Christine's Reviews > The Girl in the Ice

4.5 stars

I wish to thank Net Galley, Bookouture, and Robert Bryndza for an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Robert Bryndza writes chick lit. SAY WHAT??? I was paralyzed with confusion when I went to check out other books written by this author. Are there two Robert Bryndzas? No? Because the Robert Bryndza who wrote this magnificent police procedural is a terrific thriller writer! Turns out both these Robert Bryndzas are one and the same, which to me is pretty mind-blowing.

The Girl in the Ice is a superb genre-changing debut by Mr. Bryndza. The novel is what I consider my favorite type of book. It is not only an excellent police procedural with a kickass female protagonist, but it is a start of a wonderful character study of DCI Erika Foster. A few other reviewers have stated this book reminded them of the Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons, one of my very favorite authors. This is true in my case as well, though at this point Mr. Bryndza is not quite as polished as Ms. Marsons and his protagonist is not quite as well developed. I see huge potential in Mr. Bryndza’s writing, however, and would be totally surprised if he does not end up being in my exclusive shrine of favorites after another book or two.

Gosh, there is so much to like in addition to the above. I was pulled in immediately by the prologue and was gripped to the end. The plot is intricate and the delivery is rapidly paced. Many of the supporting characters are very well developed—lots of personality going on in this book. The clues are dropped here and there and we are intermittently hit with plot surprises. The police procedural aspect is extremely well done and I would love to know how the author researched this. I want to make a special note that the reader gets an eye-opening look at how politics and crime solving strive to co-exist—I found this to be disturbing business. Oh, and I was blindsided by the ending. This was a book that I truly hated to put down and was sad to see end. I want more!! Now!!

What didn’t I like? Nothing that won’t come with experience and evolution of the series (more on Erika’s backstory please).

Do I recommend The Girl in the Ice? Oh yes! Anyone who has any interest in police procedurals, especially those with vibrant characters, would be amiss to pass on this one. I haven’t been as excited by a new thriller writer since, well, Ms. Marsons. Buy. This. Book. Now.

A note on my rating: I am giving this one 4.5 stars only because I know Mr. Bryndza is on an upward trajectory, and I feel compelled to save a little room for his future, even better, novels. Since the powers to be won’t allow half stars, it is a no-brainer to round this up to 5 stars. While I await his next thriller, The Night Stalker, I am strolling over to his website to check out his chick lit selection! (-: