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Bruce W. Bishop
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Uncommon Sons: A twisty murder mystery set at a hotel in the 1930s (Families' Storytelling) Kindle Edition

by Bruce W. Bishop (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

Immerse yourself in a tale of murder, discrimination, diversity, and discovery

1935. Nova Scotia, Canada.

Marc Youssef constantly wrestles with his commitment to his strict Lebanese culture and upbringing. But when you’re a thirty-four-year-old bachelor — and you are secretly attracted to other men — deception at home and at work simmers daily and threatens to boil over.

After two guests are found dead in the tony railway hotel in Halifax where Marc works, his job is compromised, and his personal life is vulnerable to exposure. One of the suspects in the possible murder investigation just happens to be Marc’s clandestine and married love interest.

Journalist Eva McMaster, Marc’s best friend, is determined to help him find out what really happened. The two become unlikely sleuths in this bizarre incident that becomes the talk of the east coast city.

Uncommon Sons is a fascinating tale of sexual identity, systemic racism, familial obligations, workplace pressures, and the bonds of love and friendship prior to World War II.

Interlinked to Bishop’s debut novel, Unconventional Daughters, this page-turner further explores what happens when adults are not what and who they are expected to be. Pick up a copy of Uncommon Sons and reunite with some of the beloved characters from the author’s debut novel. The third book in the trilogy, Undeniable Relations, will be released by the end of 2022.

Advance praise for Uncommon Sons

~

“…an exploration of identity and prejudice, of the tension between old ways and new. … Mr. Bishop handles these difficult issues deftly and with sensitivity, as his main characters Marc and Eva seek to find their own way through the discrimination that surrounds them in their quest for a more tolerant world.” – Riana Everly, author of The Assistant and Through a Different Lens

~

“An intriguing mystery, great characters, and a lesser known facet of Canadian history combine to make Uncommon Sons a compelling read!” – Linda Bennett Pennell, author of Miami Days Havana Nights

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  1. Part of series
    Families' Storytelling
  2. Print length
    318 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    June 15, 2021
  5. File size
    4.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B097CK2PVK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bruce W. Bishop in affiliation with Icarus Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 15, 2021
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 318 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1777414146
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Families' Storytelling
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

About the author

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Bruce W. Bishop

Bruce W. Bishop

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I was born and raised in a small town in eastern Canada. From a young age, I dreamt of seeing the world, but as I'm more of an introvert than extrovert, I'm not sure how I somehow managed to carve out a freelance career as a travel journalist and guidebook author for over a decade. Novel writing was a novelty (pardon the pun!) that began in 2020 during the pandemic lockdown. I enjoyed the exercise so much that I wrote two follow-up books. The fictitious characters in my novels are ordinary and somewhat forgotten souls in history who are faced with extraordinary options and decisions to make. What happens when adults are not what and who they are expected to be?

'Unconventional Daughters' (2020) was followed by 'Uncommon Sons' (2021) and 'Undeniable Relations' (2022), and the three are interlinked. They are set in the early to mid-20th century in Nova Scotia, Canada. They can be read on their own, and not necessarily in any order.

I'd love to receive your feedback and/or questions! Please visit my website: https://www.brucebishopauthor.com and sign up for my occasional newsletter.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
43 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's writing style, with one describing it as a phenomenal page turner. Moreover, the well-developed characters and engaging murder mystery plot receive positive feedback, with one customer noting the attention to historical detail.

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5 customers mention "Writing style"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as well written and interesting, with one customer noting it's a great read for book clubs.

"I love historical fiction and mysteries, and this book provides both. I felt like I was in 1935...." Read more

"This was an entertaining book with well developed characters. The story takes place in 1935/36 and touches on the prejudices at that time...." Read more

"...This captured my full attention, and kept me enthralled into the story, which was intertwined with Marc, one of my favorite characters of the first..." Read more

"Uncommon Sons is a delightful tale set in the 1930s in Nova Scotia, Canada, that deals with real life situations..." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...I felt like I was in 1935. The characters are realistic, the story captivating, and the attention to historical detail is clear." Read more

"This was an entertaining book with well developed characters. The story takes place in 1935/36 and touches on the prejudices at that time...." Read more

"I didn't quite know what to expect, after the very heart-warming characters I grew to love in Unconventional Daughters, but once again, I was..." Read more

"...What I really liked was the interlink of charming characters I met in the previous novel by Bishop. I couldn't put it down...." Read more

4 customers mention "Plot"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the murder mystery plot of the book, with one customer highlighting its attention to historical detail and another noting how it takes place in 1935/36.

"...I felt like I was in 1935. The characters are realistic, the story captivating, and the attention to historical detail is clear." Read more

"...The story takes place in 1935/36 and touches on the prejudices at that time. It also touches on Hitler coming to power prior to WW2." Read more

"...As the story begins, I was pleasantly surprised of the murder mystery plot, as I’m big fan of the genre...." Read more

"...which were not spoken about much in those times with a murder plot intertwined to boot...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Mark M
    5.0 out of 5 stars I love mystery and historical fiction, this book hit both
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I love historical fiction and mysteries, and this book provides both. I felt like I was in 1935. The characters are realistic, the story captivating, and the attention to historical detail is clear.
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  • Roger B.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This was an entertaining book with well developed characters. The story takes place in 1935/36 and touches on the prejudices at that time. It also touches on Hitler coming to power prior to WW2.
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  • Lanie24
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just Excellent!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I didn't quite know what to expect, after the very heart-warming characters I grew to love in Unconventional Daughters, but once again, I was transported to 1935 Halifax, Nova Scotia, with this wonderfully written novel.

    As the story begins, I was pleasantly surprised of the murder mystery plot, as I’m big fan of the genre. This captured my full attention, and kept me enthralled into the story, which was intertwined with Marc, one of my favorite characters of the first novel, depicting the stigmas of homosexuality, as well as other topics such as, Jackie & Haley’s bi-racial couples love story. Both of which, at the time were not often accepted in society.

    Another fascinating part of the book, was the history of Africville, a black Canadian community dated back to the 1800’s, and the pride and dedication, in which these hard-working individuals lived under such difficult & challenging circumstances.

    Eva, my favorite character! A woman wise beyond her years, during a time when it was strictly a man’s world, and her son Agnus, which is a curious & intelligent young man, both steal my heart, as a young single mother & son duo.

    Exceeded my expectations, and hoping for a continuation to this well written novel, with so much detail of the beautiful surroundings, mystery, intrigue, love and family.

    Get ready to be transported into another time in history.

    Mr. Bishop has produced yet another, phenomenal page turner! A must read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Shaddo Z.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sons
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Uncommon Sons is a delightful tale set in the 1930s in Nova Scotia, Canada, that deals with real life situations (inter-racial and same-sex relationships ) which were not spoken about much in those times with a murder plot intertwined to boot. What I really liked was the interlink of charming characters I met in the previous novel by Bishop. I couldn't put it down. I recommend this to anyone who wants a fun get away! Happy reading.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kim Truxell
    5.0 out of 5 stars It was FABULOUS!!Just as his first book was!!Read Daughters first, you won’t be disappointed!!!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    It was so well written. I felt as if I knew each of the characters personally. I loved all the twists and tales. Both books would make great reads for book clubs.
    Can’t wait for Bruce Bishops next book!!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another page turner by author Bruce Bishop
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2021
    Uncommon Sons, set in Halifax, Canada, in the pre-war years of the mid-late 1930s, reads like a history of the times and area with real characters intertwined with his fictional ones. Bishop’s obvious depth of knowledge of hotels and history comes through to keep readers engaged. I wonder where he’ll take us next? Perhaps pre-war Europe?
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2021
    I really enjoyed this follow up of Unconventional Daughters. Loved the intrigue & Nova Scotia settings of Uncommon Sons. Couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to Bruce’s next book!!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Robin Anderson-Forbes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the history
    Reviewed in Canada on April 9, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A very enjoyable read. I loved the history amongst the mystery and I hadn't read a novel in a while that had gay characters, so that was a welcome change of pace. Also, this is the first Nova Scotian set story I've read in ages. So, that was wonderful too.
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  • Linda G. Robert
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another interesting and mysterious read
    Reviewed in Canada on March 31, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I was completely immersed in this story. Although this wasn’t a mystery, there was certainly a mysterious twist in this book.

    I also loved how the author reminded us in one way or the other of some of the characters that were presented in his first book, and this family’s life continued to be told.

    Like all historical fictions, interesting facts about some of the realities of that period were peppered here in there throughout the book. I highly recommend reading this book written by a Canadian.
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  • Jeanelle Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book by Bruce Bishop
    Reviewed in Canada on April 3, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    After reading Bruce Bishops book Unconventional Daughters Which I thoroughly enjoyed I had to purchase this book and enjoyed it very much also. I enjoy his writing , it holds my interest. A fantastic author ! Can’t wait for his next book.
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  • Pam
    5.0 out of 5 stars Birthday gift for my mom and she loved it!
    Reviewed in Canada on June 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This, and the other two books, was a birthday gift for my mom and she loved them. Growing up and living in Yarmouth County she was able to connect in a special way with so many things. I hope there are more written about our beautiful 'home'.
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  • Linda Muise
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting!
    Reviewed in Canada on November 4, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    It was interesting!
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