Murder in Common

Twenty-five years ago teenagers Barb, Nicolette and Lorelei were inseparable. One night at the Wonderland amusement park, they met a charismatic drifter. Days later, Lorelei was dead, and the man eventually identified as the Carnival Killer confessed to her murder along with four others. Now, decades later, he has withdrawn that confession and a young woman’s body washes ashore as Wonderland prepares for its grand reopening. For Barb and Nicolette, the past suddenly becomes impossible to avoid.

It’s a pleasure to showcase Crimeucopia Presents: Canadian Chronicles from Murderous Ink Press. This lively collection brings together distinctive Canadian voices in stories that vary widely in setting, tone, and approach to crime. From the quietly unsettling to the darkly humorous, the anthology offers a glimpse at just how broad and inventive Canadian crime fiction can be. So, let’s take a closer look at a few of the stories included in the collection.

Detective Chaim Orlosow, is a Jewish police officer hunting a brutal serial killer known as “The Skinner.” He suspects the man could be a damaged veteran of the First World War. Flemish Dada poet Paul Van Ostaijen and his girlfriend Emma Clément’s relationship is strained by poverty, addiction and infidelity, and moves into dangerous territory when Van Ostaijen steals a mysterious file belonging to spy Elise Kraiser. The Firehand File is complex and demanding.

June – a retired widow who has spent her years dealing with the chaos created by her four children. Jimmy – her youngest son and recurring addict. To escape his endless rounds of relapse and the rehabs (that she funded), June moves to Florida to enjoy the freedom of putting herself first. Surely she deserves that. Of course Jimmy appears at her door, his current sobriety offering the possibility of repairing their relationship. Alas, Jimmy relapses but somewhat surprisingly, disappears.

Jennifer Soosar: Psych Test Troy Trenton dreamed of becoming a police officer since childhood but fails the force’s psychological examination. Taking a job in security at Dock 14, a bleak shipping facility in Minnesota, he meets Ernie Ripper, a forklift operator living in witness protection. Ripper quickly recognizes Trenton’s conflicted uncertainty and draws him into a criminal underworld pushing Troy across ethical boundaries to discover how far he will go.

Sonny Marshall, saxophonist, martial artist, and reluctant investigator. His compassion draws him into situations best left to the police. New designer drugs are making the rounds in San Francisco and Marshall’s guitarist bandmate Eric Young falls victim to the lure. But they are dangerous compounds, putting some users in a uncontrolled rage, and leaving others catatonic.

Three best friends: Charlie Mercer, the technical visionary and idealist behind the cryptocurrency platform. Jack Windsor, a highly disciplined engineer. She built the system and keeps everything grounded. Nik Volkov, the charismatic promoter who attracts attention, investors and public support. They meet while studying at MIT, a casual partnership discussing ideas and sketching the bones of a plan.

Declan Burke fled Ireland with his family four decades earlier after refusing an order from his IRA commander. Seemingly out of the blue he decides to return to his homeland with his sons Terry and Father Brennan. They both are concerned why Declan wants to risk awakening enemies and secrets that have remained dormant for so long. When Terry disappears after an evening out, Brennan and Declan turn to family members and Detective Shay Rynne for help.

Stella Thibodeaux earns her living as a sex worker operating from a motorhome in the hot box that is the American South. Nothing unusual there except, she has quite the gift: the men who sleep with her are cured of any illness. Enter – the Vatican. Imagine a saint in these modern times. But a cure through a woman’s vagina? Well it’s just not a good optic. Let’s crate a martyr. Enter – the Bronski twins, Michael and William.

Murder in Sag Harbor Sociology professor, JB Pulaski, is recovering from cancer and attempting to save his troubled marriage. His husband Mike, openly pursues younger men, turning Pulaski’s private humiliation into public entertainment for their wealthy social circle. When Mike’s latest lover is murdered at an exclusive costume party, Pulaski’s bitterness, and volatile emotions make him the obvious suspect.