The third book in the Danutia Dranchuk mystery series reunites RCMP constable Danutia Dranchuk with her friend, drama critic Arthur Fairweather. Danutia is observing a youth rehabilitation program in England when Arthur returns to the Peak District to attend his mother's funeral. Suspecting foul play in her death, Danutia and Arthur question the feuding villagers. They soon discover the dark and dangerous side of ancient Celtic rituals still practiced in the town.

In a region with chilling reminders of child labour during the Industrial Revolution, Danutia must navigate through a community with a complex and layered history. When a boy from the village is abducted, the race to save him leads Arthur into extreme danger. Only Danutia has a chance of rescuing both Arthur and the child from an "unholy rite."

Kay Stewart is co-author of the mystery novel A Deadly Little List (2006), the first in the Danutia Dranchuk series; sole author of the second, Sitting Lady Sutra (2011); and co-author of the third, Unholy Rites (2013). She taught English at the University of Alberta for twenty years and has co-authored two textbooks on writing, Essay Writing for Canadian Students and Forms of Writing. Her creative work has appeared in the periodicals Other Voices and NeWest Review, and in the anthologies Eating Apples and Wrestling with the Angel. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia. Please visit kaystewart.ca.

Kay Stewart's profile page

Chris Bullock is co-author of the mystery novels A Deadly Little List (2006) and Unholy Rites (2013), the first and third books in the Danutia Dranchuk series. He taught English at the University of Alberta for thirty years and co-authored a textbook on writing, Essay Writing for Canadian Students. He has published extensively on men's issues in literature and is currently writing a series of essays on grandparenting. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Chris Bullock's profile page

As much of an examination of cultural practices - all of which are fascinating - as it is a straight-up mystery. Stewart and Bullock do a marvellous job of describing and explaining the various traditions and linking them to the violence of the present day of the novel and a brutal event of many years earlier. —Times Colonist

Craft-y Crime An interesting guest blog by Kay Stewart, who writes about the ancient custom of well dressing, a feature in the new Danutia Dranchuk mystery.

Partners in crime . . . Writing. Kay Stewart and Chris Bullock talk to the Coastal Spectator about working and writing together.

The setting is marvelous . . . The writers have drawn on a wealth of information about pagan rites and current ceremonies, which is all fascinating... A strong series with interesting characters and always, unusual plots. I look forward to seeing where the next book takes them. —Mystery Maven Canada

The authors have researched their background material in depth and quite accurately which lends a vivid local colour to the tale . . . A worthy example of its genre and a very good read. —You're Booked, Harrogate International Festivals