Death in Winter (Spoiler)

S P O I L E R

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When I finished the book I was smiling. I think "Death in Winter" is a
beautiful, touching story.

One reason why I welcomed it so much is that so many recent Trek books
have been pretty dark, like the "A Time to..." series and also the start
of Vanguard in spite of its humorous parts you can also find in it is
hardly leaving a positive, uplifting feeling behind. Which is no
criticism, by the way, but I think it was time for a change.

I was dreading the book and looking forward to it at the same time.
Dreading because I very much disliked the idea that Beverly will be
killed off, something that was a strong possibility although I always
had this little voice in the back of my head, no, they won`t do that to
a regular, TV based Trek character. Nevertheless, I couldn`t be sure. I
was looking forward to it because since "Reunion" I wanted to meet these
characters in a more "present day" Trek book, finding out what became of
them and maybe see them integrated into the present day Trek fiction in
general. And I was also hoping, maybe Picard and Beverly Crusher will
indeed become a couple, although I also asked myself, how will they
overcome the obstacles in their way?

I often read that people saw it as a weakness of this book that we
learned pretty much from early on that Beverly is alive. I very much
disagree. The impact of this book would have been much less if she would
only have appeared towards the end of it. This is a character story
exploring both sides of the fence, as it should be. I also want to add,
if this would have been another Trek book of the kind presenting us with
a new character that is revealed to be a very known one - meaning
Beverly - I would have been extremely annoyed. I really hate this trick!

No, what this book is really about is making people wonder, will they
finally come together as a couple? I think "Death in Winter" did that
very well indeed. I like reading spoilers but otherwise, I would have
wondered until the very end. More, I even would have been a little
disappointed but would also have thought, it makes sense, and have
accepted it that Picard and Beverly won`t make the next step after all.
The end of the book would certainly have had a stronger impact on me if
it would be a surprise but nevertheless, it left me with a smile and a
warm feeling when I closed the book.

Also this time, I don`t regret having read spoilers. When a fictional
character I care about dies or something bad happens to him or her, I
prefer it to be warned so that I can brace myself. That also reduces the
danger that I will simply reject the book because of what happened and
be at least a bit more objective when reading it. Of course I also would
avoid reading such a book when I am in the mood for something relaxing
and uplifting.

I am happy for Picard and for Beverly. They certainly deserve happiness
together. Nevertheless, I also have to wonder how long this will last.
Beverly gave up a promotion again that would have given her a lot. And
Picard now has a love interest living on the same ship, something he had
so much trouble with in the past.

I think Beverly showed very well in this book that she can take care of
herself. I enjoyed that a lot. Beverly has always been a sensitive but
also very strong character. I always liked her a lot and I think MJF did
a good job portraying her. I think also the portrayal of Picard in that
book was very accurate. I found it interesting to see how deeply
emotionally linked they really are and how they both drew strength from
their memories. It was very touching and made a lot of sense.

By the way, I also wouldn`t have liked it to see a Picard who completely
breaks down after Beverly had been declared as "Missing in Action,
presumed dead". It wouldn`t fit. Picard is definitely a very mature, a
very experienced Starfleet officer. He knows very well that "Missing in
Action" can mean many things. I am sure he also remembers that his
Starfleet protégé and close friend, Calhoun, had been declared dead and
came back after all. It makes much more sense that his first reaction
was to wonder what actually happened and not to give up until there is
absolutely no doubt left that she is dead.

I found it fitting and also very touching that Worf and Geordi had the
same reaction. I agree that this part of the book was not essential and
I also don`t think Janeway`s appearance should have stopped them. I am
not fond of Janeway`s cameo but nevertheless, I liked this part of the
book. Even although it wasn`t spelled out, I think there is no doubt
about it that Worf is Picard`s first officer. These people have been
serving together for many years and are very close friends. Worf`s and
Geordi`s actions didn`t surprise me at all.

It was interesting to find out what Picard`s former Stargazer officers
are doing now and again, it left a very positive feeling behind. All of
them developed in a positive direction. I am not surprised that the ones
who are still in Starfleet became captains. I like the idea that Pug
became a civilian captain of a trader and I am glad that he recovered
well from his serious personal crisis. Even Greyhorse made good progress
rebuilding his life and dealing with his personal problems. I think it
was nice that there was no resentment against Greyhorse for what he did
in the past. That is very much in spirit of Star Trek.

The story dealing with the Romulan aspect was interesting, too, but I am
glad that it was most of the time the background scene for what was
going on with Picard and Beverly. The appearance of Sela would certainly
have surprised me a lot if I hadn`t read the spoilers because I remember
"Double or Nothing" pretty well. As MJF said, that was years ago and I
want to add, I am even grateful for this decision to include her. Sela
is a very interesting, complex villain and there are so few good female
ones anyway. It benefits Star Trek books much more to have her around.
Now I can look forward to another interesting Sela story because how she
recovered is something I am looking forward to read about one day.

I regret Decalon`s death. I liked him but after I read about his
determination to atone for his error in judgement, I thought he is
unlikely to survive this story. I wasn`t wrong but nevertheless, the
final confrontation was a gripping read.

That Greyhorse found the cure himself (I was wondering if Beverly would
have been needed to finish it) and that Kevrata`s native species trades
it for its freedom is adding to the positive feeling the book left
behind.

I want to thank MJF for this book and the decision to bring Jean-Luc
Picard and Beverly Crusher together as a couple. I am very much looking
forward to "Resistance".

Baerbel Haddrell

<<I am very much looking
forward to "Resistance".>>


Which, despite saying 'out next summer' will not be hitting the shelves
until 2007. So says Marco Palmiero.


DES
>From many... One.