took of all of them. the man holding my book is Andy Martin, the publisher of Minotaur Books. the other photo, of the three men, is of John Sargent - the head of the whole thing...of Macmillan. the big banana, standing beside Andy, who is standing beside Michael...and all are standing where I would not! the balcony outside John's office on the top floor, at the point of the wedge, of the Flatiron. Amazing.

After that - Michael, Sarah, Hope, Andy and I sat down and did a de-brief on the launch of A TRICK OF THE LIGHT and began to strategize for THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY. Out, probably, in late august/early sept of 2012.

Then we had a fabulous Indian meal at Tamirind then I had my hair done. It was actually Sally - the publisher's - appointment, but when I asked her about how I could get an appointment at such a late date she said, 'Take mine!" So after some very feeble protests on my part, I did!

Now back at the hotel briefly. Meeting Hope and her husband Charlie for dinner at the Four Seasons. But first Michael and I are hitting Saks Fifth Ave, and seeing the tree at Rockefeller Centre...then walking over to the Four Seasons.

What a life! What an amazing, fortunate, life. Wow. Gotta Run! Speak soon. the Nero awards are tomorrow. Bury Your Dead nominated. Wish me luck!

getting closer....

2011-11-29T13:53:00.000-08:00

overcast - very mild - 17 degrees - but very windy right now...

I can hear gusts of wind outside - but we're snug and safe and warm inside.

What an exciting time...the work continues - details. All making the place even better. After a couple of love, quiet, days today was a madhouse, starting at 8am. So many people - from Rose doing some last minute cleaning to Mike doing some minor repairs, to Terry the electrician and Lise and Del putting up christmas decorations outside - Bob arrived to supervise. But the big thing that Cameron arrived with the kitchen island and shelves. There's a photo of him when it was just installed. the other photo is the view from roughly where Cameron was standing (a little blurred) The last picture is taken from my chair by the fireplace., aftereveryone left - at 3:30 this afternoon. Still more to do....marble countertops to go in. Vermont Marble doing it....but they just called to say that the slab they were working on for us had a vein in it, and it cracked....so back to the quarry. Oh well.

We have an area rug that Kirk and jane helped choose and have ordered arriving for under the kitchen table (in the middle of the room). Cameron is also making us a bookcase for the cookbooks in the pantry.

But - for the most part - it's done!!! We can barely dare to believe it. A few small things happening tomorrow - then off to New York City on Thursday for the Nero Awards banquet. That's happening Saturday night. Bury Your Dead is nominated! Very exciting.

the geo-thermal fellows just arrived. Seems quite a large piece of the ducting was left off the machine in the basement.... at least, that's my understanding. And with winter coming on, we don't need that. Thank God it has been so mild!

How are you doing? It has been such fun to report from the frontlines of both my writing life and personal life - the renovations. Thank you for being interested. I appreciate it!

One red dot

2011-11-27T10:03:00.000-08:00

mainly sunny, mild, temps 8

A wonderful, mild, day. Ended up getting quite a bit of snow yesterday too - but it's all gone now. Beautiful day.

We set the alarm for 6am - and out of the house by 7:30 - over to the main house. Lise was already there - Deanna, Donna and Rose arrived a few minutes before 8. And the Big Cleanup began. Very impressive to see four women who hate dirt and disorder get rid of both. I was almost in tears.

While they did all the filthy work inside I decided to take advantage of the unusually mild day and clean the new windows outside. first, scrape with a razor the flecks of paint...then windex. All on top of a step ladder. I wondered if I'd feel uncomfortable, but it just wasn't all that high. It was actually quite fun - except for the torrential melt streaming off the roof and onto my head. I'd put on a raincoat and a hat, but of course it came down right on top of me. Sunny everywhere else on the property, except where I needed to stand. Felt a bit like a keystone cop.

but what a difference it makes to the windows. Feels wonderful.

I've come back to the cottage briefly to pack more things and get some lunch - and now will hop on back. The other people who came today was an Ikea guy who needed to fix something....and Mike.

He came initially to help move furniture but ended up doing the million-and-one things that suddenly pop up. The plates for the light switches. Putting bits of wood under furniture that wasn't level, figuring out which breaker had blown. It -

All the above was written two days ago...interrupted by the ringing of.the phone. It was Lise at the main house saying two fellows had just shown up with a truckload of furniture. I stopped in mid-sentence and flew out of the cottage. It was all the furniture we'd had re=upholstered....it had arrived!!! We'd been waiting three months for this moment, wondering what the 'new' old furniture would look like in our 'new' old home. How many times Michael and I discussed placement - and asked Kirk his opinion. To be honest, i couldn't even remember what fabric we'd chosen! So long ago and so many decisions.

Sure enough, when we got back to the main house the furniture was being unloaded - into the chaos....but they managed....and unwrapped and placed it. Wow - you can see the photo, taken today...even better than I dared dream. Oh, it gives me such pleasure, and at the same time a lovely, settled feeling of peace.

Home.

By five o'clock Friday evening everyone had left and Michael and I dropped into the chairs on either side of the fireplace, poured a diet ginger, got out some fruit cake - and sighed. Dear Lord, we made it.

As you can see, the kitchen isn't quite finished - but close enough so that we can live here and cook.

Saturday at 8am, Darol, who was putting on the wallpaper, arrived to finish the job. Then Ikea arrived with the new sofa that needed to be assembled (not just the feet put on, but it arrived in 5 boxes!! Then Mike arrived to help assemble it. I say 'help' as though he didn't do the whole thing - which he did. I was assigned the cushions....you can imagine how much assembly was necessary. It was the Ikea equivalent of being told to roll bandages and boil water.

by 1:30 the wallpapering was finished, Mike had assembled the sofa, we'd all sat on it and ate sandwiches. surrounded still by boxes and 'stuff' all over the place. I spent the afternoon picking up things at random and wandering around the house, trying to figure out where to put it.

To be honest, we got rid of a lot of 'stuff' when we packed up - and we're again 'editing' our belongings....paring them down. simplicity...though I think it's a little late for that. But we're doing our best.

Now - Sunday - it is quiet, finally. The day Michael and I have dreamed of since last winter when we first started thinking about this renovation - spurred on by the need to replace a solarium that was falling down and wouldn't survive another winter. We found Bob Ray, and he found Maurice and his men, and Mike and the electrician and plumber and painters. Gary joined us - and over just three months two roofs were completely rebuilt and replaced, the glass solarium became a sunroom with fireplace - new floors - a bathroom was remodeled so that if one day one of us can't make the stairs we can turn the TV room into a bedroom....the door to the bathroom widened to accommodate a wheelchair. In case. This house is a home. Forever, we hope.

We know how lucky we are. In our fiends. In Lise and Gary and Bob and Mike and so many others who've helped. In having this home - in having the ability to live here. A home we adore in a community we love. In having a certain stability in uncertain times.

On the fridge, I placed a single small red dot....a magnet. It can be seen from almost anywhere in the 'new' space. If you get really, really close, you can see there are three small words written beneath the red glass.

I am thankful.

The Office

2011-11-23T14:09:00.000-08:00

snow, but mild - temps about freezing

Walked back and forth to the house a few times today, taking Trudy. Mostly because I couldn't be bothered to clean off the car. We had our first significant snowfall - loads of warnings out. Not a day to be on the highways. It hasn't snowed a great deal - 10 to 15 cm- but very heavy, sticky. The sort of snow that's very difficult and dangerous to drive in. Besides, it takes a few snows before we really get out 'snow legs'.

Garages packed with people trying to get their winter tires on. It's now illegal in Quebec not to have winter tires - which I think is a law long overdue....not just for the safety of the driver, but for the others on the road they might (and do) career into. But the deadline must have been chosen by someone who winters in Florida. December 15.

Generally by Dec. 15th we've had a number of significant snowfalls - like today.

Though, I say 'significant' but the truth is, we're far from snowed in. But, like the schools, we have declared this a 'snow day' and have decided not to leave home - except to trudge through the woods to let workers into the house, and let workers out (we find they work better and harder if locked in.... I'm kidding of course....)

So today I wrote the December newsletter and got caught up on some correspondence that had been piling up. Bought a new blackberry. I sort of toyed with an iPhone 4 - but I mostly use the machines for email - and sometimes for talk. I really don't need the other things. What I need is a sturdy workhorse. I loved my current blackberry - but it has now worn out completely. Had it repaired once - but now I think it's beyond that. So when my wireless provider called today with some new package options I decided to go for the Blackberry Bold 9900. Hope it's OK. Mostly, I just want the keyboard to work - but in my experience no one seems to make great mobile keyboards, except my old clunker. But, we'll see. I'm quite looking forward to having a new machine, though i offered it to Michael since he seems much more plugged in to these things, and I can have his old model.

So that's the sort of thing that happened around the office today. You can see the workspace, in our military-industrial complex. I think you can even see the snow through the windows.

Happy trails, for those of you traveling for American Thanksgiving tomorrow. have a wonderful, fun time!

When the dust settles

2011-11-21T14:38:00.000-08:00

bright sunny day - cold - minus 5

I finally appreciate the full depth of that saying...Waiting until the dust settles.

The floor guys came on friday and sanded...without a bag to collect the dust. Our construction manager Bob Ray, who was there, describes it as akin to a dust storm in the Sahara. He and one of his workers, Ashley, went in on Sunday and cleaned up. They had to vacuum the ceiling. The walls. Inside the kitchen drawers.

The floor guys came back today....we were all shuddering....wondering what next. I went to the house at 7am to let them in. They arrived at 8. And announced they had more sanding to do. Now, I hadn't witnessed the ordeal on Friday, but Bob was almost in tears describing it. So I asked if it would be as bad.

They exchanged glances and said - 'No.'

I stared at them, nodded, and left. The better part of valour? Just chicken, really. I realized if they were lying or telling the truth, it didn't really matter - whatever was about to happen, would happen....and I had to just step out of the way, and let them get on with it.

We went back at 5pm...and rushed in before our courage failed. To find...the place almost pristine! Or, at least, not any filthier than it was at 8am. And the floors??? Well, they'd managed to get the first coat of oil on the reclaimed teak, and the floors are spectacular. My God - even better than I dreamed.

What a relief!

Lise and Donna and Lise's friend Rose are going in tomorrow, while the floor guys put on a second coat....to do a clean of the upstairs. It isn't too bad - but it sure is far from clean, after three months accumulating construction dust. I suggest to Lise they get those masks, so she's off to Rona to buy some first thing.

What a travail, these renovations. But we've had worse. We actually had our home - many years ago - burn down. All the way to a smoldering black hole in the ground during renovations. Apparently one of the roofers tossed a lit cigarette into a garbage can filled with saw dust. And the inevitable happened.

Measured against that disaster, anything else looks like a cake-walk.

Yesterday, as I mentioned, I did another signing session at the Salon du Livres, at the booth of my Quebec publisher, Flammarion Quebec. Lots of people - but there were some quiet moments. I was telling you how horrifying those can be....one of the Flammarion employees captured a few of those moments on film.

This is what writers do with too much time on their hands....

Yes - that is what creativity looks like. I am indistinguishable from Jane Austen.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend - speak soon.

Salon du Livres

2011-11-20T06:29:00.000-08:00

partly cloudy - chilly day - but getting milder....rain on the way.

We're heading back to the country this afternoon....can hardly wait. We'll be staying in the cottage for another week, while the floors are being sanded and oiled. It's made of reclaimed teak and I'l so impatient to see how the oiling comes up. The sanding man, who is apparently terrific, forgot the bag for his sander and instead of taking the time to go back to his shop to get it, he sanded all Friday without it.

We were in Montreal and didn't see the mess...thank heaven....but I can imagine. Actually, I'm trying not to imagine. Bob, who is running the renovations, said he sealed everything....and he is terrific. So maybe it isn't as bad as I imagine. I'm sort of seeing a brownish desert - drifts of wood dust. Settling on the counters, shot into every crack and drawer. Stuck to the walls. In our bed. A sort of Three Bears of construction.

We're heading home tonight, as I say....we'll take a few deep breaths, then go in and see. The beauty of imagining the worst is the huge relief when it doesn't happen. I'll let you know.

The Salon du Livres in Montreal was terrific yesterday. As you can see by the photo...packed with people - loads of families and children almost hysterical at meeting authors of their favorite books. Quebec is a highly literate society....love books, of all sorts. There's nothing like the Salon du Livres in English Canada. It's a huge book fair. There was, a few years ago, a Book Expo in Toronto - but that was for industry insiders, and not open to the public. I'd love to see a book fair in the english world. There are book festivals, but it isn't the same thing. At the Salon - it's open for almost a week and basically the publishers put up booths and their authors sit at desks and sign books. It's a lot less structured and formal than a literary festival. All sorts of panels happening, and on stage interviews....but it feels like this huge, joyous celebration of reading. Wonderful. Invigorating.

My event was between 3 and 4 yesterday. Met lots of people. fun to see the lines growing, from last year. I'll tell you, sitting at a desk for two hours (as I did last year) when no one shows up is exhausting...far more tiring that speaking with, and signing for, hundreds of people. It really is very difficult - sitting alone and making it look like I don't care. So it's nice when it feels like that time is past here in Quebec.

Had fun doing the interview with Kathy Reichs. You can see the photo of us - with Elizabeth holding the microphone to Kathy and Alison holding the microphone to me. Alison is the producer of the CBC national radio programme C'est la Vie. They recorded a conversation between kathy and me on Saturday afternoon at the Salon. I'm just amazed her her stamina - all the calls on her time, and she's still standing and smiling. Such fun to talk with her.

I'll be at the Salon again this afternoon from 3 to 4, then Michael is coming to pick me up and we'll head back to the country. Our reclaimed teak Sahara.

nahh - it'll be great. Fine, even...

Aunt Agathas and Amazon.ca

2011-11-17T14:47:00.000-08:00

sleet- a blechy day- temps about freezing

One of those classic, cold, gray, late fall day...the sky threatening, and then delivering. A mix of rain and snow. Michael and I were out in it - against all odds I got off the bed today. Returned the DVDs - then went for Indian food (which sadly wasn't all that great) then headed to a hardware store...and got caught in the sleet.

We stopped and bought a Christmas gift that needs to be mailed out...dear Lord, how quickly Christmas arrives! And a box of Christmas crackers. They're just about my favorite part of Christmas...popping the crackers, wearing the silly hats, reading the stupid jokes and trying to get the cheap plastic gift to 'work'. Can't imagine why those crackers just give me such pleasure, but I know Christmas wouldn't feel the same. I think it's just impossible to take anyone, or myself, too seriously with those hats. Just relaxes everyone. Like wine, with a small explosive.

After that we headed home to the apartment.

The really fun news is that the great folks at Aunt Agatha's bookstore in Ann Arbor (run by Robin and Jamie and very influential in the mystery writers/readers community) has chosen A TRICK OF THE LIGHT as one of their Best Crime Novels of 2011. You can get their full list if you go to Aunt Agatha's website. it makes a wonderful reading list, and Robin provides very thought reviews of each book, so you get a flavour before committing to the book. I'm just so thrilled about this...a genuine honour...especially given the other books and writers listed, as you'll see.

And - closer to home - Amazon.ca has named A TRICK OF THE LIGHT one of the top mysteries of 2011 - and among the best 20 books (fiction and non-fiction) published all year.

I am so thrilled I can't tell you. Though I think you can guess.

On top of that, my UK editor, Dan Mallory of Little, Brown wrote to say he also thinks the next book, THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY, is by far the best of the Gamache novels. Phew - and yippee....and all sorts of joyous swear words I won't impose on you here. It was a beautiful letter, detailed and funny, and very moving. I printed it out and won't tell you how many times I've re-read it - and how many times I plan to continue to read it. My new hobby.

Thank you, too, for continuing to support A TRICK OF THE LIGHT. Hope it finds its way under some Christmas trees...love to think of it wrapped and waiting.

Off to do some errands tomorrow - accountant and Michael's eye doctor for a visual field. Then I'll be signing at the Salon du Livres (the book fair) in Montreal on Saturday and Sunday, from 3 to 4. On top of that, the CBC Radio show C'est La Vie - which is on the english network but talks about issues to do with french Canada - has arranged for Kathy Reichs and me to have a conversation. I'm not at all sure what we'll talk about, but I can guess. I've met Kathy a few times and have been so deeply impressed by her smarts and how friendly she is. No sense that she's 'here' and the rest of us are 'there'. So, I'm looking forward to it.

I'll let you know how it goes, and take some photos (and hope Kathy doesn't bitch slap me - or if she does, we catch it on film.)

The Beautiful Mystery

2011-11-15T09:29:00.000-08:00

many sunny, very mild, temps 16

Wow - very mild. We're finding the seasons seem to have been shifted by a month. November is like October...Sept like August used to be...

We're in Montreal - stopped by Nespresso to get a new machine...tired of fighting with the old one - though it owed us nothing. We'd used it many times a day, everyday, for years. And it still works - sort of. Trying to decide what to do with it. Give it to someone handy, I think.

The fun news is that I heard from the publisher himself yesterday. He called twice...once I was out doing errands and he (Andy) spoke to Michael....and the second time I was in. He called to say he'd just read THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY, the eighth Gamache novel - and loved it. Indeed, he said he was trembling at the end and actually stayed home Monday morning to finish the book. Then had to call to tell me it was his favorite.

It was one of those calls an author (or at least this author) dreams of getting. Not only because it says something about the book - but it speaks so beautifully of Minotaur Books, my US publisher....that the head of the imprint himself would call. I've heard, of course, from my wonderful editor- and we worked on the editorial notes together....but to actually hear from the publisher is amazing. Incredibly passionate about books, and publishing - and so supportive. Wow.

I'm so excited to get THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY into your hands. We don't have a set publishing date yet, but it will probably be sometime next fall.

Someone asked a very good question on my Facebook page today about why it won't be out for 10 months when the book seems finished.

One of the great discoveries for me about the publishing industry is how very many decisions need to be made - and all the care that goes in to getting a book out. For instance, while the editorial decisions have been made - those to do with content and continuity and character and those sorts of things....the book still needs to be given to someone who specializes in doing the 'line edits'....that's for the most part spelling and grammar and some issues of continuity we haven't yet caught...if someones eyes are blue in one scene and brown in another...or if Gamache and Beauvoir are on their third lunch of the day. For those of you with an eye for this sort of thing, you'll know that even with all this scrutiny and very hard work, mistakes still sneak through.

She'll finish those notes in January and send them to me....I'll then go over the manuscript again. This actually happens a couple of times before we're happy and feel it's ready for you.

There is just an incredible amount of work that goes in to a book, long after the actual content is decided. Basically the process is:

I write five or six drafts of the book, until I'm pleased with it. Then I send it to my agent in London (Teresa Chris) - if she's happy, she'll send it to my UK editor (Dan Mallory at Little, Brown) and my US editor (Hope Dellon at Minotaur Books). They read it and get back with their notes....which are pretty much wanting to make sure the characters are consistent with their personalities, time-lines make sense - the structure and pacing and flow are good....there are no plot holes. They act as sophisticated, knowledgeable, rational 'readers'....since by then it's often very difficult for me to be able to stand far enough back to appreciate things like structure and pacing.

They'll give me their suggestions (and they are just suggestions....they never insist and never, ever make the changes themselves, but leave it up to me). I read their notes and think about them for a while - then do another draft - making the changes I think are appropriate. We can sometimes go back and forth a few times, fine-tuning as we go.

It's an amazing, quite intimate, process. On the one hand it's highly solitary. I conceive of the story, the tone, the plot and character development. Then they come on board...and as the process progresses it becomes a team effort. Not a committee - but a team. Each member has their expertise. Editing, grammar, marketing, publicity, strategy, cover design.

It's very satisfying and very powerful when everyone respects and appreciates the contribution of the other....and no one becomes a bully. We all have a place at the table, and have earned that place and earned the right to be heard.

I have a lot invested in it - emotionally, creatively - with my time and efforts. But so do the publishers - with their time and effort - and money. It all needs to be respected and valued.

Once the editing is done then the Advance Readers Copies - or ARCs - are printed. These are mostly for bookstore owners, libraries, critics...opinion makers. People who will read the book and pass judgement.

It's pretty nauseating, for a writer - for this writer. Ugh. I literally feel sick. I know it shouldn't matter - and when I wake up at 3am, anxious, I repeat that I've done my best...as long as I've done my best, that's all that I can ask of myself. The rest is up to others, and the Universe.

That helps. A lot. Until the next night. I suppose if I didn't care so much, I wouldn't worry so much. If I didn't put so much into the books, and genuinely care about the characters and you, the reader....then I might be more cavalier. but I think the person capable of writing the books is also the person who is vulnerable. It's the full package. I get the joy when things go well, and the heartache when they don't. That's the adult reality...can't have one without accepting the other.

Which is why, when the publisher himself calls, raving about THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY, I subside into a chair, my legs weak but my heart strong and soaring. Phew.

Then - decisions about cover design start. And strategies of which week is best to put it out...what other books might come out then - when is it best to tour? Where should I go?

I'll be going to NYC in early December to meet with the publisher and discuss these things.

What a very long answer to a single question! I dare you to ask another!

Thanks for sticking with me - presuming you're still reading. Hope you're enjoying this late autumn day. We're off to lunch at the Tavern on the Square.

At last

2011-11-13T05:39:00.000-08:00

overcast, cool, temps 7

Actually, while I say cool, it is seasonable, and has been well above seasonable for a few weeks.

We're back from our retreat to Hovey. Our friends Bal and Linda have arrived and are staying at the cottage, and we decamped - and set up new camp - in our real home!!! Fianlly. It, and we, are covered in construction dust. yes, not great perhaps for the physical health but I can't tell you what marvelous things it's doing for our emotional health.

Home. Home. Hoooommmme. Ahhh.

And what an amazing job the guys have done. Honestly, there's nothing I regret....nothing I look at, tilt my head, and wish we'd made another decision. But like so many other great things in our lives, this was a team effort. Kirk and Jane helped with the decorating and design issues. Bob (our construction manager) is brilliant with his suggestions (often made a few times with increasing insistence, until we finally click in that it's not a polite suggestion, and we finally say yes). The fireplace was designed by Bob - agreed to by us....and executed by two amazing local guys...Mike, the son of a stone mason, and Ashley, a young guy originally brought onboard to just clean up but who discovered a deep love of and aptitude for working with stone. Lovely to see his enthusiasm - and the kindness Mike showed in mentoring him.

The photo is our very first breakfast in front of that fireplace. We look at it and don't see just the stone, but those two young men, working hard to get it just right.

In fact, we look all over this place and see the men who worked so hard. For money, yes, absolutely. It's a job. But we've, in the past, paid a great deal of money and had work done badly. Half-assed. By people who didn't really care. We can tell the difference. Our home is more than just walls and a roof to us. It harbours us. embraces us. And those who build it become special to us. Not that we'll have long term relationships with them - we won't. At least, not with most of them. But we will always see them here...building our safe harbour.

It's still a few weeks away from being finished. Later today Michael and I will carry the chairs and table and other things back to the dust imbedded living room...and cover them. And prepare the place for the workers like our good friend Gary, and Daniel the painter, and Mike and Bob and Ashley, to return tomorrow. While we move out again and back to the cottage. We're inching forward - and trying not to make too many, 'oh we don't care anymore' mistakes. Or the tempting, 'We're tired of paying, let's just go cheap' mistake.

A steady hand on the tiller - and we'll be home again before we know it.

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend....talk soon!

11.11.11

2011-11-10T14:33:00.000-08:00

overcast, drizzle, cooler - temps 6

Much cooler today....but yesterday at Hovey in North Hatley, Quebec, was another stunner of a late fall day. We never, ever expect it - and when sunny and warm temps happen in November, we all just walk around smiling. Here are some pictures Michael and I took down by the lake. It started off - until early afternoon - absolutely still. You can see how clear the lake it.

Lovely final day - picked up the car from the dealership....read in the library. Went for walks. we had scallops as an appetizer and then Michael had the halibut (I'd had that the night before) and I had filet mignon. They also do what's called in Quebec an 'amuse bouche'....which is a small sampling of something the chef whips up....a little something extra. Last night it was an oyster on the half shell, cooked with bacon and cream and melted blue cheese. Yes - I'm not making that up. And it was as yummy as it sounds, apparently. I like oysters, but Michael's the big fan - so I gave mine to him. And the smile said it was a wonderful few bites.

Drove home this morning, into gathering clouds and finally light rain. I stopped in Knowlton to have my hair done by Tammy - and Michael came home.

We'll be moving back to the house tomorrow night, so that our friends Bal and Linda can use the cottage. But the main house isn't quite as far along as everyone (read: Michael and me) had hoped. Always small glitches, I know. But still - we're almost there. Not much cooking, I think, will be happening in the kitchen - but to be fair, not much ever really happened. So it'll be a bit like camping....but such fun to see Bal and Linda and hang out for a few days.

Then we're in to Montreal for some appointments then the Salon du Livres in Montreal next weekend.

tomorrow is Remembrance Day. And quite a numeral....111111 We've bought out fourth (or is it fifth) poppy for our lapels. they keep springing off. I'm beginning to think what we take for fall leaves are in fact poppies on the ground.

I am always so moved by Remembrance Day - and I know most of you probably are too. Hard not to be. Especially these days, when so many young ones have died in current wars.

We really do remember, you know. And give thanks. And are in awe of such courage - of the soldiers, but also of their families, to let them go.

A Perfecter Day!

2011-11-08T10:23:00.000-08:00

sunny, very mild, temps 10

A stunningly beautiful stretch of days here in Quebec. Way milder than usual. Michael and I are at Hovey, and we spent the morning, after breakfast, sitting on the wide verandah with a coffee and the newspaper. Bundled up, but sitting in the sun and loving the fresh air and peace and quiet.

This morning for breakfast we had an omelet with melted brie, sauteed mushrooms, stewed apples and honey. With bacon and sausages on the side. I took a photo of it...oooops. Jeez, in the short time it took to describe it, it's gone! Michael?!

Speaking of Michael - there's a photo of him and Francine, at breakfast. the other shot is the salad I had for lunch yesterday. We took my beetle in to the dealership to get the winter tires on (though when it's this mild it's hard to believe winter will truly arrive - how soon we forget just a week or so ago!) then headed to Hovey yesterday morning in time for breakfast...then met Danie Beliveau of Tourisme Estrie (eastern townships) for lunch. She had a proposal she wanted to make.

She'd like to create a special Three Pines tour of the townships, based on places that have inspired the books. Very fun to think about...though as I said to Danie, the problem is that so much of the books really is fictional...my ideal. But quite a few places have been mentioned, and have inspired the feelings of the books. So we're considering it. The tour would be self-directing....letting people download it in English or French from the tourism site, and provide a map and some suggestions.

This has been a wonderful day or so at Hovey Manor...not just intrinsically beautiful - but we received some fabulous news!

Yesterday, A TRICK OF THE LIGHT was named one of the Top Ten Crime Fiction books of the year by Publishers Weekly.

Today, A TRICK OF THE LIGHT was named one of the Ten Best Mystery/Thrillers of the Year by Amazon.com.

Yipppeee!!!

And, yesterday afternoon, I finished the final editor notes on THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY - and sent it off to my New York and London editors. Phew!! How lovely to do it at Hovey.

So much to celebrate. Wow. And finishing the editor's notes brought it home to me yet again (though I have to say, I'm keenly away of this all the time) that this is a team effort. The writing, the editing, the cover design, the publicity, the tour, and the readers. you're the ones who bring the characters and the books to life. We share these honours.

Well, back to doing not much of anything here at the Manoir. Hope you're enjoying your day.

The Perfect Day

2011-11-06T06:18:00.001-08:00

sunny, mild, temps 10

I think it's slightly milder than normal....such an unsettled time of year. We often go away in November....last year we went to London for ten days, to meet with my agent and editor. And just be in London! Now, London in November isn't exactly the Bahamas - but better than here! And besides, London anytime is wonderful, in my mind.

But this year we're too tired, and too broke, to budge far. We're thrilled with the renovations, but I hate being in debt. Michael has a much bigger tolerance for it than I. So - it doesn't happen if we can't pay for it. Therefore - no big trips right now. But, honestly, this isn't exactly some big sacrifice! All I want is to be home. Curled on the sofa. Besides, so many decision to be made for the renovations....getting down to the details. Thrilling!!! but not the time to head off for long.

But.... we have decided to treat ourselves to a celebratory visit to Hovey Manor this coming week. Three nights. Just us. Eating and sleeping and reading...and eating. I hope not to get out of my slippers.

this is the beauty of having people we trust doing the renovations...Gary, who knows us so well and is a personal friend...Bob who has guided the renovations so beautifully for months, Mike and Daniel and Ashley. They can function just fine without us for a few days. (and we have the cell with us - not completely foolish!)

We'll get up at 6 tomorrow - head out by 7am....take the beetle to VW in Sherbrooke and drop it off to be winterized (tires mostly) - then get to Hovey Manor in time for breakfast. Meeting Danie Beliveau, of tourism for the townships, for lunch there. She has a proposal.

So happy to have sent off the latest draft of THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY to the editors. This gives us a few days grace. And we plan to use it. In slippers. So, if you're at the Manoir this week and hear two people shuffling along, it's just us.

And, to add to the delight, we put the clocks back last night and so have been given - like most of you - an extra hour.

Hope you have a terrific week. We bought our poppies yesterday after breakfast with Joan. Deeply moving to see the war vets, wearing their medals.

Be well - talk soon.

Snow Squalls

2011-11-04T14:38:00.000-07:00

snow off and on - squalls - then sunny. temps 3 degrees

A raw day. Sitting in front of the fireplace here at the cottage - you can see the photo. Rustic, comfortable. There's Trudy eyeing Michael's snack. I think we're going to miss this place when the main house is finished.

It's looksing amazing, by the way. Stonework by Mike and Ashley is a work of art. And Gary got all the tiles this morning....went at 8am to pick it up, only to discover the place doesn't open until 9am....so when I called he'd just sat down with a blueberry danish and a double double. To wait. Not bad.

Michael, Kirk and I went off to Ikea this morning - had to return a bathroom cabinet that's too big. Wow - are those flat packed Ikea cabinet things heavy! We lugged it out of the car and to the returns desk where Michael waited about an hour while Kirk and I scouted sofas....then returned to Michael just in time to return the cabinet. Ikea for all their great design reeeeaaallly needs more staff. Though, have to say, the staff we dealt with either at the returns desk, the delivery desk, or the clerk in the 'living room' area were all magnificent. But way overworked. And absent. Very hard to find a clerk actually on the floor.

but we got everything done and collapsed in the cafeteria for an Ikea lunch. If you've never had an Ikea lunch you're missing something. the line moves fast and the food is surprisingly yummy. Kirk has swedish meatballs and vegetables and a sort of brownie pie. Michael had roast chicken and I had fish and chips. Perhaps because we were all exhausted, but the food sure hit the spot.

Then hopped in the car with the five million pillows kirk bought and the waste paper buckets Michael purchased. And headed home...through the snow squalls. It really was impressive to see the storm in the distance...like a massive gray wall had been erected across the highway. We couldn't actually tell what it was...rain or snow or ice. I have to admit, I was happy not to be alone in the car. Then we hit it. Sleet. Pounding off the car and the pavement - but only for about two minutes - then we were out the other side and into bright sunshine.

Arrived back to find that the chimney inside the main house has almost been finished and looks great. The trim has almost all been painted....and Gary has just about finished the tile backsplash behind the stove. Very exciting.

And - I sent off the edits for Book 8...aka - THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY.

Having breakfast in Sutton with Joan tomorrow. Chairing a meeting tomorrow night....and have Sunday all to ourselves. Ahhhh.

Hope you have the weekend you wanted. Be well, and I'll talk to you on sunday, I hope.

GoodReads nomination

2011-11-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

lovely, sunny day - temps 10

really, a remarkable fall day - just beautiful.

Long days - packed. Up at 6am - at the house (under construction) by 7:45. Cheryl came by with Gary to look. Love her reaction....such a great friend. We were at the house at 7:30 last night with the ebenist - Cameron and the architectural draftsman, Brian. Wonderful young guys with a new company....but they needed to see the new kichen and how the island they're designing wil fit.

Ypu can see this photo of the kitchen...Ikea. In - but not quite finished (I hope...)- but close enough that I can taste it. or perhaps that's sawdust. The marble template guys are coming tomorrow. We ran into a problem today with the chimney stone. Wrong colours. Take a week or more to get what we hope will be the right stone. And the hearth stone didn't fit. And the vent against one wall sticks out too far, which means the piece of furniture that wall was specifically designed to have, will stick into the room. And the light switch for the kitchen is behind the fridge. Which also seems a problem.

We all, like a band attached at the hip, move around the kitchen/dining area together...Bob, Michael, Mike, Gary and me. Going from one problem to the next. Staring at it. Heads tilted first one way, then the other. Trying to find the solution. I'll tell you, if staring could solve problem I'd be the most successful human in history. so we'd stare for a while, then move by mutual consent to the next.

But I know a solution will present itself. They always have. Or not. But I also know these are not real problems. They're inconveniences at best.

The great thing about today is that the gas people came again - and successfully hooked up the gas stove....and fixed the fireplace. I was far from convinced today would end so well. But it did. A huge relief.

Feeling a little frustrated that I need to put in one more day on the edits to the manuscript, and just can't find the time. And with all the distractions I can't seem to find much time to even think about the book. But I'm hoping Thursday...

the november newsletter went out today - always a very fun day. Linda Lyall, in Scotland, works very hard on the design and editing after I send her the text and some photos. Indeed, Linda also designs my website.

Just interrupted by a phone call and didn't get back to the blog for a few hours.

My goal is to get the edits of Book 8 - The Beautiful Mystery - done by the end of the weekend, if not before. Just bits and pieces left to do at this stage. Thank heaven...but so important not to flag...so easy to stall close to the finish line.

Just received some very fun news...A TRICK OF THE LIGHT has been nominated for the GoodReads Readers Choice Award for Best Mystery. I have to say, I'm very, very happy about this....the first time for this terrific nomination.

Well, off to bed. Hope you had a terrific day.

First Snow!

2011-10-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

mix of sun and cloud. temps 3.

We woke up to snow on the ground. the forecast earlier in the week had called for it, then said we wouldn't get any, but New England would get hammered. I was sorry to hear both. I love the first snow, and the first snow storm....as long as we don't have to travel. So it was great to get back to Sutton from Quebec City in beautiful sunshine - then wake up to a little bit of snow. you can see by the photos, it's not much...more a suggestion, really. But pretty. The photos were taken this morning when Trudy and I were out for our walk.

Then Michael and I headed into Sutton for breakfast at Le St-Patrick. He had it with three other guys...Jack, Peter and Chris. And I have breakfast with Cheryl. Oh, how it filled my heart to be with a close friend...to hear about her life. And to tell her about mine. Not so much our external lives (though there's a bit of that, of course), but the invisible life....that is so real....the emotional life. Our interiors. Being on tour is a funny sort of thing. Never lonely because there are always so many people around - and that's wonderful and exciting and stimulating. But, of course, they're not friends. And while I do a lot of talking - it's not about my deepest thoughts.

Lovely to be home with Michael - and with friends. And feel that embrace.

What I consider the last event of the tour happened Friday night in Quebec City. But first, the Ikea kitchen arrived 7:30 Friday morning....and with it, four men, who burst out of two trucks and barely said hello. Within minutes they'd set up a sort of command post, with our plans - and benches....and off they went.

I was terrified that I'd mis-measured and nothing would fit. As it turns out, I had mis-measured....but apparently that happens all the time...and they just adjusted to it. I had to leave about 11am for the drive to Quebec City, which takes about 3 and a half hours. By then we'd discovered most of the problems and come up with solutuons.

Such a relief when there's no drama. I love being around people who say, 'No problem. We'll fix it.' I try to be like that too.... calm, constructive, positive. Because I know how much it means to me when others are like that. I'm running short of patience with people who make heavy weather of everything.

Ikea - at least these installation guys - worked like Trojans, and were cheery and adaptable and never tired of saying, 'pas de probleme madame.' It's not a problem.

Though I did get a mnessage from Michael when I arrived in Quebec City asking why I'd ordered a dark wood cabinet in the middle of a white kitchen. I blanched. And explained that I hadn't. And took a deep breath, repeating to myself, 'pas de probleme, madame....pas de probleme.' And sure enough, when it was explained, the Ikea people realized it was the company mistake - they installed it just to make sure the measurements were right, but said they'd be back next week to do an exchange.

Phew.

QuebeCrime on Friday was a blast. Stayed in a fun little hotel in downtown Quebec City - the old city. Hotel du vieux quebec. One of the terrific 'real' quebecois restaurants - a real bistro - is on the main floor, but not part of the hotel...les freres du cote.

I immediately went to the Literary and Historical Society - to just sit there and gather my thoughts....and who should come through the door but many of the other writers on the agenda for that night. Here's the worst photo ever taken, of us...in the library of the literary and historical society. You see, from left to right - Guy Dubois, who owns La Maison Anglaise - the english bookstore in Quebec and who helped create QuebeCrime, Ian Rankin, me, Simon Jacobs, the exec director of the Morrin Centre which houses the Lit and His, Anne Emery, a crime writer from Halifax and Denise Mina, a crime writer from Scotland.

After this Anne and Ian and I went off for drinks and french onion soup to the Maritime bar of the Chateau Frontenac. I have to say, it was a wonderful experience, to sit there, in that company.

One of the many unexpected events in an unexpected and very blessed life.

The readings that night, Friday, at St Andrew's Presbyterian church (right beside the Lit and His) were wonderful. So in awe of the other writers. Brilliant and funny and searing. And such great company.

And then...headed home. tomorrow I'm meeting a fellow crime writer and neighbor for coffee and conflab. And on Tuesday Propane de L'estrie shows up to hook up the new gas stove. I, of course, am worried that they won't be able to do it. There is no reason I should feel like that....(c'est pas un problem, madame, I need to tell myself) - but seems the worry factory is still in operation.

But I have to say - the kitchen is lookign great. yesterday, when I arrived home and Michael took me right over to show me, we spent a good half hour just opening and closing drawers....and marveling at the design. Honestly, PVR is lost on us. Give us a good drawer to open and close and we're happy for hours.

Speak soon - I hope. Sorry it's been so long between posts....but I do think of you, you know. And carry you with me, when I think of how lucky I am.

QuebeCrime

2011-10-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

clear skies - etc...

OK I know you know the weather - because it's only been a couple of hours since my last post - but there was something I'd wanted to tell you in the last post - and forgot! So I decided to post twice today. I go days without being able to write anything, but today - after doing 100 pages on the next book - I find myself blogging twice.

Go figure.

But I wanted to tell you about an event I'll be at later this week. On Friday (after the Ikea kitchen is delivered) I'll hop in the car and drive to Quebec City...one of my favorite places on earth. Because of this amazing crime writers/readers festival that's going on. The first annual (we hope) QuebeCrime! Most of it, over the weekend, will be held at the Literary and Historical Society, in the Morrin Centre, in Old Quebec. The setting for BURY YOUR DEAD.

I can't tell you how thrilling it is to know that magnificent anglo library will be the scene of this great celebration of crime writing.

And QuebeCrime has the most wonderful line-up. For instance, my event at 7pm on Friday night (at the nearby St Andrew's Presbyterian Church) will also feature Ian Rankin, Denise Mina, Anne Emery and John Brady. Lawrence Block will also be at the festival, for an event on Saturday, at the Lit and His - and some of the other crime writers are Andrew Pyper, Hilary Davidson, Ian Hamilton, John Farrow and others. Very exciting!

It's a great excuse to come to Quebec City! If you'd like tickets you can call: 418-654-9523 or email: tickets@quebecrime.com

It's going to be wonderful. So looking forward to it. Hope to see you there.

Debut Dagger

2011-10-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

mainly sunny - temps 10- breezy

One of those classic late October days....a wind that goes right into our bones. Buuurrrr.

We spent a wonderful weekend in Toronto, celebrating Doug's 50th birthday. Went for dinner to this great new Italian restaurant in a part of the city called Cabbagetown. I used to live there, when I first graduated college....with two friends. Guys. Brian and Bob. We lived on Seton Street in an old victorian. Amazing fun. Goegeous place. I'd just started at the CBC - which at the time was in an old red stone building within walking distance.

As so often happens, I had no idea how lucky I was.

It was such fun to be with Doug - and fun to be back in Cabbagetown. And the food at this restaurant was fabulous. The place is called F'Amelia. Great name.

We also had Indian food, for lunch that day. Doug loves Indian food and it's not exactly a hardship for Michael and me either. Yum.

So strange to be celebrating my younger brother's 50th. but I think we;re all so happy with where we are in life, that birthdays and age are almost meaningless. We're all far happier now than when we were in our 30s. A lovely, peaceful, place to be.

Now we're back in Montreal. Have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so that Michael can have his eye looked at. Conjunctivitis, he says. I call it 'pink eye'. Either way, it doesn't hurt him, but since his eyes are fragile, we want his doc to take a peek.

I also, though, wanted to let you all know that the Crime Writer's Association in Britain is now accepting entries for this year's Debut Dagger award. It's for the Best Unpublished Mystery...so if you have a manuscript for a crime novel and haven't yet found a publisher - this is your chance. It's the contest that launched my career - and Alan Bradley's and a whole lot of other people. Just google CWA or Debut Dagger...I'm sure you can find it.

And, speaking of the fabulous Alan Bradley - his latest book is about to come out. It's called I am Half sick of Shadows and is amazing! Long live Flavia!

Hope you're well - speak soon!

Editing Book 8

2011-10-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

overcast, some showers, mild, temps 14

But wow, was it cold last night. Instead of our regular duvet, we have at the cottage layers and layers of blankets....and flannel sheets (love flannel anything - if I could have had a flannel wedding dress, I would have). Very snug and cozy under the layers. we always leave the windows open to get a cross draft and awoke this morning almost seeing our breaths! Agony getting out from under the snug, warm sheets. I whispered to Michael a few times...'You have to use the bathroom....you have to use the bathroom'. Eventually it worked and he got up, and once up, he closed all the windows.

I rolled over, Trudy got up on the bed, and we snoozed. Until Michael came back and practically sat on top of us.

Time to get up.

Besides, we had to scoot out of there and headed into Montreal. Appointment to get the car 'winterized'. A term I still use, though the dealership assured us that was now long passed. No longer necessary, with all the improvements. Now it simply means putting the tires on. Left the car there and grabbed a lift back to our apartment in Montreal.

We love it here. Like having a vacation in a city we adore. Will head out for lunch soon. We walk everywhere when we're in Montreal. It's such an old city, by North American standards - and a fairly compact one....at least the core is. We can walk almost from one end to the other....but most of what we want is within an easy walk. Off either to the bistro or the terrace for lunch.

then will spend the afternoon working more on the editor's notes. Such a joy to be back at the monastery with Gamache and Beauvoir. To be among the humble, though murderous, monks. To hear their chants, and smell the scents of the wilderness and the rituals. It's called The Beautiful Mystery.

Someone, who heard the title, wondered if it had to do with Williams Disease. I'd heard of this disease - and actually saw a documentary about it....but my book is about Gregorian chants and the beautiful mystery that is music, and what it does to our brains, and our spirits. Williams disease is something else, but can also be very beautiful....as I understand it (and forgive me if I get it wrong, this does come from a position of some ignorance) Williams Disease describes certain children who seem to be born perpetually happy and trusting. Sometimes with developmental issues - but their main characteristic seems to be overwhelming trust and delight. this, you'd think, would be a very good thing. Imagine seeing the world and others like that? But it can lead to terrible abuses by others - and great distress when the children find themselves inexplicably hurt.

Apologies if I've oversimplified (which I'm sure I have) - and to those who have more intimate experience with it.

but, as I say, my Beautiful Mystery really explores music - and communication. And a few other issues.

Am now 200 pages into the manuscript, looking at the editors notes. As I've said, at this stage it's a wonderfully creative and collaborative process. We all want the same thing - for this to be the very best book it can be, and the best book I can write. And it gets that way with the help of the keen eye of editors, who know the books and characters, who know me, and who only want the books to be a huge success....and for you to absolutely love it as much as we do.

So, as with most things, it's a process. Often painful, often difficult, often an outright joy as something good becomes better. Which is what I hope and trust is happening here. Still, whatever happens, there is great comfort in knowing we have all done our very best. No matter what happens.

Off to Toronto tomorrow to celebrate my brother Doug's 50th birthday. Such fun! We had one celebration over Thanksgiving, when the whole family was there. And now another one on his actual date. Then home - to see how far the construction will have gone in our absence.

Hope you're thriving, and warm, and comforted. Speak soon.

Ooops

2011-10-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

overcast, cool, spitting rain - temps 10

Another fairly typical fall day - though we've been going through a very rainy spell. The renovations are going wonderfully. The fireplace went in yesterday. Regency, propane fire place. I'll take a photo. My fear was that it would look fake and horrible one in, but in fact, it looks great. Except, the Regency people forgot to send a part, so all the insides are visible. Not very aesthetic. But they say they'll send it. And the propane people agreed to send a horizontal tank - so that it's less visible and therefore less of an eye sore - but they sent the upright one. But again, they agreed to send the right one.

So - all was well.

until - this afternoon.

Michael and I went off to breakfast in Cowansville - then did some errands - then went to Sutton to meet the man who will almost certainly be writing the script to adapt Still Life into a TV film. Very exciting. He'd flown in for the meeting, then drove down. We had lunch at Le Cafetier. My concern was whether he was reading the same book I believed I was writing. Not a cozy mystery, but a psychological mystery, that appears cozy on the surface. The perfect village - that isn't so very perfect. As I've said before, the books are really about many things, the least of which is murder. Though that is significant and not at all trivial, and they're definitely murder mysteries, they're also about belonging, and love, and friendship, and betrayal, and festering feelings. About, in effect, duality. Appearance vs reality. The happy facade vs the darker interior. Some never get beyond the facade of the books - some immediately 'get' them.

The books really are most meaningful if you're able to read them not just with your head, but really with your heart. If the story and the characters enter through the chest.

So I was curious, and a little stressed, to hear how this man saw the books. Now, he's only read the first three and is reading book 4...and early on in our conversation he mentioned Miss Marple (whom I adore but don't see as a template for the series). So I was a little concerned....but then it became clear that he is indeed reading the books I was hoping to write. The ones about human beings and emotions. Where setting and food and the seasons are also characters...but so are feelings. Where murder is never trivialized or made a joke or a hobby - but is seen as the tragedy it is. For everyone. But that there's also friendship and humour and love and kindness explored.

Soooo - fingers crossed. It seems a fit.

After lunch Michael and I returned home to the construction site to find out that one of the workers has severed the gas line to the fireplace! Thank God he realized quickly what had happened and shut off the valve and turned off the fire (which was on to heat the place). When I think what might have happened.... but didn't.

We're now in the process of trying to get it fixed. Always something on a construction site....thank heaven so much has gone right, and even this, despite being a problem, could have been so much worse. We consider ourselves lucky. And the poor guy clearly didn't mean to do it - not his first choice of events either.

Look at the time - must make dinner, and sit in front of the fireplace with Michael and Trudy.

Hoping to start on the editor's notes tomorrow. Bring on the pastries!

Sunday

2011-10-16T11:34:00.000-07:00

windy, cool, leaves swirling off the trees, temps 11

A real autumn day - threatening, strong wind - it's raining leaves. But actually, a wonderful Sunday. Took Trudy for a walk and roll - Michael and I then drove to just outside Bromont and met Cotton for brunch at this wonderful place - bistro and bakery called Canael. To be honest, from the outside it isn't the most charming place, but don't be fooled. Inside it is wonderful. Especially the food. The brunch was a set plate with all sorts of small 'tastings'. Like a french tapas for brunch. Sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, croissant aux amandes (killers!!!), thinly slices potato and cheese pie, a strawberry/custard tarte. But all bite sized, so it was this riot of flavours. Yummy.

and just about the best cafe au lait we've ever had.

Good thing too, since I broke the Nespresso machine this morning. Well, it was already malfunctioning - half the coffee was going in the cup the other half into the reservoir. So we were losing half the coffee. So I started pressing buttons - at random. And the machine started fighting back. Blinking and winking. a little concerned it might be code, and could just imagine what it was saying. Probably much the same things I was thinking.

So we did the only reasonable thing. Unplugged it and left. Had two huge cafe au laits over brunch and just returned home. Called Nespresso, not expecting much - and got just the most charming young woman, who walked me through it, and fixed not only the winking lights (she didn't even make me feel silly) - and the missing coffee (seems one of the spouts might have been clogged up). She was a wonder. I envy her children. Such good humour and patience.

Lise dropped by, as did Daniel, who clears our snow - so that we could make arrangements for this winter too. Pat is on her way up. Not sure why. Then will relax by the fire.

The editor's notes for book 8 - which is set in a monastery and is called THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY - arrived friday night. Thankfully there are very few suggestions - but a couple. The editors, Hope and Dan, without fail make my books stronger. It's such an interesting process - both strongly individual (the creation of the stories and development of the characters) and collaborative (the editing, where I need to be open to their thoughts and suggestions).

The trick is to know which suggestions to take, and which ones not to. But to always have an open mind. Not always as easy as it sounds! Especially with one of my 'babies'.

Off to make some hot chocolate for michael and tea for me. Enjoy your Sunday!

QuebeCrime

2011-10-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

overcast, misty, rainy

Most of the fall colours gone - but fun to swish through the fall leaves. I finally was able to send myself the autumn photo that I took a few days ago on a walk with Trudy.

Am reading Deborah Crombie's amazing new book (out in Feb in North America) called NO MARK UPON HER. Wow!!! You're going to love it - not just a great story, but I just love what she's doing with Duncan and Gemma. Absolutely her best and you just know how great that makes this book.

speaking of crime fiction (for a change) - I wanted to mention, to give you time to get there - that there's an amazing crime writers/readers festival happening in Quebec City at the end of October. It's called QuebeCrime.

I'll be there - doing an event on Friday night - but far more exciting are the other writers.

Ian Rankin!
Lawrence Block!
Denise Mina!
Andrew Pyper!
Ian Hamilton!

and lots more - and it's in Quebec City!! And most of the events take place in - wait for it - the Literary and Historical Society in the Morrin Centre in Old Quebec. Honestly, this is just wonderful. You'll need tickets, of course...if you go to QuebeCrime.com you can get all the info.

See you there -

Back to Deborah Crombie.

home - quiet days

2011-10-13T11:21:00.000-07:00

overcast, rainy and windy temps 12

perfect day. Rain - and therefore quiet. Absolutely wonderful to sleep beside Michael - feel Trudy sneak up onto the bed and curl up at our feet into a tight ball of golden retriever. Thanksgiving was amazing - but it's sure great to be home. took a fall photo out by the pond and wanted to show you before we lost all the leaves (which happened today in the rain and wind - definitely past peak now) - but then the Blackberry network crashed. I'm quite relieved to hear it - I was wondering why our messages suddenly wouldn't send, and we hadn't received one in 6 hours.

Odd feeling. Both relieved and mystified. Nothing that needed responding to - but suddenly felt sort of bereft.

Will post the photo when I can. Strangely enough I just tried to re-send and it wouldn't go. Oh well.

The renovations are going brilliantly - thank god. We had just enough sunny , dry weather that they were able to rebuild both roofs - and finished yesterday. Today the rains came. Wow. Perfect.

Now they're working indoors - and I hope going like stink since the Ikea kitchen comes next week, as does the gas fireplace. I'm praying to the construction gods - Mercury perhaps, with his little helmet? Thor with his hammer. I think the Gods of Construction must have a sense of humour - and feed on money.

Still - no flights, no drives, no speaking. Just loving being home and even working in the kitchen. I missed cooking, can you believe it. Lunacy, I tell you - book tours bring on lunacy - though hardly a big transition from my normal state.

Michael's just left for the main house to check on construction...the hole for the fireplace was put off centre...by about half a foot - just enough to slightly annoy. And now the stained glass window Kirk found from an old Quebec nunnery, has also gone in off centre. Apparently there was no choice - and I believe them. They're really very good. It's just sort of funny that suddenly everything is just off centre.

Can't possibly be a message. From the Gods of Construction? Don't worry about such details, when so much is perfect.

Got it.

Loving being home. I think you know how I feel - but I just need to keep sighing and saying that. Though, interestingly, Michael and I have decided to plan an around-the-world trip to celebrate his 80th birthday. We'll do it a little early, but might as well. Perhaps in a year or so. So I find myself at home, googling 'around the world flights'.

How strange life can be. And delightful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-10-09T13:37:00.000-07:00

sunny, hot, temps 30

An absolutely unbelievable Thanksgiving weekend. spectacular weather - and loving being with the whole family! We've rented a home very close (walking distance) to the main street in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Five bedrooms....almost enough for the 11 of us. Only young Roslyn needs to sleep on the floor. We made her a bed of cushions....then last night her cousins found a rubber chicken in the garage, that squeaks, loudly, when squeezed, and put it under her bed. Then filled her with ghost stories.

You can imagine the result.

Having just a blast. We decided to have Thanksgiving dinner last night - saturday night...we'd normally do it Sunday or Monday - but we wanted Sunday to eat leftovers and relax....so my older brother Rob cooked the turkey...Michael and I helped with the stuffing and did sweet potatoes - Doug did the regular potatoes and brussel sprouts. Mary did the pumpkin pie. We don't describe what Buttercup (the hound from Hell) contributed - but if we ever had to reassemble the turkey there'd be some bones missing.

It was wonderful. You can see our 'Official" thanksgiving photo.

And the weather was so glorious we went for long walks and chats and sat outside. And just visited.

Then today, we all decided to head to Niagara Falls and do the Maid of the Mist - the boat the goes under the falls. It was amazing!!! Absolutely breath-taking. We took lots of photos - and you can see, it was another splendid day.

they gave us the blue Smurf rain wear - and we still got absolutely drenched. But so fun. We laughed the whole time. The boat ride was about half an hour - and unforgettable. I had a memory of Niagara Falls being unbelievably tacky - and deeply unattractive....but I realize it wasn't (thank goodness) the falls themselves....those have been kept pristine, with lovely walks and parts and trees...but it's the town....at least the parts we saw. Very unfortunate. But at least the falls have been protected and are just amazing.

As I write, sitting outside in the garden, I can hear Rob and Doug and Rob's wife Audi preparing dinner for tonight (I've already joined them and did my chopping - but must get back before they decided to put the rubber chicken in our bed!). So lovely to hear them just talking, comfortably. Michael's upstairs having a little lie-down....probably just quiet time. The kids are off at a 'haunted' pub.

Michael and I are heading out at 5am tomorrow - back to Quebec. Doug and his kids heading out mid-morning. Rob and Audi and their kids leaving on Tuesday.

Hope you're enjoying your Thanksgiving - as Canadians, or honourary Canadians. Eh?

Cheryl Long

2011-10-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

sunny, clear blue day - gorgeous autumn day in Montreal - temps 10

Frost warning last night...bet they got some in the townships. We're in Montreal, as you can perhaps tell....came in for an interview (taped) for CBC Radio's All in a Weekend. Then have an event at Paragraphe Books on McGill College street in downtown montreal tonight. 6pm. In english.

Then off tomorrow morning - 5am - to drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake. About a 7 hour drive from Montreal. But very pretty - and we can take our time. This is for our annual Thanksgiving weekend family reunion. Since our mother died - eleven years ago - my brothers and I realized if we didn't make the commitment to have have an annual family reunion, we run the risk of drifting apart. Not on purpose, but because we all have hectic lives, and it can just happen. So every year we take turns hosting the event.

Last year it was at Rob and Audi's new home in Regina. And this year we've decided to do something different...we've all hosted the event several years - so we wanted to change it up a bit. So Doug - whose turn it was to host - found a wonderful big old home in the gorgeous region of Niagara...and rented it for the long weekend. Rob and Audi coming from Regina. Kim, Adam and Sarah coming from Edmonton. Doug, Roslyn and Charlie from Toronto and Brian from Virginia. And us from Quebec.

It's been a few years since I visited Niagara region - but I know it is just beautiful. It's where a lot of fruit is grown - very temperate. And terrific wineries, apparently. Really looking forward to seeing everyone. Rob will cook the turkey, we've volunteered to do the vegetables (what are those, again?) And I suspect someone will manage an apple and a pumpkin pie. I love pumpkim pies. Yum.

Saw the sad news about Steve Jobs. What a visionary. I'm writing this on my MacBook. So sad to lose him. But what a legacy he left. And while it was a short life, he seemed to live it to the fullest, and on his terms.

I've slugged this post Cheryl Long because I wanted to tell you about my wonderful friend Cheryl. If you follow the blog you'll know her - we often meet for breakfast. She's Gary's wife, and Joan's aughter-in-law. but way more important, she's her own woman and a brilliant artist and writer. She's combined those two with an illustrate book for children. It's called Dragon Dreams and is just amazing. We love it so much, we bought one of the original works from the book.

Anyway - I thought you might like to see her other illustrations....so here's the link to her website:

http://cheryllongillustration.com/

And to her page on Amazon -

http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Dreams-Cheryl-Long/dp/9889881950/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317730764&sr=1-1

Hope that works...looks strange to me, but it worked when I tried it. As you might know, I've never done this before with other authors or friends...but i feel so strongly about Cheryl's books and her abilities, I just felt more people should see her work.

Hope you enjoy it too.

and maybe Michael and I will see you tonight at Paragraphe books. Hope you're thriving!

Home

2011-10-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

rainy, cool, temps 12

Home!!!!

We finally got here Saturday at about 3:30. Did the event in Sutton, as part of the Cultural Day in the town. Lou Nelson organized it and it was wonderful. Wretched weather - teemed down. Michael and I drove up from North Conway, after the event the night before at White Birch books.

rainy, but still beautiful drive through the White Mountains. At one stage we were driving through cloud. And as we made our way further north, the leaves turned more and more, until finally, in Northern Vermont, it was just breathtaking. As much as it was beautiful seeing so many other parts of this glorious continent, this is surly home. I could feel it in my DNA. It was as though my bones sang as we got closer and closer.

then finally, after the event, Michael drove us home. And before I entered I paused, one last time. To take that photo. Through that door was home.

And then we went in - and unpacked - and lay on the sofa and drank hot chocolates and talked and talked.

I'm so grateful for your company, your comments, your support with the book - always saying such kind things. And telling others. Almost everyone I met on tour said they'd heard about my books through a friend. I believe you're that friend.

And now, we can sleep.

My hero

2011-10-01T05:56:00.000-07:00

overcast, rainy, temps 65

We're in North conway, New Hampshire! More or less where we began the tour for A TRICK OF THE LIGHT five weeks ago. Wow. What a circle....and so much in the middle. So much happened. so many people, so many beautiful events - book related and otherwise.

A five week book tour is an intricate, complex thing, involving, in my case, 15 flights, buses, ferries, lots of cars and lots of wonderful people willing to drive me, sometimes for days. Lots of hotel meals, and bags of chips and diet cokes for dinner. And lots of lovely dinners with generous bookstore owners, librarians, readers.

I went from Prince Edward Island to victoria, British Columbia. From Phoenix, Arizona to Detroit, Michigan. And a whole lot in between.

And now - it's all but over. Had my last US event last night at White Birch books in North Conway. Drove down from Montreal yesterday.

I have to say....it's a VERY good thing the tour is ending now. for all those days and weeks, everything worked perfectly! I dodged storms, not a single flight canceled or even delayed. Hotels worked, people showed up when supposed to. it was almost inconceivable that nothing would go wrong.

Until about four days ago in Winnipeg, when the wheels started coming off ...

The scourge of a booktour had found me. A scratchy throat. the dreaded cold. Then I lost my dark glasses. A couple other minor things happened, which frankly I can't remember now, but little alarms started going off in my head....things were fraying. But I knept thinking...just get to North Conway - then get home. Saturday, Saturday. Have a 2pm event today in Sutton in the library as part of the Quebec Cultural Day....then home....

Got up in Montreal yesterday, packed...loaded the car....put the key in the ignition...and nothing. Dead. Not even a click or a clunk.

Oh oh.

I had a four hour drive through Quebec and Vermont to reach New Hampshire. This was an event I'd had to cancel due to illness last year, and when I felt the cold coming on earlier in the week all I could think about was....just get to White Birch Books, then you can die. For God's sake, you can't get sick enough to cancel. Drugs. Drugs.

it never occurred to me the problem would be the car! But of course, it had sat unused, unstarted for 5 weeks.

Luckily this was at the apartment building, and Raymond and two other wonderful maintenance people came to my rescue, as you can see. Trying to boost it. Which has always worked in the past. You don't live through 53 Canadian winters without some expertise in boosting dead cars.

It didn't work.

The car engine didn't even turn over. Nothing.

They tried for half an hour.

Time was running out. How was I going to get to the event. And then I knew what I had to do. I got on the cell phone and called...

'Michael?'
"hello!'
'What're you up to?'
'Just sitting down to coffee and a toasted bagel. You?'

He should not have asked.

I told him the sad story and without a pause he said, 'I'm on my way.'

He jumped in his car (after arranging for Pat to look after Trudy) and was in montreal two hours later. In the meantime, I'd had the car towed to Volkswagen....as you can see.

then Michael and i headed off.

Can you believe how lovely he is? Not a hesitation - no groans. No moaning. Just a smile.

The drive, through vermont, was magnificent. Leaves just turning - mountains and rivers. Twisty roads. Beautiful. And then reached North conway...Sarah at Minotaur had gotten me (us) a beautiful room in an Inn. We did the event....and the lovely people there at White Birch books began the event by standing and singing O Canada.

I was almost in tears.

What a glorious way to end the tour. singing o canada in New Hampshire, with Michael.

Now, into the car again - event in sutton - then home.

When we drove down yesterday Michael realized he's left his passport in the cottage, so we swung by there....but I stayed in the car. So close to home. Twenty feet. But I didn't want to go in. Too emotional. it wasn't the going in I was worried about - it was having to leave again. I don't want to walk through that door until I can get into my sweats, crawl into bed, and never, ever leave again. Or at least, not until I choose.

That happens at about 3:30 today.

Thank you, thank you - for your company. This would have been a lonely road indeed without you. And now, just a few more miles.

Heading home!

2011-09-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

sunny, warm, temps 25

Unbelievably mild here in Winnipeg.

It's a city I adore. As the publisher's rep, Rorie, and I discussed as we drove around the city yesterday, it's a city that's great to live in, but perhaps not to visit. A casual visitor might not really appreciate the true beauty of Winnipeg. All the trees and parks and rivers - the wonderful restaurants, the deep cultural and creative history. It is a wonderfully diverse city too - immigrants a century ago from Iceland, Eastern Europe and many other countries have made this an exciting place to live. I know - this probably comes as a surprise to many Canadian, who view Winnipeg as a bump on the flat prairies. But it's a great place. And the birthplace of social democracy in Canada, with tommy douglas and the CCF. And all sorts of social movement.

I lived here for a few years in the mid-80's....and it was so great visiting with many old friends. Had breakfast yesterday with Janet - who gave me a necklace she'd made - inspired by A Trick of the Light. How lovely is that?

Then Rorie and I drove all over winnipeg signing books.

Then had dinner with a woman who started as my producer on CBC Radio, a million years ago - and grew into one of my closest friends in the world...Pat. And met her fiance Don. And she surprised me by inviting another mutual friend - a contributor to the show we did together...Paul Walsh, and his wife Beryl.

It was absoltuely amazing....to be surrounded by such great friends. Some of whom I hadn't seen in almost 30 years.

Then the event at McNally Robinson - one of the great independent bookstores in Canada. the photo doesn't do it justice. The event was t 8pm in the restaurant (closed for the event)...150 people. More chairs brought in. People on the balcony above. it was an absolutely wonderful way to end the Canadian leg of my tour!

Today am flying back to Montreal. Ahhh.... was hoping to have tomorrow to recover, but need to do a photo shoot for L'actualite Magazine in Quebec (our Time Magazine) tomorrow. Then off to North Conway, NH for an event at White Birch books Friday night -7pm. The last event of an eventful book tour!!! Wow.

Though I will be doing a small reading and signing at the library in Sutton at 2pm on Saturday - as part of the village';s celebration of the written word.

Almost home.

Parade Magazine

2011-09-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

overcast, showers, cool, temps 15

What a change - the rains have arrived....but I have to say, the ferry across from Victoria to Vancouver was magicial this morning. As you can see. that was my office. Wow. Totally seduced by British Columbia. I remember so well and so fondly our visit to Sechelt, on the Sunshine Coast of BC, for their literary festival a year ago. Beautiful.

The event at Bolen Books last night was amazing. 120 people - Standing room only. Felt like a gathering of friends. I so appreciate the atmosphere you all create. Thank you. Stimulating, but relaxing at the same time. Like a great conversation with a thoughtful friend. (you being the thoughtful friend) You can see the photo.

Then Lorna got me to the bus this morning for the 7:45 departure to the ferry....then the hour and a half crossing...then Jamie, of Raincoast books met me and now I'm in a hotel in downtown Vancouver.

Had a 2pm event at Chapters on Granville Ave in Vancouver....lots of people out....that's the other photo (bet that wasn't helpful). I've come to really enjoy it when I'm joined onstage by an interviewer. Far easier, frankly, for me. And I think for the audience...more dynamic than me alone yakking away at you. Today Annemarie Tempelman-Kluit interviewed me. She's famous as being 'Yoyomama'. About four years ago she set up the website and newsletter, to communicate with other mothers....and it's taken off. But the publishers found out that she reads the books, so they asked her to join me and we had a wonderful conversation on stage.

And loved seeing so many of you out as well. Also packed...more people than chairs. Yay! Always a great thing.

But did you hear the wonderful news??? Parade Magazine in the US named A TRICK OF THE LIGHT their Book Pick of the Week! Parade is a terrific magazine that is inserted into millions of Sunday newspapers across the United States. Has 33 million readers.

How wonderful is that?!

I can't begin to find the words to describe how wonderful this is....all of this. Happily, I know you know exactly how I feel.

Must run off - dinner tonight with the publisher. Then flying to Winnipeg tomorrow.

Speak soon!

Walper Hotel - terrific

2011-09-24T10:03:00.000-07:00

overcast, cool, temps 16

Am now in gorgeous Victoria, British Columbia. What a wonderful life - it still amazes me that I can wake up Friday in Kitchener, Ontario and have dinner in Victoria, British columbia.

Have never been to Victoria before, but heard so many wonderful things. It's a place many, many Canadians are drawn to not only for it's beauty, but it's one of the most temperate places in the country. Hardly any snow. But apparently quite a bit of rain and mist. You can see the photo I took from the balcony of my hotel room this morning. I woke up early - jet lag...3 hour time difference - and took a coffee out onto the lounge chair - and breathed in the fresh, sea air. heard the sea gulls....but had to take it on faith there was any water out there. But by 10am the mist had burned off and the other photo shows you what I now see. (not the crowd of people, thank God - but the harbour).

That crowd of beautiful people is from the University of Waterloo event the night before. Held in the auditorium. Standing room only. Always a relief to see that! And everyone was so jovial and welcoming. We had a great time. At least, I did. Then spent an hour or so signing books - then back to the hotel and sleep....then caught a five hour flight here.

Speaking of hotel - I was wrong about the Walper Hotel in Kitchener, in an earlier post. Wrong on two fronts. After staying there for four nights I can tell you it's a lovely place. Great decor, terrific and helpful staff...and a responsive management. yesterday morning, upon hearing that I was yearning for coffee in the morning, they arranged for the front desk person to bring me a wonderful bowl of cafe latte when I woke up.

Deeply impressive. I had a chance to meet the manager and owner - Michael - and thank him personally. He's newly taken over and has done many things already. Not only renovating the place (which I know from our own modest renos going on now) is not small thing - but he's also hugely supportive of the arts in the community - writing, painting, theatre. And he's started a school in Uganda, and an education project. He gives a dollar a day for every guest to the project. It might not sound like much, but it adds up fast and goes a long way in the lives of these boys and girls. Especially when Michael could use the money himself, I'm sure.

but I was wrong on another front. I should never have criticised in such a public forum. And I'm very sorry I did. you know, I sometimes read reviews on various sites of my books - and am appauled and amazed at the rancor of some people. I can see not liking the books, but do you really have to make it almost a personal crusade to tell everyone? And to sometimes be just mean?

I did that with the Walper, after just a few hours...and all because I didn't get a cup of coffee in my room. I don't feel very good about that now. It's quite humbling to criticize others for being petty - and not recognize it in myself.

So to Michael von Teichman and the men and women who work at the Walper - I'm so sorry. It was wrong of me to do that. You have a terrific hotel - that manages to be more than bricks and mortar, but a place of soul. and spirit. And caring. And you deserve every success. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

Here I am now on the Pacific coast of Canada....in an hour or so the sales rep will show up and take me around to sign books at various stores. Then there's an event tonight at 7pm at Bolens books. Hope you can make it.

Tomorrow I head - by ferry - to Vancouver and a 2pm event at Chapters on Granville st. Hosted by AnnMarie Tempelman-Kluit - aka yoyomama. she has a terrific website geared to moms - and a part of that is about books. So looking forward to meeting her! And, I hope, meeting you at Chapters tomorrow.

Now, back to the lounge chair and the sea gulls.

Misplaced vanity

2011-09-22T05:49:00.000-07:00

mainly sunny, temps 20

Kitchener-Waterloo area of Ontario. Kitchener was called Berlin, until the first world war, when they decided to change the name. But what they couldn't change, thank God, was the make-up of the population. Huge German population. Can't tell you how this has enriched the area. With their culture and food and festivals. And the sense of community. Oktoberfest is massive here.

Kitchener had been very industrial - until the last few years when everything collapsed. But they seem to have quite remarkable leadership - on so many levels....and quickly turned and are now a centre of intellectual excellence, with schools, think-tanks. This is the home of Research in Motion (RIM) - the creators of the Blackberry. (thank God I use a blackberry - and LOVE it). It's astonishing. And a massive thrust, of course, to education and re-education....so that people who had worked in the auto industry are now working high tech jobs. Schools are opening, new libraries are opening. but at the same time there's a vigorous rural and farm community. Family farms. A amazing farmer markets where you can see men and women on their Blackberries standing beside a Mennonite horse and buggy.

It is an astonishing community.

I'm absolutely loving this tour. Learning SO much about these places I get to visit. And mostly learning there's so much more to them than I could have dreamed. For instance, did you know that it is almost illegal to put ketchup on your hotdog in Chicago?

Am here in Kitchener-Waterloo because their library system has chosen BURY YOUR DEAD as their One Book, One Community Read. They've packed the days with TV and Radio interviews - with talks to school students and then in the evening to hundreds and hundreds of people.

Had a great event two nights ago with the Chief of Police for the area - Matt Torigian. Two easy chairs were placed on the stage, in front of 200 plus people, and we had a conversation. He was magnificent. I was leery because I didn't want to be placed in the position of the Chief telling me where I'd gone wrong, and how investigations are actually conducted. But he was lovely - and talked about his own fears as a leader, and choices, and the demands of murder investigations on them personally and their families. And that police work is about forensics, but at the end of the day it's about the team. And their relationship with each other. The deep, deep caring.

He was generous and open. I was impressed and relieved. And felt we'd just met a real life Gamache.

It was all most of women in the room could do not to follow him home. If I wasn't so in love with Michael....

Then yesterday I spoke at the Waterloo-Oxford Secondary school. I love speaking with high school students. But it was also packed with members of the community who'd come to listen. Then last night another on-stage conversation, this time with Rob Reid of the local newspaper, The Record. They're hugely supportive of the One Book, One Community campaign. About 300 people there - can't tell you how fun that is!

Today I'm doing a more intimate workshop sort of thing with a high school writing group, then in the evening the closing event at the University of Waterloo school of Architecture. Not sure why that's the venue. they might have heard about our renovations at home...

Michael is back there, overseeing. We're about 3 weeks into it, and about 3 weeks behind already. It's a sort of miracle of physics. We've crossed the speed of light, backward. Seems they discovered the entire roof needs to be re-shingled. In money, apparently.

To be fair - we knew it needed to be done and are very, very glad they're doing it while fixing the falling-down kitchen. I'd harboured a fantasy of returning home from book tour and moving into the new 'old' home. That clearly won't be happening. But the work will be well done and properly done - and Michael is doing a great job. so many decisions. He called the other night to say that he'd told them to put the bathroom vanity in the wrong place.

Huh?

I tried to be supportive, while having visions of it in the middle of the kitchen. or on the roof. How far wrong can you go with a vanity? But it turned out to be a very small thing, and Michael, dear one, fixed it. Shocking number of decisions and details.

Sooo - I'll be at the school of architecture tonight - but not, thankfully, talking about design or renovations, but Bury Your Dead.

then tomorrow I fly to British columbia to start the western swing. Quite short. Event Saturday night in Victoria, BC, at Bolen's books - 7pm - then Sunday at Chapters in Vancouver and Tuesday at McNally-Robinson in Winnipeg.

Taking the long way home - and enjoying every step. thanks for walking it with me.

Off again...

2011-09-20T05:50:00.000-07:00

sunny, cool, temps 20

Well, the second leg of the tour has begun. I'm in Kitchener, Ontario - about an hour and a half west of Toronto. Took the train here yesterday. Very civilized. Business class....and felt I'd won the lottery. I spoke to the nice man in front of me and asked if he'd mind terribly not putting his seat all the way back on the 5 hour ride, and he readily agreed. Thank heaven I did, because the man next to him did put his all the way back and it landed almost on the seat beside me. Can't believe anyone would do that - put their seat all the way back without consideration of the person behind. And that VIA rail would design seats that would do that!

If I was the person beside me, and someone did that, I'd be apoplectic.

Happily, there was no one sitting next to me. The seats are assigned, and I just got very lucky. I'm anti-social while being transported from one place to another....I like to just stare out the window and listen to music or let my mind wander. I honestly don't want to make six hours of small talk - it's a sort of nightmare....being caught in an endless cocktail party chat.

So, sitting on my own on a flight or a long train trip is bliss. And means I don't need to feign insanity to be left alone. Very tiring, that.

And - business class in VIA is extremely odd. Not only have they not updated the decor in millennia, but many of the so-called window seats have no window. Just a wall. Makes for an extremely long trip when you're staring at faded greenish wallpaper.

But my seat had a window! A window, no companion, and a nice man in front - honestly - travel doesn't get better.

And then I arrived in Kitvchener. Lovely to be met by my friend Sharron Smith - who is the doyenne of libraries here, and is running the One Book, One community efforts. I'm here because this area has chosen BURY YOUR DEAD as their 2011 read.

She drove me to the hotel...the Walper. Apparently quite storied....and under new management who are trying to update it from a faded grande dame into a modern boutique hotel. I think the transformation is almost, but not quite complete. The room is nice - beautiful fresh paint...lovely new carpet - and reupholstered seats...very old and tired chest of drawers and desks. And plumbing that makes it impossible to sleep after 6am - as the people around me rouses and showered - and it sounded like they were doing it on my head. but the oddest choice they've made as a hotel management is to not have coffee as part of the morning room service. Instead, they provide an old, small, coffee maker, coffee in packets, no milk - and say you can make your own.

Now, for me that's a deal-breaker. I'm very happy to be staying here, since someone else is paying. but this hotel actually offers continental breakfast, brought to your room - but makes a point of saying they won't bring coffee or tea. Seems almost willful.

So, at 7am I got up and dressed and went to an absolutely delightful cafe attached to the hotel - cafe culture. Got a huge bowl of cafe latte and sat by the fireplace. No one else there. heaven. Called Teresa in London, as per our agreement, and had a nice long chat.

Now, a very good and perhaps correct argument could be made that if the hotel had offered room service coffee I wouldn't have had that very, very nice respite in a great coffee shop - with a far better coffee than the hotel could provide. But, I have to say, the effort of having to get dressed and out the door at 7am to get the coffee outweighed the subsequent delight. Besides, it would be nice to have a choice.

Have a lot of events today - a welcome reception at the local newspaper. A TV, then a radio interview. Book signings around the area....then an event on stage with the local Chief of Police, to discuss investigation techniques, most of which will be news to me. That event is open to the public and it would be lovely to see you there. It's in the Victoria Pavilion in Kitchener at 7pm.

Tomorrow I have a public event at 1:30 at the Waterloo-Oxford secondary School - then in the evening a question and answer with Robert Reid, of the local newspaper on stage at the First United Church in Waterloo.

Thursday at 1:30 I'll be speaking with writing students at St Benedict's High School, and an evening event, open to the public, at the University of Waterloo school of Architecture. 7pm.

Packed schedule. Then, God and Air Canada willing, I'll be flying to Victoria, BC on Friday to start the Western Canada leg of the book tour.

It would be lovely to see you at one of the events!!!

that photo above was taken at the event at Chapters in Montreal on Sunday....actually, after the event, when our friends the Mounts, and Susan, went for coffee. I love this photo. there's Michael, calm, warm, gently listening - and there I am looking as though I've been goosed. Clearly we're hearing different stories. Or, I've just been told there's no coffee delivered to the hotel room.

As you can see, the scope of my problems is so small as to be almost invisible. A hectic few days ahead....but how lovely to be meeting so many supportive people. Thanks for coming along!

Anthony Award!

2011-09-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

sunny, gorgeous day - temp 20

OK, now you're probably thinking I'm making this up! I sort of suspect I am too... But just heard that BURY YOUR DEAD has won the coveted Anthony Award for Best Crime Novel!!! It's voted on at Bouchercon, this year in St. Louis.

Thank you, thank you - to everyone who voted for Bury Your Dead! Wow.

A number of awards are presented at Bouchercon, as you can tell. What a supportive community, crime writers and readers are. Celebrating each other. And I honestly am floored to have won this award. And so grateful to Sarah Melnyk, my publicist, who was recovering from a cold, who got up and accepted.

I wrote out speeches, in case Bury Your Dead should win any of the awards. Have you ever had to do that? if you have, you probably know how I felt. Like a real tool. Felt so presumptuous. Pompous. Egotistical. Felt F.I.N.E., actually.

But now I'm reeeeally glad I did it! And, Sarah, thanks for getting up and accepting -

Wow - what a time. What a remarkable, amazing period in my life. And so happy to be here with Michael, so we could celebrate together. Wow.

Had fun this afternoon doing the event at Chapters in Montreal. Saw lots of people - including many friends - and had coffee afterward with the Mounts and Susan. Great way to decompress.

Thanks to Nadine and Mathieu, of Chapters, for being so generous in hosting the event. Merci!

Off to Kitchener/Waterloo tomorrow. They've chosen Bury Your Dead as their One Book, One Community read - so I have events all Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Then fly to Victoria, BC for the western Canada swing of the tour.

Honestly? I feel I hardly need a plane. Oh, thank you...how wonderful this feels.

Macavity!

2011-09-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

mainly sunny - cool - temps 15

Wow - cold front has arrived in Montreal. Very cool - cold even.

But I don't care!!! I'm finally here, with Michael. Arrived yesterday morning - caught early flight out of Charlottetown, PEI and was in Montreal in time for breakfast at Nick's with Michael.

What an amazing 3 weeks....when I left here I knew it'd would be chock full of events, and new people and experiences....but I never dreamed it would be such an unforgettable, life-changing time. To have been all over the States (well, not quite everywhere) and to have met so many of you...and had a blast!!! But then to make it to number 4 on the NYTimes list...wow. As you can see, I'm still living on that.

Had such a great time these past few days on Prince Edward Island. As you can see, Trina and I stopped in a seaside town called Victoria and ate lunch outside...lobster roll. It really is paradise. PEI feels a bit like walking into a parallel universe, where all the modern conveniences exist - but so does civility. A quiet. A calm pace and thoughtful conversation. It was just lovely.

And had such fun at the events. The photo above is from my last event on the Island, on Wednesday night - at the Montague Library. The four girls standing at the front are aspiring writers, who are taking a writing workshop. I asked them to stand in the front for the photo - because they'll be leading the way before long. The new voices. Aren't they beautiful? I wanted to take them all home, but wasn't allowed to.

And now I'm home in Montreal for a few days...slept a lot yesterday. Watched episodes from the first season of Modern Family- my new favorite show. And just luxuriated in familiar aromas and textures and sights....and Michael. And then last night received the wonderful news that BURY YOUR DEAD had won the Macavity award for best crime fiction novel in the US - as voted on by readers of Mystery Readers International - a great web-based publication and blog run by the remarkable Janet Rudolph.

The award was announced last night at Bouchercon (the huge crime readers/writers convention) happening this year in St Louis. Sarah Melnyk - my publicist at Minotaur Books - accepted for me. Thank you so much - to Mystery Readers International - to Janet Rudolph - to Sarah...

As you probably realize, getting a book out there really is a team effort - and everyone on that team has a specific job. Mine is to write the books...and then it gets handed to the fabulous Hope Dellon, my editor at Minotaur, and Dan Mallory, my editor at Little, Brown in the UK - to make suggestions...and they unfailingly make the manuscript better. Then, in the US, all sorts of other people get involved - including Andy Martin - the actual publisher of Minotaur books - who is a brilliant marketer and strategist. There are just so many elements....the cover design...date of publication....the supporting ads...all the social media now, thanks to Jeanne-Marie and Paul!

I guess my point is that winning the Macavity is such a huge honour - that needs to be shared with the whole team. I'm one element, but that's all.

And a really big part of a book's success is making sure you know it even exists...and that falls, in my case, to Sarah Melnyk at Minotaur. So I'm just thrilled she was the one who got up and accepted the award. thank you, Sarah!!!

I was supposed to be at Bouchercon - but I have to admit....I'm sooooo happy to be in Montreal for a few days - to be with the Big Guy and to breathe.

Had an interview this morning for L'actualite magazine - which is the Quebec equivalent of Time Magazine - with Georges-Hebert Germian...at Nick's. Fascinating man - a great pleasure to meet a journalist and writer I admire so much.

And on Sunday I have a 2pm event at the Chapter's bookstore on Ste Catherine street in downtown Montreal. Love to see you there.

Well - must go. Lunch at the Taverne on the Square....then back home for more Modern Family, and a nap. Amazing, blessed, life.

Kindred Spirits

2011-09-14T05:31:00.000-07:00

sunny, warm - temps 75

Absolutely beautiful weather here on Prince Edward Island. for those unfamiliar with Canada, we have a couple of islands that are privinces unto themselves...Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island (or PEI).

A few months ago I received an email from Trina O'Brien Leggott, of the PEI library system, saying they were going to be part of the One Book, One Community campaign - but had decided to make it province-wide - so that it became One Book, One Island. And she wondered if they chose STILL LIFE, could I come for the culmination.

You can imagine my response. The email was still warm when I shot back a YES, PLEASE. Didn't even pretend to think about it! but it seemed so far off.

And now, here it is. And here I am. Having just a wonderful time. glorious weather...sunny and warm. Perfect September. Am staying in Charlottetown, and yesterday morning I had a few hours to wander (with an ice cream cone) down to the water front. You can see the photo. God help me, part of me is tempted to call Michael, get him to pack a bag and Trudy, buy a home and never leave.

Then Trina came by the hotel and drove me to the Anne of Green Gables house, in Cavendish. I have to say, I was resistant to go, or admit I wanted to go. Didn't want to admit I wanted to do something so cliche. Then I thought - oh, for God's sake - how can I be my age and still worry about how this would look??? If I want to go, go!

the drive was beautiful....as we skirted the Atlantic then through the centre of the island. And then - there was the house.

I LOVED Anne growing up. One of the first books I read on my own - and the first series. I just gobbled them up. Anne, and her 'kindred spirit' friend. Who doesn't long for a kindred spirit? I suspect that has deeply inspired many things in my life, and most things in my books. That longing to belong. That longing for deep and loving friendships....understanding and acceptance.

Anne gave me that.

You can see the photo of Trina in front of the house. And then, on our way home, we stopped by one of the hundreds of beaches.... ahhhh.

did a french interview for Radio Canada late yesterday afternoon - my french felt very rusty....ugh. Poor Audette, who did the interview. So patient. and tolerant.

Very fun event last night at the Confederation centre in Charlottetown....preceded by a great dinner with some library reps, and a couple of contest winners. We laughed so much.

Today - off to the Bibliotheque (library) publique J-Henri-Blanchard at 2pm - for a mostly french event (hope my french returns)
Then 7pm event at the Montague Rotary Library.

And then???? HOME

Well, not totally home. Taking 6:30am flight to Montreal tomorrow....Michael driving up....and we'll be together... meeting for breakfast at Nick's on Greene Ave. Oh, God, I don't dare even think about it, I get so emotional. Haven;t seen Michael in almost 3 weeks, though we speak several times a day, and email. But, wow - one more sleep until we're together for the weekend.

Actually - he's my island. And my kindred spirit.

Ann Arbor - Prince Edward Island

2011-09-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

Charlottetown - sunny, lovely day - temps 20

Back in Canada after what feels like an eternity away....but a GREAT eternity!! Certainly a life-changing time. For the past two weeks we've (you and I) have criss-crossed the US - doing events in a differnt city every day. It has been amazing fun, to see you all! And you can see the crowd yesterday afternoon at the Kerrytown Book festival in Ann Arbor, Michigan - organized by a lot of people including the remarkable Robin and Jamie Agnew - of Aunt Agatha's bookstore. Robin and I sat at the front of the tent and all these wonderful people came out to listen and talk - and we just had the best time.

A great way to end the American leg of the A TRICK OF THE LIGHT tour. Just magnificent.

It was a day of great contrast. Like many of you, it started for me by watching the Sept 11th memorials. It was so moving, and dignified and terribly sad.

And then Stefanie Pintoff was generous enough to offer me a lift to the Kerrytown festival, where she also had an event - so off we went and had a fabulous time - as you can see!!

Then Stefanie and I drove to the airport - she to catch a flight to New York City and me to get into the smallest plane I've been in in a long while....for the short hop from Detroit to Toronto. It was an Air Canada flight - but a prop plane. Can't remember the last time I was in a prop plane - and an old one! Very few seats, no flight attendent - we were in single seats down the length of the narrow plane.

but it was very relaxing...and I realized how much I like the older, prop plane. I remember them with great affection and comfort from all the flights I took all over Northwestern Ontario when I was a reporter there. They sort of job down the runway, then gently lift off, and like a butterfly they float higher and higher. Very civilized.

Got to Toronto - then hopped another flight to Charlottetown PEI. Arrived after midnight. Great flight - but no taxis....we waited at least 20 minutes, perhaps longer, in a bitterly cold wind - for one taxi, then another, then another to dribble in. Another woman and I shared a cab. Too bad really - not a friendly way to arrive. But things could be worse.

The hotel - the Holman GRand - is brand new. Wonderful, clean, great design. LOVE it. Only open about a month and a few teething pains. Seems confusion over whether they have room service or not. Phones didn't work and the internet couldn't be connected...but after several calls to the very nice receptionist, all has been solved.

This is the first time I'll have more than 2 nights in a hotel - for the most part it's been a different hotel every night for more than 2 weeks....so it is lovely - indeed, very meaningful, to have a nice place to settle in to. Some people don't really care about these things. But I do. I think because I'm a home body - and just want to curl up in the bed, order room service, read, watch TV - and not think. Until my next event.

Have an interview with Karen Mair at the CBC here in Charlottetown in about an hour. Then nothing until a dinner tomorrow and event at 7pm - open to the public - at Studio 1 at the Confederation Centre.

I'm in Prince Edward Island because they've chosen Still Life as their One Book, One Island book! I am SO happy about that!!! This is my first book event in Atlantic Canada....and PEI is one of the great islands in the world. Check it out on line. I visited a few times decades ago when I worked at CBC in Moncton. Looking forward to actually getting out of the dressing gown and heading into this wonderful community....

Oh - I'm back. did you miss me? The wonderful librarian who is coordinating this visit for me - Trina - just rung up from the lobby. I thought she was coming at 11:45 - but she showed up at 10:45 and I was in my bathrobe. Except....I suddenly remembered, as I flew around the room tossing clothes on - that PEI is an hour ahead....and I hadn't changed my watch.

It was 11:45! And I was in danger of being late for my CBC radio interview. Lovely Trina got us there on time. And I did it with Karen. then Sarah asked if I could do a TV interview. I'd tossed whatever clothes I could find on, fortunately I'd brushed my hair - but I had no make up on. And, as luck would have it, Sarah is luminous. Absolutely drop-dead gorgeous.

Happily, I figure the bar is set pretty low for authors. If I'm dressed and sober they should consider themselves lucky. though I'm sure I looked demented. At least I didn't have a fork in my hair.

After that I wandered the centre of Charlottetown. Found an ice cream place called cows and had my first food of the day. Yum!!! A wowie cowie. double yum. Then went to the bookstore and the library. Heaven.

Now back to the hotel to try to rest a bit...I find now I'm getting tired easily and early. Though I blame the Wowie Cowie. Far too sensational.

Hotel does need a bit of snags ironed out. There's a hilarious and wonderful BBC show called Hotel Inspector, where this really very anti-social potty mouthed woman, who happens to be a very successful hotelier, visits down on their luck hotels and tries to help turn them around. I love that show.

I'd LOVE to be the Canadian hotel inspector. Not that I have any expertise in running a great hotel - but I've stayed in so many. For instance - this room - in a very high end hotel - has no pen. Or stationary. And when I called down to see if they could please replace the coffee capsules I'd used that morning (the housekeeper must have missed it), the lovely and very friendly young woman admitted it took her forever to show up because she'd forgotten which room I was in. And then gave me the wrong capsules.

Not big things...but again, if you're aspiring to be the tops, it really is the details that matter. Like writing, I think. Or any career. Get the details right. We have a guest cottage, and when people come to stay we make sure it's not only clean but that there are fresh flowers in summer, or a baked treat in winter, and that everything they could need is there. Granted, one cottage is easier than a hotel with rotating (and demanding!!) guests.

However - I would stay here again in an instant. And would love to bring Michael. It's a great modern hotel - that just needs a few more months to smooth things out.

Loving charlottetown - the weather's spectacular. And now, am off to relax. Having a chicken and pear sandwich from the deli around the corner.

Globe and Mail bestseller - and Cleveland!

2011-09-10T06:01:00.000-07:00

rain - temps 65

first real rain of the tour so far....am having just the BEST time - and who wouldn't??

Just woke up in the hotel in Cleveland to the news that A TRICK OF THE LIGHT has made the Canadian Globe and Mail bestseller list! Came in at number 7. Wow! This is the very first time any of my books has made this list!!! It's the Canadian equivalent of the NYTimes list.

Wait, did someone say the NYTimes list???? Did A Trick of the Light make this week's list??? YES!!! At number 4!

But I digress....as a Canadian I can't tell you how overwhelmed with joy I am to see that the book made it. Wow. Honestly, I'm sitting here trying to catch my breath. So thrilled. so excited. So grateful to Minotaur in the US, for Raincoast in Canada - for the wonderful guidance and work of Rob Howard in Canada earlier in the year, for really setting the course for A TRICK OF THE LIGHT and Jamie Broadhurst and Dan Wagstaff of Raincoast for steering the book. right onto the list!

This is such an exceptional week. A once-in-a-lifetime week. A week I could never have dreamed of as a child, teen, young adult - older adult....as I dreamed of becoming a writer. I just wanted to finish a book. And now here I am, in a lovely hotel room in Cleveland, on book tour - being able to share with you this wonderful, wonderful news.

And - speaking of Cleveland - I had a fabulous time last night!!! As you can see by the photo (though I must admit, one man looks like he reeeally wishes he was anywhere else but there - but it might just have caught him at a bad moment. Yes, that must be it....) More than 200 people showed up to the community centre in Brecksville, just outside Cleveland!

the event was put on by this most amazing and dynamic of library systems - the Cuyahoga Library coordinated the event. Pam - a librarian - met me at the plane. Cathy - a librarian drove me to and from the event. Others hosted and prepared. It was magnificent.

And so many people. I can't tell you what it means to me to stand there and look out at your smiling, supportive faces.

Wow!

Denis is picking me up in a few minutes and we're driving to Michigan - for a 3pm event at Schuler's books in Okemos - with one of my favorite crime writers - Stefanie Pintoff. She's brilliant. I'm such a fan and can hardly wait. Hope to see you there.

Then tomorrow - on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 - I'll be at the Kerrytown Book Fair with the remarkable Robin Agnew. She and her husband Jamie run one of the finest independent bookstores I know....Aunt Agatha's in Ann Arbor. She was championing my books when no one else knew about them. And now she helps run this great festival in Ann Arbor. With all sorts of amazing crime writers - like Stefanie Pintoff and Maureen Jennings and Brian Freeman and Tasha Alexander. My event is noon.

have a great weekend - even as we all reflect on where we were ten years ago. And where we are today.

chicago-Cleveland

2011-09-09T11:39:00.000-07:00

sun struggling to come out....but I feel in permanent sunshine!!! temps 69

Arrived in Cleveland this afteroon - heading east, so am losing an hour here and there. Very short and enjoyable flight from Chicago -less than an hour - in a plane that looks and feels like a needle. And is not much bigger. But fast and sure - and here!

I am having such a blast on this tour. Still no hair brush, I'm embarrassed to admit. Just no time to go out and find one. Every moment taken up either with events, or stock signings or traveling. I have a couple of hours off and might see if I can find a shop in downtown cleveland. I did find a comb, in an airport shop, and that has had to suffice.

Have to say, if it's a choice between neat hair, or a nap....well, good bye neat hair.

Did I tell you - can't remember - we're number 4 on the NYTimes Bestseller list!!!! (of course i remember telling you!!!! just joking - thought I should point that out in case you thought I'd lost my marbles).

Michael, dear one, has taken to calling me Number 4 - which makes me kinda relieved we didn't land slightly higher up the list.

I forgot to take a photo at the event last night at the Bookstall in Winnetka. But loads of people - Standing room again. Feels so wonderful. Happily (I guess) a wonderful man named John took photos. You can see a bunch on Facebook - but he also sent me some - the ones at the top. In one I appear to be pointing to something that might be stuck in my teeth - and the other shows John and me - no batteries needed.

Thank you John - thank you everyone who came out!

One of the tricks, I'm finding, on this long tour is not only to get enough sleep, but I yearn for quiet, private time. To just sit on the side of the bed and stare out the window. At a strange and often beautiful new city. And lose myself.

the other challenge - beyond the hair thing - is eating properly. Not getting junk - or missing too many meals. So I generally have fruit and coffee for breakfast - often miss lunch - then get something after the event... yesterday I was starving by the time I got to the hotel - mid-afternoon - and ordered a club sandwich...thank god it came with fries. Yummmmm. But for dinner, after the event, I went around the corner and found a little convenience store and bought some fresh sliced mango.

Now that was ambrosia.

This is a real reminder of the differnce eating well and eating badly make.

Having said that, I've just ordered a burger. But missed breakfast at the chicago hotel, to catch the flight.

I'll get this right yet. but, to be honest, so far, so good. Not gone hideously wrong.

Off to the Cuyahoga Library in Brecksville (just outside Cleveland) for a 7pm event tonight. Hugely impressive library system. Very dynamic, organized, passionate. I just LOVE being around people like that. And organized. No chaos. I find chaos on tour quite draining.

Hope to see you tonight.

Tomorrow am off to Schuler Books in Okemos - just outside Detroit - for a 3pm event....with the great Stefanie Pintoff. I am a HUGE fan of her books. She writes historical mysteries and won the Edgar for her debut. Her latest is called SECRET OF THE WHITE ROSE and needs to be read!

I'm so excited to be doing this event with Stefanie. See you there I hope!

and on Sunday Stefanie and I are at the Kerrytown Book Festival, in Ann Arbor. Lots of amazing crime writers....Maureen Jennings, who writes the Murdoch Mysteries (and a close personal friend...she's genius) - Brian Freeman - who is a wonderful thriller writer - Tasha Alexander - hugely talented. Hoenstly, it is a breath-taking list!!!

My event is in the main tent on Sunday in Ann Arbor - at 1pm.

I wonder where that burger is....oh, just arrived!

#4 on the New York Times list!!!!

2011-09-08T06:25:00.000-07:00

sunny, beautiful day (which it would be even if it was raining!!!) temps 75

Dateline - Omaha, nebraska - and the news????

A TRICK OF THE LIGHT is number 4 on the New York Times Bestseller list!!! Number 4!!! My God, when Andy, the publisher of Minotaur books told me I almost toppled over. not in my wildest dreams did I think we'd get that high. On the plane from Houston here yesterday morning I knew we'd hear later that day if the book had made the list. Now, there are really two New York times lists....I didn't know this until well into my publishing career, when it suddenly became pertinent.

There's the printed list - which is what we see in the Times on the weekends. The top 15 books. then there's what's called the 'extended list' - which goes to the top 35. Which is a huge accomplishment, to make the extended list, and gives authors then the right to call themselves New York times bestsellers.

The highest I've been is 23, on the extended list, with BURY YOUR DEAD. And I was thrilled beyond measure.

I honestly never dared dream one of my books would make the printed list. would ever get that high.

So on the flight I didn't dare hope...all I did was pray that A TRICK OF THE LIGHT wasn't number 16! It would be crushing to be soooo close. I'd rather be 25. But mostly, really, I just wanted to be somewhere, anywhere, on the list.

I realize it shouldn't matter. That writing the best book I can is what matters most. And it does. but between us? this matter too. All my life I've read the Times. Seen the list. Seen the names and wondered at the magic of them. And thought how happy they must be.

and now I know.

VERY happy. Happy beyond words. When Andy called last night, with my wonderful editor Hope Dellon and the fabulous Sarah Melnyk, the head of publicity at Minotaur in the room with him - he asked me to choose a number between one and 15. My legs gave way and I slumped to the side of the bed. My God - I thought....we made it.

But I didn't want to choose a number and then be disappointed somehow. If I said 11 and I was number 14, it could feel disappointing somehow. So I made a joke and said, 'Number One!' - never thinking we'd be even close.

When Andy said number 4 I almost didn't understand the words. How could that be?

But I know how that can be - how A TRICK OF THE LIGHT got to number 4.

Because Hope and Dan are brilliant editors and made the books better. Because Teresa and Patty believed in Still Life when everyone else rejected the manuscript. Because Andy, the publisher, is passionate and brilliant and oversaw all aspects of the publication - including the amazing cover - and because Sarah believed in the series, and this book. She said from the start - This is the one. And she put together this amazing tour. It's because Jeanne-Marie and Paul and Marjorie have created such a lovely presence on Facebook - and other parts of social media - which allows me to speak with you directly.

All those things came in to play. But the final, the most wonderful, glorious element?

You.

You found Three Pines, you breathed life into Armand and Jean Guy - Clara and Gabri. And Ruth. You held their hands and kept them company, no matter what dreadful thing was happened. And you invited so many others into the village, into the books. You spread the word.

And you never, ever stinted in your support.

No part of me feels I deserve credit for this...some, yes. But the beauty of being number 4 (did I mention that??) on the NYTimes list is that we stand on that spot together. A community. I'm not alone. I don't want to be alone. I want you all with me. There. On the printed list. And in the village.

How extraordinary.

the photo above is from the fabulous event at the Bookworm bookstore in Omaha, Nebraska last night. Packed....so many smiling faces. Sarah Melnyk called from New York in the middle of the event to tell us it was official and confirmed. And I got to celebrate with all these lovely people!!! the photo was taken seconds after it was announced.

What was announced, you ask?

Well, let me tell you -

A TRICK OF THE LIGHT is number 4 on the New York Times bestseller list!!!!

(pass it on)

Off to Chicago this morning - signing at Anderson Bookshop midafternoon - a stock signing, not a public event - the public event is tonight at 7 at the Book Stall in Winnetka. Hope to see you there!!!

Then off to Cleveland tomorrow for an event at 7pm Friday night at the Cuyahoga Library, in the Brecksville community Centre.

Houston Hair

2011-09-07T06:04:00.000-07:00

sunny, hot, temps in the 90's

Houston is gorgeous! But it's also suffering terribly from too much sun, way too much heat - too little rain - and the results. Tinder-dry forests and brush. And wildfires. When the flight from Phoenix arrived yesterday morning we could smell the smoke in the air. By mid-morning the wind had shifted and we could no longer smell it. But the fires were there. threatening communities - making 'good' on those threats to actually burn homes.

Very, very upsetting.

And no rain in sight.

But from my hotel room window you'd never know there was aproblem. I'm staying at this really fabulous place called the Hotel ZaZa - which is sort of film-themed, with vintage posters and black and white photos....all very 'fabulous'. But my God is it ever comfortable. It looks out over a park - with a zoo and walking trails and huge trees. Lush and green and very serene....and a huge traffic circle that flows like a river around a wonderful fountain. Magical.

I reeeally like Houston - but never get to stay here long.

Arrived from Phoenix - where the event at Poisoned Pen was amazing. Packed. It was the first time they opened the store for an event over Labor Day - so thank you Barbara Peters and everyone at Poisoned Pen!!!! But barbara and I went out for afternoon tea before the event and she very gently and diplomatically warned me that she didn't know what to expect....it was possible no one would show up.

We decided we'd have a great time anyway. Besides, I knew one of my great friends, Lesa Holstein, would at least be there. So, at the very least it would be Barbara, Lesa and me. More than enough!

After Barbara left to prepare the store for the event, I met up with Lesa for Dr. Peppers and nibblies - and a great catch-up. I adore her. She's a head librarian in the Phoenix area and runs Lesa's Book Critiques blog...a very thoughtful, very influential blog. Over the years we've become friends and see each other whenever we can. Like Monday night. And, Lesa brought me a huge bag of gummi bears...to fuel the tour. yum!!!

Then we went over to Poisoned Pen - and....the place was packed!!! They sold out of A TRICK OF THE LIGHT and all the other books in the series. Yay!!! Cannot begin to thank all the people who came out! I know there are so many other things to do - like relax at home...so I am beyond grateful. And had a blast! Barbara Peters did the interview - the two of us sat together on stools at the front....and it really is much more of a conversation or discussion than an interview. Then she opened it for questions from the audience. I signed books after...then we scooted to the airport.

As you know, the flight from Phoenix arrived here in Houston at 2am. Checked into the hotel (got an upgrade!!!) and went to sleep....ahhh. The housekeeper, though, woke me up at 8:50 - wanting to make up the room. This seemed a little early to me - and quite upsetting since I was desperately tired. But I got up and did some work - then headed off to the luncheon that Murder by the Book had organized.

it was at the Briar Club...lovely club. And I had a chance to see a mix of old friends like Cae and Billie - and meet some of you who read the blog and facebook....but mostly, who read the books. John, who works at Murder by the Book, interviewed me and ran the event, brilliantly. wonderful man.

Then they got me back to the hotel in time for a brief nap (I left my hairbrush in Phoenix so I had a choice...nap, or buy a brush. Guess which won....but that meant when I got up and went to the evening event at Murder by the Book bookstore, I looked like something the cat dragged in! And now, after sleeping on it another night, the hair is a definite menace!!! )

You can see the photo....lots of people....and so great to see old friends. (J and J and others) And wonderful to see McKenna and Dean and Brenda and John (the fab John!) And one kind and generous soul brought a bag of licorice pipes!!!

Off to Omaha today, for an event at 6pm at Bookworm. I'll be the madwoman with frazzled hair and a licorice pipe. Looking, perhaps, like Clara Morrow! By the end of the 6 week tour I suspect I'll be looking like Ruth - so this isn't too bad.

See you tonight in Omaha!! Never been to Nebraska and I'm looking forward to it.

Phoenix

2011-09-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

wispy high clouds - hot! temps above 100

We're not in New England anymore, Toto. What a miracle air travel is...and how astonishing is the United States. Went from too wet and very lush and green New England to the Arizona desert and it's reds, ochres, palm trees and cacti. And searing heat. Arrived yesterday from Atlanta - and went for a walk. Short walk. Was going to be longer but after about three minutes I was drenched (granted I was wearing jeans - but not the winter books Michael forgot to take off last time we were here - remember that? We had to head into town to buy him sandals! Got on the plane in snowy Burlington a couple years ago, and he forgot to leave his boots in the car...so we walked around phoenix, looking for a shoe store, in snow boots.)

LOVE, love, love Scottsdale. So different from anything I've ever known. So beautiful - and love the fusion of American and Mexican cultures. I know there're lots of tensions, and this has become a political issue hotter than the phoenix sun - scalding in fact - but as a visitor I just adore it. Reminds me of the French and english melange at home, and how we're so much the richer for it.

Am staying at the Valley Ho - Sarah, my publicist at Minotaur, managed to get me upgraded to this spectacular suite!!! Can you imagine - my god, it's wonderful. Unfortunately it came complete with partying neighbours last night. I was so looking forward to a long, relaxed evening and sleep - deep, uninterrupted sleep - finally. But their shrieks woke me up. I actually called security after a while and that quietened them down. Some noise I can tolerate and understand - people have a right to be happy, and laugh. But I think yelling and shrieking crosses the line. I love what Mark Twain said - 'Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins'. They hit my nose with the screams.

But beyond that, this is a wonderful place! Having such fun. Will do a massage later this morning. Ahhhh.

And last night, while others partied - I have the best time of all. I did laundry!!! The suite has a washer and dryer. You can see 'me' lying on the lounger on the balcony.

Off for an event at 5pm at the wonderful Poisoned Pen bookstore in Scottsdale, with the remarkable Barbara Peters. Then she's driving me to the airport for a flight to Houston - arrive at 2am (thanks to the time difference - I didn't realize flights were allowed to land that late). Then luncheon talk tomorrow at noon - and another tomorrow evening at Murder by the Book, one of the great independent bookstores in North America. So looking forward to seeing everyone there.

I owe my writing career to many people. My agents Teresa and Patty - my publishers and editiors - Hope and Dan. But I know it would all have stopped after the first few books if it wasn't for the Independent Mystery bookstores - who found the little books set in Canada - and started handselling them. Telling others. So wonderful to get a chance to say thank you.

Am lying right now on the lounge chair - looking at the hills in Scottsdale and the palm trees...read my morning meditation (I bring a small book along with me on the road - to help keep me balanced and on track). Said quiet prayers of thanks - and now will begin the day. In clean clothing!!! If that's not a miracle, I don't know what is.

thank you so much for your comments, which I love reading - for your company, which sustains me - for your great good energy and humour...for your support with A TRICK OF THE LIGHT - for telling others about the books. And for coming out to the events and letting me know that I'm not alone. How beautiful you are. Thank you!

Norwich-Atlanta

2011-09-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

Sunny, hot, temps 86

Wow, what a difference a 2 hour plane trip makes! Hot and humid here in Atlanta. Beautiful. I've never been here before. Have come for the Decatur Literary Festival...have an event in about an hour with -

OK - I actually had looked at the time and realized I was about to miss my drive to the festival from the hotel!! So I left in mid-sentence, and good thing too. Got there, in time. Phew.

And now I'm back 'home' in the hotel. The wonderful Diondre who works at the front desk is so cheerful and helpful. I couldn't figure out how to get the internet going in the room and he came up and in a matter of seconds there it was. Not once did he look at me like I was an idiot - which I appreciate.

The event was in the church - as you can see from the photo...what you can't see is that the entire ground floor was packed. apparently it was the biggest crowd they'd had in that venue for the festival so far! Yippeee. It's not the best photo since it was taken about ten seconds after the event ended and people were beginning to leave....but still, it gives you the feeling of what Amanda and I saw. Amanda is Amanda Kyle Williams who has written her debut thriller, The Stranger You Seek. It is getting amazing and well deserved reviews and attention! And she's delightful. Loved doing the event with her...and with the moderator, who was the remarkable Teresa Weaver, who does book reviews and is smart, insightful, warm. We were in good hands.

it was very fun because they'd set up two huge chairs on the 'altar' of the church, and plopped Amanda and me down - so it felt a little like being a Queen or the Pope for an hour. We were just and wise and benevolent. Well, we were none of those things, but we sure had fun. And I hope the audience enjoyed it too. they seemed to. Now, I have to tell you that the minister at the church - his name is Todd Speed. Honest. Isn't that wonderful? So jealous.

Then we went outside, under a tent, for the signing. But they ran out of my books. Which is both good and bad. They were selling A TRICK OF THE LIGHT and STILL LIFE, and - boom - they all went. But it was fun to at least greet the people who couldn't buy.

the other photo is from the VERY fun event last night at the Norwich Bookstore - my third time darkening their door. Met the lovely Sheila there, her third time coming to listen. The last two times she and I recited The Bells of Heaven together - but not this time...but we did talk about poetry after the affair. That's her on the far left of the photo, in the front row.

I just love returning to these glorious independent bookstores - like visiting old friends - or that fun, smart, thoughtful aunt - who knew so much but never made me feel stupid. Only made me want to know more. Great bookstores and book sellers are like that. And I've met great booksellers this week. And am the better for it.

Now, as you know, New england has been devastated by Hurricane Irene...I think the real scale of it is just now being assessed - as people emerge from shock and just trying to cope - and look around. Beautiful old towns all but destroyed. Libraries that have lost their entire collections. Schools damaged. Homes gone. Never mind businesses. And many still without power.

The Norwich bookstore is helping to coordinate some of the relief - especially book related (for libraries) but I think they'll have info on other relief too. If you'd like to give money, or goods, or books - please go to their website... norwichbookstore.com

The vermont library system is also assessing the damage and beginning to coordinate rebuilding efforts. you can go to libraries.vermont.gov Thanks to marianne for that information.

If you have information on other funds starting up, in Mass. or Connecticut or New Hampshire - and of course, Vermont, please let me know....write it as a comment, or send me an email - or put it on facebook... we'll do what we can to get the word out. I know they're trying to be sensible, and coordinate, and not make it a chaotic situation.

Morning flight to Phoenix tomorrow....then day off. Ahhhh - and an event at Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale - 5pm Monday. LOVE to see you there!!! After that I'm grabbing a late flight to Houston.

Thank you for making this such a remarkable tour!!! Michael says HI - he's having a wonderful labour day with two of his sons. Swimming and barbequing and doing whatever men do when their women-folk are away (doesn't bear thinking about).

Speak to you soon!

Norwich, VT

2011-09-02T08:39:00.000-07:00

sunny, mild, lovely day

What a tour! Honestly, after 6 book tours, this is the most wonderful so far. Thanks to you. You absolutely amaze and thrill me. Thank you for coming out to the events - thank you for sending emails and comments - for posting on Facebook. For telling me, and others (!!) about A TRICK OF THE LIGHT and the whole series.

Wow.

This is so much fun.

Ginny, the author rep, and her husband Jim, have been driving me ALL over new england. We left Kennebunkport yesterday morning - you can see the photo - that's where I had my morning coffee, sitting in an adirondack chair! 4 hour drive to Madison, CT. Poor madison got thumped by the hurricane....for the longest time we weren't sure we could do the event at the fabulous RJ Julia bookstore - then came word...their power was back! But much of the town and surrounding area is still out...People came to the event from all over. You can see the photo. But many of them had no power, and no hope of it returning until next week. And yet they were so cheerful. Not because this gave them pleasure, but because they had no choice. Wonderful.

The event was a blast. Packed! had a chance to speak to many before the event. Thanks to Tracy for hosting it. And to all of you, including the remarkable Marjorie, for coming...she and many others drove hours to be there.

Then Ginny and Jim drove us 4 hours north, to Norwich VT. Highway 91 had been washed out and closed...until just before we left...then we got the word, it had re-opened. Yippeee! Cut at least an hour off the drive....so instead of 5 plus, it was 4. arrived just around midnight.

Now, an event at the Norwich Bookstore at 7 tonight, then we're driving to Boston and I fly to Atlanta tomorrow for an event with Amanda Kyle Williams. She has her first thriller out, called THE STRANGER YOU SEEK. It's apparently fabulous. that's at 5:30, as part of the Decatur Literary Festival.

Then fly to Phoenix Sunday.

Thank you - honestly - for reading A TRICK OF THE LIGHT, for writing me - for telling so many others. If you keep it up, so will I! We're a team.

Hope to see you along the way!

A TRICK OF THE LIGHT launch!! Yipppeee

2011-08-31T06:18:00.000-07:00

sunny - mild - temps 70's - lovely day

Well, it's finally come - the day when the latest Gamache book is out - and in your hands....and in your heads! I honestly cannot thank you enough for walking this exciting path with me....all the bumps and hills (often of my own making) - and all the fabulous events along the way. I know many of you followed the creation of A TRICK OF THE LIGHT as I wrote it last year. My frustration at times - my fear - the exhausting and exasperating times...but also those moments when I knew I was on the right path...often it was something as tiny as a turn of phrase. An insight. A moment of inspiration. A pastry.

Then the editing - the four, five drafts, as the book was shaped, as more life was breathed into the characters.

And now - today. they've left my home and come to yours. And you, with your imagination, lift Gamache and Jean Guy and Clara and ruth off the page.

This magic you do.

Thank you!

Yesterday, in Toronto, I did the Proust Questionaire for the CBC national radio show, The Next Chapter, with Sheila Rogers...8:30am in the studio. Then hopped a flight to Boston. ginny met the flight and we drove together to concord, New Hampshire for the US launch of the book.

Fortunately this part of New England hasn't been too badly hit by Irene - though many places were without power for days - and many places still are out. And poor Vermont. Dear God. We watched it coming...and the forecasters in vermont and newscasters preparing people for terrible flooding. And that's what happened. But worse than many people could imagine. Whole communities surrounded by flood waters and cut off. Tens of thousands without power - and perhaps not back for many days to come. We hope not. A day or so is inconvenient...more than that and it gets life threatening.

If you live in Vermont, and can read this, please know you are in our thoughts. We're watching and caring,.,.,and rooting for you! And if any people can rise above it, and help each other out, it's Vermonters. Remarkable, resiliant people.

Indeed - a few stores I'm going to are struggling with getting power back on, and Ginny and Sarah trying to figure out safe routes past flooded roads, to get there. But we;re all determined...if the stores still want us. Ready or not - here we come!!! And I hope you can meet me at RJ Julia in Madison, CT on Thursday night - and then the Norwich bookstore, in Norwich, VT on Friday.

Tonight, it's Kennebooks, in Kennbunk, Maine. See you there.

So far the events have been amazing! More than 100 people last night at Gibson's Bookstore in Concord. you can see the photos. Such fun! And, on a night when the Red Sox were playing...(not well...) We had just a blast. thank you for coming out and celebrating the US launch of the book.

AND - when I arrived at the hotel (the Centennial Hotel - fab!) what did I find? Three packages from the publisher....you can see the photo, after I ripped them open. A care pack with flight blanket, laundry soap etc...six bars of emergency chocolate (well...five now) and....and....can you make it out in the photo???

A copy of this coming weekend's NYtimes Book Review section....and the full page ad the publishers put in for A TRICK OF THE LIGHT!!! It's magnificent. I was breathless when I opened the package. I never dreamed this would happen. Minotaur Books is just the most wonderful, thoughtful, brilliant imprint. Wow. I'm keeping it safe, and having it framed as soon as I get home.

I feel as though I've walked (flown) into a dream. So beautiful.

I hope to see you on the road - it would be a great pleasure to shake your hand and thank you for your support, and sign your book. Mostly, of course, I hope you enjoy A Trick of the Light, and the company of friends.

the other photo was sent this morning by Michael - the pond at the guest cottage - he and trudy on their morning walk. I miss him so much. But lovely to see the picture and feel I'm on the walk with them.

Thank you for coming along on the tour. So far, it is absolutely amazing!

Soooo close

2011-08-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

Sunny, mild, beautiful day here in Toronto

Arrived by train last night - up early. Had interview with Mark Medley, books editor of National Post this morning - he brought a photographer...thank God I brushed my hair!

Then off to CBC for an interview

Then lunch with the terrific Raincoast publicist who is putting all this together and 'wrangling' (though thankfully not branding me) through the day.

Supposed to have an interview with the Globe and Mail but that is being rescheduled. Off to sign books soon, then the event tonight at Sleuth of Baker street. Their new address: 907 Millwood Rd - 416-483-3111. Party and signing starts at 6 and goes to 7:30. Then off to Boston tomorrow and being met by Ginny, who'll drive me to Concord, NH and the official world launch at Gibson's bookstore.

So far, so good. I find a lot of book tour is remembering it's a marathon not a sprint. So, trying to conserve energy, while still being present for everyone - and enjoying myself. I actually love the events themselves, frankly it's just the traveling that I find draining.

Michael kept in touch all yesterday, knowing how worried I was about leaving him with the storm. And what a storm! Not so much the winds, thank heaven, but a deluge of rain. More than 100 millimeters - almost four inches. Vermont, of course, got pummeled. Dreadful. They've had such a difficult few months with flooding, and now this. We love Vermont and Vermonters - being so close physically makes us feel close emotionally too. Very upsetting to see video of the waters.

Michael lost power (or the house did) at about 4 yesterday - after it flickered on and off all day. In fact, hundreds of thousands in Quebec were without hydro (what we call power, since our comes from water power). So he went to bed early, thinking it wouldn't be on for a day, maybe more. Happily, and amazingly, it came back on at 8:30.

I find it both comforting and difficult to write about Michael and home. I feel so close to them, and miss them so much, and long to be there. And yet, I'm so happy to be on tour too. I know this will get easier as the tour progresses....and then get harder again as I near the end and can 'see' them. Just one foot in front of the other.... And how lucky am I that even if I'm sad, I get to open a door and see your smiling faces.

The great photo at the top was taken by Danny at Brome Lake Books on Saturday night.

Hope you like A TRICK OF THE LIGHT. I can't believe the day is finally here....well, just hours away.

Brome Lake Books

2011-08-28T03:58:00.000-07:00

overcast, windy - heavy rain on the way

Watching progress of Irene. New York city has shut down the transit and the airports. Looks like less damage will be done than feared, thank God...but it's still going on and heading up the coast. The worst hit for Canada apparently will be parts of New Brunswick and ... Quebec's Eastern Townships. Not as a hurricane, but huge rains. Warnings out....more than 50 millimeters expected.

I'm in Montreal and heading to Toronto this morning, so it's not an issue for me personally, but Michael will be in the worst of it. Filling the bathtub in case electricity goes out. Candles and flashlights ready. Food in. I wish I could be there with him. I know he'll be fine - everyone will be if they stay off roads etc - but I'll be happy to hear from him tonight when it's over.

But - enough of Irene....I want to tell you about the pre-launch party yesterday at Brome Lake Books. it was phenomenal! Hundreds of people showed up! They ran out of books - and they had more than two hundred to hand out to ticket holders. They also (perhaps less surprisingly) ran out of wine! Lucy's father had to run to the Societe d'alcols to get more. It was such fun! An absolute 'slam' of people. I signed straight, without a break, for two and a half hours...and could not be happier!

Danny and Lucy worked like maniacs, and Lise, God bless her, leapt in and wrote down people's names to put on post-it notes on their books before they arrived at me - made it go faster...and I have a tendency to forget the names of even close friends in crowd scenes. I think it's a form of social anxiety. It's happened at my own dinner parties when I introduce guests. Ugh.

Michael took all the photos...the man taking the picture of Michael taking the picture is Lucy's father, John. Michael is standing right behind me, as I say a few words.

I wanted to share this fun event with you. and if you were there - thank you so much for coming out to celebrate! Having the support of my friends and neighbours means the world to me!

After the event Michael and I said goodbye - oh dear - then I drove in to Montreal. Off by train to Toronto this morning.

Hope to see you on tour! Next event is tomorrow night at Sleuth of Baker Street, in Toronto. Then the offiical World Launch for A TRICK OF THE LIGHT at Gibson's bookstore in Concord, New Hanpshire. I see Irene is bearing down on Concord - please look out for yourselves.... see you soon.

It Begins

2011-08-27T06:23:00.000-07:00

Sunny, mild, but not warm yet, lovely late summer day - temps 24

Perfect morning - we're sipping cafe au lait and sitting in the sunshine in the cottage - and watching coverage of Irene....and like millions of others, keeping our fingers crossed.

Jack Layton's funeral is today. Lots of people lining up. It'll be televised live across Canada. But I won't see it - it's happening at the same time as A Trick of the Light pre-launch party at Brome Lake Books at 2pm. I'm so glad it's a state funeral (quite rare in Canada) and is being televised. He deserves that.

As I say, I'll be at Brome Lake Books, celebrating the launch of the book! And so looking forward to it. We ended the BURY YOUR DEAD tour with an event with Danny and Lucy at Brome Lake Books - and now we're starting the next tour there. They really are a remarkable couple, great friends, and brilliant bookstore owners. Danny and Lucy have arranged for a local artist to create a painting of the launch, at the launch! How brilliant is that!?

her name is Shannon Brown....and they'll be auctioning off her painting at the end of the event, to raise money for the Yamaska Literacy Council.

If you're in the Knowlton, quebec area, come on by - for drinks, food, a signed copy of A TRICK OF THE LIGHT, and bring your cheque book to bid on Shannon's painting and raise money for literacy. How wonderful Shannon is to do this! And Danny and Lucy for thinking of it.

Lise will also be there - as will Michael, of course. They'd love to meet you too.

Then - driving in to Montreal this afternoon - and hopping on a train first thing in the morning.

Rainfall warnings for Townships and Montreal- for tomorrow. Irene. Fortunately for me, I'll be skiddadling out of here just ahead of the storm. To Toronto - for a bunch of media interviews Monday - then another pre-launch party at the new Sleuth of Baker Street - 6pm Monday. Then flying to Boston Tuesday morning, for the official world launch at Gibson's Bookstore in concord, New Hampshire Tuesday night at 7!!!

I mention all this because while I plan to blog and facebook post throughout the tour, the fact is, it will be very hectic and i'm not sure when i can blog again....But I'll do it as often as possible, because I love keeping in touch with you. And you've been so supportive through the writing of the book - and all the dreams and hopes, and fears. It means a lot to me that you also get to celebrate and be part of the tour!

Speak to you as soon as I can!

If you're in Irene's path - please look after yourself!

the quiet before the storm

2011-08-25T10:10:00.000-07:00

windy, rainy day - temps 24

Five days to the official World Launch of A TRICK OF THE LIGHT!!!

Pre-launch party this Saturday at Brome Lake Books in Knowlton. the book won't be on sale or on the shelves, but if you buy a ticket to the party (which starts at 2pm) then you get a copy of the book on Saturday. And I'll be very happy to sign it! then, in toronto on Monday at 6pm, I'll be at the new location for Sleuth of Baker Street for another pre-launch party.

But the official - books on the shelves - launch is in Concord, New Hampshire at Gibson's Bookstore. 7pm. I might have mentioned this before (and might again!)

We're watching Hurricane Irene, as are most people along the East Coast. If you're in the area, I hope you're safe. Unbelievable winds. I was slightly nervous that I'd have difficulty flying from Toronto to Boston on Tuesday because of Irene - but seems it will hit Sunday/Monday in that area. so while I'm somewhat relieved for the tour schedule, I continue concerned for those people and communities in the path.

Closer to home, we're in the last two days of rest before the tour - and enjoying every minute.

we're in the cottage now - and loving it!! Feels like a real vacation. so now the main house is ready for the renovations. Really more reparation....but it means kitchen disappears. and so do we. Lise, Donna and Deanna came on Tuesday and packed up. tony helped move furniture. Del and his guys were also there, removing three trees. Then Wayne showed up to cut the grass.

It would have been bedlam - except we all knew what we had to do and did it. It turned out to be hugely fun. Who'd have thought it? Honestly, thank God for Lise and Donna and Deanna.

Sent untold numbers of boxes to the church for their sale...to be honest, I'm not certain which church, but if there's one called Our Lady of Bad Taste, then that's where the stuff ended up. Amazing the things we found at the back of cupboards. And then to have Lise or Donna pull it out and hold it up. I insisted the worst of the stuff were gifts - but I think they knew better.

By four that afternoon Michael and Trudy and I were in the cottage next door. It was like sneaking away and finding a bit of peace and quiet. As I said, like a vacation. We sat on the balcony, had a ginger ale, and took a photo for you. This is our new view. Hard not to relax.

This cottage has another advantage...or at least did...there was no internet. I was shocked how serene it felt. We could still get emails on the blackberry, but couldn't access the internet. Now, just before going on tour isn't really the best time to lose internet, so Michael arranged for something called the Hub from Rogers. And magically, we're back on line. But it taught me that being without internet is not one bit stressful. Just the opposite.

However, having found the high road, I am now skidding back down and happily playing in the land of Wireless.

Had friends Margaret and David over here to the cottage for dinner last night. Felt like a house-warming. Tony lit the fire for us (I was afraid squirrels or birds might have made a nest in the chimney, but it was all clear) - had mushroom soup, confit de canard, wild rice, and banana cream pie. Yummy.

Hoping to have a couple of quiet days - then off on book tour. Hoping to see you. It's a very exciting, but enervating, period in my life. Just before the new book comes out. Life is filled with potential. Anything can happen with the book. I'm free to dream. Imagine all sorts of wild successes. Fabulous reviews. Wonderful events. To imagine your reaction.

But my fears can also slip out and grow.

Mostly though I'm just very excited A Trick of the Light is almost in your hands. I sure hope you like it. Between us? I think you might.

Thank you Mr. Layton

2011-08-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

Overcast, cold, rainy temps 15

A cold front and storms swept through last night, and when they left they'd taken our summer, and a remarkable man.

Jack Layton died last night - he was 61, and the head of the official opposition in Canada...the leader of the New Democratic Party. He'd led them to a historic victory in the election this past winter. And then, in July, announced he had cancer and was stepping aside temporarily.

I think most of us who saw that news conference suspected the worst. He no longer looked like the vital, robust, fit man we were used to seeing. His voice was hoarse and he looked frail. And now our fears are confirmed. Oddly I woke up this morning wondering how he was doing, but it wasn't until I stopped by La Rumeur (the bakery in Sutton) that I found out he'd died.

Very sad. Now, he was no saint, not savior, no divine being. But he was a man of conviction, who held to his beliefs and managed to navigate the murky, unpleasant, waters of politics and still keep his integrity....and the respect of his party and followers. And many others who would never, ever vote for a social democrat, but who admired the man.

When he realized he was dying he wrote a two page letter to Canadians. I won't quote it all here, if you're interested I'm sure you can find it. But I will give you his last words:

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

All my very best,

Jack Layton

24 ramakins

2011-08-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

sunny, hot, temps 29

An unexpected and beautiful day. Was supposed to rain - storm even. but so far it's been gorgeous. And - to make it an even better day - we have an Abercorn Bakery lemon meringue pie in the fridge. If you're in the area there are two bakeries you must try to drop by - the Abercorn Bakery, in the village of, yes, Abercorn. It's just across the border from Richford, Vermont. and, in Sutton, the magnificent La Rumeur Affamee. Which has baked goods, but also has the most wonderful selection of cheeses, and meats - and sorbets. And if you like date squares....well - their dates will get you to third base in no time. they're obscene.

We zipped across to Richford, then to the bakery, then to cowansville, then to Knowlton for lunch - then home to meet Johnny and his son who came to take the rusty old clawfoot tub and a sink out of the basement. then Tony arrived to get the ten year old paint tins out of the basement and take them to the toxic site. Ugh.

We're convulsing with activity here. I'm trying to organize the kitchen into three sections...a sort of kosher construction project. There're the things we want to keep. The things we want Kirk to sell (nice glass and plates), and the things we want to offer to friends (good things, but not necessarily collector's items, just good, sturdy kitchen wares). And then there was the shocking amount of stuff that just got thrown away. Out of date food, opened and stale stuff, broken wares. Honestly - it's very humbling to clean out an old kitchen and see all the stuff that just got shoved to the back.

How did we end up with so many mugs? And glasses? And those little ramakin things. How many does any family need? Probably none - which is what we'll have after this renovation.

Want a ramakin?

And measuring cups. Dear lord, if this was my next-of-kin cleaning it out they'd think their Aunt Louise was barking. for a woman who barely cooks, how come I have two dozen ramakins and at least 5 one cup measuring cups? And three meat thermometers. And no tupperware container matches the pile of tupperware tops. I also have at least thirty cookbooks. but, to be fair, I use those a lot when writing the books. I'm surrounded by cookbooks and poetry books. And pastry. And cafe au lait. Dreadful, the life of a writer.

Wheeled the recycling container to the curb yesterday. it was overflowing. Only to realize an hour later that it wasn't the week for recycling. So I wheeled it, bouncing, back....and Lise, God bless her, and Donna went through it and found all sorts of useful things I'd decided in frustration to recycle.

I'm actually at that stage in life, and in the renovations, where I want to keep so little.

Want a ramakin?

Michael. Trudy. A good book, a fireplace, a nice cup of coffee or tea. A La rumeur date square sometimes. A bathtub. A Queen bed, so we can cuddle, but also have our own space. A laptop to write with, and a notebook and pen. the complete works of Auden. And knowing that the people I love are healthy and happy and safe. That's what I need.

who needs a ramakin? or 24?

Oh, I wanted to tell you that my terrific Quebec publisher, Flammarion, has put Le mois le plus cruel(book 3, which is just translated and published in French in Canada) in the front window of the two major bookstores in downtown Montreal - Chapters and Indigo. Our great friend Dom took this photo of the Indigo store window today and sent it to us. Isn't that a fabulous image in the window? I'm stunned. And thrilled. Thanks, Dom!

Now that's what else I need - kindness. And love. Finding lots of both these days. Makes it so much easier to downsize things.

the plan

2011-08-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

brilliant, beautiful, sunny day - temps 26

A really fabulous day after torrential rains for the last few days. Yesterday was supposed to be sunny, but the forecast quickly changed to rain and storms...and there they were! But Michael and I still had a magnificent time. We got up just before 6am...fed and walked Trudy - Pat came to house sit - then we jumped in the car and headed to...hovey manor!!!

I'd arranged for two meetings there - a lunch with the film production people, who were coming from Toronto to discuss the project - and a photo shoot with the Journal de Quebec for pictures to accompany an article on the release of the third book in French - Le mois le plus cruel.

Since both were happening at Hovey - a day apart - well, what's a gal to do? We took the cheapest (clearly a relative term) room in the house...the small room right behind the library. Room 1. We were actually offered an upgrade, but we just fell in love with the small room with the ginko wall paper and bathroom so small the sink was in the room itself. But two big windows looked onto the garden and across to the lake. And it was cosy.

Met for lunch with the film people. That's us in the photo. Brian, Phyllis, Peter, me and Michael. I'm being intentionally vague about the films only because so many things can go wrong with these things, apparently. It's all new to me. What I do understand is that far more film options are sold than films are ever made. The plan here is to turn the first two books, Still Life and Dead Cold into made for TV films. And to have them distributed internationally.

that's the plan.

So we got together, had a wonderful lunch, and talked about how films get made, the priorities, the stages, the decisions. We didn't discuss casting - at least not specifics. I find this whole thing fascinating. As you know, I declined all film and TV offers over the years because most wanted control of the characters, or I didn't think they really 'got' what the books are about. But this film company seems fabulous. Interested in making a success...but also interested in making sure the films really do reflect in every way, the books. The settings and characters...but also the feel.

that's the plan.

Then, late afternoon, they headed back to Toronto and we hunkered in for a marvelous hovey dinner....scallops for starter and duck as the main course. Michael had Quebec strawberries, ice cream and frozen basil as a dessert - and I had a selection of sorbets. Then into bed in our tiny, perfect room.

Today the Journal de Quebec photographer came by Hovey about 11am. The Journal wanted a photo in a place that inspired the bistro in Three Pines. Since it really doesn't exist, the closest I could come was the big walk-in fireplace in the dining room at hovey. So that's where we shot.

Then scooted home. SO much to do to prepare for the renovations and the book tour. Yikes. tomorrow the world arrives - Tony to move some of the stuff we've decided to sell over to Kirk and Walter's. Johnny and his son to pick up the old clawfoot tub and sink in the basement. Cameron to pick up the squeaky kitchen table to repair and keep during the renos - and to see about making a kitchen island. M. Tetrault to pick up the sofa bed and chair to be recovered - and keep during the renos. Bob and the construction foreman to walk through what needs to be done.

Oh, the dock man is here. The anchors broke and the dock is drifting. Need new anchors. He's just arrived...must run. then off to drop off dry cleaning....

Speak to you soon - hope you're thriving!!!

Le mois le plus cruel

2011-08-14T17:23:00.000-07:00

rain, storms, temps 18

Amazing line of storms and heavy rains. Never seen so much rain - it's incredible. Lost power briefly - we've had more violent rain and wind, but none that lasted for two hours.

Terrible to see that grandstand collapse in Indiana.

On the other end of the weather spectrum the moon was so bright the other night it woke me up. It was as though someone was shining a floodlight into our home. I walked around looking out of every window - at 2am- just to be amazed by the light and strong shadows, and to see if I could see any animals out in the bright fields.

Busy day yesterday - lots of socializing. I find I can't take it as happily as I once could. I like people, a lot. But I also like quiet time, and privacy. That's one of the huge blessings of these quiet days in the country with Michael and Trudy. No writing. Few interviews. Just breathing, and reading, and lazy days together. And some socializing. I owe time to patient friends, but I have to say, right now, I just long for quiet. No voices. Gathering quiet, before the tour.

Book tours are amazing. Very exciting and invigorating - huge fun. But not peaceful. So I gather up the peace and calm and energy, so I have lots to spend on tour.

But still, we're spending some time with friends...huge block party at Guy and Nicolle's yesterday. dinner with our friend Louise. Brunch today with Susan and Liz. This coming Tuesday we're meeting the film producers at Hovey Manor for lunch, to discuss turning the first two books into made-for-TV films. Very fun - but so much can happen to mess it up! But fun to imagine. And this is our first 'summit' meeting on the films. Then on Wednesday, also at Hovey, I have a Journal de Quebec photo shoot.

Speaking of French - the third book has just been published here in Quebec in French. It's called Le mois le plus cruel - a direct translation of The Cruelest Month. If you're in Quebec, please tell lots of people about it!

Be well - and speak soon!

sunflowers

2011-08-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

mainly overcast, cooler, storms rumbling around temps 20

Much cooler today - but when the sun does come out it's again quite hot. Longing for a bath, but Bob is coming by with the plans for the renovations so best to be dressed, I find.

Lise and Donna are here, doing the gardens. Magnificent year for the flowers and the vegetables. But then, Lise and Donna could make a mud hole attractive. The sunflowers this year are outrageous. You can see one of them in the photo....the sunflower seeds fall from the bird feeder in the winter and spring - and some germinate and voila! We leave them up for the birds to eat later in the summer.

Did I tell you that the nice trapper man said he can't relocate the porcupine because it's against the law in Quebec to disturb its habitat. I guess if we were going to put up a house, they'd let us relocate him, but we aren't....just want to get him to a place far away from Trudy. I didn't realize porcupines are endangered here. How tragic is that? I guess it's because of development - and people simply shooting them.

So our guy is welcome to stay - we'll just live around him. So far we're very lucky that he hasn't come onto the main property, but stays at the guest cottage. We're moving over there when the renovations begin, so Trudy will have to be walked on a leash, and Gary (how wonderful) is building a gate for the verandah, so we can sit out there with Trudy and not worry she'll run off and get quilled.

I actually love the thought that we can keep the porcupine safe...at least, safe from us! And us safe from it.

People have been asking if book 8 has a title - beyond "Book 8". Yes, it does - at least, a working title...I i'd like the team to read the book and discuss it before I tell you...hate for the title to change from the one I tell you. It doesn't happen often, but it happens.

but I'll let you know as soon as possible.

Have been watching the riots in London with dismay...but then so gladdened to hear people are now organizing to clean up the mess. Love that. Reminds me of the reaction in Vancouver after the team lost the hockey finals and hooligans went on a rampage. it horrified that beautiful and dignified city. Never seen anything like it. And what did they do? After a day of rage and reaction people began to show up and simply, spontaneously, clean up. I find that sort of community action so moving. And powerful.

lovely, peaceful day

2011-08-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

mainly sunny, temps 25

Beautiful day. Breakfast in Cowansville....you can see the photo Michael took. The woman in the middle is Jackie and the one on the right is Linda....both have become friends over the years. they work at The Station in Cowansveille, and every Tuesday for a decade we've gone in for breakfast - when we can. Same thing most of the time. French toast with sliced banana and strawberries. Yum.

Then other errands.

And now am off for a massage.

Funny, one of the thoughtful comments on the facebook page was from a person in the UK and she mentioned their sudden and shocking shattering of the peace, with the riots. I've actually struggled with whether I should be mentioning these world events. Like that - like the famines - like the S&P downgrading and the fragility in the US economy that effects all of us. One of our prime ministers here in Canada once commented that when the US catches a cold, we sneeze.

and I'm of two minds. Michael and I are clearly aware of all these things. But I frankly believe you are too and don't need me to comment. But I struggle with hoping I don't come across as not caring - or having a great view of my own colon.

The woman who wrote wasn't chastising me in any way, just commenting on her own life. And I love that. And value that. And that's what I hope to do here. Not comment often on world events - though clearly I sometimes do - but really just talk about our own lives here. Our smaller struggles and joys.

And one of the struggles is when to mention world events, and when not to. Perhaps one day I'll be comfortable with the balance I strike...but probably not.

Hope you're well and thriving...and at peace.

Finished, finished, mwahah, finished!!!

2011-08-08T07:40:00.000-07:00

overcast - mountain behind the house encased in cloud - sticky day - temps 22

One of those funny sort of days where it's humid and cool. My body is confused - not for the first time.

but my head and heart are in agreement!! This is a magnificent day! I finished the third draft of book 8!! I also want to just clarify that this is not A TRICK OF THE LIGHT - that was finished many, many months ago. books really have to be, since there're all sorts of publishing decisions that need to be made - like cover design, final edits, publishing date, advance copies, marketing.... so a book needs to be at the publisher almost a year before it will actually get into your hands.

The book I've been working on this year - and finished the third draft at 5:30 last night - is the next one. Book 8. Which, god willing, will come out a year from now. Book 8 (do you just love the title?) is the one set in the monastery. Very fun, as it turns out, to spend much of the year with monks wandering around in my head. bumping into all sorts of unsavory thoughts. Poor ones.

Of course, finishing the third draft doesn't mean they aren't still up there....whispering things I should have done with their characters - lines I could change - small edits, slight smoothing. Chatty for men who've supposedly taken a vow of silence.

I've sent the manuscript - electronically - to my agent. This is actually the first time I've been able to do this since she now has a kindle. How things have changed! Up until now it's been all mailing of printed copies. I wonder what the next ten years will bring? I know it's a scary time for publishers and especailly booksellers. I don't have a kindle - have no need. But Michael does - he actually has a nook. He loves it for travel, but continues to buy and read printed books at home.

so we've found a balance - an alliance - between the two.

So now I wait - and try not to stress out completely wondering if Teresa's reading the manuscript. Where she might be at. And why - after 12 hours - haven't I heard from her? Clearly she hates it. What was I thinking? it's a mess. I'm a mess. A disaster...

As you can see - most of the fiction never reaches the printed page, but squirrels around in my crowded head. I might have to put the monks to work, cleaning out up there. I think insecurity is just part of the package. I don't like it - but I suspect it's far better than being cocky, or taking it for granted I've nailed the whole thing. I think it's what makes me try always to do better.

If I'm not vulnerable it means I haven't risked enough. haven't strayed from my comfort zone. Haven't opened up. And perhaps, don't care enough.

This is only true of me. I'm not in anyway saying other writers/artists/performers who are confident haven't risked, or opened up. I'm sure they have, and still manage to be confident. But after all this time, I realize it's just who I am. Not a good thing or a bad thing. Just a fact. And I can laugh at it now and make some peace with those insecurities. and vulnerabilities.

But for today - life is amazing!!! Book done - and trying to have a day with nothing on the agenda except what I want to do. Oddly, that often means I'm quite productive. Little things like throwing out the old flowers and getting into the garden to make new arrangements. Calling animal control to see if they can live-trap the porcupine and relocate it deep in the woods. There're some details - like making notes of power outlets - for the construction. It happens when I'm on book tour. It's just nice to have one day when I'm not being told I have to do something. but do it because I choose to.

Ahhhh -

What a surprising and blessed life. Made all the better for starting something difficult. And finishing it.

Once Teresa reads it she'll send the book to my editors, Hope and Dan in NYC and London - and they'll make their notes and tell me what they think. so this is far from the last draft. But it's as close as I can get, and now I need their thoughts. When the team is great and healthy and collaborative and mutually respectful, this is a simply sublime experience. And I'm extremely fortunate in the team.

I can hardly wait for you to read A TRICK OF THE LIGHT - about Clara's art show. Less than a month now!!! Hope you're enjoying your day.

Still Life special

2011-08-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

mainly sunny, hot and humid temps 28

We're all hoping this holds until after the annual SPCA fundraising tea this afternoon. It's over at the Bresee farm - they're also a vinyard and make lovely wines, apparently. We've bought some of their free-range beef. What a difference that makes...wow.

Last year Michael and I hosted the SPCA tea - while of course volunteers like Lise and Kirk and Walter and Cynthia and so many others, did all the work. We just swanned around and got all the credit. it was perfect.

But a nice day makes all the difference...so far, so good.

We got wonderful news from the american publishers, St.Martin's Press/Minotaur - in the lead-up to the publication of A TRICK OF THE LIGHT they've decided they want to bring as many people to the series as possible, and preferably start with the first book. so they've discounted the eversion, to 2.99. Obviously, this is for a fairly short time - probably a month, perhaps slightly longer.

I know many of you, perhaps all of you, have already read Still Life, but if you know someone who hasn't and is perhaps hesitant, this might be their chance to buy in cheap, and see if they like it. What I love about this is that I feel very strongly that the series is better if read from the beginning. It's not necessary - I really try to write each book so that it stands on its own...but I know it's just more fun if you follow Gamache, Beauvoir, Clara, Ruth et al from the beginning, and see how they're changing.

I really appreciate the publishers doing this - I hope it does bring lots of new readers on board.

Had a very fun day yesterday. Got up early and headed the hour or so to Manoir Hovey for breakfast...poached eggs on a bed or arugula and leeks, with a bechemel cream with goat's cheese - and smoke salmon. Dear Lord.

Then we went to Sherbrooke - a city about twenty minutes from Hovey - to pay off the gas fireplace we're having installed in the autumn renovations. The propane supply company made us give them the names and contact info of two close relatives, who don't live in the house. This didn't speak highly of their confidence in their product.

Then we went off to Eastman - which is this lovely village in the townships...there a woman named Nicole nine years ago started one of the most successful French literary festivals in Quebec. It's called Les correspondences d'Eastman. This was the first year i"d been invited because it's the first year any of my books is available in French.

I was on a panel with two other Quebec crime writers - Johanne Seymour and Andre Jacques. It was moderated by a former colleague, and a friend, Anne Lagace-Dowson. I was more than a little worried that my french would fail. I never really know, at these things, if it's a 'good' french day - or a rotten one. I find it's often difficult enough to describe what my books are really about, and my thoughts on writing and crime fiction, in English. In french it's a potential disaster. I felt I should give the organizers the names of two close relatives, not in the audience. In case.

Well, it was terrific. Everyone was very kind and helpful - especially Anne and my fellow panelists. And the people in the audience listened with great patience as I tried to work out what I wanted to say, and how to say it. Before the panel began, I took this photo of the audience. Don't they look lovely?

And then a nice woman volunteered to use my blackberry to take a photo of us. Andre is (obviously) on the left, then Johanne, me and Anne.

Then we drove a neighbor who was having trouble with her car home - and got back in time for a lovely swim....ahh. And then we fell into bed and watched a Poirot while shelling peas from the garden and eating them, along with tiny tomatoes and radishes - and peaches from Ontario.

We woke up to find tiny peas rolling around in the bed. No princesses here - we both got a sound sleep. Am now washing the sheets, though.

I see that Amazon now seems to be accepting reviews of A TRICK OF THE LIGHT. If you've read it, and liked it, please post one! If you didn't like it - never mind.

Thank you! Hope you're enjoying your weekend.

Buttercup rules! (and then some)

2011-08-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

sunny, warm, temps 24

You can tell that we've slipped over the cusp of summer here. As soon as August starts. We can still get a very hot spell, but for the most part it begins to cool off. We now have a harvest of potatoes. Two.

Our counters have also moved up three two feet or more as all the food has been lifted off the counter and is now piled on top of the fridge. this comes from Buttercup experience. She's the dog on the right of the photo - with her," I'm thinking" look...Trudy is on the left, with her "I'm not thinking" look. They're such great friends. In fact, Trudy completely dumps Michael and me when Buttercup, Charlie and doug are here. she slept with them last night - which means Charlie was the one who got the soft, smelly, toy in the face at 5am.

But there's no doubt that buttercup rules. She wants in. She wants out. She wants all the carbs in the house. She swims on the pond, rolls in skunk poop and eats the goose droppings. She thrusts her head in places that make us jump (and it's often a wet head, so you can imagine what we all look like when we go into Sutton).

But she is absolutely joyous. Doug had warned us that at 8 and a half she was slowing down. We see no evidence of that.

We're having a great time. I continue to edit all morning...have moved a TV table up to our bedroom, along with the laptop. That frees up the rest of the house for Charlie and Doug to play/swim/chase Buttercup. Am finished by one o'clock. We grab lunch, then the guys go golfing (a par 3 close to us) - and today Michael and I are off to meet them in Sutton, for ice cream cones.

Wanted to tell you that on Friday I'll be doing an event as part of a terrific local literary festival called, les Correspondances d'Eastman, in Eastman, Quebec....a pretty village in the townships. I'll be on a panel with Johanne Seymour, Andre Jacques and moderated by Ann Lagace Dowson. It will be in French. the panel is at 1pm. Michael and I plan to start the day with breakfast at Manoir Hovey - then off to make final arrangements (sounds very somber) for the new fireplace for the renovations - then head to Eastman for the panel.

Love to see you there! Les Correspondances is a really amazing literary festival - varied - great balance of genres and between established and emerging writers.

Must run. And still in my pajamas! Best, perhaps, to at least put on my good pajamas for the trip in to town. And still have to put laundry on the line.

Oh - and the third edit is going very well....what a relief! am now at page 155 of 285. And very much liking the book. Changes still being made, but they're superficial at this stage. simplify. simplify. Hope to be finished this edit by Sunday.

Deep breath.

Third Draft

2011-07-31T16:14:00.000-07:00

sunny, calm, warm - perfect day - temps 28

A really lovely day....hardly a whisper of wind...not too hot. Not humid. One of those really magical days.

I spent it inside - writing. Or editing, I guess.

Started the third draft today. The plan (it should really be in quotation marks) was to get at the laptop by 8am, do fifty pages, and be finished early afternoon.

But then I had a brainwave. I'd do something I'd never done before. I'd work on the very last chapter first. I'd ben worried that in the two previous drafts I'd rushed it - been just way too tired by the time I reached the end and I wasn't happy with it. the second draft was way closer to what I wanted, but I knew I could do better. so I spend quite a bit of last week quietly pondering it. It's a funny process of not thinking about it, but trying to open my find and hope inspiration drops in. And a few ideas did.

In some cases it was a turn of phrase, in others it was a structural issue. Some stuff I wanted to play with...suppose I did this first, and moved that over there, and placed such-and-such here...God bless laptops, where I can play like that - move things about - and see.

So today, at 8am, I got started. Just the final chapter. And I finished at 5pm. Quite tired....and quite certain I am considerably closer. Might even be there....might have nailed it....but between us, I'm just too close to it now to know. so tomorrow I'll go to the beginning of the book and move forward - as I normally do.

By the time I reach the end again - at the end of the week I hope - I'll know if it works.

but I honestly don't feel stressed anymore. I know I'll get it, if I haven't already. That it's either there, or close.

Lovely day with no interruptions. Saw no one. Perfect writing day. ended with a barbequed steak and corn on the cob - sitting on the porch this peaceful evening.

tomorrow my brother Doug and his son Charlie arrive, along with....Buttercup!!! The hound from Hell. We only call her that because for many years she was totally unmanageable. Uncontrollable. the only consolation was that there wasn't a mean bone in her body, or her ferociously wagging tail. She simply had a surfeit of joy - and an ability to digest entire living room sets, then poop them out in the field. Fascinating to walk Buttercup. It's a sort of disgusting magic act.

They're arriving from Toronto tomorrow. am hoping to edit in the mornings and play with them in the afternoons. Weather's supposed to be very nice. Uncle Michael is really looking forward to it....besides the fact he loves them, we also all go out for soft ice cream in Sutton....and to watch Uncle Michael eat ice cream is something never to be forgotten. I'll try to take a photo - it too is a sort of disgusting magic act, where slowly, over the course of about 15 minutes, he morphs into a huge ice cream cone himself.

Talk to you soon - hope you've enjoyed your weekend.

Harry Potter

2011-07-28T11:23:00.001-07:00

Sunny, warm, temps 30

Gorgeous day in Montreal. Yesterday threatened a bit, but turned out beautifully. Some accounting needed to be done, then lunch with friends, then Home Depot, to get some stuff (including in this case the not-proverbial kitchen sink) for the quickly approaching renovations. We went from having no idea what we really wanted - and not much of an opinion - to experts, in about half an hour. Sadly, as often happens, Michael held one expert opinion and I another. But Home Depot solved the dilemma by not having my 'opinion' available...so we ended up with Michael's. And for the life of me now I can't remember what the difference could possibly have been.

We're off to see Harry Potter in about an hour. It's playing all over Montreal, of course. But among the theatres is the Imax - in 3D. So we bought tickets to that and will be going with the three Mounts. We're all extremely excited. Oddly, I read all the books, except the last. Can't explain why I didn't read the last one. Perhaps I didn't want it to end. I also didn't read the last Colin Dexter Morse book. Too sad.

Spent 4 hours today - from 10am to 2pm dealing with Rogers Canada, trying to get Michael a new blackberry, and to fix mine. I could have, of course, simply upgraded. Mine is quite old. But I'm used to it, and I like it, and it just seems wasteful too. So I had to hop in a taxi and find some small office downtown, crammed between two restaurants, where a man fixed blackberries and iPhones. After a couple of tries, he did it! Feels great. Especially given the big book tour coming up...didn't want to be without a blackberry, or with one that only semi-worked.

Off to do some work on the August newsletter (being sent out by Linda August 1st) - then the Mounts are picking us up at 3.

Talk to you soon -

Jack Layton

2011-07-26T17:42:00.000-07:00

sunny, then stormy, then sunny - one of those days - temps 25

Cool down continues - very nice. Big storms kicked up, though, with huge winds and rain and lightning. then sun came out. I wonder if there's a life lesson....nah.

Like so many Canadians, I was devastated to hear the news that the leader of the New Democratic Party in Canada, Jack Layton, was stepping aside because he has cancer. He held a news conference yesterday, and looked gaunt. It was thoroughly unexpected - though he'd had prostate cancer a year ago. But he intimated this was a whole other cancer - though he wasn't specific.

Mr. Layton led the NDP to an historic position politically, when he won huge gains in the federal election earlier this year - and became Canada's official opposition. He absolutely stole Quebec's heart - and the voters here rewarded his candor and intelligence, his humour and passion, with an unprecedented number of seats.

The NDP is a socialist party - in as much as they believe in social justice, in a social safety net, in accountability. In providing universal and excellent health care and education. Obviously, there is sometimes a gap between the ideal and the reality, but the NDP has rarely lost their belief that it was possible to be strong, assertive, smart, and compassionate. That there's a place for intelligence and kindness in politics. And that the most fortunate looking out for the least fortunate is a social responsibility and not naive.

Canada is such a fascinating country. Our government is Conservative and the official opposition is socialist. I suspect most Canadians are a mix of both...like I am. In some areas I lean toward the conservative. In many, I lean more toward the socialist. Sometimes I think I believe one thing, but when tested in real life I realize I actually believe the opposite. Or, in theory I lean in one direction - in practice I act another way.

We're all complex. Most people are a mish-mash, a tapestry of all sorts of beliefs. Very few people I've met are dogmatic, rigid.

Jack Layton is not a perfect man, and the NDP is not a perfect party - and their vision is not perfect either. But they believe in the best. And now it's time to believe that Mr. Layton will defeat this cancer. If he stood up for us, perhaps we can now stand up for him. Even those who did not vote NDP and never will. This isn't about politics, but about a good and decent man - and
praying for his recovery. Because, what country can't use good men and women?

Be well, Jack Layton. Be well, all of you.

Finally caught up with the finish line!!

2011-07-24T08:29:00.000-07:00

sunny and hot - again! temps 30

Wow - what sizzling days!!! Great to be in the country - but too hot to sit outside. I know many of you are experiencing the same thing. Hope you aren't suffering too much with the heat. I find not being able to sleep the worst. God bless geo-thermal, and our great good fortune to be able to put it in, and to do it before the heatwave.

Finished the second draft!!!! 5pm yesterday. I was determined to do it....but not to rush so fast to the end that I skipped over things that needed to be done. I can do that if I'm not careful - get caught up in the goal and forget that point is a great product. A month from now it won't matter what day I finished the draft - but it will matter if I did a good job.

I'd not sooner finished, though, and celebrated....than I remembered an issue that needs to be added. But I won't worry about that now. Plenty of time to do that in the next draft. I'll take the week off, relax, watch the old Avengers and My Cousin Vinny and the new Poirot movies on DVD....and zone out. Then start the next draft next Sunday.

Each draft gets less scary, as I grow more confident that the book is shaping into what I want. What I'd hoped and dreamed it would be before I started. I aways have a 'feeling' for a book....what I want to feel when I've finished it, and what I long for you to feel when you finish reading....and that's what I'm aiming at. And with each draft, I get a little closer. Actually with the first and second I get a lot closer...and then each subsequent draft is fine tuning...those small but crucial elements. The grace notes. Smoothing, simplifying - getting my fear and ego and need to impress out of it - and make it simply the story I want to tell.

Of course, my ego masquerades as 'brilliant' writing. Turns of phrase that will enthrall and delight the reader. But over the course of drafts they get taken out, if their only purpose is to impress. And what stays is what needs to be there. I hope. But, wow, is it every painful!!! It's an imperfect process, because I'm so flawed. But the books, and perhaps I, get better. As a writer, but mostly as a person, I hope. Happily, I think the two for me go hand in hand.

So the second draft is done....and I'm going to chill out (sort of) this week....and just enjoy. Phew!

Had such a fun week with the Mounts and Trevor. As you can see from one of the photos, we had them over for dinner one night, and Michael spent dinner with them at the cottage while I was in Montreal working. When they came here for dinner we did a barbeque we'd never tried before, but had heard a lot about. Fresh salmon on cedar planks. I found the whole idea so intimidating I wouldn't consider trying....but then we decided that we might as well. Michael and Trevor did the actual barbequing - after we'd marinated the salmon. And it turned out beautifully. though i was a little concerned that when Michael invited them over for dinner he seemed to imply that we were serving them barbequed cedar planks.

but they showed up anyway. We also served fresh corn on the cob and broccoli salad, and tomato, bocanccini(sp?) and basil from our herb garden.

A few days ago I showed you our first tomato...well, the plants have been chugging away, producing more. But we seem to have invented a whole new form of agriculture. Micro farming. Producing micro-vegetables. We started with cherry tomatoes and now they've become slightly larger than atoms. We'll take out the magnifying glass for the next harvest. You can see the photo...the giant tomato is in fact a cherry tomato.

Michael is now off picking raspberries with Trudy.

Hope you're enjoying your Sunday and your summer. and I really hope this heat isn't getting to you too much. speak soon!

Easier near the end...

2011-07-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

sunny, hot, hazy - like everyone else in NA it seems. temps 32

Came in to Montreal to concentrate on the final push. No interruptions - I thought. Arrived at 9 last night, driving in from the country. Unpacked, and straight to bed. Woke up at 7:30 to drilling. A screeching so loud I thought it was inside my head. And certainly, and disconcertingly, inside our apartment. I threw on sweats and looked into the hall.

I figured it must be in the apartment above us. So I marched upstairs. I felt like a villager off to slay Frankenstein's monster. Determined. Once up there I quickly realized there was no monster on that floor, so up I walked to the next level. Screeching continuing, but not as loud.

Back down.

I couldn't, for the life of me, track it down. It was like it was in the walls and ceiling itself.

So I went down to speak to the doorman. Sydney. wonderful man. He told me they were replacing crumbling concrete on some of the balconies.

'At 7:30 in the morning?' I asked.

He nodded.

'But why's it so loud right in our apartment?'

'Because it's a concrete building,' Sydney explained, and I realized not for the first time, 'and sound travels. And it seems the farther you are away from it the louder it gets.'

Which seemed both perverse and probably true.

So all morning, while I made cup after cup of cafe au lait in the Vive Gamache mug, I heard the screaming of either the drills or my fellow tenants. But, as you probably know from working on your own projects....a sort of miracle happens and the world fades away. After a while I was completely immersed in following Gamache, Beauvoir and the others through the halls of the monastery, as they tracked down a killer.

And they're getting close. I'm at page 266 out of 285. I started the say at 249 out of 280. I move forward and the end moved back. I may never end. I'll be blogging about this book for decades, and you, poor souls, will be patiently reading about it - or perhaps, like the screeching, you'll simply tune it out.

But i have to say, I'm excited about this book. It just takes a long time to get it right. When I finish this draft I'll take a week away then start at the beginning again. And keep at it until it's right.

Michael and I had the most wonderful day yesterday. We headed to Cowansville for brteakfast at the Station - where jackie served us the best french toast with sliced strawberries and bananas...then did some chores...then head to Hovey manor for lunch. We'd invited our friends who're staying at the guest cottage to join us. Bal, Linda, Bethany Mount and their friend Trevor, who also visited last year.

I've posted a not great photo of Bal and Trevor. Bal's on the left and Trevor's on the right. And one Bal took of Michael and Linda, with me in the middle. As you see, it was a spectacular day. And it gave us such joy to share a place we love with people we love. We sat under a tree and sipped Elderflower and chatted. Then went onto the verandah and had lunch. Duck confit, lobster rolls, grilled chicken salads, steak brochettes....and for dessert, lemon cream parfaits, brownies and fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Dear Lord, take us now.

But the day wasn't over. We hopped in the cars and zoomed off to the nearby abbey of Saint-Benoit, where the abbot, Dom Andre and Brother Charles were waiting. The abbot's preparing for a huge concert he's giving this Saturday as part of the Orford Music Festival....the abbot is one of the leading harpsicord and organ players in North America. He interrupted his practicing to see us.

Well, by 'us' I don't mean Michael and me. Nor do I mean Bal, Linda or Bethany. I mean Trevor. If the abbot is one of the best harpsicord musicians in NA, Trevor is one of the best in the world. Trevor Pinnock is his name. He's also a conductor. Indeed, Brother Charles had seen him conduct Romeo and Juliet in NYC a few years ago, with Kathleen Battle performing.

When the abbot heard Trevor was around he issued a lovely invitation. And Trevor, lovely man, accepted.

Now, we thought it was to say a quick hello, and let the abbot get back to work. But instead, the abbot wanted to show Trevor his harpsicord, so off we went to his private practice hall in the abbey and there it was. Trevor seemed extremely impressed and sat down.

And started to play.

the rest of us slumped to whatever seats we could find...stunned. To have a private performance by a virtuoso was such a gift. It left Michael in tears. Moved by both the music and Trevor's generosity. And then, the abbot took the seat and performed one of the pieces he'll be doing on Saturday. We were agape with amazement. The sounds, the glory of the music, the power of these two men as they played. And their passion. And to be within touching distance - it was a treat beyond imagining.

Then it was time to leave Dom Andre to his work, after many thanks...and wonderful Brother Charles took us on a tour of the monastery...into places he hadn't even shown Michael and me before.

We said goodbye outside the monastery shop, where we went in and Linda and I cleared them out of fresh pies and apple crisps. The monastery makes cheese, but it also has an organic apple orchard, and make their own pies and sauce.

It was pathetic - like a feeding frenzy - probably scarred young Bethany for life - seeing her mother and me in such a state of rapture. Not unlike, now that I think of it, Trevor and Dom Andre when they were performing. Pies are our harpsicords.

Then, back home, a quick swim and into Montreal. Michael stayed behind with Trudy and the pool.

More writing tomorrow...while we were at the abbey Dom Andre told us an old monastic saying that eternity is a very long time, but it gets easier near the end. As someone increasingly familiar with eternity, I hope that's true!

Hope you're not melting!