Canadian Historical Mysteries

Sarah, the only child of Rev. and Mrs. Cranston Estey, was betrothed to Connor McLagen of the affluent McLagen family. The McLagens were socially revered, although there were rumours of nefarious underpinnings to their substantial wealth, and the God-fearing Esteys were not in favour of the marriage. Three days before the June 1927 wedding, Sarah disappeared. Her note said she'd changed her mind and decided to leave town. A week later she was found, buried in a rose garden, the gruesome and sensational discovery knocking New Brunswick prohibition wars out of the headlines. There were many with secrets to keep... Sarah, the only child of Rev. and Mrs. Cranston Estey, was betrothed to Connor McLagen of the affluent McLagen family. The McLagens were socially revered, although there were rumours of nefarious underpinnings to their substantial wealth, and the God-fearing Esteys were not in favour of the marriage. Three days before the June 1927 wedding, Sarah disappeared. Her note said she'd changed her mind and decided to leave town. A week later she was found, buried in a rose garden, the gruesome and sensational discovery knocking New Brunswick prohibition wars out of the headlines. There were many with secrets to keep... So glad I purchased this book. Sarah was a wonderful character. So many suspects, set up right away. I won't post spoilers, but the one who did bury Sarah probably isn't going to be who you think. I can't say it was totally unexpected for me, but all the twists and turns hold a few surprises. I definitely recommend reading this book. Another plus for me is being able to identify, for the most part, places in the book since it takes place in a city near me. Sarah, the only child of Rev. and Mrs. Cranston Estey, was betrothed to Connor McLagen of the affluent McLagen family. The McLagens were socially revered, although there were rumours of nefarious underpinnings to their substantial wealth, and the God-fearing Esteys were not in favour of the marriage. Three days before the June 1927 wedding, Sarah disappeared. Her note said she'd changed her mind and decided to leave town. A week later she was found, buried in a rose garden, the gruesome and sensational discovery knocking New Brunswick prohibition wars out of the headlines. There were many with secrets to keep...

1908: Regina,Saskatchewan, the railroad hub of the prairies,is booming. The foxtrot isthe latest craze hitting the dance halls, andsilent moviesare all the rage. But it's thenewest fad, séances, that intrigues Myrtle Vanhoff. Myrtle is tired of the constraints put on her by her father, Reginald Vanhoff, a lumber baron, and her mother, Amelia. Her mother is d etermined to make her and her daughter's mark on Regina's burgeoning social scene. But Myrtle has other ideas. On a lark, the rebellious young woman convinces her twin brother, Leopold, to attend Madame Scarlatta's notorious sé ance s. They find more than re stless spirits . Someone murders a bereaved patron while everyone at the table is holding hands. Myrtle and Leopold are determined to find out who and how. 1908: Regina,Saskatchewan, the railroad hub of the prairies,is booming. The foxtrot isthe latest craze hitting the dance halls, andsilent moviesare all the rage. But it's thenewest fad, séances, that intrigues Myrtle Vanhoff. Myrtle is tired of the constraints put on her by her father, Reginald Vanhoff, a lumber baron, and her mother, Amelia. Her mother is d etermined to make her and her daughter's mark on Regina's burgeoning social scene. But Myrtle has other ideas. On a lark, the rebellious young woman convinces her twin brother, Leopold, to attend Madame Scarlatta's notorious sé ance s. They find more than re stless spirits . Someone murders a bereaved patron while everyone at the table is holding hands. Myrtle and Leopold are determined to find out who and how. love Joan's books! She has taken a different approach in The Seance Murders. Set in 1908 Regina it gives us a view into the times and the changes on the horizon for Regina, Sask. A great murder mystery! One I definitely didn't figure out! Well done, Joan! Looking forward to the next one. 1908: Regina,Saskatchewan, the railroad hub of the prairies,is booming. The foxtrot isthe latest craze hitting the dance halls, andsilent moviesare all the rage. But it's thenewest fad, séances, that intrigues Myrtle Vanhoff. Myrtle is tired of the constraints put on her by her father, Reginald Vanhoff, a lumber baron, and her mother, Amelia. Her mother is d etermined to make her and her daughter's mark on Regina's burgeoning social scene. But Myrtle has other ideas. On a lark, the rebellious young woman convinces her twin brother, Leopold, to attend Madame Scarlatta's notorious sé ance s. They find more than re stless spirits . Someone murders a bereaved patron while everyone at the table is holding hands. Myrtle and Leopold are determined to find out who and how.

Ethel Arsenault's been hearing noises in her brother's house ever since she arrived from Summerside, but when he turns up dead, could the supernatural be to blame, or her sister-in-law Dolly whose been caught talking to herself when night falls? Ethel isn't sure, nor is she happy when she's left alone to care for Ernest's estate. Was her brother the victim of sweet, little Dolly Arsenault, or is some other sinister force at work? The city of Charlottetown is quick to point the blame at Dolly, but now Ethel has been hearing things in the house... Or is it just her imagination. Ethel Arsenault's been hearing noises in her brother's house ever since she arrived from Summerside, but when he turns up dead, could the supernatural be to blame, or her sister-in-law Dolly whose been caught talking to herself when night falls? Ethel isn't sure, nor is she happy when she's left alone to care for Ernest's estate. Was her brother the victim of sweet, little Dolly Arsenault, or is some other sinister force at work? The city of Charlottetown is quick to point the blame at Dolly, but now Ethel has been hearing things in the house... Or is it just her imagination. Haunting tale. It will keep you up at night Ethel Arsenault's been hearing noises in her brother's house ever since she arrived from Summerside, but when he turns up dead, could the supernatural be to blame, or her sister-in-law Dolly whose been caught talking to herself when night falls? Ethel isn't sure, nor is she happy when she's left alone to care for Ernest's estate. Was her brother the victim of sweet, little Dolly Arsenault, or is some other sinister force at work? The city of Charlottetown is quick to point the blame at Dolly, but now Ethel has been hearing things in the house... Or is it just her imagination.

Tom Thomson, one of the painters belonging to the Canadian Group of Seven, disappearedon Canoe Lake in 1917. His death was confirmed eight days later when his body wasrecovered. Did he commit suicide or was there foul play at work? Was he murdered bysomeone who owed him money, by a pregnant girlfriend or was it just an accident? His deathon Canoe Lake leaves us with many questions. Tom Thomson, one of the painters belonging to the Canadian Group of Seven, disappearedon Canoe Lake in 1917. His death was confirmed eight days later when his body wasrecovered. Did he commit suicide or was there foul play at work? Was he murdered bysomeone who owed him money, by a pregnant girlfriend or was it just an accident? His deathon Canoe Lake leaves us with many questions. All the characters are clearly introduced and have their place in the story of the search for Tom. The ending is unexpectedand dramatic, and some readers may not see it coming, but it is an entirely satisfying conclusion to a true Canadian mystery. Tom Thomson, one of the painters belonging to the Canadian Group of Seven, disappearedon Canoe Lake in 1917. His death was confirmed eight days later when his body wasrecovered. Did he commit suicide or was there foul play at work? Was he murdered bysomeone who owed him money, by a pregnant girlfriend or was it just an accident? His deathon Canoe Lake leaves us with many questions.

When the British arrived in Winnipeg in the 1800s it was convenient for the men to take Metis wives. They were called a la vacon du pays – according to the custom of the country. These women bore the brunt of ensuring survival in the harsh environment. Without them the British army and fur traders would not have survived the brutal winters. However, as society evolved it became accepted that wives must be white, schooled in British ways, fashionable in the European sense and married by the Anglican church. The Metis wives and their 'country born' offspring were thrown out and forced to fend for themselves. The unrepentant husbands continued to live comfortably with their 'new' wives. It was inevitable that some discarded wives did not accept their fate quietly and hard feelings on both sides were unavoidable. When the bodies of two discarded Metis wives, Marguerite and Marie-Anne, are found floating in the Red River, Guilliame Mousseau, sets out to get to the bottom of his sister Marguerite's murder. When the British arrived in Winnipeg in the 1800s it was convenient for the men to take Metis wives. They were called a la vacon du pays – according to the custom of the country. These women bore the brunt of ensuring survival in the harsh environment. Without them the British army and fur traders would not have survived the brutal winters. However, as society evolved it became accepted that wives must be white, schooled in British ways, fashionable in the European sense and married by the Anglican church. The Metis wives and their 'country born' offspring were thrown out and forced to fend for themselves. The unrepentant husbands continued to live comfortably with their 'new' wives. It was inevitable that some discarded wives did not accept their fate quietly and hard feelings on both sides were unavoidable. When the bodies of two discarded Metis wives, Marguerite and Marie-Anne, are found floating in the Red River, Guilliame Mousseau, sets out to get to the bottom of his sister Marguerite's murder. Startling look into Canada's past and the way the government in Upper Canada treated those who were already settled in what would become Winnipeg. This is part of history they never taught us in school. Louis Riel was not a rebel, but a man only asking for what was fair and right. When the British arrived in Winnipeg in the 1800s it was convenient for the men to take Metis wives. They were called a la vacon du pays – according to the custom of the country. These women bore the brunt of ensuring survival in the harsh environment. Without them the British army and fur traders would not have survived the brutal winters. However, as society evolved it became accepted that wives must be white, schooled in British ways, fashionable in the European sense and married by the Anglican church. The Metis wives and their 'country born' offspring were thrown out and forced to fend for themselves. The unrepentant husbands continued to live comfortably with their 'new' wives. It was inevitable that some discarded wives did not accept their fate quietly and hard feelings on both sides were unavoidable. When the bodies of two discarded Metis wives, Marguerite and Marie-Anne, are found floating in the Red River, Guilliame Mousseau, sets out to get to the bottom of his sister Marguerite's murder.

a dangerous stranger visits a sleepy town, murder on Vancouver Island,a notorious criminal beguilesaninnocent girl, thelast hanging in New Westminster,apolice officergunned down, an unexpected ending down,aWestCoast historicalthriller,an unexpected ending a dangerous stranger visits a sleepy town, murder on Vancouver Island,a notorious criminal beguilesaninnocent girl, thelast hanging in New Westminster,apolice officergunned down, an unexpected ending down,aWestCoast historicalthriller,an unexpected ending This novel is not, homage to a ship. More, the shenanigans of a clever criminal that will have you begging the question. Is he a hero? Martyr? A low down criminal. A good read wil have thinking how exciting a life. a dangerous stranger visits a sleepy town, murder on Vancouver Island,a notorious criminal beguilesaninnocent girl, thelast hanging in New Westminster,apolice officergunned down, an unexpected ending down,aWestCoast historicalthriller,an unexpected ending

On a warm spring day in April 1734, a fire raged through Montreal's merchant quarters. When the flames finally died, 46 buildings – including the Htel-Dieu convent and hospital – had been destroyed. Within hours, rumors ran rampant that Marie-Joseph Angélique, an enslaved Black woman fighting for her freedom, had started the fire with her white lover, Claude Thibault. Less than 24 hours later, Angelique was sitting in a prison cell. Her lover was nowhere to be found. More than 20 witnesses appeared before the judge, all claiming Angélique was the arsonist. But no one saw her set the fire. On a warm spring day in April 1734, a fire raged through Montreal's merchant quarters. When the flames finally died, 46 buildings – including the Htel-Dieu convent and hospital – had been destroyed. Within hours, rumors ran rampant that Marie-Joseph Angélique, an enslaved Black woman fighting for her freedom, had started the fire with her white lover, Claude Thibault. Less than 24 hours later, Angelique was sitting in a prison cell. Her lover was nowhere to be found. More than 20 witnesses appeared before the judge, all claiming Angélique was the arsonist. But no one saw her set the fire. Conflagration! is an interesting read. Not only did I enjoy being transported back in time to the Montreal of 1734, albeit to a harsher reality, it was a story well told about the plight of suspected arsonist Marie-Joseph Angelique. Impeccably researched and presented, it is a journey of unsettling revelations. On a warm spring day in April 1734, a fire raged through Montreal's merchant quarters. When the flames finally died, 46 buildings – including the Htel-Dieu convent and hospital – had been destroyed. Within hours, rumors ran rampant that Marie-Joseph Angélique, an enslaved Black woman fighting for her freedom, had started the fire with her white lover, Claude Thibault. Less than 24 hours later, Angelique was sitting in a prison cell. Her lover was nowhere to be found. More than 20 witnesses appeared before the judge, all claiming Angélique was the arsonist. But no one saw her set the fire.

David Gastrell is a remittance man in Canada and he is missing. His last telegram home said he was headed to Dawson City, Yukon. His sister Helen and her lady's maid, Mattie Lewis, arrive in Victoria, British Columbia, from England. Helen hires Detective Baxter Davenport to go with her to Dawson City, Yukon, and help her locate David for their father. Baxter Davenport has his doubts about travelling north with two women. He will have a job to do and can't be looking after them. Mattie has worked for the family for years and remembers David better than Helen does. She also has her own motive for wanting to find him. David Gastrell is a remittance man in Canada and he is missing. His last telegram home said he was headed to Dawson City, Yukon. His sister Helen and her lady's maid, Mattie Lewis, arrive in Victoria, British Columbia, from England. Helen hires Detective Baxter Davenport to go with her to Dawson City, Yukon, and help her locate David for their father. Baxter Davenport has his doubts about travelling north with two women. He will have a job to do and can't be looking after them. Mattie has worked for the family for years and remembers David better than Helen does. She also has her own motive for wanting to find him. Enjoyed reading this story. The heroine, a young woman trained as a doctor leaves London to find her remittance man. Her maid accompanies ehr.. She hires a detective and they head to Dawson looking for the missing man. There is much history and also showing the town as it grows. I enjoyed reading this story as I have the author's other adventures in the Klondike. David Gastrell is a remittance man in Canada and he is missing. His last telegram home said he was headed to Dawson City, Yukon. His sister Helen and her lady's maid, Mattie Lewis, arrive in Victoria, British Columbia, from England. Helen hires Detective Baxter Davenport to go with her to Dawson City, Yukon, and help her locate David for their father. Baxter Davenport has his doubts about travelling north with two women. He will have a job to do and can't be looking after them. Mattie has worked for the family for years and remembers David better than Helen does. She also has her own motive for wanting to find him.

The year is 1924 and Prohibition is spawning a new breed of criminal. Rum runners. Jerome Conway is the undercover investigation officer whose job it is to uncover the ringleaders behind the illegal importation of liquor from St. Pierre, Miquolon, and the Caribbean destined for distribution to the US based mob. His task is a complicated and dangerous one which leads him into the dark corners of illegal activities and the underbelly of society. If he is to be successful in his quest and emerge unscathed, Conway will need to be smarter and quicker than the felons he is chasing. The year is 1924 and Prohibition is spawning a new breed of criminal. Rum runners. Jerome Conway is the undercover investigation officer whose job it is to uncover the ringleaders behind the illegal importation of liquor from St. Pierre, Miquolon, and the Caribbean destined for distribution to the US based mob. His task is a complicated and dangerous one which leads him into the dark corners of illegal activities and the underbelly of society. If he is to be successful in his quest and emerge unscathed, Conway will need to be smarter and quicker than the felons he is chasing. Interesting and well written mystery dealing with Prohibition. Conway goes undercover asa truckdriverr and owner of the vehicle. Two mob characters from the US travel to Canada to help the smuggling. The material was fascinating and all the action seemed real. Enjoyed this bit to undo crime a lot. The year is 1924 and Prohibition is spawning a new breed of criminal. Rum runners. Jerome Conway is the undercover investigation officer whose job it is to uncover the ringleaders behind the illegal importation of liquor from St. Pierre, Miquolon, and the Caribbean destined for distribution to the US based mob. His task is a complicated and dangerous one which leads him into the dark corners of illegal activities and the underbelly of society. If he is to be successful in his quest and emerge unscathed, Conway will need to be smarter and quicker than the felons he is chasing.

The 1918 influenza pandemic strikes Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Great War rages overseas. While her husband fights in Europe, Katharine works in a doctor's office to support her children and her brother, a wounded veteran. One night their neighbour suddenly takes sick and dies. The attending doctor concludes the man died from influenza, but Katharine suspects someone laced his whisky with a drug that mimics the deadly flu's symptoms. The 1918 influenza pandemic strikes Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Great War rages overseas. While her husband fights in Europe, Katharine works in a doctor's office to support her children and her brother, a wounded veteran. One night their neighbour suddenly takes sick and dies. The attending doctor concludes the man died from influenza, but Katharine suspects someone laced his whisky with a drug that mimics the deadly flu's symptoms. The Scots call whisky Usige beatha, the water of life. But what if whisky becomes Usige bas, the water of death? It's the last winter of WW1 in Calgary, although the citizens don't know that yet, and prohibition is imposed on the population. The trade of illegal liquor is alive and well, the tendrils of that activity reaching into even the higher echelons of society. Two seemingly innocent, but connected deaths send Detective Tanner on a quest that leads him to rely on information provided by Katharine, an attractive neighbour of the deceased men whose brother may or may not be the murderer. Calder has weaved a web of deceit and intrigue while salting the path with an array of red herrings, but in the end leads the reader to a satisfying conclusion. The 1918 influenza pandemic strikes Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Great War rages overseas. While her husband fights in Europe, Katharine works in a doctor's office to support her children and her brother, a wounded veteran. One night their neighbour suddenly takes sick and dies. The attending doctor concludes the man died from influenza, but Katharine suspects someone laced his whisky with a drug that mimics the deadly flu's symptoms.

Seventeen year-old Newfoundlande rCharlotte Jaddore loves nothing more than learning sacred healing arts from the elders of her Mi'kmaq and Beothuk grand-mothers. But the year is 1692 and her fathe rneeds he rhelp .Thei rAmerican cousins in Salem, Massachusetts have been accused of witchcraft. Will Charlotte help her father fight for their lives. Seventeen year-old Newfoundlande rCharlotte Jaddore loves nothing more than learning sacred healing arts from the elders of her Mi'kmaq and Beothuk grand-mothers. But the year is 1692 and her fathe rneeds he rhelp .Thei rAmerican cousins in Salem, Massachusetts have been accused of witchcraft. Will Charlotte help her father fight for their lives. Recommended fo ranyone who is interested in mysteries, or learning more about Native culture." Seventeen year-old Newfoundlande rCharlotte Jaddore loves nothing more than learning sacred healing arts from the elders of her Mi'kmaq and Beothuk grand-mothers. But the year is 1692 and her fathe rneeds he rhelp .Thei rAmerican cousins in Salem, Massachusetts have been accused of witchcraft. Will Charlotte help her father fight for their lives.

Summoned from his comfortable Toronto college life, Christopher Pokaik returns to visit the grandfather who raised him. Surprised by the evolving culture of the newly created Nunavut Territory, he's befriended by an Inuit RCMP Special Constable who helps him understand his Inuit roots. Despite her guidance, he finds himself chased by both earthly demons, and those in the northern lights. Will they lead him back to Toronto, to a new life in Iqaluit, or will they lead to his demise? Summoned from his comfortable Toronto college life, Christopher Pokaik returns to visit the grandfather who raised him. Surprised by the evolving culture of the newly created Nunavut Territory, he's befriended by an Inuit RCMP Special Constable who helps him understand his Inuit roots. Despite her guidance, he finds himself chased by both earthly demons, and those in the northern lights. Will they lead him back to Toronto, to a new life in Iqaluit, or will they lead to his demise? I have never been to the parts of Canada that are written about in this book, but now, I feel like I have. Dean has a way of bringing you to the locations with the characters. This is the kind of book that inspires me to do my own research - a mark of good fiction rooted in truth. We are never done learning about the people and cultures around us Summoned from his comfortable Toronto college life, Christopher Pokaik returns to visit the grandfather who raised him. Surprised by the evolving culture of the newly created Nunavut Territory, he's befriended by an Inuit RCMP Special Constable who helps him understand his Inuit roots. Despite her guidance, he finds himself chased by both earthly demons, and those in the northern lights. Will they lead him back to Toronto, to a new life in Iqaluit, or will they lead to his demise?