The Girl in the Ice
A Detective Erika Foster Novel #6
Robert Bryndza
Grand Central Publishing, April 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5387-1342-6
Trade Paperback
This debut novel introduces DCI Erika Foster, and is the start of a new series. The next novel in the series will be entitled The Night Stalker. In The Girl in the Ice, she is brought in from her previous post in Manchester, where she led a flawed operation which resulted in the deaths of several police, including her husband. Although she has yet to come to terms with her past, the detective superintendent believes her to still be an effective detective and places her in charge of the investigation of the murder of a prominent young woman from a well-to-do family.
The woman’s body is found frozen in ice. Death was caused by strangulation. Foster’s efforts are hampered by interference by the powerful father, a wealthy defense contractor, and police politics. She stands her ground, but suffers for her principles and supposed clues, while attention is focused by higher-ups on other possible “clues,” which she feels are false.
Foster is a flawed character in need of growth. Her efforts seem to be haphazard and insubordinate, resulting in her being removed as SIO of the case. The novel progresses by fits and starts, and concludes with a denouement for which no basis is laid in the preceding chapters. However, it is a good read and can be [and is] recommended, only hoping that the sequel overcomes these stated objections.
Reviewed by Ted Feit, August 2018.
Buried Under Books 
This review reminds me, once again, of how much I miss Ted Feit. Here, he gives a clear, concise idea of what the book is about and shares his feelings about it, showing how a review can have negative aspects to it yet still be a recommendation. RIP, Ted!
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Now this is one I could sink my teeth into! Thanks for the great review.
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