The Ice Angels: A Detective Elea Baker Novel

A grieving detective finds a reason to hope that her missing daughter is alive in this solid series launch from former U.K. investigator Mitchell (The Family at #1). In 2016, Finnish police detective Elea Baker was probing the disappearances of two Helsinki 12-year-olds when her own daughter, Liisa, was kidnapped on the way home from school. All three families received a single white feather in the mail when their child vanished. Now, 10 years later, Elea’s ex-husband asks her to consult with police in the British city of Lincoln on their investigation into similar crimes. After three girls are kidnapped and their families are sent feathers, one of the victims—12-year-old Sophie Miller—is found alive and alone near a cathedral, clutching a doll that resembles one of Liisa’s favorites. This discovery gives Elea a surge of hope, and she rededicates herself to finding Liisa. Mitchell toggles between Liisa’s perspective in the past and Elea’s in the present, heightening suspense by withholding information in both timelines. Unfortunately, the ending feels like a bit of a letdown. Still, fans of dark police procedurals will enjoy themselves. Agent: Madeleine Milburn, Madeleine Milburn Literary. (Jan.)