Blizzard by Marie Vingtras

The novel Blizzard really consumes the attention to draw the reader into the story. The first chapter has the reader wondering who would let go of a child’s hand and why would they go into a snowstorm anyway. Chapter by chapter, the story draws the reader into the world of the Blizzard. Set in Alaska, each character has either chosen to live there or retreated there for personal reasons. Each wants to be away from the regular rules of the modern world.

There is no value placed on identity, only in that of community or belonging. Privacy is very important here, no explanations of who you are or who you had been before are required in this community.

Bess, the character who loses the child, reveals a sad history where she expects little of herself. She needs to find the child she has lost or not bother returning.

Benedict seems angry, lost, bewildered, primarily about Thomas his brother who we later realise has a central role to the story in his absence. Benedict is determined to find the child he is responsible for in his parental role. He will find the child and Bess despite putting himself in danger.

Cole is nasty, malicious, deviant. He seems protective of Benedict but clearly hates “the girl”. He joins the hunt for the pair reluctantly recruited by Benedict. He is a friend of Clifford, who we only meet briefly, best to say, he is much like Cole, they are well suited as friends.

Freeman seems an odd character to choose to live in this area. He is older but capable of managing in the harshness of Alaska. He is well able to manage Cole, Benedict seems to respect Freeman.

At first, the reader may get the impression that he had troubles of his own as reasons for being there, perhaps with Martha, his wife. His role in this story is revealed later. He is linked in a twist that I did not see coming.

Little by little, the reader learns the history of the characters and how they all fit in with the exception of Bess. Breadcrumbs entice the reader through to the last page. A rollercoaster read, wrap up warm as Blizzard will chill and thrill.