Since retiring from a much-honored career as a high school principal in Vancouver, Iona has written a dozen novels set in post-WWII British Columbia. Her central figure, Lane Winslow, is based on Iona’s mother, who had been a British spy during the war. The latest book in the series, “The Cost of a Hostage,” was released last week and is #6 on the Toronto Globe & Mail Canadian best seller list.
Oooh, all of these sound incredible, every single one! Time War has been on my radar a long while - I need to prioritize it now! And excellent timing pointing out that The River Has Roots is a sister story - that’s my club’s current prompt and I’ve been struggling for a recommendation that has different vibes from Hello Beautiful and One Two Three!
Currently re-reading The Westing Game with my youngest AND for book club (prompt was “under 200 pages”) and feeling nostalgic for a thing we had in elementary called Sustained Silent Reading where we all got to cozy up in class once or twice a month with books, pillows, and flashlights… did anyone else have that amazing experience as a child?
I am actually struggling a bit with Time War. I will be interested in your thoughts. The River Has Roots is very short— but there are things to discuss. If I were to choose a book club book on a sisters theme, I might pick The Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips.. if your club likes a thriller.
I added that one to my list of books you recommend I intend to read someday, too! I wish I’d thought of it before I threw the poll out. Right now it’s tied between The River has Roots and My Sister, the Serial Killer (which I have read, but would re-read because it was deliciously strange).
How did I not know about Little Free Library week!? I have to advocate for the LFL. I did indeed find Roth in one of those, having never encountered him in dozens of lit classes, and now Sabbath’s is in my top three desert-island books.
Code Noir sounds so interesting and will be the one I look into first. It’s great to see you bringing in so many international titles, and revisiting the Carol Shields! Great literature does grow with us. And international literature is so much more daring and formally interesting, I find.
I saw your photos of the offerings at your LFL and I have to say, your neighbors have great taste! I sometimes find a gem in mine and other times I wonder “who are these people?” But it’s always interesting and the books I add never seem to stay long so I am glad to know they have a new home.
I have actually started to wonder who the hell lives on my street with such good literary taste. Someone I should befriend, clearly, or else some total recluse with a candle in his library.
I'm glad your books tend to go fast. I have a terrible habit of hanging on to my permeable books and only giving away the laminated, so I may be contributing to bad taste-making and perhaps to not befriending the person with good taste :).
You're making me want to do a good turn by adding actually good books in there next week.
Iona Whishaw — Canadian mystery author. https://ionawhishaw.ca/
Since retiring from a much-honored career as a high school principal in Vancouver, Iona has written a dozen novels set in post-WWII British Columbia. Her central figure, Lane Winslow, is based on Iona’s mother, who had been a British spy during the war. The latest book in the series, “The Cost of a Hostage,” was released last week and is #6 on the Toronto Globe & Mail Canadian best seller list.
Sounds worth a look for sure!
Adding The Iliac Crest to my TBR!
Nice! I wonder if it has been translated into any local languages? I know she is read all over the world!
Oooh, all of these sound incredible, every single one! Time War has been on my radar a long while - I need to prioritize it now! And excellent timing pointing out that The River Has Roots is a sister story - that’s my club’s current prompt and I’ve been struggling for a recommendation that has different vibes from Hello Beautiful and One Two Three!
Currently re-reading The Westing Game with my youngest AND for book club (prompt was “under 200 pages”) and feeling nostalgic for a thing we had in elementary called Sustained Silent Reading where we all got to cozy up in class once or twice a month with books, pillows, and flashlights… did anyone else have that amazing experience as a child?
I am actually struggling a bit with Time War. I will be interested in your thoughts. The River Has Roots is very short— but there are things to discuss. If I were to choose a book club book on a sisters theme, I might pick The Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips.. if your club likes a thriller.
Oh, thank you for the rec! That one has been on my list since you wrote about it, and we haven’t read a thriller in awhile! ❤️
Shred Sisters would be a great book club pick, too!
I added that one to my list of books you recommend I intend to read someday, too! I wish I’d thought of it before I threw the poll out. Right now it’s tied between The River has Roots and My Sister, the Serial Killer (which I have read, but would re-read because it was deliciously strange).
Ooh. Have not read that yet. Might be good for my next list…
That makes me very curious and excited to see your whole next list…😂
How did I not know about Little Free Library week!? I have to advocate for the LFL. I did indeed find Roth in one of those, having never encountered him in dozens of lit classes, and now Sabbath’s is in my top three desert-island books.
Code Noir sounds so interesting and will be the one I look into first. It’s great to see you bringing in so many international titles, and revisiting the Carol Shields! Great literature does grow with us. And international literature is so much more daring and formally interesting, I find.
I saw your photos of the offerings at your LFL and I have to say, your neighbors have great taste! I sometimes find a gem in mine and other times I wonder “who are these people?” But it’s always interesting and the books I add never seem to stay long so I am glad to know they have a new home.
I have actually started to wonder who the hell lives on my street with such good literary taste. Someone I should befriend, clearly, or else some total recluse with a candle in his library.
I'm glad your books tend to go fast. I have a terrible habit of hanging on to my permeable books and only giving away the laminated, so I may be contributing to bad taste-making and perhaps to not befriending the person with good taste :).
You're making me want to do a good turn by adding actually good books in there next week.
Or maybe that person thinks they’re giving away their worst books too? And they would be happier with your cast offs? I wonder!
Leave at least one good one, Courtney!
I will -- will report which :)