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Death on Ice
A scientist nobody liked has been murdered on the Arctic ice . . .
Meet the Blanchard twins:
Rose is practical, sharp, and protective. Specialty: manta rays.
Finn is too sweet and kind for his own good. Specialty: sharks.
Rose and Finn are looking for sharks on the sea bed. When they return to their ship, the Dauphin, they make a terrible discovery: their colleague has been murdered on the ice - with a harpoon that should never have been there. Everyone else on the luxury cruise ship - the wealthy passengers, the researchers hard at work, the tight-knit crew and their strangely calm Captain - were all aboard at the time, so they are all under suspicion. Rose and Finn were the only two at sea, and they're miles from anywhere, so it's up to them to investigate.
On scientific problems, they are a brilliant team - but can the Blanchard twins solve a murder?
Meet the Blanchard twins:
Rose is practical, sharp, and protective. Specialty: manta rays.
Finn is too sweet and kind for his own good. Specialty: sharks.
Rose and Finn are looking for sharks on the sea bed. When they return to their ship, the Dauphin, they make a terrible discovery: their colleague has been murdered on the ice - with a harpoon that should never have been there. Everyone else on the luxury cruise ship - the wealthy passengers, the researchers hard at work, the tight-knit crew and their strangely calm Captain - were all aboard at the time, so they are all under suspicion. Rose and Finn were the only two at sea, and they're miles from anywhere, so it's up to them to investigate.
On scientific problems, they are a brilliant team - but can the Blanchard twins solve a murder?
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2024
23 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 26, 2025
A fun murder mystery with unexpected twists and interesting characters.
Death on Ice is a well written, but slightly drawn out, murder mystery containing, in my opinion, a few to many characters in relevance to the plot.
While reading I sometimes wanted to know less about some side characters and more about the main characters, the Blanchard Twins, themselves. Nonetheless I liked them a lot as protagonists
Despite the overly detailed scenes and sometimes unnecessary character descriptions; I found myself invested in the storyline and genuinely surprised by certain revelations throughout the book.
I'm curious as to what the next part in the Blachard Twins series will bring and if the underlying romance plot will be set forth.
I would give Death on Ice a strong 4/5 and recommend it to detective and murder mystery enjoyers. Reminded me alot of the Agatha Christie books.
Death on Ice is a well written, but slightly drawn out, murder mystery containing, in my opinion, a few to many characters in relevance to the plot.
While reading I sometimes wanted to know less about some side characters and more about the main characters, the Blanchard Twins, themselves. Nonetheless I liked them a lot as protagonists
Despite the overly detailed scenes and sometimes unnecessary character descriptions; I found myself invested in the storyline and genuinely surprised by certain revelations throughout the book.
I'm curious as to what the next part in the Blachard Twins series will bring and if the underlying romance plot will be set forth.
I would give Death on Ice a strong 4/5 and recommend it to detective and murder mystery enjoyers. Reminded me alot of the Agatha Christie books.
February 13, 2025
An Artic cruiseship, with research scientists mixing with the ridiculously wealthy. A submersible vehicle allowing underwater research into the Greenland shark whilst the well-to-do watch on, go on snowmobiles and watch the Aurora borealis.
Whilst two scientists are in the submersible, a body is discovered out on the ice. One of the scientists has been shot dead with harpoon.
Everyone is a suspect, except Rose and Finn, who were underwater at the time.
Detectives Tom Hessian and Titus are flown on board to investigate.
The setting for this novel is lovely and really well described. You do get the feeling of isolation and cold from being in the arctic but also the luxury of the ship. The cast of characters are ok but I did find the authors constantly interrupting conversations to describe a thought mid-sentence very off-putting. The thought being described was sometimes so long, I'd forget who it was that was talking, once they continued.
Once I'd noticed this, every time it happened I found myself withdrawn from the story. As silly a thing as this is, it probably ruined the book for me.
I thought the two detectives, Tom and Titus worked well together and had a very good rapport. The romances on ship worked quite well and the overall plot was OK. The setting is really the star of this story.
Worth a read but I did find this a little to easy to put down.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to review this book. All opinions are my own.
Whilst two scientists are in the submersible, a body is discovered out on the ice. One of the scientists has been shot dead with harpoon.
Everyone is a suspect, except Rose and Finn, who were underwater at the time.
Detectives Tom Hessian and Titus are flown on board to investigate.
The setting for this novel is lovely and really well described. You do get the feeling of isolation and cold from being in the arctic but also the luxury of the ship. The cast of characters are ok but I did find the authors constantly interrupting conversations to describe a thought mid-sentence very off-putting. The thought being described was sometimes so long, I'd forget who it was that was talking, once they continued.
Once I'd noticed this, every time it happened I found myself withdrawn from the story. As silly a thing as this is, it probably ruined the book for me.
I thought the two detectives, Tom and Titus worked well together and had a very good rapport. The romances on ship worked quite well and the overall plot was OK. The setting is really the star of this story.
Worth a read but I did find this a little to easy to put down.
I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to review this book. All opinions are my own.
March 5, 2025
Fun read but lost me at the end. To many quick twist that didn’t make a lot of sense to me. The characters really made this story.
December 18, 2024
Such a fun read! The characters were all so vivid and eccentric and fun.
The mystery itself was well done but also confusingly laid out, sometimes it seemed like there were long gaps between anything happening.
It was interesting to have two main narrators and then occasionally tidbits of narration from other characters here and there but it was really well done.
I love a rich people locked room mystery and this one did it so well, I did want more science from the other scientists but that's the geek in me.
Thank you NetGalley for the copy!
The mystery itself was well done but also confusingly laid out, sometimes it seemed like there were long gaps between anything happening.
It was interesting to have two main narrators and then occasionally tidbits of narration from other characters here and there but it was really well done.
I love a rich people locked room mystery and this one did it so well, I did want more science from the other scientists but that's the geek in me.
Thank you NetGalley for the copy!
August 5, 2024
A very good spin on a classic whodunit.
Think Christie but funnier, with more heart. The characters are crazy but relatable, and in the middle of Arctic!
I love a cosy murder mystery and this was one of the best.
Think Christie but funnier, with more heart. The characters are crazy but relatable, and in the middle of Arctic!
I love a cosy murder mystery and this was one of the best.
February 11, 2025
I am rating this book a rounded up 1.5 stars. The positives were that the writing, in a sense of grammar and vocabulary is done well and that the setting and nature are described well. Aside from that, I really couldn’t enjoy this book.
The concept, a murder mystery on a half scientific, half luxurious cruise, felt fresh and exciting yet the book simply did not deliver. Many characters were introduced from the start and at no point did I connect with any of them or care to remember any of their details. It took me until at least half way through to recognise who each person was. This is probably part of the reason why the relationships felt entirely two dimensional and I had no expectations or hopes for any of them. The very minimal references to romance felt immature and incredibly unrealistic.
The writing style made it feel impossible to get to grips with what was actually going on. This meant I lost interest in looking out for clues which I usually love with this genre. The dialogue felt unrealistic and the addition of people’s thoughts mid way through their speaking meant I lost track so easily.
As for the mystery element, I didn’t feel anything was a plot twist or a satisfying answer. Nothing led to any degree of suspense and the explanation felt almost pointless.
It took me a very long time to finish this book as there was no point where I felt hooked or desperate to find answers.
I apologise to the author if it’s merely a matter of a different taste in writing style, but I’ve read many mysteries and thrillers and none have left me this disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
The concept, a murder mystery on a half scientific, half luxurious cruise, felt fresh and exciting yet the book simply did not deliver. Many characters were introduced from the start and at no point did I connect with any of them or care to remember any of their details. It took me until at least half way through to recognise who each person was. This is probably part of the reason why the relationships felt entirely two dimensional and I had no expectations or hopes for any of them. The very minimal references to romance felt immature and incredibly unrealistic.
The writing style made it feel impossible to get to grips with what was actually going on. This meant I lost interest in looking out for clues which I usually love with this genre. The dialogue felt unrealistic and the addition of people’s thoughts mid way through their speaking meant I lost track so easily.
As for the mystery element, I didn’t feel anything was a plot twist or a satisfying answer. Nothing led to any degree of suspense and the explanation felt almost pointless.
It took me a very long time to finish this book as there was no point where I felt hooked or desperate to find answers.
I apologise to the author if it’s merely a matter of a different taste in writing style, but I’ve read many mysteries and thrillers and none have left me this disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
October 5, 2025
Tea drunk whilst reading - Birthday Cake by Bird and Blend
Looking out over the starboard side of the Dauphin we see shards of ice moving across the clear, crisp Arctic water. The arctic is a blank slate in front of all, with nowhere to hide and nowhere to harbour secrets.
Deep below, the Mouette swims piloted by Dr Rose Blanchard whilst her identical twin brother, Dr Finn Blanchard, is passenger. They are placing cameras to capture the movements of Greenland Sharks, Finn’s speciality, and in that moment they don’t realise that once they reach the superseded safety of the surface their lives will never be the same.
We take our time learning about the wealthy paying guests who have journeyed to the cold so they can see science at work whilst they sit in luxurious orange coats sipping hot cocoa.
The mysterious captain with an official background and the famous chef with the beautiful face serve all from the frontline, whilst the ship's supportive staff are slowly swimming around the ship, loyal to a fault.
Among them sit the scientists who have been granted permission to work on this one of a kind boat with state of the art spacious equipment.
Meanwhile on dry land, DI Thomas Heissman and DS Titus Williams search at their majesty's pleasure for a murderer and an undetectable diamond smuggling ring. All while being overwhelmed by their longing for Biscuit the cat, the friendly local police and the number of illegal weapons being handed in by the locals.
However, our two storylines are soon flung together as when the Mouette arrives back on the surface, following a distressing message, the twins discover there has been a murder, and the dead body of a scientist is laying on a sheet of ice surrounded by masks, ice picks and blood.
The first problem: nearly everyone is a suspect, as the dead scientist was exceptionally, out of his way rude to anyone he noticed.
The second problem: nearly everyone has a secret they are trying to hide.
The third problem: the murderer is still on the ship and another body just turned up.
This cosy isolation murder mystery was absolutely overflowing with engaging characters, their secrets left out in the cold, just waiting for the right person to break the sheet of ice above.
I especially enjoyed watching Dr Rose Blanchard's knack for uncovering the truth through her own logical ways of a scientist who specialises in manta rays. The first layer of support characters were charismatic, appealing and supported the novel’s movement rather than being 2D figures who were just watching things take place in a movie theatre.
Clues were not just handed to you gift wrapped, they were placed in a room of many things and you had to actually think was this a red herring or would it help solve this mystery? I will say that upon looking back, once I had finished, I did find myself appreciating the clever placement of the red herrings I stumbled over along my way.
The overall plot of this book was fun, and I found the two storylines and how they were woven together interesting. If a second of its kind, with the same main body of characters, were to be released, I think I would be adding it to my To Be Read list.
One thing I know for sure, I have a yearning for roasted goose and to watch ancient Greenland sharks swim in the deep dark cold waters of the Arctic.
Looking out over the starboard side of the Dauphin we see shards of ice moving across the clear, crisp Arctic water. The arctic is a blank slate in front of all, with nowhere to hide and nowhere to harbour secrets.
Deep below, the Mouette swims piloted by Dr Rose Blanchard whilst her identical twin brother, Dr Finn Blanchard, is passenger. They are placing cameras to capture the movements of Greenland Sharks, Finn’s speciality, and in that moment they don’t realise that once they reach the superseded safety of the surface their lives will never be the same.
We take our time learning about the wealthy paying guests who have journeyed to the cold so they can see science at work whilst they sit in luxurious orange coats sipping hot cocoa.
The mysterious captain with an official background and the famous chef with the beautiful face serve all from the frontline, whilst the ship's supportive staff are slowly swimming around the ship, loyal to a fault.
Among them sit the scientists who have been granted permission to work on this one of a kind boat with state of the art spacious equipment.
Meanwhile on dry land, DI Thomas Heissman and DS Titus Williams search at their majesty's pleasure for a murderer and an undetectable diamond smuggling ring. All while being overwhelmed by their longing for Biscuit the cat, the friendly local police and the number of illegal weapons being handed in by the locals.
However, our two storylines are soon flung together as when the Mouette arrives back on the surface, following a distressing message, the twins discover there has been a murder, and the dead body of a scientist is laying on a sheet of ice surrounded by masks, ice picks and blood.
The first problem: nearly everyone is a suspect, as the dead scientist was exceptionally, out of his way rude to anyone he noticed.
The second problem: nearly everyone has a secret they are trying to hide.
The third problem: the murderer is still on the ship and another body just turned up.
This cosy isolation murder mystery was absolutely overflowing with engaging characters, their secrets left out in the cold, just waiting for the right person to break the sheet of ice above.
I especially enjoyed watching Dr Rose Blanchard's knack for uncovering the truth through her own logical ways of a scientist who specialises in manta rays. The first layer of support characters were charismatic, appealing and supported the novel’s movement rather than being 2D figures who were just watching things take place in a movie theatre.
Clues were not just handed to you gift wrapped, they were placed in a room of many things and you had to actually think was this a red herring or would it help solve this mystery? I will say that upon looking back, once I had finished, I did find myself appreciating the clever placement of the red herrings I stumbled over along my way.
The overall plot of this book was fun, and I found the two storylines and how they were woven together interesting. If a second of its kind, with the same main body of characters, were to be released, I think I would be adding it to my To Be Read list.
One thing I know for sure, I have a yearning for roasted goose and to watch ancient Greenland sharks swim in the deep dark cold waters of the Arctic.
June 15, 2025
This book is the first in a potential series featuring the Blanchard twins (Rose and Finn), marine biologists turned amateur sleuths. A working team of research scientists and a small group of private individuals are on a luxury cruise ship in the arctic. Obviously there is a murder and the geographical isolation means that the suspects are limited to those on board the ship. The Blanchard twins are exempt from suspicion as they were in a submersible at the time and they put their heads together to try and solve the “locked room” mystery.
This is a very good cosy crime novel. There seems to be a resurgence of this literary genre at the moment and this is a good example of it. There are no graphic scenes of violence, no gratuitous sex, just old-fashioned story-telling with a good mystery to solve. The plot is well thought out and quite intricate and the solution is complex with plenty of twists and turns along the way. The arctic setting is dramatic and is described well so it evokes the atmosphere of the stark landscape and the frozen conditions.
The main issue I had with the book was the characters themselves. The first problem was keeping track of who was who and who was connected to who from a previous life. This might sound odd in a book where the number of characters is limited to those on board the ship, but by the time you include the passengers, the scientists, the crew and the two policemen there are quite a few people to keep track of and I was beginning to lose the plot. A secondary issue was that many of the supporting characters were described in great detail whereas the two main protagonists, Rose and Finn, were often left to largely fend for themselves when it came to being introduced to the readers. I felt, for example, that the passing reference to identical twins probably needed more than a passing reference as it was one of the most interesting things about the book (which is not to detract from its other plentiful merits).
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a cosy crime novel. It is certainly worth a read and I would happily read others in the series as and when they appear.
I would like to thank the publishers for the advance copies of this book sent to our book club to read and review.
This is a very good cosy crime novel. There seems to be a resurgence of this literary genre at the moment and this is a good example of it. There are no graphic scenes of violence, no gratuitous sex, just old-fashioned story-telling with a good mystery to solve. The plot is well thought out and quite intricate and the solution is complex with plenty of twists and turns along the way. The arctic setting is dramatic and is described well so it evokes the atmosphere of the stark landscape and the frozen conditions.
The main issue I had with the book was the characters themselves. The first problem was keeping track of who was who and who was connected to who from a previous life. This might sound odd in a book where the number of characters is limited to those on board the ship, but by the time you include the passengers, the scientists, the crew and the two policemen there are quite a few people to keep track of and I was beginning to lose the plot. A secondary issue was that many of the supporting characters were described in great detail whereas the two main protagonists, Rose and Finn, were often left to largely fend for themselves when it came to being introduced to the readers. I felt, for example, that the passing reference to identical twins probably needed more than a passing reference as it was one of the most interesting things about the book (which is not to detract from its other plentiful merits).
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a cosy crime novel. It is certainly worth a read and I would happily read others in the series as and when they appear.
I would like to thank the publishers for the advance copies of this book sent to our book club to read and review.
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March 4, 2025***Reviewed as part of the Rebel Badge Club Detective badge***
The third book I chose as part of my Detective Badge was Death On Ice by R. O. Thorp. I chose it because I'm a sucker for anything set in the Arctic. The blurb promised a cosy mystery on a cruise ship filled with scientists, crew members and rich eccentric guests - great stuff.
This is the first book in what will be a series featuring the Blanchard twins, Finn and Rose. Both scientists, they are on the ship to study Greenland sharks. When a murderer strikes, they are the only individuals free from suspicion - since they are in a submersible exploring the Arctic Ocean at the time - so end up helping two British policemen currently in Svalbard, Tom and Titus, investigate.
The Arctic setting is a great one because of the isolation, the cold and the simple inhospitableness. Rose and Finn are both appealing characters, with a close relationship that is lovely to see. I also enjoyed the relationship between the two detectives and how the four of them all worked together.
Thorp has a quirky writing style that I love, with a turn of phrase that reminded me of Wodehouse. 'Cosy crime' is an apt description, because even when bad things are happening, the writing made me smile. The wider cast of characters - the ship's captain and crew, the assorted guests - are all really well drawn.
Without getting into spoiler territory, I really enjoyed the LBTQIA+ representation in the book. I wasn't aware of this before going in, but it's another point in the book's favour.
I might have chosen the book because of the setting, but I definitely want to keep up with the series - I'm looking forward to the next book about this duo.
The third book I chose as part of my Detective Badge was Death On Ice by R. O. Thorp. I chose it because I'm a sucker for anything set in the Arctic. The blurb promised a cosy mystery on a cruise ship filled with scientists, crew members and rich eccentric guests - great stuff.
This is the first book in what will be a series featuring the Blanchard twins, Finn and Rose. Both scientists, they are on the ship to study Greenland sharks. When a murderer strikes, they are the only individuals free from suspicion - since they are in a submersible exploring the Arctic Ocean at the time - so end up helping two British policemen currently in Svalbard, Tom and Titus, investigate.
The Arctic setting is a great one because of the isolation, the cold and the simple inhospitableness. Rose and Finn are both appealing characters, with a close relationship that is lovely to see. I also enjoyed the relationship between the two detectives and how the four of them all worked together.
Thorp has a quirky writing style that I love, with a turn of phrase that reminded me of Wodehouse. 'Cosy crime' is an apt description, because even when bad things are happening, the writing made me smile. The wider cast of characters - the ship's captain and crew, the assorted guests - are all really well drawn.
Without getting into spoiler territory, I really enjoyed the LBTQIA+ representation in the book. I wasn't aware of this before going in, but it's another point in the book's favour.
I might have chosen the book because of the setting, but I definitely want to keep up with the series - I'm looking forward to the next book about this duo.
October 27, 2025
DEATH ON ICE is an engaging mystery set in the arctic.
There are several layers to the mystery, which I liked. Several people are working against one another in various ways, making the mystery less straightforward. It all comes together in a satisfying way but I liked how it wasn't as simple as one person behind every single part of the various mysteries involved.
The combination of luxury cruise ship and scientific research vessel worked surprisingly well. Not only does it make sense from a financial perspective but it meant the suspects included the rich (with all their motives around money and inheritances and secrets that could topple them) but also scientists who are brash and absent minded and maybe not all following good research ethics. There are excellent character archetypes from both camps here.
The novel is mostly narrated by Rose and Tom who have very different approaches to the investigation. Tom, being the professional, is going about it in a logical way but Rose is happening upon things and coming up with connections thanks to being outside. It was nice to see two different detective types in one book, which plays off one another well.
There was a surprisingly understated humour to this book at times, in a somewhat surreal way. Titus (Tom's assistant) is responsible for much of it - for example, he has a peculiar habit of collecting weapons off criminals without much effort. It was nice to have this gentler tone to counterbalance the mystery at times.
There are several layers to the mystery, which I liked. Several people are working against one another in various ways, making the mystery less straightforward. It all comes together in a satisfying way but I liked how it wasn't as simple as one person behind every single part of the various mysteries involved.
The combination of luxury cruise ship and scientific research vessel worked surprisingly well. Not only does it make sense from a financial perspective but it meant the suspects included the rich (with all their motives around money and inheritances and secrets that could topple them) but also scientists who are brash and absent minded and maybe not all following good research ethics. There are excellent character archetypes from both camps here.
The novel is mostly narrated by Rose and Tom who have very different approaches to the investigation. Tom, being the professional, is going about it in a logical way but Rose is happening upon things and coming up with connections thanks to being outside. It was nice to see two different detective types in one book, which plays off one another well.
There was a surprisingly understated humour to this book at times, in a somewhat surreal way. Titus (Tom's assistant) is responsible for much of it - for example, he has a peculiar habit of collecting weapons off criminals without much effort. It was nice to have this gentler tone to counterbalance the mystery at times.
March 28, 2025
I'd like to thank Faber and Faber for sending me a copy of Death on Ice to review! It was a book that had me gripped from page one; the voice was so strong and unique for something published nowadays- it had a feel reminscent of Agatha Christie's writing or Alex Hayes' The Housekeepers- and had so many quotes that were both funny in their own right and made funnier by the narrative voice.
Initially, we meet the captain, passengers and scientists on board the Dauphin, including our main characters Rose and Finn. We then meet the two policemen- Tom and Titus- separately, which gives us the opportunity to get to know them individually as characters before they are all called together to solve a 'locked room' murder. This was a really smart move on the authors part, as it meant the relationships formed between these characters became additional aspects to them, rather than being their whole purpose. It could potentially have been a risk, as I was scrutinising the continuity of the characters' personalities and actions, but it was a risk that paid off seeing as not only did Tom retain his grumpy demeanour, but Rose retained her disdain of anything other than her twin and science, and Finn remained enamoured with life- it just extended to another person.
The characters really grew on me as the novel went on- I loved that every character got their time to develop and shine. Even after the murder, that character went on to be explored further, and I found that really interesting. Because of this, I felt that the novel was probably more character-driven than plot-driven, but I'd follow these people into hell for the sake of a story. One particular character that I felt was impeccably written was Dr Finn Blanchard. He was loving and loveable and had such a joy for life! There were a couple of subtly suggested hints that Finn was trans, and the only outright discussions of his sex were between the scientists, and more to describe how much of a meanie the aggressor was rather than make it into a plot device. It was so nice to have someone diverse included for a reason that was just because THAT'S WHO HE IS rather than just to tick a box for representation. It felt so natural, and I commend the author.
I would argue that Rose was the main character, and it was her relationships with others that shaped most of the novel. Without giving spoilers, I desperately enjoyed her nicknaming the murdered character 'The Crimson Horror' and continuing to do so even after their untimely departure. The split second consideration of 'should I stop calling X this?' followed immediately by 'nah' was *chef's kiss*. Because of how much detail we get into the characters and their lives, it meant that when it came to the end, I basically had whiplash from all of the twisty turns and goings on because I did NOT know who to trust. One of the revelations I was expecting, but literally everything else had me shook. In my notes, I have written 'it is four chapters from the end and I still don't know what's going to happen.'
This is a book that I sold our only store copy of before I had even got halfway into my own. I genuinely urge every mystery fan to read it! Even writing this review a good month after reading the book, I remembered everything about it, which is unusual and tells me how much I loved it! A well deserved five stars!
Initially, we meet the captain, passengers and scientists on board the Dauphin, including our main characters Rose and Finn. We then meet the two policemen- Tom and Titus- separately, which gives us the opportunity to get to know them individually as characters before they are all called together to solve a 'locked room' murder. This was a really smart move on the authors part, as it meant the relationships formed between these characters became additional aspects to them, rather than being their whole purpose. It could potentially have been a risk, as I was scrutinising the continuity of the characters' personalities and actions, but it was a risk that paid off seeing as not only did Tom retain his grumpy demeanour, but Rose retained her disdain of anything other than her twin and science, and Finn remained enamoured with life- it just extended to another person.
The characters really grew on me as the novel went on- I loved that every character got their time to develop and shine. Even after the murder, that character went on to be explored further, and I found that really interesting. Because of this, I felt that the novel was probably more character-driven than plot-driven, but I'd follow these people into hell for the sake of a story. One particular character that I felt was impeccably written was Dr Finn Blanchard. He was loving and loveable and had such a joy for life! There were a couple of subtly suggested hints that Finn was trans, and the only outright discussions of his sex were between the scientists, and more to describe how much of a meanie the aggressor was rather than make it into a plot device. It was so nice to have someone diverse included for a reason that was just because THAT'S WHO HE IS rather than just to tick a box for representation. It felt so natural, and I commend the author.
I would argue that Rose was the main character, and it was her relationships with others that shaped most of the novel. Without giving spoilers, I desperately enjoyed her nicknaming the murdered character 'The Crimson Horror' and continuing to do so even after their untimely departure. The split second consideration of 'should I stop calling X this?' followed immediately by 'nah' was *chef's kiss*. Because of how much detail we get into the characters and their lives, it meant that when it came to the end, I basically had whiplash from all of the twisty turns and goings on because I did NOT know who to trust. One of the revelations I was expecting, but literally everything else had me shook. In my notes, I have written 'it is four chapters from the end and I still don't know what's going to happen.'
This is a book that I sold our only store copy of before I had even got halfway into my own. I genuinely urge every mystery fan to read it! Even writing this review a good month after reading the book, I remembered everything about it, which is unusual and tells me how much I loved it! A well deserved five stars!
February 19, 2025
Death on the Ice is a quirky, modern version of an Agatha Christie novel.
It seems like the Arctic is the new go-to location for authors, and this is a good example of the genre.
We are taken on board The Dauphin, a ship heading to the Arctic Circle. The research scientists on board are being funded by the fabulously, wealthy elite who are after a trip with something different. The scientists, twins Drs Rose and Finn Blanchard are going on a trip in a submersible vehicle to study the Greenland Shark. Their wealthy backers will be quaffing champagne, touring around on snowmobiles and hopefully seeing the Aurora Borealis.
Unfortunately, the twins come to the surface after one of their dives to find that one of the other travellers has been murdered, by being harpooned while they were on the ice sheet.
Detectives Tom Heissman and Titus Williams are flown on board The Dauphin to investigate. Together with the twins, they must find out the murderer where everyone is a suspect and everyone has an alibi.
I thought the setting was brilliant and the characters held together well. The only flaw was the story slowed down too much in the middle and a lot of tension was lost. Overall though, a great read.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley, R O Thorp and especially Faber & Faber for the much appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
It seems like the Arctic is the new go-to location for authors, and this is a good example of the genre.
We are taken on board The Dauphin, a ship heading to the Arctic Circle. The research scientists on board are being funded by the fabulously, wealthy elite who are after a trip with something different. The scientists, twins Drs Rose and Finn Blanchard are going on a trip in a submersible vehicle to study the Greenland Shark. Their wealthy backers will be quaffing champagne, touring around on snowmobiles and hopefully seeing the Aurora Borealis.
Unfortunately, the twins come to the surface after one of their dives to find that one of the other travellers has been murdered, by being harpooned while they were on the ice sheet.
Detectives Tom Heissman and Titus Williams are flown on board The Dauphin to investigate. Together with the twins, they must find out the murderer where everyone is a suspect and everyone has an alibi.
I thought the setting was brilliant and the characters held together well. The only flaw was the story slowed down too much in the middle and a lot of tension was lost. Overall though, a great read.
Sincere thanks to NetGalley, R O Thorp and especially Faber & Faber for the much appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
January 26, 2025
Welcome to the Dauphin - a ship heading to the Arctic Circle with a mix of scientific researchers, and high paying guests looking for a trip with a difference. Scientist twins Drs Rose and Finn Blanchard are on board to work on Finn's research on the Greenland Shark, making use of the Dauphin's submersible.
The ship is filled with strong characters - the wealthy elite and the best of the best in Science, and when the two groups mix, hackles are raised, personalities clash.
After a trip down to the seabed in the submersible, Rose and Finn surface to find that one of the more objectionable characters has been harpooned, away from the ship on the ice sheet.
To solve the death, the scientific mind of Rose Blanchard teams up with two British detectives whose work on a smuggling ring had taken them up to Svalbard - Tom Heissman and Titus Williams.
A wonderful debut mystery, with strong quirky characters. It's been a long time since I sat up until 4 am because I couldn't put a book down but this had me downing coffee so I could find out whodunnit. A captivating story with characters I just loved.
The ship is filled with strong characters - the wealthy elite and the best of the best in Science, and when the two groups mix, hackles are raised, personalities clash.
After a trip down to the seabed in the submersible, Rose and Finn surface to find that one of the more objectionable characters has been harpooned, away from the ship on the ice sheet.
To solve the death, the scientific mind of Rose Blanchard teams up with two British detectives whose work on a smuggling ring had taken them up to Svalbard - Tom Heissman and Titus Williams.
A wonderful debut mystery, with strong quirky characters. It's been a long time since I sat up until 4 am because I couldn't put a book down but this had me downing coffee so I could find out whodunnit. A captivating story with characters I just loved.
August 9, 2025
I am a sucker for the good old who done it books, and this book was so much fun, and it is set in the arctic. What is not to love.
So on this luxury cruise ship we have the Blanchard twins Rose and Finn, who are marine biologists, and are onboard the boat to study the arctic. The passengers are quite well to do and you guessed it, there is a murder on board. The twins were on a submersible at the time of the murder so are not in suspicion of doing the crime. The twins then together try to solve the mystery of the murder on board.
It is a well written who done it book and it sticks to the story, no trailing of on other side stories which I loved. The overall plot of the book was amazingly well thought out, and It has lots of twists and turns which kept me thinking all the time who it could be. It was great fun. The arctic setting was described so well and I could almost imagine it, and feel the cold. (Dramatic I know)
Overall an extremely well written cosy murder mystery! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie. There was no violence or sex just a cosy read. I loved it.
I would like to thank the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I had so much fun.
So on this luxury cruise ship we have the Blanchard twins Rose and Finn, who are marine biologists, and are onboard the boat to study the arctic. The passengers are quite well to do and you guessed it, there is a murder on board. The twins were on a submersible at the time of the murder so are not in suspicion of doing the crime. The twins then together try to solve the mystery of the murder on board.
It is a well written who done it book and it sticks to the story, no trailing of on other side stories which I loved. The overall plot of the book was amazingly well thought out, and It has lots of twists and turns which kept me thinking all the time who it could be. It was great fun. The arctic setting was described so well and I could almost imagine it, and feel the cold. (Dramatic I know)
Overall an extremely well written cosy murder mystery! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie. There was no violence or sex just a cosy read. I loved it.
I would like to thank the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I had so much fun.
July 8, 2025
I was a bit hesitant about this book after seeing some scathing reviews but I’m glad I ignored and persevered with the read. I really enjoyed the plot and found the twists unexpected and the ending suitably unpredictable but neat with all loose ends tied up. I found the characters easy to root for and fall in love with. Although others have criticised Thorp’s over-description of characters, I found it added to the feel of the story and made you feel like an extra passenger aboard the ship.
I also disagree with other reviewers about the slow pace of the story. The story reveals itself steadily and makes you feel like you’re experiencing the plot in real time whilst lending to beautiful character and scene descriptions which I would not remove for want of a faster pace.
The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is I did not enjoy the writing style at times. The interruption of dialogue halfway through sentences made for a confusing read and unorthodox use of capitalisation was both annoying and stilted. As a stylistic choice I acknowledge it, but it wasn’t for me.
I also disagree with other reviewers about the slow pace of the story. The story reveals itself steadily and makes you feel like you’re experiencing the plot in real time whilst lending to beautiful character and scene descriptions which I would not remove for want of a faster pace.
The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is I did not enjoy the writing style at times. The interruption of dialogue halfway through sentences made for a confusing read and unorthodox use of capitalisation was both annoying and stilted. As a stylistic choice I acknowledge it, but it wasn’t for me.
April 15, 2025
In Death On Ice by R.O. Thorp the main protagonists are Rose and Finn Blanchard, twins, both scientists who are setting sail on a scientific exploration vessel into the arctic. Aboard the ship, apart from the crew, are several other scientists and a group of wealthy passengers paying over the odds for luxury cabins and treatment and so funding a considerable part of the expedition. As the ship leaves from an English port it leaves behind the body of Michael, the port intern lying dead on the docks and DI Thomas Heissen and DS Titus Williams are preparing to travel north to Scandinavia on the trail of a smuggling ring. The characters are assembled in the arctic circle as the ship sets anchor at the first of its information gathering points and Rose and Finn dive in the submersible to gather the scientific data. When they finally arrive back on the ship it's to discover that one of the most unpleasant of the scientists, Dr Ben Sixgill, has been found dead on the ice with a harpoon through his chest and when Captain Johannsson calls Svalbard for police support Heissen and Williams are sent out to the ship to investigate.
I'm prepared to accept that I might not have been in the mood for this book and hence my low rating but my experience of it was not positive. With it's collection of dysfunctional characters, both scientists and guests, my sympathies lie with the crew trying to provide for them. The isolated location gave this novel the feeling of a locked room kind of mystery and I felt it could have been so much more engaging than it was although admittedly there were a couple of good and unexpected twists at the end. The writing style felt clunky and virtually every paragraph had an aside which was distracting and affected the flow of the narrative. It was also very slow moving and I found myself skim reading large chunks of the text that seemed superfluous to the story in order to get to the end. I felt it could have been at least 75% shorter than it is. Large parts of it were just not relevant to the plot.
The characters were an interesting bunch and I can quite easily believe that scientists specializing to such a degree in underwater biology may well be unsociable and single focused. however, while it's important that literature represents everyone I don't feel there needs to be an attempt to shoe horn someone of every persuasion in to a single novel. It felt the author was trying too hard to make point of being "inclusive" way more than was necessary for the solving of a murder. Again the diversions into the characters personal lives felt superfluous to the story. It is after all a murder mystery not a romance.
My main criticism though was that the book didn't flow and was difficult to follow as a result I found it boring and a struggle to read. I think this is the closest I've come to DNFing a book for a long time and I've had a few in the last couple of years. Far too much of this book was too forgettable and at no time did I feel at all invested in the story or the characters.
The one star really is for my recommendation of it as a reasonable cure for insomnia.
I'm prepared to accept that I might not have been in the mood for this book and hence my low rating but my experience of it was not positive. With it's collection of dysfunctional characters, both scientists and guests, my sympathies lie with the crew trying to provide for them. The isolated location gave this novel the feeling of a locked room kind of mystery and I felt it could have been so much more engaging than it was although admittedly there were a couple of good and unexpected twists at the end. The writing style felt clunky and virtually every paragraph had an aside which was distracting and affected the flow of the narrative. It was also very slow moving and I found myself skim reading large chunks of the text that seemed superfluous to the story in order to get to the end. I felt it could have been at least 75% shorter than it is. Large parts of it were just not relevant to the plot.
The characters were an interesting bunch and I can quite easily believe that scientists specializing to such a degree in underwater biology may well be unsociable and single focused. however, while it's important that literature represents everyone I don't feel there needs to be an attempt to shoe horn someone of every persuasion in to a single novel. It felt the author was trying too hard to make point of being "inclusive" way more than was necessary for the solving of a murder. Again the diversions into the characters personal lives felt superfluous to the story. It is after all a murder mystery not a romance.
My main criticism though was that the book didn't flow and was difficult to follow as a result I found it boring and a struggle to read. I think this is the closest I've come to DNFing a book for a long time and I've had a few in the last couple of years. Far too much of this book was too forgettable and at no time did I feel at all invested in the story or the characters.
The one star really is for my recommendation of it as a reasonable cure for insomnia.
July 28, 2025
Apparently, murder mysteries are not my thing, but I quite liked this one. There were just way too many characters and I couldn't keep them apart to save my life (pun intended). The switching perspectives (even within a chapter) was also very confusing to me. There is also a large amount of way-too-long-sentences that seem to be consciously constructed to be a hassle.
Besides the fact that I couldn't make heads or tails of this story for the first few chapters, it was a nice read. There is a nice amount of diversity and representation in there, which I really enjoyed. I liked the twins and their relationship. I like the investigation-type scenes. It was just a bit hard to get through. So, I would definitely recommend it to people who do like murder mysteries with lots of characters and complex writing styles.
Besides the fact that I couldn't make heads or tails of this story for the first few chapters, it was a nice read. There is a nice amount of diversity and representation in there, which I really enjoyed. I liked the twins and their relationship. I like the investigation-type scenes. It was just a bit hard to get through. So, I would definitely recommend it to people who do like murder mysteries with lots of characters and complex writing styles.
December 21, 2024
A cozy mystery set on an arctic cruise ship. Told from different points of view, Titus and Tom are the main detectives, helped by twin scientists, Finn & Rose and there are plenty of otehr passengers and a few of the ships crew to keep track of. The plot is intricate & cryptic to the extent that I did lose the thread at times. On the whole, I thought the book was too long, some one had been murdered before the boat set off, but the other deaths started well into the book. I did like the personal stories of the characters, though some parts were a little irrelevant, the romantic side stories added interest but the attractions were not really explicit which semed a bit wishy washy .
An ok read, not really my style . Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC
An ok read, not really my style . Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC
May 31, 2025
"Death on Ice" by R. O. Thorp is a chilling and suspenseful thriller that plunges readers into a perilous world where the unforgiving cold is as much a character as the protagonists. This novel delivers a high-stakes mystery set against a stark, icy backdrop, perfect for those who enjoy their thrillers with a palpable sense of danger and isolation.
Is an ideal read for fans of atmospheric thrillers, survival stories, and mysteries where the environment plays a crucial role. If you enjoy a gripping narrative that combines a compelling whodunit with the raw power of nature, and you don't mind a setting that sends shivers down your spine, then this book is a strong contender for your next read.
Is an ideal read for fans of atmospheric thrillers, survival stories, and mysteries where the environment plays a crucial role. If you enjoy a gripping narrative that combines a compelling whodunit with the raw power of nature, and you don't mind a setting that sends shivers down your spine, then this book is a strong contender for your next read.
November 11, 2025
A fun murder mystery set on a cruise ship that felt safe and enticing.
I found the writing style was a bit confusing at times, lots of sentences and big words I had to take a minute to fully understand the meaning or suggestion of. There was also a lot of repetition but I felt there was quite a good balance of talking/investigating/shenanigans.
The romantic relationships felt a bit rushed, especially at the end - and I really feel like Finn was more a side character than the actual side characters at times, his characterisation was basically just 'sweet cinnamon roll' and idk I found that wasn't something I enjoyed, maybe his character will be futhered in future novels.
I did enjoy my time with this, it is very readable and felt very old school classic murder mystery.
I found the writing style was a bit confusing at times, lots of sentences and big words I had to take a minute to fully understand the meaning or suggestion of. There was also a lot of repetition but I felt there was quite a good balance of talking/investigating/shenanigans.
The romantic relationships felt a bit rushed, especially at the end - and I really feel like Finn was more a side character than the actual side characters at times, his characterisation was basically just 'sweet cinnamon roll' and idk I found that wasn't something I enjoyed, maybe his character will be futhered in future novels.
I did enjoy my time with this, it is very readable and felt very old school classic murder mystery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2024
I loved this book. It reminded me of the old murder mystery novels of the Agatha Christie era mixed with a bit of modern crime. The book cover suits the book.
There are two main characters. The book starts with Dr Rose and her twin. After the murder, the main lead is is in charge of the investigation, with Rose helping.
There is a range of characters and personalities. All these keep the book entertaining. This would make a great murder mystery movie with all these characters.
If you liked the standalone Agatha Christie novels, you'll probably love this!
Thanks Net Galley for a copy for an honest review
There are two main characters. The book starts with Dr Rose and her twin. After the murder, the main lead is is in charge of the investigation, with Rose helping.
There is a range of characters and personalities. All these keep the book entertaining. This would make a great murder mystery movie with all these characters.
If you liked the standalone Agatha Christie novels, you'll probably love this!
Thanks Net Galley for a copy for an honest review
December 7, 2025
I loved everything about this. I absolutely adore the Blanchard twins and can't wait to read more about them. At about two thirds of the way through, I was rolling my eyes and preparing to give this a 3.5 star rating - well-written but I saw the conclusion coming a mile off, had my suspicions about the true perpetrator from the start - and then it took me on a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns and shocks! Yes, I predicted part of the big reveal, but I never could have predicted the events that unfolded around the reveal, and it was thrilling!
February 12, 2025
The Blanchard Twins - Rose and Finn are scientists on board a luxury cruise ship to use the submersible for their science experiments of the Greenland Sharks. The characters are quirky and likeable and along with ship's passengers, crew and scientists are caught short when someone is fatally murdered in the middle of the Arctic. They are sought out to help investigate as they have locked in alibis as they were below the ship. This was a delightful read and the ending came as a surprise!
June 7, 2025
3.5 trending 4.
I read some really harsh reviews of this book before plumping for it anyway and went in a little apprehensive. But I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters and the twist at the end.
What I didn’t like was the Random Use of Capitals, which was oddly off-putting.
Would this rival Thursday Murder Club or other cosy crimes? Not really. Would you be disappointed if you read it? I certainly wasn’t. And I’ll read the next one too.
I read some really harsh reviews of this book before plumping for it anyway and went in a little apprehensive. But I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters and the twist at the end.
What I didn’t like was the Random Use of Capitals, which was oddly off-putting.
Would this rival Thursday Murder Club or other cosy crimes? Not really. Would you be disappointed if you read it? I certainly wasn’t. And I’ll read the next one too.
September 2, 2025
This was actually very entertaining with an interesting murder plot and interesting characters. However I felt like it became a little TOO interesting. Lots and lots of plot twists, lots and lots of character dev, and it all came on too fast and too soon. Everything progresses together quite fast with a lot of twists, but too many sprinkles on the cupcake makes for a yummy eat but slightly uneasy stomach after. I think it would have done well with some extra editing.
Two PhD twins go on a luxury scientific cruise and get embroiled in a murder, and then an international diamond heist with British inspectors, and then a splash of romance, lots of unserious bickering here and there. Humorous. Rather cosy. I got a bit annoyed with how many times Finn gets called a beautiful gorgeous man.
Two PhD twins go on a luxury scientific cruise and get embroiled in a murder, and then an international diamond heist with British inspectors, and then a splash of romance, lots of unserious bickering here and there. Humorous. Rather cosy. I got a bit annoyed with how many times Finn gets called a beautiful gorgeous man.
February 4, 2025
I was gifted this ARC as part of netgalley. Overall 2.5 stars. I was looking forward to nice cozy ‘who dunnit’ but I almost Dnfed this many times because of the amount of character dump initially. It picks up by about 30% into the book. Very predictable mystery. I wanted to finish reading the book as soon as I can and it wasn’t because I enjoyed it unfortunately.
March 16, 2025
I found this to be a very Agatha Christie-eque cosy mystery, but with a very impressive setting!
The pacing was a bit off for me, some sections of the book dragged and others were twist after twist with no room to breathe between.
Overall though it was super fun and I loved the LGBTQ+ representation.
The pacing was a bit off for me, some sections of the book dragged and others were twist after twist with no room to breathe between.
Overall though it was super fun and I loved the LGBTQ+ representation.
December 26, 2025
2.8 ⭐ This book was very hard to get into, with the murder only happening around a third of the book. Everything before that felt really slow and excessive, and only after the murder did the book get more exciting. The twists were nice and some had me gasping, but others were quite predictable. All in all a decent read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2024
Clever, quirky and irresistibly fun, I adored my killer cruise with R O Thorp’s Blanchard twins in Death on Ice. But I swear I’m never ever getting into a two-person submarine, it sounds even more terrifying than a trip to the arctic with a boatload of murder suspects!
March 11, 2025
Oh my this is not a cosy crime. There is far more to it than that. I loved this first in the series and can't wait for the second. Loved the twins and the two police detectives. So hoping the latter feature in the next.
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