The Cost of a Hostage

Lane Winslow #12

by Iona Whishaw

The latest mystery in the series Publishers Weekly calls “highly entertaining” sees Lane trekking through Mexico while the team back in Nelson pursue an open and shut and then open again kidnapping.

It’s a slow August morning in King’s Cove. Lane has a book to read and a lawn that needs mowing. At the Nelson Police Station her husband, Inspector Darling, and his team are tidying their desks during a rare lull. Then Lane receives a call with news that Darling’s brother Bob has gone missing from a mining camp in Mexico and the police station is visited by the frantic mother of a boy kidnapped from his bedroom.

From bustling Mexico City, through the desert and into the mountain range beyond, Darling and Lane’s search for Bob puts them out of the realm of the law and at the mercy of a local bandido. Meanwhile Lane is certain she’s recognized someone from her past she’d rather forget.

Back in the Kootenays, both kidnapper and kid turn up across the lake in Creston and it appears to be case closed—until a body is found mangled in the paddlewheel of a ferry boat. Plans for Ames’s wedding are taking shape, and Terrell’s favourite soon-to-be police officer April has a chance to prove her mettle. The latest Winslow mystery questions the roles of men and women, husbands and wives, and of course a certain police inspector and King’s Cove’s resident sleuth.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Canada, Audiobook, Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Historical

464 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2025

About the author

Iona Whishaw has been a youth worker, social worker, teacher and an award winning High School Principal, who continued with her writing throughout her working life. Receiving her Masters in Creative writing from UBC, Iona has published short fiction, poetry, poetry translation and one children's book, Henry and the Cow Problem. The Lane Winslow mystery series is her first foray into adult fiction.

Iona was born in Kimberley BC, but grew up in a number of different places, including a small community on Kootenay Lake, as well as Mexico and Central America, and the US because of her father's geological work. She took a degree in history and education from Antioch College, and subsequent degrees in Writing at UBC and pedagogy at Simon Fraser University. Her own writing output took a brief back seat during her teaching career, but she shared her passion for writing by nurturing a love of writing in the students in English, Creative Writing, and Spanish classes. During the course of her career as a Principal in Vancouver she was awarded the Woman of Distinction in Education by the YWCA in 2010 and a Canada's Outstanding Principals award in 2012.

Her hobbies have included dance, painting, reading, and gardening. She currently is a vocalist for a small Balkan dance band in Vancouver, and is patiently waiting for her next opportunity to engage in her current pash, long distance, cross country rambling in England.

She is married, has one son and two grandsons, and lives in Vancouver with her artist husband, Terry Miller.

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for book 12 in the Lane Winslow historical fiction series. This book is set in August 1948 with 2 settings, rural British Columbia, Canada and interior Mexico.
The first of the two plots involves a missing child. While Inspector Darling leads the investigation in the beginning, he leaves to go to Mexico to investigate what has happened to his missing brother in Mexico. Sergeant Ames and Constable Terrell are left to solve the issue of the missing child. They do solve the case, but it turns into more than just a missing child. There is a murder, drugs, gun smuggling and more.
At the same time Lane insists on going with her husband to Mexico, overriding his protests that it could be dangerous. This case of the missing brother also becomes much more complicated, with someone from Lane Winslow's past resurfacing. They also solve this case with the help of an unlikely person.
This series has believable characters, a well thought out dual plot line and a satisfactory ending. I have read the previous 11 books and enjoyed the growth of the characters as the series progresses. This book can be read as a stand alone.
I recommend this book and the series to mystery fans, historical fiction fans and fans of books with strong woman characters. Both my wife and I enjoy this series.
Thank You Touchwood Editions for sending me this eARC through Edelweiss.

[Terri Askham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy these books as they are like visiting with friends in a gentler time, but I found myself skipping through the part of the story set in Mexico about 3/4 of the way through. Just me, but I enjoy the characters and the location in and around Nelson most and am ready for Lane's past to remain there unless a character from her past comes to her new home. I felt the same about the story that took place in the US southwest on her honeymoon.

[Jennybeast · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm impressed at how Whishaw keeps these mysteries fresh -- great job on balancing the need for new murders without creating too many unbelievable adventures. This new installment is no exception, and I loved spending time with Lane and Darling and the police crew. I also love how the stories stay true to a 1950s experience, even when exploring new locales. Savored it and enjoyed it very much.

Advanced Readers' Copy provided by Edelweiss

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 12 in the series has all the charm I have come to expect from a Lane Winslow mystery; wholesome, without being twee, and female characters who are plucky, competent (former British Special Ops) and resourceful while still having a delightful 1940s vibe.
I really like a police procedural with a great detective pair, especially if it is British. I also enjoy following character development in a series, but now I have to wait for the next one.

[Paul Juniper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many side stories and too much flashing back and forth.

I like the characters.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy these books, and I appreciate how the mysteries stay fresh and various characters continue developing. This installment had 2 very distinct plot lines and I would have liked to see them connect a bit more, but it was still a good cozy mystery!

[David]

A very fast narrative, split between Mexico and Nelson. April McAvity grows into her natural progression from waitress to police officer. Ames & Terrell continue to grow up on the job. Lane Winslow's war career continues to hover ominously in the background. Altogether a worthy entry in the series.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

52 Book Club 2025: Set in the 1940s

[Victoria Kourtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

finishing this just means waiting longer for the next... *sigh*

[Ruth Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sargent Ames, Lane Winslow, Inspector Darling and friends are some of my favorite characters in this historical mystery series.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series never disappoints. Loved it.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very layered and complex story and great new emerging characters and plots. I enjoyed this very much and the Mexico connection to the author made it even more interesting!

[Deb Mervold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the history and the characters in this series.

[Sandy Sonnenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice addition to the Lane Winslow series, set half in central Mexico and half back home in Nelson & Kings Cove. Well written and difficult to put down!

[Teresa Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great instalment of the Lane Winslow series.

[Jennifer Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion this instalment was not up to the level I’ve gotten used to from this series. For one, I did not particularly believe in the Mexican cartel leader. He is a murdering kidnapper, but then turned out to have a secret heart of gold. It was unbelievable and also somewhat eye-rolling that even the most hardened criminal can be won over by Lane’s beauty and spunk. The other downside was the nearly complete absence of the King’s Cove side characters that make this series so enjoyable. Hopefully the next book will return back to Nelson and feature more of these regulars.

[Judy Singer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iona Whishaw writes one of my very favorite series. I saved The Cost of a Hostage, the most recent Lane Winslow Mystery, to read on my summer vacation because I knew that it would be ideal for occupying my thoughts while waiting in the airport and on the long flight. It was perfect.

In this story, Lane’s husband, Inspector Frederick Darling’s brother, Robert, an engineer working for an American oil company deep in the Mexican desert, has been kidnapped by a notorious bandit. They contact the British consulate in Mexico City and arrange for them to help with the language and the procedure for paying the ransom. Lane and Darling quickly take off for Mexico with the money leaving Sargeant Ames and Constable Terrell with their own kidnapping case that the Nelson police must solve. Meanwhile, Lane, who had served as a British spy during WWII, is plagued by disturbing memories that resurface of a betrayal from one of her assignments early in the war.

An adventure and a mystery, this book is both cinematic and exciting. Told from multiple viewpoints, the reader is privy to the experiences and thought processes of most of the recurring characters. I really love Whishaw’s characters. I love the way that all of her characters have developed and grown from book to book. In each tale she creates memorable newcomers, dastardly villains and surprising heroes. In this book I thoroughly love the bandit. I dare you to not love him too. I also love that women can be both heroes and villains in her stories. And I love the history that comes alive even though this fiction.

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story about my favourite British/Canadian female amateur sleuth.
I sometimes have problems with amateurs getting involved in police business. I don't feel this way about Lane Winslow and that may be because during WW II Lane was a British spy.
After the war she moved to Nelson B.C. and bought a lovely house in King's Cove where she has become an integral part of this small community. She has married my favourite Police Inspector, Fredrick Darling and is involved in some rather interesting adventures.
This is the 12th book in the series, and I have enjoyed reading all of them. This was another book that the Globe and Mail recommended for summer reading.
In this book Lane and Darling head to Mexico to rescue Darling's brother who
has been kidnapped my Mexican bad guys.
This seemed like a straightforward situation until it wasn't. Lane's days as a spy played a big role in the Mexican adventure.
Meanwhile back home Ames has been left in charge of the police station along with Tyrel and temporary officer April Macavity and all hell breaks loose.
The story takes place after WW II in the late 40's so there are some interesting comments and perceptions about the role of women.
I like these stories and I look forward to reading more Lane Winslow Mysteries.

[Anne Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the interesting things about THIS Lane Winslow mystery is that it actually contains 3 story lines.
The first is the disappearance/abduction of a young child, the second is the disappearance of Inspector Darling's brother from a mine in Mexico, the third is the intrusion into Lane's memories of her WWII espionage work.. The why and how of THAT is for the reader to be on the lookout for.

Whishaw's characterization of the various actors is acute, colorful, realistic, and even charming.
Her description of the Mexican hacienda (so different from Western Canadian) and the women (especially) working therein was a nice diversion.

The... well, I don't want to give away how the different threads interact, but its very clever.
My only whine is the amount of conversation that goes on, but I'm not the author, and I DID read the whole thing.

My thanks to Touchwood Editions for the gratis copy of this book, the 12th in the series. I KNEW with the first one that Iona Whishaw was a writer to be followed....

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal addition to the Lane Winslow Mystery series! Hoping for many more to come. Love these characters and the way the relationships and friendships have developed over the course of the series so far.

This twelfth book (and yes, I do suggest you read them in order) is a riveting, dual mystery that takes place in British Columbia and Mexico. Lane and her Inspector Darling head to Mexico to search for his missing brother while Ames and Terrill (sergeant and constable) are left to hold down the fort in Nelson. Loved the multiple points of view that bring readers closer to these characters and all the historical details, especially when it comes to women's place in the world, add even more insights (and frustrations) to the storytelling.

As always, I enjoyed Oil Askey's stunning narration. I have the entire series in my audible library and have already started the series over again because it's just that good!

[Kathleen Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 12 in the series, so you can say I am fan, set in 1948 when Darling’s brother has gone missing in Mexico Lane and Darling head to Mexico to find his brother. Meanwhile Ames and Terrell hold down the fort at the police station while trying to solve the case of who kidnapped a local child, then allow them to be found. I loved watching Ames and Terrell work together as a team, I really like both of their characters. Meanwhile Lane and Darling have no idea what they are walking into and once they find out his brother has been kidnapped both Lane and Darling must work out what is going on.

I liked both storylines, I particularly loved the portion set in Mexico, it is always great to get a peek at the world in different places and times in history and see aspects of the people who live there and in this book we get glimpses of that in this book. Overall glad I read this book and look forward to the next in the series.

[hjreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the The Treasure of the Sierra Madre came to theatres earlier in the year, Lane Winslow didn't end up thinking she would be dodging bullets in the same setting of the film that summer.

While Inspector Darling at Nelson PD tracks down a missing child, Lane receives a call that her husband's brother has gone missing on a geological trip in Mexico. Lane and Darling race down to central Mexico, covering Zacatecas, San Jacinto, Fresnillo and the danger of the open desert. Back home in Nelson, BC, Ames is left in charge of the case of the missing child, April McAvity steps in to help the local police shop in a constables absence, and Terrell wrestles with the evidence presented and his intuition. It becomes clear in both cases that allies seem to possess a different face. Can the crew manage to get the truth and serve justice?

Another cozy mystery! A little obvious from the beginning who the perps were, but enjoyable nonetheless.

[Geoffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this instalment of the Lane Winslow series, finding it a bit hard to follow with its multiple plotlines, but it came together well and ends up with a strong 3.5 star rating.

I must, however, point out one problem I came across. (I am obliged to make this comment because I made the same remark about another instalment in a different historical novel.) On page 257 Ames says "[...]you are on our radar[...]". Now, this part of the novel takes place in 1948. At the time, radar was quite a novelty; in fact, the Oxford English Dictionary’s first attestation of “radar” was in the New York Times on 2 October 1941, only seven years before. As for the the expression “to be on one’s radar”, attestations in the OED date from 1998 and 2004, so it is highly unlikely that Ames would have said this.

That said, don't let this keep you from putting The Cost of a Hostage on your radar.

[™ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 — I enjoyed this one a lot!! Not sure what it was but the pacing worked really well for me — some of the others have felt slow or too obvious at times, but I didn't feel that way here. Plus all the characters charmed me as always (though I miss Darling / Ames interactions when the two of them aren't together much!). I'm also loving seeing more of April and her enthusiasm for police work — I laughed at her getting a thrill from the gruesome ferry scene and I want more of that.

The one thing I didn't like was how many times it was repeated that Lane was so beautiful.... YES WE GET IT. SHE IS THE HOTTEST WOMAN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS HAVE EVER SEEN. I feel like this has been a plot point / referenced in previous books too, but in this one it really felt like it came up So Much and I was rolling my eyes a little 😂

[Robyn Roscoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest in the Lane Winslow series, this time we find Lane and Darling in the wilds of Mexico seeking Darling’s kidnapped brother, while back home in Nelson the young police officers solve a local kidnapping, murder, and smuggling ring. I enjoyed this split story – I bit like A Match Made for Murder – and was pleased to see the local romances advancing, if slowly. The coincidences that align to bring Lane once more into confrontation with her past were the least believable bit – can the woman not go anywhere without being recognized? – but it was still worthwhile to read more about her wartime activities. Hopefully Whishaw can keep up the pace of an annual story (there is a new novel coming in October, but it’s a Lane backstory) so the love stories for both Ames and Terrell, as well as the career path for April McCavity, can truly move forward.

[Vontel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent mystery in this series, much of it involving Lane travelling to Mexico with her husband, Inspector Darling, when his brother is kidnapped while working for a mining company. Darling is a bit torn, because there's been a kidnapping of a child in Nelson, and he's been leading the investigation but must leave it to his staff. Meanwhile in his absence, the remaining police force demonstrates its' growth while resolving not only the kidnapping, but also an associated drug & gun cross-border smuggling operation. All the while in Mexico, complications arise related to Lane's work for the SOE during ww1. I always look forward to the next volume & adventures, which continue to include observations about social issues and different approaches as part of the plot.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lane and her husband, (Frederick) Darling, travel to Mexico to find Darling’s brother who was thought to be kidnapped. In order to find him and ransom him, they end up partnering with a powerful man with some legitimate, but many dodgy business ventures. Salinas takes a liking to Lane and his savvy and connections also work on Lane’s behalf when she is recognized by someone who knows about her clandestine WWII work, is kidnapped and almost killed by her old SOE contact. Back in Nelson, Ames and Terrell are dealing with a child, kidnapping, a murder, drugs and a challenging connection with a Mountie. My only problem with the book (other than the slightly implausible main plot) is that most of it takes place in Mexico, and I love the setting when it’s in British Columbia.

[Cricket Muse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This twelfth entry of Lane Winslow and her adventures is a treat. The author places our plucky former SOE agent in Mexico with her inspector husband Frederick Darling. Kidnappings, bandits, nefarious war criminals are the main plot—meanwhile, in Nelson, Ames and Terrell man the station, with the help of newly appointed April, and are caught up in their own crime situations of kidnapping and drug running. Both plots are well-paced. But what really stands out in this entry is the characterization. Whishaw continues to develop and provide fully developed characters, each with their own distinctive personality.

It’s always difficult finishing one of these Lane Winslow books because it means having to wait for the next one.

[Cari Zuckerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Darling’s brother goes missing in Mexico, Lane convinces him to bring her along to help find him. Meanwhile, back in Nelson, Ames and Terrell must solve a kidnapping and then a murder.

This is a solid addition to the Lane Winslow mysteries and its fun when Whishaw takes us to new settings. I will say these cozy mysteries tend to be a little long and there were some confusing elements involving Lane’s past work in WW2. Overall, I enjoyed this read and will continue to read the series. I think more people should know about this historical mystery series. Fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Rhys Bowen will find much to love here.

Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC.