This is the sixth in the B C Blues Crime series penned by R M Greenaway. This is another police procedural but this time it’s a Canadian series, not previously encountered. Whilst the murder begins the story, the real focus is the two protagonists as the crux of the adventure. Knowledge of the previous cases of the two Northern Vancouver Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, Leith and Dion is not a disadvantage for first time readers. Overall, Five Ways to Disappear is an enjoyable read with a three-and-half-star rating. The earlier instalments will be required reading. With thanks to NetGalley and the author for a preview copy for review purposes. All opinions expressed herein are freely given and totally my own.

I've been a fan of this series for the characters and the ongoing saga of RCMP Constable Cal Dion and a traumatic issue in his past. This outing, which admittedly might be best enjoyed by the familiar with the earlier books, sees the villain identified right up front making the book all about how Dion and his colleagues Leith and Temple, identify him as well. That's not to say that it's not very entertaining and that there aren't twists- there certainly are. The murders are, to put it mildly, unique and you get a real sense of North Vancouver. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

Well, that’s a new one. When it comes to murder weapons, for some reason I never considered a Porky the Pig whirligig. Who knew…and much more efficient than I would’ve guessed 😱

(short recess while you visualize the above)

Done? Good. This is how we meet Beau Garrett, a cranky OAP of the get-off-my-lawn variety who lives in North Vancouver. About all Beau has left in this world is a drafty cottage, bad memories & a quick temper. Unfortunately, all three will be tested when a stream of uninvited visitors begin to pop by.

Among them are RCMP detectives Cal Dion, JD Temple & Dave Leith. They’re in the area due to the whirligig incident but soon have another body on their hands (one word: unicycle). Various threads lead them to a travelling magic show at a nearby park where Cal meets a flighty young woman named Bianca. And their subsequent friendship just might be the death of him….literally.

There are mysteries to solve, killers to catch & cases to close. But what struck me most was a common theme among the characters. Each is pretending to be someone they’re not. They have different reasons for wearing a facade….fear, boredom, guilt or just the need to escape reality.

In Cal’s case, it’s self preservation. Faithful readers will be familiar with the “event” in his past & how it’s been slowly eroding his mental health. Here we see just how heavy that burden has become & the effect on his relationships with colleagues. Ever since book #1, I’ve been wondering how this would play out but I was still surprised by the final lines on the last page.

This is book #6 in the series & although each contains a stand-alone investigation, I’d recommend reading them in order because of the history between the main characters. That’s especially true with this instalment as it feels like several subplots have reached the boiling point. I’ve grown fond of these characters so despite the fact I’m more than a little nervous about where the author takes them next, I’ll be awaitin’ on #7.

This is book 6 in the B.C. Blues Crime series. I have read books 1-5 and suggest that you read them in order, as there is a continuing plot concerning RCMP constable Cal Dion. In this book we learn who the killer is at the beginning and it is more of a thriller than a mystery, as the reader follows the RCMP team trying to identify the killer. There is a side plot concerning Cal, who is a lonely haunted man. He is having nightmares because of something in his past.
David Leith, Mike Bosko and J. D. Temple are the other main characters on the RCMP team. I like the characters who have become almost like old friends in this series. They are well written human beings with flaws. The plot moves along well, as the police slowly put together the pieces of who did what to whom.
4 stars for another pleasant book in this series. Thanks to Dundurn Press and the author for sending me this eARC through NetGalley. #BCBlues #NetGalley

RCMP Constables Leith and Dion have their hands full. Spring flowers are growing, as well as the crime stats.

A man is found dead .. skewed through his throat into the ground. No witnesses, but neighbors say that one neighbor is not so neighborly and if anyone did it ... he did. When they question this neighbor, they find him elderly, barely able to walk without help, in pain from arthritis, and heart palpitations. No way could he have killed anyone in his condition.

The circus is in town and a costumed man riding a unicycle has an issue with an old man walking along with a young boy. The unicycle unexpectedly goes flying when a cane is caught in the spokes, killing its rider.

A female magician has caught the eye of Dion and she's a mystery unto herself. She has somehow made herself disappear.

A body is found in the trunk of a car ......

And Dion goes undercover to get some answers with disastrous results.

Well written with captivating crimes, the twists and turns rival a good old fashioned roller coaster ride. The characters are solid, relating to each other in multiple ways. The constables all have secrets they don't want to share ... and some might be life-altering. Although 6th in the series, this can easily be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend reading in order to gather all those little gems that make this a terrific series.

Many thanks to the author / Dundurn Press / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

The first book I read in this series was the river of lies and I liked it. But this story feels disjointed with characters suddenly propping up and the police investigation is almost nonexistent. I could not get myself around the plot or what the author is trying to say. Sorry.

B.C. Blues Crime Series book # 6

This series has grown on me through the years of course being Canadian and reading a story colourfully penned by a Canadian author is one great pleasure I like to experience, especially when the drama is set in the very scenic British Colombia.

“Five Ways to Disappear” brings us up in the breezy heights of North Vancouver, in a drama that will bring RCMP officers Leith and Dion on a gruesome murder committed on Paradise Road: a craftsman has been spiked to his lawn by his own art work. While the two officers are deep into their investigation we are slowly lead into a secondary plot that has Dion befriends a young woman leading him straight into trouble.

This latest brings two haunted tales that like the previous novels dilly-dallies a lot but saying this is a positive we are slowly drawn into both mysteries as they are played out in alternate chapters. The intricately, tightly woven plots are well-written to give us drop by drop some suspense to keep us intrigue and guessing till the secrets are revealed... The two main characters have definitely won my heart, they are larger than life and so down to earth you may think they are real people with their many faults and qualities. The author knows how to make us love them while they go about their daily routine.

This book is smooth ready: style simple and nicely said. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Thank you Netgalley and Dundurn Press for the eARC.
How I love this series! And this book is probably my favorite of them all. It could be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting at the beginning... it's worth it.
A macabre murder committed by a cranky old man is followed by another one (a clown on a unicycle!), though at first it was thought to be an accident.
Poor Detective Dion is still depressed, single again, eaten up by guilt and suffering debilitating nightmares. While investigating the case he meets a wild child, very pretty, a bit odd, but she fascinates him. Officer JD still isn't talking to him, which fills him with more dread - is she aware of his secret?
I love all the characters, even the killer had my sympathy and I can't wait for the next installment. Great story, great characters and great writing. Highly recommended!