Indigenous social work

“Long an advocate of incorporating traditional Indigenous knowledge into social work, Jeannine Carriere (at left) has co-edited a book of essays about addressing this urgent need.FULL STORY

 

Bowlsby wins HFC mystery prize

January 14th, 2025

On December 31, 2024, The Historical Fiction Company (HFC), based in Macon, Georgia, revealed the winners of their annual contest, celebrating the best in historical fiction across twelve categories. Among the awardees was Vancouver’s Craig H. Bowlsby (at right), who won the Christie Mystery Suspense category for his unpublished novel Requiem for a Lotus.

Set in 1917 Shanghai, Requiem for a Lotus follows the story of Fletcher, a police detective burdened by guilt after failing to protect a Chinese sing-song girl who is murdered. With a blend of Canadian prairie hunting experience and modern forensic techniques, Fletcher embarks on a gritty journey through Shanghai’s dangerous and fractured underworld. The city is divided into distinct zones controlled by the English, French, Chinese and Japanese, and Fletcher must navigate this complex web as he hunts down the girl’s killer. As the investigation progresses, Fletcher brings one culprit to justice, only to discover that another killer remains at large, forcing him to make significant sacrifices before he can close the case.

Requiem for a Lotus has already received praise from the Crime Writers of Canada for its compelling plot and well-developed characters, with judges noting the novel’s ability to create a tense, suspenseful atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. The writing was lauded for its richness and the intricacy of its storytelling, providing a thrilling reading experience from start to finish.

Bowlsby is the second Canadian to win the HFC Mystery prize.

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