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Cold to the Touch
10 hours, 11 minutes
American Predator meets Harlan Coben in this taut, ticking-clock thriller in which women are being kidnapped and murdered in a remote corner of Alaska.
When the body of a barista is found in the once-pristine Alaskan snow, Anchorage homicide detective DeHavilland Beans is gutted to recognize the young woman, Jolene. He’d bought coffee from her every morning and knew her as a bright college student working her way through school. Devastated by the murder and by the life cut short, Beans vows to find the killer.
Since scavengers damaged the body, obtaining any usable evidence is impossible, even with the assistance of wildlife expert Raisa Ingalls, Beans’s ex. When the body of another woman is found, a serial killer is suspected and the FBI joins the hunt.
After a third body turns up, Beans is desperate to find the killer—especially when another woman goes missing. With the murderer moving so quickly, Beans and his team are determined to stop the spree and catch the killer before it's too late.
Pulse-pounding and vividly depicted, this Alaskan thriller will electrify fans of Lisa Gardner and true crime junkies fascinated by the Israel Keyes case.
American Predator meets Harlan Coben in this taut, ticking-clock thriller in which women are being kidnapped and murdered in a remote corner of Alaska.
When the body of a barista is found in the once-pristine Alaskan snow, Anchorage homicide detective DeHavilland Beans is gutted to recognize the young woman, Jolene. He’d bought coffee from her every morning and knew her as a bright college student working her way through school. Devastated by the murder and by the life cut short, Beans vows to find the killer.
Since scavengers damaged the body, obtaining any usable evidence is impossible, even with the assistance of wildlife expert Raisa Ingalls, Beans’s ex. When the body of another woman is found, a serial killer is suspected and the FBI joins the hunt.
After a third body turns up, Beans is desperate to find the killer—especially when another woman goes missing. With the murderer moving so quickly, Beans and his team are determined to stop the spree and catch the killer before it's too late.
Pulse-pounding and vividly depicted, this Alaskan thriller will electrify fans of Lisa Gardner and true crime junkies fascinated by the Israel Keyes case.
Audiobook
First published April 9, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
May 15, 2024
When the body of a barista is found in the once-pristine Alaskan snow, Anchorage homicide detective DeHavilland Beans is gutted to recognize the young woman, Jolene. He’d bought coffee from her every morning and knew her as a bright college student working her way through school. Devastated by the murder and by the life cut short, Beans vows to find the killer.
Since scavengers damaged the body, obtaining any usable evidence is impossible, even with the assistance of wildlife expert Raisa Ingalls, Beans’s ex. When the body of another woman is found, a serial killer is suspected and the FBI joins the hunt.
After a third body turns up, Beans is desperate to find the killer—especially when another woman goes missing. With the murderer moving so quickly, Beans and his team are determined to stop the spree and catch the killer before it's too late.
A smoldering police procedural, Cold to the Touch had some winning attributes alongside other less than stellar quirks. But I’ll start with the positives first. With an atmospheric setting, likable main character, and complex case, there was plenty to like. After all, the entire plot unfurled before me naturally and in a mostly genuine way. Add to that multiple subplots and Beans’s deep backstory, and I quickly got sucked into the interwoven storyline. At the same time, however, I had some very real reservations.
My biggest issue, unfortunately, was the underlying sexism. With near constant comments about womens’ looks and their effect on the men around them, it was an aspect to the story that I could’ve done without. This was only emphasized with the scantily clad baristas working out of their coffee huts. While they are a real thing in Alaska (*cringe*), their starring role in the plot didn’t add anything to the storyline, in my opinion. Then there was the incredibly slow burn start and the general overdone feel to the novel. Not to say it was bad, just that some of the behaviors and reactions felt a bit melodramatic.
That being said, however, I still found myself pulled into this tale of crime fiction. With a gripping climax and happily ever after conclusion, it mostly hit all the right chords by the end. Seemingly primed for a series, it’s one that I’d happily add to my TBR if it comes to fruition. After all, I fell in love with a certain cat named Archie and Hakoda’s charmingly eccentric characters. I mean, the cast included a narrator with two siblings named after types of aircraft. How fun is that? Needless to say, it was definitely a good time, just not the hardcore crime thriller that I was expecting, all said and done. Rating of 4 stars.
Thank you to Kerri Hakoda and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 9, 2024
Trigger warning: kidnapping, racism, sexism, drug addiction, animal injury, mention of: stroke
Since scavengers damaged the body, obtaining any usable evidence is impossible, even with the assistance of wildlife expert Raisa Ingalls, Beans’s ex. When the body of another woman is found, a serial killer is suspected and the FBI joins the hunt.
After a third body turns up, Beans is desperate to find the killer—especially when another woman goes missing. With the murderer moving so quickly, Beans and his team are determined to stop the spree and catch the killer before it's too late.
A smoldering police procedural, Cold to the Touch had some winning attributes alongside other less than stellar quirks. But I’ll start with the positives first. With an atmospheric setting, likable main character, and complex case, there was plenty to like. After all, the entire plot unfurled before me naturally and in a mostly genuine way. Add to that multiple subplots and Beans’s deep backstory, and I quickly got sucked into the interwoven storyline. At the same time, however, I had some very real reservations.
My biggest issue, unfortunately, was the underlying sexism. With near constant comments about womens’ looks and their effect on the men around them, it was an aspect to the story that I could’ve done without. This was only emphasized with the scantily clad baristas working out of their coffee huts. While they are a real thing in Alaska (*cringe*), their starring role in the plot didn’t add anything to the storyline, in my opinion. Then there was the incredibly slow burn start and the general overdone feel to the novel. Not to say it was bad, just that some of the behaviors and reactions felt a bit melodramatic.
That being said, however, I still found myself pulled into this tale of crime fiction. With a gripping climax and happily ever after conclusion, it mostly hit all the right chords by the end. Seemingly primed for a series, it’s one that I’d happily add to my TBR if it comes to fruition. After all, I fell in love with a certain cat named Archie and Hakoda’s charmingly eccentric characters. I mean, the cast included a narrator with two siblings named after types of aircraft. How fun is that? Needless to say, it was definitely a good time, just not the hardcore crime thriller that I was expecting, all said and done. Rating of 4 stars.
Thank you to Kerri Hakoda and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 9, 2024
Trigger warning: kidnapping, racism, sexism, drug addiction, animal injury, mention of: stroke
April 23, 2024
Serial killers + Backdrop of Alaska = I’m all in!
A wonderful premise for a five-star read. Alas, it just didn’t work (for me) here.
Someone is murdering the baristas’ serving the Anchorage area. Now it’s up to Homicide Detective ‘Beans’ to root out the killer before another woman is killed.
I cherish books that take place where the elements of nature play a significant role. (Must be the Canadian in me.)
I was hoping for a storyline that would play out in Alaska’s cold brutal winters. I wanted to feel the desperation of the hunt for a serial killer as depicted in the blurb. Something dark…sinister that I need to keep the lights on in order to finish.
But sadly, I didn’t feel any of that.🤷🏻♀️
This book actually became a struggle as it seemed to lack both focus and direction. At times, the killings took a complete backseat to everything else going on with Detective Beans.
I started with the audio version, eventually switching to a digital copy hoping I’d have a better connection with no better luck.
I am a bit of an outlier on this one as there are many positive reviews from readers who really enjoyed it. Make sure to take a look at their reviews as well!
2.75🌟
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media
A wonderful premise for a five-star read. Alas, it just didn’t work (for me) here.
Someone is murdering the baristas’ serving the Anchorage area. Now it’s up to Homicide Detective ‘Beans’ to root out the killer before another woman is killed.
I cherish books that take place where the elements of nature play a significant role. (Must be the Canadian in me.)
I was hoping for a storyline that would play out in Alaska’s cold brutal winters. I wanted to feel the desperation of the hunt for a serial killer as depicted in the blurb. Something dark…sinister that I need to keep the lights on in order to finish.
But sadly, I didn’t feel any of that.🤷🏻♀️
This book actually became a struggle as it seemed to lack both focus and direction. At times, the killings took a complete backseat to everything else going on with Detective Beans.
I started with the audio version, eventually switching to a digital copy hoping I’d have a better connection with no better luck.
I am a bit of an outlier on this one as there are many positive reviews from readers who really enjoyed it. Make sure to take a look at their reviews as well!
2.75🌟
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media
April 12, 2024
Anchorage, Alaska has been hit by a wave of terror as a serial killer is targeting women in the area. Detective DeHavilland Beans has been assigned to the case and is determined to catch the culprit before more innocent lives are lost. Will he be able to solve the case and put an end to the terror before the killer strikes again?
While I appreciated the setting and premise of the story, I felt that the plot lacked some originality. However, I think it could still be a worthwhile read for those who are just starting to explore the mystery/thriller genre. There are some good elements in the book that could be appealing to new readers.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Kerri Hakoda, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
While I appreciated the setting and premise of the story, I felt that the plot lacked some originality. However, I think it could still be a worthwhile read for those who are just starting to explore the mystery/thriller genre. There are some good elements in the book that could be appealing to new readers.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Kerri Hakoda, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
April 8, 2024
This appealed to my love of an Alaskan setting and psychological thrillers as well as my desire to support a debut author!
Twelve days before Christmas, Anchorage Homicide Detective De Havilland Beans is called to investigate a murder. When he arrives on the scene and discovers the victim is Jolene Nilsson, the half-Yup’ik Alaskan college student who serves his daily coffee, the case becomes personal. As he’s working with the coroner trying to determine the cause of death, another woman is murdered. Beans is certain there’s a serial killer loose in Alaska. Can he identify the motive or the killer before he strikes again?
I liked that we get to see Beans in all his roles; a detective, a brother, a friend, and a romantic interest. Hakoda has crafted this half-Japanese, half-Athabaskan/Irish main character with so much authenticity that I felt I knew him. I especially liked ‘Havi’s’ relationship with his sister. They brought out the best in each other.
The subplot with Frankie Ma and Sevy Concepcion was compelling and authentic as was the tension-filled subplot with the tree-hugging researcher for Fish and Game, Raisa Ingalls. For what I hope is the beginning of a new series, this was fresh and hopeful. The main surprise was that Hokoda was able to set the foundation for this series without bogging readers down with too many characters. Each one was unique, had his/her own voice, and gave us a reason to follow their story. It may have been a bit darker than I was expecting, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment.
My only disappointment was the swearing.
I was gifted this copy by Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Twelve days before Christmas, Anchorage Homicide Detective De Havilland Beans is called to investigate a murder. When he arrives on the scene and discovers the victim is Jolene Nilsson, the half-Yup’ik Alaskan college student who serves his daily coffee, the case becomes personal. As he’s working with the coroner trying to determine the cause of death, another woman is murdered. Beans is certain there’s a serial killer loose in Alaska. Can he identify the motive or the killer before he strikes again?
I liked that we get to see Beans in all his roles; a detective, a brother, a friend, and a romantic interest. Hakoda has crafted this half-Japanese, half-Athabaskan/Irish main character with so much authenticity that I felt I knew him. I especially liked ‘Havi’s’ relationship with his sister. They brought out the best in each other.
The subplot with Frankie Ma and Sevy Concepcion was compelling and authentic as was the tension-filled subplot with the tree-hugging researcher for Fish and Game, Raisa Ingalls. For what I hope is the beginning of a new series, this was fresh and hopeful. The main surprise was that Hokoda was able to set the foundation for this series without bogging readers down with too many characters. Each one was unique, had his/her own voice, and gave us a reason to follow their story. It may have been a bit darker than I was expecting, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment.
My only disappointment was the swearing.
I was gifted this copy by Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
October 9, 2024
"Her memories float back to her childhood like a drift boat on a gentle tide."
Review to come :)
" 'Coffee?' "
Review to come :)
" 'Coffee?' "
June 3, 2024
fine while I was reading it and I don’t think I’ll think on it much past having now finished. too many people for a story that didn’t need as many side plots, and I’m not entirely sure if they were all necessary to the main whodunit
April 8, 2024
I just listened to the audiobook "Cold to the Touch" by Kerri Hakoda.
I loved this book! It isn't the genre that I usually find so enjoyable. It's murder mystery crime procedural, but a lot of things contributed to making it exceptional. It is fast-paced and almost impossible to put it down. It's an easy one to binge read!
The plot was great. The main character, DeHavilland Beans, is relatable and likable. The cat, Archie, and how "Beans" interacts with him is humorous and heartwarming. The dogs and puppies were sweet and a good contrast to the negative parts regarding the murders.
The chapters that are the victims' points of view and read in the voice of a woman are really poignant and got me very invested in their stories. The inclusion of Cameron, a character with Asperger's syndrome (a mild form of autism), is nice, especially showing how helpful he can be to the investigation.
The dialogue seems very authentic. The narrators, Eric Fox and Abigail Reno, did really great jobs! Eric's voice was very easy to listen to.
This seems like the set up to a series, and I hope it will be. It is set in the present day in Anchorage, Alaska.
I highly recommend this book to thriller and murder mystery lovers!
Characters - 5/5
Writing - 5/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 5/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 5/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 4/5
Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and author Kerri Hakoda for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book! It isn't the genre that I usually find so enjoyable. It's murder mystery crime procedural, but a lot of things contributed to making it exceptional. It is fast-paced and almost impossible to put it down. It's an easy one to binge read!
The plot was great. The main character, DeHavilland Beans, is relatable and likable. The cat, Archie, and how "Beans" interacts with him is humorous and heartwarming. The dogs and puppies were sweet and a good contrast to the negative parts regarding the murders.
The chapters that are the victims' points of view and read in the voice of a woman are really poignant and got me very invested in their stories. The inclusion of Cameron, a character with Asperger's syndrome (a mild form of autism), is nice, especially showing how helpful he can be to the investigation.
The dialogue seems very authentic. The narrators, Eric Fox and Abigail Reno, did really great jobs! Eric's voice was very easy to listen to.
This seems like the set up to a series, and I hope it will be. It is set in the present day in Anchorage, Alaska.
I highly recommend this book to thriller and murder mystery lovers!
Characters - 5/5
Writing - 5/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 5/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 5/5
Narration - 5/5
Cover - 4/5
Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and author Kerri Hakoda for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
April 25, 2024
Ever since reading City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita, I can’t get enough of mysteries and thrillers set in Alaska — more please! COLD TO THE TOUCH was a great addition to my newly-beloved sub genre; it was a fast-paced, well-plotted debut procedural with a solid cast of interesting characters, who I’m very much hoping will get to make further appearances if this is turned into a series!
I really liked how Hakoda used some familiar elements from Israel Keyes’s abduction and murder of Samantha Koenig from a roadside coffee kiosk without turning it fully into a thinly-masked Keyes story because omg that f-ing guy is the worst. I didn’t love the way some things were tied together in the end - it felt a little too tidy - but overall this was a great audiobook and an impressive debut, and I’d love to read/listen to future books by Hakoda.
* thank you to Dreamscape Media and Crooked Lane Books for the NetGalley review copy. COLD TO THE TOUCH published April 9, 2024.
I really liked how Hakoda used some familiar elements from Israel Keyes’s abduction and murder of Samantha Koenig from a roadside coffee kiosk without turning it fully into a thinly-masked Keyes story because omg that f-ing guy is the worst. I didn’t love the way some things were tied together in the end - it felt a little too tidy - but overall this was a great audiobook and an impressive debut, and I’d love to read/listen to future books by Hakoda.
* thank you to Dreamscape Media and Crooked Lane Books for the NetGalley review copy. COLD TO THE TOUCH published April 9, 2024.
April 17, 2024
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cold To The Touch
Author: Kerri Hakoda
Thriller
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC. It was a great thriller from Kerri. Really loved Beans and Archie the cat. 😂 The narrator did a great job with both. I’m here for a Beans series.., the setting being in Alaska was also a huge plus for me. Such creepy vibes the whole time. This book follows Beans as he sets out to find the culprit behind three women who show up unalived. Oh, and. I forgot to mention it’s HOMICIDE DETECTIVE BEANS my bad. 🥹
Cold To The Touch
Author: Kerri Hakoda
Thriller
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC. It was a great thriller from Kerri. Really loved Beans and Archie the cat. 😂 The narrator did a great job with both. I’m here for a Beans series.., the setting being in Alaska was also a huge plus for me. Such creepy vibes the whole time. This book follows Beans as he sets out to find the culprit behind three women who show up unalived. Oh, and. I forgot to mention it’s HOMICIDE DETECTIVE BEANS my bad. 🥹
April 8, 2024
Cold to the touch
3.5 stars
I thought this was a pretty good detective novel and loved that one of the homicide detective’s names was Beans. I just thought the name added some character to the book. Anyway, I did feel like I needed a bit more from the book overall. I thought the character development for Beans was well done, but the other characters seemed a bit superficial. One thing I noticed and couldn’t quite get away from was the talk about ethnicities. I understand that it played a part in the storyline, but it felt awkward and forced in the beginning. There was also a lot of focus on appearances, which felt unnecessary.
Therese narrator did a nice job and was engaging.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Dreamscape media for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a written review.
3.5 stars
I thought this was a pretty good detective novel and loved that one of the homicide detective’s names was Beans. I just thought the name added some character to the book. Anyway, I did feel like I needed a bit more from the book overall. I thought the character development for Beans was well done, but the other characters seemed a bit superficial. One thing I noticed and couldn’t quite get away from was the talk about ethnicities. I understand that it played a part in the storyline, but it felt awkward and forced in the beginning. There was also a lot of focus on appearances, which felt unnecessary.
Therese narrator did a nice job and was engaging.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Dreamscape media for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a written review.
December 6, 2023
I like this one a lot it was fast paced and loved the setting and characters and new talent that could become a Coben or Slaughter. It was so good
December 12, 2023
ARC for review. To be published April 9, 2024.
Japanese/Irish-American, homicide detective DeHavilland Beans of Anchorage, Alaska is forced to consult with former flame Raisa Ingalls, a research with Fish and Game to investigate the murders of scantily clad baristas (which I did not know was a thing and of which there are exactly zero outlets in my small city but apparently around twelve in Anchorage? What the hell are they doing up there?).
This was pretty much a by-the-book thriller. The author may have missed some opportunities with location, but if this turns into a series there will be lots of chances to make up for that. I liked the difficulties with the coupling. Recommended for the genre.
Japanese/Irish-American, homicide detective DeHavilland Beans of Anchorage, Alaska is forced to consult with former flame Raisa Ingalls, a research with Fish and Game to investigate the murders of scantily clad baristas (which I did not know was a thing and of which there are exactly zero outlets in my small city but apparently around twelve in Anchorage? What the hell are they doing up there?).
This was pretty much a by-the-book thriller. The author may have missed some opportunities with location, but if this turns into a series there will be lots of chances to make up for that. I liked the difficulties with the coupling. Recommended for the genre.
January 12, 2024
Thank you Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Kerri Hakoda for giving me the opportunity to read this Arc.
This was a great classic thriller! This book takes place in Alaska. The cove is what really attracted me to this one! Here we have a few murders and Detective Havillard is on the case trying to get to the bottom of it. The book is full of mystery and suspense along with action and made for a pretty enjoyable read. One thing I don’t care for in books is when there is a lot of police activity. True crime is just not something I typically enjoy. This book however wasn’t too bad in terms of that. For someone who likes the whole murder investigation scene you would probably really love this one.
This was a great classic thriller! This book takes place in Alaska. The cove is what really attracted me to this one! Here we have a few murders and Detective Havillard is on the case trying to get to the bottom of it. The book is full of mystery and suspense along with action and made for a pretty enjoyable read. One thing I don’t care for in books is when there is a lot of police activity. True crime is just not something I typically enjoy. This book however wasn’t too bad in terms of that. For someone who likes the whole murder investigation scene you would probably really love this one.
April 7, 2024
A Particularly Heartless Murderer Must Be Caught
The victim wakes up in a very dark room. She is gagged and blindfolded, her arms and legs are bound, and she is lying on a scratchy blanket that reeks of manure. The door opens, and someone comes in. Another man enters and angrily confronts the first man. A fight ensues that ends with a loud bang. She is lifted and slung over a man’s shoulder. He tells her, "Almost there." This novel's challenging case begins as this victim is taken to her fate.
The main storyline consists of four threads. An Anchorage Homicide detective, DeHavilland Beans, narrates most of the primary thread, the scope of which keeps expanding as more girls go missing. All are coffee baristas, most of whom are abducted from isolated kiosks late at night. All wore skimpy costumes. The investigation begins with victimology. Family, friends, employers, and coworkers are questioned trying to find a connection. The victims’ bodies suffer predation, complicating the determination of the cause of their deaths. The tension ratchets up each time a new victim is found. The weapon used is determined but doesn’t advance the investigation. To raise the tension even more, there is the victims’ thread, where they narrate several chapters just before they lead to their fate. There is another murder investigation being led by the other homicide detective. The difficulty is that Beans has a personal relationship with the prime suspect, so he spends precious time with the suspect. Then, that detective is directed to assist Beans. The only heat in this relationship is due to their friction. As the novel nears the end, the murderer narrates a chapter. This storyline grabbed my interest and held it to the end.
The background on Beans is extensive. The reasons for his poor reputation with his fellow officers are provided. There is a B-storyline between Beans and Dr. Ingalls. She is the Fish and Game expert on park predators. She had worked on a triple murder case with Beans where their relationship extended beyond the professional. Their relationship has soured since, and Beans is trying to reestablish it. She is assisting in this investigation and interferes with his investigatory duties. Near the end, I see a C-storyline hidden in the novel that I did not suspect. These aspects of the novel enhanced my reading enjoyment.
Some aspects that can cause some readers to stop reading are present in this novel. There is one intimate scene, but it did not raise a red flag for me. The biggest issue was vulgar and rude language. Again, it was far from the level that would make it an issue for me, but for some, it may be. Violence is described after the fact and initially from the autopsies. The victims’ narrated chapters provided the heartless behavior he showed to his victims. In the end, the violence is described as it occurs. These aspects earn the warning for readers to be forewarned. This is the first novel by this author, so there are no issues about not reading the previous novel.
This is the debut novel by this author, and I could not be more pleased with this novel. I did not find anything that I disliked in this novel. If you like action in your police procedurals, the beginning will likely be slow for you. I liked the unique way the discovery was made, which led to the murderer’s identity. While reading, I marked several potential loose ends, but all were cleared by the novel’s end. This is the first novel by this author that I have read, so she is in my Pending category. Based on the quality of this novel, I am sure that the rating will be in the Must- or Will-Read category. I will be looking for that next novel on NetGalley. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I rate it with five stars.
I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Crooked Lane Books. My review is based solely on my own reading experience of this book. Thank you, Crooked Lane Books, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
The victim wakes up in a very dark room. She is gagged and blindfolded, her arms and legs are bound, and she is lying on a scratchy blanket that reeks of manure. The door opens, and someone comes in. Another man enters and angrily confronts the first man. A fight ensues that ends with a loud bang. She is lifted and slung over a man’s shoulder. He tells her, "Almost there." This novel's challenging case begins as this victim is taken to her fate.
The main storyline consists of four threads. An Anchorage Homicide detective, DeHavilland Beans, narrates most of the primary thread, the scope of which keeps expanding as more girls go missing. All are coffee baristas, most of whom are abducted from isolated kiosks late at night. All wore skimpy costumes. The investigation begins with victimology. Family, friends, employers, and coworkers are questioned trying to find a connection. The victims’ bodies suffer predation, complicating the determination of the cause of their deaths. The tension ratchets up each time a new victim is found. The weapon used is determined but doesn’t advance the investigation. To raise the tension even more, there is the victims’ thread, where they narrate several chapters just before they lead to their fate. There is another murder investigation being led by the other homicide detective. The difficulty is that Beans has a personal relationship with the prime suspect, so he spends precious time with the suspect. Then, that detective is directed to assist Beans. The only heat in this relationship is due to their friction. As the novel nears the end, the murderer narrates a chapter. This storyline grabbed my interest and held it to the end.
The background on Beans is extensive. The reasons for his poor reputation with his fellow officers are provided. There is a B-storyline between Beans and Dr. Ingalls. She is the Fish and Game expert on park predators. She had worked on a triple murder case with Beans where their relationship extended beyond the professional. Their relationship has soured since, and Beans is trying to reestablish it. She is assisting in this investigation and interferes with his investigatory duties. Near the end, I see a C-storyline hidden in the novel that I did not suspect. These aspects of the novel enhanced my reading enjoyment.
Some aspects that can cause some readers to stop reading are present in this novel. There is one intimate scene, but it did not raise a red flag for me. The biggest issue was vulgar and rude language. Again, it was far from the level that would make it an issue for me, but for some, it may be. Violence is described after the fact and initially from the autopsies. The victims’ narrated chapters provided the heartless behavior he showed to his victims. In the end, the violence is described as it occurs. These aspects earn the warning for readers to be forewarned. This is the first novel by this author, so there are no issues about not reading the previous novel.
This is the debut novel by this author, and I could not be more pleased with this novel. I did not find anything that I disliked in this novel. If you like action in your police procedurals, the beginning will likely be slow for you. I liked the unique way the discovery was made, which led to the murderer’s identity. While reading, I marked several potential loose ends, but all were cleared by the novel’s end. This is the first novel by this author that I have read, so she is in my Pending category. Based on the quality of this novel, I am sure that the rating will be in the Must- or Will-Read category. I will be looking for that next novel on NetGalley. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I rate it with five stars.
I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Crooked Lane Books. My review is based solely on my own reading experience of this book. Thank you, Crooked Lane Books, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
April 6, 2024
3.5 stars. The book was okay. I enjoyed the whole frozen tundra aspect, and the murders were okay, but I feel like the book could have been a lot shorter. Beans was such a weird name to hear on an audiobook and he had such a dry personality.
April 16, 2024
I loved the setting of this book and how it contributed to the investigation. I also had no idea there were so many bikini coffee shops in Alaska!
I think this would be a good series, I really enjoyed Beans and would like to see more backstory with his family and relationships (like Raisa). As it is, the parts with Raisa didn’t quite seemed like they fit in.
Nothing mind blowing about this book but it was an enjoyable listen. I liked the different narrators but would have loved a POV from the killer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I think this would be a good series, I really enjoyed Beans and would like to see more backstory with his family and relationships (like Raisa). As it is, the parts with Raisa didn’t quite seemed like they fit in.
Nothing mind blowing about this book but it was an enjoyable listen. I liked the different narrators but would have loved a POV from the killer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 15, 2024
Set in a remote Alaskan town, this police procedural features police detective DeHavilland Beans. When Beans’ favorite local barista turns up murdered, he vows to find her killer. But then another body and then another turn up. This was a well-written mystery with a very likable main character. I’m actually hoping Beans and his new partner, Heller, show up on my TBR again soon.
February 7, 2024
So good! First, I love Alaska. If I wasn’t such a baby about snow, I could totally hide out there for the rest of my life. This story kept me engaged from the get go and I found myself irritated that I had to take care of responsibilities instead of just reading it end to end. The characters were so easy to get attached to and had great backstories. And that ending? Hoo boy, was it satisfying! I’m not going to give it away, but I’ll just say it has something to do with chickens. Being a small time chicken breeder (friends not food), I was fist pumping my way through the final showdown. I actually may have given a little triumphant whoop of laughter. I didn’t see anything saying this was the first of a series, but it easily could be. If so, I’m definitely reading the next one!
Huge thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!
Huge thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!
December 15, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Kerri Hakoda for this ARC!
This book was everything I look for in a police procedural mystery/thriller. I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed this book through to the end.
I found Beans to be incredibly likable as a detective, son, and big brother. It appears this book may (?) develop into a multi-book series; in which case I will definitely be checking back on the author’s page for more of Beans and Heller.
I have zero complaints about this book other than I hope there is more to come from this cast of characters. I need more!
5 ⭐️
This book was everything I look for in a police procedural mystery/thriller. I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed this book through to the end.
I found Beans to be incredibly likable as a detective, son, and big brother. It appears this book may (?) develop into a multi-book series; in which case I will definitely be checking back on the author’s page for more of Beans and Heller.
I have zero complaints about this book other than I hope there is more to come from this cast of characters. I need more!
5 ⭐️
June 2, 2024
A little slow at parts, and I saw no point to having the main character and his family have such off-beat names, but this is a good detective story. Three young women disappear, all of them working at coffee shops, and are killed after their abduction and left in the Alaska wild. Since animals destroyed much of the evidence, the search is slow and tedious for the police, however, the fourth victim was able to escape and that led to discovery, chase and arrest. Set in Alaska during the winter, this unusual mystery held my interest until the last page.
April 10, 2024
This fast paced psychological thriller had me hooked right at chapter one. I liked the Alaskan setting and the characters. The writing of Hakoda reminded me a bit of Stephen King and I really liked the pacing and character development in this book.
We start off with the kidnapping and murder of a barista named Jolene and then more girls are killed. There’s a serial killer on the loose and Detective DeHavilland Beans has the task to find the killer. He deals with challenges along the way and because of the Alaskan climate animals have destroyed the bodies making it challenging to gather evidence. This book was loosely based on the Israel Keyes case, a case I didn’t know much about, but looked into after reading this book. The book had similarities to the case.
Overall I would recommend this if you want a fast paced thriller set in an icy climate.
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
We start off with the kidnapping and murder of a barista named Jolene and then more girls are killed. There’s a serial killer on the loose and Detective DeHavilland Beans has the task to find the killer. He deals with challenges along the way and because of the Alaskan climate animals have destroyed the bodies making it challenging to gather evidence. This book was loosely based on the Israel Keyes case, a case I didn’t know much about, but looked into after reading this book. The book had similarities to the case.
Overall I would recommend this if you want a fast paced thriller set in an icy climate.
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2025
“The Baristacides,” or murder of young women who worked at coffee kiosks in which the baristas wore skimpy fox, bunny or other uniform has caught the attention Anchorage and homicide detective DeHavilland Beans or just Beans is on the case.
While this is a fast paced police procedural thriller with gruesome and gory details, it is also a nuanced debut providing the cornerstones of a backstory necessary for the start of a series (or at least I hope it will be.) Beans is going to be a great protagonist with a large family with all his siblings being named after airplanes.
He is Buddhists and practices yoga and did I mention he adopts a cat with great personality.
I encourage mystery fans to give this a try. It has been nominated as a debut book for the Edgar Awards.
While this is a fast paced police procedural thriller with gruesome and gory details, it is also a nuanced debut providing the cornerstones of a backstory necessary for the start of a series (or at least I hope it will be.) Beans is going to be a great protagonist with a large family with all his siblings being named after airplanes.
He is Buddhists and practices yoga and did I mention he adopts a cat with great personality.
I encourage mystery fans to give this a try. It has been nominated as a debut book for the Edgar Awards.
May 1, 2024
This thriller captured my attention right from page one. Hakoda is adept at introducing a large number of characters so well that I never lost track of who was who. The storyline was engaging with action throughout. I thought it was well-paced with a more realistic unveiling of the antagonist. Dehavilland Beans was a charming detective I am eager to learn more about. The ending did seem to suggest a potential second book, and I hope this is the case.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
Thanks to #NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
July 17, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great mystery! This book sucked me right in and held me in its grip throughout the whole book. The multiple POVs were great and very well done. They added to the thrill of the book. The Alaskan setting for this book was great and I loved it. This book was amazing and I want more books with Beans! I adored him, he was a great main character and detective.
This was a great mystery! This book sucked me right in and held me in its grip throughout the whole book. The multiple POVs were great and very well done. They added to the thrill of the book. The Alaskan setting for this book was great and I loved it. This book was amazing and I want more books with Beans! I adored him, he was a great main character and detective.
June 1, 2024
3 stars - Mystery/Thriller
July 26, 2025
my aunty wrote this book and everyone should read it!!! couldn’t put it down!!! just the thriller palate cleanser I needed. only wish I had read it in the winter for the vibes and not in the middle of summer.
April 1, 2024
A well-written, fast-paced thriller set in Alaska, where young women baristas are disappearing and turning up dead. Local policemen and feds have little time to find the killer before another girl is taken. I was lucky enough to be given access to the well-narrated audiobook on Netgalley and thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 4, 2024
underwhelming but interesting enough. the pacifist cop being casually sexist and mooning over every goddamn woman in his life but claiming to love the junkie had me 🤠 also cursed how the perky stealing ex never faced any repercussions or stern talking tos… was surprised that he actually solved the case because his entire focus was basically on everything besides the case but hey the dog survived so 🫡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2024
Despite the title and the book being set in Alaska, the setting actually played very little into the story line. It could have been almost anyplace with wide open spaces.
The storyline was good: likable main character, sympathy inducing victims, adorable animals. I particularly liked the rooster revenge.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance copy of this audiobook
The storyline was good: likable main character, sympathy inducing victims, adorable animals. I particularly liked the rooster revenge.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance copy of this audiobook
March 29, 2024
It’s not that this was a bad story, it is just an overdone storyline. I was hoping for something a little different. I got so far in that I had to finish. I thought it was very slow and I was ready for it to be done. The narrator in the audiobook was good.
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