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Killer Blizzard
It began as a light snowfall, nothing more ... Two convicts break out of prison, stealing a car. Up north, a young highway patrolman kisses his pregnant wife good-bye as he begins his day. The town of Hollysberg rouses in the morning and greets the day as the snow gently falls about it. None suspected how bad the storm would get; not how their lives would clash in a battle for survival!
- GenresAdventure
175 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
8 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Dan Jorgensen
17 books12 followersA Minnesota native (born in St. Mary's Hospital, owned by the Mayo Clinic), he grew up in rural South Dakota and attended a one-room country school. He was the first member of his family to attend college, where he majored in journalism. Since then, he's gone back for a master's degree in journalism and public relations, taken courses in creative writing, and had a long career as a writer, editor, educator and p.r. specialist. He resides in Colorado.
In addition to writing hundreds of news, sports and feature stories, both as a journalist and in public relations, he's authored 10 books – including the multiple award-winning novels "And The Wind Whispered" and "Rainbow Rock," and his newest, "Devil's Thumb" (March 2025). All three are historical mystery-thrillers set in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
He's taught journalism and public relations at the collegiate level and continues to do talks about "The Writing Life" and “Storytelling – From Journalism to Creative Writing.” When not writing, he enjoys all sports and has coached girls sports. He also loves community theater and has acted in more than 30 plays and musicals. He and his wife have two grown daughters, two amazing sons-in-law, and four terrific grandsons.
In addition to writing hundreds of news, sports and feature stories, both as a journalist and in public relations, he's authored 10 books – including the multiple award-winning novels "And The Wind Whispered" and "Rainbow Rock," and his newest, "Devil's Thumb" (March 2025). All three are historical mystery-thrillers set in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
He's taught journalism and public relations at the collegiate level and continues to do talks about "The Writing Life" and “Storytelling – From Journalism to Creative Writing.” When not writing, he enjoys all sports and has coached girls sports. He also loves community theater and has acted in more than 30 plays and musicals. He and his wife have two grown daughters, two amazing sons-in-law, and four terrific grandsons.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 7, 2026
Dan Jorgensen’s Killer Blizzard is a high-stakes survival thriller that masterfully pits human desperation against the indifferent brutality of nature. Set against the backdrop of a deceptive Midwestern snowfall, the novel weaves together multiple lives on a collision course that is as chilling as the storm itself.
The Calm Before the Storm
The story excels in its pacing, beginning with an eerie, quiet atmosphere. Jorgensen introduces us to Hollysberg, a town that feels lived-in and authentic. By starting with the "light snowfall," the author builds a palpable sense of irony. The reader knows the devastation is coming, which makes the mundane morning routines—a highway patrolman’s goodbye to his pregnant wife, the townspeople waking up—feel precious and fragile.
A Collision of Fates
What elevates Killer Blizzard from a standard "disaster story" is its secondary layer of tension: the human element.
The Convicts: The prison break adds a ticking-clock element of danger that exists independently of the weather. Their presence turns a struggle for survival into a game of cat-and-mouse.
The Patrolman: His character provides the moral heart of the story. His duty to protect the public is put in direct conflict with the terrifying reality of a "whiteout" that levels the playing field for the criminals.
Atmospheric Writing
Jorgensen’s description of the blizzard is the true star of the book. He captures the transition from a "gentle fall" to a suffocating, lethal force with visceral detail. You can almost feel the biting cold and the disorientation of being lost in a world where the horizon has vanished.
Why You Should Read It
Tight Suspense: The dual threats—the escaping convicts and the plummeting temperatures—ensure there is never a dull moment.
Relatable Stakes: The focus on family and community makes the danger feel personal.
Strong Setting: For fans of rural noir or survivalist fiction, the small-town setting provides a perfect, claustrophobic stage for the drama.
Final Verdict: Killer Blizzard is a gripping, fast-paced read that serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly the world can turn deadly. It’s a perfect pick for a cold winter night—just make sure you're safely indoors before you start reading.
The Calm Before the Storm
The story excels in its pacing, beginning with an eerie, quiet atmosphere. Jorgensen introduces us to Hollysberg, a town that feels lived-in and authentic. By starting with the "light snowfall," the author builds a palpable sense of irony. The reader knows the devastation is coming, which makes the mundane morning routines—a highway patrolman’s goodbye to his pregnant wife, the townspeople waking up—feel precious and fragile.
A Collision of Fates
What elevates Killer Blizzard from a standard "disaster story" is its secondary layer of tension: the human element.
The Convicts: The prison break adds a ticking-clock element of danger that exists independently of the weather. Their presence turns a struggle for survival into a game of cat-and-mouse.
The Patrolman: His character provides the moral heart of the story. His duty to protect the public is put in direct conflict with the terrifying reality of a "whiteout" that levels the playing field for the criminals.
Atmospheric Writing
Jorgensen’s description of the blizzard is the true star of the book. He captures the transition from a "gentle fall" to a suffocating, lethal force with visceral detail. You can almost feel the biting cold and the disorientation of being lost in a world where the horizon has vanished.
Why You Should Read It
Tight Suspense: The dual threats—the escaping convicts and the plummeting temperatures—ensure there is never a dull moment.
Relatable Stakes: The focus on family and community makes the danger feel personal.
Strong Setting: For fans of rural noir or survivalist fiction, the small-town setting provides a perfect, claustrophobic stage for the drama.
Final Verdict: Killer Blizzard is a gripping, fast-paced read that serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly the world can turn deadly. It’s a perfect pick for a cold winter night—just make sure you're safely indoors before you start reading.
February 24, 2019
Good Book!
Good quick read with a Wild Blizzard as the backdrop. This Story moved at a fast pace. I liked it & recommend it.
Good quick read with a Wild Blizzard as the backdrop. This Story moved at a fast pace. I liked it & recommend it.
November 2, 2023
I appreciated the characters in the book. Each one was quite vivid. It was action-packed and kept me engaged.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews