Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
Martin Edwards is a master of classic crime storytelling and Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife feels like a love letter to the Golden Age of mystery fiction. From the moment the story opens, there is a sense of nostalgia mixed with a sly modern twist. The premise is deliciously theatrical. A country house. A closed circle of suspects. A body discovered in a place that ought to be safe and silent. And at the heart of it all is Miss Winter, a character who manages to be both familiar in her genre roots and refreshingly unpredictable. The novel blends cosy crime charm with a wry sense of humour and a carefully plotted mystery that rewards close attention.

✅ What I Liked:
The setting is wonderfully atmospheric. Edwards has a talent for painting scenes that feel straight out of a vintage detective novel, from creaking staircases to shadowy libraries. Miss Winter herself is the standout. She is observant, sharp and quietly formidable and her presence lifts every chapter. The mystery is cleverly constructed and clues are seeded with just enough subtlety to keep the reader guessing without feeling cheated. I also loved the affectionate nods to classic mystery tropes. It feels like Edwards is inviting the reader to share in the fun rather than simply following a formula.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
There were a few structural lulls where the pacing felt slower than necessary and a couple of side characters were painted a little too lightly to fully invest in their motives. These moments didn’t undermine my enjoyment but they did occasionally pull me slightly out of the momentum of the mystery.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you love cosy crime that respects its Golden Age roots while still feeling fresh, this is a charming and clever pick. Fans of Agatha Christie, Anthony Horowitz’s Hawthorne series and Edwards’ own Rachel Savernake novels will feel perfectly at home. It is a satisfying mystery with a strong sense of place and a protagonist who deserves more adventures.

💭 Final Thoughts:
This is an engaging, comforting and smartly plotted mystery that hits all the right notes for classic crime lovers. Edwards brings warmth, wit and a delicate touch to the genre and Miss Winter is a character I would happily follow into further investigations. It captures the joy of traditional detective fiction while offering just enough modern sparkle to make it stand out.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE and HERE

Final Rating ★★★★ – A vintage mystery with modern charm