Heart of Ice

Heart of Ice
Bk 3 in Triple Threat series
by Lis Wiehl with April Henry
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2011


From the first in the series, Face of betrayal (2009), through the second, Hand of fate (2010), and now to this 2011 sequel, the writing and the cohesion of the novels have grown more sophisticated and seamless.

I enjoyed the story; I was caught up in it, in fact. But the number of people who end up dead in this book is unsettling: I know the story deals with a sociopath, but sometimes the killing seemed less strategic and more an author's means to control the plot.

What's different about this book:

• There is a skillful presentation of the worldview of each of the women: thoughts about why something happens, who's to blame when things go wrong, how we should respond to adversity and painful life situations. No didactic preaching - just a fair and balanced view of what motivates the characters. Some novels today carry such a nihilistic tone that Wiehl's approach is refreshing and enjoyable.
• The first two novels in the series really allow the reader to enjoy the fuller context of the characterizations and the background of the story.

Evaluation: what I'll do now that I have read this
This series will be shared with peers and book clubs through our libraries. The strength seems to stand in the complete series rather than a single title.

I'm frustrated that the plot lines in the lives of these women aren't being resolved but are rather pushing along the profitability factor of a series. I want some resolution to help me continue to be engaged with these characters.

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