The Winter Storm

by Susan Specht Oram

Her conscience won't let her rest until she rescues those she left trapped in a psych ward.

Jacklyn Stone’s freedom is tainted with guilt. Rebuilding after her conniving son’s attempt to dispose of her in a secluded mental facility, the loyal sixty-something is haunted by memories of other sane residents abandoned by their families. Desperate to save those held against their will, she recruits a group of big-hearted friends for a daring Christmas Eve mission.

Risking a boat trip across frigid waters, Jacklyn and her friends sneak in under false pretenses and pray their front holds up to the medical staff’s scrutiny. But with an old nemesis, a deadly blizzard, and her vindictive offspring closing in, Jacklyn might be walking back into a padded cell.

Will her guts and grit prevail or is she sailing into an icy snare?

If you like tenacious heroines, complex family ties, and ticking clocks, then you’ll love this thrilling shock to the system.

Read The Winter Storm to brave the elements of evil today!

* Jacklyn Stone, a character who captured readers’ hearts in the nail-biting psychological thriller Shore Lodge, returns in The Winter Storm.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2025

About the author

Writing mysteries-thrillers and creative nonfiction. Author of SHORE LODGE, THE THIEVES, CABIN EIGHT, THE MOTHER's THREAT and SECRETS AT THE CAFE, UNDER JACKSON BRIDGE, MISSING MAN, BY MIDNIGHT, THE WINTER STORM, THE COLD NIGHT. I live in a windy part of the Pacific Northwest with my husband and rescue dog.
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Reviews

[Carol Nauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventures of Jacklyn Stone continue from the first book in the series, Stone Lodge. In this installment, Jackie and her friends are in a mission to rescue patients from the psychiatric facility in which Jackie had previously been a patient. The book is fast-paced with nonstop excitement from a winter storm with high winds and choppy waters during the rescue attempt to an explosion in Jackie's front yard. I love the way the characters interact with each other, even Jackie's son, who is the pariah of the town. The book ends with serveral unfinished storylines leaving the reader more than ready to read the next installment of this exciting series. I highly recommend this book and the previous books in the series.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This newest book by Susan Specht Oram doesn’t disappoint! It’s full of excitement, as the popular characters from previous books return to plot and rescue folks from Shore Lodge. Leading the adventure is Jacklyn, who escaped from Shore Lodge, a nursing facility, in the book of the same name. Jacklyn rounds up a team of Millersville characters to help her complete her task. Irena transports them in her boat, Karina brings food from her cafe, and Violet, the investigator, is there to be the strong arm of the law!
There is adventure, revenge, and friendship tieing the story together.
Of course, the ending leaves the reader hanging, with the expectation of the next exciting book!
Bravo to author Susan Specht Oram for another well written adventure in Millersville, where there’s always an excitement in this small town!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Susan Specht Oram’s books and this one is her best by far. The main character, Jacklyn Stone, is a strong willed lady. In an earlier book, Jacklyn is unfairly admitted to a retirement home by her son. She manages to make friends with many of the residents. Finally, she manages to “escape” and life continues. She vows to return to the facility and rescue her friends. Meanwhile her son is plotting against her once again plotting against her.

This book is tense and thrilling. It’s a must read, Don’t miss out, you will not be disappointed. I would like to thank Ms. Oram for the advanced reader copy.

[Judy Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It had my attention at the first page! It was such a fantastic read! It had a lot of twists and turn in it right thru the whole book!

So good!

[Ratatosk · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading shore Lodge, I thought I would give this author another try. One of my frustrations with the first book is despite it being a small town where “everybody knows everyone’s business“ there are multiple situations where nobody knows who the main characters are despite being longtime business owners. Add to that the main character’s son continues to be troublesome, criminal behavior and harassment continues yet nobody does anything. When her son tries to sabotage her new business stone construction by going to the city planning office and making up a bunch of false claims, the city planner says “since you used to own the land, dusty. I will take your word for it. Let me write this stuff down“ and apparently requires additional permits and studies based on a disgruntled, former property owners word.

[Denise Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love following the characters in Susan Specht Oran’s novels! The Winter Storm is packed with mystery, family betrayal and revenge. The characters are so well written, I felt like I was there with them. Can’t wait for the next book already!

Release date March 19, 2025

[Jovette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plot in the story, but the end was so disappointing for me. I expected more suspense, I feel like it was unfinished.

[Colleen Pergamalis · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a Give Away win and was not for me. Every chapter was absolute torture. I did not like the writing and the characters and storyline were unrealistic. I could not finish it.

[Emily C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get Ready for a Heart-Pounding Adventure in The Winter Storm by the talented Susan Specht Oram!

On a festive and joyous Christmas Eve, The Winter Storm pulls you into a chilling rescue mission led by the determined Jaclyn Stone. With the help of her loyal and big-hearted friends, Jaclyn embarks on a journey filled with danger and suspense. But standing in her way is her ruthless and vengeful son, Dusty, whose destructive schemes threaten to derail her noble quest.

Brace yourself for a stormy and turbulent ride as you accompany Jaclyn into the despicable depths of the infamous Shore Lodge!

I was captivated by Jaclyn’s tenacity, resilience, and unwavering courage in the face of insurmountable challenges. She’s a fighter with a big heart who never backs down. I highly recommend The Winter Storm to fans of suspenseful thrillers—you won’t be able to put it down!

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Mystery/Thriller, and this is the first book in the Jacklyn Stone Thrillers series. I took a while to get pulled into this book because I felt like I was missing something at first. I had to look back and make sure this is the first book in this series. I felt the beginning put us in the middle of a whole lot of craziness, and we had to work our way out of it to figure out what was going on. The characters grow on me, and I was living for all the drama in this book. Overall, once I got through the beginning I really enjoyed this book, and I will pick up the next book in this series. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Susan Oram · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like fast-paced mystery-thrillers set in a small town, I think you'll love The Winter Storm.
Jacklyn Stone is the main character in my first novel Shore Lodge, and I enjoyed bringing her back in this first book in a new series. Readers asked for her to return to Shore Lodge and rescue those left behind, and because Jacklyn is a strong, likable character, I happily complied.

The Winter Storm is packed with action, suspense and complex family drama in a Pacific Northwest small waterfront town. I hope you'll pick up a copy and dive into her story. Join Jacklyn and her friends for a thrilling ride!

All the best in reading, Susan