We got lucky, March 10th was a lovely sunny day to trek out to the North Folk Winery in Harris, MN (right outside of Cambridge) for some Irish music and book talks. Winter coats and scarves were shed as geese honked overhead, and glasses of wine and interesting nibbles were savored in the afternoon sunlight. As attendees arrived, Paddy O’Brien was skillfully playing his two-button accordian. Paddy also read two of his nostalgic short stories; enjoyed by all. When Erin Hart did her slideshow and author talk, the crowd was mesmerized by her tales of the items found in Ireland’s peat bogs. Indeed, these very bogs are the usual setting and props for Hart’s crime novels. The crowning moment of Hart’s presentation was when she agreed to do an unaccompanied traditional song for the crowd much like her main character Nora Gavin does in Hart’s books. The room was hushed, the dust motes danced in the late-day sunlight, and Hart’s haunting voice struck a chord deep in my heart! Beautiful.
Check out Erin Hart’s website for all of her book titles and more information.