The Girl in the Ice by Robert Bryndza

When DCI Erika Foster arrives at her new post she is expecting to be assigned administrative duty.  She has just returned to work after an extended absence because her last case went tragically wrong, leading to the death of her husband.  Six months later, she ready to work (she thinks) but isn’t in the greatest place still.  A desk job seems like something she can handle.  Her boss, however, has other ideas – assigning her to a high profile murder case.

That morning, the body of a beautiful, rich, and well known young socialite has been found, frozen in an icy lake.  The press are already all over it, as is the girl’s wealthy father.  Erika, it seems, is thought to be the best woman for the job…something the DCI who thought he would be in charge of the case doesn’t agree with.

Angry at being demoted, he is determined to show that Erika’s appointment is a mistake and, as the case progresses, she gives him plenty of opportunity to do just that.  Working off a hunch and some unreliable witness statements, Erika’s investigation takes her into the seedier side of London and, at the same time, up against the politically powerful family of the victim.  It’s a combination that can’t end well – and it doesn’t, though this leads to some interesting plot twists and opportunities for Erika to find herself on the outs with her colleagues and in danger – just what you want in this type of book.

Despite her sometimes erratic behaviour, though, it’s hard not to like Erika – in part because of her back story, which makes her fragile, vulnerable and her actions understandable but also because she really cares for the victims (yes, there is more than one).  She’s also pretty good to her team, letting them take the lead when she isn’t able.  As a result, the other two main characters in this book, detectives Moss and Peterson are well developed (as is Erika), something you often don’t see in this type of book where there is a lot of focus on one main character.

Each of them feels solid, as is the plot, which is fast paced with plenty of twists and turns. The book itself is well-written and drew me in from the first.  The imagery of a young girl trapped in the ice was well done and a great way to open a book.  It stuck with me throughout.  I don’t think I lost focus once during the entire time I was reading it, rare for me.  And whilst I did guess who did it, it was more by instinct than anything given away.  I still wasn’t 100% sure right till the end and that is always a good thing – leaving me liking this book a lot (and about to purchase the next in the series which has just been released!).

Emma