Snowblind Justice - Cindi Myers (HI #1889 - Nov 2019)

Series: Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery: Winter Storm Wedding (Book 4)
            Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery (Book 8)

A killer stalks Eagle Mountain…

And a visiting lawman is determined to protect the next target…

Emily Walker is back home for her brother's wedding. The joyous occasion is marred by a blizzard, a murderer on the loose…and Brodie Langtry, the man who broke her heart. As he searches for the Ice Cold Killer, Brodie becomes convinced that Emily is his next target. How can he protect a woman who wants nothing to do with him -- a woman he's terrified to let out of his sight?

This book is the gripping conclusion to the EagleMountain Murder Mystery: Winter Storm Wedding series. The tension built from the beginning of the first book when both a serial killer and a winter storm hit Eagle Mountain at the same time. Throughout the series, the Ice Cold Killer took every opportunity to taunt the sheriff's department over his ability to elude capture while continuing his killing spree. The sheriff's department is understandably frustrated. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation sent Brodie to assist in the investigation.

Brodie and Emily, the sheriff's sister, have a history. Five years earlier, they were a couple until Emily rejected Brodie's proposal, and they went their separate ways. A short time later, Emily wrote him a later that he never responded to. Brokenhearted, she wrote him off and tried to forget him and move on with her life. She is stunned to see him back in town, and not too happy to discover that she still has feelings for him.

I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Brodie and Emily. Brodie, too, was heartbroken by Emily's rejection. He's surprised to realize that his feelings for her are just as strong and is determined to clear the air with her and see if there is a chance for them. It won't be easy, as Emily puts up walls between them. In a bid to spend time with her, Brodie involves Emily in the investigation. Emily tried hard to resist the sparks that still flew between them, but it was a losing battle. The scene where they finally talked about the past was deeply emotional and broke down the barriers between them, allowing their attraction to ignite. The morning after scene was great, too, especially Brodie's conversation with her brother, Travis. Brodie and Emily continue to grow closer as the investigation continues. When tragedy nearly parts them forever, I loved how both realized that they had matured enough to see the mistakes of the past and overcome the fears that had parted them. I loved their big moment at the end.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. We learned the identity of the killer at the end of the previous book (Cold Conspiracy). This book is taken up with the efforts to capture him. Brodie's arrival and Emily's involvement bring fresh eyes to the problem. As the killer escalates his activities, Brodie finds information that convinces him that Emily is the next target. There are more deaths, and the sense of impending danger continues to build, and Brodie becomes more intent on keeping Emily safe. The final confrontation had me glued to the pages as the killer made his ultimate play. There were moments when I wondered how Brodie was going to free Emily. I loved how she kept her head and played an essential part in making it happen.

The other storyline that ran through all four books was that of the wedding of Travis and Lacy (Saved by the Sheriff). Between the serial killer keeping Travis busy, and the multiple storms and avalanches isolating Eagle Mountain from the rest of the world, there was some question as to whether the wedding would happen on schedule or not. Complicating matters, the killer struck during two of the pre-wedding activities. I loved seeing how determined everyone was to make sure that nothing would stop it. I had to laugh at the unexpected turn it took, but loved it anyway.

 

Cold Conspiracy - Cindi Myers (HI #1884 - Oct 2019)

Series: Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery: Winter Storm Wedding (Book 3)
            Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery (Book 7)

The body count is mounting.

And a deputy is the killer's next target.

Capturing the Ice Cold Killer is the greatest challenge Eagle Mountain has ever seen. Thankfully, Deputy Jamie Douglas is determined to see justice done. Nate Hall is visiting for a wedding, and the vacationing lawman is more than willing to help. As the blizzard ravages the town, keeping everyone trapped with a killer, evidence begins to accumulate about a mysterious conspiracy. Can Jamie and Nate get to the truth before more innocent people wind up dead?

Very good second chance romance amid the growing challenge of stopping a serial killer. Jamie is the newest deputy in Eagle Mountain. She returned to her hometown when her parents were killed so that she could care for her special needs sister, Donna. She is as determined as the rest of the department to find and stop the killer. Nate also recently returned to Eagle Mountain after seven years away. He is a wildlife officer assisting with the investigation.

Jamie and Nate were a couple in high school, but when Nate left for college he broke off the relationship. He felt that it wasn't fair to Jamie to tie her to a long-distance relationship, but it broke Jamie's heart. Older and wiser, Nate would like to renew the relationship, but he can barely get her to talk to him. Jamie is focused on caring for her sister and doing her job. She has no time for a man in her life, and she definitely doesn't want to give Nate another chance to break her heart.

I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Nate and Jamie. The sparks are still there, even after seven years apart. Jamie is determined to resist, just as Nate is determined to break through her walls. Working on the Ice Cold Killer case throws them together, enabling Nate to work on Jamie's resistance. I liked how Nate admitted the mistakes he made and tried to show Jamie that he'd changed.  It was interesting to see him try to balance his respect for Jamie's abilities as a deputy with his desire to protect her and keep her safe. Jamie fights hard against risking her heart again, but Nate slowly works his way back into her life. Jamie continues to fight her feelings until a near-tragedy makes her realize that worrying about what might happen keeps her from enjoying the time they had together. I loved the ending and laughed a little at the part that Donna played.

The ongoing mystery of the Ice Cold Killer continued to intensify. The story opened as Jamie discovered yet another victim. It was easy to feel the frustration of law enforcement officials over the lack of clues. Things start to look up as several clues begin to come together. There's a big break when a potential victim manages to get away and provides some vital information. As the only female in the department, Jamie suggests setting herself up as bait. As they close in on the killer and unexpected twist puts more than just Jamie into danger. The confrontation at the end was terrifying and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. While it brought a resolution to the immediate problem, there are still questions that are unanswered. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

I loved the relationship between Jamie and Donna. There is no doubt about the love they have for each other. Jamie struggles with the realization that Donna is an adult and that she has to learn to let go a little bit. Donna's friendship with Henry was sweet and I loved the two of them together.

Snowbound Suspicion - Cindi Myers (HI #1853 - May 2019)

Series: Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery: Winter Storm Wedding (Book 2)

It’s the wedding of the year.

But a serial killer is on the guest list.

Bette Fuller has come to Eagle Mountain, Colorado, looking for a fresh start. So when she becomes the target of a serial killer terrorizing the small town, the wedding caterer refuses to be anyone’s victim. Turning to groomsman and US Marshal Cody Rankin for help becomes personal for Bette. Cody is attractive, protective—and more trustworthy than she wants to admit. But can they stay one step ahead of the Ice Cold Killer…?

Very good book with gripping suspense as the search for the Ice Cold Killer continued. Lacy (Saved by the Sheriff) asked her good friend Bette to come to Eagle Mountain and cater her wedding, giving Bette the chance for the new start she was looking for. But from the moment she arrived, Bette became someone's target. Was it the Ice Cold Killer or was someone from Bette's past determined to make trouble for her? Cody was one of Travis's groomsmen, currently on leave from the Marshal's Service, and appointed himself Bette's protector.

The intensity of the suspense remained high throughout the book. Though the problems began with petty annoyances, things quickly escalated. Bette's situation became more serious when someone tried to use her past against her and set her up as a thief. The deaths of two more women put everyone on edge, as the lack of clues frustrated Travis and the others working the case. An ice fishing expedition for Cory and Bette turned into a fight for their lives and questions piled up about who and why Bette was a target. Though I began to have my suspicions about the who, the why remained elusive. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat as everything became clear and Bette struggled to escape. The resolution was quite satisfying, though the Ice Cold Killer was still wreaking havoc on the town. I can't wait for the next book.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Bette and Cody. There were sparks between them from the start. Bette was wary though. First, she had trust issues with men, thanks to the man whose influence ended up with her in prison. Second, Bette was understandably skittish around law enforcement officers. Cody was flat-out attracted and wanted to see where it might go. I was a bit irate at his reaction when he found out about her past, how he was so quick to judge and believe the worst. I ached for Bette because she hoped for a more trusting attitude from him. Cody frustrated me several times through the book, as he would draw closer to Bette, then pull back as something else would raise his suspicions. I liked Bette's attitude of admitting the mistakes of her past but not letting them define her future. She remained true to herself, and I liked seeing her stand up to Cody when he was a jerk. There were some good scenes between them that showed their growing feelings, such as the sleigh ride and even the ice fishing. It took nearly losing her for Cody to realize the depth of his feelings and he redeemed himself very nicely at the end.

 

Ice Cold Killer - Cindi Myers (HI #1847 - Apr 2019)

Series: Eagle Mountain Murder Mystery: Winter Storm Wedding (Book 1)

A killer is on the loose…

and he leaves a calling card at every murder scene

Though a blizzard has isolated Eagle Mountain, Trooper Ryder Stewart is attempting to track a murderer who’s claimed two victims. Then he’s tasked with ensuring veterinarian Darcy Marsh is not the third. The gorgeous lawman must earn Darcy’s trust despite her traumatic past…and resist his romantic feelings for her. But can he find the elusive killer before the killer finds Darcy?

Fantastic start to the new series. The tension started quickly as Ryder discovered a murdered woman inside an avalanche-buried car. This murder was rapidly followed by another one as Eagle Mountain law enforcement struggled to identify the killer. A winter storm and an avalanche have blocked access to or from Eagle Mountain, trapping the killer as well as his potential victims.

I was sucked into the story from the start. Between the intensity of the suspense and romance between Ryder and Darcy, I had a hard time putting the book down when I had to sleep. The first meeting between Ryder and Darcy was emotional as he was the one to tell her about Kelly's murder. I liked his kindness and gentleness as he broke the news. There was a connection between them from the moment they met. Ryder was intrigued by Darcy and sensed that there was more to her than showed on the surface. Darcy was drawn to Ryder's quiet strength, but also a little wary of him at first. That wariness disappeared quickly when he responded to her call for help at her house; she felt unexpectedly safe around him. I loved seeing them spend time together, with Ryder's sensitivity and protectiveness boosting Darcy's returning belief and confidence in herself. There were some pretty adorable scenes between them, as well as some very intense ones. The feelings that grew between them were intensified by the danger they experienced and made them determined to explore every one of them.

The suspense of the story was fantastic. There was so much going on that I was glued to the pages, anxious to see what would happen next. The tension was high in the law enforcement community as they worked to find clues behind the murders. There was definitely a feeling that the killer was taunting them, especially with the most recent attack. Eagle Mountain is a small town, so there weren't too many choices for suspects from the locals, but there were also some visitors who were trapped by the storm. I could feel the frustration of Ryder and the others as suspicions were raised, but proof was hard to come by. There was also a rash of other criminal activity, including several attacks on Darcy. Those attacks escalated with an intensity that brought out the protectiveness in Ryder, especially after the snowmobile incident. Those attacks took a terrifying turn when Darcy was kidnapped. In spite of her fear, Darcy kept an amazingly cool head and played a big part in her own rescue. I wasn't overly surprised by who it was, but his reasons were twisted indeed. Some questions remain unanswered, leaving me eager to read the next book.