Chris Laing is a Canadian author, best known for his work in the detective genre. He was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, where he spent his formative years during World War II. After working in private business for two decades, Laing joined the Federal Public Service, where he served in the Department of the Secretary of State and National Museums of Canada until his retirement.
In recent years, Laing has expanded his long-time interest in detective stories from a passionate reader to a skilled writer in the genre. His short stories have been featured in various literary journals, including Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Hammered Out. In 2013, Laing published his first novel, "A Private Man," which was a finalist for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Crime Novel in 2013 and a Hamilton Arts Council Literary Award. The novel is the first in the Max Dexter Mystery series, which includes "A Deadly Venture," published in 2014 and winner of The Kerry Schooley Award, 2015, presented by the Hamilton Arts Council. The third and fourth books in the series, "A Family Matter" and "A Devious Dame," were published in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
In addition to his Max Dexter Mystery series, Laing has also written a collection of short stories about growing up in Hamilton during World War II. "West End Kid: Tales from the Forties" was published in 2013 and is available as an e-book from online retailers. Laing now lives in Kingston, Ontario, with his wife, artist Michèle LaRose.