The Deep, Deep Snow

The book starts out with some background information of how Shelby Lake actually became Shelby Lake. Shelby then begins telling the story by letting the reader know she is now 35 and we are being taken back 10 years to when Jeremiah Sloan went missing. The first half or so of the book is in this time line, while the second it set in the present. The character building was fantastic, the stories of each of the main characters really draws the reader into the story. As a reader I found myself caring about the characters and having some emotions when bad things happened. For me this is kind of rare. I know many are often drawn into the story, however for me this is not an overly often reaction and that is one of the reason for me willingly giving this a 5 star review. I am very stingy with my 5 stars, but when a book can evoke these emotions in me, it deserves all 5 stars. I do not want to give away any of the goodness, but let me say that I never saw the ending coming. If you0 like thrillers, amazing characters, and a story that keeps you guessing, do yourself a favor and read this book!

As a newborn baby, Shelby Lake was left on the doorstep of Sheriff Tom Ginn who adopted and raised her. She now works as his deputy in the very rural Mittel County. The town is called Avery Weir but is –not surprisingly- known as Everywhere. There’s something with the names in this book both those of places and people, they’re colourful but carefully chosen.
Mittel is one of those counties where everybody knows everyone. When a 10-year-old boy goes missing, the local sheriff’s department isn’t capable of handling the case and the FBI gets involved. Much to the displeasure of her partner, it is Shelby who’s chosen as a liaison person. The little boy is never found but they manage to solve a murder that happened a year earlier. Most people assume that the same man is responsible for Jeremiah’s disappearance.
10 years later, a yellow shuttlecock that may have belonged to the boy turns up in a derelict resort, deep in the woods. This new evidence turns things around and it seems that they can no longer trust the timelines and alibis given at the time.

This is the second book I read by this author and it fulfils all its promises. It’s a rather simple story about the disappearance of a young boy, but it’s masterly told. It’s told in a leisurely pace without getting boring. We get to know most of the people involved in the drama, as well as their family and friends. In one of the last places where your business is your neighbour’s and everybody else’s, you can’t hide smaller or bigger secrets for a long time. One of the themes is this book is this love and care for family, friends and community. What it means to be family and that blood is not the only way to define families.
The book is divided into 2 parts: first, there is the investigation at the time of the disappearance and the second part tells the tale of the final investigation after finding the shuttlecock. Everything you think to know from the first part is being questioned and some of the assumptions are obviously wrong. It’s a tragic story, to be honest. I won’t say much more because that would involve spoilers. Only at the end of the book, do we know everything that has happened at the time of the alleged abduction.
The author has deep compassion and understanding of people with Alzheimer. He tackles the subject with real empathy and serenity. It’s such an ugly disease that will scare most of us but he manages to evoke some of the better moments, even when he describes the gradual deterioration of the sheriff. It must be hard to do something like that.
There’s some unsubtle criticism on the US’ crippling medical costs for working people like Breezy that go bankrupt from simple appendicitis. I really don’t understand what and why they have against universal healthcare. Unfortunately, we don’t have the UK’s NHS over in Belgium and we do have to pay something, but nothing as ludicrous as what Americans pay.
The evocation of county Mittel is also done expertly. It’s almost as if you’re watching a painting in progress. It really sounds like one of the friendliest places in the US and I’d love to settle down in one of those rapidly disappearing hideouts. I hope that I can find similar communities in the remoter parts of France, Ireland or Germany (hey, I want to speak the language and the UK has its Brexit).
If you can read only 10 books this year, this is one you should pick.
I thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the free ARC they provided me with, this is my honest, unbiased review of it.

I really liked this book; often when a book is a read now, I figure it is a first attempt. This was an excellent story with good characters and some interesting twists. It is well written and moves along quickly. I found myself wanting to read all of it, rather than my frequent skim technique if I am not captivated, and looking forward to picking up the story each evening.

The mysteriously found little girl who grows up to the apple of her dad's eye, follows in his footsteps to be a small town sheriff. The small town dynamics and secrets and the disappearance of a little boy set several story lines off to a conclusion that is a nice surprise. There a a few clues telegraphed in advance, but not enough to give it all away.

I liked Shelby, the main character and found a kindness for all the characters, even the ones who could be the bad guys.

Very nice surprise, fun book to read, liked it alot. Looking forward to his next one and would love to know who mom could be. While I tend to be stingy with stars, this was such a delightful surprise to read, so feeling generous.

Brian Freeman has written so many good books. I've enjoyed them all. But, this book... The Deep Deep Snow is special. The humanity and emotion it evokes causes it to transcend the mystery and thriller that it is. It's powerful. It resonates with me. I think it's his best literary work so far. Read it for yourself.

Truly AMAZING! I admit - I read this book twice... I had to. The story is so beautifully told in first-person through Shelby Lake's eyes and experiences. Once I finished, I had to go back and re-read it to catch how Mr. Freeman so carefully plotted and revealed Shelby's story. As a deputy in the small town nicknamed "Everywhere," the novel follows the disappearance of a ten-year-old boy, Jeremiah Sloan, along with the efforts to locate the boy. Mr. Freeman skillfully shows how this little boy's disappearance has ripple effects throughout the county. In addition to the mystery, the relationship between Shelby and her Sheriff father, Tom, is very real - as an individual whose Father has memory issues, I could easily relate. The end is very satisfying... and you'll find yourself wanting to read it again, immediately!! This is a masterpiece, and it should not be missed. I hope we hear more of Shelby Lake's story from Mr. Freeman, as The Deep, Deep Snow is one of my top five books of the year!

A boy disappears and the residents of a small town are left to wonder what happened. Years later, sheriff's deputy Shelby Lake uncovers a clue and a connection to another case, and ultimately learns about her own origins, a lifelong mystery after she was abandoned on a sheriff's doorstep shortly after she was born.

In this standalone, Freeman evokes life in a remote small town in Maine. The characters are thoroughly developed and the setting is compelling. The plot comes together in a satisfying way without ever straying into sensationalism. I could have done without the touches of the supernatural (much as like owls in real life, I prefer they don't show up as omens), but they aren't overdone and suit the mood of the book. I was especially touched by the way the author treated the onset and progression of dementia in the protagonist's father. Altogether a deeply rewarding story.

What a totally captivating story!
The characters are very well developed and engaging. The story line is so intriguing and it certainly pulls you in. I didn’t want to stop reading until I found out where it was going.
How the author intertwined several mysteries going on was entrancing and so very suspenseful.
Your attention is grabbed from the first pages to the last pages.
Brian Freeman books always keep me entertained with so many twists and turns.
I highly recommend you pick up this suspenseful, mystery, thriller. You will not regret reading The Deep, Deep Snow.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

I have read all of Brian Freeman's books. Each one even better than the last. This story does not disappoint! The reader is drawn in at the very beginning finding it hard to put the story down.

Shelby had been left on Sheriff Tom Ginn's doorstep as a newborn. While on a fishing trip, Tom saw a snowy owl land on his boat and it seemed to say "home". So, Tom took no chances. He packed up and went home to find an abandoned baby (which he eventually adopts) and names her after where he had been when the owl appeared - "Shelby Lake."

It seems as if a snowy owl is a sign of things that are of major importance. Shelby remembers a time, 10 years ago. Both her and Adam - the other officer under her dad - saw a snowy owl on Adam's motorcycle. This, as the station's phone rings alerting the officers to a missing child, Jeremiah, who is 10 years old...

And that is just the start...A true twisty, absolutely great, read!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Many Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to read and review..

25 years ago, Shelby’s adopted dad saw a sign sent from God. That white, snowy owl told him all he needed to know and he raced home to find Shelby, a one week old infant, on his doorstep and close to death. 25 years later and Shelby receives her own sign from God, a 10 year old boy has gone missing and she feels as though this is the reason she was saved, to bring this boy home.

I was sceptical at the first mention of ‘owl signs from god’ but I’m so glad I stuck with it. This was a fantastic thriller, fast paced with twists and turns throughout. The writing was great and I definitely want to check out more from this author!

Ten years ago, a young boy went missing. The only thing left behind was his bike. Everyone was under suspicion.. the father, the mother, the ex-husband, the step-father, known trouble makers in the area, etc.

Deputy Shelby Lake investigates and finds that everyone has something to hide, secrets to keep, even Shelby herself.

Shelby has quite an interesting back story. Her father is the much beloved sheriff ... but his Alzheimer's is getting worse and it's evident he will need to be retiring soon. She is torn between her job and being able to take care of him. The secondary characters are credible, solidly drawn.

This was an excellent police procedural with plenty of twists and turns. Suspense starts on the very first page and rises steadily throughout until the final totally unexpected conclusion. It's intense and at times very emotional as this small town must come to terms with hidden secrets coming to the light of day.

Many thanks to the author / Blackstone Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Having read ALL this author's books, I have never been disappointed. Highly recommend this to anyone who likes crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

Deputy Shelby Lake was left abandoned as a baby, saved that freezing night by the Sherriff who later adopted her and raised her as his own daughter. Now years later, a 10-year-old boy is missing and Shelby is now the one trying to save a child. Jeremiah Sloan's abandoned bicycle is the only clue to his disappearance. Unable to find the boy, the FBI is called in to take over the search. As secrets begin to emerge the bonds of the small town residents begin to unravel. Shelby must uncover the truth to find Jeramiah even if it means exposing secrets of her own.

The Deep, Deep Snow is a thrilling mystery novel involving a young Deputy in a small town who has a mysterious past of her own. This is a "new to me" author and I will definitely be reading more of his books. This was a suspenseful whodunit with plenty of twists and turns but still light enough to make it a quick, enjoyable, read. Set in a charming town nicknamed "Everywhere" Shelby soon discovers that not everyone in their quiet town is who they appear to be. The story is told from Shelby's POV. As her father, the local sheriff, declines from dementia she is forced to try and protect his position while solving a crime. Although this was a standalone novel, I could easily see Shelby Lake having her own series. This book really hooked me and I had a hard time putting it down. I could have easily devoured it in a day and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Just finished!
4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I honestly picked up this book because the reviews were phenomenal. I am so glad I did. It kept me interested the whole time, the speed was great and the story was also wonderful. Would definitely recommend this one!

Deputy Shelby Lake was abandoned as a baby, saved by a stranger who found her in the freezing cold. Now, years later, a young boy is missing - and Shelby is the one who must rescue a child.
The only evidence of what happened to 10-year-old Jeremiah Sloan is a bicycle left behind on a lonely road. After a desperate search fails to locate him, the close bonds of Shelby’s hometown begin to fray under the weight of accusations and suspicion. Everyone around her is keeping secrets. Her adoptive father, her best friend, her best friend’s young daughter - they all have something to hide. Even Shelby is concealing a mistake that could jeopardize her career and her future.
Unearthing the lies of the people in Jeremiah’s life doesn’t get the police and the FBI any closer to finding him. As time passes and the case grows cold, Shelby worries that the mystery will stay buried forever under the deep, deep snow. But even the deepest snow melts in the spring.
When a tantalizing clue finally comes to light, Shelby must confront the darkest lie of all. Exposing the truth about Jeremiah will leave no one’s life untouched - including her own

Although it took me a little bit to get into this book, it was worth sticking with it to finish it! The beginning was a bit slow but fast forward 10 years and a whole lot of secrets, and you have a whirlwind finish leaving you gasping and saying HOLY SH...er CRAP!!! HOW DID THAT HAPPEN AND WHY?

January LaVoy is hands down one of my ultimate favorite narrator's, so when I saw that she narrated this book, it was a hands down, I have to read that! She surely did not disappoint, which is the usual case! I feel like she really brings something extra special to the books that she narrates!

There will be characters that you love and there will be characters that you will hate, and at the end you will feel justified in those feelings!

The ending will leave you with all sorts of different emotions, but mainly anger! That ending made me FURIOUS! And I will just leave it at that!

Overall, another great book from Brian Freeman!

Whoah. This book was everything a thriller should be. Great energy, a propulsive and twisty plot, and an ending that gave me all the feels. It was truly unputdownable. This was a five star read for me. Well done, Brian Freeman!

Thank you to NetGalley, author, and publisher for the egalley of this book. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Brian Freeman is a master story-teller and I always want him to write the next best noveI. I enjoyed reading this Shelby Lake story and thought about alternative endings. Ultimately, he fooled me again and I concluded that he did, in fact, nail it!

My favorite phrase from the story:
“Sooner or later, we all become orphans”

I know stand-alone releases are probably easier to market but I prefer both his Jonathan Stride and Frost Easton series books the most.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this opportunity in exchange for an honest review!

Something's very wrong in Shelby Lake's small town. She knows it but she doesn't know what to do about it. Abandoned as an infant and adopted by Tom, the Sheriff, she's now a deputy and a liaison to the FBI on a case involving a missing boy. This moves between two important time frames- when Jeremiah went missing and ten years later when a shuttlecock he owned is found in the woods. Shelby has some hard truths to uncover even as she deals with Tom's early inset dementia (and helping to protect him). No spoilers from me but this is a well crafted and twisty one. The characters are good and the setting well rendered. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Freeman's always a good read and this is no exception.

This is one of those books where I was drawn into the story right from the beginning and couldn't do anything else without completing it. The story, the characters, the prose, the suspense, the intertwined plots everything is perfect. I could connect with the characters and empathise with them. The narrative of two parts, the past and the present to show how the events affected the individuals is expertly written. I hope this is continued as a series. The protagonist Shelby Lake reminds me of Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite and would stay with me. 5 stars is not enough

Now this to me is what a true mystery/suspense book should be! I connected so much to the author's storytelling that I actually felt I was there and it was happening around me. The ability to actually wrap several mysteries into one and unveil each one at just the right time, connecting them all is just pure genius. I will be recommending this one for sure and have already purchased more books from Brian Freeman.

I have come late to the Brian Freeman fan club but am now a fully dedicated reader of his library of excellent work. Whether series or stand alone, his stories feature a "visual" feel that has the reader joining the characters as the story unwinds slowly building to a tense reveal. His characters are human, we all can picture someone we know as the face of each. Their journey through the investigation of crimes or something a little more personal have the emotional feel that keeps us turning pages quickly as we look for clues. A first rate author.

Shelby Lake is a small town deputy trying very hard to be all things to her family and friends while she struggles to solve the unusual crimes that have come to her town. She must interact with those who would love to see her fail while her father, the sheriff, continues to decline. The reveal will have you turning back pages to see how you could have missed the clues as the surprise fades. Another great read from Brian Freeman. I have not found a bad one yet.

This was my third Brian Freeman book and it did not disappoint! ‘The Deep, Deep Snow’ takes place during two time periods and tackles multiple mysteries in a remote town in the northern part of the United States. The story’s narrator is Shelby Lake, a young police officer. The first half of the book covers ten years ago, when a local boy has gone missing. The case is remains unsolved. The second half picks up ten years later when a clue is discovered. I both read the e-book and listened to the audiobook. January LaVoy’s audiobook narration was flawless. I couldn’t stop reading and I desperately wanted to know what happened. I didn’t solve the mysteries, but all of the answers seemed organic and loose ends were tied up well. Too often these days, mysteries rely on shocking twists that don’t make sense. ‘The Deep, Deep Snow’ was another well-written and well-plotted story by Brian Freeman.

Thank you Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

This was an enthralling, intense read. Set over two time periods it kept me guessing throughout. I enjoyed seeing how the mystery slowly unfolded. It was an atmospheric read.

I have read almost all of Brian Freeman's books. I have loved them all and this latest novel was no exception. Fantastic story that kept me turning the pages! Thank you to NetGalley and the publsiher for the advanced copy and a great read!

What a book!!!! I have read his other books and they just keep getting better and better! A white knuckle, edge of your seat, up all night read!!

4.5. Rounded up. I have read Brian Freeman’s Jonathan Stride series and enjoyed it. This is a new series with Deputy Shelby Lake. It starts with her backstory and then the crime 10 years previously. We move ahead 10 years and the case is still open. Shelby Lake is an interesting character and her father is the Sheriff but also suffering from early dementia. You won’t see the ending coming. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I was given a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

First of all, Brian Freeman's Johnathan Stride series is one of the best around! Followed closely by his Frost Easton and Cab Bolton series'. I am apprehensive when an author veers off from a beloved character, as I often feel like it's a missed opportunity to further their story. Not to worry with The Deep, Deep Snow (or Brian Freeman, for that matter). Shelby Lake is a very likeable and interesting character with a great story of her own. She was abandoned as a baby and adopted by the local sheriff. She is now an adult and a deputy on the case of a missing boy. I enjoyed this and am now ready for a new Frost Easton! Hint, hint......

Thank you to Brian Freeman, NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC.

"The Deep, Deep Snow", at its core, is a kidnapping thriller. But it's also so much more than that. When a local 10 year old goes missing in small town Everywhere, everyone comes out to help search. With no solid leads and no luck finding the boy, the Sheriff and his staff, which includes his daughter Shelby Lake, soon see their town overrun by the media and their case overtaken by the FBI.
When something like this happens in a close knit community like the one in Brian Freeman's novel, the waves can feel like a tsunami crashing down on top of you. Freeman pulls back the curtain on the town's dirty little secrets and lets us into the lives of those closest to the case. We also get to see the unity, pride, and hope that can come from a tragedy like this one.
Come for the thriller, but stay for the small moments in between; like a father and his daughter's relationship as they face a tough situation in their personal lives as the case unfolds. Or like the town deputy, who is so young and successful, but feels like he has never been able to make his mother proud. Or the little girl, whose best friend is the missing boy and who privately blames herself for his disappearance.
I devoured this book and I think you will too. The characters are vividly drawn and are people that you want to get to know and that will grown to love. It's a thrilling tale, told over 10 years, with heartbreak and hope and it's a place I would love to go back in visit again if Mr. Freeman ever decides to take us.

Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an advance reader's copy of this book.

Set in a small rural town in the upper Midwest, Freeman's "The Deep, Deep Snow" offers us a beautiful woodsy setting where everyone knows each other's name and each other's business. He offers this mystery with a great narrative voice of Shelby Lake, little orphan girl raised by the town sheriff, now serving as his deputy and hoping he doesn't have early onset Alzheimer's. And, everyone in town is someone Shelby grew up with, rode bikes with, played volleyball with. Now, she's a young deputy in her father's office and a ten year old out riding his bike has disappeared. Of course, as the mystery slowly unravels like the layers of an onion, the idyllic town's secrets are revealed, the things people wish disappeared and forgotten. It's a disappearance that'll take a decade to unravel. All in all, a brilliantly plotted, fast-reading, enjoyable mystery.

Shelby Lake was named after the place where her father was when he received a "premonition" which led him to an abandoned, freezing baby. He kept her, and she was reared by a police chief, named Tom Ginn. Feeling that police work was in her blood, she grew up to become his deputy.

Fast forward to the disappearance of a local child, Jeremiah Sloan. This is the gist of the whole book and covers a span of ten years. There are a few twists and turns to the investigation that will enhance the reading enjoyment.

I did find myself wishing that there were a hand-drawn map included in the book which showed the parts of Mittel County that were included in the story.

PS I was drawn to the parts where Tom developed Alzheimer's, because my husband, Tom, is in a care center suffering from the same horrific disease.