THE BOY IN THE SNOW

When Arctic guide, Edie Kiglatuk finds a body that appears to have been abandoned in the Alaskan forest she is taken aback at what her discovery means. The local police are convinced that the death is due to a menacing Russian sect known as the Dark Believers.

Despite being advised by her friends not to interfere, Edie can’t help but do so. She uses the excuse of helping her ex-husband win the Iditarod to stay. Edie can’t get the image of the corpse out of her mind. As Edie investigates, she soon finds herself pulled into the murky world of politics, dishonesty and greed as well as having to deal with her own terrible secret that comes back to haunt her.

M J McGrath’s debut novel White Heat was long listed for the CWA Gold Dagger and it is not surprising. In The Boy in the Snow, once again we are drawn into the exotic location of Alaska. There is a level of research in this novel, which is just at the right level not to be overwhelming. Her description of the Iditarod race makes you feel as you are present at the race. The characterisation is such that all the characters are well drawn and coupled with the sense of place it makes the book very enjoyable and engaging.

Don’t be put off by the fact that the book is set in Alaska; in fact that is a bonus. This is a compelling crime novel coupled with an interesting insight about Alaska. If you like books set in cold snowy areas then The Boy in the Snow will certainly make you shiver.