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

Iona Whishaw was born in British Columbia. After living her early years in the Kootenays, she spent her formative years living and learning in Mexico, Nicaragua, and the US. She travelled extensively for pleasure and education before settling in the Vancouver area. Throughout her roles as youth worker, social worker, teacher, and award-winning high school principal, her love of writing remained consistent, and compelled her to obtain her master’s in creative writing from the University of British Columbia. Iona has published short fiction, poetry, poetry translation, and one children’s book, Henry and the Cow Problem. A Killer in King’s Cove was her first adult novel. Her heroine, Lane Winslow, was inspired by Iona’s mother who, like her father before her, was a wartime spy. Visit ionawhishaw.com to find out more.

Iona Whishaw's profile page

"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."

ReviewingtheEvidence.com

"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." —ReviewingtheEvidence.com

Reviewing the Evidence blog

"The writing . . . conjur[es] up nicely the ambiance of a 1940s west Canadian locale and develop[s] in depth both the characters and their interactions."

San Francisco Book Review

&quotAn author destined for awards . . . Whishaw is an exciting addition to Canada’s fine roster of mystery writers."

Canadian Mystery Reviews

"A Killer in King’s Cove is worth a look, especially as the author intends to reprise her lead character."

Seattle Book Review

“A writer to watch.”

The Globe and Mail

Lonestar librarians across Canada have voted Death in a Darkening Mist one of the ten hottest April releases.

Loanstars

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 . . . [an] excellent chapter in what appears to be a terrific series.

The Globe and Mail