Winter’s Gifts by Ben Aaronovitch
Publication Date: June 8, 2023
Summary from Goodreads:
When retired FBI Agent Patrick Henderson calls in an ‘X-Ray Sierra India’ incident, the operator doesn’t understand. He tells them to pass it up the chain till someone does.
That person is FBI Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds. Leaving Quantico for snowbound Northern Wisconsin, she finds that a tornado has flattened half the town – and there’s no sign of Henderson.
Things soon go from weird to worse, as neighbours report unsettling sightings, key evidence goes missing, and the snow keeps rising – cutting off the town, with no way in or out…
Something terrible is awakening. As the clues lead to the coldest of cold cases – a cursed expedition into the frozen wilderness – Reynolds follows a trail from the start of the American nightmare, to the horror that still lives on today…
Confession:
This is a novella set in the River of London world, and while Peter does make a short cameo, he really isn’t involved at all. Which was fine. I really enjoyed seeing Agent Kimberley Reynolds again and joining her on an adventure all her own.
We first met Agent Reynolds in book three of the series, Whispers Underground, so it was about time that we got to know her better. Kim comes from a religious upbringing and it shows in her thoughts and sometimes her actions. This religious side of her doesn’t hold her back when she is confronted by the weird and magical. I think her time in London taught her much about the supernatural world and she now takes many things in stride. She is a strong and caring person, but she knows how to throw her FBI training into the game when needed.
She meets many people in this small town, both those who know something of what is going on, and some who are just clueless, but are willing to help out. I liked all of them, but I really liked Billy the meteorologist, who becomes a bit of a love interest for Kim.
The magical side of this story is an interesting one. There are creatures chasing Kim and creating havoc in a small town in Wisconsin, that are described as snow zombies. They sound quite terrifying and they are not super easy to kill. I loved how it was all tied into a lost expedition from the 1800s.
The pacing is perfect and the setting was also well done. I felt the cold and the wind and the barrenness of the landscape quite keenly. There are lots of action scenes interspersed with quieter moments for everyone to catch their breaths. I also liked the humor spread throughout the story. I often made for a much needed break in the narrative.
Overall this is a nice addition to the series. I am really hoping that we get a nice long novel about Peter soon. But in the meantime I will take these nice looks at other parts of this world.
Confessions of a Serial Reader 