Cold as Ice Is well written with a good plot. I enjoyed this new to me author and will be reading additional books from this series. If you enjoy good mystery books this might be the book for you.

Overall, this was the best one yet, I held on to the Send in the Clowns as my favorite but this one ran right past and became my #1. The mystery never fails, Ellison is a solid and wonderful character and I really enjoy how the author brought out issues that were during the time period and have some focus today. It is a must read for any mystery fan.

This was my first book by this author, and I received it for free on netgalley. I really enjoyed the writing style, and the characters were not your typical cookie cutter cliche group of characters. Well thought out plot. I enjoyed that the main characters life was not perfect. Her daughter is in love with a guy no one really wants their daughter to be involved with, Her dead husband is still creating havoc in her life, and her mother is another story altogether. It is very easy to relate to, filled with tongue in cheek humor. The ending is a little abrupt, but in no way takes away from the book. I cannot wait to read another book by this author!

This is the sixth book in the Country club murders series. I loved it. It didn't disappoint. The book was full of laughter, family dynamics, a little romance, and, of course, a murder or two. I really enjoy reading this series set in the 1970s. Ellison Russell just seems to be a dead body magnet. She is always in the right, or wrong, place to find the bodies. It's an enjoyable read. But I'm curious what's going to happen with her love life in the future. Already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Cold as Ice: A Country Club Mystery
By Julie Mulhern
Henery Press
October 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

When Ellison Russell felt the harbinger sensation of “Danger!,” she thought that it may have been due to the too- handsome teenager taking her daughter out on a date. Or perhaps it could be running into three-time divorced Hunter Tafft at the neighborhood cocktail party, as Ellison still isn’t close to making any kind of commitment. Since the death of her cheating spouse, her most rewarding relationship has been with Mr. Coffee. It’s not like there’s a lot of good examples of happy marriages around as examples, as the party is cut short when a guest is slapped by an accusatory wife, alcohol is spilled, and a sofa goes up in flames. The fact that the alleged mistress also dallied with Ellison’s own late husband does little to make her sympathize with the slappee, especially when it is the furious and inebriated wife who ends up dead in the country club freezer.

The rival for Ellison Russell’s affections, homicide detective Anarchy Jones, would prefer that they complete a date without another murder or Ellison being involved. The threat against her daughter’s financial future prevents this, as only proving Tom Michaels’s innocence would allow him to receive his wife’s life insurance, pay off his immense loans, and prevent failure of her late husband’s bank. In the country club society of 1974, where the wives go to “rest” at rehab clinics while their husbands make the important decisions, Ellison bucks the trend by thrillingly taking charge and tracking down a killer. All while planning what could be a disastrous Thanksgiving dinner with her sister-in-law, her partner, and multiple murder suspects.

I continue to adore this series and the growth of Ellison Russell as a single mother living in the uppercrust society of the seventies. Ellison’s wry sense of humor has allowed her to survive the discovery that her husband was a serial philander, being suspected of murder, having a ruthlessly judgmental mother, and raising a teenage daughter. Grace may inadvertently make their home the site of an alcohol-flowing, adult-free party house, but Ellison acknowledges that this doesn’t mean she’s failure as a parent, or that she alone has to clean it up. Grace and Ellison’s relationship is a true joy to behold, as Grace has been blessed with her mother’s intelligence and her acerbic wit, tools that will prevent her from being groomed to fit into a specific lifestyle. Fans of romance will be invested in seeing who wins Ellison’s affections, and even more torn when it could lead to a broken heart. This continues to be an original series that satirizes society while plotting out an intricate mystery and developing its characters to realistic completion.

Set in the era of hair helmets, Mary Quant dresses, and glass ceilings, a socialite widow finds herself in the middle of . . . ANOTHER murder investigation. As one can guess from the #6 in the title, this is not the first in the series although it was MY first (sorry--italics are not an option here) and an absolutely charming stand-alone delight. Having eaten in that wonderful steak house next to the stock exchange (at about the same time as our heroine) as I joined my sisters in dislodging that ceiling, I could again taste the lipstick (NOT the same as today!) and smell the hairspray, perfume and cigarette smoke of that angular era. Thank you, Ms Mulhern!

I had spotted this title on Netgalley and requested it; thank you for the opportunity to read and voluntarily review!

This a very refreshing mystery great writing but I want her to stop having to be everyone elses punching bag. I want her to have that strong backbone that shows up every now and then. Focus more on the mystery and the romance happens it happens but with someone other then that detective.

Ellison Russell’s teenaged daughter Grace is going out with Trip Michaels who is a boy she does not like or trust. After Ellison goes out for the evening and finds a wild teenaged party at her house, her suspicions are confirmed. Trip is making out with another girl named Dawn and Grace is crushed. Then Ellison learns that Grace’s inheritance from her father may be in jeopardy when her bank manager tells her about a huge million dollar loan going into default that could bankrupt the bank. When a meeting with the chef at the country club leads her to find the body of Trip's mother Laurie, Ellison is determined to get the insurance payout to save the bank. But that would not happen if Laurie's husband Tom is arrested for the murder. Meanwhile, Thanksgiving is coming up and Ellison ends up hosting a mishmash of family and potential suspects for an awkwardly memorable meal.

This was another fun and strong entry in the Country Club Murders series.

I received an eARC via Netgalley and Henery Press with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

This is the first book I have read by this author and in this series. I received the book from NetGalley to read and review. Overall, I found the book interesting, though there was something I cannot put my finger on that I did not like (more later on that). Ellison Russell leads a life filled with lots of friends and events in her small town—and lots of bodies she keeps stumbling upon. Then, Ellison gets involved in figuring out what exactly happened to the person who died. In this book, many separate events come together to form a real quandary for Ellison. Ellison finds out there are big problems with the bank her not-long deceased husband Henry left as a legacy for his and Ellison’s daughter, that will probably cause the bank to go under. Daughter Grace is dating a teenage lothario, Trip, who is definitely not any parent’s choice for their child, and hosts a wild party at their home while Ellison has gone out, causing all sorts of interrelated problems that make it a solid part of the story. In addition, Ellison is meeting the chef at her club, when the dead body of a friend is found in the freezer. Finally, meddling interference about just about everything in her life by Ellison’s mother, Frances, continues to muck things and Ellison’s life up. The big positive in Ellison’s life is Detective Anarchy Jones, the investigator of her late husband’s demise, who is assigned to this particular murder/suspicious death, and who has started a relationship with her. Though Anarchy asks Ellison to keep out of this investigation, the temptation to involve herself is just too strong for Ellison, as she plunges right into her investigation, overlapping into Anarchy’s official investigation. Tensions rise and soar throughout the search for answers, as we delve into the circumstance that led to the death.

The book was a good one. I think what I did not like was the main character, Ellison. I could not relate to her or her life style and found her stilted and unappealing. Face it, I am not rich and do not travel in the sorts of circles she does—and I really felt that the book did not transport me to this sort of life style. The setting was typically Southern money, with most of the characters members of this monied group. The book also focused a lot on the personal relations of everyone, main and lesser characters, and not a lot on the mysterious deaths that happen to the bodies Ellison finds. In addition, the ending came about quite suddenly, out of the blue, in my opinion. I also found the writing style not quite to my liking. Still, it was a fairly decent mystery and did enjoy reading it.

Cold As Ice
The Country Club Murders, Book #6
Julie Mulhern
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Ellison Russell’s life resembles a rollercoaster ride. And rollercoasters make her ill. Her daughter Grace has a crush on a boy Ellison doesn’t trust and she’s taken to hosting wild parties when Ellison goes out for the evening. Worse, the bank which represents Grace’s inheritance from her father may be in trouble.

When a meeting with the chef at the country club leads to the discovery of a body, Ellison can’t afford cold feet. She must save the bank, find the killer, and convince Grace (and herself) that powerful women don’t need men to rescue them. (Goodreads)


Review:

The author is very talented is her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place around me. She pulled me in time after time into whatever was happening. I felt like I was really there at the party, with all of the fancy clothes and furniture. The author really knows how to set a stage.

I really liked that the book takes place during the 1970’s. Back to a time when things were simpler with no internet and no smart phones. Back to a time that when you wanted to tell someone something, you had to call them instead of texting. Back to the good old days, and I enjoyed my stroll down memory lane.

The characters are well rounded and well developed. I enjoyed getting to know Ellison and her friend Libba, and I thought their relationship was full of drama and humor. She has two possible love interests and it will be interesting seeing which way she goes for sure. The secondary characters, which there were a lot of, added a lot to the story.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The mystery is well plotted and there were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through that it was not easily solved. I really like when that happens.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. If you are looking for a blast from the past, check this book out.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange of a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Henery Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Julie Mulhern gives us an icy mystery we can definitely sink our teeth into. I love the use of Foreigner title!! I had it playing on Spotify while writing my review!

Ellison Russell is shocked to learn her daughter’s inheritance is in trouble all because of one huge loan and other mistakes at the bank. She has decided to take the bull by the horns and will go to great lengths to save her daughter’s future. She also has other obligations she must attend to, like meeting with the country club chef to set the menu for her friend’s party. While there the sous chef makes a chilly discovery. Oh no! Not again! There is a dead body in the walk in freezer! Things are about to get slippery as Ellison tries to save the bank, catch a killer and bring her daughter, Grace to her senses – really, a wild party – seriously Grace. All while trying to take her relationship with Detective Anarchy Jones to the next level.

I love this series and wait very impatiently for each new story. I love going back in time to the 70’s. Life before cell phones and cable television. Where Mr. Coffee is your morning pal and gives you just what you need to start your day. The foods mentioned like tuna casserole – you know tuna with egg noodles, peas and a can of Campbell’s cream of celery soup, remind me of the meals my mom used to cook, we still have a version of the dish around here one in a while and it always brings back welcome memories.

Ellison Russell doesn’t need a man to take care of her even though her mother thinks she does. The woman can multitask like a champion and that’s a good thing because she keeps finding dead bodies everywhere. That really upsets her mother too, like Ellison is finding these bodies on purpose. It is also funny that whenever she calls the police the first thing they ask is “Did you find another one?” Definitely not the life her mother has envisioned for her.

The plot is exceptional with plenty of twists but the author gives us some side-splitting moments too. From Grace’s eye rolls to Thanksgiving dinner and so many more in between you will find yourself giggling and even laughing out loud. The dialogue throughout the entire book is absolutely stellar.

Ms. Mulhern’s books are so much fun to read and I usually read them all in one sitting. My family usually knows when I am reading them too because of the intermittent laughter. My daughter “It’s another Julie Mulhern book, isn’t it?” I just nod and smile.

This book is an absolutely perfect escape. I did have a little problem with the last couple of pages though. I was not happy at all, but that just makes me excited for the next installment and hope like hell Julie straightens things out 🙂

Ellison Russell has a habit. Nobody likes the habit. Ms. Russell did not like the habit. Her habit? Finding bodies, dead bodies.

Ellison Russell and her family are not poor. You would think they would avoid the kind of people that lived among dead (i.e. murdered) people, but not Ellison Russell. But not only did Ellison find bodies, she also put herself in the middle of the police investigations trying to solve those murders. The police did not like that, not even her boyfriend, Anarchy Jones, a police detective. But she could not help it, she stumbled on clues as easily as she stumbled on bodies; and when she stumbled on clues, she ended up in the middle of the murder investigation. And the ending was not always pretty.

“Cold As Ice” is a bit grittier than many cozy mysteries, but entertaining none the less. This reader sometimes felt he was out of the loop because he had not read earlier books in the series, but that did not distract from the enjoyment and adventure found in the current book. For the reader looking for a good Thanksgiving read, “Cold As Ice” may just fill the bill.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Ellison Russell is a socialite living in Kansas City, Missouri in 1974 Her daughter, Grace, is testing her boundaries. To add to her stress she finds that her social obligations are a duty she must perform. As if her her life wasn't hectic enough, suddenly it becomes crazier. There is a murder and she's in the middle of things. She was there when the body was found. What's she going to do? Ellison is an exciting character that I liked immediately. She's a caring mother and a feisty woman. I love her sassy attitude. This is a quick and entertaining read that pulled me right in. Ellison's fledgling romance with Detective Anarchy Jones was sweet. I liked seeing them together. Their chemistry was potent. The Detective is a good man who has a special connection with Ellison. I fell for him. The murder investigation gave the police plenty of suspects who wanted Laurie dead. I loved this well told mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I liked Julie Mulhern's writing. Her characters are well written. I enjoy the way their dialogue sparkles with sassy attitude. I love this series. The Country Club Murders are on my keeper shelf.

I totally enjoyed this, it was entertaining and kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. The characters were great and so full of life and I enjoyed the whole murder mystery.

Cold As Ice is the sixth installment in Julie Mulhern's Country Club Murders series. Ellison Russell has developed a very unusual habit in the year 1974; she has the rare knack for finding dead bodies. Coming off the heels of Watching the Detectives, she is in hopes of putting all that behind her. And technically, the first body found in this story was found by the sous chef, she just happened to be present.

With the budding relationship with Detective Anarchy Jones, Ellison is hoping for a normal, uneventful first date. And it was until Jones receives a page that there is a disturbance at Ellison's house. They return to find an unauthorized teen party seemingly thrown by her daughter, Grace, complete with cars, kegs, and paired off couples, including Grace's questionable boyfriend, Trip Michaels, and the girl he had locked himself in the study with, Dawn Hathaway.

On the day that Ellison's friend, Laurie Michaels, is found dead, the girl from the party tries to commit suicide and is hospitalized. Grace feels terrible about the girl, feeling she may have contributed to the reason, and begs Ellison to take her to see the girl. At this time Grace learns things that make her cross Trip off her list.

Within the week, Ellison finds another of her friends dead, this one of poison. Do the three incidents have a connection and what could it be? Although Detective Jones gets Ellison to promise to look into the case no further, fearing for her safety, she still becomes involved. How will that effect them as a couple?

Once again, Julie Mulhern has written a twisty-turny mystery that takes until the very end to discover the who and the why. As with all books in this series, I do recommend this book.

I have read each and every book in Julie Mulhern’s The Country Club Murders series. I was astounded with her writing skill in the first book in (“The Deep End”) and each succeeding book has added even more to my delight.

The setting is the early 1970’s in Kansas City and our sleuth, Ellison Russell, is part of the elite country club members. Over the last year (and five prior books), Ellison’s life has been turned upside down. She is trying to breaking free of the privileged mold that she was born into. She wants something different for both herself and for her teenaged daughter, Grace.

The problem is that Ellison keeps stumbling over dead bodies – and not just that, murdered dead bodies. This sends her prim and by-the-book mother into a tizzy. After all, people are really beginning to talk about Ellison’s new “hobby”.

In this story, set at Thanksgiving, the scene is set once again with members of Ellison’s crazy family descending upon her. She is busy trying to explore her feelings for Detective Anarchy Jones. People and events keep getting in the way and at some point, Ellison has to make a decision about where her loyalties are.

I was a child during this time period and I was certainly not in the same “set” as Ellison. I do remember a lot about the time and find the book accurate in setting the ambiance of the period both from the products available (yes, Mr. Coffee!) to the social mores (or customs) of the time that were suddenly up for challenge. Ms. Mulhern uses a deft hand in bringing these to the readers attention while providing a great mystery and a simply fun book to read. I’ll be looking for more in this great series in the future.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

I was provided a copy of this book from Netgalley and thank them for fulling a wish. The opinions are my own.
It is a standalone story and can be enjoyed as that. I liked the book. This is the first in the series that I have read. I own two others and they are now near the top of my TBR pile. There was a good plot, lots of twists and turns and a surprising ending. I did not see the killer as the killer. The author did a great job of providing numerous suspects. Ellison is the sleuth, Detective Anarchy Jones is part of the detective team with Detective Peters. Neither detective wants Ellison involved but you don’t always get what you want. I was disappointed in the ending but that happens in life. I look forward to the next episode.
This story is set in 1974 and I could relate as I was a teen during this time frame. I remember references to Herbal Essence shampoo, love baby soft perfume, and tame. Loved the rotary phone!
I highly recommend Cold as Ice

The Country Club Murder series just keeps getting better and better. Set in 1974 Kansas City, Missouri, Ellison Russell, whose mother despairs of her proclivity of discovering bodies, is still trying to fit into her new life as a single mother to a teen and a professional artist. But it doesn't take long before she is embroiled in another murder after a sous chef at the Club faints after finding a body in the walk in freezer. One thing I really like about these books are the characters and the tough relationships they navigate as the times become more liberating. Ellison’s mother is the staunch hospital board/committee member matriarch, able to quell lesser beings with ‘the look’. Ellison’s daughter is 16, and Grace pushes her limits as a young woman coming of age in a different time than her mom. And I was glad to see that Detective Anarachy Jones has remained a constant, still unwilling to accept much of Ellison’s help with sleuthing. And Ellison still tries to save the legacy of the bank her late husband Henry ran, as it is Grace’s inheritance. While you could certainly go back and read these books in order (and you should), diving in right here would be a perfect introduction to everything that is so perfect about this series.

As regular readers of my reviews will know, I'm always looking for new cozy crime series so I requested this one from NetGalley. I enjoyed the retro setting and liked the characters. I felt a bit out of the loop as far as the backstory was concerned, but that's perhaps not surprising given that this is the sixth book in the series and the first of them that I've read. This made a really nice change from some of the popular cozy tropes and it was nice to find a murder mystery set in the past and it not be the 1920s/30s. I'm not sure I've ready any other cozies set in the 1970s at all actually. I had a few quibbles, but I liked it enough that I went out an bought 2 more which were on offer for 99p on Kindle.

Great cozyish mystery that takes place in the 70's. That alone, makes it funner than the usual cozy to read because of all the 70's references. :) Plenty of suspects. Plenty of colorful characters, including the prim and proper Mother who likes to harp on all the ways the female lead has disappointed her. There is a romantic element, though all clean. This book does have some sex talk, but it's all in good taste and quite suitable for teens and up. It does read easily and doesn't have a lot of fluff content (used to fill pages.) Anything that doesn't pertain directly to the mystery itself, is there to build the characters. It also doesn't contain an over abundance to descriptive talk (that really didn't need to be there.) This is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone without any issues. (It was the first in the series that I read.) There is mention of things that happened in the previous books, though, so if you hate spoilers and are planning on reading the entire series, you probably want to start from the beginning.