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DCI Logan Crime Thrillers #9
A Snowball's Chance in Hell
When a young man is found frozen to death on a Highland street in mid-December, DCI Jack Logan initially puts it down to a Christmas night out gone tragically wrong.
But, when a post mortem reveals something more sinister, Jack discovers he is dealing with a cold, calculating killer with a long line of victims, a talent for torture, and a perverse sense of justice.
Half a decade ago, the press dubbed him ‘The Iceman’ - a twisted vigilante who successfully evaded capture for two years, before melting away into the night.
Now, The Iceman has come back. His naughty list is longer than ever.
And it contains some worryingly familiar names…
But, when a post mortem reveals something more sinister, Jack discovers he is dealing with a cold, calculating killer with a long line of victims, a talent for torture, and a perverse sense of justice.
Half a decade ago, the press dubbed him ‘The Iceman’ - a twisted vigilante who successfully evaded capture for two years, before melting away into the night.
Now, The Iceman has come back. His naughty list is longer than ever.
And it contains some worryingly familiar names…
346 pages, Paperback
First published December 11, 2020
2763 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Kirk
57 books1,751 followersJD Kirk is the pen name of multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, and writer of comics, Barry Hutchison.
JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. Despite writing from a young age, 'A Litter of Bones' is his first novel, and combines his love of the Highlands, crime thrillers, and cats.
JD Kirk lives in the Highlands of Scotland with his wife, two children, and a number of sturdy umbrellas. Despite writing from a young age, 'A Litter of Bones' is his first novel, and combines his love of the Highlands, crime thrillers, and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 369 reviews
February 8, 2021
OMG Mr Kirk! What are you doing to your loyal tribe of Loganites! I don't think I breathed properly from Chapter 8, when the seeds were sown concerning one of the characters, until the very end when this particular storyline reached a conclusion! Excellent book in this series, they really do get better and better. The characters are so real, the humour is infectious, the descriptive prose is truly stunning. Loved the ending with the team (were the candles Cinnamon Stick!) and left us on a cliffhanger regarding what might come next. Roll on the next instalment!! Excellent. A***** 😊
March 20, 2024
A very fast paced story with more hilarious Scottish humour the only way Kirk can write it. I love the way he’ll sneak in a one liner or a comment from one of the characters that will have me in stitches.
The characters are so very believable it’s like you’re there at that moment in time; another one of Kirk’s amazing writing tools in his arsenal. I’m really glad some of the supporting cast are getting stories of their own this is adding another layer for me to enjoy. This book has elements of trauma and major suspense which Kirk handles beautifully and really kept me on the edge of my seat.
To sum up a very well written crime, thriller with its own brand of well timed humour, fantastic characters, and a great setting. This book was so engrossing and enjoyable that I almost forgot to make notes..
The characters are so very believable it’s like you’re there at that moment in time; another one of Kirk’s amazing writing tools in his arsenal. I’m really glad some of the supporting cast are getting stories of their own this is adding another layer for me to enjoy. This book has elements of trauma and major suspense which Kirk handles beautifully and really kept me on the edge of my seat.
To sum up a very well written crime, thriller with its own brand of well timed humour, fantastic characters, and a great setting. This book was so engrossing and enjoyable that I almost forgot to make notes..
January 10, 2021
A Snowball's Chance in Hell is book nine in the DCI Jack Logan series by JD Kirk. DCI Jack Logan caught a case of a young man who froze to death. At first everyone, through that, the young man died of misadventure. However, this changed after the autopsy to murder. The readers of A Snowball's Chance in Hell will continue to follow DCI Jack Logan and his team to determine what happens.
A Snowball's Chance in Hell is another excellent addition to this fantastic series by JD Kirk. Wow, I engaged with the plot of A Snowball's Chance in Hell from the first page, and I was unable to put the book down. I love JS Kirk's portrayal of her characters and how they interacted with each other throughout this book. A snowball's Chance in Hell is well written and researched by JD Kirk. I like JD Kirk description of the settings of A Snowball's Chance in Hell that allowed me to imagine being part of the plot of this book.
The readers of A Snowball's Chance will understand the consequences for victims not believed by law enforcement and the legal professions. Also, the readers of A Snowball's Chance will learn about living in the highlands of Scotland.
I recommend this book.
A Snowball's Chance in Hell is another excellent addition to this fantastic series by JD Kirk. Wow, I engaged with the plot of A Snowball's Chance in Hell from the first page, and I was unable to put the book down. I love JS Kirk's portrayal of her characters and how they interacted with each other throughout this book. A snowball's Chance in Hell is well written and researched by JD Kirk. I like JD Kirk description of the settings of A Snowball's Chance in Hell that allowed me to imagine being part of the plot of this book.
The readers of A Snowball's Chance will understand the consequences for victims not believed by law enforcement and the legal professions. Also, the readers of A Snowball's Chance will learn about living in the highlands of Scotland.
I recommend this book.
December 16, 2020
A Snowball’s Chance In Hell by J D Kirk
Once again another cracking good read by J D Kirk, in the DCI Logan series. Every book just gets better and the whole series is a must read.
A Snowball’s Chance in Hell, looking forward to the next book, next year.
Once again another cracking good read by J D Kirk, in the DCI Logan series. Every book just gets better and the whole series is a must read.
A Snowball’s Chance in Hell, looking forward to the next book, next year.
June 5, 2023
How does he keep getting better?
Another absolutely bloody brilliant DCI Logan and team instalment in the series. Also one of the highest overall ratings on GR!
Bring forth the next instalment for my sheer reading pleasure.
Another absolutely bloody brilliant DCI Logan and team instalment in the series. Also one of the highest overall ratings on GR!
Bring forth the next instalment for my sheer reading pleasure.
September 27, 2024
Another good novel from JD Kirk. Set in the north of Scotland during one of the worst snow blizzard in a while. A young man's body is found frozen in a snow drift but at first sight, it looks like an unfortunate event, in that after a night out, he fell asleep in the snow. Not until the postmortem is carried out that it proves to be a murder and a murder which has all the hallmarks of a serial killer nicknamed "the Iceman", and the investigation begins in earnest. Meanwhile, another story is told, which doesn't seem related at all and relates to members of the Russian Mafia and their dealings with the supply of drugs. Both stories run side by side and it's not until you get to the end, is a bombshell dropped and the stories are linked, which I didn't see coming! Brilliant characters, both Police and criminals. You feel the tension building throughout the novel. Loved it.
April 11, 2023
4.5 stars The stories in this series, are excellent Scottish police mysteries, but more importantly, they are highly entertaining. The characters are anywhere between loveable or likeable and really distasteful. Over the series, the characters and relationships grow and develop, and there are very funny moments.
The second half of this book is very suspenseful. Recommended.
The second half of this book is very suspenseful. Recommended.
September 7, 2022
I skipped this book and jumped to book 10. Some things in that story make a lot more sense now. I should have realized when reading book 10 when there were a few references to things I did not recall. So now I have had to go back and read this story, before continuing on. This was a great story! Even if I have ended up reading them out of line. It is another excellent read in a great series! This is the fourteenth volume from J.D. Kirk that I have read in as many weeks. I have enjoyed all that I have now read, the first 10 in the DCI Logan series and the first 3 in the Robert Hoon series, and a stand alone VIP exclusive short story.
The description of this novel is:
“Which list are you on? When a young man is found frozen to death on a Highland street in mid-December, DCI Jack Logan initially puts it down to a Christmas night out gone tragically wrong.
But, when a post mortem reveals something more sinister, Jack discovers he is dealing with a cold, calculating killer with a long line of victims, a talent for torture, and a perverse sense of justice.
Half a decade ago, the press dubbed him ‘The Iceman’ - a twisted vigilante who successfully evaded capture for two years, before melting away into the night.
Now, The Iceman has come back. His naughty list is longer than ever.
And it contains some worryingly familiar names…A Snowball’s Chance in Hell is the ninth book in the internationally bestselling DCI Jack Logan Scottish crime fiction series. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart Macbride, and Val McDermid.”
I would add that it is perfect for fans of JE Mayhew, Alex Smith, Andre Grant, Lee Child, and Maureen Jennings. Much like the Murdoch Mystery books and TV Series these book tell a continuous story. They follow a timeline. But this one stretches back to a case 10 years earlier. A Case before Logan ever came up north. A case that DI Ben Forde and Hamza Khaled and former DSI Robert Hoon had worked, that case was disturbing and this one is proving even more so. For 10 years ago they believed they caught a serial killer called The iceman. But details that were left out of the media are back and a chilling piece of evidence. Two quotes early from the book set up the story:
“They said that it was fire that cleansed, but that had never felt quite right. Fire consumed. The cold, on the other hand, stripped you bare. Left you exposed. Made you face up to all the things you were.”
“Fire could take you in seconds. But the cold? The cold took hours to wear you down, whittle you away, breath by agonising breath. Cold gave you time to think. To reflect. To regret. Cold preserved your pain, froze it in time, each painful second staying on long past its welcome, as extremities rotted and internal organs slowed, before shutting themselves down one by one.”
And one of the most chilling lines in the story:
“I am the Iceman. I have always been the Iceman, it read. I killed all those people.”
It appears more than once and it becomes more chilling each time it is repeated. Either vocally or in print. And the final chapter, wow! And though I know the cliff hanger from this story is not resolved in the next it only heightens the tension. In this story we find out some more about the past of the team members. We also learn some about their families. We get some great insight into them as people and why the team works so well together. But could this case destroy them all? To find out you will need to read this story.
I picked the first DCI Logan story for a few reasons, but mainly because authors Alex Smith and JE Mayhew have both recommended the author and series. I am a big fan of Smith’s DCI Kett novels and Mayhew’s DCI Will Blake Series. I had no idea how addictive Kirk’s books would be. Like Mayhew and Smith, Kirk publishes under various names. Kirk publishes children books as Barry Hutchison, and other adult fiction as Barry J. Hutchison. He is coming up on 175 books across the three pen names. Seriously! If I had known that or I might not have picked up this first one. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. For now I will try and read the remaining books published as Kirk. Kirk’s books are very dark and at times over the top. They are not for all readers. But for those who like a Mystery/Thriller with a bit of Crime procedural mixed in these are really good reads. This is another great read in a dark crim thriller series!
The description of this novel is:
“Which list are you on? When a young man is found frozen to death on a Highland street in mid-December, DCI Jack Logan initially puts it down to a Christmas night out gone tragically wrong.
But, when a post mortem reveals something more sinister, Jack discovers he is dealing with a cold, calculating killer with a long line of victims, a talent for torture, and a perverse sense of justice.
Half a decade ago, the press dubbed him ‘The Iceman’ - a twisted vigilante who successfully evaded capture for two years, before melting away into the night.
Now, The Iceman has come back. His naughty list is longer than ever.
And it contains some worryingly familiar names…A Snowball’s Chance in Hell is the ninth book in the internationally bestselling DCI Jack Logan Scottish crime fiction series. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Stuart Macbride, and Val McDermid.”
I would add that it is perfect for fans of JE Mayhew, Alex Smith, Andre Grant, Lee Child, and Maureen Jennings. Much like the Murdoch Mystery books and TV Series these book tell a continuous story. They follow a timeline. But this one stretches back to a case 10 years earlier. A Case before Logan ever came up north. A case that DI Ben Forde and Hamza Khaled and former DSI Robert Hoon had worked, that case was disturbing and this one is proving even more so. For 10 years ago they believed they caught a serial killer called The iceman. But details that were left out of the media are back and a chilling piece of evidence. Two quotes early from the book set up the story:
“They said that it was fire that cleansed, but that had never felt quite right. Fire consumed. The cold, on the other hand, stripped you bare. Left you exposed. Made you face up to all the things you were.”
“Fire could take you in seconds. But the cold? The cold took hours to wear you down, whittle you away, breath by agonising breath. Cold gave you time to think. To reflect. To regret. Cold preserved your pain, froze it in time, each painful second staying on long past its welcome, as extremities rotted and internal organs slowed, before shutting themselves down one by one.”
And one of the most chilling lines in the story:
“I am the Iceman. I have always been the Iceman, it read. I killed all those people.”
It appears more than once and it becomes more chilling each time it is repeated. Either vocally or in print. And the final chapter, wow! And though I know the cliff hanger from this story is not resolved in the next it only heightens the tension. In this story we find out some more about the past of the team members. We also learn some about their families. We get some great insight into them as people and why the team works so well together. But could this case destroy them all? To find out you will need to read this story.
I picked the first DCI Logan story for a few reasons, but mainly because authors Alex Smith and JE Mayhew have both recommended the author and series. I am a big fan of Smith’s DCI Kett novels and Mayhew’s DCI Will Blake Series. I had no idea how addictive Kirk’s books would be. Like Mayhew and Smith, Kirk publishes under various names. Kirk publishes children books as Barry Hutchison, and other adult fiction as Barry J. Hutchison. He is coming up on 175 books across the three pen names. Seriously! If I had known that or I might not have picked up this first one. Friends call me a ‘completionist’ in that when I find an author I like, I try to read everything they have published. For now I will try and read the remaining books published as Kirk. Kirk’s books are very dark and at times over the top. They are not for all readers. But for those who like a Mystery/Thriller with a bit of Crime procedural mixed in these are really good reads. This is another great read in a dark crim thriller series!
March 19, 2025
Book #9 in the DCI Logan series. So good! This was a quick read for me - peeled through in 3 nights.
If you are going to start this series, start from the beginning, as they do flow and intermingle with each other.
4.4 🌟
If you are going to start this series, start from the beginning, as they do flow and intermingle with each other.
4.4 🌟
June 29, 2024
I am loving this series. The mysteries are all good, a little gruesome, but very good. This one featured a vigilante type theme where they freeze people to death and honestly it was unnerving. The best part of these stories are the characters and the way they are written so that they feel real. Even the bad guys. But they are all very inspired and I just really like how they are evolving. Except for one. A little girl named Olivia. She's 13, the daughter of a mafia type person who went to jail. She grew up listening to her Father do despicable things. He was a villain in a former book who is now.incarcerated. her dads cousin or relative named Oleg shows up and he is evil. He wants that poor little 13 year old girl and he is grooming her and is now forcing her to deal drugs. She is highly intelligent. She is friends with Shona, Logan's love interest, and I was really hoping she was going to be rescued. But evil is everywhere and she has to rescue herself. And with monsters being all she has ever known, I am afraid she may become one herself. I wanted her to.make better choices. But we will.see what happens. I'm hoping Logan and Shona will show her a different path but I fear it may already be too.late. Choices have been made and my heart is breaking for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2024
This one was a corker. Loved the set up at the end too. And the Christmas vibes lol
December 30, 2020
Still not quite as riveting as the first 3 books but DCI Logans larger than life team are characters make for great reading. This book has all the usual crime formula (intrigue, suspense etc) but as usual its the humour and banter between the team is what keeps me coming back for more.
January 14, 2021
A book I thoroughly enjoyed
Another great read. Humour, intrigue, superb characters. Have pre-ordered the next book. Keep them coming please. Always books to re-read.
Another great read. Humour, intrigue, superb characters. Have pre-ordered the next book. Keep them coming please. Always books to re-read.
September 1, 2021
J.D.Kirk's done it again.
He's taken some grim murders and somehow added in some episodes (especially those involving DC Tyler Neish) which have left me in tears of laughter.
Times get extremely tough for several of the main characters here in "A Snowball's Chance in Hell", so the J.D,Kirk touches of comedy and banter between members of the team are as welcome as ever.
Fans of Bob Hoon will be pleased that he makes an appearance too. How could they ever keep him out?
Now I'm so used to these characters they start to feel like family to me. And that's okay.
Again, a 5 star book - but if you're new to DCI Jack Logan I'd start with the first book. You'll then have more to look forward to.
Highly recommended. Brrrrr !
He's taken some grim murders and somehow added in some episodes (especially those involving DC Tyler Neish) which have left me in tears of laughter.
Times get extremely tough for several of the main characters here in "A Snowball's Chance in Hell", so the J.D,Kirk touches of comedy and banter between members of the team are as welcome as ever.
Fans of Bob Hoon will be pleased that he makes an appearance too. How could they ever keep him out?
Now I'm so used to these characters they start to feel like family to me. And that's okay.
Again, a 5 star book - but if you're new to DCI Jack Logan I'd start with the first book. You'll then have more to look forward to.
Highly recommended. Brrrrr !
January 14, 2021
What a fabulous book this is. The team dynamics and cameraderie are authentic and compelling. The twists in the story line were fabulous - particularly that very very final one . I did not see that coming at all. JD Kirk deals with issues of revenge, abuse, pressure with a sense of humour that ligthens the darnkness but in no way detracts from the storyline. Another brilliant read by this stunning author set against a snowy highland backdrop. I could feel the frostbite nipping my fingers as I read
March 28, 2021
Logan’s team find a dead body lying in deep snow. It looks as though a drunk has died of hypothermia. But is it that simple? The story grows as it’s investigated, and it appears that a previous case is connected. This is full of the interplay between the characters we’ve grown to know and love, and the strange almost-relationship between Logan and Shona, the pathologist. Interwoven with these is the mystery of The Iceman. There are other threads too, and they come together at the end. But have they seen the last of The Iceman? Another cracking story from JD Kirk.
October 24, 2023
If there was a ‘tag’ for “Just Stupid” I’d have ticked that: bodies and suicides go on and on till brick wall ending. Bloody and unnecessary material that I only read as I brought the complete Kirk collection in a bargain buy. That’ll teach me!
May 1, 2025
I love this series and this is another great read.
Jack and the team are called when a young man is been found dead in the snow.
At first they think he was drunk and died there but when Shona does the PM, it’s clear that he was murdered.
When they receive a finger and some personal belongings in the post, they realise this links to an old case with a killer called The Ice Man.
I did fear the worst at one point in this book, and won’t say why as I don’t want to spoil it, but it had me worried for a while.
This is a great crime thriller.
Jack and the team are called when a young man is been found dead in the snow.
At first they think he was drunk and died there but when Shona does the PM, it’s clear that he was murdered.
When they receive a finger and some personal belongings in the post, they realise this links to an old case with a killer called The Ice Man.
I did fear the worst at one point in this book, and won’t say why as I don’t want to spoil it, but it had me worried for a while.
This is a great crime thriller.
February 10, 2021
Another entertaining story.
March 11, 2022
Notes:
One of the better balanced plot arcs within the series. A solid case, new plot line that will grow later, raunchy humor, snippets of camaraderie and varying degrees of tension.
One of the better balanced plot arcs within the series. A solid case, new plot line that will grow later, raunchy humor, snippets of camaraderie and varying degrees of tension.
January 10, 2023
Bookish Books Reading Challenge
July 26, 2023
Nine books into this series and I'm not bored yet. No one would accuse the author of literature but the DCI Logan books are always enjoyable.
August 1, 2023
Another great Murder Mystery, kept me guessing right up till the end.
February 16, 2024
Quite enjoyed this. Hope it's not too long before the ending is resolved though.
September 16, 2024
#9 KINDLE
December 23, 2025
deep cleaning my room 🤝 DCI Logan audiobooks
December 15, 2020
Another fantastic book from JD Kirk
January 25, 2025
Review summary: An excellent crime series set in Scotland – a must read
Rating for book #9: 3.5
Well, after reading the 20th in this series for book club I went back and started from the beginning. I couldn’t stop reading – hence I’m doing one overall review for all 19 books (and I’m feeling a tad lazy and don’t want to go back and write in depth reviews for every book). Was I expecting to love this series as much as I did? No. Was I surprised at how much I enjoyed each book and the series holistically? Yes.
Firstly, what makes this series (and each book) so good:
• Plot – overall for the series and for each book. This series has an excellent crescendo and decrescendo, not only within the context of each book, but for the characters and their stories that are told throughout each book. Nothing feels forced, too out of the realm of belief (although some of the crimes weren’t the best – these were the 3-star books), it all makes sense and is well executed.
• Characters – each character is brilliant, even if you dislike them. They are all ‘fully fleshed’ and have their own development in each book as well as throughout the series.
• Settings – the setting of Scotland and Inverness is fantastic. Even though I’ve never been, the description is so well done you know this is an accurately and truthfully written.
Overall, a fantastic series – and connects A LOT of dots and elevates my score for #20 to 5 stars. I am now ready book #21.
Rating for book #9: 3.5
Well, after reading the 20th in this series for book club I went back and started from the beginning. I couldn’t stop reading – hence I’m doing one overall review for all 19 books (and I’m feeling a tad lazy and don’t want to go back and write in depth reviews for every book). Was I expecting to love this series as much as I did? No. Was I surprised at how much I enjoyed each book and the series holistically? Yes.
Firstly, what makes this series (and each book) so good:
• Plot – overall for the series and for each book. This series has an excellent crescendo and decrescendo, not only within the context of each book, but for the characters and their stories that are told throughout each book. Nothing feels forced, too out of the realm of belief (although some of the crimes weren’t the best – these were the 3-star books), it all makes sense and is well executed.
• Characters – each character is brilliant, even if you dislike them. They are all ‘fully fleshed’ and have their own development in each book as well as throughout the series.
• Settings – the setting of Scotland and Inverness is fantastic. Even though I’ve never been, the description is so well done you know this is an accurately and truthfully written.
Overall, a fantastic series – and connects A LOT of dots and elevates my score for #20 to 5 stars. I am now ready book #21.
April 10, 2024
What can I say but great as per usual! I’m addicted to Jack Logan! 🤷🏼♀️
December 18, 2020
A bit on the cold side
Another great book by JD although I didn't find as much humour as some others he has written. I now get worried about the team and want to protect them! How silly is that?! I am slightly worried about Hoon, I mean he is such a unpredictable and not very nice man that I now worry that he is not genuine. I do not like him. Looking forward to the next one.
Another great book by JD although I didn't find as much humour as some others he has written. I now get worried about the team and want to protect them! How silly is that?! I am slightly worried about Hoon, I mean he is such a unpredictable and not very nice man that I now worry that he is not genuine. I do not like him. Looking forward to the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 369 reviews