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Sidney Reed Mystery Series #2
Road Kill
Still haunted by the death of his wife, Sid is persuaded to help defend a drug addict accused in the hit-and-run death of a native man. Soon Sid begins to doubt his client's guilt, suspicions that are reinforced when a key witness surfaces whose testimony could blow the case wide open. Sid and his witness suddenly find themselves in the crosshairs of malevolent forces hell-bent on burying the truth. With the lives of his client and his witness hanging in the balance, Sid is determined to make things right, and nothing - not drug dealers, dirty cops, or the bitter Alaska cold - is going to stop him.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 10, 2025
Pre-Read Notes:
The writer, RJ Norgard, is a friend of mine. I am already familiar with the main character, Sidney Reed, a PI living in Alaska, because I've had the good fortune to help edit the third book in this series, publishing soon. Listening to R.J. read chapter after chapter fascinated me and I was compelled to go back to the beginning of the story. So I read the first book, and it was completely brilliant. What a pleasure that was, to meet Sidney Reed at the beginning of his arc, to know suddenly how far that character has come. Now I'm starting the second book and I will get to fill in the middle. There's a reason second books in trilogies are always my favorites!
"An air of anticipation hung in the courtroom like a fine mist. From my seat at the defense table, I scanned the sea of faces assembled in the packed room: there were television and newspaper reporters, relatives of Willie Olson and his supporters in the native community, and members of the general public, all waiting for the show to begin." p126
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) As I thought it might be, this is my favorite book in the series (I think! still have to read the third book front to back!). In this book, Sidney Reed moves through the grittiest parts of his story-- terrible grief, grievous injury to his leg-- and we see him at his most vulnerable. Knowing where this leads, for me, was such a rewarding reading experience.
This whole series is an excellent choice for fans of gritty detective mysteries, like the Mike Hammer books by Mickey Spellane.
My 3 Favorite Things:
✔️ "I came out of my chair, discovery bundled under one arm, and stared out at the cold blue waters of Cook Inlet sparking in the morning sun. The opposite shore rose and morphed into the Alaska Range. To the north, rising above the flatlands, Sleeping Lady Mountain stood stark and frosty white, and on the distant horizon, North America’s highest peak, Denali, lay hidden by clouds, unseen but ever-present." p26 Norgard is capable of gorgeous descriptive writing, which he uses to accent the story's dark themes and slow burn pace.
✔️ "I shook her hand. “Sidney Reed, undertaker.” She eyed me quizzically. “I’ve never met someone in your, um, line of work.” “Yes, well, we’re a dying breed.”" Sidney Reed's dry humor works because Norgard is funny in the same way! I really enjoy this little character trait, the love of puns.
✔️ I love the climax of this book. It's genuinely great reading but it also links the first book to the second book along a gripping character trajectory for the main character, PI Sidney Reed.
I found an accessible digital copy of ROADKILL by R. J. Norgard on Kindle Unlimited.
Notes:
1. Content notes: death of an animal, car accident, careless driving, hit and run, vehicular manslaughter, freezing cold, exposure to the elements
The writer, RJ Norgard, is a friend of mine. I am already familiar with the main character, Sidney Reed, a PI living in Alaska, because I've had the good fortune to help edit the third book in this series, publishing soon. Listening to R.J. read chapter after chapter fascinated me and I was compelled to go back to the beginning of the story. So I read the first book, and it was completely brilliant. What a pleasure that was, to meet Sidney Reed at the beginning of his arc, to know suddenly how far that character has come. Now I'm starting the second book and I will get to fill in the middle. There's a reason second books in trilogies are always my favorites!
"An air of anticipation hung in the courtroom like a fine mist. From my seat at the defense table, I scanned the sea of faces assembled in the packed room: there were television and newspaper reporters, relatives of Willie Olson and his supporters in the native community, and members of the general public, all waiting for the show to begin." p126
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) As I thought it might be, this is my favorite book in the series (I think! still have to read the third book front to back!). In this book, Sidney Reed moves through the grittiest parts of his story-- terrible grief, grievous injury to his leg-- and we see him at his most vulnerable. Knowing where this leads, for me, was such a rewarding reading experience.
This whole series is an excellent choice for fans of gritty detective mysteries, like the Mike Hammer books by Mickey Spellane.
My 3 Favorite Things:
✔️ "I came out of my chair, discovery bundled under one arm, and stared out at the cold blue waters of Cook Inlet sparking in the morning sun. The opposite shore rose and morphed into the Alaska Range. To the north, rising above the flatlands, Sleeping Lady Mountain stood stark and frosty white, and on the distant horizon, North America’s highest peak, Denali, lay hidden by clouds, unseen but ever-present." p26 Norgard is capable of gorgeous descriptive writing, which he uses to accent the story's dark themes and slow burn pace.
✔️ "I shook her hand. “Sidney Reed, undertaker.” She eyed me quizzically. “I’ve never met someone in your, um, line of work.” “Yes, well, we’re a dying breed.”" Sidney Reed's dry humor works because Norgard is funny in the same way! I really enjoy this little character trait, the love of puns.
✔️ I love the climax of this book. It's genuinely great reading but it also links the first book to the second book along a gripping character trajectory for the main character, PI Sidney Reed.
I found an accessible digital copy of ROADKILL by R. J. Norgard on Kindle Unlimited.
Notes:
1. Content notes: death of an animal, car accident, careless driving, hit and run, vehicular manslaughter, freezing cold, exposure to the elements
December 20, 2022
This is my first R. J. Norgard suspense novel but it won't be my last. Norgard paints a vivid, well-crafted plot with great characters with the bonus backdrop of landscape and weather conditions of Anchorage, Alaska. The story weaves in courtroom drama, love and interesting personal relationships. I enjoyed the story from start to finish. I highly recommend this novel.
March 10, 2022
With its intriguing plot, non-stop action, and great characters, Road Kill is a stellar follow-up to the author's debut novel, Trophy Kill!
Road Kill, the second book in R.J. Norgard’s stunning new Sidney Reed Mystery series, is full of action and suspense. Once again, Sidney conducts a realistic investigation, going step-by-step through the information the defense team has on hand. And even though it initially looks straightforward and routine, I enjoyed how things suddenly went from 0 to 60 due to a simple, innocuous notice in the local newspaper.
Norgard’s dialogue consistently shines. Sidney is a wisecracker and his deadpan delivery had me laughing. However, some of his inner commentaries cracked me up just as much. Yet, the witty banter doesn’t all fall to Sidney; even the bad guys get some truly stellar lines. Speaking as a father, Rance Cooley pulls no punches about one of his good-for-nothing sons, Ray, and his observation is hilarious.Still, Sidney is hanging in there. He’s a vulnerable and tortured man still trying to get his life back on track after the suicide of his wife earlier in the year. You can’t help but feel for the man as he works his way through his pain and sadness. I was glad to see he's starting to direct some of his anguish toward a different direction rather than self-recrimination, and that he's questioning the suicide.
I was happy that we got better acquainted with the Anchorage newspaper reporter, Maria Maldonado; my inner matchmaker appreciates the possibilities there. But I’m even more satisfied that she is portrayed as an independent, strong, capable person and not just a convenient love interest.Even more so than the first book in the series, the Alaskan setting plays an essential role as Sidney’s case progresses. The glimpses of Anchorage, its history, and actual locations, even the mentions of streets and the views of the Alaskan terrain, gave the story something extra, and I so enjoyed it.
With its intriguing who-done-it mystery, heart-pounding action, and great characters, I recommend ROAD KILL (and this series) to mystery readers who enjoy private-eye-led cases and stories set in Alaska. I'm already looking forward to the next book, Winter Kill, which was teased at the end of this one.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.
February 16, 2022
I lived in a Alaska long ago, and the state still contains my happy place. So, when I first picked up Road Kill by R. J. Norgard, I was pleasantly surprised to find it was set in and around Anchorage. While I did not live in that fair city, I did spend some time there getting ready to move on to my final destination. This was important as it was the setting, the weather, the people and all the little quirks of living in the Final Frontier that I believe solidified this excellent mystery novel as a 5-star gem in my mind.
Road Kill is the second in The Sidney Reed Mystery series. I did not read the first yet, but I was able to jump right in. Norgard sets the tone perfectly and helps us like the main character early, establishing both who he is, why he is, and what motivates him. Sidney Reed is a Private Investigator still troubled by the death of his wife. He is hired by an attorney to help with a seemingly solid hit-and-run case resulting in the death of Willie Olson, the son of a indigenous community leader. What seems obvious is anything but. This is a solid mystery that does not lend itself to an early solution.
Tensions mount throughout the story both in the case and in Sidney’s life. The weather and descriptions of the cold certainly helped in that arena, an element of story writing that I truly enjoy. There were enough twists and turns to keep me turning pages and just enough drops of information to keep me intrigued about what happened to Sidney’s wife. The writing is crisp and at times reminded me of the noir mysteries of old with quick pacing and a satisfying conclusion.
R. J. Norgard has convinced me to pick up the first installment of The Sidney Reed Mystery series (Trophy Kill) and wait with hopeful anticipation for the third. Road Kill was an excellent book, and one that I highly recommend for mystery fans and anyone curious about life in the Final Frontier.
Road Kill is the second in The Sidney Reed Mystery series. I did not read the first yet, but I was able to jump right in. Norgard sets the tone perfectly and helps us like the main character early, establishing both who he is, why he is, and what motivates him. Sidney Reed is a Private Investigator still troubled by the death of his wife. He is hired by an attorney to help with a seemingly solid hit-and-run case resulting in the death of Willie Olson, the son of a indigenous community leader. What seems obvious is anything but. This is a solid mystery that does not lend itself to an early solution.
Tensions mount throughout the story both in the case and in Sidney’s life. The weather and descriptions of the cold certainly helped in that arena, an element of story writing that I truly enjoy. There were enough twists and turns to keep me turning pages and just enough drops of information to keep me intrigued about what happened to Sidney’s wife. The writing is crisp and at times reminded me of the noir mysteries of old with quick pacing and a satisfying conclusion.
R. J. Norgard has convinced me to pick up the first installment of The Sidney Reed Mystery series (Trophy Kill) and wait with hopeful anticipation for the third. Road Kill was an excellent book, and one that I highly recommend for mystery fans and anyone curious about life in the Final Frontier.
February 7, 2023
Very entertaining follow-up to Norgard's, Trophy Kill. The story kicks into high gear right away. Our reluctant protagonist, Sidney Reed, takes an assignment from an old colleague and defense attorney and is soon convinced the man he represents who is standing trial for the murder of an Alaskan native is innocent. The prosecution is led by an aspiring politician whose own ambition is seemingly more important than the truth. Loads of action and character development as Sidney inches his way toward a new relationship while also vowing to get to the bottom of his wife's suicide⎯if that's what it really was. Can't wait for #3, Winter Kill!
January 20, 2022
R.J. Norgard is in fine form here with his sequel to Trophy Kill in the Sidney Reed Mystery Series. We continue Reed's detective work in Alaska and spark it up with romance and murder. I'd call it Alaskan noir but also with humor and engaging characters. He handles dialogue well and keeps you figuring.
As Connie Willett Everett says, "The wise¬cracking P.I. is ever charming, and his knack for finding trouble as he wrestles his personal demons continues in this action-packed mystery. A thoroughly entertaining page turner that leaves you eager for more.”
As Connie Willett Everett says, "The wise¬cracking P.I. is ever charming, and his knack for finding trouble as he wrestles his personal demons continues in this action-packed mystery. A thoroughly entertaining page turner that leaves you eager for more.”
October 3, 2022
I felt that the mystery, in Roadkill, was laid out for us, rather than the clues leading us to solve the murder of Willie Olsen.
There were inconsistencies that I just could not get past. I have never seen a court room where the private detective sits at the defense table, as if he is co-counsel. Also, the question of whether Molly's death was really suicide was woven into the story, multiple times, by different characters. The author left many bread crumbs, but this big question went unanswered.
There were inconsistencies that I just could not get past. I have never seen a court room where the private detective sits at the defense table, as if he is co-counsel. Also, the question of whether Molly's death was really suicide was woven into the story, multiple times, by different characters. The author left many bread crumbs, but this big question went unanswered.
April 21, 2022
Great Follow-up to the Intro of Sid Reed
Learn what attracts folks to live in Alaska, rather then just have a one time visit on a bucket list. Sidney Reed is authentic - ex military CID investigator, and currently a less-than-perfect man coping in Anchorage. Will he resolve his issues over his late wife’s death and get on with the rest of his life? Maybe #3 in the series will tell.
Learn what attracts folks to live in Alaska, rather then just have a one time visit on a bucket list. Sidney Reed is authentic - ex military CID investigator, and currently a less-than-perfect man coping in Anchorage. Will he resolve his issues over his late wife’s death and get on with the rest of his life? Maybe #3 in the series will tell.
November 26, 2022
A Favorite
I liked everything a bout this book: the story, the author, the character. I Read this one first but just ordered the first in the series, Trophy Kill. Looking forward to the third in the series soon.
I liked everything a bout this book: the story, the author, the character. I Read this one first but just ordered the first in the series, Trophy Kill. Looking forward to the third in the series soon.
December 23, 2022
RoadKill is a well written tale of crime and murder
I like this author. Well thought out and written to showcase the depth of character in the main character. Nice and complex plot the is nicely resolved.
I like this author. Well thought out and written to showcase the depth of character in the main character. Nice and complex plot the is nicely resolved.
February 4, 2024
Awesome
Enjoyed the Sidney Reed series. Looking forward to the next book. R.J. keeps you reading to find out what is going to happen next. I feel I know the characters by his descriptions . Sidney is a good PI and keeps you reading.
Enjoyed the Sidney Reed series. Looking forward to the next book. R.J. keeps you reading to find out what is going to happen next. I feel I know the characters by his descriptions . Sidney is a good PI and keeps you reading.
December 7, 2022
Great Who Donit
A very savie detective solves a series of murders and breaks up a meth operation run by a father and his three sons. Lots of twists and false clues along the way.
A very savie detective solves a series of murders and breaks up a meth operation run by a father and his three sons. Lots of twists and false clues along the way.
Want to read
February 27, 2023Freebooksy Second in series
July 4, 2025
Very well written! Kept my interest and loved the twists and turns it took. Had been to Alaska and recognized some of the places he talked about
September 7, 2022
Loved Sidney’s sense of humor. It was so hard for me to put this book down. The pace was quick, but not too fast that you got lost. Excellent book!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews