Helpful Score: 2
#4 in the Monkeewrench gang series, also featuring Minneapolis detectives Magozzi and Rolseth, who actually feature more prominently in this book than the computer-software geeks cum amateur sleuths. Someone's murdering people and then building snowmen around the corpses! And the first two victims are cops, no less. This eventually ties into another murder, another formerly-live snowman, found on a frozen lake up north and Magozzi and Rolseth end up having to traverse many miles in dangerous blizzard/ice conditions to try to make sense of it all.
I really, really like the characters in this series and the authors also do the whole 'Minnesota thing' very well. I find the writing style easy to read and the book overall was hard to put down. I did, however, figure the mystery out in this one way ahead of time so that cut down on the "thriller" part of it, and I was a bit disappointed with the wishy-washy ending. Still--you can't quite go wrong with the Monkeewrench series.
I really, really like the characters in this series and the authors also do the whole 'Minnesota thing' very well. I find the writing style easy to read and the book overall was hard to put down. I did, however, figure the mystery out in this one way ahead of time so that cut down on the "thriller" part of it, and I was a bit disappointed with the wishy-washy ending. Still--you can't quite go wrong with the Monkeewrench series.
Helpful Score: 2
Was totally taken by surprise on the ending of this book. This particular story doesn't feature the Monkeewrench crew all that much, but they do chip in to help here and there. Focusing mainly on Magozzi and Rolseth and crimes committed in an unexpected snowstorm, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader interested. Another good read from P.J. Tracy.
Helpful Score: 1
I did enjoy this book, the writing was superb, as always! The Monkeewrench characters are not involved much in the book, but this is still a great read, with Magozzi and Rolseth taking the center stage. The ending was just a small bit disappointing to me, but not enough to turn me off of the book. Can't wait for the next book from this mother/daughter team!
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book-the Monkeewrench books just keep getting better. Full of surprising twists and had me guessing up to the end. The characters in this series continue to surprise and the personalities continue to develop. I totally recommend this book!
I happened to order Snow Blind from PBS without realizing this is the 4th book in their Monkeewrench series. I did read the first two: Monkeewrench and Live Bait and couldn't wait to read Snow Blind. Dead Run (#3) is next!
It was a relief finding out that the sequels can be read as stand-alones. I really enjoy the characters in this series -- they add as much to the story as the plot. Even though I suspected I knew "who did it", I still couldn't put the book down after I reached the last third of the book.
The Monkeewrench series is easy reading, dealing with murder without a lot of gore, and the characters are quite enjoyable at the same time.
It was a relief finding out that the sequels can be read as stand-alones. I really enjoy the characters in this series -- they add as much to the story as the plot. Even though I suspected I knew "who did it", I still couldn't put the book down after I reached the last third of the book.
The Monkeewrench series is easy reading, dealing with murder without a lot of gore, and the characters are quite enjoyable at the same time.
I love the entire series!
The PJ Tracy mother-daughter team continues to score. Someone is killing people and hiding the bodies in snowmen, and detectives Magozzi and Rolseth are not sure if it's a serial killer. The Monkeewrench team are unfortunately all but non-existent in this installment, which is a bit disappointing but the intriguing mystery's twists and turns keep the reader occupied. Besides, I like the team of Leo and Gino even by themselves. The issue of abused women may not be discussed in depth but makes the reader aware of the injustices in the real world. The ending is not satisfying but somehow still appropriate and I find forgivable. While this does not pack the punch of its immediate predecessor in the series, it is still an excellent mystery with a solid impact.
Of all the Monkeewrench series books, this is probably the one I liked least. 9/10 of the book was just wonderful. I was disappointed a bit in the ending, but if I say why, it will be a plot spoiler. Still well worth the read. The next book in this series is due out sometime in 2009.
Interesting concept killer provides an excitintg search for the Minneapolis police. Good read
Once again P.J. Tracy has created a suspence filled story that grabs you on the first page and keeps you reading. Snowmen filled built around dead men and and a sheriff dealing with murder on her first day job, the surprises never stop. If you haven't read this author(s) start right now! They just keep getting better.
PJ Tracy keeps up the excellent writing with this book. If you haven't read this series you need to!
Another great story by the mother/daughter team! Lots of twists and turns in this story that deals with abuse to wives.
To be honest Snow Blind isn't the high quality masterpiece that the initial Monkeewrench was. Although not as good as the predecessors and certainly more predictable than the other novels it is still a great read for anyone and not just fans of P.J. Tracy. I would advise anyone to START reading the series from the beginning.
Of their alternating protagonists, I actually prefer the detectives, but that's a personal choice. I appreciate the humor in their writing, offsetting the very serious subject of abuse with the completely inexperienced new Sheriff in Dundas County. Grace and the gang hardly featured at all, being that I really like that group and the technology angle, I was somewhat disappointed but I didn't feel the story was any the less for that.
It's not quite right to call this a mystery, but it doesn't quite fall under the police-procedural heading, either. Whatever it is, it's a lot of fun. If you haven't yet discovered Monkeewrench, you should.
Of their alternating protagonists, I actually prefer the detectives, but that's a personal choice. I appreciate the humor in their writing, offsetting the very serious subject of abuse with the completely inexperienced new Sheriff in Dundas County. Grace and the gang hardly featured at all, being that I really like that group and the technology angle, I was somewhat disappointed but I didn't feel the story was any the less for that.
It's not quite right to call this a mystery, but it doesn't quite fall under the police-procedural heading, either. Whatever it is, it's a lot of fun. If you haven't yet discovered Monkeewrench, you should.
Not their best collaboration, but enjoyable.
Great read!!!
Very good murder mystery!
Excellent mother/daughter authors! This series is incredibly entertaining!
This is not my favorite P.J. Tracy novel but it was still an interesting read. You get a real feel for a Minnesota winter as the snow does not let up. It is an exciting and cleverly constructed police procedural but sadly no resolution to the murders. Just something to think about. Although, the ending was a bit of a disappointment, I still enjoyed the humor of Gino and Magozzi. If you like your crime novel mixed with sharp edged humor, read this book. I look forward to the next P.J. Tracy novel and hope they are busy writing as I do enjoy this series.
I'm reading the series in order so this is the fourth Monkeewrench book I've read. I have lived in MN all my life (68 years), growing up in NE MN (Hibbing) and living in the Twin Cities since summer 1972. So, I am familiar with the weather and parts of the state--particularly the eastern part of MN between the Twin Cities and the "Iron Range" where I grew up. I have lived through many bad winters (and the winter of 2018-2019 was a doozy as far as snow fall). Theodore Wirth Park, where the first snowmen are found is an actual park on the west side of Mpls.
The concept of dead bodies disguised as snow men is interesting but pretty implausible, particularly because this was at a public park where a snow man building contest was going on. Given how much snow was falling, if the bodies were simply left lying on the ground, they would have been quickly covered in snow and less likely to be discovered any time soon. The area where another corpse is found within a snow man is 60 miles north of the Cities in "Dundas" County (no such county in MN--why not use a real county?). Also, the description of the area comprising Dundas County doesn't really sound like the area 60 miles north of the Cities--sounds more like NE MN. Someone who isn't from MN would likely be unaware of the things but as someone who has lived here all my life, I question why the authors didn't stick with real places.
I have noticed a pattern in these books that I suspect is a deliberate one: while the Mpls. PD detectives are central characters in each book, there is also a small town jurisdiction (different one in each book) where a crime occurs and somehow has a tie to Mpls. which then gets the Mpls. detectives involved. I suspect this theme will continue in the series.
The Monkeewrench crew doesn't make an appearance until well into the book. As I've mentioned in previous reviews of this series, the crew members seem to be cartoonish characters. Also, as I stated in at least one previous review in this series, the ending seemed rather abrupt and unsatisfying.
In spite of some of these things, I will continue to read the series. The writing is pretty good and the plot lines can be interesting (even if sometimes implausible). I started this book on a Monday and finished on Wednesday so it's quick, light reading--sometimes what one needs (I had just finished reading a book on loneliness that was on someone's list of recommended books; I gave that book two stars and was ready for something light and fun and "Snow Blind" fit the bill).
The concept of dead bodies disguised as snow men is interesting but pretty implausible, particularly because this was at a public park where a snow man building contest was going on. Given how much snow was falling, if the bodies were simply left lying on the ground, they would have been quickly covered in snow and less likely to be discovered any time soon. The area where another corpse is found within a snow man is 60 miles north of the Cities in "Dundas" County (no such county in MN--why not use a real county?). Also, the description of the area comprising Dundas County doesn't really sound like the area 60 miles north of the Cities--sounds more like NE MN. Someone who isn't from MN would likely be unaware of the things but as someone who has lived here all my life, I question why the authors didn't stick with real places.
I have noticed a pattern in these books that I suspect is a deliberate one: while the Mpls. PD detectives are central characters in each book, there is also a small town jurisdiction (different one in each book) where a crime occurs and somehow has a tie to Mpls. which then gets the Mpls. detectives involved. I suspect this theme will continue in the series.
The Monkeewrench crew doesn't make an appearance until well into the book. As I've mentioned in previous reviews of this series, the crew members seem to be cartoonish characters. Also, as I stated in at least one previous review in this series, the ending seemed rather abrupt and unsatisfying.
In spite of some of these things, I will continue to read the series. The writing is pretty good and the plot lines can be interesting (even if sometimes implausible). I started this book on a Monday and finished on Wednesday so it's quick, light reading--sometimes what one needs (I had just finished reading a book on loneliness that was on someone's list of recommended books; I gave that book two stars and was ready for something light and fun and "Snow Blind" fit the bill).
I listened to this book via CD. It was the very book I've read by P. J. Tracy and it will NOT be the last. I enjoyed every minute. It was fast paced, far from boring and the story line kept me glued. What a great book!
This is my first book by P. J. Tracy. Their writing is good, but the characterization lacked something for me. I think part of that is we were expected to have read their other books and already know the relationships of the main characters - nope! The plot lines didn't keep me on the edge of my seat either. I think I've read the plot with the isolated town full of women before - somewhere else. When the killer "just happened" to be in the basement of the brand new sheriff - that was unbelievable, and really didn't tie the plot together that well.
The series continues. Looking forward to the next one.
