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Aroostine Higgins #2
Chilling Effect
Note from the author: This is a re-issued title; if you previously read Chilling Effect (published by Thomas & Mercer in 2015), don't buy this--it's the same book!
Investigating an embezzlement scheme at a Native American casino tears federal prosecutor Aroostine Higgins away from a romantic getaway with her husband, Joe. Dispatched by her superior in the hopes that her Native American roots will win trust in a community wary of outsiders, Aroostine goes on high alert when she finds her would-be informant executed in his home.
Money skimming, murder, and rumors of stolen military weapons are linked to someone on the reservation, and Aroostine butts heads with tribal authorities bent on solving the crime and doling out punishment on their own terms. After narrowly escaping a deadly ambush, she and Joe must somehow protect each other and another whistle-blower from a killer’s bullet. She’ll have to connect with the heritage she left behind in order to track down this ruthless killer.
This is the second book in the Aroostine Higgins Novel Series by USA TODAY Bestselling Author Melissa F. Miller
Investigating an embezzlement scheme at a Native American casino tears federal prosecutor Aroostine Higgins away from a romantic getaway with her husband, Joe. Dispatched by her superior in the hopes that her Native American roots will win trust in a community wary of outsiders, Aroostine goes on high alert when she finds her would-be informant executed in his home.
Money skimming, murder, and rumors of stolen military weapons are linked to someone on the reservation, and Aroostine butts heads with tribal authorities bent on solving the crime and doling out punishment on their own terms. After narrowly escaping a deadly ambush, she and Joe must somehow protect each other and another whistle-blower from a killer’s bullet. She’ll have to connect with the heritage she left behind in order to track down this ruthless killer.
This is the second book in the Aroostine Higgins Novel Series by USA TODAY Bestselling Author Melissa F. Miller
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2015
196 people are currently reading
633 people want to read
About the author
Melissa F. Miller
89 books595 followersMelissa F. Miller is a multi-time USA Today bestselling author of mystery, thriller, suspense, and romance novels. Formerly a complex commercial litigator, Melissa graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in medieval literature and creative writing poetry and earned her JD, cum laude, from the Duquesne University School of Law, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Law Review.
After fifteen years, Melissa traded the practice of law for the art of storytelling, drawing on her legal background and love of research to craft fast-paced, twisty books for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. She writes strong, resilient characters who tackle serious (and sometimes dark) issues and themes with heart.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Novelists, Inc. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending her garden, doing yoga, or drinking coffee. Melissa currently lives outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her family and their rescues—a cat and a beagle. The cat’s in charge.
After fifteen years, Melissa traded the practice of law for the art of storytelling, drawing on her legal background and love of research to craft fast-paced, twisty books for readers who believe light drives out darkness, love is brave, and kind is strong. She writes strong, resilient characters who tackle serious (and sometimes dark) issues and themes with heart.
She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Novelists, Inc. When she’s not writing, you can find her tending her garden, doing yoga, or drinking coffee. Melissa currently lives outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with her family and their rescues—a cat and a beagle. The cat’s in charge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 4, 2025
The second book in the Aroostine Higgins series, CHILLING EFFECT, is definitely a series that I will continue reading.
A member of the Eastern Lenape Nation, Aroostine is a by the book, no nonsense U.S. Attorney. She and husband Joe are on a restorative vacation in Oregon when duty calls and the excitement beigins.
An easy read with more than a few surprises, read this book and be delightfully entertained.
A member of the Eastern Lenape Nation, Aroostine is a by the book, no nonsense U.S. Attorney. She and husband Joe are on a restorative vacation in Oregon when duty calls and the excitement beigins.
An easy read with more than a few surprises, read this book and be delightfully entertained.
July 22, 2015
While on vacation in Oregon with her husband Joe, Assistant U.S. Attorney Aroostine Higgins (aka Roo) is contacted by her former boss to meet with an informant on a Native American reservation who has evidence of embezzlement taking place on the reservation's casino. Her former boss believes that Roo is the perfect person to investigate the crime because of her Native American background. Upon arrival to the informant's house, Aroostine finds his dead body and her embezzlement investigation qucikly turns into a murder investigation.
The Chilling Effect is Miller's second novel featuring Aroostine Higgins. You don't have to read the first Aroostine Higgin's book to understand The Chilling Effect, enough background information is provided about the character to fully grasp the events of the novel.
The Chilling Effect is fast-paced and full of action--I highly recommend!
The Chilling Effect is Miller's second novel featuring Aroostine Higgins. You don't have to read the first Aroostine Higgin's book to understand The Chilling Effect, enough background information is provided about the character to fully grasp the events of the novel.
The Chilling Effect is fast-paced and full of action--I highly recommend!
June 14, 2015
The more laws, the less justice. -- Marcus Tullius Cicero
The law has no compassion. -- Christopher Darden
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aroostine Higgins has done something I didn’t think could be done. She made me read a ‘lawyer book’ – and actually fall in love with a ‘lawyer character’. Awesome. You have to realize, I have no patience with the American (or any other) “Justice System”. Because there is no “justice” to be had. Frederick Douglass had it right, all those years ago: Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe. And it hasn’t gotten any better.
Aroostine is Lenape, one of the tribes of Native Americans the white man destroyed. They came in, stole the lands, murdered the people, and the ones they didn’t murder they shoved onto reservations in the poorest lands possible – barren, useless lands no one else wanted. And then? And then, they stole our children. Aroostine is a Lost Child. Her grandfather took her when her parents died. Then, when her grandfather died, she was taken by a white family and raised white. She has no history, no connection with her peoples. But that is about to change.
Aroostine, an attorney with the DA’s office in Pennsylvania, and her husband Joe, are in Oregon, trying to piece their lives, and their marriage back together. This is the second in a series, I really hate that I missed out on the first one – I will be going back to read it.
Apparently, Aroostine was an up-and-comer in DC and her hubby Joe, a master carpenter, was a jerk, unable to handle her success. Things happened, but this volume, while touching on the happenings, doesn’t ruin my reading of the first book. I will catch up when I read “Critical Vulnerability” – which I will read.
Aroostine’s vacation is interrupted when her old boss, Sidney Slater, Director of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, - the man who threw her under the bus on their last case - asks her to check in on an embezzlement case on the Chinook Reservation. Well, injuns’ is injuns’, right? (Crossing eyes) Surely she will ‘fit in’ and be able to find out why their whistle blower has clammed up. So much for a vacation. And when Aroostine walks in to her whistle blower’s house to find him dead in his chair with a bullet between his eyes, it begins a tightly paced story of mystery, murder, and ultimately heartbreak that kept me enthralled.
What really interested me was Miller’s grasp of life on the reservation. Her characters felt ‘real’ and her of a mindset so very different from the white mans was surprisingly believable.
I will be reading the first in the series, and placing the series on my watch list for new installments.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a realistic review. All thoughts are my own. If you are a mystery lover, you should check it out.
The law has no compassion. -- Christopher Darden
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aroostine Higgins has done something I didn’t think could be done. She made me read a ‘lawyer book’ – and actually fall in love with a ‘lawyer character’. Awesome. You have to realize, I have no patience with the American (or any other) “Justice System”. Because there is no “justice” to be had. Frederick Douglass had it right, all those years ago: Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe. And it hasn’t gotten any better.
Aroostine is Lenape, one of the tribes of Native Americans the white man destroyed. They came in, stole the lands, murdered the people, and the ones they didn’t murder they shoved onto reservations in the poorest lands possible – barren, useless lands no one else wanted. And then? And then, they stole our children. Aroostine is a Lost Child. Her grandfather took her when her parents died. Then, when her grandfather died, she was taken by a white family and raised white. She has no history, no connection with her peoples. But that is about to change.
Aroostine, an attorney with the DA’s office in Pennsylvania, and her husband Joe, are in Oregon, trying to piece their lives, and their marriage back together. This is the second in a series, I really hate that I missed out on the first one – I will be going back to read it.
Apparently, Aroostine was an up-and-comer in DC and her hubby Joe, a master carpenter, was a jerk, unable to handle her success. Things happened, but this volume, while touching on the happenings, doesn’t ruin my reading of the first book. I will catch up when I read “Critical Vulnerability” – which I will read.
Aroostine’s vacation is interrupted when her old boss, Sidney Slater, Director of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, - the man who threw her under the bus on their last case - asks her to check in on an embezzlement case on the Chinook Reservation. Well, injuns’ is injuns’, right? (Crossing eyes) Surely she will ‘fit in’ and be able to find out why their whistle blower has clammed up. So much for a vacation. And when Aroostine walks in to her whistle blower’s house to find him dead in his chair with a bullet between his eyes, it begins a tightly paced story of mystery, murder, and ultimately heartbreak that kept me enthralled.
What really interested me was Miller’s grasp of life on the reservation. Her characters felt ‘real’ and her of a mindset so very different from the white mans was surprisingly believable.
I will be reading the first in the series, and placing the series on my watch list for new installments.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a realistic review. All thoughts are my own. If you are a mystery lover, you should check it out.
June 17, 2015
This was another winner from an author who is quickly making her way up my list of favorites. The character of Aroostine Higgins is so unique, unlike any I have read previously. She is Native American, her name meaning 'sparkling water'. When she was little and her beloved grandfather died, she was adopted by a wealthy white couple, hence the name Higgins. Growing up she felt something of a misfit, uncertain as to where exactly she fit in. As she's gotten older, she's slowly learning to accept her heritage and has been recalling many of the things her grandfather said and taught her how to do. Including the fact she has a spirit animal, a beaver.
In this particular story, Aroostine and her husband are on a romantic getaway in Oregon. On the verge of a divorce, she found herself having to save his life due to a case she was working on as a United States Assistant Attorney. They reconciled so this trip is somewhat celebratory in nature. When Aroostine' s former boss calls and begs a favor, even though she knows Joe will probably kill her for accepting, she agrees. It will only take her a couple of hours, she reasons. All she has to do is go talk to a man, convince him to come forth with some evidence he has about embezzling from the Indian reservation' s casino. No big deal, right? Except when she gets there the man is dead, shot right between the eyes.
Once again Aroostine is neck deep in an investigation, only this time it's taking place among her own people. The tribal council has specifically asked for her services. While Joe isn't happy about it, he goes along then pays for it when someone plants a bomb on their car. He and Aroostine are forced to run for their lives. When they discover the case also involves missing drones from a nearby military testing facility, they know they're in trouble.
This was a fast paced read with a simple plot but what made it so enjoyable, for me anyway, was the Native American aspect to the story. While the main character struggles with her identity, she slowly learns more about tribal culture and finds herself feeling more comfortable in her natural surroundings. She has to use her survival techniques when she and Joe are on the run and is even warned by her spirit animal of impending danger. It's evident the topic was well-researched and the author does a wonderful job of weaving bits and pieces of Aroostine' s heritage into the story itself. It was truly an enjoyable read.
In this particular story, Aroostine and her husband are on a romantic getaway in Oregon. On the verge of a divorce, she found herself having to save his life due to a case she was working on as a United States Assistant Attorney. They reconciled so this trip is somewhat celebratory in nature. When Aroostine' s former boss calls and begs a favor, even though she knows Joe will probably kill her for accepting, she agrees. It will only take her a couple of hours, she reasons. All she has to do is go talk to a man, convince him to come forth with some evidence he has about embezzling from the Indian reservation' s casino. No big deal, right? Except when she gets there the man is dead, shot right between the eyes.
Once again Aroostine is neck deep in an investigation, only this time it's taking place among her own people. The tribal council has specifically asked for her services. While Joe isn't happy about it, he goes along then pays for it when someone plants a bomb on their car. He and Aroostine are forced to run for their lives. When they discover the case also involves missing drones from a nearby military testing facility, they know they're in trouble.
This was a fast paced read with a simple plot but what made it so enjoyable, for me anyway, was the Native American aspect to the story. While the main character struggles with her identity, she slowly learns more about tribal culture and finds herself feeling more comfortable in her natural surroundings. She has to use her survival techniques when she and Joe are on the run and is even warned by her spirit animal of impending danger. It's evident the topic was well-researched and the author does a wonderful job of weaving bits and pieces of Aroostine' s heritage into the story itself. It was truly an enjoyable read.
June 2, 2015
The first in this series featuring Aroostine Higgins is Critical Vulnerability, but I haven't read it. Aroostine, a native American, is an assistant U.S. Attorney, who has made appearances in another series by Miller. Chilling Effect is the second book in which Aroostine is the protagonist.
Aroostine and her husband Joe are supposed to be on a romantic get-away, but her boss calls and wants her to interview a witness about an embezzlement scheme at an Indian casino. When Aroostine arrives at the informant's home, she finds him murdered.
I'm afraid this is one of the books that I found just OK; neither characters nor plot intrigued me, but neither did I feel the urge to add it to the DNF pile.
NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer
Mystery/Crime. June 16, 2015. Print length: 258 pages.
Aroostine and her husband Joe are supposed to be on a romantic get-away, but her boss calls and wants her to interview a witness about an embezzlement scheme at an Indian casino. When Aroostine arrives at the informant's home, she finds him murdered.
I'm afraid this is one of the books that I found just OK; neither characters nor plot intrigued me, but neither did I feel the urge to add it to the DNF pile.
NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer
Mystery/Crime. June 16, 2015. Print length: 258 pages.
November 15, 2023
I have to admit that I am surprised at how much I am enjoying this series of books.
Aroostine (spelling?) is a Young Strong Lady, married to a strong Man. The author created an amazing couple of people in this series. He is confident enough to know when to allow her to lead and he follow and strong enough to take the lead when it is needful for him. She is a very smart person, collage degree, lawyer with the Justice department and her star is on the rise.
"Roo" is an American Indian, whos parents died when she was very young, adopted by her Grandfather who taught her how to track and live in the woods. Sadly he passes on when she is still very young, around the age of six, and she is again adopted. This time by a white family who were dear friends of her Grandfather. They Treated her well, Loved her and raised her the best they knew how, but not in her own culture.
Now many years later she has the chance to reconnect with her roots. She and Joe, her husband, are on vacation, in an attempt to repair their marriage, find that the Justice department need their help in solving a problem on the local reservation. Thus begins our adventure.
Aroostine (spelling?) is a Young Strong Lady, married to a strong Man. The author created an amazing couple of people in this series. He is confident enough to know when to allow her to lead and he follow and strong enough to take the lead when it is needful for him. She is a very smart person, collage degree, lawyer with the Justice department and her star is on the rise.
"Roo" is an American Indian, whos parents died when she was very young, adopted by her Grandfather who taught her how to track and live in the woods. Sadly he passes on when she is still very young, around the age of six, and she is again adopted. This time by a white family who were dear friends of her Grandfather. They Treated her well, Loved her and raised her the best they knew how, but not in her own culture.
Now many years later she has the chance to reconnect with her roots. She and Joe, her husband, are on vacation, in an attempt to repair their marriage, find that the Justice department need their help in solving a problem on the local reservation. Thus begins our adventure.
April 20, 2025
Chilling Effect (Aroostine Higgins, #2)
Aroostine Higgins away from a romantic getaway with her husband, Joe. Dispatched by her superior in the hopes that Investigating an embezzlement scheme at a Native American casino , federal prosecutor her Native American roots will win trust in a community wary of outsiders, Aroostine goes on high alert when she finds her would-be informant executed in his home.
Money skimming, murder, and rumors of stolen military weapons are linked to someone on the reservation, and Aroostine heads with tribal authorities bent on solving the crime and doling out punishment on their own terms. While investigating and finding evidence they narrowly escaping a deadly ambush because someone wants them out of their territory so that they can execute there plans without any further problems, she and Joe must somehow protect each other and another whistle-blower from a killer’s bullet. She’ll have to connect with the heritage she left behind in order to track down this ruthless killer. She finally able to do and now federal agency want her to form more tribal courts and solve case on time as a promotion.
Aroostine Higgins away from a romantic getaway with her husband, Joe. Dispatched by her superior in the hopes that Investigating an embezzlement scheme at a Native American casino , federal prosecutor her Native American roots will win trust in a community wary of outsiders, Aroostine goes on high alert when she finds her would-be informant executed in his home.
Money skimming, murder, and rumors of stolen military weapons are linked to someone on the reservation, and Aroostine heads with tribal authorities bent on solving the crime and doling out punishment on their own terms. While investigating and finding evidence they narrowly escaping a deadly ambush because someone wants them out of their territory so that they can execute there plans without any further problems, she and Joe must somehow protect each other and another whistle-blower from a killer’s bullet. She’ll have to connect with the heritage she left behind in order to track down this ruthless killer. She finally able to do and now federal agency want her to form more tribal courts and solve case on time as a promotion.
June 30, 2020
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this story though it was not a "read until your eyes bleed". The clash between the native world and the white man's world is clearly described. Aroostine has to come to terms with her native heritage and balance that with her feelings about the law. The sentencing circle was something new to me...I had heard of them before but never had one described. So that was pretty interesting. I think the abrupt change in Joe's feelings towards Aroostine's law career did not ring true to me...in the last novel I was disappointed in his selfishness. In this one, I found the change hard to believe...I think the author needed to do a better selling job on this point. All in all, the story was enjoyable enough, but not a must read. I am curious to see where the story line takes Aroostine next.
July 17, 2023
this was a pretty good book. The main character is Aroostine Higgins - yes, a very strange name. She is of native American lineage, which comes into play in this book. This is book #2. I read #1 a year or more ago and only remembered a little about it, so it's not necessary to read it first. In this book, Aroostine and her husband Joe are on a romantic getaway. She is a lawyer with the Department of Justice. There are a number of details about all this that I won't go into, but she does get an opportunity to work with the Office of Tribal Justice on a reservation during this story. There is a bit more relationship issues with she and her husband than I would have liked, but otherwise, it's a good story.
February 15, 2024
Miller's books are like potato chips; you can't have just one. So, of course, as soon as I finished book one of Aroostine's story, I had to read book two. It did not disappoint. It brought Aroostine face to face with her American Indian roots in a complex tale of corruption at a reservation casino. Great plotting, complex characters, and another satisfying read. This one needs a thorough proofreading, though.
April 20, 2018
Another great book!
I really love these characters and the challenges facing them. I love how Aroostine is becoming increasing at peace with her heritage and the culture of being Native American and the gifts she has. And the support of her husband is critical for her. As it is for all people.
I really love these characters and the challenges facing them. I love how Aroostine is becoming increasing at peace with her heritage and the culture of being Native American and the gifts she has. And the support of her husband is critical for her. As it is for all people.
June 20, 2019
Wonderful book, I started reading the Sasha Books and enjoyed them so continued on to this series. Melissa knows how to construct a plot that keeps one reading to find out how it will all work out. Her characters are very believable as well. You will not go wrong if you pick any of her books off the shelf.
January 11, 2022
Book two continues to be respectful of Native American culture, still a touch of magical realism, and the complicated balance between having lived most of her life as a "white" person explains some of the conflict between cultures. Throwing in a third culture, west coast natives, complicates the story line. A good read, but not as good as book one.
May 8, 2021
Mellisa Miller is an excellent story teller. Her books are 1] exciting with memorable characters, 2] intriguing with well written prose, 3] gripping with unexpected yet believable plot turns, and 4] riveting (I had to keep reading...).
September 5, 2022
The dummy transfers, he copied, and had called the Feds.
At first it sounded exciting, now he was terrified.
Her background and with the tribe, she was the perfect one
to uncover what was going on. Proves to be a deadly undertaking
With money, weapons
At first it sounded exciting, now he was terrified.
Her background and with the tribe, she was the perfect one
to uncover what was going on. Proves to be a deadly undertaking
With money, weapons
February 20, 2023
Lots of running around under the threat of becoming dead. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset. I purchased this kindle book for free from Amazon on December 20, 2022, as the second of a two-book set.
January 5, 2018
Disappointed !!!!
March 11, 2019
Great read
Another good book by Melissa Miller. Easy read and I never know who the villain is. I think I do but there’s always a twist!
Another good book by Melissa Miller. Easy read and I never know who the villain is. I think I do but there’s always a twist!
April 6, 2019
Recieved free for review:
Enjoyed this immensely. Looking forward to reading more in this series! Hope library Carrie's them♡
Enjoyed this immensely. Looking forward to reading more in this series! Hope library Carrie's them♡
June 15, 2019
Restoring Justice
Another great book about a Native American lawyer getting back in touch with her heritage and fighting for justice along the way. Easy fast moving story.
Another great book about a Native American lawyer getting back in touch with her heritage and fighting for justice along the way. Easy fast moving story.
February 29, 2020
Good Read
I chose this rating because it seem to leave blank did spaces in several areas. Very good on dialog but needs less description.
I chose this rating because it seem to leave blank did spaces in several areas. Very good on dialog but needs less description.
June 10, 2020
Good book
Love the connections. Don't want to give spoilers. Great character development. A good read.
May the circle be umbroken...
Restorative.
Love the connections. Don't want to give spoilers. Great character development. A good read.
May the circle be umbroken...
Restorative.
June 26, 2020
Kept me turning pages. Good twist.
July 3, 2020
Woefully unbelievable characters nicely woven into a entertaining read. I'll read more on Aroostine.
September 19, 2020
I haven't read a Melissa F. Miller book I haven't liked and this one is certainly no exception! The characters are interesting and the story consistently has some surprises.
December 21, 2020
Great Pace, Great Story
Love, love the characters, glimpse into Native American culture and numerous plots in this story. Started out strong and kept me hooked to the end.
Love, love the characters, glimpse into Native American culture and numerous plots in this story. Started out strong and kept me hooked to the end.
July 4, 2021
Good.
A book full of Indian lore and customs, but also a great legal thriller. Well written with characters that show emotion.
A book full of Indian lore and customs, but also a great legal thriller. Well written with characters that show emotion.
April 24, 2022
This was an exciting read with lots of action. Just when you think you have figured it out, Melissa throws a curve into the story line. Very entertaining read.
June 30, 2023
What can a marriage handle? Aroostine and Joe will soon discover. A page turner from beginner to end
October 14, 2024
Finally finished the second book. I really enjoy the characters. Aroostine and Joe investigate a situation on tribal lands in Oregon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews