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I’ll see you at the bookshop!
Louise Penny’s Books in Order
A prolific writer of mystery novels, Louise Penny came to writing later in life. A former journalist who worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Association, Penny began her long running Inspector Gamache saga after writing her first book, Still Life, when she was in her 40s.
The series now totals more than 18 titles, written across two decades, all following Inspector Armand Gamache in his fictional village of Three Pines.
Kristin Hannah Books in Order
Born in California in 1960, Kristin Hannah is best known for her multimillion copy bestselling novel The Nightingale.
Hannah’s first published book, A Handful of Heaven, was released in 1991. She has continued to write prolifically since then and now has more than 20 novels to her name. Her very first book, however, was written with her mother who has since passed away from cancer. That novel remains unpublished.
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.