Kindle Edition, 352 pages
Published March 31st 2015 by Kensington
Synopsis: After talking her way into a job writing for Portland’s Northwest Extreme magazine, Meg Reed may now really be in over her head. Actually, about 8,000 feet over her head. . .
She’s at Mount Hood’s remote Silcox Hut, covering the the seriously hardcore Ridge Rangers– Oregon’s elite high-altitude rescue team–during their four-day winter training. Sure, Meg beefed up her outdoor skills over the summer . . . but she’s still hoping to cover the event with some hot chocolate by the cheery fireplace. Then, during a sudden blizzard, she swears she hears gunshots. No one stranded in the hut believes her . . . until self-absorbed Ridge Ranger Ben Rogers is found outside in a pool of frozen blood. Meg’s now got to find this killer quickly . . . before cabin fever does them all in!
Kate Dyer-Seeley writes the Pacific Northwest Mystery Series for Kensington Publishing, featuring the rugged landscapes of the PNW and a young journalist who bills herself as an intrepid adventurer in order to land a gig writing for Northwest Extreme.
The first two books in the series, SCENE OF THE CLIMB and SLAYED ON THE SLOPES, are available now. SILENCED IN THE SURF and FIRST DEGREE MUDDER coming in 2016.
“Dyer-Seeley’s debut fits squarely in the newer subniche that can be called ‘extreme cozy,’ meaning it’s a good mix for younger readers who like traditional mysteries but want a little more action or edginess. The author provides a splendid overview of the greater Portland and Columbia River Gorge region, perfect for travel buffs. Her freshly graduated bumbling protagonist shows promise with her determined attitude and moxie.” – Library Journal
Kate lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and son, where you can find her hitting the trail, at an artisan coffee shop, or at her favorite pub. Better yet—at all three.
Wow what an amazing continuation to a fantastic series Kate did it again because she had me gripped from cover to cover. The plot unfolded slowly and had lots of twists and turns just as the one in book one did. I received this book from the Author via the New Adult Book Club Read It Review It Programme on Goodreads for week of 26/1 (review deadline of 2/3) in exchange for an honest review.
I love the fact that Meg really attacks all the activities she does with such gusto even though she hates the activities she does as well as the fact that she is a fantastic writer. Meg is strong and determined, and always stands by her beliefs even when any of the other characters try to sway her. Jill is a strong and determined character who loves all outdoor pursuits but throughout the first book/the initial part of the second book is willing to settle for the relationship she’s in with the odious, possessive and arrogant fellow lawyer boyfriend Will. I disliked Will from the start of book 1 and so was really glad when Jill finally dumped him in book 2 after accepting the fact that he was cheating in her with a work colleague.
The fact that Meg was in a far more dangerous situation this time around meant that I was far more worried for her and when it got to the part where she jumped from the ski lift and broke her arm doing so I actually found myself cringing when Kate describe the sound of the bones breaking.
It was great to see Meg and Matt’s relationship develop further and I am really hoping that they will finally get it together in future books because they will make a fantastic couple and whenever I read a scene between them I found myself wishing that they would just tell each other how they feel. It was clear again throughout this book as with last one how much Matt cares about Meg which is shown by the fact that he is doing research into why her father died.
This book is fantastic and is part of a great series all the characters are well developed and relate able, and I loved them. It is for these reasons that I gave it a full 10/10 rating (goodreads star rating of five stars).