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Lacy Steele Mysteries #7
Icy Grip of Murder
Lacy Steele will do anything to help a friend, even if it means defying her boyfriend's wishes to follow someone halfway across the country. Though she knows she's doing the right thing, she's unprepared for the harsh climate and sobering truths she's about to face. How can she be certain her friend isn't a murderer when everything she knows about him is a lie? And how can she be certain that she isn't the next to die? When an arctic blast begins to turn everything upside down, Lacy and someone close to her will change in ways she never imagined. As she deals with the strange new behavior, danger begins to mount. How can she prove her friend's innocence in light of so much evidence? And how can she keep the people she loves safe when everyone she meets has a motive for murder?
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2014
60 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Gray Bartal
170 books136 followersVanessa Gray Bartal is primarily a foodie who began writing when she was unable to find people willing to pay her to eat. She believes everyone deserves a happily ever after and works hard to make it happen, even in a murder mystery.
She would love to hear from you. Check out her Facebook author page for upcoming new releases, and drop her a line while you're there!
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 21, 2017
I always enjoy this series. They are quick, easy reads with a strong MC. This one had me freezing through most of it, being set in wintertime northern Minnesota ... brrrrr! Some wrong word usage issues but, otherwise, decent editing.
August 11, 2017
Good read
As usual this author keeps you guessing to the. Her insertions of comedic characters are great. Looking forward to number 8 in the series
As usual this author keeps you guessing to the. Her insertions of comedic characters are great. Looking forward to number 8 in the series
January 29, 2020
So funny!
This book was laugh out loud funny. Love this series as it is the perfect balance of mystery, humor, and romance.
This book was laugh out loud funny. Love this series as it is the perfect balance of mystery, humor, and romance.
September 23, 2021
How fun to see Lacy and Jason switch places
August 1, 2024
snowman on the cover is too nice. I mean, come on. Gimme a break!
March 15, 2016
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
Normally, these are 4-star reviews for me. But, this one was a little…shall we say, weird? Particularly Jason’s behaviour throughout most of the book. I really had to shake my head a few times and say, “What the heck? Why is he acting like that just because they are in Minnesota?” It didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me and made him look ridiculous and rather stupid at times. I didn’t much like the way he was portrayed. And, that thing with the muddy feet? Oh, boy, did that become rather silly and tedious after a while. Another thing, I do wish Lacy would develop a backbone and stand up more to her domineering mother and selfish sister. I cringe every time she meekly rolls over and allows them to constantly insult her and point out her supposed flaws.
I did enjoy most of the banter between the three friends and Lacy’s commendable loyalty to Michael. It was also interesting learning more about Michael’s troubled past. Lies, betrayals and deception from his so-called childhood friends with the juvenile names lent an air of tension and suspense to the story, and the mystery, while light and rather predictable, was pretty good for the most part.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series up to this point and, even though this one was a bit of a disappointment, I intend to continue on with the series as long as the author keeps coming up with new books.
Normally, these are 4-star reviews for me. But, this one was a little…shall we say, weird? Particularly Jason’s behaviour throughout most of the book. I really had to shake my head a few times and say, “What the heck? Why is he acting like that just because they are in Minnesota?” It didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me and made him look ridiculous and rather stupid at times. I didn’t much like the way he was portrayed. And, that thing with the muddy feet? Oh, boy, did that become rather silly and tedious after a while. Another thing, I do wish Lacy would develop a backbone and stand up more to her domineering mother and selfish sister. I cringe every time she meekly rolls over and allows them to constantly insult her and point out her supposed flaws.
I did enjoy most of the banter between the three friends and Lacy’s commendable loyalty to Michael. It was also interesting learning more about Michael’s troubled past. Lies, betrayals and deception from his so-called childhood friends with the juvenile names lent an air of tension and suspense to the story, and the mystery, while light and rather predictable, was pretty good for the most part.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series up to this point and, even though this one was a bit of a disappointment, I intend to continue on with the series as long as the author keeps coming up with new books.
May 14, 2014
Lacy Steele can't help herself, she always needs to help a friend. Even if it means traveling clear across the country to find the truth. When Michael is arrested and returned to his hometown, Lacy hops the next on the next plane against Jason's wishes. He means well, but Lacy has a tendency to get in trouble. Michael is stunned to learn, the woman he is accused of killing is still a live. A story of lies, deceit and good intentions blur the lines when the woman everyone thought was dead is found hanging from a tree. Michael is at a loss as to why his childhood friends would betray him, allow him to be arrested and hide the truth. While the others are just trying to make a living and help their foster parents. To Lacy surprise Jason has taken up eating sweets and falling over, while she is sure footed and not the least bit hungry. She can't help but wonder if the cold weather has caused role reversal in the two of them.
January 25, 2025
Okay but read on Kindle and that might have contributed to my lack of interest. Too many irons in the fire and not giving enough attention to any one.
Lacy Steele will do anything to help a friend, even if it means defying her boyfriend's wishes to follow someone halfway across the country. Though she knows she's doing the right thing, she's unprepared for the harsh climate and sobering truths she's about to face. How can she be certain her friend isn't a murderer when everything she knows about him is a lie? And how can she be certain that she isn't the next to die? When an arctic blast begins to turn everything upside down, Lacy and someone close to her will change in ways she never imagined. As she deals with the strange new behavior, danger begins to mount. How can she prove her friend's innocence in light of so much evidence? And how can she keep the people she loves safe when everyone she meets has a motive for murder?
Lacy Steele #7
Lacy Steele will do anything to help a friend, even if it means defying her boyfriend's wishes to follow someone halfway across the country. Though she knows she's doing the right thing, she's unprepared for the harsh climate and sobering truths she's about to face. How can she be certain her friend isn't a murderer when everything she knows about him is a lie? And how can she be certain that she isn't the next to die? When an arctic blast begins to turn everything upside down, Lacy and someone close to her will change in ways she never imagined. As she deals with the strange new behavior, danger begins to mount. How can she prove her friend's innocence in light of so much evidence? And how can she keep the people she loves safe when everyone she meets has a motive for murder?
Lacy Steele #7
April 29, 2014
I love this series, and with each book I am further enthralled. Lacy is an intelligent woman who normally is a klutz, this book not so much. Her boyfriend Jason who loves her for who she is, he may get frustrated when she investigates but he stands beside her and supports her. Her friend Michael who they are helping out in this book is a mysterious character that we are learning more about. The word play between the 3 of them had me laughing throughout the book, definitely my type of humor. The mystery kept me guessing until the end, just when I thought I had it figured out...nope. I cannot wait for the next in this series, it can't come soon enough for me.
July 11, 2015
This is the last of the books in this series so far. I am hoping and praying, Ms Bartal!!!! that there will be more. This one takes us all the way to Minnesota to help friend Michael deal with stuff from his past. Will they finally get the answers they need? The so-called victim who he supposedly killed 3 years ago turns up alive and then is murdered for real. They know Michael didn't do it, as he was with Lacy and her cop boyfriend, but there are enough other suspects to sink a ship. Read it. Ms Bartal has a way with storytelling that will make you happy you did.
May 20, 2014
Lacy Steele charges off into another of her adventures, as usual against her policeman boyfriend's advice. She is a klutzy, well-meaning young woman. She also has the propensity for getting herself in a jam. The author, Vanessa Bartal, never fails to keep me glued to the pages until we solve the mystery. Best of all it is told in a clean Christian fashion which does not disappoint.
July 13, 2014
Another fun Lacy Steele Mystery. There is a bit of the ridiculous and some fantasy in this book - and why not? It is fun. Not sure it is necessary to read these in order. There doesn't seem to be much from the previous book in the current book, but you do get a chance to know Lacy a bit better. Enjoy!
July 26, 2015
Pretty good
I gave this only three stars because the introduction of Michael's past was disjointed and not that interesting. His weird friends were just that, weird with very little depth. Michael's past could have been so much more. Jason turning into a sugar crazed addict made no sense. He could have been left out. Disappointing entry in a great series.
I gave this only three stars because the introduction of Michael's past was disjointed and not that interesting. His weird friends were just that, weird with very little depth. Michael's past could have been so much more. Jason turning into a sugar crazed addict made no sense. He could have been left out. Disappointing entry in a great series.
April 27, 2024
What a role reversal! It is so insanely funny that Micahel and Lacy could see it but Jason could not! What about when Jason’s tongue gets frozen to a pipe by the edge of the woods. Jason has assumed Lacey's weird accidental klutziness.
Humor makes my day, then add some mystery and the pages fly past.
Humor makes my day, then add some mystery and the pages fly past.
October 1, 2014
Best Lacy Steele yet!
This is by far the best Lacy Steele mystery yet! I laughed out loud many times at the interactions between Lacy, Michael, and Jason. I thought I had the murder figured out, but the ending was a surprise! Didn't want it to end! Enjoy!
This is by far the best Lacy Steele mystery yet! I laughed out loud many times at the interactions between Lacy, Michael, and Jason. I thought I had the murder figured out, but the ending was a surprise! Didn't want it to end! Enjoy!
October 22, 2015
Love this series and can't wait for more!
Lacy is funny and like able. She is a klutz and has a hard time dealing with her family members especially her mom and sister who constantly point out her flaws. But she has managed to surround herself with friends who love her.
Lacy is funny and like able. She is a klutz and has a hard time dealing with her family members especially her mom and sister who constantly point out her flaws. But she has managed to surround herself with friends who love her.
February 17, 2015
Usually her books are light, funny, gripping. This book is poorly edited with paragraphs seeming to be missing. Her description of Minnesota winter and geography was not well researched. Sorry to see such harried job and uneven story line.
April 15, 2015
I love the Lacy Steele books, but I have to say I did not enjoy this one as much as the others. The story was good and I liked learning more about Michael, but I didn't like the way Jason was portrayed in this story. That significantly lessened my enjoyment of the book.
November 18, 2016
Hilarious
Jason and Lacey change places in the very cold Minnesota. Yes there is a murder and the story of Michael comes out but you will roll with laughter with Jason on a sugar high.
Jason and Lacey change places in the very cold Minnesota. Yes there is a murder and the story of Michael comes out but you will roll with laughter with Jason on a sugar high.
May 4, 2014
Best Lacy Steele book yet. Can't wait to read book 8. Please be released soon.
May 23, 2014
This story was a nice change for Lacy. The trio do a great friendship.
August 26, 2014
Best one yet!
Best one yet!
I really enjoyed this book. There were lots of fun chatter and a complicated plot. Can't wait for the next Lacy Steel mystery.
Best one yet!
I really enjoyed this book. There were lots of fun chatter and a complicated plot. Can't wait for the next Lacy Steel mystery.
December 4, 2014
Extremely Entertaining
The more I read this series of Lacy Steele the more I truly enjoy them. They truly are funny but entertaining and exceptionally well written. Excellent.
The more I read this series of Lacy Steele the more I truly enjoy them. They truly are funny but entertaining and exceptionally well written. Excellent.
December 26, 2014
Great read!
This" was an old friend rebound. Couldn't put it down. Fast read in long time. I give this book four star.
This" was an old friend rebound. Couldn't put it down. Fast read in long time. I give this book four star.
August 29, 2016
Good mystery, took a funny turn.
September 6, 2014
Some laugh out loud bits in this book. Fun read, and not too long.
October 15, 2018
I love the Lacy Steele series, and this one didn't disappoint.
I can't wait for the next one!
I can't wait for the next one!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews