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Detective Quaid #0.5
The Snowman
It takes a true artist to pursue his victims in the art of seduction, and Stowy Jenkins is no exception, especially with blood as his medium.
Blurb:
Stowy Jenkins, aka, Stone, and as Alaskans refer to him, the Snowman, is a true artist. His muse, Gigi, is the ultimate inspiration for his painting. Her rejection inspires him to use a very unusual medium…blood.
While art may be his passion, the taste for blood is his obsession, and multiple murders, the result.
Rookie, Detective Steven Quaid, is no fan of the Snowman’s murderous exhibitions. A twisted and deadly relationship bond the two men and neither knows who will come out of it alive.
Excerpt:
Dark crimson fluid flowed into the bucket under the table. Death accepted Stone’s masterpiece with open arms.
The staccato clicks of Stone's trusty Nikon punctuated Maggy’s last moments.
*****
Little by little, he added the formaldehyde to the viscous mixture, stirring it vigorously. Dipping his brush into its freshness, he began painting. Swirls, splattered droplets, and elongated dribbles soon filled the canvas. Waves of joy rose up from his deepest being, and a sense of satisfaction overwhelmed him. This creation will be my best. The addition of formaldehyde will keep the red as vibrant as the fountain of blood gushing from my Maggie May.
A maniacal laugh broke the silence. “Rouge d’Amour will be the star of my masterpiece! It will leave art lovers and critics breathless.”
Blurb:
Stowy Jenkins, aka, Stone, and as Alaskans refer to him, the Snowman, is a true artist. His muse, Gigi, is the ultimate inspiration for his painting. Her rejection inspires him to use a very unusual medium…blood.
While art may be his passion, the taste for blood is his obsession, and multiple murders, the result.
Rookie, Detective Steven Quaid, is no fan of the Snowman’s murderous exhibitions. A twisted and deadly relationship bond the two men and neither knows who will come out of it alive.
Excerpt:
Dark crimson fluid flowed into the bucket under the table. Death accepted Stone’s masterpiece with open arms.
The staccato clicks of Stone's trusty Nikon punctuated Maggy’s last moments.
*****
Little by little, he added the formaldehyde to the viscous mixture, stirring it vigorously. Dipping his brush into its freshness, he began painting. Swirls, splattered droplets, and elongated dribbles soon filled the canvas. Waves of joy rose up from his deepest being, and a sense of satisfaction overwhelmed him. This creation will be my best. The addition of formaldehyde will keep the red as vibrant as the fountain of blood gushing from my Maggie May.
A maniacal laugh broke the silence. “Rouge d’Amour will be the star of my masterpiece! It will leave art lovers and critics breathless.”
187 pages, Paperback
Published April 16, 2017
17 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
About the author
Yolanda Renee
19 books105 followersAt one time Alaska called to me and I answered. I learned to sleep under the midnight sun, survive in below zero temperatures, and hike the Mountain Ranges. I've traveled from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, and the memories are some of my most valued. The wonders, mysteries, and incredible beauty that is Alaska has never left me and thus now influence my writing.
Despite my adventurous spirit, I achieved my educational goals, married, and I have two wonderful sons. Writing is now my focus, my newest adventure!
Despite my adventurous spirit, I achieved my educational goals, married, and I have two wonderful sons. Writing is now my focus, my newest adventure!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 30, 2017
If you are not afraid of gore or torture, then, you will enjoy this book. However, if the thought of these two words has you running, you will want to stay away from this book. Although, the scenes are not long and drawn out as the "Snowman" kills his victims, they are still graphic enough.
I have not read any of the other books in the series. Yet, after reading this book, I now want to go back and read the other four books. If you are like me just first being introduced to this series, than, this book is the perfect one to get you started. Detective Quaid is a strong character with intelligence. He was matched well with the "Snowman". The ending was great as well. The author has a new fan in me. This book is a recommended read!
I have not read any of the other books in the series. Yet, after reading this book, I now want to go back and read the other four books. If you are like me just first being introduced to this series, than, this book is the perfect one to get you started. Detective Quaid is a strong character with intelligence. He was matched well with the "Snowman". The ending was great as well. The author has a new fan in me. This book is a recommended read!
April 29, 2017
If you don't mind sending your heart rate sky high, if you don't mind trying to read with your eyes closed, if you don't mind feeding blood-fuelled nightmares, The Snowman is the book for you. On the other end of the spectrum, if you like a roller-coaster ride of mega proportions, if you like a fast-paced psychological thriller, if you like to delve into the criminal mind, this is the book for you.
Excellent racy writing by the author, Yolanda Renee. Well edited - don't those two words bring joy to my heart!
A joy to read, even with your eyes closed...oh, there's an audio book coming just in case...Yolanda Renee
Excellent racy writing by the author, Yolanda Renee. Well edited - don't those two words bring joy to my heart!
A joy to read, even with your eyes closed...oh, there's an audio book coming just in case...Yolanda Renee
April 21, 2017
Wow. Where do I begin? Ms. Renee's The Snowman is a prequel to her (so far) trilogy of Detective Quaid mysteries, of which I've read all of them. This one details a particularly nasty serial killer in Alaska who rookie detective Quaid is tasked with finding. The Snowman finds Ms. Renee's writing growing, developing, pretty much non-stop suspense. Her previous trilogy on occasion got bogged down by the break-up-to-make-up romance of Quaid and Sarah. I hate to say it, but I almost long for those nostalgic days! This is one dark, very dark, tunnel dark book. There are a lot of very extreme and misogynistic sex scenes punctuated by sadistic violence. I'd say over half the book is given over to the serial killer's escapades in very graphic detail. While well written, it became a little much after a while. Here's the deal...if you like that sorta' thing in a thriller, you're gonna' love this. But this is a very different beast from the Quaid trilogy, not a whole lot of romance here if that's what you're craving. The great news is this book moves like a runaway freight train, never a dull moment and the writing's very good. Ms. Renee's most compelling book to date. So...I give it a "reader beware" recommendation. And I'll be first in line for the next Quaid book!
August 24, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book, though I rarely crack the spine on Police Procedurals. There was a good amount of horror mixed in, and that's something I truly enjoy. The author puts the reader in the head of both the psycho serial killer and the detective. It's very dark, the motivation behind the violence is plausible, and it all feels realistic.
Here's a part I loved from Chapter XV (15) : In the mountains, south of Anchorage, the snow twirled in ghost-like dances. To Stone’s delight, Darla’s blood flowed like molasses in the deepening cold.
I was surprised the killer was okay with the nickname the news gave, given he'd picked out his own (Maestro of Death).
As it was my birthday this week, I got a kick out of this line:
“I’m thirty years old for Christ’s sake—I’m too old for birthday parties.”
I'll end this review with the scene from Chapter XVI (16) that put me (a Lenni-Lenape) over the top, and resulted in my giving this book the full five-star rating:
“Well if it isn’t our newest Eskimo detective, won a promotion because his skin is native brown,” John Maverick said slowly, enunciating each word. Steven’s hand fisted.
Steven accepted the gesture. “I’m Tlingit Indian, but I understand the confusion. Italian, French, or Irish, so hard to tell the difference.”
Here's a part I loved from Chapter XV (15) : In the mountains, south of Anchorage, the snow twirled in ghost-like dances. To Stone’s delight, Darla’s blood flowed like molasses in the deepening cold.
I was surprised the killer was okay with the nickname the news gave, given he'd picked out his own (Maestro of Death).
As it was my birthday this week, I got a kick out of this line:
“I’m thirty years old for Christ’s sake—I’m too old for birthday parties.”
I'll end this review with the scene from Chapter XVI (16) that put me (a Lenni-Lenape) over the top, and resulted in my giving this book the full five-star rating:
“Well if it isn’t our newest Eskimo detective, won a promotion because his skin is native brown,” John Maverick said slowly, enunciating each word. Steven’s hand fisted.
Steven accepted the gesture. “I’m Tlingit Indian, but I understand the confusion. Italian, French, or Irish, so hard to tell the difference.”
June 14, 2017
I sure enjoy a story that hits the ground running and The Snowman sure does that. The opening scene is the Snowman doing what he does best. Creating art in oh so horrific ways.
I feel I should warn you, the author pulls no punches. Many scenes are graphic in violence and sexual attacks. Yolanda does a super job of putting you into the mind of the Snowman, a crazed, sadistic serial killer who believes he’s the next great artist, using blood, body parts and corpses as his medium.
Genuine characters and a taut plot keeps the reading pace fast. And switching POVs from main characters to victims and the killers own thoughts ramps up the suspense and keeps it there.
This is a prequel to the Detective Quaid series and takes place ten years before the series, featuring the detective’s first murder case. You don’t need to have read the other books as it can stand alone or actually introduce you to the beginning.
Those who enjoy some gristle and gore along with a creepy mystery will enjoy this one. I plan to pick up the series and see what happens next.
I received a complimentary copy. My Review is voluntarily given.
I feel I should warn you, the author pulls no punches. Many scenes are graphic in violence and sexual attacks. Yolanda does a super job of putting you into the mind of the Snowman, a crazed, sadistic serial killer who believes he’s the next great artist, using blood, body parts and corpses as his medium.
Genuine characters and a taut plot keeps the reading pace fast. And switching POVs from main characters to victims and the killers own thoughts ramps up the suspense and keeps it there.
This is a prequel to the Detective Quaid series and takes place ten years before the series, featuring the detective’s first murder case. You don’t need to have read the other books as it can stand alone or actually introduce you to the beginning.
Those who enjoy some gristle and gore along with a creepy mystery will enjoy this one. I plan to pick up the series and see what happens next.
I received a complimentary copy. My Review is voluntarily given.
May 13, 2017
Yowza. Renee's fans will surely recognize her skillful writing in the pages of this book, but they'll also discover that it's a world apart from her other books. This story depicts an earlier version of her integrity-out-the-wazoo Steven Quaid character and covers his first big case as a detective. Although readers will find a dash of romance in this book, its major focus is on the complexities of the case itself. It's about a demented serial killer, the horrifying ways he comes up with to torture and kill his victims, and the frenzied police work involved in trying to identify and catch him before he strikes again.
Some of the more gruesome scenes are guaranteed to make you cringe and groan out loud, so be prepared. The killer dubbed the Snowman has as much ice in his veins as the frigid Alaskan landscape around him, but with Quaid and the other officers hot on his trail, his killing spree is bound to melt away... isn't it?
Maybe. You'll have to read his story to find out for sure.
This action-packed thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat, nibbling your nails and turning pages feverishly. I highly recommend it... if you think you can handle it.
Some of the more gruesome scenes are guaranteed to make you cringe and groan out loud, so be prepared. The killer dubbed the Snowman has as much ice in his veins as the frigid Alaskan landscape around him, but with Quaid and the other officers hot on his trail, his killing spree is bound to melt away... isn't it?
Maybe. You'll have to read his story to find out for sure.
This action-packed thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat, nibbling your nails and turning pages feverishly. I highly recommend it... if you think you can handle it.
May 2, 2017
Okay, I freely admit to being a crime scene junkie. I’ve become hooked on TV forensic documentaries, police procedure programs, and psycho profiling. Plus, my career as a paramedic has given me the first-hand view of all the terrible ways a human being can be mutilated and murdered. Add a dash of a sexual sicko times two, and now you have …… The Snowman
The dark and dirty side of The Snowman, aka Stone, would be difficult to read if not for the hero’s bold and down-to-earth good guy personality. There’s balance. Well, up until the climax which had me rereading previous pages terrified that Detective Quaid bit off more than he could chew.
The Snowman immediately starts off with a steep dive into the antagonist’s well of depravity and lust for blood. If you’re looking for suspense, The Snowman will give you that with a royal flush.
Yolanda Renee will give short reprieves from the murderer’s blood lust, introducing the reader to a complex and determined police officer, Steven Quaid. He’s torn between his ambitious and political father’s demands, and his mother’s native roots. Steven has his sites set on a promotion to detective but is thwarted by inside police politics. As the body count of women climbs, the bloody scenes become his to unravel.
The closer he gets to solving the mystery, the more Detective Quaid realizes that he’s put the people he loves in grave danger. Being a rookie on the force, it didn’t take him long to screw up. If one more woman dies, the blood will be on his hands. In desperation, he chooses to commit to the ultimate sacrifice to stop Stone.
Yolanda Renee’s writing skill is top notch. I enjoyed the fast pace of the plot along with the clarity of each layer of side plots. The characters leap off the page with passion, complete with personality defects and demons. There is clarity in setting the scenes, editing is well done, and the dialogue did not go overboard with vulgarity (in my opinion).
I enthusiastically recommend The Snowman to ADULT readers who seek suspense/thriller novels (with a dash of romance), and who can push through some pretty graphic scenes. Not for the faint of heart daisy.
The dark and dirty side of The Snowman, aka Stone, would be difficult to read if not for the hero’s bold and down-to-earth good guy personality. There’s balance. Well, up until the climax which had me rereading previous pages terrified that Detective Quaid bit off more than he could chew.
The Snowman immediately starts off with a steep dive into the antagonist’s well of depravity and lust for blood. If you’re looking for suspense, The Snowman will give you that with a royal flush.
Yolanda Renee will give short reprieves from the murderer’s blood lust, introducing the reader to a complex and determined police officer, Steven Quaid. He’s torn between his ambitious and political father’s demands, and his mother’s native roots. Steven has his sites set on a promotion to detective but is thwarted by inside police politics. As the body count of women climbs, the bloody scenes become his to unravel.
The closer he gets to solving the mystery, the more Detective Quaid realizes that he’s put the people he loves in grave danger. Being a rookie on the force, it didn’t take him long to screw up. If one more woman dies, the blood will be on his hands. In desperation, he chooses to commit to the ultimate sacrifice to stop Stone.
Yolanda Renee’s writing skill is top notch. I enjoyed the fast pace of the plot along with the clarity of each layer of side plots. The characters leap off the page with passion, complete with personality defects and demons. There is clarity in setting the scenes, editing is well done, and the dialogue did not go overboard with vulgarity (in my opinion).
I enthusiastically recommend The Snowman to ADULT readers who seek suspense/thriller novels (with a dash of romance), and who can push through some pretty graphic scenes. Not for the faint of heart daisy.
May 16, 2017
It's a gritty read about a sicko serial killer. Stowy is maniacal and twisted and he's making the beautiful Alaskan winter his backdrop for evil. Yolanda tells a great story- she will make you cringe and root for the handsome detective, Steven Quaid to catch this killer before he carves up another woman for his repugnant art collection.
July 6, 2017
When you open The Snowman and read the first page, you know you’re in for some heart-shaking, bone-chilling drama. Yolanda Renee writes graphic gore and creates an enticing, warped character that holds you in the grip of his terror. This story of a deranged murderer who kills for the ecstasy and the blood of his victims will grip you until you come to the end. However, this is just the beginning, so there’s to be more about The Snowman and Detective Quaid’s pursuit of this monster.
May 17, 2017
The Snowman by Yolanda Renée is an engaging read. It is the prequel to the Detective Quaid Mysteries, featuring Steven Quaid and his lovely Sarah. Fortunate to have already read the entire series, starting with book one, Murder, Madness & Love, book two, Memories of Murder, and book three, Murder & Obsession, I have to admit I scratched my head, wondering how Renée was going to pull off bringing out the prequel after the series had begun.
To say she has done an excellent job at tying the Quaid series to the prequel is an understatement. Renée addresses real issues that will make you shudder and think as you turn the pages moving toward the end.
Renée is simply an audacious writer that can tie in reality with fiction as she points out a sickness going on in societies all over the world. The victims are children and Renée in her own spunkiness takes a swing at this deplorable sickness.
The Snowman is haunting. It will haunt you. I cannot say how many days it will take me to remove the images she painted from my mind. They still gush forth like a jet plane moving at high speed.
Yet, The Snowman is well worth the read, even though there are explicit scenes of violence and language that will make you cringe.
But enough about what I think. Read The Snowman. Even if you don’t love thrillers or mysteries, this book will capture you.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
To say she has done an excellent job at tying the Quaid series to the prequel is an understatement. Renée addresses real issues that will make you shudder and think as you turn the pages moving toward the end.
Renée is simply an audacious writer that can tie in reality with fiction as she points out a sickness going on in societies all over the world. The victims are children and Renée in her own spunkiness takes a swing at this deplorable sickness.
The Snowman is haunting. It will haunt you. I cannot say how many days it will take me to remove the images she painted from my mind. They still gush forth like a jet plane moving at high speed.
Yet, The Snowman is well worth the read, even though there are explicit scenes of violence and language that will make you cringe.
But enough about what I think. Read The Snowman. Even if you don’t love thrillers or mysteries, this book will capture you.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
May 26, 2017
Steven Quaid is a rookie detective and he is now responsible for finding the The Snowman. The Snowman, or Stone, is a brutal serial killer that finds his muse in the blood of his victims. But being the new kid on the block means that he is going to get himself into trouble very face. Quaid better step up his game or more women are going to become the center of Stone’s art.
The Snowman is a brutal, bloody story of a demented serial killer and the green detective that has been giving the tasks of hunting him down. Stone is a brutal killer and loves his blood. Quaid is a new detective and has been given a huge case. He is looking to advance his career on the force but seems to be having trouble going anywhere.
If you like gory and violent thriller, look no further. This is a well written story that draws you in, gives you a ride from hell, and then dumps you in the cold snow. This is the first book of Yolanda Renee’s Quaid series that I have read. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the other books in the series.
I received The Snowman from MC Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
The Snowman is a brutal, bloody story of a demented serial killer and the green detective that has been giving the tasks of hunting him down. Stone is a brutal killer and loves his blood. Quaid is a new detective and has been given a huge case. He is looking to advance his career on the force but seems to be having trouble going anywhere.
If you like gory and violent thriller, look no further. This is a well written story that draws you in, gives you a ride from hell, and then dumps you in the cold snow. This is the first book of Yolanda Renee’s Quaid series that I have read. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the other books in the series.
I received The Snowman from MC Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
September 28, 2017
Steven Quaid just made detective, and he's out to prove to those who protested his promotion that he deserves it. It doesn't help that his first case is a bloody serial killer dubbed the Snowman. He's determined to find this psycho and stop him before someone else dies. Yet the killer has his eyes on his next sick masterpiece and Quaid is his inspiration.
A wonderfully written prequel to the amazing Detective Quaid mysteries. I was immediately hooked by the demented mind of Stone "Stowy" Jenkins. His twisted belief that what he's doing is art is warped by his desire to kill. I was already a big fan of Quaid, and I loved seeing how he started out. His ethics and determination are admirable. While we got to see both Quaid's and Stowy's points of view, I didn't know what was going to come next. I sat on the edge of my seat unable to put my ereader down until I found out how it all turned out. Intense, fast-paced, and a wicked ride.
A wonderfully written prequel to the amazing Detective Quaid mysteries. I was immediately hooked by the demented mind of Stone "Stowy" Jenkins. His twisted belief that what he's doing is art is warped by his desire to kill. I was already a big fan of Quaid, and I loved seeing how he started out. His ethics and determination are admirable. While we got to see both Quaid's and Stowy's points of view, I didn't know what was going to come next. I sat on the edge of my seat unable to put my ereader down until I found out how it all turned out. Intense, fast-paced, and a wicked ride.
May 3, 2023
"The Snowman" is a chilling exploration of a killer's mind and the dangerous relationship between the Snowman and Detective Quaid.
In this dark and chilling story, Stowy Jenkins, known as Stone or the Snowman, is an artist who uses blood as his medium for creating disturbing masterpieces. When his muse rejects him, his obsession with blood leads to a series of brutal murders.
In this dark and chilling story, Stowy Jenkins, known as Stone or the Snowman, is an artist who uses blood as his medium for creating disturbing masterpieces. When his muse rejects him, his obsession with blood leads to a series of brutal murders.
July 8, 2017
The Snowman is a vile serial killer. This book is graphic with violence and sexual deviation. Liked the detective. Liked the story, but all the violence was over kill. Will read more by this author because of the detective. Thanks to Goodreads.
December 18, 2018
This is a hard hitting book that can make you shudder at the torture being inflicted on hapless women. Despite the blood, guts and gore I continued reading because of the skilfully woven suspense. I wanted to know what it was all about and I was rewarded for toughening myself up and joining Detective Quaid in his quest to solve the mystery. I'm no stranger to Detective Quaid, as I've read all of Yolanda Renee's books, enjoyed them thoroughly and found them unputdownable which meant I wanted to know more about Detective Quaid and The Snowman is a Prequel to the Detective Quaid Mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews