Meet author WHIT FRASER at Halifax Central Library!

Join author Whit Fraser for a discussion about his novel, Cold Edge of Heaven!

–About the Book–

Set in 1924 at a desolate police outpost on Devon Island in Canada’s far north, Cold Edge of Heaven is a story of murder, mystery, and love—intensified by a clash of cultures between Inuit guides and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers who live and work alongside them.

Will Grant is one of three constables who, along with their guides and families, are dropped on the windy gravel beach of Dundas Harbour. But no amount of training—not even the horrors of the First World War—would prepare the officers for ice-locked isolation and physical threats from ocean storms, blizzards, avalanches, months of darkness, and marauding polar bears.

The mental and emotional strain are exacerbated by two mysterious and violent deaths. When the Inuit abandon the outpost, Grant realizes that his values and beliefs have changed in ways he could not have imagined.

Although alone and crushed by the inexplicable murders, Grant has learned much about the Arctic through Naudla, wife of one of the guides—and his secret lover. Through her, he discovers the magnificent beauty of the land and ice-covered ocean. This is not a frozen hell, but rather the cold edge of heaven.

Cold Edge of Heaven is a historical fiction adventure set in the Canadian Arctic at the now-abandoned Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost of Dundas Harbour. Stations such as these were central to Canada asserting its sovereignty over the vast far north, with the Mounties serving as “human flagpoles.”

–About the Author–

Whit Fraser is a journalist, author, and vice-regal consort of Canadian Governor General Mary Simon. He is winner of the 2019 NorthWords Book Prize for True North Rising, a memoir of his years living and working in Arctic communities that was republished this year by Random House Canada. He also served as chair of the Canadian Polar Commission, and as executive director of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canada’s national Inuit organization.

Fraser was inspired to write Cold Edge of Heaven after visiting an abandoned Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment at Dundas Harbour on Devon Island, which includes three hilltop graves.

–Praise for Cold Edge of Heaven–

“True North Rising is really a deeply moving love story—for a place, a certain woman, a family of friends and colleagues, and a set of principles and aspirations. I couldn’t put it down.”
–Elizabeth Hay, author of the Giller Prize-winning ‘Late Nights on Air’

“Whit Fraser’s ‘Cold Edge of Heaven’ is a hypnotic and fascinating tale of the Far North. Few Canadians know this magical world as well as Fraser, who was for decades the pre-eminent reporter on northern affairs. He writes beautifully and knows his landscape intimately. He also weaves a tale of mystery that is dramatic and compelling. A magnificent page-turner!”
–Roy MacGregor OC, author of ‘Canoe Country: The Making of Canada’

Information about this event is also available from Halifax Public Libraries: https://halifax.bibliocommons.com/events/64b98695804cbd28001caa11

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