The Coldest Case

This book was a masterpiece!

This was my most anticipated book of 2024 and I am so grateful for having this opportunity to read this ARC.

I have read and loved all of the other books on this Shana Merchant series, but this book #6 “The Coldest Case”, in my opinion, was perfection!

It was tense and the suspense got me hooked since the first chapter. It left me turning the pages quickly and kept me on the edge of my seat. The ending was so surprisingly shocking!

In a secluded island in middle of winter, Tessa’s imagination went above and beyond creating an atmospheric mystery that will leave you breathless. At the same time, revising an old cold case, that completes the perfection.

Shana’s character is very smart and confident. She’s so determined to help and trusts her instincts that you will love her. All of the characters are very well written and Tessa did a great job.

If you haven’t start this series yet, I highly recommend.

Thank you so much Tessa Wegert, you are so kind and amazing. Also, thank you NetGalley and Severn House for this ARC.

Publication day 11/05/2024.

Thousand Islands is composed of small pockets of community. Running Pines is a popular summer island however, a small group remains there year round. They are cut off from civilization, as the weather turns worse the hopes for assistance grows smaller. When an Instagram couple moves to the island, the residents are unsure. When the young man, Cary goes missing, the girlfriend, Sylvie believes only Shana can solve the mystery. Fighting against frigid temperatures and alliances the team must find out what's really going on at Running Pines. Shana and the team must work quickly to avoid becoming collateral damage. The case draws Shana into revisiting an old case that has haunted her for years. Which case is more dangerous and can she solve both before the next round of bitter storms hit?

I love Shana Merchant. She is truly one of my favorite detectives in a series. Shana is confident and stubborn, she doesn't hold back and continues to risk herself for others. The arc of these characters has been so well written. They are all haunted by their past and must overcome that. I want more Shana. I would read this series forever. Thank you Tessa for this series and thank you Netgalley and Severn House for the advanced copy of this book.

This was a great mystery! The writing style really made the setting become immersive for the reader and the book had so many intensely suspenseful moments. I love the Shana Merchant series in general but this installment is definitely my favorite.

I absolutely love this entire series. Wegert's writing reminds me of Louise Penny as the setting always comes alive. Loved the premise of social media influencers living on an isolated island along with a past unsolved murder.

This is the sixth book in the Shana Merchant series. Publication is not until November, but to me, this was the perfect cold setting on a sizzling summer afternoon.
Eight people, six locals and two influencers, Cary and Sylvie are on the remote island of Running Pine. It is February and the weather is brutal. When Cary is reported missing, his girlfriend only wants to speak to one person, Shana Merchant.
And so, begins another life-or-death quest full of lies and deception. The relationship between the locals and the influencers seems to have soured. But why. As Shana tries to dig through the lies and misdirections, a storm traps her and her team on the island. I will not say much more for fear of falling into a spoiler covered snow drift. But, when everything was revealed, it was a perfect mix of the past and the present. I did not even come close to guessing what led to Cary’s disappearance and what the remaining seven people were hiding. Another page flipper in this engaging series.
If there’s another book in the series, there will be some interesting changes in Shana’s life. 🤐

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
This was my first book by Tessa Wegert, the sixth in the
detective Shana Merchant series.
I thought it was easy to read as a standalone.
Shana is expecting a child, but when a man goes missing on an island that has only 6 permanent households Shana and her husband, as well as the rest of their unit travel there despite the dangers - it's bitterly cold and very treacherous.
It's a good, tense mystery with a great ending, but I couldn't help worry about the baby with all the risks Shana took!

Despite this being the sixth book in the Shona Merchant (and my first book by Tessa Wegert), when I read the synopsis, I just had to give it a go! I picked up the character of Shona – here she’s pregnant - just fine and want to read more in the earlier series now too.

Five things appealed to me initially about this novel:
1. I love a book where it’s a ‘locked room’ approach and a remote island has the cut off/locked feel I enjoy.
2. There’s something fascinating about remote islands (I have read a few murder mysteries set on them previously and watched documentaries about families who live in such places in Scotland etc).
3. It said it was ‘perfect for fans of Agatha Christie’ – that’s me.
4. I knew that I would appreciate cooling off by reading it!
5. The cover! I am regularly drawn in by an appealing cover.

Overall, I found Wigert’s writing style strong and thoroughly enjoyed how she ended chapters as it left me wanting more…and often reading another chapter (or more) when I had intended to stop.

There’s a good balance between dialogue, action and description. The latter was very well used, and I could really picture everything happening. Dialogue seemed appropriate with distinct characters and the action was exciting!

Shana is a great detective, and I will be interested in seeing how her character evolves beyond this story in the series. My detective skills, however, were lacking and I did not solve the case. Did I mind? No…it added to my enjoyment as the reveals were worth the suspense (and not guessing correctly).

With thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the chance to read eARC.

I loved this book!! My love for the river runs deep and with each book set in the 1000 islandsI can see that love mirrored. The latest Shana book is full of twists and turns and suspense. I was all anticipation in waiting to find out how it would all play out. My new favorite book in the series! Thank you to Severn House and Tessa Wegert for the ARC!