Murder in Skoghall’s prologue introduces a stalker, who is watching an alluring red-haired woman who reminds him of lost love Bonnie. Military past and PTSD come into play as he reveals the horrors of war which changed him forever:

Readers seeking mystery and ghostly themes may not expect the depth of this prologue, but it neatly sets the stage for what follows and demonstrates that Murder in Skoghall will actually be more than a formula-written murder mystery typical of the genre.

Alida Winternheimer creates a story that simmers with underlying grief, anger, reflections on the past, and insights on moving forward in novel new ways.

Winternheimer’s ability to capture atmosphere, depict a strong sense of place in the one-stop-sign town’s makeup, and present a character who is trying to start over while facing impossible situations that stretch her boundaries and talents makes for a truly compelling read.

The juxtaposition of different elements of adaptation, survival, intrigue, love, and death will delight libraries seeking multifaceted mysteries for their collections that will appeal beyond the usual genre reader.

Murder in Skoghall is especially recommended for libraries seeking exceptional books that are well developed, featuring strong characters and realistic settings designed to appeal well beyond the usual reader of murder mysteries. [excerpted for length]

– D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer

Dark Corners in Skoghall sees Jessica Vernon involved in another murder victim’s haunting quest for justice.

Jess moved from a big city to the tiny arts community on the upper Mississippi River to start over and live the quiet life of an aspiring writer, but so far Skoghall has been anything but quaint. When a body turns up in a seemingly abandoned shop, Jess is reluctantly drawn back into a world where disturbing encounters overshadow small town charm, threatening her relationships, sanity, and life. When it becomes apparent the killer knows she’s involved and where she lives, Jess is driven to take extreme measures to protect herself and Shakti. If she can’t catch a killer and put a ghost to rest, she’ll end up Skoghall’s next restless spirit.

Winternheimer creates a wonderful dance between small-town atmosphere and the dark trouble simmering underneath the façade of propriety.

The fine characterization, complicated relationships, including romantic hopefuls, sheriff’s investigators, and ghosts are well-wrought with precise detail. Pair the small town setting and cast of locals with the slowly-building tension of a murder thriller, and Winternheimer creates a thoroughly engrossing mystery that’s hard to predict or put down.

Libraries and readers seeking a blend of supernatural mystery-thriller and small-town influences will welcome how both coalesce neatly in the powerful, dark story of disturbing problems and possibilities that makes Dark Corners in Skoghall an evocative read. 

Filled with surprises as the dangerous games of a psychopath play out, Dark Corners in Skoghall is a winning draw that should be in any library interested in stories that conjoin intrigue and the paranormal. [excerpted for length]

– D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer