Going to Beautiful

by Anthony Bidulka

International chef Jake Hardy has it all. Celebrity, thriving career, plenty of friends, a happy family and faithful dog. Until one day when a tragic accident tears it all apart. Struggling to recover, Hardy finds himself in a strange new world--a snow-swept prairie town that time forgot--a place where nothing makes sense. Cold is beautiful. Simple is complex. And doubts begin to surface about whether Jake's tragedy was truly an accident after all. As the sun sets in the Land of Living Skies, Hardy and his glamourous, seventy-eight-year-old transgender neighbour find themselves ensnared in multiple murders separated by decades. In Bidulka's love letter to life on the prairies he delivers a story of grief and loss that manages to burst with joy, tenderness and hope. Redolent of his earlier works, Going to Beautiful brings us unexpected, under-represented characters in settings that immediately feel familiar and beloved. Beautiful--a place where what you need may not be what you were looking for.

Praise for Going to Beautiful:

…Anthony Bidulka has created a whole new genre: Saskatchewan Gothic, which will both chill and warm your heart. Simply wonderful!
Alan Bradley, author of the Flavia de Luce series including The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Going to Beautiful…is a testament not only to Bidulka’s skill in plotting and other novelistic stratagems, but even more to the unique setting and the wonderfully textured characters…
Felice Picano, author of Like People in History and Pursued: Lillian’s Story, companion to Pursuit: A Victorian Entertainment

Going to Beautiful is poignant, often funny, always wise…the quiet joy and hopefulness of this novel are gifts readers will value for years to come.
Gail Bowen, author of the Joanne Kilbourn Shreve mystery series including An Image in the Lake

Anthony Bidulka has pulled off a literary coup in Going to Beautiful. Deftly balancing humour and heart…Bidulka hits it out of the park.
Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour

Genres: Canada, Mystery, Audiobook, LGBT, Fiction, Book Club

259 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2022

About the author

Anthony Bidulka is the author of the long-running Russell Quant mystery series, two thrillers featuring Disaster Recovery Agent Adam Saint, a stand-alone suspense novel, Set Free, and a stand alone mystery novel, Going to Beautiful (2023 Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel) and the Merry Bell trilogy mystery series. The third and final book in the Merry Bell trilogy, Home Fires Burn, will be released June 2025.

Praise for Anthony Bidulka's books:

“…promises to become one of those that we look forward to each year and put on our shopping lists without waiting for the reviews.”

Reviewing the Evidence:

...Anthony Bidulka has created a whole new genre: Saskatchewan Gothic, which will both chill and warm your heart. Simply wonderful!

Alan Bradley, author of the Flavia de Luce series including The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Going to Beautiful...is a testament not only to Bidulka’s skill in plotting and other novelistic stratagems, but even more to the unique setting and the wonderfully textured characters...

Felice Picano, author of Like People in History and Pursued: Lillian's Story, companion to Pursuit: A Victorian Entertainment

...poignant, often funny, always wise…the quiet joy and hopefulness of this novel are gifts readers will value for years to come.
Gail Bowen, author of the Joanne Kilbourn Shreve mystery series including An Image in the Lake

Anthony Bidulka has pulled off a literary coup in Going to Beautiful. Deftly balancing humour and heart...Bidulka hits it out of the park.
Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour


Anthony Bidulka has dedicated his career to writing traditional genre novels in an untraditional way, developing a body of work that often features his Saskatchewan roots and underrepresented, diverse main characters. He tells serious stories in accessible, entertaining, often humorous ways.

Bidulka’s novel Going to Beautiful is the 2023 winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel. His books have been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence (three times), the Lambda Literary Award (three times), the Saskatchewan Book Award (five times). Flight of Aquavit was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery, making Bidulka the first Canadian to win in that category. Going to Beautiful, about a gay man rising from the depths of despair in search of joy on the Saskatchewan prairie, also won the Independent Publisher Book Award as the Canada West Best Fiction Gold Medalist.

In his free time Bidulka loves to travel the world, collect art, walk his dogs, obsess over decorating Christmas trees (it’s a thing) and throw a good party.


Anthony's Books:

The Merry Bell trilogy:
Livingsky (2023)
From Sweetgrass Bridge (2024)
Homefires Burn (2025)

Going to Beautiful (2022)

Set Free (2016)

The Adam Saint books:
When The Saints Go Marching In (2013)
The Women of Skawa Island (2014)

The Russell Quant books:
Amuse Bouche (2003)
Flight of Aquavit (2004)
Tapas on the Ramblas (2005)
Stain of the Berry (2006)
Sundowner Ubuntu (2007)
Aloha, Candy Hearts (2009)
Date With a Sheesha (2010)
Dos Equis (2012).

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Together We Read Canada is a digital book club uniting patrons of Canadian libraries. For two weeks, there are no waitlists and no holds for the selected title - patrons simply download the ebook or audiobook from Libby. ‘Going To Beautiful’ was the pick for November 25 - December 09, 2024.

“There is more that unites us than divides us.”

I liked this one WAY more than I thought I would. I intended to read the first chapter and confirm that it wasn’t for me…but I was captivated by the stellar writing and characters. Suddenly, I realized I’d been reading for more than an hour.

Anthony Bidulka champions the under-represented and writes from what he knows…and it shows. Bidulka has taken the trauma and grief experienced by his characters and overshadowed it with joy, showing us that the unexpected (place, purpose, and presentation) can be a source of happiness.

International celebrity chef, Jake Hardy and clothing designer, Eddie Kravetz have a perfect life in Toronto, Canada … until tragedy strikes just prior to their 30th anniversary. Readers journey along through the grief of loss to the joy of new beginnings, opening our eyes to the possibility that painful endings can lead to beautiful beginnings.

First of all, THOSE characters….a gay celebrity chef, a transgender bon vivant socialite and best friend, a nonagenarian nun, a Chinese café owner, and a gaggle of Ukrainians! I loved them all. I honestly cared what happened to ALL of them; the quirky, the interesting, the troubled and the flamboyant. This eclectic group of 55+ers and life in rural Saskatchewan in winter captured my heart and I was smiling and laughing as I read.

Secondly, THAT narrative. It was as if author Anthony Bidulka was having coffee with me and sharing his story. I could picture the characters and setting and could identify with the sense of humor. At the core of his novel is a crime, but it’s scaffolded with sensitivity and shrink-wrapped in experiences most readers can identify with, making it resonate with many. Yes, there’s a terrible secret that Beautiful is hiding, but with Bidulka’s guidance, it comes full circle and leads to joy.

Thank you Libby/OverDrive and Anthony Bidulka for a fantastic Zoom meeting today. I enjoyed the thoughtful questions, great banter and fantastic insights.

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Going to Beautiful’ is the latest work from the pen of Canadian-based author, Anthony Bidulka and will be released in May 2022. I assume the cover may well be different to my advance reading copy.

The reason I selected this novel from our to-be-read catalogue was its intriguing title. Surely ‘beautiful’ is an adjective? Not in this case, it’s a proper noun. Beautiful is a small semi-abandoned prairie town near Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada. The school has long gone with younger families choosing to move to the nearby city, the one convenience shop is shut due to the owner being poorly and the nearby convent has but a single nun left. The post office may well close down soon and Ming’s restaurant is now the hub of community life.

We see all the action through the eyes of Jake Hardy, our main protagonist, and the story is written in the past tense with chapters of even length. Jake and his neighbour, Baz, find themselves drawn to the town as the result of a tragic accident. Thereafter they meet and get to know Beautiful’s few remaining inhabitants and their journey takes them on a voyage of discovery not only about the place and some crimes committed many years previously, but also about themselves.

After a strong start, the author builds layer upon layer of the developing story through clever descriptions of the surroundings and just enough action to keep the reader completely engaged. The elderly townsfolk are a tight knit community of Ukrainian descent, yet they take the outsiders from Toronto to their hearts.

It is refreshing to find an author who’s brave enough to break through ageist barriers and create almost an entire cast of older characters. Jake is a fifty-five year old celebrity chef with a fashion-designer husband of thirty years and together they have a grown up son. Baz is in her seventies. She has a bold personality, loves colourful clothing and has a constant need for alcohol. She’s a proud transgender woman with a tremendous capacity for love. She is also a strong foil for Jake in her determination to assist him in his search for answers.

Some sensitive topics are explored through a mixture of moral conscience, gentle awakening, tolerance and a smattering of humour. This isn’t really a whodunit but that’s not to say there isn’t a twist or two as the tale wends its way to a conclusion.

This is a delightful book which should offend no one but will hopefully leave the reader satisfied by its uplifting ending. I have no hesitation in awarding five stars.

[David Van Horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthony is a masterful story teller and it has never been better demonstrated than with this book. I couldn't possibly tell in a few sentences what this story is about without giving too much away. This is a story with more twists than imaginable. Each character is wonderfully interesting, absolutely unique and totally believable. Anthony's knowledge about and love for the Prairies is clear and also contagious. Do yourself a huge favour and read this book. You will likely find it hard to put down as I did.

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Canada Reads November 2024
This book had all the qualifiers for awards’ eligibility in 2024: LGBTQ (all the letters as they say in the book) BIPOC characters, Ukrainian village with lots of quirky characters, accidental murders, secrets, rich people having no real grasp of actual life, convents, engagements, and a dog named Lulu
This book literally tried and got away with murder, cause you know even the darkest of souls have good in them when the culprits are Ukrainian? It reads like a court ordered propaganda for Canadian enthusiast.

As for actual content and literary merit? I don’t think they are required for winning awards. The first chapter where the most selfish person in the world has a cold had some humour in it, but the rest of the book might have as well been written by ChatGPT.

[Michelle Galvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans have been waiting a long time for another novel by Anthony Bidulka, so I jumped at the chance to read an advance copy of “Going to Beautiful” and was not disappointed. It is a true Bidulka tale, with storied characters and humorous situations in the forefront, and the mystery remaining backstage, motivating the action.
Bidulka’s love for Saskatchewan, small town life and his Ukranian heritage resonate throughout the novel, as locales are seen through the eyes of someone discovering this place for the first time, with all its idiosyncrasies, and slowly and unexpectedly falling in love with it.
Bidulka has captured small town life, including coffee row at the one restaurant, poker rallies, unorthodox business hours, and Sunday lunches. Anyone who has entertained folks from Toronto will recognize common themes – their shock at the cold and the open spaces, the way people care for each other and perfect strangers, and that we need to plug in a vehicle. The characters of Beautiful are three dimensional; you quickly grow to know them and understand what motivates them, and grieve with them the slow erosion of all that made the town what it was.
The story begins with the main character, Jake, suddenly losing his husband, and plunging into a profound depression. Jake is lost without Eddie, and his life spirals downward, until he finds a new purpose: going to Beautiful, SK, the town he believes Eddie came from, in search of any possible relations. Jake is accompanied by his friend Baz, who is as unexpectedly taken by this new world as is Jake, when she isn’t hyperventilating because of all the open space. The mystery in the background is the uncertainty about how Eddie died – was it an accident, murder or suicide – and why he never talked about his Beautiful childhood.
It was a pleasant surprise to find a lack of homophobia in Beautiful; even in small town Saskatchewan, people of the ‘letters’ are welcome and a person’s sexuality is no more important a descriptor than the colour of their hair or eyes. There were some rather unnecessary subplots that took away from the main story, and the resolution at the end was a bit pat, but otherwise this is an entertaining story that grabs hold and won’t let go. The ending was sudden, with a 15 month later epilogue, but it might have felt that way because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the characters and would have preferred to journey with them through that gap in time.
Bidulka’s greatest strength is in his development of his characters and their landscape. You really feel you know Jake, Baz, Bodhan, Chung and the others by the end of the novel. Well-written, evocative, humorous, sorrowful, this novel is as beautiful as the town. Definitely a must-read, and more than once.

[Ilonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grieving Jake Hardy is “Going to Beautiful” in hopes of learning something about his beloved husband, Eddie, whose death might not have been the accident it was determined to be. Accompanied by his friend Baz, Jake leaves his posh and trendy home in Toronto for the small prairie town of Beautiful, Saskatchewan, where its Ukrainian origins still run deep. A collision of worlds if ever there was one.

Bidulka captures the stunning beauty and occasional threat of a prairie winter with tender, sometimes terrifying, accuracy. The characters that people this small place are as unexpected as the twists and turns of the story itself. As Jake unravels the details of Eddie’s life—and death—he’s forced to make decisions that challenge his own moral center. His solution is what makes this novel so special.

And can I just say, we all need a friend like the fabulous Baz!

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read an advance reading copy of Going to Beautiful, my first Bidulka novel.it will not be my last.

Bidulka has crafted a masterful mystery with a never predictable plot culminating in a delightful conclusion. It was a joy to read and poignantly described what has happened over the past decades in rural Saskatchewan with the trend to increasing urbanization.

I was often struck by descriptive phrasing with some of my favourites being:

- I used my eyes to see instead of judge
- I slathered a thick slice of bread with a careless amount of butter
- it was a room that hugged you
- dementia’s unreliable filter

The characters are likeable and very human. It was time well spent reading this novel.

[Michael Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been such a joy to read an advanced copy of Anthony Bidulka’s new book. When we typically think of beautiful people or beautiful locations our thoughts may drift to Monte Carlo, St Tropez or even Hollywood. Bidulka has taken us to a place so close to home that at first glance we might feel cheated that the ordinary folks we start to meet are just that and the provincial landscape he introduces us to is bound for oblivion. Then he does his magic….slowly we realize that beauty comes from within and a town’s beating heart is it’s people. I hope you’ll enjoy Going to Beautiful as much as I have. It kind of makes me want to go out in the world and meet new people, make new friends, ones I hope will be for a lifetime.

[Glen Rutland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Bidulka at his best! Having read all his books, the ability to review an advance copy was a great opportunity. In this book Bidulka returns to the key elements that made the Russell Quant books so good; a compelling mystery, unconventional characters, moral questions and an incredibly strong sense of place. In this novel, not only are the residents of Beautiful characters, the Town itself becomes a character . Bidulka's fresh and unusual take on the standard fish out of water story is respectful to both sides, and leaves the reader with a sense of warmth, that not even the coldest Saskatchewan winter's day can take away.

[Michael Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to have access to a prepublication draft of this delightful book that I had trouble putting down. Although there is an intriguing mystery, the book is about more than a mystery: It is a description of life in small-town Saskatchewan, and it is a character study laced with very good dialogue and subtle humour. I found myself caring about the characters and wanting to find out more about their lives. Highly recommended.

[Mary Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all - wonderful characters that you love or hate, intrigue, suspense, love, friendship, courage, integrity, humour, small town values that rise to the occasion. A real page-turner - what a great book!

[Shaye Isaak Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bidulka describes details with such accuracy that I feel like I am right there or have been in that exact same situation. Maybe it’s déjà vu or a dream I’ve had but it feels so familiar that it’s almost uncanny.

He has touched on so many aspects of our lives today in storylike form that bring out my smiles, nods and deepest thoughts. His insight into what really is ‘beautiful’ makes one appreciate the simple things in life. ”

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is undoubtably Anthony at his best. I freely admit that I am a huge fan and jumped at the chance to read his latest work ahead of the rest of the world. He certainly does not disappoint.

Anthony has an easy style of writing that captivates the reader, allowing you to lose yourself in the world he is creating. You are immediately drawn into this world; invited to peek over the shoulder of the narrator.

The opening scenario that sets the stage for the novel is something taken out of the pages of the national newspapers; a devastating story which many Canadians may remember from several yeas back. If you don't, no worries. It will not take away from the power of the writing or the readers' empathy and sorrow for the character in the opening chapters. Knowing Anthony's writing prowess, I would have already been invested in his characters. As well, losing my mother a couple of years ago, I can picture how hard my father's time must have been after losing his best friend and soul mate of 50 years. What my father didn't do, was go in search of answers to a riddle!

What follows is a journey of a man finding his way through grief by discovering things about his husband be didn't know. Travelling from high rises in Toronto to the wide open starkness of the Saskatchewan prairie (I swear, you never get out of Toronto when you go there!) is certainly one way of shaking up a man's understanding of the world.

I love Anthony's description of small town living. Having grown up in small towns around Alberta and Saskatchewan (near Saskatoon), I was nodding my head and laughing ruefully at the accuracy of the town of Beautiful. A town very like the ones I grew up in, that are slowly drying up and blowing away in that near constant wind that whispers across the stark, flat landscape of three provinces. He also very accurately describes the inhabitants of said small towns - always ready to extend a hand or a place to stay, simply shifting over to make room for you at their table, always ready with coffee, or beer, and snacks. What good farm wife wouldn't cook something up for guests or have something already on hand just in case?

Just when you thought you have the book all figured out, watch out for the sharp curve in the story. Those straight flat roads that run through Saskatchewan? The ones the go straight on into the horizon? They can hide a sudden dip in the road or a sharp curve, so be ready.

I finished this book with tears in my eyes, not only for how the story played out, but for the brilliant writing. There's a beautiful ending to this story, like the magnificent sunsets on those flat prairies of ours. They are something you don't want to miss, and whether you want to or not, could bring tears to your eyes.

[Tonstant Weader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going to Beautiful is a story of loss, mourning, and awakening to a new and completely unimagined life. Jake and his partner Eddie are living the life. Both have ridden the reality-television road to fame and fortune. Eddie in a design competition show, Jake with books and shows featuring stylish and exciting cooking from around the world. But then Eddie dies, a death that could be a murder, suicide, or an accident. The same forces that lifted them up now magnify his grief as he is suspected by some. He’s lost his joy in cooking and is in despair. However, he has tasks to complete, spreading Eddie’s ashes at the places they visited. The last world on the list is beautiful, something Jake thought was descriptive, but his son pointed out it might be a noun, not an adjective. And so it was.

He and his neighbor and friend, Baz, an elegant transwoman who may be seventy-eight on paper but remains young at heart and spirit head out to Beautiful, Saskatchewan. Jake hopes to find answers there and he does, but far more answers than he was looking for.



Going to Beautiful is a new take on an old trope, the displaced urban sophisticates marooned among the salt-of-the-earth farmers. But Jake is no Paris Hilton and Baz is no Eva Gabor. From a broken down car to a missing brother-in-law, events conspire to keep Jake and Baz in Beautiful where they are soon drawn into the fabric of life. Beautiful could be one of those twee villages where everybody is an eccentric, but they face real problems and are united by the anxiety of the last residents of a dying town.

This is not a cute novel, though the description might make it seem so. The problems and mysteries of Beautiful are real. Jake comes to understand Eddie in a deeper way when he sees where he came from and meets his family. There is plenty of joy and kindness in Beautiful, but there is a grim side to surviving on the cold, northern prairie. That is what makes this such a beautiful novel.

I received an ARC of Going to Beautiful from the publisher through LibraryThing.

Going to Beautiful at Stonehouse Publishing
Anthony Bidulka author site

https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...

[Red Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I had the priviledge and delight to read this amazing story in one day. It was an absorbing and complex story, which both delighted and compelled me to keep reading!
Amanda, Victoria, Australia

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading an Anthony Bidulka book, though a couple of friends have raved about his Russell Quant series. Having been impressed with Going to Beautiful, I think I’ll be checking out his other offerings.

Jake Hardy, a celebrity chef, is left reeling after the sudden death of his husband of thirty years, Eddie Kravets. After a difficult year, Jake finds himself travelling to Beautiful, Saskatchewan, where it seems that Eddie was born. Accompanied by his friend and neighbour Baz, “a transgender bon vivant socialite,” Jake sets out to find Eddie’s family and to learn why Eddie never spoke of his family or hometown. Beautiful turns out to be a small town near Saskatoon with close-knit residents mostly of Ukrainian descent. From these residents, Jake learns about Eddie’s family but he also discovers dark secrets kept hidden for decades.

From the beginning I was charmed by Jake, the narrator. His voice and sense of humour are so appealing. He is suffering with the flu but describes himself as being “felled by the plague, the severity of which had heretofore been unknown to mankind.” To elicit sympathy and extort some mint chocolate ice cream, he leaves an “impressive pile of decongestants (oral and nasal), antihistamines, analgesics, antipyretics, cough suppressants, and expectorants” for Eddie to see. Awakened by a doorbell, he rages, “How dare Eddie allow someone to use the doorbell when I was on my deathbed? I cursed the ruckus and made a mental note to begin divorce proceedings as soon as I was better.” Jake is immediately relatable: if the reader is not like Jake, he/she will know someone like him.

Jake is not the only delightful character. Baz (Sebastienne Venkata Santhosh Kumar Sengupta) is a woman I’d love to meet. Not only is she the type of loyal and trustworthy friend everyone needs, but her idiosyncrasies endear her to the reader. How wonderful it is that the protagonist (55 years old) and his sidekick (78 years of age) are older people. The various inhabitants of Beautiful are unique and well-developed so the reader knows what to expect whenever one reappears. Gwen, for instance, will be having a drink and her conversation will be smattered with off-colour jokes and profanities.

Bidulka perfectly captures small-town life. Having grown up in a small town, I know how well everyone knows everyone, how quickly news and gossip spread, and how townspeople will come together to lend a helping hand. I couldn’t help but get nostalgic when I read about the three types of cookies Jake is served during a visit to a farm. And I’m craving some chokecherry jam!

The author’s love of the prairies resonates in his descriptions, and his pride in his Ukrainian heritage is palpable. I grew up in a town where most people were of Kashubian descent so my first language was Kashubian. Bidulka includes snippets of Ukrainian in the novel, and I was amazed by how similar Ukrainian and Kashubian are; I easily recognized phrases like Yak cya mahyesh? and Xto tahm? and words like vdoma, sveenya, dobrey, and dyakuyu.

This book has something for almost everyone. There’s more than one mystery about Eddie, there’s romance (a wonderfully unconventional relationship), and there’s ample humour. I particularly loved the gentle, subtle humour: a gathering of men is “like a low-budget, male version of The View”; designer gloves and scarves not intended for cold prairie winters “weren’t worth the tissue paper they’d been nestled in when we bought them”; and a convent on first appearance might be from The Sound of Music or The Rocky Horror Picture Show or the Bates Motel. A flirtatious farmer elicits a response from Jake: “Old MacDonald had more than a farm, he had moves.” And there’s Jake Hardy’s tongue-in-cheek comment: “I was someone looking for a quiet place to meet with Judah Kravchenko, not one of the Hardy Boys.”

Though my review is overwhelmingly positive, I must point out that the book is not perfect. I question the inclusion of Sister Genowefa’s story; that subplot seems unnecessary. What could have been included is a resident who was not so welcoming and open-minded. “Beauty can disguise a great many ugly things,” but homophobia and transphobia don’t exist in Beautiful? Though it makes for a satisfying ending, the epilogue does wrap things up very neatly, almost too neatly. However, I don’t mind if these objections are dismissed as caviling.

I loved the affirmative messages in the novel: it applauds people taking time “to celebrate the abundance of life and practice gratitude”; it recommends that one “lead with joy and joy will follow”; and it reminds us that “no matter how dark a soul, no matter how tortured, everyone deserves love.” The world is not totally devoid of hope and goodness.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I highly recommend it.

Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).

[Jeffrey Geddes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A traumatic personal tragedy is the catalyst for the events that take place in "Going to Beautiful," Anthony Bidulka's new novel. Part loving valentine to his Ukrainian heritage, part a fond homage to his childhood growing up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, part mystery, and part a journey of discovery, "Going to Beautiful" is both humorous and serious, both romantic and strangely haunting, and always satisfying.

I've long been a fan of Bidulka's work and "Going to Beautiful" is the work of a gifted writer at the top of his game. Bidulka can always be counted on to tell a great story, but what most impresses me are his talents to create memorable characters, not only the principal characters, but, possibly more importantly, his secondary characters as well, (I mean, who wouldn't want Baz to be your best friend? Seriously.), and his attention to detail that makes locales and food (obviously Bidulka is a foodie of the first order) come to vivid life and create visual pictures that beautifully frame the story. (Sidebar: Case in point: prior to his Russell Quant series, I was only vaguely aware of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Now, thanks to Bidulka's vivid descriptions of the city, it's on my bucket list of cities to visit.) In "Beautiful," you will long remember the Widows and Coffee Row, Sister Genowefa, and all the other residents of Beautiful, Saskatchewan. You'll swear you've been to Ming's, or, at the very least, wish there was a Ming's in your city. And the resplendence of Sister Genowefa's convent makes you wish you had been with Jake Hardy when he explored it prior to making his rather startling discovery. In my opinion, the beautiful, yet desolate and struggling, Beautiful may be Bidulka's most memorable locale yet.

I'm not going to regurgitate the plot. Buy the book if you want to know what goes on in a quiet, prairie town. You won't regret it. What I will tell you, however, is Bidulka's storytelling will have you hooked from the first sentence and it never lets up. Primarily linear in nature, the occasional detours to secondary plots are as rich and rewarding as the main plotline. The few quibbles I have reflect more on my personality than on Bidulka's writing. I don't feel the book needs an epilogue. I feel the epilogue wraps things up a bit too neatly. (Personally, I would take the last two/three paragraphs of the epilogue, which, particularly with the events in my life in the past year, resonate with emotion, and put them at the end of the book proper.) Frankly, I would have liked a bit more darkness, a bit more personality diversity in Beautiful's residents. I have relatives who live in small central Illinois towns. Trust me, not all small-town folks are as open and welcoming as Beautiful's populace. But, like I said earlier, that's my sardonic, cynical nature talking.

It was a distinct honor to be able to read an advance reading copy of "Going to Beautiful." Buy this book! To close, I'd like to quote one of the most stunning things I've read in, well, ages. Sister Genowefa, while talking to our hero, Jake Hardy, says, "Always remember, Jake, no matter how dark a soul, no matter how tortured, everyone deserves love." Amen, Sister Genowefa, amen! And, yes, I'm stealing this quote! It's going on my Facebook quotes.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake Hardy, a world renown chef, thinks he has it all…a loving husband, son and a great career. He’s truly happy until one day, one tragic event changes everything. Jake wants answers. He heads to the small town of Beautiful, Saskatchewan - a province in Canada - he thinks it will give him what he’s looking for. His neighbor, a 78 year old transgender woman accompanies him on his journey.

Jake is stunned by what he finds in Beautiful. It’s more or less a ghost town these days. Not the answers he was seeking, but instead, he is faced with new questions. He’s determined to learn all he can about this deserted town. Although, it’s not completely deserted. There are still people living there and he hopes they can give the answers he seeks.

This is a well-written, heart-wrenching story of love, betrayal and inspiration. It’s filled with emotions and characters you can truly care about. I don’t read many books set in Canada, but the author brought me right to the Canadian province. I felt I was right there with Jake wanting answers. The author’s exquisite words brought it all to life. I didn’t want to leave my new friends.

I’ve never read anything by this author before, but I’m so glad I’ve “discovered” him with this book. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a hidden gem that I never would have known about if it wasn’t for blogging. I devoured this book. I couldn’t put it down. A stunning and memorable novel.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

Going to Beautiful is a contemporary slice-of-life-esque novel from author Anthony Bidulka. Though this is not a romance in the traditional sense, Jake’s marriage to Eddie is at the bedrock of the story. That said, there is a side thread about Jake’s best friend, Baz, finding love.

In the beginning, we get a glossed introduction to Jake’s life and his marriage to Eddie. In short, they were deliriously happy with their lot. Wildly successful careers, financially secure, proud fathers of a successful son. In the space of a few pages, it all felt like they had a picture perfect marriage. Then, disaster strikes. I loved the care Bidulka puts into the pivotal scenes around this development. The blurb mentions a tragedy, though I wasn’t quite sure what that was supposed to be. Like Jake, I was in denial about what actually happens. The crucial scene rang false somehow, like I couldn’t just accept it. And when Jake eventually gets out to Beautiful, there’s both a nod to something maybe paranormal and to something straight out of a whodunit novel. In short, I loved the visceral feeling of living vicariously through Jake and all his hopes.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[Colleen Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake & Eddie are a happily married couple living the good life in downtown Toronto. Until the unthinkable happens.

Bidulka takes us on a journey down a path with many twists and turns to a small town in Saskatchewan where "the sky is a dome of brilliant blue with an egg yolk sun".

Bidulka's style is exciting and refreshing, his descriptions and prose are impeccable. Every chapter left you in suspense - you just didn't want to put the book down.

Going to Beautiful is first rate entertainment - a must read!

[Eldeen McFaull-Stein]

Anthony Bidulka, with his usual storytelling flair and panache, has outdone himself in his newest novel “Going To Beautiful”. He works his magic and draws you in to the life that still exists in small towns on the prairies. It is obvious that his roots are his guide. His descriptive writing and eye for detail makes his characters come alive. So, if you like clever mysteries that transport you to somewhere “Beautiful” then this is a must read!

[Elizabeth Iola Loveless · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a strange read, but strange in a good way. Part literary fiction about small town life in Saskatchewan and part mystery. The characters were vibrant and well rounded, and above all, interesting. Many twists and surprises, which I don't want to give away, fill the novel.

[Rachelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as part of Together We Read Canada. It has a lot of feel-good moments and inclusivity. Much of it felt hokey and idealistic though. Still worth a read.

I was in tiny-town Saskatchewan in June, and the author did a good job showcasing and explaining the decline that is happening in so many of them.

[Mabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book I likely would have found on my own but trying to get into audiobooks and this book was recommended through the Library app and the “Together We Read” program. I struggled to keep listening in the beginning, likely in part because audiobooks in general are new territory for me, but was hooked for the second half and had to give the book my full attention as I continued as I didn’t want to miss anything.

[charlotte, · Rating 3 out of 5]

(2.5)

see my review on reads rainbow

Rep: gay mc, Indian Canadian Hindu trans character, Chinese side character

[Chris Klacza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quirky novel about Jake, a gay chef who suddenly loses his husband and goes on a journey to Beautiful, Saskatchewan, his husband’s home town. The people he and his transgender, flashy friend Baz meet in Beautiful warmed my heart. This was a lovely story!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed reading Going to Beautiful. It resonated with me as someone who lives on the prairies- has experienced "small town hospitality". The characters are well developed and the story drew me in further and further. From Canadian cheezies to Ukrainian home cooking- this book was a treat and reminded me of being with my Polish grandma who could cook a delicious meal with very little.

[Pooria · Rating 2 out of 5]

To me, it read like a mashup of Schitt's Creek and The Adventures of Tintin, with some murder mystery thrown in for suspense, all narrated by Moira Rose! I loved the intensity of raw emotions at the beginning, the humor (sorry, Canada!), and the heartwarming positivity. Above all, it piqued my interest enough to finally take the plunge and plan a visit to Saskatchewan.

I didn't care much for the pace, repetitiveness, tone, or the inclusion of just too much to make it whatever it was supposed to be. "David! David!" I hear Moira’s voice in my head. "One does not simply fling spice about with reckless abandon—no, it must be curated with the precision of a maestro, lest it transform a delicate consommé into an unpalatable debacle!"

[Cornelius Krahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an all right book. A little predictable. Didn’t really know what kind of book it wanted to wanted to be: the tone shifted repeatedly. Sometimes murder mystery; sometimes a comedy; always jarring. The over use of parentheses in the first few chapters was annoying and pointless.
Read it as it was part of LloydReads; probably would have stopped after a few chapters if it wasn’t.