A nation holds its breath.

On a perfect prairie summer evening, Saskatchewan Roughrider Dustin Thomson goes missing. As the Green & White's first primary quarterback born in the province and first Indigenous quarterback, Thomson is beloved and celebrated. Mistrusting the police investigation, the family hires Merry Bell P.I. to find the football star. From the dark waters below Sweetgrass Bridge to the lands of Little Turtle Lake First Nation, Merry seeks answers while dealing with her continuing transition, swelling loneliness, a floundering career, well-meaning crossdressing assistant and having to decide whether the people in her life are friend or foe.

Anthony Bidulka has dedicated his career to writing traditional genre novels in an untraditional way, developing a body of work that often features his Saskatchewan roots and underrepresented, diverse main characters. He tells serious stories in accessible, entertaining, often humorous ways.Bidulka's books have been shortlisted for and won numerous awards including the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence, the Lambda Literary Award, and the Saskatchewan Book Award. 'Going to Beautiful' won the Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel and the Independent Publisher Book Award as the Canada West Best Fiction Gold Medalist. 'Flight of Aquavit' was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men's Mystery, making Bidulka the first Canadian to win in that category.The University of Saskatchewan inducted Anthony into the College of Education Wall of Honour and presented him the College of Arts and Science Alumni of Influence Award. He received the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Nation Builders Award and was named, along with his husband Herb, Saskatoon Citizen of the Year. For his promotion of Saskatchewan through his writing, co-founding Camp fYrefly Saskatchewan (a leadership retreat for gender and sexually diverse and allied youth), and widespread volunteer and philanthropic efforts in the community, Anthony was honoured by the selection of a two-part park in Saskatoon named Bidulka Park and Bidulka Park North.In his free time Bidulka loves to travel the world, collect art, walk his dogs, obsess over decorating Christmas trees (it's a thing) and throw a good party.

Anthony Bidulka's profile page

".transformative facelift given to the cozy mystery genre." Midwest Book Review
".a fresh narrative that effectively employs the familiar beats of classic detective fiction. A suspenseful and resonant story that will captivate dedicated mystery fans and newcomers alike.." Kirkus Reviews
".unique, queer positive, and universally appealing-a must-read." Independent Book Review
"Bidulka deftly melds murder, humor, and the past's festering wounds." Lavender Magazine
".Bidulka's appeal for all to recognize and respond to what we share in common is compelling." Reviewing the Evidence
".the sheer intricacy of the plot-replete with false starts, red herrings and lingering uncertainties-makes this a plot-driven book as much as a character-driven one." Alberta Views Magazine
".the complexity of relationships explored was breathtaking." Mysteries & More