Shortly after she arrives at the conference she runs into an old acquaintance Doug, Comley. Comley invites her to accompany him, a few of his friends, and his thirteen year old daughter on an impromptu ski trip. Thinking that it will do her good to do something without making extensive plans, Maura doesn’t call Daniel or tell any of her other close friends of her changed plans.

A sudden snow storm strands the group in a remote location. By chance Maura notices a sign which leads the group to a deserted village. A first delighted that they have found shelter from the storm, Maura and her companions become uneasy when they discover several signs that indicate all the inhabitants have left their homes in a hurry. They fear that no one will come to rescue them as no one knows where they have gone and the village may not be checked until spring.

Members of the group are divided about the best course of action. Several schemes are proposed and the anxiety level rises as they realize that someone on snowshoes has been watching them.

Meanwhile back in Boston, Daniel Brophy is anxious that he has not heard from Maura. When she does not return on her scheduled flight, he is ready to call out the cavalry. He finally convinces Detective Jane Rissoli and her husband, FBI agent Gabriel Dean, that they should contact law enforcement officials in Wyoming to trace Maura’s movements. Their conclusions negate any foul play until an SUV, which had been rented by Douglas Comley, is found burned with several charred bodies inside This finding is enough to send Jane and Gabriel to Wyoming to bring back the charred remains of her best friend Maura.

Ice Cold is a welcome addition to the popular Rissoli and Isles series.With the introduction of the duo on television this summer it will certainly attract a larger reading audience. Those familiar with the television series should be forewarned that they will be missing significant pieces of the lives of the characters if they have not read all the books that precede this one. Though the story can be enjoyed as a standalone there are references to prior events in the lives of the major protagonists that only those familiar with the series will appreciate.

The first half to two thirds of the book is pure thriller material. Events occur at a rapid pace. One crisis is quickly followed by another. After that readers are treated to interesting medical facts and procedures. A great deal more of Maura’s personality, grit and determination are revealed as she is forced to apply her medical skills in trying circumstances. In addition she must confront some of her personal relationship demons. In the past, things that made her uncomfortable were able to be avoided. In this adventure she cannot take refuge in her job as medical examiner.

While Ice Cold is a very entertaining read, peppered with interesting medical facts, there is not as much depth to this novel as there are in some of Gerritson’s standalone novels. It is certainly a good chance to catch up with Jane and Maura and see how they perform out of their normal environment but the reader is not likely to sit up late at night pondering moral issues posed by the author.

--Andy Plonka