Book Review: Stones by William Bell (YA, mystery)

 Set in present-day Orillia, Ontario, Stones explores the tragedy surrounding the Oro Township's African Methodist Church through the eyes of Garnet Havelock and Raphaella Skye--two white high school students. 

Stones asks: What do you do when confronted by beliefs contrary to yours?

Stones

William Bell

Seal Books

an imprint of Random House of Canada

Young Adult, mystery

2001

276 pages

CLA Young Adult Book of the Year

Garnet meets Raphaella in grade eleven when they are asked to debate the topic "that love at first sight is a hoax." (p. 18) He is pro; she is con. Garnet confesses that "[e]ven before she finished talking, I had fallen in love with her." (p. 28) Garnet believes "in logic, reason, science, hard fact." (p. 20) Raphaella introduces him to a new way of knowing. 

There is so much in Stones to love. For example, strong women unafraid to take risks and stand up for their beliefs. And Garnet. Garnet emotes feelings--fear and love--that men typically run from expressing. 

This book is so captivating that it is as if it read itself while I sat and listened. I started reading Stones on Canada Day (July 1) and finished a mere ten days later. An unheard-of rate for this slow reader.

"the real question [...] isn't Who's right [...]? It's What is Knowledge?" (p. 220)

Next Sunday...

Book Review: I Only Read Murders by Ian Ferguson & Will Ferguson (cozy mystery)

 I Only Read Murder is a cozy mystery set against the backdrop of the staging of a historical murder mystery--Death Is the Dickens, written by a local playwright. The setting plays a key role in cozy mysteries. This novel is set in Happy Rock, Oregon...

'Everyone moved slower out here, more leisurely, as though time were less pressing. It was a watercolor come to life. A doily of a town, with marigolds and flowering begnias spilling out of streetlamps baskets. Happy Rock hadn't been built; it had been crocheted into existence.'

(p. 22)

It's a cozy mystery that asks the question: What do you do when you're lost? Can you go home again?

photo by ldyck

I Only Read Murder

Ian Ferguson & Will Ferguson

Harper Collins

cozy mystery

2023

311 pp

Fifteen years ago, Minnesota-born Miranda Abbott left Oregon and her newlywedded husband to pursue fame and fortune. She found both as the star of the popular TV mystery Pastor Fran Investigates.

Fifteen years later, forty-something Miranda has lost her fame and she has lost her fortune.

A postcard from her estranged husband sends her travelling back--a sixteen hours and thirty-seven minutes bus ride--to Happy Rock, Oregon. Will she find love? Will she find murder? What will happen when Actor Miranda investigates?

What did other reviewers think?...

Anne Logan's Review

More recommended books by Will Ferguson

Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw

419

The Shoe on the Roof

On this blog in October...

I'm very happy with the short stories that I've selected for this month. All three have been polished and they're ready to be read by you. That's not the problem. The problem is the book reviews. I'd planned

Book Review: The Dollhouse: a ghost story by Charis Cotter (MG mystery), published by Tundra Books

 As I believe The Dollhouse could have the power to strengthen a relationship between young and old, I highly recommend that children share this book with their grandparents.

Buy this Book

The Dollhouse: a ghost story

Charis Cotte

Tundra Books

time-traveling mystery

2022

346 pages

Winner of the Newfoundland and Labrador Book Awards

It's June 1997 and Alice Felicity Greene's parents are newly separated. Alice's mother Ellie is a nurse and gets a job at Blackwood House in the town of Lockport caring for seventy-eight-year-old Mrs. Fiona Bishop who has broken her leg. Ellie and Alice begin their journey to Lockport by train but when there's an accident they must continue by taxi.

The taxi driver tells them: Blackwood House "'stood empty for nearly seventy years. Something happened to the family and the house was locked up. By all accounts that house has seen more sorrow than most, ever since it was built way back in the 1830s... No good ever comes to people who live in that house.'" (p. 18)

But Ellie tells Alice: Blackwood House "'is not haunted. It's just old. There is no such thing as ghosts and I don't want you starting off your summer letting your imagination get the best of you!'" (p. 21)

At Blackwood House, Alice befriends Lily Barnett.

Lily 'was so pretty, with her dark hair and eyes, and she had the body of a teenager, but she acted and moved more like a six-year-old.' (p. 26)

Together Alice and Lily explore the grand old house. They discover a locked room. In the locked room they discover a...dollhouse.

Author Charis Cotter is a wordsmith who paints vivid pictures, such as...

'I felt like she and I were marooned in a small island of candlelight while the darkness lapped around us like waves against the shore.' (p. 282)

The Dollhouse: a ghost story is a carefully crafted, suspense-filled book that kept me entertained from the first page to the last. 

 

 

On this blog in November...

Sunday, November 6

Book Review: Stray Dog by Rawi Hage, published by Alfred A Knopf Canada

This story collection is short-listed for the 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize

The winner will be announced on Monday, November 7

Sunday, November 13

It All Started Here by Leanne Dyck

What does the wife of a wealthy grain merchant have to do with my birth?

Sunday, November 20

Writing Tips from 18 Guest Authors

My guest authors generously share writing tips and give insights into their own author journey.

Sunday, November 27

Island Invasion (short story) by Leanne Dyck

This short story was inspired by The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King

And...

Book Review: The Thursday Murder Club (cozy mystery) by Richard Osman, published by Penguin Books

 What's a cozy mystery?

Benni Chisholm addresses this question in her brief article.

I was charmed by this mystery that celebrates the ability of seniors.

Buy this Book

From an Independent Bookstore in

Canada

United States

Published by Penguin Books

Published in 2020

361 pages

In the fictitious town of Fairhaven, Kent, England, there is a retirement village--Coopers Chase--where senior citizens whittle away their days strolling through the gardens, sharing baking, drinking wine, and attending club meetings.

Every Thursday, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, Ron, and Joyce meet to discuss murder--old cases and new. This group of friends is analytical, experienced, capable, and quick--they even outperform the police, they even share their leads with the police.

'"however good the police are, you lot are better."' (p. 217)

They solve case after case, and they find forbidden love, brotherly love, eternal love--and they unearth secrets. Oh, so many secrets.

'"Remember when you moved here, and I told you it was a mistake? I told you it would be the end of you? Sitting in you chair, surrounded by other people just waiting out their days? I was wrong... Your eyes are alive, your laugh is back, and it's thanks to Coopers Chase."' (p. 348)

And the best news yet...

The next book in this series has been published

The Man Who Died Twice

On this Blog in December

Wednesday, December 8

Podcast: Author Reading

Office Party (short story)

Leanne Dyck

A short story about appearing on stage at my husband's office party.

Sunday, December 12

Short Story

Walk with Me

by Leanne Dyck

A trip to BC ends with a near-death experience.

Wednesday, December 15

Podcast: Author Reading 

Christmas Secrets (short story)

A nice story about my parents' naughty kid.

Sunday, December 19

Book Review

As You Wish:

Inconceivable Tales From The Making of The Princess Bride

Cary Elwes

(memoir)

Friday, December 24

Christmas Eve

Short Story

My CBC Radio Christmas Tradition

Leanne Dyck

A short story inspired by Alan Maitland's reading of The Shepherd by Frederick Forsyth.

Sunday, December 26

Bonus Content

The Other Side

Leanne Dyck

As The Other Side was hands down the most popular "anything" I shared this year, I thought you might be interested in reading this scene.

Wednesday, December 29

Podcast: Author Reading

Listener's choice. What would you like me to record?

Sharing my author journey... 

While bored out on a walk, my dog and I play a game of seek-the-treat. I toss the treat ahead

West Meadows Detectives: The Case of the Berry Burglars written by Liam O'Donnell illustrated by Aurelie Grand (mystery)

 Someone has been stealing strawberry plants, but don't worry the West Meadows Detectives--Myron and Hajrah--are on the case in this first chapter mystery.

Published by Owlkids Books

Published in 2020

The reader is introduced to the crime when Hajrah arrives at school and leads Myron (the protagonist) over 'to the far side of the yard.' (p. 9) The school garden has been damaged and not only that but strawberry plants have been stolen. Simone, the senior student in charge of the strawberry plants, becomes their client.

Myron and Simone learn that they have something in common. They are both autistic. For this is not only a mystery but the story also serves to increase the awareness and understanding of autism.

Young readers learn that people with autism don't like changes to their routines and feel, as Myron explains, like their senses are 'on overload all the time.' (p. 59)

Readers also learn that some people with autism use gardening to help them cope with daily stressors.

This story has a well-developed plot and employs writing techniques to ensure a positive reading experience. For example, Myron reviewing the case with Hajrah is a good way to share information with the reader. Reviewing the case also helps to summarize what has happened in the story. Chapter ten ends with a cliffhanger which gives the reader yet another reason to keep reading. My only concern is that the overabundance of characters in this book may be confusing for some readers.

West Meadows Detectives:  The Case of the Berry Burglars is an engaging and intriguing mystery. And the best news yet, it's part of a series.

Wednesday, January 20

Online Author Reading...

photo by ldyck

Byron Did

a poem in praise of poetry

Or

What do you think I should record?

You input is encouraged, welcomed and appreciated.

Sunday, January 24

Short Story

photo by ldyck

A Confession

If you live with your spouse long enough you'll learn everything about them--right?

photo by ldyck

Are you following me?

Facebook
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Linked In

photo by ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

Last week I stopped writing my manuscript and the world fell apart

Book Review: The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane (MG) by Julia Nobel

 Emmeline "Emmy" Willick is happy kicking balls and scoring goals on the soccer field in Connecticut until her mother sends her away to Wellsworth--a boarding school in England. 

'making friends had never been [Emmy's] strength. That would involve talking to people.' (p. 4)

How will a timid introvert like Emmy survive living with her peers?

Emmy's life is one big question mark. Why did her mother choose to send her to Wellsworth? Does it have anything to do with her father? Emmy's father left when she was three-years-old. One of the only things she knows about him is that he meet Emmy's mom in England. She doesn't know if he's alive or dead. So if he's alive, she wonders where he is? If he's dead, how did he die? 

The mystery is like a frayed thread the more she pulls on it the longer it gets. 

Buy this book

Published by Sourcebooks Young Readers

Published in 2020

Won the Silver Birch Fiction Award

I choose to read The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane because I'm currently writing a novel for readers of middle grade fiction and wanted to learn more about the genre. I was rewarded with not only an intriguing mystery but also with an enduring, relatable character--Emmy--who grew through the course of the novel.

Next Sunday...

December 20

at approximately 5...um...er...4:30ish PM PT

Ice Angel

Leanne Dyck

...Something floated over the ice. She sparkled. Was she an angel?...

 

photo by Terrill Welch

Wednesday, December 9

Virtual Author Reading

Christmas with Family

by Leanne Dyck

This short story was inspired by the Christmas--several years ago--when I forced to throw all my seasonal traditions out the window--much like this year. Ah, but, I learned... Well, to say more would spoil it. I'll just read it, shall I...?

photo by bdyck

Are you following me?

Facebook
Twitter
Linked In

photo by ldyck

Sharing my author journey...

word count:  19,221 words

goal:  40,000+ words

Sometimes when the words lie lifeless on the page and the story has 

Book Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

My mother-in-law recommended I read this book. She's an avid reader and knows a good book when she finds it.

Buy The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon 

Originally published in hardcover in Great Britain by Jonathan Cape, Ltd, London, in 2005, and subsequently in hardcover in the United States by Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc., New York, in 2005.

Mark Haddon's website 

A quick read that brings the reader inside the mind of a person with autism--fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone.

It is also a...

Mystery

A dog is found dead. Who killed him and why? Christopher Boone sets out to answer these questions and
unearths even more mysteries.

Funny Book

This is a funny book even though Christopher explains that he can't tell jokes.

Craft Book

Christopher Boone is attempting to write a mystery inspired by the dog he finds dead. His teacher, Siobban, helps him by giving him helpful tips.

'Siobban said that when you are writing a book you have to include some descriptions of things.. She also said that I should describe people in the story mentioning one or two details about them so that people could make a picture of them in their head.' (p. 67)

Big Idea Book

For example...
Christopher doesn't believe in Heaven. He believes that our bodies are broken down and become one with all of earth. 

A book that explores commonly held misconceptions...

For example, if a person has a mental disability we think they are intellectually challenged. But Christopher is alive with boundless curiosity and seemingly endless knowledge.

 'Chillaxing on a Summer day' photo by LDyck

Next post:  Writing Workshop review published  on Sunday, June 18 (at approximately 5 PM PT)

'One cute mug' photo by LDyck

More about this dog mystery on July 2nd. Look for the post titled 'Shakespeare and Snorri'.

Book review: The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

Set in Ireland during the 1850s, shortly after the potato famine, The Wonder is historical fiction, a mystery, a love story, and provides social commentary on what it was like to grow up female and poor in Ireland during the 1800s.

Buy The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

Publishing date:  2017
Publisher:  Harper Collins Publishers Ltd.
author website 

When word spreads that an 11-year-old girl (Anna O'Donnell) is living on one spoonful of water a day (and mana from heaven) two nurses are sent to bear witness. Sister Michael is an Irish Roman Catholic nun from the order of the Sisters of Mercy (called the walking nuns because they walk out into the world to give service to the sick, the poor and the uneducated). She provides an interesting foil to the protagonist Elizabeth "Lib" Wright--an English protestant.

Foil:  'a character who contrasts with another character--usually the protagonist--in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character.' -Wikipedia

Lib served in the Crimean War under the founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale. And, I think it is fair to say, is prejudice against the Irish--at least at the beginning of the novel. This adds tension to several scenes. 

What drew me to this book?

1. The Wonder was nominated for a Scotiabank Giller Prize (2016)

2. After reading Room (a story narrated by a five-year-old boy), I became a devoted fan of Emma Donoghue

The connection between Rumpelstiltskin and The Wonder

In Rumpelstiltskin, the boast is that a girl can spin straw into gold.

In The Wonder, the claim is that a girl can live on water (mana from heaven) alone.

In Rumpelstiltskin, a girl attempts to guess Rumpelstiltskin's name.

In The Wonder, a girl attempts to guess her nurse's name.

If the idea of fairy tales influencing modern novels intrigues you here's a link to other novels that you may enjoy reading. 

Happy Mother's Day

A song for mom

A mother's work is endless

Joys are far too few

One joy is to see you happy

So smile, darn you

-signed your mother

Next post:  A Writer's Dilemma (a poem about the writing life that was inspired by the children's picture book It Looked Like Split Milk and the rock band The Who's song Who Are You?)

Published:  Sunday, May 21 at approximately 5 PM PT

Book review: Still Life by Louise Penny

Louise Penny is one of my favourite mystery authors and Still Life is her first published book in her award-winning Armand Gamache series of murder mysteries. 

 Photo by Leanne 

 creative assistance provided by my friend David

I was excited to find this copy in my favourite consignment store. 

Publisher:  First published in paperback in 2006 by Headline Publishing Group

Book blurb:  

As the early morning mist clears on Thanksgiving Sunday, the homes of Three Pines come to life -- all except one...

To locals, the village is a safe haven. So they are bewildered when a well-loved member of the community is found dead in the maple woods. Surely it was an accident -- a hunter's arrow gone astray. Who could want Jane Neal dead?

In a long and distinguished career with the Surete du Quebec, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has learned to look for snakes in Eden. Gamache knows something dark is lurking behind the white picket fences, and if he watches closely enough, Three Pines will being to give up its secrets...

What did Ms. Penny have to learn and what came naturally to her?

What did Ms. Penny have to learn?

Craft

Dialogue tags...
For example, I found identifying the speaker in group difficult. This difficulty may be overcome by using more dialogue tags or by associating the speaker with an action. 

I.e. Simon reached for the steaming cup of coffee. "Boy, is it cold outside." 

Transition...
And transitions could be more clearly defined. One minute the characters are in a shop or a restaurant and the next the characters are in a car. 

What do I like about Ms. Penny's writing?

One of the reasons Louise Penny is one of my favourite mystery authors is that we share the same passion for rural life.

The only reason doors were locked was to prevent neighbors from dropping off baskets of zucchini at harvest time. (p. 5)

Life was far from harried here. But neither was it still. (p. 402)

Thought provoking...

"[F]our things lead to wisdom... I don't know. I need help. I'm sorry." (p. 106)

"I know at the end of a day I'll look at my work and think it's great, then next morning look at it and think it's crap. The work didn't change, but I did." (p. 353 - 354) 

After her murder Jane's friends find her art. This has convinced me that before I die I will set fire to all my unpublished work--I want to spare my loved ones that unpleasant discovery.

Turn of phrase...

She threw great logs of 'I'm right, you're an unfeeling bastard' on to the fire and felt secure and comforted. (p. 214)

Ruth's normally flinty voice was now as hard as the Canadian shield. (p. 220 - 221)

Photo by Leanne Dyck

Sharing my author journey...

September was a productive month I...

Book review: Food for the Gods by Karen Dudley (historical fantasy)

Buy this book

back of the book blurb...

Having been chopped up and served to the gods for tea, Pelops, Prince of Lydia, is kindly remade by the Olympian dinner guests and gifted with a talent for the culinary arts. But after heading for the bright lamps of Athens, Pelops discovers that life is not exactly golden for a celebrity chef in the golden age of Greece. Ruthless patrons and jealous rivals are bad enough, but when a couple of the less responsible gods offer to help him make a name for himself, Pelops begins to realize that when the gods decide they owe you a favour, you'd better start saying your prayers.

I was thrown headlong into the story from page one. Food for the Gods serves as an excellent introduction to Greek mythology and ancient Greek culture. (I wished some of the references were more thoroughly explained -- but maybe that's what search engines are for.)

Dudley possesses a charming sense of humour and that helped to make this an entertaining read.

"Great Me!" [Zeus] was ranting his eyes still flashing dangerously "Why is it always my problem? Who did this, Zeus? Why did they do that, Zeus? Can you sort this? Who killed that mortal? Why did my festival get ruined? How do we stop the Erinyes? Give me a break! I'm not all-knowing like sodding Odin, am I?"

"Um...Odin?" I asked weakly.

 "Dude up north," Hermes explained...

(p. 226)

Gods walk among them. Although, most mortals are oblivious. (It would help if they glowed.)

"[T]hey're gods. They don't have to glow. You can tell they're gods just by looking at them."

(p. 356-367)

I wonder what would happen if we lived our lives that way -- with the sense that gods walked among us, but we couldn't identify them. Would it make us more understanding, kinder, more generous?

How can the narrator identify the gods? Who is the mysterious greying man in a grey chiton? Is he a ghost? Most mysteries are solved by the end of the book. Most are... Sadly, we never discover what the Lion on the Cheese Grater is.

At times, transitions were too abrupt and I was left wondering where I was.  But on the whole, Food for the Gods is an entertaining read. And Dudley writes humour and violence with skill.

When writing historical fantasy, you first start from real life, with real situations gleaned from various historical sources. Of course, you don't stick to that -- it wouldn't be fantasy if you did -- so you incorporate the fantastic elements as you go, tweaking facts as needed.

-author note

Next post... 
Advice on choosing books for children.

Sharing my author journey...
This week, I received six rejection letters; all came with a personal note. When life sends me rejection letters I...

Book review: Day of the Bees by Thomas Sanchez

Publisher:  Vintage Books 
first edition:  July 2001

back cover blurb:  Day of the Bees celebrates passion and creativity as it explores the lives of a famous painter, Zermano, and his beautiful muse Louise during World War II. A novel of obsession, art, and war, it reveals the sacrifices made for love--of person and country.

An American art historian is seeking to discover why the painter abandoned Louise during the war. Visiting Provence after Louise's death, the scholar finds letters that piece together a tempestuous affair with startling revelations about her wartime experiences--her participation in the French Resistance, her struggles to elude a sadistic officer, and her intimacy with a mystical beekeeper. Spanning a panoramic landscape of fifty years, Day of the Bees is a haunting and lyrical portrait of the complex emotional chasms that can separate even the greatest of loves.

Buy this book

The opening chapters read like a tour guide's introduction to a foreign land.  

A pleasure to read...
Most of the story is told in letters. They convey secrets an artist shares with his muse--the longings, the dangers, the history, the passion. This is a quick compelling read. It an ideal book to escort you on your commute to and from work. 

Writing tip...
Letters are such a clever writing device. Through them you can get deep inside your character and also pull back to report on the actions of other characters.

Message...
To love takes courage. It leaves one vulnerable to a brutal world and yet it also offers protection and gives you strength. 

Quotes...

How many men have gone into how many women and felt another man there? (p. 231)

Heaven has no value unless hell exists. (p. 279) 

More...

(my dad in uniform circa 1940s)

Please click this link 
Remembering Them on Remembrance Day
to read the article I published on this blog last year

From the Heart is an uplifting book. Proceeds support needy and deserving High School students. To order, email Gary Doi (garydoi@telus.net)

Book review: Sing A Worried Song by William Deverell

I meet Arthur Beauchamp in my aunt's living room. He looked interesting so I picked him up. He was engaging, entertaining and clever. I knew I wanted to further our relationship and looked forward to our next meeting.

I meet Mr. Beauchamp's author, William Deverell, at a Crime Writers of Canada event -- Bloody Words. 

Recently, I meet Mr. Deverell again on Mayne Island. He brought Mr. Beauchamp with him -- all wrapped up in a shiny new book. So, of course, I bought a copy.

I flipped open Sing A Worried Song and Mr. Beauchamp charmed me from page one. Even though, at times, he seemed more superhero than human. 

Before beginning his author career, William Deverell was a lawyer. The first half of Sing A Worried Song focuses on one of his court cases.

Afterword... 

Though I practised mainly as a criminal defence counsel, I was on occasion retained by the Attorney-General of British Columbia to prosecute homicide trails, some of which attracted wide public attention.

The trail featured in the opening section of this novel roughly recreates one of them, an alleged thrill killing in Vancouver of a lonely down-and-outer.  

Mr. Deverell makes excellent use of his font of knowledge regarding the Canadian judicial system. And I welcomed his light touches of humour. 

The second half of the book takes place over twenty years later and is set on a Gulf Island. Island culture is depicted with warmth, humour, and intrigue. Mr. Deverell introduces the reader to mysterious island activities -- such as everyone seeming to know your business before you do.

Interesting to note, one of the points Mr. Deverell made at Bloody words is that author's should write what they know. He certainly does this in Sing A Worried Song. As well as having been a lawyer, Mr. Deverell also resides, half the year, on a remote Gulf Island.

The only difficulty I had with the book was the overabundance of names. Through the course of the book a single character may be referred to by three separate names -- surname, first name and nickname. This forced me to re-read more than one passage several times to find clarity.

Book blurb from dust jacket...

This sixth novel in the acclaimed Arthur Beauchamp series.

For Arthur, the prospect was a challenge, something different:  a sensational murder case, with its dark irony of a happy-faced clown being bumped off by an alleged thrill killer. It was a chance to see things from the other side, to work with the vaunted Homicide section of the Vancouver police. A chance to demonstrate how a prosecution should be run:  transparent and even-handed, without guile or hostility.

buy this book link 

More...

What book does William Deverell recommend?

The Jaguar's Children by John Vaillant

Worried Man Blues sung by Woodie Guthrie


Submit here...

Room (Canadian women's literary journal) asks:  Have you submitted to the Women of Colour issue yet?

Here's the link to their submissions page.

Deadline:  Saturday, August 9th

and/or here...

The Malahat Review's 2015 Creative Nonfiction contest
Deadline Tuesday, August 4th

For details, click here.



Attend this...

The Vancouver Writers Fest offers an evening with Louise Penny (popular Canadian mystery writer)
Monday, August 24
The Vancouver Playhouse
doors open at 6:30 PM


Sharing my author journey...

Another month has come and gone and this is what I did with it...

Guest Post author Mary Jane Maffini

buy this book

buy this book from Barnes & Noble

buy this book from Amazon

This morning, my daughter sent me a photo of a great hooded T-shirt she found online. It said, I KNIT SO I DON’T KILL PEOPLE. 

It was such a simple and yet powerful message.  Words to live by.  I do knit. However I still have to kill people, if only on the page.  
The sentiment made me think about the therapeutic value about not only knitting, but also bumping people off – on a highly selective basis, natch.  You readers are probably quite safe. 

Way back in the dim mists of time when I was in the library biz, I attended what felt like gazillions of meetings.  There was often someone who’d seem to get a charge out of resisting whatever was planned or who lived to highjack the agenda or play political games. As the hours ticked by, I’d feel the steam rising from my collar and on really bad days, I’m sure that flames shot out my ears.  Luckily, around that time, I discovered the soul-soothing power of writing.  I messed around with several forms until I eventually came to realize that mystery was the vehicle for me. I loved reading them and I knew I’d love writing them.  Not only that, but the genre gave me a ‘dumping ground’ for all those pesky people who lived to make trouble at work and elsewhere.

In real life, I could smile and make nice, but sure enough, there was always some jackass who would try and cut me off with a big honking SUV.  But at night, there was the thrill of fitting the troublemakers for cement overshoes and then giving them a small push off the boat. In the case of the Caddy Escalade, it plunged into a ravine.  Very satisfying. Oh yes.

In fact, now after so many years, many of my friends are also mystery writers. I meet many more at conferences and through mystery organizations. Some are my buddies on mystery blogs such as www.mysteryloverskitchen.com and www.cozychicksblog.com

The one thing that most of them have in common? They are lovely, kind, congenial people. They support each other’s efforts.  And why shouldn’t they?  They’ve learned to get rid of frustrating people on the page. That allows them to smile and be happy in the rest of their life.

As therapy, I highly advise it.  The price is right too. And it there are aspects of life that can’t be solved by a dab of poison, length of rope, or push from the top of a staircase, then I still have my knitting to keep me sane.  If worse comes to worse, those size 4 needles would make a wonderful weapon. 

Leanne, thanks for inviting to visit your blog.  I feel honored to be here. (I'm delighted that you came for a visit, MJ)  Of course, you are very nice indeed and I promise not to be dangerous. (And thank you for that. : ) )

A Tribute to Lou Allin by Leanne Dyck

On Friday, July 11th, I held my friend in my arms and spoke softly, “I have bad news. Lou Allin passed away.” It was hard news to share—hard for me to say; hard for her to hear.

A few minutes later, my friend found a magazine and flipped to an article she'd written. “Without Lou's gentle nudge I won't have submitted this; without her gentle nudge I won't have been published in this magazine.”

I wonder how many authors can credit Lou's gentle nudge for helping to develop their careers? My guess—many. I know I can. I know an entire organization can—Crime Writers of Canada.

How did I meet Lou?

Lou Allin was an award winning mystery author. And so, appropriately, how I met her is a mystery.

Back in 2009, I had newly self-published a mystery. I wanted to learn more about the publishing industry and thought finding a writers association would help. A search engine delivered me to the Mystery Writers of America website. I emailed them asking if I could join and explaining that I was Canadian. Their polite reply directed me to the Crime Writers of Canada. And I made a mental note to learn more about this association. A few months later, I received an email from Lou Allin (then membership chair) informing me that the Crime Writers of Canada was holding a free mini conference. How she found me will remain a mystery. But I'm very glad she did.

During that first conference, I participated in a one-on-one blue pencil session with Lou. (Learn more about how that went here.) And I invited her to visit me on Mayne Island. She accepted my offer and we became friends. Like a good friend, Lou was always there to offer me opportunities like sitting on panels, give me feedback on my writing and write articles for this blog.

Bloody Words by Lou Allin (12/28/10)

Interview with Lou Allin (8/26/11)

Lou Allin takes us to the Crime Writes of Canada award night (6/21/12)

Belle or Holly?:  The Old Order Changeth, Yielding Place to New

(7/12/13)

Lou will live on not only in her writing but also in the authors she gently nudged.