‘The Ice Killer’ by Ross Greenwood is the third book in a trilogy. I have been privileged enough to have read all three of these books and I have to say that in my opinion this book is the best yet! That is not to say the first two books aren’t excellent at all, far from it! They can be read as standalone also, although as always with a series, you gain a fuller picture if you have read them all.
This story is told in alternating points of view of Ellen and DI Barton who has found himself temporarily promotes to DCI due to DCI Cox, his boss being on maternity leave. He isn’t altogether pleased with this as it means he is stuck behind his desk…not a favourite thing to do for him. He does decide to escape at times, along with Zander and Strange, who are the Bees Knees for want of a better description.
As the story unfolds we learn about Ellen and, to be honest although this is slightly odd, I leaned a little towards feeling a bit sorry for her. She has spent her life being abused, used and thrown to the side like a dishrag. Even people with a solid mental health would get to a stage that they thought about exacting some kind of revenge but they would be able to understand it wasn’t the right way to go about it. Someone who has mental health issues can find the lines blurring for them, especially if they suffer some sort of breakdown or (as I know well), stop taking their medications for one reason or another. The question I asked myself who is in the wrong here, me for feeling sorry for a murderer? Or Ellen for manipulating me? I know from previous experience how easy it is to be manipulated by someone with serious mental health issues. Do we blame the illness or the person?
A story that gives us both perspectives that can cause your inner dialogue to start and not shut up, but a thrilling one that I couldn’t put down again. Barton and the team are on the case and we, again see a bit of the lighter side with Barton’s home life popping in too. I enjoy getting to see both sides of Barton and revel in his team’s investigations every time.
With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Ross Greenwood for my copy of the book for my review today.
sharonbeyondthebooks.uk 