Frozen Lives

Coroner's Daughter #4

by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush

Dr. Emily Hartford is back in Frozen Lives, the next thrilling mystery from Jennifer Graeser Dornbush.

Chicago surgeon Emily Hartford has never quite shaken off the dust of her hometown in Michigan. She may be a professional success and have a princely boyfriend in the Windy City, but she can’t seem to let go of being “the coroner’s daughter” from Freeport.

Once again, she finds herself pulled back upstate during a wintery late March when Jeremiah—the eleven-year-old son of her best friend, Jo—goes missing on the frigid shores of Lake Michigan.

To everyone’s relief, Jeremiah turns up days later, alive and unharmed. But tensions remain high, and suspicions of every sort continue to grow. Jeremiah’s account of his abduction doesn’t add up, and Emily worries about Jo’s unraveling marriage. Jeremiah’s recovery, it turns out, is not the end of their terrifying tale. It’s just the beginning …

For moving among them is a devious, malevolent force. Sowing panic while seeking to fulfill his own twisted needs, this wolf in sheep’s clothing leaves a trail of rack and ruin, heedless of the damage in his wake … and the bodies he leaves behind.

Emily solidifies her role as the coroner’s daughter when she puzzles out this madman’s chilling machinations. Risking everything dear to her, Emily is determined to go the icy distance and end his killing spree.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Suspense, Crime, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

1 pages, Audio CD

First published October 29, 2024

About the author

Jennifer Dornbush is a screenwriter, author, international speaker and forensic specialist. As she says, “I grew up around death.”

The television or movie screen is the closest most people will ever come to witnessing the forensic world. But Jennifer was raised in it. As the daughter of a small town medical examiner whose office was in their home. There were body parts in the fridge. She investigated her first fatality, an airplane crash, when she was 8 years old. Picking up pieces of skull with her father who simply saw it as an anatomy lesson. The first of many coroner lessons she experienced over two decades.

After exploring journalism and high school teaching, Jennifer turned seriously to screenwriting where she began to connect her coroner world to her writing. She sought out a degree at the Forensic Science Academy in Los Angeles to gain more forensic training and earned a unique kinship with LA’s top CSIs, fingerprint specialists, DNA scientists and detectives.

To share her love of forensics with the writing world, she authored the top selling non-fiction authoritative book, Forensic Speak, used by not only by show-runners and writers, but also crime investigators and law enforcement.

She created an Amazon top-selling mystery novel series, The Coroner’s Daughter. The first book in the series, The Coroner, released in 2018. The second in the series, Secret Remains, released January 2020. She is developing the series for TV.

She wrote the theatrically released film and novel, God Bless the Broken Road (2018). She has developed a TV crime drama series with Echo Lake and Hoplite Entertainment. Also she adapted a popular YA novel to script and sold a children’s show.

As a forensic consultant, she is frequently asked to consult with TV writers on shows such as: Bull, Conviction, Hawaii Five-O, Leverage, Suits and Rectify. She teaches screenwriting and mentors aspiring writers.

Jennifer is a member of the Writers’ Guild of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America and FBI Citizen’s Academy Alumni.

And she has a great sense of gallows humor.

Website: www.jenniferdornbush.com

Facebook: Jennifer Graeser Dornbush
Twitter: @JGDornbush
Instagram: @JGDornbush

Newsletter & Blog Sign up: www.jenniferdornbush.com

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful new-to-me series! Frozen Lives by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush is a mystery with plenty of suspense, investigation, and family drama. Dr. Emily Hartford is a successful surgeon in Chicago, Illinois along with her boyfriend Brandon. However, she grew up in Freeport, Michigan where she was the daughter of the local coroner and helped him out when she was younger.

When Emily gets a call from her friend Jo Blakely that Jo’s son Jeremiah is missing, Emily leaves for Freeport. Arriving there, she immediately goes to the police station to talk with Detective Aditson. Jeremiah turns up a few days later, alive and seemingly unharmed. However, his account of what happened doesn’t sound right. On top of this, Jo and her husband are having marriage problems. However, the situation rapidly gets worse.

Emily is an excellent surgeon, but she’s also a great medical examiner. She has a sense of curiosity and is a bit of a risk taker, except when it comes to relationships. She has a sense of curiosity and doesn’t easily let go of her small-town connections. Brandon loves the city and doesn’t understand why Freeport appeals to Emily or why she rushes there to be with her friend. Many of the other characters are also well-defined and have depth.

The story quickly hooked me with a gripping prologue. A feeling of deep anxiety became prevalent as the story progressed, even though readers learn the identity of the antagonist halfway through the novel. The antagonist’s mental illness has a terrifying realism that is memorable and chilling. This riveting mystery kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. What an ending! It was foreshadowed and I guessed what was coming, but I was happy to see I was right despite a bit of a cliffhanger ending. I can’t wait to see where the author takes the story next. Threads include marriage, missing individuals, friendship, romance, family drama, and much more.

Overall, this was an intense, suspenseful, and engaging mystery. Exceptional characters, intense and emotional events, and multiple conflicts kept me rapidly turning the pages. The story exceeded my expectations. While this is the fourth book in the Coroner’s Daughter series, it can be read as a standalone. However, it does have some spoilers that might affect the enjoyment if you plan to read the earlier novels. Despite this, I want to read the others. They should add depth to Emily’s background and relationships with those in Freeport. This new-to-me author has me hooked on the characters, solid mysteries, and her excellent writing. Readers who enjoy mysteries with great characterization and excellent writing will likely enjoy this series.

Blackstone Publishing and Jennifer Graeser Dornbush provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for October 29, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------------
My 4.43 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[Crystal McHenry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much. It’s not perfect, but is like a warm cup of soup on a cold day for my true crime loving self.

[Michelle (Murder Books and Wine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was beyond excited to get the chance to review the 4th book in the Coroner's Daughter series! I absolutely LOVE the characters in the series, especially Emily Hartford, a smart and dedicated surgeon working in Chicago. Book #3 left us with Emily running a surgery center with her now Ex-Fiancé Brandon. The ups and downs between these two is a roller coaster of events and we finally get some closure as to where this relationship is going. Although Emily is very successful in Chicago, a big piece of her heart is in Michigan. As a Michigander myself, I can honestly say, that once you live here, it's really hard to think of anyplace else as "home". Ok, yes, I'm biased, I know, I can't help it! But I digress. Emily has constantly struggled with wanting to live her best life in Chicago and the past that keeps calling her home. She grew up in a small Michigan town with a father who was the Coroner who performed autopsies in the basement of their family home. She grew up understanding death and forensics, so it's in her genes.

When her best fried Joe's 11 year old son, Jeremiah, goes missing, Emily rushes back to Michigan to be at her friend's side. Did Jeremiah accidentally fall into the cold, wintery lake Michigan while playing on the pier or did something worse happen? Emily is enthralled in helping to solve the case alongside the police. With her natural curiosity and keen ability to analyze clues, Emily is determined to help solve this mystery, and this is what makes this character so fascinating.

I don't want to give too much more away about the story, but I will tell you what I love the most. I love that the story hooks you from the Prologue, is anxiety inducing from the non-stop suspense, the twists and events that kept coming, and the intriguing cast of characters, including ex-CIA agent Delia. Delia, retired in Emily's hometown and now runs the local bakery. I have to say that I LOVE Delia and would ask Jennifer to please, PLEASE, give us a Delia story! I think her backstory and time spent in the CIA would be absolutely fascinating! (cough, cough) :)

Needless to say, my hands were sweating the whole time and did not let up until the very end, which, left us with a HUGE cliffhanger!!! WHAT????

This was a nail biter for sure!!! Not only does the story give you a must-keep-reading-cannot-put-down mystery/suspense story, you also get a story about love, friendship, family ties and what it means to do whatever it takes for the ones you love the most. Sometimes family is by blood and sometimes your closest "family" isn't blood related at all.

I cannot wait for Book #5 to be released; I will be waiting impatiently!!!

Although I am behind in providing this review, I want to thank Netgalley and Blackstone Publishers for the opportunity to review this ARC. This book is available now!

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I've done it again! This is the 4th book in the author's The Coroner's Daughter series, but it's my 1st and most definitely won't be my last. I'm highly anticipating the next book because I really need to know what happens!

Dr. Emily Hartford has a great life in Chicago with her boyfriend. But there is just something about her small hometown of Freeport, MI that keeps pulling her back. She's the coroner's daughter, and she can't seem to let go of that title. This time, it's her best friend, Jo's missing 11 year old son, Jeremiah. Luckily, he's found a few days later alive and unharmed. But he's dealing with the trauma of being taken, and his story about the abduction isn't making any sense. Emily's worried about him and for Jo, whose marriage seems to be unraveling. But that's the least of her worries when Jeremiah is taken again, but this time, so is Jo. Can they be found before something happens to them? Who would take them both? Has this person done this before?

Told in multiple POV, this book was good. It was well written and suspenseful. It definitely had me turning pages. It was entertaining, and there were a great group of characters. Emily is a great female MC, and I absolutely loved Deila's character. There was one thing that Emily did that made me completely cringe, and I didn't understand why Emily didn't go to see Jo right away after she was rescued. But I did enjoy the book and would definitely recommend it. The ending definitely has a cliffhanger, but that just means you'll have to read book 5😊

[Donna Mallery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel has a large cast of characters, namely family and best friends that are developed nicely among this terrifying mystery. While part of a series, I didn’t feel left out for not reading the prior books. While the protagonist is a doctor turned coroner, there is very little about this in the novel. It is more about a missing boy and the tragic events that follow. It was a good mystery! Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

[Kelly Bridgewater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frozen Lives by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush was a book that I could not put down. Dornbush showed who the villain is pretty early on in the novel. Normally, I do not like this when reading a suspense novel. But the way she crafted the novel, it was like watching a car wreck happen, and then stick around for the aftermath. You knew it was horrible, but you wanted to know how it played out. I wanted to know the villain’s mental issues. Why was he doing what he was doing? How long would the horrors happen before the rescue? Dornbush does a good job at leaving little clues and pushing the victims harder and harder. Emily and Brandon had to come to terms with where their relationship might be headed. If readers are familiar with the previous books, they would understand this plot line. As a word of Caution, there are some cuss words in the story, but they were spoken when a character was angry, so I just them and kept moving forward with the plot. It does help cement the anger of the person. Dornbush does leave the story in a cliff-hanger. Now I need the next book as soon as possible. I need to know answers to this ending. Overall, Frozen Lives by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush was a wonderful suspense novel. I think it was the best book in the series. I recommend this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Frozen Lives by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush from Blackstone Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frozen Lives, book four of The Coroner’s Daughter mystery series, sets its stage with early drama, hinting at a wedding and introducing a mix of friends and family. I did enjoy the Lake Michigan setting. Much of the action unfolds in Chicago, centered on the kidnapping of the main character's best friend, which initiates a complicated plot. However, despite the title featuring "coroner," my expectation for a more medically oriented plot remained unfulfilled by the narrative. The series is notably undermined by its central character, Dr. Emily Hartford. Portrayed as a surgeon, Emily instead emerges as a flighty, impulsive individual whose interventions often stretch the bounds of believability. Her responses to critical situations are frequently exaggerated, and her character is defined by an ongoing instability across her romantic pursuits, professional roles, domestic life, and personal relationships since the series' inception. The installment's ending wrapped up quickly and with an overly perfect resolution. Furthermore, the "will they or won't they" love triangle storyline was decidedly weak .2/5

[Teresa Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frozen Lives
Jennifer Graeser Dornbush
Book 4 The Coroner's Daughter Mysteries
Blackstone Publishing

What! Wow! Cliffhanger! Loved it! Need more!! Had a moment at the end Ahhhhh!!!

Full disclosure- I jumped in at Book 4. Read it easily as a stand alone and with cliffhanger at the end I knew I had to get more to tide me over until Book 5 comes out.

This was my first book by Jennifer Graeser Thornbush and it will not be my last. I immediately became so invested in Dr Emily Hartford, her family, friends, community and the people around her in Freeport, MI. All of the pieces that make her whole seem to be keeping her there.

This time, Emily is going the extra mile for her best friend Jo and her son Jeremiah have been abducted and must be found. This a fast paced read with perfect timing. There are sub plots that follow along as well (loved it) that keep the series going. Being a mother, a daughter and a sister this pulled me right in. I couldn’t stop.

I need the characters in a series to grow with each book. I do not like redundancy in a series,playing catch up or things being on repeat. I need each book to wrap most things up and who doesn’t love a cliffhanger? This series checks all of the boxes for me.

[Elizabeth McFarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good continuation of this series! It's definitely a must-read if you enjoy crime fiction and mysteries.I was intrigued and engaged from beginning to end. the excellent writing had me invested in this gripping tale of suspense and mystery. I do feel the need to mention that this one does end on a
cliffhanger.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[BookWormBecky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4

*Thank you to Partners in Crime Tours for including me on this tour!

Heartbreak, abduction, lake…

Dr. Emily Hartford returns in Frozen Lives, Book #4 of the Coroner’s Daughter series.

Emily returns to her hometown of Freeport, MI when her best friend’s son disappears. 11yo Jeremiah is found a few days later but then a series of bad events occur after his return.

Emily, Jo, and Delia were just a few of the strong female characters. I especially liked Delia.

The villain was cunning and treacherous, hiding malicious intent. He/she had his/her own wants, needs, and beliefs. Goals were elusive.

This mystery /thriller / crime fiction was a tug of war mystery. The plot was creative, suspenseful, and chilling. I was curious about how this was going to play out! Quite a cliffhanger ending!

I have not read the previous 3 books in the series but was able to follow the characters and plot. I will definitely read the next book in the series!

AVAILABLE 10/29/24.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery set in the cold north of Michigan. I like Emily as an amateur sleuth who has the help of a friend, an ex-FBI agent. Emily is sort of a non-heroine. She is a good support but it is really others who do the actual work on the abduction. I did not like Emily's over managing her relationship to Brandon. I rarely hope a romance will not happen but I did so with this novel. There was quite an emphasis on that relationship in the novel. In that respect, this novel is for readers who like about as much on the personal life of the main character as on the suspenseful mystery.

One aspect of the novel that captured my attention was how kids responded to the disappearance of a classmate. Speculation was rampant and the possible explanations were imaginative. That this novel deals with the abduction of a child may be a trigger situation for some potential readers.

I like Dornbush's writing style. She has included secondary characters to add depth to the main kidnapping plot. This is the latest in a series but it is the first I've read and I felt it read well on its own. Reading the earlier books in the series would help to better understand Emily's relationships with others in her home town, however.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Ally Chelson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not her best book. The story line seemed to branch off in 3 non-cohesive story lines. Also the mystery was kind of boring and seemed never ending. She suddenly is back with her previous dude after reconnecting with her high school love who is presumed dead. But she still would rather be with “dead” homie.

Also wine is offered to a pregnant woman, not once but twice. She seems to accept once.

Her last few chapters resembled those of her first few books and were the best chapters of the entire book. Hopefully the series wraps up soon, as it seems like the author is grabbing at story lines and really flushing them out until nothing is left.

[Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frozen Lives is the fourth book in The Coroner's Daughter series by @JGDornbush, but was my first. It won't be the last. The characters are intriguing and relatable, the story full of suspense, and the setting vivid.

The protagonist, Emily, is a surgeon in Chicago, with a caring boyfriend. Her life is full. Emily grew up in Freeport, Michigan, helping her dad who was the local coroner. She loves the connections of her hometown, and misses the lifestyle, but he is all city. A future with Brandon would mean she stays in Chicago permanently. Is that what she wants?

Emily returns home to help her friend Jo, whose son, Jeremiah, is missing. The boy turns up a few days later, but doesn't seem to remember the events, and is soon having night terrors. It doesn't help that Jo and her husband are fighting.

The story is marked by anxiety and fear, the reader worrying about what could have happened to Jeremiah. It is a nightmare that every parent has thought about. And because it is something we have actually thought about in real life the anxiety echoes in our minds, deepening and becoming louder with every page.

We don't meet the antagonist until the halfway through the book, but that doesn't mean the suspense wasn't already building. And then when we do the fear becomes all-encompassing. It is an intense, engaging and emotional story.

I will definitely be going back to book one and also looking forward to book five!

Thank you @BlackstonePublishing for my #gifted copy!

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my fourth book by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush and it definitely won't be my last! This one's told from multiple points of view and with so many characters this made it easy to get to know them and get a complete picture. The Coroner's Daughter is a great mystery series! Even though this is the fourth book you can read it as a standalone but with the cliffhanger at the end of this book you will definitely be picking up the next book! Overall this was an entertaining, suspenseful and interesting read! Thank you Partners in Crime Tours, Jennifer Graeser Dornbush and Blackstone Publishing for sharing this book with me!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the fourth installment of the series with Emily Hartford. She is now entrenched as a surgeon in a practice with her on again off again boyfriend. Or is she…? Emily finds out her best friend Jo is in a troubled marriage and suddenly Jo’s son is kidnapped. Off again she travels back to her hometown of Freeport, Michigan to help find him. From there the plot becomes darker as Emily is on the hunt for a serial killer.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could! It’s the 4th book in the series but the first one I’ve read. I will definitely be reading the backlist!!! Emily’s friend Jo’s son goes missing and Emily is there for support. I was very invested in Emily’s life and her relationships. I can’t wait for book 5, which the author promised is in process!!!

[S Picazo Page Turner 🎨📖 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[heather ‧₊˚ ☾. ⋅ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I love this series, there has to be a next one right?!

[Rebecca E Mentzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mystery. I think I will go back and read the first books of this series, hoping spoilers do not ruin my enjoyment of them having read this one out of order.

[Morag · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited when I realised that this was about to come out so I pre-ordered it on Audible then had to wait for it to arrive.
I enjoyed the first three books very much and couldn't see how the story could develop Emily's story.
This starts just where Last One Alive finishes - Emily is in the car on her way back to Chicago when she learns that the son of her best friend has disappeared.
Once again, Emily is torn between her busy life in Chicago and her old life, family and friends in Freeport.
There is tension, excitement, fun, horror, lots of water, baking, in-law tensions, and much much more. Not much coroner-ing but she remains the coroner's daughter!!

[Emily Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I really enjoyed this book!!!

It started slow and then it was pretty fast paced. I didn’t want to stop reading because I needed to find out what happened.

The characters were relatable and enduring as well.

All in all I definitely recommend this book!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The murders, town and characters are interesting. The plots is engaging. However, the love triangle and constant flip/flop between jobs is wearing on my patience. Make a fucking decision and stick with it. I don’t like indecisive ramblings that carry on through 3-4 books.

[Desirae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've devoured every installment of the Coroner's Daughter mystery series, and this latest addition is just as captivating as the rest.

In this fourth installment, we continue to follow the journey of Dr. Emily Hartford, a skilled surgeon in bustling Chicago, who also happens to be the daughter of a former coroner from the quiet town of Freeport.

When Jeremiah, the son of Emily's closest friend Jo, disappears from a Lake Michigan beach, Emily finds herself drawn back to her hometown. Although Jeremiah is eventually found alive, the small town is shaken by the suspicion that one of their own may be responsible for his disappearance, and the ordeal is far from over.

I found this book to be thoroughly satisfying, maintaining the series' trademark blend of suspense and action. Each chapter left me eager for the next, and I appreciated how Dornbush skillfully lays the groundwork for the series' conclusion in the final book.

A heartfelt thank you to Jennifer Graeser Dornbush, Blackstone Publishing, and Netgalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Mark your calendars for the release on 10/29/2024 and take note of trigger warnings for themes including serial killers, murder, kidnapping, suicide, and overdose.

Rating this 4 stars solely because I managed to predict the conclusion.

[Wendi Flint Rank (WendiReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely great! I did figure out a couple of things before
they were revealed, but I’m really hard to fool! From beginning to end I
was captivated. Right now my head is spinning as I try to construct a
proper review that is not full of spoilers. Since the book is not released
until 29 October, I have some time!
Do not miss this book. And, while it is best to read the series, most people
will enjoy this story since the Author backfills well.

[Maryann Norton-Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I kept thinking through this book was LEAVE EMILY ALONE!! This poor woman, I feel so bad for her. But very different than the first 3 books, this time Emily personally knows the missing child. And is navigating both trying to help the police and her friend. The ending did make me very happy and now the 5th book cannot come soon enough!

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frozen Lives by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush initially captured my attention with the intriguing premise of a coroner’s daughter who was practically raised in the morgue and now can’t seem to stay out of her small hometown or out of its local investigations, despite her big city career as a prominent surgeon. I wasn’t familiar with the series beforehand but the author’s engaging writing style easily drew me into the flow of this particular installment, giving me all the information I needed to feel as though I had been on board since book one. She achieves this by revealing the background layers organically to the characters & their conversations/activities, without straying into ‘info dump’ territory. Our protagonist, Dr. Emily Hartford, is relatable and vibrantly drawn, and it isn’t long before she feels like an old friend. Several compelling threads to her story do make me wish, however, that I’d met this character sooner, and I am already eagerly anticipating the next book. Especially with that ending!!!

The suspense in Frozen Lives is less ‘whodunnit’ (though there is that element at first) and more ‘how is this creep going to be brought to justice’ and ‘who will survive – and who won’t’. The varying points of view keep you absorbed in the plot and turning the pages, sometimes viscerally reacting to a scene or a chilling statement from the villain because you’ve forgotten that this is ‘just’ a story and not events you’re watching play out in front of you. It’s clear that Emily has forensics in her blood, as well as instincts made for investigation, and this push-pull between her life in Chicago and what her life could look like ‘back home’ in small town Freeport is yet another story element that compels you to keep reading.

Bottom Line: Frozen Lives by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush is a tautly-penned thriller that reads quickly, thanks to the atmospheric setting and screenworthy plot development that immerse you fully in the story and its characters. Along with the elements of psychological suspense (that will wrap icy fingers of dread around your heart), the interpersonal relationships and the exploration of love, home, and trauma will have you biting your nails from start to finish. There are a couple of pretty stunning twists involved too, so don’t get too comfy with where you might think the story is headed. Emily Hartford is a smart and layered protagonist who deserves her happily-ever-after in life and in love, and I look forward to seeing where both take her in the next book.

Reviewer’s Note: Followers of my reviews may want to be aware that, while infrequent, there are some occurrences of the s-word in this book, as well as a couple of mild curses which are also infrequent.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
first reviewed at

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling story as Dr. Emily Hartford tries to stop a kidnapper who may also be a serial killer.

Frozen Lives is the fourth book in author Jennifer Graeser Dornbush’s excellent Coroner’s Daughter Mysteries, but readers new to the series can easily catch up and enjoy this latest case. The author does a fabulous job smoothly establishing the characters’ backstories without slowing down the current action. With a strong, likable female protagonist and a riveting plot, I was so completely absorbed in what was going on that time flew by. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Successful Chicago surgeon Dr. Emily Hartford is smart and capable in her profession. With the extra skills acquired years earlier working side by side with her father, the coroner of her old hometown of Freeport, Michigan, she comes to the aid of her best friend, Jo, when her young son disappears from a local lakeshore playground. Jeremiah is found safe, but the circumstances surrounding his abduction remain shrouded in mystery, and there are indications that he may still be in danger.

Even before Jeremiah’s disappearance off the deserted beach, Jo’s life was becoming a hot mess. With three school-age children and a demanding hospital nursing job, she’s been living the tough life of a single parent because her husband, Paul, is on the road for business more than he’s home and shouldering his fair share of family responsibilities. (Later, readers will discover this situation is a common thread in the story.) Although he’s not happy with his work demands, he has refused to take steps to improve his situation, which I immediately thought was weak and suspicious.

After the events in previous books had put her engagement to her surgery clinic partner, Brandon Taylor, on hold, she has finally gotten to the point where she’s ready to get their relationship back on track, something he had been advocating for already. However, her involvement in Jo’s troubles elicited some odd comments and weird vibes from Brandon and had me questioning their fit as life partners.

The story is suspenseful and agonizing when young Jeremiah is missing, and there are several shocking twists, including an ultimate cliffhanger finale, that left me gasping. I recommend FROZEN LIVES to readers of mysteries and thrillers, especially those who would enjoy a great small-town Michigan setting and fans of the previous books in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

FROZEN LIVES (Coroner’s Daughter Mysteries Book #4) by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush is an edge-of-your-seat crime thriller/amateur sleuth mystery featuring Chicago surgeon Emily Hartford who gets pulled back to her small hometown of Freeport, Michigan when her best friend and son go missing. This is easily read as a standalone crime thriller and the author does a great job of intertwining Emily’s life from the previous books, so I never felt lost with her current relationships.

Emily is happy sharing a surgical practice in Chicago with her boyfriend, but she just cannot let go of her small town roots and all of her friends in Freeport, Michigan. She receives a call for help when her best friend Jo’s son, Jeremiah, goes missing. He is discovered a few days later unharmed, but the man who took him is still free. With accusations only ramping up the tensions in Jo’s crumbling marriage, Emily feels the need to support her friend.

As they all try to get back to a normal routine, no one knows the danger has not passed them by and it is about to become a race to find a twisted kidnapper and rescue Emily’s friends from a possible watery grave.

I could not put this book down and I am surprised that I had not read any of this series previously. If you have not either, this is a good book to jump in on because the author does a great job of giving the reader enough of Emily’s past and relationships so as not to be confusing. That said, I will be going back to read the previous three books because I enjoyed the author’s fast paced crime plot and hope the other three are just as interesting and well written. Even knowing who the kidnapper/killer is does not distract from the increasing tension and emotional involvement as the book races to a climax. I am excited to read the next book now that Emily has accepted the role she was born to have and to see what happens with her surprise personal ending.

I highly recommend this crime thriller/amateur sleuth mystery and look forward to reading more in this series.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

This fourth in the series solidifies my intent to avoid reading any further mysteries by this author. I was looking for a more medically slanted plot considering the title features the word, coroner, so this is not what I had in mind.

The series is flawed because the main character, supposedly a medical doctor and surgeon, Emily Hartford, is just a wishy washy medding mess. She's impetuous to a fault and ridiculous in the extreme with her reactions to situations and events. She has vacillated with her romances, her job, her home, and her other relationships from the beginning. Not to mention that she isn't a very good doctor and she has way too much free time to go off piste catching bad guys to really be any sort of surgeon with a position at a major medical center in Chicago. I've grown to dislike her immensely over the past 4 books so I'm done with her now.

The rest of the characters -- I could go on and on about the stereotypes. A chief irritant is the ex FBI agent now bakery owner in town who calls her doll all the time. But she still has connections. Why do the local police need Emily's assistance for a kidnapping case when she is meant to be a coroner doing autopsies or death investigations. And why did we need all that little baker nonsense.

This plot was really lame and there was no suspense and definitely no thrills. The outcome was so predictable and there were no twists or surprises or even a good rationale for any of it. That last couple of pages was a total cliche and whoever doesn't see that coming isn't paying attention.

To top it all off, I was listening to the audio book while trying to following along in the e-book ARC provided by the publisher. The editors must have done a real overhaul of this because they changed so much that I had to scramble to find my place on the pages. Unfortunately, their changes and improvements did little to change the overall truth -- this just wasn't a good story.

Anyway. I've read all four and I don't recommend the series especially if you are looking for a medical thriller with good forensic details.

[Melissa Ammons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from page one and kept me glued to the pages until the end … I read this one in a little over one sitting. It is also apparently part of a series, The Coroner’s Daughter Mystery Series, and is listed as book four. That means I have three more books to read! And … there’s book five coming out in 2025, according to her website.
The premise of this book is Jeremiah going missing, turning up again, but the nightmare for his family (Jo (mom), Paul (dad), Jessica and Jaden (sisters), doesn’t end there. Jo’s best friend, Emily (the coroner’s daughter), returns home to help look for Jeremiah, which only throws a wrench in her own relationship with Brandon. Wait until you ‘meet’ Brandon’s parents, Theresa and Valence (minor characters, really, but still …). Throw in Aditson (the cop) and you’ve got yourself a story!
Oh, I almost forgot Delia. There’s definitely a backstory there. There is more to Delia than just owning a bakery.
Don’t forget the bad guy … because there has to be one.
I really enjoyed all the tidbits of backstories that were peppered throughout these pages. And, while this is part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. There is Anna and her two daughters, Fiona and Flora, with Fiona’s dream becoming a reality (pretty cool for such a young girl). There is Emily and Brandon’s relationship, coupled with one she can’t let go of. This is one of those stories that gets you invested in the characters – rooting for the good guys, hoping the bad guys get caught. And the bad guy in this tale? Serious issues.
I liked the writing style, the pacing, the characters, the short chapters, the plans that never come to fruition. I am definitely going to be checking out the rest of this series. I also really enjoyed the fact that Emily is a professional in the medical field, as a surgeon and a budding coroner. Oh! And that ending? The perfect setup for the next book.