Today we are taking a look at Book 2 of the Dean Matheson series – Where the Snow Bleeds. What can go wrong in a snow-covered setting?
Where the Snow Bleeds by Wendy Dranfield
Series: Dean Matheson #2
Published by Ruby Fiction on July 30, 2019
Pages: 337
Amazon UK
Goodreads
Also by this author: Who Cares If They Die, Where the Snow Bleeds, Won't You Save Me, Where the Snow Bleeds, The Girl Who Died, Who Cares If They Die, Shadow Falls, Cry for Help, Little Girl Taken, Gone to Her Grave, Catch Her Death, The Night She Vanished, Her Lonely Bones, Grave Mountain
“You want to know what I’ve learnt after living in Lone Creek all my life? I know the snow bleeds here …”
Former police officer Dean Matheson has been playing it safe since the case that cost him almost everything. But working as a PI doesn’t quite cut it, that is until a British woman walks into his office with a job that Dean can’t resist. The woman’s daughter, Hannah Walker, and her friend Jodie have gone missing whilst working at a ski resort in Colorado.
It’s clear there’s something sinister about the girls’ disappearance, but then why are the local police department being so unhelpful?
So begins Dean’s journey to Lone Creek on the trail of the missing girls – and he’ll soon find out that in Lone Creek, everyone has something to hide …
Prologue
Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Trixie, the pure white Pomeranian who would almost certainly vanish into the thick blanket of snow but for her small black nose and fake Chanel collar, is doing something very unladylike. But boy, is she enjoying it. As she licks away, relishing the salty flavour and thick, greasy texture of this red liquid she’s never tasted anywhere before, she can hear her mother shouting for her. This is followed by crunching and panting sounds as her mother treads closer into the dense woods.
‘Trixie? Trixie, baby! Where did you go?’
Trixie yaps in excitement as her mother approaches, happy to share with her this new culinary delight. But she doesn’t turn around just yet because she wants some more for herself. A shadow suddenly blocks out the daylight.
‘Here you are, baby! That was very naughty to run away like that! Mummy’s trying to eat warm cookies after a long day on the slopes.’
Trixie’s mother, a wannabe-socialite from New York State, sounds relieved to have found her. She doesn’t notice or care what’s caught Trixie’s interest, assuming it’s the scent of yet another pine squirrel. Instead, in her relief, she reaches down, scoops her up and rubs her face all over Trixie’s without looking, which is their usual way of greeting.
‘Here’s mummy! Yes, here I am!’ she coos. Suddenly, she stops. She holds Trixie out, to look at her properly for the first time since she ran off.
Trixie blinks at her, then wags her tail. She’s eager to please but even more eager to get back to the good stuff. The scream, as her mother notices the bright red blood that covers Trixie’s soft white face, echoes through the Rocky Mountains and almost pierces poor Trixie’s delicate ears. Trixie suddenly finds herself discarded on the ground, confused.
As her mother dives away in disgust, heading for the safety of a bathroom to wash her face, Trixie trots back to the discarded hiking boot which her mother never even noticed.
‘Trixie!’ her mother yells after her as she retreats. ‘You come away from whatever dead animal you’ve found right now, you naughty girl!’
Trixie looks longingly at the jagged ankle bone that’s sticking out from snow-covered boot before obediently running after her mother.
Do not know about you but that is not something I want to find on my dog walking morning…not that I have a dog..nor do I live near snow, well you get the picture!!
What have reviewers thought about this book?
Shalini’s Books & Reviews says:- This book.. OMG… This book took a bite out of me. It was the most scariest of all. It was a thriller which thrilled me completely with its scenes in every other chapter. My goosebumps had goosebumps.…My first book by Wendy Dranfield, I don’t think I’ve ever read such a book where my breath hitched after every few pages. There were moments when I had to force myself to relax and take deep breaths. Some of the scenes caused me to stop breathing till my lungs demanded oxygen.
Donna’s Book Blog says:- The characters were excellent, well developed and the interaction between them was superb, Dean was an excellent character and I loved how he developed as the book progressed too – I hope to read more about him in future books too!….No hesitation in giving the book five stars, it was an excellent story, I loved the pace, the setting and the characters – and the cover is perfect for the book too!!
Over the Rainbow Book Blog says:- I always love books set in snowy environments as I always think it helps to add an extra layer of intrigue and danger. This book was no different and I found myself fully absorbed into the story almost instantly. The author is very clever at weaving the story so that it keeps the reader guessing as to who the murder was which I always find really enjoyable….The new team of Dean and Eva was a very interesting one which I loved watching develop. The two characters come from quite different backgrounds and have to learn to work with each other quite quickly. Each has different things to bring to the case which ultimately makes them a great team. I hope to see them work together in a future book.
Like Herding Cats says:- From the first page this book feels as though you are in a film. I quickly became totally immersed and engrossed and couldn’t put it down. The setting is just pure terrifying. Not in a ghosty goulie kind of way but in a malevolent and intense way where you are never sure where the danger lies or who with. I spent a lot of this novel holding my breath without even realising it. Wendy Dranfield has managed to turn what is usually a magical and pretty scene into something nightmares are made of and it provides the perfect backdrop for this novel.
Sanity Looms says:- This is a terrific thriller that is hard to put to one side without finishing! Wendy delights in terrorising a reader and I love her for not following the worn out thread of two damaged police officers falling for each other in their grief and torment. If you want a love story, this isn’t for you….Superbly pacy, family ties are revealed with the woven intricacy of a spider in a labyrinth, delicately picking up unsuspecting victims along the way. It isn’t always a pleasant read with the foreboding of stranded people in a winter blizzard to chill you.
Hope this has gone a little way to entice you over to our way of thinking! I mean we can’t all be wrong….can we?!
Check out an audiobook snippet here
Come back tomorrow where I will be re-sharing my review of Where the Snow Bleeds
Until next time xxx
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