A supernatural-tinged historical mystery, The Winter People, by Jennifer McMahon jumps between 1908 and present day. In the past, it follows Sarah Harrison Shea, a woman who will end up dead in the field behind her house. The present finds Ruthie, her sister, and her mum living in Sarah’s former home.
When Ruthie’s mom vanishes, Ruthie must piece together the past to save her mum. She’s also got her younger sister to look after. In searching for clues in the farmhouse, Ruthie finds part of a hidden diary. It was written by Sarah, leading us back to the past. It may be that only by solving the riddle of Sarah’s past can Ruthie find her mum.
From Hazel, all the way in Sarah’s childhood to Alice, Fawn, and Ruthie in the present, the bond between mums and children flows through this book. Indeed, that bond prompted the start of this, when young Sarah sees the deceased child Hazel walking through the woods. As a grown woman Sara had lost a child of her own named Gertie.
Following the death of her daughter, Gertie, Sarah attempts the same folk wisdom that brought Hazel back those decades past. It succeeds, somewhat, but with horrifying consequences that trickle forward to Ruthie’s time.
Overall, I quite enjoyed this supernatural historical mystery. Once Ruthie started figuring the puzzle out, I couldn’t stop reading!
Recommended!
If you enjoyed The Whisper Man or Walking With Ghosts On Ward’s Pond, be sure to check out The Winter People.
***Purchased and read for my own enjoyment
