The opening sequence, set in 1940, establishes a bit of the backstory. The novel then moves to the period shortly after the war.
In 1947, having offended some of his superiors, DI Ivan Winterman is sent to the Fen District in East Anglia. In postwar Britain, there is a shortage of everything: manpower, food, fuel for transportation, coal for heating.
Effectively exiled , Winterman finds himself in an understaffed police station in a small village. The area has previously been known for mostly small time offenses, and Winterman expects little involvement with serious crime.
Shortly before Winterman's arrival, however, the body of a child, dead for years and preserved by burial in the Fens, is discovered. There is no record of a child having gone missing in any of the neighboring villages and the body is unidentified. The situation is curious, but does not seem urgent...
Until the body of a second child in similar condition shows up. As a blizzard sets in, bringing the coldest winter conditions on record, the body of a third child appears. Someone has unearthed the bodies and displayed them.
If the bodies of the three children were not enough in this remote area in the midst of a blizzard, two grown men are murdered and a constable disappears. In short order, Winterman finds himself dealing with a truly freakish situation--three old murders, two recent murders, a shortage of backup, weather that is further isolating, characters who may or may not be trustworthy, and secrets that someone wants exposed. Who were the children and why is there no record of them anywhere?
The setting is visual and cold! The isolation of the villages and the austerity of postwar Britain make the weather conditions a crucial part of the narrative.
NetGalley/Bloodhound Books
Crime/Mystery/Historical. Feb. 26, 2019. Print length: 470 pages.
This one sounds interesting; I'll have to add this to my wishlist.
ReplyDeletePS: Letter is on its way to you!
I liked it and would happily read this author again. Yay for a letter on the way!
DeleteI agree that this book sounds interesting. I like stories that include weather as part of the plot. Maybe not to read in winter, but good summertime reading. LOL
ReplyDeleteI do like a good winter book during our hot, humid summers. :)
DeleteI never heard of the author or the title. That's why I enjoy your blog-- always something new!
ReplyDeleteAlex Walters was a new author for me, too, but I'll be looking for more from him!
DeleteA blizzard....bodies found preserved in the Fens...the isolated setting... Count me in! :)
ReplyDeleteYep--some intriguing elements for me, too!
DeleteBrrr, I tend to avoid books like this bc I just don't want to feel cold while reading it lol
ReplyDeleteI love books with snow, ice, and cold--maybe because we have so little winter!
DeleteFascinating premise, plus the time period and location is interesting and unusual!
ReplyDeleteThe time period is unusual. I haven't read many books set shortly after the war while things were so difficult and England still suffering from deprivation.
DeleteIt sounds like this one has a lot of atmosphere. Such an interesting time period. I've read a few books set directly after the war, but very few are actual mysteries. I do like the sound of this one. I am adding it to my wish list.
ReplyDeleteI hope there are further books to continue the characters and the time period!
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