It’s a surprisingly frosty morning in north Devon and I’ve got a book to give away that feels just right for the last gasp of winter:
Cass is building a new life for herself and her young son Ben after the death of her soldier husband Pete, returning to the village where she lived as a child. But their idyllic new home is not what she expected: the other flats are all empty, there’s strange graffiti on the walls, and the villagers are a bit odd.
And when an unexpectedly heavy snowstorm maroons the village, things get even harder. Ben is changing, he’s surly and aggressive and Cass’s only confidant is the smooth, charming Theodore Remick, the stand-in headmaster.
Not everyone approves of Cass’s growing closeness to Mr Remick, and it soon becomes obvious he’s not all he appears to be either. If she is to protect her beloved son, Cass is going to have to fight back.
Alison Littlewood uses the harsh weather, coupled with the bleak environment of the moors, to reflect a growing sense of crisis for Cass and her son. Winter is almost always a metaphor for danger in fiction, and as this one comes to an end we’re probably all heaving a sigh of relief. The competition question is: What’s the worst thing about winter?
Post your answer in comments, or tweet it to me @scriptopus (or both). You have until midnight Sunday 3rd March to get it in, then I’ll pick a winner. The competition is open to you wherever you are in the world, as long as your answer is in English. Prizes will be dispatched from Jo Fletcher Books HQ in London, and remember, we’ll need your address if you win.
Stephanie Saulter 
Mike Albright
/ March 1, 2013The worst thing about winter is that colors slide from their polarities toward a bland and blurred middle and the light silvers and dulls and everything that said Life for 6 months now says more frightening things.
Stephanie Saulter
/ March 1, 2013Wow, that’s a great answer. Tough to beat!
Stephanie Saulter
/ March 4, 2013Congratulations Mike, you’re the winner! Reply to my earlier email with your mailing address, or use the Contact form above so we can send you A Cold Season.
Mike Albright
/ March 5, 2013Cool! Thanks Stephanie. I just responded to your recent email with my address. Cheers,
Mike
Michael Albright
/ March 5, 2013Cool! Thanks. Address:
Mike Albright [address redacted]
Sent from my iPhone
Stephanie Saulter
/ March 5, 2013My pleasure, Mike. I’ll take your address out of the public eye but have sent it on to the hardworking elves at Jo Fletcher Books, who will dispatch the book to you.
Diana Lyn
/ March 4, 2013Dear Stephanie,
Thinking of you often and excited about your book coming out. I can’t wait so I’m imaging you are out of your skin. Joining a book club this month-my first ever -will be looking to you for the reading recommendations. Best Diana Lyn
Stephanie Saulter
/ March 5, 2013Happy to help if I can! Yes, very excited, but also very busy so fortunately I don’t have time to dwell … Sx.