Tuesday night I was at a signing at Murder By The Book when author Julia Spencer-Fleming talked about how being the child of an Air Force family was one of the influences both on her writing and in the shaping of her characters in her Rev. Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne series. I have found that kids who grew up in military homes share a lot of the same values and experiences, and back when she was first suggested as a writer whose mysteries I might enjoy (at MBTB, in fact), as an Army brat who’s a writer, my interest was piqued by those things we had in common.
I see from my Nook purchases that I began reading this series in August of 2011. I read the first seven books in quick succession and I’m so glad the eighth is now available. If you like your mysteries with some romance, some suspense, and a strong and compassionate heroine with a sound moral compass and a mind of her own, you’ll enjoy this series. However, be warned. Weather plays havoc on the small town of Millers Kill and its residents in this latest book in the series–reading it made me feel cold in HOUSTON, no small feat.
Also, if you ever get the opportunity to hear Julia Spencer-Fleming talk, grab a seat early and enjoy.
Through the Evil Days is available at your local booksellers and online, or don’t forget, you can order for your ereaders through Murder By The Book’s Kobo partnership and support this fantastic independent bookstore.
I read the first of this series, In the Bleak Midwinter, years and years ago. I remember liking it tremendously. I’ve always intended to go back to the series, but you know how it is, right? So many books, so little time…
Yes, I do know that very well!
Millers Kill? I find American place names fascinating.
Here’s your trivia for the day: “Kill” comes from the Dutch kille, which is a riverbed or water channel. The English derivative “kill” has come to mean a body of water such as a creek. So literally, this would be Millers Creek, but Millers Kill (JSF’s fictitious town) could not be more aptly named for a place where murders happen!