The Devil's Gap by Joe Ralko - 3 stars

[Jen K]

Ralko was a teen in Kenora, Ontario when he stumbled upon an in progress bank robbery in the center of Kenora one day after high school. Many came out to watch the drama that day as something they never expected to see in Kenora. With the bank on the main street which was also the national highway and only way in and out of the city, the commotion affected many and brought in the Mounties despite the local police taking charge. The bank robber had scoped out the bank and picked up dynamite during a recruiting trip and was ready to blow up if the robbery didn't go well.

Ralko was always fascinated by this robbery that was part of his personal history. When he had health challenges, he decided to collect his research and writing to put together into a book to motivate him through illness and recovery. He was able to interview many that he know and collected the news that came out with the local radio station next to the bank and able to do a live action program. A professional news photographer was also one of the many stuck in traffic trying to pass through. The audio is great as it includes the live recordings from the day of the robbery.

The whole story is fascinating and a bit alarming. It was the in 1973 but there wasn't any real plan in place to deal with a robber with a self detonating bomb. It was very lucky that there were not more injuries and casualties. I appreciated the inclusion of the local community and context.