The four-book series – so far – ‘Cold Case Kids Mysteries’ created by Port Elgin author Doug Archer, includes spooky tales about three eleven-year-olds – and their zombie buddy – that unfold along the shores of Southampton and Chantry Island.
Mar 27, 2025 • Last updated Mar 28, 2025 •
Doug Archer, a local writer known for his Cold Case Kids Mysteries set around Southampton’s Chantry Island, has just released his fourth book titled ‘Curse of the Island Creeper – The Mystery of the Missing Lighthouse Keepers’ in mid-March. Photo by SUPPLIED PHOTO
The vivid imagination of his then 11-year-old son, who wondered about possible pirate hideouts in Lake Huron near Southampton, inspired Doug Archer to publish – eight or nine years later – ‘Ghoul’s Gold, Legend of the Phantom Reaper’, which became book one in his Cold Case Kids Mystery series.
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This initial ghostly tale featuring three eleven-year-olds and a zombie friend has developed into a four-book young adult mystery series – with the latest addition ‘Curse of the Island Creeper – The Mystery of the Missing Lighthouse Keepers’ launched in mid-March.
No one is more astonished by the unexpected success of this series than Archer himself, a married father of three residing in Port Elgin.
He initially anticipated selling between 50 and 100 copies of his first book from his car trunk to family members and friends who felt obligated. However, word-of-mouth from parents and teachers created significant demand. So far, over 15,000 copies have been sold. “I was shocked,” Archer shared during a phone interview on March 26. “There was some local interest at first because the novels are based around Chantry Island, but they caught on quickly. I started getting invited to schools for dramatic readings. I love reading aloud,” he confessed as an admitted “ham” during our conversation on March 26. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Port Elgin author Doug Archer with his first young adult mystery suspense novel.
Archer has conducted readings at more than 50 schools in Toronto and locally has read to students across various classes in Saugeen Shores and Kincardine. He will visit Ecole Port Elgin Saugeen Central on April 2 for a dramatic reading session alongside questions-and-answers and book sales.
The Q&A sessions with students often lead to great discussions as kids share their favorite characters and inquire about backstories that can inspire new adventures for him.
A former freelance magazine writer and feature journalist, Archer’s journey began back in third grade when he heard applause from classmates after reading them a story about a giant tarantula.
“I was hooked,” he recalled while mentioning how his mother gifted him a journal at an early age that sparked his love for words.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
The main characters from Cold Case Kids – Brogan, Brycen, Heather and Margot along with their zombie friend Angus – show up in every book. However, each adventure introduces a new antagonist.
In this latest installment, the cover hints at strange occurrences during three exciting days at Camp Lighthouse on Chantry Island when mysterious fog rolls in cutting off access to help. “A ghost ship rises from Lake Huron. Decaying mariners shamble forth from their watery grave. And a cloaked figure emerges out of the fog searching for something long ago lost.. The kids soon realize they must uncover what this cloaked figure seeks … before they become trapped on Chantry Island … forever. Beware of the Curse of the Island Creeper,” reads the blurb on the cover. This has not loaded yet; however your article continues below.
Doug Archer adds another title to his ‘Cold Case Kids Mysteries’ series set around Southampton and Chantry Island with ‘Curse of the Island Creeper – The Mystery of the Missing Lighthouse Keepers.’
The writing process starts for Archer with just an idea that he develops over two or three months into an outline before actually writing it down.
“I use brown paper taped to my wall along with sticky notes to shape my story,” said Archer while adding that he enjoys what he calls “the down draft,” where he freely writes without interruptions just to get everything out onto paper. The most challenging part comes during what he calls “the updraft,” where he steps back evaluating if everything makes sense. “Sometimes if I get stuck I’ll skip ahead (on my storyboard) just to surprise myself,” he mentioned while noting he’s sometimes taken aback by unexpected twists within stories.
After polishing it further through editing rounds involving peers reviewing sample chapters ensuring smooth plot flow-it’s finally ready for sharing! A common question from students is which book or character is his favorite.
“That’s like asking any parent who their favorite child is! I have special feelings towards ‘Ghoul’s Gold’ since it was my first effort based off my eldest son’s idea! Brogan’s name even combines elements from both my sons-so that’s meaningful too!”
When asked if there might be another Cold Case Mystery coming soon? He shared enthusiastically that “my grandson wants me to write three more-I don’t want him disappointed!”
The four-book ‘Cold Case Kids Mysteries’ series written by Port Elgin author Doug Archer showcases ghostly adventures featuring three eleven-year-olds-and their zombie companion-set against backgrounds found throughout Southampton & Chantry Islands! Share this article via your social network
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He initially anticipated selling between 50 and 100 copies of his first book from his car trunk to family members and friends who felt obligated. However, word-of-mouth from parents and teachers created significant demand. So far, over 15,000 copies have been sold. “I was shocked,” Archer shared during a phone interview on March 26. “There was some local interest at first because the novels are based around Chantry Island, but they caught on quickly. I started getting invited to schools for dramatic readings. I love reading aloud,” he confessed as an admitted “ham” during our conversation on March 26. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Port Elgin author Doug Archer with his first young adult mystery suspense novel.
Archer has conducted readings at more than 50 schools in Toronto and locally has read to students across various classes in Saugeen Shores and Kincardine. He will visit Ecole Port Elgin Saugeen Central on April 2 for a dramatic reading session alongside questions-and-answers and book sales.
The Q&A sessions with students often lead to great discussions as kids share their favorite characters and inquire about backstories that can inspire new adventures for him.
A former freelance magazine writer and feature journalist, Archer’s journey began back in third grade when he heard applause from classmates after reading them a story about a giant tarantula.
“I was hooked,” he recalled while mentioning how his mother gifted him a journal at an early age that sparked his love for words.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
The main characters from Cold Case Kids – Brogan, Brycen, Heather and Margot along with their zombie friend Angus – show up in every book. However, each adventure introduces a new antagonist.In this latest installment, the cover hints at strange occurrences during three exciting days at Camp Lighthouse on Chantry Island when mysterious fog rolls in cutting off access to help. “A ghost ship rises from Lake Huron. Decaying mariners shamble forth from their watery grave. And a cloaked figure emerges out of the fog searching for something long ago lost.. The kids soon realize they must uncover what this cloaked figure seeks … before they become trapped on Chantry Island … forever. Beware of the Curse of the Island Creeper,” reads the blurb on the cover. This has not loaded yet; however your article continues below.
Doug Archer adds another title to his ‘Cold Case Kids Mysteries’ series set around Southampton and Chantry Island with ‘Curse of the Island Creeper – The Mystery of the Missing Lighthouse Keepers.’
The writing process starts for Archer with just an idea that he develops over two or three months into an outline before actually writing it down.“I use brown paper taped to my wall along with sticky notes to shape my story,” said Archer while adding that he enjoys what he calls “the down draft,” where he freely writes without interruptions just to get everything out onto paper. The most challenging part comes during what he calls “the updraft,” where he steps back evaluating if everything makes sense. “Sometimes if I get stuck I’ll skip ahead (on my storyboard) just to surprise myself,” he mentioned while noting he’s sometimes taken aback by unexpected twists within stories.
After polishing it further through editing rounds involving peers reviewing sample chapters ensuring smooth plot flow-it’s finally ready for sharing! A common question from students is which book or character is his favorite.
“That’s like asking any parent who their favorite child is! I have special feelings towards ‘Ghoul’s Gold’ since it was my first effort based off my eldest son’s idea! Brogan’s name even combines elements from both my sons-so that’s meaningful too!”
When asked if there might be another Cold Case Mystery coming soon? He shared enthusiastically that “my grandson wants me to write three more-I don’t want him disappointed!”
The four-book ‘Cold Case Kids Mysteries’ series written by Port Elgin author Doug Archer showcases ghostly adventures featuring three eleven-year-olds-and their zombie companion-set against backgrounds found throughout Southampton & Chantry Islands! Share this article via your social networkSource link
