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Julia Spencer-Fleming

In the Bleak Midwinter (Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mysteries) Mass Market Paperback – March 14, 2003

by Julia Spencer-Fleming (Author)

683 ratings

Book 1 of 9: Fergusson/Van Alstyne Mysteries

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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 Millers 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 Millers Kill like the ever-present Adirondacks. What they discover is a world of trouble, an attraction to each other―and murder...

In the Bleak Midwinter was Julia Spencer-Fleming's first novel, and it won a Macavity Award, an Agatha Award, an Anthony Award, and a Dilys Award.

Print length

384 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Minotaur Books
Publication date

March 14, 2003
Dimensions

4.22 x 1.04 x 6.82 inches
ISBN-10

0312986769
ISBN-13

978-0312986766
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“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

From the Back Cover

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...

"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)

Publisher : Minotaur Books; Reprint edition (March 14, 2003)
Language : English
Mass Market Paperback : 384 pages
ISBN-10 : 0312986769
ISBN-13 : 978-0312986766
Item Weight : 6.4 ounces
Dimensions : 4.22 x 1.04 x 6.82 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #431,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #9,575 in Police Procedurals (Books)
- #16,341 in Women Sleuths (Books)
- #50,682 in Contemporary Romance (Books)

Customer Reviews:
683 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		62%
4 star		24%
3 star		10%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Logan

Captivating!

Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book was recommended to me because of my love of Louise Penny mysteries. If it had had Penny’s literary quality I would’ve given it five stars. The story captivates you from the very first page! The author is a great storyteller who has chosen likable, interesting characters and a setting that chills as much as the mysteries! A female ex-military Episcpalian priest and a tough but warm chief of police make for a great tag team. Twists and turns come in all along the way even to the very end! This is the first in a long series, and I’m already anxious to read number two!

20 people found this helpful

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Becket Hampton Warren

Inspired Pairing

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2020

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Clare Fergusson is the new priest at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. Russ Van Alstyn is Chief of Police. A more unlikely pairing might be more difficult to find, but in this author’s hands, the story is magic, thoughtful as well as suspenseful. The friendship that grows between the priest and the Chief of Police is built on a shared commitment to look out for the residents of their small Upstate New York hamlet.

When a newborn boy is left at St. Alban’s one cold December night, the Reverend Clare is thrust headfirst into the complicated world of police work, as she assists the Chief with the investigation bent on determining who the baby’s parents are and what should become of him. When a young woman who has recently given birth turns up dead by foul play, Clare and Russ must race time to solve the mysteries.

A couple-who-are-not-a-couple, the pair works well together, balancing each other to the benefit of both.
Russ, whose initial skepticism gives was to respect and appreciation, finds himself seeking out the new spiritual leader’s company and opinion. On her part, Clare depends on Russ not only to help her acclimatize to freezing northeastern winter but to help her find her place in a town he’s known since childhood. Their respective
experiences in the armed services gives them the foundation on which to build their otherwise circumstantial friendship.

This novel is written beautifully and thoughtfully. I am delighted that the author is soon releasing another novel featuring this unlikely pair of crime-fighting mystery-solvers.

10 people found this helpful

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C. Higgins

The titles are all taken from hymns of the church.

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2019

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The attraction to this wonderful series, for me is that the romance is so DECENT, and probably because of that, so sexy. They become extremely attracted to each other yet, because of their positions can/will do nothing about it. The mysteries in each novel are page turners and, at the same time, Julia Spencer-Fleming delves deeply into the human condition, revealing personal problems and people's reactions to them. I'm looking forward very much to her newest book.

15 people found this helpful

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Franklin the Mouse

Oh, Baby, It's Cold Outside

Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2016

Verified Purchase

Well, well, well, for a first-time author, Ms. Spencer-Fleming's debut novel certainly is one she hit out of the park. Not only is it a solid whodunit, but the chemistry between the two protagonists is very well done. The banter between them is funny and natural. Also, unlike dark works such as 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, Ms. Spencer-Fleming has a good mixture of tension, mystery and levity. The various characters have their own unique voices and the situations seem quite plausible. I especially enjoyed the sarcastic police dispatcher Harlene. A married police chief named Russ Van Alstyne and the town's new Episcopal parish priest Clare Fergusson are pulled together because of an abandoned baby left on the church's doorsteps. The novel has numerous plausible murder suspects that should keep you on your toes.

It's understandable why there are currently eight novels involving Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne if they are the quality of Ms. Spenser-Fleming's first work. The mystery is solved at the end of the story, but the protagonists' budding relationship leaves plenty of ground for the author to expand. Only one thing stood out to me as lacking and that is 'In the Bleak Midwinter' avoids fleshing out the police chief wife's, Linda. In fact, she never makes an actual appearance in the story. I'm assuming she will be expanded in future installments. It was obvious that the mutual attraction between a married man and a priest in a small town was not going to go unnoticed. Heck, that sort of stuff is what small-town gossip thrives on. There is palpable tension in knowing Russ and Clare are walking on thin ice when it comes to the communities social mores. There's no way I'm going to not read the next installment 'A Fountain Filled with Blood'. This debut novel was a fun read.

18 people found this helpful

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R.H. McCort

A couple-who-are-not-a-couple Sheriff and Priest

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2020

Verified Purchase

Once again a recommendation from Amazon has me reading a new author, Julie Spencer-Fleming and the first book in the series of Sheriff Russ Van Alstyne of Millers Kill, NY, and Clare Fergusson the new priest at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

Clare, who was an Army helicopter pilot and saw a lot during her service to our country, uses her GI bill to obtain her seminary degree and become the first female priest in this small town. The way the author describes Clare’s blunt manner and feeling she must prove herself when the members of the congregation chilly reception pulls you into the story. Russ got out of Millers Kill when he was drafted into the military and shipped off to SE Asia. After leaving the service Russ and his wife Linda returned to Millers Kill and when the old chef retired Russ was promoted to Sheriff.

Clare thought she could quietly enter town and get to know her congregation, well a baby showing up on the church steps on a cold night meant she would be thrown into the attention of everyone. A note attached giving the child to a local attorney couple Geoffrey and Karen Burns. A few days later, Clare while on evening patrol with Russ find the body of a young girl and the mystery begins, with each page the story pulls you in more and more. Looking forward to book 2 in this series.

One person found this helpful

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Layla

Absorbing and left me wanting more

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2017

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I really enjoyed this novel. It has the classic pull for me of all good dramas - the unfulfilled yearning of 2 people for one another - made all the more delicious because she is a priest and he is married - one suspects not totally happily! The characterisation is lovely - feisty, surprising woman, rather shell-shocked police chief. The old-fashioned parishioners are clearly in for a bit of a shake-up too! The book isn't particularly taxing, but it was an absorbing read, good on character, and very good on place - very filmic descriptions. I will most certainly read the other 7 books in the series as this one feels as though there will be plenty of fleshing out of the 2 main characters, and already I want to know how their friendship/possible relationship will progress. I also wonder whether Clare will be able to maintain her calling to the priesthood - she clearly had a life before becoming a priest, and I feel she hasn't totally left that behind. I won't spoil the story for other readers by saying any more!! I would certainly recommend this as a lovely story to curl up with on a cold dark evening, and be glad you're in a nice centrally-heated home!!!

One person found this helpful

CMB

Thank you Amazon!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2021

Verified Purchase

I had just finished the latest Louise Penny book and Amazon had the usual 'If you enjoyed this book you may like Julia Spencer Fleming books etc etc.' So I got a sample, can't get to the library at the moment!
Well, I loved it. Just about to buy the second one. She draws characters so well and a terrific plot too, very much like Louise Penny.
So thank you Amazon, my new favourite.

Maxine Clarke

Cracking start to series of mysteries set in New York state

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2012

Verified Purchase

The words of the famous carol that form the title of this novel also provide the backdrop for events in the town of Miller's Kill, New York - in the far north-east of the United States. A kill, I learnt, is a local name for a creek or shallow river in the farmlands and mountains of the Adirondacks.

This début novel, which won six prestigious awards on first publication, introduces the characters of Russ Van Alstyne, the town's longstanding police chief, and new resident Clare Fergusson, an ex-Army helicopter pilot turned Episcopal priest. The two meet when a newborn baby is found abandoned on the steps of Clare's church, with instructions that he is given for adoption to a couple who worship there regularly. Russ (whose wife is conveniently absent for the whole book) and Clare hit it off; he takes her out on patrol the next evening so she can get to know the town, but when they drive up the snowy paths to the kill, they stumble across the body of a young woman. A woman, it turns out, who has recently given birth.

In the Bleak Midwinter is a novel that draws in the reader, at first by both the vivid characterisation of Russ and Clare as well as by the atmospheric descriptions of the region; but later by the deepening plot, as the case becomes darker and more complex. The pacing is superb, as the confident (then first-time) author avoids the common trap of introducing a cardboard cast and having each one suspected then eliminated as the criminal. Even the over-used device of the "woman in peril" is given a freshly credible treatment.

In addition, though, the author represents unusually well the emotional cost of crimes. She is not afraid to examine the grief of loved ones or the emotions of those desperate to have a child at any cost. Nor is she afraid to demonstrate how Clare provides succour and comfort to the bereaved or the (wrongfully?) accused. Taken together with the unspoken sexual tension between Russ and Clare, both tough yet decent people who have weathered some of life's less fair blows, this novel is an excellent achievement.

One person found this helpful

Andi21

Loved it. Couldn't put it down

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2016

Verified Purchase

Loved it. Couldn't put it down.Really enjoyed the character of female priest with a history of army training. What a tantalising mix! The plot had me guessing all the way through to the end. My only question would be - would a priest, new to the town, have enough spare time to be doing that amount of detective work? A minuscule point when measured against how much I enjoyed the story. Will be reading the other books in this series.

2 people found this helpful

Lee Holton

Much to like about this series and it's obvious from the beginning ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 3, 2016

Verified Purchase

Much to like about this series and it's obvious from the beginning that the intriguing relationship between the Episcopalian minister Clare and the married police chief is going to drive the plot and keep the reader wondering. This is well written and the wintry setting in Maine is appealingly drawn. I liked i enough to go on and read further books in the series.

One person found this helpful

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