I got a letter from a cozy mystery book reader who wanted some help with the following theme. Right off the top of my head, I thought of Patrick Ruell's (aka Reginald Hill) Red Christmas. Can any of you think of others?
"I am wondering if you know of any new releases that have as their theme –at least in part –winter/cold/bad weather?
I know that probably most Christmas- themed mysteries would have snow,etc. as part of their story, but I'm interested in books that really use howling winds, winter, etc. as a key component? (I know that Diane Mott Davidson often has the weather as a key part of her drama, so that kind of book is good.)
I am in a writing class, and want to write a little essay about such books.
Any thoughts???
Many thanks!
Barbara"
So, if any of you have ideas on this cold/windy/snowy theme, please drop us a comment.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I just started an Aunt Dimity mystery titled Snowbound. I confess that I put it down after two or three chapters. I know I’m in the minority here – but I just didn’t care for this book. I’d never read an Aunt Dimity and was looking forward to it. Maybe someone can tell me if I’m missing something . . .
At any rate, I think it might qualify on this topic.
Steve Hamilton’s Alex McKnight series is set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where the seasons are Winter, Winter, Winter, and two weeks of mosquitoes and black flies. The first book in that series is “A Cold Day In Paradise”.
The only book I can think of is Anne Perry’s “A Christmas Journey”, it’s not a new book but it fits the description. It’s not a long book so you could probably read it in a day and it’s also Victorian. I hope I was of help.
William Kent Krueger – N Minnesota (not really a cozy – Cork O’Connor part-indian, ex-sheriff)
Sarah Graves – Maine (Jacobia Tiptree, Home Repair is Homicide series)!
Jim Kelly’s books are set in the Fenns in England and are often in winter. Specifically I know Death Wore White happens in the snow.
A number of Joanne Fluke’s books take place in winter in Minnesota, where weather is often another character of the story. In “Sugar Cookie Murder”, the characters are stuck at a church potluck because of the weather. Monica Ferris’ “Thai Dye” also has a storyline where the characters are stuck in a blizzard. It isn’t her newest, just released (Blackwork), but I think it came out in the last year or two.
Check out Winter Study by Nevada Barr. The weather is definitely a character in this mystery.
Not to be too obvious, but Murder on the Orient Express comes to mind. : )
Well, they’re not exactly cozy but Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell (Scarpetta). I was just thinking last night that these books make me feel cold! The action almost always happens in winter.