Bitterfrost

From Edgar Award–winning author Bryan Gruley comes a superb police procedural that seamlessly morphs into a courtroom thriller. The first in a series, this novel introduces the complexities of small-town politics, family feuds, and the power of wealthy families—all set against the backdrop of a chilling murder mystery.

At the center is Jimmy Baker, a local hockey legend whose minor league career ended abruptly. Known for his quick temper and talent for dropping the gloves to administer punishment to his rivals, Jimmy was a natural on-ice enforcer. But after goading rival Cory Richards into a fight and pummeling him so severely that Cory ended up hospitalized and permanently wheelchair-bound, Jimmy’s hockey days were over. He returned home and settled into a quiet life as the Zamboni driver for the local Ice Kings club.

Jimmy has grown fond of “Zelda,” his Zamboni, and takes great pride in keeping the ice perfect at the rink, which is owned by the Payne family—the richest in Bitterfrost, Michigan. The family matriarch, Eleanor, owns the club; her son, Evan, manages the rink; and her daughter, Devyn, is both a local lawyer and an amateur hockey enthusiast. Devyn and Jimmy share a distant but mutual attraction. Jimmy, now divorced and estranged from his daughter, lives a solitary life. Meanwhile, a long-simmering feud brews between the Paynes and the Dulaneys. Butch Dulaney and his two younger brothers resent the Paynes’ power and status.

Then Jimmy wakes up at 4:00 a.m., dazed and on his kitchen floor, to the metallic scent of blood. His knuckles are torn, his face bruised, and his jacket sleeve stained. The last thing he remembers is leaving the arena and heading to the Lost Loon Tavern for his usual single drink. Everything after is a blank. Meanwhile, the state police discover a blood-spattered pickup truck near Jimmy’s house—torched, but with no body inside.

Detective Garth Klimmek of the Bitterfrost police arrives on the scene. As his investigation unfolds, circumstantial evidence begins to mount against Jimmy—especially once a body is discovered and the son of a prominent local figure goes missing. Jimmy turns to his longtime friend Devyn for legal help, and as the case builds, she must dig deeper to defend him in the face of damning evidence.

Bryan Gruley proves himself a masterful storyteller, expertly weaving multiple plotlines with escalating tension and intrigue. The bitter cold of a Michigan winter adds an atmospheric touch to this claustrophobic tale, steeped in small-town obsessions, buried secrets, and the corrosive tension between wealth, politics, and family loyalty. This finely honed mystery marks a strong start to an ongoing series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for supplying an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading more about Jimmy and Devyn’s future entanglements.