What do you think?
Rate this book
Constable Molly Smith #6
A Cold White Sun
It’s the end of March and Trafalgar, British Columbia, is preparing for the last influx of the seasonal skiers. Teachers, parents, and students are preparing to relax at home or head off on vacation. But for high school English teacher Cathy Lindsay, the week of relaxation doesn’t work out as planned. She’s gunned down by a sniper on a hiking trail, her small dog the only witness.
Cathy Lindsay is an unlikely candidate for a murderous ambush: she was a respected teacher, in an apparently solid marriage to an Internet developer, living a quiet life. Sergeant John Winters, with the help of young Constable Molly Smith, digs into the Lindsay marriage and friendships, searching for a motive, but one thought continually niggles at the back of his mind: is it possible this was not a random killing but a case of mistaken identity?
Cathy Lindsay is an unlikely candidate for a murderous ambush: she was a respected teacher, in an apparently solid marriage to an Internet developer, living a quiet life. Sergeant John Winters, with the help of young Constable Molly Smith, digs into the Lindsay marriage and friendships, searching for a motive, but one thought continually niggles at the back of his mind: is it possible this was not a random killing but a case of mistaken identity?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
87 people are currently reading
710 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Delany
62 books1,913 followers“It’s a crime not to read Delany,” so says the London Free Press.
Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most varied and prolific crime writers.
She is the author of four cozy mystery series: The Tea by the Sea series from Kensington Books, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series from Crooked Lane and the Year Round Christmas series from Penguin. Under the pen name of Eva Gates she writes the Lighthouse Library Series.
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com , www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor, and twitter: @vickidelany
Vicki is part of Mystery Lovers Kitchen (http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com) and Killer Characters (http://www.killercharacters.com)
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com
Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most varied and prolific crime writers.
She is the author of four cozy mystery series: The Tea by the Sea series from Kensington Books, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series from Crooked Lane and the Year Round Christmas series from Penguin. Under the pen name of Eva Gates she writes the Lighthouse Library Series.
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com , www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor, and twitter: @vickidelany
Vicki is part of Mystery Lovers Kitchen (http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com) and Killer Characters (http://www.killercharacters.com)
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
November 17, 2020
It's the time of year when I want my reads snowy so I decided to drop in on Trafalgar and read what Molly "Moonlight" Smith was up to in this sixth installment of the series. I very much enjoyed it but realized that I'm not really reading this series for the procedural murder storyline. I'm reading mostly for the people who populate the story and the setting. That's not to say that the procedural part isn't worthwhile, simply that there's so much else happening with other story threads (some that have been running since the first book) that, the procedural feels almost like a tertiary story. Funnily enough, that didn't bother me one whit.
Now all the characters aren't my favourite (Eliza Winters, I'm looking at you) and some relationships seem to be on autopilot (Molly & Adam Tocek's romantic involvement has been snooze-worthy & ignorable until the last few pages of this SIXTH book!) but somehow it all comes together in the end into a neat package that makes me smile. Of course, the murder is solved but there are still unresolved issues on the horizon for the next book: What's to become of the Trafalgar Women's Support Center? And what will happen with the Grizzly Resort property (the Ferhaughs are concerning and what of the businesses in town? I really care about these things!
I'd recommend this for readers of the series. I skipped the one before this but only because the blurb didn't grab me but I'll likely read it at some point. I will continue the series and probably miss it when it's over. I wanted a cozy-ish read and this was perfect.
Now all the characters aren't my favourite (Eliza Winters, I'm looking at you) and some relationships seem to be on autopilot (Molly & Adam Tocek's romantic involvement has been snooze-worthy & ignorable until the last few pages of this SIXTH book!) but somehow it all comes together in the end into a neat package that makes me smile. Of course, the murder is solved but there are still unresolved issues on the horizon for the next book: What's to become of the Trafalgar Women's Support Center? And what will happen with the Grizzly Resort property (the Ferhaughs are concerning and what of the businesses in town? I really care about these things!
I'd recommend this for readers of the series. I skipped the one before this but only because the blurb didn't grab me but I'll likely read it at some point. I will continue the series and probably miss it when it's over. I wanted a cozy-ish read and this was perfect.
October 28, 2019
A woman is killed by a sniper and no motive can be found, is it the perfect crime? That is what Detective Winters and Constable Molly Smith are out to discover! Great storyline with excellent characters to keep you turning pages and entertained for hours. Added bonus for those of us who like audiobooks, this entire series is available via audio and the reader does an excellent job of bringing the story to life!
June 17, 2020
This genre is not my usual fare but I wanted to sample the work of this Canadian author. It was a pleasant surprise to find myself listening almost obsessively.
I was quickly drawn in by the large cast of characters in a pleasant British Colmbia ski resort town who seem like friendly, likeable, ordinary people, although most were one-dimensional stereotypes. The plot is a bit slow out of the starting-gate but develops quickly after the midway point.
The overall impression is one of a good balance between a down-home, cozy feeling and some unexpected criminal activity which shocks the community and keeps the police on their toes. At times the tension was palpable and yet there were pleasant days on the ski slopes, intimate dinners, and friendly chats over coffee.
Not a show-stopper but interesting enough to hold my attention for a few days — a “good enough” reading experience. I doubt that I will read any more of this particular series, although I may try a different series by the same author.
I was quickly drawn in by the large cast of characters in a pleasant British Colmbia ski resort town who seem like friendly, likeable, ordinary people, although most were one-dimensional stereotypes. The plot is a bit slow out of the starting-gate but develops quickly after the midway point.
The overall impression is one of a good balance between a down-home, cozy feeling and some unexpected criminal activity which shocks the community and keeps the police on their toes. At times the tension was palpable and yet there were pleasant days on the ski slopes, intimate dinners, and friendly chats over coffee.
Not a show-stopper but interesting enough to hold my attention for a few days — a “good enough” reading experience. I doubt that I will read any more of this particular series, although I may try a different series by the same author.
March 6, 2017
I've been reading this series from the first. Was hoping eventually the writing would improve. The storyline is good, the characters are believeable, but there are always some really odd disconnects.
This time, the most telling is near the beginning when an employee of a main detective's wife, decides at one glance that a man, about 44 years old is the same child that was taken from her at birth.
Half the time Molly is referred to by her first name and half the time by her last. I could almost understand this if she was always called Smith at work and Molly all other times. No so, she goes skiing on a date and is referred to here as Smith. Ugh.
The writing is just so awkward. "...a trainwreck of an emotional eunuch..." Really? I think this is the last of the series I'll be reading.
Four years later----Well, I forgot and checked the book out of the library again. My thoughts haven't changed. This could be a good series, but I think editors are not catching things that are just odd. Phrases, circumstances, just random things that should be smoothed over, or eliminated or more fully explained.
This time, the most telling is near the beginning when an employee of a main detective's wife, decides at one glance that a man, about 44 years old is the same child that was taken from her at birth.
Half the time Molly is referred to by her first name and half the time by her last. I could almost understand this if she was always called Smith at work and Molly all other times. No so, she goes skiing on a date and is referred to here as Smith. Ugh.
The writing is just so awkward. "...a trainwreck of an emotional eunuch..." Really? I think this is the last of the series I'll be reading.
Four years later----Well, I forgot and checked the book out of the library again. My thoughts haven't changed. This could be a good series, but I think editors are not catching things that are just odd. Phrases, circumstances, just random things that should be smoothed over, or eliminated or more fully explained.
August 11, 2014
Murder heats up this cold village. My first exposure to this author and series. I certainly want to read her previous books. The story got more interesting as it progressed. Lots of emotion along with the murder and mayhem.
September 8, 2013
Several female characters presented in poor light . . . Emotionally weak. Some male characters physically and/or mentally weak. Not my favorite in series, but will continue to read.
April 16, 2018
#6 in the Constable Molly Smith mystery series. This 2013 series entry combines a number of elements. The plot revolves around a teacher being shot from ambush for no evident reason. The assistant in the art gallery run by Sgt. Winters' wife has a history of mistaking men for her long lost son but the finale calls for a suspension of plausibility. While her boyfriend is in Toronto for a week, Molly skis the black trails and meets another advanced skier who wants to make advances off the slopes. A very readable mystery.
Cathy Lindsay, a married high-school English teacher with two children, seems an unlikely target for a sniper's bullet. The murder frightens people in the town of Trafalgar, British Columbia, and flummoxes Sergeant John Winters until he learns that the victim was enamored of a colleague, science teacher Mark Hamilton, an Afghanistan vet, and that her husband has a mistress in Victoria, B.C. Recognizing the potential of Constable Molly Smith, despite her occasional rookie mistakes, Winters reaches down into the ranks to include her in the investigation. Molly, meanwhile, is testing the relationship with her boyfriend, Canadian Mountie Adam Tocek, and chafing about her former-flower-child mother, widowed two years earlier.
Cathy Lindsay, a married high-school English teacher with two children, seems an unlikely target for a sniper's bullet. The murder frightens people in the town of Trafalgar, British Columbia, and flummoxes Sergeant John Winters until he learns that the victim was enamored of a colleague, science teacher Mark Hamilton, an Afghanistan vet, and that her husband has a mistress in Victoria, B.C. Recognizing the potential of Constable Molly Smith, despite her occasional rookie mistakes, Winters reaches down into the ranks to include her in the investigation. Molly, meanwhile, is testing the relationship with her boyfriend, Canadian Mountie Adam Tocek, and chafing about her former-flower-child mother, widowed two years earlier.
March 24, 2021
There’s a killer in a small Canadian town. The murder mystery is really the side plot to what is happening in the lives of the people in the town.Molly Smith is trying to work her way up the ranks toward being detective some day. As with most police procedural/mystery series I am reading I am interested in the characters more than the mystery. I read this one randomly without reading the previous 5 and now I want to know more about these characters, but the mystery bored me so much I nearly DNF’d this one.
March 7, 2021
It's March break in Trafalgar. Molly is skiing, Adam has gone to Ontario to visit family.
Teacher Cathy Lindsay goes out for a walk with her dog on a path just above her house, and is found dead, shot in the back. She had had visions of having an affair with a teacher colleague. He has PTSD, and didn't want anything to do with her. Her husband has been having an affair, that she did not know about. Her son is a teenage troubled boy, known to the police for minor offences.
Eliza Winter's art gallery is doing ok. But, her employee thinks her long estranged son (since birth) has been found, and is stalking him.
Molly's mother, Lucky, is seeing the Chief of Police.
Teacher Cathy Lindsay goes out for a walk with her dog on a path just above her house, and is found dead, shot in the back. She had had visions of having an affair with a teacher colleague. He has PTSD, and didn't want anything to do with her. Her husband has been having an affair, that she did not know about. Her son is a teenage troubled boy, known to the police for minor offences.
Eliza Winter's art gallery is doing ok. But, her employee thinks her long estranged son (since birth) has been found, and is stalking him.
Molly's mother, Lucky, is seeing the Chief of Police.
January 18, 2023
Interesting mystery with a twist or two. Excellent narration. Clean. Re-read — forgot to rate first time around — still interesting in second read.
June 21, 2025
It was good! I wish the ending twists were more ?twisty? LOL I feel like we played it safe...However, still a decent mystery by Vik 🤓
September 7, 2018
::sigh::
I wish I knew why I keep reading this series. I suspect it’s mostly for the setting, which Delany does a wonderful job of describing. Trafalgar is pretty and pristine and full of hipsters and I love it. I particularly love the locals’ general lack of patience with the hipsters. I would totally be one of them, if I could.
However, that’s about it. The characters don’t develop much, and there’s little attempt to delve into the grey areas of human interaction - just the black and the white. And Delany sometimes seems to forget things that she’s already written (ie. towards the middle of the book, Eliza wonders something to which she already knows the answer), which is distracting.
The plot? Oh, it’s fine. Interesting enough to keep you turning the pages, but not so interesting that you need to hear about it here.
Bottom line: if you’re looking for something light and easy to cleanse your palate after a heavy read, this is it. Otherwise, it’s so light you’ll barely notice it.
I wish I knew why I keep reading this series. I suspect it’s mostly for the setting, which Delany does a wonderful job of describing. Trafalgar is pretty and pristine and full of hipsters and I love it. I particularly love the locals’ general lack of patience with the hipsters. I would totally be one of them, if I could.
However, that’s about it. The characters don’t develop much, and there’s little attempt to delve into the grey areas of human interaction - just the black and the white. And Delany sometimes seems to forget things that she’s already written (ie. towards the middle of the book, Eliza wonders something to which she already knows the answer), which is distracting.
The plot? Oh, it’s fine. Interesting enough to keep you turning the pages, but not so interesting that you need to hear about it here.
Bottom line: if you’re looking for something light and easy to cleanse your palate after a heavy read, this is it. Otherwise, it’s so light you’ll barely notice it.
February 19, 2018
On a cold wintery day, I like a good cozy mystery, but sadly, I'm all caught up with Louise Penny's Three Pines. I accidentally started in the middle of this new to me series, but I was easily able to get familiar with all of the main characters in the mountain community in which it is set. The reoccurring characters felt a little flatter than the ones unique to this book, but they have likely been developed previously in the earlier books, so that's my own fault for starting in the middle. Delany captures the cold clean air of the mountains beautifully, and certainly establishes a sense of place. The were several interesting threads to pull to try to solve the mystery, though I was disappointed in the final reveal. I'll be interested to go back to the beginning of this series, and I'll certainly enjoy listening to Carrington MacDuffie read them.
October 26, 2013
As winter comes to a close, a high school English teacher is found, shot dead, on a hiking trail and Constable Molly Smith sets out to determine whether the killing is intentional or random. This new police procedural, the sixth in the series, lives up to the earlier novels that so many readers have acclaimed. It's great, once again, to be taken back to Trafalgar, British Columbia and the fascinating cast of characters that make up the town. A great read for those leisurely days over Christmas.
July 18, 2017
This book advances the lives of Molly and Lucky but the mystery is dissatisfying.
A woman is convinced an adult man is her son who was taken from her at his birth. "Because a mother just knows." Why not say that he bore a striking resemblance to her father? Or one of her brothers? That could be the case, whether or not he is her son, and would be so much more reasonable.
I like to have a light mystery to read before bed and will try the next book.
A woman is convinced an adult man is her son who was taken from her at his birth. "Because a mother just knows." Why not say that he bore a striking resemblance to her father? Or one of her brothers? That could be the case, whether or not he is her son, and would be so much more reasonable.
I like to have a light mystery to read before bed and will try the next book.
June 23, 2023
Part of the joy in reading a mystery is trying to figure out whodunit before they are revealed. This could be early on in the story or mere moments before the author shares. For this story, that moment didn’t arise and I loved it.
Molly has a few romantic challenges. (Not sure I like how things turned out). Lucky has romantic challenges.
The mystery was a head scratcher and the subplots intriguing.
I’m curious as to what’s next.
Happy Reading!
Molly has a few romantic challenges. (Not sure I like how things turned out). Lucky has romantic challenges.
The mystery was a head scratcher and the subplots intriguing.
I’m curious as to what’s next.
Happy Reading!
October 5, 2013
I like this series. It's lovely to read a good book set in Canada!
April 10, 2019
I’ve enjoyed the previous books in this series and was eager to read A Cold White Sun: A Constable Molly Smith Mystery, the sixth book following the adventures of Constable Molly Smith in the fictional small town of Trafalgar, Canada. Although only a constable Molly aspires to someday be a detective like her mentor, John Winters. Together they have investigated numerous murders in this otherwise bucolic town.
Once again, an unexpected murder occurs in Trafalgar. The victim is a middle-aged high school teacher, Cathy Lindsay, who has gone for a daily walk with her dog, Spot. Leaving the makings of a special holiday week breakfast and her husband Gord, and their two children, Jocelyn and Bradley warm in their beds. Cathy follows the path she regularly travels. As she strolled along, she was thinking about a younger, fellow teacher, Mark Hamilton, who she had a crush on. Suddenly a shot breaks the peaceful silence of the snowy path and Cathy falls to the ground, dead.
Surprisingly there are multiple suspects. When the body is discovered by a couple who are hiking with their dog, they immediately call the police. Molly arrives on the scene first and calls for back-up and paramedics. Soon Detective Sargent John Winters, Adam Tocek and his search dog Norman, and an RCMP forensics expert join her. Delany does a great job of describing police procedures and how investigations are conducted. This is her forte.
As I said there are plenty of suspects in the murder. Of course, her husband is one of the people the police look at. When they learn that Cathy’s co-worker Mark Hamilton was more than a little annoyed by Cathy’s attentions, he too becomes a suspect. The Lindsay’s teen aged son Bradley is a town bad boy and known to the police, causing the police to take a second look at him as well.
Meanwhile, Detective Sargent Winter’s wife Eliza owns an art gallery in town. She has an employee named Margo who begins acting strangely. As her back story unfolded, I struggled to see the connection between this woman’s experiences and the murder. While the evidence piles up it is sometimes difficult to put things together.
I was disappointed in this book. It did not meet Delany’s usual pithy dialogue or neatly built plot. While the murder is eventually solved, the conclusion seems both rushed and weak. I can’t say I didn’t suspect the identity of the killer, but the reason for the crime and the manner in which he is exposed does not carry the same punch as Delany’s earlier books. I still give the book a solid four stars. The characters are always a delight, and as I stated previously, Delany’s understanding of police operations is spot on. I intend to continue reading the series and am eagerly preparing for Book Seven.
Once again, an unexpected murder occurs in Trafalgar. The victim is a middle-aged high school teacher, Cathy Lindsay, who has gone for a daily walk with her dog, Spot. Leaving the makings of a special holiday week breakfast and her husband Gord, and their two children, Jocelyn and Bradley warm in their beds. Cathy follows the path she regularly travels. As she strolled along, she was thinking about a younger, fellow teacher, Mark Hamilton, who she had a crush on. Suddenly a shot breaks the peaceful silence of the snowy path and Cathy falls to the ground, dead.
Surprisingly there are multiple suspects. When the body is discovered by a couple who are hiking with their dog, they immediately call the police. Molly arrives on the scene first and calls for back-up and paramedics. Soon Detective Sargent John Winters, Adam Tocek and his search dog Norman, and an RCMP forensics expert join her. Delany does a great job of describing police procedures and how investigations are conducted. This is her forte.
As I said there are plenty of suspects in the murder. Of course, her husband is one of the people the police look at. When they learn that Cathy’s co-worker Mark Hamilton was more than a little annoyed by Cathy’s attentions, he too becomes a suspect. The Lindsay’s teen aged son Bradley is a town bad boy and known to the police, causing the police to take a second look at him as well.
Meanwhile, Detective Sargent Winter’s wife Eliza owns an art gallery in town. She has an employee named Margo who begins acting strangely. As her back story unfolded, I struggled to see the connection between this woman’s experiences and the murder. While the evidence piles up it is sometimes difficult to put things together.
I was disappointed in this book. It did not meet Delany’s usual pithy dialogue or neatly built plot. While the murder is eventually solved, the conclusion seems both rushed and weak. I can’t say I didn’t suspect the identity of the killer, but the reason for the crime and the manner in which he is exposed does not carry the same punch as Delany’s earlier books. I still give the book a solid four stars. The characters are always a delight, and as I stated previously, Delany’s understanding of police operations is spot on. I intend to continue reading the series and am eagerly preparing for Book Seven.
June 21, 2017
It's the end of March, and Trafalgar, British Columbia, is preparing for the last influx of skiers for the season. Schools are closed for a week, with teachers, parents, and students preparing to relax at home or head out on vacation.
But for Cathy Lindsay, the week of relaxation doesn't work out as planned when she is gunned down by a sniper on the hiking trail high above town, her small dog the only witness.
Cathy Lindsay—a middle-aged, middle-class, small town resident, high school English teacher, and married mother of two—is an unlikely candidate for a murderous ambush. As Sergeant John Winters begins his investigation, he finds himself frustrated at every turn. Why would anyone want to kill Cathy? She was a respected teacher in an apparently solid marriage and living a quiet life. Winters, with the help of young Constable Molly Smith, digs deep into the Lindsays' marriage and friendships, searching for a suspect and motive, but one thought continually arises in his mind: Is it possible this was a random killing or a case of mistaken identity? If so, who did it? And who in this small, close-knit community might be next?
Meanwhile, on the double-black-diamond runs of the Blue Sky resort, Molly Smith meets a handsome, charming man, one who's as good a skier as she is, and she realizes it's time to make some serious decisions about the direction of her life—both personal and professional.
This has got to be one of the best books i have read. Molly is a young Constable, but has the makings of a great detective one day. Her help always saves the day. 5 stars.
But for Cathy Lindsay, the week of relaxation doesn't work out as planned when she is gunned down by a sniper on the hiking trail high above town, her small dog the only witness.
Cathy Lindsay—a middle-aged, middle-class, small town resident, high school English teacher, and married mother of two—is an unlikely candidate for a murderous ambush. As Sergeant John Winters begins his investigation, he finds himself frustrated at every turn. Why would anyone want to kill Cathy? She was a respected teacher in an apparently solid marriage and living a quiet life. Winters, with the help of young Constable Molly Smith, digs deep into the Lindsays' marriage and friendships, searching for a suspect and motive, but one thought continually arises in his mind: Is it possible this was a random killing or a case of mistaken identity? If so, who did it? And who in this small, close-knit community might be next?
Meanwhile, on the double-black-diamond runs of the Blue Sky resort, Molly Smith meets a handsome, charming man, one who's as good a skier as she is, and she realizes it's time to make some serious decisions about the direction of her life—both personal and professional.
This has got to be one of the best books i have read. Molly is a young Constable, but has the makings of a great detective one day. Her help always saves the day. 5 stars.
August 26, 2022
When a teacher is gunned down on her jog through the park with her dog, Sgt. Winters, Constable Molly Smith, and all the others on the Trafalgar police force must sift through the evidence to find motive, means, and opportunity. They also know the perpetrator's gun skills are at the sniper level. The woman taught English at the high school and also a night class in creative writing at the local community college. There's her husband whose business sometimes takes him out of town. There's a teenage son who is known to the police for the bad company he keeps. There's a math teacher on whom the victim had a crush.
Meanwhile in Trafalgar, Margo Franklin who works for Sgt. Winter's wife Eliza at the art gallery is acting oddly. As a teen, she birthed a son whom she was forced to give up for adoption. She's certain she's seen him in Trafalgar so she begins stalking him.
On the relationship front, Molly's mom has begun seeing Molly's boss, Chief Constable Paul Keller. Molly begins to doubt her future with RCMP officer Adam Tocek. She meets a skilled skiier on Trafalgar's slopes who wants to see her. I won't give this part away, so you'll have to read it to see what happens.
Molly seemed less involved in this case than many earlier ones although she was present at many of the crucial times. Still I love this series. I keep hoping Molly will be promoted and will become an official part of Winter's team. I guess that's asking too much in a town like Trafalgar?
Meanwhile in Trafalgar, Margo Franklin who works for Sgt. Winter's wife Eliza at the art gallery is acting oddly. As a teen, she birthed a son whom she was forced to give up for adoption. She's certain she's seen him in Trafalgar so she begins stalking him.
On the relationship front, Molly's mom has begun seeing Molly's boss, Chief Constable Paul Keller. Molly begins to doubt her future with RCMP officer Adam Tocek. She meets a skilled skiier on Trafalgar's slopes who wants to see her. I won't give this part away, so you'll have to read it to see what happens.
Molly seemed less involved in this case than many earlier ones although she was present at many of the crucial times. Still I love this series. I keep hoping Molly will be promoted and will become an official part of Winter's team. I guess that's asking too much in a town like Trafalgar?
July 19, 2018
Why have I not heard of Vicki Delany before? I love her writing style. Her descriptions of western Canada are so vivid that it almost made me wished I was a skier (almost). The frigid weather paralleled the story - a cold-blooded murder with an unknown motive.
Molly Smith (aka Moonlight) is a great character. She's vulnerable, strong, and flawed, and determined to become the best policewoman she can be. I love the relationships between the characters and the way you commiserate with their lives.
The story is a good one and I can see some of these characters popping up in future books. I'm sorry I missed Books 1-5 on Molly Smith and her town, Trafalgar, but I'll definitely pick up the next ones if only to see if Tony pops back up, and what about that land being developed for tourism. Oh, and will Adam still be in the picture.
This book is definitely a good read - not deep and emotional, but a good story for a rainy (or snowy) day.
Molly Smith (aka Moonlight) is a great character. She's vulnerable, strong, and flawed, and determined to become the best policewoman she can be. I love the relationships between the characters and the way you commiserate with their lives.
The story is a good one and I can see some of these characters popping up in future books. I'm sorry I missed Books 1-5 on Molly Smith and her town, Trafalgar, but I'll definitely pick up the next ones if only to see if Tony pops back up, and what about that land being developed for tourism. Oh, and will Adam still be in the picture.
This book is definitely a good read - not deep and emotional, but a good story for a rainy (or snowy) day.
December 28, 2024
This is tricky…there’s so much I don’t like about these books, and yet I keep reading them. To be fair, I’d forgotten how much they irritate me when I was looking for an audiobook, and didn’t remember until I got partway in. The worst thing about this book is the characters. Molly is selfish and mean-spirited. Eliza is an aloof snob. Lucky is self-righteous. And the internal dialogue given to each character is so judgemental and cynical that I can’t help but wonder if Delaney herself hates most people. Especially overweight people. As for the mystery, once again it wasn’t fair play. Even the cops themselves sort of stumble onto the killer by chance. That being said, I figured out who the killer would be based on the knowledge from other books in this series that it would be the person most unrelated to anything to do with the crime. So why 3 stars? I keep reading these books despite my complaints, so something must work 🤷🏻♀️
May 26, 2025
Another good read in this series..... It is going by too fast..... Lots of things happening!!!! Keeps your interest!!!!
It’s the end of March and Trafalgar, British Columbia, is preparing for the last influx of the seasonal skiers. Teachers, parents, and students are preparing to relax at home or head off on vacation. But for high school English teacher Cathy Lindsay, the week of relaxation doesn’t work out as planned. She’s gunned down by a sniper on a hiking trail, her small dog the only witness.
Cathy Lindsay is an unlikely candidate for a murderous ambush: she was a respected teacher, in an apparently solid marriage to an Internet developer, living a quiet life. Sergeant John Winters, with the help of young Constable Molly Smith, digs into the Lindsay marriage and friendships, searching for a motive, but one thought continually niggles at the back of his mind: is it possible this was not a random killing but a case of mistaken identity?
It’s the end of March and Trafalgar, British Columbia, is preparing for the last influx of the seasonal skiers. Teachers, parents, and students are preparing to relax at home or head off on vacation. But for high school English teacher Cathy Lindsay, the week of relaxation doesn’t work out as planned. She’s gunned down by a sniper on a hiking trail, her small dog the only witness.
Cathy Lindsay is an unlikely candidate for a murderous ambush: she was a respected teacher, in an apparently solid marriage to an Internet developer, living a quiet life. Sergeant John Winters, with the help of young Constable Molly Smith, digs into the Lindsay marriage and friendships, searching for a motive, but one thought continually niggles at the back of his mind: is it possible this was not a random killing but a case of mistaken identity?
June 16, 2019
+++Finished 05/31/2014. Molly is the first law enforcement officer to the scene of a high school teacher shot to death. Sgt Winters finds this to be a baffling case & all investigations seem to lead nowhere. The prime candidate for perp is a vet of Afghanistan who is suffering from PTSD. Another newcomer visits Eliza's gallery & her clerk thinks he is her long lost son. He may have been, but he is also the murderer because the teacher gave him a low grade in an evening writing class. He also shoots his "mother". He is dying of a brain tumor & will never go to trial. And Lucky & Paul Keller get closer as do Molly & Adam Trocek. This after M has enjoyed skiing with another man.+++
November 11, 2017
I have enjoyed this series and grown to care for the characters. They have all grown and changed as the series continues. The story line was good and kept my interest and had just the right amount of suspense for me! This story I found myself yelling at Molly and telling her not to be foolish!! I have been listening to the story while in my car and often did not want to turn off car and would put on headphones and listen while eating my lunch. All in all enjoyed this book and looking forward to the next one.
July 30, 2019
I picked up this book from a booklist recommendation not realizing it was book 6 in a series. Well written, we learn about Moonligth "Molly" Smith who is a constable with the local police dept in Canada. As she is a rookie, she doesn't seem to have a lot to do. However, I did like all the other characters in this book, Det Sgt Winters (and his interesting wife), Molly's Mom (having a relationship with the Police Chief), some of the teachers at the local college. Well rounded "cast of characters" and a very good story.
January 2, 2022
The ending... wow! Now I'm hooked on this series. I listened to this on an audiobook while doing housework.
It kept my rapt attention throughout the whole book.
A well-written book with a few twists and turns to keep you interested.
Molly didn't seem to be the only one to solved the murder. She had a lot of good suspicions that led to her boss, Wright? solving it finally. She's smart and always thinking through the case on hand.
My advice, get this one and you too will be hooked.
It kept my rapt attention throughout the whole book.
A well-written book with a few twists and turns to keep you interested.
Molly didn't seem to be the only one to solved the murder. She had a lot of good suspicions that led to her boss, Wright? solving it finally. She's smart and always thinking through the case on hand.
My advice, get this one and you too will be hooked.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2024
In my opinion, this book is the best in the Constable Molly Smith series. Set in Trafalgar, a small BC town in the hills, surviving on tourist and skiing in the winter and hiking in the woods in the summer.
Delany brings in unwanted pregnancies in the 1950s, PTSD, terminal illness and development of Canada’s northern resources.
Molly has grown up a lot in the series, not sure if there will be more books or not.
Delany brings in unwanted pregnancies in the 1950s, PTSD, terminal illness and development of Canada’s northern resources.
Molly has grown up a lot in the series, not sure if there will be more books or not.
November 25, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book six of eight
Molly Smith is doing her best as a young police officer. Then there is a murder and the investigation begins. A great story with interesting characters lots of action and misdirection leading to the conclusion.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒😤🐈
This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book six of eight
Molly Smith is doing her best as a young police officer. Then there is a murder and the investigation begins. A great story with interesting characters lots of action and misdirection leading to the conclusion.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒😤🐈
May 13, 2022
I've liked the series, but this one is a big miss. Pretty trite main plot, and too many side stories that are annoying yet only exist to flesh this short idea to novel length. Only two more in the series, I guess I'll see soon if it's because she closed it out smoothly or the next two are as bad as this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews