LITTLE CURRENT—Author Ray Love stopped by The Expositor office to chat about his latest novel, ‘Diamond Play,’ part of a series featuring protagonist Detective Kate Bray.

Mr. Love is living his best life after 18 years a retired educator and being the author of eight books, most of which fall into the non-fiction category and feature the history and culture of Central and Northern Ontario. 

The father of three, grandfather of three and husband of one began his writing career following his retirement and his career teaching history, geography and economics helps to inform his writing and subject matter. He discovered his original inspiration in the lesser known history of his Midland home. Mr. Love’s roots are deep in the region, his family settled in Muskoka in 1875 where his great grandfather built a highly successful resort business. It was the story of that resort which formed the background for his first book ‘Elgin House, Lake Joseph Past and Present.’ 

Several more books ensued including ‘Pioneer Muskoka: Tales of Courage, Grit and Community,’ ‘The Georgian Bay Ship Canal Canada’s Abandoned National Dream,’ ‘Muskoka Ontario’s Playground A History of Recreation and Sport in Ontario’s Cottage Country 1860-1945.’ 

His family have a camp on the French River and his experiences in that area also provided ample inspiration for his prolific pen.

But then he turned to fiction, penning his first novel ‘Murder by a Dam Site,’ a mystery novel that “outline environmental conflicts currently facing residents of the North.”

His latest novel, ‘Diamond Play,’ features some connections to Manitoulin Island and follows the detective work of Nickel City investigator Kate Bray, the protagonist of his first novel, as she delves into the disappearance of a competitor in a triathlon—the wealthy owner of a diamond mine that is poisoning fish and wildlife in a small Northern Native community.

“Diamond Play’ is filled with intrigue and mystery, as well as shocking twists and turns that will captivate a summer reader. The book, and its predecessor “Murder by a Dam Site,’ can be found on the shelves of The Expositor’s book store in Little Current.