Yo yo yo!
The first four Hope Sze books take place in this creative, crazy, multicultural bouillabaisse known as Montreal. I’d really love to get the word out in Hope’s hometown. But how does one accomplish this?

It’s surprisingly difficult to take a cool selfie with Stockholm Syndrome and Paragraph Books. I had to take a dozen to be sure.
<cue the fanfare of trumpets> Richard King of CBC Radio’s Homerun will review Stockholm Syndrome tomorrow, October 19th!
In honour of this monumental occasion, Librairie Paragraphe Books is now carrying Stockholm Syndrome for the next three months. Please run over and snag a copy!
In honour of this, I’ll be celebrating Montreal throughout the next quarter. Stay tuned for inside tips where to eat, hang out, and do yoga in la belle province!
While I was at Librairie Paragraphe Books, I bought a copy of Jessica Hagy’s book, How to Be Interesting (preview here).
It feels fantastic to support an indie bookstore in the heart of Montreal. They’ve got kid books, travel books, gift books, literature, Louise Penny’s latest novel, pre-orders for other people that you’ll want to touch but have to be instructed to leave alone (oh, maybe that’s just me)…
I could’ve stayed there all day, except my parking meter was about to expire. Support your bookstores!
Just don’t buy the Jessica Hagy book for Alexandra Beauregard–it’s my gift to her. 😉
When you come, here are some Montreal travel tips.
Construction is terrible. Use your phone or GPS. Get a parking space and walk if you have decent legs. As I strolled down Sherbrooke, I spotted not one, not two, but four police cars crowding down the single remaining lane of traffic. You can update your parking slip through an app, and be vigilant: they love to give parking tickets.
So why show up, aside from hitting up the bookstores? Well, I love the incidental art.
FOOD:
Restaurant Park (in Westmount). Just look at those orchids. I chose the bento surprise lunch to go. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy tempura vegetables, including a piece of squash that showed they were using seasonal vegetables; maki sushi; a refreshing beet salad; and tofu with ground pork, all fresh and delicious, for about $20. Wow!
The chef, Antonio Park, has a Korean background, but grew up in Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, and Montreal before he trained formally in Japan.
I look forward to going back. Honestly, I felt like the beet salad spoke to me. It was so simple and so good. I tried to get my kids to eat it, but they’re scared of anything unusual. I was selfishly glad to polish off every bite. I’m not generally a tempura fan (is the frying worth the calories?), but this tempura was light and intelligent, if that makes sense.
Momesso (NDG area): I used to bring my parents here. We’d descend into the basement, stuff ourselves with 14 inch subs, and feel good about the world afterwards. Check out the decor: old-style NHL hockey pucks. That’s what I’m talking ’bout.
This time, I was working a bunch of shifts, so I bought three subs. The best was the steak and sausage ($15.25 for a 14 inch sub before tax or tip).
Cash only & closed on Sundays.
Shopping
I didn’t buy any clothes that day, but Paragraph Books is the Golden Square Mile, so enjoy:
Before I bid you adieu, remember that your Thanksgiving/Christmas shopping can include Stockholm Syndrome at Paragraphe Books! In case you’re wondering, this is a slightly different picture that I like better (looks like a sky-scraper in the background, slightly reddish hair my hair in the face). I fit right in on the Golden Square Mile.
And tune in tomorrow to CBC Radio One’s 88.5 for Homerun with Richard King‘s review of Stockholm Syndrome. I’m working, so please let me know if you hear it! Thank ye kindly.
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Yay, Marc Bourdon! Thanks!
Cream”
This is it
It’s time for u to go to the wire
U will hit
Cuz u got the burnin’ desire
It’s your time (Time)
U got the horn so why don’t u blow it
U are fine (Fine)
U’re filthy cute and baby u know it
Cream
Get on top
Cream
U will cop
Cream
Don’t u stop
Cream
Sh-boogie bop
U’re so good
Baby there ain’t nobody better (Ain’t nobody better)
So u should
Never, ever go by the letter (Never ever)
U’re so cool (Cool)
Everything u do is success
Make the rules (Rules)
Then break them all cuz u are the best!!!!
….
Look up in the air, it’s your guitar
Do your dance
Why should u wait any longer?
Take a chance
It could only make u stronger
It’s your time (It’s your time)
U got the horn so why don’t u blow it (Go on and blow it)
U’re so fine (U’re so fine)
U’re filthy cute and baby u know it (U know it)
Come on
Cream
Get on top
Cream
U will cop
Cream
Don’t u ever stop
Cream
Sh-boogie bop
Cream
Cream
Cream
Sh-boogie bop
Cream
Cream
Right there
Cream
Don’t u stop
Cream
Sh-boogie bop
Boogie
It is Prince tune!!!!!, OMG How did you know I was there??? lollo
You mean you were at a Prince concert? Niiiiiice!
I was at about 3 of them!! then Prince was best friends with one of of my favorite Journalist “Travis Smiley” on PBS
Whoa, Mike Chelo, you are all about the lyrics! Thanks, man!
Hey like I said!!! Melissa I’m and engr trapped in a musician’s body, I just cant resist!!!! So, it better that I insist!! So, when you put it out there that ” Stockholm Syndrome” debut in Montreal I can just hear the music!!!!or the passion!!! CREAM!!! Your on Top!!!!
Hidden talents are the best! My family is full of engineers (one of them also a part-time musician). Keep rocking it, Mike!
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Stockholm Syndrome debuts in Montreal! (CBC’s Homerun & Paragraph Books)! https://t.co/9KAX9z4Mfr #amreading @amwriting @dr_sassy
Great read! I reviewed it on Amazon and Goodreads in August. Stockholm Syndrome by Melissa Yi
Whoa! What a thriller. I couldn’t put it down. Melissa Yi pushed the suspense to the brink.
Brilliant character development as the killer on a murderous rampage puts the breaks on in the claustrophobic confines of a hospital examination room where he has confined, at gunpoint, Dr. Hope Sze, Dr. John Tucker and a pregnant woman with a baby desperate to be born. Yi keeps the reader on the edge of the precipice as she plunges us into the depths of the killer’s psychosis. I didn’t even mind learning about birthing procedures and medical protocols – or lack thereof – as Yi reveals the complexities of the character of Dr Hope Sze, the nature of the relationship between the two doctors; their intent to remain committed to meeting the needs of their patient trapped between the horror of a killer and a terrifying labour. The author rolls it all out with clear, clean and compelling writing. As if that isn’t enough, Yi weaves in the ravages of PTS – post-traumatic stress – as it takes hold during the traumatic drama and carries on out the other end. The reader has to take a breath or two here and there and stand back to consider what is happening in the brains of the characters confined in that room and what is sliding across the floor. I am still thinking about it.
Bravo Melissa Yi for giving your readers a tale so taut that the only recourse is to hold on for the next book in the Hope Sze series.
Patricia Filteau, thank you so much for posting such an eloquent review on both sites and on Facebook. It’s obvious that you’re an author yourself and a judicious reader (and I’m not just saying that because you liked Stockholm Syndrome!). Thanks again, and I look forward to seeing you again.
P.S. I don’t suppose you have notes from the last CCW meeting? I had to work, and it looked *so* good and pertinent.
See summary I posted on the CCW FB page. Kelly Menna is also very approachable.
Thanks. I’m posting the FB link in case any other Ottawa writers stop by: https://www.facebook.com/groups/capitalcrimewriters/ I’ve been very impressed with this organization so far.
Patricia, that was one of many of Melissa’s fine works that gets in your mind and can’t get out till its done.
Thanks, Dave Wright III! You two are the best.
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That’s fantastic news!!!!
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Awesome, Melissa! I turned one of our BaHa Ha Ha cruisers to the Hope Sze novels today. Told her you write some great stuff.
Ahh, there’s my secret weapon. Thanks, Dave Wright III!
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Congratulations, Melissa!
Yay!! That’s amazing! Do you know if the Ottawa Public Library has your books? I looked to purchase it and I don’t do the ‘kindle’ thing. Where do I get a paper copy?
Agnes Cadieux, yes, the OPL has my books, but I think they’re the electronic versions too. I do have to approach bookstores in Ottawa. But Presses Renaissance Press is hosting a monster book launch on the 29th: https://www.facebook.com/events/296403350730580/?active_tab=discussion. Oh, I see you’re coming if you can! Yay!
I will try for sure!!
Thanks! And it’s a good prompt for me to contact @Books on Beechwood. I’ve heard good things about them.
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RT @dr_sassy: .@cbcHomerun @richardking18 @ParagrapheBooks Absolutely thrilled that Stockholm Syndrome debuts tomorrow in Montreal https://…
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