Author Louise Carson has new tales to deliver this fall

Did you know that St-Lazare’s prolific poet and author Louise Carson has two new novels in the offing ? She does. Carson is the most eclectic writer I know. Her prose works, seven in all, range from thrillers to mysteries to historical novels, all thoroughly researched and all painstakingly true to the period in which the stories occur. Then there is the poetry, her first love. Her works are listed in numerous anthologies, ranging from The Best Canadian Poetry, 2013, to three appearances on the short list of FreeFall Magazine’s annual poetry contest, to the Manitoba Magazine Award for poetry. And she is no stranger to public readings, having frequently performed everywhere from Montreal to Toronto to New York City. When I realized Carson had published seven books, and in only seven years, plus the poetry, I wondered aloud just what forces have guided her towards such prodigious output. She answered in one word: lymphoma. And then she explained: “Knowing the marvellous machine may wear out sooner than later has a wonderfully focusing effect.” The good news here is that, since her diagnosis in 2015, Louise has enjoyed three years of remission. Carson’s latest release is the historical novel In Which, a picaresque tale told in the tradition of R.L. Stevenson’s Kidnapped. It follows the adventures of a young man forced to flee from an impossible home life, only to find himself immersed in any number of dastardly circumstances, most of which occur at sea. Set in Scotland in the early 1700s, during the period of the Jacobite Rebellions, In Which follows the young Deasil Widdy, who for much of his youth had served as the designated hangman in his community. His life is forever changed when, suspected of murder, he realizes he has little choice but to flee the only home he had ever known and venture abroad. The book’s strength lies both in the plot — it is a page turner — and on the meticulous research which anchors the narrative. Fortunately, as with any good writer of historical fiction, Carson never lets the history get in the way of the story. Then there is Christmas. Carson is about to release her latest holiday treat, volume two of her popular Maples Mysteries series, this time set during the festive holiday season. Gerry Coneybear is a young artist who, upon the death of her aunt, having somewhat reluctantly undertaken the upkeep of her aunt’s rambling home called the Maples, finds herself alone at Christmas time and despondent, save for the companionship of Prudence her eccentric housekeeper and the cats, all 32 of them. And then, unexpectedly, a murder takes place. With the help of Prudence, and Bob the cat, Gerry’s favourite, all is resolved, but not without some hairy, and hairball, moments along the way. Both books are now available. The Cat Vanishes, published by Signature Editions, will arrive in all major book stores on Oct. 1, with preorders already being received. Its formal launch will take place at Greenwood in November. As for In Which, a handmade book published by Broken Rules Press, Ste-Anne-de Bellevue, copies are now available at Librarie Clio, located in Plaza PointeClaire on St-Jean Blvd. near Highway 20. For more information regarding Carson’s works, email louise_m_carson@hotmail.com.