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Kara Hilder Mysteries #8

Murder on Winter Island

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A Valkyrie with Haphazard Magic

A Fallen Angel Seeking Redemption

An Unlikely Crime-Solving Duo



Kara is finally visiting the mysterious Winter Island. Too bad it's because of a murder. The minute she steps onto the haunted pirate ship and sails to Winter Island, she feels the dangerous and deadly pull. Determined to stay on the island, Kara finds a room at the local B&B. With Zane away in the Arctic Circle tracking down a Yeti fugitive, it's up to Kara, Link, and Savage to capture the killer on Winter Island. Between magical blizzards, an avalanche that traps the trio in an ice cave, and suspects who refuse to tell the truth, Kara must rely on her wits, fighting skills, and magic to get to the truth. Can she solve the murder without becoming the next Winter Island victim?

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2023

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About the author

Jenna St. James

144 books290 followers
Jenna writes in the genre of traditional cozy, paranormal cozy, and romantic comedy. Her humorous characters and stories revolve around over-the-top family members, creative murders, and there's always a positive element of the military in her stories. Jenna currently lives in Missouri with her fiancé, step-daughter, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever dog, Brownie, and her tuxedo-cat, Whiskey. She is a former court reporter turned educator turned full-time writer. She has a Master’s degree in Special Education and an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She also spent twelve years in full-time ministry.
When she’s not writing, Jenna likes to attend beer and wine tastings, go antiquing, visit craft festivals, and spend time with her family and friends. You can friend request her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjennas... or catch her on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/authorjennas.... Check out her website at http://www.jennastjames.com/. Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter so you can keep up with the latest releases!

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5 stars
545 (72%)
4 stars
154 (20%)
3 stars
51 (6%)
2 stars
3 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Starr Perry.
569 reviews3 followers
February 19, 2026
frozen fun

Kara the Valkyrie is with Link her pixie pal and Savage her feline companion in book 8 while Zane, her boyfriend and detective partner, is in the artic, chasing down a different bad guy.

So when PADA calls to investigate a murder on Winter Island, Kara, Link, and Savage as a team to find the killer. All sorts of mayhem ensue, to be expected in an island of magicals with a pst history of misdeeds to hide.

The fun is in the characters and their relationships, and Kara, Link and Savage and are a hoot and a half together. The cameos of Rota, Valkyrie grandmother to Kara when she pops in and out of the story are priceless and of course the continuing love story for Kara and Zane are iconic, and are wonderfully woven throughout the novels. As book 8 nears the end, with the near catastrophic incident for the investigators and Kara, Link and Savage finding shelter and coming up with a plan. The action heightens, more assistance arrives and then the groups confronts the murderer, ending the novel on a truly high note, and this an absolutely worthwhile read
Profile Image for Miss W Book Reviews.
1,872 reviews155 followers
September 14, 2023
Murder on Winter Island is Book 8 in the Kara Hilder Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series.

I love this series. In this book, Kara is called to Winter Island to investigate a homicide.
Unfortunately, her partner and boyfriend Zane is out of town, and she takes Link and Savage along.

Honestly, this was so good. I loved the banter between Link and Savage. It was so well done.
The characters were different, and I enjoyed a different setting. It was so cold on Winter Island I felt cold reading it. That is where the author really pulls you into the story in such a way it is hard to put the book down.

The mystery really got me until the very end. I was really surprised who the culprit was.

Such a fantastic book in one of my favorite series.

Can't wait for more, and OH a spin off was alluded to, which I can't for!
Profile Image for JoAn.
2,521 reviews1 follower
October 4, 2023
Another great addition by Ms. St.James for this cozy paranormal mystery series. Kara takes an assignment on Winter Island while Zane is away. She takes Link and Savage with her to investigate the murder. The banter between Link and Savage is hilarious. It was fun to read about Kara in this new setting which came to life thanks to Ms. St.James' descriptive writing. A swiftly paced plot, several suspects, few clues as there is no forensics that can be done this time and enough red herrings to keep me guessing. I love this series and eagerly look forward to the next one.
1,435 reviews2 followers
January 31, 2024
This is a cute series. A very fast read with a true (paranormal) cozy mystery set up. In this book Kara was investigating the murder without Zane - who was involved in another investigation. Kara, however; did some truly dumb stuff. Her trek in the beginning of a blizzard, when every experienced townie was telling her not to go was just one of them. Having Link and Savage with her during that trek (especially Savage) seemed even stranger. Overall, it was ok just a little frustrating in spots.
Profile Image for Margery.
1,005 reviews14 followers
September 4, 2023
Wow, action from the beginning takes Kara, Link and even Savage to an island where it is winter all the time. The coats given to Link and Savage are hysterical! Let us just say pink, yellow, purple and sparkles, needlessly make Savage grumpier than normal. One would think a small island with a small population would make solving who committed murder easy. Not on a magical island! Rhoda to the rescue and all is well, until PADA calls. Now we need to wait for their next journey!!
Profile Image for Monica.
1,139 reviews
September 10, 2023
Another great one by Jenna St. James. Kara must go solve a case without Zane or her local friends. With the help of Link and her cat, they take off for Winter Island. Wonderful to see Kara shine on her own with the unlikely help of her not so friendly cat. Great location. Great teamwork. Great mystery. Hints of another spinoff. I can’t wait!
Profile Image for Lee Brothers.
1,441 reviews15 followers
September 7, 2023
I love a book that's interesting and entertaining; that I have to think about and try and figure things out. This book had me laughing and enjoying the banter between Savage and Link. It's a great book to read!!
2,274 reviews3 followers
September 28, 2023
Loved!

With Zane on assignment, Rota sends Kara, Link, and her cat, Savage to investigate a murder on Winter's Island.

Wait until you see how many supernaturals can lie!

A great series!
Profile Image for Dragonfly.
106 reviews
September 29, 2023
Book 8 in the Kara Hilder mystery series starts quickly into the story and continues to the unexpected ending. With Link and Savage as Kara's partners on this case, the bantering is funny and constant. New characters are introduced while Kara continues to develop into her role as a detective.
Profile Image for Kristi.
284 reviews2 followers
April 2, 2024
Kara Link Savage investigate a murder

I love that Savage went with Kara and Link to investigate. Island that gets blizzard every night at 7 pm ride a pirate ship that sails in air over frozen ice . lot of suspects in this murder good who dun it .
Profile Image for Kirk.
644 reviews3 followers
May 31, 2025
Phenomenal reads!!

Jenna St. James is such a fantastic writer! I can’t read her books fast enough!
OtherWorld characters, well written murder mysteries, and awesome murderers!
These books are just long enough, plenty of adventures, too!
I highly recommend these books!
58 reviews
November 4, 2023
Fun

These books are a lot of fun and very enjoyable. You’ll love the whole series. Can’t wait for the next installment.
Profile Image for Amanda Jane.
1,337 reviews11 followers
November 18, 2023
Ice cold murder

Kara is called to Winter Island to solve a murder case. It's really basic stuff... not really fleshed out... could be so much more
829 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2023
winter

Great book fun characters I’m really enjoying this series. I was hoping someone else was the bad guy but that is how it goes
Profile Image for Jessica King.
90 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2024
Such a great story!!

I just LOVE these Kara Holder books!!! They are the PERFECT quick read!! You are going to be totally entertained!!
Profile Image for Stephen Levesque.
2,949 reviews
March 23, 2024
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
746 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2025
Murder on Winter Island

Glad she had her mermaid tail the thought of that cold water was more than I could take. Not comfortable at all.
1,038 reviews
September 24, 2025
A very "cold" case

Zane is on another assignment when Kara is called to Winter Island to solve a murder. Good mix of snarky humor and suspenseful danger.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews