A review by theboundless_bookworm
Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

An Agatha Christie-style mystery, set during the dead of winter (pun fully intended), nails the vibe of a classic “whodunit.” The story follows Christa and a group of eclectic tourists set to explore the Rocky Mountains despite the inclement weather. It was supposed to be an exciting two-week holiday that Christa’s boyfriend was so giddy about, but it felt like a cautionary tale to her. And she was right. They have yet to reach their designated lodge, but bad things have begun. Picking them off one by one, no one is safe from a killer left undone.

The book contains all the elements of a good mystery. The conflict undoubtedly sets the tension, while the emotional atmosphere adds to the inescapable scenario. Coates knows how to interweave sensory details, creating a somber backdrop (secluded lodge, an abandoned cabin, a fallen tree, stormy weather, etc.) that contributes to the depth of the plot’s stakes.

The author also used internal monologues that set the unreliable trope without overdoing it. It provides readers with the exhilarating experience of identifying the “red herrings” and juxtaposing them with any doubts regarding the narrator. Like a patchwork quilt, every character is a puzzle piece cut from a different material, asserting that each is a potential suspect. But when you think you’ve finally figured out the culprit, this book throws you for a loop. It puts you into a flap, making you question your guesses and gut feelings.

“Dead by Winter” is that kind of thriller that lets you in on the act to find out the “who” and the” why.” Though the author may have overdone the long sequences to assert the narrative’s gripping tension, it never derailed me from leafing through at the end. The open-ended finale may have left you in the lurch to demand you to crave more, but the author may want to leave the rest to your imagination. If you see yourself as a Hercule Poirot, this book is for you.