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CSI: New York #1
Dead of Winter
Detective Mac Taylor is a dedicated and driven crime-scene investigator who believes that everything is connected and everyone has a story. He and his partner, Detective Stella Bonasera, lead a team of experts through the gritty and kinetic world of New York City. These skilled investigators, who see New York in a unique light, follow the evidence as they piece together clues and eliminate doubt to ultimately crack their cases.
The body of a middle-aged man is found in the elevator of a ritzy doorman building on the Upper East Side. Mac Taylor and Aiden Burn's initial investigation yields no bullets, no DNA evidence, and no motive. Could this be the perfect crime? Meanwhile, only a few blocks away, Stella Bonasera and Danny Messer investigate the murder of a witness being held in protective custody. The law enforcement officers on duty swear that the victim spent the night in a locked hotel room -- only to be found dead in the morning. From the heart of midtown to the outer boroughs, the New York CSI team must piece together the evidence and solve two puzzling crimes in the city that never sleeps.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
19 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
About the author
Stuart M. Kaminsky
160 books215 followersStuart M. Kaminsky wrote 50 published novels, 5 biographies, 4 textbooks and 35 short stories. He also has screenwriting credits on four produced films including ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA, ENEMY TERRITORY, A WOMAN IN THE WIND and HIDDEN FEARS. He was a past president of the Mystery Writers of America and was nominated for six prestigious Edgar Allen Poe Awards including one for his short story “Snow” in 1999. He won an Edgar for his novel A COLD RED SUNRISE, which was also awarded the Prix De Roman D’Aventure of France. He was nominated for both a Shamus Award and a McCavity Readers Choice Award.
Kaminsky wrote several popular series including those featuring Lew Fonesca, Abraham Lieberman, Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, and Toby Peters. He also wrote two original "Rockford Files " novels. He was the 50th annual recipient of the Grandmaster 2006 for Lifetime Achievement from the Mystery Writers of America.
Received the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievement award) in 2007.
His nonfiction books including BASIC FILMMAKING, WRITING FOR TELEVISION, AMERICAN FILM GENRES, and biographies of GARY COOPER, CLINT EASTWOOD, JOHN HUSTON and DON SIEGEL. BEHIND THE MYSTERY was published by Hot House Press in 2005 and nominated by Mystery Writers of America for Best Critical/Biographical book in 2006.
Kaminsky held a B.S. in Journalism and an M.A. in English from The University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Speech from Northwestern University where he taught for 16 years before becoming a Professor at Florida State. where he headed the Graduate Conservatory in Film and Television Production. He left Florida State in 1994 to pursue full-time writing.
Kaminsky and his wife, Enid Perll, moved to St. Louis, Missouri in March 2009 to await a liver transplant to treat the hepatitis he contracted as an army medic in the late 1950s in France. He suffered a stroke two days after their arrival in St. Louis, which made him ineligible for a transplant. He died on October 9, 2009.
Kaminsky wrote several popular series including those featuring Lew Fonesca, Abraham Lieberman, Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, and Toby Peters. He also wrote two original "Rockford Files " novels. He was the 50th annual recipient of the Grandmaster 2006 for Lifetime Achievement from the Mystery Writers of America.
Received the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievement award) in 2007.
His nonfiction books including BASIC FILMMAKING, WRITING FOR TELEVISION, AMERICAN FILM GENRES, and biographies of GARY COOPER, CLINT EASTWOOD, JOHN HUSTON and DON SIEGEL. BEHIND THE MYSTERY was published by Hot House Press in 2005 and nominated by Mystery Writers of America for Best Critical/Biographical book in 2006.
Kaminsky held a B.S. in Journalism and an M.A. in English from The University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Speech from Northwestern University where he taught for 16 years before becoming a Professor at Florida State. where he headed the Graduate Conservatory in Film and Television Production. He left Florida State in 1994 to pursue full-time writing.
Kaminsky and his wife, Enid Perll, moved to St. Louis, Missouri in March 2009 to await a liver transplant to treat the hepatitis he contracted as an army medic in the late 1950s in France. He suffered a stroke two days after their arrival in St. Louis, which made him ineligible for a transplant. He died on October 9, 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 24, 2021
This book was just okay, nothing special. I'm sure the problem for me was that I do not watch the show and the author expected me to know things I didn't. One of the major problems was that there were too many characters and without background information I couldn't keep them straight. Also the mystery as to who shot the man in the elevator was too quickly obvious. I expect fans of CSI: New York will be thrilled with it.
May 9, 2020
The CSI universe consists of 4 series to my knowledge, of which I share the original show CSI Las Vegas with my daughter we happily re-watch the 15 seasons. We both dislike CSI Miami simply because we consider Horatio Cane a dick. CSI Cyber I have never really watched but my personal favorite is the CSI New York series which I kinda watch whenever I can pick up an episode, we have a crime network who repeats these shows with the exception of the Cyber series.
Anyhow there a four continuation novels not based upon any episode but are original tales based upon the early years of CSI New York and it was lacking Lindsay "Montana" Monroe, who brought some less macho feeling to the show.
There are two main story lines in this book not unlike the TV episodes:
A man is found in an elevator of a ritzy building in the Upper West Side, and the initial investigations reveal little about motive or possible traces. The solution lies in the mans occupation that turns out to be different than initially was understood. It feels like somebody with inside knowledge in the world of CSI is involved and creating a script for the perfect crime, something Mac Taylor will prove is not possible.
The second story-line is the murder of a witness in protective custody who was about to be problem for a local maffia boss. It seems to be a locked room mystery that Stella Bonasera & Don Flack will have to solve. Possible witnesses point to the involvement of two hitmen and very obvious too only does the evidence show the same?- Flack will come into direct contact with one of them in a very physical way and this does change the outcome of this murder significantly.
A very nice first outing in book format, if you expect suspense I will have to disappoint future readers there is very little even if the writer tries hard. Knowing the TV show somehow hinders really big upsets. But still some nifty footwork by the writer in creating some classic detecting by the CSI crew.
A decent enough read for sheer entertainment but expect nothing great. This is certainly a nice read for fans of the TV show mostly. New to the phenomenon CSI then you can expect a decent detective thriller.
Anyhow there a four continuation novels not based upon any episode but are original tales based upon the early years of CSI New York and it was lacking Lindsay "Montana" Monroe, who brought some less macho feeling to the show.
There are two main story lines in this book not unlike the TV episodes:
A man is found in an elevator of a ritzy building in the Upper West Side, and the initial investigations reveal little about motive or possible traces. The solution lies in the mans occupation that turns out to be different than initially was understood. It feels like somebody with inside knowledge in the world of CSI is involved and creating a script for the perfect crime, something Mac Taylor will prove is not possible.
The second story-line is the murder of a witness in protective custody who was about to be problem for a local maffia boss. It seems to be a locked room mystery that Stella Bonasera & Don Flack will have to solve. Possible witnesses point to the involvement of two hitmen and very obvious too only does the evidence show the same?- Flack will come into direct contact with one of them in a very physical way and this does change the outcome of this murder significantly.
A very nice first outing in book format, if you expect suspense I will have to disappoint future readers there is very little even if the writer tries hard. Knowing the TV show somehow hinders really big upsets. But still some nifty footwork by the writer in creating some classic detecting by the CSI crew.
A decent enough read for sheer entertainment but expect nothing great. This is certainly a nice read for fans of the TV show mostly. New to the phenomenon CSI then you can expect a decent detective thriller.
December 21, 2012
So I,m a CSI fan and I love CSI NY , and it is always interesting to know who is the murderer , and how did they find out , and sometimes they even find out that they are in danger , every CSI book is worth to read .
June 17, 2011
This is the first book written for the CSI: New York (NY) series as well as being the first CSI book written by Stuart M Kaminsky.
Rather disappointingly, this book could have been brilliant. Both the cases are interesting and keep you guessing as to just what is going on and how things are going to unfold. But sadly this wasn’t enough to save the novel. There were just too many little mistakes which made the novel very jarring and difficult to keep my head in.
Some of the actions of the characters aren’t exactly realistic and would, in the real world, result in evidence being made inadmissible (such as Stella entrusted a regular cab driver to return important evidence to the lab while she stayed at the scene).
Other mistakes come in the form of odd continuity. At one point the characters of Mac Taylor and Aiden Burn are talking on the phone and after disconnecting the call Mac says something else to her which she responds to.
But the thing which annoyed me most and which I found very difficult to get passed is the fact the author muddled up the character Don Flack and Danny Messer at many points in the novel. It gets rather confusing when Don is referred to as Dan and the reader is just meant to be able to work out which character the author actually means.
It’s a shame that these errors appear because without them I would have been able to concentrate a great deal more on the case and just been able to enjoy the novel.
Rather disappointingly, this book could have been brilliant. Both the cases are interesting and keep you guessing as to just what is going on and how things are going to unfold. But sadly this wasn’t enough to save the novel. There were just too many little mistakes which made the novel very jarring and difficult to keep my head in.
Some of the actions of the characters aren’t exactly realistic and would, in the real world, result in evidence being made inadmissible (such as Stella entrusted a regular cab driver to return important evidence to the lab while she stayed at the scene).
Other mistakes come in the form of odd continuity. At one point the characters of Mac Taylor and Aiden Burn are talking on the phone and after disconnecting the call Mac says something else to her which she responds to.
But the thing which annoyed me most and which I found very difficult to get passed is the fact the author muddled up the character Don Flack and Danny Messer at many points in the novel. It gets rather confusing when Don is referred to as Dan and the reader is just meant to be able to work out which character the author actually means.
It’s a shame that these errors appear because without them I would have been able to concentrate a great deal more on the case and just been able to enjoy the novel.
July 22, 2020
I like Kaminsky’s novels very much and this one provides enough violent action along with crime scene investigation details to make it a satisfying read. Mac Taylor and his CSI colleagues work cases involving the murder of a protected witness and the murder of a bookworm tenant of an upscale apartment building. This is an enjoyable read, although to me it does not quite reach the high standards that Kaminsky achieved in his Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, Abe Lieberman, or Lew Fonesca series. However, it may be unfair to compare this book to the books in those series because in this one Kaminsky is somewhat restricted by the need to conform to the style and characters of the CSI NY television series. In addition, this is Kaminsky’s first installment in this series, and I would expect more depth of character development as the series continues. Unfortunately, I have not watched the TV show enough to provide much comparison to this book. I look forward to reading Kaminsky’s succeeding CSI NY books,
July 15, 2015
Kaminsky has written many more sub-plots than the average CSI media tie in novel. This makes the story just a bit more interesting than the usual TV episode or one of the other novels.
Just like the TV show this book's main plots are two cases. One is the mysterious almost locked room mystery concerning a witness. The second is the more interesting story of a catalog copy writer who is shot dead and found in an elevator. A 'famous' writer as well as another man who confesses to the crime add interesting twists to the story (though there was a twist that they didn't use that I wish they had). Still, the second story was a well crafted one.
As the first CSI: NY novel, unfortunately Hawkes is still an ME (I like Hawkes better in the field and I love the newer glasses ME guy on the TV show). But other than that this is a nice book and I recommend it to any mystery lover, especially those who are Kaminsky fans.
Just like the TV show this book's main plots are two cases. One is the mysterious almost locked room mystery concerning a witness. The second is the more interesting story of a catalog copy writer who is shot dead and found in an elevator. A 'famous' writer as well as another man who confesses to the crime add interesting twists to the story (though there was a twist that they didn't use that I wish they had). Still, the second story was a well crafted one.
As the first CSI: NY novel, unfortunately Hawkes is still an ME (I like Hawkes better in the field and I love the newer glasses ME guy on the TV show). But other than that this is a nice book and I recommend it to any mystery lover, especially those who are Kaminsky fans.
September 5, 2013
This is another shortish novel based on the characters in the TV series. It read a lot like an episode, but had plenty of depth unlike a lit of novelisations that you read. The two cases in the book are typical CSI fare, but fascinating. A man is found shot in a private elevator, but there is no gun, no bullet and no apparent motive. There are a few likely suspects and even a confession, but Mac and Aiden think there is more to the case. Meanwhile, Danny and Stella investigate the murder of a key witness in a mob trial, a case that soon leads to more murder and a string of violent suspects. And all this while Stella is fighting a nasty cold and snow strangles the city. I really enjoyed this and was hooked from the start. Like the series, you come to the same realisations as the team do, which is great.
August 18, 2009
I'm not sure how many of the canon screw-ups in this are due to the fact that it was probably started right after the series did. Still, you think someone would have mentioned to Kaminsky that Stella was raised in an orphanage and has no relatives that she needs to show NYC to.
The whole cabbie thing in chapter 11 really kills me though. CSI (the original) had a whole episode dedicated to the fact that the chain of custody was broken when one of the CSIs left his car unattended for a few minutes and key evidence can't be used. And then Kaminsky has Stella send some evidence back to the lab with a cabbie she just questioned. Coming soon, the missing second epilogue: Judge Throws Case Out Due to Utter Incompetence.
The whole cabbie thing in chapter 11 really kills me though. CSI (the original) had a whole episode dedicated to the fact that the chain of custody was broken when one of the CSIs left his car unattended for a few minutes and key evidence can't be used. And then Kaminsky has Stella send some evidence back to the lab with a cabbie she just questioned. Coming soon, the missing second epilogue: Judge Throws Case Out Due to Utter Incompetence.
October 21, 2014
The novels for all of the CSI Franchise novel tie-ins are worth reading to every fan of CSI. In this New York entry two stories are told, one is about a man found dead in the elevator of his apartment building, and the other deals with the death of an important state witness while she is being protected by New York's finest. All and all an episode that wasn't televised, but put in book form.
Now for the reason of a three star rating. As an author myself I found that Mr. Kaminsky used a lot of passive narration when he could have used an active voice to make the book more energizing. However I do not condemn this book for being passive, on some level it worked for me well enough to finish it.
Now for the reason of a three star rating. As an author myself I found that Mr. Kaminsky used a lot of passive narration when he could have used an active voice to make the book more energizing. However I do not condemn this book for being passive, on some level it worked for me well enough to finish it.
May 1, 2013
based on the TV series. A quick read. Quite interesting story; actually 2 stories. Basically if you are a CSI fan then its easy to follow and understand.
The two stories...one being the murder of a key witness in a trial. The other, a murder of a ghost writer for a famous author. Two stories not related, but the CSI detectives involved in investigating these two murders are the same. Both murders are investigated and both end with a twist to a tale.
The two stories...one being the murder of a key witness in a trial. The other, a murder of a ghost writer for a famous author. Two stories not related, but the CSI detectives involved in investigating these two murders are the same. Both murders are investigated and both end with a twist to a tale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2007
As posted in [http://www.amazon.com]:
*Dead of Winter* was the most boring CSI book for me...so far. I have enjoyed reading the other books (CSI and CSI:Miami). This is the first that I've read of CSI:NY and just did not enjoy it at all. Maybe it was just the topics involved: an author suspected of killing a fellow tenant and a witness in protective custody killed.
*Dead of Winter* was the most boring CSI book for me...so far. I have enjoyed reading the other books (CSI and CSI:Miami). This is the first that I've read of CSI:NY and just did not enjoy it at all. Maybe it was just the topics involved: an author suspected of killing a fellow tenant and a witness in protective custody killed.
February 5, 2015
Me atrapó la historia, es muy interesante leer cómo los acontecimientos van dándose y cómo las pistas van apareciendo.
En este libro se manejaron dos casos, realmente interesantes aunque la verdad uno fue muy predecible, pero el otro realmente me impresionó.
Muy buena historia. Espero leer más sobre esto.
En este libro se manejaron dos casos, realmente interesantes aunque la verdad uno fue muy predecible, pero el otro realmente me impresionó.
Muy buena historia. Espero leer más sobre esto.
September 16, 2011
Nothing else than a quick page turner for a train travel...
Not bad, yet nothing to write home about
Not bad, yet nothing to write home about
May 23, 2024
Ik heb eerder boeken van CSI en CSI Miami gelezen. Dit was mijn eerste boek van CSI NY en ik had erg moeite om in het verhaal te komen door de andere schrijfstijl in dit verhaal.
Bij de andere twee CSI's leek het of ik deel van het team was/had kunnen zijn, bij dit boek las het meer alsof ik een buitenstaander was en op het team keek zeg maar. Dat vond ik minder.
Na een tijdje kwam ik beter in het boek en het verhaal is goed. Echter het eind vond ik zelf wat teleurstellend. Het leek een beetje onaf.
De epiloog vond ik wel mooi.
Al met al 3 sterren, aangezien ik toen ik eenmaal in het verhaal zat, het verhaal wel goed vond en wilde weten hoe het zou eindigen. Het verhaal las vanaf dat moment ook wel vlot en heeft ook goede uitleg over hoe sommige dingen qua onderzoek en/of binnen csi werken. Dat was leuk om over te lezen.
Bij de andere twee CSI's leek het of ik deel van het team was/had kunnen zijn, bij dit boek las het meer alsof ik een buitenstaander was en op het team keek zeg maar. Dat vond ik minder.
Na een tijdje kwam ik beter in het boek en het verhaal is goed. Echter het eind vond ik zelf wat teleurstellend. Het leek een beetje onaf.
De epiloog vond ik wel mooi.
Al met al 3 sterren, aangezien ik toen ik eenmaal in het verhaal zat, het verhaal wel goed vond en wilde weten hoe het zou eindigen. Het verhaal las vanaf dat moment ook wel vlot en heeft ook goede uitleg over hoe sommige dingen qua onderzoek en/of binnen csi werken. Dat was leuk om over te lezen.
January 9, 2022
Nachdem ich die Bücher von CSI Miami gelesen und geliebt habe, hatte ich etwas mehr von CSI Ny erwartet. Die Geschichte ansich war spanned und interessant. Dennoch konnte mich das Buch und die Geschichte nicht wirklich fesseln. Die Charakter vor allem das CSI Team haben mir sehr gut gefallen und der Aufbau der Geschichte auch. Leider konnte es mich aber nicht so überzeugen. Dennoch werde ich auch die nächsten Bände lesen und hoffe das diese mir besser gefallen werden.
May 28, 2025
Did Kaminsky not know Stella was an orphan? Yes.
Did he occasionally forget if Don or Danny was speaking in his prose? Yes.
Did he introduce a regular rogues gallery of hilarious original characters, including my now believed Big Stevie? Absolutely.
And for that, I will cherish this novel forevermore. Bring on the rest of the series... Except maybe that fourth one, since Kaminskey didn't write it, but whatever, I'm fully in now, we ride!
Did he occasionally forget if Don or Danny was speaking in his prose? Yes.
Did he introduce a regular rogues gallery of hilarious original characters, including my now believed Big Stevie? Absolutely.
And for that, I will cherish this novel forevermore. Bring on the rest of the series... Except maybe that fourth one, since Kaminskey didn't write it, but whatever, I'm fully in now, we ride!
March 1, 2021
Good, involving mystery that holds true to CSI NY mythos.
November 13, 2021
The book was great! Loved the storyline and characters.
January 5, 2024
Logra representar la esencia de los personajes que conocimos en la serie y la dinámica que existía entre ellos.
March 28, 2022
Didnt like this as much. Not very well written, making it difficult to keep up. Halfway through the book we already know who commited the crimes, so the second half is pretty much filler content. Way too predictable.
October 15, 2025
Hard bewijs is het eerste deel in de CSI New York reeks. Mac Taylor wordt in een luxe appartementsgebouw geconfronteerd met een dode man in een lift. Niemand heeft echter iets gemerkt en verdachten zijn er niet meteen. Tot ze wat dieper gaan graven en ze bij een bepaald persoon het gevoel krijgen dat die iets verbergt. Tegelijk loopt er nog een andere verhaallijn waarbij Stella onderzoek doet naar een dode vrouw in een hotelkamer. Ze moest als getuige in een zaak optreden en Stella zoekt dus in die richting verder.
Het boek bevat redelijk wat technische details, net zoals in de TV-serie. Je hebt als lezer wel het gevoel vanop een afstandje naar de gebeurtenissen te kijken in plaats van recht in de actie betrokken te worden. Het verhaal voelt soms dus wel wat afstandelijk aan en is dus meer te bestempelen als een tussendoor boek. Toch genoot ik ervan om nog eens een CSI-boek op te nemen. Ik geef het 3 sterren.
Het boek bevat redelijk wat technische details, net zoals in de TV-serie. Je hebt als lezer wel het gevoel vanop een afstandje naar de gebeurtenissen te kijken in plaats van recht in de actie betrokken te worden. Het verhaal voelt soms dus wel wat afstandelijk aan en is dus meer te bestempelen als een tussendoor boek. Toch genoot ik ervan om nog eens een CSI-boek op te nemen. Ik geef het 3 sterren.
November 13, 2012
Great debut for the CSI: NY novels! This is the first book I've read by author Stuart M. Kaminsky, and he does an excellent job of incorporating both the characters from the show and a great mystery into DEAD OF WINTER.
There are dual cases in this story, and both will keep you guessing to the end. A quick read that's great for an evening's entertainment!
There are dual cases in this story, and both will keep you guessing to the end. A quick read that's great for an evening's entertainment!
August 2, 2011
The most exciting book which throws in mystery- discovery-thrill as serial killers or ordinary people attack for personal reasons, social reasons or for the city's attention leaving know witnesses and showing no mercy!!!
I recommend it but i must warn u it is only for people who would be able to handle the blood curdling mysteries of this book!
I recommend it but i must warn u it is only for people who would be able to handle the blood curdling mysteries of this book!
April 4, 2011
I really enjoyed this book, and he's got the show's characters down well in terms of personality and voices, but I could definitely wish his knowledge of canon had been better than it is - there are quite a few major inaccuracies there.
November 6, 2015
This is one of the few times I can say the show is much better than the book. Too many storylines for such a small book. Not enough character and plot development. Probably won't read another of these.
Read
August 8, 2011Very good! The Author does a good job telling a great story and explaining Forensic Science along the way.
May 16, 2014
Loved it!!!!!!
Want to read
November 20, 2012Going to order from Amazon.com
September 3, 2013
Ik misde iets in dit verhaal,het was een beetjenonpersoonlijk
January 22, 2015
Disfruté de cada segundo que leí este libro. Fue tan llevadero e intrigante como un capítulo de la serie. Estuvo muy bien logrado.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews