Description
The second instalment in the Lane Winslow mystery series; for fans of the Maisie Dobbs and Bess Crawford series.
On a snowy day in December 1946, Lane Winslow—a former British intelligence agent who’s escaped to the rural Canadian community of King’s Cove in pursuit of a tranquil life—is introduced to the local hot springs. While there she overhears nearby patrons speaking Russian. When one of those patrons is found dead in the change room, Lane’s linguistic and intelligence experience is of immeasurable value to the local police force in solving the murder.
The investigation points to the Soviet Union, where Stalin’s purges are eliminating enemies, and the reach of Stalin’s agent snakes all the way into a harmless Doukhobor community. Winslow’s complicated relationship with the local police inspector, Darling, is intensified by the perils of the case and by the discovery of her own father’s death during the war.
The case comes to a frantic and shocking end with a perilous nighttime journey along treacherous snow-covered roads.
“Iona Whishaw is an exciting addition to Canada’s fine roster of mystery writers. I’m already planning to read [Killer in King’s Cove] again, and this time I’ll read the teaser for Whishaw’s next novel provided at the end. A debut mystery by an author destined for awards.” — Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews blog
Contributor Notes
Iona Whishaw is a former educator and social worker whose mother and grandfather were both spies during their respective wars. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband. Visit her at ionawhishaw.com.
Editorial Review
“The late L.R. Wright’s marvellous mysteries set on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast remain some of my favourite Canadian books. But this second novel by Iona Whishaw, also set in B.C., is every bit as good. Both writers know how to make a book’s setting as important a factor as the plot line or the characters . . . [an] excellent chapter in what appears to be a terrific series.” — Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
“Set in 1946, this series cleverly combines both elements of a cozy and a spy thriller, with a heroine who is tough and independent, but harboring secrets of her own . . . The local townspeople are quirky and a nice addition, reminding the reader of another Canadian writer, Louise Penny, who populates her town with interesting characters . . . a series I hope to continue reading.” — Reviewing The Evidence
“An absolute winner [that] moves the notch up several levels when it comes to mystery writing with a historical twinge. The highlight of the writing is the seamless blend of the sense of place into the story line. The impact of both world wars settles into the essence of any place, and this is a sterling example of how place impacts both events and people.” — Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews
“I definitely recommend this series and can’t wait to read more of it! I think this is a series that will continue to get better as it goes along, and the characters really are great fun.” — Luv to Read blog
