The High Road: Confessions of a Homicide Cop

by Hank Idsinga

Hank Idsinga, whose grandfather was murdered in the Holocaust, became the country’s leading homicide detective; he shares his insights into tracking down murderers and serial killers over his colourful and decorated thirty-year career.

From the age of ten, Hank Idsinga knew he wanted to become a homicide detective, when he learned that his grandfather had been murdered by the Nazis in the Second World War. He prepared to be a police officer his entire youth and soon found himself in ill-fitting suits training for the job. More than competent—smart, incisive, caring, respectful—Idsinga ingratiated himself to his fellow officers and to his superiors. He was as capable of tracking down a getaway man as he was informing a mother that her son, lost to crime, would never return home. Idsinga found himself at the center of some of the most notable crimes in recent Toronto history, from the Jane Creba shooting on Boxing Day to shootouts on Yonge Street to helping track down some of the most vicious serial criminals the city has ever seen.

But it was in homicide that Hank Idsinga would prove such a vital asset to the Toronto Police Services. Idsinga teamed up with his partners, including future chief of police Mark Saunders, on many murder calls—some one-offs, others more nefarious—taking in the scene with his excellent recall, finding the motive and the method faster and more insightfully than most. Idsinga and his team of seasoned detectives participated in taking down some of the worst Toronto has to offer, perhaps none more so than serial killer Bruce McArthur, who had terrorized the gay village for years. Idsinga became the public face for that investigation, and despite the criticism of the police force’s handling of the murders, Idsinga always appeared strong and compassionate in front of the media’s camera flashes.

The High Road breathes life into the true detective genre, with raw, accessible and punchy prose, as honest and compelling as the homicide detective himself. His grandfather would have been proud.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime

336 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2026

About the author

Hank Idsinga was a member of the Toronto Police Services for thirty years, leading the country’s top homicide unit for five years. Having served as Detective Sergeant and, later, Inspector in charge of Toronto’s Homicide Squad, he has policed just about every kind of case you can imagine, and has stared down some of the hardest criminals the city has ever seen. Idsinga has received numerous awards from the Ontario Homicide Investigator’s Association, and has twice been recognized by Toronto Life magazine as one of Toronto’s 50 Most Influential People. Additionally, he is a regular presenter at policing conferences, including the FBI National Academy Associates Conference and the Ontario Homicide Investigators Conference, among others. Recently retired and now a crime commentary fixture on the Corus radio network (nationally) and Global Television, as well as American crime series in production, Idsinga speaks widely about policing in the wake of a highly decorated career.

Reviews

[Madison Dillon]

Happy pub date to The High Road by Hank Idsinga! Thank you Simon and Schuster for this advanced copy! I’ve never read anything like this, and I was really intrigued the whole way through. We follow Idsinga through his career, first as an officer on the road in division 14 in Toronto, then to his time as an officer in the homicide division where he worked for many years. He also explores his family’s history by talking about his grandfather who died in the Holocaust. This is overall a really good historical, true detective memoir, looping in many different themes and stories!

I’ve always been really interested in hearing true crime/detective stories, from many different perspectives, but this was the first memoir I’ve read by someone who spelt their life in law enforcement. Toronto is a huge, busy, bustling city, and I can’t image what it would be like to be an officer here. Idsinga tells these stories as if you’re sitting around the dinner table with him hearing little snippets of a compelling life.

Throughout the book, Idsinga’s life is unveiled. It was very interesting to see how he struggled at first trying to join the tps, how he overcame this, and how he helped give opportunities to younger officers later in his career. He talks about the issues in policing throughout history, and happening today, but he also talks about the good that people do in these jobs. I found this to be a well-balanced memoir full of very exciting and lively stories. Thank you Idsinga!

[Geri Williams-Borne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The stories of effective leadership combined with respect are are examples of what should be expected in a police force or any organization that values its employees and the work they do. I have great admiration for the author in the cases he and his team worked on and solved. What an amazing homicide unit Toronto has. I hope that it continues to show this type of leadership and caring about fellow officers in the author. Author should be commended for writing this book and letting the public know what they do.

[EdithP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really insightful look at policing and how meticulous, determined and, of course, conscientiously ethical, investigators must be to unravel a crime and secure a conviction. With the methodical approach of a veteran detective, Indsinga uses examples and experience to make the case that the paramilitary structure of the TPS and the cronyism it has engendered are the biggest impediments to having a trusted and competent police force.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for the advanced digital copy of The High Road: Confessions of a Homicide Cop.

The High Road is a memoir of Hank Idsinga's time with the Toronto Police Service.

Toronto is about two hours east of where I live. It is a city of over 3 million, within the city limits. The Greater Toronto Area, has a population of over 7 million. We typically visit the city a least a couple times a year. The city has so much to do, theater, our Toronto Blue Jays, concerts, shopping, an amusement park.

But there is a darker side to the city, as with most cities. This book is a fascinating, yet horrifying look into that darker side. There were a few high profile cases that I absolutely remember, but there is so much more going on than I think the average person even realizes.

The High Road moves through story after story from Idsinga's career as he moved through the police force, into homicide, and up the promotion ladder, until his retirement. For such an incredibly tough subject matter, the stories were told with some humor and also a lot of heart. There was a lot of insight into the workings of the Toronto Police Service and how investigations were carried out. This was immensely interesting. There was also some critiscm on how things operated within the TPS, especially at senior levels.

If you are interested in true crime stories and enjoy memoirs, I would recommend reading The High Road.

[Marharyta · Rating 4 out of 5]

💕 As someone who knows nothing about the workings of the Toronto police force, this book was definitely eye opening. It is told chronologically through the career of the author, from his decision to join the police force through to his retirement.

He spoke highly of many a mentor and how they influenced his career. The institutional changes through the decades, along with the changes in departmental structure were educational.

The homicide cases were tough, especially those involving children. The steps that were taken to apprehend the suspects were interesting. The opening story of his family history and his grandfather’s murder within the concentration camp was horrific and gripping.

What I found difficult in this book was the writing style. It’s very factual and calculated. It goes from case to case without a mental break - written almost like a report.

Although I understand not wanting to bring his personal life into the book, I would have enjoyed the book more with personal breaks in between the professional tales. Or a glimpse at the emotional and psychological nature of police work. This story lacks that personal touch that would have provided a greater connection with the reader.

ARC Read 26Mar2026

[C.J. Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about policing. And it is also not a book about policing. (Like a relationship status on Facebook, It' s complicated.) Ever wonder who is behind the uniform? This memoir provides some insight into who patrols our streets and investigates the horrific crimes that occur on them. It shines a light on the enormous toll that this profession takes on those who wear the uniform. And it urges the organization to adjust to the times by modernizing its structure and addressing some inherent flaws (including racism, homophobia, misogyny, and antisemitism).

I watched Hank Idsinga for years on TV press conferences. He struck me then as a straight shooter who had decency in his core. This memoir, I think, further corroborates that feeling. Thank you for your service, Hank.

To loosely quote Alex Haley ("Roots"):
The most important day of your life is the day you are born. The second most important day is when you realize why.

Check, check to Mr Idsinga.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I was so happy I requested this as an ARC and was approved. I devoured this book. I can’t say enough positive things.

I was so enticed in Hanks’ stories. I also really loved the pictures throughout the book. As someone who lives close to Toronto it was more appealing to me to know that I could visualize these settings more. But extremely upsetting that all this happened so close to home. Some of it was graphic and hard to read.

It speaks volumes in the end, of just how valued Hank was as a homicide detective and friend. I’m glad he retired when he did even though it was hard to walk away and say enough is enough. He deserves the retired life and I hope he’s living it to the fullest.

I can’t recommend this one enough, especially if you’re into true-crime that takes place in Toronto.


Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an eARC. The High Road is available now.

[Elaine Collingwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating and eye opening book by one of Toronto's Top Homicide cops.

This book details many of Hank Idsinga's top cases and those that have stuck with him. I remember seeing him on the news often with respect to the Bruce McArthur serial murder case a few years ago. It was heart-breaking to read the details of some of the cases he has investigated but it also taught me all the hard work that goes into investigating a homicide.

I was sadden to read about the issues that have affected and appear to still be affecting the Toronto Police service. However, I think it is a reality facing many different police agencies, not just Toronto.

[Enid Wray]

This is exactly the “same same” as every other police memoir I’ve read… a review of great crimes and cases wrapped up as a memoir.

Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital review copy.

DNF

[M V]

CBC radio had him on for interview today. Piqued my interest. To the readers of this title, does he mention the Sherman murders?

[Heather Savard]

media hype

Interesting read however, after all the media hype, I expected more disclosure of the TPS inner turmoil; will it initiate change at TPS? Doubtful.

[Nick V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man I hope to meet Hank Idsinga one day!

[Tom Briscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

Congratulations on a great career Hank and thank you for sharing your memoirs. From a former Toronto Police Officer now retired.

[Colleen Cavanaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.