Meet Peter Holloway, a former VP of Finance at Van Kam Freightways who’s traded spreadsheets for storytelling. After a successful 11-year career with Van Kam, Peter retired in 2019 and embarked on becoming a published author. His debut novel, The Roaring Game Murders, is a thrilling murder mystery set against the backdrop of Ladner and Tsawwassen, blending his love of curling with his knack for solving complex puzzles.
Peter joined Van Kam in 2008 after working for a family-owned company that a large corporation had acquired. “I missed that sense of connection and working directly with people,” Peter shares. When he learned more about Van Kam, he felt it was the perfect fit.
During his time with the company, Peter wore many hats beyond finance. He collaborated with various departments and took pride in mentoring younger employees. “Helping them grow into leadership roles was one of the most rewarding parts of my career,” he says. One highlight was overseeing the construction of new state-of-the-art terminals in Kelowna and Prince George, which were bright, modern facilities designed for the future.
When retirement came, Peter returned to a passion he’d set aside long ago: writing. “I loved writing when I was younger, but I didn’t think it was something I could pursue while raising a family,” he explains. With more time and the freedom to explore his interests, he began crafting The Roaring Game Murders.
Set in familiar territory, Ladner and Tsawwassen, the book starts as a classic whodunit centered around a murder at a curling club before spiraling into a gripping thriller. The story introduces Detectives Tate Bowman and Claire Kozack, who navigate fictional and real-life locations in their hunt for justice.
Publishing a book proved to be an adventure in itself. Peter began with a detailed outline, writing chapter by chapter, but soon realized the real challenge lay in editing, proofing, and formatting the manuscript. Reflecting on the process, he shared, “The big process is the editing, reorganizing, proofreading. It took a while, and I didn’t expect that.”
Determined to see his story come to life, Peter chose to self-publish through Bonspiel Books. The project turned into a true family collaboration. His sister Susan and her husband Clarence Porter contributed stunning graphics and illustrations, while his daughter, Lucie, built the website to promote the book and share his journey with readers.
Peter celebrated the launch of his book on November 1st at the Tunnel Town Curling Club in Tsawwassen. The event was warmly supported by friends, family, and curling enthusiasts. Reflecting on the day, Peter shared, “The book launch on November 1st at the Tunnel Town Curling Club was supported very well, and we sold many books.”
Since its launch, The Roaring Game Murders has made its way into local bookstores like Albany Books and Black Bond Books, curling shops across the Lower Mainland, and online platforms like Amazon and Kobo, bringing Peter’s story to a growing audience.
Peter isn’t slowing down after the success of The Roaring Game Murders. He’s already working on a sequel, diving deeper into the world of Detectives Tate Bowman and Claire Kozack in the Boundary Detective Series. For Peter, this new chapter of life is about staying open to opportunities and embracing creativity.
Reflecting on his journey, Peter shared, “Life takes you down different paths, and being open to those changes has made all the difference.” We can’t wait to see what’s next for Peter and his new career as an author!
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