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Luc Vanier #1
The Dead of Winter
Inspector Luc Vanier is drinking his way through Christmas Eve when he is called out to investigage the murder of five homeless people. His investigation takes him into the backrooms of the Catholic Church, the boardrooms of Montreal's business elite and the soup kitchens and back alleys of street life in winter.
281 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
8 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Peter Kirby
4 books19 followersI was born in Ireland. When I was ten, the family left for England like so many Irish families at the time, and even now. We settled in Brixton, a working class South London neighbourhood. Growing up in Brixton, the only thing I excelled at was getting into fights, which wasn’t hard for a mouthy kid with glasses and too much attitude. I left school knowing no university would take me, and headed for America. After wandering around for a few years, working as a cook in New York, Boston and Toronto, I arrived in Montreal at the start of the great Anglophone exodus that followed the election of the Parti Québécois, the province’s first separatist government. I figured, if the old establishment was running for the lifeboats, the city could be an interesting place to be. I was right, and quickly came to love Montreal like no other place. I continued working as a cook at various greasy spoons but I also began to dream.
Concordia University had a mature student program with night classes. They let me in with a deal that if I did OK, I could stay, if not, I couldn’t. I did OK enough to get into McGill Law where I worked as a breakfast cook from 5.30 am to 11 a.m., and then went to law classes. Now I practice international law at one of Canada’s largest firms and, in 2012, was recognized by The American Lawyer as one of Canada’s leading 500 lawyers. In case you’re wondering, yes, there are more than 500 lawyers in Canada.
I’ve been writing fiction since I left school, but the demands of raising a family and building a law practice meant that there was never enough time. The sock-drawer filled up with unfinished pieces. I figured writing legal briefs was close enough to writing fiction. But it wasn’t. It still isn’t.
Concordia University had a mature student program with night classes. They let me in with a deal that if I did OK, I could stay, if not, I couldn’t. I did OK enough to get into McGill Law where I worked as a breakfast cook from 5.30 am to 11 a.m., and then went to law classes. Now I practice international law at one of Canada’s largest firms and, in 2012, was recognized by The American Lawyer as one of Canada’s leading 500 lawyers. In case you’re wondering, yes, there are more than 500 lawyers in Canada.
I’ve been writing fiction since I left school, but the demands of raising a family and building a law practice meant that there was never enough time. The sock-drawer filled up with unfinished pieces. I figured writing legal briefs was close enough to writing fiction. But it wasn’t. It still isn’t.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
December 20, 2022
It's Christmas time; there's no need to be afraid . . . unless you're homeless in Montreal where it appears a serial killer is striking a group of people with nothing to lose but their lives. There are suspects aplenty: from doctors to priests to businessmen. Even Santa is under suspicion as the manhunt mounts. It's a great premise, and I was sucked in, however, the author has a tendency to drown his plot and characters in unnecessary detail. It slows the pacing, and drags down dramatic tension.
While I enjoyed my visit to Montreal, and the wintry setting, I won't be reading any more of this series.
While I enjoyed my visit to Montreal, and the wintry setting, I won't be reading any more of this series.
March 28, 2018
EXCERPT: The Old Port had been converted to parkland and open spaces where Montrealers could stroll along the edge of the St Lawrence river. In the middle of a December night, it was deserted, and he parked the van close to the metal and concrete railing that marked the river's edge. Then he turned in his seat and leaned back to check her neck for a pulse. There wasn't one.
He was surprised at how difficult it was to get her out of the van. She seemed heavier than when he had helped her down from her perch, and her bulky clothing made her difficult to handle.
He had imagined this moment many times, carrying a weightless angel in his arms, and he cursed himself when all he could do was drag her out feet first, letting her shoulders and head take the brunt of the fall to the pavement. Air escaped from her lungs with an animal grunt, and for a second he feared that she wasn't dead. He checked for a pulse again, then dragged her to the railing and stood her up, holding the back of her neck to stop her falling. He wanted the river to take her home. He let go of her neck, and she pitched forward. Then he bent down, took hold of her legs at knee height, raised her feet off the ground, and let her slip over the edge.
He cursed himself again when he heard a thud but no splash and looked down at the dark pile below him. The harbour water was frozen solid, and she lay motionless on the snow-covered ice with a dark trickle of blood spreading out from her head. He knelt down and began mumbling prayers for the dead as she gradually disappeared under the falling snow. In half an hour she was invisible. He went back to the van and drove away.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Inspector Luc Vanier is drinking his way through Christmas Eve when he is called out to investigage the murder of five homeless people. His investigation takes hin into the backrooms of the Catholic Church, the boardrooms of Montreal's business elite and the soup kitchens and back alleys of street life in winter.
MY THOUGHTS: I am glad to have picked up on this series with the first book. It is a series I will follow with interest.
Luc Vanier is an interesting character who carried the book. He is stubborn, which I can relate to though I prefer to describe myself as tenacious. He is divorced with two children whom he loves but seldom sees. He likes to drink, and has an intermittent relationship with the M. E. So, it all sounds pretty standard so far, I can hear you thinking, and it does. But there is something about Kirby's writing that draws you in as the plot becomes a little more complex, a lot more compelling.
I have never been to Montreal, or Canada for that matter, but I felt the biting cold of the Montreal winter through Kirby's descriptions. It has to be said that I don't even enjoy reading about the cold, so it is a tribute to Kirby's skill with both character and plot that I even finished this read, never mind going on to read more in the series.
I listened to The Dead of Winter by Peter Kirby, narrated by Howard Rosenstein and published by Linda Leith Publishing via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
He was surprised at how difficult it was to get her out of the van. She seemed heavier than when he had helped her down from her perch, and her bulky clothing made her difficult to handle.
He had imagined this moment many times, carrying a weightless angel in his arms, and he cursed himself when all he could do was drag her out feet first, letting her shoulders and head take the brunt of the fall to the pavement. Air escaped from her lungs with an animal grunt, and for a second he feared that she wasn't dead. He checked for a pulse again, then dragged her to the railing and stood her up, holding the back of her neck to stop her falling. He wanted the river to take her home. He let go of her neck, and she pitched forward. Then he bent down, took hold of her legs at knee height, raised her feet off the ground, and let her slip over the edge.
He cursed himself again when he heard a thud but no splash and looked down at the dark pile below him. The harbour water was frozen solid, and she lay motionless on the snow-covered ice with a dark trickle of blood spreading out from her head. He knelt down and began mumbling prayers for the dead as she gradually disappeared under the falling snow. In half an hour she was invisible. He went back to the van and drove away.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Inspector Luc Vanier is drinking his way through Christmas Eve when he is called out to investigage the murder of five homeless people. His investigation takes hin into the backrooms of the Catholic Church, the boardrooms of Montreal's business elite and the soup kitchens and back alleys of street life in winter.
MY THOUGHTS: I am glad to have picked up on this series with the first book. It is a series I will follow with interest.
Luc Vanier is an interesting character who carried the book. He is stubborn, which I can relate to though I prefer to describe myself as tenacious. He is divorced with two children whom he loves but seldom sees. He likes to drink, and has an intermittent relationship with the M. E. So, it all sounds pretty standard so far, I can hear you thinking, and it does. But there is something about Kirby's writing that draws you in as the plot becomes a little more complex, a lot more compelling.
I have never been to Montreal, or Canada for that matter, but I felt the biting cold of the Montreal winter through Kirby's descriptions. It has to be said that I don't even enjoy reading about the cold, so it is a tribute to Kirby's skill with both character and plot that I even finished this read, never mind going on to read more in the series.
I listened to The Dead of Winter by Peter Kirby, narrated by Howard Rosenstein and published by Linda Leith Publishing via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 22, 2022
Patsy Cline, whisky, and Christmas are a depressing combination.
Recently divorced Inspector Luc Vanier of the Montreal Police is interrupted from his boozy introspection on Christmas Eve with a report that the bodies of five homeless people have been discovered in various nooks around the city. Foul play is not initially suspected on a freezing Montreal night, yet Vanier doesn’t believe in coincidences. The only suspect they have on surveillance cameras is Santa Claus, or at least somebody dressed like him who is seen interacting with one of the victims.
Crime doesn’t take a holiday. It changes costume for the season, and Christmas is the season for domestic violence. Too much pressure to deliver the perfect gift, and not enough money. Too little to say, and too much alcohol encouraging confessions. Never enough love or imagination to deliver the dream.
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This is not my usual fare for the winter holidays, but in the end it was a very inspired choice from my friends in the Pulp Fiction group : this is the season to spare a kind thought for those less fortunate than us, maybe even do something practical to ease their plight.
For a debut author, Peter Kirby does a creditable effort with the setting, with clean and inspired prose and a plot that hits a raw nerve in the unmasking of the greed and corruption of those institutions that have driven a lot of destitute people to life on the streets: property developers that drive up rent and church charities that are supposed to help those in need in exchange for tax-free status.
Another plus for this story is the setting: both the city of Montreal and the experience of winter on its streets come alive under the pen of Kirby in a way that really puts the reader in the picture. It’s not really a cheerful postcard from Hallmark out there.
Christmas is a time for families isn’t it, Father Drouin? No matter how dysfunctional. And yet they all died alone. I suppose that’s what hit me the most. Five deaths in one night, and they all died alone. That shouldn’t happen on Christmas.
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So, the plot and the writing are good and the atmosphere is convincing, yet the end result is rather meh for me. I blame this most of all on the lead character: Luc Vanier is a particularly bland sort of detective, whose only redeeming trait is his taste in music [Coleman Hawkins, Tom Waits and ABBA playing in the background as he follows leads].
His colleagues in the Montreal police force are similarly underdeveloped, two-dimensional and forgettable. The suspects in the five-fold murder spree are a little more developed, if not particularly well disguised from the amateur sleuth/reader.
As I already mentioned, the one part of the novel that I will probably remember a year from now is the fact that the investigation leads Vanier to the higher ranks in the Catholic Church and the Christmas timeline.
As soon as our relationship was discovered, I was sacrificed, and he was protected. His sin was to have given in to the temptations of the flesh, an understandable sin that could be forgiven. My sin was the treachery of a woman, the devil’s handmaiden. I was left with nothing except my child, and I raised him with no help from his father.
I know there are more books in this series, but I’m not sure right now I want to push them forward on my waiting list.
This was a rather rushed review, because I leave home for a few weeks and I want to close my reading year here on Goodreads with a couple of ‘proper’ holiday reads from Shel Silverstein and Alan Bradley [another Canadian fellow]
January 19, 2016
I really wanted to like this mystery more than I did. It takes place in beautiful Montreal, a city that I love, during Christmas time. The city has just had 5 deaths, all homeless people and it turns out that someone is deliberately putting them out of their misery. It's up to Insp Vanier to find out who & why. There is also a sub-plot of a developer who wants to buy the city's homeless shelter and convert it into condos.
The story began well, but the book really needed a good proof-reader. My copy had numerous grammatical & spelling errors. It was very distracting, especially as I was reading a library copy of this book & someone had taken a marker & corrected many of the mistakes throughout the book. And of course that person had missed some & corrected others that were not mistakes. Very distracting & annoying. I was surprised at all of the errors considering the author is supposed to be a lawyer.
There were also a few odd, inconsistant conversations between the Inspector & a few of the other characters which lead me to think that some of these might also have contained errors.
An "ok" mystery, but not one where I would seek out the next book.
The story began well, but the book really needed a good proof-reader. My copy had numerous grammatical & spelling errors. It was very distracting, especially as I was reading a library copy of this book & someone had taken a marker & corrected many of the mistakes throughout the book. And of course that person had missed some & corrected others that were not mistakes. Very distracting & annoying. I was surprised at all of the errors considering the author is supposed to be a lawyer.
There were also a few odd, inconsistant conversations between the Inspector & a few of the other characters which lead me to think that some of these might also have contained errors.
An "ok" mystery, but not one where I would seek out the next book.
July 20, 2014
Starts on December 10th. Someone is killing the homeless in Montreal. On Christmas Eve five bodies are found and Inspector Luc Vanier is called in to investigate. At first this was just another who-done-it police investigation story. However, once all the characters had been introduced, it got a little bit more complicated, a lot more intriguing and I could not put it down. The higher ups want an open and shut case, but Inspector Vanier does what a good police detective does best. Montreal is a great setting for this book and it looks like this is the start of a series.
November 25, 2017
On the recommendation of Jack Batten (regular reviews in Toronto Star newspaper), I borrowed Peter Kirby's debut 'Luc Vanier' mystery "The Dead of Winter". This is a murder mystery set in my hometown of Montreal, and truly invokes the spirit of the city - minus the 5+ homeless deaths depicted, of course.
The novel begins on Christmas Eve when the bodies of 5 homeless people are found in various locations around the city. It appears that they all died of natural causes (i.e. exposure, disease, etc.) - but did they?
Detective Inspector Vanier and his fellow cops soon discover that not only were they murdered, but there appears to be a 'list' and others may soon follow (we, the readers, know of at least one).
Involving the Church, shady developers, crooked and not crooked lawyers, and a truly obsessed killer, this debut had me from start to finish. Oh, yeah, and there's a little nod to his fellow author Louise Penny in a character named Seargeant Gamache!
The novel begins on Christmas Eve when the bodies of 5 homeless people are found in various locations around the city. It appears that they all died of natural causes (i.e. exposure, disease, etc.) - but did they?
Detective Inspector Vanier and his fellow cops soon discover that not only were they murdered, but there appears to be a 'list' and others may soon follow (we, the readers, know of at least one).
Involving the Church, shady developers, crooked and not crooked lawyers, and a truly obsessed killer, this debut had me from start to finish. Oh, yeah, and there's a little nod to his fellow author Louise Penny in a character named Seargeant Gamache!
March 2, 2014
I am always attracted to stories set in my home town of Montreal so when I noticed Mr. Kirby’s debut novel I simply couldn't resist and I had to give it a try. Right from the start the story drew me in and I let myself be carried forward and enjoyed every moment I spent reading this captivating crime thriller.
The plot deals with the deaths of five homeless people on Christmas Eve. Inspector Luc Vanier, the protagonist, is the lead investigator. Montreal is as colourful and gritty as ever and at that time of the year the city is pummelled by endless snowstorms and freezing temperature. The author is very adept in describing every bit of it. Through his grit and determination and his old fashioned detective work we step in the world of Inspector Vanier and follow him along with his team as they pursue the trail of a serial killer. Deeper they dig, more people seem to be implicated: from high ranking member of the clergy and the boardroom of Montreal’s business elite to the back kitchens of the dispossessed.
This story is a classic procedural thriller ferociously well-crafted, fast- paced with many red herrings, endless clues and a plot development that is most catching and quite realistic. We have scenes of a wonderfully city that casts its icy shadow and a group of fantastic characters to entertain us even if the main player can border on cliché.
This is an enjoyable novel and I am definitely looking forward to “Vigilante Season”, its sequel.
The plot deals with the deaths of five homeless people on Christmas Eve. Inspector Luc Vanier, the protagonist, is the lead investigator. Montreal is as colourful and gritty as ever and at that time of the year the city is pummelled by endless snowstorms and freezing temperature. The author is very adept in describing every bit of it. Through his grit and determination and his old fashioned detective work we step in the world of Inspector Vanier and follow him along with his team as they pursue the trail of a serial killer. Deeper they dig, more people seem to be implicated: from high ranking member of the clergy and the boardroom of Montreal’s business elite to the back kitchens of the dispossessed.
This story is a classic procedural thriller ferociously well-crafted, fast- paced with many red herrings, endless clues and a plot development that is most catching and quite realistic. We have scenes of a wonderfully city that casts its icy shadow and a group of fantastic characters to entertain us even if the main player can border on cliché.
This is an enjoyable novel and I am definitely looking forward to “Vigilante Season”, its sequel.
July 13, 2014
A fun police procedural. Homeless people are being killed in Montreal just before Christmas. Inspector Vanier is available and lonely, so he decides to investigate. The investigation leads him to question the Catholic Church and its cover up. He also gets involved in a land fraud as part of his investigation into the homeless deaths. The book is fast paced and in parts can be a page turner. I enjoyed it very much and plan to read the next installment. The writing leaves a little to be desired.
June 1, 2014
A credible story, especially if you know the city in which it's set.
This one shows some interesting character development as the various protagonists proceed to unravel the horrors of the crime. The eye for detail really backs up the attitudes which become the focus to explain what happens and why. Such a focus can risk drawing our attention from what's supposed to be the subject, but it's used with sufficient restraint not to interrupt the momentum.
This one shows some interesting character development as the various protagonists proceed to unravel the horrors of the crime. The eye for detail really backs up the attitudes which become the focus to explain what happens and why. Such a focus can risk drawing our attention from what's supposed to be the subject, but it's used with sufficient restraint not to interrupt the momentum.
February 27, 2013
This is Kirby's first novel and hope not his last. A murder mystery with the Roman Catholic church, murdered homeless people and unscrupulous developers makes an interesting blend and an interesting finish.
It is written by a Canadian and set in Montreal so the entire book is an Canadian reference.
It is written by a Canadian and set in Montreal so the entire book is an Canadian reference.
July 22, 2017
THE GOOD: This is probably my new favourite detective novel. Set in my home town of Montreal, Canada in the dead of winter. In a neighbourhood that I love and know very well.
THE BAD: I suspect that if you are not from Montréal, or don't hold any affections towards that city, that a lot of the book's charm will be lost on you.
THE UGLY: First book of a 3 book series. Not sure how that will be played out.
Other detective books that I recommend: Storm Front by Jim Butcher & Dex Territory by Mark Aberdeen.
June 15, 2021
I thought this was a decent mystery novel. Set in Montreal, a city that must spend millions on snow removal because it has tons and tons of the white stuff from November to April, this books opens with the discovery of several bodies in various parts of the Montreal subway system, all in places where the homeless would have sought refuge for the night. It gives the average person an idea of how awful it must be to have no stated address and no privacy at all in your life --and how these people live in dangerous and unsanitary conditions albeit with the " help" of drugs and alcohol, which of course makes their lives even worse. The chief detective is a lonely man with no family and few friends, a man determined to find the truth no matter who opposes him. And he ends up dealing with crooked property developers as well as the Roman Catholic Church, which apparently, no surprise, can be a formidable enemy of truth and decency. I thought this was a good debut and liked that it was set in Canada too.
September 26, 2013
The beauty of a good crime thriller is the ability to draw a reader into the story. While action and suspense are important, the wording - especially how realistic the plot seems- is a strong factor in making a reader go forward in the book. Peter Kirby did this in his debut novel The Dead of Winter.
Page 11
Mary Gallagher was cold. She was drifting in and out of sleep on a concrete ledge beside the entrance to a parking garage, the fitful half-sleep that was all she had known for years. She had stuffed newspapers next to her skin under layers of clothing to ward off the cold, and her wool toque was pulled down low over her face. Cocooned in a sleeping bag she got from the Salvation Army three weeks before, and with only her mouth exposed to the damp night, she still shivered.
She sensed the approaching figure before he arrived. The concrete ledge was almost six feet off the ground, and his face was level with hers. He reached up and gently pulled the toque back from her eyes and, so tightly was she wrapped, she couldn't resist even if she had wanted to.
The plot deals with the deaths of five homeless people on Christmas Eve. The protagonist, Inspector Luc Vanier, heart-broken already by the break up of his family, is called out to investigate the scene. Kirby has a great writing style. His prose is both informative and almost every word is descriptive in making the reader feel the phrase.
my complete review
Page 11
Mary Gallagher was cold. She was drifting in and out of sleep on a concrete ledge beside the entrance to a parking garage, the fitful half-sleep that was all she had known for years. She had stuffed newspapers next to her skin under layers of clothing to ward off the cold, and her wool toque was pulled down low over her face. Cocooned in a sleeping bag she got from the Salvation Army three weeks before, and with only her mouth exposed to the damp night, she still shivered.
She sensed the approaching figure before he arrived. The concrete ledge was almost six feet off the ground, and his face was level with hers. He reached up and gently pulled the toque back from her eyes and, so tightly was she wrapped, she couldn't resist even if she had wanted to.
The plot deals with the deaths of five homeless people on Christmas Eve. The protagonist, Inspector Luc Vanier, heart-broken already by the break up of his family, is called out to investigate the scene. Kirby has a great writing style. His prose is both informative and almost every word is descriptive in making the reader feel the phrase.
my complete review
April 12, 2014
This should really be 4 1/2 stars. The author drew me in and kept me hooked even though I was only reading a bit at a time. The story takes place in Montreal and opens with a number of murders of homeless people. This is a first novel and I look forward to the second Luc Vanier series.
December 30, 2012
First time author, Peter Kirby, has me hooked! I love reading mysteries set in Canadian locales. Can't wait for his next book to be published.
April 30, 2013
A great first case for this Montreal detective. A smart mystery that exposes the current underbelly of Montreal.
February 28, 2014
Excellent murder mystery. Some inconsistencies that will be detected by Montrealers, but otherwise quite enjoyable.
September 14, 2017
Très bon roman policier dont l'action se situe à Montréal. Et je ne suis peut-être pas très objective puisque je connais très très bien la traductrice!!!
October 20, 2017
Très belle découverte ce roman policier de Peter Kirby ... bien hâte de voir si Luc Vanier aura d'autres aventures...
December 13, 2021
It’s Christmas Eve and the Montreal police are dealing with the discovery of five corpses from the city’s homeless population. Inspector Luc Vanier doesn’t believe in coincidences and is ruling the deaths as suspicious. When reports come back that the deceased were poisoned, Luc must race to find the guilty party before more bodies pile up.
I had been searching for a new crime novel to read set during the Christmas season and came across Peter Kirby’s The Dead of Winter. Not only did it check all the boxes, but it was Canadian and set in Montreal, a city I’ve actually been to! I couldn’t resist.
With the primary focus being Vanier’s murder investigation, Kirby also has a few other subplots on the go including shady dealings within a homeless shelter, and a crooked real estate deal that threatens to further harm the city’s destitute. With so much going on coupled with a modest page count (under 300 pages), the novel moved at a brisk pace.
The resolution was not one that I saw coming and when all was revealed, I actually let out an audible “Oh!” Maybe it may have been obvious to another reader, but I thought it was a great bit of misdirection on the part of the author.
Although I did cringe at the inclusion of the line “crime doesn’t take a holiday”, I thought it was a very good debut novel. This is the first book in what appears (to date) to be a trilogy, so I have some interest in checking out the two sequels.
I had been searching for a new crime novel to read set during the Christmas season and came across Peter Kirby’s The Dead of Winter. Not only did it check all the boxes, but it was Canadian and set in Montreal, a city I’ve actually been to! I couldn’t resist.
With the primary focus being Vanier’s murder investigation, Kirby also has a few other subplots on the go including shady dealings within a homeless shelter, and a crooked real estate deal that threatens to further harm the city’s destitute. With so much going on coupled with a modest page count (under 300 pages), the novel moved at a brisk pace.
The resolution was not one that I saw coming and when all was revealed, I actually let out an audible “Oh!” Maybe it may have been obvious to another reader, but I thought it was a great bit of misdirection on the part of the author.
Although I did cringe at the inclusion of the line “crime doesn’t take a holiday”, I thought it was a very good debut novel. This is the first book in what appears (to date) to be a trilogy, so I have some interest in checking out the two sequels.
June 21, 2015
"Taut. Claustrophobic. Compelling.” – Will Ferguson
“Powerful. Dark. Raw.” – Kathy Reichs
“Riveting.” – John Farrow
“Gripping. Compelling.” – Montreal Gazette
“Grim. Convincing. Believable.” – Montreal Review of Books
“Irishman Kirby joins John Brady and Peter Robinson in the ranks of the best English and Irish ex-pat crime novelists living in Canada.” – Nuacht
"One of the pleasures of Kirby’s novel is the setting. Thugs and lowlifes rub shoulders with the elite, while the city is pummelled by an endless succession of vicious snowstorms…Kirby puts Vanier through his paces chasing a killer in a book that's fast-paced and enjoyable." -- Maclean's
“Inspector Luc Vanier of the Montreal PD seems a character likely to join the ranks of Canada’s enduring sleuth figures.”- The Toronto Star
"An auspicious debut from a writer to watch" - The Globe and Mail
“Powerful. Dark. Raw.” – Kathy Reichs
“Riveting.” – John Farrow
“Gripping. Compelling.” – Montreal Gazette
“Grim. Convincing. Believable.” – Montreal Review of Books
“Irishman Kirby joins John Brady and Peter Robinson in the ranks of the best English and Irish ex-pat crime novelists living in Canada.” – Nuacht
"One of the pleasures of Kirby’s novel is the setting. Thugs and lowlifes rub shoulders with the elite, while the city is pummelled by an endless succession of vicious snowstorms…Kirby puts Vanier through his paces chasing a killer in a book that's fast-paced and enjoyable." -- Maclean's
“Inspector Luc Vanier of the Montreal PD seems a character likely to join the ranks of Canada’s enduring sleuth figures.”- The Toronto Star
"An auspicious debut from a writer to watch" - The Globe and Mail
December 5, 2013
Not the book to transport you to a spirit of Christmas cheer and goodwill amongst men. Someone (who might be a malevolent Santa) is killing off homeless people on the streets of Montreal. Inspector Luc Vanier has to tread carefully through city bureaucracy, church sensitivities and the frozen streets of a city in the fierce clench of winter. Woefully understaffed during the holiday period, he nevertheless quietly and systematically pursues every lead.
A good, solid procedural, with a fair bit of social commentary, but a rather depressing read. Even the charm of the Quebecois city seemed buried under the endless fall of snow and lies.
A good, solid procedural, with a fair bit of social commentary, but a rather depressing read. Even the charm of the Quebecois city seemed buried under the endless fall of snow and lies.
September 6, 2017
The first of the three Luc Vanier novels is truly a classic. The intrigue itself is enough for any reader, whether the crime novel fanatic or the casual reader. A true bonus is the author's depictions of Montreal in both its grime and in its beauty. Gentrification, the Church, shady developers and criminals all rubs shoulders in this fast-paced novel. The author presents Luc Vanier - a flawed yet sympathetic detective - and sets the scene for a wonderfully crafted intrigue with an ending that will make you immediately set your eyes to the other Luc Vanier novels. Bravo!
March 8, 2014
Good, but a little emotionally detached. Strangely, that feels like the book's strength and weakness. This is a police procedural, and we watch the characters proceed. The emotional moments aren't entirely believable, but add some subtle spice to the story.
I enjoyed it, as I liked it's detachment from events. The irony of that is, it doesn't make for a particularly memorable book.
I enjoyed it, as I liked it's detachment from events. The irony of that is, it doesn't make for a particularly memorable book.
December 10, 2016
I'm not sure, but I think this might have been the author's first book (at least in this series) so it felt like there was a lot more you would like to know about the characters but didn't get a chance because, well, there was the crime to solve and all. It was a well crafted crime mystery and I will read more from this author.
May 5, 2013
It's always fun to discover an author I haven't read before. The Dead of Winter is short listed for the CWC Best First Novel and I can understand why. Great mystery, interesting characters, satisfying conclusion. I'm looking forward to the next one.
July 30, 2013
I loved this book and can't believe it was Peter Kirby's first novel. It was a very good mystery, made extra special as it took place in my home town. I hope he follows up with more of Inspector Vanier.
November 7, 2013
Being from Montreal, it was fun to read a mystery set in my hometown, with descriptions of all the local landmarks included among the tightly-woven mystery at the center of 'Dead of Winter'. A recommended read, even if you're not familiar with Montreal.
April 13, 2014
Gripping police procedure set in Montreal during a bonechilling Christmas week. Distinguished by thoughtful characterization, excellent pacing and intriguing plot lines, this is a first novel by an author too good to miss.
October 9, 2013
Excellent descriptions of Montreal. Character motivations a little sketchy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews