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Alaskan Adventures
Alaskan Christmas Cold Case
Christmas Under Fire…
The Ice Maiden Killer is back.
For years, a serial killer has eluded authorities—and he’s set Alaska state trooper Erynn Cooper in his sights. Erynn’s only chance at survival is to trust Moose Haven police chief Noah Dawson with her life and the truth about her past. But with Christmas quickly approaching, Erynn and Noah are running out of time to catch the murderer…before Erynn becomes the next victim.
The Ice Maiden Killer is back.
For years, a serial killer has eluded authorities—and he’s set Alaska state trooper Erynn Cooper in his sights. Erynn’s only chance at survival is to trust Moose Haven police chief Noah Dawson with her life and the truth about her past. But with Christmas quickly approaching, Erynn and Noah are running out of time to catch the murderer…before Erynn becomes the next victim.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 23, 2019
86 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 27, 2025
“Whoever said that things would look better in the morning never had a serial killer after him.”
Instead of enjoying the season of happiness, Erynn Cooper, Alaska State Trooper and Noah Dawson, Moose Haven Police Chief, are running for their lives. With the reign of terror fallout from the Foster Kid victims and a serial killer closing in, it sure didn’t feel like Christmas.
Author Sarah Varland highlights the fear we feel when we think we have too much baggage for anyone to love us or for us to take the risk in loving someone. She also showcases how finding the right person means that they’ve chosen to love, regardless of its capacity to hurt or how far away the person they love tries to run.
This novel appealed to me because of (1) the Alaskan and (2) the Christmas setting.
I liked Noah’s character; he was inspirational and the perfect match for Erynn. He was instrumental in showing her how to live out her faith when she felt powerless in facing her past and its fears. Erynn was tired of running from her past and I loved that she chose to face it head on and gave space to Noah to join her.
My heart was pounding with the ever-present sense of evil and I was compelled to figure out more about the Ice Maiden case and solve the identity of the Foster Kid Killer.
Varland left me with something to think about: “Happily-ever-after was the worst kind of complacency.” Hmmm.
Authentic feel. Great pace. Tons of tension. Not too Christmas-y. Light faith thread. Highly recommended.
Instead of enjoying the season of happiness, Erynn Cooper, Alaska State Trooper and Noah Dawson, Moose Haven Police Chief, are running for their lives. With the reign of terror fallout from the Foster Kid victims and a serial killer closing in, it sure didn’t feel like Christmas.
Author Sarah Varland highlights the fear we feel when we think we have too much baggage for anyone to love us or for us to take the risk in loving someone. She also showcases how finding the right person means that they’ve chosen to love, regardless of its capacity to hurt or how far away the person they love tries to run.
This novel appealed to me because of (1) the Alaskan and (2) the Christmas setting.
I liked Noah’s character; he was inspirational and the perfect match for Erynn. He was instrumental in showing her how to live out her faith when she felt powerless in facing her past and its fears. Erynn was tired of running from her past and I loved that she chose to face it head on and gave space to Noah to join her.
My heart was pounding with the ever-present sense of evil and I was compelled to figure out more about the Ice Maiden case and solve the identity of the Foster Kid Killer.
Varland left me with something to think about: “Happily-ever-after was the worst kind of complacency.” Hmmm.
Authentic feel. Great pace. Tons of tension. Not too Christmas-y. Light faith thread. Highly recommended.
October 3, 2019
'Whoever said things would look better in the morning had never had a serial killer after him.'
This is my third or fourth Sarah Varland book and I really enjoyed it. I've been looking forward to Noah Dawson getting a story and he is just a wonderful hero. Noah has been in love with Erynn Cooper, an Alaskan State Trooper working in the small town of Moose Haven, where is police chief. He's never gotten up the courage to tell her that, and now someone is out to kill her. Together, they burn the midnight oil to catch this killer who has killed many before. Great suspense with a great cast of characters. Recommended.
This is my third or fourth Sarah Varland book and I really enjoyed it. I've been looking forward to Noah Dawson getting a story and he is just a wonderful hero. Noah has been in love with Erynn Cooper, an Alaskan State Trooper working in the small town of Moose Haven, where is police chief. He's never gotten up the courage to tell her that, and now someone is out to kill her. Together, they burn the midnight oil to catch this killer who has killed many before. Great suspense with a great cast of characters. Recommended.
December 22, 2023
Quite a tumultuous love relationship Erynn has with Noah! He is the chief of police and she’s a trouper. This short book was inspirational but it took a while before the story took off. They were hunting for a murderer who kept killing and was after Erynn.
December 6, 2019
This excitingly intriguing Romantic Suspense weighs in both on the Romance and on Suspense. The mystery of the killer's identity, and ability to move around undetected, puzzled me throughout and definitely kept me turning pages to the end. Emotions run both high and deep, so romance lovers will really enjoy, as will puzzling mystery fans.
March 23, 2020
While my mind wandered a lot in this one, and I got annoyed by the heroine’s continual bemoaning of the fact she couldn’t marry the hero that wanted her, I did enjoy most of the aspects of this quick suspense. I had a bit of a hard time believing in some super quick recuperation, and the ending could have been more lengthy, but I’ll definitely be picking up more books by this author.
November 6, 2019
There's nothing like a menacing serial killer to put an armchair sleuth on high alert! And the friends to lovers romance is exceptionally well done. Noah's known he's been in love with Erynn for years and he's diligently worked his way into her life -- as a friend. Erynn's aloof and prickly demeanor casts off all kinds of 'stay away' vibes, but Noah is patiently determined. (Delicious sigh.)
Truth is, Erynn is half-way in love with Noah (at least, that's all she'll admit to) but she's stubbornly set on being a loner. Partly because she doesn't want to get hurt but also because she doesn't want someone to get hurt because of her!
Cue the creepy stalker music and grab some comfort chocolate and settle down for a heart-pounding, stomach-churning, page-turning read!
Truth is, Erynn is half-way in love with Noah (at least, that's all she'll admit to) but she's stubbornly set on being a loner. Partly because she doesn't want to get hurt but also because she doesn't want someone to get hurt because of her!
Cue the creepy stalker music and grab some comfort chocolate and settle down for a heart-pounding, stomach-churning, page-turning read!
February 8, 2020
Ok, il cambio di idea della protagonista riguardo al suo possibile futuro con Noah è repentino, ma la storia è buona e mi è piaciuta. Ho pure scoperto che altri 3 libri di questa autrice ambientati in Alaska sono collegati a questo, sebbene nominalmente non ci sia una serie. Credo che li leggerò, prima o poi.
July 22, 2020
Two things, why is there grass in december...why did the author go with such a ridiculous romance conclusion (pet peeve rant ahead warning.
Anyhow, I forgot repeatedly that it was the Christmas season because the author only points it out at the beginning with the Christmas decorations on the desk...then the creek is frozen, but the author said something about grass...sigh. Then at the ending it was like, oh it's Christmas eve this'll be perfect....see rant below...
I do like how Erynn basically saved herself the...second time. And how the first time was a genuine need for saving. I had issue with the third time and the logic. I have issues with the suppressor thing at the beginning. I have issues with many a thing...but for a fluff read (which it was for me) it was riding high between a 3 or 4 star review...and then that ending happened....
WARNING: RANT AHEAD
Also, a massive spoiler...
Way to ruin a halfway decent love inspired romance suspense...ugh.
Anyhow, I forgot repeatedly that it was the Christmas season because the author only points it out at the beginning with the Christmas decorations on the desk...then the creek is frozen, but the author said something about grass...sigh. Then at the ending it was like, oh it's Christmas eve this'll be perfect....see rant below...
I do like how Erynn basically saved herself the...second time. And how the first time was a genuine need for saving. I had issue with the third time and the logic. I have issues with the suppressor thing at the beginning. I have issues with many a thing...but for a fluff read (which it was for me) it was riding high between a 3 or 4 star review...and then that ending happened....
WARNING: RANT AHEAD
Also, a massive spoiler...
Way to ruin a halfway decent love inspired romance suspense...ugh.
December 27, 2019
2.5*
well... that put me into a reading slump.
What I liked - The concept sounds pretty cool. Erynn was also a great female protagonist.
What I didn't like - The pacing was terrible. I was bored after 30 pages.
Overall, I wish they published an audio book for this story because physically reading this book made me not want to read anything else for a while.
well... that put me into a reading slump.
What I liked - The concept sounds pretty cool. Erynn was also a great female protagonist.
What I didn't like - The pacing was terrible. I was bored after 30 pages.
Overall, I wish they published an audio book for this story because physically reading this book made me not want to read anything else for a while.
March 8, 2020
I thought this story of Erynn Cooper and Noah Dawson is pretty good! Definitely allot of action and lots of scary moments.
Erynn became a trooper to find her dad’s killer as well as to find out who is trying to end hers. So Erynn turns to the only man she trusts to keep her alive Moose Havens police chief Hoah Dawson even if he finds out all the deep dark secrets she’s tried hide from him. Tons of emotions and drama to go with all the action as they try to survive a serial killers sick agenda.
Erynn became a trooper to find her dad’s killer as well as to find out who is trying to end hers. So Erynn turns to the only man she trusts to keep her alive Moose Havens police chief Hoah Dawson even if he finds out all the deep dark secrets she’s tried hide from him. Tons of emotions and drama to go with all the action as they try to survive a serial killers sick agenda.
December 9, 2019
A decent thriller, but not much of a mystery since the killer came out of nowhere.
Read
August 23, 2022What do I think?
Not a lot. . . that's good at least.
This book is about 2 high schoolers; one an Alaska State Trooper and the other a police chief. Wait; high schoolers? Sorry, more like middle schoolers.
Oh; fair warning: if you like romance you may want to skip this review.
Well of course they aren't middle schoolers but they certainly operate on that level. Their ability to go from super astute to mockingly obtuse as to one another's feelings and their own for that matter is ridiculous.
But that's not all that's ridiculous about this book.
Two highly competent law enforcement people; the trooper (Trooper Cooper no less and Varland ignores the humor of that) and the Chief interrogate a woman that they have believed to be dead for several years. First, they are remarkably blase to her presence and then as they begin the questioning they allow Miss Lazarus (not her name, just me being snide) to lead nor do they turn on any recording device. During the statement she indicates she won't be safe in jail and then doesn't react when the top cop tells her she is going to jail where she is . . . wait for it. . . MURDERED! A man claiming to be her lawyer waltzes in and shoots her with a silenced weapon. She makes nary a fuss as this fake shyster meets her.
I found the characters to be pathetically shallow and with several instances of ludicrous behavior. There is part where Trooper Cooper and Top Cop are walking up to a glacier. Now note that this is in Alaska and it's late December, right before Christmas. Top Cop says something to Trooper Cooper which causes her hands to sweat whereupon she wipes them on her pants legs. Huh? Really? She would be wiping ice crystals off her hands! Sheesh!
Well there's more but that's enough. Suffice to say I read much more of this book than called for and only read as much as I did because I took a trip on the Ardmore Veterans Center bus to Oklahoma City, spent a good portion of the day sitting around waiting for other residents to finish their medical appointments and thusly was bored and read until I couldn't stand any more.
It's all my fault. I failed to research this book to any reasonable extent and stuck myself with a loser.
I've got an excellent author's book that I'm starting tonight.
Not a lot. . . that's good at least.
This book is about 2 high schoolers; one an Alaska State Trooper and the other a police chief. Wait; high schoolers? Sorry, more like middle schoolers.
Oh; fair warning: if you like romance you may want to skip this review.
Well of course they aren't middle schoolers but they certainly operate on that level. Their ability to go from super astute to mockingly obtuse as to one another's feelings and their own for that matter is ridiculous.
But that's not all that's ridiculous about this book.
Two highly competent law enforcement people; the trooper (Trooper Cooper no less and Varland ignores the humor of that) and the Chief interrogate a woman that they have believed to be dead for several years. First, they are remarkably blase to her presence and then as they begin the questioning they allow Miss Lazarus (not her name, just me being snide) to lead nor do they turn on any recording device. During the statement she indicates she won't be safe in jail and then doesn't react when the top cop tells her she is going to jail where she is . . . wait for it. . . MURDERED! A man claiming to be her lawyer waltzes in and shoots her with a silenced weapon. She makes nary a fuss as this fake shyster meets her.
I found the characters to be pathetically shallow and with several instances of ludicrous behavior. There is part where Trooper Cooper and Top Cop are walking up to a glacier. Now note that this is in Alaska and it's late December, right before Christmas. Top Cop says something to Trooper Cooper which causes her hands to sweat whereupon she wipes them on her pants legs. Huh? Really? She would be wiping ice crystals off her hands! Sheesh!
Well there's more but that's enough. Suffice to say I read much more of this book than called for and only read as much as I did because I took a trip on the Ardmore Veterans Center bus to Oklahoma City, spent a good portion of the day sitting around waiting for other residents to finish their medical appointments and thusly was bored and read until I couldn't stand any more.
It's all my fault. I failed to research this book to any reasonable extent and stuck myself with a loser.
I've got an excellent author's book that I'm starting tonight.
January 28, 2021
I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue of this book. It was a pretty fast read and I enjoyed the characters, even though I felt that Erynn should have opened up and trusted Noah sooner. I thought she was a little too standofish, but I guess with her background that is part of the plot of the story. It was clean with no sex or lots of of foul language.
October 8, 2019
Enjoyed what I assume to be the last book in this great series. I enjoyed each one I read. Great suspense and plot
October 20, 2019
Loved it! See below for full review under Denise...
December 12, 2019
Love a good Alaskan mystery. I did think that obvious things were missed but whatever.
January 19, 2020
Somewhat enjoyable.
December 29, 2020
I had just finished a Sarah Varland, and was looking for my next. A few pages in, I realized I read this on a few months ago. Well paced, surprising ending.
October 18, 2019
Alaskan Adventure
A cold case is reopened when it is tied to a serial killer on the hunt again. This time, Trooper Erynn Cooper is in his sights. She wants to find the man who killed her Dad and others. As the case becomes too personal, the man she’s been working alongside is breaking through her defenses and capturing her heart. Moose Haven Police Chief Noah Dawson highly respects Erynn and just wants to keep her safe. I loved their chemistry and returning to Moose Haven. Varland’s writing of Alaska is so true to the area. A beautifully written murder mystery that will capture your heart. If you love a good mystery and romance, you’ll love Alaskan Christmas Cold Case!
A cold case is reopened when it is tied to a serial killer on the hunt again. This time, Trooper Erynn Cooper is in his sights. She wants to find the man who killed her Dad and others. As the case becomes too personal, the man she’s been working alongside is breaking through her defenses and capturing her heart. Moose Haven Police Chief Noah Dawson highly respects Erynn and just wants to keep her safe. I loved their chemistry and returning to Moose Haven. Varland’s writing of Alaska is so true to the area. A beautifully written murder mystery that will capture your heart. If you love a good mystery and romance, you’ll love Alaskan Christmas Cold Case!
June 3, 2023
Wow, what a book, this one will keep you on your toes. I tried to figure out who the Foster Children Killer was and could not figure it.
Erynn is a trooper and her friend Noah is a Police Officer. They are working on the case together when they found a body that they thought was a former foster child that Erynn knew. They realized it wasn't her when she showed up at the station very much alive until she wasn't Then they discovered a note that said Erynn was next.
This book will keep you guessing as to who it is. If you like this suspenseful books you won't want to miss this one.
Erynn is a trooper and her friend Noah is a Police Officer. They are working on the case together when they found a body that they thought was a former foster child that Erynn knew. They realized it wasn't her when she showed up at the station very much alive until she wasn't Then they discovered a note that said Erynn was next.
This book will keep you guessing as to who it is. If you like this suspenseful books you won't want to miss this one.
April 13, 2024
I love to read suspense when it is intertwined with love and family. This book really drew me in with the descriptions of the scenes set in Alaska and the independence of Erynn, the main character. Her tough childhood history and her desire to protect those she loves felt real. The fear of the unknown killer kept me reading rapidly until the end. So happy to see that she finally opened up her heart to love.
August 6, 2024
This is a Romantic Suspense. I enjoyed this book as a Romantic Suspense, and this book has a ton of action and suspense with a good amount of romance mixed into it. This book does not really have much of Christmas, and I did not really get Christmas or Winter when reading this book. If you are reading this book for the Christmas parts or Christmas feelings, you are going to be disappointed. I found the suspense and how the case unfolded was so good. I loved the ending of this book.
January 14, 2021
The book cover calls this “riveting inspirational romance”, and I’d say that’s a fair assessment. The suspense plot was well done, and I always enjoy a story set where it’s cold. The main characters were very realistic - getting cold and tired and stressed like anyone would. The inspirational aspects of the story were well handled and believable. I’d read more by this author.
October 9, 2019
My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Alaskan Christmas Cold Case. I always enjoy Sarah's books. It's always nice to visit Moose Haven Alaska. This story is well written, action packed, and full of faith. I know you are going to love this book.
State Trooper Erynn Cooper feels like she is being watched. She always knew this day would come. Years ago five people were killed by the Foster Care Killer, all of them her friends or fellow foster kids. Beside these people her adopted father had been killed as he (a trooper) was investigating the killings. Now he or she is back. She must trust Noah to keep her safe but their relationship is complicated.
Moose Haven Chief of Police Noah Dawson has been in love with Erynn for years. Now a killer has returned to make her the last victim. What could be behind this killer's need to kill? Why would he or she kill them now that they are adults? Nothing makes sense; how is he going to keep her safe and find the killer? Can there be a future for them?
A complicated journey to a past that should be left behind. Can these two trust each other while waltzing around their attraction? God has a plan for these two, a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan and not for evil. Give Him your heart and watch Him work in your life.
State Trooper Erynn Cooper feels like she is being watched. She always knew this day would come. Years ago five people were killed by the Foster Care Killer, all of them her friends or fellow foster kids. Beside these people her adopted father had been killed as he (a trooper) was investigating the killings. Now he or she is back. She must trust Noah to keep her safe but their relationship is complicated.
Moose Haven Chief of Police Noah Dawson has been in love with Erynn for years. Now a killer has returned to make her the last victim. What could be behind this killer's need to kill? Why would he or she kill them now that they are adults? Nothing makes sense; how is he going to keep her safe and find the killer? Can there be a future for them?
A complicated journey to a past that should be left behind. Can these two trust each other while waltzing around their attraction? God has a plan for these two, a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan and not for evil. Give Him your heart and watch Him work in your life.
September 25, 2019
Fast paced suspense, just the way I like it! Great story line with unexpected twists. This book had me guessing right up until the end!
October 20, 2019
A good combination of suspense and romance.
January 11, 2020
This was such an Emotional roller coaster. My heart went out to Noah because he loved a woman who thought she couldn’t have a happy ever after with a man she loves. Loved this book .
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews