I have both eARCs of the extract and the full Kindle book. The extract gives a good feel for the book. I was interested in this book because the title sounded catchy and I feel it's a great play on words and reminds me of the phrases from the game Cluedo/Clue.

I found the extract packed a lot into 35 pages: setting up the story, the characters meeting each other and talk about books. The pacing felt very quick to me, and I felt like I didn’t get to know the characters much. The location is atmospheric and I liked the book talk that went on. The characters seem quirky. The full length novel was good to have too, to be able to continue the story. I like the fact that part of the plot that was covered in the extract was a reading list.

I felt the anticipation of the characters as to the mystery of what the event may bring. The book has suspense but feels a little too wordy in some parts.


Thanks to Martin Edwards and Aria for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

3 stars

A fiendishly brilliant interactive mystery for puzzle and crime enthusiasts. Miss Winter in the Library uses a game format that readers, as well as characters, can participate in so as to solve the clues and win the game. The rules of the game are set out at the beginning, and the setting is introduced as an isolated hamlet with an impending storm brewing. The grand imposing house is the reason for the game - to raise funds - and it promises to be a place that changes people. The early scenes create a sense of foreboding and anticipation. The early scenes give glimpses of our key players via a variety of delectable formats - story extracts, diary entries, podcast extract, lists, prose...this promises to be a binge-worthy read. #misswintwrinthelibrarywithaknife #martinedwards #extract #netgalley

Martin Edwards is one busy man. He writes mysteries and edits many of the classic British crime library reissues. He has also published books on the mystery genre.

Here Edwards has written a holiday mystery. The story is based on getting a group to an isolated location thereby setting the stage for a locked room style mystery. The six invited folks (see the invite in the book) all are in some way crime writing adjacent. They and member of a mysterious trust are placed together. Of course, a murder occurs.

I definitely was intrigued by this sampler and will look for the full novel when it is released.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria and Aries for this title. All opinions are my own.

I don't usually request book extracts but this sounded great and I wanted to see if I would like it. I do! And now I want to read the whole book. Love the writing and the storyline, 6 main characters, playing a game to solve the murder of a fictional crime writer. What could possibly go wrong!?

I can't wait now to read the book from start to finish. Bring it on. I am ready!

Thank you NetGalley and Aria & Aries for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book extract.

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife - EXTRACT

𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Six strangers, each connected to crime writing, are invited to participate in a murder mystery game. Their challenge: solve the fictional murder of a crime writer in a secluded English village. However, fiction turns into reality when a snowstorm traps them.

The book offers an interactive experience by incorporating a “Cluefinder” feature, allowing readers to review clues and potentially solve the murder themselves!

𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
As a fan of Cluedo, Agatha Christie, and all things Christmas, I was excited to check out this advance copy extract.

Because of the format, I think the eBook would be the easiest way to read this - easier to flip back and forth to check the maybe-clues. But eBook + audiobook - that’s the sweet spot!!

I love that the book gives you the option to play along and solve the mystery or just sit back and enjoy the ride. The writing flows really well, and I connected with the characters right away. The multiple POVs add layers and insights, letting us see inside the minds of the six players, the Trust staff, and even snippets from the author’s own work.

I was intrigued, entertained, and definitely left wanting more.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This is a fun, modern take on a classic murder mystery, and I’m absolutely picking up the full book when I can. If you love whodunits, this one is a must-read for Christmas!

Thanks to @Netgalley and
@headofzeus for access to this advanced readers copy exert

This was FUN!

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife is a whodunnit that invites the reader to solve puzzles and interact with the story. I've never read anything like this and I think it's very clever. The atmosphere of the story itself is rich and easy to immerse yourself in. Upon first impression, there is more to the characters than meets the eye and you can tell there will be plenty of twists and reveals.

I don't think I would have picked this book up if I saw it on a shelf so I'm so really glad I read this extract. It's definitely something I'll have to be in the right mood for, but I can't wait for release.

I was lucky to be recently chosen to review a short extract of Martin Edwards new novel from Netgalley. So it’s about six people who are competing to win a prize in a murder mystery game. Oh, and it’s set at Christmas and evokes the traditional murder mystery. This really left me wanting to know what was going to happen next as we were just getting into the action.

Edwards creates a lovely sense of foreboding and mixes up the old and new crime novel nicely. I also had a little chuckle with the renaming of the classic crime novels. This is definitely one to watch out for.

I do find it quite difficult to review on the basis of a short extract.
However this appears to have an interesting premise, as well as believable characters .
Martin Edward’s writing is congenial and clear with a high readability factor.
I look forward to reading the complete book

I recently read Hemlock Bay by Martin Edwards and it was so clever with such a brilliant atmosphere, I knew that I was going to love Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife. I am a big fan of a Christmas Murder Mystery and the idea for this story seems like a lot of fun - six people with links to the Crime Fiction world have been invited by the Midwinter Trust to take part in a festive murder mystery game with a life-changing prize. This was only a small extract but I already know that this is going to be a big hit for anyone else like me who likes to play detective and solve puzzles while you read. Martin Edwards has an extensive knowledge of Crime Fiction and this is obvious here with the use of so many crime fiction tropes, the Golden-Age Crime Fiction vibe and the fiendish puzzles given for the reader to solve. I gave it my best shot, but I'm pretty sure that if I was invited to Midwinter to take part in this game, I would be leaving in a body bag! I can't wait to continue with the rest of the story, bring on September!

Had fun and cannot wait to read the rest of this book. Well plotted, gripping, entertaining.
Please let me read the rest

The extract I was gifted was enjoyable there is a game, crime and mystery this is perfect for a winter read, I would like to read the complete story once it is available.

Thank you NetGalley

I know it was only an extract, but I love a good mystery, and this was certainly a good mystery. Loved the characters we’ve been introduced to and the story line. I’m looking forward to when I can get my hands on the complete book.

Six people have been invited to play a game at Christmas, all with a connection to crime writing. Six staff member are they to make sure that everyone plays fair, but will they?

I shall look forward to reading the rest of this book as I only received an extract but so far, so very intriguing!

Solve the murder of a fictional crime writer in a remote but wonderfully atmospheric village in the north Pennines to win a prize that will change your fortunes for good.

Six members of staff from the shadowy Trust are there to make sure everyone plays fair. The contestants have been meticulously vetted but you can never be too careful. And with the village about to be cut off by a snow storm, everyone needs to be extra vigilant. Midwinter can play tricks on people’s minds…

The game is set – but playing fair isn’t on everyone’s Christmas list.

After all, when the prize is to die for, it’s so tempting to inject a little murder into the mystery.

The extract for this book was wonderful and so unique in it's writing style that I was sad when I got to the end! I will definitely be reading the full version once it comes out!

Definitely makes apetite for more!
Was quite confusing in the beginning and it took me a moment to find in the story. Still, i find it quite interesting and im curious to read more, when it will be published.

An Exciting Prospect…
An extract of what will soon be a Christmas murder mystery with a difference where six people, all with links to the literary world of crime, have been invited to a play a game by the rather elusive Midwinter Trust in an idyllic Yorkshire village. The prize, they are told, will be potentially life changing. With six members of the Trust also in attendance and the village about to become cut off by a snow storm, what could possibly go wrong? This is a tremendously exciting prospect and will, no doubt, be both intriguing and entertaining, brimming with red herrings, clues and misdirection galore.

I knew I'd love this book as soon as I read the blurb and although I have only read the extract so far I know it's going to be a book I need to read ahead of next Christmas. The opening is intriguing and I was so disappointed when I reached the end of the extract... I need to know more!

to the crime writing world are invited to play a festive game by the Midwinter Trust. Simply solve the fictional murder of a crime writer to change their luck forever. Playing fair is at the heart of the task – which is important when the six are cut off from the village by a snow storm.

From the premise and this small extract this seems very interesting. I like the setup with the rules, and can't wait for the book to be out. I'll be sure to puck it up once it's out.