Canadian Mystery Tour: Tourism Time

The book I've just finished writing has a tourism angle built into the plot, so mystery novels featuring tourists and vacation hot spots have attracted my attention these past few months. Here are three Canadian-set mysteries, each showcasing a different province as a destination. Each offers a different type of escape, whether you're in the mood to laugh, explore, or keep one eye on the shadows.

Featured Read

Box of Frogs by Josh Hellyer

Lake Belvedere is a fictional lake in the Muskokas, but fictional or not, it is instantly recognizable as cottage country. Instead of a quiet and luxurious vacation resort, however, we’re dropped into a tsunami of family drama, off-beat personalities, ulterior motives, and growing suspicion. The cast of characters is a highlight, from the delightfully offbeat reverend to a large ensemble of relatives, acquaintances, conspiracy theorists, and possible suspects. There’s a sense that anything could happen at any moment, and often does.

Hellyer clearly has fun with both his characters and his setting, and that energy carries the book. At the same time, this isn’t a mystery you can skim casually before bed. There are a lot of moving parts, and the story stretches beyond the lake setting to involve threads across two continents. Keeping track of who’s who takes a bit of attention.

For readers willing to stay engaged, though, the payoff is a highly entertaining mystery that will make you laugh out loud, with an unexpected twist at the end. It’s a great choice for those lazy summer afternoons, when you can settle in and enjoy a ride that's crazier than a box of frogs.

Also Worth a Look

One for the Rock by Kevin Major

Set in St. John’s, Newfoundland, this brief East Coast mystery follows a local tour guide whose deep knowledge of the city’s history becomes unexpectedly relevant when events take a deadly turn. Major makes excellent use of the setting, weaving in the character of the city itself so that St. John’s feels as important as any of the people in it. The author's love for his home city is evident throughout the book, and holds the story together much more than the flawed protagonist. It’s a great choice for readers who enjoy a strong sense of place and the noir/hard-boiled subgenre.

Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens

Set in British Columbia in the summer of 1976, Hitchhikers follows a couple travelling through the province in their newly purchased RV. They're seeking healing for themselves and their relationship, only to find themselves caught in a far more dangerous journey than they could have ever anticipated. Stevens builds tension that lingers throughout, making this a superb choice for readers who prefer their vacation reads with a darker edge. Once you get started, this book is hard to put down.