BOOK REVIEW: THE GIRL IN THE ICE BY ROBERT BRYNDZA

THE GIRL IN THE ICE by Robert Bryndza

Erika Foster Series - Book 1

Grand Central Publishing; 4/24/18

The Verdict: a familiar-yet-addictive police procedural

One of my favourite aspects of crime fiction has always been its ability to provide "comfort reads"...
which may seem odd given the subject matter these books cover, but it's always been true for me.
There's nothing quite like the familiarity and comfort that comes with reading a great crime novel—no
matter how gloomy the subject matter, crime fiction always feels like just what I need when I want to
escape reality for a moment (or, occasionally, when I want to better comprehend reality). The police
procedural is one of the many subgenres of crime fiction that delivers some of the most reliable
"comfort reads" for me.Cheering for the good guys as they track down the bad guys and pursue justice
—that’s something I can always get behind.

Today's featured title is truly that: a crime novel that you can pick up and read in a matter of minutes. 

Robert Bryndza's THE GIRL IN THE ICE (Grand Central; 4/24/18) was a comfort read for me - and I mean t
hat in the greatest possible manner. 

Bryndza's police procedural struck the right note with this reader, from its fascinating female lead to its 
breezy tempo and addicting tension.Fans of M.J. Arlidge will find Bryndza’s work right up their alley -
THE GIRL IN THE ICE has a similar tone to Arlidge’s DI Helen Grace books, which, if you know me, you’ll
know I mean as a high compliment.

Her pupils are dilated and her eyes are wide open. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something.
Her body was encased in ice... She isn't the only one who feels this way.
Detective Erika Foster is called in to handle the murder investigation after a small child discovers a
woman's body beneath a thick layer of ice in a South London park.

The victim, a stunning young socialite, appeared to be living the dream. However, when Erika digs more,
she begins to see connections between the murder and the murders of three prostitutes, all of whom
were strangled, chained, and left in water around London.

What deep secrets is the girl in the ice hiding?

The killer is closing in on Erika as she gets closer to discovering the truth.

Erika's last inquiry went horribly wrong, culminating in her husband's death. Erika must now combat her
own personal issues as well as a killer more dangerous than any she's faced before, with her career
hanging by a thread. Will she be able to track him down before he attacks again?

I'm not a big fan of e-books, but no matter how you feel about them, the narrative behind Bryndza's
Erika Foster series is fascinating. THE GIRL IN THE ICE will be released in the United States in April after a
long run as an international e-book (and subsequently print book) sensation – it has sold over 1 million
copies and is a huge hit with readers all over the world!THE GIRL IN THE ICE will be published in
paperback in the United States this spring, thanks to Grand Central Publishing. It's so thrilling to see a
book with such an organic groundswell of support find a new market and a whole new set of readers to
engage with.

So, what is it about THE GIRL IN THE ICE that makes it so popular? There are a multitude of factors that
contribute to this book's appeal, but I believe it all boils down to one thing: THE GIRL IN THE ICE is just
enjoyable to read. Bryndza's unfussy, straightforward prose gracefully straddles the line between
approachable and simplistic—found he's the sweet spot that allows a book to be binge-read without
being predictable or superficial. There's a lot to be said for this delicate balance, and Bryndza does a
fantastic job with it. THE GIRL IN THE ICE is one of those rare books that can truly be described as
"compulsively reading" - I read it in two sittings because I was so engrossed to its genre while reading in
a new, contemporary style. A police procedural is defined as a novel that focuses on the techniques
police use to solve a crime—and THE GIRL IN THE ICE most clearly falls into this genre, but in its own
unique way. The book revolves around a police investigation, and readers are taken behind the scenes
of Erika Foster's probe into the city's murders, although Bryndza never gets bogged down in the
specifics. Readers are provided just enough information to be well-informed, but not so much that they
become overwhelmed.That's how engrossed I was in the storey. ppstays faithful to its genre while
reading in a new, contemporary style. A police procedural is defined as a novel that focuses on the
techniques police use to solve a crime—and THE GIRL IN THE ICE most clearly falls into this genre, but in
its own unique way. The book revolves around a police investigation, and readers are taken behind the
scenes of Erika Foster's probe into the city's murders, although Bryndza never gets bogged down in the
specifics. Readers are provided just enough information to be well-informed, but not so much that they
become overwhelmed.It's yet another example of Bryndza's mastery of accessibility and entertainment
value. That yet, if you're looking for a crime novel that delves deep into the minutiae of a police
investigation, this might not be the book for you; its portrayal of police work is likely to be too "surface
level."

Because I'm all about expectations, I'll point you that THE GIRL IN THE ICE revolves around a very well-
known plot.

The basic premise of THE GIRL IN THE ICE will be familiar to anyone who has read a lot of crime fiction,
but don't let that put you off.I'll be quite honest: I was concerned that THE GIRL IN THE ICE would be too
predictable; after all, I've read so many books with a similar premise to this one. My worries were
unfounded, though; Bryndza's plot may be familiar, but THE GIRL IN THE ICE has its own distinct
personality. After all, no matter how many “cop vs. killer” novels you've read, there's comfort in the
familiar, and Bryndza's talent to write fascinating, addictive crime fiction will feel interesting and thrilling
no matter how many you've read.THE GIRL IN THE ICE will be right up your alley. 

This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. All opinions my own.