I have two of these actually; one of them is just about this voluminous but it's thin - a cashmere/wool blend I think? and is actually meant to wrap around you just about 2x; the other one is much thicker but less voluminous - more cape-ish. That second one though, if it weren't for the neck hem, it would look a lot like a wool car blanket. I love it - it's so warm! :)
There's so much right going on with this cover. They don't make them like this anymore. That scarf blanket was all the rage last year. It all comes back, I guess. I'm waiting for the feathered hair to make a resurgence. I miss my feathered hair ;)
Are they sitting in a sleigh, carriage, snowmobile or something? Where maybe that's a carriage blanket the driver tucks over their legs before taking off?
I will have to look at it more closely when I get home, but off the top of my head, I don't recall there being any indications of a sleigh/carriage ride.
This is a pretty good bet. Although, I believe that at least one murder has already occurred when the heroine arrives at the ski lodge in her undercover role as apres-ski hostess and fondue maker.
Although you're right, they don't make them like this anymore, which is why getting these old books in the mail is such a kick!