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mollyringle's review against another edition
5.0
I can be wary to pick up mysteries, for a couple of reasons. One is that the formula of the genre (as with many genres) often leads to a two-dimensional cookie-cutter feel for the characters. Another is that it creeps me out to call murder "cozy," as many of them do. However, having read Pam's Wishing Rock series, I knew her talent for producing well-rounded, interesting characters, as well as bringing settings to life, so I knew I could trust this book not to suffer from those problems. And my instincts were well founded!
The characters felt like real people--some likable, some not, and some startling for what they're hiding; though, as narrator Mindy points out toward the end, don't we all have some darkness inside us? Also, although this book doesn't contain gore and could thereby get called a cozy mystery, it never makes murder feel bizarrely like a fun little puzzle to solve over a weekend, the way some such books do (which is what weirds me out about them). The murder shakes Mindy and the others at the resort exactly as such an event should, and dredges up plenty of upsetting memories and accusatory emotions among the group. It felt true to life, without ever getting depressingly heavy--because another thing Pam excels at is keeping just enough wry humor and human warmth in her writing.
And the setting might be my favorite feature of all! Somehow, despite living in the Pacific Northwest most of my life, I've never been to the North Cascades, but from the beautiful description in this novel, I now most wholeheartedly want to go. As long as, uh, no one gets killed.
The characters felt like real people--some likable, some not, and some startling for what they're hiding; though, as narrator Mindy points out toward the end, don't we all have some darkness inside us? Also, although this book doesn't contain gore and could thereby get called a cozy mystery, it never makes murder feel bizarrely like a fun little puzzle to solve over a weekend, the way some such books do (which is what weirds me out about them). The murder shakes Mindy and the others at the resort exactly as such an event should, and dredges up plenty of upsetting memories and accusatory emotions among the group. It felt true to life, without ever getting depressingly heavy--because another thing Pam excels at is keeping just enough wry humor and human warmth in her writing.
And the setting might be my favorite feature of all! Somehow, despite living in the Pacific Northwest most of my life, I've never been to the North Cascades, but from the beautiful description in this novel, I now most wholeheartedly want to go. As long as, uh, no one gets killed.
pami1968's review against another edition
5.0
This is a pretty easy and entertaining read.
The character development is pretty well defined, especially for the main character, Mindy. I liked that there was no forced humor, theme recipes, or other "crafty tips" that I seem to find in every mystery that I pick up. No gore, no really off-the-wall plot twists. Just a well-written and suspenseful (without scaring me too much) mystery.
There are actually a few mysteries in the book, and I was excited that I wasn't able to figure out the solutions.
I didn't find it a long book; I read it all in one sitting. I'm sure going to be tired at work tomorrow, but I really wanted to find out the answers.
I'm looking forward to the author's next mystery novel!
The character development is pretty well defined, especially for the main character, Mindy. I liked that there was no forced humor, theme recipes, or other "crafty tips" that I seem to find in every mystery that I pick up. No gore, no really off-the-wall plot twists. Just a well-written and suspenseful (without scaring me too much) mystery.
There are actually a few mysteries in the book, and I was excited that I wasn't able to figure out the solutions.
I didn't find it a long book; I read it all in one sitting. I'm sure going to be tired at work tomorrow, but I really wanted to find out the answers.
I'm looking forward to the author's next mystery novel!
kiastillreadsandwrites's review
3.0
Death at Glacier Lake was a quick, fun mystery. The “twist” wasn’t much of a twist, but I enjoyed the journey to get there. I don’t read very many “cozy” mysteries - this one kind of slipped through my filter - but it was well-written and a nice palate cleanser after a dark and twisty read.
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