There are times on the World stage when you will see bursts of national pride. And there are times when that sense of 'being' is an underlying thread-a part of a national psyche that is unconsciously acknowledged by most if you will-that gives Canadian fiction (in this case, the Crime subgenre) a distinctive flavour and feel to it.

So when we put out a call for Canadian short form crime fiction: 'As Canadian as peameal bacon, Buckwud Maple syrup, Roberta Bondar, Timmies, poutine, and fist fights during NHL games', we were hoping to get back a broad spectrum of fiction-and we were not disappointed. Crimeucopia presents 17 of the best Canadian short form Crime fiction writers:

William Kitcher, Rosemary McCracken, Susan Daly, Judy Penz Sheluk, Amanda J. Capper, David Jón Fuller, Bruce Johnson, Karen Keeley, donalee Moulton, Holly Schofield, Rand Gaynor, JM Connors, Edward St. Boniface, Merrilee Robson, Abe Margel, Albert N. Katz, and Ethan Canter

All tell tales that are quintessentially as True North as any writing compass can get. So, settle back with a bowl of PEI quahogs, or a plate of poutine-alongside a cup of Timmies, or a glass of Moosehead-and immerse yourself in fiction that is, by its very nature, Criminally Canadian. Because in the spirit of The Great White North:

You never know what you like - Until you Maple Leaf it...