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Cold Query: A Blue Water Mystery
It’s murder by the books. Belonging to a book club and being part of the literary community in Blue Water County can be deadly.
Port Ripley is a dreamy postcard town, a charming spot nestled along Blue Water’s beautiful shoreline. The perfect place to live.
Except—a killer lurks amongst the residents, blending in like a chameleon.
For the last eleven years, respected schoolteacher and mystery writer, Ivy Rose, who left behind her traumatic past, has enjoyed a quiet life in the pretty town with its picturesque sunsets over the lake. But when the body of a fellow book club member washes ashore, the first in a series of suspicious deaths, the town becomes immersed in murder, forcing Ivy to come to terms with the dark secrets that haunt her.
Detective Scott Evans, once Ivy’s best friend and sleuthing partner, joins the local police to investigate. He finds Ivy, the woman he has always secretly loved, living under an assumed identity. They become reacquainted, and Scott discovers each of the victims has a tie to Ivy and the literary community in which she is involved. As more people Ivy knows die, it looks like she’s either the prime suspect or the main target.
Port Ripley is a dreamy postcard town, a charming spot nestled along Blue Water’s beautiful shoreline. The perfect place to live.
Except—a killer lurks amongst the residents, blending in like a chameleon.
For the last eleven years, respected schoolteacher and mystery writer, Ivy Rose, who left behind her traumatic past, has enjoyed a quiet life in the pretty town with its picturesque sunsets over the lake. But when the body of a fellow book club member washes ashore, the first in a series of suspicious deaths, the town becomes immersed in murder, forcing Ivy to come to terms with the dark secrets that haunt her.
Detective Scott Evans, once Ivy’s best friend and sleuthing partner, joins the local police to investigate. He finds Ivy, the woman he has always secretly loved, living under an assumed identity. They become reacquainted, and Scott discovers each of the victims has a tie to Ivy and the literary community in which she is involved. As more people Ivy knows die, it looks like she’s either the prime suspect or the main target.
- GenresMystery
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2025
13 people want to read
About the author
Ivanka Fear
5 books68 followersIvanka Fear is Canadian writer, born in Slovenia. She earned her B.A. and B.Ed. in English and French at Western University. Prior to pursuing writing full time, she enjoyed a long career in education. Her debut novel, The Dead Lie, is the first in her Blue Water Mysteries series. Where is My Husband? is the first book in her Jake and Mallory Thriller series. Ivanka is a member of Crime Writers of Canada, International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. She resides in Ontario, Canada, with her family and the stray cats that wandered in. When not reading and writing, Ivanka enjoys watching mystery series and romance movies, gardening, going for walks, and watching the waves roll in at the lake.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 20, 2024
A chilling twisty thriller that I couldn't put down. Ivanka Fear keeps you guessing to the end! Thanks to the author for the ARC.
May 18, 2025
🔍 Cold Query: A Blue Water Mystery by Ivanka Fear
A literary whodunit where book clubs turn deadly and every page whispers secrets—like a thriller penned with a poison-tipped quill.
✨ Review
**📚 Murder by the Books: When a book club in idyllic Blue Water County becomes a crime scene, Fear weaves a plot where bibliophiles and bloodshed collide with sinister charm.
**🕵️♀️ Atmospheric Suspense: The lakeside setting drips with faux serenity—a perfect mask for the darkness lurking beneath polite literary circles.
**💀 Twists Like a Knife: Just when you think you’ve shelved the culprit, Fear yanks the rug (or library ladder) from under you.
**🗣️ Dialogues That Crackle: Snappy exchanges and passive-aggressive book debates add layers to suspects—everyone’s a critic, and someone’s a killer.
**🐌 Pacing Hiccups: The middle chapters dawdle like a slow-reader’s book club, but the finale sprints to a jaw-dropping close.
⭐ Star Breakdown (0–5)
Plot Ingenuity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (Agatha Christie meets Knives Out—with extra bookish spite.)
Character Depth: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5) (The victim’s backstory needed more spine… unlike the actual spine of this mystery.)
Setting as Mood: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (Blue Water County is practically a character—equal parts postcard and crime board.)
Clue Crafting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (Red herrings are tossed like free bookmarks, but the payoff satisfies.)
Emotional Grip: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) (Chills over heartstrings—this is a puzzle-first thriller.)
Overall: 3.9/5 - A mystery that doesn’t just keep you guessing—it dares you to solve it before the next corpse hits the bookdrop.
🙏 Thank you to NetGalley and Ivanka Fear for the advance review copy. Ideal for fans of Louise Penny’s cozy-noir blends or Ruth Ware’s locked-library suspense. Best read with a stiff drink (to calm nerves) and a buddy (to gasp in tandem).
Note: Pair with The Thursday Murder Club for another dose of lethal camaraderie.
A literary whodunit where book clubs turn deadly and every page whispers secrets—like a thriller penned with a poison-tipped quill.
✨ Review
**📚 Murder by the Books: When a book club in idyllic Blue Water County becomes a crime scene, Fear weaves a plot where bibliophiles and bloodshed collide with sinister charm.
**🕵️♀️ Atmospheric Suspense: The lakeside setting drips with faux serenity—a perfect mask for the darkness lurking beneath polite literary circles.
**💀 Twists Like a Knife: Just when you think you’ve shelved the culprit, Fear yanks the rug (or library ladder) from under you.
**🗣️ Dialogues That Crackle: Snappy exchanges and passive-aggressive book debates add layers to suspects—everyone’s a critic, and someone’s a killer.
**🐌 Pacing Hiccups: The middle chapters dawdle like a slow-reader’s book club, but the finale sprints to a jaw-dropping close.
⭐ Star Breakdown (0–5)
Plot Ingenuity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (Agatha Christie meets Knives Out—with extra bookish spite.)
Character Depth: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5/5) (The victim’s backstory needed more spine… unlike the actual spine of this mystery.)
Setting as Mood: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) (Blue Water County is practically a character—equal parts postcard and crime board.)
Clue Crafting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) (Red herrings are tossed like free bookmarks, but the payoff satisfies.)
Emotional Grip: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) (Chills over heartstrings—this is a puzzle-first thriller.)
Overall: 3.9/5 - A mystery that doesn’t just keep you guessing—it dares you to solve it before the next corpse hits the bookdrop.
🙏 Thank you to NetGalley and Ivanka Fear for the advance review copy. Ideal for fans of Louise Penny’s cozy-noir blends or Ruth Ware’s locked-library suspense. Best read with a stiff drink (to calm nerves) and a buddy (to gasp in tandem).
Note: Pair with The Thursday Murder Club for another dose of lethal camaraderie.
March 10, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Ivanka Fear for a copy of Cold Query, the third in her Blue Water mystery series. I had not read the previous books, but the author included enough back story for me to follow the current plotline. My only question was: How did Ivy's children react to their mother changing her name and appearance to escape her past? (Since neither of them changed their names.) But that didn't affect my enjoyment of this mystery.
The story is told partially in first person, through the POV of the main protagonist, Ivy Rose. Ivy is a widowed English teacher and aspiring mystery author living in the quiet Canadian town of Port Ripley. Other chapters are told in close third person, from the POV of Detective Scott Evans, an old friend of Ivy's and part of her past. Scott is on loan to Port Ripley law enforcement after a spate of suspicious "accidents" turn out to be murders. Interspersed are a few chapters from the POV of the anonymous killer.
The investigation is complex because there are multiple victims, and, on the surface, they do not appear to be connected. However, it turns out that many of the victims write murder mysteries, although not all of them are published. Many belong to the local book club (more accurately named the murder club, since its members write about murder. They've all been beta readers for each other). Each of the deaths (and near misses) resembles a murder described in one of the novels from the murder club. At times, it appears that Ivy could be involved because she has a connection with each of the victims. She's either a suspect or a target.
As Scott and Ivy work together to unmask the killer, their romance blossoms, which adds some extra depth to the story. The author did a great job of keeping the reader guessing whodunit until the end.
The story is told partially in first person, through the POV of the main protagonist, Ivy Rose. Ivy is a widowed English teacher and aspiring mystery author living in the quiet Canadian town of Port Ripley. Other chapters are told in close third person, from the POV of Detective Scott Evans, an old friend of Ivy's and part of her past. Scott is on loan to Port Ripley law enforcement after a spate of suspicious "accidents" turn out to be murders. Interspersed are a few chapters from the POV of the anonymous killer.
The investigation is complex because there are multiple victims, and, on the surface, they do not appear to be connected. However, it turns out that many of the victims write murder mysteries, although not all of them are published. Many belong to the local book club (more accurately named the murder club, since its members write about murder. They've all been beta readers for each other). Each of the deaths (and near misses) resembles a murder described in one of the novels from the murder club. At times, it appears that Ivy could be involved because she has a connection with each of the victims. She's either a suspect or a target.
As Scott and Ivy work together to unmask the killer, their romance blossoms, which adds some extra depth to the story. The author did a great job of keeping the reader guessing whodunit until the end.
March 3, 2025
"Murder in fiction, I loved. Death in real life, I couldn't cope with."
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Cold Query by Ivanka Fear (Mystery/Thriller)
Ivy Rose leads a quiet and predictable life as a high school literature teacher at Blue Water High. She’s an active member of the local literary community and a book club in Blue Water County. But when people in the small town start turning up dead, her peaceful life is shattered. The murders stir up haunting memories from her past—memories tied to someone she once knew.
Scott Evans arrives to investigate the killings, only to find Ivy, the woman he once loved, at the center of it all. As he digs deeper, he realizes that Ivy is connected to every victim. But is she a target in need of protection, or does she have secrets of her own?
This small-town murder mystery is packed with twists, numerous deaths, and a long list of suspects. The slow build-up and strong world-building make for an immersive read. The subtle romance adds an intriguing layer to the story, and the author skillfully keeps readers questioning Ivy’s role in the mystery. The unpredictability of the murders—where victims don’t always fit the apparent motive—adds to the suspense.
My favorite part was Ivy's bravery towards the end. The novel keeps you guessing, and I highly recommend it to all mystery lovers!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Cold Query by Ivanka Fear (Mystery/Thriller)
Ivy Rose leads a quiet and predictable life as a high school literature teacher at Blue Water High. She’s an active member of the local literary community and a book club in Blue Water County. But when people in the small town start turning up dead, her peaceful life is shattered. The murders stir up haunting memories from her past—memories tied to someone she once knew.
Scott Evans arrives to investigate the killings, only to find Ivy, the woman he once loved, at the center of it all. As he digs deeper, he realizes that Ivy is connected to every victim. But is she a target in need of protection, or does she have secrets of her own?
This small-town murder mystery is packed with twists, numerous deaths, and a long list of suspects. The slow build-up and strong world-building make for an immersive read. The subtle romance adds an intriguing layer to the story, and the author skillfully keeps readers questioning Ivy’s role in the mystery. The unpredictability of the murders—where victims don’t always fit the apparent motive—adds to the suspense.
My favorite part was Ivy's bravery towards the end. The novel keeps you guessing, and I highly recommend it to all mystery lovers!
October 15, 2024
Cold Query, the third book in the Blue Water Mystery series by Ivanka Fear, is a twisty, riveting thriller that is sure to send chills down the spine of anyone who has or has thought of writing a mystery novel.
Set in the fictional yet familiar Blue Water County, the book centres around school teacher, writer, and widow Ivy Rose, who is thrown into a murder investigation when a fellow writer and member of her town's "Murder Club" turns up dead on the beach. It soon becomes obvious his death wasn't an accident, throwing into doubt a growing list of accidents throughout the county. In the process of the investigation, Ivy is reunited with a police detective who is an old friend and potential love interest, and sparks fly both figuratively and literally as the two work towards discovering who is killing off local writers and using their books as guides in how to do the dirty deeds.
The concept is as brilliant as it is chilling, and Fear presents it in a tense and suspenseful manner that keeps you turning the pages anxiously to the very end.
Thank you to the author for the ARC of #ColdQuery. #mystery #writers #murderclub
Set in the fictional yet familiar Blue Water County, the book centres around school teacher, writer, and widow Ivy Rose, who is thrown into a murder investigation when a fellow writer and member of her town's "Murder Club" turns up dead on the beach. It soon becomes obvious his death wasn't an accident, throwing into doubt a growing list of accidents throughout the county. In the process of the investigation, Ivy is reunited with a police detective who is an old friend and potential love interest, and sparks fly both figuratively and literally as the two work towards discovering who is killing off local writers and using their books as guides in how to do the dirty deeds.
The concept is as brilliant as it is chilling, and Fear presents it in a tense and suspenseful manner that keeps you turning the pages anxiously to the very end.
Thank you to the author for the ARC of #ColdQuery. #mystery #writers #murderclub
March 19, 2025
Read as a review copy, this is my honest feedback after reading the book.
This is a gripping thriller set in a small town and filled with twists, complex characters, and a slow-burn romance. The eerie premise, combined with Ivy’s bravery and the novel’s unpredictable turns, makes for an unforgettable read. For lovers of suspenseful mysteries this is a treat.
Ivy, a high school literature teacher living a quiet life in Blue Water County. She is an active member of the local book club and a Murder Club, where fellow writers discuss crime fiction. When members of the group start turning up dead, her peaceful routine is shattered with the murder victims linked to her while the deaths, mirroring plots from their books.
Scott Evans, lead detective on the case had not expected to see Ivy again, that too in the middle of the investigation. He is forced to confront the ghosts of their past and Ivy's connection with every victim.
As the two work together to unravel the mystery, old feelings resurface under the shadow of a killer who seems to be watching every move.
Works well.
This is a gripping thriller set in a small town and filled with twists, complex characters, and a slow-burn romance. The eerie premise, combined with Ivy’s bravery and the novel’s unpredictable turns, makes for an unforgettable read. For lovers of suspenseful mysteries this is a treat.
Ivy, a high school literature teacher living a quiet life in Blue Water County. She is an active member of the local book club and a Murder Club, where fellow writers discuss crime fiction. When members of the group start turning up dead, her peaceful routine is shattered with the murder victims linked to her while the deaths, mirroring plots from their books.
Scott Evans, lead detective on the case had not expected to see Ivy again, that too in the middle of the investigation. He is forced to confront the ghosts of their past and Ivy's connection with every victim.
As the two work together to unravel the mystery, old feelings resurface under the shadow of a killer who seems to be watching every move.
Works well.
March 26, 2025
"It’s murder by the books."
In Cold Query by Ivanka Fear, the quiet town of Port Ripley hides a deadly secret among its book-loving residents. Mystery writer and schoolteacher Ivy Rose has spent over a decade escaping her past, but when a fellow book club member’s body washes ashore, her peaceful life begins to unravel.
As more suspicious deaths follow, Detective Scott Evans—her former best friend and secret admirer—joins the investigation. The deeper he digs, the clearer it becomes: each victim is connected to Ivy. With a killer blending in like a chameleon and secrets threatening to resurface, Ivy must figure out whether she’s the prime suspect or the next target.
Suspenseful, atmospheric, and full of unexpected twists, Cold Query is a must-read for fans of small-town mysteries, literary intrigue, and slow-burning tension.
In Cold Query by Ivanka Fear, the quiet town of Port Ripley hides a deadly secret among its book-loving residents. Mystery writer and schoolteacher Ivy Rose has spent over a decade escaping her past, but when a fellow book club member’s body washes ashore, her peaceful life begins to unravel.
As more suspicious deaths follow, Detective Scott Evans—her former best friend and secret admirer—joins the investigation. The deeper he digs, the clearer it becomes: each victim is connected to Ivy. With a killer blending in like a chameleon and secrets threatening to resurface, Ivy must figure out whether she’s the prime suspect or the next target.
Suspenseful, atmospheric, and full of unexpected twists, Cold Query is a must-read for fans of small-town mysteries, literary intrigue, and slow-burning tension.
September 8, 2025
In the third book in Ivanka Fear’s first mystery series, the Blue Water Mysteries, we return to Blue Water County, an area in remote Northern Ontario. In Cold Query, Fear once again takes on a whizz-bang journey through the lives and loves of the citizens in this rural Canadian setting. In this outing, life chillingly imitates art when a killer starts murdering members of a mystery writers' group using the methods from their own novels. Haunted by a traumatic past, teacher Ivy Rose teams up with her old flame, Detective Scott Evans, to solve the murders. But as the victims get closer to home, Ivy becomes either the prime suspect or the final target in a deadly literary game. Gripping and ingeniously plotted, this is a must-read for anyone who loves both book clubs and a good mystery!
August 26, 2025
An entertaining read that wasn't predictable or boring. I do think it would be best to read the others in the series first - this one certainly made the previous story sound intriguing! I intend to check them out and fit all the pieces together. It's fun to read about Canada and the writing community, but it's not one of those books for writers only. The literary line of the story isn't the point; it's just another fun and interesting world to delve into. I'm not a huge romance person, but the (somewhat minor) romance subplot fit smoothly with the rest of the plot. The writing carries the story well and is extremely readable. Worth a read if you like mysteries!
April 19, 2025
I enjoyed this third book of the series as much if not more than the first two. They can be read as standalones, but you’d be missing out on two other great books. The author knows her way around a mystery with intricate plot pieces, amazing character development, and thriller pacing to keep you entertained. The main characters, Ivy, a schoolteacher and mystery writer, and Scott, a police detective, make a great pair of investigators, and the sparks between them add to the overall tension. I highly recommend this series for fans of Canadian settings and crime thrillers.
February 26, 2025
Cold Query is a well written Canadian thriller/mystery story, that kept me eagerly coming back to read more. It had me guessing who the killer was, and then changing my guess, the whole way through. It is the third in a series, but I feel the books also work well enough as stand alone novels, but I would recommend reading them all. I will definitely be reading more by this author, and am looking forward to it.
September 26, 2025
It was nice to read a book set in a familiar location, and with spooky season right around the corner, it was the perfect time of year to read a mystery. I did enjoy the mystery aspect of the book, and while I had my suspicions, I didn't figure out "whodunit" until the end. However, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters.
March 1, 2025
This was a tough read for me with way too many people/names to remember!
I only realized halfway through the book, this was a 2nd book of a series, should have read them first, because it would have made more sense!
Although far fetched, written well!
I only realized halfway through the book, this was a 2nd book of a series, should have read them first, because it would have made more sense!
Although far fetched, written well!
March 3, 2025
A well-crafted mystery with a heaping pile of murder. Fear captures the small town vibe with a wry eye. Crisp writing with a twist I didn't see coming resulted in a very satisfying read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews