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Meg Harris Mysteries #4
Arctic Blue Death
The sparsely populated Arctic is no stranger to murder. The fourth in the Meg Harris series follows Meg's adventures into the Canadian Arctic as she searches for the truth about the disappearance of her father when she was a child. Many years ago, her father's plane had gone missing in the Arctic and he was never seen again. What happened on that fateful flight? Thirty-six years later, her mother receives some strange Inuit drawings that suggest he might have survived. Intent on discovering the answers, no matter how painful, Meg travels to Iqaluit to find the artist and is sucked into the world of Inuit art forgery. Arctic Blue Death is not only a journey into Meg's past and the events that helped shape the person she is today, but it's also a journey into the land of the Inuit and the culture that has sustained them for thousands of years. Finalist for the Arthur Ellis Award for best crime novel.
360 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2009
3 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Harlick
15 books33 followersCalled "queen of Canadian wilderness fiction", R.J. Harlick writes the acclaimed Meg Harris mystery series set in the wilds of Canada with an underlying native theme. There are currently seven books in the series with the eighth, Purple Palette for Murder, due out in October 2017.
The fourth book, Arctic Blue Death, was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Best Novel award. Silver Totem of Shame was named one of the top ten summer crime fiction reads by the Globe & Mail and was a recommended beach read by the Seattle Public Library. Cold White Fear was a CBC recommended mystery read.
With Death's Golden Whisper, the first book in the Meg Harris mystery series, RJ introduces protagonist Meg Harris who has fled the urban frenzy of Toronto and her failed marriage to Three Deer Point, a remote wilderness property in West Quebec, that she inherited from her Great Aunt Agatha. She lives in a century old Victorian timber cottage perched on a granite point overlooking the black waters of Echo Lake. Her only neighbour is the reserve of the Fishhook Algonquins, or Migiskan Anishinabeg. She drinks a little too much and is afraid of the dark, yet her only companion in this remote cottage is her wimpy standard poodle, Sergei.
She has fled to this northern paradise to heal her bruised soul. But her sought after peace is invariably interrupted by injustice and murder. Unable to ignore it, Meg becomes enmeshed in a quagmire of murderous intrigue.
After travelling to Baffin Island in Arctic Blue Death, Meg decided that she would love to explore a different Canadian wilderness and visit with its native peoples in every other book. Silver Totem of Shame takes place in Vancouver and Haida Gwaii, the mystical islands of the Haida. Purple Palette for Murder has Meg flying to the Northwest Territories when her husband is charged with murder.
Though the story of each book can stand on its own, there is a backstory about Meg and other characters that evolves from book to book. So avid readers of mystery series might want to start with the first book, Death's Golden Whisper.
Harlick is a member and past president of Crime Writers of Canada and Capital Crime Writers. She is also a member of Sisters in Crime, The Writers Union of Canada and Quebec Writers Federation.
She is a regular panelists at such conferences as Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, and Malice Domestic. She also does many store signings and library readings. To check out her schedule visit her blog. http://rjharlick.blogspot.ca
RJ blogs every second Tuesday on Criminal Minds - http://7criminalminds.blogspot.ca.
Visit with RJ on Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/RJHarlick
and on her website - http://www.rjharlick.ca
The fourth book, Arctic Blue Death, was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Best Novel award. Silver Totem of Shame was named one of the top ten summer crime fiction reads by the Globe & Mail and was a recommended beach read by the Seattle Public Library. Cold White Fear was a CBC recommended mystery read.
With Death's Golden Whisper, the first book in the Meg Harris mystery series, RJ introduces protagonist Meg Harris who has fled the urban frenzy of Toronto and her failed marriage to Three Deer Point, a remote wilderness property in West Quebec, that she inherited from her Great Aunt Agatha. She lives in a century old Victorian timber cottage perched on a granite point overlooking the black waters of Echo Lake. Her only neighbour is the reserve of the Fishhook Algonquins, or Migiskan Anishinabeg. She drinks a little too much and is afraid of the dark, yet her only companion in this remote cottage is her wimpy standard poodle, Sergei.
She has fled to this northern paradise to heal her bruised soul. But her sought after peace is invariably interrupted by injustice and murder. Unable to ignore it, Meg becomes enmeshed in a quagmire of murderous intrigue.
After travelling to Baffin Island in Arctic Blue Death, Meg decided that she would love to explore a different Canadian wilderness and visit with its native peoples in every other book. Silver Totem of Shame takes place in Vancouver and Haida Gwaii, the mystical islands of the Haida. Purple Palette for Murder has Meg flying to the Northwest Territories when her husband is charged with murder.
Though the story of each book can stand on its own, there is a backstory about Meg and other characters that evolves from book to book. So avid readers of mystery series might want to start with the first book, Death's Golden Whisper.
Harlick is a member and past president of Crime Writers of Canada and Capital Crime Writers. She is also a member of Sisters in Crime, The Writers Union of Canada and Quebec Writers Federation.
She is a regular panelists at such conferences as Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, and Malice Domestic. She also does many store signings and library readings. To check out her schedule visit her blog. http://rjharlick.blogspot.ca
RJ blogs every second Tuesday on Criminal Minds - http://7criminalminds.blogspot.ca.
Visit with RJ on Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/RJHarlick
and on her website - http://www.rjharlick.ca
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 12, 2025
***2025 Summer: Murder Across Canada***
Nunavut
It's not easy to find a mystery set in Canada's newest territory, let alone one available at my local library. I wasn't sure about this novel, but quickly set aside my prejudices and started to enjoy it. Although the mystery itself took place in Nunavut in the 1970s (when it was still part of the NWT), the main character lives in Quebec. Meg begins her investigation into her father's disappearance in Toronto at the family home and in Ottawa, consulting Inuit art specialists.
I don't know a great deal about Inuit art, but it seemed to me that the author has done her research on the subject. Perhaps someone with expertise could be critical, but I found her scenario believable. Meg's father, Sutton Harris, dealt in art and made frequent trips north to collect. On his last trip, he was apparently killed in a plane crash. Meg and her sister have just discovered that their elderly mother has been receiving anonymous letters from Iqaluit suggesting that Sutton is still alive and a submerged plane has been recently reported, stirring up the Harris family.
If Sutton Harris is alive, why has he never contacted his wife or daughters? What has he been doing all these years? Or is this a nasty rumour? What could anyone gain from it? Meg begins with these questions and starts following the clues. She is willing to talk to the RCMP, but at no point does she really insert herself into their investigation. She is following public sources and networking with people who may know things. There are plenty of loose strings for her to tug on and I found myself engrossed in the details.
There is, of course, family drama for Meg to contend with too. She and her mother have never had a comfortable relationship. The elderly woman is unhappy about the newest hints of what may have happened in the arctic and is having heart problems (literal and metaphorical).
The ending may not be everyone's cup of tea. The perpetrators are found and dealt with, but some of the family mystery remains unresolved. Proceed at your own risk! I personally liked it, as I like messy endings.
Nunavut
It's not easy to find a mystery set in Canada's newest territory, let alone one available at my local library. I wasn't sure about this novel, but quickly set aside my prejudices and started to enjoy it. Although the mystery itself took place in Nunavut in the 1970s (when it was still part of the NWT), the main character lives in Quebec. Meg begins her investigation into her father's disappearance in Toronto at the family home and in Ottawa, consulting Inuit art specialists.
I don't know a great deal about Inuit art, but it seemed to me that the author has done her research on the subject. Perhaps someone with expertise could be critical, but I found her scenario believable. Meg's father, Sutton Harris, dealt in art and made frequent trips north to collect. On his last trip, he was apparently killed in a plane crash. Meg and her sister have just discovered that their elderly mother has been receiving anonymous letters from Iqaluit suggesting that Sutton is still alive and a submerged plane has been recently reported, stirring up the Harris family.
If Sutton Harris is alive, why has he never contacted his wife or daughters? What has he been doing all these years? Or is this a nasty rumour? What could anyone gain from it? Meg begins with these questions and starts following the clues. She is willing to talk to the RCMP, but at no point does she really insert herself into their investigation. She is following public sources and networking with people who may know things. There are plenty of loose strings for her to tug on and I found myself engrossed in the details.
There is, of course, family drama for Meg to contend with too. She and her mother have never had a comfortable relationship. The elderly woman is unhappy about the newest hints of what may have happened in the arctic and is having heart problems (literal and metaphorical).
The ending may not be everyone's cup of tea. The perpetrators are found and dealt with, but some of the family mystery remains unresolved. Proceed at your own risk! I personally liked it, as I like messy endings.
October 20, 2018
A fairly satisfying mystery set in the Canadian Arctic. The setting in and around Baffin Island in Nunavut was unusual and well described. It involves a plane crash into the frigid waters 36 years earlier. The plane was supposed to have onboard Meg’s father,a collector of native art, as well as the pilot. The plot also focuses on Inuit artists, dealers in their sculptures and lithographs and several murders both past and present.
Meg’s mother has been receiving mysterious notes and drawings over the years since her husband was missing and presumed dead in the crash into the Arctic waters. These notes and art work have hinted he might have survived. The plane was way off course and has just recently been located. Meg decides to go to Nunavut to try to discover the sender of the mysterious mail and what happened to her father. I thought Meg was reckless, taking unnecessary risks and giving out too much information about her quest.
She arrives in the Arctic at the time authorities plan to raise the plane and recover the bodies. While there she learns the police are looking into an unsolved case of unknown dealers of forged Inuit art. Meg helps to solve this case, mostly through misadventure. Remains of two men were discovered in the plane, and DNA tests are planned to identify the bodies. However, there is no resolution to their identity due to an unbelievable, convenient occurrence. I liked the lack of closure and how the characters handled this.
This is my first book I have read in the series and have already downloaded another.
Meg’s mother has been receiving mysterious notes and drawings over the years since her husband was missing and presumed dead in the crash into the Arctic waters. These notes and art work have hinted he might have survived. The plane was way off course and has just recently been located. Meg decides to go to Nunavut to try to discover the sender of the mysterious mail and what happened to her father. I thought Meg was reckless, taking unnecessary risks and giving out too much information about her quest.
She arrives in the Arctic at the time authorities plan to raise the plane and recover the bodies. While there she learns the police are looking into an unsolved case of unknown dealers of forged Inuit art. Meg helps to solve this case, mostly through misadventure. Remains of two men were discovered in the plane, and DNA tests are planned to identify the bodies. However, there is no resolution to their identity due to an unbelievable, convenient occurrence. I liked the lack of closure and how the characters handled this.
This is my first book I have read in the series and have already downloaded another.
August 18, 2025
★★★ 1/2
2025 Summer: Murder Across Canada
Province/Territory: Nunavut
This is the fourth book in the Meg Harris series and although I haven't read the first three, this installment stood up well as a stand alone. There are some references to past events but for the most part, they are explained in enough detail for the reader to have context within the current story.
I really enjoyed the setting. I believe the afterward mentions that the author spent time in Iqaluit, the capital city of Nunavut and one of the primary locations for the story, and you can tell based on the details. I felt immersed in the environment and while I haven't been to Iqaluit, I have seen a number of pictures which validate her descriptions. I also had the opportunity to travel to Deception Bay, Nunavik in Northern Quebec (for work) so had a chance to experience similar surroundings in person.
The temperature difference is also extraordinary - while it may be a scorching summer day in Southwestern Ontario, residents and visitors to Nunavut are likely wearing heavy jackets. I feel that the author did a good job in painting this picture for the reader.
I always like a mystery that involves solving a cold case and in this one, our main character Meg Harris heads to Nunavut to get answers about the disappearance of her father many years ago. A plane carrying her father disappeared in Nunavut and all on board were assumed dead - until Meg's mother started receiving notes from Nunavut that may indicate that Meg's father survived. Most recently, a submerged plane has been located that may (or may not) contain the remains of Meg's father.
To add to the mystery, Meg's father was very involved in the Inuit art world and in some cases, instrumental in introducing formerly unknown Inuit artists to the art world. I don't know anything about Inuit art but the author provides a lot of background into the history of Inuit art that come across as accurate and authentic. I suspect she took the same well researched approach to Inuit art as she did to the setting of Nunavut.
While I found the story a bit slow in the middle, the ending made up for it. That said, I know an ambiguous ending isn't for everyone so if you're looking to pick this one up, be aware that not every mystery in the book gets tied up in a nice little bow.
2025 Summer: Murder Across Canada
Province/Territory: Nunavut
This is the fourth book in the Meg Harris series and although I haven't read the first three, this installment stood up well as a stand alone. There are some references to past events but for the most part, they are explained in enough detail for the reader to have context within the current story.
I really enjoyed the setting. I believe the afterward mentions that the author spent time in Iqaluit, the capital city of Nunavut and one of the primary locations for the story, and you can tell based on the details. I felt immersed in the environment and while I haven't been to Iqaluit, I have seen a number of pictures which validate her descriptions. I also had the opportunity to travel to Deception Bay, Nunavik in Northern Quebec (for work) so had a chance to experience similar surroundings in person.
The temperature difference is also extraordinary - while it may be a scorching summer day in Southwestern Ontario, residents and visitors to Nunavut are likely wearing heavy jackets. I feel that the author did a good job in painting this picture for the reader.
I always like a mystery that involves solving a cold case and in this one, our main character Meg Harris heads to Nunavut to get answers about the disappearance of her father many years ago. A plane carrying her father disappeared in Nunavut and all on board were assumed dead - until Meg's mother started receiving notes from Nunavut that may indicate that Meg's father survived. Most recently, a submerged plane has been located that may (or may not) contain the remains of Meg's father.
To add to the mystery, Meg's father was very involved in the Inuit art world and in some cases, instrumental in introducing formerly unknown Inuit artists to the art world. I don't know anything about Inuit art but the author provides a lot of background into the history of Inuit art that come across as accurate and authentic. I suspect she took the same well researched approach to Inuit art as she did to the setting of Nunavut.
While I found the story a bit slow in the middle, the ending made up for it. That said, I know an ambiguous ending isn't for everyone so if you're looking to pick this one up, be aware that not every mystery in the book gets tied up in a nice little bow.
January 19, 2021
Meg Harris comes from money. We knew that from Book 1. She had inherited a sizable "cottage" and lands in remote Quebec and enough money to maintain the estate and not work! But, she has left Toronto, or more like fled, Toronto due to a bad marriage, and troubled childhood.
She has to buck up and put her resentment aside for her long dead Father just may not be dead. She, her sister and reluctant Mother, start investigating strange anonymous letters and artwork that has been sent in the mail.
She finds herself in the far north of Canada: Nunavut where some Natives are welcoming while others are not.
This was a wonderful book that made be feel like I was really in Nunavut. But the ending confused me. Anyone who has read this book, I could use some explanations but do not like doing spoilers.
She has to buck up and put her resentment aside for her long dead Father just may not be dead. She, her sister and reluctant Mother, start investigating strange anonymous letters and artwork that has been sent in the mail.
She finds herself in the far north of Canada: Nunavut where some Natives are welcoming while others are not.
This was a wonderful book that made be feel like I was really in Nunavut. But the ending confused me. Anyone who has read this book, I could use some explanations but do not like doing spoilers.
August 10, 2015
I'm sorry that there are 2 books which I have not yet read in between the first one (Death's Golden Whisper) and this one, since there are obviously intervening mysteries and adventures to which there are some references. However, this one deals primarily with Inuit art, and the world of galleries and dealers, and counterfeit sculptures and prints, with related deaths and murders, with much of the story taking place in Nunavut, so it can stand alone. There is also a new story of Meg's father and questions of whether or not he died in the plane crash in the North so many years ago, as well as the relationship between her mother and her brother in law, whom she married after her husband was declared legally dead after 7 years. So Meg's uncle became her stepfather.
It is worthwhile to note that there are some multi-story books of these earlier Meg Harris volumes made more readily available, since it can be challenging finding the individual mysteries. That is probably the way to go, whether purchasing, or recommending a library purchase this series.
It is worthwhile to note that there are some multi-story books of these earlier Meg Harris volumes made more readily available, since it can be challenging finding the individual mysteries. That is probably the way to go, whether purchasing, or recommending a library purchase this series.
September 14, 2024
Meg Harris's father died in a plane crash when Meg was only a child. It was about 37 years ago, and yet someone is sending cryptic letters and Inuit art work to her mother to suggest that he didn't die. In addition there's been a sighting of a wrecked plane that might have been the one that went down found many miles off course. Meg's mother and sister want her to go to the far north to investigate. Did he die or not? If he survived, why did he never return home or try to contact his family? Her mission is to find answers. She actually finds out more than she bargained for, but not necessarily what she wanted to know.
This is combination of family drama as well as a mystery. It's a little slow in the beginning as the author is setting up the family dynamics. It helps to show why Meg is the way she is, why she doesn't want to be in a relationship and why there's so much tension with her mother and sister. Meg feels like an outsider. Then along comes complications as Meg researches her father's history with a local art dealer. It gets twisty and even more strange once she arrives in Iqualuit.
Overall, I enjoyed it. There are some things that happen that are a bit too convenient to block her search for the truth. The ending is a bit rushed and I wanted a better resolution. However, there's solid storytelling. I also liked how she showed the struggles of the indigenous people to get a fair shake from anyone.
This is combination of family drama as well as a mystery. It's a little slow in the beginning as the author is setting up the family dynamics. It helps to show why Meg is the way she is, why she doesn't want to be in a relationship and why there's so much tension with her mother and sister. Meg feels like an outsider. Then along comes complications as Meg researches her father's history with a local art dealer. It gets twisty and even more strange once she arrives in Iqualuit.
Overall, I enjoyed it. There are some things that happen that are a bit too convenient to block her search for the truth. The ending is a bit rushed and I wanted a better resolution. However, there's solid storytelling. I also liked how she showed the struggles of the indigenous people to get a fair shake from anyone.
July 21, 2024
4 stars for a family mystery. This is book 4 in the series and I have read the previous 3 books, but this could be read as a stand alone. There are events referenced from previous books in Meg's personal life. Meg Harris lives in rural western Quebec in a house inherited from her Aunt Agatha. Her sister Jean comes up to visit her, a rare occurrence, since the two are not close. Jean wants her to go to Iqaluit, capital of Nunavut, Canada, an autonomous Inuit territory. Their mother has received strange letters from Iqaluit, saying that her husband is alive. He disappeared 30 years ago while on a flight in the territory. Meg tells her sister that she is closer to their mother and she should go. Jean admits that their mother did ask her to, but claims that her duties as a judge make it impossible.
Meg finally agrees to go and investigate.
She finds out why her father went to Inuit territory. But there are dark forces at work, and some people die before she solves the mystery of who sent the letters and why. Both my wife and I recommend this series of cozy mysteries--no graphic violence or sex, and no profanity.
This was an Amazon purchase.
Meg finally agrees to go and investigate.
She finds out why her father went to Inuit territory. But there are dark forces at work, and some people die before she solves the mystery of who sent the letters and why. Both my wife and I recommend this series of cozy mysteries--no graphic violence or sex, and no profanity.
This was an Amazon purchase.
August 22, 2017
If you love stories about untamed nature (Nunavut), art theft and missing fathers, this is the novel for you.
July 10, 2019
Good book. Interesting mystery with twists and turns. Lots of information on Arctic living. But I hate the ending.
April 4, 2020
An interesting tale of Inuit art and betrayal. Not a murder mystery, like the title suggests.
November 4, 2023
Very well researched and interesting story. Drags a little at times, but I had to finish it.
April 25, 2013
So I really liked the mystery part of this book. It kept me guessing right up to the end and when revealed, it was a nice and plausible surprise. I also really liked the details of the Inuit art scene, both historic and current.
What kept my rating for this book down, and what will probably (but not definitely) keep me from reading any further in the series is the dialogue. Too many of the characters spoke the same way, stilted and unnatural, and I kept getting pulled from the book to think of other ways, more likely ways, that I'd actually hear those sentences being spoken.
What kept my rating for this book down, and what will probably (but not definitely) keep me from reading any further in the series is the dialogue. Too many of the characters spoke the same way, stilted and unnatural, and I kept getting pulled from the book to think of other ways, more likely ways, that I'd actually hear those sentences being spoken.
August 8, 2010
The setting of this book, the arctic circle, was fascinating and well described. The mystery, which involved a question of parentage and revolved around Inuit art, was complicated enough to keep the reader guessing. However, the writing -- particularly the dialog -- was so clunky that it disrupted the flow of the book.
May 9, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. I was a bit frustrated in the beginning because the story took a long time to move to the Arctic. Once there, I would have liked to explore a bit more of the scenery and culture, too, but all in all it was a nice diversion to an unusual location for a mystery. I'm definitely going to read all of Harlick's Meg Harris mysteries.
February 28, 2021
I enjoyed this book and its colourful characters and unique setting. Clever plot which kept me engaged and guessing throughout. I don't normally read mysteries but bought this book from the author at a craft fair in Ottawa last year. It definitely exceeded my expectations. I look forward to reading another in the Meg Harris series!
June 22, 2014
I'm fascinated by the wilderness life and sorrowed by the plight of first peoples and their struggle to retain their culture and their livelihoods. Besides, who could remain stoic about a standard poodle.
May 2, 2017
This book is based on an interesting premise -- finding out what really happened to your father after a plane crash in the North some 40 years ago. However, this book really plods through lots of detail about an art selling scheme and life in Northern Canada before it reaches an unsatisfactory ending. Neither the protagonist nor the reader actually find out what really happened to Dad.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews