After surviving the horrors of the Great War, Paul Shenstone works as a police detective in 1920s Toronto, rooting out petty criminals and rumrunners. The unusual murder of a prominent industrialist gives him the biggest case of his career and a not entirely welcome opportunity to make his name on the force. The waters are muddied when the investigation starts uncovering connections between the deceased Digby Watt and soldiers Shenstone knew in Flanders. What will Shenstone’s choice be if he has to arrest one of his own comrades? He has promised Watt’s attractive and independent daughter that he will bring the perpetrator to justice, but bonds forged in war are not easily broken. In the end, what does justice require, restitution or punishment?

Mel Bradshaw was born in Toronto and grew up there on the brow of the escarpment overlooking the former Lake Iroquois. He took his B.A. in English and philosophy at the gargoyle-laden (some say haunted) University College in the University of Toronto. He continued studying philosophy - mostly ethics and aesthetics - at the quaintly named New College, Oxford (founded 1379). Between degrees, he spent two years forgetting the Canadian winter in Southeast Asia, teaching English in northern Thailand and performing odd jobs in Jakarta, Indonesia. He has also travelled to Zambia, Iceland, Poland, and points between. A four-year sojourn in Saskatoon reminded him about winter and showed him how to dress for it. He has since returned to his native-city where he shares with Carol Jackson a 1920s house and shady garden in the former borough of East York. Author of the critically acclaimed Toronto-based historical mystery, Death in the Age of Steam, Bradhsaw has again chosen to revisit Toronto’s past, the 1920s to be exact, for his second novel Quarrel with the Foe. The historical content of his novels has stirred interest in several literary circles at which he has spoken. He has also been invited to partake in many prestigious literary events across the country, including the Globe and Mail’s Books and Brunch, Bloody Words, the U of T reading Series and the Word On the Street. Queen’s Quarterly, Impulse, Descant, and The Dalhousie Review are among the journals that have published Mel’s short stories, many of which are inspired by his wanderings. He has also written for The Canadian Forum about the Canadian army’s victory at Ortona during the Italian campaign of World War II. Mel's latest novel, Victim Impact, this time set in the present day, was published by RendezVous Crime in the fall of 2008.

Mel Bradshaw's profile page

Bradshaw has a winner here, and potential for a series.

Quill & Quire

Life all well-crafted historical mysteries, this novel is a double delight. Not onyl does it tantalize with a deliciously circuitous unraveling of the crime, it also totally immerses the reader in another and fascinating world...Bradshaw is especially effective at conveying the feel of postwar Toronto - its grimy street, utilitarian tramcars, stuffy offices, and "blind pig" saloons. Following Shenstone around is as fascinating in its own way as accompanying Sherlock through the thoroughfares of Victorian London.

ForeWord Review

...vividly written, tightly plotted, meticulously detailed and replete with richly developed characters.

London Free Press

Bradshaw does a very good job of developing his characters and setting his scenes while being concise in his descriptions...I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to those who like historical mysteries.

The Missing Clue Newsletter

Mel Bradshaw dazzled many readers with his historical mystery Death in the Age of Steam. His ability to capture the sounds, smells and actions of the people of early Victorian Toronto was superb. Now he's done it again, but we've moved ahead to 1926.

The Globe and Mail