Dorothy Cannell: For those of you who grow basil and are looking for more recipes for its use, here’s an easy and tasty one that I came up with years ago.

Crab Bisque:

1 large (family size) can of Campbell’s tomato soup

Half and Half

1 can crabmeat (drained)

1 cup chopped basil

1 cup sweet sherry

Pepper

Put soup in a saucepan. Fill emptied can with Half and Half and stir into soup. Add crabmeat and basil. Bring to just below the boil on stove top. Stir in sherry and season with pepper. Serve accompanied (if desired) with croutons.

My family members always ask for this when coming to Maine. It freezes well and is great for those days when I’m too busy writing to want to stop and cook.

Books: Death at Dovecote Hatch had its U.S. pub date earlier this month.

Just finished reading The Body In The Birches by Katherine Hall Page. It’s wonderful. Highly recommend.

She and I will be participating (along with other Maine crime writers) in the 2015 Beyond the Sea Book Festival in Lincolnville Beach. It runs from July 24^th – 26^th. For more information as to who will be attending and when check out http://www.beyondtheseamaine.com. Nannette The owner of store is a delight and it is well worth a visit for its own sake, lots of great merchandize in addition to an eclectic selection of books.

Happy summer,

Dorothy