April Book Club: Ice Cold Murder by Michele Pariza Wacek
Ice Cold Murder by Michele Pariza Wacek
Let me set the scene for you, because this one escalates quickly.
Charlie agrees to be the plus-one for her friend Claire for what sounds like a cozy weekend house party. That alone already feels like a commitment, but it turns out it is not actually a party at all. It is a gathering to read Claire’s grandmother’s will, which is the kind of situation that practically guarantees tension. Then the weather rolls in, and suddenly they are all trapped in a full-blown blizzard. The house itself may or may not be haunted, or possibly just cursed with terrible vibes, and Claire’s extended family brings enough baggage, grudges, and long-standing drama to keep things interesting even without the storm.
At this point, if I were Charlie, smart me would make a wise life choice and leave immediately, but realistically I would probably stay, drink some wine, and make increasingly questionable decisions while telling myself everything will be fine.
This story is a fun blend of several mystery elements that work together well. It has that classic Agatha Christie locked-room feel, where no one can leave and everyone is a potential suspect, layered with an eerie atmosphere and a touch of psychological and psychic intrigue. The snowy isolation adds that nagging feeling of is something supernatural going on here or am I just sleep deprived?
Charlie, our main character, runs a tea shop and creates custom tea blends, which makes her someone I wish lived nearby. She also has a habit of stumbling into murders and, you know, solving them in her spare time. What I appreciated most was her relationship with Claire. Their friendship feels genuine and supportive, especially as Charlie tries to help her friend navigate a very dysfunctional family situation without taking over or turning into the person who has to fix everything. That balance felt real in a way that stood out.
The cast of characters is full of personality, as you would expect in a story built around a family gathering like this. Everyone’s trapped together, everyone has secrets, and anyone could be the bad guy. There are also some light psychological and slightly psychic elements woven in, but nothing too over the top. Even the “haunted house” aspect stays more eerie than terrifying.
There are also hints of a possible romance for Charlie, though it is very much in the early stages and not the main focus of the story.
I picked this up without reading the prequel or the first book in the series and had no trouble following along. There are several books in this series, along with other connected series set in the same world, so if you enjoy this one, there is plenty more to explore.
If you like mysteries that combine a classic puzzle structure with a slightly spooky atmosphere, a strong friendship at the center, and enough secrets to keep you turning pages without getting too heavy, this is a great pick. And if it makes you rethink your next weekend getaway house party with strangers, so be it. You’ve been warned.
Kelly Brakenhoff is the author of 17 books and a seasoned ASL interpreter. She splits her writing energy between two series: cozy mysteries set on a college campus and children’s books featuring Duke the Deaf Dog.
In 2025, two of her children’s books were selected for the CBC Favorites Award Lists, honored by teachers and librarians nationwide for excellence in children’s literature. Parents, kids, and educators love the Duke the Deaf Dog books and activity guides because they introduce ASL and the Deaf community through engaging stories.
And if you enjoy a smart female sleuth, want to learn more about Deaf culture, or have lived in a place where livestock outnumber people, the Cassandra Sato Mystery series will have you connecting the dots faster than a group project thrown together the night before it’s due.
A proud mom to four adults, head of the dog-snuggling department, and grandma to a growing brood of perfectly behaved grandkids, Kelly and her husband call Nebraska home.