Home Fires Burn

by Anthony Bidulka

In the conclusion of the award-winning Merry Bell trilogy, a celebrated philanthropist is found slumped against his car, frozen to death. PI Merry Bell is hired by his son, country music star Evan Whatley, to find out the truth behind what really happened on that desolate stretch of road. As Merry's investigation uncovers old wounds which never healed, her own are revealed as she confronts her pre-transition past and questions the boundaries of family and friendship.

300 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2025

About the author

Anthony Bidulka is the author of the long-running Russell Quant mystery series, two thrillers featuring Disaster Recovery Agent Adam Saint, a stand-alone suspense novel, Set Free, and a stand alone mystery novel, Going to Beautiful (2023 Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel) and the Merry Bell trilogy mystery series. The third and final book in the Merry Bell trilogy, Home Fires Burn, will be released June 2025.

Praise for Anthony Bidulka's books:

“…promises to become one of those that we look forward to each year and put on our shopping lists without waiting for the reviews.”

Reviewing the Evidence:

...Anthony Bidulka has created a whole new genre: Saskatchewan Gothic, which will both chill and warm your heart. Simply wonderful!

Alan Bradley, author of the Flavia de Luce series including The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Going to Beautiful...is a testament not only to Bidulka’s skill in plotting and other novelistic stratagems, but even more to the unique setting and the wonderfully textured characters...

Felice Picano, author of Like People in History and Pursued: Lillian's Story, companion to Pursuit: A Victorian Entertainment

...poignant, often funny, always wise…the quiet joy and hopefulness of this novel are gifts readers will value for years to come.
Gail Bowen, author of the Joanne Kilbourn Shreve mystery series including An Image in the Lake

Anthony Bidulka has pulled off a literary coup in Going to Beautiful. Deftly balancing humour and heart...Bidulka hits it out of the park.
Terry Fallis, two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour


Anthony Bidulka has dedicated his career to writing traditional genre novels in an untraditional way, developing a body of work that often features his Saskatchewan roots and underrepresented, diverse main characters. He tells serious stories in accessible, entertaining, often humorous ways.

Bidulka’s novel Going to Beautiful is the 2023 winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Award for Best Crime Novel. His books have been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence (three times), the Lambda Literary Award (three times), the Saskatchewan Book Award (five times). Flight of Aquavit was awarded the Lambda Literary Award for Best Men’s Mystery, making Bidulka the first Canadian to win in that category. Going to Beautiful, about a gay man rising from the depths of despair in search of joy on the Saskatchewan prairie, also won the Independent Publisher Book Award as the Canada West Best Fiction Gold Medalist.

In his free time Bidulka loves to travel the world, collect art, walk his dogs, obsess over decorating Christmas trees (it’s a thing) and throw a good party.


Anthony's Books:

The Merry Bell trilogy:
Livingsky (2023)
From Sweetgrass Bridge (2024)
Homefires Burn (2025)

Going to Beautiful (2022)

Set Free (2016)

The Adam Saint books:
When The Saints Go Marching In (2013)
The Women of Skawa Island (2014)

The Russell Quant books:
Amuse Bouche (2003)
Flight of Aquavit (2004)
Tapas on the Ramblas (2005)
Stain of the Berry (2006)
Sundowner Ubuntu (2007)
Aloha, Candy Hearts (2009)
Date With a Sheesha (2010)
Dos Equis (2012).

Reviews

[chris ouellet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from this amazing author. Very well written and as always Anthony’s books make you feel like you are right there.
I started this book and once again had a hard time putting it down, it is so very well written.
I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring.

[Terri (BooklyMatters) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully diverse mystery, peopled with characters you will wish for more time with, this is the third (and final) book in a trilogy featuring PI Merry Bell, a transgender woman based in Saskatchewan, Canada. The first in the series for this reader, this book is easily enjoyed as a stand-alone story.

Merry is a tough cookie, and a woman who has seen a lot of pain. Still healing from a whole host of family issues, beginning with her youth as young Joey Dzvonyk, and continuing through her lengthy transition. With her now-trademark four-inch heeled Louboutin boots (wildly impractical for a Saskatchewan winter, and a symbol of her burgeoning femininity), and Marco, a rescued Lagotto Romagnolo pup, Merry’s PI practice in Saskatchewan has hit a bit of a dry spell when she runs into an old friend, Evan Whatley, who has a mystery (and a potential murder) for Merry to solve. The victim, both handsome and loaded, found frozen to death beside his abandoned automobile in the vast remoteness of the Saskatchewan plains, is none other than his father, forty-nine year old John Whatley.

Without giving too much of the plot away, as Merry’s investigation meanders and dips, following leads through an absorbing and engaging story, she supported by a whole host of friendly, and (some not so friendly) local contacts, including her cross-dressing sidekick — the tech-savvy Roger (aka Stella); and her nemesis, Carol Durabont, the town’s duplicitous mayor. Not to mention a couple of simmering love interests - including the “nerd-adjacent” Gerard Drover, Merry’s landlord, a red-haired charmer, who admires Merry mostly from afar, and who may or may not be just up her alley.

With an ending to both the book and the series that satisfies, this uniquely unconventional story will both entertain and intrigue any reader of relatively light-hearted mysteries, bundled with a whole lot of heart.

A great big thank you to the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

*** four and a half stars

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, the third in the Merry Bell trilogy, has two parallel narratives, both focusing on relationships with parents and their secrets and private struggles.

Merry, at the behest of Evan, her first love in high school before she transitioned from Joey Dzvonyk to Merry Bell, investigates the death of John Whatley, Evan’s father. John’s death was determined a death by misadventure: he froze to death when locked out of his car on a frigid night in rural Saskatchewan. Evan is not convinced however. As Merry tries to ascertain if John’s death was the result of an accident or due to malevolence, she delves into his past and uncovers discrepancies and secrets.

At the same time, Merry begins hesitantly reconnecting with her estranged family whom she hasn’t seen since she transitioned. We learn more how Merry’s relationships with her parents fractured. Her tentative contacts result in her discovering that, just like Evan doesn’t know all about his father, she doesn’t know everything about her mother and father. But will she be able to forgive and move on?

My previous two visits to Livingsky were enjoyable and this third was as well. Merry is as engaging as ever; though flawed in a relatable way, she tackles both personal and professional challenges with aplomb. Members of Merry’s support network, whom we’ve come to know and like, re-appear: Roger/Stella, Brenda, Gerald, and Veronica. And my favourite of course – the decrepit but dependable Doreen.

As I’ve come to expect from Mr. Bidulka, the writing style is eminently readable. I enjoyed the pop culture references and the sprinkles of gentle humour throughout. I liked the descriptions as well. For instance, the details of an emerging winter storm reminded me of my years in northern Ontario and had me nodding in agreement: “Merry loved how the air smelled right before a storm. She respected how the wind asserted its presence – acting like a bully, yanking at your clothing and hair – and how snowflakes danced in the air, pretty and harmless but preparing for ferociousness.”

What also stands out is the author’s sensitivity. His books feature underrepresented peoples; in this book, for example, there’s the transgender Merry, the gay Evan, and the cross-dresser Roger, as well as sex workers. Each is treated with thoughtfulness and care. This treatment also extends to a person suffering from dementia. A chapter from the perspective of a dementia sufferer is so poignant.

I recommend that this book be read as the third of a trilogy, rather than as a standalone. Home Fires Burn has several references to the previous two books in the series; knowing the background certainly added to my interest. Besides just the enjoyment of reading Livingsky and From Sweetgrass Bridge, there is much to be gained in knowing how Merry first encountered some of the characters who appear in this book. Relationships develop over time, and Merry experiences growth since her arrival in Livingsky, a growth that is highlighted by the fate of her Louboutin boots.

This novel is certainly a satisfying ending to the trilogy, but I’d love to encounter Merry again! She feels like a friend and I don't want to lose touch.

Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) or substack (https://doreenyakabuski.substack.com/) for over 1,100 of my book reviews.

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Home Fires Burn’ is the latest novel from the pen of Canadian-born award winning author, Anthony Bidulka. We catch up with private investigator, Merry Bell, as she tackles another case in Saskatchewan, over Christmas. Wearing her totally impractical trademark Christian Louboutin boots, she totters her way through the icy streets of Livingsky, tracking down clues in an attempt to discover whether the father of her college boyfriend, Evan Whatley, died an accidental death or whether he was murdered.

She is again joined by the foils from her previous adventures; whacky landlord, Gerald Drover, bi-gender would-be assistant, Roger (sometimes Stella) Brown and his wife, ‘Designs by Brenda’. With a smattering of grudging assistance and growing respect from Detective Sergeant Veronica Greyeyes, Merry methodically and painstakingly peels back the layers to uncover deep hidden secrets in the life of successful businessman, John Whatley.

In this instalment, we see another side to Merry as she confronts issues from her past and finally makes contact with her estranged family. She also finds she still has feelings for Evan which confuses her because she had a relationship with him when she was Joey, prior to her gender-affirming surgery.

Anthony Bidulka’s characters are all well-defined and each plays their part in making ‘Home Fires Burn’ a worthy final book in this trilogy. I particularly appreciated the sensitive handling of the dementia segment. I’m sure the experience of having a conversation with a close relative who has no idea of the familial connection, is one many of us can relate to.

I found the book to be an entertaining read, recognising the skilful use of descriptive passages, along with metaphors, similes, pathos and humour. Sticking to the formula that worked well for Merry previously, it was a fitting end to our intrusion into her life. Breaking the stiletto heel of one of her Louboutin’s removed the last link with Joey and symbolically allowed her to move forward, secure in her new body, along with her professional and private life.

I’ve enjoyed seeing Merry’s journey and have no hesitation in awarding five well-deserved stars.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Merry Bell. She's pretty bad-ass, but she's kind.

Home Fires Burn is the final book in the Merry Bell trilogy and it's a fitting conclustion. In this book we find out more about Merry's past as she reconnects with family and her first love, who asks her to look into his father's death.

In a lot of ways, this is a book about acceptance; coming to terms with the past, coming full circle and embracing the future, or at least looking forward to it. I think it was very fitting to have this case around Christmas and New Year's.

This is a book about accepting people's quirks - Drover, Brenda, and embracing who people are, like Roger/Stella and I think even Merry's parents.

The case itself, a son wanting the truth about his father's death and the resulting need to come to terms with who his father really was, is secondary to the book, yet the cog around which everything turns, like so many of Anthony's books. They aren't just about a case, a mystery to be solved. They are explorations into human beings and relationships and how the characters, and readers, can see others and themselves in a a wider sense, more mult-dimensional.

This is a book that deserves to be read again and again if only to capture all the nuances Anthony is so good at.

[Robert Brosius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home Fires Burn, a merry bell mystery, Anthony Bidulka, 2025, Stonehouse Publishing.

This is the first Merry Bell mystery I’ve read. I have some catching up to do.

I quite enjoyed getting to know Merry. She sheds stereotypes gleefully. Despite her preference for hanging out at home with her dog, Marco, I felt close to her as she uncovered the multiple layers of just what happened that cold winter night when a well-known member of the Livinsky, Saskatchewan community met his fate. But there are many kinds of layers. There’s her own past, her family. There are her friends and relationships around town, since she set up her private investigative agency. And there’s the evidence. All the evidence, and where that evidence leads. Not surprisingly, it leads to a certain amount of danger. There are lots of twists and turns as she pursues the case.

Merry persists, and as she does, we get closer to discovering what happened, but we also get to know Merry better. You won’t want to put this down until you get to the end, but if you’re like me, you won’t want it to end either. There’s the rub with a good novel. Now I need to go back to read the first two books in the trilogy!

Robert Brosius, June 1, 2025
Hamilton, Ontario

[Ilonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this third outing, trans PI, Merry Bell is hired by Evan Whatley, an old friend and lover from her pre-transition life, to investigate the freezing death of his father. Authorities ruled the death accidental—not implausible given the lethal extremes of Saskatchewan winters—but Evan isn’t convinced.

While initially skeptical, Merry’s inquiries into the elder Whatley’s past reveal some unexpected and troubling realities about the man—realities that led to his murder.

In the course of her investigation, we are reacquainted with favourite characters encountered in early novels and meet a few new ones. Merry reconnects with her father and they begin the delicate process of repairing their estranged relationship. A satisfying conclusion to both the novel and the Merry Bell trilogy.

[Glen Rutland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reading copy of this book. Having read both prior Merry Bell books, I was exciting to get into the third and final book in this series. Bidulka has crafted a welcoming world in a corner of Saskatchewan, that breeds familiarity for those who have lived there, with just enough differences to leave the reader able to fill in some of the gaps. This is a satisfying, but too soon conclusion to this series. Merry's arc of self-discovery and acceptance, really finding herself by finding her way home, is a backdrop to the individual mysteries in each book. With mysteries that feel like they are pulled from the headlines, but always offering a fresh take, it is an interesting and enjoyable ready. Bidulka carefully dishes out hints, tips and ideas as the story moves, using the mystery to further develop Merry's relationships with a cast of supporting characters.

[Nada Loughead · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Home Fires Burn, Anthony Bidulka delivers a poignant and gripping conclusion to the Merry Bell trilogy. Detective Merry Bell, a trans woman reconnecting with her past, is drawn into the frozen mystery of a philanthropist’s death. Tasked by the victim’s son, now famous singer Evan Whatley, Merry balances a relentless investigation with deeply personal revelations about family, identity, and acceptance. Set against a chilly Saskatchewan backdrop, the narrative interweaves suspense and emotion with vivid pacing. Bidulka’s deft exploration of grief, reconciliation, and the lingering echoes of one’s past makes this a masterful and affecting finale. I will miss Merry as this trilogy comes to a satisfying conclusion.

[Rosemary McCracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading Home Fires Burn, the final instalment in the Merry Bell mystery trilogy, with bittersweet feelings. Thoroughly enjoyed how Merry’s investigation into the death of a local philanthropist played out, but I was saddened that this series had come to an end. Smart, plucky Merry and her Livingsky buddies have become dear friends of mine, and I want to see more of them. Hopefully Anthony Bidulka will bring them back, if only in secondary roles, in future stories. More Merry Bell, please!

[Cindy.Sherban · Rating 5 out of 5]

satisfying read though sad to see her (Merry Bell) go (at least for now). The author helps the reader consider challenges those not in the 'mainstream' are faced with. It is delivered in small doses. I liked the raising of dementia and what families face as is increasingly reflected in today's society.

[David Van Horne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect conclusion to a wonderful series. Anthony's three books introduced us to some absolutely believable and lovable characters. The final book leaves us feeling, not sad and missing them, but happy that they are in a good place and have wonderful, exciting lives ahead of them.

[J. Nizinkevich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful completion to a trilogy of Bidulka's series. He finds a tender way to convey tenuous relationships and the volatility of trauma.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Good wrap up to the trilogy. Was glad Merry ditched the Louboutins for something more practical for Canadian winters!

[Elinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Closing the last page on this excellent trilogy makes me sad. Merry Bell is such a strong and engaging character, and the murders she solves are so inventive, that I do hate to wish her goodbye.

Home Fires Burn opens with a death that is perfectly relatable to everyone who lives in a frigid climate, like Saskatoon (called Livingsky in this novel). I'm not surprised the fatality was ruled an accident, but I never guessed the true reason for his death.

Merry herself is a character who comes to life on the page. I love her home, the Junk House, a dwelling I can easily picture. I love her dog, her office, her attachment to her shoes, and even the fact that she is a Christmas person (like me). Both the mainstream and offbeat characters that inhabit her world are humorous and believable.

I'm also happy that Merry clears away some of the emotional confusion about her personal relationships, in an ending which, although unwelcome, was most satisfying. I can't wait to see what author Anthony Bidulka comes up with next.

[Charlotte Morganti · Rating 5 out of 5]

You really can't miss with a novel by Anthony Bidulka, who has a knack of writing mysteries that are more than mysteries. Home Fires Burn, like Bidulka's other novels, is heartwarming, humorous, and full of twists that kept me guessing about how and why John Whatley died. The mystery is intriguing and Merry and her sidekicks are fun to hang around with. Loved Roger. Loved Draper. Loved Merry's father and their reconnection.

If you enjoy mysteries that explore human dynamics along with weaving a crackerjack mystery, you'll love Home Fires Burn.

I was one of the fortunate people to read an ARC of this book. My comments are my honest opinion.