Mari Biella

I went into this expecting, for some reason – bolstered by that cover – a paranormal mystery. And there was a bit of that; there's some nicely spooky stuff going on all through the novella, and a generous sprinkling of The Hound of the Baskervilles added. But the main intent of the story is as a murder mystery with cozy tendencies, and after I got past my misconceptions I enjoyed it. It wasn't great – but it was very readable.

One of the most horrifying moments I've read lately: a mother, in front of her children, says “There are times when I really wish I could have my life back." I kind of hoped she'd be the latest victim.

I received this book through LibraryThing's Member Giveaway for an honest revew, thank you.… (más)

The first books I read by Mari Biella were ghost stories. So, I thought she was a horror writer. But several books later, I see her consistent theme is beyond supernatural. Whatever the plot, her characters are always haunted. And that distinction gives her fiction real-world resonance. In her novella-length whodunit, Wintergreen, central and peripheral characters are haunted by ghosts of their past. Its heroine, Cat, is a journalist home for the holidays with her divorce still lingering in her heart. Jake is a detective with significant personal losses who’s managed to honor their memories while getting on with his life. Cat’s barely arrived when she walks up to what could be a crime scene -- Hugo Montbray found dead in the woods. Jake makes her for a journalist right away and is protective of his investigation. Cat can’t resist her professional instinct to snoop. The two find themselves drawn into a guarded partnership with mutual attraction simmering beneath their cool exteriors. Is Montbray’s death an accident or did the country squire’s womanizing and business double dealing result in his murder? Could his demise be the result of a centuries-old family curse? Cat is tempted to believe it when she begins experiencing uncanny disturbances in her rented cottage, a historic building villagers say is haunted by the spurned mistress of a Montbray ancestor.

I liked the point in Wintergreen when I didn’t quite know which type of haunting Jake and Cat were up against. I enjoyed how finely drawn the characters were. And I liked finishing the book with the sense that I’ll see Cat and Jake paired up in a future adventure. It’s fitting that Biella, who is Welsh, set Wintergreen during the holiday season because the British have made a tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas. I especially recommend reading it during the holidays, but Wintergreen is a quick, fun read any time.… (más)