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Sharon McCone #34
Ice and Stone
Private Investigator Sharon McCone goes undercover to investigate the murders of two Indigenous women in remote Northern California in this gripping, atmospheric mystery in the New York Times bestselling series.
When the bodies of two Indigenous women are found in the wilderness of northern California, it is only the latest horrific development in a string of similar crimes in the area. Despite all evidence to the contrary, officials rule the deaths isolated incidents, which soon join the ranks of countless other unsolved cases quickly dismissed by law enforcement.
In a town where too many injustices are tolerated or brushed under the rug, only a few people remain who refuse to let a killer walk free. But Private Investigator Sharon McCone is one of those few. She is hired by an organization called Crimes against Indigenous Sisters to go undercover in Meruk County—a community rife with secrets, lies, and corruption—to expose the truth.
In an isolated cabin in the freezing, treacherous woods, McCone must work quickly to unravel a mystery that is rooted in profound evil—before she becomes the killer’s next target.
When the bodies of two Indigenous women are found in the wilderness of northern California, it is only the latest horrific development in a string of similar crimes in the area. Despite all evidence to the contrary, officials rule the deaths isolated incidents, which soon join the ranks of countless other unsolved cases quickly dismissed by law enforcement.
In a town where too many injustices are tolerated or brushed under the rug, only a few people remain who refuse to let a killer walk free. But Private Investigator Sharon McCone is one of those few. She is hired by an organization called Crimes against Indigenous Sisters to go undercover in Meruk County—a community rife with secrets, lies, and corruption—to expose the truth.
In an isolated cabin in the freezing, treacherous woods, McCone must work quickly to unravel a mystery that is rooted in profound evil—before she becomes the killer’s next target.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published August 10, 2021
223 people are currently reading
3741 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Muller
165 books724 followersMarcia Muller is an American author of mystery and thriller novels.
Muller has written many novels featuring her Sharon McCone female private detective character. Vanishing Point won the Shamus Award for Best P.I. Novel. Muller had been nominated for the Shamus Award four times previously.
In 2005, Muller was awarded the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master award.
She was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Birmingham, Michigan, and graduated in English from the University of Michigan and worked as a journalist at Sunset magazine. She is married to detective fiction author Bill Pronzini with whom she has collaborated on several novels.
Muller has written many novels featuring her Sharon McCone female private detective character. Vanishing Point won the Shamus Award for Best P.I. Novel. Muller had been nominated for the Shamus Award four times previously.
In 2005, Muller was awarded the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master award.
She was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Birmingham, Michigan, and graduated in English from the University of Michigan and worked as a journalist at Sunset magazine. She is married to detective fiction author Bill Pronzini with whom she has collaborated on several novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
October 24, 2021
This is a series that I avidly followed for many years but for some reason or another I lost track. Saw this one and thought I'd see what Sharon McCone is up to these days. These reads are closer to cozies than out and out thrillers, fast reads for the most part. I do give the author major props for the subject of this outing. The murder and disappearance of indigenous women that get little attention nor public exposure. Nor are many of these cases solved, for various reasons but mostly due to unconcern by law enforcement, along with some archaic laws that let a perpetrator commit a crime on a reservation and leave the reservation free and clear. They can't be prosecuted. Unbelievable.
So a so so outing but one with an important subject.
ARC from Netgalley.
So a so so outing but one with an important subject.
ARC from Netgalley.
August 24, 2021
Disappointing. This is the last book by Marcia Muller I will read. I enjoyed many books in this series but this one was not up to the same standards. Too many political statements. Plot was rushed and the dialogue unrealistic. The whole book felt rushed .
April 30, 2021
Sharon is hired by a a group of Native women to investigate the brutal murders of two native women in California, near the Oregon border. Were the wealthy entitled ranchers involved? Did the racist sheriff even investigate the crimes? And was the shoot-out at her San Francisco office related to this case? Muller's one of my favorite writers, and even though I love the San Francisco ambiance found in many of the novels, her new book is excellent. I've read and enjoyed all of Muller's Sharon McCone series, and was glad to have the opportunity to review her newest; thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
October 25, 2025
I am all about being respectful of all people and cultures. I support her passion for equality. On that note wasn't this supposed to be a murder mystery-type book. I guess social justice memoirs are now disguised as a murder mystery. I love memoirs and nonfiction. This was not what I was wanting in fiction. I felt like I was being lectured on this whole book.
IF LOOKING FOR A MURDER MYSTERY ... THE WRONG BOOK FOR YOU.
IF LOOKING FOR A MURDER MYSTERY ... THE WRONG BOOK FOR YOU.
August 10, 2021
Duplicitous, intense, and atmospheric!
In this intriguing, thirty-fourth instalment in the Sharon McCone series, Ice and Stone, Muller has written a fast-paced, sinister thriller that finds San Francisco PI Sharon McCone going undercover in the town of Meruk at the request of the Crimes Against Indigenous Sisters to investigate the murders of two native woman that seem to have slipped through the cracks of the local justice system due to ongoing battles over jurisdictions, but when two more native women go missing, and some of the richer, white folk in the area start acting shadier than usual, the case may be a little more complex and dangerous than anyone could have imagined.
The prose is smooth and rich. The characters are strong, relentless, and resourceful. And the plot unfolds quickly into a menacing tale of mischief, mayhem, corruption, manipulation, racial tension, abuse, sexual assault, coercion, greed, heinous violence, and murder.
Overall, Ice and Stone is a tight, intricate, engrossing thrill ride by Muller that is highly entertaining, a little disturbing, and the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys a good mystery threaded with ongoing social issues and injustices.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this intriguing, thirty-fourth instalment in the Sharon McCone series, Ice and Stone, Muller has written a fast-paced, sinister thriller that finds San Francisco PI Sharon McCone going undercover in the town of Meruk at the request of the Crimes Against Indigenous Sisters to investigate the murders of two native woman that seem to have slipped through the cracks of the local justice system due to ongoing battles over jurisdictions, but when two more native women go missing, and some of the richer, white folk in the area start acting shadier than usual, the case may be a little more complex and dangerous than anyone could have imagined.
The prose is smooth and rich. The characters are strong, relentless, and resourceful. And the plot unfolds quickly into a menacing tale of mischief, mayhem, corruption, manipulation, racial tension, abuse, sexual assault, coercion, greed, heinous violence, and murder.
Overall, Ice and Stone is a tight, intricate, engrossing thrill ride by Muller that is highly entertaining, a little disturbing, and the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys a good mystery threaded with ongoing social issues and injustices.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2021
Private investigator Sharon McCone is hired by an organization called Crimes Against Indigenous Sisters to find out why two Native women had been murdered. Since Sharon is Shoshone she is able to go undercover in a small town with spotty cell phone coverage in the dead of winter. She lives in an old abandoned shack. She is attacked, her office is shot up, what else can happen?
The first Sharon McCone book came out in 1977. I've read quite a few in this series. Author Muller often takes topics from the headlines and weaves them into her fictional stories. In this one, be prepared to read a lot about Natives.
In this story, Sharon is the main focus and she's out in the field for her investigation. Several of her staff have small roles, mostly to remind readers of some of our favorites characters through the years. This book can be read as a standalone but for the sake of character development, I'd go back and read several others. The story moves slowly but that's the way of this series.
The first Sharon McCone book came out in 1977. I've read quite a few in this series. Author Muller often takes topics from the headlines and weaves them into her fictional stories. In this one, be prepared to read a lot about Natives.
In this story, Sharon is the main focus and she's out in the field for her investigation. Several of her staff have small roles, mostly to remind readers of some of our favorites characters through the years. This book can be read as a standalone but for the sake of character development, I'd go back and read several others. The story moves slowly but that's the way of this series.
September 6, 2021
I feel like Marcia mueller is just dialing it in at this point. There is a lot of politics in this one and I agree with her but it just felt forced. It feels like there is no depth anymore to the characters.
August 8, 2021
Quick Synopsis:
Private investigator Sharon McCone is hired by Crime Against Indigenous Sisters (CAIS) organization to investigate the murders of two Native women in Meruk County that happened over the past three months.
My thoughts: This book is part of the Sharon McCone series and this the 34th book which can be read as standalone. Murdered and missing Indigenous women is a national crisis both in US and Canada and for that I appreciated that the author chose such important and timely topic as the plot here.
This was a fast-paced murder mystery with quite a lot of characters introduced throughout the book. I enjoyed the investigation part which was easy to follow. The author's descriptive and atmospheric writing definitely transported me to this community.
Although this can be read as standalone, I personally felt that it would be better to start this series from the first book as there was not much recap or mention on our characters' backstories. Because of this and the many characters introduced, I find it a bit disconnect with the characters. There was not enough time spent with the characters in this book.
Overall, I liked this book for the important topic it covers but I needed more connection with the characters. However, this may be the book for you if you're looking for a quick, fast-paced murder mystery!
Pub. Date: August 10th, 2021
***Thank you Grand Central Publishing and author Marcia Muller for this gifted copy to read and review. All opinions expressed are my own.***
My thoughts: This book is part of the Sharon McCone series and this the 34th book which can be read as standalone. Murdered and missing Indigenous women is a national crisis both in US and Canada and for that I appreciated that the author chose such important and timely topic as the plot here.
This was a fast-paced murder mystery with quite a lot of characters introduced throughout the book. I enjoyed the investigation part which was easy to follow. The author's descriptive and atmospheric writing definitely transported me to this community.
Although this can be read as standalone, I personally felt that it would be better to start this series from the first book as there was not much recap or mention on our characters' backstories. Because of this and the many characters introduced, I find it a bit disconnect with the characters. There was not enough time spent with the characters in this book.
Overall, I liked this book for the important topic it covers but I needed more connection with the characters. However, this may be the book for you if you're looking for a quick, fast-paced murder mystery!
Pub. Date: August 10th, 2021
***Thank you Grand Central Publishing and author Marcia Muller for this gifted copy to read and review. All opinions expressed are my own.***
August 10, 2021
I am so excited to read Ice and Stone by Marcia Muller! I have seen reviews and recommendations for her book but have never had the chance to read one till now. I am so happy to tell you that this author has a new fan! I now have the pleasure of diving into the Sharon McCone series that is thirty-four books strong! Mystery, a strong plot, and a world I can't wait to learn more about!
Happy Release Day!
~Tanja
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August 1, 2021
I have read every Sharon McCone novel since the start of the series. It’s obvious that I’m a member of Team McCone too! Once again, I have enjoyed every page of this book and catching up with the troop.
Sharon has discovered her Indigenous roots and become more involved in trying to right the wrongs against the community. Sharon is called to Northern California to investigate the apparent murder of Indigenous women. Of course it means putting her own life in danger.
This book explores not only this case but the cruelties and racism perpetrated against our Native American communities. This awakening was really fascinating for me. This was a fine case for Sharon since it involved so much more than a simple detective story.
I want to express my sincere thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this new book by a longtime favorite of mine.
Sharon has discovered her Indigenous roots and become more involved in trying to right the wrongs against the community. Sharon is called to Northern California to investigate the apparent murder of Indigenous women. Of course it means putting her own life in danger.
This book explores not only this case but the cruelties and racism perpetrated against our Native American communities. This awakening was really fascinating for me. This was a fine case for Sharon since it involved so much more than a simple detective story.
I want to express my sincere thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this new book by a longtime favorite of mine.
September 23, 2021
McCone offers the use of her house to an ELEVEN YEAR OLD GIRL???
August 21, 2021
3.5 stars for this entry in the author's long-running series, rounded up to 4 for old-time's sake.
This is a quiet story, with a depressing basis for the plot. It is set in January, with the cold, winter weather becoming a factor in McCone's investigation. What kept the book from being a total downer was our main character and all of the facets of her investigations. I enjoyed meeting the various tribal women; I liked re-connecting with Sharon's mother Saskia, and had fun with some of Sharon's sources of information. On the minus side were the bad guys, some of whom crossed the line into cliche.
The mystery itself (the deaths of the two women) was clever, with an unexpected reason behind the crimes. The good guys win in the end, of course; and without a major bloodbath.
A warning: there is some graphic (non-fatal) violence to two young women--we don't see it happen, but we do witness the victims recounting what befell them.
The book ends on a warm wrap-up scene. If the author decides to end the series with this book, I'll be satisfied. However, I hope that she has more McCone stories that she wants to tell.
This is a quiet story, with a depressing basis for the plot. It is set in January, with the cold, winter weather becoming a factor in McCone's investigation. What kept the book from being a total downer was our main character and all of the facets of her investigations. I enjoyed meeting the various tribal women; I liked re-connecting with Sharon's mother Saskia, and had fun with some of Sharon's sources of information. On the minus side were the bad guys, some of whom crossed the line into cliche.
The mystery itself (the deaths of the two women) was clever, with an unexpected reason behind the crimes. The good guys win in the end, of course; and without a major bloodbath.
A warning: there is some graphic (non-fatal) violence to two young women--we don't see it happen, but we do witness the victims recounting what befell them.
The book ends on a warm wrap-up scene. If the author decides to end the series with this book, I'll be satisfied. However, I hope that she has more McCone stories that she wants to tell.
December 13, 2021
This is apparently #34 in a series. The premise of the novel sounded promising and timely - the disappearance of Indigenous women and the apathy in investigating their cases. However, the story felt rushed and I didn’t like how it was delivered in short bursts. Plus, I felt there was a constant hammering of political themes and that the mystery took second place. The pacing and dialogue also felt disjointed. I don���t feel any pressing need to read more of this series.
September 29, 2021
I've followed this series for years & enjoyed most of them. This will be my last. Weak plot & no character development- it just seems like a formula turned over to computer AI.
August 6, 2021
Ice and Stone is the latest in the long-running Sharon McCone series. Muller used to be an auto-buy author for me but the last few books have lost their spark for me. I still prefer the earlier books in the series, but Ice and Stone is my favorite of the more recent installments. It’s fast-paced, interesting, and puts a spotlight on some real life problems.
Sharon goes undercover in a remote area of Northern California with rugged terrain and severe weather conditions to find out why native women are disappearing and being murdered in the area. Sharon has to battle a hostile environment, both the harsh natural conditions and the attitudes of many of the local residents, to solve the case. I was tense during much of the book, fearing for Sharon’s safety in this creepy town.
Although Sharon is on her own for most of the book, there are appearances by several of series recurring characters that returning readers will appreciate. I especially enjoyed the important part Sharon’s friend and former employee Rae Kelleher plays in the case. I also enjoyed the short appearance by Habiba, the daughter of Sharon’s good friend and former boss Hank. The final chapter of the book has brief updates of many other characters from prior books. Although Sharon says she has no intention of retiring, Sharon’s trip down memory lane had me wondering if this is going to be the last book in the series. I’ve not seen anything confirming that, so it may simply be a bonus to ongoing readers of the series. Overall, I was pleased with this solid installment of a beloved series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The book was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
Sharon goes undercover in a remote area of Northern California with rugged terrain and severe weather conditions to find out why native women are disappearing and being murdered in the area. Sharon has to battle a hostile environment, both the harsh natural conditions and the attitudes of many of the local residents, to solve the case. I was tense during much of the book, fearing for Sharon’s safety in this creepy town.
Although Sharon is on her own for most of the book, there are appearances by several of series recurring characters that returning readers will appreciate. I especially enjoyed the important part Sharon’s friend and former employee Rae Kelleher plays in the case. I also enjoyed the short appearance by Habiba, the daughter of Sharon’s good friend and former boss Hank. The final chapter of the book has brief updates of many other characters from prior books. Although Sharon says she has no intention of retiring, Sharon’s trip down memory lane had me wondering if this is going to be the last book in the series. I’ve not seen anything confirming that, so it may simply be a bonus to ongoing readers of the series. Overall, I was pleased with this solid installment of a beloved series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The book was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
August 13, 2022
The last couple of books in this series haven't been great for me, so it was nice to finish strong (and be officially caught up with the series after first discovering Sharon McCone back in the early 1990s!).
Sharon's on the road for this case, but makes it back to San Francisco for what felt like tacked-on word count padding (but whatever, we got glimpses of long-time secondary characters Mick and Ted out the deal...). Mick and Derek are still running background checks, and Rae shows up in the 11th hour to help out Sharon - but truly this is a throwback to earlier books in the series where Sharon is mainly on her own. It's a solid mystery that didn't rely on some Top Secret Government Conspiracy (hurrah!) and it can serve as either a nice link in the chain to the series, or as a final wrap-up. Let's see if Muller has more adventures for Sharon up her sleeve...
Sharon's on the road for this case, but makes it back to San Francisco for what felt like tacked-on word count padding (but whatever, we got glimpses of long-time secondary characters Mick and Ted out the deal...). Mick and Derek are still running background checks, and Rae shows up in the 11th hour to help out Sharon - but truly this is a throwback to earlier books in the series where Sharon is mainly on her own. It's a solid mystery that didn't rely on some Top Secret Government Conspiracy (hurrah!) and it can serve as either a nice link in the chain to the series, or as a final wrap-up. Let's see if Muller has more adventures for Sharon up her sleeve...
November 23, 2021
Sharon McCone just gets better. This was the second book I read this month related to the missing and murdered indigenous women in the Western US and Canada. Perhaps the families of the missing women need to be featured on true crime podcast and in non-fiction thrillers about the missing women. There are so many--and not in the distant past. They are too easily dismissed by authorities.
November 5, 2021
Good old Sharon McCone mystery. All the usual players trying to figure out who is killing indigenous women in a small reservation.Enjoyable
August 17, 2021
Sharon McCone is one of a kind! She is such a smart, strong woman. I love this series.
August 12, 2021
This is the first Marcia Muller book I have read. I loved the mystery and the strong females. I feel like I might need to read more of the Sharone McCone books to get more into the story. I might be missing some things not having as much invested in the characters. I did enjoy it though! It kept me turning pages.
October 23, 2021
I used to love these; now it feels a bit like she's phoning it in. This one is ok and a quick read, but not as good as her early mysteries.
September 26, 2021
34 books in the series and I have read and enjoyed them all. I remember reading EDWIN AND THE IRON SHOES and being blown away by a female private investigator. How times have changed. In this latest investigation Sharon goes undercover to find out about the cluster of Native American women killed in a small remote area. The number of Native American women missing and murdered has been a crime that has received little attention while being truly horrifying. So some things have changed, but there is much left to do
August 16, 2021
Probably my least favorite Sharon McCone mystery. It felt more like a series wrap up although there was certainly hope for more. They have always been such good detective stories but this one didn't gel with me.
September 8, 2021
I used to like this series, but I found this book a bit thin in story, with too much padding.
August 9, 2021
After 33 previous books, you either accept Sharon has access to people and information that others don't. That is a foundation of how these books are successful. This story is no different. Sharon goes in to do the in person work herself but at home she has investigators to do research, access to helicopters and night vision binoculars, labs, etc. While this may feel far fetched in other books, it feels at home here where Sharon and her husband Hy have shown readers that these connections help them solve the mysteries. In this case. Sharon is looking in to the disappearance of indigenous women in Northern California. Going on for decades, this has only seemed to get main stream media attention most recently, and still minimal at that. If only the resolution to Sharon's case was the resolution to the hundreds of women who had disappeared without much being done to find them. As always, I enjoy the local references and how Sharon brings her whole family (blood and chosen) in to her work. With three years since the least book, this was like meeting up with old friends. I just wish the story hadn't wrapped up so quickly at the end.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
January 19, 2022
I would out this one under thriller as well. Private Investigator Sharon McCone goes undercover to investigate the murders of two Indigenous women in remote Northern California in this gripping and very intense stor. Sharon who is also Indigenous has to watch herself because someone is out there wishing her and others like her harm. She goes undercover as a Journalist and tries to keep in contact with her team as she finds some clues and people of interest. This is one page turner and hard to put down book.
September 5, 2021
I have read all of the Sharon McCone books and thoroughly enjoyed this one. It deals with the disappearance of several Indigenous young women, a current topic. This story also deals with prejudice and mistreatment. Characters from previous books are mentioned and the ending leaves one wonder if the series will continue. I hope so.
April 11, 2023
It’s been awhile since I read a Sharon McCone book. This one did not disappoint! Taking a week off work, I finished this in one sitting. Love to read about the characters old and new. Marcia Muller does a great job keeping things fresh and new. Looking forward to reading more and reconnecting with this series.
November 1, 2021
Sharon McCone is asked to find who is responsible for killing Native American women in a Northern California county.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews