Literary and Historical Society

overcast, some rain, cool - temps 6

Definitely cool today - that damp cold where all you want to do is soak in a big ole bubble bath. Well, that's all I want to do.

Let me tell you about yesterday. It was wonderful! A fabulous launch for Bury Your Dead - thanks to Jacquie Czernin of CBC Radio, Peter Black her producer and a member of the board of the Lit and His. Valerie, Simon, David - all of the Literary and Historical Society. Indeed, so many people helped.

And so many people came! From Kingston, Toronto, New York, Montreal - and Quebec. The old library was packed!

My Assistant Lise and her husband Del brought Vive Gamache mugs, some Three Pines birthday calendar, and some special edition wines - with Bury Your Dead labels! From a local Townships vineyard called Domain Bresee.

I've put up a few photos on the blog....I realize too that in yesterday's blog I talked about Michael standing outside the Chateau Frontenac - and I thought I got it onto the blog - but then noticed it disappeared into the ether. Must be attached to some unsuspecting soul's blog. Hope it doesn't get her into trouble!

So these are assorted photos - mostly of Jacquie and me (I'm in the black and white checked jacket - almost always in a blur) - Jacquie's the lovely woman all in black. In one photo Jacquie's interviewing a man - that's William Moss, the Chief Archeologist of Quebec. (the real one). In the background you can see the producer of the show, Peter.

It is all a bit of a blur...which might explain why I'm so blurry in the photos. But what I remember is having huge fun, being in awe yet again of jacquie and peter and Rachelle and everyone involved in the show. And the kindness and welcome of the people of the Literary and Historical Society. And everyone there.

A huge thanks too to Guy Dubois - the owner of the bookstore, La Maison Anglaise. He's had me in to do signings from the very beginning, when no one else cared if I had a book out. So appreciate that.

It feels wonderful to have been there, and celebrated the book in the exact place where the murder happened. And celebrated Quebec City.

What a spectacular place. Did I tell you after being woken up at 6:50 by construction the Chateau Frontenac moved us? Into - get this - one of the best rooms in the place! It was huge, with a fireplace and a turret. I'm not kidding. Wish I'd taken a picture of that. We could see over all of Quebec City and to the hills beyond. At night many of the buildings in the old city are lit up, and there's a light show over old city hall - rotating colours. Very beautiful. From the turret windows the city looks like a prism or sparkling gems.

We staggered back to the hotel about 9pm - ordered burgers and sat exhausted, wolfing the food down. We were invited out to dinner by David and Louisa Blair - both deeply involved in the Morrin Centre - but were frankly too tired.

After the broadcast there was a 2 hour cocktail party organized by Hachette Canada (my publisher - thanks to Donna Nopper) and the Morrin Centre. jacquie said a few words, Simon Jacobs said a few words, David Blair said a few words. I read a bit from the book. Then we partied!

I wish the photos were a bit better. CBC took lots but for some reason theirs didn't turn out either. Thank heaven Michael was taking pictures.

And now we're back in Montreal. Recovering! Rented a bunch of movies. Bought People Magazine. Have huge bowls of chinese soup for dinner.

Tomorrow I have a noon interview with Sharman Yarnell at CJAD - then Michael and I are taking Sharman and her wonderful husband Walter out for lunch. Then home to veg.

What a life. A whirlwind. And so pleased to be whirling around with you. Thanks for the company.

Oh - I keep meaning to say - I know the library in Quebec City where Bury Your Dead is set as the Literary and Historical Society (the Lit and His for short)....but the fact is, it's official name is the Morrin Centre...actually the building is called the Morrin Centre, of which the Lit and His is part. I mention this in case anyone is trying to find it on a visit to Quebec.

I hope you do get a chance to visit the library - the photos don't do it justice.

Finding the Lit and His, and the light

sunny, windy, cold, temps minus 15

Feels almost summery compared to yesterday. Of course, today we got smart. Went out to the bakery (boulangerie) on rue St-Jean for breakfast and knew we'd be out walking for a little while, so we put our snow pants, ski mitts and mad bomber hats on...along with huge down coats.

We looked like cartoon characters...fortunately so did everyone else.

There's a particular sound that goes with wearing snow pants - a sliding sort of sound as leg rubs against leg. But I didn't care if I looked like a maniac, I was warm.

had a fabulous day. Breafast was a great bowl of cafe au lait and the biggest croissant I've ever seen...flakey and buttery. Then we (I) decided I should find the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec City. It's long been a hub of the small but vital Anglo community here. That and the adjoining church - which I couldn't remember.

Almost threw up yesterday when I did a google search on the Lit and His Society. As you know, I'm in Quebec City to research an upcoming book. Most of the action will centre on this very old Lit and His society and the church next door...and for plot purposes it needs to be within the walls of the old city. But the google map put it way outside the walls.

I was gutted. There went my entire planning and plot. Fortunately Michael swooped to the rescue, made a cup of tea and did more research and discovered the map was wrong. In fact, not only was the Lit and His inside the walls, it's about two blocks from our rented home!

So after breakfast we zipped up and went in search. Arriving at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in time for Sunday Service.

It's a glorious church. The walls are plaster and painted cream and robin's egg blue. The wooden box pews are in a graceful semi-circle, mirrored by the balcony above. There are huge stained glass windows all with variations on a rose theme or a nautical theme. Bright and cheery. the space is open. It was like sitting and breathing in light.

Not a crucifix in sight.

I believe it's the most beautiful church I've ever been in. It's 250 years old. I'd lived for 2 years in Quebec City - many years ago - and never visited. What a shame.

The sermon was lovely too. It was on the themes of Hope, Joy and Peace. And the minister quoted CS Lewis - Surprised by Joy. Which figured quite large in my first book, STILL LIFE.

After the service we went back to the church hall for coffee with the parishioners. It was an intimate and familiar and welcoming group. From there Michael and I stepped next door to the Literary and Historical Society library. A hidden gem - and it will be perfect for my needs.

After that we decided to walk over to the Chateau Frontenac - a massive old hotel (apparently the most photographed hotel in the world) - and walked along the Dufferine Terrace to watch the families eat maple syrup poured on snow and hardened into a sort of toffee...and tobogan down an ice slide.

by then our faces were frozen so we scooted inside the Chateau and made straight for the famous Bar St-Laurent. A paneled, circular bar with two large open fireplaces, overlooking the St. Lawrence river. We ate French Onion soup and watched the teams practice for the upcoming canoe races over the semi-frozen river.

and now, 6 hours after setting out, we're home. A fire in the grate, tea and pastries in front of us, hot water bottles filled.

Joyous.

A couple of small things to add...tomorrow I'm going to start of week of blogging on the St. Martin's Minotaur site, Moments in Crime. Join me if you can...though the blogs will be similar (probably identical) to the ones I'll be posting here...but thought I should tell you about it.

And, I had an email from a self-published writer asking what I knew about Google Booksearch, and whether it might be something she - as a self-published writer - should consider.

I wrote back to admit I knew absolutely nothing about it, except there was some copywright infringement issue recently...but that I would ask you. If you know anything that might help this woman, please write a comment, or email me from the website.

Thanks so much! Hope you're enjoying your visit to Quebec. I sure am!