Books Like...

Set in the 1930s in the Lake District, "The Frozen Lake" by Elizabeth Edmondson follows the intertwined lives of two wealthy families during a rare Christmas freeze. The novel delves into the complex relationships, buried family dynamics, and dark secrets that unravel over the holiday period, culminating in a mysterious murder that keeps readers guessing until the end. With a large cast of characters and a dense plot, the book captures the atmosphere of the era and intricately weaves together themes of family, mystery, and suspense.

In 'Death and the Dancing Footman' by Ngaio Marsh, a rich eccentric named Jonathan Royal organizes a house party during a snowstorm, inviting guests who have deep antipathies towards each other. As tensions rise and practical jokes turn sinister, a murder occurs, leaving the guests shocked and without police help until Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn arrives late in the story. The book delves into the intricate dynamics between the characters, building up to the locked-room mystery with a unique twist, all set against the backdrop of WWII, capturing the essence of a classic cozy mystery with a touch of dark humor and social commentary.

In 'The Chalet' by Catherine Cooper, the story unfolds across dual timelines, December 1998 and January 2020, both centered on a luxurious resort in the French Alps. The plot revolves around two brothers who go skiing with their tour guides in 1998, only for one to disappear and never be found. Twenty years later, a group of characters gathers at the same resort, each harboring a secret, as a body is discovered in the snow. The narrative weaves together themes of rivalry, secrets, and revenge, set against the backdrop of a ski trip gone terribly wrong and the chilling consequences that follow.

The author skillfully alternates between the past and present, creating a suspenseful atmosphere with engaging characters and a beautifully described setting. Cooper's writing style effectively builds tension, intertwining multiple storylines and character perspectives to keep the reader guessing about the connection between the timelines and the characters until the very end.

The Sittaford Mystery by Agatha Christie is a standalone novel that follows a group of people snowed in at Sittaford House, where a harmless table turning session turns sinister when a spirit message announces the murder of Captain Trevelyan. The protagonist, Emily Trefusis, sets out to clear her fiancé's name, navigating through red herrings, suspicious characters, and a small English village to uncover the truth behind the murder. The book combines elements of a classic Christie whodunit with a touch of supernatural intrigue, set against the backdrop of a snowy Dartmoor village.

The plot unfolds with a mix of atmosphere, suspense, and engaging characters, showcasing Christie's talent for crafting intricate mysteries with unexpected twists. The narrative style is described as easy to read, with simple prose that belies the complexity of the plot, keeping readers guessing until the end. Despite being a departure from the usual Poirot or Miss Marple stories, The Sittaford Mystery captivates readers with its compelling storyline, strong female protagonist, and a blend of traditional mystery elements with a hint of the paranormal.

In the book 'Snow' by John Banville, Inspector St. John Strafford is called to investigate the murder of a Catholic priest in the library of Ballyglass House in 1950s rural County Wexford. The story unfolds with Strafford, an outsider in many ways, navigating through a closed and secretive community, exploring themes of post-War poverty, the class and religious divide, and the scandals of the Catholic church. The writing style is described as spare and bleak, mirroring the weather and setting, creating a blend of a classic whodunnit and a piece of literary fiction that delves into deep societal issues.

An English Murder by Cyril Hare is a classic English country house mystery set at Warbeck Hall during Christmas. The story unfolds as a group of guests, including a diverse mix of characters with political affiliations and historical backgrounds, become snowbound in the house. A murder occurs, leading to an investigation led by Dr. Bottwink, a Central European historian, and Sergeant Rogers, a Special Branch Detective. The plot is filled with subtle humor, diverse political views, and an ingenious mystery that keeps the reader engaged till the end.

The Dead Mountaineer's Inn by Jeff VanderMeer, Josh Billings, Boris Strugatsky, and Arkady & Boris Strugatsky is a unique blend of science fiction and mystery set in an isolated inn in the mountains. The story follows police detective Peter Glebsky as he finds himself surrounded by eccentric characters in a haunted inn, trying to solve a murder mystery amidst practical jokes and strange occurrences. The writing style is described as skillfully crafted, with elements of humor, melancholy, and thoughtfulness, creating a light-hearted yet suspenseful atmosphere that keeps readers engaged until the unexpected twist towards the end.

'A House of Ghosts' by W.C. Ryan is a historical mystery set during the winter of 1917 at Blackwater Abbey, the residence of arms manufacturer Francis Highmount. The story revolves around a house party gathering on an island where guests attempt to contact the spirits of Highmount's two deceased sons who died during the war. Among the guests are undercover intelligence agents, a former fiancée, a psychic, and a mix of paranormal mystery, spy thriller, and historical novel elements. The plot unfolds with secrets, espionage, hidden passages, and a touch of romance between the main characters, Kate Cartwright and Captain Donovan, while ghosts play a significant role in the atmospheric setting of the haunted mansion.

In "1222" by Anne Holt, a group of passengers are stranded at a snowbound hotel after a train crash in a storm on the Oslo Bergen trainline. The story follows Hanne Wilhelmsen, a retired police officer who is wheelchair-bound, as she reluctantly leads an investigation into a series of murders that occur during their stay. The book pays homage to Agatha Christie's style of murder mysteries, set in modern Norway, with a diverse cast of characters and a locked room mystery reminiscent of classic whodunits.

In "Shiver" by Allie Reynolds, a group of former snowboarding friends reunite at an isolated ski lodge in the French Alps, where a mysterious death from their past resurfaces, leading to a series of chilling events and revelations. The narrative alternates between the present day and ten years ago, creating a tense atmosphere as secrets are unveiled, suspicions rise, and the characters' connections and tensions come to light. Reynolds' background in snowboarding adds authenticity to the competitive and dangerous world depicted in the novel, while the locked room mystery plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats, questioning who to trust and what really happened to Saskia.