In the Bleak Midwinter

Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries (Volume 1)

Julia Spencer-Fleming

Minotaur Books

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Heavy Snow...Icy Desires...Cold-Blooded Murder

Clare Fergusson, St. Alban's new priest, fits like a square peg in the conservative Episcopal parish at Miller's Kill, New York. She is not just a "lady," she's a tough ex Army chopper pilot, and nobody's fool. Then a newborn infant left at the church door brings her together with the town's police chief, Russ Van Alstyne, who's also ex-Army and a cynical good shepherd for the stray sheep of his hometown. Their search for the baby's mother quickly leads them into the secrets that shadow Miller's Kill like the ever-present Adirondacks. What they discover is a world of trouble, an attraction to each other-and murder...

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Reviews

Praise for In the Bleak Midwinter

"Superb!"
-Library Journal

"Terrific action scenes...what really distinguishes In the Bleak Midwinter, however, is the author's skillful portrayal of her protagonist's inner conflict."
-Washington Post Book World

"A riveting page-turner from start to finish."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Fleming hits a grand slam with In the Bleak Midwinter. The tension is constant. The dialogue is dead-on. The characters are interesting, thought provoking, and honest. The prose soars above the quality usually found in this genre. To top it all off, the story twists and turns to the last page."-Denver Rocky Mountain News

"Without ever slighting the central situation of the abandoned mother and her abandoned child, Spencer-Fleming shows admirable resourcefulness in the changes she rings on it."
-Kirkus Reviews

"Compelling...many twists."-Romantic Times

"Filled with many twists and turns...[a] warm tale."-Midwest Book Review

"The prose soars...the story twists and turns to the last page."
-Maine Sunday Telegram

"Julia Spencer-Fleming is already a winner, but she deserves a triple crown. In a strong, distinctive voice, she sets her characters down In the Bleak Midwinter and pits them against public murder, personal demons, and the power of nature itself."-Kathy Lynn Emerson, author of the Face Down Mysteries

"One of the most impressive "first" crime novels I've read. A priest, a cop, a baby on the doorstep, and a lot of snow combined with suspenseful results for one great book."
-Charlaine Harris, author of Shakespeare's Counselor

"Don't miss this one! You'll be rooting for Clare Fergusson in this engaging and vital mystery."
-April Henry, author of the Claire Montrose mysteries and Learning to Fly

Reviews from Goodreads

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Monica  rated it  
Jan 21, 2012
In the Bleak Midwinter is a mystery involving an abandoned infant, the murder of the mother, the murder of the infant's maternal grandfather. This is the first book in the Russ Van Alstyne and Clare Fergusson series.

Reverend Clare Fergusson is leaving St. Alban's church when she finds an ...more
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Red  rated it  
Dec 15, 2011
This book was a good beach book, perfect to read on a hot summer day because it takes place in a very cold New England winter.

I'm not a huge mystery reader, but I enjoyed this book. I liked the police character, I liked the amateur sleuth, I liked the small town, I liked the supporting c ...more
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Barbara  rated it  
Apr 25, 2011
A friend recently introduced me to Julia Spencer-Fleming, the author of the above. I wanted to begin reading mysteries and this I found this book to be wonderful. I read it in a couple of days and had trouble putting it down. The mystery unravels slowly with numerous surprises that kept me in sus ...more
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About the Author

Julia Spencer-Fleming

Julia Spencer-Fleming was born at the Plattsburgh Air Force Base and spent most of her childhood on the move as an Army brat. She lives in a 180-year-old farmhouse outside of Portland, Maine, with her husband, three children, and beloved big dog.

Julia Spencer-Fleming

Photo: Lisa Bowe
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Available Formats and Book Details

In the Bleak Midwinter
Julia Spencer-Fleming

Award

Macavity Award - Winner, Agatha Awards - Winner, Anthony Awards - Winner, Dilys Award - Winner

Mass Market Paperbound

Mass Market Paperbound
St. Martin's Press
Minotaur Books
March 2003
Mass Market Paperbound
ISBN: 9780312986766
ISBN10: 0312986769
4 3/16 x 6 3/4 inches, 384 pages
$7.99

Hardcover

Hardcover
St. Martin's Press
Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books
March 2002
Hardcover
ISBN: 9780312288471
ISBN10: 0312288476
5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches, 272 pages
$23.95

Mass Market Paperbound

Mass Market Paperbound
St. Martin's Press
St. Martin's Paperbacks
May 2006
Mass Market Paperbound
ISBN: 9780312940553
ISBN10: 0312940556
4 3/16 x 6 3/4 inches, 384 pages
$2.99

Trade Paperback

Trade Paperback
St. Martin's Press
Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books
January 2012
Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9781250006516
ISBN10: 1250006511
5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches, 320 pages
$14.99

e-Book Agency

e-Book Agency
St. Martin's Press
Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books
April 2007
e-Book Agency
ISBN: 9781429909051
ISBN10: 1429909056
272 pages
$2.99
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Minotaur Books

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