The Foulest Things + fixing stuff + pirate queens
May I recommend
Ordering my book.
The Foulest Things is out this TUESDAY. It’s about a naive archivist navigating her career, her family and her love life whilst also untangling an explosive 100-year old secret whilst also ALSO solving the murder of a man found squished in the art vault’s rolling shelving.
There are jokes! There are twists! There is intrigue! There are archival secrets! There are grand love affairs and murderous climaxes. IT’S GOT IT ALL.
Did I include a blistering takedown of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games? (which of all the Olympic games that I hate is the one that I hate the most because I was two months into my mat leave at the time and suffering from a mild case of undiagnosed postpartum depression so I was unreasonably enraged when the stupid Olympics pre-empted Live with Regis and Kelly, which I had come to rely on for my continued —somewhat precarious— mental health?) No, actually, I didn’t do a takedown of the Olympics, because I know that my hatred of the games is the wrong opinion and expressing it makes others thinks very badly of me.
ANYWAY.
The Foulest Things has been getting great trade reviews. Publishers Weekly called it “cleverly plotted” and said “readers will eagerly look forward to Jess’s further adventures.” They will! (except the next book in the series isn’t about Jess - ha ha, it’s FINE).
Library Journal called it “intriguing” and a “fascinating mystery.”
My little sister loved it (she does not spare my feelings) and said that the archives-parts were surprisingly not boring!
Here’s me talking about the book. You can see I get excited when I mention the body squished in the stacks:
You can order this guy anywhere books are sold…
Contact your local bookstore and ask them to get it for you. THEY WILL BE DELIGHTED.
Or use Indiebound, which will source the book through an independent bookstore
Order direct from the publisher (I get SLIGHTLY more money when you do that, but probably not enough to make it worth you losing out on your Prime shipping, or whatever)
(Ignore the Oct 25 release date - that is wrong and surprisingly hard to fix)
Or ask your local library to order a copy if they haven’t already - they will do that for you and I love it!
If you do read the book and you love it (or even kind of like it) please tell your friends, your family, your mail carrier and social media feeds — word of mouth is literally the best way to publicize a book, which means I NEED your mouths! (ha ha, gross).
Don’t chuck it, fix it
The disappearing art of maintenance
Am I using this article suggestion as an excuse to brag about how my husband fixed our ancient elliptical machine after it went kaploeey, made a scary noise and started ellipticalling funny? YES! He figured out what was wrong! (two giant bolts had snapped!) He figured out where to buy them, then he opened up the elliptical like a goddamn neurosurgeon cracking into a skull and wiggled out the broken stuff and wiggled in the unbroken stuff. At one point he had to go to the hardware store to buy a special bolt or screw or lynch pin that he was missing. It was amazing, it was exhilarating. He has never been as attractive!
Anyway, doing maintenance and repairing things that are broken rather than just buying the new thing is the way to go.
The industrial world is aging, and the sheer quantity and geographic extent of transportation, water and energy infrastructure presents an unprecedented challenge at the exact moment that climate change forces us to rethink material use. More robust maintenance practices could help preserve modernity’s finest achievements, from public transit systems to power grids to insulated homes. But first maintenance has to be valued outside of austerity, and right now it’s unclear if our current economic system is capable of that.
Next time someone angers me, I’m taking to the seas
The Pirate Queen Who Avenged Her Husband’s Death on the High Seas
This is a good story of 14th Century hijinks
Next, Jeanne headed for the seas. With the remaining money she had saved from selling her belongings — as well as the moral and perhaps financial support of the English king — Jeanne prepared three warships, black boats topped with red sails. Her flagship vessel was christened Ma Revanche, or “My Revenge.”
Jeanne’s seaborne revenge mission was a family affair. Her two sons with Olivier, 7-year-old Olivier and 5-year-old Guillaume, joined her at sea. Instead of living in a beautiful castle in the bucolic countryside, they were now pirates on the English Channel, avenging their father’s memory. (Jeanne did leave her young daughter and namesake behind.)
Missing Betty White?
You can browse the auction catalogue, and maybe buy a portrait of a painted poodle, once owned by Rose herself!
Book Stuff!
THE FOULEST THINGS IS OUT THIS WEEK!
ALSO THIS WEEK! September 28th, 2022 - My piece on the setting of the Eastern Townships in the novels of Louise Penny will appear in this fun newsletter devoted to all things Three Pines (subscribe today if you want your Gamache fix)
ALSO THIS WEEK! September 29th, 2022 - 7:00pm. Noir at the Bar - Duke of Kent pub, Younge and Roehamtpon, Toronto). A bunch of mystery novelists doing short readings from their latest works. Expect chunky eyewear and MURDER. Come and say “hi!”
*NEW* 2-3pm September 30th at the Indigo at Younge and Eglinton - I will be signing books and chit chatting with Torontonians. Come and find me! We can talk! *NEW*
October 4, 2022 - Book launch - Perfect Books Elgin Street Ottawa. Come on out and say “hi” and get a book signed. I have ordered CAKE! Everyone is invited!
October 20-24th, 2022 - Reading - Knowlton Literary Festival. Have you been to Knowlton? It’s adorable. There’s delicious food, an amazing book store and scenery that will make you want to punch yourself in the face it’s so pretty. Come to the literary festival! It’s the perfect excuse for a jaunt to the countryside!
TikTok
This look
Husband catches everything
These TWO
Finally, sweater weather!
Never saw this when we lived there…
Baby elephant
Thinking about everyone on the east cost right now - Oh yeah.
Sharing the road
These two AGAIN and I think I’ve already shared this TikTok, but it made me cry again, so you’re welcome!
You big dick
Well, I didn’t know this.
Body temperature
Dramatic music does a lot of heavy lifting
Sharp curve
That’s not what the buttercup says.
Okay, the world is magic
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