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

Published 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

[Kassandra DeFrancis · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read!!! If you want a taste of what life in Yellowknife is like, have a read! It’s almost its own character in the book. Loved the rom-com/heist story that kept me turning the pages! I wish we would have learned a bit more background of the characters but I felt like I really knew Maggie and Jacques!
Such a fun read and would recommend if you’re looking for an easy read on a cold winter night!

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what exactly the genre would be called, but I am an absolute fiend for books that take place over the course of one day in a down-on-their-luck town a la Headshot and The Crow Valley Karaoke Championships. Northern Bull is in that same vein. It's a brutally cold, snowy day in a small town in Canada, the cast of characters intertwine throughout the day as three events play out: a fisherman anticipates a visit from his landlord and is hoping to convince him not to tear down the house, a search for a missing taxidermied moose head is launched, and a woman attempts to write an erotic short story to perform at that evening's community burlesque show.

I loved the atmosphere and mood, I just wanted a little more -- the blurb described this book as "hilarious" and I didn't quite get that. Quirky, yes, but not laugh-out-loud funny.

[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.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the bitterly cold winter setting, there was something so joyful, warm, and addictive about this book! Over the course of a freezing day in January, a unique group of characters sets out to find a missing moose head. It's hilarious and at times, utterly ridiculous, but SO much fun!

Set in the snowy town of Yellowknife Canada, a treasured moose head has gone missing. The story is told from multiple perspectives, with flashbacks to the hunting trip that started it all. These characters continuously cross paths as they race against the clock to search for this moose head.

I could not set this book down, there was so much buffoonery afoot, plus a side of romance, and I was just absolutely hooked.

Overall this was such a cozy and funny book. I wouldn't be mad if Michelle Swallow wrote a whole series of books set in this small town with these quirky characters getting into hijinks. I genuinely intend to read this book every winter! It's a fun, quick read that I've been recommending to everyone.

Pick this one up if you want a day in the life type story that will totally charm you with its humour and heart!

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel has everything: mystery, romance, humour, and suspense. I felt like I was dropped into this community of misfits and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. An incredibly entertaining story packed into a short read ❤️

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute and quirky overall. It felt a bit anticlimactic at times, and occasionally a little over the top in a way that seemed forced (I won’t get into specifics to avoid spoilers). I especially loved the Yellowknife nostalgia.

[Enid Wray]

Let’s just say that I’m not the reader for this title.

DNF

[Dharani · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine, but the writing style is kinda boring and bland. I thought it would be funnier. Not great and not terrible.