Join us for a li vely discussion with award-winning writer Terry Fallis. Terry will talk ab out and read from his most recent novel\, The Marionette\, which introduces readers to a new hero: James Norval\, a world-famous thriller writer whose life takes an unexpected turn from the pages of his novels into the perilous world of espionage. \; \;
\nPresent ed in partnership with Words Worth Books.
\nJames Norval has built a successful career crafting th e thrilling adventures of his \;fictional hero\, Hunter Chase\, a char acter admired by readers and movie-goers \;worldwide. But despite his fame and fortune\, Norval has \;always harboured a secret \;dream of living the life he only writes about \;a life as a field operative for CSIS\, \;Canada's Security Intelligence Service. In fact\, nearly thirty years earlier\, he washed \;out of the CSIS recruitment program \, and it's haunted him \;ever since.
\nBut that long-held \
;dream becomes a reality when a series of unfortunate events lands \;N
orval in a foreign prison. Rescued by CSIS\, he is given an unexpected opp
ortunity: to \;use his unique position as the favourite writer of Mali
's newly install
ed president to \;assist in a delicate and dange
rous mission. With the help of agent Lauren Cooper\, \;Norval must inf
iltrate the Malian government and execute a daring plan to exfiltrate
\;fifteen Canadian nationals before the corrupt powers that control the co
untry uncover \;their true intentions.
The \;Marionett e \;is a comic thriller by a master of the craft. Full of Terry F allis' \;signature wit and combined with an exhilarating high-stakes p lot\, this is a must-read \;for fans of espionage and intrigue.
\n< h4>About Terry Fallis\nA two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Me dal for Humour\, \;Terry Fallis is the \;author \;of \;nine&nb sp\;novels\, all of them \;national \;bestsellers&mdash\;including \;six \;#1 \;bestsellers&mdash\;and \;all \;published by \;McClelland &\; Stewart/Penguin Random House. The Best Lai d Plans was the winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour in 200 8\, and CBC&rsquo\;s Canada Reads in 2011. It was adapted as a six-part CB C-Television miniseries in 2014\, and a stage musical in 2015. The Hig h Road was a Leacock Medal finalist in 2011. His third novel\, Up and Down (2012) was the winner of the Ontario Library Association Ev ergreen Award and a Leacock Medal finalist in 2013. His fourth novel\, No Relation (2014) won the 2015 Leacock Medal. His fifth\, Poles Apart (2015) was a finalist for the 2016 Leacock Medal. Upon their r elease\, his next four novels\, One Brother Shy (2017)\, Alba tross (2019)\, Operation Angus (2021)\, and A New Season (2023) were all instant national bestsellers. His tenth novel\, The Marionette\, hits bookstores in October 2025.
\nIn 2013\, T he Canadian Booksellers Association named Terry Fallis the winner of the L ibris Award as Author of the Year.
\nTerry has also written for many publications including Maclean&rsquo\;s\, Canadian Geographic\, Reader&rs quo\;s Digest\, Toronto Life\, The Globe and Mail\, the National Post\, an d the Toronto Star. He also teaches in the Creative Writing Program at the University of Toronto&rsquo\;s School of Continuing Studies. He lives in Toronto. \;
\nPhotography Notice: Pleas e note that photographs and video may be taken at this event and may be br oadcast\, reproduced and/or made available in print or online. For individ ual or small group photos\, staff will make attendees aware of their prese nce and will ask permission before taking photos.
\nFor larger publi c events\, please note that by attending\, you are consenting to the use o f your appearance\, image and voice in print or digital productions create d by the Waterloo Public Library for promotional use only. Please speak to library staff at the event if you&rsquo\;d like to be excluded from any p hoto/video.
\nProgrammer: Nancy
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