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Thin Ice
Seventeen-year-old Arden Munro has been raised by her older brother, Scott, ever since the death of their parents 10 years earlier. He has been her only family. But now Scott too is dead--or so believe the local police and everyone in Arden's community. Arden, however, is convinced that Scott has staged his snowmobile accident and purposely disappeared. She will search until she finds him. As Arden obsessively continues her detective hunt, she is forced to examine her feelings of loss and isolation, and to finally realize that these feelings existed long before Scott's accident. Whether or not her brother reappears, where should Arden turn for the support that usually comes from family? The page-turning mystery leads to a heart-tugging conclusion that is at once hopeful and sad, piercing and satisfying.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 8, 2023
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Spoilers!
I am always a bit apprehensive about the first book I read from an author that’s new to me. Great expectations abound, but will I enjoy the book? I was pleasantly surprised. The book can be described as written in the last sentence in the synopsis:
“The page-turning mystery leads to a heart-tugging conclusion that is at once hopeful and sad, piercing and satisfying.”
Though the book was first published in 1997, I felt the way the story written is still relevant and relatable today.
The dynamics between Arden and her brother, Scott were just so relatable. Complexity was added as Scott had the “adult” role in Arden’s life since their parents died when Arden was 6 and Scott was 18, so the sibling dynamic was askew. It must have been a very tough place to be for Scott, having to uproot his newly found independence (he had just started college) when he took on the parental role. For 10 years he held it together, for his families’ sake.
One outing on Scott’s snowmobile turns out to be a near miss. So when troubles begin to abound in Scott’s life (unbeknownst to Arden), a depressed Scott takes yet another fateful ride on his new snowmobile. A seemingly innocent trip to see his girlfriend turns into tragedy yet again for Arden….her brother is missing and presumed dead.
I must say that some of the actions regarding living arrangements post-accident were odd and not entirely believable. Who would let a teenage girl live on their own so soon? Arden might be responsible, but she has just “lost” her only family – this is not an action I would see as plausible. However, it does make for interesting reading. And when things begin to go bad (missing school work, missing school, unchaperoned road trips), why was there not closer adult supervision?
Arden’s tenacity in her quest was what made the story for me. She had a vision of what happened and did not let the outside world interfere with her quest to prove her theory. As Arden slowly learns of the details of Scott’s life she begins to see and empathize with Scott as to what led him to act as he did.
It is be sheer coincidence that Arden does find her brother again. I was chagrined by the lack of consequences Scott endured for running away from his life. But the story was redeemed when Arden was able to learn how she got her name. An odd story, but every child should know the history of their name.
An enjoyable YA read which will undoubtedly have me reading more from this author in due course.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Spoilers!
I am always a bit apprehensive about the first book I read from an author that’s new to me. Great expectations abound, but will I enjoy the book? I was pleasantly surprised. The book can be described as written in the last sentence in the synopsis:
“The page-turning mystery leads to a heart-tugging conclusion that is at once hopeful and sad, piercing and satisfying.”
Though the book was first published in 1997, I felt the way the story written is still relevant and relatable today.
The dynamics between Arden and her brother, Scott were just so relatable. Complexity was added as Scott had the “adult” role in Arden’s life since their parents died when Arden was 6 and Scott was 18, so the sibling dynamic was askew. It must have been a very tough place to be for Scott, having to uproot his newly found independence (he had just started college) when he took on the parental role. For 10 years he held it together, for his families’ sake.
One outing on Scott’s snowmobile turns out to be a near miss. So when troubles begin to abound in Scott’s life (unbeknownst to Arden), a depressed Scott takes yet another fateful ride on his new snowmobile. A seemingly innocent trip to see his girlfriend turns into tragedy yet again for Arden….her brother is missing and presumed dead.
I must say that some of the actions regarding living arrangements post-accident were odd and not entirely believable. Who would let a teenage girl live on their own so soon? Arden might be responsible, but she has just “lost” her only family – this is not an action I would see as plausible. However, it does make for interesting reading. And when things begin to go bad (missing school work, missing school, unchaperoned road trips), why was there not closer adult supervision?
Arden’s tenacity in her quest was what made the story for me. She had a vision of what happened and did not let the outside world interfere with her quest to prove her theory. As Arden slowly learns of the details of Scott’s life she begins to see and empathize with Scott as to what led him to act as he did.
It is be sheer coincidence that Arden does find her brother again. I was chagrined by the lack of consequences Scott endured for running away from his life. But the story was redeemed when Arden was able to learn how she got her name. An odd story, but every child should know the history of their name.
An enjoyable YA read which will undoubtedly have me reading more from this author in due course.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
April 29, 2011
Contains Spoilers
Thin Ice by Marsh Qualey is about a girl, Arden and her search for her brother whom she believes is alive but everyone else thinks is dead. After deciding he didn't want to deal with being a parent after already raising is baby sister, Scott fakes his death and goes out to see the world. Arden continues to search for him convinced he is alive based off of very few clues and a brother-sister bond. In the end she does find him by coincidence and brings him back home to deal with the mess he made.
I liked the book in general and I did like the characters. They were well developed and the story flowed nicely. It is only getting 3 stars because while I started out liking the brother I hated him for what he did and I hated how everyone seem to take it in stride and got over it. I wish there was more of a reaction from everyone else when they learned the truth all we got was "Scott and the girlfriend are trying to work things out". It wasn't enough for me. Also something small that was bugging me, the beginning Arden gets a kiss from Scott's cop friend at her birthday party. I didn't understand the reason behind it at first I thought a relationship was going to form but since he was way older that didn't happen and the two weren't that particularly friendly in any other way other than he was her brother's friend. It just bugged me. But I really did like the book. It was my second Marsha Qualey novel and I am interested to read more of her work.
Thin Ice by Marsh Qualey is about a girl, Arden and her search for her brother whom she believes is alive but everyone else thinks is dead. After deciding he didn't want to deal with being a parent after already raising is baby sister, Scott fakes his death and goes out to see the world. Arden continues to search for him convinced he is alive based off of very few clues and a brother-sister bond. In the end she does find him by coincidence and brings him back home to deal with the mess he made.
I liked the book in general and I did like the characters. They were well developed and the story flowed nicely. It is only getting 3 stars because while I started out liking the brother I hated him for what he did and I hated how everyone seem to take it in stride and got over it. I wish there was more of a reaction from everyone else when they learned the truth all we got was "Scott and the girlfriend are trying to work things out". It wasn't enough for me. Also something small that was bugging me, the beginning Arden gets a kiss from Scott's cop friend at her birthday party. I didn't understand the reason behind it at first I thought a relationship was going to form but since he was way older that didn't happen and the two weren't that particularly friendly in any other way other than he was her brother's friend. It just bugged me. But I really did like the book. It was my second Marsha Qualey novel and I am interested to read more of her work.
September 14, 2020
High School must
I started reading this book when I was a junior in High School. Lots of friends drama going on, soccer, thinking about the future, college options and of course, my high school sweetheart. Despite of life crisis everyday and so much going on so fast, there was study hall and English class. I will never forget that day at the library when I couldn’t find anything thrilling to read until I spotted this aquamarine blue cover book and the girl almost staring at me. I knew it was going to be a good one. Specific details that lets you imagine the scenario almost let’s you taste the night supper at the Drummonds or smell the dusty basement where she would make all her special artsy collections. I had to return the book to the librarian before I could finished it, free one week max, after that dollar per day. It was a rule back at the school. I went to get it again several times but somebody had already taken it. I graduated and never stopped thinking about orphan Arden and her mysterious brother. Now and then some flashes would come randomly and with years I remembered less and less. Thirteen years later after dedicated research, I finally remembered the name of the book. I found it and bought it right away. Started from scratch and finished it in a week so I wouldn’t take my chances again, haha. Thank you so much Marsha I loved the story, I couldn’t have imagine a better ending and the intrigue is finally over. I can finally put a check to one of my bucket list. Brought me nice memories as I read along to those good old days in High School. You will always be part of my life.
I started reading this book when I was a junior in High School. Lots of friends drama going on, soccer, thinking about the future, college options and of course, my high school sweetheart. Despite of life crisis everyday and so much going on so fast, there was study hall and English class. I will never forget that day at the library when I couldn’t find anything thrilling to read until I spotted this aquamarine blue cover book and the girl almost staring at me. I knew it was going to be a good one. Specific details that lets you imagine the scenario almost let’s you taste the night supper at the Drummonds or smell the dusty basement where she would make all her special artsy collections. I had to return the book to the librarian before I could finished it, free one week max, after that dollar per day. It was a rule back at the school. I went to get it again several times but somebody had already taken it. I graduated and never stopped thinking about orphan Arden and her mysterious brother. Now and then some flashes would come randomly and with years I remembered less and less. Thirteen years later after dedicated research, I finally remembered the name of the book. I found it and bought it right away. Started from scratch and finished it in a week so I wouldn’t take my chances again, haha. Thank you so much Marsha I loved the story, I couldn’t have imagine a better ending and the intrigue is finally over. I can finally put a check to one of my bucket list. Brought me nice memories as I read along to those good old days in High School. You will always be part of my life.
December 1, 2022
A childhood reread. Funny what things stick with you (Arden's pompadour, the origin of her name, the bowling shirts, the time Arden calls the cops) and what doesn't (Jean and Kady, Hannah, Arden's seventeenth-birthday kiss). I love so many things about this pre-cellphone, barely-into-the-Internet-age type of YA (though there are also some glaring gaps, such as the way the characters are all white and straight and able-bodied and basically financially sound), and rereading now makes me think that this, like Ellen Emerson White, has been inadvertently quite influential on my own writing. Makes me want to go through other old childhood favourites and see what does, and doesn't, stand the test of time.
October 16, 2017
Great little read and then at the end it totally fell apart!
June 20, 2024
https://openbooksociety.com/article/t...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
I am always a bit apprehensive about the first book I read from an author that’s new to me. Great expectations abound, but will I enjoy the book? I was pleasantly surprised. The book can be described as written in the last sentence in the synopsis:
“The page-turning mystery leads to a heart-tugging conclusion that is at once hopeful and sad, piercing and satisfying.”
Though the book was first published in 1997, I felt the way the story written is still relevant and relatable today.
The dynamics between Arden and her brother, Scott were just so relatable. Complexity was added as Scott had the “adult” role in Arden’s life since their parents died when Arden was 6 and Scott was 18, so the sibling dynamic was askew. It must have been a very tough place to be for Scott, having to uproot his newly found independence (he had just started college) when he took on the parental role. For 10 years he held it together, for his families’ sake.
One outing on Scott’s snowmobile turns out to be a near miss. So when troubles begin to abound in Scott’s life (unbeknownst to Arden), a depressed Scott takes yet another fateful ride on his new snowmobile. A seemingly innocent trip to see his girlfriend turns into tragedy yet again for Arden….her brother is missing and presumed dead.
I must say that some of the actions regarding living arrangements post-accident were odd and not entirely believable. Who would let a teenage girl live on their own so soon? Arden might be responsible, but she has just “lost” her only family – this is not an action I would see as plausible. However, it does make for interesting reading. And when things begin to go bad (missing school work, missing school, unchaperoned road trips), why was there not closer adult supervision?
Arden’s tenacity in her quest was what made the story for me. She had a vision of what happened and did not let the outside world interfere with her quest to prove her theory. As Arden slowly learns of the details of Scott’s life she begins to see and empathize with Scott as to what led him to act as he did.
It is be sheer coincidence that Arden does find her brother again. I was chagrined by the lack of consequences Scott endured for running away from his life. But the story was redeemed when Arden was able to learn how she got her name. An odd story, but every child should know the history of their name.
An enjoyable YA read which will undoubtedly have me reading more from this author in due course.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
I am always a bit apprehensive about the first book I read from an author that’s new to me. Great expectations abound, but will I enjoy the book? I was pleasantly surprised. The book can be described as written in the last sentence in the synopsis:
“The page-turning mystery leads to a heart-tugging conclusion that is at once hopeful and sad, piercing and satisfying.”
Though the book was first published in 1997, I felt the way the story written is still relevant and relatable today.
The dynamics between Arden and her brother, Scott were just so relatable. Complexity was added as Scott had the “adult” role in Arden’s life since their parents died when Arden was 6 and Scott was 18, so the sibling dynamic was askew. It must have been a very tough place to be for Scott, having to uproot his newly found independence (he had just started college) when he took on the parental role. For 10 years he held it together, for his families’ sake.
One outing on Scott’s snowmobile turns out to be a near miss. So when troubles begin to abound in Scott’s life (unbeknownst to Arden), a depressed Scott takes yet another fateful ride on his new snowmobile. A seemingly innocent trip to see his girlfriend turns into tragedy yet again for Arden….her brother is missing and presumed dead.
I must say that some of the actions regarding living arrangements post-accident were odd and not entirely believable. Who would let a teenage girl live on their own so soon? Arden might be responsible, but she has just “lost” her only family – this is not an action I would see as plausible. However, it does make for interesting reading. And when things begin to go bad (missing school work, missing school, unchaperoned road trips), why was there not closer adult supervision?
Arden’s tenacity in her quest was what made the story for me. She had a vision of what happened and did not let the outside world interfere with her quest to prove her theory. As Arden slowly learns of the details of Scott’s life she begins to see and empathize with Scott as to what led him to act as he did.
It is be sheer coincidence that Arden does find her brother again. I was chagrined by the lack of consequences Scott endured for running away from his life. But the story was redeemed when Arden was able to learn how she got her name. An odd story, but every child should know the history of their name.
An enjoyable YA read which will undoubtedly have me reading more from this author in due course.
May 18, 2013
This was a complete page turner. It was one of books where i was completley unfamiliar with the situation at hand. I didn't know that a seven-teen year old was aloud to live by themselves. But anyway, I can't give this anymore that three stars because I don't believe the author ended it right. That's my opinion. it's very predictable that she'd have been right the whole time and he ran away. Blah Blah, happy ending. He brother should have really been dead, because that would make the book more intense. It seem s like the author got lazy and threw the last parts together. What idiot leaves the child sister alone without any parents. All he had to to was wait a year till her 18th birthday and then leave! I also didn't like the fact that it's written in the past tense. As a reader, I'd rather feel what the character is feeling AT THAT MOMENT. Since it's obvious she got through the situation out okay, since she was talking back to it. That's just my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2016
This is truly a unique story. A wonderful combination of mystery and loss. Marsha Qualey does a lovely job of portraying the frustrating and trying emotions of Arden. She is overridden with feelings of loss and confusion over the death of her parents ten years prior and the disappearance of her brother. This young adult novel is one that I truly enjoyed. It has so much emotion and heart wrapped into it's pages. It reminds me of Alice Hoffman's Green Angel in some ways, which was my favorite book for the longest time. I love the description of her feelings and how the author pulls the readers in by such vivid detail. Heart on her sleeve, this story is real and pure. The main character was so incredibly brave and hopeful despite all odds, determined to find the truth. Wonderful read!
December 22, 2008
Picked this as a good re-read for a snowy day. I have had great success booktalking this mystery because the premise is so intriguing: Everyone thinks Arden's brother died when his snowmobile crashed into a snowy river. His body is never found--and she believes he's still alive.
Anyone looking for YA mysteries to recommend should know about Thin Ice, which has great characters and is perhaps the most mainstream of Qualey's novels. (That is not intended to be pejorative toward this book or Qualey's other books; I like them all. I just think Thin Ice has the widest appeal.)
Anyone looking for YA mysteries to recommend should know about Thin Ice, which has great characters and is perhaps the most mainstream of Qualey's novels. (That is not intended to be pejorative toward this book or Qualey's other books; I like them all. I just think Thin Ice has the widest appeal.)
August 11, 2010
This was a well written book that kept my interest and was hard to put down. The main character is Arden, who has already experienced both her parents deaths and has been raised by her older brother. The story involves Arden's search for her brother. While everyone around her believes that he died in a snowmobile accident, Arden is certain that he staged the accident and has run away from his life. It is a story about grief, determination, and coming to grips with the realities of one's own life and situations.
April 5, 2013
I liked this YA book about a young girl's search for her missing (and presumed dead) brother. I think it appeals more to a female reader than to a male reader, but it was a pretty good read. Once again, I was not fond of the ending. I think the author painted the brother into a corner and just didn't deal with the consequences realistically.
October 29, 2009
Definately one of the best books I've read this year. Arden is a artistic girl who is trying to figure out her brother. She is an orphan and her brother has taken care of her since she can remember. But when something goes terribly wrong, Arden has to wonder. Will she ever see her brother again?
January 5, 2009
The ending to this book dissappointed me. I couldn't put it down, and I liked the main characters, but the unvailing of the mystery at the end didn't seem to pack the punch I expected.
July 29, 2009
This book is really good, it leads you to diff parts and u cant stop reaidng!
August 13, 2010
The storyline was really interesting, and not already used a million times. Her writing is pretty good too. The book is really a good read, and it is a good one to occupy your time with.
April 28, 2012
A nice litte mystery, but the mystery to me was not what happened. It was why it happened. The 'what happened' was obvious.
October 18, 2013
Was interested because its in Minnesota but I couldn't put it down! So good!
March 24, 2015
It was a good read.
I enjoyed the book. There were interesting characters and a good mystery. I didn't realize it was a young adult novel.
I enjoyed the book. There were interesting characters and a good mystery. I didn't realize it was a young adult novel.
May 6, 2011
AWESOME!
May 13, 2015
20/25
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March 21, 2018I love this book. I read it in high school and fell in love. I have reread it a ton
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews