Vicki Grant, nominated for Best Juvenile / YA Crime Book

M.S. Berry, The Tenant & Behind The Door

Erik D’Souza interviews Ontario author M.S. Berry. They discuss her two psychological thrillers, The Tenant and Behind the Door (published by Ravenstone Books), which mark a shift from her previous literary fiction works published under the name Michelle Berry. Michelle explains her decision to write thrillers after being recognized for thriller elements in her previous work, and discusses how both novels draw on personal experiences, including a real incident where she accidentally double-booked a rental property in Germany. The conversation covers Michelle’s writing techniques, including her use of dual perspectives in The Tenant and the psychological twist on the Bluebeard fairy tale in Behind the Door, as well as her current work on a new novel exploring the idea that one small mistake can lead to major life consequences. BIO Michelle Berry, who also writes as M.S. Berry, has been widely published in many Canadian literary magazines, national newspapers, and anthologies. She is the author of nine books of fiction, two novels of which have been published in the UK as well as Canada. Michelle is a reviewer for The Globe and Mail, and teaches at the University of Toronto and Humber College. Michelle lives in Peterborough with her family. Learn more about Crime Writers of Canada at:  crimewriterscanada.com [https://www.crimewriterscanada.com/] Find past video interviews  at: youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279 [https://www.youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279]

Dave Sweet: Special Guest at Bouchercon 2026 in Calgary

Erik D'Souza interviews retired detective, Dave Sweet, for Crime Writers of Canada's Podcast, focusing on Dave's upcoming presentation at Bouchercon in Calgary. Dave discusses his 25-year policing career, including his work in the Homicide Unit and cross-jurisdictional investigations. They explore his book-writing approach, explaining why he co-authors all his books with different partners and sharing details about his current project, Whispers, with Mark Leslie, which explores death and the afterlife. The conversation concluded with practical advice for attendees planning to visit Calgary in October, including weather considerations and recommendations to visit Banff. Bio With 25 years of policing experience, Detective Dave Sweet (retired) has investigated some of Canada’s most heinous crimes. Over his career, Dave worked as a patrol officer and undercover police officer, and led task forces targeting gangs and organized crime groups operating in Calgary. In 2009 Dave joined the ranks of the homicide unit where he spent 14.5 years specializing in homicide, missing person, and suspicious death investigations. Several of Dave’s most known cases have been featured in documentaries including the CBC’s The Detectives, Global Television’s Crime Beat, Investigative Discoveries Murder Board and Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries. In addition to a Distinguished Service Award in 2010, Dave earned the Chief’s Award for Investigative Excellence in 2017, the Governor General’s Exemplary Service Medal in 2021 and the Queens Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022. Dave’s books are Skeletons in My Closet (2023), co-written with Sarah Kades; Undaunted with Susan Forest (2024); and, coming soon, Whispers with Mark Leslie. Learn more about Crime Writers of Canada at:  crimewriterscanada.com [https://www.crimewriterscanada.com/] Find past video interviews  at: youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279 [https://www.youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279]

Melodie Campbell, The Pharaoh’s Curse Murders

Erik D’Souza speaks with author Melodie Campbell about her Merry Widow Murders series set in the 1920s. Melodie discusses her latest book, The Pharaoh’s Cursed Murders (published by Cormorant Books), which features her protagonist, Lady Revelstoke, solving a murder aboard a cruise ship bound for Egypt while exploring themes of women’s rights and the ethics of archaeological digs. She explains how she incorporates comedy through her character, Elf, who serves as a comedic foil to the book’s serious mystery elements, and describes her extensive research into Egyptology to ensure the book’s historical accuracy. Melodie also mentions her new novella series, Pizza Wars, published by Gemma Open Door, a literary publisher. She discusses the challenges of engaging young readers in fiction in the current digital age. Bio Compared to Agatha Christie by The Toronto Star, Melodie Campbell was also named the “Canadian Literary heir to Donald Westlake” by Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. Winner of 10 awards, including the Derringer (US) and the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence, she has multiple bestsellers and was featured in USA Today. Her publications include over 100 comedy credits, 21 novels, and 60 short stories. Her third book in the Merry Widow series, The Pharaoh’s Curse Murders, has just been released by Cormorant Books. She is the past executive director of Crime Writers of Canada. Learn more about Crime Writers of Canada at:  crimewriterscanada.com [https://www.crimewriterscanada.com/] Find past video interviews  at: youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279 [https://www.youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279]

Vicki Grant, nominated for Best Juvenile / YA Crime Book

Erik D’Souza interviews Vicki Grant, discussing her book, Death by Whoopi Cushion (published by Tundra Books), which is nominated for Best Juvenile/YA Crime Book, sponsored by Superior Shores Press. They examine Vicki's writing approach for reluctant readers, her character Manya Brown, and the humor-mystery-science balance in the book, and briefly touch on Vicki's adult mystery novel, These Are the Fireworks.   Bio  Vicki Grant is a Canadian writer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She began her professional life in advertising and television, creating short ads and scripts before transitioning to full-length novels. Her first novel, The Puppet Wrangler, was published in 2004, marking the start of her career in young adult and middle-grade literature. In 2006, her book, Quid Pro Quo, won the Award of Excellence (then called the Arthur Ellis award) in the category of Best Juvenile / YA Crime Book. She has written twenty-one books, including titles for reluctant readers and award-winning novels.  Website: vickigrant.com/ [https://vickigrant.com/] Learn more about Crime Writers of Canada at:  crimewriterscanada.com [https://www.crimewriterscanada.com/] Find past video interviews  at: youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279 [https://www.youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279]

Lorna Poplak, nominated for The Brass Knuckles Award for Best Nonfiction Crime

Erik D’Souza interviews Lorna Poplak about her book, On the Lamb, Great and Not-So-Great Escapes from Prison" (published by Dundurn Press), which is nominated for The Brass Knuckles Award for Best Nonfiction Crime Book, sponsored by David Reid Simpson Law Firm (Hamilton). Lorna discusses fascinating prison escape stories and her research methods. Lorna describes her book's focus on both the prison systems and the human motivations behind escapes, leaving readers to consider what constitutes a successful prison escape.   Bio Lorna Poplak is a Toronto-based writer, editor, and researcher drawn to the dark side of history. With a background in law, literature, information technology, and technical communications, Lorna has written scientific and historical articles, travel pieces, short fiction, and a radio play. She is a member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Mesdames of Mayhem. Lorna has written three true crime books: Drop Dead: A Horrible History of Hanging in Canada, The Don: The Story of Toronto’s Infamous Jail, and On the Lam: Great (and Not So Great) Escapes from Prison. The Don was shortlisted for both the Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) Excellence Award and the Heritage Toronto Book Award.  For more information about Lorna and her work, visit www.lornapoplak.com/ [https://www.lornapoplak.com/]  Learn more about Crime Writers of Canada at:  crimewriterscanada.com [https://www.crimewriterscanada.com/] Find past video interviews  at: youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279 [https://www.youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279]