From Ice to Ashes

by Jessica Simon

When a terrorist infiltration overtakes the Yukon Arctic Ultra--the most challenging human-powered race in the world--Auxiliary RCMP Markus Fanger leads a manhunt for North America's most imminent threat. With the help of Donjek Stoneman, a young offender attempting to clean up his life by serving as a race official, Fanger traces the menace to Arctic civilization through the frozen northland of Dawson City, Yukon to Fort Greely, Alaska, where a desperate man seeks vengeance against the United States government. From Ice to Ashes is a fast-paced thriller that transports the mystery genre into an area seldom explored in North American literature.

260 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2009

About the author

Jessica Simon has called the Yukon home for over twenty years. Currently a literary arts columnist for What’s Up Yukon, Simon has contributed articles to San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, Outdoor Edge, Yukon News, and Yukon, North of Ordinary. Before devoting her life to the written word, she worked as a typesetter, first aid instructor, and guide for a wilderness tourism company for German-speaking visitors to the Yukon, which she co-founded with her husband. She lives near Whitehorse.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the last week I read From Ice To Ashes by Jessica Simon. This book was unlike any mystery I had ever read before.

This adventure mystery is set in the Yukon Territory of Canada near the Alaskan border, in February, during an endurance race called The Yukon Arctic Ultra , (which is a real race by the way!) . The Yukon Arctic Ultra race is a race through the arctic tundra, spanning up to 430 miles beginning in Whitehorse, Yukon . It is a multiday marathon with three disciplines, mountain bike, Cross Country Skies or on foot! This is the toughest Ultramarathon in the world and temperatures drop upto -50 and then there is the wind chill to consider.

The book focuses on those putting the race on, the organizers and the volunteers, as much as the contestants. The gripping story line of a potential terrorist attack being carried out during the race coupled with the relationship between Auxiliary RCMP member Markus Fanger and his unlikely partner, young offender and juvenile delinquent Donjek Stoneman will have you turning the pages and not wanting to put this book down. I was blown away by the way Jessica unfolded the mystery, the story and described in glorious detail of the beauty, mystery and rugged terrain of the Yukon. I am in awe of the idea of a race such as this, throw in some very tough and strong characters and a mystery that feels ripped from the headlines and you have From Ice To Ashes. I will say this author Jessica Simon tells a great story and is very careful to be respectful in the way she delivers the story, respectful to the people of the Yukon, those who are first nation aboriginal and to the Muslim community. She represents the North extremely well! This book had my heart pumping, my feet freezing and me not wanting to put it down. I feel like I learned about the Yukon, I learned about perseverance, endurance and personal strength in the face of adversity. This was a very impressive read.

[Glynis Whiting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon creates gripping atmosphere, making the best of the -40 temperature to send a dramatic chill from the spine to the toes. Impeccable research adds to the tension. Anyone who has ever spent a winter in a cold and snowy climate will relate to the story.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because I will be running the marathon distance of the YAU next week. The storyline moved along at a fast pace but I didn’t feel there was enough character development to become invested in the outcome.