Edmonton author Wayne Arthurson is set to release his new book tomorrow but before you get all excited for a new Leo Desroches mystery thriller, hold on there. This one isn’t part of the detective series. It’s entirely something else.
The Traitors of Camp 133 is his fifth novel and the first in a new mystery series and it’s set during the Second World War years. More than that, it has a historical basis in our prisoner of war camps. It’s a system that held German soldiers in southern Alberta.
“We had them all over Canada for German prisoners, some for Italians. There were two big ones at 12,000 prisoners each in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. (The book) is based on an actual camp. It’s kind of a neat thing.”
This fictionalized account focuses on Sgt. August Neumann, a First World War veteran and town cop who gets assigned to police Camp 133. When a colleague is found dead, Neumann must investigate but there’s a tricky set of politics within the social cliques of the camp, including those on both sides of the law. How the intrepid Neumann will learn the truth will no doubt be an engaging and entertaining mystery.
“I was doing completely unrelated research when I stumbled upon some scant information on the southern Alberta POW (prisoner of war) camps and it struck a chord. I dove headlong into this mystery series. The opportunity to explore the inner workings of historical enemies and bring some sense of humanity to them was irresistible.”
In addition to the dearth of information on the subject, part of the big challenges that the author faced in creating this story were the voices and thoughts of the characters, especially German soldiers. He just couldn’t get into their heads, he said. That, plus you always want the setting to ring true when there’s history at the heart of something.
“You have to tie in things that are true. You have to tie in events that are happening from the war at the same time. There’s all that sort of research into (Second World War) … and how it’s affecting (the characters).”
Arthurson is having a big year. He’s spent the last eight-and-a-half months as the writer-in-residence at the Edmonton Public Library, a gig that lasts till mid-December. This is also the second book launch that he’s had on his to-do list for 2016.
“It’s pretty awesome,” he said. “It doesn’t get old when you get the box of books, and you go, ‘My book!’ and you see your picture on the back and your name on the front. It’s pretty fun.”
It marks his return to St. Albert as he had another launch here for Fall from Grace in 2011. He’ll be back in town next month too as he plays host to Peter Robinson on Oct. 21.
Friday’s event is an After Hours affair, which means that wine will be served. Arthurson will be in conversation with Edmonton crime writer Sandra “SG” Wong, the author of the Lola Starke novels and the Crescent City short stories. Copies of The Traitors of Camp 133 will also be available for purchase and signing.
After Hours with Wayne Arthurson is Friday at 7 p.m. in Forsyth Hall on the main floor of the St. Albert Public Library. Attendance is free but people are asked to pre-register, as seating is limited. Call 780-459-1530 or visit www.sapl.ca for more.
