By Erica Wiggins
Trigger Warnings: death, suicide, domestic violence
Karen Swan has written more than twenty books, and I had the pleasure of reading my first book from this author last year. She has a special way of weaving a story that draws you into the pages slowly and without you realizing that you just keep turning the pages and cannot stop. The best part about this author, you ask, she releases two books a year, so once you love her, there is always more to read. Midnight in the Snow is her newest release.
Midnight in the Snow follows Clover Phillips, a documentary filmmaker. Clover’s most recent project was about Cory Allbright, a surfer whose career ended after a tragic accident. While making her film, Clover becomes close with Cory and his family. When tragedy strikes again, and Cory is found dead, Clover is determined to find answers for his grieving family and for herself. She turns her attention to Kit Foley—the man she believes is responsible for all the tragedies in Cory’s life and decides her next documentary will be about him.
I went into this story not knowing what to expect from her Christmas release, but from page one, the story begins to weave. From the descriptions of the landscapes to the feelings of the characters, Swan crafts her story to keep you reading. I became invested in Cory’s story and his struggles. I felt my emotions swirling beneath the surface—joy, sadness, grief, sorrow. The way that Swan describes Cory’s funeral is so beautiful and touching and has lingered with me.
As Clover begins her investigation into Kit, we are drawn into a world of professional snowboarders and idyllic landscapes. I don’t know much about this winter sport, but the beauty is you don’t have to. Swan puts you there watching these professionals practice their sport. You see the landscapes, feel the cold, and celebrate the successes. You get a glimpse into the culture of snowboarders and comradery.
I love the way the story shifts from the slopes to the bar to the chalet, where she stays with her crew to complete her research. You are given slices of the story through interviews with Kit and those people in his life, simple interactions, and observations from the characters. We learn about Kit’s life in snippets and start to question whether he is responsible for everything that happened. We start to question if he really is as bad as we think. Characters that we think are good are turned, and their true selves revealed.
I felt like I was on a ride with this story, flipping back and forth between what I thought about Kit and connecting together the clues. This is what is so good about this story—that innate realization that all is not as it appears. I couldn’t put it down. Each little teaser of information led me to read the next chapter and the next. This story is about a woman trying to find the truth, do the right thing, and fight for the underdog. It becomes a journey through grief, loss, strength, and bringing the truth to light. We also get a dash of romance in some unexpected love stories—this book truly has it all. Another five-star read for me. I would not hesitate to pick up anything this author writes. I truly cannot say enough about this author.
Thank you to Hachette Book Group Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.