Irene L H. (NonExistence) -
Helpful Score: 5
Fans of paranormal mysteries should snap this up.
This is a tale of murder and beyond. An unusual premise. .
A winning heroine. Her most challenging and heartbreaking
job to date. Thank goodness there is LOVE in the air.
This is a tale of murder and beyond. An unusual premise. .
A winning heroine. Her most challenging and heartbreaking
job to date. Thank goodness there is LOVE in the air.
Helpful Score: 5
I love this series. The stories keep getting better. Happy about what is happening with Harper and Tolliver (have to read to find out). I recommend this book, so many great characters and as always you have to wait until the end to figure out who did the killings. Barbara
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 4
First Line: The eastern seaboard is crammed with dead people.
Struck by lightning as a teenager, Harper Connelly has the ability to find the dead and experience the last few seconds of their lives. This ability has become her livelihood, as she and her stepbrother/manager, Tolliver Lang, travel from place to place. Harper relies upon word-of-mouth to bring her business, usually from police departments she has dealt with in the past.
In this third book in the series, Harper and Tolliver find themselves in Doraville, North Carolina, at the behest of a citizen and the local police. Too many young boys with no reason for running away have disappeared, and some townspeople are beginning to think that a serial killer may be at work. After finding eight bodies, Harper is attacked, and the police insist that she and Tolliver stay in town to help with the investigation. Will they be able to find the serial killer before he strikes again?
This is my favorite of Harris' mystery series. The plots are intriguing, and Harper is a fascinating character. There is a sexual tension between Harper and Tolliver that has made some folks uncomfortable, but Harris clearly explains that the two are not related by blood. They just happened to grow up in the same lousy home together.
The murders in An Ice Cold Grave are upsetting, and the way the killer is unmasked is heartbreaking. It sounds ghoulish to say that I enjoyed this book a great deal, but I did. Harper Connelly is an edgy, unique character of whom I've yet to get my fill.
Struck by lightning as a teenager, Harper Connelly has the ability to find the dead and experience the last few seconds of their lives. This ability has become her livelihood, as she and her stepbrother/manager, Tolliver Lang, travel from place to place. Harper relies upon word-of-mouth to bring her business, usually from police departments she has dealt with in the past.
In this third book in the series, Harper and Tolliver find themselves in Doraville, North Carolina, at the behest of a citizen and the local police. Too many young boys with no reason for running away have disappeared, and some townspeople are beginning to think that a serial killer may be at work. After finding eight bodies, Harper is attacked, and the police insist that she and Tolliver stay in town to help with the investigation. Will they be able to find the serial killer before he strikes again?
This is my favorite of Harris' mystery series. The plots are intriguing, and Harper is a fascinating character. There is a sexual tension between Harper and Tolliver that has made some folks uncomfortable, but Harris clearly explains that the two are not related by blood. They just happened to grow up in the same lousy home together.
The murders in An Ice Cold Grave are upsetting, and the way the killer is unmasked is heartbreaking. It sounds ghoulish to say that I enjoyed this book a great deal, but I did. Harper Connelly is an edgy, unique character of whom I've yet to get my fill.
Helpful Score: 4
Great book, most sets that have more then two books to it kind of get redundent well this set dose not. It just gets better and better. This is my Second Set i have read by her.
Helpful Score: 3
So far this is the best book in the series.
Helpful Score: 2
I have enjoyed everything that I have ever read by Charlaine Harris and this book was no exception. The paranormal is very basic and confined pretty much to Harper's ability to find dead bodies and some psychic elements. The mystery is solid and compelling, it's a little too graphic with a bit of adult language, so I wouldn't classify it as a cozy. The mystery wraps up nicely and there is an ongoing personal story that keeps you coming back for the next one. This could be read as stand-alone (but I recommend the whole series).
Helpful Score: 1
book 3 in the Harper Connely series.
I very much enjoy this series, and book 3 was just as good as the the first two.
Harper and Tolliver travel to Dorasville, North Carolina, in the middle of winter to find the body of a missing boy. Instead she finds something even more horrific, 8 bodies at one site.
Desperate to get paid and get out of town, Harper gets attacked in the motel parkinglot and winds up in the hospital with multiple injuries.
Upon recovery, the police and the SBI do not want her to leave town, so she bunks up in one of the clients' cabin in the woods. Harper and Tollivers' relationship changes dramatically, and then the killer is revealed.
Mrs Harris never fails to deliver a tight plot with multiple twists. Even though the middle parts of this book dragged a bit, the last 1/3 of the story really picked up with the action. Looking forward to the last book
I very much enjoy this series, and book 3 was just as good as the the first two.
Harper and Tolliver travel to Dorasville, North Carolina, in the middle of winter to find the body of a missing boy. Instead she finds something even more horrific, 8 bodies at one site.
Desperate to get paid and get out of town, Harper gets attacked in the motel parkinglot and winds up in the hospital with multiple injuries.
Upon recovery, the police and the SBI do not want her to leave town, so she bunks up in one of the clients' cabin in the woods. Harper and Tollivers' relationship changes dramatically, and then the killer is revealed.
Mrs Harris never fails to deliver a tight plot with multiple twists. Even though the middle parts of this book dragged a bit, the last 1/3 of the story really picked up with the action. Looking forward to the last book
Ashley C. (blondiekittie) reviewed An Ice Cold Grave (Harper Connelly, Bk 3) on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This series just gets better. This was my favorite of the three. I did not like the first book but I am very glad I kept reading.
Helpful Score: 1
The first book in this series pulled me right in, had to know what happened next. I admit I didn't love the second book nearly as much, but this third book in the series is great. Truly enjoyed it and can not wait for the next in this series.
Shelia R. (MamaDragon3) -
Helpful Score: 1
You see it coming in books one and two, but the actuality of Harper and Tolliver is still surprising to read. I found myself wondering about their relationship--even though they are not truly related by blood, they have always thought of each other as siblings. How do you get past thinking of someone as your brother? Although there is nothing "wrong" with the relationship since they are not blood kin, you still have a freaky, weird feeling about it. You are both happy that they both realize their love for the other, but at the same time it has a little of the "ick" factor as well.
I did like this book, continue to like to read the adventures of Harper, and will continue to read more of these as Charlaine Harris writes them.
I did like this book, continue to like to read the adventures of Harper, and will continue to read more of these as Charlaine Harris writes them.
Charlaine Harris continues the adventures of Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver Lang in the third book of the series, set in Doraville, North Carolina. Harper has been hired to find the bodies of missing teen-aged boys. Despite this series being shelved in mystery, I think of it as being paranormal mystery because of Harper's ability to find the dead and identify how they died. There are also other reoccurring characters with some psychic ability that sometimes cross Harper's path. I always find these abilities fascinating within the story.
Overall: Every time I read one of these Harper Connelly mysteries, I expect a certain level of writing that will just let me kick back and enjoy - I always end up reading the book really quickly, not wanting to stop. So it wasn't a surprise that I liked this book. I think it's my favorite in the series so far. In the earlier books, especially book 1, I felt annoyed with the way people treated Harper because of her job, like she was a charlatan. It was a relief that in Doraville, Harper is treated much better so I wasn't annoyed by the other characters passing judgement on her. The mystery of who the killer was also kept me guessing, and there was enough of an element of danger to keep me absorbed, turning pages quickly to see what happens next. There's also enough of a cast of small town characters that Harper and Tolliver meet and a couple of old friends that stop by to help out to keep things interesting and the story moving along nicely. The weather also feels timely because as Harper dealt with an ice storm in An Ice Cold Grave, I was living through freezing rain and iced over roads in New York.
Overall: Every time I read one of these Harper Connelly mysteries, I expect a certain level of writing that will just let me kick back and enjoy - I always end up reading the book really quickly, not wanting to stop. So it wasn't a surprise that I liked this book. I think it's my favorite in the series so far. In the earlier books, especially book 1, I felt annoyed with the way people treated Harper because of her job, like she was a charlatan. It was a relief that in Doraville, Harper is treated much better so I wasn't annoyed by the other characters passing judgement on her. The mystery of who the killer was also kept me guessing, and there was enough of an element of danger to keep me absorbed, turning pages quickly to see what happens next. There's also enough of a cast of small town characters that Harper and Tolliver meet and a couple of old friends that stop by to help out to keep things interesting and the story moving along nicely. The weather also feels timely because as Harper dealt with an ice storm in An Ice Cold Grave, I was living through freezing rain and iced over roads in New York.
OMG! This was prolly the best of them so far...although i'm kinda still reeling from the surprise twist in this one
Carey R. (readingatthebeach) reviewed An Ice Cold Grave (Harper Connelly, Bk 3) on + 2 more book reviews
Very good, can't wait for the next one!
Lisa B. (momof3boysandagirl) reviewed An Ice Cold Grave (Harper Connelly, Bk 3) on + 58 more book reviews
I like this series. I am still not a fan of Harper, but the stories are good and the mysteries dont give themselves away too early. Its a quick read and I will happily grab the next in the series. Harris knows her stuff, I havent read anything of hers yet I didnt enjoy.
Christine H. (solarawynn) reviewed An Ice Cold Grave (Harper Connelly, Bk 3) on + 724 more book reviews
The best of the series. Was glad Harper gets her love interest.
AnnA H. (stormchaserblue) reviewed An Ice Cold Grave (Harper Connelly, Bk 3) on + 43 more book reviews
An Ice Cold Grave
This is the third book in the Harper Connelly series by Charlaine Harris. Harris is also the author of the Sookie Stackhouse series.
In An Ice Cold Grave Harper is hired to find a boy missing in Doraville, North Carolina. What Harper finds are eight bodies, victims of a serial killer. With the body found, Harper and Tolliver would like nothing better that to get out of town; they are not publicity seekers. Events conspire to keep them around, Harper is attacked, and Harper finds herself involved in the search for the killer.
This book in the series is refreshing in that there isn't the hostility to her talent normally encountered. Law enforcement is skeptical at first but come to recognize the reality. Even the pastor sees that she uses her ability for good and assumes that it is a God given talent.
The flamboyant psychic Xylda Bernardo, along with her grandson Manfred makes another appearance. She contributes a rather poignant moment to the story. There are actually a number of poignant events in this story including the resolution of one of the major plot threads.
The relationship between Harper and Tolliver also takes a step forward. If you haven't read the previous books - Grave Sight and Grave Surprise - I recommend you start with the first. Previous characters and events are referenced and you won't understand the background of a major event that occurs in this book.
This is the third book in the Harper Connelly series by Charlaine Harris. Harris is also the author of the Sookie Stackhouse series.
In An Ice Cold Grave Harper is hired to find a boy missing in Doraville, North Carolina. What Harper finds are eight bodies, victims of a serial killer. With the body found, Harper and Tolliver would like nothing better that to get out of town; they are not publicity seekers. Events conspire to keep them around, Harper is attacked, and Harper finds herself involved in the search for the killer.
This book in the series is refreshing in that there isn't the hostility to her talent normally encountered. Law enforcement is skeptical at first but come to recognize the reality. Even the pastor sees that she uses her ability for good and assumes that it is a God given talent.
The flamboyant psychic Xylda Bernardo, along with her grandson Manfred makes another appearance. She contributes a rather poignant moment to the story. There are actually a number of poignant events in this story including the resolution of one of the major plot threads.
The relationship between Harper and Tolliver also takes a step forward. If you haven't read the previous books - Grave Sight and Grave Surprise - I recommend you start with the first. Previous characters and events are referenced and you won't understand the background of a major event that occurs in this book.
I read this book in one sitting. Quite unusual in subject matter and a little gruesome but I couldn't put it down. Am on endlessly long wish list requests for her first two books. Can't wait!
Robin M. (robinmy) -
After being struck by lightning at age fifteen, Harper Connelly developed the ability to find a body and see the last few minutes of their life. She has been hired by a woman in North Carolina to find her grandson who has been missing for three months. Harper finds his body and a lot more. There are many bodies at this site...all the victims of a serial killer. After seeing these boy's gruesome deaths, Harper just wants to get out of town. But when an attack puts her in the hospital, she gets caught up in the evil permeating this little town.
This is the third book in the Harper Connelly series and the best so far. It is much darker than the past books in the series. Some readers may be disturbed by the descriptions of the victim's manners of death.
Harper finally admits her feelings for Tolliver. Many readers don't like this because they feel she is in love with her brother. He is not her brother. It makes sense to me since they have such a close relationship.
I enjoyed trying to guess the identity of the killer since there were several viable suspects. I hope to jump into the last book of the series soon. My rating: 5 Stars.
This is the third book in the Harper Connelly series and the best so far. It is much darker than the past books in the series. Some readers may be disturbed by the descriptions of the victim's manners of death.
Harper finally admits her feelings for Tolliver. Many readers don't like this because they feel she is in love with her brother. He is not her brother. It makes sense to me since they have such a close relationship.
I enjoyed trying to guess the identity of the killer since there were several viable suspects. I hope to jump into the last book of the series soon. My rating: 5 Stars.
I like this series of books about a lady that can find where dead people are buried.
Suspenseful! Great characters! Highly recommend this book!
I had a friend tell me that the series "gets a little weird" by the end of the 3rd...so I was waiting for the shoe to drop the whole time...and i guess it did get "weird" but i liked the turn of events. I will surely be reading this series in the future to see what happens next!
Wonderful short series.. I wish there were more than 4.
Well, I think Charlaine Harris must be finally working her magic with Harper Connelly. The character is still no Sookie Stackhouse (in my humble opinion) but in the third book of Harris' mystery series, she's finally starting to become a little more endearing.
In An Ice Cold Grave, lightning-strike victim and private investigator Harper Connelly is once again putting her strange talents to work. This time, she's in a small town with a big problem -- teenage boys are disappearing mysteriously at a rate too quick to be anything but sinister -- and Harper and her brother (er, manager... er, boyfriend?) Tolliver have been hired to find the bodies and determine the cause of death. Harper soon discovers that a serial killer is at work, and is thrust into a race against time to discover his identity before he succeeds in his attempts to put her out of business for good.
I'm not really a mystery fan, in general. I get too carried away trying to pick up the author's subtle clues and figure out "whodunit", and sometimes I actually miss out on actually sitting back and just enjoying the story. However, I have perservered with the Harper Connelly books because I absolutely love Harris' better-known Southern Vampire Mysteries. I think I can finally say that my persistance is paying off: this book was the most enjoyable of the series so far. I actually would even call it a page-turner. I find myself liking Harper more and more, and am genuinely looking forward to seeing where her next adventure takes her.
In An Ice Cold Grave, lightning-strike victim and private investigator Harper Connelly is once again putting her strange talents to work. This time, she's in a small town with a big problem -- teenage boys are disappearing mysteriously at a rate too quick to be anything but sinister -- and Harper and her brother (er, manager... er, boyfriend?) Tolliver have been hired to find the bodies and determine the cause of death. Harper soon discovers that a serial killer is at work, and is thrust into a race against time to discover his identity before he succeeds in his attempts to put her out of business for good.
I'm not really a mystery fan, in general. I get too carried away trying to pick up the author's subtle clues and figure out "whodunit", and sometimes I actually miss out on actually sitting back and just enjoying the story. However, I have perservered with the Harper Connelly books because I absolutely love Harris' better-known Southern Vampire Mysteries. I think I can finally say that my persistance is paying off: this book was the most enjoyable of the series so far. I actually would even call it a page-turner. I find myself liking Harper more and more, and am genuinely looking forward to seeing where her next adventure takes her.
I enjoyed the first book in the series, liked the second one and really enjoyed the third one! They just get better and better--this one was a bit disturbing but really good mysteries are. I am a fan of all her series but this one has really got my attention now!
The voices of the dead become inescapable clues for lightning struck sleuth Harper Connelly in this tale of murder - and beyond. Harper Connelly heads to North Carolina to find a missing boy - one of several teenage boys who have disappeared over the last five years. And all of them are calling for Harper. She finds them - buried in the frozen ground. All Harper wants is to get out of town before she's caught in the media storm, until she herself is attacked. Soon Harper will learn more than she cared to about the dark mysteries and long hidden secrets of the town - knowledge of the dead that makes her the next in line to end up in an ice cold grave.
I enjoyed the first 2 books in the series, and was looking forward to this one. The plot was excellent, but I was horribly dissappointed to find graphic SEX smack in the middle! Whoa. Not what I want to find in my cozy! I see no point in having to embellish a story this way! Especially a mystery!
Needless to say, I will NOT be continuing with this series!
Needless to say, I will NOT be continuing with this series!
Since book 2 was a little draggy, I was fearful that series would go downhill but this book was action packed and the best of series thus far!
Anything that Charilaine Harris writes is a Good Read! This is no exception. It went fast and it was interesting. I found myself reading it morning noon and night.
Charlaine Harris writes about small town murder mysteries in the south, so there's some of the basic segregation stuff that has happened here. Nobody has a cell phone to save the day.
Harper Is one of my favorite characters from Charlaine Harris hope she adds more to this series
Each book in this series is better than the last. The perceptions of the main characters and how they relate to the world around them is interesting.
Hired to find a boy gone missing in Doraville, NC, Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver head there-only to discover that the boy was only one of several who had disappeared over the previous five years. All of them teenagers, all unlikely runaways.
Harper soon finds them-eight victims, curied in the half frozen ground. Afterwards, what she wants most is to collect her fee and get out of town. But when she is attacked adn prevented from leaving, she reluctantly becomes part of the investigation as she learns more than she cares to about the dark mysteries and long hidden secrets of Doravill.
Harper soon finds them-eight victims, curied in the half frozen ground. Afterwards, what she wants most is to collect her fee and get out of town. But when she is attacked adn prevented from leaving, she reluctantly becomes part of the investigation as she learns more than she cares to about the dark mysteries and long hidden secrets of Doravill.
Definitely enjoyed this book. One of the things I like best about these books is that the reader knows just as much as the main character knows - we aren't told things that Harper doesn't know and so, it's just a hard to figure out who the bad guy is. Anyway, something I really wanted to happen, happened and that made me super happy!
Sharon H. (grannysharon) -
From the inside front cover: "Since the lightning snaked through the window of the trailer in Texarkana when I was fifteen, I've been able to locate corpses. Think about it. Caveman corpses, Native American corpses, the early settlers, the most recently deceased - that's a lot of dead people, and they all let me know where their earthly remains were interred..." Another Charlaine Harris character (and her step-brother) who become alive on the pages. Who keep you up late unable to close the book until you find the key to solve the mystery. Harris is the best writer I've read.
