The Reading Room

In a town like ours, mysteries don’t wear trench coats. They wear mittens and wait politely for the crosswalk. Justin Case found the map folded inside a library book that smelled like dust, glue, and the quiet shame of overdue fines. He was returning Municipal Drainage By-Laws, 1957 —three days early, because Justin liked to end things properly—and something thick shifted between pages 214 and 215. The map was hand-drawn. Ink faded to the colour of weak tea. Streets were name

If you’ve ever found yourself curled up with a cozy mystery novel, you know the thrill of following a clever detective through twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very last page. Now, imagine that same excitement, but with a uniquely Canadian flavour. That’s exactly what Canadian sleuth stories offer—a blend of intriguing plots, charming settings, and characters who feel like old friends. Today, I’m inviting you to join me on a journey to explore the captivating

Notcho stood quietly, her breath rising in soft clouds, watching the way the bell seemed to glow against the frosty morning. It felt less like a trinket lost, and more like a message waiting to be found. Justin picked it up and turned it over in his hand. “Someone’s missing something.” Notcho Dog gave a low whuff and padded to the door. They returned to the snowman in the park. There, in the snow, were tiny paw prints—too small for a fox, too round for a raccoon. They were pu

Part III — When the Line Cleared: A Journey of Connection At dawn, the storm finally eased. The world outside transformed, blanketed in white. The intercom crackled to life, breaking the silence. “Good morning, folks. The plow crews have reached us. We’ll be moving again shortly.” Cheers rippled through the train, a wave of relief washing over the passengers. As they prepared for departure, a sense of camaraderie filled the air. The four friends exchanged small gifts, tokens

Part II — A Dining Car Christmas Hours passed. The storm deepened; still no cell service, no movement, no certainty. The dining car came alive anyway. Fairy lights were strung along the luggage rack. Someone put on faint holiday music. Hot chocolate reappeared. The passengers—strangers all—slowly began crafting a pop-up Christmas gathering in the early dark of a northern Ontario snowstorm. Margaret, Evan, Kira, and Noah gravitated back to one another’s company. “So,” Evan ask

A Three-Part Christmas Story, with Scripture Part I — The Stop No One Expected The storm rolled in just past sunset—thick, white, and relentless. From the windows of the westbound VIA Rail train, the world beyond Sudbury looked like someone had shaken a giant snow globe and forgotten to stop. The conductor’s voice crackled over the speaker, “Ladies and gentlemen, Environment Canada has issued a severe winter storm warning. We’ve come to a safe stop on the line. We’ll get movi

Lawson brushed dust from his jacket, coughing like he’d swallowed a moth. “Ledger’s got more names than a phone book,” he muttered. “If this is a conspiracy, it’s the worst‑kept secret in town.” Justin squinted at him over the rim of his glasses. “You ever seen a phone book with red pencil? That’s not sloppy bookkeeping. That’s someone playing God with an eraser.” Notcho Dog sneezed, sending a puff of dust into the air. She pawed at the ledger again, this time nudging it towa

“For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.”  — Luke 8:17 The house on Ashgrave Street had seen better days. Its century-old bones creaked like a drunk trying to stand straight, and the wallpaper peeled in strips that looked like confessions trying to escape. Justin Case balanced his steaming Doughnut Hole double-double, the coffee inside strong enough to cut through the dust. “Old houses don’t keep s

A Notcho Dog Autumn Mystery The maples in Bonnechance were down to their last leaves, clinging like whispered promises. Justin Case stood on the porch of his top-floor apartment, coffee in hand, watching Notcho Dog stare at the tin can line that stretched toward the woods. The line was trembling—not from wind, but from something else. A message. Justin’s brother-from-other-mothers, Lawson D. Woods, appeared at the bottom of the steps, his flannel jacket dusted with sawdust an

Where Comfort Meets Complexity If you’ve ever curled up with a cozy mystery and wished it had just a little more psychological bite—welcome to the world of brozy mystery. Born from the quiet streets of Bonnechance and brewed with Canadian coffee, brozy mystery  is a genre that invites readers to explore the shadows of perception without losing the warmth of community. It’s where architectural deception meets emotional truth, and where every clue is wrapped in layers of memory

My Take on Meta-Detective Fiction There’s a moment in every mystery when the detective pauses—not because the clues are missing, but because they no longer make sense. That moment, stretched across an entire story, is where meta-detective fiction lives. Meta-mystery doesn’t just ask whodunit . It asks why we solve at all . It’s a genre that turns the magnifying glass inward, inviting readers to question the rules of the game, the role of the detective, and even the reliabilit

Easter Reflections: Faith, Friendship, and a Loyal Companion The night air hung thick with the scent of city streets and something...

Next Generation of Crime Fiction Justin Case & Notcho Dog A New Wave of Canadian Crime Fiction Canada has long been home to exceptional...

Why We Love a Good Mystery There’s something undeniably Canadian about curling up with a mystery novel while the wind howls outside and...

A Different Kind of Detective By James D. A. Terry The world of mystery fiction is full of brilliant detectives—some hard-boiled, some...

The Evolution of Canadian Crime Fiction Canada, with its vast landscapes, diverse culture, and storied history, has been fertile ground...

by Kevin Thornton It is a truth almost universally acknowledged that detective fiction started with Edgar Allen Poe. “The Murders in the...

Author: Denise George, Christian Writers for Life Stories are magical! Stories touch readers as individuals, providing them with...

Mike Martin is the author of the Award-Winning Sgt. Windflower Mysteries. The latest book in the series is Safe Harbour. You can buy it...

You may want to write books for many different reasons. Writing a book proves a wonderful way to express yourself and to be creative...