A treasure trove of intriguing photos and stories emerged when historian Jeanette Taylor set to work on her latest book, Sheltering in the Backrush, A History of Twin Islands.
Some of the stories are so bizarre, says Taylor, they prove the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction.
Taylor will give an illustrated talk based upon this book at Courtenay Museum on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.
Twin Islands, which lies to the south of Cortes, belonged to German royalty for several decades and visits by Queen Elizabeth II and family gave the islands cachet. But it鈥檚 Twin鈥檚 livewire cast of former owners and caretakers who generate the most interest among readers. They include unconventional lovers, the victim of an unsolved murder, Second World War spies and espionage, newspaper moguls and an anonymous heiress who saved the islands from clear-cut logging.
Copies of Sheltering in the Backrush, A History of Twin Islands will be available for purchase ($24.95 plus tax, Harbour Publishing) and signing after the talk.
Admission to the evening lecture is $5 per Historical Society member; $6 for non-members (plus GST). Advance tickets are recommended and can be purchased by phone at 250-334-0686 ext. 2.
The Courtenay and District Museum is located at 207 Fourth Street in downtown Courtenay.
