Phoenix

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!

duck and cover

sunny, hot, temps 85

Well, hot to me, but apparently this is a cool spell in Phoenix, where last week the temperature hit 105. I've never felt heat like that. 85 is good enough for me.

amazing storms here yesterday. I don't know if you heard or saw some of the footage of the hail, that actually accumulated so that kids were making 'Hailmen'. Amazing video of hail like large stones plummeting into a pool, causing these massive splashes. A major highway closed (at rush hour) because of flooding and downed powerlines.

I sat on the balcony watching it arrive. In fact, that shot of the rainbow was taken as a storm approached. then has to retreat inside as the rain became too violent. The temperature dropped 30 degrees in 20 minutes. Remarkable.

The other photo is me, or at least my delicate feet, waiting for the storm.

As you might have guessed, after yesterday's post, I switched rooms. To a lesser room, but one with a nicer view, over the pool. Lovely.

Sat outside this morning with a coffee, before the sun hit directly and it became sizzling hot (for a Montrealer, anyway).

Had great news about the French book. En plein coeur (the french translation of Still Life) has risen to number 2 on the Le Devoir bestseller list!

Having an early dinner tonight with Lesa Holstine and Patti O'Brien, then off to Poisoned Pen - a terrific mystery bookstore here in Phoenix (scottsdale, actually) for an event tonight.

Flight to Houston tomorrow - and an event at Murder by the Book. So looking forward to that. To seeing McKenna and Brenda, Dean and Anne and meeting John.

Friday is very busy - early flight from Houston to nashville. Have a noon event at the Nashville literary festival, then two more flights to get to Regina for our family reunion Thanksgiving.

Will try to blog tomorrow, but if not, I probably won't get a chance until the weekend. Be well - and thank you for all your support of me, and of BURY YOUR DEAD! What a fun and exciting launch week. Thanks to you.

Stop the Clocks

overcast, cold, temps 13

This morning I received this message....

Murder by the Book posted the following at Facebook - "It is with deep sadness that we must share the news that David Thompson passed away suddenly on September 13, 2010. David worked at MBTB for 21 years, & he made an indelible impression on the store & everyone who met him. There will be a memorial service, and we will share the details as soon as they are available. In the meantime, David's wife, McKenna Jordan, asks that no tributes be sent to the bookstore for now. We appreciate the loving support that customers have always given the store, and in the difficult days to come we will need it more than ever."

I feel physically sick. David was young. A remarkable man. Not just a supporter of crime fiction, but he'd recently even started his own imprint. He was young. He was an enthusiastic, energetic, kind man. Knowledgeable. Passionate. Effective. Young. But more than any of that, he was a man who loved deeply. And who did he love? His glorious, remarkable bride, McKenna. Together they took over Murder By the Book. And then married, in a true love match, two kindred spirits, just a few years ago.

When Jacques died it wasn't a surprise. We could see that truck coming.

But this has laid me flat. And though I try to imagine how McKenna is feeling I can't. I spend most of my days imagining sudden death - trying to crawl into the hearts of those who lose loved ones suddenly. But when it actually happens, I realize I don't even come close.

And once again, I'm reminded of an Auden poem...and David and McKenna. Stop the Clocks.

Library and Museum

Mix sun and cloud, some rain, temps 90

Dear Lord - 90 degrees and genius here brought turtle necks and a tweed jacket. And a scarf. And fuzzy gloves. I wonder, if I was going to Alaska, would I take a sun dress?

Back in the hotel room now between events. I suppose some writers go out and explore the city, which would make some sense. I, however, Miss Tweed, love cocooning in the hotel room. But - another stroke of genius - when I left for the Houston library event at noon I left the Do Not Disturb sign on the door, so they didn't. Housekeeping hasn't been - so i called down and can't get into my flannels (my real outer skin) until they've been and gone. So I'm waiting for them.

When they come I'll head out - oops just came...speak later. helloooo.

Back in the room now. After all that about not seeing Houston I decided to take advantage of the chamber maids working to print tomorrow's boarding pass and wander around outside. Well - what did I find??? The hotel is right across the street from the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. And it's FREE. Not that I mind paying at all. Indeed, I expect to since we pay entrance to museums in Canada. But this one I sailed into...and spent a wonderful half hour or so wandering. Kept thinking how much Michael would have loved it. And clearly half and hour is not nearly enough...but it gave me a taste, and it was cool, and tranquil and quite amazing.

Phew...lovely.

Now back in the room...will order lunch and relax. Have the event at Murder By the Book tonight...then flying to Indianapolis tomorrow. Arrive in Indianapolis for Bouchercon mid-afternoon...then the Barry and Macavity awards cocktail is at 6pm - The Cruelest Month is nominated for both (don't, of course, expect to win...up against fabulous writers)...then have a 7:30 event at a Barnes and Noble. Back to the hotel room by 10pm I expect.

Bouchercon is always a mad-house. But loads of fun. I don't think I will get a chance to write until Friday. Take care - I'll write if I find work.