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Cameron Winter Mystery #2
A Strange Habit of Mind
The world of Big Tech is full of eccentric characters, but shamanic billionaire Gerald Byrne may be the strangest of the bunch. The founder of Byrner, a global social media platform, Byrne is known for speaking with vague profundity and for dabbling in esoteric spiritual practices; he wears his hair in a long black ponytail to reveal a large flower tattooed on his neck; he’s universally admired as a visionary, a philanthropist, and a devoted husband and father. And every person who gets in the way of his good work seems to die.
When a former student commits suicide, English professor and ex-spy Cameron Winter takes it upon himself to understand why. The young man was expelled from the university in an unfortunate episode that left Winter sympathetic to his plight; after a prolonged silence, he reached out to his teacher with two words just before taking the fatal plunge from the roof of his San Francisco apartment: “Help me.”
Winter has what he calls “a strange habit of mind”—the ability to imagine himself into a crime scene, to reconstruct it mentally and play through various possible causes and outcomes to understand exactly what took place. When he applies this exercise to Adam Kemp’s desperate final moments, he discovers a troubling inconsistency. And when he learns that Kemp was in a tumultuous relationship with Gerald Byrne’s niece, he begins to suspect that the suicide was the result of a carefully-engineered plot, put in motion by the powerful businessman.
Featuring the tough-but-learned protagonist from 2021’s When Christmas Comes, A Strange Habit of Mind is a thrilling mystery set in the cutthroat world of tech money and tech influence, where unchecked fortunes produce unstoppable power for a lawless few.
When a former student commits suicide, English professor and ex-spy Cameron Winter takes it upon himself to understand why. The young man was expelled from the university in an unfortunate episode that left Winter sympathetic to his plight; after a prolonged silence, he reached out to his teacher with two words just before taking the fatal plunge from the roof of his San Francisco apartment: “Help me.”
Winter has what he calls “a strange habit of mind”—the ability to imagine himself into a crime scene, to reconstruct it mentally and play through various possible causes and outcomes to understand exactly what took place. When he applies this exercise to Adam Kemp’s desperate final moments, he discovers a troubling inconsistency. And when he learns that Kemp was in a tumultuous relationship with Gerald Byrne’s niece, he begins to suspect that the suicide was the result of a carefully-engineered plot, put in motion by the powerful businessman.
Featuring the tough-but-learned protagonist from 2021’s When Christmas Comes, A Strange Habit of Mind is a thrilling mystery set in the cutthroat world of tech money and tech influence, where unchecked fortunes produce unstoppable power for a lawless few.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2022
314 people are currently reading
1087 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Klavan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
November 22, 2022
Andrew Klavan's latest novel and one of his best. This is the second in the Cameron Winter series. I am looking forward to more. A highly recommended thoughtful mystery.
October 25, 2022
A Strange Habit of Mind by Andrew Klavan is a very highly recommended thriller and the second book in the Cameron Winter series. I loved this second book even more than the first and am looking forward to more novels featuring Cameron Winter in the future.
A young man, Adam Kemp, texts someone he trusts with two words, "Help me," and then jumps off a building. The man he trusted is Cameron Winter, currently an English professor who was once a spy with a secret government agency called the Division. Winter tries to contact Kemp unsuccessfully, and then looks into what happened. After talking to the detective who investigated the case, Winter has a few more questions about the reason for Kemp's final decision. Winter begins to look into Kemp's life and after talking to Kemp's girlfriend, he begins to suspect her brother-in-law, Big Tech billionaire Gerald Byrne may have had a hand in Kemp's death, as well as the death of others.
Winter is a wonderfully unique and fully realized character. He has what he calls "a strange habit of mind." He is able to look at a situation from all angles and reach a clear understanding of what actually happened. He is also haunted by his past, questions the idea of spiritual faith, and struggles with a guilty conscious over what he has done. Excerpts from Winter's therapy sessions where he talks about his background and his guilt are included between chapters with more action. These help to create a picture of who Winter is and what he is struggling with.
Once I started reading, I was totally engrossed in the story from start to finish. The mysteries that need to be solved, the suspense created as the danger rises, and the analytical problems that must be handled within the thriller made the action and the characters memorable. Winter may know what his "strange habit of mind" is telling him, but it is sheer pleasure in following along, putting the clues together, and figuring out what he knew long before the reader.
The writing is absolutely excellent, as one would expect from a seasoned, experienced two time Edgar winner. Klavan has provided an exceptional second novel for the series. As a strong, independent, modern woman I loved this novel and am looking forward to another installment in the series. A Strange Habit of Mind was a pleasure to read.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Mysterious Press via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/1...
A young man, Adam Kemp, texts someone he trusts with two words, "Help me," and then jumps off a building. The man he trusted is Cameron Winter, currently an English professor who was once a spy with a secret government agency called the Division. Winter tries to contact Kemp unsuccessfully, and then looks into what happened. After talking to the detective who investigated the case, Winter has a few more questions about the reason for Kemp's final decision. Winter begins to look into Kemp's life and after talking to Kemp's girlfriend, he begins to suspect her brother-in-law, Big Tech billionaire Gerald Byrne may have had a hand in Kemp's death, as well as the death of others.
Winter is a wonderfully unique and fully realized character. He has what he calls "a strange habit of mind." He is able to look at a situation from all angles and reach a clear understanding of what actually happened. He is also haunted by his past, questions the idea of spiritual faith, and struggles with a guilty conscious over what he has done. Excerpts from Winter's therapy sessions where he talks about his background and his guilt are included between chapters with more action. These help to create a picture of who Winter is and what he is struggling with.
Once I started reading, I was totally engrossed in the story from start to finish. The mysteries that need to be solved, the suspense created as the danger rises, and the analytical problems that must be handled within the thriller made the action and the characters memorable. Winter may know what his "strange habit of mind" is telling him, but it is sheer pleasure in following along, putting the clues together, and figuring out what he knew long before the reader.
The writing is absolutely excellent, as one would expect from a seasoned, experienced two time Edgar winner. Klavan has provided an exceptional second novel for the series. As a strong, independent, modern woman I loved this novel and am looking forward to another installment in the series. A Strange Habit of Mind was a pleasure to read.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Mysterious Press via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/1...
October 23, 2022
Yikes! I could have sworn that I loved the first book in this series, but I must have been operating under the influence of the Christmas spirit. As a modern independent woman, I don’t think that I’m the right audience for this book. I remember book one as being gloomy and atmospheric featuring a main character, Cameron Winter, now professor of literature but a background in Special Ops, who was mooning over a lost love and confessing his deepest darkest to his therapist.
The latter elements are still strongly present in this story, but there is an air of repetition in Winter’s ongoing loss of Charlotte and revelations to Margaret. Not to mention how good looking he is and how all women want him and apparently, he wants them back, even the dumpy ones. He has a bit of a “mummy complex” as his mentor concluded, though I would liken it more to the Madonna.
The narrative was a bit broken with really good writing in some sections and not so much in others. Then there were the numerous political hot button topics touched on such as racism, rape culture, patriotism, bullying, abuse, social media censorship, etc. All from the rich, white protagonist who describes himself ad nauseum as an old-fashioned gentleman living in a modern world. He has a Strange Habit of Mind that allows him to intellectually look past all these perceived murky issues by the rest of us and see them clearly.
I didn’t really feel like there was a mystery to solve here. Winter just follows a series of events and research to the perpetrator of several so-called accidental deaths with the full knowledge of who was behind all of it, continuously questioning why he should bother since they were all bad people who deserved what they got. Recommended to my far-right wing friends and women who have 1950s values.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penzler Publishers for a copy provided for an honest review.
The latter elements are still strongly present in this story, but there is an air of repetition in Winter’s ongoing loss of Charlotte and revelations to Margaret. Not to mention how good looking he is and how all women want him and apparently, he wants them back, even the dumpy ones. He has a bit of a “mummy complex” as his mentor concluded, though I would liken it more to the Madonna.
The narrative was a bit broken with really good writing in some sections and not so much in others. Then there were the numerous political hot button topics touched on such as racism, rape culture, patriotism, bullying, abuse, social media censorship, etc. All from the rich, white protagonist who describes himself ad nauseum as an old-fashioned gentleman living in a modern world. He has a Strange Habit of Mind that allows him to intellectually look past all these perceived murky issues by the rest of us and see them clearly.
I didn’t really feel like there was a mystery to solve here. Winter just follows a series of events and research to the perpetrator of several so-called accidental deaths with the full knowledge of who was behind all of it, continuously questioning why he should bother since they were all bad people who deserved what they got. Recommended to my far-right wing friends and women who have 1950s values.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penzler Publishers for a copy provided for an honest review.
March 25, 2024
For me this was a bit cringey and overdone. Everyone quotes Shakespeare even the bad guys. Cameron Winter just doesn’t track and his therapy sessions are kind of a cheap trick of storytelling. I probably agree with lots of the author’s opinions but that didn’t rescue this book. Don’t get me started on the sex scenes or Winter’s apparent lust for every woman. Angel in the house, much? Cringe!
November 7, 2022
Best Klavan Book Yet
As a committed member of Klavanon, I've read quite a few of Andrew Klavans books and this is his best yet. I love how he plays around with moral questions... what makes a trained assassin like Winter good and a happily married tech billionaire bad? I'm looking forward to more books in this series.
As a committed member of Klavanon, I've read quite a few of Andrew Klavans books and this is his best yet. I love how he plays around with moral questions... what makes a trained assassin like Winter good and a happily married tech billionaire bad? I'm looking forward to more books in this series.
November 11, 2022
I've been thinking about this book (and When Christmas Comes) quite a bit since I finished them. There's something about them that I can't quite explain. The story is not overly complex. Ultimately, you can summarize the story in a sentence or two, but the way it unravels *feels* mysterious, and the character development is slow and uncertain.
It absolutely makes me want more.
It absolutely makes me want more.
January 6, 2024
Ok I really liked this one. Beware of some language and a somewhat steamy scene. I enjoyed the plot and resolution of the problem. The characters were endearing and fairly realistic! Steve and I read this mostly together, and it was a fun read. Looking forward to the 3rd Cameron Winter book by Andrew Klavan.
January 9, 2024
Why is this book so good? And why didn't I expect it to be?
Andrew Klavan. What an artist. Oh my goodness.
A Strange Habit of Mind easily surpasses the fantastic "When Christmas Comes."
Lawrence Block and Max Allan Collins are the world's greatest mystery authors. I won't entertain much dissent on that.
But holy shnikeys, Andrew Klavan may be in that realm. I've only read 2 of his now. I'd have to read dozens to be able to even make that claim. And I plan to read dozens. He's that good.
Andrew Klavan. What an artist. Oh my goodness.
A Strange Habit of Mind easily surpasses the fantastic "When Christmas Comes."
Lawrence Block and Max Allan Collins are the world's greatest mystery authors. I won't entertain much dissent on that.
But holy shnikeys, Andrew Klavan may be in that realm. I've only read 2 of his now. I'd have to read dozens to be able to even make that claim. And I plan to read dozens. He's that good.
January 20, 2023
I have to imagine that the high rating of this book is due in large part to an audience that appreciates the worldview Klavan puts forward. Most of the book feels like a screed against the modern liberal world and its views on gender, sexual assault, college administration, masculinity technology, religion and more. Ideas like "California bad, Midwest good" are expressed with the subtlety of a caveman. I found it quite grating, although perhaps Klavan's intended audience appreciates this point of view. I appreciate voices with dissenting opinions and am sure I agree with some of what Klavan was saying, but it wasn't put forward artfully.
The writing was uneven. There were bright spots, but there were also sections that were a bit ridiculous. The plot is bizarre and full of holes and I found the protagonist unbelievable.
It's fine enough as a dime-a-dozen thriller, but there are plenty of others that come without the baggage.
The writing was uneven. There were bright spots, but there were also sections that were a bit ridiculous. The plot is bizarre and full of holes and I found the protagonist unbelievable.
It's fine enough as a dime-a-dozen thriller, but there are plenty of others that come without the baggage.
January 6, 2024
I loved the first book in this series, WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES. This second in the series wound up being really good but I felt there were a few things that didn't quite live up to the first. The main thing was his interactions with women were over the top. He is supposedly hung up over a childhood love but he is strongly attracted to every woman he runs into-his therapist, his student, the wife of the man he's investigating, her sisters...you get the general idea. And he gets philosophical and repetitive. I do like so much about this series. It is twisty and surprising and clever in many ways. I hope the next will be a little less over the top.
November 10, 2022
This second entry in the Cameron Winter series was an excellent expansion of the character and world that Klavan is building. When I first heard the premise of the professor facing off with an evil tech mogul I felt it might be too basic and trite of a story for this series go with. But Klavan weaves this simple story with so many complexities and inner depth for all of his characters. The story was engaging the entire way through, but it’s the Winter character that really drives this forward. In many ways this feels like a story written for me. I can’t wait for the series to continue.
November 26, 2025
Ok, I read the first one in this series a couple years ago and remembered enjoying it. So I actually bought this on audible—- major mistake.
Andrew Klavan is a right wing political writer/analyst so I am actually in his target audience. And, I liked his spiritual autobiography “The Great Good Thing”. But I found this book to be one of the cringiest of this genre I’ve listened to.
Let’s start with the main character - the extremely handsome and gentlemanly professor of English lit, Cameron Winter. (Yes, we are told he’s both handsome and an old fashioned gentleman multiple times). But Cameron Winter has a secret - he’s also a HIGHLY TRAINED ASSASSIN. Pretty sure this is just the author’s own deepest desire. He’s gentlemanly but he’s still a masculine man - so he lusts after pretty much every woman we see in the book. He is a man, after all, which the book reminds us constantly.
He goes to therapy and cries to his therapist and the reader on the audiobook really didn’t have to make it sound so realistic - I was cringing and could hardly listen. Oh and he and his therapist would be in love with each other but for the several decades that separate them.
Oh, let’s not forget Cameron Winter’s love for croissant and coffee - he is constantly eating them and pronouncing it “cwahsan” and it’s just almost unbearable over and over.
“Feminine majesty” is a term actually used. I think what bothers me most about this books is that I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to be about a bleak leftist world and Winters is kind of supposed to be a right-wing-esque hero (though not a Christian) - but he’s so opposite of an actual heroic Christian man that it’s pretty insufferable.
Finally, the title is referring to the protagonist’s “strange habit of mind” - basically, that he and only he is special enough to notice patterns and oddities that NO ONE ELSE CAN. Oooh.
November 8, 2022
This is hands down my favorite fictional book I've ever read.
If you like mystery books, this is a must read!
He doesn't just tell a great story (which I would say Klavan does better than anyone I've ever read), but he also gives philosophical insight, religious sentiments, and also touches on an important topic in the modern world... the power of a Big Tech billionaire and what could possibly happen if one went mad.
Great all around.
If you like mystery books, this is a must read!
He doesn't just tell a great story (which I would say Klavan does better than anyone I've ever read), but he also gives philosophical insight, religious sentiments, and also touches on an important topic in the modern world... the power of a Big Tech billionaire and what could possibly happen if one went mad.
Great all around.
November 6, 2022
I really liked this. I read glowing reviews before buying the Kindle version and wasn't sure if it would live up to my expectations. The novel presented a moral clarity that is such a rarity in popular fiction. I find that the absence of such in most contemporary novels inevitably disappoints me. Here, that desire was satisfied. In terms of the prose, for the crime/suspense genre I thought the writing was really good, and the flashes of humor made me laugh out loud. That's where I heard Klavan's voice the most distinctly. The scenes with Molly were especially emotional for me. I think my favorite thing about this one was the respectful view of the feminine that it presented. That fed my woman's heart. I also gained some insight into what moves a man beyond mere physical attraction to a woman. I thought Klavan got into the mind of the therapist (an older woman) with particular skill. I saw aspects of myself in both Margaret and Molly, and that is a pretty good feat for a male author. The plot could have been drawn from last week's headlines, and the story presents people of faith without the usual denigration or caricature, while portraying hypocrisy and corruption of all kinds in the cold light of reality as well. I'm looking forward to the next one!
August 21, 2022
I heard that this book was coming out but I hadn’t thought that I’d have the privilege of reading an ARC! Awesome! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley!
I read the first book and, though I think you should definitely read that one, you won’t be lost if you don’t get to it before reading "A Strange Habit of Mind". It can stand as a great book all on its own. This book has it all! Mystery, suspense, good guys, bad guys, bad guys that everyone believes are good guys, guys that are both good and bad, traditional family values, and people who aren’t afraid to do what’s right 👍
Thank you Mr. Klavan for having the courage to write a story that we actually want to read!
I read the first book and, though I think you should definitely read that one, you won’t be lost if you don’t get to it before reading "A Strange Habit of Mind". It can stand as a great book all on its own. This book has it all! Mystery, suspense, good guys, bad guys, bad guys that everyone believes are good guys, guys that are both good and bad, traditional family values, and people who aren’t afraid to do what’s right 👍
Thank you Mr. Klavan for having the courage to write a story that we actually want to read!
January 20, 2023
Boring, pseudo intellectual nonsense with a heavy side of misogyny and self indulgent writing!
It starts out oppressively dreary and precedes to be incredibly dull!
I get the feeling the author really likes the sound of their own voice. I don't particularly. The writing has some moments but for the most part it is just so over the top that I can't take it seriously.
My father was a college professor who cheated on my mother with his student, blowing up our life, so I have no sympathy for Winter.
And oh my, the Madonna whore complex!
It starts out oppressively dreary and precedes to be incredibly dull!
I get the feeling the author really likes the sound of their own voice. I don't particularly. The writing has some moments but for the most part it is just so over the top that I can't take it seriously.
My father was a college professor who cheated on my mother with his student, blowing up our life, so I have no sympathy for Winter.
And oh my, the Madonna whore complex!
July 28, 2022
Really enjoyed this Cameron Winter Mystery by Andrew Klavan. Even though I hadn't read the first one, was able to follow and enjoy these characters and the story. Will definitely need to track down the first in the series, and can't wait for the next one. #AStrangeHabitofMindACameronWinterMystery #NetGalley
November 5, 2022
“Cameron Winter had a strange habit of mind. He sometimes slipped without warning into a silent state akin to meditation. His points of view and his opinions vaporized. All that remained in his consciousness were shifting patterns of events and personalities.”
I had to figure that no one could describe the unique protagonist of this self-named Cameron Winter series than his creator, Andrew Klavan himself. I always love when writers incorporate the title of their novels inside the story and this was done in such a perfect and dual purpose way as it also gives readers a keen peek inside the enigma that is Mr. Winter.
Author and Conservative Podcaster has created quite a unique character with Winter and his background as a former spy/assassin and current role as a College English Professor. At the top of A STRANGE HABIT OF MIND, Professor Winter is finishing up a lecture on one of his favorite poets, William Wordsworth. His good mood will soon be brought way down when Lori Lesser, Dean Of Student Relations, approaches after the students file out to inform him that one of his favorite students, Adam Kemp, had died by suicide. We later learn that he leapt from the top of his apartment building.
What stings the worst is that Adam Kemp had texted his favorite Professor just a few days early with a short two-word message stating: Help me. While Winter deals with the regret over not immediately following up on that plea he does what instinct has taught him to do and that is to dig into Adam’s last days to see what he turns up for himself.
What he finds is not incredibly positive as it turns out Adam had a street reputation as a drug dealer with a load of meth being found in his apartment.
Winter asks local Police Detective Raines for some information and learns two things. First, is the fact that Adam may have angered a local psychotic drug dealer nicknamed Quintero, who is known for doing nasty things to his enemies. The other surrounds Adam’s girlfriend who worked with him at his theatre, Evelyn. She was showing the signs of being beaten and admits that Adam had done it during a point when he was under the influence of drugs. Unfortunately, this did not sit well with Evelyn’s Uncle by marriage, the high-tech billionaire Gerald ‘Pup’ Byrne.
Our stalwart Professor confronts both individuals. Quintero keeps things close to the vest and when informed about the suicide leap Adam Kemp took merely responds: “A man makes his own arrangements with death, Homes.” Pup Byrne meanwhile is an even harder nut to crack. It is difficult to get past his exterior that includes being quite the philanthropist known to drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on the families of police officers killed in the line of duty. However, Cameron Winter is shrewd enough to see through this and believes that not only did Byrne have a hand in the ‘murder’ of Adam Kemp but may have antagonized Quintero into doing it by spreading a story about him stealing from his drug dealing territory.
The problem is that even with Winter’s special set of skills he may not be much of a match in his new guise as mild-mannered English Professor --- especially when he is going up against a billionaire with seemingly infinite resources who has a psycho of a bodyguard to boot. A STRANGE HABIT OF MIND is a great, hard-boiled style read which provides readers with a very satisfying look at modern-day San Francisco through the eyes of a protagonist who is quite different from most you experience in this genre.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
I had to figure that no one could describe the unique protagonist of this self-named Cameron Winter series than his creator, Andrew Klavan himself. I always love when writers incorporate the title of their novels inside the story and this was done in such a perfect and dual purpose way as it also gives readers a keen peek inside the enigma that is Mr. Winter.
Author and Conservative Podcaster has created quite a unique character with Winter and his background as a former spy/assassin and current role as a College English Professor. At the top of A STRANGE HABIT OF MIND, Professor Winter is finishing up a lecture on one of his favorite poets, William Wordsworth. His good mood will soon be brought way down when Lori Lesser, Dean Of Student Relations, approaches after the students file out to inform him that one of his favorite students, Adam Kemp, had died by suicide. We later learn that he leapt from the top of his apartment building.
What stings the worst is that Adam Kemp had texted his favorite Professor just a few days early with a short two-word message stating: Help me. While Winter deals with the regret over not immediately following up on that plea he does what instinct has taught him to do and that is to dig into Adam’s last days to see what he turns up for himself.
What he finds is not incredibly positive as it turns out Adam had a street reputation as a drug dealer with a load of meth being found in his apartment.
Winter asks local Police Detective Raines for some information and learns two things. First, is the fact that Adam may have angered a local psychotic drug dealer nicknamed Quintero, who is known for doing nasty things to his enemies. The other surrounds Adam’s girlfriend who worked with him at his theatre, Evelyn. She was showing the signs of being beaten and admits that Adam had done it during a point when he was under the influence of drugs. Unfortunately, this did not sit well with Evelyn’s Uncle by marriage, the high-tech billionaire Gerald ‘Pup’ Byrne.
Our stalwart Professor confronts both individuals. Quintero keeps things close to the vest and when informed about the suicide leap Adam Kemp took merely responds: “A man makes his own arrangements with death, Homes.” Pup Byrne meanwhile is an even harder nut to crack. It is difficult to get past his exterior that includes being quite the philanthropist known to drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on the families of police officers killed in the line of duty. However, Cameron Winter is shrewd enough to see through this and believes that not only did Byrne have a hand in the ‘murder’ of Adam Kemp but may have antagonized Quintero into doing it by spreading a story about him stealing from his drug dealing territory.
The problem is that even with Winter’s special set of skills he may not be much of a match in his new guise as mild-mannered English Professor --- especially when he is going up against a billionaire with seemingly infinite resources who has a psycho of a bodyguard to boot. A STRANGE HABIT OF MIND is a great, hard-boiled style read which provides readers with a very satisfying look at modern-day San Francisco through the eyes of a protagonist who is quite different from most you experience in this genre.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
November 6, 2022
“Cameron Winter had a strange habit of mind. He sometimes slipped without warning into a silent state akin to meditation. His points of view and his opinions vaporized. All that remained in his consciousness were shifting patterns of events and personalities.”
I figured that no one could describe the unique protagonist of this series better than his creator, Andrew Klavan. I always love when writers incorporate the title of their novel within the story. This was done in such a perfect and dual-purpose way as it also gives readers a peek inside the enigma that is Cameron Winter.
At the beginning of A STRANGE HABIT OF MIND, Winter --- a former spy/assassin and current English professor --- is finishing up a lecture on one of his favorite poets, William Wordsworth. His good mood is brought way down when he is informed that a former student of his, Adam Kemp, has died by suicide. What stings the most is that Adam had texted him just a few days earlier with a two-word message: Help me.
While Winter deals with the regret of not immediately following up on that plea, he does what instinct has taught him to do: he digs into Adam’s last days to see what he turns up. What he finds is not incredibly positive. Adam’s reputation on the street was as a drug dealer, and a load of meth has been found in his apartment.
Winter eventually learns that Adam may have angered a local psychotic drug dealer, nicknamed “Quintero,” who is known for doing nasty things to his enemies. In addition, Adam’s girlfriend, Evelyn, shows signs of being beaten and admits that he had physically abused her while he was under the influence of drugs. Of course, this does not sit well with Evelyn’s uncle by marriage, high-tech billionaire Gerald “Pup” Byrne.
Our stalwart professor confronts both individuals. Quintero keeps things close to the vest; when informed of Adam’s suicide leap, he merely responds, “A man makes his own arrangements with death, Homes.” Byrne is an even harder nut to crack. It is difficult to get past his exterior that includes being quite the philanthropist known to drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on the families of police officers killed in the line of duty. However, Winter is shrewd enough to see through this. He believes not only that Byrne had a hand in Adam’s death, but that he may have antagonized Quintero into doing it.
However, even with Winter’s special set of skills, he may not be much of a match in his new guise as mild-mannered professor --- especially when he is going up against a billionaire with seemingly infinite resources, including a psycho of a bodyguard.
A STRANGE HABIT OF MIND is a great, hard-boiled-style novel that provides readers with an extremely satisfying look at modern-day San Francisco through the eyes of a protagonist who is quite different from most you encounter in the mystery genre.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
I figured that no one could describe the unique protagonist of this series better than his creator, Andrew Klavan. I always love when writers incorporate the title of their novel within the story. This was done in such a perfect and dual-purpose way as it also gives readers a peek inside the enigma that is Cameron Winter.
At the beginning of A STRANGE HABIT OF MIND, Winter --- a former spy/assassin and current English professor --- is finishing up a lecture on one of his favorite poets, William Wordsworth. His good mood is brought way down when he is informed that a former student of his, Adam Kemp, has died by suicide. What stings the most is that Adam had texted him just a few days earlier with a two-word message: Help me.
While Winter deals with the regret of not immediately following up on that plea, he does what instinct has taught him to do: he digs into Adam’s last days to see what he turns up. What he finds is not incredibly positive. Adam’s reputation on the street was as a drug dealer, and a load of meth has been found in his apartment.
Winter eventually learns that Adam may have angered a local psychotic drug dealer, nicknamed “Quintero,” who is known for doing nasty things to his enemies. In addition, Adam’s girlfriend, Evelyn, shows signs of being beaten and admits that he had physically abused her while he was under the influence of drugs. Of course, this does not sit well with Evelyn’s uncle by marriage, high-tech billionaire Gerald “Pup” Byrne.
Our stalwart professor confronts both individuals. Quintero keeps things close to the vest; when informed of Adam’s suicide leap, he merely responds, “A man makes his own arrangements with death, Homes.” Byrne is an even harder nut to crack. It is difficult to get past his exterior that includes being quite the philanthropist known to drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on the families of police officers killed in the line of duty. However, Winter is shrewd enough to see through this. He believes not only that Byrne had a hand in Adam’s death, but that he may have antagonized Quintero into doing it.
However, even with Winter’s special set of skills, he may not be much of a match in his new guise as mild-mannered professor --- especially when he is going up against a billionaire with seemingly infinite resources, including a psycho of a bodyguard.
A STRANGE HABIT OF MIND is a great, hard-boiled-style novel that provides readers with an extremely satisfying look at modern-day San Francisco through the eyes of a protagonist who is quite different from most you encounter in the mystery genre.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
January 9, 2023
The second book in the Cameron Winter series (first one was When Christmas Comes) proves to be another fast-paced and gripping story brought about by Andrew Klavan.
The strength of the book continues to be Klavan's ability to keep the action moving with just the right amount of description to keep the reader engaged. While the "twist" was easier for me to see in this book, I still found myself wanting to follow it through to completion. Klavan does a great job of weaving the plot and subplots together, which are often times mirrored in his sessions with Winters therapist.
The weakness I found is that sometimes Klavan tells the reader, where the dialogue and descriptions already showed the very thing he tells the reader. It becomes redundant. He does this often. It certainly doesn't hurt the story, but at times it does come across a bit novice.
Additionally his descriptions themselves sometimes fall on the stereotypical and cliche, and sometimes I wish that he took the time to really flesh out the characterizations better. To me this may just be a result of writing a novel and writing for the Daily Wire simultaneously...sometimes the on air stuff makes its way into the books. So the reader sometimes wonders if the inner dialogue is actually Cameron Winter or Andrew Klavan.
Overall I liked this book very much, not nearly as much as the first one...but I am looking forward the many more Winter Novels to come.
The strength of the book continues to be Klavan's ability to keep the action moving with just the right amount of description to keep the reader engaged. While the "twist" was easier for me to see in this book, I still found myself wanting to follow it through to completion. Klavan does a great job of weaving the plot and subplots together, which are often times mirrored in his sessions with Winters therapist.
The weakness I found is that sometimes Klavan tells the reader, where the dialogue and descriptions already showed the very thing he tells the reader. It becomes redundant. He does this often. It certainly doesn't hurt the story, but at times it does come across a bit novice.
Additionally his descriptions themselves sometimes fall on the stereotypical and cliche, and sometimes I wish that he took the time to really flesh out the characterizations better. To me this may just be a result of writing a novel and writing for the Daily Wire simultaneously...sometimes the on air stuff makes its way into the books. So the reader sometimes wonders if the inner dialogue is actually Cameron Winter or Andrew Klavan.
Overall I liked this book very much, not nearly as much as the first one...but I am looking forward the many more Winter Novels to come.
November 20, 2024
Andrew Klavan’s “A Strange Habit of Mind” raises the bar sky high for spy thrillers. In this second installment of the Cameron Winter series, Klavan continues to demonstrate his spellbinding ability to tell stories within stories. This Russian-doll approach to narrative provides richly satisfying glimpses into the psychology of both hero and villain. Klavan also seems chillingly well versed in the art of assassination via government spook, providing details of deadly tactics that fill the reader with a sense dread regarding the state of geopolitics. Protagonist Cameron Winter is a semi-retired lethal special ops agent turned English professor. Winter can easily quote 18th century English Romance poetry while simultaneously using 21st century warcraft to destroy an adversary. He’s a Shakespeare quoting 007 with a relentless guilty conscience and a reverence for Victorian era women. In this novel, Winter takes on eccentric billionaire Gerald Byrne—a high tech social media mogul that seems the perfect hybrid of Jack Dorsey and Bill Gates. The result is both thrilling and frighteningly realistic. Best of all, while Klavan keeps us spellbound with plenty of action, the author also manages to engage the reader in insightful discussions about literature, religion, and philosophy—a high bar indeed for the espionage genre.
January 24, 2024
Actual rating: 3.5
I really enjoyed this one, and Klavan’s writing doesn’t cease to impress me. I especially liked the way he managed to interweave Cameron’s backstory and character development with the events of the story and his motivations to solve this mystery. I also loved the philosophical and theological discussions in this one, particularly between Cameron and the Recruiter. This is definitely a more character-focused story rather than a mystery, I would say, which is also why I found it to be slightly less well done than the first book in the series, since that one also interweaves Cameron’s story with the mystery, but more expertly, I thought, and with a bigger emphasis on the mystery still. That being said, while I wouldn’t recommend this as a typical mystery, it was thrilling and full of well written characters, and kept me engaged the whole way through. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing the series.
I really enjoyed this one, and Klavan’s writing doesn’t cease to impress me. I especially liked the way he managed to interweave Cameron’s backstory and character development with the events of the story and his motivations to solve this mystery. I also loved the philosophical and theological discussions in this one, particularly between Cameron and the Recruiter. This is definitely a more character-focused story rather than a mystery, I would say, which is also why I found it to be slightly less well done than the first book in the series, since that one also interweaves Cameron’s story with the mystery, but more expertly, I thought, and with a bigger emphasis on the mystery still. That being said, while I wouldn’t recommend this as a typical mystery, it was thrilling and full of well written characters, and kept me engaged the whole way through. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing the series.
February 25, 2025
I’d call it a slow burn for about half the book until Cameron Winter’s strange habit of mind puts all the pieces together. That’s when all the spy and counter-spy stuff described in Winter’s sessions with his therapist comes to life in the pages. The ending felt like it cane from a James Bond script with the events leading up to a car chase that determines the fate of the world. The stakes are much higher in this book and Klavan presents them masterfully. Cameron Winter really comes into his own as a character here. Can’t wait to get my hands on the other two.
January 6, 2025
Although this one started slow, it was incredibly good. I had been slowly reading it for a few months, but hit about a quarter of the way into the book yesterday and could not put it down until I finished it. I love the way the author describes the characters. He can make you vividly picture them in your mind so clearly that you think you've seen them before. The flow of the action is just perfect too. This was just an incredibly good read from start to finish- highly recommend!
November 6, 2022
A Strange Habit of Mind the second book featuring English professor Cameron Winter. This time, he is back and investigating the death of a former student. The police say it's suicide, but Winter isn't so sure. I am happy to report, I enjoyed this one as much as the first one.
I was really looking forward to visiting with Winter again. He is such a complex character. To outsiders he seems to be a mild mannered and very good looking college professor. But the "behind the scenes" man is much more intense and dangerous. One of the things I wanted from the first book was to know more about Winter's past. This time around, through his therapy sessions, we are given so much more insight into his background and the person he is hiding from his peers. His past definitely comes into play in this mystery. There were a couple of twists that were unexpected. I highly recommend this one as well as the first. I can't wait for the next book.
I was really looking forward to visiting with Winter again. He is such a complex character. To outsiders he seems to be a mild mannered and very good looking college professor. But the "behind the scenes" man is much more intense and dangerous. One of the things I wanted from the first book was to know more about Winter's past. This time around, through his therapy sessions, we are given so much more insight into his background and the person he is hiding from his peers. His past definitely comes into play in this mystery. There were a couple of twists that were unexpected. I highly recommend this one as well as the first. I can't wait for the next book.
August 29, 2023
There is a lyrical brilliant to this novel I find hard to describe. Cameron Winter is a very complex character, and his past is slowly being revealed in each novel. Now an English professor, his reflections on life and death (which he has dealt out to many people), are always formed from his deep love of literature, which is a huge bonus for anyone with a passion for the subject too. These are novels about assassins, but do not immediately think John Wick. These operatives have been trained to destroy by far subtler means than a shot to the head. Cameron isn't the only fascinating character in this book. The (slightly) elderly psychotherapist Margaret is one of my favourites. Klavan is a genius to recognise that getting older doesn't necessarily mean you stop appreciating the finer things in life--only that you hopefully have the wisdom to know they aren't for you anymore. (Read the novel to understand that). But the best character creation in any book (except my own of course!) must be the recruiter. There won't be an actor in Hollywood who wouldn't want to get his mouth around the lines the author gives this wonderful guy. This is a great series, and I'm very much looking forward to the next.
January 15, 2024
This book is full of so much wisdom and insight into humanity. The descriptions are beautiful, the suspense is intense, and it's deeply psychological. An unexpected and wonderful read from a Christian author. A bonus is the frequent literary references and praise of women and the feminine woven throughout the story. Highly highly recommended.
February 11, 2024
After reading the first book in the series, and having a long-ish list of issues with it, I was surprised that the second one was in my hands the very next day.
Pet peeves:
* use of "evildoers": it is a silly word and gives me George W flashbacks
* tendency to create idealized people/emotional situations: it is too obvious, clunky and makes reading experience more challenging
* repeatedly bringing up jealousy as an emotion: the author uses this as some deep psychological insight but the frequency of it is a bit weird, and again, clunky
* too much tell about the main character's preference for 'classic' and 'old' things: I get it, but a bit less of it and more of show would go a long way
All that being said, still 4/5 for me.
Pet peeves:
* use of "evildoers": it is a silly word and gives me George W flashbacks
* tendency to create idealized people/emotional situations: it is too obvious, clunky and makes reading experience more challenging
* repeatedly bringing up jealousy as an emotion: the author uses this as some deep psychological insight but the frequency of it is a bit weird, and again, clunky
* too much tell about the main character's preference for 'classic' and 'old' things: I get it, but a bit less of it and more of show would go a long way
All that being said, still 4/5 for me.
May 29, 2025
Not quite as good as the first book. A little more "adult" in a couple places and numerous moments of sexual tension that were a little cringy and tiresome. But there are still things to like as we learn more about Winter and his past. I will stick with the series and hope it doesn't continue downhill.
March 9, 2023
This is a novel I found great enjoyment in; I am quite fond of the previous Winter novel and was hoping this one would exceed expectations - and it truly did. I love the direction this novel went, and I believe it perfectly sets up for various future installments - all of which I will definitely be reading.
After familiarizing myself with Klavan's work through the previous Winter novel, I found his style to encapsulate me, creating a truly resonating work and intertwining plots to perfection. Klavan creates a protagonist unlike no other seen in the mystery genre - and I believe Klavan's strongest suit to be said character development. Klavan perfectly creates a character by building an amazing/depth-filled backstory which the reader can associate to, engulfing the reader even deeper in the work.
The slow uncertainty in character development is what brings more pull to this novel, making the reader yearn for more with progression of the work. This story is weaved through complexities and creates great depth for all involved characters. Unlike other books I've subjected myself to, this novel exceeds the previous and sets up for future works in the series.
Throughout the novel, Cameron is bombarded with the ideas that you and I are hit with every day, yet he stands his ground. He does his job in spite of the consequences. Why? Because the reality is corrupt. It hurts us, even the best of us, and “sometimes you have to play in pain.” This novel perfectly dissects the past of Cameron, creating a realistic story the reader feels pain towards and can connect to.
Overall, the novel holds to be one of my favorites to-date and, to me, is a perfectly done work of mystery fiction. I am excited to see future installments.
After familiarizing myself with Klavan's work through the previous Winter novel, I found his style to encapsulate me, creating a truly resonating work and intertwining plots to perfection. Klavan creates a protagonist unlike no other seen in the mystery genre - and I believe Klavan's strongest suit to be said character development. Klavan perfectly creates a character by building an amazing/depth-filled backstory which the reader can associate to, engulfing the reader even deeper in the work.
The slow uncertainty in character development is what brings more pull to this novel, making the reader yearn for more with progression of the work. This story is weaved through complexities and creates great depth for all involved characters. Unlike other books I've subjected myself to, this novel exceeds the previous and sets up for future works in the series.
Throughout the novel, Cameron is bombarded with the ideas that you and I are hit with every day, yet he stands his ground. He does his job in spite of the consequences. Why? Because the reality is corrupt. It hurts us, even the best of us, and “sometimes you have to play in pain.” This novel perfectly dissects the past of Cameron, creating a realistic story the reader feels pain towards and can connect to.
Overall, the novel holds to be one of my favorites to-date and, to me, is a perfectly done work of mystery fiction. I am excited to see future installments.
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