The Ice Sisters

Detective Ellie Reeves #10

by Rita Herron

Shock slammed into her as she spotted the two little girls lying on the cold hard ground, snow swirling round their fragile bodies. Twins with button noses and heart-shaped faces, their pretty green eyes closed forever…

As the snow falls and a bitter wind blows, Detective Ellie Reeves is devastated to discover the bodies of two little girls, alone and frozen on an icy lake, in the isolated town of Cold Mountain. The girls are holding hands, with matching bows in their blond curls, and when Ellie realizes they are twin sisters, her heart breaks for their mother, who must be desperately wondering where her little darlings are.

But, back at the police station, she is horrified to discover that nobody has reported the sisters missing. Are their parents in danger too? When an abandoned car is found near the girls’ bodies, and Ellie learns that the female driver is in hospital, she prays that the injured woman will know something about the twins.

A DNA test shows that the woman in hospital is the twins’ mother Barbara, and Ellie rushes to interview her. But when Ellie arrives at the hospital she is faced with an empty bed. Barbara has fled and her house is abandoned too. As Ellie searches the family home, she is chilled to see there is no sign of any children. If Barbara is the twins’ mother, where are the toys and photos of her precious girls?

When another little girl disappears, Ellie knows that finding Barbara might well be the key to saving an innocent child. But who is Barbara running from? Or does she have something to hide? And with the clock ticking and a fearsome winter storm brewing, can Ellie find the truth before another innocent life is lost?

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Fiction, Emotional, Dogs

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 25, 2024

About the author

USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Rita Herron fell in love with books at the ripe age of eight when she read her first Trixie Belden mystery. But she didn’t think real people grew up to be writers, so she became a teacher instead. Now she writes so she doesn’t have to get a real job.
With over ninety books to her credit, she’s penned romantic suspense, romantic comedy and YA novels, but she especially likes writing dark romantic suspense and crime fiction set in small southern towns.
For more on. Rita and her titles, visit her at www.ritaherron.com. You can also find her on www.Facebook/ritaherron.com and Twitter.com/ritaherron.

Reviews

[Erin Remen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment picks up 3 weeks after the last one, with Ellie having taken some time to herself after the events of the last book, we all know how that ended. Neither Cord or Derrick can get ahold of her and the former becomes concerned when her parents say she was supposed to show up for Thanksgiving that evening. This is the beginning of another heartbreaking case that packs an emotional punch with the death of twin girls that Ellie happens to stumble upon, something I wont get into to much, don't want to spoil anything! The case is very confounding to the detectives as nothing seems to connect. Especially after a woman in car accident might have a loose link to the girls. Its all very strange and as always with an Ellie story, there is never just one dead or missing person. There is a lot of crazy in and around her town! I am desperate for Cord and Ellie to get their s..t together, I hate when it drags on forever! Don't get me wrong, I love Derrick, just not for her.
I really enjoyed this one, and I was very happy with the ending! I hope everyone loves it as much as I did!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the snow falls and a bitter wind blows, Detective Ellie Reeves is devastated to discover the bodies of two little girls, alone and frozen on an icy lake, in the isolated town of Cold Mountain. The girls are holding hands, with matching bows in their blond curls, and when Ellie realizes they are twin sisters. But, back at the police station, she is horrified to discover that nobody has reported the sisters missing. Then an abandoned car is found near the girls’ bodies, and Ellie learns that the female driver is in hospital. A DNA test shows that the woman in hospital is the twins’ mother Barbara, and Ellie rushes to interview her. But when Ellie arrives at the hospital she is faced with an empty bed. Barbara has fled and her house is abandoned too. When another little girl disappears, Ellie knows that finding Barbara might well be the key to saving an innocent child
The tenth outing for Ellie, whilst it could be read on it’s own I’d recommend reading the previous book as this one starts a few weeks after the last book & Ellie is still dealing with the fallout. Another well written edge of the seat read. This book won’t be for everyone as it does deal with some traumatic events. There were twists, turns & red herrings as the team rush to find Barbara & solve the case. A well written book with strong characters & a well paced story. Once I’d started it I found it very hard to put down & burned the midnight oil to finish it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Danielle-Gemma💜 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really want to rate this book higher but for all the reasons mentioned on my other reviews I can’t right now.
Finally Ellie has made a choice (the right one I think) but will this finally lead to better character development in the next book? I really hope so!

[Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was twisty and fast. Most of the book I was a bit twisted on a certain storyline. FINALLY that seems to be resolved at the very end. If the author tanks it again I may have a conniption. All in all a fast paced read.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ice Sisters was an enjoyable read following Ellie as she searches for the killer of two young girls.

Detective Ellie Reeves is on the tail-end of her vacation in the mountains when she discovers the bodies of two little girls. When Ellie learns no one has reported the girls missing, she's horrified. As the search for the girls' family is underway, Ellie dives into searching for their killer. After she finds an injured woman in the hospital and a DNA test proves she's the girls' mother, Ellie rushes to talk to her. But when Ellie arrives at the hospital, she discovers the woman has fled. Ellie knows finding the woman may be the key to discovering what happened to the girls but after another girl goes missing, Ellie realizes there may be more to what's happening than she realizes.

The Ice Sisters opens with Ellie taking some time off after the events in The Sleeping Girls. While on a hike, Ellie gets caught up in a snowstorm and then discovers the girls' bodies. The mystery in this one pulled me in right away and I wondered who would kill two innocent children like that. Initially Ellie and the others have a hard time identifying the girls as no one has reported them missing which definitely slowed down the investigation a bit. Eventually they learn about the woman in the hospital, Barbara, and after Derrick gets her DNA, they discover she's the girls' mother. The story really picks up the pace after Barbara disappears from the hospital and another girl goes missing. I enjoyed Ellie's search for the connection between the cases and the ending was fantastically done with just the right amount of suspense to keep you guessing on how everything will turn out.

The characters and their actions is where this book fell apart a bit for me compared to previous installments in the series. Ellie goes off the deep end in this case and she continuously breaks the rules which is unusual for her. Ellie is normally good about sticking to the right side of the law to solve cases and in this one it was like she just threw all of her principles out the window. The author also fully committed to an Ellie and Cord romance which was such a disappointment. I personally do not like Cord's character at all and think him and Ellie are completely wrong for each other. Now that these two are together, the series has lost some of its' appeal for me even though I really enjoy the mysteries.

Overall The Ice Sisters was a good read despite my issues with it and I would recommend the series as a whole.

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m 80% sure that this book was partially written with AI.

The wrong pronouns were used more than once which is always a telltale sign that AI is involved. It’s surprising how much time Derrick spends in ‘her’ office. There were also sentences that just didn’t sound…human. They made sense and didn’t break any grammar rules but they sounded off and unnatural.

Also I feel bad that she didn’t end up with Edward, sorry, Derrick.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ice Sisters is the 10th book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series, and although I haven't read them all, I have loved each that I have read, especially this one. This story picks up 3 weeks after the last one, with Ellie having taken some time to herself after the events of the last book. Neither Cord or Derrick have heard from her and aren't able to contact her. When her parents tell Cord that she hasn't shown up of Thanksgiving Dinner yet, they are concerned and decide to go looking for her. Meanwhile, Ellie has gone for a hike in the icy, wet mountains, and found the bodies of two little girls dead in the snow. What happened to them. As more incidents occur and seem to be connected, Ellie, Cord, Derrick and the rest of her team are on the hunt for parents, other missing little girls and more. Hang onto your seat, this is a twisty one.

This book opened with a terrible crime being committed and never let up. I don't want to give this story away, because it is a good one. What I will say is that I had no idea who was behind the murders and kidnapping. It was fascinating to see how Ellie's team put the clues together and eventually figured out the culprit. There were a few and they were pretty yucky, but I couldn't figure it out. My heart broke for the parents whose children were missing and maybe no longer alive. This was a very interesting plot that dealt with infertility, IVF, grief, death of parents, abuse of children and more. I couldn't stop reading this one, once I started and I really enjoyed it. One thing I am not a fan of is a love triangle and I was happy to see that it looks like that is over, but only time will tell. If you enjoy a gripping crime thriller, then I recommend you pick up The Ice Sisters.

[Chloe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love a series, I love a police procedural, and I love a strong female lead. This series should be a boon for me but alas I am only finishing this series out of stubbornness. I can’t leave it unfinished!

Ellie Reeves is an insufferable character who believes she is the only person able to solve crime. When she is careless and becomes injured, she stubbornly refuses to rest and heal. No one in her life stands up to her and no one challenges her ill conceived ideas of powering through concussions and other injuries. It’s so unbelievable that in 10 books not one person has said “hey you can’t do your job if you’re dead or maimed. And it’s highly insulting to your team to presume you’re the savior all the time.”

But I suppose the story wouldn’t be what it is without a stubborn detective with a thirst for justice.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent Detective Ellie Reeves novel.
 
Written in, short, bite size chapters which helps with the ease of reading. There are murders and assaults around every corner and the plot accelerates right
from the very start.
This is very much a page turner, traumatic at time and yet you get caught up with the thrill of the chase.
I’m not sure that detective work is the best thing for this team as they seem to get injured with every case they have!
I look forward to the next novel.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Chantal Guay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ice Sisters

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I devoured the rest of this book tonight, and omg, this book had me so glued I could not PUT IT DOWN !!! My head was racing all over the place , trying to figure out who the killer was. All I could say was I was NOT EXPECTING THAT !!
This story was a conspiracy and mystery with complicated twists & made it difficult to solve the case which I loved ! The characters are super realistic, and you can not tell who is lying and what the lie is . It was such an intense read, BUT SO RECOMMEND TO READ !

Although The Ice Sisters is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone , I couldn't recommend this enough! It was so worth it, and the plot was just amazing !

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's never a good idea to jump into a series starting on the tenth book!

This was such a great read! I was hooked immediately from the prologue and from then on it was a fast paced race to the end of the book as I joined Detective Ellie Reeves on her hunt for missing 'mother' Barbara.

Characters are great throughout and I'm definitely looking to invest further into Reeves and her team.

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ice Sisters, the tenth book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series, delivers a gripping tale filled with mystery and suspense. Fans of police procedurals will be captivated not only by the story but also by the characters. Within this installment, readers will find themselves plunged into a web of secrets, lies, and murder. Let the rollercoaster ride begin.

At the start of "The Ice Sisters,", which picks up a few weeks after the end of The Sleeping Girls, Detective Ellie Reeves went hiking with plans to return in time for Thanksgiving dinner with her parents. During her hike on the icy and wet mountain, she stumbled across the corpses of twin girls in the snow. Where were their parents? How did they end up in the mountains, and how did they die? The situation becomes more complicated when the mother of the twins turns up dead and another individual associated with the victims has gone missing.

What an experience! From the very first page, the story will captivate the reader and hold their attention until the very end. The mystery, filled with numerous twists, proved challenging, making it difficult for one to ascertain the villain's identity. The plethora of suspects added to the challenge. At the point when one thinks they had it all figured out, Herron throws in yet another twist, leaving the reader utterly baffled. The secrets played an integral role in the plot, adding depth and intrigue. The revelation of these secrets elicits empathy for the affected parties, making the story even more compelling.

With regards to Ellie's personal life, it was heartwarming to see her taking charge.  Her choice delighted the reader, and one hopes nothing happens to disrupt it. Overall, The Ice Sisters make an exciting addition to the series and one which I highly recommend.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good characters and a good plot- lots of surprises but the writing was mediocre and the novel could have been edited better- for instance- Barbara comes home and says she ‘sensed’ someone had been in her home- then goes on to note a desk drawer rifled and picture frames overturned- seems evidence rather then a sense. Then when she and Fox locate the rural home of Modelle, seen by several people driving off with a woman and a child in a white van, they begin searching out buildings but never once mention looking for the white van- I would think the presence or absence of the vehicle he left in would be part of their investigation. For these reasons and a sort of workman like writing style make it a two star read for me.

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

L'argomento è un po' forte perché le vittime sono delle bambine, ma la storia ti prende proprio: io non riuscivo a mettere giù l'ereader. Devo dire che c'erano più colpevoli possibili, ma avevo capito che era qualcuno rimasto fuori dalle indagini, sebbene non avessi chi fosse e quale fosse il movente. Il finale è perfetto, soprattutto per quanto riguarda la protagonista. Dalla nota della autrice deduco che ci saranno altri libri e ne sono felice perché temevo che questa serie finisse qui.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ - I LOVE this series SO much. My only drawback are some proofing errors that I kept getting hung up on. The storyline? Phenomenal

[Kelly Lexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine. I like the series, and there was nothing horribly wrong with this plot, but there was nothing particularly dazzling either.

There were multiple editing mistakes, like when they were “coming” the woods instead of “combing” them.

My biggest issue is that Detective Ellie Reeves is supposed to be this strong female lead, but she makes stupid decisions that force the big strong men to rescue her over and over again. It makes her less believable and likable as a character. I can’t help comparing her to Lisa Regan’s Josie Quinn or M.M. Chouinard’s Jo Fournier, and she comes in third in every category. I still like her, but I would like her more if she didn’t go hiking by herself when a blizzard is coming when she grew up in those mountains and should absolutely know better.

One other pet peeve with this book was that Ellie seemed happy to break every rule in the book in her quest for justice. She is a detective and I’m sure swore some sort of oath to uphold the law, but she’s breaking into people’s houses with hairpins and oops, she doesn’t have a warrant but… This was particularly annoying because she was digging into a past case where the charges didn’t stick because the police work wasn’t by the book, so wouldn’t you want to follow the letter of the law so that doesn’t happen again? Ellie leaned on Cord a lot in this book, and she let him get away with a lot too. I don’t mind detectives playing in the gray area once in a while, but Ellie seemed to cross some lines in this book that weren’t okay for me.

[Robin Reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but - read on KU

This book has a pretty good pacing. I would have given it 4 🌟 except I'm frustrated by Ellie getting hit hard enough for a concussion, or receiving worse injuries, in pretty much every single book. At least she doesn't figure out who the bad guy is after he attacks her, but taking down the bad guy without being knocked out would be nice.

Also, Ms. Herron seems to think north Georgia has the climate of states a good bit further north. North Georgia doesn't see this much snow often and never as early in the year as is portrayed in this series. And I'm not sure it ever gets as much snow as written. Further, the climate inaccuracies aren't necessary for the stories.

One final complaint. This series makes it seem like you can drive across the northern part of the state in an hour. That is very much not the case.

[S Nicholls · Rating 3 out of 5]

So 10 books in and I feel that I'm in a bit of a loop, the plots are all about serial killers and they pop up every 2 months, have they just appeared to give Ellie something to do just because she didn't get the sheriff's job
There seems to be just the one script....
Murder / Ellies guilt / she must save the next victim / never learns from past mistakes / puts herself in danger because she never learns - is she stupid?? / must be saved by Cord or Derrick
Add to that there really is hardly any further development for any of the characters
All in all none of the books are bad reads but they don't give me the same thrill and anticipation that the Josie Quinn (Lisa Regan) and Kim Stone (Angela Marsons) series do

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although The Ice Sisters is part of a series it can be read as a stand-alone. Ellie goes hiking and gets caught by a strong snow storm and falls into a lake almost drowning and when she gets out of it she finds two young dead girls. That image will haunt her days until she finds the culprit. It's sort of a convoluted reason as to why the killer is aiming kids and mothers and why a secret was kept for years. If one of them had told the Police what was going on lives would've been spared. However, it's entertaining, and well-written.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Julie Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great crime thriller.
Ellie discovers the bodies of two young girls in the snow, but after falling into the icy lake, she’s in no fit state to call for help.
Luckily Cord and Derrick start looking for her as they expected her back at work, and they are shocked to find the girls nearby.
No-one has reported the girls missing and when Ellie starts investigating they find a woman in hospital who could be linked to them.
There’s other women that are frightened for the safety of their children and Ellie, Derrick and Cord need to work out what the link is.
This is a gripping crime thriller that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.

[Suzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a first for me, this is apparently one of a lengthy series. A surprise ending but a strange premise for murder. Too many strange coincidences and things to keep the story going (if someone was at risk would you wait until the following day to find them). Quick read.

[Melanie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was like a puzzle with pieces that did not fit together until the did. Ellie and Derrick and Cord as well as their supporting cast are literally dumped into the heart of the puzzle when Ellie is injured and stumbles on to the first victims. Reading about violence against children is tough and can be triggering but the author did a nice job of keeping the feels alive. You actually felt the pain of Ellie and the other women as they grieved the two little sisters in the ice.
The real mystery hit shortly after the girls were found when no one reported the missing. As readers we knew there were more little girls in jeopardy and one woman had been threatened and another being held. Somehow those pieces fit together. Over the course of the book, the other guided one piece at a time into place until we had the whole puzzle of who the girls were but we still needed the why. Along the way, we had two red herrings and to be honest, both were creeps and could have easily hurt those children. Both characters were so repugnant and the chapters full of insight into the killer's mind could have easily come from either man.
Underneath the mystery this book is a story about family and what we would sacrifice for our family. It is also about building your own family when life beats you down. And it is about a mother's love and the strength mother's exhibit when their children are threatened. Ellie also showed her strength in this story as she fought with every tool on her tool belt to get justice and save children. We know her from previous books and honestly, she has come a very long way with her relationships even finding a way to work with Bryce which seemed impossible in book one. We also may have reached a turning point in this book where Ellie seems to choice between two good men.
This was a good book, perhaps the best of the series so far. The mystery was complex and layered. We even had a side quest for justice that was met. Ellie is in a good place in this book allowing the focus of the story to be on the mystery. The other characters including the other families rounded out the cast nicely.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Rita Herron’s The Ice Sisters is a masterful blend of suspense and emotion, marking a significant milestone in the Detective Ellie Reeves series. Set in the eerie, snow-covered landscape of Cold Mountain, this tenth installment delves deep into the chilling mystery of two young girls found frozen on an icy lake.

Detective Ellie Reeves faces one of her most heart-wrenching cases yet when she discovers the bodies of twin sisters, eerily identical with their matching bows and heart-shaped faces. As she digs deeper, Ellie uncovers a web of secrets that threatens to unravel the very fabric of the community.

Ellie Reeves continues to be a compelling protagonist, her character growing more complex with each book. Herron expertly portrays Ellie’s inner struggles and her relentless drive for justice, making her both relatable and admirable. The supporting characters, including the enigmatic mother of the twins, add layers of intrigue and emotional depth to the story.

Herron’s writing is both evocative and precise, capturing the stark beauty and danger of Cold Mountain. Her ability to build suspense is exceptional, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. The emotional weight of the narrative is balanced with moments of introspection and revelation, making it a well-rounded and engaging read.

The Ice Sisters explores themes of loss, family secrets, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their loved ones. The contrast between the innocence of the young victims and the dark secrets surrounding their deaths adds a poignant layer to the story.

Rita Herron has crafted a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that will resonate with fans of the series and new readers alike. The Ice Sisters is a testament to Herron’s storytelling prowess, offering a narrative that is as heart-wrenching as it is thrilling. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery with deeply developed characters.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ice Sisters by Rita Herron is a highly recommended investigative thriller and the tenth novel in the series featuring Detective Ellie Reeves.

On a hike to the lake, Detective Ellie Reeves has an accident which causes her to discover two dead little girls, twins. Ranger Cord McClain and Special Agent Derrick Fox rush in to find Ellie when she doesn't show up for Thanksgiving dinner at her parents, and they find both Ellie and the little girls. Back at the station later Ellie finds that no one has reported two girls missing.

At the same time a car accident near where the girls were found results in a woman, Barbara, being hospitalized. Barbara leaves the hospital before being interviewed but a DNA test confirms that she is the girls' mother, however, Barbara's home shows no sign of any children living there. The investigation seems to be stalled, and then another little girl goes missing.

This is an excellent well-written investigative thriller that will hold your complete attention. As the team searches for the killer, the short chapters from multiple points-of-view help to keep the pace fast while adding tension, complexities, and twists. There is more than one suspect who are all equally creepy.

Those new to the series should note that even though this is the tenth book in the series there is enough background information provided that it can easily be read as a standalone novel. Those who are following the series are going to relish this latest case and the final denouement.

The Ice Sisters is very highly recommended for the right reader but note that the subject matter, while about families who want their children, also involves the death of children which was a difficult topic for me and resulted in a lower recommendation. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/1...

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ice Sisters by Rita Herron is the 10th book in the excellent Detective Ellie Reeves series and I have loved all of Rita's books especially as this book picks up 3 weeks after her last one, called The Sleep Girls.
Ellie finally has taken some time off for herself which she so needed, after what happened in the last book. She goes for a quick walk before she has to be at her parents house later. The snow has started to fall heavier now and the wind has become bitter. Detective Ellie Reeves discover the bodies of two little girls, alone and frozen on an icy lake, in the isolated town of Cold Mountain. The poor girls are holding hands, they are wearing matching bows in their blond curls, and when Ellie realises they are twin sisters, her heart breaks into two for their mother, who must be desperately wondering where her little darlings are.

Cord or Derrick has tried to phone Detective Ellie Reeves and can't get ahold of her, they both become concerned about her, when her parents informed them that Ellie was supposed to be at theirs for their family Thanksgiving meal that evening, and have become worried.

They both set out to look for Detective Ellie Reeves . Finally they find her lying over the two little girls trying to keep them warm and protect them from the snow and the biter wind. But she knows she is too late to save them.

Now, back in the warmth at the police station, she is horrified to discover that nobody has reported the sisters missing.

Are their parents in danger too?

An abandoned car is found near the girls’ bodies, and Detective Ellie Reeves learns that the female driver is in hospital, she prays that the injured woman will know something about the twins.

You will need to read the book to find out what happens next....... But, WoW this book was excellent and was a superb read.

I highly recommend this excellent series. I loved it.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and especially Bookouture for my ARC. Hugs x

[Alyce Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bookouture, NetGalley, and author Rita Herron for the advance eARC of this book number 1o in the Detective Ellie Reeves series.

Ellie is coming to the end of a well deserved break after the conclusion of the previous very nasty investigation.. She's also wrestling with a personal dilemma. To clear her head she decides to proceed to the lake for a brief hike before travelling to her parents for Thanksgiving. The weather has turned and is closing in. Unfortunately Ellie runs into difficulties. She plods on stumbling to the nearby falls hoping to find some shelter. when she comes across the bodies of two young girls. She collapses across the bodies. Her last thought to protect the scene from the increasing snowfall. Fortunately, Ellie's absence is noted by Ranger Cord McClain and Special Agent Derrick Fox. Neither man cares for each other but they band to together and ultimately rescue Ellie. An investigation is launched into the girls' deaths but it's slow going as no children have been reported missing.
Then a report comes in of a vehicle that's gone off the slick roads, the woman driver has been hospitalized. Barbara, the driver, denies knowing the girls, and before being interviewed properly, she disappears. DNA comes back confirming she's the girls' mother. What is she running from? Then another girl goes missing.

This is a finely crafted read with numerours twists and red herrings. The characters and situations come alive under Herron's writing, and may be a difficult read for some as the book is about at-risk women and children. 4 out of 5 stars.

[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Ellie Reeves is preparing to rejoin her team after a short break following a tough case and personal issues. She finds the bodies of twin girls out in the snow and is shocked that they haven't been reported missing. Could the parents be responsible for the murders or are they in danger themselves...?
The Ice Sisters is the 10th book in the Ellie Reeves detective thriller series set in America. There are no spoilers about past cases but the personal relationship plot strands continue from earlier books.
The last case hit Ellie hard and she is also in emotional turmoil because the man she likes, Cord, is going to marry his pregnant lover. But her personal life is forced into the background as she is needed to lead a major homicide investigation into the deaths of two young girls. The identities of the twins are difficult to establish and it becomes apparent that secrets from the past could lead other girls into the killer's path.
There are some big and emotional issues handled in the book which add depth to the plight of the characters. The child murders are handled sensitively and there is little graphic detail about their deaths. The writing is ever so fast paced with chapters just a couple of pages long. This keeps the momentum of the plot rapid and maintains the tension as we see multiple perspectives including the killer and his prey.
The Ice Sisters is a tense and fast paced crime thriller but also features plenty of emotion.

[Joanne Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fist-Pump Ending!

Herron delivers once again in book 10, "The Ice Sisters". Detective Ellie Reeves stumbles upon her next case during a hike, when she discovers the bodies of two girls.

After a harrowing case and the news that Cord was engaged and about to become a father, she heeds her boss's advice and takes leave, staying out of touch with everyone except her parents. After weeks of unanswered texts, Cord finally heads to the station, only to discover that no one has heard from Ellie and that she didn't arrive home for Thanksgiving dinner. Mobilizing the team, a search commences to find Ellie before it's too late, with everyone anxiously hoping she hasn't fallen victim to the blizzard battering the isolated locale of Cold Mountain.

Upon finding Ellie and the twin girls, no one could have anticipated the events that would unfold. Do they have another serial killer on their hands, preying on young girls, or is this crime motivated by something else? As different clues are revealed, the team struggles to piece together the overarching puzzle.

This book delivers an exciting mix of action, suspense, frustration, and romance. I'm eagerly awaiting what's in store in book 11.

(Note - your reaction may be different to mine, depending on if you are team Ranger or team FBI)

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ice Sisters (Detective Ellie Reeves Book 10) by Rita Herron is a gripping crime thriller packed with suspense.

The author weaves a tale of a woman who believes she is being stalked, only to come home and find the word liar scrawled in lipstick on her bathroom mirror. As the story unfolds, two girls attempt to escape a menacing figure, and the tension escalates further when a blizzard hits on Thanksgiving day.

The short chapters are action-packed and filled with heightened tension, making the book unputdownable and binge-worthy. The author’s atmospheric descriptions and credible characters bring the story to life. The plot wasfilled with suspense and foreshadowing, but the resolution felt a bit rushed and weak. The reasoning behind the killings seemed a bit contrived for me.

My only complaint is several repeated gestures from Derrick and another character where they continually “pulled a hand down his chin.” For some reason, this repetition bothered me and pulled me out of the story at times.

Overall, this book had lots of tangled webs of deceit and lies; however, it was a bit weak on the plot and reasoning behind the killings.

#TheIceSisters #NetGalley @bookouture

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Ellie Reeves’s mind is haunted by a single thought: two little girls need her. Tragically, these are twin girls who met untimely and brutal ends. Ellie, FBI Agent Derrick Fox, and Cord McLain, an expert with Search and Rescue, intensify their search for the girls’ killer. However, a disturbing fact sets them all on edge: no one has reported the girls missing.

After an abandoned car is discovered near the girls’ bodies, Ellie wonders if the driver, now hospitalized, has any connection to the little girls. Perhaps Ellie, Derrick and Cord are getting closer to the truth. As tragic as this case is, they all realize that it extends far beyond the brutal and untimely deaths of the twin girls.

To be fair, The Ice Sisters is not an easy read, as the subject matter remains heartbreaking throughout. However, I must say that Rita Herron crafted an intriguing story that evoked empathy for the little girls and other characters whose stories gradually unfolded. While this is the tenth book in the Detective Ellie Reeves series, it can be read as a standalone novel. However, if you’re like me, you might want to read the entire series in order.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.