A few weeks ago, Ben Fox of Shephard.com asked for a curated list of books for his new site. The site was created to link readers to books, not just any books, but books recommended by authors as opposed to algorithms (which are used extensively by sites like Amazon).
Ben asked for a focused theme. I chose “the best Canadian detective and mystery novels.” My top five š recommendations are:
A Siege of Bitterns by Steve Burrows
The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood
Until the Nightby Giles Blunt
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
The Calling by Inger Ash Wolfe
Click the link below to see the full recommendations and a review of each title.
To give a book is to give a window into another world. Even if I like a particular author, I rarely give one of their books blindly, without first reading it.
Books are entirely subjective. You never know if a book will satisfy someone or, better yet, thrill them. Regardless, here are some titles I recommend (most are recent):
NON-FICTION
Figures In A Landscape by Paul Theroux, 2018. Essays for all seasons, from travel pieces to literary criticism to profiles of Elizabeth Taylor, Oliver Sacks, and Robin Williams. Full disclosure: One, I skimmed a few non-travel essays that didn’t grab me. Two, I’m not a fan of any of Theroux’s fiction.
The Rub of Time by Martin Amis, 2018. Essays and Reportage, 1994-2017. A smorgasbord of Amis treats, mostly literary or political, with topics ranging from Saul Bellow to Donald Trump. Amis is regarded by some as the Bad Boy of Brit Lit. They say he’s crass. I say he’s entertaining. Full disclosure: One, I skimmed a few of the almost 50 essays; they weren’t in my wheelhouse. Two, I find Amis’s latest fiction unrewarding.
{As an aside, I feel no compunction to read everything that comes my way – even if it is supposed to be “good for me” or part of the canon.}
FICTION
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, 2019. 2019 Booker Prize Co-winner. Sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale. Clear-eyed, sardonic, accessible. Atwood doesn’t aestheticize The Testaments. The narrative is straightforward. As with all good novels, the prose is subservient to the plot.
Last but not least, my crime pick:
Standing In Another Manās Grave by Ian Rankin, 2012. One of my favourites from the King of Scottish Noir. Rankin delivers brilliant banter and black humour wrapped in a cracking whodunit.
Which female Canadian author has written the best mystery novel? Who’s the Queen of Canadian Mystery? Many will say Maureen Jennings, author of the Detective Murdoch series. Others will say Louise Penny, author of the Inspector Gamache series. I say Margaret Atwood. “What the &^$#!” you say.“Youāre an idiot.” I know. An opinionated idiot. Let the mud fly. š
Before I reveal the mystery novel, Iāll relate a few arguments Iāve heard from friends. “Atwood isnāt a mystery writer.” Correct, in as much as sheās not labeled a mystery writer. “Atwood doesnāt need kudos from anyone. Sheās already famous.” Also correct. “Pick someone more current.” I will, when the new Queen comes along.
Now, to the question at hand. The best mystery novel written by a female Canadian author is ā¦. The Robber Bride.
“Get &^$%,” you say, “The Robber Bride isnāt a genre novel. Itās literary fiction.” Yep. But that doesnāt mean itās not a mystery, and a damn fine one. I admit, it’s not noir. Iām also stretching the definition of “mystery novel.” The Robber Bride doesnāt feature a detective or a parade of murderees. The reader knows the villain (Zenia) from the start. But you donāt know what she did, or how she did it. Thatās the mystery – the howdunit, you might say.
Atwood delivers enough plot twists and obfuscation to please the most demanding of mystery fans. She deploys wry humour and strong prose. She makes you think. However, The Robber Bride has its limitations. It isnāt for the hard-boiled. Too much literary description, too much talk of āfeelings.ā Oh, those dreaded feelings. Me, I like a good dose of feelings now and then. I donāt want noir all the time.
The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood. McClelland and Stewart. 1993.
North Noir 