Book Review: Flury: Journey Of A Snowman

Published by Sue Cook at December 27, 2022

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Book cover image from Bookshop.org

Flury is the story of Oliver, a Type One Diabetic “the shots kind,” his Mother, Grandmother and various relatives.

As a child I loved to hear the story of Frosty the Snowman. I would curl up in front of the fire to listen to my Dad read the story, and play the song by Jimmy Durante. (Yes, I am that old.)

Never did I think I would fall in love with a Snowman again, but with Tony Bertauski at the helm, I did.

Oliver and his Mother, Debra, are moving to Grandmother Toye’s estate to avoid eviction, and homelessness.

Grandmother lives alone on the Toye Estate, but the homecoming is less than happy.

Oliver’s Mother warned him that Grandmother had “rules,” but never did he imagine they would take the form of lines on a chalkboard.

A cardinal rule that could not be ignored was to never to go outside, or be outside after dark. Things happened on the estate in the dark. Odd noises.

Boys don’t always do as told and “things” are found by Oliver. Things that help to make his stay with his Grandmother much easier.

Along with a sweet librarian, Oliver’s life becomes a blur, and love enters. The rest will need to be discovered by the reader.

Flury is the third book in the Claus Universe series. It is brilliantly executed, gripping and never lets the reader breathe fully until the end.

The characters are well rounded individuals. I related to each one as if they were my own family. The chore list was like something my Mom would leave for me to finish.

I am hypoglycemic and wear a CGM. When Oliver talks about his low blood sugar, I feel, and understand the symptoms.

You can almost hear Grandmother’s shrill voice when she cries out “Olivah.” (I hear it in ZsaZsa Gabor’s voice.)

As the characters explored Toye estate, I was with them every step of the way.

I felt elated at each discovery, Oliver’s frustration when things didn’t go as planned, fear at Grandmother’s dominance, and the excitement of finding what was hidden in the snow.

Flury left me breathless, and wanting more of the Claus Universe. Thankfully, there are more books in this series.

If you are into Christmas, and even if you are not but want a grand adventure, this series fits the bill.

I can’t wait to dive into book four.

If you would like to see more ideas for holiday reading, check these out.

Sue Cook

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Sue Cook lives in Freeport, Illinois with her husband Randy and two dogs. Her passions include assistance dogs, rescue dogs, music, acting, theater, poetry, and Doctor Who. She’s been in both film and theater and is a regular cast member of the podcast Doctor Who’s Line is it….Anyway? Sue is an advocate for the use of Service Dogs to assist their disabled handlers to maintain their independence. Quigley’s Quest, her first children’s book, addresses how a dog becomes a Service Dog.