In Debra Walker’s debut novel Welcome Home, the adage ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ is put to the test by Cecilia Williams as she uncovers long-buried family secrets.

Hoping to learn more about her deceased father’s relatives—the Hunter family—she connects with two elderly cousins who welcome her with open arms to rural Cape Breton and the Hunter family homestead. Surrounded by a mountain of family albums, faded letters and memorabilia in the old house, she delves deeper and deeper into her ancestors’ stories, turning up unsettling events and a mysterious document. It reveals a secret that involves another Hunter cousin, Kate, and a man named Fletcher Garrison, whose family was once a neighbour of the Hunters.

Cecilia’s troublesome discovery of Kate and Fletcher’s long-ago relationship opens up old Hunter family wounds, but she is able to reconcile the past when she tracks down a family member unknown to the Hunters until now and adds a new, very welcome branch to the Hunter family tree. Welcome Home successfully balances a tightrope of family pride, suspense and deep emotion.

Debra Walker worked at Cape Breton Development Corporation (Devco) and the Verschuren Centre at Cape Breton University for a combined 40 years. Throughout her career, writing has always played a prominent role—composing speeches, monthly newsletters, annual reports, and web text. She also played a lead role in the production and publication of “Pit Talk,” a book celebrating Cape Breton coal miners. Now retired, Debra enjoys spending time with her family and friends, crocheting, gardening, and writing. Debra resides in Big Ridge, Cape Breton, with her husband, Kent. They have two children and two grandchildren.