September 10, 2017 WRITE ON

Had the opportunity to see Louise Penny--author of my FAVORITE mystery series-- in Madison last night. Pretty exciting. What an interesting lady.  Come to find out--E. B. White's Charlotte's Web was as instrumental in her life as it was in mine! In her case,  Penny read this classic when she  was 8 years old and was so touched by it that she decided  to be a writer someday. She understood the sheer magic of the written word and wanted to help others feel the same. Her journey to become an acclaimed writer took many turns --she actually didn't finish her first novel  Still Life until she was in her forties. That's amazing. It took her quite a while to realize that she didn't have to write the perfect book-- just the book she had in her heart. She also had to learn to take that leap of faith--face that demon known as FAILURE--in order to realize her dreams.  She's learned my lessons along the way and willingly shared them with her audience. LOVED HER--wish she would have spoken longer--but I'll take it.  Also, loved finding out that the cast of characters in her books are loosely based on friends and people she has met. Writers really do write about who they know--what they know--where they've been--and what's in their hearts.

Penny's series includes 13 books of which I have read 12.  The characters are so endearing  and the town of Three Pines is so wonderful that I can't help myself. Thought I'd review book 9 How The Light Gets In--one of my favorites. In this installment, Gamache is called to Three Pines to investigate the disappearance of Myrna Landers' friend. It's the Christmas season and Myrna is really excited because an old client has decided to spend the holidays with her. After her old friend fails to appear, Myrna calls  Chief Inspector Gamache to help locate her. Gamache, whose best agents have left the homicide department--after big shake up--welcomes this distraction. Gamache is also torn in this book because he and his long time partner Beauvoir are  estranged. This is a pretty intense book with a lot going on.  Will Gamache be able to locate Myrna's friend? What is her mysterious past? Will Gamache be able to restore goodwill in the homicide department? Will he mend his relationship with his partner so that it can be a Merry Christmas?? Find out for yourself when you read this book for yourself. It's about 400 pages of intrigue--a 5 mile run--that will leave you dying to read the next book. Enjoy!