The Man Burned By Winter is author, Pete Zacharias’ debut novel. It is first in what may be a series of Rooker Lindström thrillers, three of which are now published. Probably one of the most colourful characters ever to grace the pages of a thriller, Lindström is a former investigative journalist of Scandinavian descent whose father was a serial killer. Personal tragedy sent him off the rails and he now lives in a dilapidated hovel on the shores of Deer Lake in Minnesota. He is a complete mess of a man, an alcoholic, a shadow of his former self when he was a successful journalist. When a series of copycat murders occurs in his vicinity there are those who don’t discount the possibility that he is the perpetrator, carrying on his father’s legacy. Detective Tess Harlow is a detective working on the case and with the press howling for blood, she needs a break. With some of her colleagues more than a little surprised, she approaches Lindström and asks him to act as a consultant – she needs to know how the mind of a serial killer works and he would know, given he was raised by one. Reluctantly, Lindström agrees but he soon makes a chilling discovery – the killer is leaving messages with his victims meant only for him. With Tess Harlow watching his every move, it takes all the tenacity he can summon to get to the terrifying truth.
The Man Burned By Winter is a remarkable debut novel but the theme is so dark it would be best left to those not of faint heart. The plot, with all its twists and turns, is a little complicated but nonetheless riveting, the story a true page turner. Zacharias’ writing is lucid and easy to read, though for some it might be a little too clear with some of the mental images difficult to ‘unsee’. It is a unique twist from common-garden-variety thrillers to have a number of Scandinavian characters in an American setting and this adds flavour to the story. The novel’s greatest asset is its lead character Lindström, with his personality so complicated it’s a struggle to decide whether you love him or loathe him. The Man Burned By Winter is a real treat for lovers of dark, fast-paced thrillers.
Darryl Greer, Writer 