Book Review: In the Bleak Midwinter

Reviewed By: Shirley - RAM

In the Bleak Midwinter     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Julia Spencer-Fleming
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Religious Fiction   Woman Main Character
Series: Clare Ferguson # 1

In novels like this one the weather is a character. Those who have lived in northern states will find the constant battle with cold and snow spot on.

Chief Russ Van Alstyne¹s job is both helped and hindered by a local priest. New to the area and unused to snow and cold Clare Ferguson is astonishingly an Episcopal priest and an ex-army helicopter pilot. She is smart, nosy, tough and impulsive. The search for a murderer points toward her church. Her need to care for her parishioners wars with her attempts to solve the mystery. Meanwhile a real friendship is developing between Clare and Russ.

This is a strong, well developed first novel that keeps you riveted. This writer does it all well; the action scenes, the character¹s inner awareness, the plot puzzles, the feel of cold creeping in. You are caught up in the story as Clare and Russ work together or at odds to bring a killer to justice.

Shirley - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Shirley - RAM