Frozen (The Author’s Cut) by Jay Bonansinga goes one step beyond the conventions of the everyday tale of FBI versus a serial killer.

Readers join FBI profiler Ulysses Grove as he agonizes over his inability to solve a case.  The Sun City Killer has taken six lives, and Ulysses is at a dead end.  He cannot sleep.  The stress is affecting him physically.  He suffers from fainting spells.  And beneath it all lies the long-time stress of a strained relationship with his mother and the pain of losing a beloved wife only a few years ago.  Ulysses is a complicated and highly likable protagonist--smart, honorable, elegant, and loyal.  Most important, he demonstrates great respect for humanity as shown when he attempts to revive a dying victim.  Readers will care about him and become loyal followers.  Although Frozen is an extension of a series, readers can enjoy this story without having read any of the earlier novels.

Grove finally gets a tip that seems like a long shot, but he will do anything to catch the Sun City Killer.  Urged on by a science journalist, Grove heads to Alaska to examine a recently-discovered, tattooed, frozen body over six thousand years old.  Experts note that it is posed in a gesture of summoning.  Along with Grove, readers will doubt the possibly of a connection between an ancient mummy, his tattoos, and the Sun City Killer.

The serial killer is a fascinating character.  This successful, well-respected business man is intense, relentless, unpredictable, and demonic.  His determination and strength seem unnatural.  His victims seem randomly chosen.  The unlikely killer is at once disturbing and sympathetic--the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time.  To stop him, Grove must find an explanation for the killing spree and discover his inexplicable motivation.

Bonansinga is a masterful writer.  His prose is clean and smooth.  There are no wasted words or superfluous dialogue tags, so readers will fly through the text without interruption.  Show prevails over tell, thus drawing readers closer into the action.  The backstory is never dumped on the reader, since its elements are strategically positioned throughout the story to tantalize the reader and prepare him for the unexpected conclusion.

The action takes place in interesting locations across the country.  The author takes readers along for the ride via lush and evocative descriptions.  The supporting characters are well-drawn and work together seamlessly, even the less likable. 

The plot is fast paced and never bores.  However, at times one might want the pace to slow down in order to luxuriate in the hints of romance and the unforeseeable, unfolding outcome.  Realistic enforcement procedure creates an aura of authority.

"To paraphrase the Bard, there’s far more in heaven and earth than you’ve ever dreamed, Agent Grove" (Father Carrigan).

One astounding plot twist that makes this mystery unique requires a willing suspension of disbelief that would make Coleridge proud—the inclusion of the metaphysical.

It a time when science and its uncompromising sensibilities rule, Bonansinga’s readers are compelled to accept the possibility of subtle supernatural elements.  Those who may hesitate to accept such content might do well to examine books such as Field Guide to the Spirit World by Susan Martinez, Ph.D. and Self Deliverance by K.A. Schneider.  Both books could serve to urge readers to rethink long-held convictions.

Frozen is a novel that is recommended for readers of mystery, crime, and the supernatural.  The only downside of the novel is the fact that it ends too soon.

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"There's a concept in forensics known as the "evidence clock." The clock starts the moment a murder is committed, at which time the hard evidence starts to degrade. Prints mingle, DNA washes away, blood dries and flakes and vanishes. Even psychological evidence atrophies over time. Body positioning is changed as uniformed officers move things. It's an unavoidable aspect to crime scene processing . . . and nobody knows this better than the FBI profilers."

◆ Ulysses: The best profiler in FBI history, self-proclaimed "Beefcake" (extremely handsome, TOO HANDSOME to be taken seriously...he sure isn't humble), and The Chosen One. I really felt like he was a total "Sue", written to be this extremely special person and everyone bends over backwards for him, even when he's an asshole. I was uncomfortable with how he was so self-loathing over his black features and his black heritage (African / Jamaican). Overall he seemed an okay character, if you can get past the whole Sue-ness.

◆ Maura: Editor at Discover Magazine and total quirky blonde who reaches out to Ulysses to come profile the 6,000 year old murder victim mummy discovered up in the Alaskan mountains. She was inserted into the story to move the plot along: a link between Ulysses and the Sun City serial killer, a love interest (which for me didn't pan out in the slightest, it really shouldn't have happened). Her life is put in danger which 'helps' Ulysses move past the loss of his wife years ago. I just really didn't appreciate how her character was used as a means of personal growth for the male MC. I also think it's really icky when a man refers to a love interest as "kid" or "kiddo", I cringe every time.

I loved the premise, and the book cover. The writing itself was quite annoying at times with repeated phrasings and the like (a personal pet peeve). At around 30% of the way into the book we collectively discover who the serial killer is, and from then on out the story centers on way too much police work in hunting the killer down. Except it was pretty boring. For me that killed the mystery, so to speak. I really wanted to like the paranormal aspects of the plot, and while I appreciate the uniqueness, it didn't come together in an interesting way for me.

I wasn't given much incentive to care about the MCs backstory, and the supporting characters didn't catch my interest either. The attempts at romance were stilted and awkward, and like I said earlier I really didn't appreciate the use of inserting a female character into the plot to move along a male characters internal woes in such a brusque manner, it's rude. Women are people, not just the object of the state of a man's mental health and successes in life.

There were several instances in the book where things didn't add up, so the scenes felt 'closed off' from reality. The ending itself was pretty cool, yet partly silly how all of a sudden Ulysses has all these epiphanies and everything spontaneously falls into place. The fact that he only felt comfortable with his black culture at the end of the book, after seeing that it made him special (because of a paranormal reason, not because he naturally grew to love his roots), didn't sit well with me. You don't need a paranormal reason to feel special in your own skin, and the narrative leaning otherwise is unnecessary.

Regarding being interested in this book because the author worked with Robert Kirkman on Return to Woodbury...well...TWD and Frozen are not comparable in the slightest.

My thanks to Burns and.Lea.books.
Fact is that if you're a zom/poc fan and haven't heard from this author, then truthfully I cannot say you've missed much. It's just a fact. I ain't about to shovel pyrite up your arse, and tell ya ' it's gold. This author has a name I think because of "maybe, the walking dead." I know I've heard of him. Why, when? Seriously I haven't a fucking clue. I will say that 10 years ago, I may have enjoyed this. Seriously, I don't even mean nor intend to knock this author down, but right now, it's kind of lame. I adore zombies. I do. They are fucked.up. That's the best thing ever! Give me every fricking thing you can throw at me. I will believe it. Toss zombies into it, and I know I'm safe..... Unless..dum,.dum, dum...the wormwood has passed overhead! Eek! And stuff!.

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you are a fan of mystery and thriller you will no doubt like this read! The description of the book really speaks for itself.

FBI agent Ulysses Grove is on a search for a serial killer. But when he is forced to take leave, he goes on a wild goose chase to find the site of a six-thousand-year-old mummy. The thing is... the mummy looks the same as the serial killer's victims... how can they look the same?

The book was an interesting plot with some supernatural elements to it, so you will enjoy this book if you are a fan of fantasy as well!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Where to even begin this review, I literally could not put this book down, I found it intriguing FBI Agent Ulyssees Grove is on the hunt of the Sun City serial killer.... forced to take leave, he is sent on what he thinks if a wild goose chase to see the site and remains of a 6000 year old mummified body which had been discovered the year before. dubbed "the Ice Man". The first thing Grove notices is that the way the mummy died is the mirror image of the Sun City's serial killer's victims!!!! How can modern victims bear the same pose and same wounds as a 6000 year old mummy....

An interesting plot line with some supernatural elements to it, I had visions of the movie "Exorcism".... thoroughly enjoyed it, love serial killer books but never had one turn out like this one, its unique, will definitely be looking to read more by this author.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Burns & Lea for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.