What the Ice Yields

by Leslie A. Piggott

Cari and Bob stop by a picturesque lake to take a selfie in the middle of their morning run. A second glance at the lake reveals a car bobbing to the surface. When the dive team arrives to pull the car from the lake, they discover the driver inside, his wrist tied to the steering wheel. Cari is immediately pulled into the suspicious death and starts investigating the dead man's background. Genevieve and Alex aren't far behind her on the trail. Who was Evan Turanski and how did he end up dead in the lake? Cari's dogged pursuit of the answers takes her into a new unsafe arena. Can she find the killer without putting herself in the crosshairs too?

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2026

About the author

Leslie Piggott is a stay-at-home mom who lives in Buda, Texas. She and her husband, Brad, have two children. She has been a long distance runner since middle school and following college graduation began running marathons as a hobby. She has since completed fourteen full marathons. Leslie has always loved being creative and in addition to writing, she also knits, crochets, quilts, sews bags and dresses for her daughter, and does watercolor paintings. Always up for a challenge, she frequently designs her own quilt or tote bag patterns.

Leslie enjoys volunteering in her children's schools as well as within her church and community when possible. In fact, she donates many of her craft and sewing projects to a local silent auction, which she organizes annually. The proceeds from the auction support a memorial fund for her neighbors who tragically lost their son in 2011. Additionally, she also enjoys giving away many of her creations to friends, teachers, neighbors, and other loved ones as gifts.

Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, Leslie worked in the field of biomedical sciences, receiving her doctorate in 2008 from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston. After earning her degree, she worked as an adjunct professor at Houston Baptist University teaching introduction to microbiology to pre-nursing students. When their family relocated to the Austin area, she took on the role of being a full-time stay-at-home mom. She is active in her church, including helping with the food pantry as well as singing in the choir. She has assisted with the children's choir program at the church, including writing two melodramas for the children to perform for the congregation and community. Leslie began writing poetry as an outlet to express her feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has published two books of poetry with watercolor illustrations and recently branched off into writing crime thrillers.

Reviews

[Timothy Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read from Leslie Piggott.

An ordinary run becomes deadly series when a submerged seda reveals itself as the ice thaws. As the one who discovered the car, Cari Turnyle is once again hurled into a mystery with a cast of suspects. As with the previous books in the series, Cari turns over every rock, gets herself into a bit of trouble, and solves the case with the help of her closest friend, Genevieve (a police detective) and others.

I loved the exploration of relationships throughout the story as Cari navigates being a newly wed with Bob, and the elevated stakes because of this relationship.

A fantastic read for the mystery lover who enjoys a twist!

[Karen Fick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book. I would recommend reading it instead.

[ChapterAddict Aka Kelly Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this ebook copy from the author Leslie A. Piggott and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have read the other 8 books in this series, and I can honestly say this has been a wonderful series to follow. By this point, Cari feels like one of those characters you know well enough to trust, even when she is walking straight into something dangerous.

This one starts off with what should have been a peaceful morning run, but that calm does not last long. Cari and Bob stop by the lake for a selfie, and then things take a dark turn when a car comes up out of the water with a dead man inside. From there, the story pulls Cari right back into another suspicious death, and she does what she always does best. She starts digging.

I liked how the mystery opened up piece by piece. Evan’s death had enough questions around it to keep me turning the pages, and I enjoyed watching Cari, Genevieve, and Alex follow the trail. The story had that steady mystery feel where you know something is off, but you have to keep reading to see how it all ties together.

Cari’s determination is still one of the best parts of this series. She does not just let things sit, and that makes the story move along nicely. She can be stubborn, but in a good way, because she wants answers and she is not afraid to step into unsafe places to get them.

This was another good read in a series I have enjoyed from the beginning. It had mystery, danger, and enough suspense to keep me interested without giving too much away too soon.

I give it a 4 outta 5 catfish!

[SeekerOfGrace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the Ice Yields, the latest installment in the Cari Turnlyle series, delivers a fast-paced and suspenseful mystery that grips readers from page one. The story opens with newlyweds Bob and Cari out for a frigid morning jog (Bob reluctantly, of course) when they stumble upon a car submerged in a lake. Inside is a body, and from that moment on, the tension escalates as Cari follows a trail of clues to determine whether the death was an accident, or something far more sinister.

Cari, alongside her detective friend Genevieve and partner Alex, navigates a web of danger where every lead could bring them closer to the truth—or put them directly in harm’s way. The stakes feel higher than ever, and the possibility of more victims keeps the suspense tightly wound.
Without revealing too much, this book is filled with twists that will keep mystery lovers guessing until the very end. Fans of the series will appreciate the deepening dynamics between characters, while newcomers will find it easy to jump in and get hooked.

What the Ice Yields is a thrilling, can’t-put-it-down read - the perfect chilling read for a hot summer’s day!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is a head scratcher. It all starts out innocently when Cari and Bob go for a morning run and find an unpleasant surprise. In the new rest area a car is floating in the lake. From there they both get involved in searching for the truth about the victim. He seems like a guy who was troubled but finally turning things around and then whoosh disappeared but no one said boo about it. You’ll have to read all the way through to find out why and boy is it a doozy. Lots going on in this one besides that there’s turmoil at the paper still as the editor is trying to keep it alive but won’t take any advice from anyone about how they might do that, Cari also gets into a pickle when she’s out interviewing friends and acquaintances for her story. This one is like a maze there’s lots of paths and some are dead ends but the connecting ones lead to some really surprising events. I enjoyed the story very. I really love that we see it from multiple POVs. There’s Cari of course, also Gen and Bob as well. So we get all the facets of the case from start to finish. Very exciting as you read along. I received an arc via BookSirens this is my honest opinion.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read this, the more I had questions about people and family of the victim. Someone was working on learning a new career and finally turning their life around. Only one person saw it happening and held great hopes, while someone else worked at cutting their losses regardless. A life was snuffed out before they had their final transformation into a butterfly from a caterpillar!!! I had empathy for a life cut short and unrealized potential. I felt gutted and sick. This was so twisted and abhorrent that I almost puked.

I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun easy read murder mystery series. There’s a familiar feel to all the books in the series, based around the life of Cari, a journalist.

I enjoyed this as much as all the previous books. But I have to say that, despite the circumstances. I thought better of Cari - who puts herself in danger, and Bob - a professional SOCO who wants to disregard police process when it’s Cari in danger.

How could the two of you do that? I’m so disappointed in you. However for the reader it makes a good story.

Thank you to Leslie A. Piggott for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another enjoyable read in a terrific series. Cari and Bob are out for an early morning run when they see a submerged car in the lake. Cari immediately begins her own investigation for the newspaper which ends up putting herself in peril.

There's plenty to like here, between Cari's tendency to rush into things and here she works well in parallel with the detectives as they gradually figure out what happened. The reveal at the end, while I could see where things were going, was still a bit shocking. I look forward to seeing what lies in store for Cari next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

What starts off as a gruelling, morning run (according to Bob!) turns out to be something much more sinister when a corpse turns up.

I love this series and this time, Cari manages to put herself in danger. One reviewer bemoans as to how Cari and Bob could possibly find themselves in this situation but I can so empathise; Cari, although her spidey sense is warning her and Bob whose desperation when he finds Cari missing - I can see myself getting into both as easily!

Nail biting great read

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series, and one of the greatest rewards of reading it is watching Cari continue to grow and evolve with each book. She has matured into such a strong, relatable character, and the supporting cast has developed right alongside her, making every return feel like catching up with old friends.

Every installment teaches me something new, weaving fascinating details into a mystery that keeps me eagerly turning the pages. What the Ice Yields is another outstanding addition to a series that continues to impress, and I already can't wait for the next adventure.

[Kathryn Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why this series has almost a cozy mystery vibe for me (but in a good way).

In theory it shouldn't, because the murders are gruesome and there's a certain amount of violence. Perhaps it's the wholesome feel good factor of Cari and Bob's relationship that does it?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is another great instalment in the series and kept me both turning the pages and waiting for more