It’s January and you’re looking to check Saskatchewan off your list as you build your province-by-province TBR for 2026.
Here we go!
You’re going to want to immediately grab my debut novel (which came out 4 years ago already…can you believe it?)
On Scene – Inspired by one of the longest manhunts in Canadian History (that I bet you didn’t know about ) is set in Saskatchewan and shows you both the beauty and harshness of this province. The weather is a character all in itself. Dogman Sgt. Walter Regitnig hunts a murderer. The victims? His best friend and another fellow officer. The stakes? Immense. The outcome? Not what you expect.
Saskatchewan’s history is often told through agriculture, settlement, and resilience, but its crime history is compelling and far less explored. Particularly the cases set in rural Saskatchewan. On Scene takes you into that space, blending deep investigative detail with narrative storytelling AND an author’s notes section never seen before.
If you want:
• Canadian true crime
• Historical crime fiction
• Stories set in Saskatchewan
• Journalism-inspired narratives
You’ve landed in the right spot. Put On Scene in the Saskatchewan slot on that reading list and if you already have that spot filled, please tell me which book you chose. I’m building my own TBR.
Here are a few more set in Saskatchewan:
Who Has Seen the Wind by: W.O. Mitchell
Ghost Stories of Saskatchewan by: Jo-Anne Christensen
The Secret Lives of Sgt. John Wilson by: Lois Simmie
One of my Saskatchewan claims to fame was being mentored by Lois Simmie when I was 16 years old at a Sagehill Writing Camp for teens. Her contributions to the Canadian literary world are admirable and I feel honoured to hold this memory near and dear.
For bookish people participating in the read one book from every province challenge, Saskatchewan might seem like a difficult province to fill but trust me…it’s not. Discovering Saskatchewan authors and Saskatchewan-set books is a fantastic treasure and thank you for jumping in! And no matter how lengthy your to-be-read list is…there’s always room for one more book.
Other Prairie Reads Worth Noting
While Saskatchewan is my literary home, the prairie provinces share overlapping histories and themes. Another author who frequently appears on Canadian reading lists is Elinor Florence. I first met Elinor when I was working for the Sask Valley News and interviewed her for a historical piece about her family. We discovered we had an immense amount in common, and I deeply appreciate how warm and welcoming she is as a fellow author. I especially like her Women in Wartime tag on her blog, it is all very well organized, brilliantly researched, and so immersive. Among others, these are the two titles I will leave here for the purpose of filling up your provincial TBR:
Finding Flora by Elinor Florence (Set in Alberta and her most recent bestseller)
Bird’s Eye View by Elinor Florence (MC is from SK with a chunk of the story set overseas during WWII)
Hang on…just one more!
Another title set on the Prairies is Chipped by: KA Johnson
Her main character is on a farm in Alberta and throughout her startling challenges in the story learns about her family in other locales, even venturing abroad herself. The exotic destinations only enhanced through the lens of the Prairie Girl experiencing them with the help of the best and most unique little narrator you’ve ever come across!
If you pick up any of these books, drop me a line and let me know what you think. Book recommendations are akin to recommending wine or a fine cheese…everyone’s tastes vary and you just never know what will hit. So welcome to the Prairies and happy reading!
