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“Nice and warm in the house, but bitter cold outside, Merde! Now I have to write a second one. Setting it at Christmas. Pond freezing over- love to go out and skate but typing away by the fire. Actually really nice.”
As people arrived food was taken to the familiar kitchen and too many casseroles and pies were stuffed into the oven. Bowls overflowing with candied ginger and chocolate-covered cherries and sugar-encrusted fruit sat on the sideboard beside puddings and cakes and cookies. Little Rose Lévesque stared up at the bûche de Noël, the traditional Christmas log, made of rich cake and coated with the thickest of icing, her tiny, chubby fingers curling over the tablecloth embroidered with Santa Claus and reindeer and Christmas trees. In the living room Ruth and Peter made drinks, Ruth pouring her Scotch into what Peter knew to be a vase.
The lights on the tree glowed and the Vachon children sat beside it reading the tags on the mountain of brightly wrapped presents, looking for theirs. The fire was lit, as were a few of the guests. In the dining room the gate-legged table was open full and groaning with casseroles and tortières, homemade molasses-baked beans and maple-cured ham. A turkey sat at the head of the table like a Victorian gentleman. The center of the table was saved every year for one of Myrna’s rich and vibrant flower arrangements. This year splays of Scotch pine surrounded a magnificent red amaryllis. Nestled into the pine forest was a music box softly
playing the Huron Christmas Carol and resting on a bed of mandarin oranges, cranberries and chocolates.
Olivier carried the whole poached salmon to the table. A punchwas made for the children, who, unsupervised, stuffed themselves with candy. Thus did Émilie Longpré hold her réveillon, the party that spanned Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, an old Québecois tradition, just as her mother and grandmère had done in this very same home on this very same night. Spotting Em turning in circles Clara wound her arm round the tiny waist.
133 replies on “Postcards from Three Pines: A Fatal Grace”
I love your postcards. And I love that Michael’s photos are still on your site. I was happy that your dog is doing well. Good luck with your next book
Hi Louise,
Were these postcards actually written by you at the time you were writing the specific mystery? And were the photos photos taken by you at that time also? If so, what a colourful way to ‘journal’ – or ‘bullet-journal’ – your personal setting!
I love the way you capture the seasons and occasions of Quebec. You draw them with an artist’s eye that one even warms up to the idea of our blindingly bitter-cold Canadian winters! (The idea, mind you, never the reality of them)!
I loved singing the Huron Christmas Carol in grade school. I miss hearing it.
The postcards inspire me to return and re-read everything! I have all your books and can hardly wait for the next one. The description in this postcard is so delicious! Thank-you.
These postcards are such a perfect extra. Thank you so much for sharing this peek into your life while writing!
I love how we all enjoy the cozy feelings of warmth beside the fire, friendship, good food and conversation while discussing murders.
Dear Louise
Your postcards Say for me …goodness does exist. Thank you so much for
Giving such pleasure to so many .❤️
From a cool Australia [Adelaide], Louise you make me want to be there as we don’t get snow here but do enjoy reading [of course the Louise Penny] books by our fire.
My sister is now hooked onto reading the books too and loves the Three Pines. She would love to retire there she said… me too!!!
Love your books!
Thank you for the lovely postcards – and the reminders of a special place inhabited by friends, both human and animal, with whom I enjoy spending time.
Three Pines is a gift of beauty and love.
So lovely, Louise. Elizabeth Degrigorio is absolutely right about the contrast of Three Pines’ Fatal Grace weather and the DC area’s weather today. Sorry I didn’t get to see you at the National Book Festival, but my LOC pals tell me your room was packed. Plus more people have fallen in love with you. Can’t wait for the next postcard!
I already moved you to the top of my list of favorite authors after the best writing I’ve enjoyed in years in “The Beautiful Mystery,” and am reading “How the Light Gets In,” relieved it’s revealing more about Beauvior; and I ordered “The Long Way Home” yesterday as I look forward to hopefully learning more about Baie-St.-Paul” of personal interest to me. So Thank You again and again for enhancing my reading enjoyment!
Louise – thank you for postcards. I do want to start at the beginning again. I love Gamache, his wife, family and friends in “Three Pines”. I am 78 years old, so maybe I can’t read them all again, so thank you for reminding us of your wonderful stories!
It’s the warmth the caring and the friendship that we’re all looking for.
I would love to see you publish each postcard so I can add them to my collection of all your books. Or maybe make a calendar with them . Can’t wait until Kingdom of the Blind comes out!!
Thank you for the beautiful postcards, Louise. I’d read all the Gamache books in print book format, but this summer I returned to them once again in audio book format. What a treat! The readers of the audio books brought every character to vivid life. I listened to all thirteen books in a matter of weeks! I’ll definitely purchase #14 in both formats.
I’ve just noticed a change in my breathing as I read the postcard and the words from A Fatal Grace you included: my breathing slowed, my shoulders relaxed, and I was much calmer. It’s a beautiful day in North Vancouver, but I was in Three Pines, just for a moment ~~~
I couldn’t imagine Louise Penny being able to whomp up such a hateful character as the victim in “Fatal Grace.” Even the Three Piners couldn’t find anything redeeming about her. I felt such connection with her poor daughter. Another trip to TP at Christmastide was well worth the shock of the evilness of this character. B
Dear Louise, the Postcards are a genius creation! Little tidbits from previous well loved books serve to remind us all of your skill as a writer. It’s early September in Upstate N.Y. This week, we’re off to Ogunquit Maine for the annual family love fest. We’ll be certain to see touches of autumn & maybe even a recipe or two from Three Pines! Thank you for the love, joy & sisterhood you gift us all✨.
Love your postcards.
It makes Three Pines so real. The town, the people have become part of my life vicariously through each book.
Can’t wait for the next!