I find Mrs. Harris one of the best authors I read regularly. She is excellent in her descriptions of her characters and their dialogue suites the situation perfectly. An Ice Cold Grave is one of her best efforts. Her first novel she wrote in the mystery series was a bit weak but she has improved to the point of equaling her previous vampire series or even surpassed those books - which are excellent imight add.

Like anyone who has read Charlaine Harris, and continues to read her books, I enjoy them a lot. One of her series that I LOVE is Sookie Stackhouse!
But about this 3rd installment in the Harper Connelly Series, which was just slightly disappointing because of what happened in the middle of the book. I won't say what that was, because it would be a huge spoiler and I won't do that to those who haven't read An Ice Cold Grave. But those who have, will probably know what I'm referring to. What happened should never have happened when it did! I felt that it was just thrown in and not thought out by the author. It really threw me off balance. If it happened towards the end of the book, that would have made more sense, because it would have flowed better with what happened at the end of the book, but NOT in the middle! If it hadn't been for that not-so-wise choice on Charlaine Harris' part, I would have given the book 5 stars.
On a lighter note: It was a good read, sans the untimely incident. As with the other books in the series there was a nice balance of annoying characters, great characters, tension, out loud laughs, etc... And the killer was a surprise, which was a surprise in itself.

I really enjoyed the Harper Connelly series and would like to see more of these characters.

I have recently become acquainted with Charlene Harris' works. I have enjoyed each and every one and hope she writes many more. The seller provided it as promised and well within the shipment window promised.

I am so into this series. I stumbled across Charlaine Harris right about the same time I discovered Janet Evanovich--just after my son was born. I credit the two of them for getting me through those postpartum blues, for making me laugh when all I felt like doing was cry. While I always look forward to the next Sookie Stackhouse book, it's Harris' Harper Connelly mystery series that's really got me champing at the bit for more. Harper finds dead people. With the help of her stepbrother Tolliver, she travels from town to town helping police departments and grieving families alike get to the heart of mysterious deaths. The best thing about these books is the unexpectedly complex relationship between Harper and Tolliver (two people who don't have a thing in the world except each other) and the increasingly mesmerizing/horrifying events they find themselves mixed up in. Harper never fails to find the body(ies) in question, but the two of them just can't seem to make it out of town before all hell breaks loose. This third installment is by far the most chilling and Harris wisely balances out the heinous with some great interpersonal stuff between Harper and Tolliver. I like that she isn't dragging this series out. With Harris you always get plenty of bank for your buck.

This is the 3rd in the (Grave) series and the best. Ms. Harris has been building on these characters and they have depth and personality. Her dialog is crisp, clear and to the point. The characters are likeable and well defined. Now that that is out of the way, this is a good book. I read it in one sitting and was left wanting more. I have ordered her other mystery series and will be checking them out. As for Sookie Stackhouse I am an avid fan and have been for years. Ms. Harris has earned the honor of buy immediately- do not stop to read the blurb - any book she writes is guranteed good.

Harper and Tolliver finally resolve their ambivalent relationship.

They are asked to find 6 long time missing boys in a small town. The sheriff has (being hopeful) treated them as runaways although that doesn't really add up. They new sheriff gets Harper too come in and look.

I am not going to blow the plot, after all this isn't a book report--although some reviewers confuse them. But the plot is well done avoiding clichés with the isolated cabin and the storm. Harper by and large gets some pleasant surprises in folks reaction to her, frankly weird talent.

Outstanding plot and very well drawn characters. The characters are becoming much more compelling as the series goes on. Nicely written erotic scenes although not the high test Angela Knight or Jain Black.

Overall an excellent read.

This story follows Harper (who can 'see' in her mind where bodies are buried and how those bodies came to be...well dead bodies) and her 'brother' and manager Tolliver. Some things shift in this novel, including her relationship with her brother, who really isn't her brother. Also, the murder case is intriguing. At times its grisly, and Charlaine Harris doesn't shy away from some of the more heart wrenching aspects of the case. The deaths focus on young to teenage boys and the torture they endured before dying. Harper for some reason is more compelled by these deaths than any of her previous ones and vows to find out who killed them. She has a theory that she has to try to get the sheriff to belive. There is plenty of intrigue, thrills, and horror to this volume, but its also heavier on the romance side of things than the previous books. Still very worth a quick read.

"An Ice Cold Grave" is a modern day variant murder mystery. The setting is much like our own, the major difference being that the main character, H--, is a woman who was hit by lightning and now "knows" when human bodies are nearby, and can psychicly determine cause of death and some other details. She and T-- are hired to find a teenage boy who is presumed to have been murdered. What they find in the ice & snow are multiple victims from a pretty horrible murderer. A string of bad luck causes H-- and T-- to be stuck in town in the midst of the investigation.

Though this book is third in a series, I dodn't feel that you'd need to read the previous two. For those of you who have read the previous, I think this one is better than #1 and #2. I wish I had read it first! The "everybody hates me" elements have been dropped or subdued, the police are both reasonable and respectful, and we aren't drowned in casual sex. H-- and T--'s reason for remaining in town is contrived, but we knew it was coming, so no biggie. The feeling is more murder mystery than scifi/fantasy. The middle drags a bit, but the ending was exciting, well written, and left me wanting more.

For myself, I'd appreciate a sequel that didn't have any murders, but that is probably asking too much. Books with murders make me feel down. If you don't mind reading about murders, you should add one star to my rating.

I love Charlaine Harris' books. All of her series! But I especially love her Harper Connelly mysteries. I think it's because Harper is both strong and yet vulnerable, and that's difficult to get across in print. But Harris manages to do it and the books are stronger for it.

Harper Connelly suffered a lightening strike and since that time (her step-brother Tolliver saved her life), she has not only been able to locate corpses but knows what and how they died. She and Tolliver have taken that talent and made a living out of her psychic abilities. They travel together working to help family members and police solve cases. Finding the bodies is easy-it's telling the family and seeing the pain of death that is difficult and draining to Harper.

Harper and Tolliver arrive in Doraville, North Carolina to find the missing grandson of a local resident. It turns out there are a number of missing boys from the community. It doesn't take Harper long to find the six missing boys' bodies (plus two that they didn't know about) and become embroiled in a serial killer case. Harper doesn't want the kind of publicity that comes along side a serial killer case and tries to leave town. She is stopped from leaving by a physical attack from an unknown person (could it be the killer?). If Harper isn't careful, she could be the next victim.

This is a page turner. And I love that Harris explores a bit of Harper's inner self. It makes the mystery even better.

Armchair Interviews says: Read An Ice Cold Grave! You'll love it!

I love Charlaine Harris, period. She is a bit scary, and always great fun.
When one of her books is published, I inhabit her world for as long as the story lasts.

"Ice Cold Grave," is suspenseful, a little sexy, as are all of her books, and great fun.

Mrs. Harris claims to be a soccer mom, but she is so much more. I wish she lived across the street. Not next door, mind you. I wouldn't be too happy if one of her vampires showed up in my bedroom... On second thought, maybe I would.