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Search and Rescue Mystery #1
Zero-Degree Murder
FIRST IN A NEW SERIES!
Search and rescue expert Gracie Kinkaid risks her life on a daily basis to save strangers. But going up against a coldhearted murderer is one kind of danger she’s not prepared for…
As a volunteer for Timber Creek Search and Rescue, missing out on holiday festivities is nothing new to Gracie. After all, disasters don’t stop happening because of a cooked turkey. So when Gracie is called out on Thanksgiving for four hikers missing in the wilderness of Southern California, she packs up her gear and heads out to find them.
The mission quickly goes from routine to deadly. An early season blizzard sets in. The one missing person the team does find, famous actor Rob Christian, remembers being attacked by someone else on the trail, someone trying to kill him. And Gracie’s partner leaves to get backup, taking the radio—their only link to the outside world—with him.
Alone in the mountains, Gracie will have to use all her expertise to keep Rob alive. But with an unknown killer lurking somewhere in the dark, even that might not be enough to save them…
Search and rescue expert Gracie Kinkaid risks her life on a daily basis to save strangers. But going up against a coldhearted murderer is one kind of danger she’s not prepared for…
As a volunteer for Timber Creek Search and Rescue, missing out on holiday festivities is nothing new to Gracie. After all, disasters don’t stop happening because of a cooked turkey. So when Gracie is called out on Thanksgiving for four hikers missing in the wilderness of Southern California, she packs up her gear and heads out to find them.
The mission quickly goes from routine to deadly. An early season blizzard sets in. The one missing person the team does find, famous actor Rob Christian, remembers being attacked by someone else on the trail, someone trying to kill him. And Gracie’s partner leaves to get backup, taking the radio—their only link to the outside world—with him.
Alone in the mountains, Gracie will have to use all her expertise to keep Rob alive. But with an unknown killer lurking somewhere in the dark, even that might not be enough to save them…
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 7, 2014
20 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Rowland
6 books32 followersHow far would you go to save the life of a stranger? Jump out of a helicopter into four feet of snow? Sleep outside in the winter? Dangle on a rope over the edge of a cliff?
M.L. Rowland has done all of these things and more, all in the line of service as a mountain Search and Rescue volunteer. During her twelve years on Search and Rescue, Rowland participated in hundreds of search and rescue missions and trainings, including technical ropes rescues, helicopter insertions and evacuations, and searches for lost children, hikers, snowboarders, mountain bikers and criminal evidence, in alpine, desert and urban environments. She served as the team’s Training Officer and participated in community events and public speaking engagements. Trained in land navigation, and desert and winter survival, including avalanche awareness and self-arrest, she holds a certification in tracking from the State of California. Rowland also served as a member and on the Board of a Colorado County Sheriff’s Department All-Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT) which manages local search and rescue operations, brush and wildfires, planned community events and other critical incidents.
Rowland is an avid political activist, naturalist and environmentalist. She lives with her husband, Mark, and their chocolate lab, Molly, at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in south-central Colorado.
M.L. Rowland has done all of these things and more, all in the line of service as a mountain Search and Rescue volunteer. During her twelve years on Search and Rescue, Rowland participated in hundreds of search and rescue missions and trainings, including technical ropes rescues, helicopter insertions and evacuations, and searches for lost children, hikers, snowboarders, mountain bikers and criminal evidence, in alpine, desert and urban environments. She served as the team’s Training Officer and participated in community events and public speaking engagements. Trained in land navigation, and desert and winter survival, including avalanche awareness and self-arrest, she holds a certification in tracking from the State of California. Rowland also served as a member and on the Board of a Colorado County Sheriff’s Department All-Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT) which manages local search and rescue operations, brush and wildfires, planned community events and other critical incidents.
Rowland is an avid political activist, naturalist and environmentalist. She lives with her husband, Mark, and their chocolate lab, Molly, at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in south-central Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 10, 2014
M.L. Rowland brings readers the first book in her new Search and Rescue Mystery series, Zero-Degree Murder. Readers may learn a little bit more than whodunit with this book. The survival and rescue techniques set this book apart. As a former search and rescue provider Rowland knows what she's talking about and it's apparent on every page. With a killer on the loose, a blizzard coming in and wayward rock star to protect, Gracie Kinkaid isn't having the perfect Thanksgiving. Readers will love the urgency of the plot and the genuine spirit of the heroine. A great first in a series book!
What I liked:
The search and rescue theme may not be completely new ground for the cozy sub-genre but it isn't a common one. I liked the theme a lot being a hiker myself. I love the outdoors in any weather and I thought this theme created all kinds of new avenues to explore for a cozy. It may have straddled the line between mystery and suspense a bit closer than I thought it would, but that didn't take a way from the originality of the plot and the way that Rowland was able to draw the reader in.
Extreme circumstances always have a way of getting under the readers skin quickly. In Zero-Degree Murder you not only have a possible murder with a killer still on the loose, but you also the extreme weather and safety issues to add to the urgency of the story. It really ramped up the action of plot. Rowland most certainly knows what she's talking about when she describes search and rescue techniques and survival tactics. I was really engrossed by the details and felt like I had been educated as well as entertained in this novel.
Gracie Kinkaid is a great heroine. I liked her from the very start. She had moxie to be sure. She wasn't afraid to go out there and try to find the missing party. And she knew when they found Rob that she had to protect him and get him back safely even if she was out there with a murderer. I liked the way Rowland allowed Gracie to mull over the suspects and the clues and find new ways to think about the possible crime. If every amateur sleuth always got it right the first time that would be boring. But I thought Gracie's thought processes were very enjoyable as she puzzled it all out for herself and the reader.
Rowland shows a lot of potential with this book and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with Gracie next. There are so many ways the author could take this series. That's one of the things that I find enjoyable about reading a new author. Though I may have read books about the subject or theme before, each author has a different take or perception that is unique to them and I liked how Rowland thought.
What I didn't like:
When the book first started out I wasn't sure Gracie was going to be able to pull this off. I thought maybe she wasn't a strong enough heroine. But as I continued to read Zero-Degree Murder I got better acquainted with her and thought her character growth allowed her to show her strengths. In the end I liked her a lot. I was also not sure this was a cozy in the true sense of the word because there was a lot more suspense than usual.
Bottom Line:
I liked this one a lot after I got started. I feel in love with the theme and with Gracie. Zero-Degree Murder may be that book that crosses the barriers between cozy mystery and suspense, but that's a good thing. It opens it up to a whole other audience that most cozies don't reach. It's a really good first in a series book and I'm looking forward to more from M.L. Rowland.
What I liked:
The search and rescue theme may not be completely new ground for the cozy sub-genre but it isn't a common one. I liked the theme a lot being a hiker myself. I love the outdoors in any weather and I thought this theme created all kinds of new avenues to explore for a cozy. It may have straddled the line between mystery and suspense a bit closer than I thought it would, but that didn't take a way from the originality of the plot and the way that Rowland was able to draw the reader in.
Extreme circumstances always have a way of getting under the readers skin quickly. In Zero-Degree Murder you not only have a possible murder with a killer still on the loose, but you also the extreme weather and safety issues to add to the urgency of the story. It really ramped up the action of plot. Rowland most certainly knows what she's talking about when she describes search and rescue techniques and survival tactics. I was really engrossed by the details and felt like I had been educated as well as entertained in this novel.
Gracie Kinkaid is a great heroine. I liked her from the very start. She had moxie to be sure. She wasn't afraid to go out there and try to find the missing party. And she knew when they found Rob that she had to protect him and get him back safely even if she was out there with a murderer. I liked the way Rowland allowed Gracie to mull over the suspects and the clues and find new ways to think about the possible crime. If every amateur sleuth always got it right the first time that would be boring. But I thought Gracie's thought processes were very enjoyable as she puzzled it all out for herself and the reader.
Rowland shows a lot of potential with this book and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with Gracie next. There are so many ways the author could take this series. That's one of the things that I find enjoyable about reading a new author. Though I may have read books about the subject or theme before, each author has a different take or perception that is unique to them and I liked how Rowland thought.
What I didn't like:
When the book first started out I wasn't sure Gracie was going to be able to pull this off. I thought maybe she wasn't a strong enough heroine. But as I continued to read Zero-Degree Murder I got better acquainted with her and thought her character growth allowed her to show her strengths. In the end I liked her a lot. I was also not sure this was a cozy in the true sense of the word because there was a lot more suspense than usual.
Bottom Line:
I liked this one a lot after I got started. I feel in love with the theme and with Gracie. Zero-Degree Murder may be that book that crosses the barriers between cozy mystery and suspense, but that's a good thing. It opens it up to a whole other audience that most cozies don't reach. It's a really good first in a series book and I'm looking forward to more from M.L. Rowland.
January 7, 2014
It may be Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t stop Gracie Kinkaid from being called in to work for Timber Creek Search and Rescue. As a volunteer for the search and rescue unit, Gracie knows that disasters can occur at any time, even during the holiday season. This time four hikers go missing in the wilderness of Southern California.
Gracie and her partner, Steve Cashman, head out to find them when a blizzard hits. Now they have to find hikers as well as fight the weather. They only manage to find one hiker – famous actor Rob Christian. Rob is hurt but he remembers being attacked on the trail and someone being killed. Steve and Gracie don’t know if the memory is true or an hallucination due to his injury.
Steve takes their radio and tries to get help. This leaves Gracie alone with Rob. It’s up to her to keep him alive until medical help arrives, but she begins to realize Rob’s memories of a killer may very well be real. Gracie has her hands full trying to keep Rob safe from his injuries as well as safe from a killer.
The excitement takes off from page one and doesn’t stop until the end of the book. I can easily see this being turned into a movie. The author does an amazing job of creating the atmosphere for the reader with his descriptive writing. There was a bit too much technical stuff about survival techniques for my liking, but it helped to paint a realistic picture for the reader.
I loved Gracie from the start. She’s tough and pretty much took over the whole book. This was her story. It’s filled with mystery, adventure, and a bit of romance too. This is the beginning a brand new series and I’m looking forward to the next one.
FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Gracie and her partner, Steve Cashman, head out to find them when a blizzard hits. Now they have to find hikers as well as fight the weather. They only manage to find one hiker – famous actor Rob Christian. Rob is hurt but he remembers being attacked on the trail and someone being killed. Steve and Gracie don’t know if the memory is true or an hallucination due to his injury.
Steve takes their radio and tries to get help. This leaves Gracie alone with Rob. It’s up to her to keep him alive until medical help arrives, but she begins to realize Rob’s memories of a killer may very well be real. Gracie has her hands full trying to keep Rob safe from his injuries as well as safe from a killer.
The excitement takes off from page one and doesn’t stop until the end of the book. I can easily see this being turned into a movie. The author does an amazing job of creating the atmosphere for the reader with his descriptive writing. There was a bit too much technical stuff about survival techniques for my liking, but it helped to paint a realistic picture for the reader.
I loved Gracie from the start. She’s tough and pretty much took over the whole book. This was her story. It’s filled with mystery, adventure, and a bit of romance too. This is the beginning a brand new series and I’m looking forward to the next one.
FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 20, 2015
#1 in the Search and Rescue Mystery series. What a great start to a new series. It reminded me a lot of Nevada Barr because of its outdoorsy setting, but I liked it better, perhaps because I liked the heroine or perhaps because it was a little smoother and simpler in style. In any case, this is about Gracie Kinkaid, a volunteer in California's SAR group. She likes to be on her own, likes nature, and generally keeps much to herself, but she isolates herself and can only seem to hold down a low-paying job. She's very good at search and rescue, and it's very interesting to watch her preparations and follow her thought processes as she attacks each problem she encounters. In this book, she and a partner are in search of a party of actors, although the media is mostly concerned about Rob, the megastar. She and Scott have a lot of disagreements about procedure, but because Scott has been assigned as team leader, she generally has to give in despite misgivings. Along the way they encounter multiple problems, both because of the environment and weather conditions, but also because of their suspicions that a killer is also out there searching. I found this educational, a little different, and it kept my interest throughout. We know the identity of the killer from early on, but Gracie doesn't, which adds to the suspense. I will definitely continue with this series.
June 1, 2016
Great first book. The whole thing was building to a big showdown at the end and I wasn't disappointed. There were lots of technical terms for what survival gear they were using which I will assume was correct since I didn't know what a lot was and that made it harder to get a clear picture in my head.
December 29, 2021
This has been on my shelves forever and I finally read it because of a challenge. Wow, was I ever impressed. Thought it was a cozy, but it wasn't. A regular mystery that was oh so good.
January 16, 2016
Gracie Kinkaid is the only female member of her Search and Rescue squad. When they are called out on Thanksgiving to find some missing hikers she is not surprised when she is not named the leader of the 2 person team, but she thinks it will be a routine mission so she doesn’t push the fact that she has more experience.
Things go quickly awry when an early season blizzard hits the search area. They find one hiker who is hurt and he thinks someone tried to kill him and Gracie believes him. Her partner heads back to a place where their radio has reception to call for backup. This lives Gracie and the hiker alone on the mountain. She needs to use all of her knowledge to keep them safe all the while wondering if a killer it trying to find them and permanently cover his tracks.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
An excellent start to what is going to be a great series.
Grace is between regular jobs but she volunteers with the Timber Creek Search and Rescue. She has the talents and training to excel at this but can’t settle down to an occupation that pays a salary. I think this sells the character a little short. It gives her time to go out on the rescues but she is clearly a very strong, smart woman that can handle herself. Maybe after this rescue her confidence will build. I know in stories like this the protagonist has to be an amateur but Grace could probably have quite a career in any of the emergency services. I can really see this character growing as the series continues.
The suspense starts in this story from page one. Hiking in the mountains has many dangers from getting lost to slips or falls that could be deadly to animals looking for a human snack. Adding a killer to the trail amps everything up to a high level or terror. The author uses the short chapter format that also adds to the feeling that you just can’t put the book down. She also describes the scene and the scenery vividly making it very easy to picture in your mind. I have learned the author was part of a search and rescue team herself and her knowledge and experience shine through in this story.
I highly recommend this one. The only drawback was that I read this during the frigid “polar vortex” and it takes place during a blizzard in zero degree weather so it truly gave me the shivers. :)
Things go quickly awry when an early season blizzard hits the search area. They find one hiker who is hurt and he thinks someone tried to kill him and Gracie believes him. Her partner heads back to a place where their radio has reception to call for backup. This lives Gracie and the hiker alone on the mountain. She needs to use all of her knowledge to keep them safe all the while wondering if a killer it trying to find them and permanently cover his tracks.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
An excellent start to what is going to be a great series.
Grace is between regular jobs but she volunteers with the Timber Creek Search and Rescue. She has the talents and training to excel at this but can’t settle down to an occupation that pays a salary. I think this sells the character a little short. It gives her time to go out on the rescues but she is clearly a very strong, smart woman that can handle herself. Maybe after this rescue her confidence will build. I know in stories like this the protagonist has to be an amateur but Grace could probably have quite a career in any of the emergency services. I can really see this character growing as the series continues.
The suspense starts in this story from page one. Hiking in the mountains has many dangers from getting lost to slips or falls that could be deadly to animals looking for a human snack. Adding a killer to the trail amps everything up to a high level or terror. The author uses the short chapter format that also adds to the feeling that you just can’t put the book down. She also describes the scene and the scenery vividly making it very easy to picture in your mind. I have learned the author was part of a search and rescue team herself and her knowledge and experience shine through in this story.
I highly recommend this one. The only drawback was that I read this during the frigid “polar vortex” and it takes place during a blizzard in zero degree weather so it truly gave me the shivers. :)
January 13, 2015
When four hikers go missing on a mountain on Thanksgiving Day, Gracie Kinkaid is one of the only people to respond. She and her search partner quickly find one of the hikers, famous actor Rob Christian, but he’s injured. While they wait for help, a snow storm is coming in. What they don’t know is that someone is hunting for them on the mountain – to kill them.
Despite being published by Berkley Prime Crime, this is more a thriller than a cozy, with language and violence to go along with that. The pacing of the plot was uneven, with parts there were page turning and passages that were slow and even predictable. The characters were also not as complex as I would have liked. It wasn’t a bad book, but it also could have been better.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Despite being published by Berkley Prime Crime, this is more a thriller than a cozy, with language and violence to go along with that. The pacing of the plot was uneven, with parts there were page turning and passages that were slow and even predictable. The characters were also not as complex as I would have liked. It wasn’t a bad book, but it also could have been better.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
February 3, 2014
Zero-Degree Murder was a fun, fast ride. The writing is a bit uneven in spots, but Gracie Kincaid is a kick-ass character and I look forward to getting to know her better as the series continues. Author M.L. Rowland spent 12 years as a Search & Rescue tech in Southern California and I found the details into mountain rescue one the most fascinating aspects of this book. To my knowledge, Rowland is the first woman to write about such experiences in fiction and I loved it.
I hope that as the series continues, she will deepen the characters, delve more into the technical aspects of mountain rescue, and develop the relationship between Gracie and her partner. Zero-Degree Murder is not the deepest thriller on the block, but it's original and a lot of fun.
I hope that as the series continues, she will deepen the characters, delve more into the technical aspects of mountain rescue, and develop the relationship between Gracie and her partner. Zero-Degree Murder is not the deepest thriller on the block, but it's original and a lot of fun.
October 7, 2014
Good first in a new series featuring a woman search and rescue volunteer, with second in series being released late 2014. I really liked Grace who is strong and capable but still vulnerable, lacking confidence, struggling to find life direction. Cool detail about search and rescue on the mountains. Exciting story. Lots of hints about character backstories of Grace and her teammates that presumably will develop over time. Will definitely read next in series.
December 29, 2016
I gave this one only two stars because there were too many unanswered questions - the author never explained what started the murders or why an assassin was hanging around a movie set...The main character was not very likable either; she came across as whiny. There was plenty of suspense and the writing was well-done.
February 19, 2021
I was drawn to this by it being a "search and rescue mystery". The mystery was not there, but some interesting information (I assume accurate) on the search and rescue teams that the protagonist, Gracie was a part. I liked an outdoor/wilderness thriller and this fit the bill. It kept me engaged at a good pace and was fairly true to the S & R protocols.
Though I'm glad I read this book, my disappointment was with the incredulity of the romance and the almost juvenile dialogue of the main character. Using the word "cute" to describe a deputy 3 times in a page and a half kind of turned my stomach sour. If I wasn't positive of it before, I was then sure that M.L. Rowland was a female. There is nothing wrong with that, female authors like S.J. Rozan, C.S. Harris, and Nevada Barr are in my regular reading rotation. Still this one was obvious in a way that was not as pleasing to this male reader. Others probably love this writing style. I do plan on reading the next book in this series which tells you it's strengths win out.
Though I'm glad I read this book, my disappointment was with the incredulity of the romance and the almost juvenile dialogue of the main character. Using the word "cute" to describe a deputy 3 times in a page and a half kind of turned my stomach sour. If I wasn't positive of it before, I was then sure that M.L. Rowland was a female. There is nothing wrong with that, female authors like S.J. Rozan, C.S. Harris, and Nevada Barr are in my regular reading rotation. Still this one was obvious in a way that was not as pleasing to this male reader. Others probably love this writing style. I do plan on reading the next book in this series which tells you it's strengths win out.
November 7, 2017
Thanksgiving in the San Raphael mountains in southern California, 100 miles east of LA. Movie actors are on a hike when suddenly the bodyguard of the male star tries to kill them all. The star survives but does not return, so the search and rescue team is called. Gracie Kinkaid is a member of the team. The bodyguard turns out to be a mass murderer from Serbia. His motives for killing are not clear, but Gracie locates the star and spends two nights with him in a tent during a blizzard. The Serbian is swept away in an avalanche. Far fetched but not too bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2020
WOW and double WOW! This adventure thriller grabs you by the throat from the first chapter and doesn't let go until the epilogue. Gracie Kinkaid is one tough heroine. Ms. Rowland certainly knows how to make a debut. I don't know if books 2 and 3 can live up to this, but I certainly plan on finding out.
April 6, 2022
Suspenseful story of survival
This story of an ill fated hike is a page turner. Fascinating details of search and rescue volunteers are woven into various storylines. War criminals, the effects of child abuse, and the incredible fight to survive make for a wild ride for the reader.
This story of an ill fated hike is a page turner. Fascinating details of search and rescue volunteers are woven into various storylines. War criminals, the effects of child abuse, and the incredible fight to survive make for a wild ride for the reader.
January 2, 2025
I found this book at a thrift store for $0.25! What a gem! I thoroughly enjoyed the book, it was thrilling, on the edge of your cold seat and heart pounding. Gracie kinkaid is a badass of a main character and I loved the premise of the book. I was excited to see the next 2 in the series are on kindle unlimited! I’ll be back for Gracie kinkaid!
Read
September 15, 2020Heavy on the SAR (why do they cap the middle A?). Not a whodunnit but a howcatchem, with plenty of character angst on the side, to enjoy ... or not ... which I found tolerable.
To the point of calling up the sequel on my next moth's selections.
To the point of calling up the sequel on my next moth's selections.
June 26, 2017
Short chapters helped move the story along. A fairly predictable story, but I enjoyed it all the same.
July 22, 2017
One of those books that kept me up past my bedtime.
January 27, 2020
It was a very good thriller but I was probably about halfway through the book b4 I got to the good part.
July 7, 2022
Have a blanket near by when reading.
November 7, 2025
Just a brief mention of Thanksgiving.
March 15, 2017
Probably more like 3-1/2. The book was good but not great. I would not classify it as a mystery; it was definitely more of a thriller (without a lot of thrill). I was never bored while reading it but it wasn't really compelling either, at least not until the last 60 or so pages. I really liked Gracie as a character; I liked her strength and her attitude. Given the blurb of the book, I was surprised at how slow paced the book felt, though it didn't feel like it dragged. I can't explain it except to say I was a bit underwhelmed, though not sorry I read it. Doubt I will continue with the series though.
March 11, 2014
This is a classic thriller, a story of the hunted and the hunter. The reader knows almost from the beginning who the hunter is but the intended victims only slowly figure it out. The setting is a search and rescue mission in the mountains of southern California—ultimately during a blizzard. Gracie Kinkaid is sent out with fellow SAR member to search for a lost hiking party, one of whom is a famous British movie star. Gracie tracks, while Steve Cashman forges on ahead. The weather is worsening—cold moving in. They find blood and then, down a canyon, the missing movie star who cannot remember what happened but has a broken or badly sprained ankle and cannot be moved without enough people for a litter. None of the small party of four are around.
Shifting points of view add to the tension.
Mostly the reader is with Gracie and Rob the movie star, but some sections shift to Diana, a young actress who recognizes another member of the group and is almost irrationally terrified. Diana takes off on her own, hiding off the main trail so she will not be found. Then there's Joseph, Rob's personal trainer who turns out to be a skilled killer, the kind of man who enjoys killing—slowly. He is older and not as able to stay immobile for hours as he once was, but he is actively plotting his murders. Finally, there's Ralph, the SAR team leader who stays in the headquarters trailer, anxious because he hears nothing from his team and because, though widowed and older, he really cares about Gracie.
Because they are out of range of radio contact, Cashman leaves to find service and report that they've found the actor. Gracie expects him back within three hours at the most, but the hours stretch into two days and the dawn of a third. She is left alone with Rob, and she is worried ... okay, scared to death.
If it weren't for Gracie's extensive survival skills she could be the heroine of an amateur sleuth mystery. She is dissatisfied with herself, has no life, and builds prickly emotional walls to protect herself from involvement with other people. But she knows how to build a fire, how to construct a shelter, has basic EMT skills, and, above all, how to make sure she and the person in her care survives.
Rob is not, as she expects, a puffed-up egotistic actor. Instead he's down to earth in a quirky British way and the repartee between the two of them is one of the most outstanding parts of the book. Forced to share a sleeping bag for warmth, Gracie warns him that "I'm not getting naked or anything," to which he replies "Pity."
Eventually they become close, not just physically but also emotionally. Passages that fuel the tension mix with passages of nervous waiting and conversations between Rob and Gracie, as they explore each other's personalities and limits, draws the reader into their life stories.
Meanwhile, Joseph is out there looking for them; he too is skilled at survival and tracking. Which one will triumph? Which one will even survive? No spoilers here, but it doesn't turn out quite as you'd expect. M. L. Rowland apparently is thoroughly familiar with SAR operations so that reading this book is a lesson in survival and innovation. Did you know that you can survive for a long time without food but not water? That when you're hungry MRE tastes pretty good? So, as Rob finds out, does watery weak tea without milk.
If you like tension and the outdoors and you like to be scared as you read, this is the book for you. Good news for fans: this is the first in a planned Search and Rescue Mission Series. Gracie apparently has lots more people to save. Through this adventure she has softened and grown emotionally so she should be even better the next time around.
by Judy Alter
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
Shifting points of view add to the tension.
Mostly the reader is with Gracie and Rob the movie star, but some sections shift to Diana, a young actress who recognizes another member of the group and is almost irrationally terrified. Diana takes off on her own, hiding off the main trail so she will not be found. Then there's Joseph, Rob's personal trainer who turns out to be a skilled killer, the kind of man who enjoys killing—slowly. He is older and not as able to stay immobile for hours as he once was, but he is actively plotting his murders. Finally, there's Ralph, the SAR team leader who stays in the headquarters trailer, anxious because he hears nothing from his team and because, though widowed and older, he really cares about Gracie.
Because they are out of range of radio contact, Cashman leaves to find service and report that they've found the actor. Gracie expects him back within three hours at the most, but the hours stretch into two days and the dawn of a third. She is left alone with Rob, and she is worried ... okay, scared to death.
If it weren't for Gracie's extensive survival skills she could be the heroine of an amateur sleuth mystery. She is dissatisfied with herself, has no life, and builds prickly emotional walls to protect herself from involvement with other people. But she knows how to build a fire, how to construct a shelter, has basic EMT skills, and, above all, how to make sure she and the person in her care survives.
Rob is not, as she expects, a puffed-up egotistic actor. Instead he's down to earth in a quirky British way and the repartee between the two of them is one of the most outstanding parts of the book. Forced to share a sleeping bag for warmth, Gracie warns him that "I'm not getting naked or anything," to which he replies "Pity."
Eventually they become close, not just physically but also emotionally. Passages that fuel the tension mix with passages of nervous waiting and conversations between Rob and Gracie, as they explore each other's personalities and limits, draws the reader into their life stories.
Meanwhile, Joseph is out there looking for them; he too is skilled at survival and tracking. Which one will triumph? Which one will even survive? No spoilers here, but it doesn't turn out quite as you'd expect. M. L. Rowland apparently is thoroughly familiar with SAR operations so that reading this book is a lesson in survival and innovation. Did you know that you can survive for a long time without food but not water? That when you're hungry MRE tastes pretty good? So, as Rob finds out, does watery weak tea without milk.
If you like tension and the outdoors and you like to be scared as you read, this is the book for you. Good news for fans: this is the first in a planned Search and Rescue Mission Series. Gracie apparently has lots more people to save. Through this adventure she has softened and grown emotionally so she should be even better the next time around.
by Judy Alter
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
March 20, 2016
M. L. Rowland's debut thriller in her new Search and Rescue (SAR) Mystery series, Zero-Degree Murder. is addicting. In this story's first installment, Gracie Kinkaid, fiercely independent as well as highly-competent SAR team member, must brave the freezing temperatures of the California mountains to rescue a team of hikers who never returned from an afternoon trek. What should have been a simple matter of locating them and guiding them home turns into a race against a murderer intent on hiding his identity by killing everyone on the mountain. The story is told through the eyes of several characters, giving us a well-rounded idea of the stress accompanying everyone's part in this drama. This is the only downside of the story: Some of the characters are there solely for reactions to events--though probably also to build their background for future books in the series. As a result, they slow the story down a bit. It didn't make me stop reading, just rushed me through the scenes more than Rowland would have liked--and it's the only reason I gave it a 4. I suspect Rowland has fixed this in future novels.
Gracie Kinkaid is a wonderful character. She's smart, clever, loud-mouthed, with instincts that guide her through what for anyone else would be sure death. She is authentic and endearing with enough flaws to be completely lovable. She is between jobs, but instead of worrying how to pay her bills, she is enjoying her freedom. The only thing she really gets along with is Nature and Nature, through Gracie's eyes, is stunning:
"...followed the trail as it meandered along the natural contours of the mountain. In, out, and in again. Rising, falling, then rising again. ...On the steep canyon walls above and below the trail, their headlamps spotlighted curl-leaf mountain mahogany and huge mounds of manzanita with smooth bark as deep and rich in color as venous blood. All around them, the eerie skeletons of dead pine trees loomed..."
Throughout, Rowland tells the story with a bright sense of humor that lightens even the direst of circumstances. When discussing how the newly fallen snow could hide Gracie's location from the killer who's tracking her, she adds:
"And that the man would slip and fall and break his f***ing neck."
OK. Maybe that's my morbid, thriller-hungry side showing.
Thanks to Rowland's real-life experience in Search and Rescue, the details of how Gracie not only survives but thrives whatever Nature throws at her comes across as not only authentic but scintillating, albeit bitterly cold. Scenes like this are typical:
"Breathing in through her nose, she [Gracie] planted the end of her ice axe, kicked a step in the snow and placed her foot until her crampons grabbed. Then, while breathing out through her mouth, she pushed up, straightening her leg and momentarily resting the muscle. Then she took another breath and another step. Another breath. Another step."
You see what I mean--I can't wait to read the next two books in the series.
Gracie Kinkaid is a wonderful character. She's smart, clever, loud-mouthed, with instincts that guide her through what for anyone else would be sure death. She is authentic and endearing with enough flaws to be completely lovable. She is between jobs, but instead of worrying how to pay her bills, she is enjoying her freedom. The only thing she really gets along with is Nature and Nature, through Gracie's eyes, is stunning:
"...followed the trail as it meandered along the natural contours of the mountain. In, out, and in again. Rising, falling, then rising again. ...On the steep canyon walls above and below the trail, their headlamps spotlighted curl-leaf mountain mahogany and huge mounds of manzanita with smooth bark as deep and rich in color as venous blood. All around them, the eerie skeletons of dead pine trees loomed..."
Throughout, Rowland tells the story with a bright sense of humor that lightens even the direst of circumstances. When discussing how the newly fallen snow could hide Gracie's location from the killer who's tracking her, she adds:
"And that the man would slip and fall and break his f***ing neck."
OK. Maybe that's my morbid, thriller-hungry side showing.
Thanks to Rowland's real-life experience in Search and Rescue, the details of how Gracie not only survives but thrives whatever Nature throws at her comes across as not only authentic but scintillating, albeit bitterly cold. Scenes like this are typical:
"Breathing in through her nose, she [Gracie] planted the end of her ice axe, kicked a step in the snow and placed her foot until her crampons grabbed. Then, while breathing out through her mouth, she pushed up, straightening her leg and momentarily resting the muscle. Then she took another breath and another step. Another breath. Another step."
You see what I mean--I can't wait to read the next two books in the series.
June 20, 2014
Title: Zero-Degree Murder - A Search And Rescue Mystery Book 1
Author: M L Rowland
Publisher: Berkley Crime Drama
Published: 11-11-2014
ISBN: 9780425263662
E-Book: B00COOFQOA
Pages: 304
Genre: Mystery
Tags: Thriller, Suspense, Women Sleuths
Sensual Level: Mild
Overall Rating: Great
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Reviewer: DelAnne
There is no such thing as a holiday for those who are members of a search and rescue team; as Gracie Kinkaid is well aware. This Thanksgiving she and Steve Cashman are sent out to find a party of four missing hikers. With a blizzard approaching they manage to find one, the well known actor Rob Christian. They find shelter for themselves and the injured Rob before Steve heads out looking for help taking the radio with him. Remaining behind to take care of Rob, Gracie realizes Rob's story of being attacked and seeing someone murdered are real. The killer now is coming after Rob and anyone who gets in the way of his prey.
From the first word to the last Zero-Degree Murder - A Search And Rescue Mystery Book 1 is jam packed with action and suspense. I found M. L. Rowland's style so easy to follow and reminiscent of Navada Barr's Anna Pigeon series; another of my favorite authors that gives us glimpses of their areas of expertise. I read that M. L. Rowland had experience in search and rescue and could not wait to read this book to learn more about these people who risk their lives to help strangers. Much like Ms. Barr's work, Ms. Rowland has taken to time to give us an understanding of the effort and dedication Gracie and other members of the Timber Creek SAR are required to give to always be prepared to act at a moment's notice.
The danger and suspense in this story kept me involved until the final scene. I will definitely enjoy reading the next book in the series Murder Off The Beaten Path. I can hardly wait for its release in October 2014. If you want to find a new series filled with strong, well-developed characters; an intriguing story that leaves you waiting to learn more of their lives, then this is the story and series for you. Start your adventure today and pick up a copy of Zero-Degree Murder - A Search And Rescue Mystery. You will not be disappointed.
Author: M L Rowland
Publisher: Berkley Crime Drama
Published: 11-11-2014
ISBN: 9780425263662
E-Book: B00COOFQOA
Pages: 304
Genre: Mystery
Tags: Thriller, Suspense, Women Sleuths
Sensual Level: Mild
Overall Rating: Great
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Reviewer: DelAnne
There is no such thing as a holiday for those who are members of a search and rescue team; as Gracie Kinkaid is well aware. This Thanksgiving she and Steve Cashman are sent out to find a party of four missing hikers. With a blizzard approaching they manage to find one, the well known actor Rob Christian. They find shelter for themselves and the injured Rob before Steve heads out looking for help taking the radio with him. Remaining behind to take care of Rob, Gracie realizes Rob's story of being attacked and seeing someone murdered are real. The killer now is coming after Rob and anyone who gets in the way of his prey.
From the first word to the last Zero-Degree Murder - A Search And Rescue Mystery Book 1 is jam packed with action and suspense. I found M. L. Rowland's style so easy to follow and reminiscent of Navada Barr's Anna Pigeon series; another of my favorite authors that gives us glimpses of their areas of expertise. I read that M. L. Rowland had experience in search and rescue and could not wait to read this book to learn more about these people who risk their lives to help strangers. Much like Ms. Barr's work, Ms. Rowland has taken to time to give us an understanding of the effort and dedication Gracie and other members of the Timber Creek SAR are required to give to always be prepared to act at a moment's notice.
The danger and suspense in this story kept me involved until the final scene. I will definitely enjoy reading the next book in the series Murder Off The Beaten Path. I can hardly wait for its release in October 2014. If you want to find a new series filled with strong, well-developed characters; an intriguing story that leaves you waiting to learn more of their lives, then this is the story and series for you. Start your adventure today and pick up a copy of Zero-Degree Murder - A Search And Rescue Mystery. You will not be disappointed.
December 7, 2014
Zero Degree Murder by M.L. Rowland is a breath of fresh air in the cozy genre. This is not your usual bake off with the one of the judges dying cozy. This is new territory and I love it.
Gracie Kincaid is an experienced and very knowledgeable search and rescue worker for Timber Creek in Southern California and Rescue. She was getting ready for stay at home Thanksgiving but got a call for what seemed to be a routine rescue. She is perturbed when she is not named the person in charge on the two person rescue team. She has to play second fiddle to Steve Cashman who is a publicity hound. A well-known Hollywood star and several others are missing. The author has loads of experience in search and rescue and it comes out in her book. I loved the many survival tips that would artfully weaved into the story. Will never forget the pillows made from pine needles and bread bags. I hope to never be in a situation where I have to worry about being rescued but this book made me feel more confident!
Of course there is a villain, one of the party is a mean man using an alias and he really makes you hate him. I really liked the portrayal of the British movie star, Rob. He is portrayed tenderly and with humor. Another character in this cozy is Mother Nature. I love how Gracie takes the time to just stand and look at the beauty of the snow on the mountains. Gracie does not stupidly get herself into danger like some women in cozies like breaking into people’s houses. She has to use her intelligence and her determination to survive and protect her rescued person. Her family background is disclosed in conversations between herself and Rob. She is feisty and great heroine. I will love to read more about her in the future books. I felt sad to have this book end. I really enjoy the vicarious adrenaline rush when she fought the bad guy.
I highly recommend this book for someone who is looking for something new in cozies.
Gracie Kincaid is an experienced and very knowledgeable search and rescue worker for Timber Creek in Southern California and Rescue. She was getting ready for stay at home Thanksgiving but got a call for what seemed to be a routine rescue. She is perturbed when she is not named the person in charge on the two person rescue team. She has to play second fiddle to Steve Cashman who is a publicity hound. A well-known Hollywood star and several others are missing. The author has loads of experience in search and rescue and it comes out in her book. I loved the many survival tips that would artfully weaved into the story. Will never forget the pillows made from pine needles and bread bags. I hope to never be in a situation where I have to worry about being rescued but this book made me feel more confident!
Of course there is a villain, one of the party is a mean man using an alias and he really makes you hate him. I really liked the portrayal of the British movie star, Rob. He is portrayed tenderly and with humor. Another character in this cozy is Mother Nature. I love how Gracie takes the time to just stand and look at the beauty of the snow on the mountains. Gracie does not stupidly get herself into danger like some women in cozies like breaking into people’s houses. She has to use her intelligence and her determination to survive and protect her rescued person. Her family background is disclosed in conversations between herself and Rob. She is feisty and great heroine. I will love to read more about her in the future books. I felt sad to have this book end. I really enjoy the vicarious adrenaline rush when she fought the bad guy.
I highly recommend this book for someone who is looking for something new in cozies.
January 25, 2014
Making the reader feel like they are in the middle of the action is a sure-fired way to draw them in and make them want to read more.
Author M.L. Rowland does an excellent job of this in the first installment in her new Search and Rescue Mystery series. ZERO-DEGREE MURDER grabs the reader and holds their attention until the very end.
Search and rescue expert Gracie Kinkaid is familiar with working on holidays as a volunteer for Timber Creek Search and Rescue. When four hikers are reported missing on Thanksgiving, Gracie and her partner, Steve, gear up and head out.
An early season blizzard makes the search more difficult. They finally locate one of the missing group, famous actor Rob Christian. All Christian recalls is being attacked by someone. Steve goes to get backup taking their only radio and leaving Gracie to care for the injured Christian. Gracie has to use her expertise to keep them both alive as she comes to realize there really is a killer lurking somewhere on the mountain with them.
Rowland, using her extensive rescue background and an eye for details, brings the scene to life. Readers can feel the cold, isolation and terror as the story unfolds. The story flows smoothly with twists and turns keeping on the edge of your seat guessing what will happen next.
The characters are well-balanced, likable and very realistic. The protagonist is spunky and fearless when needed, but with her own flaws. The interaction among the search and rescue group plays out well and gives the story depth.
ZERO-DEGREE MURDER is a tantalizing debut for a stunning new series providing readers with information and entertainment values. Gracie is a courageous protagonist you’ll want to see again and again.
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
Author M.L. Rowland does an excellent job of this in the first installment in her new Search and Rescue Mystery series. ZERO-DEGREE MURDER grabs the reader and holds their attention until the very end.
Search and rescue expert Gracie Kinkaid is familiar with working on holidays as a volunteer for Timber Creek Search and Rescue. When four hikers are reported missing on Thanksgiving, Gracie and her partner, Steve, gear up and head out.
An early season blizzard makes the search more difficult. They finally locate one of the missing group, famous actor Rob Christian. All Christian recalls is being attacked by someone. Steve goes to get backup taking their only radio and leaving Gracie to care for the injured Christian. Gracie has to use her expertise to keep them both alive as she comes to realize there really is a killer lurking somewhere on the mountain with them.
Rowland, using her extensive rescue background and an eye for details, brings the scene to life. Readers can feel the cold, isolation and terror as the story unfolds. The story flows smoothly with twists and turns keeping on the edge of your seat guessing what will happen next.
The characters are well-balanced, likable and very realistic. The protagonist is spunky and fearless when needed, but with her own flaws. The interaction among the search and rescue group plays out well and gives the story depth.
ZERO-DEGREE MURDER is a tantalizing debut for a stunning new series providing readers with information and entertainment values. Gracie is a courageous protagonist you’ll want to see again and again.
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
July 26, 2016
I am a long-time Nevada Barr and Anna Pigeon fan. I love the outdoors, strong female characters, and survival tales. Zero-Degree Murder satisfied all these cravings of mine. Gracie is a complex character. She's smart, she's brave, and I definitely want her on my team the next time I head out for the middle of nowhere. That woman knows how to pack and how to track. She's also a bit of a puzzle. Why would someone so smart and capable insist on working a series of dead-end jobs that are well beneath her abilities? The author slowly answers this question throughout the book.
Outdoors fans are going to love the setting-- high mountains, treacherous terrain, and deadly weather. Watching Gracie handle all this the old-fashioned way is a treat. Rowland does an excellent job of creating tension, and her sense of pace is spot on. Moreover, she not only surrounds her main character in mystery, the killer's identity and motivations are hidden from view for much of the book. What glimpses of the killer Rowland lets us see heighten our sense of danger and urgency.
All in all, I was thrilled with this book. The only small quibble I had with it is that-- although I know it's done for the benefit of Gracie's character-- the relationship that springs up between her and the actor seemed unnecessary. Like I said, it's a very small quibble, and I can't wait for the next book in the series. There's more to learn about Gracie, there's more to learn about Ralph... and there's definitely more adventure to be experienced. If you're a Nevada Barr fan like me, I think you're going to love this book.
Outdoors fans are going to love the setting-- high mountains, treacherous terrain, and deadly weather. Watching Gracie handle all this the old-fashioned way is a treat. Rowland does an excellent job of creating tension, and her sense of pace is spot on. Moreover, she not only surrounds her main character in mystery, the killer's identity and motivations are hidden from view for much of the book. What glimpses of the killer Rowland lets us see heighten our sense of danger and urgency.
All in all, I was thrilled with this book. The only small quibble I had with it is that-- although I know it's done for the benefit of Gracie's character-- the relationship that springs up between her and the actor seemed unnecessary. Like I said, it's a very small quibble, and I can't wait for the next book in the series. There's more to learn about Gracie, there's more to learn about Ralph... and there's definitely more adventure to be experienced. If you're a Nevada Barr fan like me, I think you're going to love this book.
August 10, 2016
Gracie is an interesting hero. She’s rough around the edges, not sophisticated, sort of socially inept, has trouble keeping a job... in other words, kind of a mess as a person. Search-and-rescue is the one area she really shines. The one place she feels comfortable and in control.
There are some demons in her past that contribute to her drive to be good at search-and-rescue. This is similar to the SAR heroine in Last Chance Rescue (her demons are related to her time as an Army medic), so I couldn’t help but like Gracie!
The author achieved a good balance of interaction between Gracie and Rob versus ‘external’ action to force the characters to move and change. I enjoyed the slow build-up of attraction as we got to know them at the same time they were getting to know each other.
Also, good characterization of various SAR members - they’re not all perfect heroes, egos and sexism get in the way. A good mix of search-and-rescue terminology and processes - just enough to be interesting, not so much that it bogged down the story.
The climax was excellent. I loved it. The ending was also a nice change. Not exactly HEA, slightly more realistic, and I liked how Rob, especially, seemed to be impacted by the events that took place.
The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star read was the question of motivation and some loose strings that weren’t ‘tied up’ at the end. WHY did the bad guy want to kill the famous actor so badly? How did the bad guy kill one person in front of two others and how did those two get away?
There are some demons in her past that contribute to her drive to be good at search-and-rescue. This is similar to the SAR heroine in Last Chance Rescue (her demons are related to her time as an Army medic), so I couldn’t help but like Gracie!
The author achieved a good balance of interaction between Gracie and Rob versus ‘external’ action to force the characters to move and change. I enjoyed the slow build-up of attraction as we got to know them at the same time they were getting to know each other.
Also, good characterization of various SAR members - they’re not all perfect heroes, egos and sexism get in the way. A good mix of search-and-rescue terminology and processes - just enough to be interesting, not so much that it bogged down the story.
The climax was excellent. I loved it. The ending was also a nice change. Not exactly HEA, slightly more realistic, and I liked how Rob, especially, seemed to be impacted by the events that took place.
The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star read was the question of motivation and some loose strings that weren’t ‘tied up’ at the end. WHY did the bad guy want to kill the famous actor so badly? How did the bad guy kill one person in front of two others and how did those two get away?
May 17, 2014
Zero-Degree Murder is the first book in the Search and Rescue Mystery series. On Thanksgiving day, the Timber Creek Search and Rescue team is called out to search for four hikers who didn't return from their hike up Aspen Spring Trail on Mount San Raphael. It has turned into a high profile rescue due to one of the hikers being Rob Christian who is a very famous actor. Grace Kinkaid and Steve Cashman are the rescue team with Ralph Hunter staying at the Control Center.
This book read very fast for me because it held my interest from page 1 to the end. I fought the urge to look ahead to find out what was going to happen. It was a story of survival from the harsh environment which included terrain and weather and a killer on the hunt for the hiking group and the search and rescue team. The chapters were short and changed between scenes and characters.
I had never thought before of the skills needed for a Search and Rescue team. It was very interesting how Grace used her skills to keep her found missing person and herself alive in the harsh environment they were in. I liked the Search and Rescue aspect of the story very much. I look forward to reading the next Search and Rescue book featuring Grace Kinkaid. It was a very good read. I am glad that I had read a review of this book and decided to try it.
This book read very fast for me because it held my interest from page 1 to the end. I fought the urge to look ahead to find out what was going to happen. It was a story of survival from the harsh environment which included terrain and weather and a killer on the hunt for the hiking group and the search and rescue team. The chapters were short and changed between scenes and characters.
I had never thought before of the skills needed for a Search and Rescue team. It was very interesting how Grace used her skills to keep her found missing person and herself alive in the harsh environment they were in. I liked the Search and Rescue aspect of the story very much. I look forward to reading the next Search and Rescue book featuring Grace Kinkaid. It was a very good read. I am glad that I had read a review of this book and decided to try it.
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