Frozen Identity

Parson's Cove Cozy Mystery #5

by Sharon Rose

When a frozen corpse is discovered in a fishing shack on a nearby lake, most residents of Parson’s Cove assume the man succumbed to the blistery cold. However, after the body thaws, the coroner discovers that the man––one Victor Fleming––was actually beaten to death. Eye witnesses suggest that town bad boy Jakie Flanders was seen leaving the shack the night of the murder and was overheard threatening Fleming in town earlier. Add this to the fact that Victor Fleming was Jakie’s mother’s first cousin and was demanding money from her––and Jakie’s motives for murder were piling up. Jakie’s mother Flori, a crier if there ever was one, is so devastated when her oldest boy is arrested that she is drained of all her tears, and only her best buddy and local amateur sleuth Mabel Wickles seems to have any faith that Jakie might just be innocent. Putting her detective cap on, Mabel enlists the aid of her young computer expert friend Nathan Horne and her pal the local Sheriff, Reg Smee, in her attempt to clear Jakie and bring her friend Flori some relief. Soon, Mabel discovers a startling fact. The frozen body, whom everyone assumes is Victor Fleming––isn’t. Did Jakie kill the wrong man––if he killed anyone at all? Or is there another reason entirely for this corpse’s frozen identity? Mabel will encounter many more clues before she puts this mystery on ice.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2014

Reviews

[Krystyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting over isn't as easy as it seems

Not my favourite of the series. Yes the plot was good but it seemed to have lost it's freshness answers spontaneity. Plus with Flori being normal it just didn't feel the same. Yes she was over the top but this was more than just toning it down.
Her BFF is to be presented by an intervention (by her family) to stop her endless weeping. However the initial shock is soon small fry when her eldest son is arrested for murder of his cousin. Add in a complete turn around of behaviour, stole identity, threats, a frame up and assault. Can she unravel what happened? Who is who? Will Flori get back to her normal? Will her confrontation end in disaster?

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mable Wickles may be in her mid 60’s but that has never stopped her from investigating all the murders that seem to take place in her hometown of Parson’s Cove. Let’s face it, even Sheriff Reg Smee knows he needs the all the help that this amateure sleuth can give him, not to mention the coffee and baked goods that she brings along.

But this new investigation is kind of personal to Mable. Jakie Flanders, the 40 year old son of Mabel's best friend Flori Flanders, has been accused of murdering Victor Fleming, Flori’s cousin. According to police, Jakie was seen arguing with Victor, beat him up, and then locked Victor in an ice fishing shack during the coldest days of the year. When Victor’s body was found a few days after a blizzard, Victor was frozen solid.

Mable knows that Jakie had always been in trouble when growing up but since he got married to his second wife he’s been a good family man even if his temper is a bit short. Mable also knows that Jakie is not a murderer and she plans to prove that to the town. But that isn’t going to be easy to do since Jakie refuses to talk to Mabel in his jail cell. He won’t even speak with his mother, Flori, or his dad Jake. If anything, he’s telling everyone to stay away “or else.” “Or else?” Mable does not like to be threatened and knows that there is something else going on and that she’s the one to figure it all out.

She gets the help of Nathan Horne, who works in the post office by day but during his lunch breaks, evening hours, and days off he helps Mable with his trusty computer gaining insights on the many suspects they have in this murder. Even Sheriff Reg Smee is giving information to Mable and Nathan so they can help him find the real killer. Flori is also doing her best to help out. Mable and Flori might both be in their 60’s but they have no problem doing anything at all. These are not “little old ladies.”

The beginning was adorable. Flori has a tendency to cry at the drop of a hat and her family gathered at her home for an intervention to get Flori to stop crying so much. Mable was asked to come because of her friendship with Flori even though Mable has no problems with Flori’s tears. I was pulled into “Frozen Identity” by reading this because it made the characters seem very real not to mention I thought the whole thing about an intervention to have someone stop crying was pretty funny. Having a great start to a story is the best way to get a reader involved in the plot and Ms. Rose did a good job of pulling me in.

There are lots of twists and turns in Mable’s investigation and the pages just fly by as you’re trying to figure out the reason behind Victor’s murder.

This is the first Parson’s Cove mystery that I’ve read and it was a wonderful book. Author Sharon Rose has some well thought-out characters living in this icy, snowy town. “Frozen Identity” will not be the last in the series for me to read. I plan on looking for the rest and enjoying more time in Parson’s Grove.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read

Good plot with interesting characters you would like to know and talk with. Fun read just like the others in the series.