Easier near the end...

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!

Teresa Chris - lit agent

many sunny, cool, temps about freezing

Drain unclogged. Loved your thoughts on what message the universe might be sending. Bill (one of the readers) suggested next time I get a clog I send baking soda down after it, with a lemon juice chaser. As it was, we sent Gary down, and he found a huge plug in the basement.

All fixed.

the fun news today is that my literary agent, Teresa Chris, who is in London, now has a website.

www.teresachrisliteraryagency.co.uk

It's a terrific site, and she's among the best in the world. She also specializes in finding new talent, and even in taking previously published authors in the doldrums and taking them to the next level. She loves a challenge and a success story. Sooo - if you're a writer looking for an agent, try Teresa. She also has sub-agents all over the world!

Must run - things are hectic again. How does this happen? But, as some of you have pointed out, better than a life where nothing happens. I've had that too. This is definitely better.

Oh, in other news, Hovey Manor had a fire! This was a few months back, when we were in St Lucia. But they're re-opening for real (they've been semi-opened since) this coming weekend...Sunday. And they have loads of specials. Now's a great time to visit!

Be well - speak soon!!

And don't call me Shirley

Overcast, rain in forecast, temps 4

But we haven't been outside all day and don't intend to go. Who would when you can curl up in front of the fireplace here at Hovey manor.

Heard the sad news that leslie Nielson had died. What a fun man, and terrific actor. And a Canadian! In an obit of him I read someone say that most comedy comes from a dark and painful place. But that Nielson's came from a place of great joy. He was a happy man. What a beautiful epitaph.

We're at Hovey manor. Here's a photo of us at breakfast this morning. (Don't tell Michael)

And this is one of me I just took. In our room (I suppose that's obvious). What you can't see if that I'm wearing mis-matched socks. I plan to let myself go completely to seed.

What a very strange feeling...to relax. I realize I've spent 8 months on edge. First writing the next book - called A TRICK OF THE LIGHT (out next September in Canada and US). Then two months touring. Always aware. Switched on. Paying attention. to the weather. To the clock. To people. To flights and announcements and timing and schedules. Always having to go somewhere. Do something. Always something lovely. But still, something.

It is now taking a bit of time to switch off. To exhale. And what joy - I can feel it in my heart...really, genuinely feel it there - this relief. I don't have to pay attention any more. I can shut down. Nowhere to go - no schedule except one Michael and I decide on.

I need to do the edits for A TRICK OF THE LIGHT...the notes sent by the UK and US editors. But they're not difficult. A quite interesting issue but I think that will be solved by adding a small scene early on. And the rest are more or less details. Nothing stressful. And loads to time to do it.

Enough to keep me occupied when we return home - but not enough to stress about. A lovely balance.

Let me tell you about dinner last night....as the starter Michael had squash soup with celeriac and bacon. I had scallops. Then Michael had venison and I had pheasant. then for dessert, Michael had apple donut and apple ice cream. I had grilled pears.

For the breakfast you see, we had the chef's inspiration of french toast, berry compote, whipped cream cheese - and he had sausages (perhaps not as many as he expected) and I had bacon.

Thank God we're back in Pina's exercise class. Will take a month to work this off...but every bite is worth it.

Well - back to doing nothing.

'Surely you're not serious!'

'I am serious, and don't call me Shirley.'

The best office in the world!

heavy mist, then lovely sunny and warm. temps 26

Turned onto a glorious day. Sunny and warm - just got out of the pool. Pretty tired, but very happy. We got up just before 5am - fed and walked Trudy, then hopped in the baby blue beetle, to drive to Sherbrooke for a 7am appointment with the dealership to fix a couple of things. Again. We hope this is it. Love the car - just adore it. But this hobby of going to the dealership is getting a little wearisome.

Still, the pay-off (and it isn't trivial) is that we get to go to Hovey manor for breakfast while we wait! Which is exactly what we did.

But I have to tell you that our drive to Sherbrooke this morning was stunning. All misty through the mountains and forests. Breath-taking. Got there about 6:45. Got a rental...and headed to Hovey. Arrived there about 15 minutes before the breakfast started, but they know us so well, they let us in early for coffee and croissants, cheese and granola, and this wonderful fruit compote.

The dining room has a bank of french doors looking out over the rose garden, then the lake beyond. Magical.

then we ordered breakfast and decided to go with the chef's 'inspiration' - two poached eggs on a bed of broccoli and smoked ham and covered in bechemel sauce. Dear Lord - it was as wonderful as it sounds.

Headed back to get the car and drove, with the top down, an hour and a half to Granby to meet with two friends, one of whom is quite ill. Had a marvelous lunch together.

As the day progressed I checked the email on my blackberry with mounting horror as more and more messages poured in, all of which needed replies and many of them not simple replies! Finally got home about 4pm and have spent the last two hours getting the business taken care of.

if there's been a shock about life as an author, it's the amount of 'paper work'...all the ancillary work. Still - better than no one caring or noticing. But it gets a little overwhelming at times. Thank God for Lise who got forwarded at least two of the more hefty requests.

It's a beautiful evening. Am off to fire up the barbeque - prepare two books to be mailed - announce the Facebook winners. Turn the corn on the cob on. I'll tell you - this makes a pretty spectacular office!

Ralph Cosham blogs!!!

sunny, warm, temps 22

A spectacular early summer day. Hard to believe a week ago it was still snowing! And this morning, after breakfast at Hovey, Michael and I did one of our favorite things...we sat in the adirondack chairs on the lawn in the gardens, looking out at the lake, sipping coffee, reading the newspaper, and smelling lilac for the first time this year. Just a soft hint of lilac in the warm air.

Ahhhh.

But - I have a real treat for you today...Ralph Cosham does the US audio book versions of my series and has won all sorts of awards for his work - both on my books and lots of other books he tapes. Well, Ralph has agreed to guest blog. I asked if he'd mind and, gracious man that he is, he said he'd be happy to give it a go. Yesterday he sent it to me. Here is what Ralph Cosham wrote...


The moment I read the first few paragraphs of Still Life, I knew I was about to record something special. The scene, the characters, and the mood were established with the kind of skill and clarity that compels the reader to keep turning the page. (Another clue: as I continued to work, my wife would often sneak into the office to listen to me read – something she almost never does.)

Growing up in the austerity of post-World War Two England, books and the radio were my means of escape and the foundation of my love of language, reinforced and intensified by many years as a journalist and actor.
In my opinion, Louise Penny is a great mystery writer in the tradition of Ngaio Marsh and Josephine Tey, and much of the credit for whatever success I may have had in creating the audio versions of the Three Pines mysteries is due to Louise herself.
She created such vivid images in my mind that I feel that I know Three Pines and its inhabitants and I try to translate those images into an audio version that will give listeners the same level of enjoyment that her readers get. As for Gamache, he has become very special to me. To me, it is as though Roderick Alleyn and Inspector Maigret had a son: all British intellect and Gallic charm, with a dash of that understated (and often underestimated) Canadian competence.

The most frequently asked question I get when people find out I narrate audiobooks is whether I read the books in advance. I do not. There usually isn’t time. I will skip ahead a few pages to see if there are any words I need to look up for meaning or pronunciation, or to look for clues as to the origin of a new character. I’ve done this ever since I discovered, 10 pages after he was introduced, that a character’s “Scottish brogue became more pronounced!” What I try to do is create the feeling that the listener and I are discovering the book at the same time.

I am thrilled that I will be continuing to narrate the Three Pines mysteries, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the manuscript of Bury Your Dead.


Doesn't Ralph sound just wonderful? I'm looking forward to meeting him. Indeed, the publishers of the audio book are looking into organizing some events for the two of us, so we can share a stage and discuss what each of us does to bring the books and characters and settings alive. That would be great fun. I'll let you know if anything comes of that.

And, since this is such a lovely post, I've decided to leave it up for a couple of days - and put it in the June Newsletter.

Speak to you on Wednesday...though I'll be reading your comments, of course - as will Ralph, I believe.

The lap of luxury

bright sunshine, mild, temps 18

Lovely, lovely fresh day. Not hot, but warm, especially in the sun. Just beautiful.

We're at Hovey Manor! Arrived in time for breakfast....on Sunday they do their wonderful breakfasts until 2pm - which is a brilliant idea since lots of non-guests now come for it. Not expensive (at least not as expensive as other meals) - very yummy - and glorious setting.

So we determined to leave as soon as Pat and Tony arrived to house-sit and Trudy-sit.

Drove the hour and a half over here....arrived at the front desk to see our friend Marc-Andre there. He looked at us, smiled - and then a look of desolation came over him.

'Bonjour,' he said - his smile almost recovered.

'Salut,' we said. 'We've arrived early, for breakfast.'

'Bien sur,' he said. 'A little early. We have you booked in for next Sunday.'

Huh? (that seems a universal expression - as was the look on our faces)

'Next week?' I asked with a more than nervous giggle. Since I was the one who'd made the reservations I had reason to be nervous, though not much reason to giggle.

'Oui. And the hotel is fully booked.'

What could a gal do? I broke into hysterical laughter. Michael did not. When I stopped we all just stared at each other for a moment. And then I apologized. It was clearly my fault - I must have been looking at the wrong page in my calendar. And next Sunday is a spectacularly ridiculous time to reserve at Hovey since it's in the middle of the Victoria Day (yes, we celebrate Queen Victoria) long weekend and we have family staying up to the gunnels.

Marc-Andre decided to check once again. often the tiny rooms at the back aren't taken. Ironic, since in The Murder Stone something similar happens with Gamache and Reine-Marie, and they end up in the tiniest room at the Inn. perfectly happy. But as we have established beyond doubt over the years with this blog, they are far better people than me. Still, to be honest, we'd have been happy with that. Or we could have gone home. As I said to Michael, as Marc Andre checked for a broom closet we could stay in, at least we hadn't flown in from New York or Toronto for this.

'Yes,' agreed Michael, 'that is a relief.' He didn't seem convinced.

'Well, we do have something,' said Marc-Andre - now smiling. 'you've never stayed in this room.'

Was it, I wondered, one of their public bathrooms? The shed?

'The only room not booked for the next three nights this one of the Vista Suites.'

'Pardon?' I asked, my head reeling.

'A vista suite,' said Marc-Andre - pointing either up the hill overlooking the lake, or to Heaven. turns out, it was heaven.

Dear Lord - the only room available, which they gave us at the rate we'd booked for next week (much lower) is one of the best rooms at Hovey. More like a completely renovated cottage.

Remember when we arrived in St. Lucia to find they'd given us the Presidential Suite??? Well, this is the same thing. It's spectacular!!! Can you believe it? When I regained consciousness we signed for it fast, before Marc-Andre sobered up.

Then went in for breakfast (the room wasn't ready). Michael had the 'suggestion' of the day...an asparagus, brie and smoked salmon omelette, with sausages. I had eggs Benedict and sausages - with rich, strong coffee. then we walked the gardens and onto the dock. Lounged by the pool. And then the room was ready.

It's outside the main lodge, on the hill...easy walk to the main building for meals, though they'll also bring them up. I'm sitting on the big wooden verandah looking over the lake...the private hot tub calling to me.

Inside it is totally renovated with a sort of mid-century modern feel....huge bedroom with walk-in closet. Huge living room and bathroom. A kitchen! Flat screen TV's everywhere.

We're cha-chaing in the lap of luxury!!! Forward our mail.

Sherlock Holmes

overcast, rainy, temps 9

Back in sutton - feels wonderful. Had a quiet day yesterday...did some groceries and mailings. And rented Sherlock Holmes. I've been reluctant to see it because I adored reading the Conan Doyle stories growing up. Read them all - they were very important to me. And I hated the idea of giving them the Hollywood, testosterone treatment. Call it something else, but no Sherlock Holmes. But finally decided to see it and....I loved it. Still don't think of it as Holmes, but it was wonderful. Great chemistry between Robert Downie Jr and Jude Law as Watson. Didn't like the casting of the two women, Irene Adler and Watson's Mary. I thought they were both mis-cast. But, not being a casting agent I might be wrong. There was nothing wrong with the women who played them, but i thought they could have been both stronger and more charming.

But the film surprised me by being so good.

Had breakfast with Cheryl in Knowlton. Looked at the plans for the home they're building. It's wonderful - very exciting. i love looking at house plans, and especially of people I care about.

Seeing a friend for coffee in Sutton this afternoon. And...wait for it....

Off to Hovey Manor tomorrow!!! Three nights. Hovey was the inspiration for the Manoir Bellechasse in A Rule Against Murder/The Murder Stone.

Having such fun with these two weeks off...and getting alot of good ideas for the editing. Helps to relieve the stress - a whole lot of things start becoming clearer. Including a new way to start the book. Nothing radically different, but just a slight re-adjustment to the opening scene.

Speak to you tomorrow.

Happy Hanukkah, Chanukah etc-ah

mostly clar, cold, windy

Dear Lord, I had to walk most of the way around the pond backwards. I could feel the bitter wind shoving me and slipping past a crack in my scarf and down my back. Brrrr.

Nice to be inside. Warm.

Had a fabulous day yesterday...lots done. Breakfast in Cowansville. Got the mailing done. I'd forgotten my jewel case (such as it is) in the hotel in Burlington and bless them, they found it and mailed it to me in Richford, VT. So I popped down, send off a signed book and tip as a thank you.

Then last night Michael and I and most of our neighbours went to the Annual General Meeting of MECA - which is the Mont Echo Conservation Association...the association of neighbours who have banded together to get as much of the land made into protected property. No development...just left natural. As you might know, we donated 40 acres to MECA last year.

The AGM was also a Christmas party and was a blast. Unbelievable food...the best maple roasted ham I've ever had. It was at the home of the brothers who run Turkey Hill Farms, which does maple syrup and sugar products. We'll often give them as gifts when we travel.

Also wanted to say a great big happy Hanukkah to everyone!

We're off to Hovey Manor tomorrow for 4 days, then Montreal for a couple. Probably will not blog while away.

Finally turning in the ridiculous car that is the BMW. Wouldn't you know it, in scraping the snow off it today Tony and I realized the mice had gotten in under the hood and eaten all sorts of insulation. Can only imagine how much BMW will charge for that. Oh, well.

This - the trip to Hovey etc - is all part of Michael and my new mantra. MORE FUN.

We are determined to not be as stressed about things...to slow down, relax. When on book tour take a few days to actually enjoy whatever city we're in...if possible. We're investigating doing a Sandals vacation in January or Feb. And will go back to london in April. And just have more fun.

My life has been filled with unexpectedly wonderful events but it feels as though I've been racing for 5 years. It really is time to exhale, and really enjoy.

Have More Fun. And happy Chanukah, eh.

Home Again

rainy, humid, temps 20

Back home now. Had the BEST time at Hovey. Stayed in a room called The Birches, which is actually in the woods above the Inn...with huge windows looking into the forest on one side and out over the lake at the front. A huge room, with a huge bathroom. I could actually live there, I'm convinced. Such fun to dress for dinner in our finery and walk through the woods to a formal, candle-lit dinner.

I think my favorite meals at Hovey, though, are breakfast. This morning it was two soft boiled eggs, ham and shallots, asperagus and a confit of red pepper. With a side of smoked bacon. Plus the cold buffet of fruit compot, home-made granola, cheese, croissants, cinnamon buns. Dear Lord, take me now.

What bliss.

Then arrived home to a torrent of problems...all of them fairly minor. Problems with the water at the guest cottage (and we have guests so that's not great)... our Sharp Aquos TV (a real lemon) has broken again and is taking 3 weeks to repair...this is the second time in a year. We've had televisions that haven't broken in 25 years...and this supposedly high end thing breaks twice in a year. The warrenty is about to expire...so I asked the company for a) an extended warrenty since this is clearly a problem TV or a replacement.

I think Aquos has a fine reputation. We seem, uniquely, to have a lemon.

But so far the company seems unimpressed with our requests. Will go up the chain. But again, this is an irritant when there are other things to concentrate on. Oh well, it could be worse. The TV could have decided to poop. God, that's probably next. Day after the warrenty expires.

For now all the phone calls are made...personal war has not been declared, emails have been returned and forwarded and replied to. Sent out the newsletter on July first - or at least he wonderful Linda Lyall did...and had hundreds of responses. I can no longer personally respond to them all, but have replied at random to a number of them.

Am giving away a signed ARC for The Brutal Telling. Will also give one away next month on the newsletter.

Will start editing book 6 (the Quebec City one) tomorrow in hopes of finishing it completely by the end of august. One foot in front of the other. And remembering to count my blessings. So important. And not hard, after that blessed time away with Michael.

Be well - talk tomorrow.

creme brule, eh?

sunny, hot, temps 26

We're at Hovey Manor, on Lac Massawippi...the Inn that inspired the Manoir Bellechasse. Inspired, but wasn't a real model...since it's considerably less isolated than the manoir in The Murder Stone/A Rule Against Murder.

We arrived Sunday and have been having a wonderful, relaxed time. Pour buckets yesterday, but it was very peaceful. We sat on the wide porch with a pot of coffee and read all morning, then the rain let up just in time to have lunch on another porch, overlooking the lake...I had a warm duck panini and Michael had a lobster salad on baguette, ice tea...then we shared a creme brule.

Then, nap time, and dressed for dinner...by then it was raining heavily again. I had the seared scallops appetizer and duck breast main course, while Michael had fiddlehead soup (an astonishing colour!) and halibut. Then we both had a strawberry parfait.

Dear Lord.

Unbelieveably relaxing. Trying not to think of editing book 6, or launching The Brutal Telling...but I must admit, thoughts sneak in. Had a massage today and kept seeing scenes from book 6, as they might be improved. Oh well. I think that's just how it is. Lucky, I love my characters, so bringing them to Hovey is natural...especially the Gamaches.

Didn't ask for an upgrade, you'll be pleased to hear. And ended up with a lovely room. Hard to have a bad one here.

A couple of readers dropped by for coffee today...their dog, Missy, ate their library copy of Dead Cold and they wondered if maybe I could sign a new one for them, as a replacement. We had a great chat, then they left and I had the massage.

Be well...and be confident in the certainty there is more creme brule coming!

Hail

overcast, warm, scattered showers, temps 23

A mixed day. yesterday we had very dramatic rain in the afternoon and evening, including hail and huge winds. Had the tub filled with water, and the power did go out, but momentarily.

Michael's cold is better...I bbq'd hamburgers in the pouring rain...a comfort food for him. I'm sure that helped. That and all the drugs I stuffed into the patty. Sprinkled it with NeoCitran. Yum.

Spent much of the evening watching coverage of the death of Michael Jackson. Breaks the heart. Mostly what is so painful is seeing that transformation, from vibrant, stunning, energetic young man to what he became. What a price. Still, others have huge fame and somehow manage to deal with it. Some are better equipped - emotionally, tempermentally, physically, and familially (is that a word?)?

Am doing a feature on Alan Bradley for the wonderful publication, Mystery News. Sent him some questions, got his response and am now fashioning the article. Need to remember, too, to send a photo and book cover to the Barry Awards people. They asked about 10 days ago, and I still haven't done it.

Tomorrow Michael and I are off to Manoir Hovey, to celebrate and relax for a few days. Heaven. Am off to the village to pick up a few things (including more stuff to unstuff Michael). Then have a quiet day. Oh, it feels good. Feels odd, actually. Takes me a while to not feel guilty, like I should be doing something constructive.

Have a great weekend!

Birds, boots and breakfast

Snow storm, temps minus 5


We skiddadled out of Manoir Hovey before breakfast - a catastrophe really since the day before we'd had (besides their buffet of fruit, home-made granola, cheeses and warm croissants) the 'inspiration' of the day - an omelette with guyere, honey, wild mushrooms and cooked apples. Dear Lord.

But we awoke to snow, and lots more forecast, and we knew while we needn't be on the highway long it is a particularly treacherous stretch. So we packed, paid and zipped out. As it was, one lane was already snow-clogged. But we crawled along, reached Sutton, did some shopping and went into Chez Camil for breakfast. A friend came in shortly after that and joined us. Wonderful to sit inside with coffee and scrambled eggs and see the snow intensify. And know we're safe.

A foot expected. (of snow).

As soon as we got home and unloaded the car I went to feed the birds, again. Good God, it's amazing they can fly, with all the food they eat. We must have the fattest birds in Canada. We can open a theme park. Waddle World.

Of course, in my enthusiasm to feed them I forgot I didn't have my big winter boots on...just the 'driving' winter boots. I learned that lesson the hard way...never drive in the huge gallumpin' boots. I ended up parked in the lobby of the local Knowlton bank that way. Interestingly it was a few years ago, also returning from Hovey in a huge snowstorm. This was even more nerve-wracking. White-knuckling it on the highway through the blizzard...literally praying to see the turn off and dreaming of the moment we arrive back. Well we did, and had to stop at the bank, so I pulled in and put on the brake. But my boots were so huge my foot actually came to rest on both the gas and the brake at the same time. The car, aided by the slippery snow, zoomed side-ways, jumped the curb, went up the handicapped ramp and hit the bank. As Michael told it later to the insurance people, 'We knocked over the bank'. Michael, by-the-way could hardly wait to spill the beans on me. Even before they'd really answered the phone at the insurance agency he was saying, 'My wife did it.'

Sadly, that was actually true.

So now I have my 'walking in the snow' big boots. And my 'driving and staying on the road' smaller boots.

But now the big friggin birds are fed and I have snow inside my jeans up to my knees.

Still, we're home, and safe, and satisfied. Nowhere to go for 2 days.

Hope you're safe and sound, healthy and happy. Talk tomorrow.

New York Times

light flurries, temps minus 4

Actually, we spent most of the day inside! We're at Hovey and our room is actually the Montcalm cabin, so we have to get our winter coats and boots on to walk to the main building for meals. Not exactly a hardship. It takes 2 minutes at most and is beautiful. It's all decorated for the season, with lights and cedar boughs. they've lit up a few pines on the property so when we eat at night we can see the trees gleaming off the snow. Very, very pretty. And restful.

This is a brand new room for Hovey - they just renovated it, turning 2 smaller rooms into this amazing suite. Bliss.

Spent the day (when not eating, which was about 10 minutes) in front of the fireplace in our room, editing THE BRUTAL TELLING (book 5). Doing about 100 pages a day, which is easy since at this point it's mostly spelling errors and some slight smoothing. Good to do it in such large chunks since it gives me a better sense of flow and where there might be duplication. This is quite a complex, rich story and I need to make sure it both makes sense and is entertaining.

And we had fabulous news from the publishers at St Martin's Minotaur - book 4, A RULE AGAINST MURDER will be reviewed in the New York Times on January 25th. Yay!

Back to work...have a few emails to answer. I'll tell you, this makes a pretty good office!

Be well, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

High Tea and Murder

misty in morning, then brilliant sun, cool, temps 10

What a magical time at Hovey. A dream of a launch...literally. For as long as I've lived in Quebec I've visited Hovey Manor...to heal when things have gone bad, to celelbrate the great events. Michael and I had our wedding reception there, and we went there after my Mother died. And our home burned down. (Not related, thank God). In DEAD COLD/A FATAL GRACE there's a scene decribing a fire on a brutally cold winter's night. That's how it looked when our home burned in the middle of winter a number of years ago.

Anyway - back to Hovey and the launch. It was great. The people who were there for the High Tea were wonderful. Thank Heaven. We'd told the Inn there'd be a full house - 80 people. And they set up 68 seats. And it was packed at that! And people kept arriving, and we kept cramming people in - thank God everyone was in a good humour, and thank God for Debra Schram, the publisher's rep. who took charge and made sure everyone had a seat.

Of course, Danny and Lucy (of Brome Lake Books), Debra and her husband Peter, and Michael and I stood - no more seats. But it was worth it. People had come from all over. It was a gas.

I took along a map of Three Pines I'd made when I was writing STILL LIFE, and that I still refer to sometimes. As well as plans of Peter and Clara's home, and character sketches of the villagers. Stephen Stafford, one of the owners of Hovey, spoke for 10 minutes on the history of the Inn and then I talked for about 30 minutes, did a couple of readings including one describing a meal Armand and Reine Marie enjoy at the Manoir Bellechasse (inspired by Hovey). Answered a few questions, then signed.

People seemed to be having a blast - as was I. Gary and Cheryl were there, as was Lise, and Cotton, and our cousins Chris and Carl came all the way from Toronto. A bunch of us were staying a the Manoir over night so that was extra fun. Indeed some of the people stayed a few days, lucky ones.

After the launch the wonderful Jim Napier (reviewer for the Sherbrooke Record and a mover within the Crime Writers of Canada), and his terrific wife Roya came up to our room. We had ginger ales and Jim did an interview with me. Then we chatted for a while. We really enjoy their company. After they left we napped and relaxed.

We had dinner last night with Chris and Carl - the amuse-bouche was an oyster, then they and Michael had seared scallops as a starter while I had grilled wild mushroom salad. Then we all had filet mignon with blue cheese rissoto. Carl had a chocolate cake for dessert, Chris has a mango, pear tarte and Michael and I had a blueberry thing with blueberry ice cream, some cream, some whole berries and other yummy things. Then over def-cappuccinos the staff brought home-made chocolates.

Lord, take me now.

Had a wonderful room with a fireplace (which we used) - woke up to mist on the lake, but by breakfast it was clear and sunny. Met Debra and Peter for a working breakfast - Michael and Peter had the special of the morning - crepes with apples and raspberries, with english cream and sausages. Debra had porridge (poor one had a cold!) and I had eggs benedict, with a side order of sausages.

Then signed some more books and left.

Peter runs the New England Culinary Institute and is a chef himself, having had many amazing restaurants including one in Montreal. He met with Stephen Stafford to see if a placement could be arranged between Hovey and their school - which is the third largest in North America and is based in Vermont.

We just had a riot.

Picked up the puppies on the way home - gave Pat 10 bags of homemade Hovey granola! - then made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, got in a bath and vegged out.

Great, great weekend. And I feel The Murder Stone is on her way. A fabulous coming out party for this 'child.'

Hope you enjoy reading it - and for those of you in the States, don't forget - it's called A RULE AGAINST MURDER in the US, and will be coming out in January. I can hardly wait for that - what fun that will be!

Talk tomorrow, be well.

Ralph Michael

manly sunny, mild, temps 23

Happy 4th of July to all of you who are American. Hope the weather where you are is as gorgeous as here, and good for picnics, BBQ's, fireworks.

We've just returned from four days at Hovey Manor, just about my favorite place on earth. As you might know it was my 50th birthday on July 1st (Canada Day) and Michael, dear one, said we could go anywhere I wanted. So I thought about Paris, Africa, a cruise. But decided on the stunning country Inn, only an hour away.

Michael was relieved.

When we arrived in our cabin right on the lake (most rooms are in the main Inn, but a few are scattered around the lodge - this is the only one right on the lake with a private dock) there was a vase of roses. Then another, and another. I turned around and around. I'd never seen so many. I kissed Michael and he said, 'How'd you know I did it?'

So I looked for a card and found one. It read:

Have a happy, happy birthday. Ralph Michael.

'Who's Ralph?' I asked.

'Who?' he snatched the card out of my hand, then started to laugh.

'They must have mis-heard. I said 'Love Michael', not 'Ralph Michael'.'

So from then on we whispered to each other, 'I Ralph you.'

We met Danny, Lucy and Debra in the rose garden for Afternoon Tea and a discussion with Jason and Kathy Stafford about launching book 4 - THE MURDER STONE - at Hovey in October. It was a magical meeting. What an office! We schemed and planned - and if and when it gets worked out I'll let you know. It sounds like such fun. It would be wonderful if you could come!

The rest of the time we read, and ate and napped. We swam in the lake and ate lobster rolls and vichysoisse on the verandah. It was peaceful and beautiful.

And it was my best birthday ever. How lucky am I that my 50th is my best? Never would have dreamed it possible when I was 20.

At my 30th I was living in Quebec City and quite miserable. I knew no one and was very lonely. My mother came from Toronto for my birthday and we made reservations at a great restaurant in Old Quebec City (and there are many). But she got a cold and couldn't go. I remember feeling terribly sorry - for myself! Poor Mom.

At my 40th I ended up cooking a meal for Michael and his son - really wanting to go away, but still struggling to create a 'family' with his children, after years together. So we celebrated my birthday at home. His son showed up having stepped in dog poop. And I offered to wash it off his shoes.

I still remember that with a shudder. Not that he allowed me to - I mean really, who wouldn't? But that I'd offered. I remember standing in the kitchen scraping dog dung off the shoe while the two men sat outside with drinks. On my birthday. It should have been a warning. And I guess in some ways it was.

I decided, never again. It's bad enough when others treat you like crap - but I don't need to do it to myself.

And so these last ten years have been amazing. Filled with joy, some sorrow (of course), some anger, some loss - but mostly filled with light and laughter and friends and family - this decade has seen my books written and published and a re-adjustment of people in my life.

I try not to take crap anymore. From anyone. And I sure try not to give it to myself.

More than anything, this decade, this year, this day, this moment is filled with Ralph.

It's good to be home.

Was that the noise of an angry sheep?

Rain, snow, sleet, frogs, chickens, dinosaurs - yech

Dreadful weather. But we're at Hovey Manor, overlooking the slightly snow-obscured lake. The fireplace on - have eaten a breakfast of crepes and local maple syrup with fresh smoked bacon and strong coffee. Yum.

I want to stay. By the fire. Reading. I'm so tired.

But it's off to Sherbrooke to speak to the Canadian Club. That's about a 45 minute drive. Not too bad. And I need to remember what a real honour it is to be asked. And people are driving through the same c**p to hear me speak. And I could be going to have root canal done. Or a permanent. Or forced to buy more microban.

There - that feels better. I think part of my laziness is that Michael gets to stay behind and 'guard Hovey', as he says. 'Making sure it's still here for you.'

Lovely man.

When I get back mid afternoon Tim Belford is coming over to Hovey to have High Tea with us. He's the host of Quebec AM - the CBC Radio morning show in Quebec City. He lives nearby and is a wonderful guy. Very funny. Loves wine. And sheep. Ooops - maybe I shouldn't have said that. He'll be interviewing me for his show - but mostly the three of us will yak and get caught up. I used to host the show he's doing - and doing it so much better than I ever did. One of my big innovations for Quebec AM was a segment called 'Name That Noise.'

Yes - I was that good.

Well, I'm off. You know, I have to say I'm enjoying this blog. Keep well. 10 centimetres of snow on the way for tomorrow - we might be snowed in to Hovey! Here's hoping. I'll let you know tomorrow.

The Year in Writing

Rain and mild, highs 10 degrees

I've had so many wonderufl comments about the blog. A number of people have commented that they hope I'm not neglecting my writing in favour of the 'nicely turned ankle' of the blog. Of course, I know they're kidding, since we all know the books are a priority.

But - I thought I'd just let you know a little about my writing year.

I'm scheming the next book right now. The fourth book is set in a remote former hunting lodge on the shores of a Quebec lake. The lodge has been turned into a luxury Auberge, Manoir Bellechasse, and Gamache and Reine-Marie are there celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary. Until something very bad happens. You might be able to guess what.

This is a direct wink at, and homage to, the hermetic mysteries if the Christie era - ala 'And Then There Were None.' Of course, Gamache et al must visit Three Pines a few times!

I write the first drafts beginning every January - try to write 1,000 words a day. It generally takes me four months to write the first draft. Somehwere in there I take a couple of weeks to do a US tour to promote the last book.

In 2008 I'm going to Ann Arbor, Phoenix, Houston and a couple of other cities in mid-March.

Once back I finish the first draft (sometime in May generally) then set it aside for a couple of weeks (and get caught up on all the stuff that I've ignored for four months!) Then, over the course of the spring/early summer, I edit and do three or four new drafts, each more finely tuned.

By the beginning of the summer it's ready to be read. By Michael, and my brother Doug and a good friend, Susan.

Then it's off to the redoubtable Teresa Chris, my agent in London. At about this time a kind of reverse miracle occurs and I become convinced the book is crap.

I try to take the summers off to re-coup my senses.

From September to December I tour Canada, the US, the Commonwealth, etc with the books. I love that. Such incredible fun meeting people who've read the books. Or want to.

I try to take December off - then we're at it again.

Must fly. Am speaking to the Canadian Club in Sherbrooke tomorrow, so Michael and I have decided to take a few days at our favorite Inn - Manoir Hovey (upon which Manoir Bellechasse is loosely based).

Take care and speak tomorrow -