MISS WINTER IN THE LIBRARY WITH A KNIFE by Martin Edwards invites readers to channel their inner detective, piecing together clues hidden throughout the text and buried within supplementary materials. At the heart of the story is a killer targeting guests at a secluded retreat, where a raging snowstorm has left everyone trapped and vulnerable.

Six guests arrive at MidWinter, a remote village in the UK, on December 23rd. Managed by a trust, MidWinter prides itself on offering a secluded, nurturing environment. The guests have been invited to participate in a murder mystery game, with a large cash prize awaiting the winner. Each guest has ties to the world of crime fiction and literature: a podcaster, a publicist, a cultural commentator, an obscure crime novelist, a literary agent, and a publisher. All are people whose lives have taken unfortunate turns.

Narrating the story is Harry Crystal, a mid-list crime writer with 32 books under his belt. Often underestimated, Harry is sharp, observant, and ready to solve the puzzles ahead. As the game begins, a snowstorm cuts off the group from the outside world, and soon, the bodies start piling up. The remaining guests come to the chilling realization that unless they solve a separate mystery that occurred at MidWinter five years earlier, they might not make it out alive.

MISS WINTER IN THE LIBRARY WITH A KNIFE is a clever, interactive mystery featuring a unique twist where readers are active participants, aided by a ClueFinder at the end of the book. As the game unfolds, secrets are exposed, past shames resurface, and trust erodes. No one is who they seem. Edwards expertly layers clues throughout both the text and the historical materials relating to MidWinter. The story builds slowly but atmospherically, drawing readers into its snowbound, claustrophobic setting. With crafty, complex characters, interwoven plotlines, and a mystery that rewards close attention, this is a novel to savor and reread to catch all the hidden nuances. An entertaining Christmas mystery, MISS WINTER IN THE LIBRARY WITH A KNIFE ends with a harrowing confrontation and a winner, offering a festive escape and a fresh start for a lucky few.