Stain of the Berry: A Russell Quant Mystery

…a reluctant suicide…a black-hearted boogeyman…from the thunderous summer storms and brilliant fields of dreams of the prairies to the Canadian Arctic where tragic hope resides…

Everyone has their Boogeyman. But who—or what—is scaring Saskatoon locals to death? Private detective Russell Quant is roused from his sleep only to fall into a nightmare case when the family of a suicide victim hires him to uncover the real cause of death. But what is real and what is imaginary? Quant works to narrow his list of suspects only to find the number of victims growing. Russell is mystified as a trail of fear connects him to a vast landscape of people including an elegant potash miner, dubious trailer park denizens, reticent farm folk, the Pink Gopher choir and a gaseous psychiatrist.

Compounding Quant’s bewilderment is the complete and perfect disappearance of his once very real friend—Sereena—who has become a ghost he simply can’t find. With the Boogeyman always a few paces ahead, Russell struggles to keep the hounds of failure from baying. From Saskatchewan’s summer storms to the menacing Lotus Land of Vancouver, Quant finally touches down in the Canadian Arctic where tragic hope resides. Russell returns home to bully attacks, a desperate chase through midnight woods and a sadistic abduction. As Russell Quant penetrates the truth of the Boogeyman, he finds himself on a perilous suspension bridge between idyllic childhood and grown-up violence.

 

Praise for Anthony Bidulka and Stain of the Berry:

 

“Saskatchewan’s master of all things mysterious is back with Stain of the Berry…Bidulka’s Quant mysteries always crackle with action, suspense, intricate plotting…” – Planet S (Saskatoon)

 

“Saskatoon’s master of suspense ratchets up the tension with Stain of the Berry.” – Planet S (Saskatoon)

 

“Russell Quant is a complex character with many facets…” – Planet S (Saskatoon)

 

“A terrifying stain is marring the beauty of the Prairies.” – Swerve (Winnipeg)

 

“…Stain of the Berry, the exciting (and scary) new instalment…” – Swerve (Winnipeg)

 

“…the best of the series.” – Globe & Mail (Toronto)

 

“If you’ve missed the previous three novels set in Saskatoon and featuring gay sleuth Russell Quant, you’ll want them first.” – Globe & Mail (Toronto)

 

“…death will lead Quant into a strange but wide-ranging problem that proves quite disconcerting, and dangerous. It’s a strong mystery that calls on all his ingenuity.” – The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)

 

“…an enjoyable addition to the Russell Quant saga, and I look for more.” – The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)

 

“Bidulka is no slouch when it comes to snappy dialogue and campy one-liners that more than tip the hat to classic noir…” – NOW Magazine (Toronto)

 

“Bidulka(‘s) leading man is the kind of guy anyone would want for a best friend.” – NOW Magazine (Toronto)

 

“…an Arctic escapade worthy of James Bond.” – NOW Magazine (Toronto)

 

“…an entertaining read, fast and funny and with lots of tender moments.” – NOW Magazine (Toronto)

 

“Russell Quant is back…and this time he really has his hands full.” – Outlooks (Calgary)

 

“With this fourth book, Bidulka really comes into his own as a writer—the stakes are higher, the sense of menace much more realized throughout and the deepening of the mythology of the series makes everything come that much more to life.” – Outlooks (Calgary)

 

“The image of the titular stain of the berry…sent a chill down my spine….” – Outlooks (Calgary)

 

“…the work of a man who appreciates the finer things in life.” – Outlooks (Calgary)

 

“…secondary characters help to drive the story right to its end, where Bidulka leaves us wanting more…” – Outlooks (Calgary)

 

“…a thoroughly enjoyable, fast-paced read that I quite hungrily devoured…” – Outlooks (Calgary)

 

“…more than enough thought-provoking intrigue to go around.” – Outlooks (Calgary)

 

 

“Bidulka ups the chill factor, notch by notch, making the …Boogeyman specter into a palpable presence.” – Lavender Magazine (Minnesota)

 

“Bidulka is skilled at juggling a number of balls, keeping the plot and subplots spinning until the end, prompting the greedy reader to demand: “Where’s the next one?”.” – Lavender Magazine (Minnesota)

 

“This enjoyable series, which boasts an amiable and chatty…hero, really fires on all cylinders…” – reviewingtheevidence.com

 

“Bidulka is a relaxed and fluent storyteller who creates some memorable characters…” – reviewingtheevidence.com

 

“Where STAIN OF THE BERRY really scores, though, is in an ending which has a double punch to the stomach and means Russell’s life will never be the same again. Bidulka has moved his character along out of the comfort zone and is forcing him to develop. This promises much for the fifth book, which will have a lot to live up to after STAIN OF THE BERRY.” – reviewingtheevidence.com

 

“Stain of the Berry is Bidulka’s fourth Russell Quant mystery and they just keep on getting better.” – CanadaEast (New Brunswick)

 

“The strength of the books lies, as it so often does, in characters.” – CanadaEast (New Brunswick)

 

“…I don’t see my admiration for the writer or his character waning any time soon.” – CanadaEast (New Brunswick)

 

“Bidulka is at his finest in his depictions of ordinary life…” – Lambda Book Report (New York)

 

“This novel is the most complex in the series.” – Lambda Book Report (New York)

 

“The fourth Russell Quant novel reveals Anthony Bidulka still exploring and developing his lively talent.” – Lambda Book Report (New York)

 

“Stain of the Berry sounds fleshy and sweet; this title sums up the beauty of Anthony Bidulka’s most recent mystery…” – Feminist Review

 

“Bidulka allows to the reader to feel like he or she is joining in on the pursuit.” – Feminist Review

 

“…the storyline brings a smile as pages turn with gorgeous images and smells of summer.…” – Feminist Review

 

“I imagine Quant to be similar to Magnum P.I. in the ’80s – attractive, charismatic, fun and always guessing as this mystery keeps the reader doing until the absolute end.” – Feminist Review

 

“Bidulka’s characterization is excellent. He has a way of nailing a person with a few words to evoke a strong mental image.” – Spinetingler Magazine

 

“Russell Quant is a refreshing change of pace.” – Spinetingler Magazine

 

“…a mainstream mystery with an engaging protagonist and an exceptionally well drawn cast of characters that intrigue and captivate the reader.” – Spinetingler Magazine

 

“Bidulka is a talented author worth seeking out.” – Spinetingler Magazine

 

“…be surprised by Anthony Bidulka’s intriguing Stain of the Berry…” – Mystery Scene Magazine (New York)

 

“…Bidulka’s talents are such that he can make even the prairie province of Saskatchewan seem exotic.” – Mystery Scene Magazine (New York)

 

“Quant…makes for a riveting hero…the kind of friend you want to have—unless you’re a killer.” – Mystery Scene Magazine (New York)

 

“With its sharp wit and generous helpings of heart, no one who reads Stain will ever see Canada in quite the same way again.” – Mystery Scene Magazine (New York)

 

“…a delightfully intricate story…” – Wayves (Halifax)

 

“Bidulka is clear evidence that writing in the mystery genre does not automatically preclude character development or emotional connection with the reader.” – Wayves (Halifax)

 

“…Stain of the Berry is a grand success – we root for Quant’s achievements and we sorrow for his losses.” – Wayves (Halifax)

 

“Bidulka has created a believable, likable hero who forges into dangerous territory…” – Wayves (Halifax)

 

“Bidulka’s skill makes the story so vivid that we feel as if we are the friend holding the flashlight while Quant explores the tunnel ahead.” – Wayves (Halifax)

 

“This thriller is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your beach blanket.” – Frontiers Magazine (Los Angeles)

Read Chapter One

 

Photographs that inspired scenes in this book:

 

Click below to watch scenes from the hometown book launch of Stain of the Berry, McNally Robinson Bookstore, Saskatoon, SK. October 26, 2006, including coverage by CBC TV.