Synopses & Reviews
Gangs, gambling, and murder.
Leo Desroches, a half-Cree, half-French Canadian reporter in Edmonton, Alberta, returns in A Killing Winter, the sequel to Wayne Arthursons lauded debut murder mystery Fall from Grace.
Leo, working undercover for a series of articles about the homeless of Edmonton, has his hands full. In his personal life, hes trying to reconnect with his estranged son while fighting his urge to gamble. And at the newspaper, he is consumed by a story that turns into a personal crusade: a search for a missing Native street kid hes befriended.
When the boy is found brutally murdered, Leo realizes that in order to tell the victims story and bring him justice, he has to plumb the depths of First Nations street culture in the local gang to which he belonged. But as Leo delves deeper into the gang and the inner workings of tribal politics, secrets emerge that threaten not only the survival of the tribe, but also Leos sanity…and his life.
Review
Praise for Fall from Grace:
“[A] clever debut. A good story with an engaging central character, the beginning of a promising series.” —The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
“Wise and compassionate, vivid and witty, Leo is the kind of character you feel youve known a long time. What a great read. I couldnt put it down.”
—Sparkle Hayter, bestselling author of the Robin Hudson mysteries
“Its about time someone set a kick-ass crime novel in Edmonton, and Wayne Arthurson is the man to do it.”—Giles Blunt, bestselling author of the late John Cardinal mysteries
“A very satisfying debut. Think Nancy Pickard for region and atmosphere, Brad Parks for journalism, and Timothy Hallinan for social concerns and attitude. Highly recommended.”
—Library Journal, starred review and Mystery Debut of the Month
“Works splendidly as both a mystery and a character study. It looks like Arthurson has future Desroches novels planned. They've just been added to my ‘must-read list.”
—Quill & Quire
Review
For A Killing Winter
“So much is good here: an understanding of the pleasures as well as the horrors of addictions; descriptions of the Canadian cold that send one seeking a radiator; masterful action scenes. Give it a chance, delight in its successes, and wait for Arthurson's next one.” —Booklist
“[Leos] phoenixlike ability to rise again makes for compelling reading, plus a cliff-hanger ending demands resolution.” —Library Journal
“A Killing Winter is a must-read. Watch closely: This is a series with magnetic drawing power.” —Hamilton (Ontario) Spectator
Praise for Fall from Grace, the first Leo Desroches mystery:
“It's about time someone set a kick-ass crime novel in Edmonton.”—Giles Blunt, bestselling author of the late John Cardinal mysteries
“A genre-bender, its twists all the more startling for being unexpected.”—Booklist
“Wise and compassionate, vivid and witty, Leo is the kind of character you feel you've known a long time, and Wayne Arthurson is a writer to watch. What a great read. I couldn't put it down.”—Sparkle Hayter, bestselling author of the Robin Hudson mysteries
Synopsis
Leo Desroches follows the story of a murdered teen straight into a deadly crossfire with a native gang
Synopsis
Gangs, gambling, and murder.
Leo Desroches, a half-Cree, half-French Canadian reporter in Edmonton, Alberta, returns in this sequel to Wayne Arthursons lauded debut murder mystery Fall from Grace.
Leo, working undercover for a series of articles about the homeless of Edmonton, has his hands full. In his personal life, hes trying to reconnect with his estranged son while fighting his urge to gamble. And at the newspaper, he is consumed by a story that turns into a personal crusade: a search for a missing Native street kid hes befriended.
When the boy is found brutally murdered, Leo realizes that in order to tell the victims story and bring him justice, he has to plumb the depths of First Nations street culture in the local gang to which he belonged. But as Leo delves deeper into the gang and the inner workings of tribal politics, secrets emerge that threaten not only the survival of the tribe, but also Leos sanity…and his life.
About the Author
WAYNE ARTHURSON, bestselling author of the first Leo Desroches mystery, Fall from Grace, is, like his protagonist, the son of Cree and French Canadian parents. He has worked as a newspaper reporter, a drummer in a rock band, and as a freelance journalist. He lives in Edmonton, Canada.