This promises to be a wonderful series with fantastic characters, interesting locations, and fascinating glimpses into different cultures. The story is of novella length and can easily be read in one sitting if so desired, there is no offensive language, no sex, no graphic violence – just a whopping good story everyone can enjoy.
—Kim, Goodreads

The writing is excellent, the plot is nice and twisty and the the characters and situations are believable. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to seeing where she takes these new characters.
—Sandy, Goodreads

I am enjoying this new series. The first book was good and this one was even better. Love the characters and the storyline. Can’t wait to read book number three in this series.
—Kandy, Goodreads

I feel like I’m visiting Calgary, Canada and the parks where the murders are taking place in all three books so far. There are vivid descriptions of the park and the wetlands. Margie and her family are woven throughout along with their ancestry which adds a nice touch.
—Joanne, Goodreads

I love these stories. Short, exciting and not really predictable, as many short stories are. Plots are well-developed, characters are interesting, and there’s plenty of local lore and history. 
—Alice Hazelbaker, Goodreads

I never thought I would like a police procedural but I do.
—Andrea Wojcik

“Every single one of [P.D. Workman’s] books has spoken to me … And I have found strength in the books I’ve read.”

“This is one author I certainly will be looking out for, I can’t recommend her enough.”

“I’ll read anything by P. D. Workman that I can get my hands on.”

“Every book by PD Workman that I’ve read has been a gripping one, however different the genres are, going from lighter mysteries to really dark ones… this is one of my favourite, most dependable authors.”

“P.D. Workman is an incredibly versatile writer. No matter which of her books I read I am drawn into a great story and honestly, I don’t think I’ve followed another author that could go from cozy mystery to YA to a PI series dealing with mental health issues. Really enjoy her books!”

“[P.D. Workman’s] stories are so believable and you can’t help but feel like you know these people. You find yourself crying, laughing and feeling the characters emotions. Now if an author can make you cry and feel every emotion in a story, she is one hell of an author.”

“P. D. Workman, does not shy from probing the deep psychological scars of childhood trauma, mental illness, and addiction. Also characteristic of this author, these extremely sensitive issues are explored with extensive empathy, described with incredible clarity, and portrayed with profound insight.”

“Once again P.D.Workman has created an intense psychological mystery that impacts a wallop of thought induction. The writing is so well developed and draws you into the characters story.”

What is the setting of the mystery novel Ghosts in the Ground?

The story is set in Calgary, Alberta, specifically focusing on the neighborhoods of Lynnwood and Ogden. The investigation centers around Refinery Park and Beaver Dam Flats, a unique “ghost town” area where a residential neighborhood was once demolished due to industrial oil contamination.

Who is the main character in Ghosts in the Ground?

The protagonist is Detective Margie Patenaude, a Métis homicide investigator with the Calgary Police Service. Often teased with the nickname “Parks Pat” because she frequently handles cases involving bodies found in city parks, Margie balances her demanding career with raising her teenage daughter, Christina.

What is the central mystery of the book?

The plot begins when the body of a corporate executive is discovered inside a high-security pump house used for cleaning contaminated groundwater. Margie and her partner, Detective Gagnon, must determine if the death was a tragic industrial accident caused by toxic gases or a calculated murder tied to the neighborhood’s dark environmental history.

Is Refinery Park in Calgary a real place?

Yes, the book draws heavily on the real-life history of the Imperial Oil refinery site in Calgary. The narrative explores the historical environmental remediation and the “holdout” families who refused to accept buyouts when the neighborhood was evacuated in the 1980s and 90s.

What themes are explored in Ghosts in the Ground?

The novella explores several deep themes, including:

• Environmental Justice: The long-term impact of industrial pollution on residential communities.
• Indigenous Identity: Margie’s experiences as a Métis woman in a predominantly non-Indigenous police force.
• The Weight of the Past: How childhood bullying and old secrets, symbolized by a buried time capsule, can resurface decades later.

Does the book feature other recurring characters from the series?

Yes, fans of the series will recognize Margie’s partner, Detective Gagnon, her daughter Christina, and her dog Stella. References are also made to her grandfather, Moushoom, and the cultural values of stewardship and treading gently on the land.

How does this book connect to the rest of the Margie Patenaude series?

Ghosts in the Ground is a standalone mystery that further develops Margie’s reputation for solving complex cases in Calgary’s public spaces. It highlights her growing partnership with the cynical but competent Detective Gagnon and provides more insight into the local history of Western Canada.