In the Bleak Midwinter

I have read this book twice now within six months. It only got better upon the second reading.

The story wasn't what I thought it was going to be from the blurb because of their relationship statuses in the book. So it had me worried for a very long time. I think that was the reason for the four stars I gave the book after the first time I read it. I'm going to try to keep this review to the first book alone, though it's hard as I want to comment on what comes later. I apologize if I fail at it, but there won't be any spoilers.

I love Julia Spencer-Fleming's writing style. It is descriptive without being over-flowery. There are no lines that stand out as trying too hard, she has a very consistent voice. She sets scenes that draw you into show more what's happening in an almost effortless way. It can dip into a bit of the cliche, but it never really dives in. Fleming doesn't write a mystery that drops clues along the way, allowing the reader to play junior detective along with the characters. You get the information as the characters do and it's a snaking vine that keeps you guessing but never allows you to get it right. I'm sure some people will hate that because they love trying to put clues together, but I really liked not being bored with the mystery because it was so easy to tell whodunit.

The story is engrossing, and there are definitely a few edge of your seat moments. One that happens on a snowy mountain that I just love. Though this scene and the climatic ending do veer somewhat into head scratching territory it's easy to forgive because they're so absorbing.

The number one thing Fleming does best is characters. I'm a character driven person. I can forgive a lot of things in a story if I love the characters, and a decent story will be terrible to me if I hate the characters. The love I have for this series is very much tied to my love for Russ Van Alstyne and Clare Fergusson. Both are very strong characters, intelligent, with great senses of humor. They're both stubborn (and that trait definitely gets her into trouble) and can set each other off, but they also listen to each other well (most of the time). I love that they're not perfect. They don't always make the right choices (and the choices they have to make get harder and harder). You would think that would be the case with a priest, but she has to fight her pride, her stubbornness, her emotions, and temptation. She has to question herself and her calling. The two have some similarities but they are also very different. For instance, Russ is clear about being an atheist and Clare is an Episcopalian priest. They certainly have their theological discussions but he doesn't really impugn her beliefs and she never preaches at anyone who doesn't ask her to. That's another thing I love so much about her. Throughout the series I found myself wishing they were real and my friends too many times to count.

Their friendship is so effortless and such a joy to read. They get each other on such a fundamental level. And the reader gets to see that! It is so rare now that a reader gets to actually see a relationship begin and unfold instead of being told that it happened. We're given many conversations, joking around and even arguments. I never feel as though I have to take anything about them on faith. We can even see when it begins to evolve into something more. It was fun picking up on things I didn't notice before the second time I read it. Almost everything about their friendship just makes me happy. I start to flail and then I end up a lot like this guy:


The secondary characters are just as easily likable, or they can be annoying or rage inducing, but that's their purpose and they're always well drawn and compelling. Even when they're doing things I don't understand.

So, if you can't already tell from my rare, effusive gushing (that I still feel doesn't do this story justice), I heavily recommend picking up this book. Then I dare you to not devour the next six books in the series. I read all of them within a month and that was on top of reading other books, moving, and breaking bones. show less

The only thing better than a good book is a good book that is the start of a series. "In The Bleak Midwinter" was a great read that starts a series which currently sits at eight novels.

I took a risk when I bought this book - a mystery about a new woman priest and the Chief of Police of a small town in upstate New York could have been a recipe for saccharine scenes, hallmark sentiments and a story targetted for prime time on a Christian TV channel.

I knew I was safe at the 2% mark when the book made me laugh out loud at the scene where the small town Police Chief unexpectedly meets the new priest and discovers she’s female. The Police Chief asks himself:

What was he supposed to call her? “Mother?”

“I go by Reverend, Chief. Ms. is show more fine, too.”

“Oh. Sorry. I never met a woman priest before.”

“We’re just like the men priests, except we’re willing to pull over and ask directions.”
I was still surprised at just how good the book is. There's more to it than smart dialogue, Julia Spencer-Fleming has come up with two strong, likeable characters, with military backgrounds, who have their own, non-clichéd, approaches on how to exercise their authority. The rapport and the conflict between them is credible and engaging.

The Reverend manages to be caring and tough. The Police Chief manages to be authoritative without creating conflict.

The two are brought together when a newborn is abandoned on the steps of the Reverend's church with instructions that he be given to a member of her congregation and an as yet unidentified young woman who has recently given birth is found murdered.

What follows is a solid mystery that is a pleasing mix of detection, exploration of moral dilemmas/social issues and tense action.

The Reverend's continuing close involvement in work that should be done by the police requires a little suspension of disbelief but is well managed. I found her ignorance of the clothes and vehicles needed to cope with mountain winters a little harder to accept but perhaps that's because I've spent so much time in those conditions.

This isn't a "cosy mystery" nor is it a voyeuristic rid into violence. It's something much rarer: a character-driven crime story that manages to acknowledge the bleakness of reality without being overwhelmed by it.

I've already bought the next book in the series, which has the rather off-putting title of "A Fountain Filled With Blood". show less

I stumbled upon this great series by accident. It's brilliant, and I can't understand for the life of me why it's not published in Britain as well. A feisty ex-army woman priest, a hard-bitten police chief, the unwilling chemistry between them, atmospheric upcountry setting, and a good old-fashioned whodunit. What more could you ask for?

In the Bleak Midwinter is a very strong beginning to a series that is new to me. The characters are likable and an interesting combination as crime solving partners. Russ is the chief of police and Clare is an Episcopalian priest. Both characters are ex military. Russ seems a bit jaded, as might be expected with someone in law enforcement, and ready to rush to judgment declaring the crime solved. One of the main criticisms I have of this book is the tendency of Russ to leap to conclusions; it doesn't ring quite true to me. Clare, on the other hand, is concerned with solving the crime but she tends to see to the heart and soul of people.

The setting is a small town in upstate New York. The bitter cold of an upstate New York winter was show more palpable as described by the author. It often gave me the shivers just reading about it!

I will definitely be seeking out more books in this series. show less

The pairing of a Chief of Police and an Episcopalian female minister in cold, snowy upstate New York provides the unique setting for the first of Julia Spencer-Fleming’s cleverly done mystery series. In the opening scene, the minister finds a baby that’s been left on her doorstep and that opens the door to one crime investigation after another that the intrepid Reverend Clare manages to shoehorn her way into and actually, in the end, solve. She leaves the police chief, Russ Van Alstyne, in the dust as she questions suspects and carries on her own investigation while a romantic relationship with the married chief develops. If you are thinking, “but that would never happen in a real police investigation,” well, of course it show more wouldn’t. The whole concept is preposterous. Yet somehow, knowing that did not stop me from thoroughly enjoying this book.

The author’s writing is superb and one part that covers a couple of chapters, where Clare is trying to escape from a terrifying assailant in the blizzard-filled hills outside of town is filled with tense energy that had me on the edge of my seat:

“Sprawled beneath a fir tree, Clare saw the flashlight beam arch crazily into the sky and took off, scrambling hand and foot downslope, away from the sounds of thrashing and swearing. She made it to her feet and ran a yard, two yards, three, before tripping over something buried in the snow and tumbling. She kept her momentum going, rolling forward, regaining her footing, dodging ancient oaks and dense, matted stands of fir, steadying herself on deadwood and saplings. Branches whipped her face. She changed direction, ran until she fell, pawed the snow from her face and shifted direction again. A long-thorned bush scratched and caught at her parka. She plunged through snow up to her thighs, hauled up a slide of scree and branches, her heart pounding and her breath sawing in her ears as loud as jet exhaust.” (Page 235)

Oh, did I mention that she is also a former Army helicopter pilot? Yes lots of unbelievable stuff but somehow it all works for a very satisfying mystery, with the obligatory red herring thrown in and lots of room for further chapters to this saga. Excuse me while I hurry out to get the next book in the series. Highly recommended. show less

The priest in this mystery, Clare Fergusson, is both incredibly gutsy and sharp, and naive and thoughtless. I kept yelling at her in my head, "no, don't go there," and "no, don't tell them that," but did she listen?

Still, the setting in upstate New York was compelling and believable since I've been there, the people, the small town, the mountains and forests. And Chief Russ Van Alstyne is everyone's version of the good cop, the one who's motivated by peace keeping rather than power wielding.

So I will try the next book in the series, and hope that Clare has wised up, bought a real winter coat and a 4-wheel drive vehicle before she goes off half-cocked again after some lost soul.

Former Army helicopter pilot Clare Fergusson is the newly-assigned priest for the small Episcopal church in Millers Kill, New York. Her Army days have given her a blunt manner and a tendency to speak her mind, attributes that don’t sit well with some members of her new congregation.

An infant abandoned on the church steps and a murdered young mother aren’t what she’d expected to greet her arrival, but Clare soon finds herself in the midst of small-town secrets and facing an unexpected attraction to the married chief of police, Russ Van Alstyne. Will faith and unyielding doggedness be enough to see her through and bring the murderer to justice?

Well-defined, believable characters populate the narrative and Clare’s inner conflict show more gives depth to the telling of the tale. At first, Clare and Russ seem to be polar opposites: he’s the jaded, weary police chief; she sees the bright side of all things and the goodness in everyone. But they both have an Army background and may prove to be kindred spirits.

A strong sense of place strengthens the narrative while the complex, twisty plot keeps the pages turning as readers try to solve the mystery. This award-winner, first in a series, gives readers much to appreciate and much to look forward to as the series progresses.

Highly recommended. show less