A review by judeinthestars
The Freezer by Kim Hunt

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0



The Quarry, which I read in 2023, stayed on my mind for months after I finished it and is still a book I recommend often. As usual, I don’t remember much of the story but I remember the feelings it caused. So when I got the opportunity to review the third Cal Nyx book, The Freezer, as part of New Zealand Book Month, I agreed without hesitation. I wouldn’t be surprised if this one haunted my dreams for a while too, now.

The word that first came to me for this book is the same as for the previous one: gritty. It fits the story, the MC, the environment, the air. As a Park Ranger in the New South Wales bushland, Cal is in prime position to stumble upon dead bodies and I almost wish I hadn’t read the description of the one in The Freezer. From what I’ve read so far, Kim Hunt isn’t prone to gratuitous gore or violence. If it’s in the book, it’s moving the story forward.

While the official investigation into what quickly turns out to be a rather old murder is led by her lover DI Liz Scobie, Cal looks into getting information from locals who might be wary of the police. At the same time, her foster brother Dif is still the target of transphobic attacks by the police officer against whom he lodged a complaint.

Neither storyline lends itself to levity, both are rough and raw and real. Hunt brings humour in flirty banter between Cal and Scobie, and these brief detours are enough to give Cal greater emotional depth.

Some descriptions of Dif’s work on cars or of Cal’s survival skills felt a tad long and slowed down my reading but I otherwise rather enjoyed the pace of the story.

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars