What do you think?
Rate this book
The Winter Over
Each winter the crew at the Shackleton South Pole Research Facility faces nine months of isolation, round-the-clock darkness, and one of the most extreme climates on the planet. For thirty-something mechanical engineer Cass Jennings, Antarctica offers an opportunity to finally escape the guilt of her troubled past and to rebuild her life.
But the death of a colleague triggers a series of mysterious incidents that push Cass and the rest of the forty-four-person crew to the limits of their sanity and endurance. Confined and cut off from the outside world, will they work together or turn against one another? As the tension escalates, Cass must find the strength to survive not only a punishing landscape but also an unrelenting menace determined to destroy the station—and everyone in it.
But the death of a colleague triggers a series of mysterious incidents that push Cass and the rest of the forty-four-person crew to the limits of their sanity and endurance. Confined and cut off from the outside world, will they work together or turn against one another? As the tension escalates, Cass must find the strength to survive not only a punishing landscape but also an unrelenting menace determined to destroy the station—and everyone in it.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2017
2533 people are currently reading
3413 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Iden
34 books344 followersI write fantasy, science fiction, horror, thrillers, crime fiction, and contemporary literary fiction with a psychological twist.
I’ve held jobs with the US Postal Service, international non-profit groups, a short stint with the Forest Service in Sitka, Alaska, and time with the globe-spanning Semester at Sea program. Trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Antarctica added to the creative pot, as well, and I started to put all those experiences to good use about eight years ago--thinking, dreaming, and writing.
Please email me at matt.iden AT matthew-iden.com, Tweet @CrimeRighter, or find me on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/matthew.iden.
The Marty Singer detective series is:
A Reason to Live (Marty Singer #1)
Blueblood (Marty Singer #2)
One Right Thing (Marty Singer #3)
The Spike (Marty Singer #4)
The Wicked Flee (Marty Singer #5)
I’ve held jobs with the US Postal Service, international non-profit groups, a short stint with the Forest Service in Sitka, Alaska, and time with the globe-spanning Semester at Sea program. Trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Antarctica added to the creative pot, as well, and I started to put all those experiences to good use about eight years ago--thinking, dreaming, and writing.
Please email me at matt.iden AT matthew-iden.com, Tweet @CrimeRighter, or find me on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/matthew.iden.
The Marty Singer detective series is:
A Reason to Live (Marty Singer #1)
Blueblood (Marty Singer #2)
One Right Thing (Marty Singer #3)
The Spike (Marty Singer #4)
The Wicked Flee (Marty Singer #5)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 652 reviews
April 18, 2017
3.5 stars.
I'm not quite sure what I was expecting from this book but, whatever it was, I didn't get it. It starts off interesting enough; when a body is found outside in the Dark Sector of the Shackleton South Pole Facility; with no radio, which is a violation of policy. So why someone would be outside the facility with no means of communication, is a mystery in itself, plus, the position the body was found in is suspect. Jack Hanratty, the station manager, doesn't want to start a panic so, only a few people are initially in the loop. The only other eventful thing to happen early on is: Sen. Graham Sikes and his entourage visiting the base, for a tour of the facility. And Cassandra Jenning's (mechanic) is the designated guide, well, the one elected to show the Senator and his crew around. Her job at the station is mainly fixing the SnowCat's and engines, etc.
A multi-national corporation, TransAnt, has taken over the reins of the research facility, from the NSF (National Science Foundation) - which is the reason for Sikes' visit. Nothing much else happens though. Okay, there's a few incidents that put the scientists and staff members on edge, every so often but; it doesn't start to really kick off until about 80% into the story - so I was mistaken when I thought it was around the 52% mark.
The story is told from multiple points of view, which helped. Jenning's is the most interesting character on base. She soon unearths the true purpose of why she and a few other staff members were chosen for the nine months of isolation at Shackleton.
In summation: It wasn't too bad, two pages in, and I nearly turned into a popsicle. I liked the writing style - but the pace of the story was a bit slow. The last 20 % was a big improvement, and there was some poetic justice for one of the characters.
I'm not quite sure what I was expecting from this book but, whatever it was, I didn't get it. It starts off interesting enough; when a body is found outside in the Dark Sector of the Shackleton South Pole Facility; with no radio, which is a violation of policy. So why someone would be outside the facility with no means of communication, is a mystery in itself, plus, the position the body was found in is suspect. Jack Hanratty, the station manager, doesn't want to start a panic so, only a few people are initially in the loop. The only other eventful thing to happen early on is: Sen. Graham Sikes and his entourage visiting the base, for a tour of the facility. And Cassandra Jenning's (mechanic) is the designated guide, well, the one elected to show the Senator and his crew around. Her job at the station is mainly fixing the SnowCat's and engines, etc.
A multi-national corporation, TransAnt, has taken over the reins of the research facility, from the NSF (National Science Foundation) - which is the reason for Sikes' visit. Nothing much else happens though. Okay, there's a few incidents that put the scientists and staff members on edge, every so often but; it doesn't start to really kick off until about 80% into the story - so I was mistaken when I thought it was around the 52% mark.
The story is told from multiple points of view, which helped. Jenning's is the most interesting character on base. She soon unearths the true purpose of why she and a few other staff members were chosen for the nine months of isolation at Shackleton.
In summation: It wasn't too bad, two pages in, and I nearly turned into a popsicle. I liked the writing style - but the pace of the story was a bit slow. The last 20 % was a big improvement, and there was some poetic justice for one of the characters.
January 1, 2017
Author Matthew Iden started out well, framing a thriller with a compelling story and backdrop that kept me enthusiastically reading until about 80% into the story. At that point, the foundation began to crack and, if not for the power of the author's prose, might have caused the story to tumble to the ground. Here's why, without spoilers:
THE WRITING -- "The Winter Over" is carried by exceptional descriptions and dialogue. Mr. Iden demonstrates his skills from the first page to the last, weaving images that paint complete pictures of the action. The reader is introduced to all the major and minor characters, presenting enough information that one never becomes confused. This aspect of the book is five-star quality.
THE PLOT – Without being pushed, the reader is slowly pulled into the story until immersed in the mystifying details and unable to stop turning the pages. With less than a quarter of the book left, the plot took on a different life, and it felt at times that events were twisted to make sense of the story. The first time I kept my disbelief in check, but then something else happened followed by other incredulous incidents. After a while, I felt like the Dutch boy trying to plug leaks in the dike. Eventually, I ran out of fingers. Some of the problems (without exposing major parts of the story): causing weapons to suddenly appear, enabling the heroine to miraculously have just the tool she needs close at hand, and a scene where the moon is full but it is pitch black outside and nothing can be seen (including a nearby fire). Add to that the calculating Observer (the villain) being revealed at the end through a careless slip and belief continues to fracture.
THE CHARACTERS – One cannot help but like the heroine Cass. While she does carry some baggage with her, it doesn’t overwhelm her personality. Readers will find it hard not to step into her shoes and experience the action through her eyes. Other characters are fleshed out enough to give the story credibility.
IN CASE YOU WANTED TO KNOW – I don’t charge stars for language, but do let potential readers know there are vulgarities and f-bombs in this book. The author makes judicious use of these rather than littering them unnecessarily throughout the book. While there are some instances of sexual innuendos, they are on the level of what one would see and hear on a weeknight sitcom. Sex scenes are not described in the story.
THE INTANGIBLES – Thrillers similar to “The Winter Over” have been written many times. Take a bunch of people, add some danger, plant them where there is no easy way out, and let the mayhem happen. However, Mr. Iden’s descriptions and character interactions make this a page-turner. Yes, there are some plot devices in the final chapters which caused concern. However, while these led to a lower rating, the book is so well crafted that I still recommend it.
BOTTOM LINE – A good read, one that will hold your attention. Rating it three-and-a half stars.
THE WRITING -- "The Winter Over" is carried by exceptional descriptions and dialogue. Mr. Iden demonstrates his skills from the first page to the last, weaving images that paint complete pictures of the action. The reader is introduced to all the major and minor characters, presenting enough information that one never becomes confused. This aspect of the book is five-star quality.
THE PLOT – Without being pushed, the reader is slowly pulled into the story until immersed in the mystifying details and unable to stop turning the pages. With less than a quarter of the book left, the plot took on a different life, and it felt at times that events were twisted to make sense of the story. The first time I kept my disbelief in check, but then something else happened followed by other incredulous incidents. After a while, I felt like the Dutch boy trying to plug leaks in the dike. Eventually, I ran out of fingers. Some of the problems (without exposing major parts of the story): causing weapons to suddenly appear, enabling the heroine to miraculously have just the tool she needs close at hand, and a scene where the moon is full but it is pitch black outside and nothing can be seen (including a nearby fire). Add to that the calculating Observer (the villain) being revealed at the end through a careless slip and belief continues to fracture.
THE CHARACTERS – One cannot help but like the heroine Cass. While she does carry some baggage with her, it doesn’t overwhelm her personality. Readers will find it hard not to step into her shoes and experience the action through her eyes. Other characters are fleshed out enough to give the story credibility.
IN CASE YOU WANTED TO KNOW – I don’t charge stars for language, but do let potential readers know there are vulgarities and f-bombs in this book. The author makes judicious use of these rather than littering them unnecessarily throughout the book. While there are some instances of sexual innuendos, they are on the level of what one would see and hear on a weeknight sitcom. Sex scenes are not described in the story.
THE INTANGIBLES – Thrillers similar to “The Winter Over” have been written many times. Take a bunch of people, add some danger, plant them where there is no easy way out, and let the mayhem happen. However, Mr. Iden’s descriptions and character interactions make this a page-turner. Yes, there are some plot devices in the final chapters which caused concern. However, while these led to a lower rating, the book is so well crafted that I still recommend it.
BOTTOM LINE – A good read, one that will hold your attention. Rating it three-and-a half stars.
February 6, 2017
When the Kindle First Selections came up last month I chose this one because I loved the documentary Antarctica: A Year on the Ice and thought it would be a great setting for a horror. Perhaps I was thinking too much of John Carpenters The Thing.
This book was 50%
Then 30%
And FINALLY the last 20% was
I don't feel I owe this two star procrastination more than that. Highly recommend that documentary though.
This book was 50%
Then 30%
And FINALLY the last 20% was
I don't feel I owe this two star procrastination more than that. Highly recommend that documentary though.
May 21, 2021
This book was well done. It keeps the reader interested throughout. The drama and suspense are well constructed, and it makes you want to keep reading. You can almost feel the biting cold and the fear of the unknown. It's a fast read thriller. Panic and deceit and who can you trust
A psychological thriller, a little long but it kept me entertained to the end.
It was well written and had good character development. At times it was confusing though with the amount of characters.
It was a claustrophobic survival suspense story. Not a bad book by any means, but maybe it just didn't work for me at the time. I would recommend others look in to it though if it sounds intriguing
|
A psychological thriller, a little long but it kept me entertained to the end.
It was well written and had good character development. At times it was confusing though with the amount of characters.
It was a claustrophobic survival suspense story. Not a bad book by any means, but maybe it just didn't work for me at the time. I would recommend others look in to it though if it sounds intriguing
|
January 9, 2017
Great book.
First I have to explain why I chose this unpublished book of the January. Kindle Unlimited subscription game a chance to read this book, Matthew Iden is very skillful and imagined author, and always imagined to view auroras with my own eyes.
Book is about research station run by TransAnt company to experiment on humans in extreme conditions with troubled characters.
"We’re on the cusp of colonizing other planets, creating habitations in the Sahara and at the bottom of the sea, aren’t we? Extraordinary achievements that might be accomplished by exceptional individuals . . . but what happens when ordinary people are asked to do the same?”
First I have to explain why I chose this unpublished book of the January. Kindle Unlimited subscription game a chance to read this book, Matthew Iden is very skillful and imagined author, and always imagined to view auroras with my own eyes.
Book is about research station run by TransAnt company to experiment on humans in extreme conditions with troubled characters.
"We’re on the cusp of colonizing other planets, creating habitations in the Sahara and at the bottom of the sea, aren’t we? Extraordinary achievements that might be accomplished by exceptional individuals . . . but what happens when ordinary people are asked to do the same?”
January 9, 2017
It's a frigid hellhole at that bottom of the earth. And there's a waiting list!
I'm unsure why I picked this Kindle First book. I've never been sufficiently interested in the Antarctic to read anything about it and I'm not normally much of a thriller fan. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself engrossed in the details of how survival (of a sort) is made possible for the scientists and support staff who live there to perform research that cannot be accomplished anywhere else on earth.
Some of the information astonished me. I had no idea that the research station there is 10,000 feet above sea level. As if the cold isn't bad enough, there's also the danger of high-altitude sickness. So which one killed scientist Sheryl Larkin? Or was she murdered?
The forty+ people who are left at the station for the long winter season have several things in common. All are intelligent and competitive. Serving in the Antarctic is a resume power-booster and there are far more applicants than positions. Even those who seem to have low-level support positions are well-educated and multi-talented. Most are geeks and many of the others have military backgrounds. It's not a laid-back atmosphere.
Cass is a young engineer whose career was derailed by an industrial accident. She came to the research station to try to get herself back on track. Keeping the station's machinery working is a vital job. The workers joke uneasily that the Antarctic wants them dead, but the extreme cold is death on equipment, too. And that equipment is all that makes survival possible.
I don't want to give away the plot so I'll say only that a corporation has taken over the management of the station and installed their own people to run it. Of course, they promise that the scientists will be given every assistance in their work, but they didn't promise not to conduct their own experiments and one of those experiments is a carefully-guarded secret.
This book is very well-written and I was fascinated by the look into a strange way of life. There are some stories in which the location is the most important "character" and I think this is one of them. The harsh danger of the Antarctic dominates every moment, as it does in real life.
It's more difficult for me to assess it as a thriller. I was surprised to find so much foreshadowing, a literary technique that I think of as out-dated (a la Mary Roberts Rinehart.) It seems to me that the reader is capable of putting the pieces together more easily than the author gives us credit for.
Cass is an appealing character, as is her boisterous friend Biddie and the station doctor. One of the characters seems absurd and over-drawn to me, but I was impressed with the author's handling of several others. In particular, station manager Jack Hanratty starts out as a shadowy, antagonistic man and it's not until near the end of the story that we learn where he fits into the plot.
The station "morale office" (i.e. resident shrink) is also a guy who seems to change sides several times. But the plot revolves around the Joker in the pack - the unknown Mr. X whom Hanratty dubs "The Observer." As disasters pile up, the demoralized staff and crew must try to figure out they can trust anyone.
I loved this book until about the 75% mark. After that, it became too intense and violent to suit me. However, I'm glad I read it. Even if the author took some liberties (as he admits he did) I think it captures the flavor of this unique undertaking and the rare people who challenge themselves there.
I'm unsure why I picked this Kindle First book. I've never been sufficiently interested in the Antarctic to read anything about it and I'm not normally much of a thriller fan. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself engrossed in the details of how survival (of a sort) is made possible for the scientists and support staff who live there to perform research that cannot be accomplished anywhere else on earth.
Some of the information astonished me. I had no idea that the research station there is 10,000 feet above sea level. As if the cold isn't bad enough, there's also the danger of high-altitude sickness. So which one killed scientist Sheryl Larkin? Or was she murdered?
The forty+ people who are left at the station for the long winter season have several things in common. All are intelligent and competitive. Serving in the Antarctic is a resume power-booster and there are far more applicants than positions. Even those who seem to have low-level support positions are well-educated and multi-talented. Most are geeks and many of the others have military backgrounds. It's not a laid-back atmosphere.
Cass is a young engineer whose career was derailed by an industrial accident. She came to the research station to try to get herself back on track. Keeping the station's machinery working is a vital job. The workers joke uneasily that the Antarctic wants them dead, but the extreme cold is death on equipment, too. And that equipment is all that makes survival possible.
I don't want to give away the plot so I'll say only that a corporation has taken over the management of the station and installed their own people to run it. Of course, they promise that the scientists will be given every assistance in their work, but they didn't promise not to conduct their own experiments and one of those experiments is a carefully-guarded secret.
This book is very well-written and I was fascinated by the look into a strange way of life. There are some stories in which the location is the most important "character" and I think this is one of them. The harsh danger of the Antarctic dominates every moment, as it does in real life.
It's more difficult for me to assess it as a thriller. I was surprised to find so much foreshadowing, a literary technique that I think of as out-dated (a la Mary Roberts Rinehart.) It seems to me that the reader is capable of putting the pieces together more easily than the author gives us credit for.
Cass is an appealing character, as is her boisterous friend Biddie and the station doctor. One of the characters seems absurd and over-drawn to me, but I was impressed with the author's handling of several others. In particular, station manager Jack Hanratty starts out as a shadowy, antagonistic man and it's not until near the end of the story that we learn where he fits into the plot.
The station "morale office" (i.e. resident shrink) is also a guy who seems to change sides several times. But the plot revolves around the Joker in the pack - the unknown Mr. X whom Hanratty dubs "The Observer." As disasters pile up, the demoralized staff and crew must try to figure out they can trust anyone.
I loved this book until about the 75% mark. After that, it became too intense and violent to suit me. However, I'm glad I read it. Even if the author took some liberties (as he admits he did) I think it captures the flavor of this unique undertaking and the rare people who challenge themselves there.
January 10, 2017
This is a spectacularly dumb book. I say that with apologies to Matthew Iden, who I am sure worked very hard on his story, but I feel like readers need to know what they are in store for, especially since Amazon seems to be pushing this one pretty hard.
Why did I dislike it so much? It's not because I don't like the genre. In fact, I'm very fond of thrillers set in remote locations where terrible things happen.
Unfortunately, in The Winter Over, not much happens, terrible or otherwise for at least the first half of the book. Instead we get vague clues here and there about what is coming, but just like syrup must surely pour very slowly in the Antarctic, the plot of this book drags and drags... Honestly, if you find yourself annoyed by the slow pace, put the book down. You'll only hate yourself later for continuing to read.
What about when the plot gets going? That must be exciting, right? Nope, not really. It's all pretty obvious what's coming and nothing is particularly surprising and frightening. And I figured out who the big bad had to be long before it was revealed. Even that happened in a clunky "the villain is really that dumb?" kind of way.
You don't typically read this kind of book for the characters (though I think a good thriller writer can still give us good characters), but the characters in TWO are so bland and generic that I can barely remember a thing about them. That's especially true of the women who all read exactly the same (except for one) and even the book's main protagonist Cassie barely stands out in my mind. And her backstory, which is so crucial to why she's even at Shackleton, is maddeningly vague.
Finally, there is the reason the bad things happen in the book. It's to test and as he says in the author notes, "I've played fast and loose with these theories." Let me translate this for you: what I present in the book is complete and utter BS and has nothing to do with reality. Honestly, why Iden didn't simply have his big bad create their own theories is beyond me.
Why did I dislike it so much? It's not because I don't like the genre. In fact, I'm very fond of thrillers set in remote locations where terrible things happen.
Unfortunately, in The Winter Over, not much happens, terrible or otherwise for at least the first half of the book. Instead we get vague clues here and there about what is coming, but just like syrup must surely pour very slowly in the Antarctic, the plot of this book drags and drags... Honestly, if you find yourself annoyed by the slow pace, put the book down. You'll only hate yourself later for continuing to read.
What about when the plot gets going? That must be exciting, right? Nope, not really. It's all pretty obvious what's coming and nothing is particularly surprising and frightening. And I figured out who the big bad had to be long before it was revealed. Even that happened in a clunky "the villain is really that dumb?" kind of way.
You don't typically read this kind of book for the characters (though I think a good thriller writer can still give us good characters), but the characters in TWO are so bland and generic that I can barely remember a thing about them. That's especially true of the women who all read exactly the same (except for one) and even the book's main protagonist Cassie barely stands out in my mind. And her backstory, which is so crucial to why she's even at Shackleton, is maddeningly vague.
Finally, there is the reason the bad things happen in the book. It's to test and as he says in the author notes, "I've played fast and loose with these theories." Let me translate this for you: what I present in the book is complete and utter BS and has nothing to do with reality. Honestly, why Iden didn't simply have his big bad create their own theories is beyond me.
February 7, 2017
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This was my Kindle First choice for the month of January.
The novel takes place at a research station set at the South Pole in Antarctica. During the summer months, the station is filled with staff/scientists, but for much of the year--the long winter--the place is home to a skeleton crew of 40-odd souls. One of those souls is a woman named Cass, who is hoping that wintering over at the station will help her put some distance between herself and a tragedy in her past.
Strange things start happening at the station, and soon everyone is on edge. They're essentially cut off from the rest of the world, so they must rely on each other if they are to survive.
This was a really well written book, and so very close to a four star read for me, as it was definitely engrossing, and they author really made you feel the sense of isolation that Cass and the rest of the people wintering at the station were suffering. However, a few things kept it at a 3.5 for me. One, while I really liked the main character, Cass, I can't help but wish more of the supporting characters had been fleshed out a bit more. Two, the ending--while exciting--did feel kind of rushed and a tad over the top. And three, I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. Not to say there wasn't a satisfactory conclusion, because there was. I'd have just liked a bit...more.
I would definitely read more by this author in the future.
This was my Kindle First choice for the month of January.
The novel takes place at a research station set at the South Pole in Antarctica. During the summer months, the station is filled with staff/scientists, but for much of the year--the long winter--the place is home to a skeleton crew of 40-odd souls. One of those souls is a woman named Cass, who is hoping that wintering over at the station will help her put some distance between herself and a tragedy in her past.
Strange things start happening at the station, and soon everyone is on edge. They're essentially cut off from the rest of the world, so they must rely on each other if they are to survive.
This was a really well written book, and so very close to a four star read for me, as it was definitely engrossing, and they author really made you feel the sense of isolation that Cass and the rest of the people wintering at the station were suffering. However, a few things kept it at a 3.5 for me. One, while I really liked the main character, Cass, I can't help but wish more of the supporting characters had been fleshed out a bit more. Two, the ending--while exciting--did feel kind of rushed and a tad over the top. And three, I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. Not to say there wasn't a satisfactory conclusion, because there was. I'd have just liked a bit...more.
I would definitely read more by this author in the future.
January 2, 2017
THE WINTER OVER
This was my kindle first pick for January, it was a no-brainer for me- I love the Marty Singer series by this author. This book was a big disappointment, I struggled to finish it. It started out great, I liked the main character, Cass, and her interactions with the rest of the crew. No spoilers here, as the story progressed, the main premise seemed very improbable. By the time I finished the book, I really didn't care who had caused all the mayhem, I just wanted it to end.
This was my kindle first pick for January, it was a no-brainer for me- I love the Marty Singer series by this author. This book was a big disappointment, I struggled to finish it. It started out great, I liked the main character, Cass, and her interactions with the rest of the crew. No spoilers here, as the story progressed, the main premise seemed very improbable. By the time I finished the book, I really didn't care who had caused all the mayhem, I just wanted it to end.
January 10, 2017
3.5
Interestingly there was more than one Kindle First title that interested me this month. I say interestingly since most months I can't find anything that really grabs me (not that I'll ever turn down a free book). Even more interestingly, I quite liked The Winter Over which is very unusual. Not in the sense I don't like books about being stuck Antarctica, because who doesn't like that, but because I usually end up disliking Kindle First books immensely. This wasn't true here.
This is not a terribly sophisticated book nor is it a super engaging mystery. It seemed fairly clear to me what was going to happen about halfway through, but it was still entertaining and even if you can see what is coming (or at least part of it), the journey is still engaging. The characters are not fully realized, but well fleshed out, and I found the main character, Cass, fairly likable. However, what shines about The Winter Over is its unique setting.
Cass, a support staff member (aka non-scientist) works at a private research facility in Antarctica and is planning on "wintering over" a.k.a spending the winter months -- a period of constant dark and subzero temperatures -- at the facility knowing that exempting a disaster on a unprecedented level, she -- and her colleagues-- are stuck there with no escape. The descriptions of how a modern research station operates and the unforgiving nature of Antarctica ("don't forget Antarctica is trying to kill you") are what I found most engaging about this book.
Despite adding in a murder and a potential conspiracy, I would have been satisfied just reading about the psychological struggles of people in such an extreme environment and what day to day life is like at the end of the Earth. However, those books exist-- Iden even provides references in his afterword -- and The Winter Over works fine on its own.
Despite some weaknesses, those mentioned above and what I considered a rather implausible ending with some wacky character behavior, I still liked this Arctic tale.
Buy, borrow, or burn? Borrow.
Interestingly there was more than one Kindle First title that interested me this month. I say interestingly since most months I can't find anything that really grabs me (not that I'll ever turn down a free book). Even more interestingly, I quite liked The Winter Over which is very unusual. Not in the sense I don't like books about being stuck Antarctica, because who doesn't like that, but because I usually end up disliking Kindle First books immensely. This wasn't true here.
This is not a terribly sophisticated book nor is it a super engaging mystery. It seemed fairly clear to me what was going to happen about halfway through, but it was still entertaining and even if you can see what is coming (or at least part of it), the journey is still engaging. The characters are not fully realized, but well fleshed out, and I found the main character, Cass, fairly likable. However, what shines about The Winter Over is its unique setting.
Cass, a support staff member (aka non-scientist) works at a private research facility in Antarctica and is planning on "wintering over" a.k.a spending the winter months -- a period of constant dark and subzero temperatures -- at the facility knowing that exempting a disaster on a unprecedented level, she -- and her colleagues-- are stuck there with no escape. The descriptions of how a modern research station operates and the unforgiving nature of Antarctica ("don't forget Antarctica is trying to kill you") are what I found most engaging about this book.
Despite adding in a murder and a potential conspiracy, I would have been satisfied just reading about the psychological struggles of people in such an extreme environment and what day to day life is like at the end of the Earth. However, those books exist-- Iden even provides references in his afterword -- and The Winter Over works fine on its own.
Despite some weaknesses, those mentioned above and what I considered a rather implausible ending with some wacky character behavior, I still liked this Arctic tale.
Buy, borrow, or burn? Borrow.
July 17, 2019
I have to say this was a pretty brisk read, even though subconsciously it wasn't what I was expecting. Seeing as how Lovecraft's 'At the Mountains of Madness' is probably my all-time favorite tale, when I think Antarctica I'm waiting for Old Ones, mutant penguins, shoggoths and the like, but 'The Winter Over' well... it's different.
There's definitely the feel of isolation and horror here as Cass Jennings enters into her first nine-month "winter over" at the Shackleton South Pole Research Facility; but for me, to go into any details of what happens to provide the horror element is too much of a spoiler. Let's just say I had my brain turned all-the-way off while reading and didn't even suspect the reason until Cass started making guesses. Bad shit happens as the base shuts down for the winter. And outside of the ending feeling a bit rushed and a certain character of the electrician-type probably needing to be fleshed-out some more, I thoroughly enjoyed this thrill-ride.
There's definitely the feel of isolation and horror here as Cass Jennings enters into her first nine-month "winter over" at the Shackleton South Pole Research Facility; but for me, to go into any details of what happens to provide the horror element is too much of a spoiler. Let's just say I had my brain turned all-the-way off while reading and didn't even suspect the reason until Cass started making guesses. Bad shit happens as the base shuts down for the winter. And outside of the ending feeling a bit rushed and a certain character of the electrician-type probably needing to be fleshed-out some more, I thoroughly enjoyed this thrill-ride.
February 5, 2017
Great start and held my interest through the first half--then just became silly.
November 16, 2017
My apologies. This novel has a very good start, but then the excitement plummet afterward. Nonetheless, I still gave this 2 stars for the plot of the story.
January 31, 2018
In the Shackleton South Pole Research Facility, the place is usually packed with staff and scientists during the summer months, but for 9 months of the year, when it's dark for months at a time and it's so cold outside that you could freeze to death in minutes, it's staffed with only a skeleton staff. It's called The Winter Over. Cass, a mechanical engineer has gone through the rigorous evaluation and is looking forward to 9 months of working and escaping the accident in her past. Working in such a stressful environment is hard enough but when one of their colleagues is found dead, and the heat and electricity start turning off and on, the staff at the station have to figure out what is going on before it's too late for all of them.
I have to say that the cover of this is stunning, very eye catching!! Once I saw the cover and read the synopsis I immediately added this to my list, and when it came on Netgalley I downloaded it and couldn't wait to start. And I must admit, I'm a little disappointed to be honest. The first half of the book was extremely slow and took a while for me to get through. I nearly gave up at one stage but I wanted to see if the story got better!!
Eventually it did pick up and I flew through the second half. Plot wise, I loved the idea of a thriller set in the South Pole because it's such a bleak and desolate setting and the author portrayed the isolation and horrible conditions perfectly. Imagine living in a place where if the heat goes out for any length of time you would have ice forming on your eyes!! I was shivering with the cold just thinking about it.
Character wise, I found the secondary characters needed to be fleshed out a little more, we don't really get a sense of who they are. Cass though was well written and developed and I liked her character a lot. She has baggage and I felt she grew a lot throughout the story. Initially she came across as an introvert but over the course of the story she became strong and willing to get to the bottom of things.
In all, this would have been a solid 5 stars if the first half of the book wasn't so slow and drawn out. I mean, the second half of the book was extremely fast paced and tense!! I still enjoyed the overall story and will definitely check out more from Matthew Iden.
I have to say that the cover of this is stunning, very eye catching!! Once I saw the cover and read the synopsis I immediately added this to my list, and when it came on Netgalley I downloaded it and couldn't wait to start. And I must admit, I'm a little disappointed to be honest. The first half of the book was extremely slow and took a while for me to get through. I nearly gave up at one stage but I wanted to see if the story got better!!
Eventually it did pick up and I flew through the second half. Plot wise, I loved the idea of a thriller set in the South Pole because it's such a bleak and desolate setting and the author portrayed the isolation and horrible conditions perfectly. Imagine living in a place where if the heat goes out for any length of time you would have ice forming on your eyes!! I was shivering with the cold just thinking about it.
Character wise, I found the secondary characters needed to be fleshed out a little more, we don't really get a sense of who they are. Cass though was well written and developed and I liked her character a lot. She has baggage and I felt she grew a lot throughout the story. Initially she came across as an introvert but over the course of the story she became strong and willing to get to the bottom of things.
In all, this would have been a solid 5 stars if the first half of the book wasn't so slow and drawn out. I mean, the second half of the book was extremely fast paced and tense!! I still enjoyed the overall story and will definitely check out more from Matthew Iden.
November 10, 2021
I'll confess that I've got a soft spot for stories like this. Real or imagined, North or South Pole. I read everything I can find..everything. Mr. Iden did a damn fine job on this story. It hit all my scary places! I would love to go to the Antarctic for a winter over. This story had a good whodunit, while also having some gruesome deaths. Always a plus! The characters we're odd, quirky, with a few as crazy as a shithouse rat! Mostly I loved Cass and Biddi, who were strong women and fairly lovable. I would have liked to know what happened to Cass after she reported what had all gone on at Shackleton. Ah well...Yep, I'd recommend this book and author. Thanks to Thomas &Mercer, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and sort of review this book.
March 3, 2019
Wow. Not a big mystery or thriller fan but like the whole idea off being at the South Pole. I could not put this book down. Edge of my seat kind of read. Kept me guessing. Highly recommend
August 23, 2017
The Shackleton South Pole Research Facility has been privatized. Winter is coming to the facility, meaning the summer researchers are leaving. The team chosen to "winter over" for the six months of night is an unusual mix, and every one of them seems to have had some emotional problems.
Just before the last plane leaves one of the researchers is found dead after wandering out in a snow storm. Cass Jennings, the mechanical engineer for the facility, thinks the brief investigation of the death is strange. Then, once the crew is generally stranded for the winter, problems begin to pop up in the station equipment. After that, one of the team disappears and others start showing up dead.
Cass suddenly finds herself in a bizarre situation where no one can be trusted and she may end up being the last one alive ... or the last one to die.
It's a fun concept and there's tons of information about living and working in the antarctic, everything from fuel deliveries to how sewage is handled. All this while a killer lurks somewhere on the station.
As a mystery I found it a bit weak. Sometimes a writer lets the most likeable and least suspicious person end up being the murderer, and Iden let this happen early in the book. Even with reaching the end and getting to yell "I knew it!" and making the dogs jump, the motives were interesting.
As a mystery with an unusual setting the book is solid. As a brain twister of a mystery not so much, but there's plenty of action and suspense to keep the story flowing all the same.
Just before the last plane leaves one of the researchers is found dead after wandering out in a snow storm. Cass Jennings, the mechanical engineer for the facility, thinks the brief investigation of the death is strange. Then, once the crew is generally stranded for the winter, problems begin to pop up in the station equipment. After that, one of the team disappears and others start showing up dead.
Cass suddenly finds herself in a bizarre situation where no one can be trusted and she may end up being the last one alive ... or the last one to die.
It's a fun concept and there's tons of information about living and working in the antarctic, everything from fuel deliveries to how sewage is handled. All this while a killer lurks somewhere on the station.
As a mystery I found it a bit weak. Sometimes a writer lets the most likeable and least suspicious person end up being the murderer, and Iden let this happen early in the book. Even with reaching the end and getting to yell "I knew it!" and making the dogs jump, the motives were interesting.
As a mystery with an unusual setting the book is solid. As a brain twister of a mystery not so much, but there's plenty of action and suspense to keep the story flowing all the same.
March 8, 2017
The first thing I recommend if you plan to read The Winter Over by Matthew Iden, is to turn your thermostat up. You are bound to feel more chilled than usual as you read this mystery/adventure novel set in the nine month long winter of Antarctica. The biggest strength of Iden's thriller is how he makes the dark and cold Antarctic environment and the seclusion of those inhabiting a research station come alive. The detail he puts in describing the compound and all the work needed to keep something like that operating is quite impressive. And they become very important details as we continue reading.
Cassie is a new worker at the Shackleton station. She is a hired as a vehicle mechanic but takes on a number of tasks in the station as many of the maintenance workers do. There is a bit of a class chasm between maintenance crew and scientists but the station keeps operating well despite of it. The long winter is about to start and the overall staff has been cut down to about 40 to keep the station going throughout the dark months and the well under freezing temperatures. The last plane is about to leave and there will be no way to leave the station after that. It's a yearly event which no one worries too much about except there is a seemingly accidental death just days before the last plane leaves. Cassie discovers some things to make her wonder about that death but it is not until well into the dark and cold isolation that she starts to put it all together.
I'm tempted to be corny and say, "But is it too late?" but won't because I think you get the idea. This is one of those stories that benefit from the reader knowing little about it before they dive into the pages. In basic plot ideas, The Winter Over is essentially one of those mysteries in which a finite number of people are trapped and you are wondering if any will make it out. But there are quite a few differences in this particular "And Then There Were None" scenario, of which many would make Agatha Christie envious. Iden spends a lot of time setting the scene well through half of the book. This leads a number of readers to call the book slow but I would rather call it " well planned". It isn't a case of "nothing happened" as much as a lot of little things are happening. Sooner or later though, all of frozen hell breaks out and it all makes sense. Lots of hints are scattered about and I suspect the savvy mystery buff will figure it out by the halfway point. Yet it is a very satisfying mystery that is weaved around a tight and well conceived setting. Like i said. Keep that thermostat up.
Many might consider this novel typical of a summer read and if you live in the desert like i do, it would probably a wise one when the temperature gauge hits 12oF.. But it's early in the year so let's call this a winter read perfect for around the fireplace. It is sort of a "Who Goes There?/The Thing" without the alien although there are monsters of a variety, the kind you meet every day. Mystery and adventure fans in particular will like this but anyone who loves good storytelling should give it a try.
Cassie is a new worker at the Shackleton station. She is a hired as a vehicle mechanic but takes on a number of tasks in the station as many of the maintenance workers do. There is a bit of a class chasm between maintenance crew and scientists but the station keeps operating well despite of it. The long winter is about to start and the overall staff has been cut down to about 40 to keep the station going throughout the dark months and the well under freezing temperatures. The last plane is about to leave and there will be no way to leave the station after that. It's a yearly event which no one worries too much about except there is a seemingly accidental death just days before the last plane leaves. Cassie discovers some things to make her wonder about that death but it is not until well into the dark and cold isolation that she starts to put it all together.
I'm tempted to be corny and say, "But is it too late?" but won't because I think you get the idea. This is one of those stories that benefit from the reader knowing little about it before they dive into the pages. In basic plot ideas, The Winter Over is essentially one of those mysteries in which a finite number of people are trapped and you are wondering if any will make it out. But there are quite a few differences in this particular "And Then There Were None" scenario, of which many would make Agatha Christie envious. Iden spends a lot of time setting the scene well through half of the book. This leads a number of readers to call the book slow but I would rather call it " well planned". It isn't a case of "nothing happened" as much as a lot of little things are happening. Sooner or later though, all of frozen hell breaks out and it all makes sense. Lots of hints are scattered about and I suspect the savvy mystery buff will figure it out by the halfway point. Yet it is a very satisfying mystery that is weaved around a tight and well conceived setting. Like i said. Keep that thermostat up.
Many might consider this novel typical of a summer read and if you live in the desert like i do, it would probably a wise one when the temperature gauge hits 12oF.. But it's early in the year so let's call this a winter read perfect for around the fireplace. It is sort of a "Who Goes There?/The Thing" without the alien although there are monsters of a variety, the kind you meet every day. Mystery and adventure fans in particular will like this but anyone who loves good storytelling should give it a try.
July 27, 2017
Now this was a solid, intense, action and suspenseful thriller! It reminded me of Dan Brown's other two books, not in the Robert Langdon series. One takes place in Alaska, and other at NSA type facility. I really enjoyed those books and I have to say I thought this was better
Awesome! Not at all what I expected, and later on, once you have generally figuredthings out, he still writes an exciting conclusion that doesn't let you down, assuming you were right of course:) The stand alone novels I read in 2016, of a similar genre, this is better than all of them!
Awesome! Not at all what I expected, and later on, once you have generally figuredthings out, he still writes an exciting conclusion that doesn't let you down, assuming you were right of course:) The stand alone novels I read in 2016, of a similar genre, this is better than all of them!
basement-storage
October 12, 2017Antarctica!!!!!
Started reading, several time in fact, but couldn't get into it.
Started reading, several time in fact, but couldn't get into it.
Read
June 8, 2018Glad I read it. Kept me on my toes. I thought a fair way through the book that I knew who "THE" person was the trouble maker. I actually thought it was one of 2 people and it was one of then 2.
Goodread!!
Goodread!!
April 12, 2019
I struggled to get through the first two thirds of this novel. The last third had more happening in it which allowed me to finish it. It was unrealistic and a bit boring to me for most of the book. Additionally, I did not feel any affinity for the main character until nearly the end. With the unique setting of Antarctica, I was expecting a more compelling book. I am not much of a horror fan, and to me, this was more horror than mystery or thriller. It was not written poorly; it just did not appeal to me.
February 7, 2017
I always enjoy a good psychological thriller but the added mysteriousness of Antarctica makes this book unique. If Lord of the Flies had been set in Antarctica, with adults, and creepy underground ice tunnels filled with relentless wind, this might be what you get. I also enjoyed reading about the daily operations and general survival of those at the base station, an added bonus to the suspense of the book. 4.5 stars. I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
February 6, 2017
Terrifyingly realistic
100 below. 100 MPH winds. 9 months of pitch black. 40 people, cut off from civilization with no hope of rescue should the worst occur. They say that Antarctica wants to kill you. But Antarctica isn't the only one.
Creative, masterful storytelling keeps you on the very edge of your seat, to litterally the last line. I will absolutely look for more by this author! I picked it up from a newsletter, and am glad I did.
100 below. 100 MPH winds. 9 months of pitch black. 40 people, cut off from civilization with no hope of rescue should the worst occur. They say that Antarctica wants to kill you. But Antarctica isn't the only one.
Creative, masterful storytelling keeps you on the very edge of your seat, to litterally the last line. I will absolutely look for more by this author! I picked it up from a newsletter, and am glad I did.
August 6, 2018
An entertaining novel which takes place in a research center in Antarctica. Forty four scientists and crew members must work together to survive nine months of total darkness in winter and in isolation from the outside world. Things begin to go awry and will there be any survivors?
February 6, 2018
The Winter Over is a somewhat interesting story, with some somewhat interesting characters, elevated to an intriguing read by its setting: Antarctica. On a research base near the South Pole, the normal crew of a couple hundred dwindles to about 40 as summer closes and most of the workers and scientists head back to the real world. Cass Jennings in one of the ones who on the 'winter over' crew. The book opens up with the discovery of a dead body a couple miles outside their base, and it's determined she is one of the crew. This all goes down just a couple days before the mass exodus which will leave only the small winter crew in the sub-zero climate. It's quite a shock to everyone, understandably, but things start getting weirder and weirder from there.
I'm personally fascinated with the Antarctic continent, so anything which uses this setting pulls me in. The isolation, the unforgiving climate, the barrenness, all of it creates a perfect setting for suspense, and the author takes advantage of this. The story is somewhat interesting, but nothing altogether original, and it plays out like a slow-burn thriller towards an explosive ending. The plot weaves and meanders around for most of the book, causing you to wonder just what in the world this or that character has to do with anything. What purpose does the person or thing have to the story? Lots of questions like this went through my head as I read the book. The characters are okay, none are fantastic, but they are very realistic and believable too. The dialogue is also good, one of the best parts of the book. It flows naturally and never feels forced.
But while the story burns towards what you would expect to be an absolute fever-pitch, explosive end...never quite gets there. The build-up was good. Very good, even. I was almost biting my nails as things built and when the big reveal (which I predicted) happens, it seems a little flat. It was bad, wasn't poorly written, it was just underwhelming. Perhaps I, being a writer myself, was thinking of where I would take things, where I WANTED them to go, so much so that it took away from where the author takes you. Again, it wasn't bad, just not the ending I was hoping for. This, and several parts where the story seems to vanish for a while and we're being treated to no more than vignettes of the characters mundane lives in the cold with no real plot propulsion going on, took what could have been a tighter and honestly excellent thriller down to just a pretty good one.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery/whodunit, who enjoys suspense even when the payoff isn't what was called for, and anyone who, like me, loves the Antarctic setting. You may well enjoy it much more than I, and my review does not reflect the writing itself--it was very good--but merely my enjoyment of the book.
I'm personally fascinated with the Antarctic continent, so anything which uses this setting pulls me in. The isolation, the unforgiving climate, the barrenness, all of it creates a perfect setting for suspense, and the author takes advantage of this. The story is somewhat interesting, but nothing altogether original, and it plays out like a slow-burn thriller towards an explosive ending. The plot weaves and meanders around for most of the book, causing you to wonder just what in the world this or that character has to do with anything. What purpose does the person or thing have to the story? Lots of questions like this went through my head as I read the book. The characters are okay, none are fantastic, but they are very realistic and believable too. The dialogue is also good, one of the best parts of the book. It flows naturally and never feels forced.
But while the story burns towards what you would expect to be an absolute fever-pitch, explosive end...never quite gets there. The build-up was good. Very good, even. I was almost biting my nails as things built and when the big reveal (which I predicted) happens, it seems a little flat. It was bad, wasn't poorly written, it was just underwhelming. Perhaps I, being a writer myself, was thinking of where I would take things, where I WANTED them to go, so much so that it took away from where the author takes you. Again, it wasn't bad, just not the ending I was hoping for. This, and several parts where the story seems to vanish for a while and we're being treated to no more than vignettes of the characters mundane lives in the cold with no real plot propulsion going on, took what could have been a tighter and honestly excellent thriller down to just a pretty good one.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery/whodunit, who enjoys suspense even when the payoff isn't what was called for, and anyone who, like me, loves the Antarctic setting. You may well enjoy it much more than I, and my review does not reflect the writing itself--it was very good--but merely my enjoyment of the book.
April 16, 2018
At the Shackleton South Pole Facility bad things start happening to the winter crew. A crew member dies, the doctor isn't allowed to see the body, the lights go out at random times and Cass, the engineer/plumber starts to suspect that something sinister is going on. Cass spends lots of time in the tunnels and has set up a radio to transmit to a Russian bloke in another base, but it is scary in the tunnels and the ancient plumbing down there needs lots of attention, it is cold and dark and really unpleasant.
As the tension ramps up Cass has more and more trouble seeing the management as benevolent and starts to suspect foul play of the highest order.
This book has quiet tension, it moves quietly along relatively slowly but it isn't ponderous. I enjoyed the build up to the end and the resolution was pretty good. It was something different and was really well written. I did pick the baddie from about half way but that didn't really matter as I was waiting to discover the resolution. I enjoyed it.
As the tension ramps up Cass has more and more trouble seeing the management as benevolent and starts to suspect foul play of the highest order.
This book has quiet tension, it moves quietly along relatively slowly but it isn't ponderous. I enjoyed the build up to the end and the resolution was pretty good. It was something different and was really well written. I did pick the baddie from about half way but that didn't really matter as I was waiting to discover the resolution. I enjoyed it.
December 11, 2020
This book had me on the edge of my seat and definitely lived up to expectation. I got this book from Kindle Unlimited and listened to the audiobook format, which I have to say, was absolutely brilliant. The narrator was beyond fantastic and really brought this book to life and added an extra suspenseful and creepy undertone to the book.
I did not expect half the things that happened to happen and really enjoyed the plot of this thriller. I had no expectations for this upon picking it up and didn’t really know what I was in for, but now I’m definitely glad I picked it up. Great read (or listen in my case) and enjoyed the whole thing from start to finish.
I did not expect half the things that happened to happen and really enjoyed the plot of this thriller. I had no expectations for this upon picking it up and didn’t really know what I was in for, but now I’m definitely glad I picked it up. Great read (or listen in my case) and enjoyed the whole thing from start to finish.
January 7, 2017
Kindle first pick for January 2017.
Well, that was quite a ride. This book is either an 8/10 or a 4/10 - final decision TBD. I love isolation stories so this was catnip to me and I read the whole thing in nearly one sitting.
Even if I later revise my opinion of the story, the prose itself is excellent and there were no parts of the reading experience where I was thrown out of the narrative by poor writing.
Definitely worth a read if, like me, you love stories set in submarines or spaceships :)
Well, that was quite a ride. This book is either an 8/10 or a 4/10 - final decision TBD. I love isolation stories so this was catnip to me and I read the whole thing in nearly one sitting.
Even if I later revise my opinion of the story, the prose itself is excellent and there were no parts of the reading experience where I was thrown out of the narrative by poor writing.
Definitely worth a read if, like me, you love stories set in submarines or spaceships :)
March 28, 2017
I've always been interested in books on the South Pole, the expeditions there and how the 9 month's with no sunlight and limited human interaction affects the people who choose to work there.
The Winter Over starts dramatically with the death of one of the crew on the Ice. The build up is great but then halfway through lost steam.
The main premise is totally unbelievable, the plot extremely thin and the ending flat.
The Winter Over starts dramatically with the death of one of the crew on the Ice. The build up is great but then halfway through lost steam.
The main premise is totally unbelievable, the plot extremely thin and the ending flat.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 652 reviews