Doesn't have quite the impact of the first book, but it's still a great look into the banality of evil. Like if the hang from Last House on the Left had money.

A non-satirical, realistic, comples and psychologically observant American Psycho. But no cartoonish violence. Hardly any at all, really. ( )

I am a huge Evan Hunter fan (aka Ed McBain) and often say that I have “read every word he’s ever written.” But then, from time to time, I come across a title I haven’t seen before, which is the case with Come Winter, published in 1972. Unlike other Evan Hunter novels, I was not entertained by this book.
The story centers on three incredibly privileged young people – Peter, David and Sandy – who are spending time at a luxury ski resort. Each one embodies the stereotypical rich kid – snobbish, sarcastic, insensitive. For example, they giggle their little inside jokes right in the presence of the joke’s subject. They shoplift for thrills. They refer to other guests with belittling pet names.
The story is interspersed with snippets of Peter’s sessions with his analyst, which clearly suggest Peter’s subconscious guilt for having “not raped” a fourth friend who had once been part of the trio. Sandy agrees that the friend, Rhoda, was not raped, and additionally posits that there is no such thing as rape. (Don’t forget, this was the early ‘70s.)
Half way through the book we are introduced to Mary Margaret. Mary Margaret is at least as boorish as this trio, but also may actually be a little dangerous. Tension mounts as a cat-and-mouse game plays out between our protagonists and Mary Margaret, culminating in a couple of preventable tragedies.
There was not a single likeable character in this book. Set in the early ‘70s, Hunter includes some now outdated notions of sexuality and drug use.
I’m glad it was short! ( )

Come Winter is a twisted little tale about Sandy, Peter, and David, three psychotic young adults that are as dangerous as they are entertaining. Throughout the book, Peter recalls his therapy sessions where his psychiatrist alludes to a rape that took place in high school and warns Peter that his relationship with Sandy and David is dangerously unhealthy if not downright evil, but Peter ignores his advice. When the three friends go on a vacation together to a ski resort, they run into several other sordid characters that all seem to try to outdo each other on the slopes until things go very wrong. The dialog is witty and sometimes a little disturbing, but I couldn't stop turning pages until the end. If you're up for something different, I highly recommend this book. ( )