Two of my favourite Canadian literary stars dish out murder and other nasty stuff in their latest books.

George Elliott Clarke has dabbled in violent death before. For example, a real-life murder formed the basis for both Execution Poems, which won Clarke the Governor General's Award for poetry in 2001, and his novel, George & Rue.

His newest book, I & I (Goose Lane), is a terrific verse novel about polyracial couple Betty Browning and Malcolm Miles. It's 1970s Halifax, and our young lovers - pampered daughter and rising boxer - are making a go of it. Then Betty moves to Corpus Christi, Tex., to attend bible college, with Malcolm in tow. There, the beautiful co-ed attracts some unwanted attention and things get very dark indeed. There's violence and blood and a transcontinental chase, told with beauty and suspense. Clarke alternates voices, from narrator, to Betsy, Malcolm, and the odious Dr. Lowell Beardsley, PhD.

Clarke captures the exhilaration of young love and the grim turns of fate as he focuses on the destructive capability of unequal power relationships and racial prejudice. I & I is a sexy, haunting, tragic tale, filled with Clarke's trademark razor-sharp observations and dazzling wordplay.

It's a thrilling, musical ride.

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I read Terry Griggs' novel, Rogue's Wedding, when it was first published several years ago and was instantly charmed. Her new book, Thought You Were Dead (Bibioasis), is equally delightful. Griggs turns the mystery novel right around.

Griggs always has great characters. Here we have Elaine Champion, at-home inventor of perilous patented products, as well as Athena Havlock, a hugely successful, ice-cold writer. Then there's the hero, the improbably named Chellis Beith. Slacker Chellis is Athena's literary researcher. He's still pining for his married ex, Elaine, and, alas, remains her favourite guinea pig. There's also a murder and a mystery, and Chellis reluctantly finds himself playing detective. He discovers most things are not what they seem.

It's all great fun, and plot twists and subplots abound: be on the lookout for a storyline involving one of Elaine's latest inventions, an experimental soap with some unexpected, hazardous characteristics that have yet to be ironed out.

Griggs is one of Canada's most interesting and pleasurable writers.

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Looking ahead, both George Elliott Clarke and Terry Griggs will be part of the Winnipeg International Writers Festival, running from Sept. 20 to 27. Check www.thinairwinnipeg.ca, for details.