NEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT: Superstar SFF Author Brings Another Supernatural Murder Mystery To Small Town Ontario In July

The hauntings heat up this summer with the upcoming release of Arlene F. Marks’ paranormal murder mystery Remains to be Seen.

This standalone follow-up to Marks’ 2022 novel Weekends Can Be Murder returns to co-star Larry Holmes’ home town of Groverton, Ontario, where Selena Watt has decided to settle down, in a house that speaks to her—literally. In Groverton, however, there’s more than sentient houses: ghosts are everywhere, and new friend Curt Wakefield can both see and speak to them. Digging into one particular ghost’s history, however, leads these amateur sleuths from one mystery to another, including the murder of Selena’s real estate agent and a century-old unsolved suspicious death.

Weekends Can Be Murder received rave reviews on release:

• “Hard to resist with lovely writing, engaging dynamics, and a delightful mystery.” – Readers’ Favorite 5-star review
• “I love the hunt for clues, the sleuthing for suspects, and I absolutely revel in the final solution.” – J.M. Tibbott, author of The Pridden Saga
• “A fun mash-up of haunted house, classic whodunnit and a gigantic game of Clue.” – Janet Kellough, author of The Thaddeus Lewis Mystery Series
• “Brilliantly written. As a reader, I was lured in to the setting becoming one of the cast of characters.” – Bette Walker, Leacock Medal Award Chair
• “A propulsive murder mystery with a haunting twist.” – Lori Crossan, Programs Coordinator at Collingwood Public Library

Marks’ other recent books have been called “well worth reading” (Amazing Stories), “vast and amazing” (Booklist), and “a treat” (Toronto Star).

Remains to be Seen will be releasing July 25, 2025 in trade paperback (368 pages, ISBN 978-1-998795-24-6, $28.99 CAD) and ebook (ISBN 978-1-998795-25-3, $7.99) formats. Preorders will be opening shortly through bookstores everywhere. Bookstores and libraries can order copies through Ingram or their supplier or by contacting publisher Brain Lag directly.

Toronto-born Marks retired from a career in teaching and now writes full-time from her home in Collingwood. In the past ten years, she has written over a dozen books, including the six-book Sic Transit Terra series from Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy, five other novels published by Brain Lag, and a short story collection. In addition to writing, she offers her expertise at events like the Calgary-based writing festival When Words Collide and is also one of the chief organizers of new literary festival CollingWord. On March 12, Marks is hosting a literacy workshop for parents and caregivers at Wasaga Beach Public Library.

Remains to be Seen will be Milton, Ontario-based Brain Lag’s 56th published title, following up Marks’ January release The Stragori Deception. Brain Lag’s newest acquisition, multiple award-winning author Derwin Mak, will have a short story collection releasing in August, and over a dozen other books are already signed from multiple other authors from Canada, the U.S., and Scotland.

Media inquiries and requests to contact the author can be directed to publishing@brain-lag.com.