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Last Summer #2
Come Winter
Sequel to the novel 'Last Summer'
214 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 25, 1973
65 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Evan Hunter
188 books115 followersBetter known by his pseudonym Ed McBain.
Born Salvatore Albert Lombino, he legally adopted the name Evan Hunter in 1952. While successful and well known as Evan Hunter, he was even better known as Ed McBain, a name he used for most of his crime fiction, beginning in 1956.
Born Salvatore Albert Lombino, he legally adopted the name Evan Hunter in 1952. While successful and well known as Evan Hunter, he was even better known as Ed McBain, a name he used for most of his crime fiction, beginning in 1956.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 18, 2018
This book was exactly as perfect as its predecessor. Well, maybe not exactly exactly. Dreading the arrival of winter and being a passionate hater of skiing and the like, I do admit that I preferred the setting of "Last Summer", the beach and the gorgeous sea, not to forget this adorable and so very intelligent gull... But everything else was absolutely amazing and I'm so very sad that I've already finished it! It's crazy, it's like these books were written for me specifically. I love the writing style and the sociopathic characters and their absolutely brilliant sense of humor. Not much is happening, and yet the book immediately manages to draw you in and fall in love with those crazy people. And whilst not being a complete shocker, it did manage to surprise me a couple times. Plus, it's surely one of the funniest novels I've ever read! Just...gosh, these are the kinds of books I'd love to write if I were an author. Probably not most people's cup of tea, but I thought it was so very, very delicious!
October 27, 2021
Skipping right by Autumn, “Come Winter” is the sequel to Evan Hunter’s infamous coming-of-Age shocker “Last Summer.” It’s five years later and the troika of interconnected kids, Peter, Sandy, and David are now in college, although apparently occasionally getting together for what is now actual ménage-a-trois. Peter though is in therapy for his guilt with what happened to Rhoda and his therapist doesn’t like Peter’s reliance on his two buddies. The action is often interrupted for transcriptions of Peter’s therapy sessions.
The story now takes place on a ski weekend in Vermont with the three in inane bubbles of chatter, a bit callous in their dealings with others, but overall enjoying the downhill action. Their hijinks now include talking about breaking the leg of a lonely Schlub who latches on to them, funny till it really happens and they glimpse real evil. In the end, this one’s more about a crisis of conscience than Summer was, starting with Peter’s uneasy guilt complex about what took place five years earlier. Five years older, but perhaps still lacking full maturity.
The difference though between this one and Last Summer is there is no illusion about young innocence here. And, much of it feels like filler till the climax comes late in the story.
The story now takes place on a ski weekend in Vermont with the three in inane bubbles of chatter, a bit callous in their dealings with others, but overall enjoying the downhill action. Their hijinks now include talking about breaking the leg of a lonely Schlub who latches on to them, funny till it really happens and they glimpse real evil. In the end, this one’s more about a crisis of conscience than Summer was, starting with Peter’s uneasy guilt complex about what took place five years earlier. Five years older, but perhaps still lacking full maturity.
The difference though between this one and Last Summer is there is no illusion about young innocence here. And, much of it feels like filler till the climax comes late in the story.
May 31, 2021
Well, they are at it again! Our three favorite little sociopaths, Sandy, David & Peter, last seen in Last Summer have returned five years later, to wreak havoc upon the slopes. Where Last Summer was something of a coming of age novel, this is more of an early adulthood reunion piece. Is it as raw, evocative or disturbing as it's predecessor? No. But it remains loyal to the characters and voice of the original, allowing for a bit of maturity to have developed on the relationship of our three participants.
There is one of the most overly written and bizarre descriptions of a menage a trois I have ever read. It is not sexy or graphic, but... well, frankly, I have no idea what Mr. Hunter was trying to convey or accomplish with his prose, but it is just plain awful. The author begins the sex scene by borrowing from Shakespeare's Henry V, act 4 Prologue. "Now entertain conjecture of a time when creeping murmur and the poring dark fills the wide vessel of the universe..." To top this, there are no less than seven references to blood, which is definitely a turn off. Of course, it is Peter, our storyteller who is describing this, so maybe it makes sense to him, or there is some deeper meaning, (I am not too familiar with Henry V, so maybe there is some correlation between the two stories, but I just don't get it.
Frankly, I wish I had read this when Evan Hunter was still alive, because I would have a few questions for him. But, sadly, he is no longer available to answer questions about his work. I also wish he had written another book or two with these characters. It would have been nice to see where they went. I guess the author didn't care enough to continue their story. Too bad.
There is one of the most overly written and bizarre descriptions of a menage a trois I have ever read. It is not sexy or graphic, but... well, frankly, I have no idea what Mr. Hunter was trying to convey or accomplish with his prose, but it is just plain awful. The author begins the sex scene by borrowing from Shakespeare's Henry V, act 4 Prologue. "Now entertain conjecture of a time when creeping murmur and the poring dark fills the wide vessel of the universe..." To top this, there are no less than seven references to blood, which is definitely a turn off. Of course, it is Peter, our storyteller who is describing this, so maybe it makes sense to him, or there is some deeper meaning, (I am not too familiar with Henry V, so maybe there is some correlation between the two stories, but I just don't get it.
Frankly, I wish I had read this when Evan Hunter was still alive, because I would have a few questions for him. But, sadly, he is no longer available to answer questions about his work. I also wish he had written another book or two with these characters. It would have been nice to see where they went. I guess the author didn't care enough to continue their story. Too bad.
November 19, 2023
The things I read to try and get to my goal. I don’t even know what this book was about. So boring. No plot.
July 10, 2021
Just as bad as the first.
What would have made it better was if Rhoda had returned and wreaked vengeance on the three friends/sociopaths.
What would have made it better was if Rhoda had returned and wreaked vengeance on the three friends/sociopaths.
December 1, 2017
Great writing
Could not put this book down. New and covertly charging to the very end. Refreshing writing and I enjoyed it.
Could not put this book down. New and covertly charging to the very end. Refreshing writing and I enjoyed it.
February 17, 2021
Although it’s not necessary to read the prequel Last Summer before reading Come Winter, it is recommended. Last Summer explains the origins of the close relationship between Peter, Sandy and David and the circumstances one hot summer that culminate in an event of sexual aggression. So, all this is implied knowledge if you decide to read its sequel Come Winter.
Come Winter picks up five years after the events of Last Summer as Peter, Sandy and David spend their Christmas vacation together at an exclusive ski resort. To keep their selves entertained, they take up with Seymour Foderman, an anxious, self-conscious, Jewish gynecologist.
He’s also an overweight, inexperienced skier but insists he good enough to ski the more difficult North Face trails. So, the trio devise a loose plan to get Foderman to break his leg—just for the fun of it, because that’s how these three roll.
Enter Mary Margaret…an unassuming young woman who reminds the trio of Rhoda (the victim of their cruelty in Last Summer)— except she’s nothing like Rhoda. Mary Margaret is confident, self-assured, aware of their devious plan, and a bigger sociopath than they are.
Over the days, the foursome warily circles one another with Foderman in their crossfire. As they grow more unsure and suspicious of each other, events inexorably lead to a fatal confrontation on the North Face of the mountain.
One of the main issues I have with this novel is Hunter enjoys these characters. It’s clear he’s excited to revisit them—or at the very least we are supposed to be excited based on his doting descriptions of the trio as they reconnect, but it’s impossible. They’re not very pleasant people.
If you have read Last Summer it makes sense why this trio would have formed a close bond as hormone driven 15 year olds and it’s examined to full effect in that novel. However, as sophisticated sexually experienced 20-year-olds, there is nothing that establishes why this close bond would still exist five years later and that is one of the weak spots of the novel.
Another issue I have with the novel is the characters are all one dimensional. There’s no depth to any of them so there’s no real investment in any of them. It would have been interesting to understand why Sandy is the way she is. David’s character could have been fleshed out more but offered nothing to the overall story except a cursory Is he gay or isn’t he? storyline which is never fully explored or resolved. Even Peter, who is telling us the story in a snappy first-person narrative, is one dimensional. We’re made privy to his eyerolling psychotherapy sessions with “Dr. Crackers” which serve no purpose outside of confirming what the reader already knows and feels about these individuals.
Foderman is presented as an insecure buffoon. I even questioned if he was supposed to be developmentally challenged. He’s considerably older than the trio but doesn’t seem wise to their pointed barbs or deliberate insults. It makes no sense why he would continue to ingratiate himself to the trio.
Mary Margaret is truly the only interesting character but she’s the antagonist. Without her, there wouldn’t be a novel and you must get to the halfway point before she even makes her first appearance.
But the bridge too far for me is
And don’t get me started on the sex scene. It’s easily one of the worst I have ever read with an embarrassing level of cringe. Seriously. Take this overwrought snippet for example: ”Rosebuds blatantly explode beneath our stealthy finger treads. Soaring purple columns rise on either of her flanks; she climbs these spires with her hands…” That’s just the start of it. I gets bad. Really bad. lol
Essentially, Come Winter a character driven novel that is a weak exploration of the evil that men do. However, don’t expect any deep dives into that subject matter or much character development or even any plot. It’s breezy and readable but ultimately is as empty as the eyes of its sociopaths.
Come Winter picks up five years after the events of Last Summer as Peter, Sandy and David spend their Christmas vacation together at an exclusive ski resort. To keep their selves entertained, they take up with Seymour Foderman, an anxious, self-conscious, Jewish gynecologist.
He’s also an overweight, inexperienced skier but insists he good enough to ski the more difficult North Face trails. So, the trio devise a loose plan to get Foderman to break his leg—just for the fun of it, because that’s how these three roll.
Enter Mary Margaret…an unassuming young woman who reminds the trio of Rhoda (the victim of their cruelty in Last Summer)— except she’s nothing like Rhoda. Mary Margaret is confident, self-assured, aware of their devious plan, and a bigger sociopath than they are.
Over the days, the foursome warily circles one another with Foderman in their crossfire. As they grow more unsure and suspicious of each other, events inexorably lead to a fatal confrontation on the North Face of the mountain.
One of the main issues I have with this novel is Hunter enjoys these characters. It’s clear he’s excited to revisit them—or at the very least we are supposed to be excited based on his doting descriptions of the trio as they reconnect, but it’s impossible. They’re not very pleasant people.
If you have read Last Summer it makes sense why this trio would have formed a close bond as hormone driven 15 year olds and it’s examined to full effect in that novel. However, as sophisticated sexually experienced 20-year-olds, there is nothing that establishes why this close bond would still exist five years later and that is one of the weak spots of the novel.
Another issue I have with the novel is the characters are all one dimensional. There’s no depth to any of them so there’s no real investment in any of them. It would have been interesting to understand why Sandy is the way she is. David’s character could have been fleshed out more but offered nothing to the overall story except a cursory Is he gay or isn’t he? storyline which is never fully explored or resolved. Even Peter, who is telling us the story in a snappy first-person narrative, is one dimensional. We’re made privy to his eyerolling psychotherapy sessions with “Dr. Crackers” which serve no purpose outside of confirming what the reader already knows and feels about these individuals.
Foderman is presented as an insecure buffoon. I even questioned if he was supposed to be developmentally challenged. He’s considerably older than the trio but doesn’t seem wise to their pointed barbs or deliberate insults. It makes no sense why he would continue to ingratiate himself to the trio.
Mary Margaret is truly the only interesting character but she’s the antagonist. Without her, there wouldn’t be a novel and you must get to the halfway point before she even makes her first appearance.
But the bridge too far for me is
And don’t get me started on the sex scene. It’s easily one of the worst I have ever read with an embarrassing level of cringe. Seriously. Take this overwrought snippet for example: ”Rosebuds blatantly explode beneath our stealthy finger treads. Soaring purple columns rise on either of her flanks; she climbs these spires with her hands…” That’s just the start of it. I gets bad. Really bad. lol
Essentially, Come Winter a character driven novel that is a weak exploration of the evil that men do. However, don’t expect any deep dives into that subject matter or much character development or even any plot. It’s breezy and readable but ultimately is as empty as the eyes of its sociopaths.
September 18, 2020
Warning: This review discusses assault (physical and sexual), as well as mental disorders.
The novel is underwhelming, in the briefest of terms.
Ed McBain introduces the antagonist at least a hundred pages in but leaves her undeveloped and remains inactive until the last hundred pages. Mary Margaret, the supposed villain of the novel, is a flat character. The forces acting against the trio are so weak and powerless that there is no real conflict that shakes up the novel. Even if she was destined to lose, the stages leading up to the final battle were boring and uneventful. She’s dull and uninteresting – even when she breaks the kneecaps of Foderman. Without a strong and powerful villain, the novel feels like the ramblings of a delusional patient.
Without a real conflict, the novel is bland and unreadable.
Second, the novel beats around the bush, with respect to the destructive bond of the trio. There is a glaring problem in the closeness of the friends. It’s a traumatic bond. The novel mentions the rape of a woman named Rhoda and it’s disturbing how the trio can act so nonchalant about an act yet have the main character have nightmares about it. The trio have no meaningful interactions, except when they leave dinner parties in unison and insert themselves in the conversations of a member. It’s obvious that the Peter’s therapist knows the dangers of this bond but is referenced only ten pages before the ending. Their individual lives intertwine with one another but even that combination is dull and lifeless.
As individuals, they have nothing to offer, and as a group, the description holds.
Last, it’s obvious that I’m reading the novel through an unreliable narrator. McBain hints at some mental disorder that Peter has. It is clear Peter has issues with his father that originate from the latter’s emotional neglect and physical abuse. Second, Peter shows signs of suffering from depersonalization and derealization. Disorders which result from severe trauma. He feels that he is not in control of his movements; hence, his cinema metaphor. He senses that things outside of him aren’t real and feels like he’s observing himself from outside his body. To quote a passage: “…actual happenings seemed projected on multiple screens in a new technique that enabled me to be a part of the action without really being a part of it, a simultaneous observer and participant, a voyeur spying on himself over closed-circuit television in a locked closet.”
Of course, Peter’s behavioral problem doesn’t manifest outside of his therapist’s office and outside of his narration. His problems do not materialize and drive a wedge between him and his friends. The closest nudge to a problem in their group was when he thought about the witness to Sandy’s petty thievery. Other than that, it feels like his problems exist when his therapist converses with him and disappear when he’s around other people.
All in all, the novel underexplores and underutilizes some of the greatest threats to a close-knit group. Isolation in the mountains, a strong villain, an unstable narrator – all of these potential enemies were dropped into the plot but were given no real potential.
It was a disappointing read.
The novel is underwhelming, in the briefest of terms.
Ed McBain introduces the antagonist at least a hundred pages in but leaves her undeveloped and remains inactive until the last hundred pages. Mary Margaret, the supposed villain of the novel, is a flat character. The forces acting against the trio are so weak and powerless that there is no real conflict that shakes up the novel. Even if she was destined to lose, the stages leading up to the final battle were boring and uneventful. She’s dull and uninteresting – even when she breaks the kneecaps of Foderman. Without a strong and powerful villain, the novel feels like the ramblings of a delusional patient.
Without a real conflict, the novel is bland and unreadable.
Second, the novel beats around the bush, with respect to the destructive bond of the trio. There is a glaring problem in the closeness of the friends. It’s a traumatic bond. The novel mentions the rape of a woman named Rhoda and it’s disturbing how the trio can act so nonchalant about an act yet have the main character have nightmares about it. The trio have no meaningful interactions, except when they leave dinner parties in unison and insert themselves in the conversations of a member. It’s obvious that the Peter’s therapist knows the dangers of this bond but is referenced only ten pages before the ending. Their individual lives intertwine with one another but even that combination is dull and lifeless.
As individuals, they have nothing to offer, and as a group, the description holds.
Last, it’s obvious that I’m reading the novel through an unreliable narrator. McBain hints at some mental disorder that Peter has. It is clear Peter has issues with his father that originate from the latter’s emotional neglect and physical abuse. Second, Peter shows signs of suffering from depersonalization and derealization. Disorders which result from severe trauma. He feels that he is not in control of his movements; hence, his cinema metaphor. He senses that things outside of him aren’t real and feels like he’s observing himself from outside his body. To quote a passage: “…actual happenings seemed projected on multiple screens in a new technique that enabled me to be a part of the action without really being a part of it, a simultaneous observer and participant, a voyeur spying on himself over closed-circuit television in a locked closet.”
Of course, Peter’s behavioral problem doesn’t manifest outside of his therapist’s office and outside of his narration. His problems do not materialize and drive a wedge between him and his friends. The closest nudge to a problem in their group was when he thought about the witness to Sandy’s petty thievery. Other than that, it feels like his problems exist when his therapist converses with him and disappear when he’s around other people.
All in all, the novel underexplores and underutilizes some of the greatest threats to a close-knit group. Isolation in the mountains, a strong villain, an unstable narrator – all of these potential enemies were dropped into the plot but were given no real potential.
It was a disappointing read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2015
On Come Winter
As with many others, I found this book in my favorite thrift shop. It was just sitting there, with its intriguing cover, the description had ‘sex,’ ‘horror’ and ‘winter’ in it and I was already hooked. Of course, I didn’t immediately read it (when does that ever happen?) but it hasn’t been too long since I purchased it.
To be honest, I started reading this piece due to the simple fact that after the giant that was A Short History of Nearly Everything, I needed a reading break. I needed something short and quick, to transition me from all the information I had just consumed from Bill Bryson’s great encyclopedia (no, seriously, the version I own is the size of a textbook). My back was tired of carrying that monster around, my eyes were tired from the glossy and crisp white pages, and I just wanted to read about horror with sex in the winter, okay?
Now, to start off, the plot of this novel was far from what I expected; as in, far below. Sandy, Peter and David were not as interesting as I thought they would be and their whiny selves annoyed me at some parts. At others, I just didn’t understand what they were doing, why, and how they could be so stupid. To be completely honest with you, the ending was super predictable and not satisfactory. Really? That was the best you could come up with? Now, I suppose, I am being too harsh and this type of a book is meant for a niche “market” of people. Even then, the end greatly disappointed me.
The writing itself was not as bad as I expected it to be. It was straight to the point and without mistakes. Hunter was good at expressing was the main character was feeling, most of the time. The other time, I was just left wondering what was wrong with this person. But then, I took a step back and thought, don’t judge, dear, your thoughts are not better. So, I’ll give him a pass on this one.
As I previously stated, the characters in this novel did not impress me too much. We got Sandy, Peter and David as the centerpiece(s), but who they really were, I am not sure. Yet again, this was a first-person narrative, so it could be the point. However, I don’t think they made any sense – Sandy was mean but nice, ate a boatload in the morning but had a model body, David was a “fag” but he wasn’t, Peter was a psychopath, but he wasn’t. It kept switching and not making sense, so by the end I was a little done with this trio.
Overall, I didn’t hate it. It was fine. I guess it just wasn’t what I was looking for. I was expecting a novel with the feel of an old-school Scooby-Doo episode, with creepy villains and all types of mysteries. Safe to say, that is not what I got. However, it was a great transitional read; that I must say.
Final word: Empty.
Date finished: 2013.10.31
Rating: 2 | 5
As with many others, I found this book in my favorite thrift shop. It was just sitting there, with its intriguing cover, the description had ‘sex,’ ‘horror’ and ‘winter’ in it and I was already hooked. Of course, I didn’t immediately read it (when does that ever happen?) but it hasn’t been too long since I purchased it.
To be honest, I started reading this piece due to the simple fact that after the giant that was A Short History of Nearly Everything, I needed a reading break. I needed something short and quick, to transition me from all the information I had just consumed from Bill Bryson’s great encyclopedia (no, seriously, the version I own is the size of a textbook). My back was tired of carrying that monster around, my eyes were tired from the glossy and crisp white pages, and I just wanted to read about horror with sex in the winter, okay?
Now, to start off, the plot of this novel was far from what I expected; as in, far below. Sandy, Peter and David were not as interesting as I thought they would be and their whiny selves annoyed me at some parts. At others, I just didn’t understand what they were doing, why, and how they could be so stupid. To be completely honest with you, the ending was super predictable and not satisfactory. Really? That was the best you could come up with? Now, I suppose, I am being too harsh and this type of a book is meant for a niche “market” of people. Even then, the end greatly disappointed me.
The writing itself was not as bad as I expected it to be. It was straight to the point and without mistakes. Hunter was good at expressing was the main character was feeling, most of the time. The other time, I was just left wondering what was wrong with this person. But then, I took a step back and thought, don’t judge, dear, your thoughts are not better. So, I’ll give him a pass on this one.
As I previously stated, the characters in this novel did not impress me too much. We got Sandy, Peter and David as the centerpiece(s), but who they really were, I am not sure. Yet again, this was a first-person narrative, so it could be the point. However, I don’t think they made any sense – Sandy was mean but nice, ate a boatload in the morning but had a model body, David was a “fag” but he wasn’t, Peter was a psychopath, but he wasn’t. It kept switching and not making sense, so by the end I was a little done with this trio.
Overall, I didn’t hate it. It was fine. I guess it just wasn’t what I was looking for. I was expecting a novel with the feel of an old-school Scooby-Doo episode, with creepy villains and all types of mysteries. Safe to say, that is not what I got. However, it was a great transitional read; that I must say.
Final word: Empty.
Date finished: 2013.10.31
Rating: 2 | 5
January 27, 2016
I enjoyed this story of three very nihilistic young people. The three seem to be lacking in most human feelings except for what they feel for each other. Their winter trip to Colorado (Somewhere) strictly for their own amusement at first, begins to tumble down into who can do the most shocking thing first. But they don't want to commit murder, even though they probably want to see the Jewish doctor that adopts them die. It is not surprising frankly when he does die on the most challenging of slopes to be found in the resort area in which they are staying. I was saddened by the almost but not quite psychotic behaviors of the three. Their lack of social skills except with each other also saddened me.
I would not recommend this book to a young person under the age of 18. I do not believe the kind of social grouping these people engage in is acceptable in most of our society and I would not want to see young people try to emulate this group. The book frankly depressed me. But I give it four stars because it is well written and because the characters are fleshed out pretty well. I wonder at the anti-social attitudes of the characters and do not like them, any of them, very much. They seem like three "rich kids" run amok. Sad.
I would not recommend this book to a young person under the age of 18. I do not believe the kind of social grouping these people engage in is acceptable in most of our society and I would not want to see young people try to emulate this group. The book frankly depressed me. But I give it four stars because it is well written and because the characters are fleshed out pretty well. I wonder at the anti-social attitudes of the characters and do not like them, any of them, very much. They seem like three "rich kids" run amok. Sad.
November 9, 2021
This was my second time reading Come Winter, Evan Hunter's sequel to Last Summer, and I appreciated it even more this time around. We get a great setting - it's the 1970s at a ski resort in the "heart of America's vast snow country" and there are some evocative descriptions of skiing included throughout the story. There is something very effortless about Evan Hunter's writing and he created a winning combo with the sociopathic trio of Sandy, David and Peter, who you end up liking and rooting for in this novel (or at least, I did!).
An interesting tidbit if you're a fan of the TV show Seinfeld: this book is included in the S03, E05 episode "The Library" - you can see it in the stack of books that the librarian is checking back in. Also in the book, a character named Mary Margaret, who has a rather dumpy appearance but is blessed with exquisitely beautiful hands, reveals that she is a fashion model, specifically a "hand model". It makes me wonder if this inspired George's short-lived career as a hand model in S05, E02 "The Puffy Shirt"? Or maybe it's just a coincidence..
An interesting tidbit if you're a fan of the TV show Seinfeld: this book is included in the S03, E05 episode "The Library" - you can see it in the stack of books that the librarian is checking back in. Also in the book, a character named Mary Margaret, who has a rather dumpy appearance but is blessed with exquisitely beautiful hands, reveals that she is a fashion model, specifically a "hand model". It makes me wonder if this inspired George's short-lived career as a hand model in S05, E02 "The Puffy Shirt"? Or maybe it's just a coincidence..
February 6, 2020
You must read the part 1 which is "Last Summer" before reading this one.
I have finished this book in one day (a busy day). I have been a big fan of Evan Hunter aka Ed McBain since 25 years ago. I have lost count of how many books I have read that was written by him.
His books were never sentimental. Actually it were realistic and deal with human nature. Many of them even heart breaking.
Last Summer and Come Winter are about three friends. Peter, David and Sandy. It begins with how they met and something crazy happening after that.
I don't know how to tell you what type of story this is. Because they aren't any "common type". This is something original.
I have finished this book in one day (a busy day). I have been a big fan of Evan Hunter aka Ed McBain since 25 years ago. I have lost count of how many books I have read that was written by him.
His books were never sentimental. Actually it were realistic and deal with human nature. Many of them even heart breaking.
Last Summer and Come Winter are about three friends. Peter, David and Sandy. It begins with how they met and something crazy happening after that.
I don't know how to tell you what type of story this is. Because they aren't any "common type". This is something original.
August 9, 2022
How could this novel ever live up to its prequel's ("Last Summer") effect on me? I encountered the film based on that book on late night TV as a pre-teen. I didn't fully understand what happened in it, but I did relate to the character of Rhoda as a perpetual outsider and naive, chunky kid.
It would be another decade or so before I learned what a sociopath was and equated it with Sandy, the ringleader character--a Mean Girl extraordinaire and teen exhibitionist control freak. Cruel and vain people are in no short supply (as evidenced by many political leaders, celebrities, etc.) but Sandy and her two male cohorts relished their evil in a way I can't remember encountering in depictions of such young people before then. I hadn't seen "The Bad Seed" at that point, but their devious needling strikes closer to my heart than some detached killer. OMG, I just realized both the "Bad Seed" junior villainess and Evan Hunter's downtrodden protagonist were named Rhoda. Coincidence? Probably.
As in the first book, "Come Winter" takes us on a (should be) fun adventure with the trio of Sandy, Peter, and David/Dan. They've graduated high school and swapped a beach for snowy slopes. Rhoda is extensively discussed as part of Peter's psychiatric session flashbacks, but he insists he doesn't think about her or what they did to her much. Sorry to be vague, but avoiding spoilers. Just rest assured there's a toxic triangle of privilege, mutual-admiration, and destructive tendencies wherever this teen (college aged in the second book) triumvirate goes.
So why didn't I like it? I did, kind of, but it could never have lived up to my expectations. I enjoyed the insights into Peter's self-delusions, but the overall plot of harming others seemed a little forced this time. The trio got to know Rhoda slowly and well, so there's a special pathos and shock in their betraying her. Here their "victims" seem chosen at random and far more impersonal. Maybe that's to amp up their viciousness or distance themselves to make their crimes more palatable. Or maybe Evan Hunter couldn't equal his sensitive and sympathetic portrayal of Rhoda, so he opted to sacrifice characters of far less depth and consequence.
An unexpected plot element was one of the characters being Jewish and another a white supremacist on the down low. When the racist gets some just desserts, it doesn't play as poignantly as Rhoda's mistreatment. Are we supposed to care about this vile person, and does it lend undeserved sympathy to the treacherous triangle for almost righting a wrong? I found it hard to connect with any of the minor characters and almost lost interest in the main three because their machinations seemed an illogical reach.
Others may enjoy this book, but I suppose it was a case of "you can't go home again" for me. The film "Last Summer" caught so much of the zeitgeist of late '60s youth culture, especially being left to raise themselves. I suppose their maturing into awful people shouldn't have surprised me, but "Come Winter" lacked heart and felt vaguely pointless. If you find it cheap or at a library, it's worth a read, but I'll be looking for a copy of "Last Summer" and wishing most of its superb film hadn't been lost. It's truly a classic with Catherine Burns nominated for an Oscar as Rhoda and Richard Thomas (John Boy from the Waltons) giving one of his best performances as Peter.
It would be another decade or so before I learned what a sociopath was and equated it with Sandy, the ringleader character--a Mean Girl extraordinaire and teen exhibitionist control freak. Cruel and vain people are in no short supply (as evidenced by many political leaders, celebrities, etc.) but Sandy and her two male cohorts relished their evil in a way I can't remember encountering in depictions of such young people before then. I hadn't seen "The Bad Seed" at that point, but their devious needling strikes closer to my heart than some detached killer. OMG, I just realized both the "Bad Seed" junior villainess and Evan Hunter's downtrodden protagonist were named Rhoda. Coincidence? Probably.
As in the first book, "Come Winter" takes us on a (should be) fun adventure with the trio of Sandy, Peter, and David/Dan. They've graduated high school and swapped a beach for snowy slopes. Rhoda is extensively discussed as part of Peter's psychiatric session flashbacks, but he insists he doesn't think about her or what they did to her much. Sorry to be vague, but avoiding spoilers. Just rest assured there's a toxic triangle of privilege, mutual-admiration, and destructive tendencies wherever this teen (college aged in the second book) triumvirate goes.
So why didn't I like it? I did, kind of, but it could never have lived up to my expectations. I enjoyed the insights into Peter's self-delusions, but the overall plot of harming others seemed a little forced this time. The trio got to know Rhoda slowly and well, so there's a special pathos and shock in their betraying her. Here their "victims" seem chosen at random and far more impersonal. Maybe that's to amp up their viciousness or distance themselves to make their crimes more palatable. Or maybe Evan Hunter couldn't equal his sensitive and sympathetic portrayal of Rhoda, so he opted to sacrifice characters of far less depth and consequence.
An unexpected plot element was one of the characters being Jewish and another a white supremacist on the down low. When the racist gets some just desserts, it doesn't play as poignantly as Rhoda's mistreatment. Are we supposed to care about this vile person, and does it lend undeserved sympathy to the treacherous triangle for almost righting a wrong? I found it hard to connect with any of the minor characters and almost lost interest in the main three because their machinations seemed an illogical reach.
Others may enjoy this book, but I suppose it was a case of "you can't go home again" for me. The film "Last Summer" caught so much of the zeitgeist of late '60s youth culture, especially being left to raise themselves. I suppose their maturing into awful people shouldn't have surprised me, but "Come Winter" lacked heart and felt vaguely pointless. If you find it cheap or at a library, it's worth a read, but I'll be looking for a copy of "Last Summer" and wishing most of its superb film hadn't been lost. It's truly a classic with Catherine Burns nominated for an Oscar as Rhoda and Richard Thomas (John Boy from the Waltons) giving one of his best performances as Peter.
July 13, 2025
An extremely frustrating and disappointing read. The quality and pace of the writing was good enough to carry forward a novel for an additional 200 or 300 pages, and develop sufficient twists and turns along the way. I actually enjoyed the characters here for the most part and the dialogue, while still as banal as in “Last Summer” was brisk and witty.
Unfortunately I kept waiting for something interesting or fucked up to happen in this book and NOTHING happened. There’s a theme of evil and what it means in this book and it just didn’t really land - nothing quite evil really happened, not from our trio of protagonists and not particularly from the “villain” of the book; an underdeveloped character who shows up in the final 3rd and just does not carry any threat or gravitas. For some reason the author really wanted her to be an anti-semite but it just doesn’t hold water or make sense.
There’s an unexpected threesome sex scene that just for whatever reason, the narrator decided to describe in really abstract and poetic language to such an absurd extent that I laughed out loud. It came out of nowhere, since the rest of the book was written normally.
Overall, NOT worth reading - it hypes you up with anticipation of something cool or disturbing happening, maybe.. a plot? But there’s none of that. It’s the same from beginning to end, and the experience is that of a cold wet noodle.
Unfortunately I kept waiting for something interesting or fucked up to happen in this book and NOTHING happened. There’s a theme of evil and what it means in this book and it just didn’t really land - nothing quite evil really happened, not from our trio of protagonists and not particularly from the “villain” of the book; an underdeveloped character who shows up in the final 3rd and just does not carry any threat or gravitas. For some reason the author really wanted her to be an anti-semite but it just doesn’t hold water or make sense.
There’s an unexpected threesome sex scene that just for whatever reason, the narrator decided to describe in really abstract and poetic language to such an absurd extent that I laughed out loud. It came out of nowhere, since the rest of the book was written normally.
Overall, NOT worth reading - it hypes you up with anticipation of something cool or disturbing happening, maybe.. a plot? But there’s none of that. It’s the same from beginning to end, and the experience is that of a cold wet noodle.
May 5, 2020
Really Enjoyed This!
I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I had a very hard time putting it down.
I was introduced to these three dreadfuls in the first book of this two book series, “Last Summer”. I loved that one as well. If you like dark, psychological stories about twisted young people parading around as normal, I would definitely recommend both books. I would urge you to read them in order, with “Last Summer” being the first.
I really wish there were more follow up books in this series as I would love to read more about future developments with these three psychologically disturbed characters. However, since Evan Hunter, the author, is now deceased, I guess there is not much chance of this happening any time soon!! Oh well.....😞. Happy reading!! 😊
I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I had a very hard time putting it down.
I was introduced to these three dreadfuls in the first book of this two book series, “Last Summer”. I loved that one as well. If you like dark, psychological stories about twisted young people parading around as normal, I would definitely recommend both books. I would urge you to read them in order, with “Last Summer” being the first.
I really wish there were more follow up books in this series as I would love to read more about future developments with these three psychologically disturbed characters. However, since Evan Hunter, the author, is now deceased, I guess there is not much chance of this happening any time soon!! Oh well.....😞. Happy reading!! 😊
May 29, 2020
Come Winter is a twisted little tale about Sandy, Peter, and David, three psychotic young adults that are as dangerous as they are entertaining. Throughout the book, Peter recalls his therapy sessions where his psychiatrist alludes to a rape that took place in high school and warns Peter that his relationship with Sandy and David is dangerously unhealthy if not downright evil, but Peter ignores his advice. When the three friends go on a vacation together to a ski resort, they run into several other sordid characters that all seem to try to outdo each other on the slopes until things go very wrong. The dialog is witty and sometimes a little disturbing, but I couldn't stop turning pages until the end. If you're up for something different, I highly recommend this book.
August 26, 2020
A bit disappointing
I read the reviews of this book before I downloaded it and it seemed interesting so I thought I'd give it a try. A relatively short novel, just under 200 pages long. But, only consisting of 2 chapters in total, making for dense reading.
In addition to the dense-ness of the book, the story centers around 3 narcissistic "friends" who go on a ski trip at Christmastime and act as though they are somehow superior to the rest of the vacationers at the ski lodge they are staying at.
The only reason why I have this book 3 stars and not lower was because it did keep my interest. I was interested to see if these horrible people ever got what was coming to them ( and some of the not-so-good people they came across).
I read the reviews of this book before I downloaded it and it seemed interesting so I thought I'd give it a try. A relatively short novel, just under 200 pages long. But, only consisting of 2 chapters in total, making for dense reading.
In addition to the dense-ness of the book, the story centers around 3 narcissistic "friends" who go on a ski trip at Christmastime and act as though they are somehow superior to the rest of the vacationers at the ski lodge they are staying at.
The only reason why I have this book 3 stars and not lower was because it did keep my interest. I was interested to see if these horrible people ever got what was coming to them ( and some of the not-so-good people they came across).
March 22, 2020
An interesting and funny find from the communal bookcase at work. A group of three close friends feeling invincible from the closeness of their friendship gets them into all sorts of trouble. A thriller of sorts always hinting at the outcome and keeps you wondering how you'll get there and not at all as sordid as the cover would have you believe.
May 1, 2020
Doesn't have quite the impact of the first book, but it's still a great look into the banality of evil. Like if the hang from Last House on the Left had money.
A non-satirical, realistic, comples and psychologically observant American Psycho. But no cartoonish violence. Hardly any at all, really.
A non-satirical, realistic, comples and psychologically observant American Psycho. But no cartoonish violence. Hardly any at all, really.
November 4, 2022
Not as Good as Last Summer
Compared to Last Summer, this was a lackluster attempt as a sequel. The characters were not as developed with no motivations for their actions.
Compared to Last Summer, this was a lackluster attempt as a sequel. The characters were not as developed with no motivations for their actions.
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April 18, 2024An excruciating waste of time.
April 28, 2024
This was also claustrophobic and intense. Jumping 5 years into the future was a great way to raise the stakes while keeping it grounded in youth.
August 6, 2024
Not as impactful as “Last Summer”…and felt quite formulaic…but a worthwhile read.
December 14, 2022
I gave this only 3 stars at the time because by the time I was half way though, I had forgotten the plot, but I decided not to indulge myself and continued to read regardless. The description of the sex scene was great, but once I got to the end, I felt a little cheated. It took me a couple of days to replaying the book in my mind to come to conclusion that this book actually deserves 4 stars.
August 25, 2024
Come Winter is the sequel to Hunter's earlier book, Last Summer. It follows much the same format, with many parallel occurrences. The locale has changed, from an island resort community to a ski lodge. The unit of three (David, Sandy and narrator Peter) return. Rhoda, the foil from the previous novel, appears only in a cameo when Sandy relates seeing her in a store as Rhoda plans to go to Paris. We aren't sure if Sandy is telling the truth, and that is what is striking about this later work. Last Summer was a very serious coming of age novel, an end of the innocence. Now that the innocence is gone, however, can we really trust the characters? Part of the story is told in the form of Peter's sessions with his psychotherapist, who is trying to convince him to leave his association with David and Sandy (the pop psych "co dependency" term had not been invented yet or it surely would have been used here). In these sessions, Peter repeatedly denies that they raped Rhoda in the previous work, and we aren't sure if he himself believes it or not. Rhoda's replacement in Come Winter is Mary Margaret, who is somewhat physically similar to Rhoda. Behaviorally, however, she is no Rhoda. In fact, she might even be a match for Sandy in callousness, bordering on sociopathy (if not crossing the line). Mary Margaret is portrayed as an anti-semite, and is not a character who draws sympathy from the reader, as Rhoda had. When the inevitable clash between Sandy and Mary Margaret comes to its climax, we see that little has changed from Last Summer. Peter and David and Sandy have grown older, and harder, and life simply goes on. Don't expect any moral epiphanies on the part of any of the main characters, which may be what Hunter was trying to tell us. Perhaps this is not the work that Last Summer was, but it is an engaging read nonetheless and a must for the many fans of Last Summer (and the excellent movie version).
July 9, 2012
Meh. The book kinda threw me through a loop. But it was alright.
June 12, 2013
Quite a bizarre story. I did enjoy the skiing descriptions though. The book was recommended to me by a friend who knew I enjoyed skiing.
June 19, 2016
Not very interesting; all the characters are incomplete, most of the dialogue is shallow.
The story is told in the last 12 pages.
The story is told in the last 12 pages.
June 26, 2017
Sandy, David, and Peter - the story continues. This time, instead of innocence lost, it's vengeance gained.
I read this back when it first came out and was thrilled to find it again.
I read this back when it first came out and was thrilled to find it again.
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