So, let me get one thing out of the way. Die schlafenden Geister des Lake Superior is a German translation of the novella Winter's Gifts, originally written in English by London author Ben Aaronovitch. It is the first book-length work in the Rivers of London series to be set in the USA. I am a US citizen and a native English speaker. So why did I read this book in German, and why am I writing my review in English? Hmmm...this was...just okay. Let's say a 3.5, but that is really scraping the bottom of the barrel for me on these books. Improper use of American English. It’s a parka not a parker, it’s a handgun not a pistol, etc. The mistakes are obvious and jarring. Part of this is on the sub-par audiobook narrator, but not all. There was a huge (missed) opportunity here to not only expand the series but explore new territory (literally and figuratively) through the eyes of an existing side character and delve into culture, religion and society beyond what’s included in the previous novels.

It's not Reynold's faith that bothers me but the absence of any need to reframe that faith in the light of her experience. Of course, I'm looking at this through my atheist eyes so I may be missing something. Although FBI Agent Kimberley Reynolds has worked with Peter Grant from time to time since she helped him investigate the fatal stabbing of a US Senator's son in 'Whispers Under Ground', 'Winter's Gifts' is the first book with her as the main character. Beyond being cringe AF, Karen has zero personality; my toaster is more personable. She can’t even think for herself, it would seem, as she constantly asks herself what Peter Grant would do in her place (and then answers herself in a bad English accent if you have the audiobook). Another entertaining novella from the Rivers of London series, this time following FBI agent Kimberley Reynolds (who has been a side character in previous books). It wasn't quite as good as the normal Peter Grant-heavy full-length novels and is missing much of the humor that makes the Rivers of London books such amazing reads, but it was still an enjoyable story in its own right.Karen is SHOOK to learn another character isn’t a practising Christian. I can only assume this is Karen’s first foray outside the compound, and she qualified for the FBI over Zoom. Humour based on social commentary or self-deprecation? Nah - it's a novella. We don't have the space. And besides, this is America, their humour is different. Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London crosses the Atlantic with Winter’s Gifts, the fourth novella in this hugely popular series. Not only is this the first time the series has ventured to America though, with FBI agent Kimberley Reynolds stepping into the spotlight for her own story, but it’s also the first time the series has really delved into the realm of the horror story. It’s a classic horror setup – a small town in Wisconsin, snow blanketing the ground and cutting off access, a missing man, locals hiding secrets, and a lone FBI agent trying to piece together a mystery which might involve a lost 19th century expedition, while dealing with the inimical weather and a lurking darkness (which inevitably steps out of the shadows soon enough). That person is FBI Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds. Leaving Quantico for snowbound Northern Wisconsin, she finds that a tornado has flattened half the town - and there’s no sign of Henderson. If you're looking for an answer to a question about winter gifts, read on. We've compiled a list of the most popular winter gift questions and answered them below. What should you gift someone in winter?

That depends on their tastes and interests – but here are some gift ideas with a winter twist to them: Another great work-friendly gift is the Really Useful Mug. It's not your typical workplace mug – it offers a ton of fun facts that go great with a morning cup of coffee. It's microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe. What are the best winter gifts for my wife? I was looking forward to this 'Spin Off' story but I was disappointed at how thin the story felt. The book had that Series 1 Episode 1 feel to it, where you can see the potential but you can also see that the series hasn't hit its stride yet. Gifts that make cold hands warm and warm up frozen bodies are always great ideas for people who seem to run a bit cold in winter. The Big Mug is one such gift. It's made from stainless steel and can hold up to 470 ml of liquid. The Warmies Heatable Plush Blue Bunny is another. When it's warmed up in the microwave, it becomes a toasty companion. Warm your friends and family up with Gifts Australia's winter gifts Things soon go from weird to worse, as neighbours report unsettling sightings, key evidence goes missing, and the snow keeps rising - cutting off the town, with no way in or out...I have to say, though, that compared to the Peter Grant books, this one feels muted to me, as if while writing Aaronovitch constantly had the worry, "Can I write this without bringing hordes of rabid Americans down on my head?" I grew up in the USA, und zwar, in the northern USA near the Great Lakes, so I too had a thought like that in mind as I read. And I am here to say that Aaronovitch gets it mostly right -- nothing really feels off. (But remember, I'm reading a German translation.) Now, this caution is very different from the feel of the books set in London. London is Aaronovitch's patch, and he knows when he can and should transgress. I surmise that he doesn't dare transgress in an American story. Alternatively, he'll love the DOIY Designer Cheese Board Set. It's got everything he needs to set up a tasty antipasto platter, except for the cheeses, meats, anchovies, and olives. What are some good gifts for people who are always cold? We are happy to announce that Ben Aaronovitch will be joining us to sign copies of Rivers Of London: Winter's Gifts at Forbidden Planet Megastore London on Thursday 8th June 2023 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm. Something spooky is going down in Wisconsin of all places. As seemingly the only X-Files-y operative, Reynolds has to parka up and straighten it out. And it seems architectural mayhem follows her the same way it does for Peter Grant. And is romance inevitable?

One of our best gifts for a wife in winter is the Jurlique Home Spa Hamper. It has everything she needs to forget the freezing weather outside and focus on a pampering day inside by herself or with friends.So, not wanting to wait, I bought and read the German translation. Now, although I read Deutsch fairly well, it is beyond my abilities to write more than a sentence or two auf Deutsch. Thus, with apologies, my review is written in English. The MC - let’s call her Karen, cause that’s what she is - is insufferable. She’s every American stereotype rolled into one person and the writing definitely comes across as lazy as a result. As for the story and environment, there were few places where I, as a longtime inhabitant of the Great Frozen North, said, to myself, "That's all wrong", but there was also no place where I thought, "That's an insightful, original way to describe how it feels, or how it looks."