Santlofer does it again, with this chilling third instalment to his Death Artist series. In The Killing Art, protagonist Kate McKinnon must re-invent herself in the glamorous art world of New York City. But just as she begins to take comfort in her new existence, she is drawn back to her past as an NYPD Detective and finds herself on the trail of a serial killer.

The thing that I find most fascinating and satisfying about Santlofer’s work is the way he incorporates his inside knowledge of the art world into every page. His use of his own paintings as clues is both unique and brilliantly enticing. Before embarking on his career as an author, Santlofer was already a well-known painter. His symbiotic merging of the two art forms creates a product that is addictive to say the least.

-Donna Carrick, February 1, 2007

After the sweeping success of White Oleander (and the movie starring Alison Lohman and Michelle Pfeiffer), the literary world watched in wonder to see what author Janet Fitch would present next. She did not disappoint. Paint It Black is the story of Josie Tyrell, an artists’ model from 'way, 'way over on the other side of the tracks, who falls in love with artist Michael Faraday, the wealthy son of a renowned pianist. But when Michael commits suicide, taking away the rose-coloured mirror of his love, Josie is left to question whether the 'self' she offers to the world is worthwhile.

This is not a whodunit. The mystery buried within this masterwork is a subtle one, as Josie is compelled to discover the root of Michael’s suffering. What she finds is that the special bond between a mother and son can sometimes be malignant.

Having lost a sister to suicide, I am sensitive to the trappings of melodrama and generalisation that can mar discussions of this issue. Fitch's portrayal of the situation is both flawless and heartbreakingly human. She does not bury her dead, but conveys with breathtaking assurance that Michael remains a character to be reckoned with.

Paint It Black is not for the faint of heart. However, for the reader who is touched by the sheer poetry and poignancy of life, this book must be inhaled deeply and felt from the inside.

Donna Carrick, February 23, 2007

Newcomer Dave Hugelschaffer’s debut novel Day Into Night is scorching its mark onto the Crime Fiction genre. Hugelschaffer introduces a new kind of Canadian hero ― the fearless Porter Cassel ― a Forest Ranger turned fire investigator. When arson is suspected in the rugged lumber regions of Alberta, Cassel is called to the scene. In an attempt to trace the source of the fire, he inadvertently disturbs crucial evidence. But when the facts link the arsonist to prior attacks by an ecological extremist known as the Lorax, Cassel finds himself hot to avenge the death of his fiancée, Nina.

Day Into Night is alive with characters who are almost embarrassingly genuine, from Cassel’s sister, a single mother struggling to raise children in the aftermath of divorce, to his best buddy Carl, the original Man Of The Woods. Cassel himself is an endearing everyman, a beacon of Canadian humour and antics, as full of piss and vinegar as a good old barroom brawl.

Before reading Day Into Night, I thought I knew something about trees. In 1997, Alex and I bought a 63-acre tree farm, for no better reason than that we were tired of witnessing the loss of Canada’s northern forests to relentless housing developments. From the moment I cracked open Hugelschaffer’s pages I realised that what I didn’t know about the woods could fill a book.

Hugelschaffer’s hero is sure to make you laugh out loud. Cassel’s sardonic and self-deprecating wit is an unstoppable element of the story. Topped up with testosterone and ready to take on the bad guys, Cassel will lead you into a riotous romp through Alberta’s wilderness. Our hero may not pack much of a punch, but he can take one better than any crime-fighter I know. And, as Cassel would say, you should see the other guy’s fist!

Donna Carrick, March 8, 2007

I became a fan of Canadian author Sylvia Maultash Warsh after reading her first novel, To Die In Spring. Warsh’s protagonist, Dr. Rebecca Temple, moves with ease through the streets of my own city, recalling places and events that I had all but forgotten.

So I was not surprised to learn that Warsh’s second novel, Find Me Again, was the winner of the 2004 Edgar award. Her adept use of historical research to create a compelling tale that is both timeless and readable makes Warsh a voice to be heard among modern crime writers.

In Season of Iron, Warsh’s third and most sophisticated Rebecca Temple mystery, our heroine meets Birdie, a homeless Toronto schizophrenic who appears to claim squatters’ rights in the backyard of a German fencing instructor. But when Birdie is found brutally murdered, Rebecca must look to the horrors of Nazi Germany to uncover the truth of this tragic woman’s life -- and death.

Rebecca Temple is much more than an amateur sleuth. Warsh has created a persona that possesses depth and intelligence, wrapped up in layers of complexity and speaking in a voice that one can recognize as ‘real’. Alternately, in the Frieda character, Warsh presents us with a level of nobility that will move the reader.

Three novels into this series, it is still Warsh’s love of history that drives her work, giving it a unique, rich flavour and setting it apart from its genre. Warsh’s understanding of human motivation on both sides of the morality coin is highly believable. It leaves the reader with the unsettling sense that yes, it could happen again, and that we must take care in our society to comport ourselves with the utmost of compassion in order to ensure that history does not repeat itself in our generation.

I first read Season of Iron when it was released in 2006. Since then the story has stayed with me in a series of memorable images, and I believe it will continue to do so.

This, above all, is the greatest gift that an author can give: to tell a tale that will not be forgotten.

Death and deception, love and honour, ice and action -- this sixth book in the Arkady Renko series has it all. For die-hard fans of the unlucky Russian detective, Stalin’s Ghost stands as one more proud installment in the on-going tale of corruption, loss and hope that has emerged from Martin Cruz Smith, author of the International Bestseller Gorky Park.

On the slippery slope of Arkady’s tenuous reality, things could indeed be going better. He has become a ‘persona non grata’ within the department, an invisible man lugging around a spiraling career. Along with his partner, Victor, he finds himself in the unenviable position of having to investigate a fellow Detective whom he suspects of multiple murders, a decorated war hero, former Black Beret Nikolai Isakov, an old flame of Eva’s who is currently campaigning for election.

When the ghost of the late beloved leader Josef Stalin appears on the Moscow Metro, some see it as an omen predicting change, others as a potential embarrassment to the existing government. For those opportunists who pride themselves on their ability to make lemonade, the great one’s ‘spirit’ becomes a guiding light that will shine on their favourite candidate: Isakov.

But when Arkady’s girlfriend Eva returns to her former lover Isakov, the beleaguered Detective struggles to remain impassive in his investigation. Meanwhile, Arkady’s honorary son Zhenya has disappeared into Moscow’s jungle of homeless boys, taking with him nothing more than his beloved chess set.

As always with Smith’s novels, there is no shortage of eccentric and fascinating characters in Stalin’s Ghost. The plot is dense to the point of near incomprehension at times, but comes together skillfully in the final analysis and at all times is carried smoothly by the intensely human element of the protagonist, Arkady Renko.

Having read all of Smith’s Renko books to date, I have no hesitation in recommending Stalin’s Ghost to anyone who has a passion for mystery. Smith’s masterful storytelling is surpassed only by his understanding of the fine layers of motivation that propel us all. The blend of rich plot coupled with intricate characterizations creates a novel that is utterly compelling -- truly a tough one to put down.

What can I say about this character that hasn’t been said before? Only this: If I were single and if Renko were a real man…. But, my friends, that is perhaps another story…

Posted by Donna Carrick, September 12, 2007 As always, feel free to contact me.

In light of Dave's new book coming out in 2008 "One Careless Moment", I thought I'd re-run this bit on "Day Into Night from March of '07. Enjoy!

Newcomer Dave Hugelschaffer’s debut novel Day Into Night is scorching its mark onto the Crime Fiction genre. Hugelschaffer introduces a new kind of Canadian hero ― the fearless Porter Cassel ― a Forest Ranger turned fire investigator. When arson is suspected in the rugged lumber regions of Alberta, Cassel is called to the scene. In an attempt to trace the source of the fire, he inadvertently disturbs crucial evidence. But when the facts link the arsonist to prior attacks by an ecological extremist known as the Lorax, Cassel finds himself hot to avenge the death of his fiancée, Nina.

Day Into Night is alive with characters who are almost embarrassingly genuine, from Cassel’s sister, a single mother struggling to raise children in the aftermath of divorce, to his best buddy Carl, the original Man Of The Woods. Cassel himself is an endearing everyman, a beacon of Canadian humour and antics, as full of piss and vinegar as a good old barroom brawl.

Before reading Day Into Night, I thought I knew something about trees. In 1997, Alex and I bought a 63-acre tree farm, for no better reason than that we were tired of witnessing the loss of Canada’s northern forests to relentless housing developments. From the moment I cracked open Hugelschaffer’s pages I realised that what I didn’t know about the woods could fill a book.

Hugelschaffer’s hero is sure to make you laugh out loud. Cassel’s sardonic and self-deprecating wit is an unstoppable element of the story. Topped up with testosterone and ready to take on the bad guys, Cassel will lead you into a riotous romp through Alberta’s wilderness. Our hero may not pack much of a punch, but he can take one better than any crime-fighter I know. And, as Cassel would say, you should see the other guy’s fist!

Donna Carrick, March 8, 2007

Likeable characters, an intricate plot and a backdrop comprised of BC’s stunning Trafalgar region come together in this latest novel by Canadian author Vicki Delaney. Sergeant John Winters has left the urban chaos of Vancouver with his supermodel wife Eliza in search of a more peaceful existence. But even the placid mountain town of Trafalgar is not immune to violence.

When the body of a troubled woman is found in the bushes behind the home of “Lucky” Smith, a counsellor for inexperienced and abused mothers, the deceased’s three-month-old son Miller is given a place near the hearth in Lucky’s kitchen. However, Lucky’s good intentions unwittingly pave the road to discord in her own family. Baby Miller will not stop crying!

Lucky’s daughter, Constable Molly “Moonlight” Smith, could use a good night’s sleep. The howling infant, his dead mother and Molly’s own traumatic memories conspire to keep her awake.

It soon becomes clear that ‘sleep’ will remain an unsatisfied craving in the Smith household so long as Miller’s true identity remains a mystery.

Battling an unknown perpetrator with no apparent motive, an unsympathetic social worker, an overly-ambitious journalist and the darker side of BC’s own drug culture, John Winters and Molly Smith set out to uncover Miller’s past and catch his mother’s killer.

A memorable read – perfect for a sunny Saturday afternoon at the cottage!

Donna Carrick, March 23, 2009

Despite its hauntingly beautiful cover, ‘The Good Women of China’ by Xinran Xue sat unread on my shelf for the past two years. Perhaps I was afraid that its content would not live up to the cover. Maybe I was afraid that it would. In any event, when I finally confronted Xinran’s collection of stunningly tragic tales earlier this week, I was not disappointed.

In the late 1980’s, Xinran hosted a call-in radio show called ‘Words on the Night Breeze’. Despite the oppressive and often punitive backdrop of Communist broadcasting restrictions, the show rapidly drew a groundswell of response from Chinese women of every social standing. These women, ranging in age from schoolgirls to grandmothers, had never before been offered a safe forum for their stories.

Suddenly, under the protection of anonymity, these brave, heartbreaking women were free to share their experiences without fear of judgement or reprisal.

‘The Good Women of China’ drags the reader deep into the womb of a society where a woman’s role depends entirely on her ability to contribute, and where her perceived human value is too often barely discernable. Surviving a level of oppression that would grind most people to the bones and facing tragedies of overwhelming magnitude, these women carry on, courageously exposing the secrets of the past to the light of a new day.

This is the story of China, unveiled through the true-life anecdotes of Chinese women and offered to us in the unpolished, authentic narrative voice of Xinran.

It is the story of mankind, raw and bleeding, coursing its way throughout the ages. For if any society is to aspire to prominence, to call itself ‘evolved’ or ‘civilised’, it must first be certain that it can claim freedom and equality for each of its members, great and small.

Sadly, women everywhere can relate too easily to the suffering heard in these ‘hidden voices’. At times difficult to read, the individual stories tear down our carefully constructed personas, uncovering personal experiences that resonate in painful harmony with the pages before us. I found myself thrown backwards into my own ‘childhood that I cannot leave behind’, struggling once again to find words to describe memories that cannot be spoken of aloud.

Such are the ‘hidden voices’ of all women. Such are the constraints that are placed upon the truth.

It has been said that only ‘truth’ has the power to move us, to lift society to a higher level.

Thank you, Xinran, for helping us hear the honesty of these voices.

Donna Carrick, March 23, 2009

Let me say straight up – Dave Hugelschaffer knows how to tell a story! From the first fiery pages of this second instalment in the Porter Cassel series, ‘One Careless Moment’ crackles with excitement.

When a possible arson surges into a wildfire in Montana’s mountainous forest region, Investigator Porter Cassel finds himself in command of a crew of heroes. A sudden burnover rages up the mountainside, injuring Cassel and killing a fellow firefighter. With the death of BB ‘the King’ Brashaw, the case of arson becomes a case of murder, and Cassel is soon engulfed in intrigue.

As Incident Commander, Cassel is blamed for BB’s death and ordered to ‘stand down’ from the site. But when critical evidence disappears from the scene, Cassel sets out on an unofficial quest to discover who started the fire – and why.

Spurred on by a plea from BB’s grieving daughter, the beguiling Del Brashaw, Cassel agrees to “shake a few trees” to see what falls out. However, he is not prepared for the network of secrets that simmers beneath the surface of Missoula’s rural society.

No stranger to the business-end of a fist, Cassel lunges headfirst into adventure, forcing the reader to turn the page just to see what trouble he will get into next! Hugelschaffer’s careening action-packed style and undeniable wit are surpassed only by his obvious love for the wooded wilderness settings in which he places Cassel.

Wild forests and even wilder men and women are Hugelschaffer’s gifts to the reader, along with a first person narrative that is consistently strong and funny. He speaks the language of the Firefighter, brave, self-deprecating and filled with humour.

Especially impressive is the ease with which Hugelschaffer carries the reader into the heart of his settings. From start to finish, I felt as if I was ‘on location’. I could almost smell the ‘piss-fir’ burning and the cheap beer splashing onto the floorboards of the Paradise Gateway Motel. His dialogue is human and believable, granting a rare level of access to his characters. You feel as if you know each of them – as if you’ve worked alongside them in another lifetime.

Porter Cassel is, simply put, a likeable hero. Far from being ‘invincible’, Cassel still manages to give as good as he gets.

He earns the reader’s respect the hard way, by taking a licking and keeping on ticking!

Donna Carrick, March 23, 2009

The Traz by Eileen Schuh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Can't wait for the sequel!



In this first installment of the BackTracker Series by Eileen Schuh, the reader is introduced to the often desperate existence of genius-teen Katrina who finds herself orphaned. Yearning "to belong" Katrina attaches herself to biker Shrug and follows him into the insular society of the compound. Drugs, financial crime, pornography -- Katrina leads us down the road of error and consequence.



Author Eileen Schuh completes her work with a "teachers' guide" to discussing teen social issues such as drugs, alcohol and crime. This is a fast-paced story, but it's also a thought-provoking venture into modern-day lifestyles and morals.



Well done, Ms. Schuh! I highly-recommend this ebook.

Donna Carrick

Author of The First Excellence



View all my reviews