What do you think?
Rate this book
Special X #14
Red Snow
A raging winter storm and a team of mercenaries have cut Whistler Mountain off from the rest of the world. Bent on bloody revenge, Mephisto attacks the members of Special X—the psycho hunters of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police—and that's just the start of his horrific plan. Red Snow is a three-ring circus of mystery, horror, and suspense. It has everything: whodunits and impossible crimes, psychological terror and police procedure. Let the games begin!
303 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
16 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Michael Slade
31 books267 followersSlade on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MountieNoir
Slade on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MountieNoir
Criminal lawyer MICHAEL SLADE has acted in over one hundred murder cases. His specialty is the law of insanity. He argued the last death penalty case in Canada’s highest court.
Backed by his forensic experience, Slade’s Special X and Wyatt Rook thrillers fuse the genres of police and legal procedure, whodunit and impossible crime, suspense, history, and horror.
Slade was guest of honor at both the Bloody Words crime convention and the World Horror Convention. As Time Out puts it, “A thin line separates crime and horror, and in Michael Slade’s thrillers, the demarcation vanishes altogether.”
Slade was guest speaker at the international Police Leadership Conference and several RCMP regimental dinners. As Reader’s Digest puts it, “The Slade books have developed a strong following among police officers because of their strict adherence to proper police procedure.”
For the stories behind his plots, visit Slade’s Morgue at www.specialx.net.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 28, 2021
Slade is unique. It would not surprise me if you walked into a library and found his books scattered amongst four different bookshelves in different corners of the room. Sure, you'd find his books in the the "thrillers" aisle (if there is indeed such a thing) His books are thrilling to to say the least. I wouldn't be shocked if you told me his books were filed within the "horror" department. His killers are some of the creepiest, nastiest and most horrific characters you could ask for in a horror novel. And with book titles such as Ghoul and Headhunter? Yeah, those are horror novels for sure. You could also throw his books onto the "mystery" shelf. Every Slade book has a whodunit twist, often with endings that rival your favorite Scooby Doo episode. "Zoinks!! Like..it was old man Jeeves running around butchering those women all along Scoobs!" I'm not exaggerating here. Once you find out who the killer is in a Slade book, you'll find yourself going back and rereading scenes wondering "why the heck didn't I see that coming??"
And finally, what makes Slade most unique is the amount of history he throws into his novels. Yes his books are sick and twisted but ya know what? They're also educational. I'm not kidding you. Now sometimes he does go off on a tangent for too long with his little nuggets of historical fact and I think that's sometimes a turnoff for readers. I'll also say that it's important you read his books in order somewhat. Red Snow is his latest book and if you aren't already familiar with his Special X characters and villains, this book could lose you fast. Red Snow is a solid entry to the series and while it doesn't compare to earlier works like Headhunter and Ghoul, I highly recommend for those who've read most of the previous books.
And finally, what makes Slade most unique is the amount of history he throws into his novels. Yes his books are sick and twisted but ya know what? They're also educational. I'm not kidding you. Now sometimes he does go off on a tangent for too long with his little nuggets of historical fact and I think that's sometimes a turnoff for readers. I'll also say that it's important you read his books in order somewhat. Red Snow is his latest book and if you aren't already familiar with his Special X characters and villains, this book could lose you fast. Red Snow is a solid entry to the series and while it doesn't compare to earlier works like Headhunter and Ghoul, I highly recommend for those who've read most of the previous books.
August 5, 2012
In 1984, I discovered - quite accidentally - a horror novel that would not only change my reading life forever, but help to push me toward a life of writing. That book was Headhunter by Michael Slade. Slade writes of the exploits of the Special X Division of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I describe the series as the television show "Criminal Minds" meets HBO. It isn't PG-13 and certainly not for the faint of heart.
Slade took a detour with 2008's Crucifide - a stand alone book having nothing to do with Special X. So it was that 4 years had passed since we last heard from DeClerq, Chandler, Craven and all of the other cast of characters. The novel is Slade's first e-book, so it was that I was stumbled upon it a few days ago. That made it 6 years since I had last visited Special X. Therefore, I was uncertain what to expect after all this time. Let me assure you that this is vintage Slade. We have the return of Mephisto (one of the division's major adversaries), nearly all the charcters, the same level of page-turning action and a high body count. I can't give you much info without giving away too much. All I will say is bodies pile up...and they have rank.
13 Special X novels later, Slade still has it.
Slade took a detour with 2008's Crucifide - a stand alone book having nothing to do with Special X. So it was that 4 years had passed since we last heard from DeClerq, Chandler, Craven and all of the other cast of characters. The novel is Slade's first e-book, so it was that I was stumbled upon it a few days ago. That made it 6 years since I had last visited Special X. Therefore, I was uncertain what to expect after all this time. Let me assure you that this is vintage Slade. We have the return of Mephisto (one of the division's major adversaries), nearly all the charcters, the same level of page-turning action and a high body count. I can't give you much info without giving away too much. All I will say is bodies pile up...and they have rank.
13 Special X novels later, Slade still has it.
February 16, 2014
Review:
A quaint British Columbia village, Whistler, that is hosting the Olympic trials before the Winter Olympics in Vancouver is the setting for Michael Slade’s thriller “Red Snow.” It is part of his Special X series on the Canadian Royal Mounted Police and while it does have characters that are in Slade’s other books of the series, this reads fine as a stand-alone and the reader does not have to read the other books in order to gain an understanding of the story or characters.
A narcissistic, psychotic killer known as Mesphisto has a diabolical plot that would ultimately wipe out 90% of the world’s population. He chooses this setting and time for two reasons. One is that because security around the Vancouver Games would be focused on the Games themselves, he would be better able to launch his plan. The second is more personal, because the chief of the Special X division of the RCMP, Robert DeClerque, along with a few other people can indentify Mesphisto and they must be eliminated before the plan can be done.
There is not a lot of description about the sport of skiing or snowboarding, although a couple of the murders do take place on the slopes. The book opens with the murder of a snowboarder while on the course, and another one takes place in a chair lift. I felt this book would still be appropriate for inclusion on this site as it is a sporting event in which the story is set and some of the action takes place there. There won’t be any descriptions of the sport. However, many of the chapters do begin with a historical or geographical reference that is important in helping to set the mood or context of the events to take place in that chapter.
All of the usual aspects of a murder mystery or thriller are in this story: revenge, murder (this story does have a high body count), sex, character development, personal reflection on “what if” or “what will happen if” and a wide variety of both villains and protagonists. I thought it was an entertaining read, although at times I felt that there were too many characters, historical references and murders to tie everything together that I got confused. But by the end of the story, it all came together which is what a good story should do.
Did I skim?
No
Were the characters realistic?
I didn’t think so. Whether it was the mastermind behind the murders and mass genocide plot, his minions who were doing the work, the Canadian Mounties or the young girls, they all had an unrealistic sense about them. This isn’t to say that they were portrayed or developed poorly. I just didn’t get the sense that these characters are someone I would meet in regular life, especially the three “snow bunnies” in the lodge.
Pace of the story:
Very good. The historical references to start most chapters slowed it down slightly, but they were very important to the overall story.
A quaint British Columbia village, Whistler, that is hosting the Olympic trials before the Winter Olympics in Vancouver is the setting for Michael Slade’s thriller “Red Snow.” It is part of his Special X series on the Canadian Royal Mounted Police and while it does have characters that are in Slade’s other books of the series, this reads fine as a stand-alone and the reader does not have to read the other books in order to gain an understanding of the story or characters.
A narcissistic, psychotic killer known as Mesphisto has a diabolical plot that would ultimately wipe out 90% of the world’s population. He chooses this setting and time for two reasons. One is that because security around the Vancouver Games would be focused on the Games themselves, he would be better able to launch his plan. The second is more personal, because the chief of the Special X division of the RCMP, Robert DeClerque, along with a few other people can indentify Mesphisto and they must be eliminated before the plan can be done.
There is not a lot of description about the sport of skiing or snowboarding, although a couple of the murders do take place on the slopes. The book opens with the murder of a snowboarder while on the course, and another one takes place in a chair lift. I felt this book would still be appropriate for inclusion on this site as it is a sporting event in which the story is set and some of the action takes place there. There won’t be any descriptions of the sport. However, many of the chapters do begin with a historical or geographical reference that is important in helping to set the mood or context of the events to take place in that chapter.
All of the usual aspects of a murder mystery or thriller are in this story: revenge, murder (this story does have a high body count), sex, character development, personal reflection on “what if” or “what will happen if” and a wide variety of both villains and protagonists. I thought it was an entertaining read, although at times I felt that there were too many characters, historical references and murders to tie everything together that I got confused. But by the end of the story, it all came together which is what a good story should do.
Did I skim?
No
Were the characters realistic?
I didn’t think so. Whether it was the mastermind behind the murders and mass genocide plot, his minions who were doing the work, the Canadian Mounties or the young girls, they all had an unrealistic sense about them. This isn’t to say that they were portrayed or developed poorly. I just didn’t get the sense that these characters are someone I would meet in regular life, especially the three “snow bunnies” in the lodge.
Pace of the story:
Very good. The historical references to start most chapters slowed it down slightly, but they were very important to the overall story.
April 12, 2014
I should start the review by saying that when it was sent to me, I had no idea it was part of a series. While the book can be read stand alone, there is quite a bit of knowledge that the author assumes you have. You’ll get more from the experience if you have read the previous Special X novels.
With that out of the way, this book is quite a ride. You have several types of mysteries all in one. You have the over-arc’ing story of finding the killers, you have locked room mysteries, and you have the whodunit type of mystery all rolled into one fine story.
With each revelation, you gain more questions, and with each question, more bodies pile up. Michael Slade doesn’t skimp on the gore here either. These folks are killed by some seriously vicious and deranged people. Imagine just going down the slopes when all of a sudden you lose your head and feet at one time.
The investigation is spear-headed by Chief Superintendent DeClercq, a character in the previous entries. This is where sometimes I get lost. Apparently, this Mephisto has some beef with DeClercq, and is targeting him specifically. This is due to other instances that happen in other books. While Michael Slade does give you the information you need there is still much to know, in my opinion, by reading the previous novels.
Due to this being a book in a series, the characters aren’t as fleshed out as I would have liked. Again, this isn’t due to an author deficiencies, it’s just my own ignorance of the other novels in the series. When characters are part of a series, you get to know them over time, and so it’s expected that when you read this installment, that there is a certain bit of knowledge. It’s the same reason that when main characters die, it didn’t hit me as hard.
The Bottom Line: If you’ve read the Special X books before, this one should be an incredibly exciting entry into the series. Michael Slade has a way with words, and can tell a tight, well thought out story with several layers to the mystery. If you’ve not read the Special X books, this may or may not work for you, it really depends. It was entertaining for me even without knowing all the ins and outs, and that’s a testament to Michael Slade’s writing ability. Click the cover at the top of the review to pick this sucker up!
With that out of the way, this book is quite a ride. You have several types of mysteries all in one. You have the over-arc’ing story of finding the killers, you have locked room mysteries, and you have the whodunit type of mystery all rolled into one fine story.
With each revelation, you gain more questions, and with each question, more bodies pile up. Michael Slade doesn’t skimp on the gore here either. These folks are killed by some seriously vicious and deranged people. Imagine just going down the slopes when all of a sudden you lose your head and feet at one time.
The investigation is spear-headed by Chief Superintendent DeClercq, a character in the previous entries. This is where sometimes I get lost. Apparently, this Mephisto has some beef with DeClercq, and is targeting him specifically. This is due to other instances that happen in other books. While Michael Slade does give you the information you need there is still much to know, in my opinion, by reading the previous novels.
Due to this being a book in a series, the characters aren’t as fleshed out as I would have liked. Again, this isn’t due to an author deficiencies, it’s just my own ignorance of the other novels in the series. When characters are part of a series, you get to know them over time, and so it’s expected that when you read this installment, that there is a certain bit of knowledge. It’s the same reason that when main characters die, it didn’t hit me as hard.
The Bottom Line: If you’ve read the Special X books before, this one should be an incredibly exciting entry into the series. Michael Slade has a way with words, and can tell a tight, well thought out story with several layers to the mystery. If you’ve not read the Special X books, this may or may not work for you, it really depends. It was entertaining for me even without knowing all the ins and outs, and that’s a testament to Michael Slade’s writing ability. Click the cover at the top of the review to pick this sucker up!
October 14, 2012
Wow. That was gory. I really like that it was set in BC, and full of familiar sites and activities that are portrayed accurately, being as Slade is from Vancouver. I don't normally read thrillers. I don't like gore and I don't like gratuitous sexual encounters, which pretty much ensures this genre isn't going to ever get 5 stars from me. On the other hand, Red Snow probably holds its own in its sphere. It read like a fast paced American action movie from start to finish, with grisly, blood in the snow carnage all the way through. If you like that stuff, you'll like this one far more than I did.
September 6, 2014
I started and finished this book yesterday. It's been awhile since I last read a Slade book and I wasn't disappointed. I could not put it down; it was fast paced from the get go and didn't stop, even at the end. And the ending, aarrgghhhh Michael when is the next mephisto story dueeeeee!!!
Michael Slade is one of most top fav authors and i think I'm going on a re-read of all the books because for most of them it's been many, many, many years since I read them and Michael's been diligently working on getting all his books into e-format. <3
Michael Slade is one of most top fav authors and i think I'm going on a re-read of all the books because for most of them it's been many, many, many years since I read them and Michael's been diligently working on getting all his books into e-format. <3
July 22, 2012
Finally available as an ebook (and cheap). I considered buying this in Canada or USA but it would have been too expensive - it is rather short and maybe not even that good. Putting other books on hold for this, started today.
March 2, 2010
Those who like their thrillers bloody won't be disappointed. Read the full review.
April 6, 2010
Loved it. Gory but good. A peek at what can go wrong with security issues in an Olympics setting.
Read
July 28, 2011I thought the way the story was heading maybe the Special X series was done, but with the ending I hope not. Could not put the book down, had to to get to the end.
October 19, 2011
Slade knocks another one out of the park!!
October 7, 2012
A good read. Fun, engaging, well plotted.
November 11, 2012
loved it so had to put down.
March 20, 2013
Great book
January 23, 2014
Way to wipe out a lot of main characters. Very interested to see how the next book in series will look like....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2014
I couldn't put this book down. It caught me right from the first page. I would rate it more than 5 stars!
March 20, 2014
Very enjoyable book.
September 5, 2018
Was such a great book hard to put down.
April 25, 2011
Summary:
Red Snow takes place in December before the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, BC. Psycho killer, Mephisto, has a score to settle with RCMP detachment Special X in general and Chief Superintendent Robert DeClercq in particular. He also has a grudge against most of the world, thinking it overpopulated. Mephisto sets out to cause havoc, fear, and mass murder before the Winter Olympics start, while security is not as tight as it will be for the events themselves.
My Thoughts:
As a resident of BC, I found Michael Slade's views on the 2010 Winter Olympics interesting - he certainly does not shy away from presenting his views on the politics, spending, money grabbing and general craziness that surrounds the Olympic Games.
Michael Slade does an incredible amount of research on many topics for this book and is obviously quite knowledgeable about any history he presents. I found most of this history interesting and relevant, but sometimes it was not very relevant.
There were a huge amount of characters in this novel and I quite frequently found myself confused about who people were. Sometimes it felt like each chapter was about a new character and their point of view. Many of these characters were obviously from previous novels and Slade spent a lot of time filling in details of their past and back story. This, combined with the long passages of history, in some ways, slowed down the novel.
In other ways, the novel moved very quickly. When there was action, it was fast, detailed and vividly gory. There was a high body count with sickeningly horrible scenes of death described in creative detail.
Overall, though this book was not for me, I could appreciate Slade's creativity, interesting plot twists, and ability to create a truly horrible psycho killer against the realistic backdrop of the 2010 Olympic Games and real events, politics and scenarios of the time. In the end, though, the horrible deaths and "blood and guts" were just not for me. If you like gory suspense thrillers with abrupt language and lots of machismo, then this book may be for you.
Red Snow takes place in December before the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, BC. Psycho killer, Mephisto, has a score to settle with RCMP detachment Special X in general and Chief Superintendent Robert DeClercq in particular. He also has a grudge against most of the world, thinking it overpopulated. Mephisto sets out to cause havoc, fear, and mass murder before the Winter Olympics start, while security is not as tight as it will be for the events themselves.
My Thoughts:
As a resident of BC, I found Michael Slade's views on the 2010 Winter Olympics interesting - he certainly does not shy away from presenting his views on the politics, spending, money grabbing and general craziness that surrounds the Olympic Games.
Michael Slade does an incredible amount of research on many topics for this book and is obviously quite knowledgeable about any history he presents. I found most of this history interesting and relevant, but sometimes it was not very relevant.
There were a huge amount of characters in this novel and I quite frequently found myself confused about who people were. Sometimes it felt like each chapter was about a new character and their point of view. Many of these characters were obviously from previous novels and Slade spent a lot of time filling in details of their past and back story. This, combined with the long passages of history, in some ways, slowed down the novel.
In other ways, the novel moved very quickly. When there was action, it was fast, detailed and vividly gory. There was a high body count with sickeningly horrible scenes of death described in creative detail.
Overall, though this book was not for me, I could appreciate Slade's creativity, interesting plot twists, and ability to create a truly horrible psycho killer against the realistic backdrop of the 2010 Olympic Games and real events, politics and scenarios of the time. In the end, though, the horrible deaths and "blood and guts" were just not for me. If you like gory suspense thrillers with abrupt language and lots of machismo, then this book may be for you.
April 25, 2013
I can't say that I've read all of Michael Slade's book, but I have read a number of them over the years. For me they have to be well spaced because of the content.
On a superficial level, it's crime stories based on a team of Mounties who deal with cross-border crimes out in Vancouver (which is fairly close to the US border). Most of the crimes involve serial killers and psychos. Sort of a police procedural crossed with Criminal Minds, you might think. But the other half is pure horror, with death and mutilation and blood splashes galore.
If there's one thing that the authors (Michael Slade is a crime lawyer with a variety of co-authors) aren't afraid of, it's killing off or mutilating or traumatising characters who have been long established, and this book has a high body count, even for a Slade novel.
Mephisto, the psychopathic killer of several of the earlier books is back in the days leading up to the Vancouver Olympics. He lures Special X up to Whistler by killing one of their own, and then cuts the ski resort off from the rest of the world and starts the killing.
All in all, I was seriously creeped out by this book. The first death was of a character who was one of the leads of the series up until now. And it just got more horrific from there on in.
If Criminal Minds is too much for you, stay away from this series. If you think the show doesn't go far enough... Well, check out Special X.
On a superficial level, it's crime stories based on a team of Mounties who deal with cross-border crimes out in Vancouver (which is fairly close to the US border). Most of the crimes involve serial killers and psychos. Sort of a police procedural crossed with Criminal Minds, you might think. But the other half is pure horror, with death and mutilation and blood splashes galore.
If there's one thing that the authors (Michael Slade is a crime lawyer with a variety of co-authors) aren't afraid of, it's killing off or mutilating or traumatising characters who have been long established, and this book has a high body count, even for a Slade novel.
Mephisto, the psychopathic killer of several of the earlier books is back in the days leading up to the Vancouver Olympics. He lures Special X up to Whistler by killing one of their own, and then cuts the ski resort off from the rest of the world and starts the killing.
All in all, I was seriously creeped out by this book. The first death was of a character who was one of the leads of the series up until now. And it just got more horrific from there on in.
If Criminal Minds is too much for you, stay away from this series. If you think the show doesn't go far enough... Well, check out Special X.
didn-t-finish
October 27, 2014I met Michael Slade at a writers' conference, where I attended a breakout session where he was talking about tension, or where ideas come from, or another writerly subject related to thinking the dark stuff up. He is a fantastic raconteur, and his stories held that roomful of people in the palm of his hand for ninety minutes. Intrigued, I bought this book at the on-site bookstore, and had him sign it.
And I got about three chapters in and things got too dark, too tense, and too scary for me. I realized that the book--as brilliantly written and viscerally evocative as it is--is just not my thing. I had to read a whole bunch of happily-ever-after books just to re-establish my emotional equilibrium.
I may try it again, eventually, but for now I'll just leave it up there on my "Authors I Have Met" shelf, between Diana Gabaldon and Jack Whyte.
EDIT: I'm putting this review up so the book doesn't sit there on my "to read" shelf, in silent virtual rebuke, any longer.
And I got about three chapters in and things got too dark, too tense, and too scary for me. I realized that the book--as brilliantly written and viscerally evocative as it is--is just not my thing. I had to read a whole bunch of happily-ever-after books just to re-establish my emotional equilibrium.
I may try it again, eventually, but for now I'll just leave it up there on my "Authors I Have Met" shelf, between Diana Gabaldon and Jack Whyte.
EDIT: I'm putting this review up so the book doesn't sit there on my "to read" shelf, in silent virtual rebuke, any longer.
February 25, 2014
I DNF'd at 77% in. It wasn't holding my interest. A good book keeps me interested and I finish it in a day or so... work allowing and all. This one, I started it before the 23rd... actual date can be found over on BookLikes, but it has been a week or so.
It was too repetitive, no surprises.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley for an honest review.
It was too repetitive, no surprises.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley for an honest review.
May 26, 2010
Couldn't get too far into this book. Too gruesome for me. I'm disappointed, it takes place in Whistler just before the Olympics. I wanted to like this book as it is a Canadian author but couldn't finish.
August 10, 2016
I think I gulped this book rather than turned pages; it moved THAT fast! The definition of "page turner"is right here: "Red Snow." The single quality I appreciate most in horror is implacability, and here is a killer mastermind, admittedly a brilliant planner, who, quite simply, is unstoppable.
December 24, 2013
The Special-X series of Mountie-horror-thriller-procedurals are a *very* guilty pleasure. When they're good - the early ones - you'll stay up late. Was up till midnight with this one.
April 25, 2015
Wow...after a couple of not so good entries this kicked arse, literally. The author culled major series characters left, right and centre in this, great book!!
July 31, 2023
Wonderful book, gives insight to the mental process of a serial killer. wicked.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews