"Duncan and Szanto bring their A-game to this daring and complex novel."—Lou Allin, Crime Writers of Canada

Sandro Vasiliadis, a nurse at the Whidbey Island General Hospital, has died of an apparent heroin overdose. When his grieving mother bends over to kiss her son’s corpse at the viewing, she shrieks, “That’s not Sandro!” Convinced that her son must still be alive, Maria Vasiliadis hires Kyra Rachel and Noel Franklin to solve the mystery. With questions of foul play continuing to swirl around the death, the detectives’ inquiries lead them deeper into Sandro’s life and eventually to a medical clinic that specializes in transgendering.

The second in the Islands Investigations International Mystery series, Always Kiss the Corpse takes Kyra and Noel’s investigation from the rush of Seattle to the seeming peace of the San Juan Islands in this thrilling page-turner. It’s only once the detectives come to understand Sandro in life that they unlock the secret to his death.

Sandy Frances Duncan is the author of ten award-winning books for children and adults. Her articles have appeared in numerous literary journals, magazines, and newspapers. Sandy's work of historical fiction, Gold Rush Orphan, was shortlisted for a BC Book Prize. She is co-author of the three other books in the Islands Investigations International series: Never Sleep with a Suspect on Gabriola Island, Always Kiss the Corpse on Whidbey Island, and Never Hug a Mugger on Quadra Island.

Sandy Frances Duncan's profile page

A National Magazine Award recipient and winner of the Hugh MacLennan Prize for fiction, George Szanto is the author of several books of essays and half a dozen novels, including The Tartarus House on Crab. His recent memoir, Bog Tender: Coming Home to Nature and Memory, is a study of the relationship between writing and nature. A fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, George is also co-author of the Island Investigations International mystery series, which includes Never Sleep with a Suspect on Gabriola Island, Always Kiss the Corpse on Whidbey Island, and Never Hug a Mugger on Quadra Island. Please visit georgeszanto.com.

George Szanto's profile page