A Malicious Midwinter

Mt. Abrams Mystery #5

by Dee Ernst

Ellie Rocca knows that inviting best-selling author Beth Graves Riley to speak at the Mt. Abrams library will score major brownie points in her small community. What she doesn’t know was that a fast moving blizzard will keep Beth, and her assistant, in Mt. Abrams—specifically, at Ellie’s house. A minor inconvenience turns into a major headache as one secret after another reveals itself, including an alcoholic author, an unexpected ex-husband, and stolen stories. Ellie manages to keep her cool until Beth’s body is found behind a snow bank, and she realizes that the killer sat at her dinner table the night before. Sam thinks he’s knows whodunnit, but it’s Ellie who realizes the key to the killer is as simple as black and white.

This novella is the fifth in the Mt. Abrams Mystery series

Genres: Cozy Mystery

108 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 2017

About the author

Dee Ernst was born and raised in New Jersey, which explains a great deal about her attitude towards life. She loved reading at a very early age, and by the time she was ten she had decided to become a writer. It took a bit longer than she expected.

She went off to college, moved around a bit, had a job or two, a husband or two, and a daughter or two. It was the birth of her second daughter at the age of forty that got her thinking about what to do with the rest of her life. That was when she decided to give writing a real shot.

Dee loved chick-lit and romantic comedy, but hated the twenty-something heroines who couldn’t figure out how to go and get what they wanted. She began to write about women like herself — older, confident, and with a wealth of life experience to draw upon. She got an agent but no sales, and took the plunge into self-publishing in 2010.

In 2012, Better Off Without Him became an Amazon bestseller. She signed with Montlake Publishing, which went on to re-release Better Off Without Him and launch A Slight Change of Plan in 2013.

Since then she has written across several genres (cozy mystery, YA/fantasy, women's fiction) gone from full-length novels to short stories, and has written for Lake Union Publishing. She self-publishes under the 235 Alexander Street logo.

She is still in New Jersey, where she writes full-time. She lives with husband #2, daughter #2, a few cats and a needy cocker spaniel. She loves sunsets, long walks on the beach, and a really cold martini.

Reviews

[Laura Cobrinik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, Dee Ernst wrote a winner! Or possibly I read her "A Malicious Midwinter: A Mt. Abrams Mystery (Mr. Abrams Mysteries Book #5) during a chilling snowstorm. I loved the book so much during our 13 consecutive days of below freezing temperatures, here in the Northwestern part of New Jersey. Possibly I loved the book because what is really Mt. Abrams is only 4 miles (walking distance from my house).
I feel that Dee's character's are real! And I also think that the feelings Glory had about Beth in "A Malicious Midwinter..." are feelings that many of us have but would never carry out such a drastic end. I thought the Mt. Abrams' Library (which I've been in a few times) and the Librarian were realistically portrayed. I loved how the "Friends of the Library--the do-gooder real "old ladies" were portrayed. Even though Dee writes about the women snoops in her books as being over 50 years-old with belly pouches, wrinkled skin...the ladies in the "Friends of the Library" group are always older than us "baby boomers." A wonderful read--I again read it in only one sitting...I read it over and over again--as the biting wind blew outside. Thank you Dee! You have a magical gift...Your "Mt. Abrams Mysteries" are the equivalent for the female 50+ age group that the Rowling's "Harry Potter" are for fourth and fifth graders who are first exposed to those books...It is not often that a 50+er can identify with the central Detective in a book...but in Dee's books one can. Thank you!! You are a gift in the Literary world...
Laura Cobrinik
Boonton Township, NJ

[Vernie Kirkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this book. A quick read, that held my attention throughout. First time I have read anyting, by Dee Erndt. It will not be my last!

[Tracy Zullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars -- this one was my favorite by far

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bittersweet

I love this series. Dee Ernst has created realistic characters in a believable setting. I have read all of the books in this series and look forward to the next book

[Mrs Alison Gauld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like it, love it.

I love the humour in the books, also in the Mt Abrahams books, the clever plots and characterisation. Just find them a bit short, I'd like ' more meat on the bone' .