Cold Edge Of Heaven
Set in 1924 at a desolate police outpost on Devon Island in Canada’s far north, this is a story of murder, mystery, and love—intensified by a clash of cultures between Inuit guides and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers who live and work alongside them. Will Grant is one of three constables who are dropped on the windy gravel beach of Dundas Harbour, along with their guides and families. But no amount of training—not even the horrors of the First World War—would prepare the officers for ice-locked isolation and physical threats from ocean storms, blizzards, avalanches, months of darkness, and marauding polar bears.
The mental and emotional strain is exacerbated by two mysterious, violent deaths. When the Inuit abandon the outpost, Grant realizes that his values and beliefs have changed in ways he could not have imagined.
Although alone and crushed by the inexplicable murders, Grant has learned much about the Arctic through Naudla, wife of one of the guides—and his secret lover. He discovers the magnificent beauty of the land and ice-covered ocean through her. This is not a frozen hell, but
rather the cold edge of heaven.
Cold Edge of Heaven is a historical fiction adventure set in the Canadian Arctic at the now abandoned Royal Canadian Mounted Police outpost of Dundas Harbour. Stations such as these were central to Canada asserting its sovereignty over the vast far north, with the Mounties
serving as “human flagpoles.”
Praise for Cold Edge of Heaven
Whit Fraser’s Cold Edge of Heaven is a hypnotic and fascinating tale of the Far North. Few Canadians know this magical world as well as Fraser, who was for decades the pre-eminent reporter on northern affairs. He writes beautifully and knows his landscape intimately. He also weaves a tale of mystery that is dramatic and compelling. A magnificent page-turner!
Roy MacGregor, OCWhit Fraser understands Canada’s north, the way most of us know our backyard. He knows the people, their stories, and most of their secrets. This wealth of knowledge about the north and its people has made him one of our most recognized and admired storytellers.
Cold Edge of Heaven draws us into the kind of compelling northern drama that Whit knows well – how the fiercely inhospitable land can warp the will of those who arrive unprepared. After all, he’s been reporting such stories for over 50 years. During that time he has met thousands of Indigenous northerners and witnessed their generosity and their ability to flourish in such a challenging climate. All this would make most people decent storytellers, but Whit is also a born raconteur. When he starts to tell a story, people stop talking; drawn in by his deep gravelly voice and the twinkle of “what’s next” in his eye. His years of reporting have sharpened Whit’s talent for writing a story exactly the way he’d tell it to you…sharpened it to a cold edge. He’ll draw you in close to the campfire with his warmth but beware when the Arctic wind is brutal enough to freeze the skin on your face, Whit makes sure you feel it.
Dick Gordon
Cold Edge of Heaven evokes the spirits of Service, and Mowat and all the great scribes of the north. Your story is engaging and powerful. It is well woven and leaves the reader waiting for the next twist. I also love the way Fraser has woven some of the North’s vibrant history into the narrative along with some well-chosen political commentary.
Reg Sherren