Blood Typed: A Val Jenkins Mystery by Jane Doucet

Blood Typed is the first book in the much-anticipated Val Jenkins cozy mystery series by Jane Doucet. Set in Nova Scotia’s writing community, it features Val Jenkins, a journalist for the Halifax Post, who has been writing the “local books” column for more than a decade, but she would rather be covering the crime beat. Her next assignment is to cover the NOVA Prize Awards Gala at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax.

The four finalists shortlisted for the $100,000 NOVA Prize are: award-winning romance author Sonya King for her Halifax Explosion novel Frances Coleman Carries On; Sally Macphee for her novel Alex Cage, a novel about the difficult lives of the workers in the Cape Breton coal mines; Alexander Fitzgerald for his period drama called Cape Breton Calls Him; and Victor Comeau for his debut novel, The Reinvention of Rene Thibauld, a story of the Acadians.

Upon checking into their rooms, each of the four authors was gifted a “fully functional 1920s Underwood typewriter” as a congratulations for being a finalist by the Westby Foundation for the Arts. The three jurors were also gifted one, in recognition of their time, commitment, and contribution to the award. While all the guests were waiting for the tenth anniversary of the NOVA Prize gala awards dinner to be served, it comes to light that a murder had occurred.

As the handsome Detective Constable Wade Bourque and Detective Constable Sarah Slade (no relation) set up a command room under a portrait of Admiral Horatio Nelson, the hotel’s namesake, Val Jenkins sees this as an opportunity to prove herself to the Halifax Post. She fully intends to do a little investigating and poking around herself to find the murderer and to find out who won the NOVA Prize.

“This isn’t one of your murder-mystery books. And you aren’t Nancy Drew. This is real life.”- page 108

As you are introduced to a full cast of colourful characters, Blood Typed is the perfect cozy mystery to sit back and read with a glass of Nova Scotia’s Tidal Bay Wine. Some of these fun and unusual supporting characters include a geriatric loan shark, a dissatisfied editor, a cross-eyed Maine coon cat, and even a voice from the stalls. With its maritime charm, local settings, and even a touch of Nova Scotia history, people who love amateur sleuths, such as Jessica Fletcher and Agatha Raisin, will appreciate Val Jenkins.

With its maritime charm, local settings, and even a touch of Nova Scotia history, people who love amateur sleuths, such as Jessica Fletcher and Agatha Raisin, will appreciate Val Jenkins.

Jane Doucet made the seamless transition from writing contemporary fiction to satirical cozy mysteries with Blood Typed. Something I particularly enjoyed was that if you read her other books, you might notice that characters from her first novels make small guest appearances in this literary mystery. I am looking forward to Jane Doucet’s next Val Jenkins mystery.

Jane Doucet is a Canadian Journalist and author whose debut novel, The Pregnant Pause, was shortlisted for a 2018 Whistler Independent Book Award. In 2021, Vagrant Press published Jane’s second novel, Fishnets & Fantasies. Jane’s third novel, Lost and Found in Lunenburg, published in 2023, combines characters from her first two novels.

Jane lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with her husband. When she isn’t reading books, she is writing them in between walks with her senior rescue dogs, Molly and Scarlett. To learn more about Jane and her novels, visit janedoucet.com.

Publisher: Vagrant Press (May 26, 2026)
Paperback 5.5 x 8.5 | 240 pages
ISBN: 9781774715154

Sue Slade

Sue Slade has a Bachelor of Child Study from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax. After working with children and adults with special needs, she now has her midlife dream job of working with books. Sue manages an independent, locally owned bookstore, Dartmouth Book Exchange, and is known for planning and executing amazing, engaging book events. Through her charismatic sharing centred around books and community, Sue has created an interactive cornerstone for authors, customers, and book lovers of all ages. Sue is an avid reader, and her reviews cross over many genres. As the East Coast Advocate for The Miramichi Reader, Sue champions Atlantic Canadian literature by featuring the diverse works and unique communities that define her home region.