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macnchz's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot. Like all of Charlaine Harris' books, it's a quick, fun read. I'm just devouring this series, like her others'. So far this has been the best book of the series. I love what happens with Harper and Tolliver; the relationship is so well done and believable.
vallampkin's review against another edition
3.0
An Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris
Summary:
Hired to find a boy gone missing in Doravilla, North Carolina, Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver head there----only to discover that the boy was only one of several who had disappeared over the previous years. All of them teenagers. All unlikely runaways.
All calling for Harper.
Harper soon finds them---eight victims, buried in the half-frozen ground, all come to an unspeakable end. Afterwards, what she most wants to do is collect her fee and get out of town ahead of the media storm that's about to descend. But when she's attacked and prevented from leaving, she reluctantly becomes a part of the investigation as she learns more than she cares to about the dark mysteries and long-hidden secrets of Doraville---knowledge that makes her the next person likely to rest in an ice-cold grave...
--
My thoughts on the book:
This is #3 in a series of 5 books (so far). I have just started reading stories from this author. I will say that I found the story interesting and while at first I did not think that I was going to like it, the more I read the more I did want to finish the story.
While I do have the next two books in the series on my To Be Read (TBR) list, I am not in any hurry to get to them. There were some graphic descriptions and some graphic personal scenes that I did not care for.
At any rate, I did find myself caught up in the mystery and will eventually read the other two stories in the series.
Ice Cold-image.jfif
Summary:
Hired to find a boy gone missing in Doravilla, North Carolina, Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver head there----only to discover that the boy was only one of several who had disappeared over the previous years. All of them teenagers. All unlikely runaways.
All calling for Harper.
Harper soon finds them---eight victims, buried in the half-frozen ground, all come to an unspeakable end. Afterwards, what she most wants to do is collect her fee and get out of town ahead of the media storm that's about to descend. But when she's attacked and prevented from leaving, she reluctantly becomes a part of the investigation as she learns more than she cares to about the dark mysteries and long-hidden secrets of Doraville---knowledge that makes her the next person likely to rest in an ice-cold grave...
--
My thoughts on the book:
This is #3 in a series of 5 books (so far). I have just started reading stories from this author. I will say that I found the story interesting and while at first I did not think that I was going to like it, the more I read the more I did want to finish the story.
While I do have the next two books in the series on my To Be Read (TBR) list, I am not in any hurry to get to them. There were some graphic descriptions and some graphic personal scenes that I did not care for.
At any rate, I did find myself caught up in the mystery and will eventually read the other two stories in the series.
Ice Cold-image.jfif
sueotwell's review against another edition
4.0
Another page Turner for sure. I am really enjoying this series and it is about time is all I can say. While this book had a lot of sadness, it was a hard one to handle as far as the "bodies" involved and I will miss the one who passed in this book but over all it was another great little read!
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
3.0
Not going to be among my fave series for sure. Some things are downright making me queasy!
laurenjodi's review
4.0
Ice Cold Grave
4 Stars
Harper and Tolliver travel to Doraville, North Caroline when they are hired to find a missing teenager. Harper soon realizes that she has bitten off more than she can chew when she discovers the horrific burial ground of a deranged killer who has been committing unspeakable crimes for quite a while and has no intention of allowing Harper to get in his way …
This installment in the Harper Connolly series takes a darker turn toward the serial killer thriller genre rather than cozy mystery. Nevertheless, the plot is gripping with several heart-stopping descriptions and nail-biting scenes to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
Harris captures the nuances of small town life so well. Doraville epitomizes the idea of still waters running deep and people remaining unaware of the terrible atrocities that occur right under their noses committed by neighbors they have known all their lives. The villains in this book are true abominations not only due to their despicable actions, but because they conceal their true natures so easily - actual devils in disguise.
***Warning: Mild spoiler ahead***
The romance between Harper and Tolliver seems to be the main bone of contention for many reviewers who view their relationship as creepy and incestuous. For me, it contributes to rather than detracts from the appeal of the story. The subtle chemistry and attraction between the two is apparent from book one and the progression to a sexual relationship is not only natural, but inevitable given that they are not biological siblings and care so deeply for one another.
All in all, Ice Cold Grave is a fantastic addition to the series although readers who prefer less gruesome cozies may be disappointed.
4 Stars
Harper and Tolliver travel to Doraville, North Caroline when they are hired to find a missing teenager. Harper soon realizes that she has bitten off more than she can chew when she discovers the horrific burial ground of a deranged killer who has been committing unspeakable crimes for quite a while and has no intention of allowing Harper to get in his way …
This installment in the Harper Connolly series takes a darker turn toward the serial killer thriller genre rather than cozy mystery. Nevertheless, the plot is gripping with several heart-stopping descriptions and nail-biting scenes to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
Harris captures the nuances of small town life so well. Doraville epitomizes the idea of still waters running deep and people remaining unaware of the terrible atrocities that occur right under their noses committed by neighbors they have known all their lives. The villains in this book are true abominations not only due to their despicable actions, but because they conceal their true natures so easily - actual devils in disguise.
***Warning: Mild spoiler ahead***
The romance between Harper and Tolliver seems to be the main bone of contention for many reviewers who view their relationship as creepy and incestuous. For me, it contributes to rather than detracts from the appeal of the story. The subtle chemistry and attraction between the two is apparent from book one and the progression to a sexual relationship is not only natural, but inevitable given that they are not biological siblings and care so deeply for one another.
All in all, Ice Cold Grave is a fantastic addition to the series although readers who prefer less gruesome cozies may be disappointed.
schlonz's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
skwiecien's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
haf59's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The series continues with mean, brutal deaths and character twists. And it stays good. Harris is a very good writer, despite my feelings about a couple of her series. This character is very well realized and pretty sympathetic, and the paranormal aspects are written as cleanly as the rest. It isn't deathless literature, but for what it is, I don't see too many ways to improve it.
kandicez's review against another edition
3.0
This Harper installment, the third in the series, is a bit more gruesome than the others seem to be. There have been a rash of disappearances of young men in Doraville and Harper, along with Tolliver, is called in to look for bodies.
The mystery was pretty intense. There are a few points it seemed to be almost solved, but from the number of pages left, you just knew it wasn't. Manfred and Xylda show up, and they are always fun, but the real story here is the realtionship between Harper and Tolliver. It's been clear from book one how they feel about each other, but will they actually do something about it now? That's what I really wanted to know.
These stories are fun to read. I don't know if Harris is a sloppy writer, or if she just churns these out so fast that they aren't properly edited. As long as the stories continue to move quickly, I can overlook all the mistakes for the sake of entertainment, but as soon as the paces slows down, these will become unreadable. Let's hope she keeps up the pace.
The mystery was pretty intense. There are a few points it seemed to be almost solved, but from the number of pages left, you just knew it wasn't. Manfred and Xylda show up, and they are always fun, but the real story here is the realtionship between Harper and Tolliver. It's been clear from book one how they feel about each other, but will they actually do something about it now? That's what I really wanted to know.
These stories are fun to read. I don't know if Harris is a sloppy writer, or if she just churns these out so fast that they aren't properly edited. As long as the stories continue to move quickly, I can overlook all the mistakes for the sake of entertainment, but as soon as the paces slows down, these will become unreadable. Let's hope she keeps up the pace.
offbalance80's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic addition to the series. And that's all I can say without spoilers. The entire book is one giant spoiler. But fantastic. And surprising.