A Cold Snow in Castaway County

by John Lindsey Hickman

ONE MAN’S PASSION FOR JUSTICE HAS NO TIME LIMIT After a high-profile shooting incident, Dell Hinton left the Boston Police Department and moved to a quiet
community in rural Maine. Living by the lake for a year, he enjoyed the tranquility and considered his future. His friend, the local minister, convinces him to run for the office of Castaway County Sheriff. Once elected, Dell assumes the new position and finds that being a sheriff is very different from being a police officer. The incumbent sheriff tells him about a cold murder case that the prior sheriff has never been able to solve. Dell decides to investigate the case to get justice for the victim while
learning to be a county sheriff.

150 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2011

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a self published novel, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I did like this novel. There are a few grammar errors and sometimes the dialogue sounded a little awkward, but this author did something that made these few bumps a non issue. He created a very likable character in Dell and made this small town in Maine come alive. The cold case Dell is trying to solve is not the focus of this book, I think the focus was Dell himself and the job of a small town Sherrie. In that he succeeded very well.

[Geri]

A new B.R.A.G.Medallion honoree!

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

The main mystery is not the major point of the plot. The whole time Dell is faced with a situation or challenge, he immediately solves it with zero pushback from any of the other characters. They all just "yessir" him throughout each adversity like he has some magical persuasive power. Zero character development. The dialogue is trite.

There are some MAJOR gender stereotypes and the MC pretty much assumes (and is) the "White Knight" in every scenario he presents and the worst part of it is that he tries to tackle major issues like domestic abuse, cops on the take, abortion, and statutory rape always being the hero and able to solve it with a quick chat with each perpetrator. I really wanted it to be revealed that he had some superpower of persuasion, but even then, there was never any conflict, nothing in jeopardy...the only motivating factor throughout the story was making sure every one knew the MC was amazing and nobody else could do what he could.

Now the Sheriff part ... the main character is a retired, disgraced "beat cop" who shot an unarmed CHILD, and then moves to Maine and runs for Sheriff. Really??? Once the author explains this ONE VERY IMPORTANT AND INTRIGUING flaw, he never brings it up again. It would have been interesting to hear him fight to redeem himself, which I guess he does by being the "White Knight" but it's hard to believe that this wouldn't come up at some point to discredit him. Everybody is just too NICE, even the bad guys!!!!

The majority of the novel discusses the inner workings of becoming a small town Sheriff. Great! Very thorough. But I'd say, if you want to learn to be a Sheriff, read the manual, it would be a much more interesting read.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that this book has been honored with a 2012 B.R.A.G.Medallion - telling you that this book is well worth your time and money!

[Kim L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only criticism of this book is that it is too short. I was transported to rural Maine and didn't want to leave. I hope that Hickman has a sequel in the works.

[Paula Byra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the setting of this book just didn't love the author's style. It should have been a fast read but I just dragged my feet on this one.