2/ April 2024 The South Marysburgh Mirror Prince Edward Bird Observatory Hosts Launch of Steve Burrows’ New Birder Murder Mystery, Saturday, May 18 By JC Sulkenko Steve Burrows brings his unique blend of birding and murder to South Marysburgh for the County launch of his eighth book in the ‘Birder Murder’ series, A Nye of Pheasants. “The Prince Ed- ward Point Bird Observatory (PEPtBO) is delight- | MYSTERY ed to celebrate the FEATURING OCI DOMENIC JEIEUNE North American release of Steve’s new mystery,” says Julie White, Presi- dent of the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. “Who can resist a detec- tive whose pas- fiNye of PHEASA STEVE BURROWS deals in Canada and the UK. Book 9 will be ready for re- lease in 2025. “I feel excep- tionally fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time,” he admits. Co-producers Shaftes- bury Films in Canada (Murdoch Mysteries) and lend authenticity to each plot. In his view, all detec- tives need an idiosyncra- sy, a particularity. He made his hero, Jejune, Canadian because he wanted a strong Canadi- an presence in the sto- ries. Steve made him a birder so that he could write about what he sions for solving crimes and for birds compete in each novel!” Reviews already signal this new book as a ‘must -read’ in a series which has brought Burrows awards and accolades. Here’s a Kirkus starred comment: “Skillfully written, full of moral ambiguities and artful puzzles, with a spine-tingling final sentence.” Oshawa-based Burrows — environmental journalist, avid birder, and world traveller— began writing about DCI Do- menic Jejeune in 2012 after discovering stories that didn’t quite align with his profession- al writing agenda. He thought he’d try a mystery on the side, which then led to publishing knows. Steve was an avid birder in his teens and returned to birdwatching as he travelled. He believes birding and crime detection share com- mon skillsets. “Important to both is the ability to observe a situation, not dive right in. Both excel at paying atten- tion to detail, such as to plumage or appearance, and to behaviour. Often, there’s just a flash of a bird seen. Perhaps there might be enough to determine what spe- cies flew by. But to reach a con- clusion means gathering more information and adding up the clues.” “Ina murder mystery, you have to grab the reader’s atten- tion as soon as possible. | strive for a balance between good storytelling and good writing craft. | also want the series to have a lightness to it. | mean the stories to entertain first and foremost.” The books can be read independently of one another. This fundraiser for PEPtBO on Saturday, May 18 begins at 2:30 PM at South Bay United Church, 2029 County Road 13. The event features Steve read- ing from A Nye of Pheasants, a discussion with Lynn Pickering (The County Writes...The Coun- ty Reads), and time for Q&As (Continued on page 5) T: 613.471.1816 The South Marysburgh Mirror E: themirror@kos.net Online: vitac ISSN Number 1181-6333 (Print Edition) April 2024 Volume 39 Number 03 Published monthly by Barbara McConnell, 41 St. Philip Street, PO Box 131, Milford, ON KOK 2P0 ISSN Number 2292-5708 (Online Edition) The South Marysburgh Mirror gratefully acknowledges the support of the South Marysburgh Recreation Committee and St. Philip's Church ysburghM