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Harper Connelly #3
An Ice Cold Grave
"Hired to find a boy gene missing in Doraville, North Carolina, Harper Connelly and her brother Tolliver head there-only to discover that the boy was only one of several who had disappeared over the previous five years. All of them teenagers. All unlikely runaways. All calling for Harper. Harper soon finds them-eight victims, buried in the half-frozen ground, all come to an unspeakable end. Afterwards, what she most wants to do is collect her fee and get out of town ahead of the media storm that's soon to descend. But when she's attacked and prevented from leaving, she reluctantly becomes a part of the investigation as she learns more than she cares to about the dark mysteries and long-hidden secrets of Doraville-knowledge that makes her the next person likely to rest in an ice-cold grave."
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2007
457 people are currently reading
8213 people want to read
About the author
Charlaine Harris
203 books37k followersCharlaine Harris has been a published writer for over forty years. Her first two books were standalones, followed by a long sabbatical when she was having children. Then she began the Aurora Teagarden book, mysteries featuring a short librarian (eventually adapted for Hallmark movies). The darker Lily Bard books came next, about a house cleaner with a dark past and considerable fighting skills.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,631 reviews
July 26, 2015
4 stars!
This was the best book in the series so far! Harper Connelly was struck by lightning when she was fifteen. Since then she has been able to locate dead bodies and determine their cause of death. Harper and her step-brother Tolliver travel the US using her ability to make a living. Harper and Tolliver are brought to North Carolina on their most recent job in an effort to locate missing teenage boys. Not only does Harper locate their bodies, but it turns out there is a serial killer in this small town and he's not happy that Harper has ruined his fun.
An Ice Cold Grave was the best book in the series by far. I felt the mystery was way more interesting in this book and the way it unraveled had a nice flow, compared to the first two novels where it was very all of the sudden. The murders were much more gruesome than previous novels, which was a bit surprising.
But my favorite part was watching Harper and Tolliver FINALLY reveal their attraction to each other. It's not gross to me because they're not related, and they know each other better than anyone else. It made sense. Plus it was a bonus knowing Tolliver had been way more aware of it than Harper had. He was just waiting for her to realize it, too.
So if you like paranormal mystery with some romance thrown in, this is the series for you. I'm going to hold off on reading the next book as I don't want this series to end!!!
This was the best book in the series so far! Harper Connelly was struck by lightning when she was fifteen. Since then she has been able to locate dead bodies and determine their cause of death. Harper and her step-brother Tolliver travel the US using her ability to make a living. Harper and Tolliver are brought to North Carolina on their most recent job in an effort to locate missing teenage boys. Not only does Harper locate their bodies, but it turns out there is a serial killer in this small town and he's not happy that Harper has ruined his fun.
An Ice Cold Grave was the best book in the series by far. I felt the mystery was way more interesting in this book and the way it unraveled had a nice flow, compared to the first two novels where it was very all of the sudden. The murders were much more gruesome than previous novels, which was a bit surprising.
But my favorite part was watching Harper and Tolliver FINALLY reveal their attraction to each other. It's not gross to me because they're not related, and they know each other better than anyone else. It made sense. Plus it was a bonus knowing Tolliver had been way more aware of it than Harper had. He was just waiting for her to realize it, too.
So if you like paranormal mystery with some romance thrown in, this is the series for you. I'm going to hold off on reading the next book as I don't want this series to end!!!
December 14, 2007
I like Charlaine Harris's writing, and she captures small-town southern life very well, but I find this series depressing. Harper's narrative is a perpetually gloomy monotone, reflecting her dismal life, the details of which are repeated ad nauseam in every book. To make matters worse this one is about a serial killer who targets children, and I hate reading about serial killers.
... spoilers ...
The relationship between Harper and Tolliver is creepy. Even though they're not blood relatives, they lived together as brother and sister too long for it not to feel incestuous.
... spoilers ...
The relationship between Harper and Tolliver is creepy. Even though they're not blood relatives, they lived together as brother and sister too long for it not to feel incestuous.
April 30, 2017
This one is pretty dark because the murders are of young boys who were tortured. So, be aware that it's disturbing and I definitely reminded myself that these murders were fiction.
Okay, now on to the fun stuff!
So, we all knew that brother and sister were going to start getting it on at some point, but that they were both in deep denial about their feelings. I think one of the biggest hurdles in this whole thing is how publicly they have called themselves brother and sister when they aren't really related. Once they get together there is going to be a whole lot of "What? Eww!" going on. So, Tolliver starts changing things up.
"I'm Tolliver Lang, and I accompany this lady, Harper Connelly."
Good job, Tolliver! That's not awkward at all!
It reminds me of the geeky boy who calls girls "My Lady" and acts like a Renaissance Fair worker. Just stop, kid. Please. You are so going to regret this later.
So, they finally get together, and then comes the strangest description of a sex scene I have ever read (and that's saying something. look at my "books read" amount)
I am going to give you an accurate transcription of some of the things Harper says, so beware. It's awkward.
I'll spoiler it so that my more sensitive viewers won't freak out.
Okay, that's enough. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
Is that the weirdest thing ever, or what? She said "phallus"? In her head? She thought the word "phallus"? I can honestly say that that word has never been a part of my inner monologue.
I was horrified, and yet I had to laugh. Neither of those reactions are typical or probably intended by the author.
I felt like this kid:
Other than that weird moment, I really enjoyed the book. The killings were creepy, the sex was creepier, and there were plenty of suspects for the mystery.
Okay, now on to the fun stuff!
So, we all knew that brother and sister were going to start getting it on at some point, but that they were both in deep denial about their feelings. I think one of the biggest hurdles in this whole thing is how publicly they have called themselves brother and sister when they aren't really related. Once they get together there is going to be a whole lot of "What? Eww!" going on. So, Tolliver starts changing things up.
"I'm Tolliver Lang, and I accompany this lady, Harper Connelly."
Good job, Tolliver! That's not awkward at all!
It reminds me of the geeky boy who calls girls "My Lady" and acts like a Renaissance Fair worker. Just stop, kid. Please. You are so going to regret this later.
So, they finally get together, and then comes the strangest description of a sex scene I have ever read (and that's saying something. look at my "books read" amount)
I am going to give you an accurate transcription of some of the things Harper says, so beware. It's awkward.
I'll spoiler it so that my more sensitive viewers won't freak out.
Okay, that's enough. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
Is that the weirdest thing ever, or what? She said "phallus"? In her head? She thought the word "phallus"? I can honestly say that that word has never been a part of my inner monologue.
I was horrified, and yet I had to laugh. Neither of those reactions are typical or probably intended by the author.
I felt like this kid:
Other than that weird moment, I really enjoyed the book. The killings were creepy, the sex was creepier, and there were plenty of suspects for the mystery.
July 21, 2022
After being struck by lightning at age fifteen, Harper Connelly developed the ability to find a body and see the last few minutes of their life. She has been hired by a woman in North Carolina to find her grandson who has been missing for three months. Harper finds his body and a lot more. There are many bodies at this site...all the victims of a serial killer. After seeing these boy’s gruesome deaths, Harper just wants to get out of town. But when an attack puts her in the hospital, she gets caught up in the evil permeating this little town.
This is the third book in the Harper Connelly series and the best so far. It is much darker than the past books in the series. Some readers may be disturbed by the descriptions of the victim's manners of death.
Harper finally admits her feelings for Tolliver. Many readers don't like this because they feel she is in love with her brother. He is not her brother. It makes sense to me since they have such a close relationship.
I enjoyed trying to guess the identity of the killer since there were several viable suspects. I hope to jump into the last book of the series soon. My rating: 5 Stars.
This is the third book in the Harper Connelly series and the best so far. It is much darker than the past books in the series. Some readers may be disturbed by the descriptions of the victim's manners of death.
Harper finally admits her feelings for Tolliver. Many readers don't like this because they feel she is in love with her brother. He is not her brother. It makes sense to me since they have such a close relationship.
I enjoyed trying to guess the identity of the killer since there were several viable suspects. I hope to jump into the last book of the series soon. My rating: 5 Stars.
October 2, 2008
No. No no no no no. This book was bad. The mystery bit and the plotty bits were kind of all right, I would even say this was one of the best in the series if it hadn't been for the amount of creepiness in the book. OMFG DON'T SLEEP WITH YOUR BROTHER YOU MORON. I was so creeped out by the relationship in this book it ruined the entire thing. Okay, so they aren't biological brother and sister, but have been living together as siblings for about 10 years. It was just sooo awkward and sooo creepy. Ruined everything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2024
Well, there is quite the twist in this book, as foreshadowed in Grave Surprise. Nothing to do with the mystery and everything to do with Harper. If you've read the series, you know what I'm talking about and if you haven't, I'm not going to spoil it for you.
This crime is a bit more gruesome than is usual in Harris' books. Plus Harper gets physically damaged to a greater extent. But the author keeps the tension well, right to the end. Once again Xylda and Manfred Bernardo are instrumental to the plot, reminding me that I want to get back to Midnight, Texas again soon. Plus, I've wondered how Harris names her characters. Her choices seem quirky to me, but I've not spent much time in the southern states so I'm not familiar with their naming customs.
There's only one book left in this series, which is kind of a shame. I really like Harper and Harris has given her such an unusual talent. At least I have one left to enjoy plus rereading the Midnight books. Maybe I'll even revisit the Lily Bard series. I find this author to be very binge-able.
This crime is a bit more gruesome than is usual in Harris' books. Plus Harper gets physically damaged to a greater extent. But the author keeps the tension well, right to the end. Once again Xylda and Manfred Bernardo are instrumental to the plot, reminding me that I want to get back to Midnight, Texas again soon. Plus, I've wondered how Harris names her characters. Her choices seem quirky to me, but I've not spent much time in the southern states so I'm not familiar with their naming customs.
There's only one book left in this series, which is kind of a shame. I really like Harper and Harris has given her such an unusual talent. At least I have one left to enjoy plus rereading the Midnight books. Maybe I'll even revisit the Lily Bard series. I find this author to be very binge-able.
April 5, 2021
This re-read finally brought me to my favorite installment of this series.
I love the development of the OTP. I do feel bad for Manfred because I love his character, but I’m not that upset.
I find the premise of this mystery intriguing...the idea of Harper finding a serial killer burial ground and how she handles it and then works towards the answer was very well done.
I honestly don’t remember how the series ends... the most I remember about the last book is all the family drama 🤷🏻♀️
I love the development of the OTP. I do feel bad for Manfred because I love his character, but I’m not that upset.
I find the premise of this mystery intriguing...the idea of Harper finding a serial killer burial ground and how she handles it and then works towards the answer was very well done.
I honestly don’t remember how the series ends... the most I remember about the last book is all the family drama 🤷🏻♀️
October 23, 2014
The third book in the Harper Connelly series, it was a fun, quick read. Harper was struck by lightening & now can find dead people. She can tell how they died, but that's it. This time she runs into a serial killing & a lot of trouble. Kind of predictable overall, the details were fun to read. There are some added twists & turns to the plot that were fun.
I'd give this book 4 stars, just because it was such a fun, quick & relaxing read, but Harris just annoys me by constantly bringing up Harper's past. Yes, I know it defines her, but quit beating me over the head with it! There are entire paragraphs of self-pity that I continually have to skip over. She could reference it in a few words, a sentence at the most, but no! She has to recap it again & again. Not only have we read it in previous books, but also in this one! Enough already!!!
Still, I want to read the next one. Her works are like chips. They're not all that filling & I can't seem to put them down. I have to read just one more....
I'd give this book 4 stars, just because it was such a fun, quick & relaxing read, but Harris just annoys me by constantly bringing up Harper's past. Yes, I know it defines her, but quit beating me over the head with it! There are entire paragraphs of self-pity that I continually have to skip over. She could reference it in a few words, a sentence at the most, but no! She has to recap it again & again. Not only have we read it in previous books, but also in this one! Enough already!!!
Still, I want to read the next one. Her works are like chips. They're not all that filling & I can't seem to put them down. I have to read just one more....
April 16, 2016
Ice Cold Grave
4 Stars
Harper and Tolliver travel to Doraville, North Caroline when they are hired to find a missing teenager. Harper soon realizes that she has bitten off more than she can chew when she discovers the horrific burial ground of a deranged killer who has been committing unspeakable crimes for quite a while and has no intention of allowing Harper to get in his way …
This installment in the Harper Connolly series takes a darker turn toward the serial killer thriller genre rather than cozy mystery. Nevertheless, the plot is gripping with several heart-stopping descriptions and nail-biting scenes to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
Harris captures the nuances of small town life so well. Doraville epitomizes the idea of still waters running deep and people remaining unaware of the terrible atrocities that occur right under their noses committed by neighbors they have known all their lives. The villains in this book are true abominations not only due to their despicable actions, but because they conceal their true natures so easily - actual devils in disguise.
***Warning: Mild spoiler ahead***
The romance between Harper and Tolliver seems to be the main bone of contention for many reviewers who view their relationship as creepy and incestuous. For me, it contributes to rather than detracts from the appeal of the story. The subtle chemistry and attraction between the two is apparent from book one and the progression to a sexual relationship is not only natural, but inevitable given that they are not biological siblings and care so deeply for one another.
All in all, Ice Cold Grave is a fantastic addition to the series although readers who prefer less gruesome cozies may be disappointed.
4 Stars
Harper and Tolliver travel to Doraville, North Caroline when they are hired to find a missing teenager. Harper soon realizes that she has bitten off more than she can chew when she discovers the horrific burial ground of a deranged killer who has been committing unspeakable crimes for quite a while and has no intention of allowing Harper to get in his way …
This installment in the Harper Connolly series takes a darker turn toward the serial killer thriller genre rather than cozy mystery. Nevertheless, the plot is gripping with several heart-stopping descriptions and nail-biting scenes to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
Harris captures the nuances of small town life so well. Doraville epitomizes the idea of still waters running deep and people remaining unaware of the terrible atrocities that occur right under their noses committed by neighbors they have known all their lives. The villains in this book are true abominations not only due to their despicable actions, but because they conceal their true natures so easily - actual devils in disguise.
***Warning: Mild spoiler ahead***
The romance between Harper and Tolliver seems to be the main bone of contention for many reviewers who view their relationship as creepy and incestuous. For me, it contributes to rather than detracts from the appeal of the story. The subtle chemistry and attraction between the two is apparent from book one and the progression to a sexual relationship is not only natural, but inevitable given that they are not biological siblings and care so deeply for one another.
All in all, Ice Cold Grave is a fantastic addition to the series although readers who prefer less gruesome cozies may be disappointed.
November 1, 2019
My one-sentence/one-star review of this book (is me quoting Anchorman because, accurate): "Well, that escalated quickly."
While I'm 100% sex-positive in books (and life, because to hell with fundamentalist Christian values that delight in making sex shameful), I really really really really really (REALLY) didn't need to know what Tolliver's "phallus" looks like. Harris' disturbingly detailed descriptions of Harper + Tolliver sexing each other up was not crucial (or in any way necessary) to my reading of this series, and in fact, (for me) derailed the narrative to a point of being laughable and shudder-inducing.
I don't hate Tolliver and Harper being in love; they started the series in love and I hope this series ends with them living happily and creepily ever after. I just really didn't expect the level and amount of graphic sex book three delivers, when the first 2.5 books were mostly devoid of sex, featuring a handful of vague references, at best.
Bonus points to Harris for keeping me on my toes, I suppose, but I would really like her to pivot back to the paranormal mystery part of the series, and Harper's gift, as opposed to anything and everything else. There is so much nonsensical filler in these books it's becoming increasingly cumbersome to wade through.
My biggest and most unforgivable beef with this book, though, lies in one of the descriptions of the heinous crime(s) she's sent to uncover. You can't call rape "sex" and get away with it. Not with me, anyway. Harris should know better, as should any/all of her editors. But therein lies the problem with this series with regard to editors after book one: It doesn't read like she had any.
[One star for being a book I won't soon forget, even if I'd like to.]
While I'm 100% sex-positive in books (and life, because to hell with fundamentalist Christian values that delight in making sex shameful), I really really really really really (REALLY) didn't need to know what Tolliver's "phallus" looks like. Harris' disturbingly detailed descriptions of Harper + Tolliver sexing each other up was not crucial (or in any way necessary) to my reading of this series, and in fact, (for me) derailed the narrative to a point of being laughable and shudder-inducing.
I don't hate Tolliver and Harper being in love; they started the series in love and I hope this series ends with them living happily and creepily ever after. I just really didn't expect the level and amount of graphic sex book three delivers, when the first 2.5 books were mostly devoid of sex, featuring a handful of vague references, at best.
Bonus points to Harris for keeping me on my toes, I suppose, but I would really like her to pivot back to the paranormal mystery part of the series, and Harper's gift, as opposed to anything and everything else. There is so much nonsensical filler in these books it's becoming increasingly cumbersome to wade through.
My biggest and most unforgivable beef with this book, though, lies in one of the descriptions of the heinous crime(s) she's sent to uncover. You can't call rape "sex" and get away with it. Not with me, anyway. Harris should know better, as should any/all of her editors. But therein lies the problem with this series with regard to editors after book one: It doesn't read like she had any.
[One star for being a book I won't soon forget, even if I'd like to.]
August 7, 2025
Harper Connelly has one supernatural ability: She can sense where corpses are buried and determine their cause of death. Doraville, N.C.’s sheriff calls Harper in to help find the bodies of six boys, aged 14 to 18, who had disappeared over the last five years. Which she does, revealing the work of a sadistic serial killer. Now Harper just has to get out of Doraville alive, which will prove more complicated than she had expected.
An Ice Cold Grave is the most shocking and suspenseful novel in this series — and that’s saying something! It would be to reveal too much, so I’ll just say I devoured this page-turner over two days, despite having a lot to do.
An Ice Cold Grave is the most shocking and suspenseful novel in this series — and that’s saying something! It would be to reveal too much, so I’ll just say I devoured this page-turner over two days, despite having a lot to do.
January 6, 2010
Am I the only one who finds Charlaine Harris's sex writing to be CRINGE-WORTHY? It was fine when Sookie was bonking vampires -- sexy, even -- but I found the way Harper reacted to Tolliver to be a little inauthentic and a pathetic attempt at making a perfectly acceptable mystery novel with likable characters into something titillating. (It wasn't. At all.)
What's upsetting is that I wasn't against the relationship -- I actually like that they're in love, and I find them even more appealing as a couple. But really, did we need Harper talking about Tolliver's "dick"? And acting like catching a glimpse of it in the shower was an image she held onto? I'm sorry, and perhaps I'm revealing a bit about myself here, but honestly, I don't know a single woman who suddenly found a man attractive because she GLIMPSED HIS PENIS. Ladies and gentlemen, penises are not sexy organs, though they work well for what they're designed for. But no no, we were treated to TWO PARAGRAPHS that included the words "phallus" (HELP ME) and "dick" and ... it didn't sound like Harper. None of it.
It was cheap, and it cheapened the whole novel. It was also a little ironic, and not in a good way, that Harper and Tolliver were having all of this lovely sex while working on a case where young boys were being raped and tortured.
The whole thing was like eating a meal of sour pickles, cottage cheese, dark chocolate and durian. All good tastes, but they are plenty nauseating when served on the same plate.
What's upsetting is that I wasn't against the relationship -- I actually like that they're in love, and I find them even more appealing as a couple. But really, did we need Harper talking about Tolliver's "dick"? And acting like catching a glimpse of it in the shower was an image she held onto? I'm sorry, and perhaps I'm revealing a bit about myself here, but honestly, I don't know a single woman who suddenly found a man attractive because she GLIMPSED HIS PENIS. Ladies and gentlemen, penises are not sexy organs, though they work well for what they're designed for. But no no, we were treated to TWO PARAGRAPHS that included the words "phallus" (HELP ME) and "dick" and ... it didn't sound like Harper. None of it.
It was cheap, and it cheapened the whole novel. It was also a little ironic, and not in a good way, that Harper and Tolliver were having all of this lovely sex while working on a case where young boys were being raped and tortured.
The whole thing was like eating a meal of sour pickles, cottage cheese, dark chocolate and durian. All good tastes, but they are plenty nauseating when served on the same plate.
September 9, 2020
An Ice Cold Grave is the third book in the Harper Connelly series by American author, Charlaine Harris. The audio version is read by Alyssa Bresnahan. Harper’s latest assignment is a law enforcement invitation by Sandra Rockwell, sheriff of Doraville, in Knott County, South Carolina in the middle of winter. The Sheriff is grasping at straws trying to find six boys gone missing over the last five years. Harper finds them all, and two more: a serial killer’s icy graveyard. But before she and Tolliver can depart the town, someone attacks her, landing her in hospital. Psychic Xylda Bernardo and her grandson Manfred (see Grave Surprise) turn up to help, but land in their own hot water. Eventually a serial killer is arrested (but not before another boy dies) so the townspeople can rest easy. Or can they? This instalment features murder , suicide, a lake cottage, power cuts, an ice storm, an underground chamber, quick-thinking neighbours, quite a lot of hospital visits, several suspects, a red herring or two and an exciting climax. Guns, knives and shovels are used as weapons. Harris has created a series with likeable characters and an original plot. The relationship between Harper and Tolliver takes a turn and readers will look forward to the final book in the series, Grave Secret.
June 25, 2008
I love all 3 books in this series by Charlaine Harris. Harper, the protag, was hit by lightning as a child and suddenly was able to sense the presence of dead bodies and how they died.
She and her "not" brother (her mother married his father) travel the country, helping families find closure when their missing dead are found.
Two things I love: the relationship of Harper and Tolliver (her "not" brother )is genuine and sweet. They are mutually supportive and fiercely protective. The other thing (as a self-employed person, myself) is that they are not ashamed to charge people for the valuable services they provide, despite the fact that they are scorned, hassled, even reviled, because they need to make a living doing the work they do.
As always, Ms. Charlaine does a fab job of introducing the reader to a wide variety of characters and making us love or hate 'em. :)
She and her "not" brother (her mother married his father) travel the country, helping families find closure when their missing dead are found.
Two things I love: the relationship of Harper and Tolliver (her "not" brother )is genuine and sweet. They are mutually supportive and fiercely protective. The other thing (as a self-employed person, myself) is that they are not ashamed to charge people for the valuable services they provide, despite the fact that they are scorned, hassled, even reviled, because they need to make a living doing the work they do.
As always, Ms. Charlaine does a fab job of introducing the reader to a wide variety of characters and making us love or hate 'em. :)
February 13, 2021
4.5 rounded down.
Review to come. Dang-nabbited brain-fog!
Review to come. Dang-nabbited brain-fog!
August 13, 2013
Okay, this book was kinda gross, and I don't mean because of the incestuous vibes. The murders were much nastier, there was more risk to Harper and Tolliver, and yet Harper's focus on the case felt so much less because of the developments in her relationship. I can understand why people didn't like that aspect of this book: I've seen it coming, and was actually quite hopeful about it, but I don't see why after two books suddenly there has to be a bunch of explicit (if somewhat mechanical) sex. I remember the sex in the first book being a lot less graphic, and I'd rather it stuck like that.
Still, it's a pretty enjoyable book for what it is, if you're not looking for too deep and involving a read. There're some recurring characters, developments in a certain over-arching plot, and while I might not like some of the narrative choices to do with the newly-developing relationship, I've been hoping for it and emotionally it was well done.
Definite trigger warnings for rape, incest and torture. Not all terribly explicit, but bad enough. And I'm not sure I don't feel like there's a bit of homophobia in it, too.
Still, it's a pretty enjoyable book for what it is, if you're not looking for too deep and involving a read. There're some recurring characters, developments in a certain over-arching plot, and while I might not like some of the narrative choices to do with the newly-developing relationship, I've been hoping for it and emotionally it was well done.
Definite trigger warnings for rape, incest and torture. Not all terribly explicit, but bad enough. And I'm not sure I don't feel like there's a bit of homophobia in it, too.
November 23, 2009
Harris is losing me again. This series is taking a weird turn, just like her Lily Bard series, which I abandoned after book 2. I like Harris for her stories set in small towns, with colorful characters, with families full of dark secrets and back stories. "An Ice Cold Grave" is just too dark for my taste - mass graves, serial killers, teenage sociopath torturing animals... That's not what I care for. Plus the relationship between Tolliver and Harper - not comfortable with it. Too quick of a transition from brother/sister (even though biologically they aren't) to lovers. Too ewww for my taste. I might have been OK with the entire thing if their relationship was portrayed as tender and romantic, but no - it is too lustful and outright gross at times. As for the sex scenes - ew again. Harris definitely pushes the envelope here - she makes these scenes risque and rather unsavory and dirty.
I am planning to read the 4th (last) book in the series just to get done with it, but without much excitement.
I am planning to read the 4th (last) book in the series just to get done with it, but without much excitement.
February 16, 2015
I have never read any books in this series or by Charlaine Harris and did not realize that she was the author of the very popular Sookie Stackhouse series until after I started it. I thoroughly enjoyed the premise and fast moving story line. Quite an interesting twist to put on a paranormal book. After a young woman is struck by lightening she has the ability to find the dead and tell you how they died. She and her once step brother make a living at it while searching for her sister who was killed.
When they are hired by a grieving grandmother to find her grandson in a small town, it becomes clear that his body is going to lead them into an investigation to find a serial killer. Parts of the story get very grafic and there are sex scenes. Even though this was a very good book I wish I would have started with the first book because there are definitely parts that I had missed. Now that I have read this one, however, too much is revealed to start at the beginning so I will just move forward in the series.
When they are hired by a grieving grandmother to find her grandson in a small town, it becomes clear that his body is going to lead them into an investigation to find a serial killer. Parts of the story get very grafic and there are sex scenes. Even though this was a very good book I wish I would have started with the first book because there are definitely parts that I had missed. Now that I have read this one, however, too much is revealed to start at the beginning so I will just move forward in the series.
May 13, 2013
Quick review:
Cover: Interesting
Rating: NC-17
Steaminess: SO HOT
Thumbs Up: 4
Overall: I enjoyed it
Characters: Well Done
Plot: First, finally. Then, there is a serial killer on the loose
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Manfred
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
I feel like I could breathe. This story finally got somewhere in the romance department. The mystery in this one sucks with a serial killer on the loose. It’s just really sad to read about whether fact or fiction. I figured out the killer pretty quick once introduced.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Audio Review
Alyssa Bresnahan did a really good job with this series. She really brought this series to life for me.
Cover: Interesting
Rating: NC-17
Steaminess: SO HOT
Thumbs Up: 4
Overall: I enjoyed it
Characters: Well Done
Plot: First, finally. Then, there is a serial killer on the loose
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.? Yes
Recommend: Yes
Book Boyfriend: Manfred
SUMMARY (50 words or less)
I feel like I could breathe. This story finally got somewhere in the romance department. The mystery in this one sucks with a serial killer on the loose. It’s just really sad to read about whether fact or fiction. I figured out the killer pretty quick once introduced.
For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at:
http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/2...
Audio Review
Alyssa Bresnahan did a really good job with this series. She really brought this series to life for me.
March 19, 2021
An excellent series; I've enjoyed every book in the Harper Connelly series thus far. I like the main characters, Harper and Tolliver very much, especially Harper, with her unique talent of being able to sense how people have died. This story has many twists in it, both crime-wise and relationship-wise and it kept the story interesting and moving along at an excellent pace. I'm very happy for some of the developments (will let you find out for yourself) and the mystery led me down paths I didn't expect. It was nice to see that sometimes Harper's talents (gift) are respected by law enforcement, rather than being treated as strictly ghoulish. I enjoyed this very much and will have to ensure I get the remaining books in the series.
May 14, 2025
Entertaining mystery listening 😉🎶
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book three of four
Harper and brother are working on another mystery of missing young men. She finds the burial ground with more bodies than expected. She gets involved in the investigation which almost cost her life 😯. It all ends happily with them on the way to the next case. 😮🐕 2025 🌃👒
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book three of four
Harper and brother are working on another mystery of missing young men. She finds the burial ground with more bodies than expected. She gets involved in the investigation which almost cost her life 😯. It all ends happily with them on the way to the next case. 😮🐕 2025 🌃👒
May 4, 2016
4.5 stars - great!
This third story featuring Harper Connelly and Tolliver Lang is the best one, yet, in my opinion. And not just because I ended it with tears in my eyes. The story was very suspenseful, full of mystery and and danger. And those responsible for the atrocities Harper uncovered managed to stay hidden for a long, long time. (I figured it out a bit sooner than Harper did, but not all that much sooner. I just realized the significance of what a certain person said right away, while it sort of went over Harper's head and was left for her to ruminate over later.)
So it was a "fun" mystery. And Harper I had been suspecting that Tolliver And I was right! But reading about how I was right was a little awkward. After seeing Harper A little circumspection in this book would have been MUCH appreciated, but it was not to be, sadly. I think that's why this book isn't hitting my "it was wonderful! 5 stars!" radar.
About the continuity issue I mentioned in my status update, I'm so turned around that I don't know which way is up any longer. Things have been out of place and wrong in all three books and I just can't remember which way they're supposed to be any longer. But one thing does stand out: on page 25, Harper tells Twyla that her sister Cameron has been missing for eight years. This contradicts what we were told in Grave Surprise, which was that she'd been missing for six years (p.34). Now they were in Memphis (in Grave Surprise) in November (p.2). In An Ice Cold Grave, we're told that it's the "end of an especially nasty January" on page 2. And on page 5 we find out that it's been just weeks since the end of the the events in Memphis. So why did Cameron go from being missing for six years to being missing for eight years when only about three months have passed? ARGH!!!!! :-(
The potential continuity issue that I was actually referring to in my status update was the fact that in this book, Harper mentions that Cameron was her older sister (p.63) who was taken when she was eighteen (p.65). I did a bit of looking in the first two books, but I can't find anywhere that says that Harper was the elder sister and Cameron was only 15 or so when she was taken. I guess that was just an impression I had. So, NO CONTINUITY ISSUE HERE. But the aforementioned one, about the length of time Cameron's been missing, is definitely a continuity issue. :'(
But thankfully, the one true continuity issue I discovered was just a minor blip and, since no other issues or errors jumped out at me, I was able to fall in love with this book. :-) As I said above, this story didn't hit my "it was amazing! 5 stars!" radar, but it still managed to be pretty great. And as I said at the beginning, this was the best book in this series so far. I did really love it. So, "4.5 stars - great!" is an accurate rating for how I feel. :-)
Oops! Almost forgot... I should say a few words on how this story ends:
Harper So that's the ending. It was pretty wonderful (for me). I really loved it, and this story. :-)
This third story featuring Harper Connelly and Tolliver Lang is the best one, yet, in my opinion. And not just because I ended it with tears in my eyes. The story was very suspenseful, full of mystery and and danger. And those responsible for the atrocities Harper uncovered managed to stay hidden for a long, long time. (I figured it out a bit sooner than Harper did, but not all that much sooner. I just realized the significance of what a certain person said right away, while it sort of went over Harper's head and was left for her to ruminate over later.)
So it was a "fun" mystery. And Harper I had been suspecting that Tolliver And I was right! But reading about how I was right was a little awkward. After seeing Harper A little circumspection in this book would have been MUCH appreciated, but it was not to be, sadly. I think that's why this book isn't hitting my "it was wonderful! 5 stars!" radar.
About the continuity issue I mentioned in my status update, I'm so turned around that I don't know which way is up any longer. Things have been out of place and wrong in all three books and I just can't remember which way they're supposed to be any longer. But one thing does stand out: on page 25, Harper tells Twyla that her sister Cameron has been missing for eight years. This contradicts what we were told in Grave Surprise, which was that she'd been missing for six years (p.34). Now they were in Memphis (in Grave Surprise) in November (p.2). In An Ice Cold Grave, we're told that it's the "end of an especially nasty January" on page 2. And on page 5 we find out that it's been just weeks since the end of the the events in Memphis. So why did Cameron go from being missing for six years to being missing for eight years when only about three months have passed? ARGH!!!!! :-(
The potential continuity issue that I was actually referring to in my status update was the fact that in this book, Harper mentions that Cameron was her older sister (p.63) who was taken when she was eighteen (p.65). I did a bit of looking in the first two books, but I can't find anywhere that says that Harper was the elder sister and Cameron was only 15 or so when she was taken. I guess that was just an impression I had. So, NO CONTINUITY ISSUE HERE. But the aforementioned one, about the length of time Cameron's been missing, is definitely a continuity issue. :'(
But thankfully, the one true continuity issue I discovered was just a minor blip and, since no other issues or errors jumped out at me, I was able to fall in love with this book. :-) As I said above, this story didn't hit my "it was amazing! 5 stars!" radar, but it still managed to be pretty great. And as I said at the beginning, this was the best book in this series so far. I did really love it. So, "4.5 stars - great!" is an accurate rating for how I feel. :-)
Oops! Almost forgot... I should say a few words on how this story ends:
Harper So that's the ending. It was pretty wonderful (for me). I really loved it, and this story. :-)
March 24, 2011
I loved this book! But to tell you why, exactly, would spoil it... so I'll tell a little about why else I like this series.
What I have loved about this series is that despite being oriented around dead bodies and a mystery, they don't read like the hundreds of crime thrillers and forensic mysteries out there. Harper Connelly is not a forensic expert and she knows it; she doesn't attempt to do the police and other experts jobs for them, in fact she bluntly refuses! This character with her unique gifts uses them the best way she knows how to help people find answers. Of course, they aren't always the answers they wanted to hear.
This particular book concentrates on a serial killing which is extremely brutal. This book seemed much more gritty and violent than the first two, which were based on family and small town discord. To tell the truth, it was a bit sickening at times and I am not easily sickened, but I think my discomfort was partly because I just hadn't expected the violence given the past books. And it matched the discomfort that Harper feels through most of the book.
And the spoiler?
Now I'm torn. I desperately want to read more of Harper Connelly, but I also love, love, LOVE the Southern Vampire Mysteries... Can we clone Charlaine Harris?! ;)
eta: Just discovered that the fourth book is the final one apparently. Now I'm torn about reading it, knowing it will be the last. I am awful about this, it took me months to watch David Tennant's last episodes as the Doctor since I didn't want it to end...
What I have loved about this series is that despite being oriented around dead bodies and a mystery, they don't read like the hundreds of crime thrillers and forensic mysteries out there. Harper Connelly is not a forensic expert and she knows it; she doesn't attempt to do the police and other experts jobs for them, in fact she bluntly refuses! This character with her unique gifts uses them the best way she knows how to help people find answers. Of course, they aren't always the answers they wanted to hear.
This particular book concentrates on a serial killing which is extremely brutal. This book seemed much more gritty and violent than the first two, which were based on family and small town discord. To tell the truth, it was a bit sickening at times and I am not easily sickened, but I think my discomfort was partly because I just hadn't expected the violence given the past books. And it matched the discomfort that Harper feels through most of the book.
And the spoiler?
Now I'm torn. I desperately want to read more of Harper Connelly, but I also love, love, LOVE the Southern Vampire Mysteries... Can we clone Charlaine Harris?! ;)
eta: Just discovered that the fourth book is the final one apparently. Now I'm torn about reading it, knowing it will be the last. I am awful about this, it took me months to watch David Tennant's last episodes as the Doctor since I didn't want it to end...
January 20, 2009
The third in this series about Harper Connolly, who can detect corpses, continues with her first serial killer case. The limitations of her ability, as always, make it hard for her to help figure out "who done it," especially when all she wants to do is leave Doraville. An ice storm helps ensure that she and Tolliver get stuck there, however. The denoument is excellently scary and dangerous (though I figured out the threat a bit faster than Harper did). I could've done without the long detailed sex scene (most of which I skipped), but Harris had been leading up to it through both the previous books, so I guess some fans were anticipating it. Still a great series and a good book - including appearances by the wacky (and sometimes scarily accurate) seeress and her weird-looking son, and events in which minor characters get to play important roles too.
August 5, 2021
I loved this book!!!
I did not know anything about this series until I read this one..
This is the third in the series and it packs quite a punch.. The story line was fresh and I was racing through the pages eager to know what was going to happen.
Some books can be like what I would imagine wading through cold porridge is like but this was a real treat !!
At times the story was heartbreaking, and reading some of the details of the crimes was stomach churning in places but Charlaine created a gem when she wrote this one.
Although I started at book three I am eager to go back and read the books I have missed after reading this one.If you have liked other Charliane books then give this a read as you wont regret it!!!
I did not know anything about this series until I read this one..
This is the third in the series and it packs quite a punch.. The story line was fresh and I was racing through the pages eager to know what was going to happen.
Some books can be like what I would imagine wading through cold porridge is like but this was a real treat !!
At times the story was heartbreaking, and reading some of the details of the crimes was stomach churning in places but Charlaine created a gem when she wrote this one.
Although I started at book three I am eager to go back and read the books I have missed after reading this one.If you have liked other Charliane books then give this a read as you wont regret it!!!
March 12, 2013
This book was quite a bit darker than the first two, with a serial killer/sexual predator and Harper's horrific discovery of the man's eight victims. The fact that he's still out there, a member of a small town who could be anyone Harper and Tolliver meet, adds to the tension. This is also the book in which Harper and Tolliver's relationship goes to a more intimate level (though seriously, did anyone besides those two fail to understand what "in the time of ice" meant? Duh.) without really overcoming, entirely, the ick factor of Harper still calling him her brother when she forgets herself. Except for that one little thing, though, I didn't see their relationship as incestuous in any way, and overall it was an enjoyable and exciting suspense novel.
December 27, 2017
My second read/listen - picked up in audible sale. Made a long car ride go quickly. I was surprised that I liked all in the series - 4 stars
March 25, 2024
Somehow I got a hardback copy of this to read .. it’s too paranormal for me. Violent and horrific.
Texarkana, TX: Harper and Tolliver were in the same family in their teens .. his father (married ?) his mother and they had two daughters together. Both parents were neglectful and eventually jailed .. which split up the family .. Cameron the oldest went missing when a senior in high school and just 18. The older kids were fostered out and two young sisters went to their Aunt Iona in Dallas.
Harper got struck by lightning @ 15 years and acquired ability to find dead people and know how they had died .. Harry Potter vibes a bit there. She is now 24 and Tolliver 28. They travel together and use her supernatural ability to help finding dead crime victims.
The setting for this story is rural N. Carolina.
(Their home these days is in St. Louis but it is only mentioned.)
I am curious about Cameron and hope for reunification with the two younger siblings .. but suspect this will be the only book I read in this series.
c2007 Berkley Prime Crime
Texarkana, TX: Harper and Tolliver were in the same family in their teens .. his father (married ?) his mother and they had two daughters together. Both parents were neglectful and eventually jailed .. which split up the family .. Cameron the oldest went missing when a senior in high school and just 18. The older kids were fostered out and two young sisters went to their Aunt Iona in Dallas.
Harper got struck by lightning @ 15 years and acquired ability to find dead people and know how they had died .. Harry Potter vibes a bit there. She is now 24 and Tolliver 28. They travel together and use her supernatural ability to help finding dead crime victims.
The setting for this story is rural N. Carolina.
(Their home these days is in St. Louis but it is only mentioned.)
I am curious about Cameron and hope for reunification with the two younger siblings .. but suspect this will be the only book I read in this series.
c2007 Berkley Prime Crime
July 4, 2023
Fue con mucho el más duro de la saga, con mucho (pasé algunos malos ratos) pero también el mejor. También con mucho. Goodreads lectores (Especial)
February 9, 2022
This was another buddy read with the lovely Summer (speaking_bookish), and I want to give this two/two and a half stars because of one specific detail I can't get over no matter how hard I try, but the mystery was just too good to warrant anything less than a solid three stars, so I grudgingly grant it that respect.
In fact, this book probably had the best mystery of the series so far, constantly and consistently keeping me in suspense. I mean, in these books/types of books, they always say everyone's a suspect, but rarely is that really the case. However, in An Ice Cold Grave, literally everyone was a suspect, I didn't trust a single one of these people and they were all cast in a suitably large net of suspicion that even if I started suspecting one person more than another, I still was never entirely sure and was jumping at each new turn, latching onto each new red herring. I found the mystery in the first two books pretty obvious, but this one was handled splendidly. You'd think I was doing ballet for how much it kept me on my toes.
So why the grudge when giving it the three stars, you ask? Well, I-I honestly can't say I didn't see it coming, anyone with eyes could see it coming from miles away, but one can still hold onto the blissful naive hope it won't happen... but it happened, and it happened so painfully awkwardly I had to look away. What happened? Well, dear reader, the most minor of spoilers but: Harper and Tolliver, who have been introduced as step siblings from the start, who have shared biological siblings, who have referred to each other as siblings in public and private time and time again, and yet who have had the weirdest, most uncomfortable and un-sibling like sexually tense bond from the start of the series... they hooked up, much to my chagrin. Now, I've tried to make my peace with this fact seeing as they're not biologically related and their parents married when they were already teenagers, but it's still weird, okay, really weird, and so is the fact they have to keep reminding each other and themselves they're not really siblings, like at that point it honestly kind of sounds like you are, (if they hadn't constantly played up the sibling angle, maybe it'd be less weird), but I have yelled enough about that particular aspect of this series, that's not even what I'm here to complain about this time, I've moved on. What I'm here to complain about is the fact that when they did hook up, even if they weren't step siblings, that was one of the most painfully cringeworthy sex scenes I have ever had the displeasure of reading in my entire life. Phallus??? Phallus, Charlaine?? What?? Harper's internal monologue during it felt horribly stilted and unusual, almost like a clinical description, like... phallus, really? Then nonsensical at times. HBO? I would almost rather she be horribly blatant. Like okay, I know I don't like reading sex scenes in general, but I have read semi-decent enough ones I can gloss over without a thought, and that one was not it, step sibling or not. A lot of the sex scenes Charlaine writes have a tendency toward the awkward I find, not just in this series. And then the conversation afterwards, have I used the word awkward enough yet?
But moving on! Because I can and will rant about how bad that was forever.
Some more random things I did like:
-Seeing more of Manfred and his grandmother, though Charlaine Harris seems to flip-flop his personality and dialogue traits at will, I still think he's an interesting character.
-The serial killer aspect, definitely makes for a little more of a kick/thrill to figure out the endgame, very good use of Harper's gift
-The small little cameo of someone else with a gift like Harper's
-The atmosphere and creep factor was spot on
There's a couple other things but they're spoiler-y.
Some more random things I didn't like:
-Some strange uses of phrases that just feel out of place, along with odd dialogue quirks like omitted words that jar you out of the text at times. Also odd out of place dialogue in general.
-Some questionable cognitive functioning and conclusions on Harper's part
-Women still falling all over Tolliver when nothing he says/does or is described to be like sounds attractive
-The fact that Charlaine Harris feels the need to keep reminding me Tolliver has a moustache
-Massive cast so I kept forgetting names, but that's a me problem
Anyway, I am a veritable Grinch and Scrooge when it comes to my reviews, but I did enjoy trying to solve this one. Ignoring the awkward relationship and even more awkward romance, it's got a well written plot and interesting angles to explore. I am still intrigued to know what became of Harper's sister in the next book, and I had a good time with this buddy read. So, until next time. I better cut myself off here or I will end up ranting more about how badly that scene was written for hours.
In fact, this book probably had the best mystery of the series so far, constantly and consistently keeping me in suspense. I mean, in these books/types of books, they always say everyone's a suspect, but rarely is that really the case. However, in An Ice Cold Grave, literally everyone was a suspect, I didn't trust a single one of these people and they were all cast in a suitably large net of suspicion that even if I started suspecting one person more than another, I still was never entirely sure and was jumping at each new turn, latching onto each new red herring. I found the mystery in the first two books pretty obvious, but this one was handled splendidly. You'd think I was doing ballet for how much it kept me on my toes.
So why the grudge when giving it the three stars, you ask? Well, I-I honestly can't say I didn't see it coming, anyone with eyes could see it coming from miles away, but one can still hold onto the blissful naive hope it won't happen... but it happened, and it happened so painfully awkwardly I had to look away. What happened? Well, dear reader, the most minor of spoilers but: Harper and Tolliver, who have been introduced as step siblings from the start, who have shared biological siblings, who have referred to each other as siblings in public and private time and time again, and yet who have had the weirdest, most uncomfortable and un-sibling like sexually tense bond from the start of the series... they hooked up, much to my chagrin. Now, I've tried to make my peace with this fact seeing as they're not biologically related and their parents married when they were already teenagers, but it's still weird, okay, really weird, and so is the fact they have to keep reminding each other and themselves they're not really siblings, like at that point it honestly kind of sounds like you are, (if they hadn't constantly played up the sibling angle, maybe it'd be less weird), but I have yelled enough about that particular aspect of this series, that's not even what I'm here to complain about this time, I've moved on. What I'm here to complain about is the fact that when they did hook up, even if they weren't step siblings, that was one of the most painfully cringeworthy sex scenes I have ever had the displeasure of reading in my entire life. Phallus??? Phallus, Charlaine?? What?? Harper's internal monologue during it felt horribly stilted and unusual, almost like a clinical description, like... phallus, really? Then nonsensical at times. HBO? I would almost rather she be horribly blatant. Like okay, I know I don't like reading sex scenes in general, but I have read semi-decent enough ones I can gloss over without a thought, and that one was not it, step sibling or not. A lot of the sex scenes Charlaine writes have a tendency toward the awkward I find, not just in this series. And then the conversation afterwards, have I used the word awkward enough yet?
But moving on! Because I can and will rant about how bad that was forever.
Some more random things I did like:
-Seeing more of Manfred and his grandmother, though Charlaine Harris seems to flip-flop his personality and dialogue traits at will, I still think he's an interesting character.
-The serial killer aspect, definitely makes for a little more of a kick/thrill to figure out the endgame, very good use of Harper's gift
-The small little cameo of someone else with a gift like Harper's
-The atmosphere and creep factor was spot on
There's a couple other things but they're spoiler-y.
Some more random things I didn't like:
-Some strange uses of phrases that just feel out of place, along with odd dialogue quirks like omitted words that jar you out of the text at times. Also odd out of place dialogue in general.
-Some questionable cognitive functioning and conclusions on Harper's part
-Women still falling all over Tolliver when nothing he says/does or is described to be like sounds attractive
-The fact that Charlaine Harris feels the need to keep reminding me Tolliver has a moustache
-Massive cast so I kept forgetting names, but that's a me problem
Anyway, I am a veritable Grinch and Scrooge when it comes to my reviews, but I did enjoy trying to solve this one. Ignoring the awkward relationship and even more awkward romance, it's got a well written plot and interesting angles to explore. I am still intrigued to know what became of Harper's sister in the next book, and I had a good time with this buddy read. So, until next time. I better cut myself off here or I will end up ranting more about how badly that scene was written for hours.
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