Solving the mystery

While at my favourite beach, I planned a murder mystery night for my fans. It goes like this: participants will read my novel Death at the Bend, stopping at three critical stages to try to identify the murderer. When my readers get to the last page, we will meet so the winners can brag and the losers can make excuses. I chose this book because author and critic Joan Barfoot said my story had a darn good plot. (Photo credit, Janet Koricina.)

Prehistoric, Mythological, Demon Pike at Six-Mile Lake

This is a photo of my son-in-law Seneca and me, around the time of our encounter with the above mentioned monster. To explain, Sen snagged the demon pike which leaped into the air, (darkening the sky), and which rammed Seneca’s kayak, and sent Sen headfirst into the depths of Six-mile Lake, following after his fishing rod. My son-in-law bobbed up. Heroically, I stripped to my skivvies to dive down in search of the missing rod and reel. Alas, I failed. But I must say that kayaking back to the cottage, while practically naked, was exhilarating. Though for some reason my granddaughters, who were awaiting our return, used a different adjustive. For the full story contact me and I’ll send it along.

The Garnished Truth

Although they have both passed, my wife Jane and my daughter Beth remain an inspiration. Dr. Beth was beloved by family and friends. She was a renowned scientist, an athlete, an artist, and a wilderness adventurer. Check out ‘Cougar’ in my new anthology.

My Guilty Award

My fictional account of a jurist’s reflections on the Stephen Truscott trial was a finalist in the Stratford Rotary Club short story contest. This May, you will find ‘Guilty’ in my anthology, ‘The Garnished Truth.’ Here I am receiving my award.

The Garnished Truth

Edging closer. Here’s the latest iteration of the cover for my short story collection. I guess this means I now must stop dreaming up short stories … at least for a while. That’s good - I’ll focus on finishing my murder mystery stage play, ‘Murder is One Option.’ and on my Jack Beer prequel… title unknown. Cheers to anyone who happens upon my blog.

The Garnished Truth... Toward a Title Page.

My daughter Beth was so loving, smart and talented. We lost Beth earlier this year. In tribute, I hope to use a piece of her art on the cover of my short story collection. Ben, my book-producing collaborator, came up with this. It’s beautiful but it takes imagination to connect it to the book’s themes. We’ll find a way to make it work.

"An Eye for the Opposite Sex."

After reading “Shelly’s Number,” from my upcoming anthology, I was told I have “an eye for the opposite sex.” The truth is I do like developing female characters… the scary, the funny, the feisty and the heroic. And I really like writing about the kind of woman who nails a sign like this over her desk.

Beth's Awesome Team

This year, my daughter Beth led her Terry Fox Team in raising $19,890 for cancer research. That brings her total over ten years to $109,375.

Also, in March family and friends donated roughly $5,000 to the cause in memory of my wife, Jane.

I will be forever grateful for all who supported Beth and Jane.

So what am I up to? Three projects… ‘Murder is One Option,’ is my stage play. ‘The Garnished Truth,’ is a revised edition of my anthology (with 6 new short stories). Then there is the prequel to my Jack Beer series (being curious as to what he was like as a young man). I’m halfway there to figuring this guy out.

The photo caught 2 of the TF runners.