Through the Evil Days

Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne face multiple crises during an ice storm in the Adirondacks. The Episcopal priest and police chief, newly married and expecting a baby, must search for a critically ill child who was kidnapped after her foster parents were murdered. As the storm intensifies and temperatures plummet, Clare and Russ become stranded in a remote cabin while pursuing leads in the kidnapping case. Back in Millers Kill, two young police officers investigate a string of drug-related crimes that may connect to the missing girl. The investigation forces both Clare and Russ to confront their changing relationship dynamics and career challenges while racing against time. The harsh winter weather becomes its own character, creating obstacles and raising the stakes as the hours tick by. This eighth installment in the series explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and how personal and professional duties intersect in the lives of public servants. The novel examines what people will risk to protect those in their care, whether family members or strangers.

Readers found this entry in the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series heightens the personal stakes while maintaining the mystery elements. Multiple reviewers noted the effective use of an ice storm as both a plot device and source of tension. Liked: - Strong character development of the main relationship - Multiple intersecting plotlines that come together - Vivid winter atmosphere and setting - Balance of personal drama with police procedural elements Disliked: - Slower pacing compared to previous books - Some found the personal relationship focus overshadowed the mystery - Several readers felt the ending left too many threads unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 4.16/5 (3,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (500+ ratings) One frequent reader comment: "The winter storm becomes almost another character in the story, affecting every aspect of the plot." Some longtime fans noted this book marks a shift in tone from earlier entries, with more emphasis on the protagonists' personal lives.

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🔹 "Through the Evil Days" is the 8th book in Julia Spencer-Fleming's Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne mystery series, which uniquely features an Episcopal priest and a police chief as its main characters. 🔹 Julia Spencer-Fleming worked as a lawyer before becoming a novelist and didn't begin writing fiction until she was in her 30s and a stay-at-home mother. 🔹 The book's plot unfolds during an ice storm in the Adirondacks - a setting Spencer-Fleming researched extensively by interviewing first responders about their experiences during similar weather emergencies. 🔹 The author won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel with her debut book in this series, "In the Bleak Midwinter," and has gone on to win multiple other mystery writing awards. 🔹 Spencer-Fleming deliberately sets her books in the fictional town of Millers Kill, NY, choosing "Kill" because it's a Dutch word meaning "creek" or "stream" and is commonly used in place names throughout the Hudson Valley region.