• Age: 14 to 18
• Grade: 9 to 12

Dastardly Deed is a romantic-suspense novel about Helena, a woman victimized by a scam artist, who adopts Rowan, a young boy victimized by a foster guardian, and brings him to live with her at her dilapidated fishing resort in the Canadian Rockies. They form a bond—but one frayed by the boy’s obsession, as he grows into a strikingly handsome man, with gaining revenge against the scam artist, and also gaining money and power while building the resort into a world-class vacation spot. So angry does Helena become at Rowan’s changing values that she wills the resort not to him, but to Holly, a long-lost niece. It is Holly who ultimately teaches Rowan about life, love, and the aspects of humanity that are truly important.

Fran L. Porter has taught English literature and composition (among other subjects) at both the high—school and the university level. She has authored short stories and articles in literary publications, trade journals, and magazines. Proceeds from When the Ship has no Stabilizers, her non—fiction book about her daughter's suicide, were used to open a treatment clinic in Calgary, Alberta for young people with borderline personality disorder, and resulted in Fran and her husband Andy being named Calgary's 2017 Philanthropic Family of the Year.

Fran L. Porter's profile page

"Fran Porter has a very descriptive, engaging writing style. I like how she has organized this romantic suspense novel into the two parts with short chapters which build on each other and maintain a high level of interest, suspense and intrigue right up to the surprising end. As an Albertan living on the doorstep of the Rockies,I enjoyed her use of a familiar setting for the unfolding of the story. I don’t usually read this type of book, but I found that I couldn’t put it down until I had seen all of the dastardly deed unfold. I enjoyed reading it very much."

Garry McKinnon

"I have just finished reading Fran Porter’s latest book “Dastardly Deed”. I had read her first book “The Wrong Brother” and thoroughly enjoyed it. So when I heard she had written another novel, I was anxious to get a copy. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down. Loved how she wove the characters together and how the story was told. Fran has an amazing writing skill that keeps us wanting to read more and more to see how the story will end."

Cheryl Boyko

"I really enjoyed reading Fran’s book. She is a superb writer and has a wonderful command of the language. Her story kept me reading and not wanting to put the book down until I reached the end. The story was cleverly told, with one surprise after another, so I really wasn’t sure how things would turn out until I got there. It warms my heart to say that, after I praised the book to my terminally ill next-door neighbour, she asked to borrow it and says she, too, is enjoying it very much. I hope Fran continues writing. I’ll read as many of her books as she can write!"

Wilma Daw