“It’s snowing again,” Ivan observed Monday morning at breakfast.
I glared, first at my husband, and then at the window. I was perfectly capable of seeing that it was snowing—again. It’s not an altogether unexpected occurrence in Montréal, which gets more snow every winter than does Moscow; but this March storm hadn’t been forecast, and I had meetings lined up for most of the day. All in different parts of the city, of course.
Naturellement.
Ivan’s head was bent again over his iPad: he consumes the morning news along with his café au lait and croissants, and I was accustomed to his running commentary. “Well,” he said finally, “your new boss hasn’t called in sick yet, that has to be good news.”
“My new boss,” I reminded him, “has only been in office two weeks.”
“Still, it’s some sort of record.”
I’m the publicity director for the city, and my new boss was our new mayor, Jean-Luc Boulanger. Early days, I thought realistically: in a city incapable of electing anyone who isn’t corrupt, it seemed a little fanciful to expect anything else. “I never took you for a glass-half-full kind of guy,” I said.
“I’m dedicated to surprising you,” Ivan said, not looking up from his reading.
“Everybody needs a worthy goal in life,” I responded agreeably, slipping into my boots. “I’m leaving; the metro will be jammed.”
Well, it would be a test, anyway: the previous mayor hadn’t gone much of anywhere in the winter months, despite having a limousine and driver at his disposal—unless it was to an important meeting held at an expensive restaurant. If Jean-Luc was actually in his office this morning, he’d score a few points.
But only a few. Unlike Ivan, I am definitely not a glass-half-full kind of person when it comes to politicians. Then again, I work more closely with them than he does.
The wind hit me the moment I stepped out the door, and even though I was well wrapped up—hat and hood, scarf, mittens, and a coat so padded that I looked like the Michelin Tire Man—the snow it sent full into my face was stinging. I trudged to the closest metro stop, wondering (as I did every winter morning) why we didn’t just get an apartment in one of the many buildings that have direct access to the Underground City—Montréal’s miles of passageways, food courts, shops, and transportation that enable us to keep the city running despite the weather. I was relieved when I got to the subway and could do most of my commute underground.
City Hall is located in the Old City, and that meant another few blocks floundering along sidewalks that hadn’t yet been cleared. Beneath my feet, I knew, were picturesque cobblestones, and the cafés I passed would in the summer spill tables, chairs, and chattering customers over them. Some were shuttered, now, waiting for better weather and the waves of tourists that came along with it.
My administrator was already beside her desk, shaking out her coat and muttering under her breath. She lived in the Old City, I knew, and that meant that she’d done her entire commute on foot and outside. “Bonjour, Chantal,” I said as sympathetically as I could.
“Bonjour, Martine.” She gestured toward my door. “Sylvie from the mayor’s office left a stack of paperwork for you,” she warned.
“Is he in?”
She nodded and we exchanged a look that was half-shrug, half a grimace of surprise. “Will wonders never cease,” I said.
“And he wants to see you,” she added.
“Okay.” I went into my inner office and exchanged furry boots for office shoes, hung up my coat, and looked with some dismay at the papers piled on the desk. Maybe he was going to be efficient after all, I thought. That would certainly make for a change.
I assembled what I might need for meeting with my boss—pen, notebook, courage—and headed up to his office. Sylvie waved me in. “He’s waiting for you,” she said.
“What time did he get here?” I was still a little shocked: this efficiency was going to shake the whole building up.
“Early,” she said. “I think he has some new plans, he’s very excited about something, said he wanted to talk to you about it first thing.”
Curiouser and curiouser. “Thanks, Sylvie.” I knocked on the door and went in.
Vast expanse of desk, and Jean-Luc Boulanger behind it, gazing out the window. “Good morning, monsieur le maire,” I said. “Sylvie says you have something important to discuss with me?” I was ready. Plans for a new PR campaign? Maybe some much-needed money for my department? A new citywide initiative?
He turned from his perusal of the snow falling outside. “Yes,” he said. “Quite important.”
I sat down, pen and notebook at the ready. “Yes, monsieur?”
“Tell me,” he said, leaning over and looking at me earnestly, “what exactly I need to do so they’ll name a major street after me.”
Read more about publicity director Martine LeDuc in Asylum, available from St. Martin’s/Minotaur.
Women are being murdered in Montréal’s summer tourist season, and everything points to random acts of a serial killer—but it’s Martine who discovers that the deaths reflect a darker past that someone wants desperately to keep hidden.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on March 26 for the chance to win a copy of ASYLUM. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Jeannette de Beauvoir grew up in Angers, France, but now lives on Cape Cod—and spends as much time as she can in Montréal, a city that never fails to be inspiring. Her idea of an excellent way to spend a snowy winter day is curled up in bed with a novel and a cup (or three!) of hot chocolate. You can read more about her at www.JeannetteAuthor.com.
Sounds interesting! Another new author for me to read. Yasy! Thanks for the opportunity!
Always love the opportunity-Asylum appears to be very interesting. Thanks.
A new author for me! I have added the book to my TBR list.
Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
A new to me author and an interesting excerpt.
Sounds like a good read—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Sounds interesting, is now on my TRL, Look forward to reading this
ok, i’ll give this book a try……..
thank you for the giveaway……..
This sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win.
The excerpt lets me know I need to read this book! Montreal sounds like a beautiful city and I really like the interaction between Martine and Ivan.Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
Sounds like an idiot for a politician – which a lot of them seem to be.
this should be a fun read. I’d love to get started. thanks for the chance.
This sounds interesting and different. Thanks for the opportunity to maybe win a copy.
The excerpt sounds like business as usual – freezing weather and shallow politicians. This is a new author to me and what I have read about this book made me add it to my TBR. Thanks for the giveaway.
Even though I grew up in northern New York, I never did get to Montreal. Hull was the closest I ever got, but I haven’t given up hope that I’ll see Montreal someday. I very much enjoyed the post about Martine. Sounds like a great read.
This looks like a interesting read. Something different. I would love to win it. Today is our 22nd Anniversary.
A most intriguing and fascinating giveaway. Thanks.
What a fabulous novel which interests me greatly for the plot, characters and especially so for the locale since I was born in Montreal and lived there for many years. Thanks for this great giveaway.
A book set in Montreal is a winner and a delight too. I enjoyed the excerpt. Very witty and enthralling. Love the locale since I am Canadian and lived there.
What a marvelous build up.
Is the new mayor a change for the better? Will he actually DO something useful?
And then he asks about naming streets!
I would to read a mystery set in Quebec. I went there on a vacation once and it was like being in a different world. LOL I said a few sentences in French to a woman on a bus and she exploded with talk! She talked so fast that I missed the meaning of most of it. But my dad who was seating a few seats in the back was very impressed! LOL Thank you so much for the chance to win this book!!!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like an interesting story. I’ve been to Montreal a few times, it’s certainly unique. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
The Asylum sounds like a great read.
Thanks for the opportunity to win it!
This books sounds so great. We love going to Montreal and would love to read a book about the city. And now that the author lives here in MA is another connection for me. I love to have a common thread about books and authors and myself, and this is perfect. (And we love France, but have not been to Angers that I know of unless just traveling through.)
I would love to become the recipient of this book; thank you so much for the chance.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
It sounds like a really good and interesting book. I haven’t read any books by this author, but I’d love to read this one. Thanks for the chance.
Even with my admittedly limited exposure to Quebec politics, I know this will be a great read.
Looks like a good read. Thanks
Oh my. I’m curious as to how the title will play into the book!
Sounds like a great book to read
I want to read more!
The cover alone looks spooky and interesting!
This sounds like a good one, very dark and scary.
This books sounds like one I would very much like to read. Hope I am a winner. Thanks for the giveaway chance.
Only been to Toronto, but some other books I’ve read have taken place elsewhere in Canada and I’ve enjoyed them and the settings. We are hearing more and more from Canadian writers and that’s great.
I love the idea of this setting, also that there is a sense of humor.
You folks are the best! I was unfortunately away from my computer (moving, ugh) and didn’t see all these great comments…. I do hope that you’ll read Asylum, and if you email me with your mailing address I’ll send you a signed bookplate!
Martine is a great character…. she’ll be back next year as well, so start reading about her soon!
Would love to read, characters and location sounds really interesting.
Thanks for offering the giveaway
Love it!
Love Montreal! Grew up in Plattsburgh, NY-so close!
contest is closed.