The Islands Investigations International team is back! This time, Kyra Rachel and Noel Franklin are sleuthing around Quadra Island in the employ of Noel’s old high school buddy, Jason Cooper. In a quiet wooded area of the island, Jason, his wife, and two younger boys are worried for the oldest son in the family. Derek was discovered badly beaten in the woods by Campbell River and has remained in a deep coma for three weeks. Desperate to find out what happened to his son and why, Jason hires Noel and Kyra.

As the two get to know the sleepy island community, they’re surprised to discover that Derek may have been in on a drug deal—but why? Others in the community describe him as a decent young man with a good head on his shoulders—what could have possibly pushed him to deal in drugs? Kyra and Noel aren’t even certain the drug deal is connected to the attack, so who would want to hurt this young man and why? Kyra and Noel are determined to find out what circumstances could have drawn this happy family into such dark territory.

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

The twisted plot is spun carefully and engagingly. The authors ramp up the foreboding and danger believably. Greed and ambition are found everywhere . . . and Duncan and Szanto use these basic human motivations to great effect . . . A winning combination: novels that can be read as standalone mysteries but which offer probing insight into the developing main characters. —Times Colonist

Authors Duncan and Szanto succeed in presenting a seamless and well-written story . . . Never Hug a Mugger is a satisfying read with insight into the fabric that binds and threatens a family. —The Hamilton Spectator

Never Hug a Mugger passes the test of good detective fiction: hard to put down until the last question is answered, the world puts itself back together, and the reader is left hungry for the next mystery lurking in the wings. —The Gumboot Press

This is the third in the Duncan/Szanto Islands Investigations International mystery series . . . this may also be the best yet! —Gabriola Sounder