Ice Run

Former Detroit police officer Alex McKnight discovers an old man unconscious in the snow outside his cabin near Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The incident leads him into an investigation involving both present-day threats and decades-old secrets from Detroit's past. McKnight and his girlfriend Natalie become entangled in a complex web of family history tied to prohibition-era Detroit and its criminal underworld. Their search for answers takes them through dangerous territory as they try to uncover the truth behind the mysterious old man and a series of threatening messages. The investigation forces McKnight to navigate between the frozen landscape of Michigan's winter and the dark corners of Detroit's history. He must piece together clues while protecting himself and Natalie from escalating danger. The novel explores themes of generational consequences and how the past continues to shape present relationships. Through McKnight's journey, the story examines the price of loyalty and the weight of long-buried secrets.

Readers consider Ice Run a solid entry in the Alex McKnight series, with particular praise for the winter atmosphere and tension. Multiple reviews note Hamilton's ability to capture the bitter cold of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Likes: - Fast-paced action sequences - Development of Alex's character and personal life - Authentic portrayal of police procedures - Clear, straightforward writing style Dislikes: - Some found the plot less compelling than previous books - A few readers note the romance subplot feels forced - Several mention the ending wraps up too quickly Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "The winter scenes make you want to grab a blanket" - Goodreads reviewer "Not as strong as North of Nowhere but still keeps you guessing" - Amazon review "Hamilton knows how to write chase scenes that actually make sense" - LibraryThing user

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🔍 Steve Hamilton won both the Edgar and Anthony Awards for Best First Novel with his debut Alex McKnight book, "A Cold Day in Paradise" ❄️ "Ice Run" is the sixth book in the Alex McKnight series, set in Michigan's harsh Upper Peninsula where winter temperatures regularly plunge below zero 🏆 The Alex McKnight series has earned Steve Hamilton a loyal following among mystery readers and two Michigan Notable Book Awards 🌨️ The book's title refers to both literal ice - as the story takes place during a bitter winter - and "ice runs" made during Prohibition, when bootleggers transported illegal alcohol across the frozen Great Lakes 👮 Before becoming a full-time writer, Hamilton worked for 32 years as a technical writer for IBM, writing fiction in his spare time until his breakthrough success