Cold Fear

Cold Fear by Brandon Webb and John David Mann is a suspenseful, gripping, and intense crime thriller set in Reykjavik, Iceland. This is the second book in the Finn series.

Four months after the night in Yemen Finn is still trying to remember what happened and whether he is guilty of the crime. Wanted for questioning in connection to war crimes, he is after answers from three members of his former team who have been deployed to Iceland. However, things don’t go smoothly.

Finn is a well-developed character with courage and resilience. He is self-sufficient, a keen observer, and has trust issues. However, he is also experiencing memory lapses. This increases the impact and intrigue as the story unfolds. There is a wide range of supporting characters that provide conflict and interest.

What a prologue and first chapter! Stunning and heartbreaking, the story started out strong, but got even better as the characters became better known and the action amped up. An excellent pace kept this reader fully engaged. Moments of introspection in between action scenes give a fantastic insight into both Finn’s and Krista’s thoughts, behaviors, and actions towards others. This book has a solid plot, diverse characterization, and great atmosphere. It was interesting to see how Finn approached investigations as Krista Kristjansdottir, the main detective in the story, also investigated. The story was also thought-provoking and I found myself asking how much a person can take before giving up. I also learned a little about Iceland and its history. While the ending brings the reader closure on most things, one important item isn’t fully resolved. This novel shines light on law enforcement, the military, betrayal, death, murder, memory loss, corruption, and much more.

Overall, this is a well-plotted and brilliantly executed story with characters that felt emotionally rich. It has exciting scenes and a larger-than-life antagonist in an unsettling thriller that chills you to the bone at times. It’s a riveting tale that keeps readers turning the pages from start to finish. Those that enjoy crime thrillers, military thrillers, and police procedurals will likely enjoy this novel. It was not a light read, but it was well written and atmospheric. It works as a stand-alone novel, but book one in the series will give readers more depth and background. With high stakes, great characterization, and plenty of action in this series; I am looking forward to seeing what is next for Finn.

Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Brandon Webb, and John David Mann provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for June 7, 2022.