On a snowy day in December 1946, Lane Winslowโa former British intelligence agent whoโs escaped to the rural Canadian community of Kingโs Cove in pursuit of a tranquil lifeโis introduced to the local hot springs. While there she overhears nearby patrons speaking Russian. When one of those patrons is found dead in the change room, Laneโs linguistic and intelligence experience is of immeasurable value to the local police force in solving the murder.
The investigation points to the Soviet Union, where Stalinโs purges are eliminating enemies, and the reach of Stalinโs agent snakes all the way into a harmless Doukhobor community. Winslowโs complicated relationship with the local police inspector, Darling, is intensified by the perils of the caseโand by the discovery of her own fatherโs death during the war.
The case comes to a frantic and shocking end with a perilous nighttime journey along treacherous snow-covered roads.
โIona Whishaw is an exciting addition to Canadaโs fine roster of mystery writers. Iโm already planning to read [Killer in Kingโs Cove] again, and this time Iโll read the teaser for Whishawโs next novel provided at the end. A debut mystery by an author destined for awards.โ โDon Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews blog
Iona Whishaw is a former educator and social worker whose mother and grandfather were both spies during their respective wars. She is the award-winning author of the Globe and Mail bestselling Lane Winslow Mystery series. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband.