Dead of Winter

Louis Kincaid Mysteries: 2

ISBN: 0-7860-1189-0 Order from: Amazon.com

A tense, frequently frustrating book of murders in a small Michigan town, this noirish mystery has too little fun to balance the dark and realistic events.

Reviewed by David on September 27, 2001

Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural)

Synopsis: Police Detective Louis Kincaid is happy to find a job with the Loon Lake Police. Despite its remoteness and small size, the town boasts a competent police depatrment; and after Louis' painful experience in the South, he is happy to find a place where his skills, not his skin color, will matter.

Full of hope and apprehension, Kincaid is not ready for the explosive feelings he encounters at Loon Lake. His attraction to the secretive artist, the unsolved puzzle of his predecessor's murder, all challenge Kincaid. But when additional murders start, and Kincaid, along with the other police come face-to-face with hatred and fear, Kincaid's detective skills may mean his survival.

Full Review: The book is well-paced and full of tension. From the mild feelings of apprehension and embarassment, to the burning shame, fear and anger that Kincaid experiences as tensions rise and mysteries multiply, this novel is clear and realistic in its portrayal. The plot is interesting and solid, although at times too predictable. A romantic subplot, with its own secrets and problems is a good foil for the main mystery.

However, the largely dark tone of the book leaches much of the enjoyment from this competent book. While several decent people and relationships are shown, most of them are in the background and are without much color. The major elements of the book all feature frustration, fear, anger, and, frequently, futility. Kincaid himself, while intelligent, is a bit too passive and victimized to be truly attractive. Overall, the sense of pain and frustration—true attributes of a noir mystery—prevail, despite a moderately hopeful ending.

Competence and suspence notwithstanding, this dark tone makes the mystery less than completely enjoyable.

Overall: 5.5; Plot: 6; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 5; Originality: 5.5;

ISBN: 0-7860-1189-0 Order from: Amazon.com