A Killing Winter

Arthurson takes the concept of flawed hero to extremes in this grimly compelling sequel to 2011’s Fall from Grace. Leo Desroches, the son of Cree and French-Canadian parents, is a gambling addict, a failed husband and father, a bank robber, and a killer who covered up his victim’s death as a suicide. As a reporter for the Edmonton Journal, he covers crime and “aboriginal issues,” though he grew up in the white world. Leo’s decision to file a missing person report on street person Marvin Threefingers leads to the morgue and starts him on a journey into the activities of Redd Alert, “probably the biggest native gang in the country.” As Leo battles his demons with mixed success and strives to uncover the truth behind Marvin’s killing, he learns much of interest about Edmonton’s native population of 30,000. A surprising and ambiguous ending leaves readers in doubt about Leo’s future. Agent: Linn Prentis, Linn Prentis Literary. (Apr.)