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Atlantic Canadian books that are generating buzz

Fiction – Epic Tales

Outcaste
Sheila James
Goose Lane Editions

A sweeping, intricate story that spans five decades, four generations, and two continents. Outcaste shines with emotional intensity and vivid energy, revisiting a pivotal era in India’s history while giving everyday lives remarkable depth. It offers insight into contemporary India, the diaspora, and Queer identity.

A Secret Close to Home
Ida Linehan Young
Flanker Press

Jimmy Bailor is stranded with limited supplies on the North Atlantic coast, finding refuge with Flory White and her family, isolated after their men are jailed for murder. As they endure the harsh winter, Jimmy’s past unravels, forcing him to confront betrayal, family secrets, and a dangerous killer. A novel inspired by true events.

Oil People
David Hubert
McClelland & Stewart

Hubert’s debut novel intertwines two narratives across generations. In 1987, 13-year-old Jade Armbruster navigates family tensions over their oil farm while grappling with personal rivalries and her ancestral mysteries. In 1862, her ancestor Clyde strikes oil, gaining wealth but facing dark, life-altering consequences. The novel explores family secrets, and the toxic allure of oil, revealing a landscape marked by beauty and destruction.

The Diapause
Andrew Forbes
Invisible Publishing

Ten-year-old Gabriel and his parents retreat to his late grandfather’s cabin to wait out a pandemic, enjoying a seemingly carefree summer. As family tensions rise, the experience shapes Gabriel’s life over the next fifty years as he unravels the consequences. This speculative fiction explores isolation, climate change, and the complexities of familial relationships.

Short Stories

The Art of Forgiveness
Chris Benjamin
Galleon Books

This coming-of-age collection of eight linked short stories follows three boys growing up in the Halifax suburbs, frustrated with their parents and unaware of their own inherited flaws. Together, they navigate bullying, racism, domestic abuse, first love, and family loss. Despite their struggles, the boys draw strength from each other, offering hope for personal growth and resilience.

Mystery / Thriller / Crime

False Bodies
J.R. McConvey
Breakwater Books

Follow monster hunter Eddie “The Yeti” Gesner to Newfoundland where he investigates a mysterious mass death on an oil rig, rumoured to be caused by a kraken. As Eddie uncovers a world of squid cults, corporate greed, and ancient sea creatures, he must confront an undersea force that threatens his very sanity.

Friends and Consequences
DJ Watt
Somewhat Grumpy Press

A coming-of-age thriller set in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1973. Fifteen-year-old Donnie witnesses a murder, pulling him and his friends into a dangerous situation. As they navigate the excitement and fear of the case, the story also reflects on high school friendships, first loves, and teenage life in the 1970s.

Ken’s Corner
Kate Mac
Acorn Press

Neilly Reid is caught in a web of small-town corruption, working in a crooked public works department and falling for Jesse Root, a mob bagman running for political office. As her loyalty is tested and she’s pursued by an ambitious cop, Neilly devises a daring plan to protect what matters most.

The Romanian Cleaning Lady
Zev Bagel
Merlin Star Press

Lizzy Bright, a newly minted private investigator, stumbles into a dangerous case involving prostitution and human smuggling. In over her head, she gets help from retired Detective Inspector William Breasy, who has mysterious ties to her vanished father. Set in Canterbury, England, this is the first title for the Bright & Breasy mystery series.

Third Wife of Faraday House
B.R. Myers
HarperCollins

Emeline Fitzpatrick, eager to escape her restrictive life in 1816 Halifax, sets her sights on a British Navy lieutenant, but a scandal leaves her with one suitor: the wealthy, enigmatic Captain Graves. At his eerie seaside manor, she uncovers dark secrets, including a ghostly presence, and must rely on her wits and unexpected allies to survive.

Counted Among the Dead
Anne Emery
ECW Press

Anne Emery is back with another CollinsBurke team-up. This time, a play about the 1917 Halifax Explosion sparks threats against Father Brennan Burke’s choir school. When a young woman is murdered and a hockey player becomes the prime suspect, lawyer Monty Collins investigates. Joined by his daughter and Father Burke, they uncover links between the murder and century-old secrets.

The Treasure Hunters Club
Tom Ryan
Simon & Schuster

Three strangers—Peter, Dandy, and Cass—converge on a seaside town famed for its lost pirate treasure. Peter is drawn back to his estranged family’s mansion; Dandy seeks to solve her grandfather’s lifelong mystery; and Cass uncovers the perfect story for her novel. Together, they unravel century-old secrets—and face new dangers.

Non-fiction  

My Ancestors Live Here
Ellen Hunt
Formac Publishing

This memoir tells the story of Mi’kmaw Elder Ellen Hunt’s twenty-year mission to protect sacred Mi’kmaw burial sites in Nova Scotia. Driven by ancestral guidance, Hunt recounts her activism, the historical significance of these sites, and the challenges she has faced from indifferent officials and resistant locals.

Berries of Labrador
Ellen Bryan Obed,  illustrated by Valerie Powell
Memorial University Press

This field guide blends storytelling with science, celebrating over 40 berry species and their diverse uses from food to medicine. Featuring Valerie Powell’s stunning watercolour illustrations and personal anecdotes from community members, it highlights the cultural, historical, and ecological importance of Labrador’s berries.

Memoir  

A Rogues Tale  
Lenore Zann
Pottersfield Press

Lenore Zann shares her journey through the highs and lows of show business, grappling with drugs, alcohol, and a spiritual awakening that redefines her purpose. Her inspiring story will resonate with readers of all ages, offering a fresh perspective on navigating life during uncertain times with a pop culture twist.

Treat Them Where They Lie
Dr. Ron Stewart with Jim Meek
Nimbus Publishing

This is the memoir of Dr. Ron Stewart, a pioneering emergency physician and former Nova Scotia Minister of Health. It traces his journey from a coal miner’s son to a trailblazer in modern emergency medicine, including his role training LA’s first paramedics and transforming Nova Scotia’s healthcare system.

I heard a crow before I was born
Jule Delorme
Goose Lane Editions 

A poignant reflection on generational trauma in Indigenous families, Delorme’s chapters explore his  troubled relationships, revealing the deep pain at the heart of his story—residential schools and their lasting aftershocks that continue to affect communities today.

Politics  

Speaking Truth to Canadians at their Public Service  
Donald J. Savoie
McGill-Queens

Donald Savoie explores the evolving relationship between politicians and federal public servants in Canada. The book addresses public service challenges, critiques traditional accountability measures, and proposes reforms. It categorizes officials as “poets” (policy writers) and “plumbers” (program deliverers) to analyze their roles, concluding with recommendations for revitalizing the public service.