Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion

Hello there, everyone! The Monet Murders comes out May 25th and the launch party starts here this Friday, May 19th. During Friday, Saturday and Sunday we'll post variety of stellar party games here and yes, there will be amazing giveaway prizes like mugs, notebooks and audio books! The lucky, lucky winners will be announced here on Monday, May 22nd.

So, stay tuned, Fanyons! See you here on Friday! Don't forget to bring your swimsuits — there might be a chance for a dip in the lily pond at some point... oh, and please bring your fake Monet paintings along... and why not the original ones too... :-D

Hooray!

yay, I seriously can't wait for this book!!!

I absolutely love that cover 😊

Can't wait for the book. I really loved #1 :)

Yay pool party! And new book! :)

I'm looking forward to the book. Here a contribution to the party.

For one month till the 11th June some Monet paintings will be in Switzerland. Among them the famous «Impression, soleil couchant», which gave the name to the Impressionist movement. Here a one minute video documenting its arrival:
http://www.tdg.ch/culture/gianadda-so...

Antonella wrote: "I'm looking forward to the book. Here a contribution to the party.

For one month till the 11th June some Monet paintings will be in Switzerland. Among them the famous «Impression, soleil couchant»..."

Thank you for the video link, Antonella. I've been studying impressionists and especially Claude Monet with my 5th grade students and only last week we finished painting two five meters long lily pond paintings with them. I'm definitely going to show them "your" video of «Impression, soleil couchant» arriving to Switzerland. Will you get to see the Monet paintings yourself?

Alison wrote: "Yay pool party! And new book! :)"

Yeah, we need to decorate the pool to make it look like lily pond this time... :-D

The reason for Josh being a bit absent from the group right now is the fact that she continues having quite challenging sciatica trouble (like you guys already know) and she wants to make sure that the book actually does come out May 25th. So, yeah, let's all send collective positive vibes and healing thoughts her way! And maybe some virtual water lilies and tons of hugs, too. :-)

Johanna wrote: "I'm definitely going to show them "your" video of «Impression, soleil couchant» arriving to Switzerland."

I'm honoured ;-).

BTW in the video the Swiss fellow is on the phone to reassure the director of the museum where the painting normally is, musée Marmottan in Paris, that the transport went well.

I doubt that I'll see the exhibition, it is 4 hours away from my town.

So need this book.....like right now!

Soooo looking forward to this book! No pressure and all... :-D

Are there water lily themed drinks? Does lotos count? ;-)

....I think we should place a frog on all of the lily pads...and then we can kiss them....
We should probably wait to do this until after we have had lily themed drinks.

Calathea wrote: "Soooo looking forward to this book! No pressure and all... :-D

Are there water lily themed drinks? Does lotos count? ;-)"

Pound water for me, thank you ;-)

Calathea wrote: "Soooo looking forward to this book! No pressure and all... :-D

Are there water lily themed drinks? Does lotos count? ;-)"

I just looked and there is, in fact, a delicious-sounding drink called, oh yes, the water lily. It's made of gin and triple sec and lemon and creme de violette (!).

And, oh look, I just happen to have my trusty cocktail shaker right here and all those things (even the creme de violette!) and Josh's freezer is full of ice. Shall we start the pre-party warm-up party? Anyone? :)

Here's a recipe, if anyone's interested: http://www.saveur.com/article/recipes...

I also have some pond water, sans frogs, for darling Antonella. :D

Alison wrote: "I also have some pond water, sans frogs, for darling Antonella. :D"

Thank you, dear. You do understand me!

As explanation: it's just that if I have to choose between pond water and spirits, I'll go for the water. I would be open to wine or cider though ;-)).

Antonella wrote: "Alison wrote: "I also have some pond water, sans frogs, for darling Antonella. :D"

Thank you, dear. You do understand me!

As explanation: it's just that if I have to choose between pond water and..."

Cheers! And I recall your spirits-aversion, and fair enough! :)
I'm sure Josh's magic new house can provide better than pond water. Let's have cider and I can pretend it's summer. Cider is even more delicious when it's warm out. :)

I probably mentioned this before, but I'm kind of a Monet nut. I saw MOMA's set of large water lily paintings some time ago, visited Musée Marmottan and Musée l'Orangerie, have been to the house and gardens at Giverny twice (once in 1983, a few years after it was opened to the public), and posed on the Japanese bridge (twice). Our older daughter's middle name is Monet. :)

BTW, "Impression, soleil couchant" is quite small in size (as is the Mona Lisa) in contrast to its impact on art/art history.

Alison wrote: "... Here's a recipe, if anyone's interested: http://www.saveur.com/article/recipes..."

Ooh, that's very pretty.

I wonder if it's difficult to find crème de violette? It was something of a challenge to find orgeat for the Blood Red Butterfly Japanese Cocktails. Oh, apparently not, thanks to the internet. Here are some recipes and background:

http://www.alpenz.com/images/poftfoli...
http://punchdrink.com/articles/bringi...

So, when are we starting the party?

Antonella wrote: "So, when are we starting the party?"

Soon!!! :-D

I see that the table is set for us already... nice contribution, Antonella! :-)

Nice one, Antonella! :-)

The party is about to start... now. :-D

Are you ready for the our The Monet Murders launch party? Ah, I can see you're already in your swim suits, impatiently splashing water with your feet in the pond. Beverages are on their way and the buffet is over there by the palm tree thingie...



The Monet Murders will be released on 25th May. So we have a little time left for some games. Are you in?

Here is a fun quiz that KC made up so you could all test your knowledge about Sam and Jason:

(1) “Jason’s heart sank as he recognized X.

Hell. Of all the gin joints—or police stations—in all the world… It had been a long time, but X hadn’t changed all that much.”
Who is X?

a) Boyd Boxner
b) Sam Kennedy
c) Chief Gervase

(2) In the cellar in Rexford, Jason is startled by:

a) A heron
b) A rat
c) A ghost

(3) Sam and Jason find a Fiji mermaid:

a) In the lyceum in Rexford
b) In the fish tank at the Blue Mermaid pub
c) In an attic in Rexford

(4) Dr. Kyser’s hobbies don’t include:

a) netsuke-style carvings
b) wood sculpting
c) gourd carving

(5) Who says: “I’ve been asked to try and make sure you don’t step in it again, sure, but I’m not here to hold your cape, Batman.”

a) Sam to Jason
b) Jason to Sam
c) Chief Gervase to Sam

Post the right answers here in this topic. You have 24 hours to solve this one.

Did I hear your asking about prizes? Of course, there are prizes!
There will be two for this round:

*one The Monet Murders notebook and
*one Mermaid Murders audiobook

(Isn't that a lovely cover design? Johanna has definitely outdone herself with this one.)

Shoot, I knew I should have re-read The Mermaid Murders - maybe I can quick do it this weekend.

The cover is great Johanna!

Oh, I love trivia games! The perfect break from RL stresses.

(view spoiler)[

(1) “Jason’s heart sank as he recognized X.

Hell. Of all the gin joints—or police stations—in all the world… It had been a long time, but X hadn’t changed all that much.”
Who is X?

a) Boyd Boxner


(2) In the cellar in Rexford, Jason is startled by:

a) A heron



(3) Sam and Jason find a Fiji mermaid:

a) In the lyceum in Rexford



(4) Dr. Kyser’s hobbies don’t include:

b) wood sculpting



(5) Who says: “I’ve been asked to try and make sure you don’t step in it again, sure, but I’m not here to hold your cape, Batman.”

b) Jason to Sam

(hide spoiler)]

ETA: Sorry, everyone. I had a brainfart and just realized I should have put this under spoiler cut!

Kirsten wrote: "Oh, I love trivia games! The perfect break from RL stresses."

I agree with Kirsten ;-)), especially because I've just reread.
Anyway I'm not participating to the draw.

Party, before bed time. 🤗
(view spoiler)[
1.
Hell. Of all the gin joints—or police stations—in all the world… It had been a long time, but X hadn’t changed all that much.”
Who is X?
- Boyd Boxner -

2.
In the cellar in Rexford, Jason is startled by
- a heron -

3.
Sam and Jason find a Fiji mermaid
- in the lyceum in Rexford

4.
Dr. Kyser’s hobbies don’t include:
- he carves wooden jack-o'-lanterns, is then the right answer gourd carving?


5.
Who says: “I’ve been asked to try and make sure you don’t step in it again, sure, but I’m not here to hold your cape, Batman.”
- Jason to Sam
(hide spoiler)]

I am sitting here with a Johanna goes clubbing cocktail, please don't be shy and take a glass.

Mymymble wrote: "Here is walnut cake!"

Ooooh, yummy! :-)

And I'll take a cocktail, please, Sabine. :-D

How is the water, btw? Warm enough for everyone? Or should we turn on the pool heater? ;-)

And who's in charge of music anyway?

There's a karaoke machine in the corner.
I would love some walnut cake and tea, please. :-)

(view spoiler)[ a,a,a,c,b (hide spoiler)]

I already have the audio book, so just playing for fun. :-)

I haven't re-read (a poor showing on my part, I know!), so I'm not participating in the contest, but I love cake and cocktails and swimming. Sign me up for treats and I'd love a drink, Sabine. I'm making a batch of water lily cocktails for the next round...anyone keen? They're purple! :)

I agree, the cover of that notebook is gorgeous. Nice work, Johanna. :)

Wow, this cake is swoon-worthy. Yum. Thanks. I'd better eat fast so it doesn't get wet, or before the frogs steal any!

I just listened to the audio last month, but I've already forgotten some things apparently.

(view spoiler)[
1. A
2. B
3. A
4. C
5. B
(hide spoiler)]

Calathea wrote: "Are you ready for the our The Monet Murders launch party? Ah, I can see you're already in your swim suits, impatiently splashing water with your feet in the pond. Beverages are on t..."

(view spoiler)[1. a
2. a
3. a
4. b
5. b
(hide spoiler)]

I forgot how to put spoiler :(. So can I just put down those answers here?

So it's a,a,b,b,b.

I agree on the cover. It's seriously beautiful.

I started my first re-read yesterday and got a big suprise in page one, when Sam was described as blonde. I don't know how I missed that, but I had something totaly different in my mind :P

Goge wrote: "I forgot how to put spoiler :(. So can I just put down those answers here?

So it's a,a,b,b,b."

When you don't remember formating tips, as in how to put spoilers. There is a good tip section here on the top of this comment box. You can see two options : 1. add book/author and 2.(some html is ok). Click on the second and you can see how to set spoilers, bold etc.

Pool, cake, cocktails, Monet. Does it get any better?

My answers: (view spoiler)[1: a) Boyd Boxner
2:a) A heron
3: a) In the lyceum in Rexford
4: c) gourd carving
5: b) Jason to Sam (hide spoiler)]

Calathea wrote: "Are you ready for the our The Monet Murders launch party? Ah, I can see you're already in your swim suits, impatiently splashing water with your feet in the pond. Beverages are on t..."

How fun!

Trio wrote: "The cover is great Johanna!"

Thanks!

So, which one of our guys — Jason or Sam — do you girls think is on the cover with that nice six pack and Monet t-shirt?

Mymymble wrote: "Here is walnut cake!"

Yum!

Sabine wrote: "I am sitting here with a Johanna goes clubbing cocktail, please don't be shy and take a glass."

LOL. I'd gladly have one of those cocktails. :-D

Calathea wrote: "How is the water, btw? Warm enough for everyone? Or should we turn on the pool heater? ;-)

And who's in charge of music anyway?"

Who needs a pool heater (which is out of order again, I hear) when we have this many cocktails at hand to warm us... :-)

Karen wrote: "I probably mentioned this before, but I'm kind of a Monet nut. I saw MOMA's set of large water lily paintings some time ago, visited Musée Marmottan and Musée l'Orangerie, have been to the house an..."

You are definitely a devoted fan, Karen! :-D

Have you seen the movie I, Claude Monet yet? Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNVQ_...

I am guessing Sam.

So, do you guys want to hear me sing more karaoke? I could sing It's Raining Men. What? I haven't sang it ten times already? Only seven. Okay, maybe nine...

Haldis wrote: "I already have the audio book, so just playing for fun. :-)"

If you happen to win and you have The Mermaid Murders audio already, we can also gift you the upcoming The Monet Murders audio book. If you're willing to wait for your prize a bit. (And this goes for everyone, obviously.)