Icefall by Marie Connolley

The first Nellie Prayle novel, Dark Sky, was shortlisted for the Ngaio Marsh Awards. The second in the series has just been published...

Criminal psychologist Nellie Prayle is called in to help with two cases that could be connected. A body is found on a melting glacier, and the investigating team learn that the victim died in the 90s. But was it an accident or foul play? Thankfully, they are able to develop the photos the man took before his death, which gives them some leads to follow up, linking him to a group of Christchurch rich listers.  

When the news is announced, one of the rich listers is found murdered soon after, with the timing seeming more than just a coincidence. But the case gets very complicated with a stalker, ex-parolees, journalists and cops with attitude in the mix. Are the cases linked, and what has really happened here?

Icefall is a well-constructed murder mystery with a compelling protagonist and the dramatic Southern Alps in the backdrop. I look forward to more in this series; these are classic whodunnits with a local twist that make for fabulous reads!

Reviewer: Karen McMillan

Quentin Wilson Publishing