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“Received great news today – Barnes and Noble has chosen THE BRUTAL TELLING for their Recommends Program! Off to the Brome County Fair with Michael to research the next book. Onward!”
The Brume County Fair was more than a century old, bringing people in from all over the townships. Like most fairs it had started as a meeting place for farmers, to show their livestock, to sell their autumn produce, to make deals and see friends. There was judging in one barn and
displays of handicraft in another. Baking was for sale in the long aisles of open sheds and children lined up for licorice and maple syrup candy, popcorn and freshly made doughnuts.
It was the last celebration of summer, the bridge into autumn. Armand Gamache walked past the rides and hawkers, then consulted his watch. It was time. He made for a field to the side of the barns, where a crowd had gathered. For the Wellington Boot Toss.
Standing on the edge of the field he watched as kids and adults lined up. The young man in charge settled them down, gave them each an old rubber boot, and standing well back he raised his arm. And held it there. The tension was almost unbearable. Then like an ax he dropped it.
The line of people raised their arms in unison and shot them forward, and to whoops of encouragement from onlookers a storm of Wellington boots was released.
Gamache knew in that instant why he’d gotten such an unexpectedly
good spot at the side of the field. At least three boots shot his way.
35 replies on “Postcards from Three Pines: The Brutal Telling”
Please come to Austin, Texas one of these days. Your books have kept me going through so many dark times. One of the things I want to do before I die is give you a hug
Another winner. Can’t wait for the next.
Thank you, Louise, for your sharing Inspector Gamache with us. I was given your first book when I was going through cancer treatments. Listening to these books helped me get through them and made me long for Three Pines, it’s bistro, and all the friends there! Thank you!
Brutal Telling ismy favorite. When I begin to tead them all over again, which I have done severaltimes, I start with tnis one. As the stories deepen over the next several books, I am more and mor3 amazed at your story telling prowess. Cant wait fir the next onein November.
Yes, The Brutal Telling and Bury Your Dead are among my favorites, although there are several since then that I also love. These are the basis for some much that does come later. I love all the hints you find when you reread the earlier books, after reading the rest.
Again, your postcard delights, and jogs the memory of that wonderful read! How your books have lifted our spirits, and your personal journey has helped make my own griefs easier to bear. Thank you, Louise, for the inspired work you do, writing, and just being you. Love from Idaho.
Louise, I am looking forward to your New York City visit. We are planning to be there on Dec 6th when the details are finalized. We just returned from your lovely setting in the Eastern Townships where we spent 3 days and took Danielle’s wonderful Three Pines Tour. It was fabulous. We are hoping she follows up with a second tour based on your other books, perhaps even the new one.
I remember laughing out loud at that!!!
Just re-listened to this wonderful book, because I had been to BC and the discussions of Haida Gwaii triggered a memory of a Gamache book. What a pleasure to revisit and to recall how the saga has developed since then. Can’t wait for the new one in November!
Looking forward to your book signing in Sandwich, Cape Cod, in December. I found someone to care for my best friend so I can go!!! Your books have allowed me to get lost in Three Pines for a while. Thank you.
Oh, how I loved this one! Thank you so much for gifting us with your wonderful literary talent! Looking forward to the next one out in November!
Almost exactly one year ago my husband and I were on a cruise to Quebec City and the Maritime provinces. There were very few books in the ship’s library and yours looked the most promising even though I was unfamiliar with your work. What a find! Discovering Three Pines made my trip completely magical, as if I had been there before and missed it terribly! How did I not know of Inspector Gamache? That remains a mystery but also a very happy discovery!
How much it would be to join the Brume County Fair!
I can smell those fresh baked donuts.
Our poor Gamache, such a humble and intelligent person, to have to be subjected to misses of boots!
So looking forward to having you visit Missouri while on your current book tour.
Just s heads up for your publisher—a wonderful new bookshop has opened in Columbia MO, and one of these days I would love to meet you there at a book signing. Skylark Bookshop! Owned by Alex George, the founder of Columbia’s Unbound Book Festival. Oh, so much to share with you, Louise. Would you join me for a coffee or cup of tea? In Columbia or here at Boomerang Creek.
is this the same alex george who wrote A GOOD AMERICAN? and another book that has Kites in the title…