The trip to the Maritimes in 2013 with her husband and daughter was to scope out potential universities.
But the jaunt east laid the groundwork for Coldstream author Kristin Kraus' new novella, They Didn't See The Flowers, which features an assault and a murder with a side of social justice in today's Halifax.
"We went to many of the tourist sites such as the Citadel, Alexander Keith鈥檚 Brewery, the Historic Properties, and the Africville Museum," said Kraus, originally from Saskatchewan. "I was fascinated by the history of the area and the seed of an idea for a story was planted."
They Didn鈥檛 See the Flowers transports readers to Halifax where characters in modern times grapple with the effects of some of the city鈥檚 storied history such as the relocation of Black Canadians from Africville and the Halifax Explosion.
Three families of different heritages (one Indigenous, one Black Canadian, and one of British descent) are thrown together over violent crimes. While a young police officer pursues leads in the relentless pursuit of the guilty, Frankie, a 20-something Indigenous woman, faces her fears in an attempt to clear her name.
Bryan, a Black teenager whose mother has recently passed away, oscillates between good and bad actions, and Colin, a cop, struggles as his alcohol use wreaks havoc on everyone around him.
They Didn鈥檛 See the Flowers stands out as more than a formulaic whodunnit, so anyone with a complicated family as well as fans of murder mysteries will enjoy it.
鈥淲ith They Didn鈥檛 See the Flowers, I wanted to explore ideas of unfairness in Halifax history, how that filters into current times, and how we can achieve restitution,鈥� said Kraus.
The novella relates how history has been unfair to Indigenous and Black Canadians, and how that might show up today, specifically in Halifax. Kraus wanted to explore how historical events may seem too far in the past to affect us now, but actually do to a significant degree.
The title also has historical significance.
"Africville was unceremoniously razed by bulldozers which sometimes took down completely furnished homes," said Kraus. "One of the city councillors who approved this was shown a photo of Africville decades later. The photo showed houses with flowers, the homes humble but proud. When asked why he approved the relocation of the people when it didn鈥檛 look warranted, he answered, 'I didn鈥檛 see the flowers.'
"When you choose to see a ghetto instead of people being self-sufficient, you cause a great deal of harm."
Asked if she had any challenges writing the book, Kraus was worried about offending someone.
"Anytime you write about race, you risk coming off as someone who doesn't understand, is racist, or is trying to over the narrative," she said. "Yet racism is a human problem."
Kraus has been writing off-and-on since a teacher in elementary school first encouraged her. She grew up developing a love of reading books 鈥� especially mystery and horror (Agatha Christie, Steven King, Nancy Drew). While she enjoys hopeful stories about families and relationships, Kraus is also intrigued by human psychology and motivations which can be quite nuanced and sometimes dark.
Kraus has penned three previous fiction works including two other novellas and a collection of short stories.
The short story book for adults is titled Monkey Sandwich Stories, and her novellas are The Oyster Garden and Hell If I Know: Polaroids and Prison Riots published through her previous imprint Queen Bee Press. She has also written a play titled Lemon, Lilac and Smoke and enjoys acting in local plays.
They Didn鈥檛 See the Flowers and other books can be purchased in paperback and e-book formats through Amazon, Ingramspark, and her , eloquentbeepress.ca.
Kraus will be launching They Didn鈥檛 See the Flowers at the Vernon and District Metis Association on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 1-3 p.m., and selling it again at the Enderby Lit Con on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All are welcome.
In the fall, Kraus will return to Halifax from Oct. 16-19 to promote the novella.
