I absolutely adored this book. Val is so vivid with her imagery that her recounting of childhood memories makes them feel like my own. You could really see her crime writer background come through in her painting of winter as noir, her romanticization of the darkness. I learned so much about Scottish culture, too! This book is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a short read to make you fall in love with winter.
Winter by Val McDermid, (List Price: $22, Atlantic Monthly Press, 9780802167811, January 2026)
Reviewed by Aidan, The Snail on the Wall in Huntsville, AL