Thin Ice: Capital Crime

by Nick Wilkshire

Curtis Ritchie is the only news in town when Ottawa takes the young hockey sensation first overall in the annual spring draft. But the media frenzy over the signing and the controversial trades made to secure the team's marquee player is eclipsed by news of his murder on the eve of Ritchie's rookie season. As Ottawa Major Crimes Unit investigator Jack Smith reassembles Ritchie's life, he is surprised at how much it differs from the fledgling star's clean-cut image and a list of suspects soon emerges, any one of whom had good reasons to want Ritchie dead. But there's something else about the young phenom — a secret so profound that its revelation to the wrong person could only mean Ritchie's end.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Canada

368 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2014

About the author

Nick Wilkshire is an author and lawyer based in Ottawa, Canada. The Hunt (September 2025) is his seventh novel

Reviews

[Toni Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Thin Ice” is a suspenseful police procedural set in Ottawa and revolves around the murder investigation of a rookie hockey player recently signed by the Ottawa Raftsmen.

I enjoyed reading this story adding to the appeal is the setting, Ottawa is a rich and colourful city where hockey is way of life. This is a fast-pace and dialogue driven mystery that follows two homicides detectives Jack Smith and Dave Marshall on the tail of suspects when a young hockey superstar is murdered on a morning jog.

I was tuned in from the opening page and had a hard time putting this story down. The huge cast of suspects were intriguing characters, very different on their own but all had a connection with Curtis Ritchie, the hockey sensation. As the case moved on and the investigation intensified it is evident the author is a lawyer who excels in asking questions and twisting them around to get what he wants. The story has pretty interesting police procedural and dabs somewhat into the personal life of the protagonists. This story is well written with plot twists to detail us and a great ending hard to see coming. Good pacing all through and played out by interesting characters.

You don’t need to be a fan of hockey to enjoy this book. I am not by a long shot although being Canadian it was easy to make parallels with the NHL and the Ottawa Senators ….and the shenanigans going on….

[B K · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a plesant surprise! Wasn't sure what to expect from this government lawyer, but a real breath of fresh air. Intriguing murder mystery with credible characters in a fiction/non-fiction environment (readers can quickly draw parallels with the NHL/KHL, Ottawa Senators, The Ottawa Citizen and Jason Spezza/Alexandre Daigle/Ray Emery-type characters). Can't wait to read Wilkshire's foreign affairs series!

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. One of the best mysteries I've read in a while. I'm not a huge hockey fan, but enjoyed the hockey theme and the Ottawa location. I love reading books that are set in a place I have been, and of course, I love books set in Canada. The plot twist at the end was great and I hadn't guessed who the killer was.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story told at a good pace, although I thought the narrator was a little too naive. I liked the setting in Ottawa - something different. I'd try another of this author's books.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place in Canada and is a murder mystery. It starts with the first draft pick in the hockey draft being murdered and then two detectives being assigned the case. People from the city are all concern since the hockey player was supposed to help the team in the new season and all of the players and picks that were given away for the pick. The younger detective is the one that is the guy that kind of gets them in trouble for the way he does some of his investigation. Overall though this was a good story and I really was surprised at who was the person who did the deed. I enjoyed the story very much. I got this book from net galley.

[Barry Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good police procedural set in Ottawa and concerning the gritty reality of the professional hockey world with its high pressure business of controversial trades, rivalries, rookie signings, product endorsements, and, now, murder. Jack Smith, a young homicide cop, has a full plate both professionally and personally as the case threatens both his job and his life with its myriad twists and turns. A real page turner! - BH.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st in a new series, Capital Crime. It features a police detective in Ottawa and the murder of a young hockey phenom. There is good pacing, with a number of potential suspects and motives, not revealed until the end. The story is more about the business side of hockey rather than the game itself, but it held my interest completely.

[Margaret Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous mystery. Who knew the world of hockey was competitive to the death!

[Stephanie Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed a book set in Ottawa and I didn't figure out who did it until the very end, so that makes it a good whodunit.

[Jenni Schell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an all around great mystery. I love books that make me wonder until the very end who this villain is. Great read.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a a fantastic murder mystery book and well worth the read. It kept me guessing as to who the. Ruder was right up until the end.

Well worth the five stars.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read. Well written Great story. Totally unexpected ending. Going to read this authors other books.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two of my favourite things-hockey and a mystery, what's not to love!