Flight of Aquavit.

FLIGHT OF AQUAVIT Anthony Bidulka Insomniac Press, 192 Spadina Ave., Suite 403,

Toronto, ON, CAN M5T 2C2 ISBN: 1-894663-75-6 $15.95-U.S./$9.95 UK/$21.95

CAN/$22.95 AUST

Participating in academic, accounting, fashion, farming, and food services has made Anthony Bidulka a well-rounded character who also enjoys parties, reading, and traveling. He hails from Saskatoon, CAN and, judging from his acknowledgments, has, as he puts it, "an amazing network of supporters." A writers dream, indubitably.

Private Detective Russell Quant, erstwhile policeman, dog lover, and gay male replete with a Ukrainian mother who has come for Christmas with her cooking accouterments and cute accent, is warned off from a case before it even spans his radar. A friend of a friend has been receiving threats from someone calling themselves "Loverboy," who threatens to unmask a superficially happily married businessman who has had encounters with gay men. A blackmail note appeared in the envelope of Quant's client as he was about to receive a business award. Quant's task is to find Loverboy before the money is due. The question is, whether or not to pay the money or to turn Quant loose to uncover the blackmailer:

"'Loverboy has made a convincing case for himself in very few words. He wants to be compensated for something he knows and I want to hide. Pretty classic case of blackmail, I suppose.' I couldn't argue with him there. 'I guess I've always unconsciously expected this day would come - it's time to pay the piper.'"

Russell Quant chases around, trying to accommodate his mother's Christmas visit, while giving his lesbian friend whose breast cancer foists another dog upon his home, even while he is constantly being tailed, spied upon, and finally kidnaped.

Bidulka manages to spin a compelling detective story with colorful characters, hilarious situations, and touching relationships. His first person style of writing is perfect for this extremely entertaining tale. When Bidulka isn't focusing on the puzzling case and the people who seem intent upon stopping him in his tracks, he is either showing the reader the ups and downs of the gay lifestyle and how it fits into the general scheme of things. But most touching is his halting relationship with his mother that blossoms into genuine love as the two delve into the very nature of their relationship. A quality achievement from a first time author. Bravo!