Just Jennifer

Ice Shear by M.P. Cooley (William Morrow, August 2014)

Former FBI agent June Lyons has been in the Rust Belt of upstate New York in her hometown of Hopewell Falls since her husband was terminally ill.  Now living with her father, the former chief of police, so she and her young daughter can regain their bearings, June is content to be a small-town cop keeping her friends and neighbors safe from each other.  At the end of her night shift one evening, in the middle of the coldest spell Hopewell Falls has seen in a long time, she finds the body of a young woman, the daughter of their local congresswoman, impaled on an ice shear in the frozen river.  Secrets Hopewell Falls has successfully kept hidden, including a vigorous drug trade, quickly come to the forefront and get the notice of June’s former colleagues at the FBI, colleagues who are not especially welcome in town, especially when they deputize June against June’s protestations.  The young woman, Danielle, who had a troubled growing up, has found even more trouble married to the son of members of a notorious biker gang, even though he, by his own words and deeds, is trying to live a clean life, trying to save his brother Ray from the life Marty knew growing up.  Something doesn’t seem right to June and what she uncovers about Dani opens the door to many suspects, including Dani’s parents.  Even after the police have a suspect in custody, June’s gut tells her they are wrong and keeps searching until she finds the truth, a truth that will rock the close-knit community and have rippling effects for years to come.  This is an assuredly written debut with the well-plotted narrative of a more seasoned writer.  June is a complex character, not sure where she fits in any longer, not a member of the FBI, but not entirely accepted by her colleagues in the local police force.  She is still grieving her husband’s death, but has her young daughter to think of and keep her grounded.  The pace is brisk and crisp, echoing the bitterly cold temperatures of the season.  Fans of smart, literate mysteries with a fast-pace, well-drawn characters and surprising ending will be well pleased.