In the Bleak Midwinter

I really enjoyed this icy, wintery first book in a mystery series set in rural small town upstate New York. The characters and interactions and connections are great. The story is a good one, multi-layered and complicated with twists and turns. The contrast between the tough ex-military southern female Episcopal priest and ex-soldier small town chief of police is engaging. I have high hopes for this series. I really hope Audible offers all the books soon.

I do agree with other reviewers about the narration. Some of the voices are not the best--the men are often over the top growling and the girls sound too squeaky and babyish. I will say all of this improves as time progresses. Worth sticking with it.

This may be one of my new favorite mystery series. We will see how book two goes. A great start!

What impresses me about this series is the adult narrative. The protagonists handle problems as adults. Which leads to the story being compelling without childish expectations. Relationships, competing needs, even disagreements are dealt with a mature manner. Perfection does not rest in either protagonist, so compromise forms the backbone of the characters stories. With top notch character development, descriptive passages that will make you wish for a warm blanket, ethical and moral quandries that create just as much tension as the mysteries, this book provides hours of enjoyment. I look forward to purchasing the rest of the published series when Audible adds it to the available selection.

After reading the entire series, I am now listening to them. Suzanne Toren is spot-on with the voices and I am enjoying them even more with her excellent narration. In the Bleak Midwinter introduces Russ and Clare and by the end of the book (which is so complete with strong characters, a solid mystery and heartwarming humor) you can't wait to start the next one. Clare's military background enables her to hold her own when confronted with danger,changing Russ' initial annoyance with her, to admiration. You'll be rooting for them all the way.
Hopefully, audible.com with offer all of them.

I like British "cozies" and dislike American "edge of seat" violent action mysteries. This was somewhere in between, falling closer to the "cozy." The ex-military, Epicopalian priest character combined with her relationship with a married, eccentric small town police chief makes this a unique listen. I think there is enough action (especailly in the subsequent installments in the series) to satisfy action listeners.

I listened to all three installments of the series carried by Audible - This was my favoirte (closest to a "cozy," least "edge of seat" action) - but all were most enjoyable. I hope others are added to the Audible catalogue soon.

I guess the story is okay but the narrator's interpretation of the character was annoying. Claire is an ex Army chopper pilot and now a priest but based on her voice Claire was whiny and way to southern belle. It would be interesting to know how the author hears Claire's voice. Also, the author dropped such blatant clues that the characters missed that I began to question their intelligence. I doubt I will listen to another one.

Yes if you can tolerate the profanity. I did enjoy the story and narrator, one of my favorite, but the profanity was too much for me. I won't read the rest of the series. I would enjoy the story but not the profanity. Sorry

Claire

Many. She is one of my favorite

Murder in small town

No so sorry I can't listen to the rest of the series.

author and narrator meant to be together to share the very good beginning of a hopefully intriguing series of reverent and sherific tales.

The idea of a female Episcopalean priest working to solve crimes with a rugged small town police chief drew me strongly to this audiobook.

However, the implausible interpretation of the characters put me off so that i could not listen for very long, despite repeated tries. Claire, an ex miitary pilot is much too sweet in spite of her obvious strength. Russ, a rough hewn, but sensitive, police chief is played with the voice of a backwoods recluse. Worst of all is the overly harsh reading of Jeff Burns, an obviously narrow minded lawyer. who, however, is needy of support in his attempt to adopt.

The dissonance between the writing and the reading of this potentially interesting book has brought me to the point that I am returning the book.

Suzanne Toren is one of my favorite narrators. She does another great job with In The Bleak Midwinter.

Well developed characters and storyline. Kept me interested. Also kept me guessing!

I love these unusual characters--the impetuous army helicopter pilot turned episcopal minister and the gruff conservative chief of police. There is a nice sense of place with the descriptions of the Adirondack mountains. Complex mystery with exciting well-paced scenes of people in danger. Not a cozy, but not especially dark, either--a nice balance, I think.