People!

overcast and cloudy, cool, temps 13

This is about right for this time of year. Nice musky scent in the air, even in Toronto. I'm assuming it's leaves...but...doesn't bear thinking of.

Tomorrow's the BIG day. BURY YOUR DEAD goes on sale in US!!! It has been on sale in Canada for a few days-but the publisher here has worked very hard to make sure there're copies at all my events. I've come to realize that the publication date and the actual 'on sale' date can be two very different things. Like so much in life.

Had fabulous news. The US publisher just found out that People Magazine will be running a review of BURY YOUR DEAD in their Oct 11th magazine - which apparently will be on sale this Friday. Clearly People Magazine is very powerful and can shift time. And books, I hope.

Yippeee!

Please let me know what you think of the book - and if you like it, please tell others.

Had a fun day. A couple of interviews this morning, then off to sign books at a supplier called North 49. Then a fabulous lunch with these four dynamic and VERY interesting women who work at at place called CMMI - which does marketing of books for the big stores like The Bay and Zellers and Walmart. We talked books and the changing markets, but mostly we just talked about our own lives. One of them told a hilarious story about her high school history teacher who was near retirement, burned out and angry at the education system and decided that kids needed to learn practical stuff. Like how to negotiate a buffet table. Get small portions and go back often. That was his advice. Each class he'd give them some bit of 'wisdom', which sadly had nothing to do with history. or wisdom, it seems.

Then back home to read a manuscript someone had sent me. I actually sat in the hotel lounge...very nice lounge...with a chamomile tea (I'd forgotten what a comforting aroma it has) and read. Then called Michael, who was having a relaxing day going between the screen porch and the fireside, with his guests, Marjorie and Kate.

They're all going to the Auberge West Brome for dinner.

Tomorrow I have a 9am event at the Toronto Reference Library with Maureen Jennings, Joy Fielding and a few other authors to officially launch the GoodReads literacy books. And to tape some TV interviews.

A lunch later on with Hachette Canada (my Canadian publisher) people. Then I'll be doing an event at 7 tomorrow night at the Runnymede Library.

Fying to Pittsburgh Wednesday, for a 7 pm event at Mystery Lovers Bookshop - which is actually in Oakmont, PA. Then on to Boston the next day.

I mention all this because I'm not sure I'll be able to blog for a few days as things get hectic.

Such an exciting week!!! I will sure try to blog tomorrow, if only briefly, to yipppeee about BURY YOUR DEAD finally being published in the US.

Last day in the Big Smoke

Partly cloudy, cool, temps 13

Quite a nice day...and while I say cool it is, I believe, still considerably above normal. Michael spent an hour or more in the garden, doing a watercolour while I finished this edit on book 6 - Bury Your Dead.

I like it. In fact, I really like it. Can hardly wait to see what you think of it.

We headed off for breakfast to the Wolseley - Michael had an omelet and and I had stewed prunes in orange and ginger. Divine! And pots and pots of coffee. Then to Fortnum and Mason for gifts. We decided we really must buy a small flat in London if only to be able to furnish it with some of these great dishes and cutlery etc. Perhaps not the wisest use of our finances. Indeed, as I mentioned earlier, it will almost certainly never happen, but it is fun to dream. Besides, we have a fabulous life waiting for us in Canada - that includes Trudy. We miss her on our travels.

We're heading to an early dinner with Teresa Chris, my agent and her husband Charles...who also happens to be Lord Brudenell-Bruce, the son of a Marquess. And an actor. In fact, he's shooting the latest Harry Potter. Such interesting people we meet in London. Going around the corner to a place called Papillion. Hope it's good.

Robin and Jamie Agnew, who run Aunt Agatha's bookstore in Ann Arbor and are very influential in the mystery and crime writing community have chosen The Brutal Telling one of the years 10 best mystery novels. Wonderful!!! And Marian Misters, at Toronto's Sleuth of Baker street has given it a fabulous review in their latest newsletter.

So, good things keep happening.

Though I was sad to read of the death of Edward Woodward...I used to watch The Equalizer, and had a small crush on him. He was also in one of my favorite films, Breaker Morant. Fabulous.

Fly back to Montreal tomorrow...have an event noon Wednesday, speaking at the Royal Montreal Curling club luncheon. then Thursday I take a train to Quebec City for a talk and signing at a terrific bookstore there...La Maison Anglaise at 7pm. Home Friday and an event Saturday from 3-5 at the pointe Claire Library in Montreal. It's with Michael Blair, another Montreal crime writer and Mary Jane Maffini- who is coming down from Ottawa. It will be a panel discussion and the books will be for sale. signed books make a GREAT christmas gift.

Hope to see you there.

Then, home...home! Saturday night.