A Time To Fear: A Dumfries Murder Mystery

Catherine Frost Mystery Series

by M.L. Rose

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 7, 2026

Reviews

[Tina Fulcher]

The second book in the serious. Gripping from the start and absolutely loved this latest book in the series. So well written and was totally invested in the characters. Highly recommended. I was lucky enough to read an early copy and leave this review voluntarily.

[Carol Butler]

A great, exciting read from M L Rose. 2nd book in this series, but if you haven't read the 1st book, no worries, as with all his books, they can be read as a standalone.
Catherine Frost is getting her life together and has just been made a Detective Constable, and starts her new job, situated just a few offices away from where she worked before as a profiler, so she does know a thing or two about crime, the perpetrators and victims, etc. and things looking up as she knows her brother is in prison on life sentence also daubed as the Salon Butcher.
Just trying to get settled in when a call comes in of a murder, and asked to attend, but when Catherine gets there, she is very unsettled as it's a copy of her brother's work, but he is in jail, so it looks like a copycat, carrying on his work.
Using her skills as a profiler and now a detective constable, she is made SIO, which I did find unusual as there is no sergeant or DI, just her and a male colleague, also a constable, but she does have one friend, her profiler buddy Ash.
Her work is cut out for her, and how will she manage!!
Very clever author, Mr Rose, always good at spinning a yarn, and never repeats previous stories.
If anyone did not know, M L Rose is also the author of the much-loved Arla Baker series and Rohan Roy, which we have not heard of in quite a while.
I did receive an ARC copy to read and review, and this is my honest opinion.

[Betsy]

Catherine Frost has not had an easy time in life. Working as a police officer, it was determined that her brother was a cold-blooded murderer, the Salon Butcher. Because she was the only one who knew how the Salon Butcher thought and how to stop him, and using her wits and considerable talent, she was able to orchestrate his capture. Now it appears that a copycat killer is at work and the murders are piling up. However, her colleagues and the press decided that since she is family to the Butcher, she may have ties to this horrible killer and maybe can’t be trusted. When it is found that the victims also have ties to Catherine and her now incarcerated brother, the family again becomes the major subject of interest. Catherine must search for suspects and clues to fight her past which haunts her constantly and the present where her daughter and maybe her mother have again become targets. But her brother is in jail; who is this copycat and why is he targeting Catherine and women she has been acquainted with? A thrilling story with all kinds of corners to go around in order for Catherine to end up with the answers, if any are to be found.

[Merry Chapman]

The second book in the Catherine Frost Mystery Series that has you turning pages and hooked from the start. Once again, Catherine finds herself between a rock and hard place. It seems that someone is following in the Salon Butcher's shoes. Is it possible or is the Salon Butcher somehow involved in the young girls' deaths? Considering the Salon Butcher is Catherine's brother who she caught and is in jail, it is possible he is somehow involved? And the victims seem to have some connection to Catherine. With her police mates not sure is she is somehow involved and can they trust her? Once you begin this book, you can't put it down! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Barbara Kaake]

This was an awesome story about Catherine Frost and exciting who is responsible for killing people with same as her brother and finding who it is with lots of suspense and action. I enjoyed reading this story and you are a very talented writer. Thank you .

[Kenneth Lingenfelter]

Another Detective Catherine Ross thriller. Catherine's brother is a serial killer serving time and someone is a copycat killer. The killer is cutting out the tongues of the victims. He threatens Catherine and her family. This is a page turning thriller.

[Kandy]

Another great book by this author. I love the characters and the suspense had me on the edge of my seat. I look forward to seeing what comes next.

[Lesta Little]

Interesting series

[Susan]

A psychological thrillers a police case. Who can fathom the real motives behind some serial killers?

[Keisha Bouie]

great book

I love M.L. Rose’s books per usual. i really enjoyed reading about Catherine Frost’s family. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Marktroth]

A TIME TO FEAR

Waited a long time for this latest book by m l rose well worth the wait great book to read for fans like myself of j d Kirk David g gatward and Conrad jones

[Heather Watson]

A really thrilling 2 book series