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Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife
Six down-on-their-luck people with links to the world of crime writing have been invited to play a game this Christmas by the mysterious Midwinter Trust. The challenge seems simple but Solve the murder of a fictional crime writer in a remote but wonderfully atmospheric village in north Yorkshire to win a prize that will change your fortunes for good.
Six members of staff from the shadowy Trust are there to make sure everyone plays fair. The contestants have been meticulously vetted but you can never be too careful. And with the village about to be cut off by a snow storm, everyone needs to be extra vigilant. Midwinter can play tricks on people's minds.
The game is set - but playing fair isn't on everyone's Christmas list.
Six members of staff from the shadowy Trust are there to make sure everyone plays fair. The contestants have been meticulously vetted but you can never be too careful. And with the village about to be cut off by a snow storm, everyone needs to be extra vigilant. Midwinter can play tricks on people's minds.
The game is set - but playing fair isn't on everyone's Christmas list.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published September 11, 2025
1194 people are currently reading
10983 people want to read
About the author
Martin Edwards
357 books802 followersMartin Edwards has been described by Richard Osman as ‘a true master of British crime writing.’ He has published twenty-three novels, which include the eight Lake District Mysteries, one of which was shortlisted for the Theakston’s Prize for best crime novel of the year and four books featuring Rachel Savernake, including the Dagger-nominated Gallows Court and Blackstone Fell, while Gallows Court and Sepulchre Street were shortlisted for the eDunnit award for best crime novel of the year. He is also the author of two multi-award-winning histories of crime fiction, The Life of Crime and The Golden Age of Murder. He has received three Daggers from the Crime Writers’ Association and two Edgars from the Mystery Writers of America and has also been nominated three times for Gold Daggers. In addition to the CWA Diamond Dagger (the highest honour in UK crime writing) he has received four other lifetime achievement awards: for his fiction, short fiction, non-fiction, and scholarship. He is consultant to the British Library’s Crime Classics, a former Chair of the CWA, and since 2015 has been President of the Detection Club.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 558 reviews
July 31, 2025
If you're looking for an easy read this isn't for you. I understand books are usually subjective but a pet peeve of mine is when books get undeserved bad reviews. Because this book is going to be a nocturnal emission ( Google it 🫶🏻) for most!
This isn't just a book, it's a work of art, it's an entire experience! You aren't just a reader, you're a participant.
Also, if you find yourself finding this book "cliche" please try and remember it's literally supposed to be! For many of us this will be as close to a murder mystery weekend we can get. This author knows what they are doing though because even with all the needed cliche, there is strong originality!
This isnt the book you take on a busy family beach day or a quick commute. This is the kind of book you block out a night, grab a notebook & pen, and get to work! After all, YOU have a case to solve!
I love, love, LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE that the author included cluefinders at the end!!
Making for a second read to be an entirely different experience!
This isn't just a book, it's a work of art, it's an entire experience! You aren't just a reader, you're a participant.
Also, if you find yourself finding this book "cliche" please try and remember it's literally supposed to be! For many of us this will be as close to a murder mystery weekend we can get. This author knows what they are doing though because even with all the needed cliche, there is strong originality!
This isnt the book you take on a busy family beach day or a quick commute. This is the kind of book you block out a night, grab a notebook & pen, and get to work! After all, YOU have a case to solve!
I love, love, LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEE that the author included cluefinders at the end!!
Making for a second read to be an entirely different experience!
October 4, 2025
The title is so brilliant that I thought I would enjoy this book more than I actually did.
The premise was so promising. Six people from the book world and currently down on their luck are invited to play a mystery game at Christmas by the Midwinter Trust. The reward for the winner is high and the participants are keen but events soon show that the Trust is not in fact trustworthy. The reader is encouraged to play along and there are plenty of clues to tackle.
I think my problem with it was the way it was laid out as two parallel stories, one from the past and the other in the present. As the current day story gained speed I found myself irritated when it paused for the other story. Nevertheless it is certainly a clever tale, skilfully put together and far too complicated for me to solve. Which I did not mind at all. It was still fun to watch the experts do it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The premise was so promising. Six people from the book world and currently down on their luck are invited to play a mystery game at Christmas by the Midwinter Trust. The reward for the winner is high and the participants are keen but events soon show that the Trust is not in fact trustworthy. The reader is encouraged to play along and there are plenty of clues to tackle.
I think my problem with it was the way it was laid out as two parallel stories, one from the past and the other in the present. As the current day story gained speed I found myself irritated when it paused for the other story. Nevertheless it is certainly a clever tale, skilfully put together and far too complicated for me to solve. Which I did not mind at all. It was still fun to watch the experts do it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 21, 2025
I went into this book with very high expectations. The description immediately grabbed me: six people, all with connections to the world of crime writing, are invited to play a mysterious game in a remote, snowbound Yorkshire village. They’re overseen by a shadowy organization called the Midwinter Trust, and the rules are clear: solve the fictional murder of a writer, play fair, and win a life-changing prize. Add in the promise of a looming snowstorm, secrets, and plenty of psychological tension, and I was convinced this was going to be one of the most memorable and entertaining mysteries I’d read this year.
And in many ways, the setup really is perfect. The game itself, the atmosphere of the village, the sense of being cut off from the outside world—all of that is wonderfully crafted. In the opening chapters, I thought I’d found exactly the kind of clever, layered mystery I love, the sort of story that makes you want to cancel plans just to keep reading.
But after that promising start, my excitement slowly fizzled out. The book is structured around two simultaneous investigations—one fictional, part of the game, and one “real.” The problem is that for the majority of the novel (honestly, right up until the final quarter), it’s never quite clear which one deserves our focus. Instead of building suspense, this constant back-and-forth just left me confused and disengaged.
The pacing was another issue. For a story with such a compelling premise, it felt frustratingly slow. Chapters dragged, tension rarely escalated, and instead of tightening as the mystery unfolded, the narrative seemed to wander. The supposed “real” crime, which should have been the most gripping element, is strangely muted and downplayed. It doesn’t land with the urgency or emotional impact you’d expect in a thriller, and that lack of intensity drained away much of the excitement I had hoped for.
I’ll admit that I nearly gave up several times. I lost track of the threads more than once and had to push myself to finish—something I very rarely experience with crime fiction, which is usually my favorite genre. It ended up taking me almost two months to work my way through, not because I wanted to savor it, but because I kept losing interest.
And yet, that’s what makes this such a disappointing read: I wanted to love it. I went in thinking it would be a top-tier, standout mystery, maybe even a new favorite. The concept is clever, the structure ambitious, and the potential absolutely undeniable. But the execution never lived up to the promise. For a crime novel, it didn’t thrill me. For a mystery, it didn’t grip me. Instead of feeling drawn deeper into the story, I felt held at arm’s length.
In the end, Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife was one of my biggest reading letdowns of the year. A brilliant idea buried under sluggish pacing and confusing storytelling. I admire the ambition behind it, and I know others may have more patience with the slow build than I did, but for me it was a frustrating and underwhelming experience.
And in many ways, the setup really is perfect. The game itself, the atmosphere of the village, the sense of being cut off from the outside world—all of that is wonderfully crafted. In the opening chapters, I thought I’d found exactly the kind of clever, layered mystery I love, the sort of story that makes you want to cancel plans just to keep reading.
But after that promising start, my excitement slowly fizzled out. The book is structured around two simultaneous investigations—one fictional, part of the game, and one “real.” The problem is that for the majority of the novel (honestly, right up until the final quarter), it’s never quite clear which one deserves our focus. Instead of building suspense, this constant back-and-forth just left me confused and disengaged.
The pacing was another issue. For a story with such a compelling premise, it felt frustratingly slow. Chapters dragged, tension rarely escalated, and instead of tightening as the mystery unfolded, the narrative seemed to wander. The supposed “real” crime, which should have been the most gripping element, is strangely muted and downplayed. It doesn’t land with the urgency or emotional impact you’d expect in a thriller, and that lack of intensity drained away much of the excitement I had hoped for.
I’ll admit that I nearly gave up several times. I lost track of the threads more than once and had to push myself to finish—something I very rarely experience with crime fiction, which is usually my favorite genre. It ended up taking me almost two months to work my way through, not because I wanted to savor it, but because I kept losing interest.
And yet, that’s what makes this such a disappointing read: I wanted to love it. I went in thinking it would be a top-tier, standout mystery, maybe even a new favorite. The concept is clever, the structure ambitious, and the potential absolutely undeniable. But the execution never lived up to the promise. For a crime novel, it didn’t thrill me. For a mystery, it didn’t grip me. Instead of feeling drawn deeper into the story, I felt held at arm’s length.
In the end, Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife was one of my biggest reading letdowns of the year. A brilliant idea buried under sluggish pacing and confusing storytelling. I admire the ambition behind it, and I know others may have more patience with the slow build than I did, but for me it was a frustrating and underwhelming experience.
December 14, 2025
This book was not at all what I expected. The title suggested the game of Clue, which I enjoyed playing as a tween. I'm unsure how that would translate into fiction, but this didn't appeal to me at all. I would never have persevered with it, but it was one of only two books that I had with on a hospital isolation ward, recovering from Influenza A. The TV was dreadful, they were deadly serious about the isolation, and I had neglected to throw my tablet charger into my bag. In my defense, I was mostly trying to breathe and stay upright.
I am not a puzzle solver, generally speaking, so the proffered brain teasers didn't excite me at all (and while you wrestle with the flu virus, your brain isn't up to snuff any way.) I also have to say that I really didn't like ANY of the characters. Especially our main narrator, Harry Crystal. He just seemed like such a sad sack. His own estimation of his talent was low and that opinion rubbed off on me.
I finished up a couple of days after getting home. It felt like putting my hospital stay in the rearview mirror. I am sure there is an audience for this, but it somehow failed to charm me. I hope others enjoy it more.
I am not a puzzle solver, generally speaking, so the proffered brain teasers didn't excite me at all (and while you wrestle with the flu virus, your brain isn't up to snuff any way.) I also have to say that I really didn't like ANY of the characters. Especially our main narrator, Harry Crystal. He just seemed like such a sad sack. His own estimation of his talent was low and that opinion rubbed off on me.
I finished up a couple of days after getting home. It felt like putting my hospital stay in the rearview mirror. I am sure there is an audience for this, but it somehow failed to charm me. I hope others enjoy it more.
December 27, 2025
2.5 rounded down
(Spoilers for the ending)
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Martin Edwards is really well-known in the mystery/crime-writing world so I feel bad saying this but I just wasn’t super impressed with this mystery.
The premise is that six people are invited to this remote village over the winter holidays to solve a mystery and win a prize. All six have dealings with the publishing world, specifically mystery writing (a writer, a publicist, a true crime podcaster, etc) so they all think they each have a chance at winning. And then one of them is killed.
The problem with this book is the way the whole mystery is set up. These six people theoretically should be really good at solving mysteries, or at least coming up with creative ways to solve them, but we hardly spend any time with them! We get a little bit of them at the end trying to work out together who the killer is, but the majority of the book is spent with the people running the mystery game. And I didn’t really like any of those characters. If the summary of the book focuses on the six solving a fake mystery turned real one, then we should be following them for most of the book.
Given why the killer actually did kill the victims makes involving the mystery runners make sense, but the whole thing with there being actual spies (MI5, CIA) and being spy-related felt both like it came out of nowhere and was also an easy fix for the ending. It was nice having a cluefinder in the back of the book and seeing what parts the author actually intended to be clues. But since almost none of them read like they might be important in the moment, reading them felt like we were potentially being purposely misled the entire time. Especially since one of the clues was the listing of cities that were associated with British spy headquarters in WW2. I feel like the majority of readers wouldn’t make that connection so it just makes the spy reveal again feel like it came out of nowhere.
Personally, I would have liked the story the summary hinted at with following the six invitees along as they worked together to figure everything out. As it was, we barely got to know them at all, and then we close the book with just a super brief “here’s where they went after” epilogue. The book just kind of dragged, which is sad.
(Spoilers for the ending)
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Martin Edwards is really well-known in the mystery/crime-writing world so I feel bad saying this but I just wasn’t super impressed with this mystery.
The premise is that six people are invited to this remote village over the winter holidays to solve a mystery and win a prize. All six have dealings with the publishing world, specifically mystery writing (a writer, a publicist, a true crime podcaster, etc) so they all think they each have a chance at winning. And then one of them is killed.
The problem with this book is the way the whole mystery is set up. These six people theoretically should be really good at solving mysteries, or at least coming up with creative ways to solve them, but we hardly spend any time with them! We get a little bit of them at the end trying to work out together who the killer is, but the majority of the book is spent with the people running the mystery game. And I didn’t really like any of those characters. If the summary of the book focuses on the six solving a fake mystery turned real one, then we should be following them for most of the book.
Given why the killer actually did kill the victims makes involving the mystery runners make sense, but the whole thing with there being actual spies (MI5, CIA) and being spy-related felt both like it came out of nowhere and was also an easy fix for the ending. It was nice having a cluefinder in the back of the book and seeing what parts the author actually intended to be clues. But since almost none of them read like they might be important in the moment, reading them felt like we were potentially being purposely misled the entire time. Especially since one of the clues was the listing of cities that were associated with British spy headquarters in WW2. I feel like the majority of readers wouldn’t make that connection so it just makes the spy reveal again feel like it came out of nowhere.
Personally, I would have liked the story the summary hinted at with following the six invitees along as they worked together to figure everything out. As it was, we barely got to know them at all, and then we close the book with just a super brief “here’s where they went after” epilogue. The book just kind of dragged, which is sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2025
Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards is another of his nods to gilded age mysteries but here we also have the nod to the well known game of Clue in the title itself. In the story, an entity called the Midwinter Trust has selected six individuals from the English public, who all are involved in some aspect of crime writing or publishing, to participate in a Christmas time event with a prize to the winner of money and hints of more beyond that. They are all to participate in a three day mystery game to discover who killed a fictional crime writer and why. Each of the six is working independently using the clues provided by a member of the Trust.
Initially, I was somewhat put off by the opening of the book which provides instructions for the reader on how to work along with the contestants to solve the mystery for themselves. I had no plan to do so and chose to ignore this direction. I’m afraid it gave me a negative feeling at first that took a while to disperse. But my feelings about the book did improve as I moved into the meat of it. It is divided into sections that provide information on the setting of Midwinter in North Yorkshire and very secluded, the background of the Trust over the past 100 + years, and all of the Trust members and contestants. As I continued reading, I became caught up in the process wanting to know what, who, why of all the mysteries included in this story.
I really don’t want to say more as it would likely spoil some of the fun of reading this book.
My rating is 3.5*. Rounded down because of my issues with the beginning. I do recommend it as a fun mystery read with the option of playing along with the invitees if you wish.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. This review is my own.
Initially, I was somewhat put off by the opening of the book which provides instructions for the reader on how to work along with the contestants to solve the mystery for themselves. I had no plan to do so and chose to ignore this direction. I’m afraid it gave me a negative feeling at first that took a while to disperse. But my feelings about the book did improve as I moved into the meat of it. It is divided into sections that provide information on the setting of Midwinter in North Yorkshire and very secluded, the background of the Trust over the past 100 + years, and all of the Trust members and contestants. As I continued reading, I became caught up in the process wanting to know what, who, why of all the mysteries included in this story.
I really don’t want to say more as it would likely spoil some of the fun of reading this book.
My rating is 3.5*. Rounded down because of my issues with the beginning. I do recommend it as a fun mystery read with the option of playing along with the invitees if you wish.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. This review is my own.
September 13, 2025
I had such fun with this, but ultimately, it ended up dropping lower and lower in rating as the book progressed.
This obviously has "Clue" vibes, from the title, to the part of solving the mystery yourself. Clue is my favourite family-style board game, so I felt like giving this a shot. I actually didn't participate in trying to solve the puzzles and such, and by now I can say that I didn't really miss out on anything by not being the detective myself. The clue finder in the back also was too weak to really convince me that the evidence was in front of me all along.
I was worried that this might be too Christmassy, seeing as Christmas is the second genre listed to describe this book. Fortunately it wasn't overly Christmassy, this can be read any time of year, obviously Christmas songs, wreaths and such are mentioned, but you won't be bombarded into a Christmas overload.
What I found a pity is the way the story unfolded. You can't really solve the main mystery yourself until very late into the plot, because too few clues are being given. And when there was some sort of revelation, I found it boring. I was never dumbstruck or awed, which is what I'm looking for in a mystery/thriller. The true purpose of the Midwinter Trust was also so out of left field, it was laughable, no reader can predict that and come up with logical conclusions, simply because there was no buildup to it.
If you follow my reviews, you might know that I hate villains who take their time to present a monologue when they are just supposed to get to the chase. Well, this one has that, such a shame. The way the "who" of the whodunit was disposed of in the most cartoonish way was also laughable. This is of course a type of satire of the genre, but it could have been executed more artfully.
My copy was 400 pages, and to have read this in two days, says a lot about how invested I was in this book, but it wasn't especially good. My rating went from about 4.5 stars in the first 1/3rd, to three stars by the end. Somehow, it being an homage to a lot of mystery stories, and being a sort of parody at the same time, I just wish it was more original, I know, kind of a contrary thing to comment on.
This obviously has "Clue" vibes, from the title, to the part of solving the mystery yourself. Clue is my favourite family-style board game, so I felt like giving this a shot. I actually didn't participate in trying to solve the puzzles and such, and by now I can say that I didn't really miss out on anything by not being the detective myself. The clue finder in the back also was too weak to really convince me that the evidence was in front of me all along.
I was worried that this might be too Christmassy, seeing as Christmas is the second genre listed to describe this book. Fortunately it wasn't overly Christmassy, this can be read any time of year, obviously Christmas songs, wreaths and such are mentioned, but you won't be bombarded into a Christmas overload.
What I found a pity is the way the story unfolded. You can't really solve the main mystery yourself until very late into the plot, because too few clues are being given. And when there was some sort of revelation, I found it boring. I was never dumbstruck or awed, which is what I'm looking for in a mystery/thriller. The true purpose of the Midwinter Trust was also so out of left field, it was laughable, no reader can predict that and come up with logical conclusions, simply because there was no buildup to it.
If you follow my reviews, you might know that I hate villains who take their time to present a monologue when they are just supposed to get to the chase. Well, this one has that, such a shame. The way the "who" of the whodunit was disposed of in the most cartoonish way was also laughable. This is of course a type of satire of the genre, but it could have been executed more artfully.
My copy was 400 pages, and to have read this in two days, says a lot about how invested I was in this book, but it wasn't especially good. My rating went from about 4.5 stars in the first 1/3rd, to three stars by the end. Somehow, it being an homage to a lot of mystery stories, and being a sort of parody at the same time, I just wish it was more original, I know, kind of a contrary thing to comment on.
August 1, 2025
2.5 rounded up
I really enjoyed being given the clues so I could play along. I disliked the characters so didn't care about them. The book dragged a lot. It took me way to long to get through this book.
I really enjoyed being given the clues so I could play along. I disliked the characters so didn't care about them. The book dragged a lot. It took me way to long to get through this book.
September 10, 2025
Not sure what I expected, but this wasn’t it. The story felt convoluted, which made it hard to want to pick up and read. My experience seems to be an outlier.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press through Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press through Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2025
First, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I didn’t solve the mystery 😔
I am still working on trying to figure out what happened 🤣
I enjoyed the mystery puzzle and it had my continuing to guess. It’s a great holiday spooky read.
If you haven’t gotten it, you should!!
I didn’t solve the mystery 😔
I am still working on trying to figure out what happened 🤣
I enjoyed the mystery puzzle and it had my continuing to guess. It’s a great holiday spooky read.
If you haven’t gotten it, you should!!
July 28, 2025
Ugh, this was not for me and I made a dim-bulb mistake, I thought it was by Martin Walker, not Martin Edwards. Lol. I’ve previously read Edwards and wasn’t a fan, and this book has all the same problems as the one I didn’t enjoy before.
The introduction of the story lasts for almost 50% of the book, which is strange because the plot is so milquetoast that there’s not a lot to explain. There’s also a ton of unnecessary exposition that has nothing to do with the plot. This was also a bugaboo of mine in the previous book I read. I didn’t care about the main mystery, which also has a ludicrous ending, but the mini mystery inside the mystery was so terrible and the reasoning for it so unbelievable that I cannot recommend this one at all.
The introduction of the story lasts for almost 50% of the book, which is strange because the plot is so milquetoast that there’s not a lot to explain. There’s also a ton of unnecessary exposition that has nothing to do with the plot. This was also a bugaboo of mine in the previous book I read. I didn’t care about the main mystery, which also has a ludicrous ending, but the mini mystery inside the mystery was so terrible and the reasoning for it so unbelievable that I cannot recommend this one at all.
April 25, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Release Date: September 11, 2025
I had a great time with this book. Did I solve the mystery?...No. I had an idea of who it was, but then I changed my mind and got totally sidetracked. I loved the puzzle elements to it, they gave the story more depth and interest. I will most definitely be buying a physical copy of this when it is released.
Release Date: September 11, 2025
I had a great time with this book. Did I solve the mystery?...No. I had an idea of who it was, but then I changed my mind and got totally sidetracked. I loved the puzzle elements to it, they gave the story more depth and interest. I will most definitely be buying a physical copy of this when it is released.
December 5, 2025
I would like it to be known that I solved both of the mysteries. (Huzzah!)
October 21, 2025
I am a great believer that the worst sin an author can commit is being boring. Confusing is a close second. I am very sad to say I found this book to be both.
I was very excited for this. Six contestants, all involved in the world of crime novels, playing a murder mystery game. If it was just that, it would have been interesting, but when mysterious events start happening around Midwinter, what follows are abrupt shifts between the game and real life.
The novel is told through a mixture of journal entries, real conversations, and excerpts about the history of the town. Oftentimes, there is no warning when characters stop talking about the game and start talking about the real history of the town. Because of the narrative style as well, we get to see different characters having the same exact conversations over and over again, just with separate groups.
This is not a book about a mystery; this two books put together. One is about joining along as people try to figure out a mystery, trying to solve the clues at the same time as they do. The other is a regular detective story, with the characters trying to figure out what exactly is going on with the town. Some of the characters have more information than others, which results in very cryptic conversations between two people who know what they are talking about but keep censoring themselves as to not tip off the reader.
All of this is not to mention the ending. I am always eager to find out whether my theories are correct, and this was not the case here. I am not sad about it though, since it was literally impossible to solve either part, since we simply did not have enough information.
I very rarely give out 1-star ratings. I usually try to find positive things in every story and understand that, even if a book was not to my liking, there are others that will probably enjoy it. Unfortunately, this is not the case in this review, since I was a mixture of bored and confused throughout the whole thing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Martin Edwards, and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
I was very excited for this. Six contestants, all involved in the world of crime novels, playing a murder mystery game. If it was just that, it would have been interesting, but when mysterious events start happening around Midwinter, what follows are abrupt shifts between the game and real life.
The novel is told through a mixture of journal entries, real conversations, and excerpts about the history of the town. Oftentimes, there is no warning when characters stop talking about the game and start talking about the real history of the town. Because of the narrative style as well, we get to see different characters having the same exact conversations over and over again, just with separate groups.
This is not a book about a mystery; this two books put together. One is about joining along as people try to figure out a mystery, trying to solve the clues at the same time as they do. The other is a regular detective story, with the characters trying to figure out what exactly is going on with the town. Some of the characters have more information than others, which results in very cryptic conversations between two people who know what they are talking about but keep censoring themselves as to not tip off the reader.
All of this is not to mention the ending. I am always eager to find out whether my theories are correct, and this was not the case here. I am not sad about it though, since it was literally impossible to solve either part, since we simply did not have enough information.
I very rarely give out 1-star ratings. I usually try to find positive things in every story and understand that, even if a book was not to my liking, there are others that will probably enjoy it. Unfortunately, this is not the case in this review, since I was a mixture of bored and confused throughout the whole thing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Martin Edwards, and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
August 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinions.
Who doesn’t love a good ol’ murder mystery? I know I do — which is why I was so excited to dive into this one. But honestly, it fell short for me.
It was hard to get into. There was so much focus on Midwinter rather than the actual game. The contestants didn’t have enough mistrust or suspicion toward each other, the games themselves were confusing, and by the time the deaths started, I was already lost.
Overall, this one just didn’t work for me: too much information, not enough mystery.
Thank you once again for the e-ARC.
Who doesn’t love a good ol’ murder mystery? I know I do — which is why I was so excited to dive into this one. But honestly, it fell short for me.
It was hard to get into. There was so much focus on Midwinter rather than the actual game. The contestants didn’t have enough mistrust or suspicion toward each other, the games themselves were confusing, and by the time the deaths started, I was already lost.
Overall, this one just didn’t work for me: too much information, not enough mystery.
Thank you once again for the e-ARC.
September 16, 2025
Christmas time - Six people who are all alone, all failures in their business and personal lives, all in some way connected to crime, are invited by the Midwinter Trust in the Pennines to solve a fictional murder mystery. But why would they be minutely screened before invited and to what end. Will the prize be worth it. What is the mystery that the Trust seem to be hiding. But it is too late for them all when the first death occurs and they are all snowbound.
An entertaining and interesting well-written modern mystery, with its cast of distrustful characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
An entertaining and interesting well-written modern mystery, with its cast of distrustful characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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July 18, 2025NEED
September 7, 2025
Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife is a fun and challenging book that has you particpating in the solving of the crime.
The title can't help but remind you of the game Clue or putting together a jigsaw puzzle.
I had to grab a pen and note the clues as I went and I kept changing my guess as I went along.
Six contestants will try and solve the murder of a fictional crime writer right along with you.
Miss Winter in the LIbrary with a Knife was such an intriguing read but sad to say I didn't guess.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a read I wont soon forget and one I will highly recommend.
The title can't help but remind you of the game Clue or putting together a jigsaw puzzle.
I had to grab a pen and note the clues as I went and I kept changing my guess as I went along.
Six contestants will try and solve the murder of a fictional crime writer right along with you.
Miss Winter in the LIbrary with a Knife was such an intriguing read but sad to say I didn't guess.
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a read I wont soon forget and one I will highly recommend.
July 31, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! As a big fan of Clue this book immediately stuck out with me. The plot was fun and very interesting. Bringing six contestants to one location to solve the murder of a fictional crime writer was such a great set up. Add in the remote snowbound location that really sets the stage.
The mystery is obviously the best part. Throughout the whole book I tried to solve it right alongside the characters. The mystery and puzzles were excellent and the secrets kept me constantly guessing what came next. What is so good about this book is that it's set up for you to play the game right alongside the competitors. It's almost like you are part of the game! You get the rules, clues, and puzzles so the story is very interactive. I loved this since I'm a big fan of games and puzzles! Again I thought this was a fun murder mystery and would recommend if you love a good mystery!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy!
The mystery is obviously the best part. Throughout the whole book I tried to solve it right alongside the characters. The mystery and puzzles were excellent and the secrets kept me constantly guessing what came next. What is so good about this book is that it's set up for you to play the game right alongside the competitors. It's almost like you are part of the game! You get the rules, clues, and puzzles so the story is very interactive. I loved this since I'm a big fan of games and puzzles! Again I thought this was a fun murder mystery and would recommend if you love a good mystery!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy!
November 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I’ve started my Christmas books even earlier than I expected this year but I’m very happy to get into the Christmas spirit starting off with this book! I’ve never read any of his work before but this one being Christmas and have praise by Richard Osman it caught my eye.
I went into this book a bit apprehensively as I read something kind of similar but it wasn’t good at all. BUT this one was very much what I expected and is actually what it says on the tin. I had such a fun time reading this one!
I’m not the sharpest tool in the box so I didn’t get some of the puzzles or clues along the way but it was really fun playing along, making notes, trying to figure out who killer would be! It was fun a fun, well written story with equally as fun characters, a murder mystery game within a murder mystery book and some fun clues and hints along the way, all tied up together nicely in a Christmas setting. What more could you ask for?!
Will YOU figure out the kill? I… didn’t 🥲😂. I should probably be better at this by now should I 😂.
I’ve started my Christmas books even earlier than I expected this year but I’m very happy to get into the Christmas spirit starting off with this book! I’ve never read any of his work before but this one being Christmas and have praise by Richard Osman it caught my eye.
I went into this book a bit apprehensively as I read something kind of similar but it wasn’t good at all. BUT this one was very much what I expected and is actually what it says on the tin. I had such a fun time reading this one!
I’m not the sharpest tool in the box so I didn’t get some of the puzzles or clues along the way but it was really fun playing along, making notes, trying to figure out who killer would be! It was fun a fun, well written story with equally as fun characters, a murder mystery game within a murder mystery book and some fun clues and hints along the way, all tied up together nicely in a Christmas setting. What more could you ask for?!
Will YOU figure out the kill? I… didn’t 🥲😂. I should probably be better at this by now should I 😂.
October 7, 2025
n Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife, the author Martin Edwards invites readers to play along to solve the mystery game provided to our six guests by the Midwinter Trust, but when people end up dead, you’ll have two mysteries to solve.
The Midwest Trust has invited six down on their luck people who all have hands in the world of crime writing. Midwinter is a remote settlement in England and was a former mining village in the North Pennines. Now privately owned by the Midwinter Trust, it is advertised as a retreat.
The story begins with the perspective of Harry Crystal, a published author of thirty-two mysteries whose titles are a play on best-selling mystery novels. Harry was dropped by his agent, and you’d be luck to find his novels at a secondhand shop. The six guests don’t know each other, but all are familiar. In Harry’s case, he blames the Influencer for helping to end his career. The guests find themselves cut off from civilization when a winter storm bears down on them.
The author has set up the book so that readers can attempt to solve the murder puzzle as well or simply skip those chapters and continue reading. I got very close to piecing things together but confess I was distracted a bit by the actual murders taking place and figuring out the Trust’s motives for this whole elaborate game.
The story was a nod to murder-mystery games like Clue and literary fiction in the crime thriller genre. We are given multiple points of views but I confess Harry’s was my favorite. It’s not perfect, but I enjoyed myself and would recommend for a book club, particularly those who love mysteries. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The Midwest Trust has invited six down on their luck people who all have hands in the world of crime writing. Midwinter is a remote settlement in England and was a former mining village in the North Pennines. Now privately owned by the Midwinter Trust, it is advertised as a retreat.
The story begins with the perspective of Harry Crystal, a published author of thirty-two mysteries whose titles are a play on best-selling mystery novels. Harry was dropped by his agent, and you’d be luck to find his novels at a secondhand shop. The six guests don’t know each other, but all are familiar. In Harry’s case, he blames the Influencer for helping to end his career. The guests find themselves cut off from civilization when a winter storm bears down on them.
The author has set up the book so that readers can attempt to solve the murder puzzle as well or simply skip those chapters and continue reading. I got very close to piecing things together but confess I was distracted a bit by the actual murders taking place and figuring out the Trust’s motives for this whole elaborate game.
The story was a nod to murder-mystery games like Clue and literary fiction in the crime thriller genre. We are given multiple points of views but I confess Harry’s was my favorite. It’s not perfect, but I enjoyed myself and would recommend for a book club, particularly those who love mysteries. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
July 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife is not your typical thriller. It is not one that you will sit down and fly through, while knowing who did it the whole time. Instead, this mystery novel is a genius work of writing with mysterious characters, and layered secrets all set in the icy, stormed in setting of Midwinter Retreat.
The novel has the fun option of being able to play along to try and solve the mystery yourself, complete with a clue finder in the back. While I personally did not take this route just due to time's sake, I loved looking at the cluefinder at the end to confirm any suspicious I had while reading.
Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife is not your typical thriller. It is not one that you will sit down and fly through, while knowing who did it the whole time. Instead, this mystery novel is a genius work of writing with mysterious characters, and layered secrets all set in the icy, stormed in setting of Midwinter Retreat.
The novel has the fun option of being able to play along to try and solve the mystery yourself, complete with a clue finder in the back. While I personally did not take this route just due to time's sake, I loved looking at the cluefinder at the end to confirm any suspicious I had while reading.
October 6, 2025
Miss Winter in the Library With a Knife by Martin Edwards
Thank You NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book was very different from any usual mystery novels I have read! The reader has the chance to solve this mystery themselves. Question is...will you be able to figure it out? Six people are given the chance to participate in a fictional murder mystery. Each participant has come kind of tie to the world of crime novels, podcasts, and agents. The game is to take place at Midwinter Trust, a remote village located in Yorkshire. But here, everyone is cut off from the rest of the world – the 6 contestants, and the 6 staff members. Also, all the contestants have had a bit of bad luck in their careers, and it seems none of them have any close family still alive. As the game begins, everything seems innocent enough, but five years ago a tragedy happened at Midwinter Trust – someone died! Nove, again, bodies begin to drop one...by....one! Could this be related to the game, the past, or something unrelated? Who will survive this deadly and dangerous game? Find out October 7, 2025!!!
Thank You NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book was very different from any usual mystery novels I have read! The reader has the chance to solve this mystery themselves. Question is...will you be able to figure it out? Six people are given the chance to participate in a fictional murder mystery. Each participant has come kind of tie to the world of crime novels, podcasts, and agents. The game is to take place at Midwinter Trust, a remote village located in Yorkshire. But here, everyone is cut off from the rest of the world – the 6 contestants, and the 6 staff members. Also, all the contestants have had a bit of bad luck in their careers, and it seems none of them have any close family still alive. As the game begins, everything seems innocent enough, but five years ago a tragedy happened at Midwinter Trust – someone died! Nove, again, bodies begin to drop one...by....one! Could this be related to the game, the past, or something unrelated? Who will survive this deadly and dangerous game? Find out October 7, 2025!!!
December 11, 2025
“Esta Navidad… el peligro llega con la tormenta.” 🎄
“Seis concursantes. Un juego que nadie controla.” ❄️
“Cuando la nieve cae, las mentiras salen a la luz.” 🎁
“Un crimen falso… hasta que deja de serlo.” 🌟
“La tormenta los encierra. El miedo los desarma.” ⛄
“Un premio prometido. Una noche que lo cambia todo.” 🔔
“Seis concursantes. Un juego que nadie controla.” ❄️
“Cuando la nieve cae, las mentiras salen a la luz.” 🎁
“Un crimen falso… hasta que deja de serlo.” 🌟
“La tormenta los encierra. El miedo los desarma.” ⛄
“Un premio prometido. Una noche que lo cambia todo.” 🔔
September 8, 2025
This isn't just a book, it's a whole new experience. It's like playing Clue, you get all the elements and then you become a participant trying to solve the mystery. I think this will be very cool, played with friends, looking at all the clues while listening to the book and trying to solve the mystery first.
This felt like a murder mystery experience rather than just a book, the mystery is very well crafted and it grips you from the start. It might seem a bit chliche but that's the intention.
The novel feels like a classic Agatha Christie mystery and it's really fun to play along and try to figure out what's really going on.
If you are looking for a fun mystery game, this is for you.
Thank you Netgalley and Head of Zeus Audiobooks for an ALC of this novel, all opinions are my own.
This felt like a murder mystery experience rather than just a book, the mystery is very well crafted and it grips you from the start. It might seem a bit chliche but that's the intention.
The novel feels like a classic Agatha Christie mystery and it's really fun to play along and try to figure out what's really going on.
If you are looking for a fun mystery game, this is for you.
Thank you Netgalley and Head of Zeus Audiobooks for an ALC of this novel, all opinions are my own.
August 6, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an eARC.
This was a super fun, fast-paced mystery. It had a lot of clichès but I think it was done really well. I liked the progression of the mystery and the way the reader could actually solve all the mysteries just by finding and following the clues. It was a fun experience. I found some clues and didn't find some but the Cluefinder cleared up a lot of things and I really appreciate the fact that it was included. I loved the settings and the characters were nice enough and believable. Some of the actual plot twists were a bit over the top but the clues pointed to it so who am I to judge. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a murder mystery to solve.
This was a super fun, fast-paced mystery. It had a lot of clichès but I think it was done really well. I liked the progression of the mystery and the way the reader could actually solve all the mysteries just by finding and following the clues. It was a fun experience. I found some clues and didn't find some but the Cluefinder cleared up a lot of things and I really appreciate the fact that it was included. I loved the settings and the characters were nice enough and believable. Some of the actual plot twists were a bit over the top but the clues pointed to it so who am I to judge. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a murder mystery to solve.
September 3, 2025
I usually love murder mystery game books, but this one was the worst I've read to date. It's very slow and honestly, boring, and hard to keep track of what's going on because it's all so uninteresting. I powered through it, however, by the end of the book, I couldn't tell you a thing that happened.
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Martin Edwards for this read.
Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Martin Edwards for this read.
September 1, 2025
Big Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the Publisher for the advanced copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
'Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife' by Martin Edwards is a mystery within a mystery. The book asks the reader to take part in solving the mystery, as the characters, a group of guests who participate in a mystery-solving game, find themselves face-to-face with a real case. The book also provides a clue guide in the end, which was a nice touch.
Other than that, the book can be read despite the mystery-solving game as an interesting case with many twists and interesting characters. The POVs were well handled, and the pace of the story was enjoyable. The writing was, moreover, light and funny at times.
The start, however, was a bit bumpy, as there was too much information being introduced and the action part was minimal. But after the first murder, things got more suspenseful and thrilling.
Finally, the audiobook was well produced and the narrators did a good job with their performances.
'Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife' by Martin Edwards is a mystery within a mystery. The book asks the reader to take part in solving the mystery, as the characters, a group of guests who participate in a mystery-solving game, find themselves face-to-face with a real case. The book also provides a clue guide in the end, which was a nice touch.
Other than that, the book can be read despite the mystery-solving game as an interesting case with many twists and interesting characters. The POVs were well handled, and the pace of the story was enjoyable. The writing was, moreover, light and funny at times.
The start, however, was a bit bumpy, as there was too much information being introduced and the action part was minimal. But after the first murder, things got more suspenseful and thrilling.
Finally, the audiobook was well produced and the narrators did a good job with their performances.
October 14, 2025
Such an interesting concept in murder mysteries.... The reader actually participates in solving mini clues. (I didn't, but I had fun reading how the clues were solved). The book tries to be tricky but any reader of Ms. Christie in particular can figure it out.
So what's going on in a remote village, cast of from the rest of the world? No wifi, no tv, no cell phone....
6 people who run the midwinter trust village. 6 down on their luck, world turned upside down guests. What's the connection.
We have the murder game. We have an event that occurred 5 years before and of which a blogger was doing a true crime podcast. We have real murders.... What's up?
I'm happy to say I did figure out who the real murderer was around 60% of the book, including how and if they had any help, and WHY? This did not detract me from enjoying the book. I will say at the end, they threw a curve ball with all the reasons behind the village etc etc. I stayed up late finishing this book.
There are many different reviews... but give it a try and participate in the whodunnit and whatdunnit and whydunnit... It will keep you guessing.
So what's going on in a remote village, cast of from the rest of the world? No wifi, no tv, no cell phone....
6 people who run the midwinter trust village. 6 down on their luck, world turned upside down guests. What's the connection.
We have the murder game. We have an event that occurred 5 years before and of which a blogger was doing a true crime podcast. We have real murders.... What's up?
I'm happy to say I did figure out who the real murderer was around 60% of the book, including how and if they had any help, and WHY? This did not detract me from enjoying the book. I will say at the end, they threw a curve ball with all the reasons behind the village etc etc. I stayed up late finishing this book.
There are many different reviews... but give it a try and participate in the whodunnit and whatdunnit and whydunnit... It will keep you guessing.
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