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The Dead of Winter: A Piper Blackwell Mystery, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.4 out of 5 stars 267 ratings

In a deceptively peaceful county, a murderer hides in plain sight.

Fifty-eight minutes into her first day on the job, 23-year-old Sheriff Piper Blackwell is faced with a grisly murder, the victim artfully posed amid decorations on his lawn. Drawing on former military training, Piper must prove herself worthy of the sheriff's badge, and that won't be easy.

Chief Deputy Oren Rosenberg, Piper's opponent in the recent election, doesn't like her and wants her to fail. She doesn't like him either, but she needs Oren to help catch the killer before another victim is discovered. Too late!

As Piper leads the manhunt, another crisis hits close to home. Her father, the previous sheriff, is fighting for his life, and she is torn between family and duty. Facing personal and professional threats, Piper has to weather a raging storm, keep the sheriff's department from crumbling around her, and reel in a killer during the most brutal winter sleepy Spencer County, Indiana, has ever experienced.

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 47 minutes
  2. Author
    Jean Rabe
  3. Narrator
    Catherine Wenglowski
  4. Audible release date
    April 18, 2017
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Auspicious Apparatus Press
  7. ASIN
    B06ZXTG836
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 47 minutes
Author Jean Rabe
Narrator Catherine Wenglowski
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date April 18, 2017
Publisher Auspicious Apparatus Press
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B06ZXTG836
Best Sellers Rank #224,287 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#4,336 in Police Procedural Mysteries
#4,713 in Crime Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals)
#8,435 in Police Procedurals (Books)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
267 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this mystery book to be a page-turning crime/thriller masterpiece with a smart plot and interesting twists. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its well-developed characters and narration by Catherine Wenglowski. Additionally, customers appreciate the attention to detail, with one review noting how the setting of rural America changes the dynamic of the story.

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Mystery depthReadabilityCharacter developmentWriting qualityDevelopmentDetail
34 customers mention "Mystery depth"34 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery plot of the book, describing it as a page-turning crime/thriller masterpiece with interesting twists.

"...made her fantasy and sci-fi books so popular are what makes her mysteries so wonderful...." Read more

"...The plot was clearly well thought out and well researched...." Read more

"...If you're looking for a fun murder mystery this holiday season, I can't suggest this one enough. You'll find yourself devouring page after page...." Read more

"...The mystery is well handled and moves at a perfect pace to a very exciting climax...." Read more

22 customers mention "Readability"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and entertaining, with one describing it as a fantastic first novel in the series that holds attention to the last page.

"...This is a fantastic first novel in the series. I can’t wait to read the next one!" Read more

"...The plot was clearly well thought out and well researched. I did run across a couple of typos, but they in no way spoiled my enjoyment of the story...." Read more

"...sci-fi and fantasy writer, has written her first mystery, and it's good one. The protagonist is Piper Blackwell, former Army MP and Iraq veteran...." Read more

"...A page turner with emotional as well as plot complications. May be worth following. Better than it seemed initially" Read more

21 customers mention "Character development"21 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them believable, with one customer noting the colorful cast and another describing them as three-dimensional.

"...The craftsmanship, credible characters, and attention to detail that made her fantasy and sci-fi books so popular are what makes her mysteries so..." Read more

"...Rabe does a very good job of creating realistic, flawed, three-dimensional characters and inserting them into realistic, gritty, detailed settings..." Read more

"The characters are well written and feel like actual people. The details are crisp and paint a very clear picture of what is going on...." Read more

"...The characters are pretty phenomenally put together. They're realistic and you find yourself empathizing with them. Most of them...." Read more

16 customers mention "Writing quality"16 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its nearly flawless prose and attention to detail, with one customer highlighting its vivid descriptions and realistic dialogue.

"...The craftsmanship, credible characters, and attention to detail that made her fantasy and sci-fi books so popular are what makes her mysteries so..." Read more

"Award-winning author Jean Rabe does a very good job of creating realistic, flawed, three-dimensional characters and inserting them into realistic,..." Read more

"The characters are well written and feel like actual people. The details are crisp and paint a very clear picture of what is going on...." Read more

"...The characters are pretty phenomenally put together. They're realistic and you find yourself empathizing with them. Most of them...." Read more

10 customers mention "Development"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the development of the book, with one customer noting it carries significant weight as an individual work.

"...The craftsmanship, credible characters, and attention to detail that made her fantasy and sci-fi books so popular are what makes her mysteries so..." Read more

"...three-dimensional characters and inserting them into realistic, gritty, detailed settings and letting them react naturally to complex situations...." Read more

"...The plot, while not new, is put together well and generates sufficient tension. Looking forward to the next one." Read more

"...Most of them. Each is intriguing and carries heft as an individual. The murderer...what can I say?..." Read more

6 customers mention "Detail"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the attention to detail in the book, with one customer noting how the rural American setting changes the dynamic, while another mentions the credible scenes and excellent character development.

"...The details in the geography, backgrounds, and scenes give the book a credible, at times even folksy, feel that is quite appealing...." Read more

"...Plus the characterization is excellent. You actually care about the people in the book and feel like you know them...." Read more

"...This gem of a tale must be read, reread, and analyzed in great detail...." Read more

"Good book. All the little details are there for someone who grew up in the Midwest...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Margaret Cutter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great start to the series!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    When a prolific novelist of one genre switches to another genre, that author’s new books can be a real disappointment to the fans who loved the author’s work in the original genre. This is not the case with Jean Rabe, a novelist best known for her fantasy and sci-fi novels. Jean is now making a name for herself as a mystery writer, and fans who loved her previous books are in for a real treat. The craftsmanship, credible characters, and attention to detail that made her fantasy and sci-fi books so popular are what makes her mysteries so wonderful.

    Her first Piper Blackwell novel, the Dead of Winter, is a real page-turner. The reader gets to jump right in, as the first dead body appears in the first sentence of chapter one. That is closely followed by the introduction of the main character, a young, inexperienced, newly-elected sheriff on her very first day of work in a rural county in southern Indiana.

    The fact that Piper’s second-in-command is the person who ran against her in the election makes for an uncomfortable working relationship. Add to that the fact that working for someone so young and inexperienced does not sit well with other department members. The situation complicates Piper’s job and threatens to get in the way of the investigation. Rabe throws many twists and turns into the tale, keeping her readers on the edge of their seats. As the body count rises, can Piper and her department work together to solve the mystery?

    This is a fantastic first novel in the series. I can’t wait to read the next one!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Donald J. Bingle
    4.0 out of 5 stars Strong Start for a Great New Mystery Series
    Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Award-winning author Jean Rabe does a very good job of creating realistic, flawed, three-dimensional characters and inserting them into realistic, gritty, detailed settings and letting them react naturally to complex situations. The details in the geography, backgrounds, and scenes give the book a credible, at times even folksy, feel that is quite appealing. And the plot, while not overly complex, is refreshingly original--hard to do for a mystery writer. All in all, this is a strong start to what looks to be a great new series from a veteran writer in a wide variety of genres. While you are waiting for her next installment in this series, check out her fantasy, science fiction, and horror titles. You won't be disappointed.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Katinka
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mom Kat Reads
    Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Today I read the first of the Piper Blackwell mysteries. I want to start this review off by stating up front that I consider the author a friend, though she does not know that I am reviewing her book here today. As with all my previous reviews, I bought my own copy of the book from Amazon. This was not a solicited review.

    The book starts on Piper's first day as Sheriff. Her father had been the previous sheriff but was forced to retire due to a cancer diagnosis, and a number of people suspect that she won the election based solely on her father's name.

    The man she beat out for the position is currently her deputy sheriff. He doesn't believe she can do the job and is waiting for her to fail the sheriff's exam in a few months. Once that happens, he will step into the position that he feels should rightly have been his all along. While Piper has never worked in a sheriff's office before, she has spent the last 4 years in the military as an MP and been awarded a number of medals during her time serving in Iraq. Had her father not been diagnosed with cancer, she would likely have remained in the military rather than returning home to help him through his cancer treatments.

    Piper hadn't actually expected to win the election, and on her first day she is called to the site of a murder. Her deputy doesn't make any attempt to disguise his opinion that she has no place even trying to be the sheriff. He and a number of others in the department feel that she is too inexperienced for the position and are resentful that a girl who is at most half their age is now their boss.

    Despite all of their obvious resentment and attempts to show her up, Piper is determined to stop what quickly turns from just the one murder into an obvious serial killer in a small town that has never before had to deal with something so sinister.

    Unfortunately, most of the others working in the department seem to be determined to solve the murders on their own, thus proving how unfit she is for the position. It is very difficult to accomplish anything when it seems that everyone else is working against you and doesn't want you around. Piper needs to prove to everyone (including herself) that she can do the job and deserves to be the town’s sheriff.

    I absolutely loved reading this book. It sucked me in and I only set it aside to sleep at night. (I finished reading it in only 2 days.) The plot was clearly well thought out and well researched. I did run across a couple of typos, but they in no way spoiled my enjoyment of the story. I very definitely recommend reading this one. If the second book is even half as good, I'm in for a real treat once I start reading that one!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Dwayne Jacobs
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good start to the series
    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The characters are well written and feel like actual people. The details are crisp and paint a very clear picture of what is going on. The plot, while not new, is put together well and generates sufficient tension. Looking forward to the next one.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • sarita
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in India on July 15, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    terrific book...give it a go
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  • Donald D. Allan
    5.0 out of 5 stars A New Sheriff in Town
    Reviewed in Canada on November 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    “The Dead of Winter (A Piper Blackwell Mystery)” is the first novel in a new mystery series from Jean Rabe. This is apparently her first foray in writing mystery novels after writing so many best-selling fantasy and science fiction novels. The novel introduces a battle-hardened young, twenty-three year old female Military Police sergeant who has left the service to care for her ailing father, who has recently left the position of Sheriff in a rural county in the United States. She runs for the position of sheriff and wins, off her last name.
    The novel skips all this backstory and jumps right into her first day on the job. A murder has occurred; the second in a decade in the county. The novel begins an intricate tale of the conflict with senior members of her police force - who refuse to accept a young inexperienced woman as their sheriff - and the horrors of what quickly becomes the Christmas Card Killer: a serial killer of all things for the new sheriff.
    The telling of the story is very well done. The characters are interesting and fully flushed out. The dialogue is engaging and flows naturally. More than once I found myself with a satisfied smile on my face listening to Piper lay it out. It is a simple and refreshing story and I think like me, readers will be engrossed. That merits five stars without a doubt. I think Jean Rabe has found a niche she can flex her creativity in.
    As an author, myself, I found this novel to be an interesting start to a series. I’m looking forward to the upcoming sequel “Dead of Night” to read more of Piper and her challenges as the new sheriff in town. I'm glad I bought it and even more happier to have a new tale in my head to reflect on.
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  • snowdrop1941
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I liked this book because Piper is an intelligent character. A serial killer pops up on her first day as the new sheriff of a small town.
    The clues are thin on the ground, and her deputy resents her. I enjoyed trying to work out who the murder was, and what the motive was.
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  • nightreader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Who is the Christmas Card murderer?
    Reviewed in Canada on December 30, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    There's a new sheriff in town, but not everyone is pleased. In fact, two detectives are upset, to say the least. Daughter of the retired sheriff, relations are a bit taut in the office. There is little criminal activity in the small town of Santa Claus, but things are about to change rapidly. As one body after another is found, tension builds in both the town and the office. The only thing in common, of all things, is Christmas cards, and the case soon becomes known as the CCK case, Christmas Card Killer.

    I loved this first book in the Piper Blackwell series, I think the series will do well. Excitement, frustration, detection, all here for a fascinating read, what else can you ask for?
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  • Mr L.R. Kingham
    3.0 out of 5 stars A so so crime novel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The story and characters are ok but the reasons behind the killings stretch belief to the limit. Most annoyingly the ex US military main character keeps referring to her time in service fighting in Iran, I'm sure the author means Iraq but why don't they proof read.
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