About the Book

"New York Times bestseller Julia Spencer-Fleming returns to her beloved Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery series. It's Christmas time in Millers Kill, and Reverend Clare Fergusson and her husband Russ van Alstyne - newly resigned from his position as chief of police - plan to enjoy it with their baby boy. On their list: visiting Santa, decorating the tree, and attending the church Christmas pageant. But when a beloved holiday parade is crashed by white supremacists, Clare and Russ find themselves sucked into a parallel world of militias, machinations and murder. Meanwhile, single mom and officer Hadley Knox has her hands full juggling her kids and her police work. She doesn't want to worry about her former partner - and sometimes lover - Kevin Flynn, but when he takes leave from the Syracuse PD and disappears, she can't help her growing panic that something has gone very wrong. Novice lawyer Joy Zhao is keeping secrets from her superiors at the state Attorney General's Office. She knows they wouldn't condone her off-the-books investigation, but she's convinced a threatening alt-right conspiracy is brewing - and catching the perpetrators could jump start her career. NYS Forest Ranger Paul Terrance is looking for his uncle, a veteran of the park service gone inexplicably missing. He doesn't think much of an ex-cop and out-of-town officer showing up in his patch of the woods, but he's heard the disturbing rumors of dangerous men in the mountains. In New York Times Julia Spencer-Fleming's latest novel, as Christmas approaches, these five people will discover their suspicions hang on a single twisting thread, leading to the forbidding High Peaks of the Adirondacks. As the December days shorten and the nights grow long, a disparate group of would-be heroes need to unwind a murderous plot before time runs out"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

THE INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER

"Spencer-Fleming, in her most masterly turn yet, mixes heart-stopping action with deep empathy for her characters." - Sarah Weinman, New York Times Book Review

New York Times bestseller Julia Spencer-Fleming returns to her beloved Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery series

It's Christmas time in Millers Kill, and Reverend Clare Fergusson and her husband Russ van Alstyne - newly resigned from his position as chief of police - plan to enjoy it with their baby boy. On their list: visiting Santa, decorating the tree, and attending the church Christmas pageant. But when a beloved holiday parade is crashed by white supremacists, Clare and Russ find themselves sucked into a parallel world of militias, machinations and murder.

Meanwhile, single mom and officer Hadley Knox has her hands full juggling her kids and her police work. She doesn't want to worry about her former partner - and sometimes lover - Kevin Flynn, but when he takes leave from the Syracuse PD and disappears, she can't help her growing panic that something has gone very wrong.
Novice lawyer Joy Zhào is keeping secrets from her superiors at the state Attorney General's Office. She knows they wouldn't condone her off-the-books investigation, but she's convinced a threatening alt-right conspiracy is brewing - and catching the perpetrators could jump start her career.

NYS Forest Ranger Paul Terrance is looking for his uncle, a veteran of the park service gone inexplicably missing. He doesn't think much of an ex-cop and out-of-town officer showing up in his patch of the woods, but he's heard the disturbing rumors of dangerous men in the mountains.

In New York Times Julia Spencer-Fleming's latest novel, as Christmas approaches, these five people will discover their suspicions hang on a single twisting thread, leading to the forbidding High Peaks of the Adirondacks. As the December days shorten and the nights grow long, a disparate group of would-be heroes need to unwind a murderous plot before time runs out.

Review Quotes

"Spencer-Fleming, in her most masterly turn yet, mixes heart-stopping action with deep empathy for her characters." - Sarah Weinman, New York Times Book Review

"Spencer-Fleming nimbly balances plot and characterization, fully developing each member of her large cast while ensuring things never get too busy. This long-running series continues to impress." -Publishers Weekly

"As always, Spencer-Fleming's story is first-rate." -Bookpage

"Julia hooked me with the first sentence of her first book - probably the best first sentence ever! Now in her latest, she has gone full circle with this series, in a tale that is both so gripping and oh so timely. Truly a book for our time." --Rhys Bowen

"With great outdoor scenes, tight plotting, and appealing characters, this will hold readers' attention and leave them hungry for more." --FirstClue

"Cleverly constructed around the advent and family, this eleventh episode's thrills strike deep. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy Nevada Barr and Paul Doiron." --Booklist

About the Author

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING is The New York Times bestselling author of One Was A Soldier, and an Agatha, Anthony, Dilys, Barry, Macavity, and Gumshoe Award winner. She studied acting and history at Ithaca College and received her J.D. at the University of Maine School of Law. Her books have been shortlisted for the Edgar, Nero Wolfe, and Romantic Times RC awards. Julia lives in a 190-year-old farmhouse in southern Maine.