Book Details:
Book Title: Winter Frost (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery Book 2) by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult fiction, 290 pages
Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Cozy
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: January 28, 2019
Tour dates: May 1 – June 28, 2019
Content Rating: PG (It’s a murder mystery and there is mild violence. Very mild swearing no F-bombs. No on-stage sex scenes.)
Book Description:
It all started with a chance encounter in the city with Blair, his late wife.
Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad, working under the guise of a book club, dig into the events surrounding his late wife’s supposed death halfway around the globe. A state department employee shoots himself in the back three times. A CIA operative goes missing. A woman is targeted by an international assassin three years after being declared dead in a terrorist attack overseas.
Nothing is as it seems.
In his most personal cold case, Chris fights to uncover why the state department told him that Blair, the mother of his children, had been killed when she was alive. What had she uncovered that has made her a target? Who terrified her so much that she had gone into hiding and why are they now after him?
My Thoughts:
As you can see from above, this is book two of the Chris Matheson series. I read and reviewed book one as an audiobook, which is the format I read for this installment. If you read my review of book #1, you’ll know that I had some serious issues with the narrator. I don’t know if my hearing acclimated to his style of reading or if his performance improved so much by book two, but I had none of my previous issues while listening to this book. The narration was seamless – I never felt pulled away from the story by the voice reading it. I was committed to the action the entire time, and felt like the audiobook was playing like a movie in my imagination.
As for the story itself, I couldn’t find any flaws. I read a lot of mystery and procedural crime novels, so I’m already a fan of the genre. Here, Lauren Carr has crafted a perfectly balanced story with well developed characters. Even the supporting cast has great range, with some truly laugh out loud moments, which lifts the otherwise serious drama. There was a romantic storyline that complimented but didn’t overshadow the plot, giving us a bit of heart and a couple to root for.
As I said in my review of book one, I can’t stop thinking about the amazing way Ms. Carr used the dog to move the plot forward. Dogs are featured a lot in books, as they should be, and this series is no exception; however, Lauren Carr is able to write truly astounding canines that are both lovable and pivotal to the book. Sterling has quickly become a favorite of mine, and not just because he can play blackjack better than anyone I know.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a good mystery or suspense book. Since I did read book one, I’m not sure if this could or should be read as a standalone. I recommend reading the entire series, if only to get more time with these delightful characters. I truly believe Lauren Carr should be on par with some of the best crime drama writers out there, and I’m so glad I got to read a book by such an extremely talented female writer.
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Now, Lauren has added one more hit series to her list with the Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries. Set in the quaint West Virginia town of Harpers Ferry, Ice introduces Chris Matheson, a retired FBI agent, who joins forces with other law enforcement retirees to heat up those cold cases that keep them up at night.
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
Lauren Carr says
Thank you, Amy, for the fabulous review for WINTER FROST. I am so glad you enjoyed the latest Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery. I am certain that your followers will enjoy this mystery as well. Here's wishing each one luck in the giveaway for the Amazon Gift Card.