In the Bleak Midwinter

OUTSTANDING PRAISE

FOR JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING’S

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

“Fleming hits a grand slam with In the Bleak Midwinter. The tension is constant. The dialogue is dead-on. The characters are interesting, thought-provoking, and honest. The prose soars above the quality usually found in this genre. To top it all off, the story twists and turns to the last page.”

—Denver Rocky Mountain News

“Without ever slighting the central situation of the abandoned mother and her abandoned child, Spencer- Fleming shows admirable resourcefulness in the changes she brings to it.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Compelling . . . many twists.”

—Romantic Times

“Filled with many twists and turns . . . [a] warm tale.”

—Midwest Book Review

“The prose soars . . . the story twists and turns to the last page.”

—Maine Sunday Telegram

“Julia Spencer-Fleming is already a winner, but she deserves a triple crown. In a strong, distinctive voice, she sets her characters down In the Bleak Midwinter and pits them against public murder, personal demons, and the power of nature itself.”

—Kathy Lynn Emerson, author of the Face Down Mysteries

“One of the most impressive ‘first’ crime novels I’ve read. A priest, a cop, a baby on the doorstep, and a lot of snow combined with suspenseful results for one great book.”

—Charlaine Harris, author of Shakespeare’s Counselor

“Don’t miss this one! You’ll be rooting for Clare Fergusson in this engaging and vital mystery.”

—April Henry, author of the Claire Montrose mysteries and Learning to Fly

In the Bleak

Midwinter

Julia Spencer-Fleming

St. Martin’s Paperbacks

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE

COPYRIGHT

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21