An Icy Death

High Country Mystery #5

by Loretta Jackson, Vickie Britton

In the heart of a raging blizzard Sheriff Jeff McQuede discovers a woman frozen to death in her car. At first he believes her death to be an unfortunate accident--until he finds clues that point to cold-blooded murder. Margaret’s husband, Arthur, left her in the stalled vehicle to brave the storm and manages to reach Joe Trevino’s isolated ranch. The case becomes more complicated because of the recent warehouse robberies at Trevino’s store. McQueede finds that Trevino is Margaret Burnell’s business partner, and that she has traveled from their Casper store to conduct a company audit. In addition, Margaret has planned to meet with her only child, a run-away daughter she hasn’t seen in years. Trevino, the missing daughter, and Arthur Burnell would all profit financially from Margaret’s demise. Has a relentless killer tracked and sabotaged the Burnells, or did Arthur simply abandon his wife for his share of the money, leaving her to die an icy death?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

232 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 2015

About the author

Loretta Jackson and Vickie Britton are a sister co-authoring team who have written 36 published novels and 77 short stories. Among their novels are the archaeologist Ardis Cole series and a new series featuring contemporary Wyoming sheriff Jeff McQuede. The two sisters often travel to exotic locations such as Russia, India, China and Peru to research settings for their novels. They are also drawn to the western United States and their love for the unique flavor of the Old West provides a background for many of their novels. Both writers now live in Kansas: Loretta in Junction City, Vickie in Hutchinson.

Reviews

[Lillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several of the High Country mysteries, and they keep getting better. I really appreciate that although each book builds on the previous, each stands alone. Readers will see character development and changes in relationships from book to book, but you don't miss anything if you start with this book or any in the series. You get a complete and satisfying story in each installment in the series.

There is no sex or profanity in these books, which I appreciate. The focus is always on the mystery, but readers get to see Sheriff McQuede and other characters live their lives not only in work but also in private life and relationships.

I received a free copy of the book from the authors in exchange for this honest, unbiased review.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loretta Jackson and Vickie Britton are sisters and between them they know how to weave an interesting tale.
Jeff McQuede is a sheriff and when he is called out during a blizzard because a car is stranded far off the main road,McQuede finds a dead woman and then finds her husband has been taken to the hospital after leaving his wife to find help in the storm. However, not all is as it seems and the murder, mystery and suspense begin. The authors do a great job with this story. I have read other books by them and always find myself lost in a great story. I hope others will check out all their great books.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Craig Johnson, C.J. Box, and Louis L'Amour will enjoy this modern day Western. While investing the thief of rifles from a sporting goods warehouse, Sheriff Jeff McQuede comes across a dead woman stranded in a wrecked car on an isolated mountain road during a snow storm. He has numerous suspects and motives when a young woman he has been mentoring is murdered. The story is fast paced with plot twists and turns. I liked that there was no explicit sex or profanity. This was a free advance read copy autographed by the authors.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

slow and plodding

A good enough storyline of small almost backward isolated towns it read like a one man police department, though ‘the team’ was often called for, that was it, no other info given. Failing relationship, and a case to solve with a surprising amount of injuries from murders, not quite happening you’d think this book would be fast paced. But it isn’t, it’s slow, there is no real sense of danger, no stress or anxious feelings for the reader to really want to finish the book. It was slow and plodding. No idea how old any of the characters were or what they looked liked, except for plump, thin and scrawny, and large with shoulders to fill a doorway. Oh, and how a woman’s clothes looked on her. Take my advice and just don’t bother.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

She was young, a blanket, a candy bar, helped for a while to keep her alive. A prescription bottle gave him her name, now it seemed personal, as though he knows her. She as other when there are blizzards, an icy death.
As he searches, a road, had a vehicle been on it recently. A business meeting she had to attend, a new husband, robberies in area. Questions he wanted answers for. This had a chilling effect from the first, you felt that it must be murder. Of course, she couldn’t walk, just having surgery. Suspenseful, good plot, and I liked the concern nature of the sheriff. First book I have read by her, and did enjoy.

[barbara pint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

I enjoyed reading this mystery. As the story progressed the author had me changing who i thought the guilty person was. I would recommend this book hibhh to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me entertained and guessing to the end.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you guess the killer?

A good whodunit mystery. Set in a small mountain town with a lot of good characters. Snow scenes that make you feel cold.

[Somto Obi]

The book Icy Death is the best I've read. It sent shivers down my spine. I highly recommend it to you.

[Karen Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

suspenseful to the very end

As usual, these authors keep the reader in suspense til almost the last page. I wish Jeff would move on from Loris

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheriff Jeff McQuede was investigating a robbery that happened at the Trevino’s Sporting Goods warehouse (Durmont).
Quite the blizzard had been going on Sheriff Jeff McQuede was now off to Casper WY (Natrona County) where there had been a serious car wreck.
Margaret Burnell (nee Trevino, sporting goods business partner) was found frozen to death.
Arthur Burnell was not in the car.

Later, Danny Sykes (25+, Trevino’s employee) took him to the hospital & now is in the care of Dr. Martin.
Danny & Joe Trevino (rancher, sporting goods) were interviewed by Sheriff Jeff McQuede.
Next stop to see Don Reynolds (Trevino’s security guard).
Most of the hunting rifles: Remington R15’s Marlins MXIR 450’s, & Winchester Model 70’s, were taken but some classic High-powered Remington’s were left behind.
Sammy Rat Ratone owned a Las Vegas casino & the local The Drifter bar. Sherry Miller (bar-maid) & Frank Larsh (aka Ruger, Drifter Mgr., Sherry’s ex-B/F) worked for him.

Sheriff Jeff McQuede went to see Jacob Pearce (Joe & Margaret’s lawyer). Her will was quite complicated.
Marie Trevino (Margaret/Harold’s daughter) ran away from home at 14, her where-about’s is unknown.
All these sporting goods employees were interviewed by Sheriff Jeff McQuede; Chuck Marston (manager), Charles Chuck Delaney (employee), & Debra Deb Delaney (sporting goods employee).
Arnette Marston (bookkeeper, Margaret’s BFF) was not allowed to be fully interviewed.

Will Marie ever be found?
Would Sheriff Jeff McQuede be able to solve the murder & theft crime mysteries?

OMG, & I live in Emporia KS.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A fairly well written YA mystery murder book. It wasn’t always very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish, but never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & lots of unique characters to keep track of. 1 book you must read to the very end. This could also make another great YA mystery murder movie, or mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Permuted Press; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Brandon Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheriff McQuede is a rugged man that discovers a frozen body in a beautiful detailed landscape of Wyoming and the mystery begins. With a passenger missing, suspicion quickly points to those close to the victim. I have to say, the real character of this story is the backdrop and the description of the chilling, rustic atmosphere. The authors are stringent in remaining on the mystery at hand and the novel is a page turner. The story unfolds in the end with a twist. I would have liked to see more growth with McQuede's character as I had ambivalent feelings toward some of his actions and I also wanted less dialogue in the climax, but overall a very entertaining story.

[Neena Christianson Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many suspects to count.

A very good mystery that isn't piled high with sex or filthy language. It has more twists and turns than a Cedar Point rollercoaster. I found the characters and locales intriguing, and now I will go back to book one so I can get more background information on everyone, but this can be read as a standalone.

[Jean Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Icy Death is not only well-researched and well-written, the plot's intriguing and characters are well-drawn. The plot twists kept me reading until well past my bedtime and I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.