cover image An Ice Cold Grave

An Ice Cold Grave

Charlaine Harris, . . Berkley Prime Crime, $23.95 (280pp) ISBN 978-0-425-21729-0

Bestseller Harris’s exciting third Harper Connelly mystery (after 2006’s Grave Surprise ) finds the psychic sleuth faced with her most challenging and heartbreaking job to date: locating the bodies of “runaway” boys who the people of Doraville, N.C., suspect have become victims of a serial killer. After Harper locates eight long-dead bodies, much to the surprise of skeptical Sheriff Sandra Rockwell, a mysterious figure attacks Harper. Though all Harper wants is to go home and recover from her injuries, the local authorities and State Bureau of Investigation agents demand that she stay in town to help with their investigation. The cold case heats up fast, attracting media attention as well as Harper’s friends, ailing psychic Xylda Bernardo and her doting grandson, Manfred, who make another gruesome discovery. Harper’s changing relationship with her stepbrother, manager and confidant, Tolliver Lang, lends personal interest. Harris dependably delivers fear with charming down-home finesse. (Oct.)