Author and librarian Ian Colford.

Ian Colford, the collection development librarian for the Dalhousie Libraries, is launching his new novel, The Crimes of Hector Tomás, this Thurs., Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. at The Company House.

The book is described as an “epic novel about disappearance and deception.” Set in an undisclosed South American country, the story revolves around a family and their secrets.

At 414 pages, it’s a hefty debut novel. “The book took eight years to write. I completed the writing in 2010 and then came the edits,” says Ian. Ian’s first book, Evidence, a collection of short stories, was published in 2008. It won the Margaret & John Savage First Book Award and was shortlisted for the Danuta Gleed Literary Award, The Thomas Head Raddall Atlantic Fiction Prize and the ReLit Award.

Ian’s first book was also highly praised by reviewers. The Globe and Mail called it, “a rich, shadowed, mind-tweaking puzzle.” The Danforth Review said, “These stories explode in vivid detail, amazing breadth of characterization and geography, and stunning displays of conflict and emotional upheaval.”

“I think people are going to be surprised,” says Ian. “This novel is not typical CanLit. I’m grateful to Freehand Books for taking this risk.”

Congratulations on the launch of your novel Ian! We can’t wait to read it.