Winter Kill

Donovan Burke #1

by Nancy Steedle

The deaths of a priest, a psychologist, and a young woman, all apparently due to natural causes, puzzle Homicide Detective Donovan Burke. Were their deaths really due to natural causes, or something more sinister?

Discovering that a bell was found beside each of the bodies, Burke searches for a connection, a search that leads him to Kristi Nelson. Are the deaths, as they seem, merely coincidence? Burke doesn't think so, but if a clever killer is roaming the streets of Des Moines, is Kristi Nelson his next victim?

As the holidays come to a close and a New Year's Eve blizzard envelops the city, it's a race against time, but time is running out for Kristi. Fleeing for her life, she races through the city's skywalks, unaware that down on the streets, the police are in a race of their own - a race to avert another winter kill.

384 KB

Genres: Mystery

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2004

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

So here's the deal. I went back and forth with the rating on this book which is why I feel the need to write a review. Here are the cons....I think this book is in desperate need of a good editor. There were some parts that had me cringing so I skimmed over them. The main character seemed too....not sure how I even want to describe her. Too naive, too peppy, too....something. I know I didn't like her. I just really hate when I can't connect with the person I'm supposed to have sympathy for. Now here are the pros....overall I enjoyed the plot, it kept my interest without being overly complicated. I really like Detective Burke's character. Far too often the lead detectives in books cheat on their spouses and are sometimes just as crazy as the killers. Not in this case, it was kind of refreshing actually. The biggest pro - the story takes place in my hometown, Des Moines, IA. I'm giving this book extra brownie points for that because books never take place in Des Moines. So I'm drooling when they meet up at Stella's for shakes and Spaghetti Works for dinner. I love that parts of this even take place in my old neighborhood. I don't like however that the author keeps referring to places by their name without telling us what it is. So when I read that one character just got back from Methodist, I know right away that he works at the hospital. But someone reading this from another state more than likely has no idea what that is.
Overall, I would say this book has a lot of potential, IF a great editor got a hold of it.

[Emeline Pico · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ends with cliffhanger! UGH!! Storyline & characters are okay.

[Bette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bodies are mounting up but the ME says they all died from natural causes. But, why are bells being left next to each body? Donovan Burke, the police detective asks himself that question and then convinces his partner that these are murders. In a race of time to solve the murder and the mystery of the bells will Donovan be in time to save the next victim?

Fast-paced read with great clues so you can solve along with the detectives. The suspense is building until ....

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Des Moines is a city I know well. It was interesting to read of familiar landmarks albeit a bit fictionalized. The story was well told. The villain was a surprise, yet not unexpected

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 2 out of 5]

built too slowly for my taste