Storm Peak

Book was certainly a page turner. I am a fairly slow reader and managed to finish in a few weeks, which for me is quick, not lots of time to spend at a sitting. Best part of the book is that I am a regular at the resort and the many references to places in town, restaurants, etc... are all accurate. The description of the actual ski runs themselves and the regular mentioning of the gondola really kept my attention. It was supposed to be a mystery, at least that is how it was categorized here, and it fit that bill, just didn't really leave many things hanging out there to try and guess at. As a result of the book reading fast, the mystery didn't last long from chapter to chapter. For those of you that are looking for a quick read, not bad story, and are familiar with the Steamboat Springs area then I recommend this for you.

A chilling story from one of my favourite Authors about an ex-cop who ends up in a winter wonderland where a serial killer strkes at the whole ski town in revenge for past misdeeds. Jesse Parker shines as the Hero, a man nearly destroyed by the loss of his partner. He is ably abetted by his ex girlfriend, now the Sheriff. Makes me wonder about using another ski lift!

In July 2003, Denver police detectives Jesse Parker and Tony Vetano were on a drug bust assignment when a DPD black and white patrol car stopped. All hell broke out, but by the time the bullets stopped flying Tony was dead from one of Jesse's bullets. Exonerated, he quit the force anyway and came home to Steamboat Springs, Colorado where he obtains a ski patrol position. In Steamboat Springs Routt County Sheriff Lee Torrens needs help with a particularly brutal homicide as she knows she is out of her league. Although well aware of why Jesse quit the police force and personally knowing why he left town several years ago., Lee asks her friend to help with the investigation into the stabbing murder of thirty-four year old Alexander Howell. The former cop and the sheriff work together as more homicides occur and their feelings for one another as teens remain as strong as it did then. This is an enjoyable police procedural with a simmering romantic subplot that enhances the inquiry, but never intrudes on the serial murder case. Lee is a wonderful dedicated Sheriff while Jesse has battle fatigue stress disorder coping with issues that he knows will never close. Although maniacal serial killers have flooded the market, sub-genre fans will appreciate this strong Rocky Mountains whodunit. Harriet Klausner