Murderous Nature

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The detective who lives in my head (she refuses to believe she’s fictional) often tells her work-partner Lorne that animals can be killers. Real-life animals seem to agree with her.

In 2013, in Belarus, a 60-year-old ex-serviceman died of blood loss after being attacked by a beaver. The man was bitten multiple times by the rodent, which sliced an artery with its sharp teeth. It has been suggested that the man was trying to catch the beaver to have his photo taken with it.

In 2009 Taylor Mitchell, a Canadian folk singer, was attacked and killed by three coyotes, the only recorded adult person to have been killed by this species.

The cougar is a deadly animal, with nearly 40% of all attacks by this big cat occurring in British Columbia. Cougars stalk their prey on huge, silent paws and then attack in a whisper-quiet rush of death. Playing dead only results in — death.

Bears, black, polar and grizzlies, will all attack and maul if they feel threatened, if a mother bear has cubs nearby, or just because they feel like being an ass. Common wisdom says to keep all food out of sniff-range, don’t walk in the woods silently or alone and never, ever underestimate them. They have been known to break into and destroy cars, trucks, even camps.

And as Anais will tell you, hitting a moose or deer is still the number one animal-caused death here in Northern Ontario. They can charge when feeling cornered, or during mating season, or if they’re just generally feeling harassed. In addition to the males having don’t-screw-with-me antlers, the females kick out with either their rear or front legs. You don’t want to be on the receiving end of those hooves!

In short, animals can be assholes and will kill you. So if you go into the woods today, better have life insurance!

Powerless & Cold

Remember I promised that I was going to be more consistent about giving you behind-the-scenes peeks?

Last week, I had every intention of doing just that. But the Power grid here had other ideas. We were suddenly and without warning plunged into…

Want to know what happened? Look up at the top of the page and sign up for my newsletter. It’s entertaining, enlightening and you’ll learn something from the latest issue.

I promise not to use your email for nefarious purposes, ’cause that’s just slimy.

Wanted: Belly Rubs

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So I’ve already introduced you to the main character of my new book ‘Body In The Bush’, now let me introduce you to another important member of the cast.

Some characters come to me already formed, needing only a few details to be “fleshed out” as it were. Anais was like that. Her Aunt Anne, who you’ll meet next, was more or less like that. She needed a few more details that her neice did. But one character came galloping at me, ready to play ball and beg for a belly rub.

Here’s what my initial notes say for Frodo: Anne’s German Shepherd. Fiercely protective but is a big fan of Anais since being bribed with Timbits. Likes chasing tennis balls, car rides in the passenger seat of her Jeep, belly rubs and Anais’ partner, Lorne.

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(You didn’t think I wanted the belly rubs I mentioned above, did you?)

Frodo was initially only supposed to be a drooling, non-judgemental companion for Anais, but he is already becoming so much more. He even has a role in solving the crime.

Lately, he’s been begging for a turn at the blog, but we’ll see.

Have you ever had a pet that took over more real estate in your heart than you expected?

Canadiana-And Murder?

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I’ve been reading a lot of books and articles on forensics lately as research for the next book, ‘Body In The Bush‘, which I’ve already told you a little about. One of my research sources is D.P Lyle, best-selling and prize-winning author with a great deal of medical knowledge and experience in his background. It’s always interesting to read his blog, which you can find here, and yesterday was no exception. A peek into what makes any writer craft their words as they do is a special treat, and even more so if we can see how place affects those words. D.P’s post yesterday was about how the South has influenced his writing, and it got me thinking about Anais, and how growing up in Northern Ontario might have shaped her. How did fishing and playing in bear-country mould her into a person so different that she never fit in with her peers in Ottawa? Did it change how she sees the rest of the world? Which then led me to ponder how Anais is different from Kinsey Millhone or Sept Savoie. Granted neither of them have to worry about bears eating their evidence, but does the land…the starkness of the bush…shape an investigator? Can the differences between Canada and the rest of the world shape how a detective sees a crime scene?

After asking myself those questions, I came to the conclusion that we are all shaped by our environment and experiences. What makes a Canadian murder mystery stand out as uniquely…ours? It goes far beyond having our lead detective stop for Tim Hortons or eating a Coffee Crisp chocolate bar. I read quite a few mysteries set in other countries, and there’s usually a fair amount of learning new terms involved. Along the way, I learn a bit more about the culture of the environment where the book is set.

I want my readers to come away from my books feeling as though they’ve chased through the woods with Anais. When she reels in a trout, I want my readers to feel that rod in their hand too. I want them to come away with an understanding of the Canadian bush that they didn’t have before they met Anais. But for that to happen, readers will need some perspective. So to that end, I’ll spend the next handful of posts explaining some of the terms and objects that are uniquely Canadian. What shapes our world, what defines us. How will those things tie into ‘Body In The Bush‘? Hang around and find out!

So, no matter where you’re from, tell me about something that you enjoy there that we don’t have here? What makes your country stand out in the world? Is there a special food item, or unique terminology? Shout out in the comments section and shine a light on your part of the world.

There’s A New Voice In My Head

Bet that title up above grabbed your attention, did it? As attention-getting, as it is, it is also the truth.

I’ve put out a new issue of my newsletter, did you get it?

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Enquiring minds want to know…have you ever been called upon to solve a mystery? Let me know in the comments section below, no matter how small.

Left Turns and Plot Twists!

 

The writing life is rarely straightforward. There I was, happily researching anthropology when a niggling voice at the edge of my consciousness kept pestering me. At first, I tried to ignore it, but it just got louder. I sighed and started to pay attention, and a woman’s voice got clearer. Anais Quinn refused to be silenced, or even wait until I was ready. She’s been nattering at me, telling me details, tidbits of her life, at all hours. So now I’m falling down a totally different rabbit-hole…for me.

“Tool marks where a door was forced open can indicate a point of entry, shoe prints can show a path of travel, and bloodstains can indicate an area where the conflict occurred…”

 

Want to take a guess what Anais Quinn does for a living?