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Dave Cubiak #3
Death in Cold Water
On a bracing autumn day in Door County, a prominent philanthropist disappears. Is the elderly Gerald Sneider—known as “Mr. Packer” for his legendary support of Green Bay football—suffering from dementia, or just avoiding his greedy son? Is there a connection to threats against the National Football League?
As tourists flood the peninsula for the fall colors, Sheriff Dave Cubiak’s search for Sneider is stymied by the FBI. When human bones wash up on the Lake Michigan shore, the sheriff has more than a missing man to worry about. With the media demanding answers and two puzzles to solve, Cubiak must follow his instincts down a trail of half-remembered rumors and local history to discover the shocking truth.
As tourists flood the peninsula for the fall colors, Sheriff Dave Cubiak’s search for Sneider is stymied by the FBI. When human bones wash up on the Lake Michigan shore, the sheriff has more than a missing man to worry about. With the media demanding answers and two puzzles to solve, Cubiak must follow his instincts down a trail of half-remembered rumors and local history to discover the shocking truth.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2016
38 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
July 14, 2024
This series was recommended to me by another Goodreads reader because of my interest in Door County, Wisconsin. When my husband and I were travelling, we truly enjoyed this small town. Apparently, the author has created a “puzzle-type” mystery to solve within the pages of each book in the series.
Unfortunately, this was the only print copy available at my local library, so I am beginning the series with book #3. I felt that I could read this as a stand-alone. Even so, I also knew I was missing some of the characters back stories from book #1 & #2. Sheriff Dave Cubiak is a reoccurring character, and this is his series.
In this story, an older wealthy town patron is kidnapped and held for ransom. The FBI gets involved because it appears that terrorists might be involved in the plot.
And then, bones wash up on the shore. Could this relate to his disappearance?
With many twists and turns readers will be kept engaged and guessing as answers are sought and eventually revealed. (No spoilers from me.)
Unfortunately, this was the only print copy available at my local library, so I am beginning the series with book #3. I felt that I could read this as a stand-alone. Even so, I also knew I was missing some of the characters back stories from book #1 & #2. Sheriff Dave Cubiak is a reoccurring character, and this is his series.
In this story, an older wealthy town patron is kidnapped and held for ransom. The FBI gets involved because it appears that terrorists might be involved in the plot.
And then, bones wash up on the shore. Could this relate to his disappearance?
With many twists and turns readers will be kept engaged and guessing as answers are sought and eventually revealed. (No spoilers from me.)
February 12, 2018
The sordid in human character, the wit of Cubiak, and the fine tuned story telling of Skalka work together to keep a tight wire going to the last page. But only if you've started with the first, in the series that is.
April 11, 2018
My library had only this third book of the series available. Not knowing the back story of Cubiak when he was a Chicago Homicide cop does not spoil the enjoyment of this well constructed presentation of life in Wisconsin's Door County.
Unsavory truths are uncovered in the wake of a kidnapping of a wealthy backer of the football team the Green Bay Packers. While FBI comes on board, Cubiak is the man for the job.
A good Midwestern read.
Unsavory truths are uncovered in the wake of a kidnapping of a wealthy backer of the football team the Green Bay Packers. While FBI comes on board, Cubiak is the man for the job.
A good Midwestern read.
September 11, 2017
I absoltuly love this series. Every adventure is so unique yet the main characters are the same and am enjoying the relationships building. This was so interesting and sad at the same time. Great creativity.
October 25, 2023
Read it for my Clue book club. A wealthy man, noted for his philanthropy and support of the Green Bay Packers, is kidnapped. Sheriff Cubiak investigates and finds that maybe this guy wasn't as good as everyone says.
The author spent too much time describing the geography of door County before getting into the heart of the story.
The author spent too much time describing the geography of door County before getting into the heart of the story.
September 6, 2021
Not much of a mystery this time. The main character in these is depressing, but I guess I like that it's staged in Door County. There are still occasional geographical gaffs (coming down from Ellison Bay but going over the bridge to get to the shipyard) that bother me.
July 30, 2024
Kinda forgot I started this and pushed myself to finish it finally. This book was honestly so good and having two mysteries a once was amazing. Minor writing style criticism and character personality issues but I loved it regardless.
--> 4 stars
--> 4 stars
October 23, 2024
I liked this book, it was a bit slow but still enjoyable to read.
February 10, 2025
Another good book in this great series. The stories keep me engaged in each book. The books have so far all blended together without much being lost between them.
April 2, 2020
Finished the 3rd in this series. I like the Sheriff, Dave Cubiak, though his dark brooding of past life losing his wife and daughter sure does cause issues in his relationship with Cate. This story was was particulary hard involving the discovery of human bones of long-past deaths. What a discovery throwing light on the well-known, but not-so-upstanding resident of Door County.
April 24, 2023
I wish I liked this book more. I could not read more than 10 pages at a crack. It was a very slow book with characters that didn’t really play much into the story. It was wordy. Took too long to get to the meat of the story.
October 7, 2016
This was a favorite for me...check it out!
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January 9, 2017
Death in Cold Water, the third in the Dave Cubiak mystery series, is as haunting as the onset of winter in its setting, Door County, WI. Fittingly, the book begins and ends on the water. In the first scene, Dave fishes alone along Green Bay shore, finding not fish but a sack full of kittens. In the last scene, Dave and his beloved Cate take a last trip out on the boat Parlando celebrating a case closed and a relationship salvaged. In between, Dave uncovers a mystery buried deep under frigid water, a mystery implicating both kidnappers and kidnapped.
Philanthropist Gerald Sneider goes missing during a Packers game he’s attending with his son, Andrew. When he first reports the disappearance to Dave, he, Andrew is as much a suspect as Madison area terrorists federal agents think might be to blame. But Dave follows his hunch that the kittens he rescues are somehow a clue. He identifies the rope used to cinch their satchel closed as the same Leeland Ross uses on his boat. While the federal agents assigned to help Dave on the case track the terrorists, Cubiak investigates the Ross family and employees of Sneider’s. Through interviews with workers at Sneider’s boys’ camp, Cubiak links the Ross’ and Sneider in a heinous crime that has been secret until now.
Skalka poignantly uses water to convey how the “arrogance of the proud… will lay low,” the quote from Isaiah with which she begins the novel. Not only does the haughty Sneider get his come-uppance in water, but Cubiak also drowns his own proud envy. He’s jealous both of the federal agents, who nearly take over his case, and of Cate’s ex-husband who shows up unannounced and ties up her attention. As more than just kittens emerge from the depths of the bay, Cubiak wins the respect of the feds and Cate’s devotion. Water serves as a metaphor for the fluidity of justice Skalka explores. “Cubiak realized that Ross’s desire for justice, twisted as it was, originated in a deeply buried shred of decency.”
Through water Skalka also plays with themes of science and faith. Despite the bad taste left in his mouth from a Catholic education, Cubiak prays throughout the novel. The feds tell him, “it’s how we do things, Sheriff. Data analysis and good police work following the leads. Science puts us ahead of the game. We’ve got technology working for us and that’s where I put my faith.” Dave has faith in science and logic as well, but his sixth sense brings him to the truth, connecting dots in a way the data alone cannot. Dave finds his clues on the bay’s floor, disconnected from any of the other clues Sneider’s kidnappers leave, and disconnected from their demands. “At sea, the dead were dropped overboard and consigned to the depths. And here they were doing the opposite, lifting the dead out of the water and setting them down on the vessel.” The crime scene hidden under water is hoisted up, bone by fragile bone, the frigid water having preserved them until it was time the truth came out.
I have not read the other two Cubiak mysteries. If they’re as dark as this one, it might be a while before I’m ready to submerge myself in them. This third mystery is written well enough that I lived in it while reading it - not a comforting dip in a shallow, heated pool, but more like the shock of cold Dave feels jumping in after a squirming, mewling sack of kittens. Be ready for a solid freeze as well as a soothing thaw from Skalka. She’ll both bring you to the brink of terror as well as back to a satisfying case-closed ending.
Philanthropist Gerald Sneider goes missing during a Packers game he’s attending with his son, Andrew. When he first reports the disappearance to Dave, he, Andrew is as much a suspect as Madison area terrorists federal agents think might be to blame. But Dave follows his hunch that the kittens he rescues are somehow a clue. He identifies the rope used to cinch their satchel closed as the same Leeland Ross uses on his boat. While the federal agents assigned to help Dave on the case track the terrorists, Cubiak investigates the Ross family and employees of Sneider’s. Through interviews with workers at Sneider’s boys’ camp, Cubiak links the Ross’ and Sneider in a heinous crime that has been secret until now.
Skalka poignantly uses water to convey how the “arrogance of the proud… will lay low,” the quote from Isaiah with which she begins the novel. Not only does the haughty Sneider get his come-uppance in water, but Cubiak also drowns his own proud envy. He’s jealous both of the federal agents, who nearly take over his case, and of Cate’s ex-husband who shows up unannounced and ties up her attention. As more than just kittens emerge from the depths of the bay, Cubiak wins the respect of the feds and Cate’s devotion. Water serves as a metaphor for the fluidity of justice Skalka explores. “Cubiak realized that Ross’s desire for justice, twisted as it was, originated in a deeply buried shred of decency.”
Through water Skalka also plays with themes of science and faith. Despite the bad taste left in his mouth from a Catholic education, Cubiak prays throughout the novel. The feds tell him, “it’s how we do things, Sheriff. Data analysis and good police work following the leads. Science puts us ahead of the game. We’ve got technology working for us and that’s where I put my faith.” Dave has faith in science and logic as well, but his sixth sense brings him to the truth, connecting dots in a way the data alone cannot. Dave finds his clues on the bay’s floor, disconnected from any of the other clues Sneider’s kidnappers leave, and disconnected from their demands. “At sea, the dead were dropped overboard and consigned to the depths. And here they were doing the opposite, lifting the dead out of the water and setting them down on the vessel.” The crime scene hidden under water is hoisted up, bone by fragile bone, the frigid water having preserved them until it was time the truth came out.
I have not read the other two Cubiak mysteries. If they’re as dark as this one, it might be a while before I’m ready to submerge myself in them. This third mystery is written well enough that I lived in it while reading it - not a comforting dip in a shallow, heated pool, but more like the shock of cold Dave feels jumping in after a squirming, mewling sack of kittens. Be ready for a solid freeze as well as a soothing thaw from Skalka. She’ll both bring you to the brink of terror as well as back to a satisfying case-closed ending.
August 7, 2022
Belonging to a mystery book club has opened my horizons to new authors. I enjoy mysteries and seek out new authors on my own, but the book club has added to my TBR list. The latest author to cross my path is Patricia Skalka whose novels are set in WI in Door County. For the book club, we read Death in Cold Water which is the third in the series, so I will have to go back and start with the first in the series to get the full picture. Skalka will soon publish book seven in the series starring Sheriff Dave Cubiak.
Cubiak, a former Chicago homicide detective, has been in Door County for four years, building a new life for himself. Like so many detectives, both PIs and police, Cubiak has tragedy in his past. What has been a routine day turns into an investigation involving the FBI as well as Sheriff Cubiak. Gerald Sneider, wealthy philanthropist and ardent Green Bay Football supporter, has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom.
Andrew Sneider, Gerald’s only son, reports that his father is missing. When Cubiak and his deputy Mike Rowe investigate, they find a ransom note inside Gerald’s home. The home is well-protected with an alarm system, so Gerald must have entered the code himself or given it to someone else.
As the investigation continues, Cubiak discovers much about Gerald Sneider. Is he the great man as proclaimed? What are the skeletons in his closet? As Cubiak learns more, his dog also discovers a human bone in the sand near the shore. Cubiak cannot shake his conviction that he needs to investigate this bone and see if there are others in the water near the shore.
As readers continue, they will discover the truth about Gerald Sneider and his greatness. The bones found on the shore also have a connection to Gerald which will turn the investigation on its head. The story opens slowly with Gerald’s disappearance. However, it picks up momentum quickly and pulls readers into a double mystery: why has Gerald been abducted and what do the bones found in the lake have to do with the story?
I enjoy books in a series because the reappearance of characters in the stories allows the author to show readers how the characters develop and grow over time. Patricia Skalka has created a good story with authentic characters.
I also discovered this information about Door County. It is on a peninsula that “juts out between the pristine waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan in northern WI.” Artists, musicians, outdoor enthusiasts, and tourists are drawn to the area each year.
Cubiak, a former Chicago homicide detective, has been in Door County for four years, building a new life for himself. Like so many detectives, both PIs and police, Cubiak has tragedy in his past. What has been a routine day turns into an investigation involving the FBI as well as Sheriff Cubiak. Gerald Sneider, wealthy philanthropist and ardent Green Bay Football supporter, has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom.
Andrew Sneider, Gerald’s only son, reports that his father is missing. When Cubiak and his deputy Mike Rowe investigate, they find a ransom note inside Gerald’s home. The home is well-protected with an alarm system, so Gerald must have entered the code himself or given it to someone else.
As the investigation continues, Cubiak discovers much about Gerald Sneider. Is he the great man as proclaimed? What are the skeletons in his closet? As Cubiak learns more, his dog also discovers a human bone in the sand near the shore. Cubiak cannot shake his conviction that he needs to investigate this bone and see if there are others in the water near the shore.
As readers continue, they will discover the truth about Gerald Sneider and his greatness. The bones found on the shore also have a connection to Gerald which will turn the investigation on its head. The story opens slowly with Gerald’s disappearance. However, it picks up momentum quickly and pulls readers into a double mystery: why has Gerald been abducted and what do the bones found in the lake have to do with the story?
I enjoy books in a series because the reappearance of characters in the stories allows the author to show readers how the characters develop and grow over time. Patricia Skalka has created a good story with authentic characters.
I also discovered this information about Door County. It is on a peninsula that “juts out between the pristine waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan in northern WI.” Artists, musicians, outdoor enthusiasts, and tourists are drawn to the area each year.
January 15, 2018
Dave Cubiak is in deep this time. A bag of nearly drowned kittens that he rescues while fishing eventually leads to a cracked case. His new case eventually plumbs clear down into the icy waters of The Green Bay Shore in a haunting mystery.
Gerald Sneider, a local benefactor and big fish, is kidnapped during a Green Bay Packer’s game. Local terrorists are suspected, bringing in the FBI. These guys take over Cubiak’s office with the latest technology, glistening credentials and crisp analysis.
Cubiak, however, observes some loose ends, some related strings that lead him on his own investigation. He listens carefully to the life of local folk. The stories he hears eventually tell about a different Gerald Snider and his secret, sordid legacy.
There is Leeland Ross, an angry, backwoods, miscreant whose boat uses the same rope that bound the kittens in the bag Cubiak found. Further this same rope is seen at the crime scene dangling a Packer’s Super Bowl ring over a ransom note. There are other locals, past employees of Sneider, who begin to paint a picture of dark, abhorrent goings on in the name of charity.
Again, Skalka reaches into the darkness of the human psyche, developing complex characters and plots . And again, her life giving prose brings Door County into a crystal view of sheer beauty. Out of the deeps and the horrid darkness this tale tells, there is a buoyancy and clarity that emerges. There is the humble integrity of Cubiack’s work and his lisping faith. There is his perseverance in the face of external forces and doubt. And in the end, Skalka’s distinct sketches of genuine, thoughtful, every day people in a close community reflect true light.
While the story is disturbing at its core, I appreciate that it is not gratuitously macabre. As always, Skalka’s work is highly crafted.
Gerald Sneider, a local benefactor and big fish, is kidnapped during a Green Bay Packer’s game. Local terrorists are suspected, bringing in the FBI. These guys take over Cubiak’s office with the latest technology, glistening credentials and crisp analysis.
Cubiak, however, observes some loose ends, some related strings that lead him on his own investigation. He listens carefully to the life of local folk. The stories he hears eventually tell about a different Gerald Snider and his secret, sordid legacy.
There is Leeland Ross, an angry, backwoods, miscreant whose boat uses the same rope that bound the kittens in the bag Cubiak found. Further this same rope is seen at the crime scene dangling a Packer’s Super Bowl ring over a ransom note. There are other locals, past employees of Sneider, who begin to paint a picture of dark, abhorrent goings on in the name of charity.
Again, Skalka reaches into the darkness of the human psyche, developing complex characters and plots . And again, her life giving prose brings Door County into a crystal view of sheer beauty. Out of the deeps and the horrid darkness this tale tells, there is a buoyancy and clarity that emerges. There is the humble integrity of Cubiack’s work and his lisping faith. There is his perseverance in the face of external forces and doubt. And in the end, Skalka’s distinct sketches of genuine, thoughtful, every day people in a close community reflect true light.
While the story is disturbing at its core, I appreciate that it is not gratuitously macabre. As always, Skalka’s work is highly crafted.
October 6, 2018
Third in the Dave Cubiak Door County Mysteries in which we watch what happens after Sheriff Dave Cubiak is alerted to the disappearance of local philanthropist Gerald Sneider. First question: who took him? Second question: why? Third question: can he be found before he is killed?
Sneider's son is certain something bad has happened, but his relationship with his father also makes him suspect, at least in the beginning.
When Dave's dog finds a bone on the beach, additional complications enter the minds of Dave and his friend, the local pathologist. But the FBI agents brought into the case don't seem to think much of the bones or the kittens Dave saves when they are tossed, in a bag, into the lake while he's fishing. How the bones and the kittens figure in the mystery becomes clear later, suggesting that even the most innocuous and outlandish of details dare not be ignored when trying to solve a mystery.
How that first bone and two others help Dave figure out what has happened, even as the FBI experts are flummoxed when their try at attempting the kidnappers into the open goes nowhere, is a worthy read and one I couldn't put down. I guess the other lesson here is never underestimate the skills of local law enforcement.
Sneider's son is certain something bad has happened, but his relationship with his father also makes him suspect, at least in the beginning.
When Dave's dog finds a bone on the beach, additional complications enter the minds of Dave and his friend, the local pathologist. But the FBI agents brought into the case don't seem to think much of the bones or the kittens Dave saves when they are tossed, in a bag, into the lake while he's fishing. How the bones and the kittens figure in the mystery becomes clear later, suggesting that even the most innocuous and outlandish of details dare not be ignored when trying to solve a mystery.
How that first bone and two others help Dave figure out what has happened, even as the FBI experts are flummoxed when their try at attempting the kidnappers into the open goes nowhere, is a worthy read and one I couldn't put down. I guess the other lesson here is never underestimate the skills of local law enforcement.
June 5, 2018
Yet another strong book in the Door County series, Death in Cold Water opens with the attempted murder of a sack full of kittens. It quickly gets more serious then that, with the kidnapping of a local and reclusive millionaire. Dave Cubiak, ex-Chicago PD homicide detective and newly-elected sheriff of Door County, quickly jumps on the case, but the FBI rolls in, looking for terrorists under everybody's bed. Meanwhile, Cubiak discovers a skeleton on the lakeshore. Are they related? Read the book.
I was just up visiting Door County, a visit inspired at least in part by the previous two books. I found that what I saw during my visit was familiar, thanks to Patricia Skalka's excellent writing. Her books are full of real characters doing interesting things, and this novel is a fast-paced mystery. I highly recommend it.
I was just up visiting Door County, a visit inspired at least in part by the previous two books. I found that what I saw during my visit was familiar, thanks to Patricia Skalka's excellent writing. Her books are full of real characters doing interesting things, and this novel is a fast-paced mystery. I highly recommend it.
September 17, 2023
Skalka has continued with her characterizations not only of her ‘people’ but also the landscape of Door County which is a character in itself. Although this reviewer felt, as usual, the story-line with Cate seems fake.
Overall Skalka kept to her usual skill in giving enough complex detail, blending clues with red herrings that do not frustrate the reader. Our protagonist understands the gray areas of life and although things don’t always end perfectly, they do end ‘right’--- a bit like the PBS series, Foyles War.
One wish would be that Cubiak would stay away from the alcohol. Way too much drinking and driving.
Made this reviewer laugh out loud with the sheriff’s advice to the bargaining Chicago Bears fans to ditch their team logo hats in order to get better rates.
Overall Skalka kept to her usual skill in giving enough complex detail, blending clues with red herrings that do not frustrate the reader. Our protagonist understands the gray areas of life and although things don’t always end perfectly, they do end ‘right’--- a bit like the PBS series, Foyles War.
One wish would be that Cubiak would stay away from the alcohol. Way too much drinking and driving.
Made this reviewer laugh out loud with the sheriff’s advice to the bargaining Chicago Bears fans to ditch their team logo hats in order to get better rates.
January 8, 2020
Police procedural novel set in Door County, WI. Living in Wisconsin, I am familiar with many of the locals use in the novel. The Sheriff has a complicated background and was originally from Chicago, so the rural setting has taken him some time to adjust to. As in many mystery novels, we learn that, truly, the past is not gone and forgotten, it isn't even past. I like to read series novels in the order they were written in order to appreciate the development of characters and their relationships. This is #4 in the series with Dave Cubiak. I recommend starting at the beginning and working your way here.
June 21, 2019
Very, very enjoyable read. I unfortunate stumbled on the series a couple of years back, and have not read the books in order. Not that that is a problem, the books are excellent on their own, but I've missed the development of the characters. They are so believable and I can picture Cubiak, Bathard, Rowe and Cate, and I really feel like I know them.
These are perfectly written and I love the setting, even though I've never been to Door County.
These are perfectly written and I love the setting, even though I've never been to Door County.
June 4, 2020
I am really enjoying these Dave Cubiak/Door County mysteries. He takes a methodical approach to the kidnapping and other happenings in his community and is able to actually find the criminals before the FBI - with all their resources - can! Everything in this series - the locale, the mysteries, the hero, the bits of romance, the friendships and more- all blend together to make a really fun and interesting read.
June 7, 2020
FINALLY finished this book yesterday. Granted, I've only been reading it on Saturday mornings for the past 6 weeks because it's the only print book I have until the library reopens due to COVID-19 and my tablet won't work at the cabin, but this is one of the most dragged out, boring books I've read in a long time.
August 9, 2021
Another mystery set in one of my favorite places -- Door County. Although this series can be read as standalone, I need to backtrack and read the first one as I have been reading out of order. These are true old-fashioned mysteries -- there are good people and bad people -- remind me of Agatha Christie mysteries and are a nice change of pace in these troubled days.
December 29, 2023
I have fallen in love with Patricia Skalka and her Dave Cubiak mysteries. The setting is familiar to me and sometimes I wonder how he can zip up and down the Door County peninsula more than once a day. The roads are not for fast traveling! Dave’s humanity is real and the stories behind the murders are fairly complex.
January 23, 2024
Fascinating story! When a booster of the Green Bay Packers disappears on his way home from a game in Chicago, Sheriff Dave Cubiak doesn't know if he's dealing with a missing persons case or a kidnapping. It soon becomes clear and the FBI become involved. But coincidence is on Dave's side and hands him a surprising clue, setting off on a tangent that leads to the surprising solution. Recommended.
February 7, 2017
I enjoyed this solid mystery/crime procedural and the decent, hard-working sheriff Cubiak. I've lived in Milwaukee for almost five years but have yet to visit Door County (I know, right?), but the local setting seemed very well done as well.
November 20, 2019
Entertaining mystery fiction set in Door County, Wisconsin. I really like the local sheriff Dave Cubiak, originally from Chicago, who serves as an outsider who has earned his place among the locals. The crimes in this novel are graphic and the tension to solve the case satisfying.
November 23, 2019
bones found in sunken boat, kidnapping of elderly rich guy, back-woods characters that seem a bit rustic for Door county, but makes for interesting read. Kind of tired of the main character's insecurities about relationships.
September 21, 2023
I especially like these detective books because they take place in Door County, Wisconsin, one of my favorite places. That being said, this series is a little graphic and violent. But I do like the way the author writes.
June 20, 2017
Stunning descriptions of Door County punctuate the third in the Dave Cubiak series "Death in Cold Water." Good suspense story with interesting characters
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews