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A Snake in the Raspberry Patch
Winner of the Crime Writers of Canada Best Crime Novel Set in Canada 2023-It is the summer of 1971 and Liz takes care of her four sisters while waiting to meet the fifth Murphy a boy. And yet, something is not right. Adults tensely whisper in small groups, heads shaking. Her younger sister, Rose seems more annoying, always flashing her camera and jotting notes in her her notepad. The truth is worse than anyone could an entire family slaughtered in their home nearby, even the children. The small rural community reels in the aftermath. No one seems to know who did it or why. For Liz, these events complicate her already tiring life. Keeping Rose in line already feels like a full time job, and if Rose gets it in her head that she can solve a murder... The killer must be someone just passing through, a random horror. It almost begs the where do murderers live?
280 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 3, 2022
★ ★ ★ 1/2
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S A SNAKE IN THE RASPBERRY PATCH ABOUT?
It bothers me that for the second book in a row, I'm taking the easy way out and using Publisher's Description here, but the draft I just deleted was too cumbersome and long to bother you with.
THE SETTING
A Saskatchewan farm town in the 1970s is not a likely setting for a novel about a murder—much less several murders. A 1980s Hawkins, Indiana is a more likely setting for a pan-dimensional showdown, really. I mean, Canada is unlikely enough for a murder mystery*, but rural Canada in the Seventies?
* Yes, I'm aware that even Canadians are murderers/the victims of murders. But c'mon, who thinks about it when it comes to fictional crime? Ireland, Scotland, England? Sure. The U.S.? Of course. Even Scandi Noir is a thing. But no one's ever thought about Great White North Noir.
This setting was particularly effective—there's an isolation to the community, it's tight-knit, and there's a self-reliance that it displays as well. The police/RCMP are referred to, but not really seen—this is a town that has no need for police, and even when there is one, you can't tell. I kept slipping into thinking that the town was smaller than it must've been—but even there, that works. You get the atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else's business, yet they don't know (cannot believe) anyone who would kill anyone else—particularly a woman and her children. They know what family needs help dealing with a death or birth without having to be asked, but they don't know who might murder anyone.
That setting seems like it's just as likely there that a smart girl with a camera and an unhealthy interest in crime would solve the crime before anyone else would. Maybe even more likely.
THE MURDERER'S IDENTITY AND THE REVEAL
Jackson provides plenty of clues to the killer's identity early on and keeps leaving them in the open—she doesn't care if the reader guesses or not—and by the end she might as well have written a Brontë-esque, "Reader, ____ murdered them." Because that's not important.
Well, it's important, but that's not what she was writing about.
We're supposed to lock in on Liz and Rose. What they're dealing with during and following that summer. The clues they inadvertently or intentionally collect. And how they put the pieces together and their reaction to the solution (and their family's reaction, too). I thought it was a good novel all along, but in the last couple of chapters—the Reveal—my estimation rose significantly.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT A SNAKE IN THE RASPBERRY PATCH?
I'm not sure how important this is, but I thought I should mention it. Just because the would-be sleuth is a juvenile, it'd be a mistake to think this was a YA or MG novel—I think it could be read by an older MG reader or a YA reader, but it's not targeted at that audience.
I've already mentioned a few of the ways that this is an atypical mystery novel, there are a few others, too. This is more about growing up in the shadow of a crime—and other trauma—rather than it is a mystery novel. It's more Ordinary Grace than The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (although Rose would love Flavia de Luce (either as a fictional character or a co-belligerent). But in the closing pages, it feels more like a murder mystery than some sort of "non-genre" work. And the mystery aspects of the novel here are far more effective than anything Krueger did in Ordinary Grace (I enjoyed the whole novel more, too)
There's a starkness to this world and novel that makes everything a bit more haunting—that's the Saskatchewan farm town as well as Liz's outlook.
There's one line of dialogue—it's after the climactic events that leads to the reveal. That line sets up the reveal, actually. (I'm trying to be vague here) My gut tells me that a reader's reaction to this one line is going to determine what they think of the book. I've gone back and forth about it in the last couple of days—it's either a perfectly worded setup, or it's too on-the-nose. As I write this, I'm leaning towards both—it's necessary, and the on-the-nose-ness is the most economical way of accomplishing what it does. I'm likely spending more time on that sentence than is called for.
It took me a little bit to "get" this novel, but the more I read, the more the situation and characters burrowed into my mind, and at this point, I think they're going to linger in my mind longer than usual. And I'm okay with that. This'll haunt you, folks, in a good way. Give it a shot.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from the author via Wiley Saichek and Saichek Publicity in exchange for this post—while I appreciate that, the opinions expressed are wholly mine.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S A SNAKE IN THE RASPBERRY PATCH ABOUT?
It bothers me that for the second book in a row, I'm taking the easy way out and using Publisher's Description here, but the draft I just deleted was too cumbersome and long to bother you with.
It is the summer of 1971 and Liz takes care of her four sisters while waiting to meet the sixth Murphy child: a boy. And yet, something is not right. Adults tensely whisper in small groups, heads shaking. Her younger sister, Rose seems more annoying, always flashing her camera and jotting notes in her notepad. The truth is worse than anyone could imagine: an entire family slaughtered in their home nearby, even the children. The small rural community reels in the aftermath. No one seems to know who did it or why. For Liz, these events complicate her already tiring life. Keeping Rose in line already feels like a full time job, and if Rose gets it in her head that she can solve a murder… The killer must be someone just passing through, a random horror. It almost begs the question: where do murderers live?
THE SETTING
A Saskatchewan farm town in the 1970s is not a likely setting for a novel about a murder—much less several murders. A 1980s Hawkins, Indiana is a more likely setting for a pan-dimensional showdown, really. I mean, Canada is unlikely enough for a murder mystery*, but rural Canada in the Seventies?
* Yes, I'm aware that even Canadians are murderers/the victims of murders. But c'mon, who thinks about it when it comes to fictional crime? Ireland, Scotland, England? Sure. The U.S.? Of course. Even Scandi Noir is a thing. But no one's ever thought about Great White North Noir.
This setting was particularly effective—there's an isolation to the community, it's tight-knit, and there's a self-reliance that it displays as well. The police/RCMP are referred to, but not really seen—this is a town that has no need for police, and even when there is one, you can't tell. I kept slipping into thinking that the town was smaller than it must've been—but even there, that works. You get the atmosphere where everyone knows everyone else's business, yet they don't know (cannot believe) anyone who would kill anyone else—particularly a woman and her children. They know what family needs help dealing with a death or birth without having to be asked, but they don't know who might murder anyone.
That setting seems like it's just as likely there that a smart girl with a camera and an unhealthy interest in crime would solve the crime before anyone else would. Maybe even more likely.
THE MURDERER'S IDENTITY AND THE REVEAL
Jackson provides plenty of clues to the killer's identity early on and keeps leaving them in the open—she doesn't care if the reader guesses or not—and by the end she might as well have written a Brontë-esque, "Reader, ____ murdered them." Because that's not important.
Well, it's important, but that's not what she was writing about.
We're supposed to lock in on Liz and Rose. What they're dealing with during and following that summer. The clues they inadvertently or intentionally collect. And how they put the pieces together and their reaction to the solution (and their family's reaction, too). I thought it was a good novel all along, but in the last couple of chapters—the Reveal—my estimation rose significantly.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT A SNAKE IN THE RASPBERRY PATCH?
I'm not sure how important this is, but I thought I should mention it. Just because the would-be sleuth is a juvenile, it'd be a mistake to think this was a YA or MG novel—I think it could be read by an older MG reader or a YA reader, but it's not targeted at that audience.
I've already mentioned a few of the ways that this is an atypical mystery novel, there are a few others, too. This is more about growing up in the shadow of a crime—and other trauma—rather than it is a mystery novel. It's more Ordinary Grace than The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (although Rose would love Flavia de Luce (either as a fictional character or a co-belligerent). But in the closing pages, it feels more like a murder mystery than some sort of "non-genre" work. And the mystery aspects of the novel here are far more effective than anything Krueger did in Ordinary Grace (I enjoyed the whole novel more, too)
There's a starkness to this world and novel that makes everything a bit more haunting—that's the Saskatchewan farm town as well as Liz's outlook.
There's one line of dialogue—it's after the climactic events that leads to the reveal. That line sets up the reveal, actually. (I'm trying to be vague here) My gut tells me that a reader's reaction to this one line is going to determine what they think of the book. I've gone back and forth about it in the last couple of days—it's either a perfectly worded setup, or it's too on-the-nose. As I write this, I'm leaning towards both—it's necessary, and the on-the-nose-ness is the most economical way of accomplishing what it does. I'm likely spending more time on that sentence than is called for.
It took me a little bit to "get" this novel, but the more I read, the more the situation and characters burrowed into my mind, and at this point, I think they're going to linger in my mind longer than usual. And I'm okay with that. This'll haunt you, folks, in a good way. Give it a shot.
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from the author via Wiley Saichek and Saichek Publicity in exchange for this post—while I appreciate that, the opinions expressed are wholly mine.
May 8, 2022
A tender coming-of-age story wrapped up in a murder mystery.
Liz is the oldest of five girls and a boy and at thirteen is thrown into a parental role, that of taking care of her younger siblings. When a whole family in their small community gets slaughtered and the crime goes unsolved the town is on edge. Is the murderer a stranger or could they be living in plain sight? Liz's unruly sister Rose is determined, with her ever present camera and notebook, to solve the mystery.
The story takes place in 1971 and the writing harkens back to a simpler time with vibrant descriptions and storytelling. The whole story is told from Liz's POV and the author does a fantastic job of capturing the nuances of a young girl's perspective. I enjoyed looking at life thru her eyes as she navigates what's been thrown at her at such a young age.
If you enjoy endearing family stories that are told thru a child's eyes and a story with a mystery at its core, I'm confident you'll fall for Liz and her siblings as much as I did.
.
Thank you to the author, Stonehouse Publishing and Saichek Publicity for the gifted copy read, review and enjoy.
Liz is the oldest of five girls and a boy and at thirteen is thrown into a parental role, that of taking care of her younger siblings. When a whole family in their small community gets slaughtered and the crime goes unsolved the town is on edge. Is the murderer a stranger or could they be living in plain sight? Liz's unruly sister Rose is determined, with her ever present camera and notebook, to solve the mystery.
The story takes place in 1971 and the writing harkens back to a simpler time with vibrant descriptions and storytelling. The whole story is told from Liz's POV and the author does a fantastic job of capturing the nuances of a young girl's perspective. I enjoyed looking at life thru her eyes as she navigates what's been thrown at her at such a young age.
If you enjoy endearing family stories that are told thru a child's eyes and a story with a mystery at its core, I'm confident you'll fall for Liz and her siblings as much as I did.
.
Thank you to the author, Stonehouse Publishing and Saichek Publicity for the gifted copy read, review and enjoy.
March 17, 2025
Great work of fiction perfect for a cozy murder mystery adventure. Set in the canadian prairies, the story is captivating and heartwarming. In the early 1970s, the small fictional town of Willowsbend, Saskatchewan, is the theater of a gruesome familicide that seems insolvable by the police; therefore, leaving the detective work to two very clever and a bit too curious sisters. I could not put the book down. Would absolutely recommend to a friend and to my mother-in-law!
March 24, 2024
I adored this novel. The way the sibling relationships are written felt so authentic.
April 21, 2023
More like a 3.5 but alas I cannot do .5 on Goodreads.
Pros: This was a good cozy book to read through while on vacation. The Murphy girls are wonderful and it is very much a coming of age book. I enjoyed the setting! There's some lovely and also heartbreaking scenes.
Cons: As for the mystery, it felt like something was missing. There's certainly hints but it didn't land perfectly for me. The last couple chapters didn't seem to bridge the main story. Very abrupt. But maybe I just haven't read a lot of mysteries.
Overall lovely little read!
Pros: This was a good cozy book to read through while on vacation. The Murphy girls are wonderful and it is very much a coming of age book. I enjoyed the setting! There's some lovely and also heartbreaking scenes.
Cons: As for the mystery, it felt like something was missing. There's certainly hints but it didn't land perfectly for me. The last couple chapters didn't seem to bridge the main story. Very abrupt. But maybe I just haven't read a lot of mysteries.
Overall lovely little read!
January 22, 2022
A tender, sometimes haunting, nostalgic coming of age story set decades ago on the Saskatchewan prairie. Jackson is an excellent writer who knows how to write from a child's point of view. From throwing out dishwater, trick-or-treating on a crisp October night, the sound of walking through a stubble field, and golden summer nights, Jackson's Saskatchewan is a gift of memories.
May 30, 2023
I put this on hold at the library after reading it won the Howard Engel award for best crime novel set in Canada for 2023. Loved the 1970's Saskatchewan setting, partly because the main character Liz was the same age as I was in the 70's. Loved spunky younger sister Rose too. Looking forward to this author's next book.
July 8, 2024
Some foreshadowing that is more clumsy than clever had me figure out ‘who dunnit’ within the first, like, 20 pages. Fun to read but for a murder mystery didn’t provide a very satisfying why or in depth motivational insight besides a two chapter framing device to bookend the story. The story between the sisters was well done, though which is the majority of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2023
The location felt very small town sask, much appreciated. The premise is good, however I didn't feel like the writing was very interesting. I didn't feel like I was getting to know the characters well enough to care about what happened to them. It was a cute fun read anyways.
July 30, 2022
ohhh I couldn’t put it down. What a good read! Twists that you don’t see coming and honestly it made me feel like I was 14 again due to the POV from Liz.
August 10, 2024
Tough , long read. Because I struggled with it perhaps I became disillusioned . I believe I kinda knew who the snake was.
December 17, 2024
A good murder mystery! I liked that this novel was Canadian. The main characters were interesting. It was an easy enjoyable read! The ending was a bit predictable but still good.
January 7, 2025
If you're interested in a murder mystery, set on the Canadian prairies, told from the perspective of a 13 year old girl, then this is the book for you.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews