Being Canadian can be a chore, says Will Ferguson, but it can be a lot of fun, too. For this follow-up to his runaway bestseller Why I Hate Canadians, Ferguson, a Canuck himself, recruited his brother Ian to create this ultimate guide to the country's cultural quirks, from diet and sex to sports and politics. The result is a nonstop comic ride through such topics as "Canadian Cuisine—and How to Avoid It," "Regional Harmony (Who to Hate and Why)," and "How to Make Love Like a Canadian."
A once-beloved television sleuth finds herself far from Hollywood and witnesses a murder during a small-town theatre production, convinced it’s up to her to solve the case. Miranda Abbott, known for her crime-solving role as a karate-chopping church pastor, faces ruin after being turned down for a cable reality show. A mysterious postcard summons her to Happy Rock, a small Pacific Northwest town, but nothing is as expected. In dire straits, she joins an amateur production at the Happy Rock Little Theatre, vying for the lead against the local real estate agent. On opening night, one actor is murdered live in front of the audience, yet no one saw what happened. Everyone becomes a suspect, including the sardonic town doctor, a high-school drama teacher, an oil-stained mechanic, an elderly gentleman with possible CIA ties, and Miranda herself. To unravel the mystery, Miranda must tap into her skills as television’s Pastor Fran and enlist the help of her new sidekick, Susan, a shy bookstore clerk who seems to know everyone’s secrets. With the show must go on, the duo embarks on a comedic journey to uncover the truth.
In 1959, just one step ahead of the law, Ian Ferguson's parents left the sophisticated big-city life of Edmonton and ended up 846 km due north in Fort Vermilion, the third-poorest community in Canada. It was meant to be a temporary move. Like their neighbours, the Ferguson kids -- Ian and his six brothers and sisters -- grew up without indoor plumbing, central heating or electricity. In Village of the Small Houses, Ferguson has crafted a delightfully idiosyncratic account of growing up in the north.
Miranda Abbott takes center stage in this hilarious mystery that channels the spirit of a dramatic movie-of-the-week. Co-authored by bestselling writers, the story promises a blend of humor and intrigue as Miranda navigates a series of comedic twists and turns. Expect an entertaining ride filled with unexpected developments and engaging characters that will keep readers laughing and guessing until the very end.
