Two-time Giller winner M.G. Vassanji launched his new novel, The Assassin’s Song (Doubleday Canada), within the cramped-yet-stylish confines of Xacutti in Toronto’s Little Italy on Sept. 10.

Andrew Pyper chats with Doubleday Canada publisher Maya Mavjee.

Camilla Gibb (left) and The Globe and Mail‘s Sandra Martin (right) flank Doubleday’s Martha Leonard.

Author and Random House art director CS Richardson stares down Christine Innis of Doubleday.

A Doubleday trifecta with Martha Leonard, Lara Hinchberger (who is decamping for M&S), and Tim Rostron. (In the background, Richardson hasn’t yet blinked.)

The man of the hour, M.G. Vassanji, stands before the merch table. (Note: the loyal and trustworthy Q&Q camera was dropped and broken shortly after this picture was taken, in a clumsy, Clouseau-esque move on the cameraman’s part.)

Agent Bruce Westwood holds down the fort with Westwoodians Carolyn Forde, Alison Hardacre, and Chris Casuccio.