Book Review: Dead of Winter

Reviewed By: Luke Croll - RAM

Dead of Winter     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
P. J. Parrish
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural   Thriller
Series: Louis Kincaid # 2
Pinnacle Books; 2001; $6.99; 415 pp

Classification: Adult fiction (Serial killer thriller)

A serial killer is at work in the quaint town of Loon Lake, Michigan. Detective Louis Kincaid has come north to forget the horrors of his past, but he swiftly finds himself drawn into a mystery that centres on the very town itself.

I have not read the first book featuring Louis Kincaid and this is a slight downside that has to be mentioned straightaway, as there are some spoilers in it for the previous novels. It is best to read them in order, I feel. However, it is not a total prerequisite as this works just as well as a standalone story.

The author skillfully paints a picture of a small town and a police force gripped by fear, working strongly on developing the characters. The police chief, Gibraltar, is one of the most interesting and Kincaid continuously shows different sides as the novel progresses. The author stays one step ahead of the reader at all times, throwing in twists and turns and giving an excellent plot with a satisfying ending.

'Dead Of Winter' is set in the eighties, but it would be hard to tell us from reading the novel. There the occasional references and of course, things such as DNA testing, are not used, but you do not really notice. It is a very enjoyable thriller and one that I would highly recommend. I look forward to reading more of Parrish's work.

Luke Croll - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Luke Croll - RAM

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