Six for Saint-Pierre

Sebastian Synard Mysteries #6

by Kevin Major

Mystery once again finds Sebastian Synard—this time beyond the shores of Newfoundland, in Saint-Pierre, a small French island off the coast of North America. Wrapped up in an international investigation, Sebastian is tested personally and professionally as his search for answers takes him overseas and beyond.


In the sixth installment of the Sebastian Synard mystery series, Sebastian finds himself beyond the borders of his home in Newfoundland, where history blends with modern-day intrigue. Travelling with his partner Mae, Sebastian arrives in Saint-Pierre where his son, Nick, is spending a semester. However, his visit to this charming yet peculiar overseas territory of France quickly takes a turn.







In the two weeks since Nick has arrived in Saint-Pierre, he has become enamoured with more than the French language, but his budding relationship with his amiable classmate, Zach, is shattered when Zach disappears without warning. When Zach’s body is found washed up on a deserted shoreline, Sebastian finds himself entwined in the mystery, caught between the competing aims of the local Gendarmerie, the RCMP, and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. His search for answers leads him to Martinique, another overseas territory of la France, where his relationships are tested to the extreme. Just what will it take for the trio of police units to come around to Sebastian’s perspective? What will it take to bring Mae back into his life? Nothing less than a violent assault on our PI, together with the threat of the very knife that was used against the innocent young gay man whose body washed up on the shoreline rocks of the island of Saint-Pierre. 

Genres: Mystery

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

Kevin Major is the author of 20 books, for both young people and adults. The first, Hold Fast, won several awards in Canada and was placed on the Hans Christian Andersen Honour List. It was released in 2014 as a feature film. His second book, Far From Shore, was the winner of the first Canadian Young Adult Book Award. Others which followed include Blood Red Ochre and Eating Between the Lines, winner of the CACL Book-of-the-Year Award.

In 1992 Kevin was given the Vicky Metcalf Award, for an outstanding body of work of significance to young people. The languages into which his work has been translated include French, Danish, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew.

An adult novel, No Man’s Land, about the Newfoundland Regiment in World War I, was published in 1995 to much acclaim. Kevin’s adaption of the story was brought to the stage by Rising Tide Theatre and has played for more than a dozen years.

His more recent books include the Christmas classic The House of Wooden Santas, and a history of Newfoundland and Labrador: As Near To Heaven By Sea (a Canadian best-seller and finalist for the Pearson Non-Fiction Prize). Ann and Seamus, a verse novel released in 2003 was shortlisted for a total of ten awards. It has since been turned into an opera. The adult novel New Under the Sun was published in 2010, book one of a trilogy of historical fiction. The second, Found Far and Wide, was released in 2016, and the third, Land Beyond the Sea, in 2019.

In 2018 Kevin started a projected serious of crime novels with One for the Rock. He anticipates the second will arrive in bookstores in the fall of 2020.

Kevin has been named Memorial University’s Alumnus-of-the-Year, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council’s Artist-of-the-Year .

John Moss, writing in “A Reader’s Guide to the Canadian Novel,” has said, “Kevin Major is among the best Canadian writers of his generation. He has established himself as a figure of singular importance in our literature.”

He lives in St. John’s, NL with his wife Anne. They have two grown sons.

Reviews

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel as It's been decades since I last read a book by Major. I like the combination of mystery, food critic, wine critic and learning the French language all rolled into one. The characters were good and the plot certainly interested me. But there were a few small flaws regarding the timing of the events. I may go back and read the first book of the series and find out what out what else Major has written.

[Giref · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story beautifully mastered the rare balance of a vivid cultural travelogue combined with a dark, high stakes missing person investigation that completely grips your attention. It perfectly satisfies both a reader’s sense of wanderlust and their craving for an intricate, emotionally resonant mystery layout. It inspires me to seek out books that teach me about the world while keeping me on edge.

[Carol McKnight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there had been more Saint Pierre in the story - although kinda cute that the chapter numbers for 2-5 were in French. I’m sure I’ve said before that Sebastian talks to himself, indeed he is quite self-absorbed and doesn’t appreciate who is around him. Mae and Nick are great, tho I’m not sure why they put up with Sebastian. The bad guys were confusing, seemed to all be related in the end.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always an interesting travelogue in these books, which I actually found more compelling than the mystery. Was a little confused about Philippe Jean and why Sebastian felt he had to go to Martinique.
I did laugh after his post dinner rum experience, I felt somewhat similar the morning after Rum Punch in Barbados.

[Rebecca Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love how the isolated, fog heavy setting of Saint Pierre acts as its own character, instantly wrapping the reader in an intense layer of atmospheric suspense. Knowing it's a real French outpost makes the dark investigation feel incredibly grounded, vivid, and deeply haunting. It inspires me to look at how geography can completely shape the mood and stakes of a crime novel.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genuine emotional depth and authentic family evolution between Sebastian and his son Nick are what truly inspired me while reading this high stakes thriller. Seeing a detective navigate complex parenting hurdles while racing against a ticking clock to solve a classmate's murder is incredibly refreshing. It beautifully proves that a mystery needs a strong heart to resonate.

[Paulf.Creative · Rating 5 out of 5]

The intricate plotting of the multi jurisdictional police clash is truly a masterpiece in building narrative pressure. It highlights how political red tape and competing motives can perfectly amplify the stakes in a contemporary crime puzzle. This complex structural layout inspires a deeper appreciation for the mechanics of high stakes detective fiction.

[Rodney Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fascinating integration of Saint Pierre’s historical Prohibition lore and real world rum running past gives the entire modern investigation a brilliant, gritty texture. It is incredibly inspiring to see how seamlessly a community's hidden maritime heritage can be woven directly into a fast paced contemporary puzzle. It shows how the past always bleeds into the present.

[Sienna Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sheer descriptive power used to capture the fog heavy, isolated charm of a French outpost off the Canadian coast is breathtaking. It beautifully demonstrates how a vivid, realistic setting can seamlessly act as a living force in a mystery, totally driving the mood. It inspires me to appreciate stories where geography shapes the danger.

[Dewid · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love most is the sheer genius of pulling three distinct police jurisdictions the French Gendarmerie, the RCMP, and the local constabulary into one tense room. The political red tape and conflicting motives create a masterclass in plotting that keeps you guessing exactly who to trust on every page. This intricate layout inspires my appreciation for complex story structures.

[Fivoj Tail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watching a dedicated private investigator navigate the raw vulnerabilities of fatherhood while entangled in an international crisis is deeply moving. Infusing a gritty, fast paced investigation with genuine family heart and authentic personal growth is a remarkable achievement. It inspires me because it proves that the best thrillers are grounded in meaningful human relationships.

[Giholof · Rating 5 out of 5]

The integration of a region's rich maritime smuggling past into a modern day crime scene gives the entire story an incredibly sophisticated layer of texture. It is fascinating to see how the echoes of forgotten history can be utilized to enrich a modern suspense plot. This brilliant blend inspires a love for fiction that uncovers hidden historical gems.

[Giyiv Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening hook of a body washing up on a deserted, frigid shoreline sets a flawless, atmospheric tone that keeps your adrenaline pumping from page one. The balance between a vivid cultural travelogue and a high stakes, edge of your seat puzzle is flawlessly executed. It completely inspires my passion for stories that can educate the mind while keeping the heart racing.

[Jadeyeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sheer brilliance of using a foggy, isolated French outpost as a high stakes crime scene completely blew me away. It creates a deeply haunting, claustrophobic atmosphere that forces the characters and the reader to question every single local face. This breathtaking mastery of geographical suspense is exactly what makes the story an absolute joy to read.

[Levolif · Rating 5 out of 5]

What truly shines in this mystery is the raw, vulnerable focus on a father trying to protect his son while trapped in the center of an international crisis. Balancing a complex murder investigation with authentic, changing family relationships gives the thriller an emotional weight that is incredibly rare to find. It proves that the best suspense stories always have a genuine human heart.

[Locec · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely enamored by how the historical echoes of Atlantic rum running and Manhattan speakeasies are seamlessly woven into a modern day missing person puzzle. It infuses the entire plot with a sophisticated, vintage grit that makes the setting feel incredibly alive and dangerous. This magnificent blend of maritime history and crime fiction is simply unforgettable.

[Momron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absolute highlight for me is the intense, high pressure standoff between three entirely different law enforcement agencies trying to handle one crime. The resulting political red tape, conflicting motives, and jurisdictional friction create a flawless structural layout that keeps you guessing on every page. It is a brilliant masterclass in sharp, multi dimensional plotting.

[Jax · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sudden, tragic disappearance of a young classmate sets off a fast paced investigative momentum that completely hooks your attention from the very first chapter. Combining a culturally rich travelogue experience with a dark, edge of your seat mystery is a spectacular achievement. It satisfies both a love for deep world building and a craving for an unputdownable thriller puzzle.

[Pipo · Rating 3 out of 5]

an ok book to read through but idk smth didnt click with me. prob just not my cup of tea. dialogue was enjoyable and kinda funny and i really liked the characters like mae and nick ❤️❤️ the whole mystery part was alright

[Jajix · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I liked most about this book is the brilliant use of the fog bound, coastal setting of Saint Pierre to build an immediate sense of dread. It feels fresh, deeply atmospheric, and completely immersive, making the reader feel like they are walking the narrow streets alongside the characters.

[Jeje Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The highlight of this thriller is definitely the authentic bond and realistic dialogue between Sebastian and his adolescent son, Nick. It is incredibly satisfying to read a fast paced mystery that refuses to sacrifice character depth and genuine emotional growth for the sake of action.

[Kabot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the rich, gritty texture that the island's Prohibition past brings to the entire narrative. Combining modern investigative suspense with the romantic, dangerous history of Atlantic rum running makes the storyline feel uniquely sophisticated and incredibly engaging from start to finish.

[Macan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The standout element for me is the intense jurisdictional friction between the three competing police departments. It creates a flawless, high pressure puzzle that keeps the reader guessing about hidden motives and political red tape while turning up the heat on the main characters.

[Rojifiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivers a masterclass in pacing by connecting the tragic mystery directly to the personal lives of the core family members. The opening hook of a body washing ashore on a deserted island is completely unforgettable and sets a magnificent, edge of your seat tone.

[Susan Mclennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. A private detective from Newfoundland who likes books and food - and is a tourist guide on the side!