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Blood Typed
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26240 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 26, 2026
About the author
Jane Doucet
4 books61 followersJane 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, will be released by Vagrant Press in 2026. Learn more at www.janedoucet.com.
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, will be released by Vagrant Press in 2026. Learn more at www.janedoucet.com.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 26, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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.
And let’s not forget the compelling ode to the typewriter and the weight of the classic tool.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews