Between Blade and Bullet: The Mary Steinhauser Story

by Margaret Franz

Mary Steinhauser is the only peace officer in the history of penal institutions in Canada to willingly offer up her life in the service of her country. It was during a 1975 prison escape attempt and 41-hour hostage-taking by three desperate inmates of the British Columbia Penitentiary in New Westminster, B.C. that Mary volunteered to be the principal hostage. For 41 hours, she was held as a human shield, protecting not only the inmates but the fourteen other hostages sequestered in a nearby vault. Her calmness, composure and bravery throughout the entire hostage-taking was noted by the negotiators and penitentiary staff alike. She was killed there. This is her story.

270 pages, Paperback

Published April 6, 2021

Reviews

[Charlie Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard this story before and it was a great read. I work in a similar field and can absolutely imagine the tension in different opinions within the staff at a correctional centre. I also see and value in many folks, the unwavering commitment to find the good in others and support clients to move forward, outside the “prison mindset”.

[Susan Dandrea-buckosky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read a book that has touched me as deeply as this one. I feel honoured to have read about Mary’s life. Although the tragedy surrounding her death is unacceptable and was handled terribly; Mary did not die in vain. She was a hero and her legacy lives on.
Thank you Margaret for writing this novel. Your writing skills are exceptional. Wish you an your family peace❤️

[Dana M · Rating 4 out of 5]

“But most of all, Mary is a hero because she is a shining example of the light one person can bring to a dark and often brutal world.”

This is a really amazing true story of how one woman was failed on so many levels.

During a 1975 prison escape attempt that caused 41-hour hostage-taking by three desperate inmates of the British Columbia Penitentiary in New Westminster, B.C., Mary Steinhauser volunteered to be the principal hostage. For 41 hours, she was held as a human shield, protecting not only the inmates but the fourteen other hostages sequestered in a nearby vault. Her calmness, composure and bravery throughout the entire hostage-taking was noted by the negotiators and penitentiary staff alike. Mary would not make it out alive.

The insight to how those with mental health issues were treated, and the “treatment” they were given is absolutely shocking! I can imagine how you could fall into negativity dealing with it on a day to day basis, and yet, Mary is depicted as positivity and light. While this isn’t the most well written book; it is a book filled with love and admiration one sister has for another.

[Harleen Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was my first book. I read and completed the whole book in a few weeks. It was recommended to me by my criminology professor, and the author of this was, in fact, a debut author. It was her first book, and she wrote about her sister's story in it . I really liked it, and I surely recommend this book to everyone who thinks the justice system is equal for everyone and everyone has the right to it. This book will definitely let you think: is it all worth it to keep fighting for something that can never be yours ?

[Jessica Tengco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between Blade and Bullet is a marvelous tribute from Margaret to her sister, Mary. As a social worker in the mental health and substance use field myself, I resonated with her story quite a bit. It was a tough read at times and somewhat a cautionary tale. It’s tragic that even though the events in this book took place in the 60s-70s, it seems not much has changed. Mary lived and died true to her social worker values by standing up for the rights of those in a disadvantaged state in spite of the inherent risk in doing so.

[Mackenzie Frobisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was assigned this for one of my crim classes and absolutely loved it! It was cool to read since the women it’s about lived in the Vancouver area

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to write a 20 page essay on this book for a sociology final, I’d do it again

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book very interesting. I learned information I was unaware of.