Northern Bull

by Michelle N. Swallow

Over the course of one bitterly cold winter day in Yellowknife, Northern Bull takes readers on a joyful and hilarious journey of love and friendship as a quirky cast of characters sets out to find a missing moose head.

It's a cold, dark January day in Yellowknife. A down-on-his-luck fisherman, Jacques, needs to convince his landlord not to tear down his ramshackle house. But when his volatile hunting buddy, Craig, accuses him of stealing a prized moose head, Jacques must put everything aside to find the bull before midnight, or there's no telling what Craig might do.

Meanwhile, Jacques's next-door neighbour Maggie is trying to face her fears by writing a story for the annual community burlesque show. But when she accidentally breaks Jacques's window, she is determined to help save his home and find the moose head--and maybe something more.

Over a single day, with flashbacks to the hunting trip that started it all and culminating in a wild night no one in Yellowknife will ever forget, we follow Jacques, Maggie and a quirky cast of supporting characters as they race against time--on snowmobiles--to find the moose, brave the stage, and take a chance on themselves and on love. A hilarious and charming ode to life in the north.

264 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 21, 2026

About the author

Michelle Swallow is the author of The Mackenzie River Guide, which has helped numerous paddlers travel down Canada’s longest river. She is grateful to live in Yellowknife, the traditional land of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the home to North Slave Metis, and Dene and Inuit from across the Northwest Territories. Michelle is a graduate of Thompson Rivers University and Royal Roads University. Northern Bull is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Northern Bull is a cozy and deeply funny book set in the heart of winter in Yellowknife Canada. This book follows five incredibly unique characters through one day in the snowy town of Yellowknife. Oh- and a prized moose head goes missing as well. On the quest to find this moose head, each character (told from their own unique perspective) crosses paths. I thought this book was very cozy and almost nostalgic, as I also live in a snowy small town. I loved the atmosphere and pacing of the book. There wasn't a really strong plot visible to me, but the characters and setting kept the story entertaining. I also really enjoyed the small romance side-plot. Some parts of the story felt a little slow, especially in certain characters' point of views. This story is perfect for anyone who wants a good laugh and a fun story to read on a cold day! Overall, this story was a very warm and cozy read with unique setting and characters.