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Doug Bateman Mystery #1
The Ice Maiden
A serial killer is abducting, torturing, and murdering young women in a small community in central Maine. Seeming to select his victims at random, he acts out the rituals of the Spanish Inquisition before committing their bodies to the sacred waters of nearby Sebec Lake. Anne Quinn, an investigator for the Piscataquis County sheriff's office, and Detective Douglas Bateman with the Major Crimes Unit of the Maine State Police join forces in tracking him down. Hiding in plain sight, the killer is clearly from the local community and plays a deadly -catch me if you can- game with Quinn and Bateman. He seems determined to humiliate them and demonstrate his superior intellect, leading them to suspect that perhaps there is a deeper motive and purpose behind his string of murders.
183 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
June 21, 2017
A couple out on a snowmobile ride find a fox in the middle of the frozen lake appearing to be interested in something instead of running off when they approach. Curious as to what holds his attention the couple approach to find what looks to be human remains that the animals have gotten a hold of so they call in the police.
Detective Anne Quinn out of the Piscataquis County sheriff’s office and Detective Douglas Bateman with the Major Crimes Unit of the Maine State Police find themselves teamed up to investigate when the body is determine to be that of a young woman. When more victims are found the detectives find themselves in pursuit of a serial killer that seems to be very familiar with the area and it's residents.
The Ice Maiden is one of those books that simply turned out to be not really up my alley when I began reading this story but having a review copy I felt I would still see how the story turned out. In the end it was simply the style of the writing that has me rating this book at 2.5 stars and not the plot contained within or the actual writing itself, I'm just not a fan of the overly descriptive plot driven story the author came up with.
There were so many instances in this book I really wished the author would have just let the characters tell their story instead of describing every little thing in so much detail. For instance they are out to dinner one night and instead of a conversation flow between characters we get the author describing everything that would/could of been being said between them. Details down to the speed limit on the roads and the color of everything really don't need to be included for a story to be told in my opinion.
However, with all of that being said about the style of the book there was still a decent thriller of a story with a serial killer on the loose buried in there. To me this was just too slow paced without enough connection to the actual characters but I'm sure the style would be a perfect fit for other readers out there so if it sounds interesting to you I'd still suggest giving it a try.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Detective Anne Quinn out of the Piscataquis County sheriff’s office and Detective Douglas Bateman with the Major Crimes Unit of the Maine State Police find themselves teamed up to investigate when the body is determine to be that of a young woman. When more victims are found the detectives find themselves in pursuit of a serial killer that seems to be very familiar with the area and it's residents.
The Ice Maiden is one of those books that simply turned out to be not really up my alley when I began reading this story but having a review copy I felt I would still see how the story turned out. In the end it was simply the style of the writing that has me rating this book at 2.5 stars and not the plot contained within or the actual writing itself, I'm just not a fan of the overly descriptive plot driven story the author came up with.
There were so many instances in this book I really wished the author would have just let the characters tell their story instead of describing every little thing in so much detail. For instance they are out to dinner one night and instead of a conversation flow between characters we get the author describing everything that would/could of been being said between them. Details down to the speed limit on the roads and the color of everything really don't need to be included for a story to be told in my opinion.
However, with all of that being said about the style of the book there was still a decent thriller of a story with a serial killer on the loose buried in there. To me this was just too slow paced without enough connection to the actual characters but I'm sure the style would be a perfect fit for other readers out there so if it sounds interesting to you I'd still suggest giving it a try.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
June 14, 2019
A seriously enjoyable tale of a vengeance driven serial killer set amidst the beauty of rural central Maine. I loved how the author has set the novel in real places and it was interesting to look at Google Maps to get a feel for the setting. Beautifully paced with a touch of romance to balance out the terror and tragedy, it's a book I thoroughly recommend.
June 1, 2017
Detective Doug Bateman and Anne Quinn, investigator for the County Sheriff's office join forces to catch a serial killer. What looks to be a random selection of victims, this killer abducts, tortures, and then he commits their bodies to the local lake.
After their bodies are left in the water, there isn't much left in the way of evidence. Because of the out of way places he chooses and how easily he abducts the women seemingly out of thin air leads Doug and Anne to believe it's someone from the community ... one who is well-known.
Two bodies have been found already and when Doug's wife goes missing, he fears the worst. And Anne is next on the list.
Random ...... or is there a deeper meaning to the victims he has chosen?
This is a very well-written murder mystery with unforgettable characters. The background of Maine blends beautifully with the story. Maine is described so well, it felt like I was there. The secondary characters are unique and lend much credibility. There are a few surprises, little twists and turns here and there. Keeping fingers crossed this turns into a series.
Many thanks to the author / Black Rose Writing / Netgalley for the digital copy of THE ICE MAIDEN. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
After their bodies are left in the water, there isn't much left in the way of evidence. Because of the out of way places he chooses and how easily he abducts the women seemingly out of thin air leads Doug and Anne to believe it's someone from the community ... one who is well-known.
Two bodies have been found already and when Doug's wife goes missing, he fears the worst. And Anne is next on the list.
Random ...... or is there a deeper meaning to the victims he has chosen?
This is a very well-written murder mystery with unforgettable characters. The background of Maine blends beautifully with the story. Maine is described so well, it felt like I was there. The secondary characters are unique and lend much credibility. There are a few surprises, little twists and turns here and there. Keeping fingers crossed this turns into a series.
Many thanks to the author / Black Rose Writing / Netgalley for the digital copy of THE ICE MAIDEN. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
June 10, 2017
If perfectly adequate was a set goal, Smith passes it with flying colors. He takes an intriguing concept of a Spanish Inquisition inspired serial killer and sets it in the naturally creepy Maine and then proceeds to tell the story in a notably uninspired wooden monotone. It's actually almost peculiar enough to be interesting in itself, his narration tends to veer into this over descriptive passages pertaining to nature, geography, objects...but not so much characters, those are fairly stilted and one dimensional. Nevertheless, it's a decent police procedural with a prerequisite ending twist. Not the sort of thing that'll send you looking for author's other titles, but it'll pass some time. For a Kindle freebie it served its purpose.
June 10, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for a review copy of The Ice Maiden, a police procedural set in Maine.
The body of a young woman is found submerged in the ice. She has been mutilated and tortured using medieval methods. Doug Bateman of the Maine State Police and Anne Quinn of the County sherriff's office investigate what turns out to be a far from straightforward case with few forensic clues, a hidden motive and a rising body count.
I enjoyed The Ice Maiden which has a good plot and some surprising twists. It is not a particularly profound novel but being plot based it doesn't have to go deep on emotions and social issues. What it does do is paint a very good picture of small town, rural Maine and its inhabitants and their way of life. I like novels set in communities different to my own as they are always informative. It may not be for the squeamish as mutilations are inventive and graphic.
The characters are not particularly well developed beyond what is needed. They are pleasant, dedicated people with no vices, always a relief, who just get on with the job. Doug is separated from his wife after the death of their son but seems to be holding it together. Anne is an incomer from Michigan which arouses some suspicion from the locals but her pleasant, can do personality soon wins them over.
I think 3.5* is an appropriate rating for this novel but I have rated it 3*, deducting 0.5* for the annoying frequent use of auto de fé instead of the correct auto da fé. Pernickety is my middle name.
The Ice Maiden is a solid read which I can recommend to anyone looking for few hours escapism.
The body of a young woman is found submerged in the ice. She has been mutilated and tortured using medieval methods. Doug Bateman of the Maine State Police and Anne Quinn of the County sherriff's office investigate what turns out to be a far from straightforward case with few forensic clues, a hidden motive and a rising body count.
I enjoyed The Ice Maiden which has a good plot and some surprising twists. It is not a particularly profound novel but being plot based it doesn't have to go deep on emotions and social issues. What it does do is paint a very good picture of small town, rural Maine and its inhabitants and their way of life. I like novels set in communities different to my own as they are always informative. It may not be for the squeamish as mutilations are inventive and graphic.
The characters are not particularly well developed beyond what is needed. They are pleasant, dedicated people with no vices, always a relief, who just get on with the job. Doug is separated from his wife after the death of their son but seems to be holding it together. Anne is an incomer from Michigan which arouses some suspicion from the locals but her pleasant, can do personality soon wins them over.
I think 3.5* is an appropriate rating for this novel but I have rated it 3*, deducting 0.5* for the annoying frequent use of auto de fé instead of the correct auto da fé. Pernickety is my middle name.
The Ice Maiden is a solid read which I can recommend to anyone looking for few hours escapism.
January 17, 2020
Alright, so this is a book that I managed to get for free, as it was on discount for a day or so. And it started out really good, better than I expected. The Characters were interesting, the interactions as well, it seemed rather realistic, as in how it follow Police Procedures. The storyline started out quite fascinating as well, setting up a serial killer that uses Christian (and later others as well) torture and killing methods, that go back to the Spanish Inquisition.
But I just couldn't adjust very well to B.D. Smith's writing style and, it got worse in my opinion the further I got into the book. The mix of when Smith uses interactions and drives the plot forward with us being there and when he uses a kind of narrative, far more descriptive kind of voice, that in my opinion is far better utilized for descriptions and background informations is often weird and misplaced. Several of the big showdowns and scenes that should be gripping are in that descriptive style and loose all sense of suspense and thrill. It's a real bummer, because the Characters and the Story by itself have great potential.
But I just couldn't adjust very well to B.D. Smith's writing style and, it got worse in my opinion the further I got into the book. The mix of when Smith uses interactions and drives the plot forward with us being there and when he uses a kind of narrative, far more descriptive kind of voice, that in my opinion is far better utilized for descriptions and background informations is often weird and misplaced. Several of the big showdowns and scenes that should be gripping are in that descriptive style and loose all sense of suspense and thrill. It's a real bummer, because the Characters and the Story by itself have great potential.
October 24, 2022
Lots of descriptions!
The story takes place in Maine, and you will get a good feel for the area.
A serial killer with some odd habits emerges. Doug and Anne, law enforcement go after the killer.
What I liked:
-It was an excellent story, woven well, with a satisfying ending.
-You learn about many people who live in this community. Kind of reminded me of a soap opera, only in some ways.
-The story held my attention. I am surprised because of all the descriptions in general with facts that weren't necessary. But I liked learning about the B-52 crash site (nothing to do with the story.)
-I liked learning about the area of Maine where the story is located in. I Googled it too.
What I didn't like:
-Too much description for me, but others may like it.
-Technically, there were a few POV issues, but most readers probably won't notice them, and they didn't disrupt the story at all.
Overall, highly recommend it.
The story takes place in Maine, and you will get a good feel for the area.
A serial killer with some odd habits emerges. Doug and Anne, law enforcement go after the killer.
What I liked:
-It was an excellent story, woven well, with a satisfying ending.
-You learn about many people who live in this community. Kind of reminded me of a soap opera, only in some ways.
-The story held my attention. I am surprised because of all the descriptions in general with facts that weren't necessary. But I liked learning about the B-52 crash site (nothing to do with the story.)
-I liked learning about the area of Maine where the story is located in. I Googled it too.
What I didn't like:
-Too much description for me, but others may like it.
-Technically, there were a few POV issues, but most readers probably won't notice them, and they didn't disrupt the story at all.
Overall, highly recommend it.
August 23, 2023
Gratuitous descriptions of violence towards women, clunky, exposition filled writing, scant characterisation. I like a good crime thriller but this is not a good crime thriller.
November 17, 2020
This is a finely researched book. However it too often reads as a research project that would have benefited from better editing. Better dialogue, more dialogue. Maybe dialogue that sounds the way people actually talk? Less detail about characters that mean nothing and do nothing to advance the storyline. It’s a decent serial killer plot line. But the writing style made it difficult to stayed involved with the plot or the characters.
January 25, 2018
A Good Maine Mystery
This was a good short story based in northern Maine! The killer kills people and uses items from the Spanish Inquisition to hurt then kill them all for revenge. The Maine state trooper and his partner, a Sheriffs investigator are really good together. Thought I Had it figured out but, I was wrong. Very enjoyable
This was a good short story based in northern Maine! The killer kills people and uses items from the Spanish Inquisition to hurt then kill them all for revenge. The Maine state trooper and his partner, a Sheriffs investigator are really good together. Thought I Had it figured out but, I was wrong. Very enjoyable
Read
December 13, 2020DNF'd at 13% because I didn't care about anything that was happening and felt like there was a lot of telling not showing. Just not one for me.
June 23, 2018
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Is one of history’s darkest times being re-enacted? A serial killer is on the loose in a small town in Maine. As this monster acts out the rituals of the Spanish Inquisition, innocent women are being tortured and murdered. Anne Quinn and Douglas Bateman will team up to dig through the meager clues, sifting through both the ancient religious horrors and clues of the present. They never expected the killer to hit so close to home.
B.D. Smith’s THE ICE MAIDEN gives readers a panoramic view of a rural and simple town in Maine, highlighting its seclusion, its wild beauty and the ugliness of many of its inhabitants. Everyone knows everyone’s business, gossip and supposition abound, yet the truth is buried deep in the twisted mind of one man on a twisted mission.
The graphic details are brutal, the twists are plentiful and the subplots touch on the inhabitants of the town. Both main characters are strong, although getting to know them is actually not easy, perhaps the plan of the author to focus our sights on the action? I found myself more engrossed in the crimes than the victims or the “heroes.
A fairly good read, jagged and dark with eerie crimes repeating history with brutal precision. Sometimes a little dry, I wanted the characters to show some emotional peaks so I knew they were alive.
Publisher: Black Rose Writing; 1 edition (April 26, 2017)
Publication Date: April 26, 2017
Genre: Thriller | Suspense
Print Length: 185 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Is one of history’s darkest times being re-enacted? A serial killer is on the loose in a small town in Maine. As this monster acts out the rituals of the Spanish Inquisition, innocent women are being tortured and murdered. Anne Quinn and Douglas Bateman will team up to dig through the meager clues, sifting through both the ancient religious horrors and clues of the present. They never expected the killer to hit so close to home.
B.D. Smith’s THE ICE MAIDEN gives readers a panoramic view of a rural and simple town in Maine, highlighting its seclusion, its wild beauty and the ugliness of many of its inhabitants. Everyone knows everyone’s business, gossip and supposition abound, yet the truth is buried deep in the twisted mind of one man on a twisted mission.
The graphic details are brutal, the twists are plentiful and the subplots touch on the inhabitants of the town. Both main characters are strong, although getting to know them is actually not easy, perhaps the plan of the author to focus our sights on the action? I found myself more engrossed in the crimes than the victims or the “heroes.
A fairly good read, jagged and dark with eerie crimes repeating history with brutal precision. Sometimes a little dry, I wanted the characters to show some emotional peaks so I knew they were alive.
Publisher: Black Rose Writing; 1 edition (April 26, 2017)
Publication Date: April 26, 2017
Genre: Thriller | Suspense
Print Length: 185 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 3, 2018
Sometimes when you get a book for free you can't expect much. This was one of those books. I feel as if B.D. Smith sat their table with tons of researched material that they wanted for an accurate depiction and instead of turning around and making the story their own, they just threw in the research with a few bits of dialogue in between.
I, as a reader, enjoy knowing my characters but I don't need to know every minute detail of their every day lives if it's not relevant to the plot. I understood that the author wanted to provide detail, but in my opinion it was too contrived.
And honestly I can't even explain in words what my thoughts are about this non-thriller because I couldn't get past the fact that they detailed down to how many grains were in the kitchen sink. It was just too much.
The plot was weak and getting to the ending was too bulky with words. The characters and their interactions were too forced. The mystery wasn't really much of one and beyond all it didn't make sense as to the motive.
I tried. I wanted to like this. But I just couldn't care.
I, as a reader, enjoy knowing my characters but I don't need to know every minute detail of their every day lives if it's not relevant to the plot. I understood that the author wanted to provide detail, but in my opinion it was too contrived.
And honestly I can't even explain in words what my thoughts are about this non-thriller because I couldn't get past the fact that they detailed down to how many grains were in the kitchen sink. It was just too much.
The plot was weak and getting to the ending was too bulky with words. The characters and their interactions were too forced. The mystery wasn't really much of one and beyond all it didn't make sense as to the motive.
I tried. I wanted to like this. But I just couldn't care.
November 14, 2017
I’m quite disappointed since this story had so much potential.
First things first. The language errors are inexcusable. “Preying” when it should be “praying,” for example. The punctuation errors in both their misuse and lack of use were also very distracting.
The story itself could be shortened by half and be much more intriguing. There is an outrageous amount of detail pertaining to local history, minor character history, and nature that does not add to the narrative. The back stories for the main characters are also incredibly long, flat, and dumped into your lap much too early in the novel. There is no natural learning of the characters’ natures.
I also found the interjection of possible suspects either talking to themselves, etc., occurring suddenly and randomly throughout the novel to be silly, and detracted from the anticipation for me.
Smith could be more successful having the stories reviewed and properly edited before publishing. But for a free download, it was not an absolute terrible read. I will not be looking into other books by the author, however.
First things first. The language errors are inexcusable. “Preying” when it should be “praying,” for example. The punctuation errors in both their misuse and lack of use were also very distracting.
The story itself could be shortened by half and be much more intriguing. There is an outrageous amount of detail pertaining to local history, minor character history, and nature that does not add to the narrative. The back stories for the main characters are also incredibly long, flat, and dumped into your lap much too early in the novel. There is no natural learning of the characters’ natures.
I also found the interjection of possible suspects either talking to themselves, etc., occurring suddenly and randomly throughout the novel to be silly, and detracted from the anticipation for me.
Smith could be more successful having the stories reviewed and properly edited before publishing. But for a free download, it was not an absolute terrible read. I will not be looking into other books by the author, however.
May 27, 2022
OK, I didn't see that coming until just before they revealed who was really behind it. I was fairly sure there was more to it than their initial assumption, but I honestly thought it was someone else and that individual was an accomplice.
What I do not understand is why the first two victims were chosen. The point was to destroy Doug but those two women had no connection at all with him - not even an indirect one like the third woman. That just doesn't make sense and was never explained.
I do like the various major characters (except Vern - he and his uncle are both people I would cross a street to avoid) and like seeing interagency cooperation written as congenial instead of combative for a change. Sadly, some of them are unlikely to show up again later in the series, but as long as the three major characters stick around it's all good.
A couple out on their snowmobile finds a fox more interested in something in the ice than running away from them. It turns out to be a body of a nonlocal woman frozen head down in the ice after being subjected to horrific torture.
Doug Bateman works in the Major Crimes Unit of the Maine State Police, but he's also a local, so he and his partner are teamed up with Annie Quinn, a relative newcomer to the sheriff's office, to investigate. One of the first things they hope to learn is the identity of the victim, hopefully leading them to a motive and the killer. They quickly determine the killer is a local, taunting them with the fact that he's right under their noses, but it takes a few more victims before they start making connections. One of the first connections they make is the death of Doug's son a year ago when his DNA is found on the first victim, making his death murder rather than the accident it was assumed to be.
A very disturbed killer, and some very disturbing descriptions of the way the victims were tortured. It was a good read, but if you're squeamish or easily upset by this kind of thing you should probably skip this one.
What I do not understand is why the first two victims were chosen. The point was to destroy Doug but those two women had no connection at all with him - not even an indirect one like the third woman. That just doesn't make sense and was never explained.
I do like the various major characters (except Vern - he and his uncle are both people I would cross a street to avoid) and like seeing interagency cooperation written as congenial instead of combative for a change. Sadly, some of them are unlikely to show up again later in the series, but as long as the three major characters stick around it's all good.
A couple out on their snowmobile finds a fox more interested in something in the ice than running away from them. It turns out to be a body of a nonlocal woman frozen head down in the ice after being subjected to horrific torture.
Doug Bateman works in the Major Crimes Unit of the Maine State Police, but he's also a local, so he and his partner are teamed up with Annie Quinn, a relative newcomer to the sheriff's office, to investigate. One of the first things they hope to learn is the identity of the victim, hopefully leading them to a motive and the killer. They quickly determine the killer is a local, taunting them with the fact that he's right under their noses, but it takes a few more victims before they start making connections. One of the first connections they make is the death of Doug's son a year ago when his DNA is found on the first victim, making his death murder rather than the accident it was assumed to be.
A very disturbed killer, and some very disturbing descriptions of the way the victims were tortured. It was a good read, but if you're squeamish or easily upset by this kind of thing you should probably skip this one.
September 25, 2025
The Amazon subtitle promises that this is a "fast paced" thriller, which was very far from my experience while reading it. It's the kind of book where you admire the research the author put in, while wishing he'd filtered more of it and focused on a story. The story involves a killer who is wrapped up in his OWN research and preoccupations in a way that we simply don't see much in real life murderers. I don't know if anyone has tracked the origin of the kind of fictional killer who memorizes entire encyclopedia articles and recreates them on the bodies of innocent people, but these convoluted and highly conceptual killers -- are so common in thrillers and they ring so false. I reluctantly blame Thomas Harris, even though I do love his writing. The truth is most serial killers aren't erudite and educated geniuses with a chip on their shoulder and an artistic passion for violence. I can take it if the story carries me along, but when it drags with bland characters (as it does here), it loses me.
I mean, this is a book where an entire chapter is just the record of a medical examiner doing an autopsy and identifying the specific sex and species of a bird the victim has tattooed - like did he look that up before the autopsy or is he a bird expert? We don't find out because it's just one of the many details slung on the pile here. You can't evaluate the modern serial killer thriller (or "thriller," in this case) without acknowledging that violence on the bodies of women is part of the bread and butter of the genre. Again, I think back to Thomas Harris. He didn't invent this dynamic, but he obviously used it. But he also gave us indelible female characters who equal the killers in memorability and dynamics, while also exploring where women fit into the male dominated profession of law enforcement. Smith doesn't appear to be very interested in any of that and his female detective seems to exist just to give Bateman . She can't even negotiate her own relationships - my eyes rolled at the end when she, a detective, had to have her brothers show up .
I mean, this is a book where an entire chapter is just the record of a medical examiner doing an autopsy and identifying the specific sex and species of a bird the victim has tattooed - like did he look that up before the autopsy or is he a bird expert? We don't find out because it's just one of the many details slung on the pile here. You can't evaluate the modern serial killer thriller (or "thriller," in this case) without acknowledging that violence on the bodies of women is part of the bread and butter of the genre. Again, I think back to Thomas Harris. He didn't invent this dynamic, but he obviously used it. But he also gave us indelible female characters who equal the killers in memorability and dynamics, while also exploring where women fit into the male dominated profession of law enforcement. Smith doesn't appear to be very interested in any of that and his female detective seems to exist just to give Bateman . She can't even negotiate her own relationships - my eyes rolled at the end when she, a detective, had to have her brothers show up .
April 14, 2021
Anne Quinn, a investigator for Piscataquis County Sherriff’s office and Douglas Bateman, a detective for Maine State Police join forces to help solve the murder of a woman found in the middle of a frozen lake. The death is very odd with religious elements to the murder. However, this isn’t the only murder as the serial killer kills more woman and taunts the police with his crimes.
This novel was well written with a good amount of suspense and action however I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped. The characters were well written except for the budding romance between Douglas and Anne. The kiss they shared seemed to come out of nowhere, other than someone telling Anne to go for it I would never have known she had feelings for Douglas.
The murders were well detailed with a lot of detail going into each murder and the religious ceremonies each one follows. I never did figure out who the actual killer was till the very end. Maybe other readers would have been able too but a key detail was left out until the very end. With murder mystery novels I like to try and figure out who the murder is.
The novel had far too much dialogue for me. I felt the author was having everyone state what was going on rather than explaining it. I didn’t really need to know what everyone was wearing at every moment. I felt this took away from the novel. Some details were necessary but not everything. And why couldn’t the author write the details out instead of having the characters think/say them.
This novel was well written with a good amount of suspense and action however I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped. The characters were well written except for the budding romance between Douglas and Anne. The kiss they shared seemed to come out of nowhere, other than someone telling Anne to go for it I would never have known she had feelings for Douglas.
The murders were well detailed with a lot of detail going into each murder and the religious ceremonies each one follows. I never did figure out who the actual killer was till the very end. Maybe other readers would have been able too but a key detail was left out until the very end. With murder mystery novels I like to try and figure out who the murder is.
The novel had far too much dialogue for me. I felt the author was having everyone state what was going on rather than explaining it. I didn’t really need to know what everyone was wearing at every moment. I felt this took away from the novel. Some details were necessary but not everything. And why couldn’t the author write the details out instead of having the characters think/say them.
December 4, 2023
This was a little bit unusual. In many ways I quite liked it. I know many will be frustrated by the detail in which the author describes various processes, but I actually like that measured and systematic approach because it gives more realism to what is involved. The reckless gung ho approach of so many thriller writers is a complete turn off.
So why just 2 stars? The plot! Following discovery of "The Ice Maiden" there was good detail about the initial investigation, but then it stalled and other victims were found. However, there was information given to the lead detectives very early on that rang alarm bells loud and clear to the reader and which any mildly competent investigator would have followed up on with considerable vigour. But seemingly, the information didn't flag any concerns to the detectives. Months later and with the carnage multiplying, the detectives finally catch up with the killer - and we are supposed to go along with the idea that this was great detective work by our heroes!
Even had the obvious follow up action been taken and the killer(s) turned out to be somebody else, a decent plot line would still have included vigorous follow up of those leads. The bizarre thing here is that the author's general style of attention to detail is ideally suited for documenting the type of follow up you would have expected from the leads given. This could have been a really absorbing read, but the fact that there was no follow up documented just makes one think, "why did I bother?"
So why just 2 stars? The plot! Following discovery of "The Ice Maiden" there was good detail about the initial investigation, but then it stalled and other victims were found. However, there was information given to the lead detectives very early on that rang alarm bells loud and clear to the reader and which any mildly competent investigator would have followed up on with considerable vigour. But seemingly, the information didn't flag any concerns to the detectives. Months later and with the carnage multiplying, the detectives finally catch up with the killer - and we are supposed to go along with the idea that this was great detective work by our heroes!
Even had the obvious follow up action been taken and the killer(s) turned out to be somebody else, a decent plot line would still have included vigorous follow up of those leads. The bizarre thing here is that the author's general style of attention to detail is ideally suited for documenting the type of follow up you would have expected from the leads given. This could have been a really absorbing read, but the fact that there was no follow up documented just makes one think, "why did I bother?"
July 27, 2019
I really liked this mystery. “The Ice Maiden” is the first in B. D. Smith’s Doug Bateman mystery series, and it is a winner. The story, based in northern Maine, gives us the protagonists of Detective Douglas Bateman with the Major Crimes Unit of the Maine State Police and Anne Quinn, an investigator for the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s office. The story was engaging; I really could not put it down. It was both disturbingly frightening and very descriptive in scenery, characters, and murders.
The story opens with the discovery of the body of a young woman who is found frozen head first in Lake Sebec. Our officers join forces to solve this murder of this frozen “ice maiden.” However, the killer is not finished with this Maine community; more horrific killings occur which seem to be based on tortures from the Spanish Inquisition. And then things start to get personal.
“The Ice Maiden” is very satisfying mystery. It has carefully crafted plot with a unique premise in which the killer makes use of items and concepts from the Spanish Inquisition. Additionally Smith has created some interesting characters, especially those of Bateman and Quinn. I enjoyed the detail and development of the plot. However, there are some grammatical errors and spelling errors sprinkled throughout the story. Still, I liked the story and the characters of Bateman and Quinn; I look forward to seeing where the author takes them in “The Black Frog.”
The story opens with the discovery of the body of a young woman who is found frozen head first in Lake Sebec. Our officers join forces to solve this murder of this frozen “ice maiden.” However, the killer is not finished with this Maine community; more horrific killings occur which seem to be based on tortures from the Spanish Inquisition. And then things start to get personal.
“The Ice Maiden” is very satisfying mystery. It has carefully crafted plot with a unique premise in which the killer makes use of items and concepts from the Spanish Inquisition. Additionally Smith has created some interesting characters, especially those of Bateman and Quinn. I enjoyed the detail and development of the plot. However, there are some grammatical errors and spelling errors sprinkled throughout the story. Still, I liked the story and the characters of Bateman and Quinn; I look forward to seeing where the author takes them in “The Black Frog.”
August 29, 2023
I was excited to read this murder mystery when I saw that it took place in and around the town I was born and raised in. I enjoyed reading about all the local eateries and shops, along with the lake and surrounding towns. The mystery was a good one, young women being murdered in some sort of ritualistic fashion, and it contained very good characterization. My only complaint through the first two thirds of the book was that it needed some editing. If there is such thing as run-on paragraphs, this book would have it. When a character spoke, it was like a power point presentation. Often times, I had to ask myself if this person was still talking. Smith doesn’t use quotation marks at the beginning of the paragraph to let the reader know the character is still speaking. The chapters also need to contain some sort of a break in between different subject matter. It seems like sometimes the very next paragraph takes on a completely different topic. Overall, early on in the story I felt that this could be a very good series to read if it was cleaned up a little bit. However, shortly after the third murder, things seemed to go right off the rails. Everything was so rushed; not much time was spent on the important things and facts just appeared out of the blue. It actually ruined the enjoyment of finishing the book. Unfortunately, now I’m not all that interested in continuing with the series.
June 4, 2017
3 and 1 / 2 stars
Detective Doug Bateman and Anne Quinn partner together to investigate the death of a woman found in the middle of winter in the ice in nearby Sebec Lake in rural Maine. The video feed they obtain shows only someone and the woman dressed in strange clothes walking towards the lake. The woman seems out of it. The “someone’s” face is covered by a long hood-like affair. It’s as if they knew very well that there was a video camera in operation. It suggests that the perpetrator is a local person.
Further investigation show that the designs on the clothing the woman was found in suggest a connection to the Inquisition. The autopsy of the woman shows that she was viciously tortured before her death.
When more deaths occur, the tension ratchets up and the pace in our story moves along a little better. The killer taunts the detectives, almost daring them to catch him. When the murderer is finally apprehended, it is a surprise.
This is a fairly well written and plotted book. It, at times, seemed to wander however. The descriptions of the Maine countryside were interesting, but the citizens were not. It is a slow read; not too much is going on for quite a bit of the book. This is my first B.D. Smith book and I am willing to give another of his novels a try.
I want to thank Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for granting me the opportunity to read this book.
Detective Doug Bateman and Anne Quinn partner together to investigate the death of a woman found in the middle of winter in the ice in nearby Sebec Lake in rural Maine. The video feed they obtain shows only someone and the woman dressed in strange clothes walking towards the lake. The woman seems out of it. The “someone’s” face is covered by a long hood-like affair. It’s as if they knew very well that there was a video camera in operation. It suggests that the perpetrator is a local person.
Further investigation show that the designs on the clothing the woman was found in suggest a connection to the Inquisition. The autopsy of the woman shows that she was viciously tortured before her death.
When more deaths occur, the tension ratchets up and the pace in our story moves along a little better. The killer taunts the detectives, almost daring them to catch him. When the murderer is finally apprehended, it is a surprise.
This is a fairly well written and plotted book. It, at times, seemed to wander however. The descriptions of the Maine countryside were interesting, but the citizens were not. It is a slow read; not too much is going on for quite a bit of the book. This is my first B.D. Smith book and I am willing to give another of his novels a try.
I want to thank Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for granting me the opportunity to read this book.
September 2, 2017
The Ice Maidens is a police procedural about a serial killer, murdering young women using the techniques of the Spanish Inquisition. As a concept it intrigued me, however, something got lost between the idea and the execution.
Firstly, the book needs to at least run through Grammarly. I admit grammar isn't my strongest talent but even I know too many commas disrupt the flow of the narrative.
Secondly, every writing course I've ever attended has stressed the 'show don't tell' school of writing. The Ice Maidens tells you what's happening, it shows you nothing. None of the characters are effectively described, which is crazy because every thing else is described until you're bored. So many sections telling us about ex-boyfriends and trees and the bumps in the road that ultimately are not important to the story.
When we finally reach the end, the killer's reasoning for his murder spree stretches the reader's patience. The one convoluted back-story there is no mention of, yet the one back-story the reader actually needs to know.
B.D. Smith's The Ice Maidens is ultimately unsatisfying. It's got a fantastic premise, which has obviously been well researched, but pages of clinical description don't give the story a way to connect with the reader. It's a shame because it had such a huge amount of possibility.
Firstly, the book needs to at least run through Grammarly. I admit grammar isn't my strongest talent but even I know too many commas disrupt the flow of the narrative.
Secondly, every writing course I've ever attended has stressed the 'show don't tell' school of writing. The Ice Maidens tells you what's happening, it shows you nothing. None of the characters are effectively described, which is crazy because every thing else is described until you're bored. So many sections telling us about ex-boyfriends and trees and the bumps in the road that ultimately are not important to the story.
When we finally reach the end, the killer's reasoning for his murder spree stretches the reader's patience. The one convoluted back-story there is no mention of, yet the one back-story the reader actually needs to know.
B.D. Smith's The Ice Maidens is ultimately unsatisfying. It's got a fantastic premise, which has obviously been well researched, but pages of clinical description don't give the story a way to connect with the reader. It's a shame because it had such a huge amount of possibility.
June 17, 2018
The Ice Maiden by B.D. Smith is a mystery/thriller.
First, let me thank the publisher Black Rose Writing, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My Synopsis:
Anne Quinn, an investigator for the Piscataquis County sheriff’s office, and Detective Douglas Bateman with the Major Crimes Unit of the Maine State Police join forces to find a sadistic killer. The body of a young woman is found buried head first in frozen Lake Sebec. She had been brutally tortured, and it looks like someone followed the torture pattern of a Spanish Inquisitor. Then another body is found, also tortured. The killer seems to know a lot of details about the area, and about the investigation. How close is he?
My Opinions:
The premise and plot of this book was really good. There was a lot of gore, but that was fine. However, the author may have been overly descriptive of other details such as geographical locations, scenery, and.…I now know way more about Maine’s declining moose population than I needed to. I think that was why it took me a while to get into the book, there was a lot of extra information that wasn’t necessary to the plot. However, the plot eventually took over, the suspense kicked in, and the story took me away.
All that being said, I would like to try another book by this author.
First, let me thank the publisher Black Rose Writing, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My Synopsis:
Anne Quinn, an investigator for the Piscataquis County sheriff’s office, and Detective Douglas Bateman with the Major Crimes Unit of the Maine State Police join forces to find a sadistic killer. The body of a young woman is found buried head first in frozen Lake Sebec. She had been brutally tortured, and it looks like someone followed the torture pattern of a Spanish Inquisitor. Then another body is found, also tortured. The killer seems to know a lot of details about the area, and about the investigation. How close is he?
My Opinions:
The premise and plot of this book was really good. There was a lot of gore, but that was fine. However, the author may have been overly descriptive of other details such as geographical locations, scenery, and.…I now know way more about Maine’s declining moose population than I needed to. I think that was why it took me a while to get into the book, there was a lot of extra information that wasn’t necessary to the plot. However, the plot eventually took over, the suspense kicked in, and the story took me away.
All that being said, I would like to try another book by this author.
January 10, 2020
Unique premise, bad execution. Lots of telling, little showing. See warning below.
This book features torture, grisly murders and corpse mutilation by a killer with a taste for Viking executions and torture methods of the Spanish Inquisition. Unlike most police thrillers, this book is paced quite slowly, although I doubt it’s deliberately so.
Author B. D. Smith tells readers everything about settings in rural Maine, with minutiae enough for several travelogues. I read so much about the vagaries of his characters, I think author dumped in all his character studies. Example: what I dubbed “The Lives, Loves & Tragedies of Doug & Beth” runs about 14-16 pages.
Instead of character studies, I’d have preferred more police protocols and procedures. Although this story has 40-50 characters crammed into 182 pages, it’s not difficult to choose suspects capable of committing the murders—even when the author keeps important information about suspects close to his chest. Plus, somehow the efficient cops don’t do decent background checks . . . so voila! There’s the murderer! BTW, what a pathetic motive for staging a kidnapping.
Trigger Warnings: grisly torture and murder, corpse mutilation, elaborate body staging. Plus, vulgar language and many references to God. Bad grammar & punctuation, plus spelling problems, etc. EDITOR NEEDED.
This book features torture, grisly murders and corpse mutilation by a killer with a taste for Viking executions and torture methods of the Spanish Inquisition. Unlike most police thrillers, this book is paced quite slowly, although I doubt it’s deliberately so.
Author B. D. Smith tells readers everything about settings in rural Maine, with minutiae enough for several travelogues. I read so much about the vagaries of his characters, I think author dumped in all his character studies. Example: what I dubbed “The Lives, Loves & Tragedies of Doug & Beth” runs about 14-16 pages.
Instead of character studies, I’d have preferred more police protocols and procedures. Although this story has 40-50 characters crammed into 182 pages, it’s not difficult to choose suspects capable of committing the murders—even when the author keeps important information about suspects close to his chest. Plus, somehow the efficient cops don’t do decent background checks . . . so voila! There’s the murderer! BTW, what a pathetic motive for staging a kidnapping.
Trigger Warnings: grisly torture and murder, corpse mutilation, elaborate body staging. Plus, vulgar language and many references to God. Bad grammar & punctuation, plus spelling problems, etc. EDITOR NEEDED.
July 10, 2021
Overall, this is a good police procedural, although this plotline has been done hundreds of times in various media forms. The author pushes the murder mystery case along very quickly. The case solution, character personal relationship development, and lots of local lore and detail are all presented in under 200 pages. Lots of familiar stuff here. An intelligent criminal toying with law enforcement, lots of potential suspects, little forensic evidence, interference from high ranking cops, the "twist" near the end, etc.
Most of it works for me. I think the weak point is the ending. The double ending of the "solved" criminal not really being the "true" criminal is almost expected by now, and is awkward to present realistically. Here, the case seems to be quickly dropped by law enforcement, even though the supposed criminal has been killed by an unknown person, before any confession. I would think that LE would have done a very deep dive on anyone with a possible connection to the supposed criminal, including the person who turned out to be the true criminal. Also, the motivation of the true criminal seemed very unbelievable. A grudge is held for many years, then a very elaborate set of crimes and actions is set up to attack a certain LE officer. Not ridiculous, but hard to accept.
Most of it works for me. I think the weak point is the ending. The double ending of the "solved" criminal not really being the "true" criminal is almost expected by now, and is awkward to present realistically. Here, the case seems to be quickly dropped by law enforcement, even though the supposed criminal has been killed by an unknown person, before any confession. I would think that LE would have done a very deep dive on anyone with a possible connection to the supposed criminal, including the person who turned out to be the true criminal. Also, the motivation of the true criminal seemed very unbelievable. A grudge is held for many years, then a very elaborate set of crimes and actions is set up to attack a certain LE officer. Not ridiculous, but hard to accept.
October 13, 2018
It's an adequate mystery. The narrative style is a bit distant so I wasn't drawn in to the story as quickly as I have been in other books of this genre. I'm still not sure if the title refers to the women killed and placed in the lake/ice in Maine during winter or if it was meant to be a reference to women with chilly outer demeanors such as Anne Quinn or Beth.
I did suspect the character who turned out to be the killer and that the killer might be involved with others who were part of a certain group, but I also was misled by a second character's words and behavior--so I don't know if that constitutes solving the whodunit or not.
I'm not quite sure what's driving Beth. We aren't told if she does decide to follow through on her plans to move away that are mentioned in this book. Dr. Blood hints that it somehow relates to Beth's parents rather than to Doug or Beth's relationship with Doug.
Doug and Anne are interesting characters. Will they end up together? Or will the author keep doing the will they/won't they dance and string it out so long that the readers lose interest? That might be the only reason I'd seek out more books in the series.
I did suspect the character who turned out to be the killer and that the killer might be involved with others who were part of a certain group, but I also was misled by a second character's words and behavior--so I don't know if that constitutes solving the whodunit or not.
I'm not quite sure what's driving Beth. We aren't told if she does decide to follow through on her plans to move away that are mentioned in this book. Dr. Blood hints that it somehow relates to Beth's parents rather than to Doug or Beth's relationship with Doug.
Doug and Anne are interesting characters. Will they end up together? Or will the author keep doing the will they/won't they dance and string it out so long that the readers lose interest? That might be the only reason I'd seek out more books in the series.
December 15, 2020
Damn this started out so good! but kinda fell short in the middle and towards the end. I felt it was dragging a bit after the initial interrogation with the guy who worked in lumber yard. I liked how both protagonists were oddly awkward characters, since I tend to believe people who work in certain jobs develop some very similar characteristics. It was an ok read but could have been better and also doesn't inspire me to dig into next in the series, sadly.
October 27, 2023
It's billed as "a pulse-pounding thrill ride that will leave you gasping for breath". Yawning for breath would be more accurate. Pulse? It's only slower when I'm sleeping. Sorry, B.D. Smith, your novel definitely has its good points, just don't promise things you don't deliver!
So, to the good points: wonderfully intimate portrayal of small-town Maine, very convincing police procedural details, and amazingly detailed world building. I really enjoyed all these aspects of The Ice Maiden. BUT ...
... these aspects would have been so much more effective if woven into the narrative rather than being delivered, lecture-style, or as if I'd accidentally strayed into a travel guide. This sort of "telling" dragged the pace from pulse-pounding to sleep-inducing.
Then there were the sadistic details. Yeah, maybe I'm reading the wrong genre to complain about this, but is it really necessary to indulge in full Spanish Inquisition torture with all the bells and whistles? And upon a beautiful young blonde woman, no less. Gruesome misogyny is not a necessary ingredient to a good thriller.
So, to the good points: wonderfully intimate portrayal of small-town Maine, very convincing police procedural details, and amazingly detailed world building. I really enjoyed all these aspects of The Ice Maiden. BUT ...
... these aspects would have been so much more effective if woven into the narrative rather than being delivered, lecture-style, or as if I'd accidentally strayed into a travel guide. This sort of "telling" dragged the pace from pulse-pounding to sleep-inducing.
Then there were the sadistic details. Yeah, maybe I'm reading the wrong genre to complain about this, but is it really necessary to indulge in full Spanish Inquisition torture with all the bells and whistles? And upon a beautiful young blonde woman, no less. Gruesome misogyny is not a necessary ingredient to a good thriller.
February 12, 2025
Spesso dalle sinossi di presentazione si ha la sensazione di aver letto un altro libro, forse la sinossi rappresenta quello che si sarebbe voluto ottenere.
Aver letto tanti gialli e Thriller fa si che si sono letti libri anche molto belli e non si ha più la voglia di perderne con qualcosa di meno che accettabile. La trama non deve essere necessariamente strabiliante, si fa presto a dire "già scritto, già letto" ma la scrittura deve essere scorrevole e accattivante, per compensare.
Una storia che vaga di qua e di là per convergere su . Una idea iniziale che, sebbene non originale, se portata avanti con coerenza, con una successione logica e privilegiando la narrazione a tante divagazioni inutili, avrebbe portato ad una storia onesta. Capisco che non si può raccontare tutto dall'inizio (e non è neanche vero perchè ci sono bellissimi libri in cui si sa tutto dall'inizio ma sempre godibilissimi) ma le divagazioni non servono a nulla.
Aggiungiamo una voce narrante atona e piatta e non aggiungiamo nessun punto all'ascolto.
Aver letto tanti gialli e Thriller fa si che si sono letti libri anche molto belli e non si ha più la voglia di perderne con qualcosa di meno che accettabile. La trama non deve essere necessariamente strabiliante, si fa presto a dire "già scritto, già letto" ma la scrittura deve essere scorrevole e accattivante, per compensare.
Una storia che vaga di qua e di là per convergere su . Una idea iniziale che, sebbene non originale, se portata avanti con coerenza, con una successione logica e privilegiando la narrazione a tante divagazioni inutili, avrebbe portato ad una storia onesta. Capisco che non si può raccontare tutto dall'inizio (e non è neanche vero perchè ci sono bellissimi libri in cui si sa tutto dall'inizio ma sempre godibilissimi) ma le divagazioni non servono a nulla.
Aggiungiamo una voce narrante atona e piatta e non aggiungiamo nessun punto all'ascolto.
June 12, 2017
Doug Bateman and Anne Quinn are thrust together in a race against a truly sadistic serial killer. Faced with gory reenactments of ancient ritualistic torture, they must solve the riddles the killer leaves behind without becoming victims themselves. Unfortunately, the killer's madness is very, very personal, and both Doug and Anne will put their lives on the line to stop him.
B.D. Smith brings an obvious love of the Northeastern US to light in this thriller, sprinkling great historical detail and culture into a modern day community. Smith makes a small town come to life by delivering genuine characters with well developed histories and personalities. Smith also writes a great evil madman, and manages to shine the spotlight on any number of potential suspects. Occasionally very graphic in nature, this story takes the reader on a roller coaster of fear, suspense, nostalgia, and romance; and if the reader dislikes David Abernathy as much as I did, a little quiet celebration when a Scottish highland bull bests a rogue ATV.
B.D. Smith brings an obvious love of the Northeastern US to light in this thriller, sprinkling great historical detail and culture into a modern day community. Smith makes a small town come to life by delivering genuine characters with well developed histories and personalities. Smith also writes a great evil madman, and manages to shine the spotlight on any number of potential suspects. Occasionally very graphic in nature, this story takes the reader on a roller coaster of fear, suspense, nostalgia, and romance; and if the reader dislikes David Abernathy as much as I did, a little quiet celebration when a Scottish highland bull bests a rogue ATV.
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