Alex J. Craig reviews Thunder Bay by Douglas Skelton and The Peat Dead by Allan Martin

Douglas Skelton

ISLANDS make a neat backdrop for crime stories. Because they are clearly-defined, and at times closed environments, islands often develop unique characteristics, as well as clear definitions of us and them. Though those distinctions have become muddied by the attractiveness of islands to the rich or the retired, or those who just want to escape the rat race. So, to the islander and the non-islander we have to add the incomer. And islands aren’t as cut off as they used to be. They were always, of course, accessible by water, but air travel has added an extra means of access, and many islands have had their island status compromised (but not extinguished) by a road bridge or a causeway.

The two novels I’m looking at explore different aspects of island crime.