A Fatal Winter is the second in G.M. Malliet’s traditional mystery series about MI5 agent-turned-vicar Max Tudor (available October 16, 2012).
Oscar, Lord Footrustle, a wealthy old aristocrat living alone (the servants don’t count) invites his extended family to spend Christmas with him at Chedrow Castle, their crumbling ancestral home situated in the quaint English village of Nether Monkslip.
Among the relatives gathered are his fading actress daughter, her much-younger half-siblings (“the Twyns”), a resentful poor relation, and assorted cousins who can’t wait to get their hands on the castle’s furnishings and fittings and paintings, which include a suspected Reynolds and a minor Rembrandt.
What could possibly go wrong?
A Fatal Winter is a traditional mystery that takes on the tropes of the genre and gives them a modern edge while still retaining that cozy, Christie feel. The characters who are gathered at the castle are types, but G.M. Malliet has invested them with such vivid life that they reshape their roles. We wonder who will die first and that curiosity turns to gleeful anticipation as we get to know the family.
Oscar’s sister, Letitia (she prefers to be addressed as “Lady Baynard”), disapproves of everyone, including her twin brother. As the relatives gather for drinks and a discussion of what they might buy their host as a Christmas present, she surveys the motley crew with a jaundiced eye.
The togetherness was giving her heartburn. She looked about her with a barely concealed contempt, like the Queen watching a performance by the Duchess of York as captured by hidden video camera and wondering where, oh, where in her long reign things had begun to go so dreadfully wrong.
The person who might have drawn our sympathy, Lady Baynard’s companion, her adoptive granddaughter Lamorna, is a sly and bitter woman who listens at doors and stores up grievances. She has a right to feel aggrieved—Lady Baynard never lets her forget that she’s not related by blood and that “blood tells,” but she is an irritating person. We find ourselves appraising her closely, wondering if the huge wooden cross she wears around her neck to ostentatiously declare her faith is just the camouflage of a murderer.
And of course there’s going to be a murder. We know, as well as Lady Baynard, that there’s trouble brewing in Nether Monkslip.
Readers will recognize the literary landscape of G.M. Malliet’s Nether Monkslip immediately with its eclectic collection of inhabitants that includes a gorgeous pagan named Awena, a gossipy post mistress, assorted shopkeepers, and the odd neurotic cat.
The village is a refuge from the madhouse of London with its constantly rising threat levels; a retreat where protagonist Max Tudor’s major concerns are the “little frictions” of life and coming up with a Christmas sermon that isn’t a cliche.
Max is pulled into the investigation reluctantly, but once he’s involved, he brings to bear his former skills as an MI5 agent. Max is a man who views the world in a special way and his experiences did not erase his sense of humor.
At least, he reflected, the hotel had a plain, old-fashioned lift with deeply padded sides—none of these modern horrors made of glass, apparently conceived as a trial for people who are afraid of heights. The last time he’d had reason to stay in London, the hotel lift had been made of stainless steel with water cascading artistically down the sides—it was like being hoisted aloft in a high-tech colander.
When Max solves the murder—in the grand tradition of meddling ministers in cozy mysteries everywhere—he lays out his logic before a drawing room of suspects in a nice homage to the classics of the genre.
It’s all great fun, and readers will find themselves looking forward to whatever Malliet has in mind for spring in Nether Monkslip.
This sweepstakes has ended.
Looking for a new traditional mystery to read? Comment for a chance to win one of ten hardcover copies of A Fatal Winter by G.M. Malliet!
TIP: Since only comments from registered users will be tabulated, if your user name appears in red above your comment—STOP—go log in, then try commenting again. If your user name appears in black above your comment, You’re In!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 or older. To enter, fill out entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2012/10/fresh-meat-a-fatal-winter-by-gm-malliet-cozy-traditional-max-tudor-mystery-katherine-tomlinson beginning at 09:30 am. Eastern Time (ET) October 16, 2012. Sweepstakes ends at 11:59 a.m. ET on October 23, 2012 (the “Promotion Period”). Void outside of the 50 US and DC and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules at https://www.criminalelement.com/page/official-rules-the-fatal-winter-comments-contest. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010
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Katherine Tomlinson lives in Los Angeles in an apartment where her TBR pile has its own bookcase. She writes dark fiction but has a soft spot for cozy mysteries, heroic fantasy, and horror novels where only bad people get killed. She is the editor of the upcoming anthology Nightfalls.
Sounds intriguing – I cut my mystery teeth on Christie.
michael
With such an excellent review, what’s not to like?
Malliet’s first Max Tudor mystery was so engaging that I couldn’t possibly miss this one!
Thank you for the excellent review and the giveaway. MI5 to Vicar alone make it interesting.
WOW! LOVE TO READ THIS MORE!!
This is a new to me author and series. It sounds like a good read.
Loved the first book of the series. Can’t wait to read this one
Looks like the perfect holiday read!
Looking forward to reading the whole book.
I haven’t read this author is I will be adding the books to my list.
I love everything G.M. Malliet writes. So glad a new book is out!
I have not read this series yet, though I enjoyed the three books in the previous one–looking forward to this!
I haven’t read this author yet–it sounds like I am missing something really good.
Sounds interesting.
An English country manor murder! How wonderful!
I am looking forward to reading this book!
Have not read this author yet but would love the chance to…
I love cozy mysteries and a spy turned into vicar immediately caught my attention. Sounds like a good read!
That is a pretty cover.
Best time of hte year for a new cozy!
Really enjoyed Wicked Autumn–Max Tudor makes a very engaging sleuth and the novel had the flavor of Golden Age mysteries without feeling at all dusty or out-of-date. Definitely looking forward to A Fatal Winter.
Sounds cool and interesting.
[b][color=rgb(64, 224, 208)]WANT TO READ MORE!!![/color][/b]
I loved Wicked Autumn and put this book on my TBR list as soon as I
heard about it.
I always enjoy a book that includes a neurotic cat!
I’d love to win this book! (BTW, if there was a contest for largest TBR piles, mine would beat Katherine’s; it’s taking over the house!)
This book sounds like a wonderful cozy mystery book. I have read all of Agatha Christie’s writing, think that started me off in that passion. The cover is wonderful. I have never read anything by this author. Fingers are crossed.
Sounds interesting…
This book sounds like a wonderful cozy mystery book. I have read all of Agatha Christie’s writing, think that started me off in that passion. The cover is wonderful. I have never read anything by this author. Fingers are crossed.
enjoyed the first in the series
Just my kind of book for a winter’s night!
I really enjoyed the first “Max Tudor” and I looking forward to discovering more of his background.
The setup sounds eerily familiar–I think I read a book with a similar setup by M.C. Beaton.
I love holiday and winter cozy mysteries! Makes me wish it would snow so I could stay inside and read all day!
I have read the DCI St. Just mysteries and loved them. Now, having read the first Max Tudor mystery, I want this one too. If I don’t win it I’ll buy it.
I would love to win this!
I so enjoyed the first Max Tudor book, I couldn’t wait for the next in the series. My advice to the author — WRITE FASTER!!
Looks interesting.
love books about MI5
I love English Mysteries.
The first Max Tudor was superb. Love the names in the new one. Just bought the e-book because I can’t wait to read it!
Oh, hoarding, definetely!!! Love her writing.
This book sounds interesting…I’m looking forward to reading it.
Love a good mystery.
Sounds interesting.
Sounds like another “have to read.”
Would love to read this book…thanks for the info on it. Love gingerbread and this story would go hand in hand with it.
Love GM Maillet. Have read her earlier books, and find them all fun, and smart. I should win, because even if I get a free copy, I will have to buy one for my mother-in-law, who is also a fan. 🙂
I would love to curl up on a long winter night with this book and my cats close beside me.
Cool.
This sounds really awesome.
I’ve not read anything about MI-5. It would be something new for me to learn about.
Sounds awesome! Great review!
Another great winter read.
A Fatal Winter sounds wonderful – thanks for the giveaway!
I appreciate the giveaways, but I appreciate the suggestions just as much!! (OK, ok – ALMOST as much …)
I want it!
British intrigue for the holidays! Looking forward to this read, either from the library or by a lucky chance.
interesting relatives! sounds like a great murder mystery
Good review and sounds like a good mystery for the winter time
I think this sounds like a great read for a cold winter night! Enjoyed the review.
Yay!
Max is back!
An MI5 agent who is now a vicor? What a good character that must be.
The review surely makes me want to read this book.
Thank you for having the drawing.
An agent turned vicar? This is exactly my type of book. Thanks for the introduction to a series I believe I’ll love.
I love British mystries.
I love “escaping’ into this story!
Ms. Malliet does a great job with A Fatal Winter. An interesting concept; an agent turned vicar. The setting is is well described and the cover art is gorgeous.
I would love to see how the author uses this very traditional setting.
Sounds like a good book. I know she has another series, too.
A new author to me for me to follow.
This book has my attention!
Can’t wait to read!
I like Christmas theme books and this one sounds brill! I always look at books with snow on the cover because I’m in Texas where it’s too damn hot and I want to be transported to colder climes. Gingerbread. YUM! I’ll provide that if you’ll provide this delicious mystery! Thanks. 🙂
Oh, I loved Wicked Autumn! I can’t wait to read this one.
Sounds like an interesting book.
I enjoyed the first Max Tudor book and would love to win this
second one…
Thanks for the opportunity~
Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
sounds like a fantastic read.
A Fatal Winter sounds very good – I would love to read this
I’d love to win!
Sounds like a great read 🙂
ktgonyea at gmail.com
I’d like this.
sounds interesting
I’m always ready for a great read.
sounds like a very good read!! thanks for the draw:)
This looks like a good well written book.
Sounds like a good read.
would like to read a mystery!
this sounds quite interesting.
I’ve been waiting patiently for the sequal – absolutely loved Wicked Autumn!!
sounds like a great book!
Sounds like a great read—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
would love to read this
WOW!
Groovy!
Very nice!
sounds interesting
Thanks for introducing me to a great new (for me) author~!
This book sounds like a good read.
Thanks for the great prizes !
Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in 🙂
I would love to read G. M. Malliet!
Sounds like a good read.
Sounds like a good book.
I love mysteries and would love to read this one!
Mysteries are my favorite reads, and this sounds like a good one!
I’ve been meaning to read this author, but just have not gotten around to it. Hopefully I’ll win so I can.
This sounds exciting.
I would love to win this!
Excellent review. Hope I get to read this soon!
Sounds like an interesting read!
It sounds like a great mystery. Thanks for the giveaway.
This looks great
Sounds like a good read!
Would love to read it!
Sounds good.
Sounds good would love this!
This sounds like a great book!
i am looking for a traditional read, thanks!
love mysteries! this looks great 🙂
Sounds like a good read