Beach writer set to tell tale of Rose, the Queen’s corgi, and her adventures as a dog detective
By JULIA SAWICKI
Have you ever wondered what might happen if one of the Queen’s corgis traded palace life for the Beach? If you haven’t, don’t worry. Valerie Holland has.
In her upcoming novel for young readers in middle grades, Rose, The Queen’s Corgi and the Kingston Manor Dog’s Detective Agency, she offers a look into exactly what that adventure might look like. Filled with east-end charm, local landmarks, and a lovable cast of canines, the story offers Beach residents plenty of familiar references alongside a mystery suitable for all ages.
When Rose, one of the Queen’s corgis, is suddenly uprooted from her royal life in England she’s thrown into a world far different from the halls of Buckingham Palace. Unsure of where she belongs, she meets a crew of neighbourhood dogs who invite her to join the Kingston Manor Dog’s Detective Agency.
The team includes characters such as Sawyer the Destroyer, Roscoe, and Meatball. The group takes Rose under its wing, welcoming her to the Beach and, of course, teaching her the many rules of detective work.
Rule number one: always follow your nose.
As Rose adjusts to life in Toronto’s east end, she’s guided not only by her new furry friends, but also by the voice of the Queen herself (heard through Rose’s power of telepathy), who is watching from her “castle in the sky.”
Along the way, Rose discovers her own resilience, courage, and a sense of belonging as she helps solve the mysteries troubling her new neighbourhood. Whenever doubt creeps in, she remembers the Queen’s advice: “Carry on, Corgi!”
The idea for the story began as a joke between friends. Holland recalled someone convincing her that a man named Geoff had won the lottery and, somehow, been gifted one of the Queen’s corgis. The joke faded, but the idea stuck with her. She wondered what would happen if a royal dog happened to end up in the neighbourhood.
That question lingered until Holland met Geoff and his real-life corgi, Rose. Although the real Rose wasn’t a royal, the encounter gave the story the spark it needed.
“I literally went home and started writing the book,” she said.
For Holland, the novel is as much a love letter to the Beach as it is a tribute to her English roots. Readers will recognize references to the Boardwalk, Beaches and Cream, the Leuty Lifeguard Station, and even Beach Metro Community News.
The book is a vibrant, whimsical tale that blends the community with British charm, creating a story that feels both familiar and delightfully imaginative.
Writing has long been a major part of Holland’s life. As an English teacher, she has explored everything from poetry to children’s literature and has been writing for 20 years. But this project, she said, felt different from the start.
Throughout the writing process, Holland has leaned on the support of loved ones, including Anne McDermid, a literary agent working in both Toronto and London, England, whom she met through the Kew Beach Lawn Bowling Club. Holland described McDermid as both a trusted friend and a mentor. After reading the first few chapters, McDermid responded enthusiastically: “I love Rose!”
“That’s when I really knew I had something special,” said Holland.
Waiting to begin with publication, Holland is continuing to refine the book and hopes to include illustrations that will bring Rose and her gang of detective dogs to life. With its humour, heart, and unmistakable Beaches spirit, Rose, The Queen’s Corgi and the Kingston Manor Dog’s Detective Agency, promises to be a heartwarming read for both young readers and for anyone who has ever wondered what happens when royalty meets East Toronto.
