Looking for a way to escape into the past this summer? CBC Books has curated a selection of Canadian historical fiction novels to whisk you away. Spanning various time periods and locations, from 17th century Quebec to 1911 China to Montreal during Expo ’67, these books promise a diverse range of immersive experiences.

Wild People Quiet by Tara Gereaux

Wild People Quiet unfolds in 1940s Saskatchewan, where a Métis woman named Florence conceals her true heritage in a predominantly white community by disguising herself. When she encounters a group of Métis farm workers, Florence is forced to confront her hidden past and make decisions about her future.

• How curiosity about her own heritage led to Tara Gereaux’s novel about hidden Métis identity

Tara Gereaux, a member of the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan residing in Regina, is the author of Saltus and Size of a Fist, both recognized as finalists for Saskatchewan Book Awards.

Liberty Street by Heather Marshall

In the novel Liberty Street, set in 1961 Toronto, an editorial assistant at Chatelaine magazine receives a tip from a prison inmate about disturbing conditions at a women’s prison. Determined to uncover the truth, she goes undercover, setting off a chain of events that reverberate decades later when a detective investigates human remains found in an unmarked grave.

• Heather Marshall’s new historical fiction book is about the Toronto women’s prison you’ve never heard of

Heather Marshall, based near Toronto, is the author of Looking For Jane and The Secret History of Audrey James.

Treat Them As Buffalo by Blair Palmer Yoxall

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