A Capital Mystery
- James D. A. Terry
- Sep 10, 2025
- 2 min read
An ode to Ottawa’s shadows, snow banks, and storytelling soul
A Capital Mystery is more than a collection of 21 short mysteries—it’s a love letter to Ottawa and its surrounding landscapes, penned by voices both seasoned and emerging. From the gritty charm of Lowertown to the quiet intrigue of the Gatineau Hills, each story is steeped in the geography, character, and quiet tension of a region often overlooked in Canadian fiction.
For anyone who grew up in Ottawa—or even passed through its snow-dusted streets—the book evokes a powerful sense of place. It’s the kind of collection that makes you pause mid-sentence and think, Wait… I know that corner. I’ve walked that street. That moment of recognition, that thrill of seeing your own city reflected in literature, is at the heart of this anthology’s magic.
The introduction, recalling a childhood epiphany in a grade five classroom at D. Roy Kennedy Public School, sets the tone beautifully. It’s a reminder that stories don’t need to be set in far-off cities to matter. They can unfold on King Edward Avenue, in the shadow of black trees and dirty snow banks, and still carry the weight of mystery, memory, and meaning.
Some tales are cozy, others cut deeper—but all share a commitment to place. The authors, like Norman Levine before them, understand that Ottawa isn’t just a backdrop. It’s a character. A witness. A keeper of secrets.
Whether you’re a long-time resident or a curious reader from elsewhere, A Capital Mystery invites you to walk its streets, peer into its alleys, and discover the stories waiting just beneath the surface. Yes, you can write stories about Ottawa. And yes—they can be very, very good.
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