Are You Looking For A New Author? Check this one out.

Are you looking for a new author? Check this one out.

If the names “Gamache,” “Beauvoir,” or “Three Pines” mean nothing to you, I’m truly jealous. That whole new world is just waiting for you to discover it. Lucky, lucky you.

I’m going to refrain from giving too much away about the murder mystery series, so as not to spoil anything for you.  However, do allow me this teensy tidbit. “Three Pines” is a place I not only want to visit, but I want to live there. Especially in Winter. When the snow is falling so heavily that it takes everything I’ve got just to plough through the drifts to scramble onto the porch of the charming Bistro. Once inside, I’ll order the daily special (no need to see a menu, everything’s delicious) and settle in for the afternoon and evening chatting with the other villagers. And maybe help solve a murder or two …

Are You Looking For A New Author? Check This One Out.

Who is the wonder that writes so well she makes me want to move across the country? Louise Penny. She has just published her 15th book in the series. Her website reports that it debuted at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today and Toronto Star bestseller lists, making it the top book in North America. 

Our 97 year-old Francine first introduced me to Louise Penny about five years ago. This delight topped the teetering book pile beside my mother’s chair.

“Are you looking for a new mystery series? Oh! You’ll love Louise Penny.  ‘Still Life’ is her first book. Take it, Kel. But please give it back once you’ve finished. I like to reread anything Louise Penny writes.”

High praise indeed from this prolific reader. (Note to self: hand it over on your next visit.)

How Many Books In the Series?

Penny has just finished writing her 15th book in the series. I’ve read them all. You needn’t read them in order but I recommend that you do.

Having said that, you might find the first one (Still Life) a bit sluggish and perhaps a titch difficult to follow at first.  Apologies to Ms. Penny. However, I am delighted to say that things do soon become clearer. The writing gets better and better with each book, too. Penny manages to round out the characters so well that you feel you’ve more than just met them. You’re friends. The characters aren’t all sweetness and light, though. Some are actually quite vile. Others are actually not who they seem.

I’ll step aside and let Penny offer you more:

“My books are about terror. That brooding terror curled deep down inside us. But more than that, more than murder, more than all the rancid emotions and actions, my books are about goodness. And kindness. About choices. About friendship and belonging. And love. Enduring love.

If you take only one thing away from any of my books I’d like it to be this:

Goodness exists.”

Up Close And Personal

Ms. Penny is currently on tour for her latest book ‘A Better Man.’ Check her website and see if she’s coming to a city near you. I can speak with absolute authority on the worthiness as I was lucky to catch the tour in Bellingham this August. 

The entire evening was magical, right from when we walked in and were each handed a signed copy of A Better Man. The woman is so relaxed and warm and articulate. And honest. Her handling of the Q and A’s was masterful. The odd random query was treated with respect yet deflected with the ease of a career diplomat.

As someone who is churning out a book herself, it was beyond inspiring (and reassuring) to learn that it took her five years to write the first one (thank you!). It wasn’t until she looked at the books piled on her nightstand (all murder mysteries) that everything finally slotted into place. “Write what you like, not what you think others think you should write.”

And this gem:

“When I finally finished Still Life, I popped into our local library to tell the one person who would truly understand. The librarian. I joyfully babbled, ‘I’ve done it. I’ve finished my first book!’ To which the good woman broke out into the warmest of smiles and patted my shoulder.  ‘How wonderful,’ she said. ‘What book are you thinking of borrowing next?'”

God love her.

Long may Louise Penny continue to create and share the goodness of Three Pines.

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Do let me know what you think of the books if you’ve read them. I’d love to hear. You’ll find me fireside in the Bistro, most likely alongside my pal Jane.