Winter Watch by Anita Klumpers

Posted March 10, 2014 by Prairie Wife - 2 comments

I first learned about this book from a past Prairie Wife of the Week, Donna Boucher. She has a blog called Quiet Life that I just love, and I stop by every week. She mentioned that one of her friends had recently written a book. The book, Winter Watch by Anita Klumpers intrigued me for several reasons. I am usually not interested in mystery’s but, I like the link Donna made between the real death of Anita Klumpers’ grandfather and the plot of the book. It made me want to see how Anita changed the story. I also liked that Anita was a fellow Wisconsin girl. So I got the book on my Kindle and snuggled under the covers and started to read…and read…and read until I just couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.

The main character is Claudia, a strong woman who is abandon at a gas station by her boyfriend. She is slowly but surely welcomed into the town, and quickly becomes involved in the lives of several of the more eccentric characters. Her love interest is a pillar in the community (and the local dog catcher), and Klumper’s writing keeps you guessing as to whether there really is something there, or if we are just imagining it. I was instantly drawn to Claudia and found her likeable and just flawed enough to be relatable. The mystery gets deeper as the book continues, and soon a murderer is afoot in the snowy winter town of Barley, Wisconsin. Anita wraps up the story in an unhurried fashion, wrapping up all the loose ends in a realistic way. I started the book somewhat interested, and ended it in love with the characters, and their town. Anita hinted in her interview that there might be more adventures coming, and I can’t wait to read more about Barley, Wisconsin!

Categories: Life As It Happens, Reviews

Tags: , Book Review, Eccentric Characters, Mystery, Quiet Life, Romance, Wisconsin Author