Book Review: Murder on Ice

Reviewed By: Cheryl - RAM

Murder on Ice     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Alina Adams
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Figure Skating Mysteries

This novel is set in the world of competitive figure skaters and the media that report on their lives. Rebecca Levy, called Bex, is a researcher for a TV sports program, and her work requires her to follow the skating tour. She is one of the people behind the scenes, who is never seen on screen, but who puts in long, unglamourous hours in a very glamourous industry. She is a researcher; her job is to find out every conceivable detail about the skaters and their programs, and provide this information to the wildly popular but nasty former skaters who host the skating broadcasts for Bex' employer. When an American skater loses a crucial competition to a Russian skater by one judge's vote - and that judge is from a western European country - the sports program hosts speculate on the air about the reason for the loss. Their comments stir up a furor - particularly when the judge dies suddenly. The police think it was an accident; Bex is not sure, and she investigates both the death, and the allegations about the judging.

This is not a realistic novel. It is a cosy - light and entertaining. I found the style rather grating after a while, especially the descriptions of Bex' thoughts and motivations. Bex, like the other characters, is not really very well developed. However, the plot is interesting and well worked out, and people who enjoy cosies may enjoy reading the book, particularly if they also like behind-the-scenes descriptions of figure skating.

Cheryl - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM