Book Release Calendar » Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates Book Review

Summary of Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates

In Dead of Winter, Christa and her boyfriend, Kiernan, join a tour group exploring the Rocky Mountains. Christa suspects that Kiernan is about to propose to her and she expects that they will have a relaxing and rather memorable trip. But as the tour group is making their way up to the lodge where they are expected to reside, they notice that a tree has fallen across the road blocking them from moving forward.

Their tour guide decides that a few of them can volunteer to chop up the the tree. He lets the group know that it should take about an hour for them to get back on the road. But then a sudden snowstorm traps them, they find shelter in an empty cabin. The next morning, their tour guide is discovered dead, and it becomes clear someone in the group is a killer.

With the group stranded and unable to escape, the story unfolds as they search for the killer and fight to survive both the storm and one another.

Main Plot & Characters

• Christa: The main character who must navigate fear and uncertainty while uncovering the truth.
• Kiernan: He is Christa’s boyfriend.
• Mary: She is married to Steve. This was their first couples trip in ten years.
• Steve Peltz: He is Mary’s husband and is huge in size. He is a trucker and has an alcohol problem.
• Brian Hernandez: He is the driver and coordinator (tour guide). Brian has a very friendly personality.
• Blake Shorey: She used to work as a 911 dispatcher and loves to tell stories about some of the calls she received while she was working dispatch.
• Hutch Huang: He is a DJ and came to check the lodge to see if could handle the lights and sound for an upcoming wedding.
• Alexis Barras: She is in her 20s and received a personal card inviting her on the trip. Alexis is a sister to Janet and has a lot of interest in true-crime.
• Simone Wall: She was in the Army but worked multiple jobs afterward. She is very standoffish.
• Denny Olstead: He is a mechanic. Denny is Grayson’s father and his wife is dead.
• Grayson: He is a teenager. Grayson is Denny’s son. He suspects his father of killing his mother.
• Liam: He is a boy who was involved in a car accident.
• Janet Barrass: She was Alexis’s sister. She was in a relationship with Liam.

Writing Style

Coates writes in a clear and simple way that keeps the story moving. She tells the story from Christa’s perspective. The pacing builds steady tension, making it easy to stay engaged and understand what each character is feeling.

One thing we loved about this book is that as a reader you will find yourself trying to figure out who the killer is and how the story connects. Everyone essentially becomes a suspect at some point.

Memorable Quotes

• “I have insurance for you all, but I don’t want to have to use it.”— Brian
• “We’re all going to die here.”— Christa’s reflections
• “And after August 8.”— Christa’s reflections
• “It would be a mistake to believe in anyone’s innocence.”— Alexis
• “And hope cannot be relied on. But sometimes we still need it to survive.”— Christa’s reflections
• “Surgeon.”
• “Sturgeon.”
• “This is revenge.”— Christa’s reflections

Impact of Dead of Winter

Dead of Winter is great for people who enjoy horror and fear-driven narratives. It gives readers the opportunity to try and figure out who the killer is and what has motivated them to do so.

Book Rating

Characters ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Plot ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Writing ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Book Cover ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5)

Audiobook (Narration only) ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5)

Overall ★★★★☆ (4/5)

What are your thoughts on this book? Have you had a chance to read it? Where you able to figure out who the killer was and what their motivations were? Let us know in the comments!

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