08/27/2026
Author, artist and mariner Yvonne Maximchuk reads at the Corte Island Museum from her debut mystery novel, “Murder Rides a Gale Force Wind,” and shares a sneak peek from her work-in-progress, “An Intertidal Life” – an adventuresome memoir of how running away to sea with her ‘holiday man’ diverted the trajectory of her life as an urban artist and single mom. Daughter, Theda Phoenix, an Intuitive Sound Healing musician, takes us deeper into the moment with her golden voice, weaving songs and intuitive sound between the stories.
Sunday. September 6, 2 to 4 p.m.
Cortes Island Museum
Heritage Garden
Join Yvonne and Theda at the Museum. Bring family and friends, and maybe a question or two, to an afternoon story time about life in the Broughton Archipelago in fact and fiction.
Vancouver and other Island dates:
• Campbell River Library, Thursday, September 3, 3:30 p.m.
• Quadra Island Library, Saturday, September 5, 2:00 p.m.
• Cortes Island Museum, Sunday, September 6, 2:00 p.m.
• Qualicum Beach Library, Wednesday, September 9, 3:00 p.m.
• Courtenay Library, Thursday, September 10, 3:30 p.m.
• Campbell River, Roderick Haig-Brown Festival, Saturday, September 12, 1:30-2:30, In the Study
Yvonne Maximchuk is still exploring the Broughton Archipelago in her sixteen-foot speedboat SeaRose from her off-grid home on Gilford Island, still learning the secret world of islands and inlets from which she draws her inspiration. She is a lifelong working artist in acrylic, watercolour, drawing media and clay; author and publisher of "Murder Rides a Gale Force Wind," an Island Mystery and a memoir; "Drawn to Sea – From Paintbrush to Chainsaw, Carving out a Life on BC’s Rugged Raincoast" (Caitlin Press 2013) about her life in the Broughton Archipelago wilderness. She also co-authored "Full Moon Flood Tide, Bill Proctor’s Raincoast" (Harbour Publishing 2003) nominated for the Bill Duthie’s Booksellers Choice Award in the BC and Yukon Book Awards and the follow-up, "Tide Rips and Back Eddies, Bill Proctor’s Tales of Blackfish Sound" (Harbour Publishing 2015).
What people are saying…
~ Jane Wilde, Gumboot Girls, Dancing in Gumboots (Caitlin Press 2014)
“A compelling page turner that I had trouble putting down; absolutely loved having it set in places I know. Surprise ending, strong women characters, Back Eddy – perfection!”
~ Bill Proctor, Full Moon Flood Tide, Tide Rips and Back Eddies (Harbour Publishing) “I read your book. It’s great. I could not put it down. It’s the best book I think I’ve ever read.”
~ Sharon Gordon, lifelong coastal resident, Alert Bay, “Gilakas’la to Yvonne Maximchuk for your excellent book, Murder Rides a Gale Force Wind. I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down! Your insight, your creativity as an artist, your knowledge of the area and the people, and your love of Echo Bay come shining through in your writing!”
~ TerryLynn Gold, Alert Bay resident, “Absolutely loved it. Best were the sights, the sounds, the fragrance you created that evoked the feeling of actually being there, cruising through the Broughton’s, visiting the folks in Echo Bay. Every scene contains a richness of elements that bring to life the unique cultural life and the close-knit communities of the Broughton Archipelago, with real and distinctive characters. And the other best… the nail-biter climax!
~ Carolyn on Amazon, “The Author takes you on a journey to the beautiful Broughton Archipelago and the most interesting characters who live there all whilst keeping you captive with a whodunit. So well written you feel you have met these people and want to visit! Definitely a great read!”
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
