Ladies in the Lane: Newfoundland's First Serial Killer

by Chris Ryan

There hasn’t been a murder in the small, rural community of Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, since the British fought the French in the seventeenth century, but now there have been four in just two years. And the killer is getting bolder with each new victim. It’s going to take every bit of ingenuity of three experienced RCMP detectives to catch Newfoundland’s first serial killer.

229 pages, Paperback

Published July 13, 2023

About the author

Christopher P Ryan was born on March 6th/1964 in St. John's Newfoundland. He grew up in Bay Bulls, one of the oldest fishing communities in the Province. His family operated Ryan's Funeral Home serving the Southern Shore from January 1969-January 2024. Chris dropped out of high school in grade seven, after failing this grade twice. In 2001 he was diagnosed as being Bipolar, along with severe ADHD. He has been a voracious reader since his preteens and started writing in 2013. He released his first book in November 2014. Since 2021 he has published six novels. He has trained in Shotokan Traditional Karate on and off since 1985 and holds a third-degree Black Belt. A serious birder having seen 358 species of birds in his Province. He was awarded the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers-August 2019, for his years of service on the board of directors of the East Coast Trail Association.

Reviews

[Harold Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

B’ys, I ask you, where’s a good spot to start making remarks about a book?

And I answer: After THE END, of course.

In the Acknowledgements of Ladies in the Lane [Chris Ryan] the author thanks his cover designer and says, “I dearly love this cover.”

“Dearly love” might be a bit strong for me, but I do like this book’s cover. I’m especially drawn to the lupines.

I’ve read Ladies during a January cold snap, and b’ys oh b’ys, I’d give a sack of loonies to heave down and stretch out beside the slew of lupines blooming on this warm, summertime cover.

However, since there are creatures that are attracted to lupines just as much as I am, chances are the blossoms are chock-a-block with bumble bees or aphids. There’d be no friggin’ sense lying on the sod alongside the flowers.

Nonetheless, nice cover.

The murders in this novel are perpetrated in Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, fifty years ago — give or take.

Central to the story, are the four — dare I say, “little old ladies”? — who live on Buck’s Lane. (By the way, that’s the lane with the thicket of lupines buzzing with bees. Further up the lane, there’s a lilac tree in full bloom — probably peppered with hummingbird moths, so…)

The body of Hank Sterno, a handyman of uncertain background who has been missing for a spell, is hauled up with the fish in a cod trap. Ensuing investigation discovers that Hank has been shot in the head. Murdered, for frig sake.

From here, the story takes off. The RCMP from Ferryland are called in. They, of course, question the ladies, considering Hank did odd jobs for them.

Time passes without any convincing evidence pointing to the killer. Next thing you know, a trio of Mounties is brought down from Upalong. The come-from-away Mounties question all the ladies all over again.

And so on, and so on.

Ladies is a crime story, a murder mystery. You can follow the procedure for yourselves.

I want to speak about bookmarks.

In a previous century, I was a stodgy ‘ol English teacher. Sometimes, as a display of my renown lame humour, if a jock showed up in class with a broken arm or some such, I’d crack, “That wouldn’t happen in the library.”

Not in the library, with wall-to-wall books, and likely dozens of harmless bookmarks.

Harmless bookmarks?

Rein in the ponies. A couple of murder victims in this story are choked to death. The killer stogs bookmarks down their throats and, in effect, smothers them.

Bad things might happen in libraries, eh b’ys? Especially if there’s a killer on site with a fistful of bookmarks.

Disclaimer: nobody is killed in a library in this book.

Ladies in the Lane is an entertaining yarn for murder mystery fans. It’s a straightforward account of (Four I think it is. I’m too lazy to check.) murders in an unassuming Newfoundland outport. In case you’re wondering, there’s nothing in the book likely to upset or offend anyone.

Except me.

Chris ol’ man, I’m forced to take some umbrage.

At one point, Smerth (an Upalong Mountie) and two of his cohorts visit Mable Smith, one of the Lane Ladies. Friendly as a maiden aunt, she welcomes them in and offers them tea or coffee.

Here’s the bit that browns me off: “All three had instant coffee. Not as good as real coffee, but it would do.”

Not real coffee?

B’ys, I don’t reject things out of hand. Over the course of my lifetime, I’ve tried brewed coffees from near and far. I’ve even managed to glutch down mocha-mocha latte grande, or whatever concoctions it is that establishments like Starbucks serve.

I always come back to INSTANT Nescafé.

Unadulterated Black.

For fear of another pandemic, I presently have eighteen or twenty crocks of Nescafé stocked on a shelf in the basement.

I’m not joking. Okay, maybe a smidgen.

Chis Ryan has half a dozen or so books in print. Consider tracking ‘em down.

Thank you for reading.

[Danielle Toner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting book that keeps you in suspense the whole time. I didn’t want to put it down and each chapter left me wondering what would happen next! I highly recommend for any murder mystery lovers out there who also love Newfoundland hospitality.

[Maureen Drew-Mulcahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congratulations to Chris Ryan, from Bay Bulls, Newfoundland, on another great novel! Chris is to be commended for writing another great book despite having to deal with the daily challenges of being Bipolar, having severe ADHD and mild OCD. In spite of Chris's obstacles, he has published four novels since 2021. You should be so proud of yourself Chris; congratulations on another great book!

This crime novel, "Ladies in the Lane", is a great read and it keeps you guessing the outcome of who did the crime as you finish each chapter. You will enjoy this novel immensely, and the twists in the plot are quite captivating! You will not be disappointed in purchasing this book! Enjoy!

[Irene Hutchings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies in the Lane had me curious before I even opened it. The cover of the it is so eye catchingly pretty, and upon closer observation, it gave me a mysterious feeling. Then of course I had to read it the book to see what the mystery was.
I was not disappointed. It had me turning pages from beginning right to the very last page. Ladies in the Lane is suspenseful in that I couldn’t wait to turn the page to read for more clues to solve the mystery. I found it descriptively detailed. I truly felt I was in the places and scenes where the events took place. This is an excellent read especially if you love a good small town murder mystery.
Can’t wait to start the next book.

[Natalie Carter-Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted to give 4.5 but didn't feel I could round up with this one. Loved the idea of this book, especially the use of the bookmarks and the whole premise of mercy killings. For me, the person who committed the murders doesn't exactly jive with the premise of a mercy killer and I kept waiting for the big surprise at the end which said the cops had made a mistake. Overall, it is a great story. I like that it's set in NL and the old ladies are a treat. A little more research would have bumped this up to a five star read for me.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of this Newfoundland author. I really enjoyed this murder mystery. Figuring out who the serial killer was kept me guessing the best part of the way through the story before I could pinpoint who the actual murderer was. Some great Newfoundland history and saying in this novel. If you enjoy a good murder mystery, I highly recommend this novel.
I look forward to the next publication by this author. Enjoy!

[Becky Courage · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggle with fiction, so the 2 star rating is more a reflection of my reading style than the actual quality of this book. It was an enjoyable snow day read, and I am happy to support a local author.

Unfortunately, I found the writing repetitive and a bit foolish. The local parts of it were fine, but I cannot connect to writing that I find unrealistic.

Fun enough, but ultimately not my genre.

[Catalina Hormigos · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST BOOK I HAVE READ IN A LONG TIME
I am a daily reader, and this novel was amazing.
The second I started reading it I got trapped in those pages and without noticing it I finished it in less than three days. This proves the astonishing skills that the autor has, the way he narrates everything that happens with suspense is breathtaking.
I’m definitely reading more novels from Chris Ryan

[Deborah Seaward · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot is well-crafted and the characters are complex and intriguing.
The twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, making it difficult to put the book down. Chris Ryan does an excellent job of building suspense and keeping reading guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery.

[Tina Wakeham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all books written by this author. This novel is by far my favourite. I read it in two days-it usually takes me a week or two to finish a book. The twists and turns in this novel had me guessing almost to the end. A great read!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all this authors' books. And hands down this novel is his best. I read it in two days. I couldn't put it down and the ending really surprised me. I look forward to more murder mysteries by Ryan.

[Cathy Hiscock · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Chris Ryan read. Loved it, sat down read 1/2 of the book, finishing it the next time I picked it up.

I loved the mix of real facts and people mixed in with the fictional characters…..who could really be any number of people.

Its a great interesting read!

[Steve Lundrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read from a great author. Having enjoyed all of Chris Ryan's books, I must say, this was by far his best. Kept me guessing from start to finish and could not put it down. Highly recommend!

[Alice Lundrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, the names and places are authentic and the expressions used are typical of Newfies. You get the flavor of the place and it's people in a delightful way. Couldn't put the book down. Loved it.

[Millicent Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book yet by this author; couldn’t put it down till I was finished. Looking forward to next novel!

[Elaine Vickers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Newfoundland author Chris Ryan. 👏

[Della Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book. I couldn’t put the book down once I started. Great read

[Clara Dunne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, it will have you hooked right from the beginning. It has a surprise twist and will keep you wondering and questioning til the end. Once again congratulations Chris on an awesome read !!

[Loretta Simms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book. Still Waters was my favorite but now Ladies in the lane is my number one.

[Mary Harrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies in the Lane By Chris Ryan

Congrats to Chris on a great read !!!! Kept me interested right to the end Lots of twists and turns. Quick and interesting read . Everyone should read it !!!!!

[Paula Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this Book. Great Flow. Tried to guess killer early in the Book but took awhile. Great Read. Looking forward to Chris’s next Book

[lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris does not disappoint. A fantastic read from beginning to end !

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by a local author. This one was personally my favourite one yet!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris has done another great job on this book, I loved the suspense of waiting to see who was the killer.👍👍

[Marlene Putt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, kept me guessing until the very end. Hats off to Chris Ryan.

[Peter Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Chris! Kept me wondering through the book.

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Another fantastic book by Chris Ryan! I loved every bit of it. The suspense throughout just kept me wanting to read more! Can’t wait to read his next book!!!

[Noeleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read!

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable murder mystery set in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. Great storyline that keeps you guessing until the end. I highly recommend this novel.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of this author's novels. I highly recommend trying his style of writing. He has a great flare to write in the Newfoundland dialect and humour.