“A Snowflake at Midnight” by Anne Renwick

Narrated by Anais Inara Chase

A rare manuscript. A midnight promise. A man who would steal them both away.

Pressured by looming deadlines and an annoying patron, Evie Brown, an academic librarian, struggles to find joy this Christmas holiday. Worse, her sick father is ready to abandon treatments and surrender to fate – a decision she refuses to accept. Delving into a medieval manuscript, she searches for answers in the distant past.

For the woman who has stolen his heart, only a perfect proposal will do. Ash Lockwood, botanist, has transformed the rooftop greenhouse into a tropical fairyland. But when Evie begs him to help her harvest mistletoe at midnight, they venture down a different garden path, unaware that danger circles close.

When their plans implode and a murderer threatens their lives, only invention and teamwork will save them.

Christmas in steampunk Victorian England! What could be better. I don’t usually go for Christmas themed books because I find them to be rather sappy, but I can’t resist an Anne Renwick story and this one is no exception. I was also very pleased to see Anais Inara Chase return as the narrator. So what makes this Christmas story different for me? Well, as always there is a lot of science in the story which gives my brain a workout, while at the same time there is a love affair taking place and it’s all wrapped in mistletoe and bio-luminescent light. Evie the librarian, with her love of books, was somebody I could completely relate to. And Ash is so sincere in his love for her, it warmed even my old heart. I have to say though, that I was most charmed by the squirrel, and if you want to know why you need to read or listen to the story for yourself. I don’t know where Ms. Renwick gets all her stories from but I certainly feel privileged to be able to read them. Pick up this winter treat as soon as you can!

Alinefromabook’s rating: