G U I D E    T O    M A I N E Each of the Parker books is set, to some degree, in Maine. In Every Dead Thing, it is the focus of Parker's memories of his youth while, in Dark Hollow and The Killing Kind, the state's past and present play an integral part in the books. Below is a very short guide to Portland, which is one of my favourite cities, just in case any of you decide to visit. P L A C E S    T O    S T A Y The Inn at St John, 939 Congress Street (207/773 6481 or 1800 636 9127) The Inn, a former railroad hotel, actually figures in both Every Dead Thing and Dark Hollow, and it's where I usually stay when I visit the city. The staff are incredibly friendly and very kind and the rooms are furnished with an eye for period detail. It's about a fifteen minute walk from the Old Port area, the tourist center of Portland. The Inn has both economy rooms and larger, slightly more expensive rooms. Costs vary depending upon the time of year, but expect to pay around $70-80 for a nice room. Portland Regency, 20 Milk Street (207/774 4200 or 1800 727 3436) The Regency is situated in the old armory buiding right in the heart of the Old Port. It's got a lot of character, and the location is great. Weekend deals run at about $199 for two people, including a very good breakfast. The Regency also has a good health club. Eastland Park Hotel, 157 High Street (207/775 5411) Formerly the Radisson, this is a big, centrally located hotel. What more can you say? I got a room here for about $70, but that was a year or two ago. Other Options Needless to say, there are a whole bunch of places in Portland in which I've never stayed but which come pretty highly recommended. There's a HoJo, a couple of Holiday Inns, two Susse Chalets, the DoubleTree and the Embassy Suites, all of which can be booked through the central reservations services for those chains. Otherwise, you might like to consider the Danforth (1800 991 6557), a historic landmark overlooking the waterfront; the Inn at Park Spring (1800 437 8511); the Percy Inn (207/871-POET); or any one of the properties suggested in the better tourist literature. The Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau produces a good guide to the city. The Bureau can be contacted at 207/772-4994. E A T I N G    O U T Portland is, comparatively speaking, a small city, but it has an almost indecent number of very good restaurants. Below are just some personal favourites. Katahdin, 27 Forest Avenue (207/774 1740) Katahdin is one of the most laid-back places to eat in Portland: mismatched chairs, a lovely bar, and a selection of specials every day, all at very reasonable prices and complemented by a good wine list and a selection of microbrew beers. I'm not a seafood fan, but I'm told it's excellent here. Back Bay Grill, 65 Portland Street (207/772 8833) Expensive, upsale restaurant, with a very extensive wine list. The New York Times liked it a lot. Bintliff's American Cafe, 98 Portland Street (207/774 0005) Probably the place for breakfast in Portland, particularly on Sundays when locals and tourists queue outside the door for tables. Lovely atmosphere, and a good dinner menu too. Saigon Thinh Thanh, 608 Congress Street (207/773 2932) Very reasonably priced, given the quality of the food. Great value for lunch. Sebago Brewing Company, 164 Market Street, Portland (207 839 2337) Fore Street, 288 Fore Street, Portland (207 775 0887) With a chef recently voted the best in the northeast, Fore Street offers the kind of fine dining one would expect in a larger city, but without big city prices. The main restaurant is a little noisy, perhaps, but that's just carping. The only other criticism one might have is the limited number of wines available by the glass, a situation which could be rectified very easily. The food, though, is uniformly excellent. Norm's Bar and Grill, 617 Congress Street, Portland (207 828 9944) I'm a big fan of Norm's uptown bar (there's another in the East End), although I miss the booths since the bar moved to new premises across the street. The food is still good, though: flatbread to die for, good steaks, and the messiest chicken wings I've ever eaten. The Porthole, 6 Custom House Wharf, Portland ( 207 780 6533) I love the Porthole so much that I'm almost reluctant to recommend it, but it seems a shame to deprive it of any additional custom. A throwback to another era, with a long bar, mismatched tables and chairs, and a deck on the water for summer dining, this place still does one of the best breakfasts in the city, and during the summer opens for dinner too. Just perfect. B A R S Again, bars are something of which Portland is unlikely to experience a shortage. The Great Lost Bear (540 Forest Avenue, 207/772 0300) has an amazing beer selection and serves food until 11.30pm. The Rib Crib at 69 Newbury Street (207/871 5631) is small and serves amazing BBQ. Gritty McDuff's in the Old Port (396 Fore Street, 207/772 2739) has established quite a reputation for its beers. T H I N G S    T O    D O How much time do you have? Visit the Portland Museum of Art at Congress Square (207/775-6148); the Children's Museum at 142 Free Street (207/828 1234); or the Longfellow House and the Maine Historical Society at 485 Congress Street (207/892 0427). Take a stroll through the Old Port, or go book shopping at Books Etc. on Exchange Street, Carlson & Turner at Congress, Cunningham Books at Longfellow Square or Emerson's on Fore Street. Outside Portland, there's outlet shopping at nearby Freeport, or take a trip to Scarborough. Prouts Neck is where the painter Winslow Homer made his home, there's a lovely strand at Higgins Beach or there are the lighthouses at Cape Elizabeth. Check the Portland Phoenix for listings for concerts etc. During the baseball season, the Portland Sea Dogs play at Hadlock Field, while Portland's ice hockey team is the Pirates.