A not-so-mysterious New West writer

Touring Winona Kent’s home along Quayside, it’s easy to be inspired. Her view overlooks the water, with flowers and lights on the balcony. A small desk sits next to the sliding doors, and the award-winning author smiles warmly when asked if the calming view inspires the suspense – and sometimes breakneck thrilling themes – her mystery novels explore.

“Oh, absolutely. How could you not be?” she says, taking a beat to look out at the water. “It’s gorgeous here. We lucked out.”

Kent, who is taking part in her first book signings this month, was born in England and grew up in Saskatchewan. She ended up on the west coast while pursuing her master’s in creative writing at UBC. After spending time as a temporary secretary, a travel agent, and a program assistant at UBC’s school of population and public health, she’s now a full-time author.

Kent says the peaceful living in Quayside reminds her of the years she spent in Moosejaw.

“It’s the same vintage!” she says with a laugh. “New Westminster reminds me of Moosejaw because of the buildings, their age, the railway connection. I like being in a small community surrounded by a big community.” One of her favourite things to do is walk along the boardwalk, Waterfront Esplanade.

“It’s really pretty. The gardeners around here take great care of the space. There are lots of dogs, and the people are very friendly.”

Kent says the welcoming, tranquil nature of her neighbourhood has helped her develop her character, Jason Davey. The character, as Kent puts it, often finds himself inadvertently solving mysteries. “Jason actually started off on a cruise ship,” Kent notes; her sister spent years working for Princess Cruises, so she felt it was a fitting backdrop. “I wrote about an entertainer on a cruise ship, and all of his adventures, and his name was Jason Davey.”

Kent is now onto book four in the series, Ticket to Ride. This installment sees Davey, now in his mid-50s, tracking down someone who is trying to kill him. Kent is proud of the way the character has grown throughout his arc.

“A lot of my fans, most of them are in England, and they know Jason. I’m really, really hoping people here – in places like Vancouver, and in New West – I hope they’ll get to know him, too.”

Kent says she’s extremely excited to be a part of a book signing for the first time in her life. While she’s walked around shops and signed books, this experience is completely new.

“I’ve done book festivals and things like that, too. But this is the first time people are coming to see me, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Where to meet Winona Kent:

• Indigo Robson: Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12, 1-3 pm

• Indigo Metrotown: Thursday, June 16, 5-8 pm

• Indigo Granville: Sunday, June 19, 1-3 pm

Much like seeing the changes in Davey, Kent has been extremely observant of the changes in the writing landscape.

“When I was writing in the ’70s, it was a really bad thing to write about Canada, about locally, where you live. We were encouraged as fiction writers to write about anywhere other than Canada. Now it’s a very hot thing to write about.”

Does that mean Kent will ever bring Davey – or another character – to New Westminster?

“I’m thinking about bringing Jason to New Westminster as a one-off,” she says, “a couple of my colleagues are setting their books in the Vancouver area or downtown area…but oh, New West. There’s an idea, right?”

Learn more about Kent’s books, and give her a follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.