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Warwick & Bell #5
Murder on the River
It’s the one piece of evidence that will crack the case . . . but is it too shocking to reveal?
A murdered student. A secret buried in the past. A killer who’s still watching.
Detective Steph Warwick is halfway through her Christmas shopping when she gets the call. The body of a young man has been pulled from the icy River Witham.
The victim is Max Barsby, a quiet, hardworking archaeology student with no enemies — or so it seems. But Max didn’t drown. He was murdered. Bludgeoned over the head and left for dead.
With the university all but deserted for the holidays, Steph finds herself with few leads and even fewer witnesses.
Meanwhile Special Constable Jane Bell is investigating a routine break-in when she stumbles across an unexpected link to Max. As Jane and Steph’s paths cross once more, Steph reluctantly brings the warm-hearted mother-of-two into the fold — knowing Jane can reach people — and places — that she can’t.
Their enquiries unearth a mysterious girlfriend, a controversial dig site, and a discovery someone will kill to protect.
But when Jane finds a piece of evidence too explosive to share, her silence may prove deadly — for both of them.
A murdered student. A secret buried in the past. A killer who’s still watching.
Detective Steph Warwick is halfway through her Christmas shopping when she gets the call. The body of a young man has been pulled from the icy River Witham.
The victim is Max Barsby, a quiet, hardworking archaeology student with no enemies — or so it seems. But Max didn’t drown. He was murdered. Bludgeoned over the head and left for dead.
With the university all but deserted for the holidays, Steph finds herself with few leads and even fewer witnesses.
Meanwhile Special Constable Jane Bell is investigating a routine break-in when she stumbles across an unexpected link to Max. As Jane and Steph’s paths cross once more, Steph reluctantly brings the warm-hearted mother-of-two into the fold — knowing Jane can reach people — and places — that she can’t.
Their enquiries unearth a mysterious girlfriend, a controversial dig site, and a discovery someone will kill to protect.
But when Jane finds a piece of evidence too explosive to share, her silence may prove deadly — for both of them.
268 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2025
131 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Janice Frost
16 books159 followersJanice was born and grew up in West Lothian, Scotland. Her love of writing began when she was given a notebook by a primary school teacher and told to write ‘Just Imagine,’ on the cover. She enjoyed writing stories in the notebook so much that she decided she'd like to be an author. Due to life, work and children, It took a little longer than she imagined.
After a ten-year stint of working in London, Janice moved to Lincolnshire where she still lives. She now writes full-time. In her free time she enjoys walking, and reading in coffee shops.
Janice is the author of six books in the bestselling Merry & Neal series, four books in the Warwick & Bell series, and one standalone mystery, The Woman on the Cliff.
All of Janice’s books are published by Joffe Books.
The Merry & Neal series
1 Dead Secret
2 Dark Secret
3 Her Husband’s Secret
4. Fatal Secrets
5 Dirty Secrets
6 Murderous Secrets
Warwick & Bell series
1 Murder Among Friends
2 Murder Across The Lines
3 Murder Against The Odds
4 Murder On A Country Walk
Standalone novel
The Woman on the Cliff
After a ten-year stint of working in London, Janice moved to Lincolnshire where she still lives. She now writes full-time. In her free time she enjoys walking, and reading in coffee shops.
Janice is the author of six books in the bestselling Merry & Neal series, four books in the Warwick & Bell series, and one standalone mystery, The Woman on the Cliff.
All of Janice’s books are published by Joffe Books.
The Merry & Neal series
1 Dead Secret
2 Dark Secret
3 Her Husband’s Secret
4. Fatal Secrets
5 Dirty Secrets
6 Murderous Secrets
Warwick & Bell series
1 Murder Among Friends
2 Murder Across The Lines
3 Murder Against The Odds
4 Murder On A Country Walk
Standalone novel
The Woman on the Cliff
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 5, 2025
The things we do for love...
In this charming novel, Bell and Warwick delve into the mystery surrounding the death of an archaeology student; with Jane and her son Patrick assuming a more prominent role compared to Steph Warwick.
I read the previous instalment, - Murder on the Country Walk- , and loved seeing Warwick and Bell again.
Bell's early lead in the investigation irritates Warwick immensely, and she's not one to mince her words, she finds Bell ‘acting like a loose cannon; their interactions were fun to read.
This time, Frost takes us to Lindum, aka Lincoln — (definitely worth a visit!)
A dig and a love affair set the stage for misery and murder, where a young archaeologist and the woman he loves find themselves caught in a web of intrigue and danger.
Is it revenge by two old undergraduates who couldn't stand each other for 40 years, or is there more to it? Is the murder linked to jealousy between two students – or was it about money, as is often the case? And where is the valuable coin that Max found at the dig? And what did he need a burner phone for?
Jane is relentless in her pursuit of her goal, and it soon becomes apparent that she has uncovered more than Warwick. Her son Patrick goes undercover to find out more, but is this not a very risky move?
I thoroughly enjoyed this new character-driven murder mystery and it was lovely to see Bell & Warwick again, looking forward to their next case!
4 stars, thank you Joffe for the arc 🌷
In this charming novel, Bell and Warwick delve into the mystery surrounding the death of an archaeology student; with Jane and her son Patrick assuming a more prominent role compared to Steph Warwick.
I read the previous instalment, - Murder on the Country Walk- , and loved seeing Warwick and Bell again.
Bell's early lead in the investigation irritates Warwick immensely, and she's not one to mince her words, she finds Bell ‘acting like a loose cannon; their interactions were fun to read.
This time, Frost takes us to Lindum, aka Lincoln — (definitely worth a visit!)
A dig and a love affair set the stage for misery and murder, where a young archaeologist and the woman he loves find themselves caught in a web of intrigue and danger.
Is it revenge by two old undergraduates who couldn't stand each other for 40 years, or is there more to it? Is the murder linked to jealousy between two students – or was it about money, as is often the case? And where is the valuable coin that Max found at the dig? And what did he need a burner phone for?
Jane is relentless in her pursuit of her goal, and it soon becomes apparent that she has uncovered more than Warwick. Her son Patrick goes undercover to find out more, but is this not a very risky move?
I thoroughly enjoyed this new character-driven murder mystery and it was lovely to see Bell & Warwick again, looking forward to their next case!
4 stars, thank you Joffe for the arc 🌷
October 13, 2025
This is the first book I’ve read by Janice Frost, and I was pleasantly surprised by how easily I settled into the story. Even though it’s book five in the Warwick & Bell Crime Mysteries, it works perfectly well as a standalone. I didn’t feel like I’d missed anything important from previous books.
The writing has a really natural flow, which made it a quick and absorbing read. There are quite a lot of characters involved, but it never felt overcrowded or confusing. Each one brought something different to the narrative, and the mix of personalities gave the story texture and momentum.
I particularly enjoyed the contrast between Detective Steph Warwick and Special Constable Jane Bell. Steph’s more reserved, procedural style pairs really well with Jane’s warmth and relatability, and their different approaches helped keep the investigation interesting. It didn’t feel like a typical “police duo” setup — more like two very different women navigating the same case from opposite angles.
The mystery itself kept me invested from the start. There are enough suspects, secrets, and threads to follow without it becoming overwhelming, and the pacing stayed consistent all the way through. I never found myself drifting or wanting to skim ahead, which says a lot about how well it’s written.
After enjoying this one so much, I’ve now gone ahead and bought all five books in the Warwick & Bell series on Kindle. I’m really looking forward to starting from the beginning and reading them in order — and if the rest are as strong as this, I can see myself exploring more of Janice Frost’s work too.
The writing has a really natural flow, which made it a quick and absorbing read. There are quite a lot of characters involved, but it never felt overcrowded or confusing. Each one brought something different to the narrative, and the mix of personalities gave the story texture and momentum.
I particularly enjoyed the contrast between Detective Steph Warwick and Special Constable Jane Bell. Steph’s more reserved, procedural style pairs really well with Jane’s warmth and relatability, and their different approaches helped keep the investigation interesting. It didn’t feel like a typical “police duo” setup — more like two very different women navigating the same case from opposite angles.
The mystery itself kept me invested from the start. There are enough suspects, secrets, and threads to follow without it becoming overwhelming, and the pacing stayed consistent all the way through. I never found myself drifting or wanting to skim ahead, which says a lot about how well it’s written.
After enjoying this one so much, I’ve now gone ahead and bought all five books in the Warwick & Bell series on Kindle. I’m really looking forward to starting from the beginning and reading them in order — and if the rest are as strong as this, I can see myself exploring more of Janice Frost’s work too.
October 3, 2025
This is an exciting instalment in the Bell and Warwick crime series. easily read as a standalone.
This murder investigation sees the maverick Special Constable Jane Bell doing her own thing to the frustration of her boss, D.I. Steph Warwick.
Jane investigates a strange burglary at an archaeologists flat. Hardly anything was stolen, and the perpetrator was disturbed and escaped. Meanwhile, D.I. Warwick and her colleague Sergeant Elias are called to investigate the finding of a young man's body in the water of a secluded brook. The body is of Max Barsby, a bright and upcoming young archaeology student. The death is quickly ruled as murder and Steph and her team are on the case. Jane puts two and two together and realises that the simple burglary case is probably related to the murder. Against all the rules, she decides to do a little digging of her own and earns a shakedown from her boss Jane.
At this point, her son Patrick returns from his dull accountancy job in London and is keen for a distraction. He is approached by a former schoolfriend and cousin of the murder victim asking for help to solve the murder. he has some interesting information, and Jane is easily persuaded to go it alone again.
Ther results in a two pronged investigation with Steph being thwarted for lack of information, and Jane and Patrick get deeper into the murky waters of crooked archaeologists and an old feud At times, it's comedic, but this is a very good police procedural worthy of a read. I will certainly start again at the beginning of the series.
This murder investigation sees the maverick Special Constable Jane Bell doing her own thing to the frustration of her boss, D.I. Steph Warwick.
Jane investigates a strange burglary at an archaeologists flat. Hardly anything was stolen, and the perpetrator was disturbed and escaped. Meanwhile, D.I. Warwick and her colleague Sergeant Elias are called to investigate the finding of a young man's body in the water of a secluded brook. The body is of Max Barsby, a bright and upcoming young archaeology student. The death is quickly ruled as murder and Steph and her team are on the case. Jane puts two and two together and realises that the simple burglary case is probably related to the murder. Against all the rules, she decides to do a little digging of her own and earns a shakedown from her boss Jane.
At this point, her son Patrick returns from his dull accountancy job in London and is keen for a distraction. He is approached by a former schoolfriend and cousin of the murder victim asking for help to solve the murder. he has some interesting information, and Jane is easily persuaded to go it alone again.
Ther results in a two pronged investigation with Steph being thwarted for lack of information, and Jane and Patrick get deeper into the murky waters of crooked archaeologists and an old feud At times, it's comedic, but this is a very good police procedural worthy of a read. I will certainly start again at the beginning of the series.
October 19, 2025
Murder on the River by Janice Frost
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is the first book I have read from this author and it didn't disappoint. Even though its part of a series, it can be read as a standalone
A body is found in the river, a young man who had his life ahead of him. Who would want him dead?
An enthusiastic member of a local archaeological dig, questions are raised as to whether Max discovers something he shouldn't.
Who trusts who? Everyone has a motive. Jealousy is the reason, but who was enraged the most
A fab read. Page turner, that kept me on my toes. I look forward to the follow up books, and to read the previous ones in the series
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is the first book I have read from this author and it didn't disappoint. Even though its part of a series, it can be read as a standalone
A body is found in the river, a young man who had his life ahead of him. Who would want him dead?
An enthusiastic member of a local archaeological dig, questions are raised as to whether Max discovers something he shouldn't.
Who trusts who? Everyone has a motive. Jealousy is the reason, but who was enraged the most
A fab read. Page turner, that kept me on my toes. I look forward to the follow up books, and to read the previous ones in the series
September 15, 2025
Crime mystery.
DI Steph Warwick and SC Jane Bell.
A young man's body is found at Waterside South Lincoln and its not a drowning , a head injury has happened before he hit the water. The victim poor Max Barsby, a student, will never celebrate Christmas again.
A secret buried in the past,
A killer who's still watching.
Warwick and Bell Cross paths again, together they unearth evidence that someone will kill to protect.
What a fantastic twisty, fast pace, story.
It's definitely a book to put on your list and read.
Brilliant right through.
DI Steph Warwick and SC Jane Bell.
A young man's body is found at Waterside South Lincoln and its not a drowning , a head injury has happened before he hit the water. The victim poor Max Barsby, a student, will never celebrate Christmas again.
A secret buried in the past,
A killer who's still watching.
Warwick and Bell Cross paths again, together they unearth evidence that someone will kill to protect.
What a fantastic twisty, fast pace, story.
It's definitely a book to put on your list and read.
Brilliant right through.
October 6, 2025
I Didn't See The End Coming
Jane Bell loves her job as a special constable, but she does get herself involved in cases where perhaps she shouldn't. Detective Steph Warwick is investigating the death of a young man and it turns out Jane's son knows the cousin of the dead man and he persuades Jane to help with the investigation although Steph is not happy about it and makes sure Jane knows she must share any information she finds out. I have never read a book written by Ms Frost that I haven't enjoyed. This book kept me gripped from the beginning and I didn't see the end coming.
Jane Bell loves her job as a special constable, but she does get herself involved in cases where perhaps she shouldn't. Detective Steph Warwick is investigating the death of a young man and it turns out Jane's son knows the cousin of the dead man and he persuades Jane to help with the investigation although Steph is not happy about it and makes sure Jane knows she must share any information she finds out. I have never read a book written by Ms Frost that I haven't enjoyed. This book kept me gripped from the beginning and I didn't see the end coming.
October 10, 2025
This is book 5, in the Warwick and Bell Crime Mysteries
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book from the very first page to the last one.
It has a well written, gripping storyline and plot with interesting, strong characters.
This kept me guessing, but I never did work it out.
There are revelations and many a twist leading to a surprise twisty ending, which I hadn't expected.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book from the very first page to the last one.
It has a well written, gripping storyline and plot with interesting, strong characters.
This kept me guessing, but I never did work it out.
There are revelations and many a twist leading to a surprise twisty ending, which I hadn't expected.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
My thanks to Joffe books for the advanced copy of this book. This is my honest and unbiased review of this book.
October 8, 2025
I am so happy to found this wonderful author. I was drawn into the story from the very first page. As I have not read the earlier books in the series, I had some catching up to do to learn about the characters. The mystery was unique, the characters interesting and the storyline flowed easily. The closer I got to the end, the faster I read. I cannot wait to go face and read the first four books in the series. I highly recommend this book and author.
October 9, 2025
I found this book interesting to read and I enjoyed it. Delaney.finds a make shift grave and now a missing sheriff. She has to work fast after realizing this whole thig was planned.
Given arc. by Net Galley and Bookouture.
Given arc. by Net Galley and Bookouture.
September 27, 2025
We are back with Warwick and Bell and straight into the action with the discovery of the body of a young archaeology student. As Warwick and Elias investigate, Jane starts her own separate investigation on the request of her son Patrick.
I love the dynamics between Steph and Jane. One minute they are grudgingly getting along, the next Steph is giving Jane a dressing down. Jane has a habit of getting herself into situations and I totally get Steph's frustration albeit Jane does end up finding out more valuable information along the way. There's plenty of twists here as we deal with jealousy, a possible historical discovery, a break-in and illegal immigration. Patrick is definitely a chip off the old block here. This was an easy read and another good addition to what is an enjoyable series.
I love the dynamics between Steph and Jane. One minute they are grudgingly getting along, the next Steph is giving Jane a dressing down. Jane has a habit of getting herself into situations and I totally get Steph's frustration albeit Jane does end up finding out more valuable information along the way. There's plenty of twists here as we deal with jealousy, a possible historical discovery, a break-in and illegal immigration. Patrick is definitely a chip off the old block here. This was an easy read and another good addition to what is an enjoyable series.
November 4, 2025
I enjoy these characters and would suggest others take a moment to dive into this series.
September 27, 2025
I received an ARC of this book free of charge via Joffe Books in return for an honest review.
I’ve read all the books in this series so far. This is a good yarn with a few plot twists. Good holiday read.
I’ve read all the books in this series so far. This is a good yarn with a few plot twists. Good holiday read.
September 28, 2025
ARC Read: NetGallery & Joffe Books
Murder on the River is a crime mystery that is part of a series. The story was intriguing but the pacing dragged and I found myself wishing the crime had been solved halfway through. It wasn’t a bad read, just not one that kept me entertained.
Murder on the River is a crime mystery that is part of a series. The story was intriguing but the pacing dragged and I found myself wishing the crime had been solved halfway through. It wasn’t a bad read, just not one that kept me entertained.
September 17, 2025
This is the latest instalment in the Warwick and Bell series, but can easily be read as a standalone.
DI Steph Warwick and her sergeant, Elias Harper, get to work when an archaeology student, Max Barsby, is found murdered. Max was part of a team working on a local dig and his death shocks his colleagues.
Special Constable Jane Bell also works for Lincolnshire police but has a tendency to unofficially get involved in Steph’s cases. However, she usually turns out to be a great help in solving crimes, much as it pains Steph to admit it!
Lots of potential perpetrators, both from Max’s university life and his colleagues on the dig.
A great police procedural.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
DI Steph Warwick and her sergeant, Elias Harper, get to work when an archaeology student, Max Barsby, is found murdered. Max was part of a team working on a local dig and his death shocks his colleagues.
Special Constable Jane Bell also works for Lincolnshire police but has a tendency to unofficially get involved in Steph’s cases. However, she usually turns out to be a great help in solving crimes, much as it pains Steph to admit it!
Lots of potential perpetrators, both from Max’s university life and his colleagues on the dig.
A great police procedural.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
September 14, 2025
You won't be able to put this fast-paced police procedural down!
We meet Detective Inspector Steph Warwick and her partner, Detective Sergeant Elias, who are on the hunt for a killer, but their investigation is complicated by not only Jane Bell, but also her son, who's taken a break from work. Special Constable Jane's desire to help murdered student Max's family puts her at odds with the prickly DI Warwick, creating an engaging tension throughout the story.
With multiple red herrings and a cast of complex characters, the plot is full of surprising twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
While part of a series, it's a perfect standalone read with an ending tied up as neatly as a gift wrapped ancient Roman coin.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my own opinion.
We meet Detective Inspector Steph Warwick and her partner, Detective Sergeant Elias, who are on the hunt for a killer, but their investigation is complicated by not only Jane Bell, but also her son, who's taken a break from work. Special Constable Jane's desire to help murdered student Max's family puts her at odds with the prickly DI Warwick, creating an engaging tension throughout the story.
With multiple red herrings and a cast of complex characters, the plot is full of surprising twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.
While part of a series, it's a perfect standalone read with an ending tied up as neatly as a gift wrapped ancient Roman coin.
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my own opinion.
October 8, 2025
It didn't really work for me.
This is the fifth book of a series, but it's the first one I've read. Detective Inspector Steph Warwick is investigating the murder of Max Bersby, an archaeology student whose body was pulled out of the river in Lincoln. Meanwhile, Special Constable Jean Bell is investigating a burglary and discovers a link to Max and her own son, Patrick. The two women have worked together before despite a frosty relationship. Jan has a knack with getting information and links that the DI can't and is therefore reluctantly allows Jan to get involved in the murder investigation.
As a police procedural, it works fairly well, with a number of twists and red herrings. However, some things seen to be just stated or summarised rather than being described fully, and the big reveal came over to me as rushed. The book left me a bit disappointed.
This is the fifth book of a series, but it's the first one I've read. Detective Inspector Steph Warwick is investigating the murder of Max Bersby, an archaeology student whose body was pulled out of the river in Lincoln. Meanwhile, Special Constable Jean Bell is investigating a burglary and discovers a link to Max and her own son, Patrick. The two women have worked together before despite a frosty relationship. Jan has a knack with getting information and links that the DI can't and is therefore reluctantly allows Jan to get involved in the murder investigation.
As a police procedural, it works fairly well, with a number of twists and red herrings. However, some things seen to be just stated or summarised rather than being described fully, and the big reveal came over to me as rushed. The book left me a bit disappointed.
October 22, 2025
I haven’t read anything by this author before, but it felt familiar to me.
Just before Christmas a body is found floating in the River. Not only does Warwick have to try and find the murderer to ensure everyone can enjoy Christmas, she has to deal with Bell (a volunteer special police officer) getting in the way.
I absolutely loved Bell and her relationship with her kids. I loved that her son Patrick ended up getting in the way the same way she did. This whole book overall was such a good book. I enjoyed it.
I wasn’t too keen on Warwick but it’s clearly just the personality she has.
The tension continues to build as the story goes on, and even though it seemed like there was several loose threads, they all tied up nicely.
Once again, I was totally flabbergasted by who the murderer was. I never even had them on my list as possible suspects!!!
Definitely a good read 💁🏻♀️💁🏻♀️
Just before Christmas a body is found floating in the River. Not only does Warwick have to try and find the murderer to ensure everyone can enjoy Christmas, she has to deal with Bell (a volunteer special police officer) getting in the way.
I absolutely loved Bell and her relationship with her kids. I loved that her son Patrick ended up getting in the way the same way she did. This whole book overall was such a good book. I enjoyed it.
I wasn’t too keen on Warwick but it’s clearly just the personality she has.
The tension continues to build as the story goes on, and even though it seemed like there was several loose threads, they all tied up nicely.
Once again, I was totally flabbergasted by who the murderer was. I never even had them on my list as possible suspects!!!
Definitely a good read 💁🏻♀️💁🏻♀️
October 14, 2025
Recommend.
Murder on the River by Janice Frost.
Warwick & Bell Crime Mysteries Book 5.
This was a really good read. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. This is the 6th book I've read by Janice. I do like this series. I do like DI Steph Warwick and DS Elias Harper. I liked Special Constable Jane Bell. I liked the writing style and the story. I read this in two sittings. I couldn't put it down. I was very surprised by who the murderer was. I thought it was someone else. I do recommend this book.
Murder on the River by Janice Frost.
Warwick & Bell Crime Mysteries Book 5.
This was a really good read. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. This is the 6th book I've read by Janice. I do like this series. I do like DI Steph Warwick and DS Elias Harper. I liked Special Constable Jane Bell. I liked the writing style and the story. I read this in two sittings. I couldn't put it down. I was very surprised by who the murderer was. I thought it was someone else. I do recommend this book.
October 14, 2025
When the first line is, ‘DI Steph Warwick was sitting at a window seat in the café of Waterstones bookshop.’ That’s it! I’m in!
This is book 5 in the series I hadn’t read the previous books but had no problems following the book, DI Steph Warwick and SC Jane Bell are both strong female characters and were both likeable.
The writing style drew me in and I’ll definitely be reading the previous books in the series.
This was a good paced book with lots of twists and suspects which kept me hooked and guessing right to the end.
A really great police procedural thriller.
This is book 5 in the series I hadn’t read the previous books but had no problems following the book, DI Steph Warwick and SC Jane Bell are both strong female characters and were both likeable.
The writing style drew me in and I’ll definitely be reading the previous books in the series.
This was a good paced book with lots of twists and suspects which kept me hooked and guessing right to the end.
A really great police procedural thriller.
September 7, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
Steph Warwick is the lead detective in the murder of an archaeology student named Max. Along with the unofficial help from Jane, and her son Patrick, they piece together evidence to solve the crime. Along the way, they discover some secrets that everyone has been keeping. You get some false leads, strong candidates as the suspect, but it is the person you least expect to be guilty.
It is a fun ride trying to solve the mystery and be a detective yourself with the clues and people involved. An entertaining, mysterious, mother-son crime story.
Steph Warwick is the lead detective in the murder of an archaeology student named Max. Along with the unofficial help from Jane, and her son Patrick, they piece together evidence to solve the crime. Along the way, they discover some secrets that everyone has been keeping. You get some false leads, strong candidates as the suspect, but it is the person you least expect to be guilty.
It is a fun ride trying to solve the mystery and be a detective yourself with the clues and people involved. An entertaining, mysterious, mother-son crime story.
September 11, 2025
An interesting detective story with a good pace and engaging characters.
Thank you to Janice Frost, Netgalley and Joffe Books for the arc of this book
Thank you to Janice Frost, Netgalley and Joffe Books for the arc of this book
October 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this read! I liked our two main characters DI Steph Warwick and SC Jane Bell. I think I liked the fact that they are two strong female characters. I haven’t read any of the previous books but I don’t think it mattered. It was clear that there was history with them but I don’t feel that it took away from the story that I didn’t know what had happened fully. I do definitely want to go back and read the other books though as I do really love the characters.
I loved how Jane made connections and got some answers with her unofficial investigating! But she wasn’t the quickest at keeping DI Warwick in the loop much to her frustration! I thought the storyline was intriguing as it wasn’t immediately obvious who would have wanted to kill Max but as the book went on there were more suspects for very different reasons.
I also loved that Jane’s son Patrick got involved with the sleuthing which gave us some humour as well as some very serious scenes. I loved how it all came together and the ending left me wanting to read the next one already!
I loved the writing style and can’t wait to go back and read the previous ones that I haven’t read.
I loved how Jane made connections and got some answers with her unofficial investigating! But she wasn’t the quickest at keeping DI Warwick in the loop much to her frustration! I thought the storyline was intriguing as it wasn’t immediately obvious who would have wanted to kill Max but as the book went on there were more suspects for very different reasons.
I also loved that Jane’s son Patrick got involved with the sleuthing which gave us some humour as well as some very serious scenes. I loved how it all came together and the ending left me wanting to read the next one already!
I loved the writing style and can’t wait to go back and read the previous ones that I haven’t read.
October 7, 2025
I just LOVE this type of book.
Holds my attention until the very last page.
Holds my attention until the very last page.
October 9, 2025
Here is my review for Murder On The River (Warwick & Bell) by Janice Frost
I thoroughly loved reading this twist filled story of a murdered student found floating in the River Witham by a couple of people who were searching for some twigs and things to be used in Christmas decorations along with candles and stuff for a meal. They had pulled him from the water not knowing if he was still alive. DI Steph Warwick was called to the scene although it was her day off and she was assigned the case. Max Basby turned out to be an archaeology student with a secret but he was friends with Seth, who knew Jane Bell, a worthy opponent of Steph’s anytime they clashed! And yes, they soon got to blows on this case and Jane was asked by the family to investigate plus she got to know things that Steph didn’t and she held back when she did! I absolutely loved this riveting story which was full of possible suspects and really good twists! I love that it is set in Lincoln, which is a city that I love and I miss visiting but I did visit a lot in the past and Steep Hill is a challenging climb! I find the plot an intriguing one. It is interesting to learn about archaeology in this story as it shows the author must have done some research to write this book and it shows in the story. The story is really easy to get into and I found it to be a quick read. I love the dynamics between the two main characters, DI Steph Warwick and SPC Jane Bell, as they are both extremely strong women in their own way but Jane has a way of getting information from people that Steph and her sergeant don’t. Although, Jane doesn’t always share it and goes it alone which causes fireworks with Steph. For me, this adds to the story which is always superbly written and brilliantly thought out. The characters are well plotted and fit in with the archaeology plot plus a sub plot which is an intriguing one. I got into the story straight away right from the start of the story and I just couldn’t put it down, I had to know who did it. I find this a great series and I can’t wait for the next book already!
Blurb :
There’s one piece of evidence that will crack the case . . . but is it too shocking to reveal?
A murdered student. A secret from the past. A killer who’s still watching.
Detective Steph Warwick is halfway through her Christmas shopping when she gets the call. The body of a young man has been pulled from the icy River Witham.
The victim is Max Barsby, a quiet, hardworking archaeology student with no enemies — or so it seems. But Max didn’t drown. He was murdered. Bludgeoned over the head and left for dead.
With the university all but deserted for the holidays, Steph finds herself with few leads and even fewer witnesses.
Meanwhile Special Constable Jane Bell is investigating a routine break-in when she stumbles across an unexpected link to Max. As Jane and Steph’s paths cross once more, Steph reluctantly brings the warm-hearted mother-of-two into the fold — knowing Jane can reach people — and places — that she can’t.
Their enquiries unearth a mysterious girlfriend, a controversial dig site, and a discovery someone will kill to protect.
But when Jane finds a piece of evidence too explosive to share, her silence may prove deadly — for both of them.
Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Helen H. Durrant, Rachel McLean and Michael Hambling, this twist-filled mystery will keep you hooked until the very last page.
MEET THE DETECTIVES
SPC Jane Bell is in her mid-forties, a widow of three years following the premature death of her husband, Sam. She has two grown-up children, Patrick and Norah, who are pursuing careers in London. After Sam’s death, Jane makes some changes to her life. She downsizes from their large family home in the country to a cottage in Lincoln. She also leaves her job as a teacher to volunteer as a special constable with the police.
DI Stephanie Warwick is in her mid-thirties. She left school at eighteen and worked in a bank before joining the police. She is haunted by her ex-boyfriend, Cal. He attempted to kill her twelve years ago, and murdered her best friend. As a result, Steph finds it difficult to trust people and form relationships.
I thoroughly loved reading this twist filled story of a murdered student found floating in the River Witham by a couple of people who were searching for some twigs and things to be used in Christmas decorations along with candles and stuff for a meal. They had pulled him from the water not knowing if he was still alive. DI Steph Warwick was called to the scene although it was her day off and she was assigned the case. Max Basby turned out to be an archaeology student with a secret but he was friends with Seth, who knew Jane Bell, a worthy opponent of Steph’s anytime they clashed! And yes, they soon got to blows on this case and Jane was asked by the family to investigate plus she got to know things that Steph didn’t and she held back when she did! I absolutely loved this riveting story which was full of possible suspects and really good twists! I love that it is set in Lincoln, which is a city that I love and I miss visiting but I did visit a lot in the past and Steep Hill is a challenging climb! I find the plot an intriguing one. It is interesting to learn about archaeology in this story as it shows the author must have done some research to write this book and it shows in the story. The story is really easy to get into and I found it to be a quick read. I love the dynamics between the two main characters, DI Steph Warwick and SPC Jane Bell, as they are both extremely strong women in their own way but Jane has a way of getting information from people that Steph and her sergeant don’t. Although, Jane doesn’t always share it and goes it alone which causes fireworks with Steph. For me, this adds to the story which is always superbly written and brilliantly thought out. The characters are well plotted and fit in with the archaeology plot plus a sub plot which is an intriguing one. I got into the story straight away right from the start of the story and I just couldn’t put it down, I had to know who did it. I find this a great series and I can’t wait for the next book already!
Blurb :
There’s one piece of evidence that will crack the case . . . but is it too shocking to reveal?
A murdered student. A secret from the past. A killer who’s still watching.
Detective Steph Warwick is halfway through her Christmas shopping when she gets the call. The body of a young man has been pulled from the icy River Witham.
The victim is Max Barsby, a quiet, hardworking archaeology student with no enemies — or so it seems. But Max didn’t drown. He was murdered. Bludgeoned over the head and left for dead.
With the university all but deserted for the holidays, Steph finds herself with few leads and even fewer witnesses.
Meanwhile Special Constable Jane Bell is investigating a routine break-in when she stumbles across an unexpected link to Max. As Jane and Steph’s paths cross once more, Steph reluctantly brings the warm-hearted mother-of-two into the fold — knowing Jane can reach people — and places — that she can’t.
Their enquiries unearth a mysterious girlfriend, a controversial dig site, and a discovery someone will kill to protect.
But when Jane finds a piece of evidence too explosive to share, her silence may prove deadly — for both of them.
Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Helen H. Durrant, Rachel McLean and Michael Hambling, this twist-filled mystery will keep you hooked until the very last page.
MEET THE DETECTIVES
SPC Jane Bell is in her mid-forties, a widow of three years following the premature death of her husband, Sam. She has two grown-up children, Patrick and Norah, who are pursuing careers in London. After Sam’s death, Jane makes some changes to her life. She downsizes from their large family home in the country to a cottage in Lincoln. She also leaves her job as a teacher to volunteer as a special constable with the police.
DI Stephanie Warwick is in her mid-thirties. She left school at eighteen and worked in a bank before joining the police. She is haunted by her ex-boyfriend, Cal. He attempted to kill her twelve years ago, and murdered her best friend. As a result, Steph finds it difficult to trust people and form relationships.
December 10, 2025
Murder on the River is the fifth installment in this series and personally, I thought it was the weakest of the series. The mystery itself was actually interesting, but while I love investigations, this one felt rather repetitive, and I was getting rather annoyed with Jane Bell and her interfering family.
Throughout the series, I have actually enjoyed Steph's character development as she was dealing with a lot of personal issues and was trying to work through them. No, she's not the most outgoing person and she struggles to develop personal relationships, but not everyone is warm and fuzzy, and that doesn't necessarily make her character uninteresting. There weren't really any new developments or breakthroughs for Steph, but I do like it when I see her trying, something that isn't easy for her. As someone who is very much an introvert, I get where Steph is coming from and I enjoy seeing the baby steps she is taking. She doesn't need to be friends with people to do her job well.
I usually enjoy Jane and her family, but lately, the way she interferes in investigations actually got on my nerves. And in this one, it wasn't really Jane, but her know-it-all son. Having him help out with the archaeological dig was one thing, but when you don't listen, get yourself in major trouble to the point where you can die, and there are really no consequences to your actions, that is where I have a problem. In all fairness, Steph typically has a reason to be angry with the Bell family and I was on her side the entire time.
The plot itself was a bit repetitive this time round, but I did enjoy the reasons behind what happened. I did manage to figure out the culprit quite early on, so I just kind of sat back and read to see how the author would lay out the twists and turns for readers. I did find the book to be one more of the telling variety this time round though. However, I did find the archaeology aspect to be quite interesting.
Murder on the River was not my favourite book in the series, but it did have an interesting mystery and I enjoyed learning more about the archaeological element. I did find the pacing to be somewhat erratic, and I wasn't a fan of the interactions between the Bell family and Steph this time around. However, I did really enjoy the earlier books in the series and would recommend them, so I will be continuing with the series when the next book is released.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Throughout the series, I have actually enjoyed Steph's character development as she was dealing with a lot of personal issues and was trying to work through them. No, she's not the most outgoing person and she struggles to develop personal relationships, but not everyone is warm and fuzzy, and that doesn't necessarily make her character uninteresting. There weren't really any new developments or breakthroughs for Steph, but I do like it when I see her trying, something that isn't easy for her. As someone who is very much an introvert, I get where Steph is coming from and I enjoy seeing the baby steps she is taking. She doesn't need to be friends with people to do her job well.
I usually enjoy Jane and her family, but lately, the way she interferes in investigations actually got on my nerves. And in this one, it wasn't really Jane, but her know-it-all son. Having him help out with the archaeological dig was one thing, but when you don't listen, get yourself in major trouble to the point where you can die, and there are really no consequences to your actions, that is where I have a problem. In all fairness, Steph typically has a reason to be angry with the Bell family and I was on her side the entire time.
The plot itself was a bit repetitive this time round, but I did enjoy the reasons behind what happened. I did manage to figure out the culprit quite early on, so I just kind of sat back and read to see how the author would lay out the twists and turns for readers. I did find the book to be one more of the telling variety this time round though. However, I did find the archaeology aspect to be quite interesting.
Murder on the River was not my favourite book in the series, but it did have an interesting mystery and I enjoyed learning more about the archaeological element. I did find the pacing to be somewhat erratic, and I wasn't a fan of the interactions between the Bell family and Steph this time around. However, I did really enjoy the earlier books in the series and would recommend them, so I will be continuing with the series when the next book is released.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
October 2, 2025
Murder on the River by Janice Frost is a highly recommended procedural and the fifth book in the DI Warwick and SPC Bell series.
Detective Inspector Steph Warwick is Christmas shopping when she gets the call from DS Elias Harper about the body of a young man pulled from the River Witham. He is identified as Max Barsby, a serious archaeology student and his death was caused by someone bashing in the back of his head and not drowning. With Christmas approaching many of the students are gone so finding information is a challenge but they do have a few leads.
At the same time Special Constable Jane Bell investigates a break-in and discovers an unexpected link to Max. Her son Patrick was also friends with Max's cousin so they have contacts with the family and the two begin to look more closely into who could have murdered Max. They come up with more information about the case, ruffling Warwick's feathers, but she also knows Bell has a nice way with people that Warwick is lacking.
The pace moves fast while the information and clues uncovered are logically followed up on.The narrative alternates between the official police investigation with Warwick and Harper and the unofficial investigation by Jane and Patrick Bell. (As a special constable Jane is a volunteer on the police force.) The plot is actually interesting and held my complete attention. There is a nice balance between the two points-of-view and several surprising twists in the investigation occur along the way. The final denouement is satisfying.
This was my first introduction to the series so it did require a slower reading pace at the beginning to keep all the characters straight. Once They were sorted out, the novel moved very quickly. The characters do reference past events along the way. These would all be known characters for those who have been following the series, but they do show some growth and depth in this outing. I actually enjoyed Jane and Patrick working together and thought they'd be an interesting duo working as private investigators.
Murder on the River is an entertaining, fast-paced procedural. Thanks to Joffe Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...
Detective Inspector Steph Warwick is Christmas shopping when she gets the call from DS Elias Harper about the body of a young man pulled from the River Witham. He is identified as Max Barsby, a serious archaeology student and his death was caused by someone bashing in the back of his head and not drowning. With Christmas approaching many of the students are gone so finding information is a challenge but they do have a few leads.
At the same time Special Constable Jane Bell investigates a break-in and discovers an unexpected link to Max. Her son Patrick was also friends with Max's cousin so they have contacts with the family and the two begin to look more closely into who could have murdered Max. They come up with more information about the case, ruffling Warwick's feathers, but she also knows Bell has a nice way with people that Warwick is lacking.
The pace moves fast while the information and clues uncovered are logically followed up on.The narrative alternates between the official police investigation with Warwick and Harper and the unofficial investigation by Jane and Patrick Bell. (As a special constable Jane is a volunteer on the police force.) The plot is actually interesting and held my complete attention. There is a nice balance between the two points-of-view and several surprising twists in the investigation occur along the way. The final denouement is satisfying.
This was my first introduction to the series so it did require a slower reading pace at the beginning to keep all the characters straight. Once They were sorted out, the novel moved very quickly. The characters do reference past events along the way. These would all be known characters for those who have been following the series, but they do show some growth and depth in this outing. I actually enjoyed Jane and Patrick working together and thought they'd be an interesting duo working as private investigators.
Murder on the River is an entertaining, fast-paced procedural. Thanks to Joffe Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...
October 6, 2025
Thanks to Joffe Books and Netgalley for this eARC.
Janice Frost’s Murder on the River isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a study in emotional undercurrents, institutional blind spots, and the fragile alliances that form when justice is personal. Set in Lincoln during the university’s winter break, the novel opens with the body of archaeology student Max Barsby found in the River Witham. But Frost resists the temptation of sensationalism. Instead, she crafts a mystery that’s intimate, unsettling, and quietly political.
🎓Max’s death is the catalyst, but the real intrigue lies in the world he inhabited—a university dig site, a controversial discovery, and a network of relationships that blur the line between mentorship and manipulation. Frost uses the academic setting not as window dressing but as a thematic engine: what gets buried, who gets credit, and how knowledge can be weaponized.
👮 DI Steph Warwick and Special Constable Jane Bell return with more friction and more depth. Steph is cerebral, emotionally armored, and still reeling from past trauma. Jane, a volunteer with a knack for empathy and intuition, is the kind of character who would be dismissed in most procedurals—but Frost gives her agency, insight, and a quiet defiance. Their dynamic a slow negotiation of trust. Jane’s decision to investigate independently isn’t reckless—it’s a critique of gatekeeping in law enforcement.
Murder on the River rewards patience,
Frost’s pacing is deliberate. Clues emerge through conversation, community gossip, and emotional observation rather than dramatic reveals. The murder investigation is layered with subplots—an estranged girlfriend, a suspicious academic, a missing artifact—that are organic rather than ornamental. The resolution is satisfying not because it shocks, but because it resonates.
What sets Murder on the River apart from other police procedurals is its refusal to glamorize crime or overplay drama. Frost writes with restraint, trusting readers to find tension in silence, in hesitation, in the things left unsaid. The river isn’t just a crime scene—it’s a metaphor for what flows beneath appearances: grief, ambition, and the cost of truth.
📖 Murder on the River is ideal for readers who appreciate character-driven mysteries with emotional intelligence and thematic depth. It’s more of a slow burn than a thriller, and it’s worth every page.
Janice Frost’s Murder on the River isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a study in emotional undercurrents, institutional blind spots, and the fragile alliances that form when justice is personal. Set in Lincoln during the university’s winter break, the novel opens with the body of archaeology student Max Barsby found in the River Witham. But Frost resists the temptation of sensationalism. Instead, she crafts a mystery that’s intimate, unsettling, and quietly political.
🎓Max’s death is the catalyst, but the real intrigue lies in the world he inhabited—a university dig site, a controversial discovery, and a network of relationships that blur the line between mentorship and manipulation. Frost uses the academic setting not as window dressing but as a thematic engine: what gets buried, who gets credit, and how knowledge can be weaponized.
👮 DI Steph Warwick and Special Constable Jane Bell return with more friction and more depth. Steph is cerebral, emotionally armored, and still reeling from past trauma. Jane, a volunteer with a knack for empathy and intuition, is the kind of character who would be dismissed in most procedurals—but Frost gives her agency, insight, and a quiet defiance. Their dynamic a slow negotiation of trust. Jane’s decision to investigate independently isn’t reckless—it’s a critique of gatekeeping in law enforcement.
Murder on the River rewards patience,
Frost’s pacing is deliberate. Clues emerge through conversation, community gossip, and emotional observation rather than dramatic reveals. The murder investigation is layered with subplots—an estranged girlfriend, a suspicious academic, a missing artifact—that are organic rather than ornamental. The resolution is satisfying not because it shocks, but because it resonates.
What sets Murder on the River apart from other police procedurals is its refusal to glamorize crime or overplay drama. Frost writes with restraint, trusting readers to find tension in silence, in hesitation, in the things left unsaid. The river isn’t just a crime scene—it’s a metaphor for what flows beneath appearances: grief, ambition, and the cost of truth.
📖 Murder on the River is ideal for readers who appreciate character-driven mysteries with emotional intelligence and thematic depth. It’s more of a slow burn than a thriller, and it’s worth every page.
October 9, 2025
The body of Max Barsby, an archaeology student at Lincoln University and still living at home with his parents, has been pulled from the River Witham. He was hit on the head and was dead before he went into the water. In the run up to Christmas, DI Steph Warwick and her partner DS Elias Harper investigate and soon discover a good suspect in the form of a fellow student who didn’t pull his weight and blamed Max when he was reported, leading to a fistfight when he also thought Max had stolen his girlfriend. Max was a quiet studious inoffensive sort and his parents are concerned the police will not find his murderer, so are delighted when their nephew Seth’s friend Patrick turns out to be none other than the son of Special Constable Jane Bell! Jane is intrigued as to whether the break in at the home of eminent archaeologist Dr Linus Crow has anything to do with the local dig he was running where Max took part or maybe involved a local historian who was helping Max with his studies. Or could his death have anything to do with the huge secret Max was harbouring? With grudging permission from Steph to do some unofficial civilian digging around, Jane, aided very ably by Patrick, vows to do all she can to bring home the truth to Max’s grieving parents, while Steph and Elias pursue the official line. Will the unlikely pairing of women who now have a mutual respect for each other be successful before they fall out again?
Jane is instantly likeable, the sort of woman you’d want for your best friend. Steph, due to her past trauma which is explained earlier in the series, is brittle and much harder to get to know but has herself, with help from Elias and Jane, been making more of an effort with people lately. This is an excellent police procedural with some great characters, my favourite being the calm and steady Elias with his love of amateur dramatics who is superbly empathetic and an absolute rock for Steph. The plot is well laid out and very twisty with plenty of good suspects and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Jane is instantly likeable, the sort of woman you’d want for your best friend. Steph, due to her past trauma which is explained earlier in the series, is brittle and much harder to get to know but has herself, with help from Elias and Jane, been making more of an effort with people lately. This is an excellent police procedural with some great characters, my favourite being the calm and steady Elias with his love of amateur dramatics who is superbly empathetic and an absolute rock for Steph. The plot is well laid out and very twisty with plenty of good suspects and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 21, 2025
Murder on the River is the fifth installment in the Warwick and Bell Crime Mysteries series by Janice Frost. It follows the investigation into the murder of Max Barsby, a quiet archaeology student. I was given an advanced reader copy for review and did not realize this book was part of a series. I have not read the other books in the series.
The book is written in third person and (mostly) from two main characters POV (changing POV every 2-3 chapters). There are a handful of chapters (maybe 3 or 4) from a third character's POV. Initially I wasn't sure about the multiple POV, but I found that it was really entertaining for me to have information from one character before the other character had it.
The story has a nice pace - it gets right into the discovery of the crime and subsequent investigation pretty quickly and I felt like I could follow all of the characters. There isn't too much fluff, its not too heavy. I learned enough about each character to care about what was happening to them and keep me coming back. I don't think I missed anything by not having read the earlier books, but each main character referenced previous interactions with the other (or events that had happened to themselves) that made me want to go back and read the other stories. I also didn't feel like I was being beaten over the head with unnecessary summaries of the other stories.
I found the ultimate perpetrator to make sense and not be too obvious too early. I did enjoy one of the main characters (Warwick) over the other (Bell) and would like to read more from her POV, maybe in first person. I just enjoyed her dry, sarcastic humor. Maybe I identified with her a little too much ;-)
Overall it's a solid book and I'll be adding the other four books in the series to my TBR.
The book is written in third person and (mostly) from two main characters POV (changing POV every 2-3 chapters). There are a handful of chapters (maybe 3 or 4) from a third character's POV. Initially I wasn't sure about the multiple POV, but I found that it was really entertaining for me to have information from one character before the other character had it.
The story has a nice pace - it gets right into the discovery of the crime and subsequent investigation pretty quickly and I felt like I could follow all of the characters. There isn't too much fluff, its not too heavy. I learned enough about each character to care about what was happening to them and keep me coming back. I don't think I missed anything by not having read the earlier books, but each main character referenced previous interactions with the other (or events that had happened to themselves) that made me want to go back and read the other stories. I also didn't feel like I was being beaten over the head with unnecessary summaries of the other stories.
I found the ultimate perpetrator to make sense and not be too obvious too early. I did enjoy one of the main characters (Warwick) over the other (Bell) and would like to read more from her POV, maybe in first person. I just enjoyed her dry, sarcastic humor. Maybe I identified with her a little too much ;-)
Overall it's a solid book and I'll be adding the other four books in the series to my TBR.
October 7, 2025
In Murder on the River, Janice Frost delivers a quietly gripping mystery that unfolds beneath the brittle chill of a Lincolnshire winter. The discovery of a young man’s body in the icy River Witham sets the tone for a story steeped in silence, secrets, and the slow unraveling of truth.
Detective Steph Warwick is a compelling lead—pragmatic, perceptive, and refreshingly unflustered by festive distractions. Her investigation is methodical yet emotionally attuned, drawing us into a world where the past refuses to stay buried and the present is laced with quiet menace. The reappearance of Special Constable Jane Bell adds warmth and texture, her community ties offering a counterpoint to Steph’s more clinical approach. Their dynamic is one of mutual respect and subtle tension, and it’s a pleasure to watch it evolve. Frost’s prose is clean and understated, allowing the emotional weight of the story to speak for itself. The setting—deserted university halls, frostbitten streets, and a river that holds more than just water—adds a layer of atmospheric melancholy that suits the season and the subject matter.
This is not a mystery that shouts; it whispers, drawing the reader closer with each quiet revelation. A controversial dig site, a missing girlfriend, and a piece of evidence too dangerous to share—Frost weaves these threads into a narrative that is both thoughtful and deeply human.
Perfect for readers who appreciate character-driven crime fiction with emotional depth and a wintry edge.
Thank you to Janice Frost, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Detective Steph Warwick is a compelling lead—pragmatic, perceptive, and refreshingly unflustered by festive distractions. Her investigation is methodical yet emotionally attuned, drawing us into a world where the past refuses to stay buried and the present is laced with quiet menace. The reappearance of Special Constable Jane Bell adds warmth and texture, her community ties offering a counterpoint to Steph’s more clinical approach. Their dynamic is one of mutual respect and subtle tension, and it’s a pleasure to watch it evolve. Frost’s prose is clean and understated, allowing the emotional weight of the story to speak for itself. The setting—deserted university halls, frostbitten streets, and a river that holds more than just water—adds a layer of atmospheric melancholy that suits the season and the subject matter.
This is not a mystery that shouts; it whispers, drawing the reader closer with each quiet revelation. A controversial dig site, a missing girlfriend, and a piece of evidence too dangerous to share—Frost weaves these threads into a narrative that is both thoughtful and deeply human.
Perfect for readers who appreciate character-driven crime fiction with emotional depth and a wintry edge.
Thank you to Janice Frost, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
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