The Road to Heaven

A Patrick Bird Mystery #1

by Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson

A gripping noir mystery introducing artless young detective Patrick Bird, set in Toronto’s Parkdale during the tumultuous ’60s.

“I didn’t kill her. I had the thought, the idea. What’s the saying? The road to heaven is paved with bad intentions?”

Police academy burnout turned private eye Patrick Bird works divorce cases, using his camera to catch the unfaithful and the lonely looking for love in rented rooms. But his easy routine is shattered by a new case involving a missing girl.

Sixteen-year-old Abbie Linklater hasn’t been home for three days. Her mother believes Abbie’s getting an abortion. Her twin brother thinks she’s studying at the library. Her best friend couldn’t care less. Her father has no idea; he just wants her home without involving the police.

Before the sun sets on the first day of his investigation, as Bird roams the streets of Toronto looking for the runaway, he’s caught a drifter prowling in the Linklater’s backyard, stumbled into a creepy church with a belligerent minister, sparred with the client, been hit by a car, and discovered some loose ends in a bank robbery gone wrong a decade earlier.

And that was before he found the body.

Genres: Mystery, Canada, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Historical, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2024

About the author

Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson is a writer living in Toronto. He writes a range of crime and crime-adjacent fiction, including novels, novellas, stories, and flash fiction.

He is the past winner of the Black Orchid Novella Award (2021) as well as the Crime Writers of Canada Best Novella Award (2023) for his novella “The Man Who Went Down Under.” He placed third in the Toronto Star’s Short Story Contest (2022) for his short story, “The Unfinished Book.”

The Road to Heaven is his first published novel with detective Patrick Bird. It was nominated for an Edgar Award in the Best Paperback Original category (2025) and a Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel.

The second installment in the Patrick Bird Mystery Series, Opposite Sully's Gym will be published by Dundurn Press in March 2026.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

Parkdale, Toronto in the mid 1960’s, where Patrick Bird is a police academy cadet burnout turned PI, who works divorce cases and catches people with his camera doing dirty deeds in dark rooms. But his easy routine is shattered when his boss hands him the Linklater case.

16 year old Abbie Linklater has been missing for three days. Her mother believes Abbie’s getting an abortion. Her twin brother thinks she’s studying at the library. Her best friend could care less. Her father has no idea, but has an aversion to involving the police, hence employing a PI.

Bird’s investigations lead to many secrets that were meant to stay buried, so expect some twists. A little slow at times but I liked Bird - he’s outspoken and downright rude at times, but somehow he had me rooting for him. If you like mysteries set before the advent of technology then you’ll very likely enjoy this one.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Dundurn Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I want to thank NetGaley and Dundurn Press for the ARC of this debut novel, which I enjoyed. This was the first novel by author Alexis Stefanovich-Thompson, and it involved very twisted and dysfunctional family dynamics. Their sixteen-year-old daughter, Abbie, is missing. A young detective, Patrick Bird, has been assigned to investigate and undergoes trials and tribulations in his search and in conducting interviews in his effort to find the missing girl.

I thought the book was well-written, with a great choice of words, description of characters, and the steps in the detective's criminal procedure. It was taut and well-paced, without unnecessary fillers. The story takes place in Toronto in the mid-1960s. The location describing the streets and neighbourhoods of Toronto would have greater meaning for readers familiar with the city, but this didn't interfere with my reading pleasure.

Detective Bird is a young, dedicated private detective, but he seems very unlucky. He was dismissed from Police Academy training. He tries to control his anger and can be rude and outspoken, but he is still likeable. His work as a private detective has involved spying on unfaithful spouses, but now he has been assigned to his first missing person case. He is determined to prove himself in the new role but is unaware of how complex the case will become and all the mishaps he will encounter along the way.

Abbie's father is a wealthy businessman who wishes to avoid the police and any publicity resulting from the search for his daughter. He reminds Bird that he is paying for his search and demands that she be brought home quickly. He does not seem interested in why she may have disappeared, just that she was brought home quietly. Has she been abducted and killed? Has she been hanging out at coffee shops with hippies? Did she run away with a boyfriend?
Her stepmother says that she went away to get an abortion. Her twin brother believes she is hanging out in the library. A former best friend says they had barely any recent contact, denied Abbie had a boyfriend, and that she spent most of her time working on a secret project. Bird sees a dishevelled man in the paren't yard, chases him without results. He learns that Abbie is alive and well and accompanied by a young man in town. Once they are with the man whom Bird chased from the yard. When he sights them, he has never been able to intercept them. He notices Abbie entering a church, but the preacher orders security guards to drag him outside without finding her. Abbie's father learns she is now at her grandmother's, about 2.5 hours away by car. Bird is ordered to go immediately and bring her home.

The book has a classic noir feel. The investigation was conducted without GPS, tracking devices, surveillance cameras, old library copies of newspapers that were not microfilmed, and no smartphones. Pay phone booths must be found.

I sympathized with Bird but was amused by his streak of bad luck. His bosses are losing faith in his abilities. It takes some time to discover the very complicated answers to what is going on with Abbie and within her family. The case is finally solved after a murder. Bird finds the body and becomes the main suspect. The solution to the mysteries follows many twists and turns and violence, with another killing. Bird's life and career are in danger.

This was the first book in the Patrick Bird series, and I will definitely read the next one. It was published on July 23, 2024.

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you imagine, being the type of investigator who normally goes and catches people cheating on their partners, now having to deal with finding a missing sixteen year old girl in 1960s Toronto? Well, Patrick Bird sure can! And when he's on the case, you can be sure no stone will be left unturned. Mostly for his own curiosity's sake though, but still.

It was evident I'd like Mr Bird from the start, Stefanovich-Thomson gave him such a distinct (and funny) inner voice, that it was a hoot following him around.

I loved seeing his investigative methods, the way he interviewed people, the details he noticed, and how the universe never seemed to give him a break.

The book could be slow in parts, but it had the right vibes which is all that matters, really. It felt like a noir for sure.

Naturally, finding Abbie wasn't the only mystery Patrick had to solve here, and there were plenty of twists to keep the reader entertained. I did see a few coming, but not the ending ones.

The writing style made for an easy read, I had no trouble getting into the world, not even when I had to take days long breaks because of real world stuff. And the overall flow of the story was good.

I'd like to follow this sarcastic detective on more cases, hopefully the next book will be out soon.

*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1965 Patrick Bird is hired to find a missing girl. Usually he works divorce cases, catching out spouses who are playing up but this is his first missing persons case.

16 year old Abbie Linklater has disappeared and her family all have a different idea of where she is or what might have happened to her, none of them seem overly concerned. Abbie’s father hires Bird as he does not want to involve the police, he thinks she has just run off for a few days but does not believe anything untoward has occurred and her stepmother believes she has taken off to have an abortion. After looking everywhere and talking to people that know her, Bird feels there is a lot more to the story and boy is he right.

This is a great book. I loved meeting Bird and enjoyed getting to know his character. He is a bit of a charmer and there are some humorous situations he gets himself into while trying to find out the truth, this messed up family are not helping his search as to where Abbie is. The book moves along at a good pace, has a great storyline and kept me engaged throughout, I am looking forward to meeting up with Bird in a future book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions are my own. Highly recommended.

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Washed out of the police academy, Patrick Bird works for a private detective, and spends his time photographing cheating spouses. Then his boss assigns him to a missing persons case, and Patrick is introduced to the wealthy Linklater family. Sixteen-year-old daughter Abbie has disappeared, and her father is convinced Bird can quickly find her at some café, without the need to delve into the family’s relationships and past.

Bird is unimpressed with the man and his arrogant, dismissive attitude, but learns more about Abbie from her twin brother and stepmother. They, respectively, think Abbie is working on some secretive project, or is getting an abortion.

As Bird searches the Parkdale neighbourhood, he comes across a variety of different people: a rough-looking man trying to get into the Linklater home, a priest helping people suffering from trauma, a librarian whose help enlightens Bird as to what has occupied so much of Abbie’s time, and could be the impetus for her disappearance: a tragedy in the Linklater’s past.

Bird senses that unless he can understand that past incident, he won’t be able to resolve the real reason behind the strange silences in the family, much to the Linklater patriarch’s and his boss Sid's frustration.

Bird does get his answers, but multiple secrets come out and tragedies ensue, leaving Bird worn out and dismayed.

It was a pleasure to read an historical mystery set in 1965 Toronto. The Toronto Bird inhabits is gritty in parts, and well-off in others, and is also the stuffy place I remember when I first visited the city in my childhood, many years after this story is set.

Patrick Bird has a chip on his shoulder, is quick to respond with insolence or truculence. He’s not enjoying trapping cheating spouses, and dislikes talking to clients. He had to leave the police academy for reasons undisclosed initially, but from that we know he wants to help and protect others. And though more likely to use sarcasm in his interactions, it does not mean that he’s necessarily a bad investigator. His instincts tell him there is something behind the wealthy, attractive façade of the Linklaters; this is proven to be right in this first slightly awkward start of a series: events and interactions did not always flow well. Also, the author had Bird inferring longstanding character traits or behaviours from just a few statements exchanged with characters, which felt implausible.

Bird is no Sherlock, being more of a plodder towards the truth, but his instincts that there is more going on under the surface of a situation is spot on. That he was right is this story is actually sad, considering the terrible outcomes of his first real investigation. I think it would be interesting to read more in this series, particularly as Patrick Bird shows hints of developing into a complicated character as time goes on.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Dundurn Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[Bryna Adamo · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Road to Heaven is paved with bad intentions." That pretty sums up this novel. Lies destroy lives and everything comes crumbling down around you. This novel takes the reader through the twists and turns of deception, manipulation and secrets of a family that darkens and kills that thing they try to protect. I thought this was a predictable but very interesting mystery, that reiterates one should be careful for what they wish for. The writing was well done with fun and exciting events that kept me engaged. I just felt it was a little too predictable and the misdirection was a little too obvious at times. However, I did not find that hindered the book but it took away some of the mystique and awe factor for me.
I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a good mystery! 3.25 ✨⭐

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a kind of Canadian noir detective story that takes place in the 60s. it catches you early and takes you on quite a ride. of course, there's the rich client, the sexy rich lady and sullen family members. I was reminded of Raymond Chandler. it will be fun to see how Patrick Bird goes forward with his "career".

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful surprising great read. If your looking for and old fashing detective set in the 60's then this is the book for you.
I believe author is working on a follow up. Highly recommend this one.
Thanks NetGalley for advance copy

[Kate P. from the Bachelor]

Not perfect but definitely a solid read. Love me a 1960s caper involving the Boulevard Club and the Queen Car; looking forward to learning more about what makes Patrick Bird tick as this series progresses.

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author, and he is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada. Some of their authors had displays of their books at the Motive Crime and Mystery Festival that I recently attended.
I stopped and talked to some of the authors on display and wound up talking to this author. His story is based in Toronto.
How could I refuse. So, I bought his book and I have to say it was a good read. I liked it because all the action in the story took place near where I live. High Park Blvd., Roncesvalles, Queensway, the Gardiner, Lakeshore, the Boulevard Club, the Edgewater hotel (not called that now). The story was based in 1964 so it was a look at the city before things started to change.
The hero of the story is a young man named Patrick Bird who works for a Private Detective Agency, and this is his first big case. He has been tailing married men in divorce cases, but this is his first case dealing with a missing person. The young daughter of a wealthy man goes missing and they do not want the police involved. Patrick finds out all kinds of things about this family which does make for an interesting read.
What distracted me was that there was no real reason for Patrick to find out and keep digging for all the information he did find. The only reason was his own curiosity and the dead body. You will have to read the book to find out about that.
I liked Patrick Bird and he makes a good private detective.
I look forward to the next Patrick Bird novel.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's July 1965 and Patrick Bird is a private detective in Toronto, specializing in catching unfaithful spouses in compromising situations. His next case is finding a missing teenager named Abbie. Her father hires the detective agency rather than contacting the police because he wants it to be kept quiet. Patrick starts tracking Abbie's movements and realizes she is still in their neighbourhood. As Patrick keeps digging, he realizes her disappearance has something to do with a bank robbery in their neighbourhood about 10 years earlier.

This is the first in the Patrick Bird series. It is written in first person perspective in Patrick's voice. I liked the writing style but found it got a bit draggy at times, for example when Patrick visited the church and the minister's sermon was repeated word for word. I thought it started out interesting but then got a bit convoluted and farfetched (especially the scene in the old Seahorse Motel). I liked that it was set in the High Park and Parkdale neighbourhoods of Toronto ... I don't live far from them so know the places Patrick checked out. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2024/04...

[Angela Breemen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexis Stefanovich Thomson’s Road to Heaven is a gritty private-eye novel written in the first person, with crisp dialogue, sharp narrative, and poetic setting descriptions.

The protagonist, Patrick Bird, is a young private investigator new to the job, with just a few infidelity cases behind him. He’s got a surly attitude that prevented him from joining the police force. All the same, his boss, Sid, gives him a chance to work at the agency. It turns out Patrick has more moxie and smarts than either his boss or his client bargained for, with Bird digging deep to uncover the truth - even when both the client and his boss say, “Case closed.”

The book is reminiscent of a fast-paced Dashiell Hammett novel. Although Hammett’s works are generally set in the 1920s and 1930s, the era when he was actively writing, what makes Stefanovich Thomson’s book unique is its Toronto setting in the mid-sixties. The author has done a remarkable amount of research into that era to create a believable backdrop with authentic characters, as if the book had been written in 1965 rather than in 2024.

Described by others as “Maple noir,” the book is very much Canada’s own version of the hard-boiled detective novel, with characters verging on self-destruction in the classic noir style made famous south of the border.

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 4 out of 5]

1965 in Canada, a teenage girl, Abigail Linklater, goes missing and her father employs a private detective, Bird, to find her and bring her home. This makes a change for Bird from his usual catch-them-in-the act divorce proceedings work. Only thing wrong with the scenario, is that no-one except the father is worried about Abigail, and she is not really ‘missing’ as so many people have seen her out and about.
As you would expect, there are plenty of secrets in the Linklater family, which slowly come out. There is a femme fatale, using sex to get her own way, and a rich man using his money and arrogance to get his. Twist and turns – some guessable, others not.
So, all the right ingredients, but somehow this book did not grab my attention as much as it should have. It did get better approaching the end. Case is solved – but I doubt anyone lives happily ever after.
A good read – but not great. I probably won’t continue with the series.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Road to Heaven is set over two days in 1965. It begins with 16 year old Abbie going missing and her parents hiring a private investigator named Patrick Bird. The story goes from there. This story dips into the messy makings of family and finding out the secrets that lie within. It twists, turns and continues to hold your attention to the last pages. It felt like at times there were parts of the story that weren't necessary to get to the end and I hated Patrick as a character - but I think that is the point - he definitely makes some interesting decisions. Overall, I enjoyed this new to me author and would definitely read the next book in this series.

Huge thank you to Dundurn Press for my gifted copy!!

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the Edgar nominees for best paperback. I really enjoyed it. The author compresses the action into two days, which makes for a taut plot. It is Canadian noir, a concept that is new to me ,and set in Toronto , no less, not the kind of city one thinks of as having mean streets and dark underbellies. The book was strong on twisting plots, psychological games, tricky dames and endangered girls. The P.I. has his own code , which is mostly demonstrated by his having been kicked off the police force and being rude to his wealthy ( admittedly obnoxious) customer. This is the first in the series, and I'll be interested in seeing how he develops. Probably a 3.5 but bumped it up becuase impressive for an initial offering

[Kat Shermack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Road to Heaven was a wild ride that I thoroughly enjoyed! I was immediately sucked into the world of Patrick Bird, and as someone who lives in Toronto, it was so cool to go back in time to 1960s Parkdale. Stefanovich-Thomson does a great job of weaving historical facts into this work of fiction. I found myself with multiple Wikipedia pages open while reading this book, and I learned a lot about Toronto. The characters will pull you in and the story will keep you guessing right up until the last page (will they or won't they!?). I can't wait for the next Patrick Bird mystery!

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the 1960’s, Private Investigator Patrick Bird takes on a missing persons case, where his true talent for finding the truth brings forward more than just cheating spouses. Sixteen-year-old Abby has been missing for two days and her father wants her found and brought home. Abby has been doing her own detective work, trying to find out how her mother died and who was responsible. After chasing a prowler, Patrick uncovers the pieces of a dysfunctional family, and with twists and deception, must fight for his own life. An entertaining dark crime mystery.

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was, to me, an incredibly slow story about a bunch of characters with decrepit morals. It was disturbing to read about the lying, cheating, etc that went on in this book. There is a way to insinuate such things and have the plot move on and be very interesting and engaging, but this author chose to give great attention and detail to those points and it ruined the story. I would say this book was 10% poorly formed mystery and 90% ick.

[J Woollcott · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ROAD TO HEAVEN
A terrific debut novel from author Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson. Set in Toronto in the 1960s, our hero is Patrick Bird, a reluctant detective. Bird is seeking a young girl reported missing from her home in the west end. The family, from the seductive stepmother to the distracted, angry father, all have secrets to hide, secrets Bird discovers, one by one, over a couple of hot, messy, city days. This book has a taut, noir tone and the landmarks around High Park, Roncesvalles and Parkdale are all lovingly rendered in the author’s wonderful style. This is not an edge-of your-seat thriller or a non-stop action-packed adventure, it is a thoughtful, beautifully written, literary mystery. Five stars.
J. Woollcott, Award-Winning author of the DS McBride Belfast Murder Mysteries.

[Dianne Landry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick Bird is the type of PI who usually deals with setting men up in divorce cases when he is suddenly asked to look for a missing teenager. Her family are as shifty as hell and Bird gets into some trouble because he doesn't suffer fools and Mr. Linklater is a fool.

I love the Toronto setting especially the Roncesvalles neighbourhood, which I am very familiar with.

I look forward to more in this series.

[Wendy Hearder-moan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The road to heaven is paved with bad intentions —that’s a line I’ve never heard before and it gives one pause to reflect.
In any case, I liked the protagonist for the most part but I could have done without the protracted sexual interaction between him and Jane near the end of the book.
There are a lot of good images in the book, for example “My Ford stumbled behind the building into a parking lot to nest between two motorbikes and a Chevy “.

[Alison Gadsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I forgot to post my review of one of my favourite mysteries of 2025.
Set in a familiar neighbourhood in the west end of Toronto, this mystery explores identity, lies and the strange fa mill dynamics ics you might only find in a wealthy family of a certain era.

Well-plotted and structured with the perfect reveals at all the right times, IO urge you to pick up this book. Also, hint, hint, the second book comes out in 2026.

Check it out. Opposite Sully's Gym: A Patrick Bird Mystery
Some of the best characters from the first book land in a heap of trouble in the second.

[Chloe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise and the start of the book but didn't really like where it ended up. In particular I didn't like Abbie's storyline or (without giving too much away) when that person was explaining the history to Bird and what was going on while they were explaining it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

[Steve Cripwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Police academy burnout turned private eye Patrick Bird works divorce cases, using his camera to catch the unfaithful and the lonely looking for love in rented rooms. But his easy routine is shattered by a new case involving a missing girl.

I loved this book; great writing style. Superb three-dimensional characters. Great pace and story. I enjoyed the way the writer adds layers as the story progresses plus the descriptions are brilliant. Lots of twists and turns. It’s a terrific read.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the book is set in the 60s,, don't expect any 60s vibe. And while Bird is a novice PI, do not expect the hapless detective trope. What you get is a heavy Lew Archer vibe. But Bird is no Archer. Archer can be patient while Bird is an impatient, arrogant, a**hole. And AST is certainly no Ross MacDonald. And while you will probably see the twist coming, the twist comes from nowhere.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent historical noir featuring a well developed and interesting characters.
Plenty of twists, a fascinating atmosphere and a solid plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Enid Wray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part of this title is that it really is a love letter to the west end Toronto - Roncy, High Park, Parkdale - of the period.

Aside from that it’s pretty trope.

Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital review copy.

2.5 rounded up to 3

[Mysticpt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the start of what is hopefully an ongoing new series that is set in Toronto in 1960's. I enjoyed knowing all the locations and Bird is an easy to like main character. The story was decent enough and i enjoyed the writing so i will round up to 4 stars

[Karen Longwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Toronto's Parkdale neighbourhood, this novel is a must-read for crime fans. It was a wonderful read particularly because I am so familiar with the area but also because of the fast-paced action and historical references. Can't wait for the next one!

[Cindy]

I really enjoyed this author's writing and would read more of their work. This is a private investigator story set in late 1960s Toronto, where the P.I. searches for someone and unravels long-held secrets.