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Not That Kind of Place
In May 1997, eighteen-year-old Laura McPherson left her house for a run and didn’t return … Twenty years later, a reporter arrives in the small town of Griffiths to write an article about the unsolved murder of Laura McPherson. He is the most recent in a long line of journalists, podcasters, and amateur sleuths seeking new insights into what really happened to Laura. Laura’s younger brother, David, a repressed and stuck thirty-something, is dealing with the recent death of his mother when the reporter comes knocking. The last surviving family member, David has lived a sheltered life, protected from the prying eyes of the media by his mother. But David cannot escape the past forever, and soon finds himself confronting the lasting impact of his sister’s death. As David learns more about his sister and the history of Griffiths, his eyes are opened to the casual violence, misogyny, and racism that lurk just below the surface of his seemingly placid community. Provocative and haunting, Not That Kind of Place is a literary anti-mystery, a compelling exploration of our obsession with true-crime stories and the devastating effects of systemic violence on our most vulnerable populations.
304 pages, Paperback
Published August 29, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 9, 2023
For the fifteenth anniversary, Laura’s murder was featured on a true crime show called Not That Kind of Place: Murder in a Small Town. David’s mom had agreed to be interviewed for the first time. The show made the case that Greg Dykma, the security guard who lived in a trailer at the gravel pit, was the murderer. This had been a rumour at the time. David had thought his mom and dad believed it, but it never made much sense to David — they’d been neighbours for years. The show had renewed interest in the case. There were more articles and then podcasts.
Coming up on the twentieth anniversary of his older sister’s unsolved murder, and immediately in the wake of his mother’s sudden death — his father having passed some years earlier — David McPherson learns that his mom was planning to grant an exclusive interview to a freelance journalist; a relentless investigator who now has his sights set on the reclusive David himself. Nearing forty — alone, disinterestedly employed, and living in a semi-finished “suite” in his parents’ basement — David will need to navigate grief and his mother’s estate, all while dodging the journalist and finally facing the true scenario surrounding his sister’s murder. Not That Kind of Place plays out on two levels: It explores the current obsession with unsolved murders — the articles, podcasts, and online citizen-sleuthing that turn personal tragedy into public fodder — and it also explores how living at the centre of such a tragedy affects a victim’s family members. In order to burst David’s bubble of stunted naivety, author Michael Melgaard shows him interacting with several of his sister’s high school friends; and as David learns the sort of pressures his redneck town did, and does, assert on the underprivileged, he’ll need to come to terms with the idea that maybe Griffiths is that sort of place after all. I found the writing in Not That Kind of Place to be a bit straightforward and unadorned for my tastes — and I don’t know if I really understood how David could be nearing forty without ever seeing the dangers faced by the underclasses in his hometown — but Melgaard eventually reached me with the point he was making about the blinders of privilege: Canada on whole likes to think of ourselves as not the sort of place where people are exploited or discriminated against or murdered while out for an evening run, but, of course, it happens every day. Rounding up to four stars; Melgaard totally landed the ending. (Note: I read an ARC and passages may not be in their final forms.)
Three days after Laura went missing, her Discman was found on a logging road on the far side of the mountain. Reporters came to Griffiths to cover the story of a pretty blond girl from a good family who got straight As, who volunteered at an old-folks’ home, who candy-striped at the hospital, who captained her basketball and volleyball teams, and who was certainly not going to be found alive.
As David goes about Griffiths; an hour from Victoria on Vancouver Island — dodging the journalist and taking care of his mother’s affairs — he crosses paths with the same bad cop over and over (a sluggish loudmouth who resents wasting resources on helping “hookers” and the homeless), and while on the one hand that character felt cartoonish, the interactions did force David to wonder if the fruitless investigation into his sister’s murder proved the local cops’ incompetence…or their corruption (they never got beyond blaming an ex-con security guard, even if they could never prove it). And as David has interactions with three of his sister’s former friends (one who sought him out, one met by chance, one he laid in wait for), he learns, apparently for the first time, about the drug runners, sex traffickers, and biker gangs that profited from the area blue collar workers (the loggers, miners, and fishermen who worked and partied beneath the notice of his mountainside subdivision), and whose criminal presence in the town represented danger for the vulnerable.
I did like the varying perspectives David confronted through his interactions with Laura’s old friends: The still grieving self-declared “best friend” who maintained a relationship with his mom and who now insists she has the duty to meet with journalists, “People cared about her and it’s not your right to judge or to try to keep people away. You don’t own Laura’s story.”; the former dropout, now hippie-dippie yoga teacher who says, “It may be hard for you to face this, but your sister died so that you could become who you are today. Holding onto the past will keep you there; you need to be free. Laura gave us a gift.”; but especially that of the social worker who most understands the roots of violence, “It could have been a hundred different things, but it would have started small, because a guy thinks he can behave a certain way, and maybe Laura pushed back and then he goes farther and realizes he could be caught and named. It escalates to the point where he’s gone too far because he crossed a line he never thought about.” This last viewpoint meshes with a recording David finds of his mom explaining to the journalist how much rougher the town used to be for young women in her day, and that’s the part that really resonated with me: I grew up in a redneck town — my brothers were hard partiers who sought violence as recreation — but we all raised our kids in nice neighbourhoods in nicer towns that gave them a better story about who they are and where they’re from. David’s nice home on the mountainside gave him a better story than his parents had had, and just like it had shielded him from the violent reality of his hometown, that shield may have prevented Laura from recognising danger when it came for her.
He could try to explain what he’d learned to James, but David wasn’t sure he understood it himself. He hadn’t had the words, before. When it happened to his sister. When people got killed here. When things happened over and over and someone would say it wasn’t that kind of place. He had known that wasn’t true, but he hadn’t known why. Carolyn knew. Staci knew. His mom knew; she had tried to tell James. But why would James understand if no reporter had before? He would just write the same story, with a few new twists David’s mom had given him.
In the end, David will need to decide whether or not to meet with the journalist: Is there value in telling the story again if it probably won’t solve his sister’s cold case? Is there value in exposing Griffiths as exactly the kind of place where underprivileged people go missing and get murdered all the time? Or should he continue to refuse to participate in the true-crime-as-entertainment trend? As I wrote above: I enjoyed both the big picture treatment of this trend and the exploration of the blinders of privilege. In addition to satisfyingly showing David lose his blinders and his naivete, Melgaard wraps this up with a sort of perfect ending. Totally worth the journey to get there (even if I had quibbles along the way).
September 6, 2023
Not That Kind of Cold Case Novel
Review of the Dreamscape Media LLC audiobook narrated by Nick Mondelli, released simultaneously with the House of Anansi paperback (August 29, 2023).
I'm not going to bury the lede here. Not That Kind of Place is not a candidate for an Unsatisfactory Ending Alert or an Ambiguous Ending Alert (two of my often used tags). But you do need to understand that it is not a stereotypical cold case novel where the protagonist takes on an investigation and uncovers a villain who is brought to justice after many years.
Slacker David has been living in the (fictional) small town of Griffiths on Vancouver Island in Canada all of his life, and now works at Walmart. He lives in the basement of his parent's house where his mom has recently passed. His dad had passed earlier. When he was a youngster, his 18-year-old sister Laura went out on a jog from which she never returned. Her murdered body was found shortly afterwards.
As David starts to sort out his life after his mom's death, the 20th anniversary of his sister's murder approaches. A true crime writer wants to interview David in order to write a follow-up on the case, but David keeps ducking him. In the aftermath of the funeral however, David does encounter various women from Laura's past life and also discovers recordings where his mom had been interviewed by the same writer he is now avoiding. Without actually doing any investigation, various aspects of the town's underbelly come to the surface for David, ending in a gut-punch finale.
This was an unorthodox novel for the genre and is the stronger for that. To some extent you do have to write the ending for yourself, but there is sufficient background provided for you in order to do that.
I listened to the audiobook edition narrated by Nick Mondelli, who was excellent in all voices. I think reading a hardcopy might be even more satisfactory as it would be easier to check back on each name and backstory as they are introduced.
Blurbs
“No matter how it looks on a postcard, every small town has its secrets. In his enthralling debut novel Not That Kind of Place, Michael Melgaard deftly explores how those secrets can erode the mythology of a place, and reveal ultimate truths on their own. Through a richly layered story crafted at a riveting pace, Melgaard exposes the faults of the idyllic snapshot of Canadiana and the collective humanity needed to face tragedy and heal as a community. This novel is at once a compelling mystery and a sharp social critique, bringing the voices of the marginalized to the centre and forcing us to question the power imbalance of any Canadian community.” – Waubgeshig Rice.
"Much more than just an absorbing mystery, Not That Kind Of Place, shines its light beyond the standard coverage of true crime, to the depths of deep-rooted societal injustice. A page-turning exploration of what actually goes into making a town what it is." – Iain Reid.
Other Reviews
Peeling Back the Placid Surface of Canadian Small Town Life by Steven W. Beattie, Toronto Star, August 28, 2023.
Trivia and Links
There is an interview with author Michael Melgaard at The Dark Side of True Crime by Open Book CA, August 30, 2023.
Read author Michael Melgaard's article about The Importance of Persistence to Writing Success at Writer's Digest, August 29, 2023.
Review of the Dreamscape Media LLC audiobook narrated by Nick Mondelli, released simultaneously with the House of Anansi paperback (August 29, 2023).
I'm not going to bury the lede here. Not That Kind of Place is not a candidate for an Unsatisfactory Ending Alert or an Ambiguous Ending Alert (two of my often used tags). But you do need to understand that it is not a stereotypical cold case novel where the protagonist takes on an investigation and uncovers a villain who is brought to justice after many years.
Slacker David has been living in the (fictional) small town of Griffiths on Vancouver Island in Canada all of his life, and now works at Walmart. He lives in the basement of his parent's house where his mom has recently passed. His dad had passed earlier. When he was a youngster, his 18-year-old sister Laura went out on a jog from which she never returned. Her murdered body was found shortly afterwards.
As David starts to sort out his life after his mom's death, the 20th anniversary of his sister's murder approaches. A true crime writer wants to interview David in order to write a follow-up on the case, but David keeps ducking him. In the aftermath of the funeral however, David does encounter various women from Laura's past life and also discovers recordings where his mom had been interviewed by the same writer he is now avoiding. Without actually doing any investigation, various aspects of the town's underbelly come to the surface for David, ending in a gut-punch finale.
This was an unorthodox novel for the genre and is the stronger for that. To some extent you do have to write the ending for yourself, but there is sufficient background provided for you in order to do that.
I listened to the audiobook edition narrated by Nick Mondelli, who was excellent in all voices. I think reading a hardcopy might be even more satisfactory as it would be easier to check back on each name and backstory as they are introduced.
Blurbs
“No matter how it looks on a postcard, every small town has its secrets. In his enthralling debut novel Not That Kind of Place, Michael Melgaard deftly explores how those secrets can erode the mythology of a place, and reveal ultimate truths on their own. Through a richly layered story crafted at a riveting pace, Melgaard exposes the faults of the idyllic snapshot of Canadiana and the collective humanity needed to face tragedy and heal as a community. This novel is at once a compelling mystery and a sharp social critique, bringing the voices of the marginalized to the centre and forcing us to question the power imbalance of any Canadian community.” – Waubgeshig Rice.
"Much more than just an absorbing mystery, Not That Kind Of Place, shines its light beyond the standard coverage of true crime, to the depths of deep-rooted societal injustice. A page-turning exploration of what actually goes into making a town what it is." – Iain Reid.
Other Reviews
Peeling Back the Placid Surface of Canadian Small Town Life by Steven W. Beattie, Toronto Star, August 28, 2023.
Trivia and Links
There is an interview with author Michael Melgaard at The Dark Side of True Crime by Open Book CA, August 30, 2023.
Read author Michael Melgaard's article about The Importance of Persistence to Writing Success at Writer's Digest, August 29, 2023.
September 9, 2023
Atmospheric, the author gives you a piece of the west coast of Canada.
July 6, 2025
One of my favorite things is when the setting of a book is so vivid and interesting that it nearly becomes a character in and of itself. In this book, not only the town, but David’s home/property has been developed with such character that you can feel the nature around you as you read. I particularly enjoyed how David’s discovery of nature as dangerous was written. I’m very interested that this particular discovery was told through the voice of men, which nicely juxtaposes the overall discoveries David makes as to the dangers his sister, along with every other female, face from any and every man.
Not That Kind of Place was a harmonious mix of David’s healing journey from his sister’s disappearance decades earlier and his awakening to the direct threat women in even the seemingly safest of places face from the men in their communities. Through Melgaard’s writing we see the effects of turning a blind eye from the pervasive acts of violence towards women, however subtle they might be. A nice touch was the conversation of David and his coworkers when one makes an overtly misogynistic comment about locking women up, as foreshadowing of this theme.
I loved how the characters were written with backstories that were sprinkled in as needed to add to the development of the story. They all felt real, like they were people I’ve known, people I’ve met. I particularly liked the development of Stacy’s story. I also loved the reserved thoughtfulness of the mother and how with her quietness throughout the book, it is the recordings of her voice that tie everything together in the end. It is her understanding of the dangers she never could put words to that open David’s eyes fully to what his town, and every town could truly be.
I think this was well written all around with the feel of a melancholy film noir style mystery that has so much more to say about our society than the typical who-dun-it ever could. The realism of this narrative comes to full fruition with an unsolved case that only hints at a possible culprit in the final moments but as life goes, and as so many missing girl cases go, there is no “bad guy” caught. We are left with the realization that this is not a case of just one missing girl, but a commentary on the larger issues of society and its behavior and treatment of women, and disregarding of the missing- especially when they are from vulnerable communities.
I highly recommend this book!! It’s a must read!!
Not That Kind of Place was a harmonious mix of David’s healing journey from his sister’s disappearance decades earlier and his awakening to the direct threat women in even the seemingly safest of places face from the men in their communities. Through Melgaard’s writing we see the effects of turning a blind eye from the pervasive acts of violence towards women, however subtle they might be. A nice touch was the conversation of David and his coworkers when one makes an overtly misogynistic comment about locking women up, as foreshadowing of this theme.
I loved how the characters were written with backstories that were sprinkled in as needed to add to the development of the story. They all felt real, like they were people I’ve known, people I’ve met. I particularly liked the development of Stacy’s story. I also loved the reserved thoughtfulness of the mother and how with her quietness throughout the book, it is the recordings of her voice that tie everything together in the end. It is her understanding of the dangers she never could put words to that open David’s eyes fully to what his town, and every town could truly be.
I think this was well written all around with the feel of a melancholy film noir style mystery that has so much more to say about our society than the typical who-dun-it ever could. The realism of this narrative comes to full fruition with an unsolved case that only hints at a possible culprit in the final moments but as life goes, and as so many missing girl cases go, there is no “bad guy” caught. We are left with the realization that this is not a case of just one missing girl, but a commentary on the larger issues of society and its behavior and treatment of women, and disregarding of the missing- especially when they are from vulnerable communities.
I highly recommend this book!! It’s a must read!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2024
loved this - very different take on a true crime style story.
September 9, 2023
Super fast read. Smart. Understated. I'll be recommending this one.
February 19, 2024
I have two perspectives to consider:
1) I’m in awe imagining the writer creating this town, the detail, the minutiae. I appreciate the talent behind imagining the place and the people.
2) This was a story about nothing. It moved very slowly and when it had the opportunity to pickup, just as mystery entered the story, it ended abruptly.
1) I’m in awe imagining the writer creating this town, the detail, the minutiae. I appreciate the talent behind imagining the place and the people.
2) This was a story about nothing. It moved very slowly and when it had the opportunity to pickup, just as mystery entered the story, it ended abruptly.
February 14, 2025
I picked this up on a whim at my local library. It was on the Proudly Canadian shelf, and holey moley hockey goalie are we ever riding a Proudly Canadian wave right now - yay Canadian writers! yay independent Canada! Anyway. This is one of those books that adds up to be much more than just the sum of its parts. It's actually more of a character study (can I say a characterless study?) of sheltered, disaffected, 30-ish man-boy David whose older sister Laura had been murdered 20 years earlier. Their grieving parents had bubblewrapped David away from the press and the prying eyes of the public all those years, but now he's being forced to deal with his mother's recent death and the unwanted attentions of a journalist determined to get answers to 20-year-old questions. At the start, David appeared so detached and uninvolved in his own life that I felt he had some kind of intellectual or emotional handicap, but as Laura's friends start reappearing out of the past David shows a bit more personal fire and a bit more emotional growth. He hears, and finds, and is given bits and bobs of information not only about a Laura he hadn't known but about his parents and the rural area they live in. Having read the whole book it seems like a collection of short stories, brief character portraits, and social comment essays cobbled together into one plot, and some of the social commentary appears as a stream-of-consciousness speech by David's mother, but somehow it all works together, more or less, give or take a little, as a novel. Only a very brief section seemed to address the pervasive problem of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Girls and Woman that's a very real and horrifying issue in Canada, and omnipresent police incompetence and inaction was only vaguely addressed. There was a sketchy subplot about drugs and biker gangs that just slid past me and I wished that it had been anchored into the overall plot more smoothly. I'm bored to tears by descriptions of drugs and gangs and organized crime so I glossed over that part more than I should have. However the ending was worth the effort I did put into reading, and the straightforward, unadorned writing was a real treat for me. I'll certainly watch out for more by this author. 4 1/2 stars
October 19, 2023
A dark exploration of the way true crime has impacted families and perpetuated marginalization that is smart and also funny! If this book were on Rate My Prof I’d even give it some 🌶️🌶️🌶️.
May 29, 2025
Where is the ending to the book?!?
October 6, 2023
“Anti-mystery” is right! What a great (read: correct) take on the true crime genre and its many failings. Not That Kind of Place paints a haunting, understated portrait of a small Vancouver Island town, and the systemic violences (colonial, gendered, and otherwise) that have shaped it.
January 14, 2025
Wasn’t bad, but it felt like it needed a little something more. Like, I get that The Point is exploring the idea/phenomenon of communities turning a blind eye to the evil within them, and the novel is more about the protagonist realizing this than about the mystery of his sister’s murder, but I just felt like perhaps too long was spent with David moping around his house and avoiding people. I didn’t hate it though, and I liked the characters and their development over the course of the story.
August 13, 2023
I was looking forward to reading this one - seeing as I thoroughly enjoyed the author's short story collection, Pallbearing, from a couple of years ago. This was, and was not, what I expected it to be.
This is a slow burn, with not a lot of action. It’s a head game - mostly for the victim’s brother who is forced, by circumstances, to really come to grips with what happened to his sister 20 years ago… and by default, what happened to the town, and what the town is really like - the nitty gritty that nobody wanted to talk about.
It does get a bit preachy at times - long winded sections of dialogue, and info-dumping about MMIWG, and drugs and such - but I also appreciate that while this is a novel, it really is very much like a podcast, and that format would include some of the kind of information - as background and context - that is being shared here in those parts of the novel. It is also kind of meta - in that it really turns the tables on the whole “true crime market” - for lack of a better phrase - and interrogates that whole “phenomenon” and really asks us to think about who owns these stories, and what rights the public really and truly has to them.
I did have some trouble - for a lot of the novel - suspending the belief that David could have been so “naive” as to not know what he didn’t know at the time. But then when I stop to think about it, it really is a reflection of his white privilege. This is really brought home, well after the midpoint of the novel, when he meets up with Staci, whom he thinks might hold a clue to what happened to his sister Laura.
I will admit that I was not going to score this quite so highly… until I got to the very last two pages…
I was feeling very unsettled that there appeared to be no resolution coming, as in David does not solve the crime/mystery - but I also get that that is my problem, that I felt that the story could only end properly if we found out “who dunnit.”
But then, in the last few paragraphs, the author throws in a twist - out of left field - that changed everything… my understanding of what happened and what David’s next actions were going to be (which I had not been happy with).
I also wonder whether he has in fact left himself an open door to write a sequel - to further dig into the broader issues that he shines a light on here in this novel. I would definitely read that.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital review copy.
Recommended read.
4.5 rounded up to 5
This is a slow burn, with not a lot of action. It’s a head game - mostly for the victim’s brother who is forced, by circumstances, to really come to grips with what happened to his sister 20 years ago… and by default, what happened to the town, and what the town is really like - the nitty gritty that nobody wanted to talk about.
It does get a bit preachy at times - long winded sections of dialogue, and info-dumping about MMIWG, and drugs and such - but I also appreciate that while this is a novel, it really is very much like a podcast, and that format would include some of the kind of information - as background and context - that is being shared here in those parts of the novel. It is also kind of meta - in that it really turns the tables on the whole “true crime market” - for lack of a better phrase - and interrogates that whole “phenomenon” and really asks us to think about who owns these stories, and what rights the public really and truly has to them.
I did have some trouble - for a lot of the novel - suspending the belief that David could have been so “naive” as to not know what he didn’t know at the time. But then when I stop to think about it, it really is a reflection of his white privilege. This is really brought home, well after the midpoint of the novel, when he meets up with Staci, whom he thinks might hold a clue to what happened to his sister Laura.
I will admit that I was not going to score this quite so highly… until I got to the very last two pages…
I was feeling very unsettled that there appeared to be no resolution coming, as in David does not solve the crime/mystery - but I also get that that is my problem, that I felt that the story could only end properly if we found out “who dunnit.”
But then, in the last few paragraphs, the author throws in a twist - out of left field - that changed everything… my understanding of what happened and what David’s next actions were going to be (which I had not been happy with).
I also wonder whether he has in fact left himself an open door to write a sequel - to further dig into the broader issues that he shines a light on here in this novel. I would definitely read that.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital review copy.
Recommended read.
4.5 rounded up to 5
April 20, 2024
I wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about more so the ending of this story, as we didn’t really get an official conclusion to Laura’s murder but that’s kinda the whole point that was being made. I’m actually in school for Indigenous social work right now, so I was glad to see awareness being brought to the fact that when Indigenous peoples, homeless people, those struggling with addiction or working in sex work, go missing or are found dead, the police really don’t look into it. It’s an extremely sad situation, and I’m glad the story brought light to that. And brought light to the fact that many people don’t see this because they are privileged, they do not see beyond their privilege or even realize their privileged as David experienced.
My theory though of what happened to Laura and I’m curious to see what others think as well. Basically i think Laura was the scapegoat for Ranger and his group of guys being outed as selling drugs to the high school kids. Even though we learn that Becky was the one to have spoken out, she admits this to David in present day, I believe that because Laura was seen talking to Sheri, she was tied to the situation. So Rangers group assumed the rat was Laura, or maybe even Sheri was part of blaming her , I’m not sure on that part but Sheri was as much of a victim herself regardless. So she’s deemed the rat and these guys were either waiting for an opportunity or saw one and took it. The biggest give way we got was at the very end where the cop reveals that Laura was found with rocks in her mouth which is typical of snitches deaths. So basically she was wrong place, wrong time, and killed for something she didn’t do when she was just trying to help Sheri out of a bad situation.
My theory though of what happened to Laura and I’m curious to see what others think as well. Basically i think Laura was the scapegoat for Ranger and his group of guys being outed as selling drugs to the high school kids. Even though we learn that Becky was the one to have spoken out, she admits this to David in present day, I believe that because Laura was seen talking to Sheri, she was tied to the situation. So Rangers group assumed the rat was Laura, or maybe even Sheri was part of blaming her , I’m not sure on that part but Sheri was as much of a victim herself regardless. So she’s deemed the rat and these guys were either waiting for an opportunity or saw one and took it. The biggest give way we got was at the very end where the cop reveals that Laura was found with rocks in her mouth which is typical of snitches deaths. So basically she was wrong place, wrong time, and killed for something she didn’t do when she was just trying to help Sheri out of a bad situation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2023
As the 20th anniversary of his sister's murder approaches, David must come to terms that not everything in their small Canadian town was as ideal as it seemed.
Laura disappeared one night while on a run. Three days later, her discman was found, and later, her body was pulled off of the mountain. A neighbor was the key suspect in her murder. For years, David has lived in the shadows of this death. Moving into the basement, working a go-nowhere job, and just generally avoiding the truth. Now, after her mother's death, David is being confronted by the murder and a journalist who seeks the truth.
-------
This could have been great. But instead read very dry and had large sections about the history of the small town and the politics behind it all. There was mention of missing indigenous women, but beyond that, nothing.
David, as the main character, was boring and lazy. He was too blind to see the truth about the town and the bad parts. The drugs, the sex work, the politics behind it all.
There was a good section, towards the last 1/4 that started to pick up and bring some sort of resolution, but then died flat and with no resolve. I was really disappointed that storyline with Stacy didn't go further.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Laura disappeared one night while on a run. Three days later, her discman was found, and later, her body was pulled off of the mountain. A neighbor was the key suspect in her murder. For years, David has lived in the shadows of this death. Moving into the basement, working a go-nowhere job, and just generally avoiding the truth. Now, after her mother's death, David is being confronted by the murder and a journalist who seeks the truth.
-------
This could have been great. But instead read very dry and had large sections about the history of the small town and the politics behind it all. There was mention of missing indigenous women, but beyond that, nothing.
David, as the main character, was boring and lazy. He was too blind to see the truth about the town and the bad parts. The drugs, the sex work, the politics behind it all.
There was a good section, towards the last 1/4 that started to pick up and bring some sort of resolution, but then died flat and with no resolve. I was really disappointed that storyline with Stacy didn't go further.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 13, 2024
I think the book tells an important story. Absolutely.
A story that must be told again and again and again.
I cannot stress enough: What a great premise, what a vivid depiction of a town - but for me, the writing style and voice did not work.
The characters spoke in long, unrealistic monologues.
They spoke like history lessons.
This would have been far more compelling if it had been compiled of interviews, articles, blogs, transcripts, message boards, police accounts.
Would have been far more effective. Just my opinion.
I didn’t find a lot of flow to the dialogue. It seemed like the wrong vehicle to give the reader the information.
For me, the format and style made it sound preachy and too “on the nose” - obviously anecdotal.
The characters seemed more like caricatures.
David’s character fell especially flat for me, moreso as the book progressed.
“Well golly gee, I guess I just never realized my privilege - and of course, from here on out, I will NEVER say “hooker” again! Sex worker it is! And now I too will help spread the word - now that my eyes are opened and I know that it actually IS … that kind of place!”
*winks to camera and fade out*
Again - kudos to the messaging, the social critique, the emphasis on community and turning a blind eye and the impact systemic racism/sexism and classism has on marginalized peoples … but the delivery didn’t work for me.
I wish the author much success and happy to hear the book is getting great reviews from many folks. 👍🙌
A story that must be told again and again and again.
I cannot stress enough: What a great premise, what a vivid depiction of a town - but for me, the writing style and voice did not work.
The characters spoke in long, unrealistic monologues.
They spoke like history lessons.
This would have been far more compelling if it had been compiled of interviews, articles, blogs, transcripts, message boards, police accounts.
Would have been far more effective. Just my opinion.
I didn’t find a lot of flow to the dialogue. It seemed like the wrong vehicle to give the reader the information.
For me, the format and style made it sound preachy and too “on the nose” - obviously anecdotal.
The characters seemed more like caricatures.
David’s character fell especially flat for me, moreso as the book progressed.
“Well golly gee, I guess I just never realized my privilege - and of course, from here on out, I will NEVER say “hooker” again! Sex worker it is! And now I too will help spread the word - now that my eyes are opened and I know that it actually IS … that kind of place!”
*winks to camera and fade out*
Again - kudos to the messaging, the social critique, the emphasis on community and turning a blind eye and the impact systemic racism/sexism and classism has on marginalized peoples … but the delivery didn’t work for me.
I wish the author much success and happy to hear the book is getting great reviews from many folks. 👍🙌
September 1, 2023
This literary anti-mystery is a gem!
One thing that I found interesting is that the topic of casual violence and acceptable misogyny in society is usually (in my experience-from what I’ve read) written about by women. Told from the perspective of women. Yes, it took two women to point out to David all the obvious things that he had missed growing up because of his biased privilege as a Caucasian man. I had a chat about this with a co-worker of mine and she pointed out that this isn’t an isolated phenomenon. This “accepted”/tolerated behaviour is also seen along the Highway of Tears, a stretch of Northern Ontario highway where the bodies of women and girls (mainly Indigenous) are scattered like discarded garbage. That whole boys-club culture disgusts me. Oh, and David’s dad was really annoying….and I think the women knew more than what they said …it’s like the worst kept secret.
The ending……. I had a feeling it would end like that…. because the story was about the larger awareness and change of perspective that the main character had.
One thing that I found interesting is that the topic of casual violence and acceptable misogyny in society is usually (in my experience-from what I’ve read) written about by women. Told from the perspective of women. Yes, it took two women to point out to David all the obvious things that he had missed growing up because of his biased privilege as a Caucasian man. I had a chat about this with a co-worker of mine and she pointed out that this isn’t an isolated phenomenon. This “accepted”/tolerated behaviour is also seen along the Highway of Tears, a stretch of Northern Ontario highway where the bodies of women and girls (mainly Indigenous) are scattered like discarded garbage. That whole boys-club culture disgusts me. Oh, and David’s dad was really annoying….and I think the women knew more than what they said …it’s like the worst kept secret.
The ending……. I had a feeling it would end like that…. because the story was about the larger awareness and change of perspective that the main character had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2023
Another book that I picked up on recommendation. This was from @sloane_reads. I’m so grateful for this community that leads me to unexpected gems. I couldn’t put this one down and thanks to a day off work, finished it the same day.❤️
Not That Kind of Place was not at all what I expected. Contrary to my initial expectations, of an unsolved murder and a podcaster’s pursuit, the story unfolded as a poignant exploration of a small town on Vancouver Island. The enduring impact of a 20 year old murder on the town residents and the last remaining family member.😔
The storytelling captivated me, revealing a unique narrative that exposes the dark undercurrent beneath seemingly idyllic settings. Pick this one up, highly recommend.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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@tolovetoread #tolovetoread #read #reader #reading #readersofig #readthisbook #book #books #amreading #bookstagram #bookworm #bookish #bookreviewer #bibliophile #bookaddict #booksofig #booksof2023
#bookrecommendations #bookishcanadians #bestbooksof2023 #bookthoughts #booklife #readanywhere #libraylife #notthatkindofplace #michaelmelgaard
.
Not That Kind of Place was not at all what I expected. Contrary to my initial expectations, of an unsolved murder and a podcaster’s pursuit, the story unfolded as a poignant exploration of a small town on Vancouver Island. The enduring impact of a 20 year old murder on the town residents and the last remaining family member.😔
The storytelling captivated me, revealing a unique narrative that exposes the dark undercurrent beneath seemingly idyllic settings. Pick this one up, highly recommend.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
@tolovetoread #tolovetoread #read #reader #reading #readersofig #readthisbook #book #books #amreading #bookstagram #bookworm #bookish #bookreviewer #bibliophile #bookaddict #booksofig #booksof2023
#bookrecommendations #bookishcanadians #bestbooksof2023 #bookthoughts #booklife #readanywhere #libraylife #notthatkindofplace #michaelmelgaard
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May 6, 2025
The descriptions of the places were very invocative; the characters, not so much.
This was a long drawn out book that took a long time to come to an insipid conclusion. The story was based around the disappearance of a young girl a couple of decades ago. As an anniversary arrives, the disappearance, and murder, of Laura, again comes into the public realm.
While the brother of the girl tries to avoid the press, he stumbles across evidence that leads him to the, maybe, truth about what happened to his sister. Between a couple of her friends, some old videos he found after his mother died, he comes to the realization that his small town is not as quaint as it seems. In fact, it, like any other place in the world, is definitely That Kind of Place.
While the message of the book - the vulnerability of youngsters, especially girls/women - is relevant, it is not told in an intriguing way. The end was blah and not conclusive, just based on suspicion and innuendo.
This was a long drawn out book that took a long time to come to an insipid conclusion. The story was based around the disappearance of a young girl a couple of decades ago. As an anniversary arrives, the disappearance, and murder, of Laura, again comes into the public realm.
While the brother of the girl tries to avoid the press, he stumbles across evidence that leads him to the, maybe, truth about what happened to his sister. Between a couple of her friends, some old videos he found after his mother died, he comes to the realization that his small town is not as quaint as it seems. In fact, it, like any other place in the world, is definitely That Kind of Place.
While the message of the book - the vulnerability of youngsters, especially girls/women - is relevant, it is not told in an intriguing way. The end was blah and not conclusive, just based on suspicion and innuendo.
October 1, 2023
4 stars-This is a difficult review to write because the book was not what I was expecting. I was thinking the usual podcaster comes to town and talk to family and friends, but break in the case, podcaster solves the mystery, happily ever after. This story is not about the podcaster coming to town, and the missing sister, Laura is kind of a background story. It is about David, twenty years later, and the toll that the loss of his sister took on the family. Just as much a main character is the town, Griffiths, a logging town that brought bikers and drugs. In the end, we don’t know as much as we would like about the murder, but I still found it fitting, because it is the ending that makes sense for David, the main character. I enjoyed this one and will look more for this author in the future.
March 1, 2024
The novel is slow paced but easy to read. You could read it in a day or two. The author was good at describing the atmosphere and the characters.
The character “David” just didn't know exactly what was going in his community. Everyone seems to know the whole situation, not just about his sisters deaths, but the crimes that are happening in the town and people seem to be indifferent. In the end, he discovers his family and community’s past. It’s a hard living and hard working life. A life where the community would say if something bad happens: "Not in that kind of place".
I did not like the ending, I didn't expect to know who killed her but at least some clue about the case.
The character “David” just didn't know exactly what was going in his community. Everyone seems to know the whole situation, not just about his sisters deaths, but the crimes that are happening in the town and people seem to be indifferent. In the end, he discovers his family and community’s past. It’s a hard living and hard working life. A life where the community would say if something bad happens: "Not in that kind of place".
I did not like the ending, I didn't expect to know who killed her but at least some clue about the case.
March 8, 2025
Not That Kind of Place tells the story of David, whose sister went missing 20 years ago. We see him today, still living in his parents' basement and working at Walmart. His Mom just died, and with both parents gone now, he has to deal with the house. Meanwhile, a journalist keeps coming around wanting to interview him about his sister's case, where a local man was convicted in her death...
What a story! I did not want it to end! This is what I love about books! The dialogue, the descriptions of this little town in BC... all on point. I'll be seeking more on this author!
Edit: Write more, Michael Melgaard!!
What a story! I did not want it to end! This is what I love about books! The dialogue, the descriptions of this little town in BC... all on point. I'll be seeking more on this author!
Edit: Write more, Michael Melgaard!!
August 3, 2023
I don’t know what I was expecting with this book, but it didn’t fulfill my expectations. I found the book to be quite slow and dry. It had more “history” on the town than I would’ve liked to read and there was no thrill factor to it. It borders on mystery, but still not anything I’m used to reading.
It started with a good thrill that I was hoping would get more intense as the book went on, but really nothing until the absolute end. It’s a book that I wouldn’t read again.
I was gifted this ARC in return for an honest review.
It started with a good thrill that I was hoping would get more intense as the book went on, but really nothing until the absolute end. It’s a book that I wouldn’t read again.
I was gifted this ARC in return for an honest review.
September 3, 2023
Unfolding like a stream of consciousness, this book is different than most others. We walk a mile in the protagonist’s shoes, learning obvious lessons and meeting familiar characters, but as the story ends, it takes a few frustrating minutes until one realizes the novel is not about the story we are reading, but about other stories that don’t linger in the public consciousness for 20 years. The distinction is driving a small screen low level blood lust for true crime podcasts for only a certain class and colour of privileged victims.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2023
I understand what this book was trying to do but rather than the subject matter being compelling or insightful, I found it quite boring. Maybe I would have appreciated it more if I were in a different mindset, or if I didn’t live on the west coast myself (and already have some familiarity with the preconceived notions, inequities and skewed sense of "justice" that exist here), but the pacing was quite slow. Also, the way this book was promoted set things up for a story completely contrary to what I was expecting. Not one I'd recommend, sadly.
January 15, 2024
For me, this is a 3 star book. The extra star is 100% for the location. While he calls the small Vancouver island town “Griffiths” it is clearly Duncan. I loved finding references to so many obvious Cowichan Valley locations. That hooked me more than the story itself!
The story was good; grown man starts to pull back the curtains on his sister’s death 20 years in the past. A great commentary on how society (and the police) react and respond to missing people, depending on their income, race, gender, etc.
The story was good; grown man starts to pull back the curtains on his sister’s death 20 years in the past. A great commentary on how society (and the police) react and respond to missing people, depending on their income, race, gender, etc.
November 1, 2024
I listened to this one on audio, and I feel like it is one of those books written very well for audio. Melgaard is his usual self here, spare, humorous, dark. I appreciated the ways this sort of went against what I'd expect for a story like this, and would recommend to anyone who likes the sort of true crimey sort of stuff (tho this is completely fictional). I sort of wish I got to know some of the main characters a little bit more, like Laura and David, but I also think they are somewhat realistic in their being generally unremarkable people. Which I do appreciate.
August 29, 2023
I enjoyed this book but it wasn't what I was expecting, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Without giving too much away, this is not a typical mystery of who did it. I enjoyed how unique this book was and would definitely be interested in a sequel if one was made. Overall, I enjoyed this for what it was. Special Thank You to Michael Melgaard, House of Anansi Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy prior to publication.
January 16, 2024
As another reviewer said, the author gives you a piece of West Coast Canada, and this is one of the things I enjoyed most about this book. I couldn’t make up my mind about the main character. He seemed like a loser in the beginning and by the end, I rather liked him. This book is more of a social commentary than a mystery and it’s misleading to market it that way. It was a bit repetitive and tedious but I guess that was part of the point the author was trying to make.
September 23, 2023
My review is based on an ARC I received earlier this year. Overall, an interesting story and honest characterization. While I understand how and why everything came together the way it did, I suppose I was looking for something else at the end. Perhaps in a different mindset I would have appreciated it more.
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