Novels

Winner of the 2023 Ann Connor Brimer Award and a finalist for the White Pine Award

The jury for the Ann Connor Brimer Award said: In Decoding Dot Grey, Nicola Davison invites us to soak in a coming-of-age story that explores hope in spite of loss, justice in the presence of cruelty and the power of forgiveness. Dot's mother is ill, her father is distant, her abode has more animals than she invited in. She works in an animal shelter, loving the unwanted even when - or especially when - it hurts. Davison's quirky Dot Grey wins readers over with her big heart and relatable uncertainty while her lyrical writing and charming vocabulary allow them to relish in her play with language.

Available now from Nimbus Publishing - $21.95 at local bookstores and online retailers

Nicola Davison’s deft portrayal of a young woman juggling the joys, sorrows and messy complications of new adulthood, hits all the right notes. With a cast of charming, memorable characters, and a vividly realized menagerie of rescue animals, DECODING DOT GREY strikes a confident balance between humour and heartfelt sentiment, but it’s Dot herself, a true original - whip smart, wryly observant, and deeply compassionate - who will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Tom Ryan
Award-winning author of Keep This to Yourself and I Hope You're Listening

While Dot Grey is one of the most unique and compelling characters readers will come across, in her,  Davison has crafted a truly relatable protagonist.
An engaging and emotional story built around Dot's relationships with family, friends, and animals—Toby the crow will steal your heart!”

$22.95 from Nimbus Publishing at local bookstores and online retailers 

Readers have described In the Wake as a page-turner, an unconventional suspense novel that explores complicated family relationships with humorous, understated dialogue. It’s part suspense and part family drama with a dash of ghost story.

     WINNER:
     Margaret & John Savage First Book Award 

     The Miramichi First Book Award 

     FINALIST:
     Jim Connors Dartmouth Book Award

The jury for the Atlantic book awards commented:
“An impressive first novel full of beautiful prose that lulls you into an enthralling story like waves lapping on the shore.  The author deftly handles the subjects of mental illness, marital discord, grief and loss with sensitivity, intelligence and a subtlety which is quite simply remarkable.”

The Miramichi Reader’s review said:
"A novel that contains a mild, but ever-present strain of suspense and an undertone of distrust amongst its protagonists, which makes for the type of novel that keeps you reading until the final page.”