Chère Reader:
My name is Marie Tremblay and I am French-Canadian. Dr. Brown (Ditie) asked if I might tell you something about myself and her latest story, The Art of Murder.
I said it would be my pleasure. I live in a French-speaking village along the Saint Lawrence River in Québec where my husband, Armand, and I own a bakery. I help out in the boulangerie, but Armand is the real baker. I have a small classroom behind the bakery where I give French lessons to those who are thinking of immigrating to Canada or who simply want to improve their French.
I make it clear to all participants that what they will learn is Canadian French not Parisian French. The accent is quite different, and we are much more likely to borrow words from the U.S. than France might do. We sometimes pronounce final consonants and often have a more casual approach to speaking the language in general than you will find in Paris.
If you want to learn more about my classes, please contact me through Ditie Brown. We love people to visit us in Québec and see what makes our province so beautiful.
None of this tells you much about Ditie’s latest adventure, so let me get to that. Because English is not my first language, please forgive any mistakes I might make. As a teacher, I am always working hard to improve my English, but occasionally I may make an error.
Do you think I am procrastinating?
It is only that parts of the story are painful to me. You see, I have a troubled son, Gérard. He is not my biological son, but I could not love him more than I do. He is a very talented artist, sculptor I should say, and he has run into some trouble.
That’s where Ditie comes in, along with her family and of course, Danny Devalle. Danny is the person who stayed with us one summer to improve his French when he was in college. He is a love, and he contacted us when his fiancée, Lurleen, wished to take French lessons. He said Ditie would like to learn some bread-baking techniques and that everyone needed a quiet vacation in Québec.
I was delighted as was Armand. We had no idea we’d be inviting them to participate in a murder investigation to save Gérard from prison or worse. The Sûreté du Québec, what you call the police in the U.S., seemed to believe that Gérard, my Gérard, was involved with a ring that sold fake Inuit statues as authentic, and that in order to conceal his operation, Gérard had murdered someone to keep them quiet.
The worst part of the whole story, à vrai dire, is that I wasn’t convinced Gérard was entirely innocent. I didn’t believe he could kill anyone, but could he participate in such a ring? As a child, Gérard sometimes stole small things, ‘shoplifted’ as you would say. I couldn’t be entirely sure what he might do as an adult.
But I must stop here. You will need to read the book to see what happens next. I am only one player in the story. Thank you for listening. You will enjoy the book and begin to see what I love about Québec.
Au revoir,
Marie
Giveaway: Sarah has generously offered to give away one paperback copy of The Art of Murder. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person and the giveaway is limited to U.S. and Canadian residents only. Giveaway ends September 16, 2024. Good luck everyone!
The Art of Murder, A Ditie Brown Mystery Book 7
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: September 2024
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link
Mabel Aphrodite Brown looks forward to a much-anticipated week in Québec with her family and closest friends, Lurleen and Danny. Danny has found the perfect spot with a baker he knows in a small French-speaking village along the Saint Lawrence River. Ditie can get bread-baking tips from the baker while Lurleen and the rest of the family take French lessons from the baker’s wife. Danny has made all the arrangements.
But you know what they say about best-laid plans!
What is meant to be a quiet vacation in rural Québec suddenly turns into a police investigation when the baker’s older son is accused of murder and of running a counterfeit ring, which sells fake Inuit art to unsuspecting buyers. But can any of this be true? Danny knows the son had a troubled childhood, but he is now a talented sculptor. Is he guilty as charged or is he being set up to take the fall?
About the author
Sarah Osborne is the pen name for an author and physician who writes cozy mysteries for the same reason she reads them—to find comfort and calm in a world that often lacks both. She has lived in various parts of the United States and currently resides on Cape Cod with no plans to live anywhere else. Please sign up for her newsletter at doctorosborne.com. She loves to hear from readers.
Sounds charming. I love Quebec.
I do too. After two visits I’m ready for more
I also love Quebec and I’m anxious to go back.
Sounds like a book I would really enjoy reading. Love the Quebec setting.
I also love Quebec and hope to make many more visits there.
Sounds twisty … and tasty, and the character bio makes me want to read the book.
Great. Hope you enjoy it!
A captivating, intriguing and unique story with a wonderful locale which I know extremely well.
I will be very interested to know if you think i’ve captured the essence. Let me know.
Congratulations on another book! It sounds really good. And thanks for the chance to win it!
Thanks and good luck
testing
I am enthralled with your book. The story has captured my interest since the setting is special and the characters real. I have been to Quebec and it beckons. I miss it very much and will return.
I have the same sense you describe. It draws oe back for aother visit.
I really must catch up on this series, and this one set in Quebec – bonus!!
Please do🤓
I was in Quebec twice and would enjoy reading your book. Thanks for the chance.
Good luck!
I love the Quebec setting. Sounds like a book I would really enjoy reading.
Hi Dianne, good luck!
Quebec is one of my favorite cities. I would love to read THE ART OF MURDER.
I am also enthralled with the place. Good luck.
Thanks for all the info and the chance to win the book!
Hi Linda, Good luck.
Sounds like a wonderful story.
I had a lot of fun writing it.