Sticks and Stones

Randy Craig #1

by Janice MacDonald

The University of Alberta's English Department is caught up in a maelstrom of poison-pen letters, graffiti and misogyny. Miranda Craig seems to be both target and investigator, wreaking havoc on her new-found relationship with one of Edmonton's finest. "Janice MacDonald's intelligence and insight into human behaviour make her one of the most promising new writers on the Canadian mystery scene."-- Gail Bowen"Spellbinding ... Janice MacDonald populates academe with real characters and puts the humanity back in the Humanities."--W.P. Kinsella

Genres: Mystery, Canada

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Janice MacDonald is a bestselling Canadian author who is best known for a series of crime novels featuring amateur sleuth Miranda "Randy" Craig; the latest of these popular mysteries is The Eye of the Beholder (2018). The Randy Craig Mysteries were the first detective series to be set in Edmonton, Alberta, where Janice lives and works. Janice is also the author of 2017's Confederation Drive, a work of creative non-fiction written for Canada's 150th birthday. Her other titles include an award-winning children's book (The Ghouls' Night Out), a university textbook, and several non-fiction/historical titles about her home province.

Born on the side of a mountain in Banff National Park, the daughter of a cowboy from southern Alberta and a schoolteacher who herself had been born in a pioneer log cabin in the Peace River Country, Janice considers herself to be a example of the quintessential Albertan. A dyed-in-the-wool Edmontonian, Janice makes no apologies for setting her novels in a recognizable Edmonton and celebrating the things that make this northern metropolis so vibrant and unique.

Reviews

[Caroline Ingvaldsen]

Second in the series set in Edmonton: a likable academic solves a series of misogynistic misdeeds and murder with the able support of her policeman boyfriend and appealingly quirky friends.

[Cheryl Sinclair]

Good read, loved the Edmonton setting. Definitely reading more from Janice MacDonald.

[Randonn]

This one’s on me I should’ve known better than to read a contemporary novel set in Alberta written in 2001.

[Jane]

Enjoyed that this mystery took place at the University of Alberta and Edmonton, familiar turf. Randy Craig is a sessional lecturer in the English Department and one of her female students is murdered. Females seem to be the target of hate and Randy is in real danger. But she does not know from whom. I found the main character, Randy, a bit tiresome at times.

[VickiLee]

This novel takes place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and it centres itself on the misadventures of an English college sessional who finds herself in the midst of an anti-feminist graffiti campaign as well as the murder of one of her students.

[Jeri]

1st in the series. Dragged in a few spots, but I will try another one. It is interesting to recognize the different spots of Edmonton in the book.

[Vanessa Lefebvre]

Enthralling!

[Scott Butki]

An excellent book written by a friend

[Lil Paige Ternah]

So much fun! I wish this was a Netflix series. It's short(ish), wholesome and easily digestible. 4.5/5

[Joann]

This book was so much fun, in that as an Edmontonian, I loved being familiar with many of the places Randy finds herself in.
Plus the mystery was well written and I will be reading the series.

[Ken Finlay]

"Sticks and Stones" is a quirky mystery set in the University of Alberta and Edmonton. Lecturer Randy (Miranda) Craig finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation which may be linked to a series of threats against women.
The book has a nice sense of humour and doesn't hesitate to play with the English language - I found myself reaching for a dictionary on more than one occasion.
The pacing is often languid even as the threats escalate - malicious phone calls, graffiti, arson, even the classic push down the stairs!
It's a grown-up book written by an author with a great command of the language she chooses to use.
3.5 Stars rounded up.

[Crystal Nelson]

Great premise, kept me interested throughout. Second one I've read in the series and looking forward to reading more.

[Leslie Johnson]

This is the first Randy Craig mystery. Loved it! There was enough suspense to keep me on edge. Loved that the book was set in Edmonton! Great series ... read them!

[Anne-Marie]

Good Mystery. First book read by this author. Do believe I read she was Canadian. Was impressed with her writing abilities.

[Terry Young]

Love the Edmonton references!

[Cori Samuel]

Rating: 16/20

[Marlene Hessdorfer]

I liked that it was based in Edmonton at the U of A. All the local references made it very readable. Not much of a mystery and I didn't like that Randy was so weak and girly.

[Trevor Pearson]

https://bindblottyandcajole.com/2016/...