Erik D'Souza interviews Jan Field about her novel, Yesterday Lies (published by La Cloche Publishing), which has been nominated for Best Crime First Novel, sponsored by Melodie Campbell. They discuss the novel's 1994 Northern Ontario setting, the unique crime scene involving a body in a tree, and the importance of family in the story. Jan explains her decision to keep the story in the 1990s era and describes her upcoming second book, Silence of the Deep, which is already written and heading to the editor.

Bio

Jan Field grew up in the mining town of Sudbury, Ontario, in a large, close-knit family that has kept her grounded and laughing (and reading) her entire life. Now retired from a career in marketing tourism accommodation in both northern and southern Ontario, Jan returns to her roots to create the Matt Brennan world, which is set in the remote northern landscape of Georgian Bay, Killarney, and the North Channel. The complexities of crime fascinate her: what makes ordinary people make horrible, life-altering decisions and what motivates others to seek out the truth and address the injustices of criminal action. She is incredibly honoured and humbled that ‘Yesterday’s Lies’ has been shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada’s Best Crime First Novel.

She is a member of CWC, Toronto Sisters-in-Crime, and the Writer’s Community of Durham Region. ‘Yesterday’s Lies’ was published in October 2025, and ‘Silence of the Deep’, Book II of the Matt Brennan Series, is to be released in September 2026.

Website: www.janicefield.com/

Learn more about Crime Writers of Canada at: crimewriterscanada.com
Find past video interviews at: youtube.com/@crimewritersofcanada1279