Review: I agree with the critics that this one by the ...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 4, 2014
I agree with the critics that this one by the reliable Bartal  is a bit of a stretch and understand that the personality changes reputedly induced by being in Northern Minnesota could be hard for the reader to accept (although anyone familiar with the area can believe that the Cold is enough to change anyone accustomed to more humane temperatures). Nevertheless, I found the book, as with most of her work, a pleasant diversion containing  three appealing lead characters. Michael, a friend of the couple in the trio, has been arrested for the murder of his girlfriend back home in the frigid north. His two friends return with him, he is in custody of the police, to right what they feel is a wrong done to him by that charge. The behavioral patterns of the couple alter during the search for the real killer in the face of police ridicule and brutally cold weather. They find that Michael had once been a very delinquent parentless youth with a strange assortment of friends who abetted him in his criminal and near criminal activities.The story-line focuses on the search among the weird old friends and on the interactions of the three friends as their friendship is challenged by their activities under adverse circumstances. I found it amusing, light and entertaining; certainly not a brain teaser or a true who dun it. At a buck and not many hours to read, it justified the time and money (to me).