Seasoned Italian-American Alberta Scaglione can whip up a traditional dish for any occasion. But when an impromptu vacation turns deadly, can she sift out the deadly ingredient?
When her granddaughter lands a reporting gig at the grand opening of the luxurious Icicle Lodge, Alberta and friends tag along for a week of much-needed R&R amid the snowcapped hills of northeastern Pennsylvania. But the idyllic winter getaway becomes a nightmare after the gang discovers blood on the ice—and the dead body of celebrity guest Pamela Gregory, a frosty Olympic gold medal figure skater who won herself more enemies than fans . . .
With a killer on the loose, multiple suspects, and a blizzard on the way, Alberta must now race to crack a bone-chilling case . . . before the outspoken Ferrara ladies get served murder: family style!
Includes Italian recipes from Alberta’s kitchen!
Release Date: Nov 26, 2019
Series: A Ferrara Family Mystery
Book: 3
Publisher: Kensington
Price: $6.99
Alberta Scaglione’s granddaughter is given the assignment to cover the grand opening of the Icicle Lodge in nearby Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. Alberta and a few close family members and friends join Jinx for a week at the luxury lodge. It was supposed to be an easy assignment for Jinx to write about the lodge and the celebrity guest, Olympic figure skating champion Pamela Gregory. Pamela’s fans are looking forward to seeing her special performance, but others are surprised to see how demanding and rude she is off the ice. Alberta and Jinx didn’t count on a murder investigation being added to the itinerary, but when Alberta discovers Pamela’s body and a snowstorm keeps the authorities from reaching the lodge, Alberta and the gang are on the case.
Murder at Icicle Lodge is the third in a series featuring Italian-American Alberta and her reporter granddaughter Jinx. I enjoyed the series debut, but missed the follow-up book. I enjoyed the humor and the setting of this installment. and the Italian phrases included throughout the book give authenticity to the characters. I enjoy all of the main characters. Their banter is entertaining, but although they tease each other a lot, they are there for one another when needed. Alberta is my favorite character. I love seeing how much more confident and positive she is compared to the first book. Life in Tranquility, New Jersey is definitely agreeing with her and it’s fun to read about.
The mystery is interesting and kept my interest until the very end. Although the recurring characters, I really disliked the other guests at the lodge. There are so many lies and secrets and they were rude to the lodge guests and each other. On the up side, this does provide a large pool of suspects and keeps the reader guessing on the identity of the murderer, but I began tiring of the characters way before the end of the book. Things get a bit confusing at the end and the scene explaining the murder is overly long and the motive is anticlimatic after the big build-up throughout the book. Something the lodge owner reveals to Alberta seems forced, but does answer a question Albert has had and leads to a sweet epilogue.
Readers who enjoyed any of the previous books in this series will enjoy Alberta’s newest adventure. Ice skating plays a large role in this mystery and there are many references to figure skating terms and actual skaters. Readers who enjoy watching figure skating or fans of the Figure Skating Mysteries by Alina Adams will especially enjoy the book.
~ Christine
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