Anthony Bidulka's Blog

From  June Lorraine Roberts at Murder in Common, #21 on the Feedspot Top 80 Crime Novel Website

Merry Bell is a trans Private Investigator tentatively reconnecting with her estranged family, she’s grappling with a mother slipping into dementia, unresolved feelings for Evan, and the lasting damage of being cast out when she first tried to live authentically.

The investigation and Bell’s personal life run in parallel, each illuminating the other, and Bidulka mostly maintains a graceful balance between puzzle and character study

As a whodunnit, Home Fires Burn is satisfying: the truth behind Whatley’s death isn’t obvious, and the final reveal feels earned even if the pacing occasionally lingers on relationships over plot. But that imbalance is also what makes the novel special.

This is a mystery less about the mechanics of murder than about forgiveness, identity, and the fragile, stubborn bonds of family and first love.

For readers seeking a fresh, queer-infused take on the classic PI novel—rooted in the Canadian prairies and rich with heart—this is a deeply rewarding read.

See more at Murder in Common

Murder On The Prairies: Review Of Home Fires Burn By Anthony Bidulka by Meaghan MainsUpdated on July 27, 2025  Share on Facebook

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A small town, a mystery that needs solving, and a sharp-witted PI at the center of an investigation that some folks would rather stay buried. I don’t often find myself picking up books set in Canada, which is a wrong I need to rectify as a Canadian and lover of books of all types.

Luckily, I was recently afforded the opportunity to read Anthony Bidulka’s latest release, and his third entry into his Merry Bell Mystery series. Featuring a captivating mystery and an intriguing heroine, this is the type of story that’s sure to appeal to mystery lovers from all over. Home Fires Burn takes Canadian mysteries to a whole new level of intrigue.

Thank you very much to Stonehouse Publishing for the ARC!

Minor spoilers ahead

Home Fires Burn Synopsis Home Fires Burn

Mystery Books

by Anthony Bidulka

  Published 06/01/2025  Pages 300  Publisher Stonehouse Pub ISBN: 9781988754642

Private investigator Merry Bell is expecting a quiet Christmas season in the small town of Livingsky, Saskatchewan. Having returned to her hometown about a year ago, she’s struggling in aspects of both her professional and personal life. The return home has dredged up old feelings, and a tenuous relationship with her parents has Merry feeling on edge at this most wonderful time of the year.

    

In a surprising turn of events, Merry is approached by Evan Whatley, a celebrated country music artist—and her first love. And rekindling sparks isn’t the only thing that this heartthrob is looking for. Turns out Evan’s father, John Whatley, died over a year prior under somewhat mysterious circumstances.

Desperate for answers, Evan asks Merry to take a deeper look into the case. The police have written the incident that led to John’s death off as a tragic accident, but Merry isn’t quite as convinced. This savvy Louboutin-wearing sleuth will need to use all of the tools in her arsenal – and a quirky cast of Livingsky residents – to get to the bottom of things.

Home Fires Burn: A Breakdown

A small town is the perfect setting for a mystery, and Home Fires Burn provides us with an excellent backdrop to what becomes a truly compelling crime.

The Setting

Part of what makes a whodunnit story is its setting. The town of Livingsky is the perfect companion to a somewhat gritty mystery hiding beneath its charming surface. The addition of the frigid winter setting lends itself well to the buried secrets that Merry unearths throughout her investigation.

Many fellow Canadians will be well aware that icy winds and mountains of snow tend to keep folks indoors, and the bitter cold almost becomes its own character throughout the course of the novel. Add the holiday season vibe, and you’ve got a recipe for the perfect mystery.

The Characters

While Livingsky certainly plays its own role in the story, the characters of Home Fires Burn are what make the novel compelling. A fleshed-out, complex protagonist like Merry Bell keeps the novel rooted, and her personal struggles provide layers of emotional upheaval not often seen in private detective stories.

How nice to be a car salesperson, Merry thought to herself as her eyes roamed the handsome vista below. You spend your days inside a beautiful glass world with clean floors, permanent new car smell and a fully stocked coffee and snack bar.

We often see the same tropes with PIs: dark pasts, substance abuse, hard-boiled loners, the list goes on. But Merry offers a refreshing take on the private eye. Though she deals with a number of her own personal issues as a transgender woman returning to her hometown for the first time in a number of years, she finds ways to push through her discomfort and communicate her feelings on various aspects of her childhood and adolescence.

She may not be a completely open book, but she blows her fictional counterparts out of the water in terms of her ability to emote.

It’s also Merry’s complexity that makes her interactions with the other characters memorable. From her complicated past with Evan, her first love, to the anger she still holds towards her parents for their lack of support in her coming out, to her pseudo-partnership with Roger, who hosts a popular true crime podcast as his alter ego Stella.

As the colourful characters in Livingsky are introduced, there is more and more to appreciate about this story, and the questions of who committed the crime become more nuanced. I almost wish we’d gotten some additional time with some of them, but one can only hope we may see more of the town and its people from Anthony Bidulka in the future.

The Mystery

This Merry Bell mystery would not be nearly as engaging without the level of whodunnit at its core. The death of John Whatley almost appears to be an accident on its surface, which allows for a greater level of intrigue when details begin to be unearthed.

I’ll admit that I was a little bit surprised as to how the final mystery unravelled, as it appeared to come a little out of left field. However, this definitely meant that I could not have made a guess as to the outcome, so I’ll take it as a win! Overall, the investigation into John Whatley’s death was a gripping one, fraught with quiet tension in a small town in the Prairies.

Final Thoughts

A noir-style mystery set in the Canadian prairies isn’t something that one often finds in their literature, and Home Fires Burn is a welcome addition to the genre. Where other stories of a similar vein can feel overworked, this is a mystery that exists authentically, showcasing the humanity in its characters, both the positive and negative aspects of their personalities, feelings, and prejudices.

If you’re looking for a character-driven whodunnit in a setting that feels fresh and new, Home Fires Burn is the perfect choice.

 The ReviewHome Fires Burn8.2 Score

A noir-style mystery set in the Canadian prairies isn’t something that one often finds in their literature, and Home Fires Burn is a welcome addition to the genre.

PROS Rural setting Charming characters Intriguing storyCONS PacingReview BreakdownSetting 9 Characters 9 Plot 8 Themes 9 Mystery 8 Pacing 6

See more at Fully-Booked

 

Tell Me – Anthony Bidulka July 8, 2025  Today, Anthony Bidulka tells me how one of the worst ‘reviews’ he received led to him getting his agent. This is a great story about how you cannot please everyone, so write what you want to write.

Answering the question of WHY DO I WRITE? (something I encourage all writers to do), I have concluded that my WHY is this: I write to tell stories about underrepresented people and underrepresented places in a way that is accessible, and hopefully, entertaining.

The underrepresented place I most often write about is Saskatchewan, my home province. The underrepresented people I most often write about are members of the LGBTQ+ community. The combination of the two is, I feel, truly underrepresented and rarely found in Canadian mystery genre material.

As a writer writing about LGBTQ+ characters, I have on occasion encountered people, usually interviewers or reviewers understandably looking for an angle, decide that I am the spokesperson for that community. They are mistaken. I am one person, one voice. Deciding I am the spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ community is like a Martian, freshly landed on earth, deciding I am the spokesperson for all humans.

That being said, as a mystery writer who is a member of, and advocate for, the LGBTQ+ community, my hope is that my singular voice, my presence and representation in the publishing industry, encourages more voices to speak out and helps to move the community out of the category of being underrepresented.

Even so, I have found you cannot please everyone, outside or even inside your own community.

I was fortunate to find a publisher for my first book without agent representation. I was about 4-5 books into my first mystery series when I received a letter from a graduate student completing his Master’s thesis at Carleton University. I was quite surprised—and I must admit, rather flattered—to learn that the subject of his thesis was my Russell Quant series.

He sent me a copy of the abstract which, in part, read…now, keep in mind the series has a main character who is gay:

“With Russell Quant, Bidulka has shifted the originally well-defined, straight-forward, stolidly masculine identity of the hard boiled, urban crime-fighting hero to a marginal landscape, where subversion, introspection, and humour reign.

“In this paper, I contend that Bidulka’s writing queers not only for the detective fiction genre, but also the regional landscape that his imagined communities inhabit, and myths of Canadian nationhood that bind them.”

Making no claim of being a great academic or literary scholar, I readily admit I didn’t really understand most of the abstract’s claims—but it sounded pretty good.

Some months later, this same grad student sent me a copy of his now published thesis. Once again, this was a high-minded, rather lengthy, scholarly document, but I was smart enough to recognize that in slow methodical fashion this student had deconstructed every book in the series and then completely tore them to shreds for:

“carelessly giving voice to the “homonormalization of the entire lesbian and gay community in Canada today.”

So, yup, if you were wondering, that was me. I did that to the entire LGBTQ+ community in Canada.

Lesson learned. You can’t please everyone all of the time. But—and here’s where light comes from dark—about a year later, this same graduate student was delivering his paper at a conference in California. In the audience that day was another gentleman who, for some inexplicable reason, after hearing the same conclusion noted above, felt compelled to read my books. And today, that gentleman is my literary agent.

—

Anthony Bidulka’s books have been shortlisted for Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence, Saskatchewan Book Awards, a ReLit award, and Lambda Literary Awards. Flight of Aquavit was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery, making Bidulka the first Canadian to win in that category. In 2023, in addition to being shortlisted for a Saskatchewan Book Award and Alberta Book Publishing Award, Going to Beautiful won an Independent Publisher Book Award being named Gold Medalist as the 2023 Canada West Best Overall Fiction novel and was awarded the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence as Canada’s Best Crime Novel for 2023. https://anthonybidulka.com/

See more at Jennifer Brozek

NBN host Hollay Ghadery has a wonderful conversation with many-time award-winning author, Anthony Bidulka: In this NBN episode, I’m chopping it up with Canadian crime writing icon Anthony Bidulka about his new book and final instalment in the Merry Bell Mystery series, Home Fires Burn (Stonehouse Publishing, 2025).We also talk about Anthony’s epic holiday decorating traditions, how growing up in rural setting shapes you, and more—all as I try not to fan girl so hard I embarrass us both.Did I succeed? You be the judge. Listen in!

Anthony Bidulka Reflects on Crafting Stories of Diversity and Connection by Carine O’Leary

PHOTO: Anthony Bidulka, award-winning author whose work celebrates diversity while captivating readers with humor and suspense. Credit: David Stobbe

Award-Winning Author Telling Unique Stories With Heart, Humor, And Mystery

Anthony Bidulka’s literary journey is one forged with passion, introspection, and a deep connection to the human experience. From the wide-open, picturesque prairies of Saskatchewan to the layered complexities of diverse, underrepresented characters, his work explores themes of identity, belonging, and resilience. Bidulka’s stories are rooted in tradition but branch into fresh, uncharted territories, challenging the norms of genre fiction while staying grounded in powerful, accessible storytelling.

With accolades such as the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence and the Lambda Literary Award, Bidulka has solidified his place as an influential voice in contemporary crime fiction. Yet his work goes far beyond plots and puzzles. Novels such as Going to Beautiful provide windows into lives and locations often overlooked, casting light on what it means to live authentically while wrestling with profound loss, self-discovery, and human connection. His ability to balance humor, tenderness, and thrilling suspense is a testament to his gift as a storyteller and his commitment to creating nuanced, richly human tales.

Anthony Bidulka’s writing serves as both an escape and a call to reflect—to see the world and ourselves more completely. Whether through the first-of-its-kind adventures of his transgender private investigator Merry Bell or the culturally resonant narratives of his standalone novels, Bidulka challenges readers to expand their view of what is possible in literature and in life. His stories do more than entertain; they amplify voices, touch hearts, and remind us all of the extraordinary within the ordinary.

What inspired you to leave your career as a professional accountant to pursue writing full-time?
Writing has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. Growing up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan I had no role models, I didn’t know a single writer, writing was more a dream than career option. I went on to receive three degrees from the University of Saskatchewan. After earning my Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) designation I moved on to a career as a corporate auditor with the firm of Ernst & Young. I was ten years into that career and reaching one of those milestone ages, when it struck me that if I was ever to take a chance to pursue my passion and try my hand at writing, this was the time. I had a good career to fall back on and a supportive spouse and family. These were my safety nets. So I leapt. I left my job at E&Y and delved fulltime into writing. That was twenty-five years ago. Fortunately, things turned out for me.

How did your Saskatchewan roots influence the settings and themes of your novels?
Inspecting my body of work it’s easy to see my rural Saskatchewan roots significantly influencing my writing. Growing up when and where I did, there wasn’t a great deal of opportunity to know the world and figure out if there was a place in it for someone like me. Life was small and restrictive yet bucolic and beautiful and I struggled between wanting to never leave and knowing I needed to. That struggle and tension, along with plenty of love and appreciation for the prairie life, are evident in most of my books.

What inspired Russell Quant’s character, and why did you choose to make him a private detective?
Being very aware that I was entering into a very competitive career path, I thought a lot about how to distinguish myself amongst the multitude of writers I saw represented on the shelves of libraries and bookstores. I was also coming to an awareness that with the privilege of being a writer comes an opportunity to present to the world something worthwhile and important. I was just coming to define myself as a writer and why I wanted to write. It took me a while, but today I know my WHY. It is this: I write to tell stories of underrepresented people and underrepresented places in a way that is accessible and, hopefully, entertaining. Russell Quant answered that WHY perfectly.

Could you share any behind-the-scenes challenges you faced while writing your award-winning book “Going to Beautiful”?
An unexpected challenge was responding to an editor’s concern regarding a scene that involved a murder in a religious, educational, Saskatchewan setting. It was an apt concern because at the time the news was full of stories relating to the discovery of unmarked gravesites at residential schools. Although my story had no relation to these horrific events, my editor rightly pointed out that we needed to consider changing the scene, removing it altogether or directly addressing the issue in the story. We chose the latter.

What do you think makes the Merry Bell series unique among contemporary crime mysteries?
As far as the Canadian crime writing genre goes, I believe Merry Bell is the first and only kick-butt, transgender PI hanging out her shingle in a small prairie city. A recent book reviewer said: “These books aren’t just about a case or a mystery to be solved, they are explorations into human beings and relationships…”. I think this too speaks to what is special about the Merry Bell series.

How do you approach writing diverse and underrepresented characters with authenticity and relatability?
I take this very seriously. The key, I feel, is taking the time to ensure that I can represent these characters with as much awareness, understanding, and respect as possible. My process is not just creating characters, it’s writing about people. If I don’t feel confident about a specific character, I put in the work until I do, or conclude that I don’t (at least not yet) and do not proceed.

What was your reaction to being the first Canadian to win the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery?
Aside from yipping and hollering like I was the first person to land on the moon? I was surprised, grateful, humbled and excited all at the same time, especially to have it happen so early in my career (my second book). Winning an award is personally rewarding, but I knew even then, as I do now, that it also comes with opportunity. The opportunity arises with increased exposure and public awareness of your work. Especially for a writer like me, writing the books I do, there is unmatched opportunity to serve my WHY, to expand the representation of the people and places I feel are currently underrepresented in crime fiction.

Can you describe how your philanthropic efforts and community work have impacted your writing or storytelling?
From my perspective, philanthropy, community and volunteer work, all of it is undertaken with similar, parallel goals: the hope that what you contribute might help to make the world a little better than how you found it. In a way, my books are mirrors of this philosophy, presenting a fictional world that is perhaps a little better than it really is, as an inspiration for how it can be.

How do you balance humor, tenderness, and suspense in your mystery novels?
Perhaps one of my weaknesses as a crime writer is that I am often waylaid by the human stories I wish to tell. I write mysteries. Without balance, you risk losing the interest of readers who come to your work for that specific reason. To keep myself in check, at the beginning of each project I create two outlines. One focuses on the crime and “whodunit,” the other on character arcs. In combining the two I find the balance that serves both.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to explore unconventional or underrepresented narratives in their work?
The first thing I suggest any writer do is ask themselves one question: Why do I write? Believe me, the question is not easy to answer, and the answer can change as we grow and develop. Do you want to entertain? Educate? Convince? Challenge? Armed with your answer, one you can stand by and believe in, will help you immensely as you build a career, transform ideas into written words and convince others to read them. If your why encompasses exploring unconventional and underrepresented narratives, then ask yourself the next questions: Why you? Why are you the best person to tell these stories? What contribution can you make?
Find your why, then find your way.

See more at: Novelist Post

June 1, 2025

In twin prologues, the author introduces John Whatley, a car dealership owner who’s freezing to death while locked out of his company car in the bitter Saskatchewan countryside, and reintroduces private eye Merry, a trans woman who’s long been estranged from her family but has just begun to reconnect with them by phone after years of silence. For readers new to the series, this quick introduction will effectively get them up to speed; for those familiar with the first two books, it provides fresh, new details about Merry’s early years, particularly about how her mother kicked her out of the house after broaching the topic of transitioning. Merry starts investigating the death of Whatley after running into his son, Evan, whom she dated in high school before her transition, and who’s now a famous singer. Although the local police ruled Whatley’s case a “death by misadventure,” Evan is convinced that it was no accident. Thus begins Merry’s investigation into Whatley’s life, including inquiries into his former co-workers, his secretive social life, and allegations that he may have harbored antigay sentiments. As with the double prologue, the investigation runs parallel to an exploration of Merry’s past. In a story set during the week before and after Christmas, Merry must decide whether to spend the holiday with her family members, including her mother who’s now slipping into dementia, and come to terms with how she truly feels about her first love. She’s also compelled to seek assistance from Det. Sgt. Veronica Greyeyes, who previously arrested Merry on suspicion of murder. Over the course of this novel, Bidulka skillfully pulls off a delicate balance between the past and present, and ably handles both the murder investigation and the exploration of his main character’s social and emotional life. The tale is told at a fast pace, and by the end of it, readers will not only want to know who committed the crime at its center, but also how Merry will steer her future.

See more here: Pelican Book Media 

Rural roots inspire author Anthony Bidulka’s writing journeyAuthor Anthony Bidulka credits his rural Saskatchewan upbringing for inspiring his storytelling and spotlighting underrepresented voices. Jon Perez
Anthony Bidulka poses with some of his growing number of published books.Contributed photo

SASKATOON — Growing up in rural Saskatchewan inspired Anthony Bidulka to become a writer and tell the stories of underrepresented people and places. He was born in Prud’homme, a rural farming village about 40 minutes east of Saskatoon.

“Ours is a tiny community. My high school graduating class was six people. In the days of three TV stations and no internet, there weren’t many opportunities to know the world and hope there was a place in it for me,” Bidulka,who recently released his latest book, Home Fires Burn, told SaskToday

“On the other hand, it was a beautiful, tranquil and safe place to grow up. For a long time, I wavered between never wanting to leave and feeling the need to leave. Looking at my body of work, one can easily see the huge influence of my upbringing.”

His books have been shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence, the Saskatchewan Book Awards, the ReLit award, and the Lambda Literary Awards. Flight of Aquavit, his second book, was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery after writing full time in 2001.

That award made him the first Canadian to win in that category. In 2023, Going to Beautiful, won an Independent Publisher Book Award being named Gold Medalist as the 2023 Canada West Best Overall Fiction novel and received the Writers of Canada Award of Excellence as Canada’s Best Crime Novel for 2023, aside from being shortlisted for a Saskatchewan Book Award and Alberta Book Publishing Award.

He added that he has dedicated his writing career to giving a platform to the voices of underrepresented people and highlighting underrepresented places in an accessible and entertaining way—just as he experienced growing up in rural Saskatchewan.

Despite dreaming of becoming an author since he first learned to put his thoughts to paper, his career took a different path. Not seeing himself as a farmer, and with the support of his parents, he pursued higher education.

“As a boy growing up where and when I did, there were no role models. I knew no writers, and writing for a living was a dream, not a career. Had I been a braver young man, I might have pursued it,” said Bidulka.

“I ended up with three degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, then earned my [Certified Public Accountant] designation. I worked as a CPA with Ernst & Young for a decade before finally leaping to pursue writing.”

Finally entering the world he had long dreamt of, Bidulka said he is thankful for his family’s support. They have always been in the front row at his book launches, and he is grateful for their presence.

He said crime stories and related topics have always been his passion. The first manuscript he submitted for publication was a serious literary novel, but it was a mystery—set in Saskatchewan—that caught publishers’ attention.

“It was a genre I enjoyed in every format, be it books, TV shows or movies. As it turned out, it was the mystery novel that received all of the attention, and the literary novel still sits in a drawer,” he added.

“One of the most important pieces of advice I give new writers is this: be open to the possibility that the type of writer you thought you were going to be may be different than the type of writer you were meant to be.”

He said being a CPA helped when it comes to writing novels, as he is detail-oriented and organized—though he sometimes struggles to balance the mystery with character development.

“I write detailed outlines of the story and the characters involved. I like to know where the story begins and ends, as well as a few key points in between. But organization shouldn’t come at the expense of flexibility and creativity,” added Bidulka.

“When I write, I allow myself the freedom to veer off the path to see where the story might take me in between those key points. I have found over the years that it is in those unplanned moments where creativity blossoms and some of the best writing happens.”

Getting his first publishing contract and seeing his first printed book was a major moment in his life—and even 20 years later, the feeling remains the same.

He considers Going to Beautiful one of his greatest achievements. The book won Best Crime Novel in 2023 and gave him the opportunity to tell stories about underrepresented people—including the LGBTQ+ community, Ukrainians and older lead characters—and places, notably Saskatchewan.

He said he is proud to play even a small role in that.

Bidulka’s message to aspiring writers: “If you ask 20 writers how they became published, you’ll likely get 20 different answers. The bad news is also the good news: there is no single sure-fire way to get published. Just keep at it and find your way.”

 

See more and listen to the article HERE.

Monday June 2, 2025Review of HOME FIRES BURN by Anthony Bidulka (New Release)

4 Stars

 

 

This, the third in the Merry Bell trilogy, has two parallel narratives, both focusing on relationships with parents and their secrets and private struggles.

Merry, at the behest of Evan, her first love in high school before she transitioned from Joey Dzvonyk to Merry Bell, investigates the death of John Whatley, Evan’s father. John’s death was determined a death by misadventure: he froze to death when locked out of his car on a frigid night in rural Saskatchewan. Evan is not convinced however. As Merry tries to ascertain if John’s death was the result of an accident or due to malevolence, she delves into his past and uncovers discrepancies and secrets.

At the same time, Merry begins hesitantly reconnecting with her estranged family whom she hasn’t seen since she transitioned. We learn more how Merry’s relationships with her parents fractured. Her tentative contacts result in her discovering that, just like Evan doesn’t know all about his father, she doesn’t know everything about her mother and father. But will she be able to forgive and move on?

My previous two visits to Livingsky were enjoyable and this third was as well. Merry is as engaging as ever; though flawed in a relatable way, she tackles both personal and professional challenges with aplomb. Members of Merry’s support network, whom we’ve come to know and like, re-appear: Roger/Stella, Brenda, Gerald, and Veronica. And my favourite of course – the decrepit but dependable Doreen.

As I’ve come to expect from Mr. Bidulka, the writing style is eminently readable. I enjoyed the pop culture references and the sprinkles of gentle humour throughout. I liked the descriptions as well. For instance, the details of an emerging winter storm reminded me of my years in northern Ontario and had me nodding in agreement: “Merry loved how the air smelled right before a storm. She respected how the wind asserted its presence – acting like a bully, yanking at your clothing and hair – and how snowflakes danced in the air, pretty and harmless but preparing for ferociousness.”

What also stands out is the author’s sensitivity. His books feature underrepresented peoples; in this book, for example, there’s the transgender Merry, the gay Evan, and the cross-dresser Roger, as well as sex workers. Each is treated with thoughtfulness and care. This treatment also extends to a person suffering from dementia. A chapter from the perspective of a dementia sufferer is so poignant.

I recommend that this book be read as the third of a trilogy, rather than as a standalone. Home Fires Burn has several references to the previous two books in the series; knowing the background certainly added to my interest. Besides just the enjoyment of reading Livingsky and From Sweetgrass Bridge, there is much to be gained in knowing how Merry first encountered some of the characters who appear in this book. Relationships develop over time, and Merry experiences growth since her arrival in Livingsky, a growth that is highlighted by the fate of her Louboutin boots.

This novel is certainly a satisfying ending to the trilogy, but I’d love to encounter Merry again! She feels like a friend and I don’t want to lose touch.

See more at Schatje’s Shelves

See more at McNally Robinson

Midwest Book Review – May 2025

 

Home Fires Burn
Anthony Bidulka

Home

Stonehouse Publishing
https://www.stonehousepublishing.ca
9781988754642, $16.95, PB, 300pp

Synopsis: A celebrated philanthropist is found slumped against his car, frozen to death. PI Merry Bell is hired by his son, country music star Evan Whatley, to find out the truth behind what really happened on that desolate stretch of road. As Merry’s investigation uncovers old wounds which never healed, her own are revealed as she confronts her pre-transition past and questions the boundaries of family and friendship.

Critique: “Home Fires Burn” is the concluding volume of the award-winning Merry Bell trilogy by Anthony Bidulka that began with “Livinsky” and then “From Sweetgrass Bridge”. Expertly crafted with vividly memorable characters and reader engaging plot twists, “Home Fires Burn” will have a practical and special appeal to fans of cozy mysteries with female sleuths and LGBTQ elements. This paperback edition of “Home Fires Burn” from Stonehouse Publishing will prove a welcome addition to personal reading lists and an enduringly popular pick for community library Mystery/Suspense collections.

Editorial Note: Anthony Bidulka (https://anthonybidulka.com) has dedicated his career to writing traditional genre novels in an untraditional way, developing a body of work that often features his Saskatchewan roots and underrepresented, diverse main characters. He tells serious stories in accessible, entertaining, often humorous ways. Bidulka’s books have been shortlisted for and won numerous awards including the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence, the Lambda Literary Award, and the Saskatchewan Book Award. ‘Going to Beautiful’ won the Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel and the Independent Publisher Book Award as the Canada West Best Fiction Gold Medalist. ‘Flight of Aquavit’ was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery, making Bidulka the first Canadian to win in that category.

 

See more at Midwest Book Review