M. P. Cooley

FROM AMAZON: June Lyons, the former FBI-agent-turned-small-town-cop introduced in the acclaimed Ice Shear must solve two connected cases whose roots stretch back decades in time—and dangerously touch the lives of those closest to her.

As a police officer in the rust belt town of Hopewell Falls, New York, June Lyons keeps an eye on the abandoned factories that line the Mohawk River. Spotting a slick of gasoline running across the parking lot of an old apparel factory, she quickly heads inside the building, where she discovers an unconscious woman too close to the flame. The fire destroys the building down to its sub-basements, and the badly burned woman June rescued is in a coma. No one knows who she is or how she got there.

Thirty years ago, June’s father made a name for himself when he arrested the factory’s owner, Bernie Mede, for killing his wife and child, though their bodies were never found. Sifting through the factory’s ruins, June and her partner Dave Batko discover a woman’s body sealed in a barrel. Surely, it’s Luisa Mede and the case file can be closed. But the body isn’t Bernie’s wife, it’s Dave’s mother, a troubled party-girl who disappeared when Dave was young.

As June and her neighbors discover, beneath Hopewell Falls’ charming façade lies some unbearably ugly truths—secrets that are only beginning to surface. With the case growing more complex, she teams with FBI Special Agent Hale Bascom to find answers—before everyone she loves, and the town itself, spin dangerously out of control.… (mehr)

I have not read the first book, but after reading this, I really want to go read it. You don't need to read the first one before this, it doesn't take away from following the story.

I really loved the characters, especially the main one June. She is a great cop. The main story line flowed well and it was an easy read. I had a few guesses on the bad guys and how they played a part in the crime. Some I got right and others I didn't.

I consider it a good story if I didn't get bored, the characters are well created, the mystery is natural and not crazy, and if I don't figure out what happened and who did it, early on in the book. Overall I'm pleased with what I wrote.

I'm looking forward for the third book.

I was given this book in a giveaway.… (mehr)