Reviews for Lane Winslow
"A SERIES THAT'S GUARANTEED TO PLEASE."
—Island Books, Mercer Island, Washington
—Island Books, Mercer Island, Washington
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A Sorrowful Sanctuary (#5)
"Whishaw’s intricately plotted fifth Lane Winslow mystery opens with a bang. . . Whishaw brings all the narrative threads together for a satisfying finale. Progress in the often fraught personal relationship between Lane and Darling will please series fans." –Publishers Weekly
”An excellent mystery complemented by an appealingly down-to-earth look at life in postwar Western Canada.” –Kirkus Reviews
"Whishaw’s series follows ex-intelligence officer Lane Winslow as she searches for a new start in British Columbia, Canada in 1946, but the war and its repercussions are never far from the characters’ minds. The setting is fresh and the cast endearing, and Lane’s spy skills turn out to be quite handy in solving murders. The author based Lane on her mother, who was a real spy during the Second World War, and her devotion to the facts show." –CrimeReads
"Engrossing and deftly plotted, the latest Lane Winslow Mystery is sure to enthrall readers. Filled with rich history, clever intrigue, and subtle romance, this series is perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Susan Elia MacNeal.” –Anna Lee Huber, author of the Lady Darby and Verity Kent Mysteries
“If you’ve yet to meet Lane Winslow, erstwhile spy and reluctant detective, you’re in for a treat. Iona Whishaw writes with an eye for the telling detail; she conjures a vanished British Columbia out of thin air. Complex, suspenseful, and deeply felt, this is a smart series for the ages.” –Francine Mathews, author of the Nantucket Mysteries
“Captures the tone and depth of a mystery entwined in a story about people taking painful steps forward with post WWII life. Vivid plotting, inventive dialogue in a setting that puts you right in the action. This is one of the best series currently in print.” –Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews
"While there’s no question you should read it — it’s excellent — a dilemma remains: Should you read it now, or wait until you’ve read the previous titles in the series first? . . . While you could wait forever to read the series from the start (many books, little time, etc.), the taste offered by A Sorrowful Sanctuary of Lane Winslow and her companions pretty much guarantees you won’t be waiting much longer to go back to the beginning and read everything about them." --Toronto Star
"Full of history, mystery, and a glorious BC setting . . . a wonderful series." –Sleuth of Baker Street
"If you want to wander amid the cosy paths of a very British British Columbia, and entertain yourself with murders and danger being confronted by a trio of sympathetic detectives, then give this series a try. "
–The Ormsby Review
"Whishaw’s writing is excellent. The plots are complex and the characters show great emotional depth. The stories also prove to be great history lessons too–I definitely don’t know enough about the late ’40’s in Canada. It’s fascinating stuff." –The Bookish Life
"Whishaw’s ability to intertwine two complex plot lines is admirable, as is her skill at imbuing even minor characters with well-drawn backstories. She excels at period details . . . it’s a talented writer who can package all this together and nicely tie up every detail as well." –Historical Novel Society
"Whishaw has provided readers with another satisfying mystery with A Sorrowful Sanctuary . . . I enjoy the fact that Lane is a character who knows her mind and likes to take action when she can. . . . I can't wait to read another instalment." –Susannesbooklist blog
"Fast-paced and smart . . . Great mystery and great characters. Another winner!" –Luv to Read blog
”An excellent mystery complemented by an appealingly down-to-earth look at life in postwar Western Canada.” –Kirkus Reviews
"Whishaw’s series follows ex-intelligence officer Lane Winslow as she searches for a new start in British Columbia, Canada in 1946, but the war and its repercussions are never far from the characters’ minds. The setting is fresh and the cast endearing, and Lane’s spy skills turn out to be quite handy in solving murders. The author based Lane on her mother, who was a real spy during the Second World War, and her devotion to the facts show." –CrimeReads
"Engrossing and deftly plotted, the latest Lane Winslow Mystery is sure to enthrall readers. Filled with rich history, clever intrigue, and subtle romance, this series is perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Susan Elia MacNeal.” –Anna Lee Huber, author of the Lady Darby and Verity Kent Mysteries
“If you’ve yet to meet Lane Winslow, erstwhile spy and reluctant detective, you’re in for a treat. Iona Whishaw writes with an eye for the telling detail; she conjures a vanished British Columbia out of thin air. Complex, suspenseful, and deeply felt, this is a smart series for the ages.” –Francine Mathews, author of the Nantucket Mysteries
“Captures the tone and depth of a mystery entwined in a story about people taking painful steps forward with post WWII life. Vivid plotting, inventive dialogue in a setting that puts you right in the action. This is one of the best series currently in print.” –Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews
"While there’s no question you should read it — it’s excellent — a dilemma remains: Should you read it now, or wait until you’ve read the previous titles in the series first? . . . While you could wait forever to read the series from the start (many books, little time, etc.), the taste offered by A Sorrowful Sanctuary of Lane Winslow and her companions pretty much guarantees you won’t be waiting much longer to go back to the beginning and read everything about them." --Toronto Star
"Full of history, mystery, and a glorious BC setting . . . a wonderful series." –Sleuth of Baker Street
"If you want to wander amid the cosy paths of a very British British Columbia, and entertain yourself with murders and danger being confronted by a trio of sympathetic detectives, then give this series a try. "
–The Ormsby Review
"Whishaw’s writing is excellent. The plots are complex and the characters show great emotional depth. The stories also prove to be great history lessons too–I definitely don’t know enough about the late ’40’s in Canada. It’s fascinating stuff." –The Bookish Life
"Whishaw’s ability to intertwine two complex plot lines is admirable, as is her skill at imbuing even minor characters with well-drawn backstories. She excels at period details . . . it’s a talented writer who can package all this together and nicely tie up every detail as well." –Historical Novel Society
"Whishaw has provided readers with another satisfying mystery with A Sorrowful Sanctuary . . . I enjoy the fact that Lane is a character who knows her mind and likes to take action when she can. . . . I can't wait to read another instalment." –Susannesbooklist blog
"Fast-paced and smart . . . Great mystery and great characters. Another winner!" –Luv to Read blog
It Begins in Betrayal (#4)
"Relentlessly exciting from start to finish." –Kirkus Reviews
"Good plot and fun characters keep this series fresh." –Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
“It Begins in Betrayal has a wonderfully complex plot with threads that eventually resolve most satisfactorily. The post-war time period is particularly interesting and well captured.” –Maureen Jennings, author of the Murdoch Mysteries series
"Action-packed and emotionally charged from the prologue to the climax . . . it just doesn't get much better than this." –Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews
"I am in love. . . The writing was wonderful, the plotting rock-solid, and I adored these characters. Can’t wait to delve into the backlist and discover what I’ve been missing." –Kerry Clare, author of Mitzi Bytes
"I devoured it . . . I couldn't believe I'd waited so long to start reading [this series] . . . if you like British style mysteries with a strong female character you will absolutely love this one." –Kerry Clare, CBC's Ontario Morning
"If you’re after historical crime with a strong backbone but also an air of genteel cosiness about it, then the Lane Winslow series by Iona Whishaw is just right for you." –Crime Fiction Lover
"If you are looking for a great historical mystery, look no further. The latest outing in Ms. Whishaw’s Lane Winslow series fits the bill. . . . To say Lane Winslow is a strong, independent woman is putting it mildly. It is such fun to read a story in a historical setting where the lead is a smart woman who is two steps ahead of the men. . . . It Begins in Betrayal has it all. An enjoyable book to add to your summer reading list!" –Hidden Staircase
"Good plot and fun characters keep this series fresh." –Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
“It Begins in Betrayal has a wonderfully complex plot with threads that eventually resolve most satisfactorily. The post-war time period is particularly interesting and well captured.” –Maureen Jennings, author of the Murdoch Mysteries series
"Action-packed and emotionally charged from the prologue to the climax . . . it just doesn't get much better than this." –Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews
"I am in love. . . The writing was wonderful, the plotting rock-solid, and I adored these characters. Can’t wait to delve into the backlist and discover what I’ve been missing." –Kerry Clare, author of Mitzi Bytes
"I devoured it . . . I couldn't believe I'd waited so long to start reading [this series] . . . if you like British style mysteries with a strong female character you will absolutely love this one." –Kerry Clare, CBC's Ontario Morning
"If you’re after historical crime with a strong backbone but also an air of genteel cosiness about it, then the Lane Winslow series by Iona Whishaw is just right for you." –Crime Fiction Lover
"If you are looking for a great historical mystery, look no further. The latest outing in Ms. Whishaw’s Lane Winslow series fits the bill. . . . To say Lane Winslow is a strong, independent woman is putting it mildly. It is such fun to read a story in a historical setting where the lead is a smart woman who is two steps ahead of the men. . . . It Begins in Betrayal has it all. An enjoyable book to add to your summer reading list!" –Hidden Staircase
An Old, Cold Grave (#3)
"Lane Winslow, the intrepid sleuth of King's Cove, is back in her third adventure and, like the first two, it's a charmer. Once again, British Columbia's own Iona Whishaw's delightful modern gloss on the venerable British cozy provides a perfect weekend getaway . . . a cleverly plotted story with a delightful setting and amusing characters. Once again, Whishaw keeps us guessing to the end." –Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
"A fascinating picture of a life in which many people spent every waking hour working and a disturbing look at the fate of orphaned children raise this mystery above the ordinary." –Kirkus Reviews
"Lane Winslow is a strong, independent woman. She may not be an official “detective” by profession (she’s an ex-British intelligent officer), but in many ways she reminds me of Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs. Lane is smart and sympathetic, and determined to solve this mystery . . . a satisfying historical mystery featuring a strong female protagonist. I can’t wait to catch up on this series." –Hidden Staircase
"If you enjoy a puzzle set in 1947, rural B.C. community, with dialogue that reaches into the soul and a sense of place that is integral to the mystery, then An Old, Cold Grave is a summer read for you . . . In short, sin, plot, dialogue and place: all the requisite elements for an award-winning novel. It’s easy to imagine a fourth in this increasingly fine series." –Bay Observer
“An Old, Cold Grave—Iona Whishaw’s compelling third novel—gives us a gentle rural setting, a body in a root cellar, and, of course, Lane Winslow, the best new amateur sleuth to come along in quite some time. Plot, dialogue, and place: all the requisite elements for an award-winning novel.” –Don Graves, Canadian Mystery reviews
"This series, with a strong and likable female protagonist . . . continues to get better and better. The novels not only use the past as a setting, but there are lessons about history—and how the consequences of past actions always catch up, sooner or later, with those involved." –Reviewing The Evidence
"Another excellent mystery from Iona Whishaw!" –Luv to Read
"A fascinating picture of a life in which many people spent every waking hour working and a disturbing look at the fate of orphaned children raise this mystery above the ordinary." –Kirkus Reviews
"Lane Winslow is a strong, independent woman. She may not be an official “detective” by profession (she’s an ex-British intelligent officer), but in many ways she reminds me of Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs. Lane is smart and sympathetic, and determined to solve this mystery . . . a satisfying historical mystery featuring a strong female protagonist. I can’t wait to catch up on this series." –Hidden Staircase
"If you enjoy a puzzle set in 1947, rural B.C. community, with dialogue that reaches into the soul and a sense of place that is integral to the mystery, then An Old, Cold Grave is a summer read for you . . . In short, sin, plot, dialogue and place: all the requisite elements for an award-winning novel. It’s easy to imagine a fourth in this increasingly fine series." –Bay Observer
“An Old, Cold Grave—Iona Whishaw’s compelling third novel—gives us a gentle rural setting, a body in a root cellar, and, of course, Lane Winslow, the best new amateur sleuth to come along in quite some time. Plot, dialogue, and place: all the requisite elements for an award-winning novel.” –Don Graves, Canadian Mystery reviews
"This series, with a strong and likable female protagonist . . . continues to get better and better. The novels not only use the past as a setting, but there are lessons about history—and how the consequences of past actions always catch up, sooner or later, with those involved." –Reviewing The Evidence
"Another excellent mystery from Iona Whishaw!" –Luv to Read
Death in a Darkening Mist (#2)
"The late L.R. Wright’s marvellous mysteries set on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast remain some of my favourite Canadian books. But this second novel by Iona Whishaw, also set in B.C., is every bit as good. Both writers know how to make a book’s setting as important a factor as the plot line or the characters . . . [an] excellent chapter in what appears to be a terrific series." –Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
"Set in 1946, this series cleverly combines both elements of a cozy and a spy thriller, with a heroine who is tough and independent, but harboring secrets of her own . . . The local townspeople are quirky and a nice addition, reminding the reader of another Canadian writer, Louise Penny, who populates her town with interesting characters . . . a series I hope to continue reading." –Reviewing The Evidence
"An absolute winner [that] moves the notch up several levels when it comes to mystery writing with a historical twinge. The highlight of the writing is the seamless blend of the sense of place into the story line. The impact of both world wars settles into the essence of any place, and this is a sterling example of how place impacts both events and people." –Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews
"I definitely recommend this series and can’t wait to read more of it! I think this is a series that will continue to get better as it goes along, and the characters really are great fun." –Luv to Read
"Set in 1946, this series cleverly combines both elements of a cozy and a spy thriller, with a heroine who is tough and independent, but harboring secrets of her own . . . The local townspeople are quirky and a nice addition, reminding the reader of another Canadian writer, Louise Penny, who populates her town with interesting characters . . . a series I hope to continue reading." –Reviewing The Evidence
"An absolute winner [that] moves the notch up several levels when it comes to mystery writing with a historical twinge. The highlight of the writing is the seamless blend of the sense of place into the story line. The impact of both world wars settles into the essence of any place, and this is a sterling example of how place impacts both events and people." –Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews
"I definitely recommend this series and can’t wait to read more of it! I think this is a series that will continue to get better as it goes along, and the characters really are great fun." –Luv to Read
A Killer in King's Cove (#1)
"A good historical mystery with a cast of characters that will provide plot lines for the series to come. Iona Whishaw is a writer to watch.” –Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail
"Move over, Mr. Darcy! Inspector Darling and Lane Winslow join the ranks of Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane in this exquisitely written, psychologically deft postwar mystery. I couldn't put it down. If you miss Mary Stewart's sleuthing heroines, if you loved Broadchurch and its village of suspects, settle in, turn off the phone, and enjoy!" –Linda Svendsen, author of Sussex Drive and Marine Life
"A debut mystery from an author destined for awards. A setting that is ripe for story telling and a convincing gift for portraying the painful and challenging life for the survivors of the two world wars . . . Whishaw is an exciting addition to Canada’s fine roster of mystery writers." –Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews
"On its face, [A Killer in King's Cove] is a murder mystery, and boy is it satisfying . . . The story architecture is rock-solid, the writing is lush with detail but still restrained, and the frisson between the police detective and the amateur sleuth will make you itch for a sequel . . . the ghosts of King's Cove will stay with you long after you put it down. I hope this is the first in a long series from Iona Whishaw, my new favorite mystery author." –Skye Allen, author of Pretty Peg and The Songbird Thief
"The writing . . . conjures up nicely the ambiance of a 1940s west Canadian locale and develops in depth both the characters and their interactions." –San Francisco Book Review
“A Killer in King’s Cove is worth a look, especially as the author intends to reprise her lead character." –Seattle Book Review
"Iona Whishaw brings to life a rural country town from the 1940s—from the small post office that is gossip central to garden tea parties. She's given Lane a potential love interest, the well-named Inspector Darling, and created an engaging, quirky cast of characters . . . the trip to King's Cove is so entertaining . . . Despite Lane's promise to Inspector Darling to not cause any more mayhem in town, we sort of hope she does!" –Reviewing The Evidence
"A simply riveting read by a master of the genre, A Killer in King's Cove is especially recommended the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs, as well as an enduringly popular acquisition choice for community library Mystery/Suspense collections." –Wisconsin Bookwatch
"A Killer in King’s Cove did not disappoint . . . With about a quarter of the book left I literally could not put it down." –Scribbles, Quibbles, & Scrawlings
"Fun interactions and likeable characters. I loved this book!" –Luv to Read
"The rural Canadian setting really makes this series a winner." –Addison Public Library
"Move over, Mr. Darcy! Inspector Darling and Lane Winslow join the ranks of Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane in this exquisitely written, psychologically deft postwar mystery. I couldn't put it down. If you miss Mary Stewart's sleuthing heroines, if you loved Broadchurch and its village of suspects, settle in, turn off the phone, and enjoy!" –Linda Svendsen, author of Sussex Drive and Marine Life
"A debut mystery from an author destined for awards. A setting that is ripe for story telling and a convincing gift for portraying the painful and challenging life for the survivors of the two world wars . . . Whishaw is an exciting addition to Canada’s fine roster of mystery writers." –Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews
"On its face, [A Killer in King's Cove] is a murder mystery, and boy is it satisfying . . . The story architecture is rock-solid, the writing is lush with detail but still restrained, and the frisson between the police detective and the amateur sleuth will make you itch for a sequel . . . the ghosts of King's Cove will stay with you long after you put it down. I hope this is the first in a long series from Iona Whishaw, my new favorite mystery author." –Skye Allen, author of Pretty Peg and The Songbird Thief
"The writing . . . conjures up nicely the ambiance of a 1940s west Canadian locale and develops in depth both the characters and their interactions." –San Francisco Book Review
“A Killer in King’s Cove is worth a look, especially as the author intends to reprise her lead character." –Seattle Book Review
"Iona Whishaw brings to life a rural country town from the 1940s—from the small post office that is gossip central to garden tea parties. She's given Lane a potential love interest, the well-named Inspector Darling, and created an engaging, quirky cast of characters . . . the trip to King's Cove is so entertaining . . . Despite Lane's promise to Inspector Darling to not cause any more mayhem in town, we sort of hope she does!" –Reviewing The Evidence
"A simply riveting read by a master of the genre, A Killer in King's Cove is especially recommended the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs, as well as an enduringly popular acquisition choice for community library Mystery/Suspense collections." –Wisconsin Bookwatch
"A Killer in King’s Cove did not disappoint . . . With about a quarter of the book left I literally could not put it down." –Scribbles, Quibbles, & Scrawlings
"Fun interactions and likeable characters. I loved this book!" –Luv to Read
"The rural Canadian setting really makes this series a winner." –Addison Public Library
