film!

Sunny, cold - frost warning - temps 5

Wow - how the season's change.  Autumn is here - and the leaves are falling...snow in high elevations.

And the film of Still Life has started - last week!  Stanbridge East, in the Eastern Townships, is standing in for Three Pines.

of course, the big question has been - who'll play Gamache- and we can now tell you - it's Nathaniel Parker.  I'm thrilled....I know he played Inspector Lynley, but that was quite a few years ago, and Gamache is a different character.... I think Mr. Parker's a fabulous actor, and that's what we were looking for.  someone who could bring the characteristics, the essence, of Gamache alive.

Very exciting to be on the set - and also a little nauseating.  thrilling to see the characters walking around...upsetting to see them take on lives independent of me.  Gosh, it's difficult.  But rewarding.

The film is being produced for CBC television, but will also be seen around the world, including the UK and US....but no channels decided on yet.  I'll tell you air dates and channels as soon as I know them.

Michael and I are off to the set again tomorrow....they've now moved to the indoor scenes.  tomorrow they're shooting in Terrebonne - and Ralph cosham is coming up from Washington, to be in a scene.  Ralph is the amazing narrator of the audio books!!!  Can hardly wait to see the two Gamache's together.

Working on the third draft of Book 9 - halfway through.  Hoping to be finished this draft before we leave for Vancouver International Writers Festival on Oct 18th.  I quite like third drafts....much, much easier than 1st or 2nd.  Less fear....and my mistakes are fewer, and more obvious.  Easier to fix.  As you can imagine, this book is quite complex...lots of plot lines to bring together, and the key is to appear to do it effortlessly.

Ted

sunny, warm, temps 26

Wonderful news! THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY's on the NYTimes list for a second week! We're now at #10. Yippee!

Now that many of you have read it - I wonder... If you liked the book, would you mind letting others know? It makes such a difference to the life of a book. I know you're spreading the word, but I just thought I'd ask. Thank you!

Writing/editing went well yesterday on Book 9. Long day. Started at 8am and finally was satisfied with the chapter at 5:30. Got up all creaky from the chair. But I'm happy. Phew.

Hope you're enjoying the day!

Most of you have been just so supportive of this book - but I have another favour to ask...when you post comments, or reviews....I wonder if you could try not to give too much away? I know sometimes it seems you're not, and I know you don't mean to, but if you can be careful I'd really appreciate it.

We're in Montreal now, for the funeral tomorrow of our friend Ted Wilson. Lovely man, married to a wonderful and dynamic woman, also our good friend - Sandra.

Sad time - but he was so loved and it's a chance to celebrate a terrific life.

Full Circle

Toronto - overcast, rain - 16

Here're the quite fuzzy 'villagers' at the final event of the tour! (not sure if the photo will show up - seem to be having difficulty with the upload - hope it works. If not, you can see it on the facebook page, if you do facebook) The event was in South Hadley, MA - organized by Odyssey bookstore...and held on the campus of Mount Holyoke University....gorgeous campus. I arrived early and went for a walk around the lake. 1 mile. Lots of lithe young students lapped me! But so beautiful and peaceful and VERY fun event. Great way to end an extraordinary, unforgettable tour and two weeks - thanks to you!!!

Flew from Boston to Toronto this morning to sign some books, and am now at the airport to catch the flight to Montreal. full circle. I long to get home. Montreal tonight - then meeting with the film director for Still Life tomorrow morning - then home to sutton tomorrow afternoon.

Michael, Trudy, friends, bed. Ahhh.

But I will never, ever forget this past 2 weeks. And ending on a wonderful note. We're #6 on the Globe and Mail list! And terrific review in the Globe this morning -

....It’s a stirring, thought- provoking read, less a matter of whodunit than a relentless questioning of why any of us do anything....and stands as a powerful literary novel in its own right...

I hope you agree, my friend. Our travels are almost over - thank you for your glorious, comforting, invigorating company. You're welcome along anytime!!!

Number 2 on the Times List!!!

Overcast - warm - temps 85

Now in Atlanta....wonderful event last night at FoxTale books. This is just part of the crowd....so fun to see you all there!

Got the most amazing news last night!!!

Andy martin, the publisher of Minotaur books called. He had Hope Dellon my editor, and Sarah Melnyk, the publicity manager at Minotaur in the office with him.

My flight from Houston had just arrived....and I was in the car with Gail, who was driving me in Atlanta...and Andy told me...

'You made it to number 2!'.

I thought I'd mis-heard. I knew the New York times bestseller list was being sent - way before hand - to the publishers yesterday....so I was on pins and needles. Gnawing my nails. Literally.

Last year we were all stunned that A TRICK OF THE LIGHT made it to number 4 on the list. Blew us away. I was beyond thrilled.

But I have to say - the competition this year was and is even more fierce. We were all prepared to perhaps not make the top 10. So when Andy called and said...

It's number 2 - well....I screamed.. Poor Gail must have thought she was trapped in her car with a mad woman. And I was - insane with joy. Wow.  Now, I have to say, this is the list that will appear the week of Sept 16th...so - not this weekend, but next.

And I know this is because of you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! you've filled my heart with such happiness. Thank you for buying the books, and for telling so many others about it!!!

this is definitely a team effort....Minotaur books and the amazing people there, and the really remarkable work, from the editing of Hope Dellon, to Andy's leadership and marketing, to the social media campaign of Jeanne-marie, Paul, Lauren - to David's amazing cover design....and Sarah, the wonderful Sarah Melnyk - who headed up the publicity and organized the tour, with Melissa's help.

And, of course - My Assistant Lise. Thank you so much, Lise!!!

And Michael - dear one.

But finally, it comes down to you. We could do all sorts of great work, but if you didn't support the Gamache books, and keep him alive by spreading the word....well, not only would the series not exist - but this glorious day would not have happened.

Thank you!!!!

Now - off to New York City - and then driving to Madison, Connecticut for an event tonight at RJ Julia. and more celebrating!

What a time!

Houston

Sunny, warm, temps 85

Arrived in Houston yesterday afternoon - beautiful city. And staying at another of my all-time favourite hotels - the Hotel ZaZa. Wonderful!

And had an event last night at one of my all-time favourite bookstores, Murder by the Book. Here's a photo. a free event, but ticketed so that there'd be order to the signing. There were more than 180 people. Here's the view from where I stood. So wonderful. And I'm so deeply grateful for all your support of THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY. Thank you!

Back home in Quebec, there was a big election yesterday and the sovereignist Parti Quebecois won and will form a minority government. This was expected - indeed, it looked like a majority government for a while (with three main parties, it sometimes comes down to a minority government, where the ruling party can be outvoted if the other two combine forces).

It seems unlikely the separatist PQ will call a referendum to leave Canada anytime soon.

Have to say, Quebec is rarely dull!

107

sunny - hot, hot, hot 107

Am now in Phoenix - flew in yesterday from San Francisco. LOVE Phoenix - staying at the Valley Ho - one of my favorite hotels in the world....and the name only makes it better! Here's the view from my hotel room. Pool packed with beautiful young people. I stayed as far away as possible. Lots of loud music and laughter and dancing...I think it might have been a party. But fun to watch....and it ended by 6pm - and after that, peace a quiet...so best of both worlds.

Desperately hot here....but I think this is normal for Phoenix at this time of year. 107. Felt great!

This morning I'm relaxing on the balcony - marveling at the beauty of the red mountains and the palm trees. What a splendid life. Yesterday I stared out at the Pacific, and felt that thrill of seeing something magnificent. And now again. What's also fun is knowing that before the week is out I'll be looking at the Atlantic.

But mostly, what I long to see, and want to see, is you. To thank you for all your support of THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY. For reading it, telling me how you feel - knowing how very difficult it was to write. For telling all sorts of other people about the books. So wonderful to be able to thank you!!

I'll be at the great bookstore, Poisoned Pen, in Scottsdale, at 5 tonight, with the remarkable Barbara Peters. Hope to see you there!

Book Passage

heavy fog, temps 65

San Francisco....unseasonably cool.  Yesterday it hit about 65.  Warmer today, I understanding.


Event last night at Book Passage in Corte Madera was wonderful! About 200 people (seating for 180, but it was SRO).

The bookstore people were wonderful - and of course, thank you to those of you who came out! I so enjoyed the event.

It was also very fun driving over the Golden Gate Bridge - though as someone not fond of heights, my heart thudded, especially when the car stopped in heavy traffic and we inched along. Ugh. But I did manage a few peeks!

Flying to Phoenix today(if fog lifts)  - event tomorrow 5pm at Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale.

How're you holding up???  This tour has been hard work, but so much fun....the reward and treat for all those months and months working alone.  Then working with my great editors and publishers....with the publicists Sarah....and now this!

Thank you for telling others about the books too!  You're very fun to travel with.

Keplers Books

foggy - temps 65 -

San Francisco now! Loving it. Had a strange experience with the hotel....so looking forward to it but when I arrived it was like that scene from Pretty Woman, where Julia roberts goes into the high end boutique and is treated like...well...you know. Shown a terrible, dark room to start. Only on complaining did a much nicer room show up. Not a great feeling - I've stayed in lots of budget hotels, who make me feel precious and welcome, so I know the difference.

But - the rest of the stay here in San Francisco has been great. Wonderful event last night in Menlo Park - at Keplers. Great independent bookstore in need of renovations - and they reached out to the community, who are helping raise money and really pulling together. LOVING all the support and loyalty for these fabulous bookstores.

Hope you're enjoying your long weekend. Have an event this afternoon at Book Passage, in Corte Madera.

thanks for your company!!!

Denver - Tattered Cover

sunny - some smoke from the forest fires lingering - temps mid-80s

Thank you for all your wonderful comments about THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY! I cannot tell you how much your support means.

Having a blast on the book tour. Wonderful, easy flights, and so enjoying the cities. Denver is so beautiful - with such interesting history of the gold rush. Beautiful juxtaposition of old and shiny new buildings downtown.

Met my American agent, Patty Moosbrugger, for drinks before the event at Tattered Cover. (great name for a bookstore, no?) Wow - what a great independent bookstore, and an amazing crowd, as you can see. Standing room only again, they had to bring in more seats - and everyone was so welcoming. Felt like a gathering of friends. Thank you!

It's such fun to be meeting you - and also to be visiting many of the great independent bookstores - the ones that were here first, and where our parents and grandparents bought their books. Very moving. Very inspirational to see the way these stores are loved by their patrons, and the loyalty. Beautiful.

Off to San Francisco this morning. Event at Keplers Books in Menlo Park, 7pm tonight. Hope to see you there.

Cincinnati....sunny - hot - highs today in 90's....

But I won't be here....flying to Denver in a couple of hours.  

The event last night at Joseph-Beth bookstore in Cincinnati was amazing...standing room only (lots of people you can't see off the sides of the photo). Loved meeting those of you who came out. Thank you.

Really liked Cincinnati - and, of course, the fabulous Joseph-Beth bookstore.

As I mentioned, am flying to Denver this morning - event at Tattered Cover at 7:30 tonight. Hope to see you there.

Hope you're enjoying THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY!  And please, keep spreading the word. I so appreciate it. See you soon.

Naperville event!

sunny, mild, temps 75

Thank you for all your kind thoughts yesterday when THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY was launched!!!

Here's a photo of the event in Naperville (just outside Chicago). It was put on by Anderson's Books, but they moved it to a larger location - the university theatre. SO much fun!!

Hopping a flight this morning to Cincinnati. Will be at Joseph-Beth books at 7 tonight. Hope to see you there. Onward....

Lift Off!!!

Chicago - sunny - beautiful day - temps 80

Great flight from Burlington, VT to Chicago.

THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY is finally published....this is launch day!!!! Yippeee. Feels like I've been waiting forever.

I so hope you like this book.

Off to Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville - just outside Chicago - for 7pm offical world launch. Hope you can join us.

If not, I carry you in my heart....where you've been all along. What great company you are.

Friends and Neighbours meet The Beautiful Mystery

Sunny, warm, temps 26 today

heading off on the official tour tomorrow....flying to Chicago.

But we had a wonderful pre-launch event in Knowlton yesterday! Here's what it looked like from my perspective.

Given the theme of the book, I just love that shaft of light. As well as, of course, the glorious people. Had SO much fun. Danny and Lucy wrote and performed a plain chant, using Three Pines as the theme. it was hilarious. Then I spoke, and did a couple of readings, and answered question (my favorite part of any event).

Exhausting and exhilarating. Thank you all for coming. Thank you Danny and Lucy and Brome Lake Books. Thank you Lucy's mom Sarah and Dad John for all their musical help. Thank you My Assistant Lise for being there on a day off, and working so hard.

I feel filled-up for the tour ahead. Now so looking forward to meeting more of you, and having you meet THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY.

The Princess and the Me

sunny, mild, temps 19 - but heading for a high of 26.

Three days to go before THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY is out!

Such an important day - we have the pre-launch of THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY. This is a party Danny and Lucy from Brome Lake Books host locally, so that friends and neighbours get first crack at the new release. This year it's at the Knowlton community centre, which holds 200 - and is now 'standing room only' for the event - at 2pm today.

Had some amazing news yesterday!!!

People Magazine has made THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY its lead review, the Editor's Pick and given it four out of four stars!

Among other things, their reveiw says: "With enormous empathy for the troubled human soul—and an ending that makes your blood race and your heart break—Penny continues to raise the bar of her splendid series.”

This is in the edition of People just on the stands (with Princess Kate on the cover). Yipppeee! So much celebrating around here. And just four more days before THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY is launched.

One week from today I'll be in San Francisco for an event at Book Passage, in Corte Madera - at 4pm.

If you'd like more information on my tour schedule just go to the events page on my website:

http://www.louisepenny.com/events.htm

See you there!

One Week!!

Sunny, cool, temps 14

A chilly morning here in southern Quebec - can begin to feel autumn in the air.

One week from today THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY will be published! I'll be in Naperville, Illinois, (not far from Chicago), at Anderson's Bookshop, for the official launch. Love to see you there, on August 28th - 7pm. And, in celebration and anticipation, we have the last excerpt from the previous books in the Gamache series....today, A TRICK OF THE LIGHT....and once again, I've chosen two short quotes from the book -

"Not for the first time Three Pines struck Myrna as the equivalent of the Humane Society. Taking in the wounded, the unwanted. The mad, the sore. This was a shelter. Though, clearly, not a no-kill shelter.”

And, later in A TRICK OF THE LIGHT -

“She sat forward, curious to see how Clara would handle this attack. Because that was what it was. Civil and subtle and said with a smile. A sort of social neutron bomb. Meant to keep the structures of polite conversation standing, while slaying the person.”

One more week to THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY - Wow, suddenly it seems so soon.

Bury Your Dead - redux

overcast, humid, temp 25

Off to Montreal today. Am taping an interview tomorrow with Sunday Edition - a big CBC Radio national programme - talking about THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY. Set my alarm to get up early, to get a few hours editing in before driving in to the city.

Olympics are over (and were fabulous - congratulations London and all of the UK!!!)- my second draft is underway - feels like another stage of life is unfolding.

I realize this might be a little confusing to some who've arrived to these posts late. What I talk about editing the next book, I don't mean THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY. That's all done - edited,printed, bound and ready for the August 28th launch. The book I'm writing/editing is the next one. Hoping to have the second draft done before going on tour. But in anticipation, and celebration, of the launch of THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY, I've been looking back at the previous Gamache novels, and pulling some favorite quotes. Today - BURY YOUR DEAD, and two excerpts -

“Gamache walked toward the Château, past the large statue in the middle of the small park. The Monument de la Foi. A monument to Faith. For Québec had been built on Faith. And fur. But the city fathers preferred to raise a statue to martyrs than to a beaver.”

“He yanked open the heavy wooden door and entered the Literary and Historical Society, where the Anglos kept and filed and numbered all their ghosts.”

Two weeks from now I'll be on a flight to Chicago, for the official launch, August 28th, of the next book - THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY. Yay!

Writing on the web - woe

sunny, fresher....no storms, but humidity has broken.

Family reunion is over....always so sad to see them go. Sad, too, to contemplate the mountain of laundry!

Getting closer and closer to launch date (Aug 28th) and tour for THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY! One month from today I'll be traveling from RJ Julia bookstore in Madison, CT to Odyssey bookstore in South Hadley, MA. Today, in anticipation of Book 8 coming out, I'm continuing the look back at previous books. We're up to book 5 - THE BRUTAL TELLING. Here's a scene from the cabin in the woods -

“A glittering caught his attention. Up high. In the farthest corner of the cabin. Was it eyes? Picking up his piece of wood Agent Morin crept closer, crouching down. As he approached the corner the glitter began to form a pattern. It was a spider’s web, just catching the soft glow of the lamp. But there was something different about it. As his eyes adjusted the hair on the back of his neck rose.

A word had been woven into the web.

‘Woe.’”

So fun looking back - and fun looking forward. And wonderful being right here, right now. Preparing to start the second draft of the next book after a month 'off'. Hope you're enjoying your summer! Thank you for your company.

Librarians? Surely not...

sunny, hot, humid - temps 30 C

A beautiful day! Sunny and not. Spoke to my UK editor on the phone, took Trudy for all sorts of walks, got the place ready (or partly ready) for the family reunion later this week. pennys tumbling in from all over. VERY fun. Some arriving from Edmonton and Regina on Thursday afternoon - the rest driving from Toronto. Brian gets back from Spain just in time. We expect (and hope) that he'll be insufferable. Salads, barbeques, swims, concerts, trips to Burlington, VT, golf all planned and discussed. But mostly we end up by the pool, eating and getting caught up.

After our mother died we realized there was a danger we'd drift apart. She tended to be the gravitational centre of the family....we'd all meet at Mom's, for special occasions. But without her?

So we made a solemn pact that we'd make sure we got together once a year, at least. The three central siblings (Rob in Regina, Doug in Toronto, and me in Quebec) - and whatever spouses and children could make it. The numbers go up and down - especially when the kids were younger and going to camp...but the siblings all moved heaven and earth to make it. I once had to interrupt a booktour to get to Regina. But we all know what's most important.

This year we'll be 11! Almost all the kids can come. Just Sarah and Roslyn left behind with other commitments - but next year!

I'm also really looking forward to the launch of THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY! Almost there - less than a month now. Hard to believe - I've waited so long, and I know many of you are anxious too (so happy to hear that!).

In anticipation, and celebration, I'm picking quotes from previous Gamache novels....today it's A RULE AGAINST MURDER/THE MURDER STONE. In fact, today I'm cheating and choosing two very short quotes from book 5 in the series:

“She was about to be devoured by Ruth Zardo, who ground up good people and turned them into poetry.”

And -

“But you want murderous feelings? Hang around librarians,” confided Gamache. “All that silence. Gives them ideas.”

I'm having so much fun going back over the previous Gamache books - with the help of Jeanne-Marie at St Martins Press. Hope you're enjoying it too! 25 days and counting to the launch of book 8 - THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY.

Great Kirkus Review!

Mainly sunny, warm, temps 27

Woke up to cool morning - very refreshing. Kirkus Review in the US - a notoriously picky and critical publication - has a fabulous review of THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY! Here's an excerpt:

...remarkably penetrating and humane. The most illuminating analogies are not to other contemporary detective fiction but to The Name of the Rose and Murder in the Cathedral.

Just over a month before the book is launched. Feels like Christmas (though a little scarier than Christmas....always nervous when a new book comes out - perhaps a marriage of christmas and halloween. Christeen.)

Am interviewing Shelagh Rogers, of CBC's The Last Chapter, at the Knowlton literary festival this afternoon. Turning the tables on her. Having lunch together first.

Had my hair done a couple days ago in Montreal - always a relief. I tried a new hairdresser - quite odd guy....kept whipping me in the face with my own wet hair. Had to close my eyes, so am presuming (hoping) it was my own hair. But the cut was fabulous - so will happily go back. Hope you're having a good weekend.

Literary playlist

partly cloudy, humid, temps 28

Lots of thunderstorms and heavy rain in last couple of days - we needed the rain!

I can't overstate how important music is to me when I'm writing, or planning, a book. Now, when I'm actually sitting at the laptop writing, I don't listen to music. I don't listen to anything, including, as Michael will tell you, him. Bu...t one of my favorite things to do when away from the computer, but still immersed in the story, is go for a drive and put my playlist into the CD player. Or, when I'm on a flight, I plug into my iPod, stare out the window, and clear my mind. I'm convinced the best ideas come in those moments. Music seems to open a channel, help make connections I wouldn't normally see. Music makes me a better writer than I actually am, and creates a better book than I could possibly write without it.

Each of the Gamache books has its own playlist, though some songs repeat from book to book.

When I was writing and thinking about THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY music became even more important, since the power of music is one of the themes, and indeed, one of the central mysteries. How music can inspire creativity, courage, can trigger memories, emotions. And music works on the brain - its remarkable resemblance to narcotics.

Well, music is definitely my drug of choice.

THE BEAUTIFUL MYSTERY is set in a remote and forgotten monastery in Quebec. A place of quite contemplation and plain chant, singing the words of God in the voice of God. And what happens when that harmony is shattered by murder.

Of course, while writing and considering the book, I listened to Gregorian Chants. The classic chants, but also some remarkable re-imagining of them. But I also listened to a lot of modern music.

If you have Spotify, click through the link (http://spoti.fi/PYOe5D). If not, have a look at the playlist here:

*Requiem for a Tower - performed by the London Symphony - written by Clint Mansell

*The Pretender - Foo Fighters

*Fallin' - Alicia Keys

*An American Trilogy - Elvis Presley

*Ali in the Jungle - The Hours

*À distance Andrée Watters

*Crime of the Century - Supertramp

*Iam Christus - Dom Minier & La Schola - Splendour (monks of St-Benoit-du-Lac, Quebec - an updating of traditional Gregorian Chants)

*An American Theme - Irish Film Orchestra - Long Journey Home

*Love the Way You Lie - Eminem

*Not Afraid - Eminem

*PAX - Gregorian Chants on the Theme of Peace - Monks of St-Benoit-du-Lac

*Chant - The Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos

*Someone Like You – Adele

since Spotify is not available all over the world, the wonderful Lauren at Minotaur Books in the US (with St Martin's Press) has made a playlist on YouTube - you can try that. Here's that link...

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB7A6CFFF43A6A24C&feature=plcp

What music transports you? I'd love to hear about your favorite pieces of music.