The Man Burned by Winter (Rooker Lindström Thriller)

I need not reprise all that is wrong with this novel, because Stretch65’s review has done it well. However, the writing is occasionally so sloppy I couldn’t follow details of the story. Except for the lead detective, all the police characters are interchangeable and not worth trying to sort out. I get that this is a first novel, but I don’t understand how the author got an agent, much less a publisher. He indicated at the close of the novel that it is the first in a series starring his characters. Yikes! Stay away. BTW, the “obligatory” sex scenes are cardboard, don’t advance the characters, and are (shudder) boring. Amateur hour.

Rooker Lindstrom, the son of a serial killer, rouses himself from his alcohol-aided wallowing to help the police pursue a new serial killer preying on victims in wintry Minnesota. Rooker doesn’t play well with others, but he teams up with detective Tess Harlow in a tricky alliance that ruffles plenty of feathers at the police station. The protagonist’s last name, the horrifying crimes, the Minnesota setting, and even the weather make this as close to Nordic noir as a novel set in the US could possibly be. Even knowing that it was in that style didn’t prepare me for something this dark and grisly, so consider yourself warned. There's a promising story in there, and If any of the characters had been more appealing, I might not have taken so long to finish reading the book. Just brace yourself for gore, and don’t expect to like any of these people.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital advance review copy.

Rooker Lindström, journalist and son of a serial killer, returns to the cabin bequeathed to him by his father. There he is haunted/hunted by a copycat killer. The lead detective, Tess Harlow, talks Rooker into helping with the investigation as she tries to rule him out as a suspect. But, torn by the past and guilt over the death of his son, Rooker must decide whether to assist the detective or give up on life.

This story often seems implausible to me: too many coincidences and seemingly unrealistic sequences. It's an okay story, but with so many better-written and plausible storylines, why bother wasting time on this one?

for a very seasoned reader I needed a new author. He didn't disappoint.

I enjoyed this book. I felt like the characters were a little under developed and had a basic feel, but over it was enjoyable. Rooker is the son of a serial killer, returning to his father's house after the loss of his son. Rooker intended to drink himself into oblivion until a new serial killer murdering women and displaying them where his father had taken photos. Rooker helps the detectives investigate the murders, knowing that the killer is somehow connected to his father.

I loved this book. Once I started I simply couldn’t put it down. I loved Rooker and his outlook on the world.

Order was filled and shipped quickly.. Book was in excellent condition.

A page turner. Kept my interest from start to finish. Can’t wait for the second book

Wow! Good book! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, and quite a few serial killers to chose from! The storyline was very interesting with a dark and twisted story! There was a lot of gore and blood shed! So reader beware ! I did enjoy reading this book, it was a crazy twisted story! I will definitely recommend reading this book! Its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I really liked this book from the first page which is always a good sign. It did seem to slow down about 30% in, though I was interrupted so much while reading that maybe it was just me. At exactly 50% in a bomb drops and revved me back up again till the very last page. My only criticism is minor characters clothes were described too much though I really laughed at a few spots when Rooker describes some of his coworkers.

I really hope this is a series. I was going to give 4 stars but saw that he clarified Die Hard is a Christmas movie. A Christmas Classic. That earned an extra star.
5 stars