An e book bargain
#MissWinterintheLibrarywithaKnife #NetGalley
My thoughts:
Miss Winters in the Library with a Knife’s author, Martin Edwards, is quite talented. He has written standalone and series mysteries, has published books on the genre, and has done introductions to many classic crime stories. Here he has written a fun mystery that is set around the holidays in cold and isolated Midwinter.
Six people are invited to come to this unique place where six employees also work. They are going to play some kind of game that offers a reward at the end. Readers, of course, may have the sense that they want to warn the players off, although, of course, they cannot.
Each of the main characters has something to do with crime fiction. For example, there is author Harry. He has named all of his many novels with riffs on titles by well-known authors. Each of these titles is listed for the reader who will enjoy conjuring up the names of the originals. Watch from the very beginning as he tries to get information from many, including a certain driver. There are five others with whom he will interact.
As readers of the genre know, put a group of characters in a cold, isolated location and the chances are that they will be unable to leave. What will happen in this game? Will there be a real, as opposed to fictional murder? Readers can make a guess. The title of this book is, of course, reminiscent of the board game, Clue. Interesting.
Follow the clues, see if you can solve any of the puzzles, and enjoy the “clue finder” at the end of the book. Find out how good a detective you might be.
This is a clever, fun take on a classic mystery. It seems just the thing for a cold night with a cup of tea and a willingness to engage with the text.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 07 October 2025
Book summary and additional information:
From the publisher:
Six contestants. One chance at a new life. Who wouldn’t be tempted to cheat?
Award winning, renowned master of mysteries and editor of the British Library of Crime Classics, Martin Edwards turns up the heat for the most seasoned fair play mystery connoisseurs and puzzle afficionados just in time for a gleefully wicked holiday read.
Six down-on-their-luck people with links to the world of crime writing have been invited to play a game this Christmas by the mysterious Midwinter Trust. The challenge seems simple but exciting: Solve the murder of a fictional crime writer in a remote but wonderfully atmospheric village in north Yorkshire to win a prize that will change your fortunes for good.
Six members of staff from the shadowy Trust are there to make sure everyone plays fair. The contestants have been meticulously vetted but you can never be too careful. And with the village about to be cut off by a snow storm, everyone needs to be extra vigilant. Midwinter can play tricks on people’s minds.
The game is set – but playing fair isn’t on everyone’s Christmas list.
Advance Praise
“The perfect way to unwind during the holidays. What a treat.”
— SJ Bennett
“Martin Edwards is a magician who conjures up a captivating crime story before your eyes.”
— Janice Hallett
“The king of the puzzle mystery novel.”
— Alex Pavesi
“You can put down the Radio Times and highlighter pen, this book is all the entertainment you’ll need this Christmas. Wonderful stuff.”
— Ian Moore
From the Publisher:
Editorial Reviews
Review
“In a clever standalone homage to Agatha Christie, Edwards invites ‘external observers’ (i.e., readers) and ‘analysts’ (reviewers) to participate in an interactive puzzle mystery-within-a-mystery…readers can apply their own detective skills in deciphering the clues the author sprinkles throughout the podcast excerpts, text messages, journal entries, webpage excerpts, and third-person narrative. If you love to play Clue and are a fan of atmospheric cozies, this is a fun, diverting read.” ― First Clue–This text refers to the paperback edition.
About the Author
From Amazon
Martin Edwards has been described by Richard Osman as ‘a true master of British crime writing.’ His novels include the eight Lake District Mysteries and four books featuring Rachel Savernake, including the Dagger-nominated The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge. He is also the author of two multi-award-winning histories of crime fiction, The Life of Crime and The Golden Age of Murder. He has received three Daggers, including the CWA Diamond Dagger (the highest honour in UK crime writing) and two Edgars from the Mystery Writers of America. He has received four lifetime achievement awards: for his fiction, short fiction, non-fiction, and scholarship. He is consultant to the British Library’s Crime Classics and since 2015 has been President of the Detection Club.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 