Book Shorts. Reviews in a Nutshell.
FEATURED REVIEW
In the Bleak Midwinter
Julia Spencer-Fleming
In the Bleak Midwinter, is the first book in Spencer-Fleming’s series that features protagonists Clare Fergusson, (ex-Army pilot turned priest) and Russ Van Alstyne (Town police chief, also ex-army). This fiction, mystery thriller with a hint of early romance opens with a newborn left at Clare’s church door on a snowy night. Set in Miller’s Kill, upstate New York, the descriptions throughout the book give you the feeling of how the upstate Adirondacks are in deep winter. This is a fast moving book that allows the reader to feel it when the chase is on. Anyone who has spent time in upstate NY or Northern New England understands the unmarked roads and abruptly changing weather. Published in 2002, “Midwinter” was awarded the 2001 Malice Domestic Award for Best First Traditional Mystery. This book brings it with some very handy military training, a body, an MG, and some serious “sparks.” A great read on a cold winter’s night!
Review by Carol Lichtenbaum
March 1, 2025
So many books, so little time. Right, right - we’ve all heard it many times. Hummingbird's new BOOK SHORTS will present book reviews you can read in a minute and capture the essence of the story, thumbnail reviews that hopefully will entice you into your next read. I read constantly. My tastes vary, so I’ll review books that I love, not necessarily current books. Other HB contributors will review books that follow their interests, both newly published and past. All in all, we’ll review books we think are captivating, compelling, unputdownable. If you’re looking for a good book to take to the beach, make that long commute shorter, or curl up with, hopefully our reviews will help you find it. Lynda Bernard
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