Winter of Secrets (Trafalgar Mystery)

Vicki Delany
Poisoned Pen Press (2009)     
ISBN 9781590586761
Reviewed by Deb Shunamon for Reader Views (10/09)

 

I really enjoyed “Winter of Secrets” – even more than Vicki Delany’s second in the series, “Valley of the Lost.” This time it is Christmas in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, and the town of Trafalgar is filled with wealthy tourists enjoying the area’s great skiing. After a car plunges into the river on Christmas Eve, Constable Molly “Moonbeam” Smith and Sergeant John Winters find themselves investigating the death of two out-of-towners, and dealing with the attitudes and morals that come with youth and wealth.

Vicki Delany’s masterful descriptions of this part of B.C. urged me, once again, to pack my bags and head for the mountains. The snowfalls, powder on the mountain tops, driving on icy roads, and ski culture were spot-on and memorable. She also made sure the many terrific town characters from the previous book made an appearance and I appreciated the update on their lives. As with her last novel, the characters in this small community become as important as the crime being investigated. This time Molly was needed even more to help solve what at first seemed to be deaths due to the weather. It was interesting to watch her maneuver her way in her roles as a police officer working among the people she grew up with, and being a friend to many of them. It is also one of these people and Molly who provide the lead-in to the next book in the series, which I think is going to be really uncomfortable to read.

I am so glad Vicki Delany is writing a series. As with her earlier book, I have enjoyed the intimate feeling she creates and truly enjoy each and every character. I really care about the community of Trafalgar. The dry humor throughout is great, it is interesting to watch the Sergeant and Constable figure out the crimes, and the lovely descriptions in this novel made me pine for snowy, winter days. “Winter of Secrets” is another enjoyable, light, mystery novel from Vicki Delany and I highly recommend it.

Make comment on weblog