Blood Typed

by Jane Doucet

An uproarious and satirical contemporary mystery set in Nova Scotia's author community from the author of Fishnets & Fantasties.

Welcome to the NOVA Prize gala dinner, where one Nova Scotian author will go home with the $100,000 grand prize?unless they don't go home at all…

Val Jenkins is stuck. A journalist for the Halifax Post, she's been writing a local books column for over a decade. But ever since she was a precocious Nancy Drew wannabe, she's longed to cover the crime beat.

When the gala ceremony approaches for the annual NOVA Prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards in Canada, Val anticipates more of the same old authors in various interpretations of "formal" wear, hiding their simmering jealousies while dreaming of the life-changing prize money. But this year, something happens that no one could have expected.

Murder.

The off-beat cast of shortlisted authors each has their own secrets and grudges to the well-published romance writer Sonya King, whom readers will recognize from Fishnets & Fantasies; Victor Comeau, a narcissistic professor with delusions of grandeur; Sally MacPhee, a terminally ill writer who just wants to add "award-winning" to her bio; and Alexander Fitzgerald, a literary darling who has the Canada Revenue Agency on his back.

Rounding out the cast are an embittered editor with dreams of authorship, an octogenarian bookie with indigestion, a pair of homicide detectives hot on the case, and one nosy historical portrait.

Marking the first in the raucous new Val Jenkins series, Blood Typed is an uproarious satire of literary culture, and a uniquely Canadian mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Canada, Cozy Mystery

240 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2026

About the author

Jane Doucet is a Canadian journalist whose articles have appeared in myriad national magazines, including Chatelaine and Canadian Living. She lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Canada's East Coast, with her husband.

In 2017, Jane self-published her debut novel, The Pregnant Pause, about a married woman who is turning 37 and trying to decide whether or not to have a baby. In 2018, The Pregnant Pause was shortlisted for a Whistler Independent Book Award.

In 2021, Vagrant Press, the fiction imprint of Nimbus Publishing, released Jane's second novel, Fishnets & Fantasies, about a married couple in their late 50s who open a sex shop in tiny, tourist-friendly Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (population 2,300).

In spring 2023, Vagrant Press re-released The Pregnant Pause, and in fall 2023 published her third novel, Lost & Found in Lunenburg, which combines characters from her first two books. Jane's fourth novel, Blood Typed, a contemporary murder mystery, was by Vagrant Press in May 2026.

Jane is working on Death at the Petting Zoo, the second book in the Val Jenkins Mystery series (Vagrant Press, Spring 2028). Learn more at www.janedoucet.com.

Reviews

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Val Jenkins is a journalist at the Halifax Post where she writes a book column but her real ambition is to work the crime beat. Unfortunately, her editor disagrees and her latest assignment is to cover the prestigious NOVA Prize awards where one Nova Scotia writer will take home a large monetary award. Unfortunately, someone has other plans and not all of the writers will be going home at all.

When I saw the cover of Blood Typed by Jane Doucet on Netgalley, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I decided to take a chance. I am glad I did. Blood Typed is an entertaining cozy mystery with an interesting plot and characters, all of whom have secrets providing plenty of suspects and motives. Thanks to Doucet’s use of short chapters, the story flows at a quick pace and there is a nice touch of humour running throughout. A definite recommendation to anyone cozy mystery fans looking for a fun fast read. This is the first in the Val Jenkins Mystery series and I look forward to seeing what adventures Val finds herself in in the future.

I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley and Nimbus Publishing in exchange for an honest review

[Sue Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was first published at https://miramichireader.ca/author/sue... January 23rd

Blood Typed is the first book in the much-anticipated Val Jenkins cozy mystery series by Jane Doucet. Set in Nova Scotia’s writing community, it features Val Jenkins, a journalist for the Halifax Post, who has been writing the “local books” column for more than a decade, but she would rather be covering the crime beat. Her next assignment is to cover the NOVA Prize Awards Gala at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax.

The four finalists shortlisted for the $100,000 NOVA Prize are: award-winning romance author Sonya King for her Halifax Explosion novel Frances Coleman Carries On; Sally Macphee for her novel Alex Cage, a novel about the difficult lives of the workers in the Cape Breton coal mines; Alexander Fitzgerald for his period drama called Cape Breton Calls Him; and Victor Comeau for his debut novel, The Reinvention of Rene Thibauld, a story of the Acadians.

Upon checking into their rooms, each of the four authors was gifted a “fully functional 1920s Underwood typewriter” as a congratulations for being a finalist by the Westby Foundation for the Arts. The three jurors were also gifted one, in recognition of their time, commitment, and contribution to the award. While all the guests were waiting for the tenth anniversary of the NOVA Prize gala awards dinner to be served, it comes to light that a murder had occurred.

As the handsome Detective Constable Wade Bourque and Detective Constable Sarah Slade (no relation) set up a command room under a portrait of Admiral Horatio Nelson, the hotel’s namesake, Val Jenkins sees this as an opportunity to prove herself to the Halifax Post. She fully intends to do a little investigating and poking around herself to find the murderer and to find out who won the NOVA Prize.

“This isn’t one of your murder-mystery books. And you aren’t Nancy Drew. This is real life.”- page 108

As you are introduced to a full cast of colourful characters, Blood Typed is the perfect cozy mystery to sit back and read with a glass of Nova Scotia’s Tidal Bay Wine. Some of these fun and unusual supporting characters include a geriatric loan shark, a dissatisfied editor, a cross-eyed Maine coon cat, and even a voice from the stalls. With its maritime charm, local settings, and even a touch of Nova Scotia history, people who love amateur sleuths, such as Jessica Fletcher and Agatha Raisin, will appreciate Val Jenkins.

Jane Doucet made the seamless transition from writing contemporary fiction to satirical cozy mysteries with Blood Typed. Something I particularly enjoyed was that if you read her other books, you might notice that characters from her first novels make small guest appearances in this literary mystery. I am looking forward to Jane Doucet’s next Val Jenkins mystery.

[Eileen Mackintosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the writing style of this cozy mystery. There were a lot of characters with some fun dialogue. The fact that it is set in my hometown and in the world of books added to my enjoyment. I look forward to a follow up Val Jenkins Mystery and also to reading this author’s backlist. Easy read and recommendation. #indigoemployee

[Janna · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! I really enjoyed this murder-mystery set in Nova Scotia. I think any fans of the Knives Out Mystery movies would love this.

[Pascale · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very enjoyable read, but I did question the editorial decision to wait until almost a third of the way in to have a crime. The characters are all interesting but in a mystery, I prefer when the “action” starts a bit sooner.

[Sylvia Mannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Doucet knocked it out of the park with her 1st murder mystery! Who would have thought Book Awards could be so dangerous? Fabulous characters, the writing is sprinkled with wonderful humour,…and so many tips, twists and turns to keep us guessing & turning pages as Val Jenkins solves ‘who done it’! Absolutely loved it & can’t wait for Val Jenkins next mystery! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[James Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blood Typed is a witty, fast-paced cozy mystery set amid the glitz and tension of Halifax’s NOVA Prize gala. Jane Doucet blends sharp literary world satire with an engaging whodunit, creating a story that’s clever, character-rich, and thoroughly entertaining.
Val Jenkins makes a delightful amateur sleuth—determined, observant, and easy to root for. The ensemble cast of authors, editors, and industry personalities adds humour and intrigue, and the Nova Scotia setting gives the book a warm, distinctive sense of place. The opening introduces many characters at once, but once the story settles, the pacing becomes brisk and addictive.
Amid the book’s ability to deliver tension, humour, and emotional depth, I found myself reflecting on how a story in this genre can shine brightest through its characters and atmosphere. It reminded me that the quiet magic of a cozy mystery lies in its charm and humanity, and that even when an expletive slips in, a truly well-told story never needs coarse language to leave a powerful impression.
Overall, Blood Typed is a fun, smart, and atmospheric Canadian mystery perfect for anyone who enjoys quirky ensembles, literary drama, and a touch of satire.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this mystery set in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In this first in a series, Val Jenkins is a newspaper journalist for the local books column who is tasked to write about the soon to be announced NOVA book prize. She dutifully takes on the task, even though she's been dying to sink her teeth into being assigned to covering crime. Who knew that is exactly what she'd be doing as on the even of the big prize announcement some of the nominated authors are found murdered. This book had great characters and I loved all the locations. A fun read and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the e-Arc. I ended up buying a physical copy as a gift for family too!

[Kristen]

This sounded good but it didn't work for me and will be a DNF and because I only got 40 pages in before I knew it wasn't for me so I'm not rating it.

I didn't care for the writing style here of the story being told from multiple characters perspectives in continuous flipping from one to another felt very disjointed to me. There was not a flow in the narrative. Instead it felt like this was a bunch of very minimally connected individual stories that felt all over the place. It was just all over the place.

I also struggled with the fact that none of the characters were at all likable. Not one of them were nice people so it was hard to connect to any of them or care about what was happening to and for them.

[Moira Mackinnon · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

A little too much "Had they but known" but otherwise a fairly good mystery with interesting characters.

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part of the fun of reading mystery is solving the crime with the protagonist. It is cheap to have the killer be some third party revealed 2/3 into the book. Elements that were built up fell flat. There are too many chapters ending with “but she doesn’t know that night will change everything” or something along those lines only for the tension to sizzle out. The murders almost felt irrelevant?

What is most painful is the fact that this book had a good premise.

[Kayleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked it up in Halifax because it was a local author. It was just ok. The writing wasn’t my favorite.

[Devi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edition Details
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 240 pages
⏱ Duration: 2 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Vagrant Press
📅 Publication Date: May 26, 2026
🎁 ARC copy received from the publisher
📚 Read as part of MOTIVE Crime and Mystery Book Festival line-up

I'll be honest, the opening threw me. Multiple third-person POVs, a parade of characters I hadn't met yet, and zero sense of where this literary train was headed. For the first 10%, I was squinting at my Kindle thinking, Are we doing this? Are we committing? Then around the 15% mark, something clicked and I was locked in. The pacing shifted, the tension cranked up, and things moved rapidly.

Set in Nova Scotia, this felt comfortably close to home in the best way. Blood Typed felt like reading a mystery written by someone who actually knows that Halifax isn't a suburb of Toronto. Jane Doucet's voice is conversational, witty, and deliciously sharp when skewering literary egos. The literary world satire added a delicious layer of petty rivalries, fragile egos, and that undercurrent of ambition bubbling beneath polite smiles. The narrative tricks, those foreboding lines like "she slept peacefully, not knowing what tomorrow would bring", worked perfectly. They felt like listening to a friend recounting gossip over coffee, pausing for dramatic effect at all the right moments.

My only hiccup was the final reveal where it veered slightly away from fair-play mystery territory, which took away from the satisfaction of solving alongside the characters. Still, the journey was thoroughly enjoyable. I was too invested in Val's journey from books columnist to accidental crime reporter to stay mad. The satire of literary culture and the eccentric cast, especially the octogenarian bookie, kept me thoroughly entertained.

Would I recommend it?
Blood Typed is proof that cozy mysteries can skewer the literary world while still delivering a satisfying whodunit. It's funny, atmospheric, and Nova Scotia-set in a way that doesn't feel like set-dressing. If you like your mysteries with personality, local flavor, and characters who feel like people you'd actually meet at a gala (awkward small talk and all), add this to your TBR. And if you’re heading to MOTIVE, this is 100% autograph-worthy.

[Ramona Jennex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quintessential Nova Scotia murder mystery—a superb reading experience.

Jane Doucet has crafted a murder mystery with heart. Although the story deals with serious events, she peppers it with cheeky humour that Nova Scotians will especially appreciate (and likely snort at), while readers from elsewhere will simply find it delightful. I was pleased to discover that this isn't the last we'll see of Val Jenkins, the dedicated journalist whose sharp instincts and natural sleuthing abilities make her an engaging protagonist.

While this is a work of fiction, many readers will recognize some of the loosely disguised events, people, and places that inspired the story. The real Nova Scotia locations are brought to life with authenticity and affection, giving the novel a wonderful sense of place. I particularly enjoyed that the crime unfolds at Halifax's iconic Lord Nelson Hotel. It's about time this landmark played such a starring role in a novel.

Beyond the mystery itself, Doucet excels at creating memorable characters. Rather than simply moving the plot from clue to clue, she gives readers a deeper understanding of the people who inhabit the story. I especially loved quirky Bernie, the perpetually frazzled Bev, and sweet Sally, along with the rest of the colourful cast. Their personalities add warmth and depth to an already well-crafted murder mystery, making this a thoroughly satisfying read.

I am looking forward to another Val Jenkins Mystery!!

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows Val, a journalist for the Halifax Post who has spent years covering the local literary scene while hoping for the opportunity to report on crime. Val is assigned to cover the annual NOVA Prize gala, a prestigious Nova Scotia literary award with a $100,000 prize. The event brings together four shortlisted authors, judges, publishers, editors and other members of the province's literary community. Beneath the formal atmosphere, many of the attendees have personal rivalries, financial problems and professional grievances.

During the gala, a murder interrupts the proceedings, turning the awards ceremony into a crime scene. As police investigate, Val begins gathering information on her own, hoping to prove she is capable of covering more than book news. Her inquiries reveal connections among the suspects and uncover hidden motives, past conflicts and long-held secrets within the literary community.

I've read a few novels by this author and thought this one was okay. It's a quick read. I liked that it's set in Nova Scotia. It's written in third person perspective from a variety of characters. I thought the banter between Val and Kevin, her boss, was fun. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2026/07...

[Teresa LaBella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four authors with award prestige and a big dollar prize on the line gather at an historic landmark hotel in Halifax. Only three judges and their sponsoring host know which book and author has bested the others. The first time nominee for his first ever novel fails to show for the reveal. He won't be attended the dinner. His skull has been bashed in by a killer wielding an antique typewriter.

Rarely do I read a novel from page one to the end in one day. I did with Blood Typed, mostly because the case didn't reveal clues to whodunit. I couldn't guess so I wanted to know. The most likely surly antagonist also dies. Everyone else in a heavily populated cast of characters has solid alibis or appear incapable of having done the deed.

At the risk of spoiler reveals, I really wanted to rate this book at least another star. The wide range of problems I had with the plot and twist, character connections and unnecessary diversions overshadowed the good bits. The banter between reporter Val Jenkins and her managing editor boss and the new friendship rooted in kindness and sympathy that developed between two of the authors.

This is the first book in a series. I'm rooting for the author to up her game and knock the next Val Jenkins novel into the bleachers of cheering reader fans.

[Emily Duran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for a copy of this ARC!

I had a really good time with Blood Typed. Going in, I expected a fun mystery, but I didn't expect it to be so funny. The satire of the mystery genre was one of my favorite parts—it pokes fun at all the familiar tropes without feeling mean-spirited, and it made the whole reading experience even more entertaining.

I also genuinely couldn't figure out who the killer was, which is always a huge win for me. Every time I thought I had it solved, the story gave me just enough to start questioning my theory again. The reveal felt satisfying, and I appreciated that it kept me guessing until the end.

The short chapters were another highlight. They made it so easy to keep saying, "Just one more chapter," and before I knew it, I'd read way more than I planned.

If you enjoy mysteries that don't take themselves too seriously and love a book that's clever, fast-paced, and self-aware, I'd definitely recommend giving Blood Typed a try.

[JA B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a small statement to begin - I rarely provide book reviews, it's just not something I do. However I felt compelled to share my thoughts on this one.

I read Blood Typed by Jane Doucet during my summer vacation, and naturally, it was perfect for the occasion! It’s a fun, engaging cozy mystery with murder, humour, interesting characters, and a distinctly Nova Scotia setting.

It was especially fun recognizing familiar landmarks, local references and seeing them woven into the story. There’s a colourful cast of characters, each with their own secrets and rivalries, which keeps things interesting

Overall, Blood Typed is a great choice if you’re looking for a light and entertaining mystery with entertaining characters and a strong local setting.

I really enjoyed meeting Val Jenkins and I am already looking forward to the next book!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason it took me so long to read it was because it was kind of my filler book when I was waiting for books at the library to come… but I was honestly kinda disappointed when those books decided to show up because this book was really good… like when I read it I couldn’t put it down!

Murder mystery ✅ set in my home province ✅ some badass characters (and god awful characters) ✅✅✅

I liked the sudden change from other murder mysteries I’ve read where the character ultimately confesses outright that they did the crime without being super forced into it. Also liked that because of that neither the detective (or detective wanna be in this case) nor the police (though with the police in these stories that’s pretty typical) figured out who done it.

So that I myself don’t write a novel, I’ll wrap it up by saying again really enjoyed the book, def recommend :)

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 out of 5
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
Blood Typed's protagonist, Val Jenkins, is a Halifax book reviewer who'd much rather be covering crime. She gets her chance when she's sent to cover a prestigious annual book award, and finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation.
The story's well written, but was somewhat choppy for me, due to the constant POV shift. I didn't really find that enough time was spent with any of the characters to get beyond the superficial, and like a lot of 'cosy' mysteries, the suspects were pretty stereotyped. I did enjoy the 'local' Halifax and environs setting - it's fun to read books where I could actually visit the locations.
Would recommend to fans of light cosy mystery and 'down to earth' vibes.

[Jo-Ann Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book. It’s sooo good. I grew up reading Nancy Drew, Sherlock Holmes, and Agatha Christie. I have that in common with Val Jenkins (our sleuth). This is my first @janedoucetauthor but I am heading out to find her previous books. This plot involves Nova Scotia writers and a writing prize. Feels very close to home. This is such a relatable novel, written with a delicious cast of characters. Two murders at the Lord Nelson hotel, with a vintage typewriter as the murder weapon. You’re going to want more Val Jenkins. If you liked Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhone, Jane Doucet is for you. @nimbuspub #bloodyyped #valjenkins

[Kimbra Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive a ARC in exchange for an honest review. I love this novel so much! It's a witty and captivating contemporary mystery set in Nova Scotia's writer community. It's the first in Jane's Val Jenkins cozy mystery series, and I can't wait to read the rest of them. Jane is a master at creating compelling, eccentric characters and a riveting plot. If you're looking for a good laugh, an entertaining read, and a masterfully crafted mystery, then please pick up this book. I highly recommend it!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Nimbus Publishing, Vagrant Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this title.

As someone who is not an avid reader of cozy mysteries, Blood Typed was such a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the humanity of the ensemble cast. The shorter chapters allowed for easy reading. The pacing was steady and even the cheeky foreshadowing that popped up now and again didn't seem too heavy handed. I would recommend this title to fans of the genre and I'm glad I took a chance on it.

[Marci Lin Melvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Osman, move over!
(I mean that in the kindest way because I love Richard Osman’s novels.)
But Jane Doucet’s newest novel ‘Blood Typed’ is an absolute masterclass in cozy mysteries.
It’s fun, fast, and polished, with characters that will keep you wondering what they are up to long after the last page.
A binge-worthy adventure.
I’m so glad a sequel is on the horizon!

Marci Lin Melvin, Award-winning Author
Wednesday Night Whites
Fortress
Thin Glass Houses
The Fortress of Her Heart

[Heather Cleveland · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun enough read that I got through it pretty fast. The opening chapters dump a ton of characters on you pretty quickly. It really feels like this was written partly to "nod" at locations in Nova Scotia. The main character is in her fortifies but reads like early 20s so I found her a bit annoying. All the characters came together in interesting ways but the main mystery isn't something you can solve by thinking, which is usually what I find most interesting about mysteries - being able to look back and see the clues.

[Maearle · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much. It is a perfect quick, cozy mystery read with enough little twists to keep it interesting. Believe it or not, Jane Doucet’s characters are accurate. I love the Mary Tyler Moore references but I couldn’t help but see a little bit of Tim Bousquet in the Kevin character. Knowing all of the settings is a real treat and little innuendoes to actually events that happened in Halifax gave the story authenticity. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

[DW · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blood Typed is billed as a mystery but felt more like a slice-of-life story with a murder in it, which really impacted my enjoyment because of the mismatch of expectations. It was pretty well written for a cozy but with such a large cast of characters, many of whom only appeared briefly, and others having excessively similar names (e.g., Sally and Sonya), I found it hard to keep track of who was who and what was going on. The whodunit wasn't precisely solved either, which the book lampshaded, so the ending was basically anticlimactic. A nice enough way to pass the time, but not a standout.

I got a copy from NetGalley.

[Sarah Butland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read for anyone interested in the literary world and the layers that lay lurking in the authors that write the books we enjoy.

And let’s not forget the compelling ode to the typewriter and the weight of the classic tool.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun, great read for vacation. I read it and then gave it to my parents, reminded us of Louise Penny's Armand Gamache series, but for Nova Scotia. Looking forward to the next one!

[Lynne Golodner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous fun fast-moving story with great quips and alliteration. A triumph!!