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Ice and Stone (A Sharon McCone Mystery, 35) Hardcover – August 10, 2021
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When the bodies of two Indigenous women are found in the wilderness of northern California, it is only the latest horrific development in a string of similar crimes in the area. Despite all evidence to the contrary, officials rule the deaths isolated incidents, which soon join the ranks of countless other unsolved cases quickly dismissed by law enforcement.
In a town where too many injustices are tolerated or brushed under the rug, only a few people remain who refuse to let a killer walk free. But Private Investigator Sharon McCone is one of those few. She is hired by an organization called Crimes against Indigenous Sisters to go undercover in Meruk County—a community rife with secrets, lies, and corruption—to expose the truth.
In an isolated cabin in the freezing, treacherous woods, McCone must work quickly to unravel a mystery that is rooted in profound evil—before she becomes the killer’s next target.
- Print length272 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherGrand Central Publishing
- Publication dateAugust 10, 2021
- Dimensions6.35 x 1.25 x 9.3 inches
- ISBN-101538733161
- ISBN-13978-1538733165
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Muller's McCone set the standard for fictional women detectives; after 35 installments, the detective's character has not diminished but continues to evolve and grow and meet all challenges head on. A must-read for Sharon McCone fans; the series should also be explored by any fan of strong women detectives." ―Library Journal
"Will turn any reader into a nail-biter . . . deftness in writing combined with the lead character's passionate morality and willingness to fight for the underdog are what have made this series successful for its long run . . . delivers a fast, intense, thought-provoking read." ―New York Journal of Books
"Well-paced...Tough, tenacious, self-reliant, and empathetic, McCone is fiercely loyal to her friends and family. As always, it's a pleasure to watch her in action. Muller does a fine job."―Publishers Weekly
“Muller has displayed a knack both for keeping the series fresh and for allowing her character to grow . . . Muller’s series remains a gold standard for female detective stories.”―Kirkus Reviews
"[Marcia Muller's] stories crackle like few others on the mystery landscape."―San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle
“Through Sharon McCone, Muller has created a delicious mixture of adventure, action, altruism, pathos with a touch of humor, and romance thrown in to build a massive base of loyal fans . . . She is one of those rare series authors who never lets her characters grow stale or trite.”―BookReporter.com
"One of the world's premier mystery writers."―Cleveland Plain Dealer
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Grand Central Publishing
- Publication date : August 10, 2021
- Edition : First Edition
- Language : English
- Print length : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1538733161
- ISBN-13 : 978-1538733165
- Item Weight : 1.02 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.35 x 1.25 x 9.3 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,503,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,659 in Private Investigator Mysteries (Books)
- #12,993 in Suspense Thrillers
- #13,303 in Women Sleuths (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

MARCIA MULLER has written many novels and short stories. Her novel "Wolf in the Shadows" won the Anthony Boucher Award. The recipient of the Private Eye Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award - their highest accolade - she lives in northern California with her husband, mystery writer Bill Pronzini.
Customer reviews
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Customers find the book to be an outstanding read that's worth the wait. The plot receives mixed reactions, with some finding it compelling while others say it's contrived. The character development also gets mixed feedback, with some praising the well-conceived characters while others find them underdeveloped.
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Customers find the book to be an outstanding read that's worth the wait, with one customer noting it keeps readers up for hours beyond bedtime.
"A good read..." Read more
"And this was as good as any previous one. It started out slow and I wondered if I could stick with it...." Read more
"...drugs, Muller creates a gripping story that will keep readers up for hours beyond bedtime...." Read more
"...This is worth the wait! Crimes against indigenous women has become news lately and Sharon approaches it with her usual zeal...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the plot of the book, with some finding it compelling while others describe it as contrived.
"...But just when I was thinking of putting it down, the story picked up and became very interesting...." Read more
"...And then there were stupid little plot points dropped in for no other reason than to mention a secondary character, such as Sharon telling her 12..." Read more
"...She's older than I am. But that's okay. It was great to be back having unlikely adventures." Read more
"...that can be used to produce psychogenic drugs, Muller creates a gripping story that will keep readers up for hours beyond bedtime...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with some praising the well-conceived characters while others find them underdeveloped.
"...Important issue, (actually critical issue), well-conceived characters, a very human heroine that you can’t help rooting for in a mystery that will..." Read more
"...Not only were the secondary characters pretty absent but so was Sharon's home, office and life in San Francisco..." Read more
"...This book not only deepens the character but shines light on real issues. Great read." Read more
"...The plot was contrived, and the characters were underdeveloped...." Read more
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"...urgent and timely..."
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseAnd this was as good as any previous one. It started out slow and I wondered if I could stick with it. But just when I was thinking of putting it down, the story picked up and became very interesting. Given the recent news about indigenous women disappearing, I really liked the topic. Sharon McCone was hands on, a very strong woman doing all the rescuing and investigating. Her team of operatives is growing and I really like how she has grown her business. Keep it up McCone!
- Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2024Format: KindleVerified Purchase...from the McCone series. She's older than I am. But that's okay. It was great to be back having unlikely adventures.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2024Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified PurchaseHard to put down. Educational background material
- Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2023Format: KindleVerified PurchaseAnd so does Marcia Muller. Important issue, (actually critical issue), well-conceived characters, a very human heroine that you can’t help rooting for in a mystery that will keep you guessing.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2022Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified PurchaseI've never given a Sharon McCone book less than 4 stars but I just could not do that for this installment. Not only were the secondary characters pretty absent but so was Sharon's home, office and life in San Francisco (other than an incident at the office that went nowhere and seemed designed to fly Sharon home for a day just to give these characters something to do in this book). It felt very isolated. There was way too much "history" of Native Americans (which has been going on for the last few books) and not enough development of the characters in this story. I finished feeling I knew nothing about them or the women who had been killed. And then there were stupid little plot points dropped in for no other reason than to mention a secondary character, such as Sharon telling her 12 year old goddaughter to go stay at her house, even though she and Hy were both away, yet when Sharon got home the girl was not there and was never really mentioned again. At only 259 pages, none of this is surprising but it doesn't make it any less disappointing. This has been my favorite series for many years so I hope this isn't the beginning of the end.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2021Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseOther reviewers have commented on the secondary characters not being featured very much in this story, to which I say - Hooray! Over too many years and volumes, the mystery to be solved has been buried by the secondary characters, all of whom seemed to have to be mentioned and each of whom needs a thumbnail bio to establish who they are to new readers. As a result, many of Muller’s plots have been submerged in frankly irrelevant detail. In the current story, most of the backstories are missing. If you want a taste of how they usually intrude, check out pages 102-103, where Muller’s habit briefly makes an appearance as she checks her voicemail. Not only does she have thumbnail sketches of BOTH her birth parents but throws in a couple of half siblings, an adoptive sister, a friend and a niece, and then a nephew. None of these is central to the story except the nephew.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseA little shorter than previous books but I’m just so glad to read another Sharon McCone mystery after many years without a new book from Marcia Muller. I hope she can keep writing new books — the long interval had made me worried if there was a health issue that preventing writing.
This is not the best of her books but it is not bad and like I say for a dedicated reader of this series a nice surprise to see a new book.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseMarcia Muller excels in her latest Sharon McCone thriller. Combining the issues of missing and murdered Native women, systemic racism, broken land treaties, and minerals that can be used to produce psychogenic drugs, Muller creates a gripping story that will keep readers up for hours beyond bedtime.
And - Muller treats readers to the McCone web of vibrant family and friends who offer her personal and professional support.
An outstanding read.