about louise Penny

The Journey to Gamache

I came to writing later in life. I was well into my forties before STILL LIFE, the first Gamache novel, was published. I am deeply aware of how lucky I am to be writing, to be published, and to be enjoying success. And believe me, I am enjoying it. It would be such a shame not to appreciate such a gift.

Before I was published, I was a journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Michael’s support allowed me to leave my job to write.

Michael and I were together for 22 years and married for 20. He was the inspiration for Armand Gamache. Kind, thoughtful, generous, a man of courage and integrity, who both loved and was open to love.

He developed dementia and died peacefully at home in September 2016, surrounded by the love he had put into the world over his 83 years.

He was not only the inspiration for the books, he made them possible.

Awards & Honours

Winner of The British Dagger
Winner of the American Anthony
Winner of the Barry
Winner of the Macavity
Winner of 8 Agatha Awards
2013 was given the Order of Canada
2017 made a Member of the Order of Quebec
2017 awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature from Carleton University

the golden girls

I live outside a small village south of Montreal, quite close to the American border. My husband Michael and I have had many dogs over the years, all golden retrievers: Bonnie, Maggie, Seamus, Trudy, Bishop and, most recently, Hunny, a rescue Golden whom I lost. Some came as puppies, some were adopted as adults. All beloved. The great people at Golden Rescue contacted me after Hunny’s passing, knowing that Muggins would love another companion, and asked if we could take Charlie. After consultations with Muggins, whose main contribution was to say, “Treats,” I took that to be a resounding yes.

I’m so glad you’ve discovered Three Pines. I’m so glad I did.

It is a deep joy to be part of the Three Pines community. While the golden girls give me constant company, I am far from alone. I’m surrounded by wonderful friends and neighbours, and by all those who find their way to Café Three Pines, I feel grateful for that every day.

And finally, a small note about the themes in my books. They’re inspired by two lines from a poem by W.H. Auden, in his elegy to Melville.

“Goodness existed, that was the new knowledge;his terror had to blow itself quite out to let him see it.”

How powerful is that?

My books are about terror. That brooding terror curled deep down inside us. But more than that, more than murder, more than all the rancid emotions and actions, my books are about goodness. And kindness. About choices. About friendship and belonging. And love. Enduring love.

If you take only one thing away from any of my books I'd like it to be this:

Goodness exists.

- Louise Penny

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