Frozen Detective

by Amanda Flower

I returned for a second serving of the Piper & Porter Mystery Series with the cozy mystery Frozen Detective. Darby Piper and Tate Porter are still getting used to working together as private investigators in the Finger Lakes area. Needing more work than  just background checks, they accept a job from Cecily, Tate’s old classmate, from Harrington, NY. Clearly, now a sophisticated and rich businesswoman from New York City, Cecily hires the duo to find out who is sending threatening notes to her husband.

Darby and Tate find themselves working undercover at the Garden Peak Lodge, the most expensive ski resort in the area as “guests” of Cecily and her husband Dr. Madd, a dermatologist with a successful line of expensive skincare products.  After a New Year’s Eve bash with a lot of uncomfortable guests, Darby spots someone lying in the snow in the early morning chill. Darby and Tate’s investigations, of course, refocus to find the murderer. There are lots of people invited to the weekend with motivation and opportunity. The spotlight bounces to various possibilities including the victim’s daughter and son. The clock is ticking as guests are eager to leave since the host, their potential gravy train, is out of the picture and a blizzard is on the way. Will Piper and Tate be able to solve the crime with the help of Tiny a lovable St. Bernard?

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: # 2 in the Piper & Porter Mystery Series but could be read as a standalone.

Publication: December 6, 2022—Hallmark

Memorable Lines:

“I’m usually easy to find around the lodge. Tiny is always at my side.” He let his hand rest on the massive dog’s head.”

There weren’t many things I was afraid of, but hurling myself down the face of a mountain on a couple of slick boards was one of them. Any bravado I’d been feeling when I first said yes to the idea had dissipated. 

Instead of doing as I asked, he ran farther away from us and then stopped to look back. He barked again. “He wants us to follow him,” I said.  “Sheesh, did this dog go to Lassie school or something?” Tate wanted to know.