Displaced Persons

by Margie Taylor

Two decades after Tina Van Buren’s violent death, Alex Cooper is still haunted by unanswered questions. Was it suicide, or did Tina’s wild past catch up with her? Searching for answers, Alex begins to sift through the memories of Tina’s final days. What she discovers will forever change how she understands the past. Based on a true story, Taylor’s latest novel is a pensive mystery about people who want nothing more than to belong, in a family, in a town, and in a way of life.

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

I'm a writer and former journalist with six published books: three novels, a radio play, a parenting manual, a book of humorous essays, and a collection of book reviews. My first novel, Some of Skippy's Blues (Robert Davies, 1998), won the Alberta Writers' Guild Best Novel award.

The next, Displaced Persons (NeWest Press, 2004), won the AWG's Trade Fiction award, was nominated for the Ontario Library Association's Evergreen Award, and was described by the Globe and Mail as an "excellent mystery ... that leaves you wanting to read on and on".

In 2011, my collection of humorous essays, 60 is the new 20: A boomer's guide to aging with grace, dignity, and what's left of your self-respect, was published by Mediscript Communications.

Harrow Road is a work of historical fiction, set in London in the 19th century. My most recent collection of reviews is called I'll Read That For You: a bluffer's guide to 101 book reviews you should read before you die. It's now available on Amazon.com.

Reviews

[Marnie Z · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was supposed to be a mystery..? There was more about this woman's romantic life and even her dog than the actual "mystery" which we never did even find out what really happened in the end..

[Melissa Cunning · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't hate this book but it certainly wasn't the best. First of all, it's misleading. When you read the blurb on the back, it says it's about Alex going back to try and solve her friend Tina's murder. That hardly seems to be the focus of the story at all. There's no real sense of mystery at all because she never really seems hellbent on finding answers if you ask me.
It's more about a bunch of disgruntled lives coming together years later and confronting the things they've been running away from. Don't get me wrong. It had its good points but I still would say it's just okay. It wasn't a very compelling read.