Crime Writers of Canada's Podcast

In this live recording at Bouchercon 2026 in Calgary, Erik D’Souza interviews author Neil Turner to discuss his Tony Valenti thriller series, including the latest novel, Swamp Justice. Neil explains that the setting evolved from research into U.S. legal systems and a desire to have Tony prosecute cases rather than defend them. He describes the fictional county as being dominated by two powerful families and noted the influence of Southern literary traditions. Neil shares his experience writing ten books in the series, the challenges of keeping plots fresh, and his decision to bring the eleventh book back to th...

The interview focuses on Cathy Ace's latest book in the Cait Morgan mystery series, The Corpse with a Steely Gaze, and the upcoming Bouchercon event. Cathy discusses Cait's unique approach to solving mysteries, emphasizing psychology and victimology over physical clues, and how she blends classic puzzle elements with a contemporary setting. She explains her enjoyment of writing about Vancouver and the importance of setting and history in her books, reflecting the multicultural nature of Canada. The conversation also covers Cathy's busy schedule at Bouchercon, where she will be auctioneering, interviewing guests of honour, and participating in panels and events. 

Malcolm Kempt sits down with Erik D’Souza to discuss Malcolm's debut crime novel, A Gift Before Dying. Malcolm shares that he left a 17-year career as a criminal lawyer in the Arctic to write full-time during the pandemic. He describes Cape Dorset, Nunavut, as a real, isolated place he loves, and explains that the story features a fish-out-of-water police detective and a 10-year-old Inuit boy to offer different perspectives. Malcolm addresses comparisons to Nordic Noir and confirms the story remains uniquely Canadian. He also discussed the challenges of promoting a first book, the lack of Canadian media coverage co...

Erik D’Souza interviews Irene Fantopoulos to discuss her crime novel, Murders in Deer Park, which is a follow-up to her previous book, All the Evil Scatters. During the interview, Erik asks Irene about her protagonists, Detective Melissa Hargrove and RJ Otombo. Irene explains her unique writing approach: using second-person point of view for the killer's narrative, which lets readers experience the killer's perspective and motivations while maintaining suspense about the killer's gender. The story begins with a renovation where three skeletons are discovered buried behind walls in a Deer Park townhouse, and Irene discusses how she incorporated her rea...

Erik D’Souza interviews Vicki Grant, a Nova Scotian writer known for over twenty young adult and middle-grade novels, about her first adult mystery novel, These Are the Fireworks. The interview explores Vicki's transition from children's literature to adult fiction, her decision to write from multiple perspectives, and the story's central themes of family relationships and grief. Vicki explains how she wanted to create a more realistic portrayal of how families deal with loss, particularly focusing on how Petra's daughters react to their father's death and the revelation that their mother may not be the devoted wife they thought sh...

Erik D'Souza interviews donalee Moulton, about her first paranormal mystery novel, Cardinal, from the Paranormal Canadian Collection series published by BWL Publishing. donalee talks about her main character, Em Montgomery, who keeps her first name secret, the setting of Pictou, Nova Scotia, and the ghost-story elements in the book. They also discuss upcoming literary events in Nova Scotia, including the Crime Will Tell event at the Halifax Public Library on September 12th, where a new microanthology, "The Blue Lobster Detective Agency," will be unveiled. The interview covers Donalee’s various writing projects.

BIO

donalee Moulton’s fi...

Erik D’Souza interviews Katie Tallo about her latest novel, Where Her Secrets Lie, featuring the protagonist Lenny Bird, a 70-year-old set in Ottawa. Katie explains her decision to write about an older protagonist. They discuss how Ottawa offers a small-town feel despite being a large city, with Lenny's connections to the police through her late husband. The interview concludes with a discussion of Katie's upcoming psychological thriller set in Central America.

BIO

Katie Tallo is an award-winning screenwriter and director. After winning an international novel contest, she began writing mystery thrillers. Her 2020 debut, Dark Au...

Erik D’Souza interviews Ontario author M.S. Berry. They discuss her two psychological thrillers, The Tenant and Behind the Door (published by Ravenstone Books), which mark a shift from her previous literary fiction works published under the name Michelle Berry. Michelle explains her decision to write thrillers after being recognized for thriller elements in her previous work, and discusses how both novels draw on personal experiences, including a real incident where she accidentally double-booked a rental property in Germany. The conversation covers Michelle’s writing techniques, including her use of dual perspectives in The Tenant and the psychological twis...

Erik D'Souza interviews retired detective, Dave Sweet, for Crime Writers of Canada's Podcast, focusing on Dave's upcoming presentation at Bouchercon in Calgary. Dave discusses his 25-year policing career, including his work in the Homicide Unit and cross-jurisdictional investigations. They explore his book-writing approach, explaining why he co-authors all his books with different partners and sharing details about his current project, Whispers, with Mark Leslie, which explores death and the afterlife. The conversation concluded with practical advice for attendees planning to visit Calgary in October, including weather considerations and recommendations to visit Banff.

Bio

With 25 years...

Erik D’Souza speaks with author Melodie Campbell about her Merry Widow Murders series set in the 1920s. Melodie discusses her latest book, The Pharaoh’s Cursed Murders (published by Cormorant Books), which features her protagonist, Lady Revelstoke, solving a murder aboard a cruise ship bound for Egypt while exploring themes of women’s rights and the ethics of archaeological digs. She explains how she incorporates comedy through her character, Elf, who serves as a comedic foil to the book’s serious mystery elements, and describes her extensive research into Egyptology to ensure the book’s historical accuracy. Melodie also menti...

Erik D’Souza interviews Vicki Grant, discussing her book, Death by Whoopi Cushion (published by Tundra Books), which is nominated for Best Juvenile/YA Crime Book, sponsored by Superior Shores Press. They examine Vicki's writing approach for reluctant readers, her character Manya Brown, and the humor-mystery-science balance in the book, and briefly touch on Vicki's adult mystery novel, These Are the Fireworks. 

 Bio

 Vicki Grant is a Canadian writer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She began her professional life in advertising and television, creating short ads and scripts before transitioning to full-length novels. Her first novel...

  Erik D’Souza interviews Lorna Poplak about her book, On the Lamb, Great and Not-So-Great Escapes from Prison" (published by Dundurn Press), which is nominated for The Brass Knuckles Award for Best Nonfiction Crime Book, sponsored by David Reid Simpson Law Firm (Hamilton). Lorna discusses fascinating prison escape stories and her research methods. Lorna describes her book's focus on both the prison systems and the human motivations behind escapes, leaving readers to consider what constitutes a successful prison escape. 

 Bio

Lorna Poplak is a Toronto-based writer, editor, and researcher drawn to the dark side of histo...

Erik D’Souza interviews Angela Douglas, whose debut novel, Every Fall (published by EOB Publishing), is nominated for Best Crime Novel Set in Canada, sponsored by Shaftesbury.  They discuss the book's plot, which follows a police officer and his wife as they move to a new house and experience strange phenomena, told from both characters' perspectives. Angela explains how the story is set in fictional Canadian cities and features RCMP officers, making it uniquely Canadian. They also talk about Angela's book marketing efforts, including her work with Eyes on Books, a book marketing hub she founded. Angela gives us a s...

Erik D'Souza interviews Barbara Stokes, discussing her nomination for Best Unpublished Crime Novel manuscript written by an unpublished author, sponsored by ECW Press, for her manuscript, Death Scent. Barbara discusses her character Doc, a retired Black Lab cadaver dog, and the protagonist Em, a former RCMP officer turned private detective. Barbara explained that her writing takes a gritty approach with a feminist agenda, and she is already working on a second book titled Ladykillerz, featuring the same main character.

A professional writer for her entire career, unpublished author Barbara Stokes has penned a wide variety of materials...

Cette entrevue en français a eu lieu entre Francisca Bullock et Steve Laflamme, finaliste du Prix d'excellence 2026 de Crime Writers of Canada dans la catégorie Meilleur livre policier en langue française, commandité par Carrick Publishing, pour son roman La mémoire du labyrinthe (publié chez Libre Expression).

 Bio

 Steve Laflamme enseigne la littérature (policière, entre autres) au Cégep de Sainte-Foy, à Québec. Il est l’auteur de dix romans policiers et à suspense chaudement accueillis par la critique. À temps perdu, il est également guitariste et chanteur dans un band de blues ne se produi...

Erik D'Souza interviews Jan Field about her novel, Yesterday Lies (published by La Cloche Publishing), which has been nominated for Best Crime First Novel, sponsored by Melodie Campbell. They discuss the novel's 1994 Northern Ontario setting, the unique crime scene involving a body in a tree, and the importance of family in the story. Jan explains her decision to keep the story in the 1990s era and describes her upcoming second book, Silence of the Deep, which is already written and heading to the editor. 

Bio 

Jan Field grew up in the mining town of Sudbury, On...

Erik D'Souza interviews Kathleen Lippa, discussing her book, The Arctic Predator: The Crimes of Edward Horn Against Children in Canada's North (published by Dundurn Press), nominated for the Brass Knuckles Award for Best Non-Fiction Crime Book, sponsored by David Reid Simpson Law Firm (Hamilton). Kathleen explains that Ed Horn was a school teacher and principal who sexually abused Inuit children in the Canadian Arctic from 1971 to 1985, with over 100 victims, though the crimes remained unknown to the wider public until her book brought attention to them. She describes the challenging process of writing about such sensitive topics and the significant...

Erik D'Souza interviews Rick Mofina, the recipient of the 2026 Grand Master Award from Crime Writers of Canada, to discuss his career and new book, One Second Away. Rick explains that his latest thriller represents a departure from his recent work, combining elements of global techno-thrillers with domestic suspense, featuring an ordinary family caught up in extraordinary circumstances when their child goes missing during an airline flight. They discuss Rick's approach to balancing character development with plot. He reveals that he’s currently working on two completed drafts: a standalone thriller submitted for next year's publication and a noir-style story se...

Erik D'Souza interviews C.S. Porter, discussing his nominated novel, Salt on Her Tongue (published by Vagrant Press), for the Best Novel Set in Canada Award, sponsored by Shaftesbury. They discuss Porter's detective character, Kes Morris, who has taken a leave of absence and is given what's intended to be an easy missing person. The conversation covered the unique setting of the Bay of Fundy, which Porter describes as dangerous and aggressive, as well as the challenges of writing about such a specific location. They also discuss Porter's plans for a third Kes Morris novel, with the rough draft...

Erik D'Souza interviews A.L. Wahdel about his nomination for Best First Crime Novel, sponsored by Melodie Campbell, for his debut book, Too Dark for the Light (published by Butterfly 80 Publishing ). Wahdel, a police officer with two decades of experience, discusses his writing process, his decision to set the story in Toronto, and his approach to authentic police-procedural elements while maintaining entertainment value. They discuss the series' potential to follow in the footsteps of authors like Michael Connelly and Louise Penny. Wahdel also reveals that the second book in the series is scheduled for release in September 2026, and expresses...

Erik D'Souza speaks with Shelley Adina about her nomination for the Whodunit Award for Best Traditional Mystery for, The Engineer's Nemesis (published by Moonshell Books). Shelley discusses her steampunk mystery series featuring Lady Georgia Brunel and her aunt Millicent, in which the women solve cases while traveling on an airship. She explains her writing process, including her decision to write mysteries alongside her successful romance novels, and shares details about her upcoming books. 

 Bio

After a childhood spent reading Nancy Drew, and several years supporting the RCMP, Shelley Adina Bates now writes mysteries as a me...

Erik D'Souza interviews Ray Critch, a lawyer from St. John's, Newfoundland, who has been nominated for the Best First Crime Novel Award, sponsored by Melodie Campbell, for his book, The Beltane Massacre (published by Breakwater Books). They explore Ray's approach to writing about grief and high-stakes mystery, his experience with public speaking, and his plans to continue writing while maintaining his legal career. Ray also shared details about his upcoming second and third novels in the Rowan McRae series.

Bio

By day, Ray Critch is a lawyer from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Practicing civil...

Erik D’Souza interviews Tamara L. Miller, a nominee for the Peter Robinson Award for Best Crime Novel for her debut book, Into the Fall (published by Thomas and Mercer). They discuss how Miller's camping trip in Ontario inspired the novel's premise about a woman stranded in the wilderness after her husband disappears. Miller shares her background, her transition from academic and government policy writing to crime fiction, and how she developed her writing skills through workshops and mentorship over several years. They also discuss her new book, The Weight of Glass, which follows a mother's disappearance in a sm...

Erik D’Souza interviews Laury Silvers, discussing her nomination for the Whodunit Award for Best Traditional Mystery sponsored by Jane Doe, for her book, Some Justice. The interview covers Silvers' background as a retired professor of early Islam and Sufism, her decision to set her novels in Baghdad in 1912, and the evolution of writing styles from her Sufi Mysteries Quartet to the new Ghazi Amar Medieval Mysteries series. They discuss her writing approach, which she describes as emotionally driven, and her preference for self-publishing over traditional publishing. The conversation also touches on her contemporary thriller series, written under the ps...

Erik D’Souza interviews Alice Fitzpatrick about her nomination for the Whodunit Award for Best Traditional Mystery, sponsored by Jane Doe, for her novel A Dark Death (Published by Stonehouse Publishing. She explains her writing process of A Dark Death, which features archaeological elements and explores the motivations of seemingly ordinary people to commit murder. The conversation also covers her upcoming Christmas-themed mystery, A Killing Cold.

Bio

Alice Fitzpatrick has contributed short stories to literary magazines and anthologies, including the Crime Writers of Canada 40th anniversary anthology, Cold Canadian Crime.  She is a fearless champion of...

Erik D’Souza interviews Barbara Fradkin about the nomination of her story, Cold Shock, which appears in A Capital Mystery Anthology, published by Ottawa Press and Publishing. They explored Barbara's fascination with why ordinary people resort to desperate actions, her creation of tension and atmosphere in beautiful settings such as the Rideau River, and her long-running Inspector Green series set in Ottawa. 

Bio

Barbara Fradkin is a retired child psychologist with a fascination for why we turn bad. She has published seventeen novels, over thirty short stories, and four Rapid Reads short novels. Twelve of her...

Erik D’Souza interviews Madeleine Harris-Callway, discussing her nomination for the story, The Lost Diner (published in Pulp Literature issue 47) in the Best Crime Short Stories category, sponsored by Crime Writers of Canada. Madeleine explains her story about a 62-year-old woman driving cars across the border for a criminal organization, sharing her character's background as a former repo specialist. Madeleine also updates us on her work with Les Madame et Messieurs de Mayhem collective, mentioning their upcoming seventh anthology titled "The Power of 13" scheduled for release in September ahead of Bouchercon in Calgary.

Bio

M. H...

Erik D'Souza interviews Iona Whishaw, whose novel, The Cost of a Hostage (Published by TouchWood Editions), is nominated for the Whodunit Award for Best Traditional Mystery, sponsored by Jane Doe. They discuss her Lane Winslow mystery series set in 1940s British Columbia. They explored how Lane's character evolved from being inspired by Iona's mother to developing her own distinct personality. 

Bio

Iona Whishaw is a Canadian author known for her Lane Winslow mystery series, drawing inspiration from her diverse background as an educator and social worker. She began writing the Lane Winslow mystery series at t...

Erik D’Souza interviews Lis Angus, who is nominated for two awards. Her novel, That Other Family (published by Next Chapter), is nominated for Best Crime Novel Set in Canada, sponsored by Shaftesbury. And her story, Under the Circumstances (published in A Capital Mystery Anthology by Ottawa Press and Publishing), is shortlisted for Best Crime Short Story, sponsored by Crime Writers of Canada. They discuss Lis's writing approach and her themes around family, protection, and ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Lis explains her extensive rewriting process and how she pares down her stories. The interview concludes with Lis mentioning he...

Erik D'Souza interviews John L. Hill about his nominated book, Acts of Darkness, Notorious Criminals, Their Defenders, Prosecutors, and Jailers (Published by Durvile & UpRoute), which is nominated for The Brass Knuckles Award for Best Nonfiction Crime Book, sponsored by David Reid Simpson Law Firm in Hamilton. John, a retired criminal and prison law lawyer, discusses how the book critically examines the Canadian justice system through real cases he's handled. They explored two chapters in detail: one about two businessmen wrongfully convicted of cocaine smuggling due to procedural errors, and another about the mistreatment of Indigenous youth in provincial facilities...

Joel Nedecky is nominated for Best Crime First Novel, sponsored by Melodie Campbell, with a $1000 prize. 

Erik D'Souza interviews Joel Nedecky, a Winnipeg school teacher and author of The Broken Detective (published by Run Amok Crime). The interview covers Joel's writing journey, from being nominated for The Award for Best Unpublished Manuscript, sponsored by ECW Press in 2023, to now being shortlisted for Best First Crime Novel, making it rare for an author to be nominated twice for the same book. They discuss the character of Jake Joelsen, who is described as "broken" due to childhood experiences with a...

Robert Cree and Therese Greenwood's book, The Many Names of Robert Cree: How a First Nations Chief, Brought Ancient Wisdom to Big Business and Prosperity to His People (Published by  ECW Press), is nominated for  The Brass Knuckles Award for Best Nonfiction Crime Book, sponsored by David Reid Simpson Law Firm in Hamilton.

Elder Robert Cree’s memoir, The Many Names of Robert Cree, is a first-person account of surviving the residential school system designed to erase Indigenous culture, language, and knowledge. 

It is also the story of an epic life of struggle and he...

In this podcast, Erik D’Souza interviews David L. Tucker, a nominee for Best Crime First Novel, sponsored by Melodie Campbell, for his debut crime novel, A Painting to Die For (published by Otter & Osprey Press). David explains how he transitioned to writing crime fiction, inspired by a trip to London and observations about the art market, which led to the story's setting in London during Brexit in 2017. The novel follows Bill Fredrick, a struggling Toronto portrait painter who becomes involved in a dangerous situation when he travels to London to help his wealthy uncle with a family matter. Er...

Erik D’Souza interviews Jack David, co-founder of ECW Press, a Canadian book publisher founded in 1974 that has published over 2,000 books across various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Jack discusses the importance of good writing over social media presence, and shares why ECW Press sponsors the Crime Writers of Canada's best unpublished crime novel manuscript category, offering $500 to support emerging writers. 

ECW Press is a Canadian book publisher located in Toronto, Ontario. It was founded by Jack David and Robert Lecker in 1974 as a Canadian literary magazine named Essays on Canadian Writing. They started publishing trade and...

In this podcast, Erik D’Souza interviews Jennifer Hillier, the Canadian Guest of Honour at Bouchercon 2026 in Calgary, to discuss her writing and upcoming book. Jennifer discusses her award-winning novel, Things We Do in the Dark, which spans multiple locations, including Vancouver and Toronto, and her approach to writing diverse characters drawn from her lived experience as a Filipino-Canadian. She also shared details about her upcoming book Heart of Glass, set in a fictional seaside town, which took four challenging years to write. The conversation covered Jennifer's writing process, her experience with publishers regarding setting locations, and her return to...

In this podcast, Erik D’Souza talks with Mark Graney, the American Guest of Honor for Bouchercon 2026 in Calgary. It focused on his writing career and experience with the conference. Mark discussed his process for writing lengthy thrillers, including his Gray Man series and Jack Ryan novels, explaining how he balances writing with his large family while incorporating current global affairs into his stories. He shared insights about researching locations, the psychological development of his assassin characters, and his approach to writing morally complex characters. The conversation concluded with Mark's advice about attending Bouchercon, highlighting its welcoming atmosphere and di...

Erik D’Souza interviews Vicki Delany as part of the Bouchercon series podcasts. The discussion covers Vicki's creative process and her approach to series longevity, particularly her decision to introduce a new protagonist in the Lighthouse Library series while keeping the original character, Lucy, in a supporting role. The conversation also touches on setting choices for cozy mysteries and the challenges of getting Canadian-set books published in the US market. The interview concludes with Vicki's advice for attendees of the upcoming Bouchercon in Calgary, emphasizing the importance of careful planning and spontaneity.

Bio

Vicki Delany is...

Erik D'Souza interviews Kevin Sands, author of the Blackthorn Key Adventures and Thieves of Shadow Fantasy Heist series, as part of the Bouchercon series podcast. Kevin discusses his journey from theoretical physics and various careers to becoming a middle-grade fiction writer, explaining his approach to writing for 8-12 year olds while maintaining complexity that appeals to older readers. They explore Kevin's method of crafting puzzles in his books, drawing comparisons to Dan Brown, and discuss the challenges of reaching young audiences in the current social media landscape. The conversation concludes with information about Kevin’s upcoming appearance at Bouchercon's Ki...

In this special edition podcast interview for Bouchercon, Erik D'Souza speaks with Louise Penny, the Lifetime Achievement Guest of Honour, about her career and Canadian crime writing. They explore the growing international recognition of Canadian crime writing and Louise's role as an ambassador for the genre. The conversation also touched on Louise's journalistic background and her recent co-written novel, The Last Mandarin, with journalist Melissa Fung. They concluded by discussing the upcoming Bouchercon event, with Louise offering advice for first-time attendees and sharing her positive experiences at previous conferences.

Louise Penny, a former CBC radio journalist, is...

In this podcast, we discuss BoucherCon 2026, the mystery and crime fiction convention in Calgary, with the Chair of the Local Organizing Committee, Pamela McDowell. The convention, which runs from October 21-25, will feature 1,500 attendees, including readers, writers, and industry professionals, with a diverse lineup of guest authors from Canada, the US, the UK, and beyond. McDowell highlighted the convention's unique fan-focused format, special programming including a book collector showcase, and various social events planned throughout the city. The guest of honor list includes notable authors Louise Penny, Kathy Reichs, Mark Greaney, Vicki Delany, Abir Murherjee, Jennifer Hiller, Kevin Sands...