LH Thomson’s Cold City contrasts Edmonton, Canada with Detroit, USA in an exciting mystery thriller starring Canadian legal aid lawyer Jessica Harper and former sports star Cobi Tate. Tate’s fall from grace has led him to some uninspiring occupations and places, but now he hopes to turn his life around by working for the good guys. Meanwhile Jessica needs to be sure just who the good guys are. A rich man has died. A poor man has the money and the murder weapon. And the plot thickens with the ice.

Jessie is a nicely drawn character, helping rather than judging those she meets, and putting to good use the lessons learned as a member of society’s minority First Nations. Cobi, from another minority, has other lessons and skills to use. And both have their histories, told with good timing and to good effect.

The dialog is convincing. Details of Edmonton’s environs and its court procedures feel vividly real. And swift scene changes keep the action exciting and the reader turning pages. Psychological profiles, woven into conversation, are interesting and informative. And the sense of a foreigner negotiating a place with different culture and customs feels very real to me.

Occasional odd word choices might be Canadian. But nothing could stop me enjoying this fast exciting read. Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I was given an ecopy and I offer my honest review. ( )