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A Hard Frost
Sheriff Frank Collins is having a bad streak for the ages. He’s losing his bid for re-election, hitting a brick wall in solving the murder of a special needs man whose naked body was left in a field, and alienated from his wife and daughter after having an affair with his secretary.
But he doesn’t have time to sweat the small stuff.
Because Frank’s bigger problem comes in the form of Charlie Ray Hamby, Gaol County’s most infamous psychopath. Even though everyone knows Charlie Ray murdered several people, nothing ever stuck until he was nabbed in a drug bust. Now, Charlie Ray’s out on parole and coming home with an ax to grind. Because Charlie Ray says he was set up and people have some things to answer for.
The first of a new series in rural noir, A Hard Frost will entertain fans of writers such as Larry Brown and James Lee Burke.
But he doesn’t have time to sweat the small stuff.
Because Frank’s bigger problem comes in the form of Charlie Ray Hamby, Gaol County’s most infamous psychopath. Even though everyone knows Charlie Ray murdered several people, nothing ever stuck until he was nabbed in a drug bust. Now, Charlie Ray’s out on parole and coming home with an ax to grind. Because Charlie Ray says he was set up and people have some things to answer for.
The first of a new series in rural noir, A Hard Frost will entertain fans of writers such as Larry Brown and James Lee Burke.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2025
3 people are currently reading
1373 people want to read
About the author
Crisman Strunk
7 books24 followersCrisman Strunk is an English and History teacher at the high school level and a professor at a local university. He is also the author of novels such as A Grave Every Mile and the upcoming All the Glory is Gone in the John Holmes series and A Hard Frost in the Gaol County Mystery series. He has loved reading and writing all his life. His family and friends have been “blessed” with comics, Star Trek technical manuals (big during his awkward middle school years), poems of excruciating badness, short stories, and novels throughout the years. He has also published some of these for the world at large. Throughout this reading and writing adventure, mysteries and thrillers have always been a favorite.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 4, 2025
This is the second book from this author. I loved his first one (A Grave Every Mile), but I think I like this one even better. I finished this quickly because it held my interest so well. The plot definitely shines in this one and has perfect pacing. I would highly recommend.
February 1, 2025
#Goodreads Giveaways
I received a Kindle copy of this book, A Hard Frost, in a Goodreads giveaway.
The story moved along well and kept me interested until the end. I do think another round of editing was required. There are several spots where a word is missing, or where extra words are there, as if two different word choices had been considered, but no one cleaned up the copy. I don’t believe that I would choose to read this on my own—the language used about women is not what I prefer to consume. I do understand that the language/attitudes fit with the characters and setting.
Overall, A Hard Frost is an interesting story and I’m glad that I read it.
I received a Kindle copy of this book, A Hard Frost, in a Goodreads giveaway.
The story moved along well and kept me interested until the end. I do think another round of editing was required. There are several spots where a word is missing, or where extra words are there, as if two different word choices had been considered, but no one cleaned up the copy. I don’t believe that I would choose to read this on my own—the language used about women is not what I prefer to consume. I do understand that the language/attitudes fit with the characters and setting.
Overall, A Hard Frost is an interesting story and I’m glad that I read it.
February 16, 2025
There were positive things about this book. The pacing is good, the characters believable, the setting well drawn. For most people who enjoy hardcore crime fiction, this would be a good one to read. There is plenty of action and excitement and violence.
Unfortunately for me there were problems. The main character with his chronic headache pretty much gave me a headache. I couldn’t warm up to him. Gaol County is the perfect name for the setting, which should give you a hint about my feelings towards the place. Personally, there were too many triggers, reminders of real unpleasant life.
As much as the way men think about and treat women here may be realistic, it’s not pleasant. The brief interlude where we have the narrative in Tonya’s voice offsets that some but not enough. The only character I really liked was Sheriff Frank’s daughter, Carrie, and she played a relatively minor role.
Comparing this book to the author’s first book, this one fell short for me. I enjoyed the first one and will look forward to reading more in that series.
Unfortunately for me there were problems. The main character with his chronic headache pretty much gave me a headache. I couldn’t warm up to him. Gaol County is the perfect name for the setting, which should give you a hint about my feelings towards the place. Personally, there were too many triggers, reminders of real unpleasant life.
As much as the way men think about and treat women here may be realistic, it’s not pleasant. The brief interlude where we have the narrative in Tonya’s voice offsets that some but not enough. The only character I really liked was Sheriff Frank’s daughter, Carrie, and she played a relatively minor role.
Comparing this book to the author’s first book, this one fell short for me. I enjoyed the first one and will look forward to reading more in that series.
May 15, 2025
The book had a slow start, but drew me in. I found it hard to put down. The details were great, the story line for the characters was informative, and all if it tied together.
I like and dislike the ending. It left me hanging. I have questions and need answers. Lucky, he lives in my hometown and maybe I can talk with him about this book.
I like and dislike the ending. It left me hanging. I have questions and need answers. Lucky, he lives in my hometown and maybe I can talk with him about this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews