As
an associate member of the Crime Writers of Canada I receive Crime Beat, the monthly newsletter, and
Cool Canadian Crime, the quarterly list of book releases of Canadian written
crime fiction.
In
the first edition of Cool Canadian Crime the list actually covers the first
half of 2013 and contains 38 books.
I
am going to have to go looking for The
Third Riel Conspiracy by Stephen Legault which was published this month. The
publisher’s blurb on the CWC site states:
It is spring of 1885 and the
Northwest Rebellion has broken out. Amid the chaos of the Battle of Batoche, a
grisly act leaves Reuben Wake dead. A Metis man is arrested for the crime, but
he claims innocence. When Durrant Wallace begins his investigation, he learns there
are many who wanted Wake dead and uncovers a series of covert conspiracies
surrounding Metis leader and prophet Louis Riel.
Since
Batoche is about 125 km from where I live it is a Saskatchewan mystery before
there was Saskatchewan. We became a province in 1905. In 1885 this part of
Western Canada was a part of the Northwest Territories.
I
regret to say I do not know anything about the author. On his website Legault
is described as follows:
He is a full time conservation activist, writer,
photographer and strategy consultant who lives in Canmore, Alberta with his
wife Jenn, and two sons, Rio and Silas. He has been writing since 1988, and for
nearly as long has been leading national and international conservation
programs and organizations.
In May, I will be sure to getting two books.
As indicated in a recent post Anthony Bidulka’s
first book in the Adam Saint series, When
the Saints Go Marching In will be released. I had not heard of a disaster
recovery specialist until I heard Anthony talking about the book last year at his
book launch of Dos Equis.
Also in May is the next book in Robert
Rotenberg’s Toronto legal mystery series, Stranglehold.
From the blurb it appears to feature detective, Avi Greene. While Greene has
been a significant character in the first three books the series has actually
been focused on an ensemble group of lawyers. Unfortunately with a publication
date of May 7 I will not be purchasing the book immediately as I leave on holidays
the a few days before release date. Since I will be on a cruise I can hardly complain
if I have to wait a few weeks. Still I may try to see if I can get an advance
copy.
The biggest news next month is the release of
the shortlists for the Arthur Ellis Awards simultaneously in four different
events in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa.
The Toronto event will provide a wonderful array of authors:
Indigo, Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor
St. W., Toronto from 7-9 p.m. Featuring Catherine Astolfo, Janet Bolin, Alison
Bruce, Melodie Campbell, Sharon Crawford, Jill Downie, Nate Hendley, Rosemary
McCracken, Robert Rotenberg, Howard Shrier, Simone St. James and Scott Thornley
reading from their latest books. Guest speaker: Joy Fielding; Emcee: Jon C.
Redfern. FREE! Cookies! Door prizes!
And who does not like cookies!
Lastly, the Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award
shortlist includes books by 3 members of the CWC:
Janet Bolin, Threaded
for Trouble (Berkley Prime Crime)
Elizabeth J. Duncan, A Small Hill to Die On (Minotaur)
Chris Laing, A Private Man (Seraphim
Elizabeth J. Duncan, A Small Hill to Die On (Minotaur)
Chris Laing, A Private Man (Seraphim
The Award is:
The Bloody Words Light Mystery Award is an annual juried
literary prize, presented at the Bloody Words Mystery Conference for a “book
that makes us smile.”
There is lots of great Canadian mystery
reading ahead in 2013.
Bill - Thanks for this update. I too am excited to read When the Saints Go Marching In. I'm very much looking forward to it. And Third Riel Conspiracy looks interesting too. And I'll be staying tuned for those shortlists too. Lots going on indeed!
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. The Third Riel Conspiracy is a mystery set during the only rebellion in Western Canada history.
ReplyDeleteBill, you are a great source of Canadian mysteries for me. I enjoyed this article. The series by Robert Rotenberg sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteTracyK: Thanks for the comment. Robert is a very good writer of legal mysteries.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your reviews of the new Anthony Bidulka book and Robert Rotenberg's, too, although other titles posted here intrigue me.
ReplyDeleteLast year I read many Canadian mysteries. I'd like to do that this year, too, but my TBR list is humongous and I'm reading more slowly for some reason.
I'll check in here for recommendations.
Kathy D.: Thanks for the comment. I can hardly wait for May to come to read the books.
ReplyDeleteI will keep doing my best to present reviews and information on Canadian mysteries.