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Troy Chance #2
A Cold and Lonely Place
Troy Chance returns in another riveting novel from the author of the critically acclaimed Learning to Swim.
Freelance writer Troy Chance is snapping photos of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival ice palace when the ice-cutting machine falls silent. Encased in the ice is the shadowy outline of a body--a man she knows. One of her roommates falls under suspicion, and the media descends. Troy's assigned to write an in-depth feature on the dead man, who, it turns out, was the privileged son of a wealthy Connecticut family who had been playing at a blue collar life in this Adirondack village. And the deeper Troy digs into his life and mysterious death, the murkier things become. After the victim's sister comes to town and a string of disturbing incidents unfold, it's clear someone doesn't want the investigation to continue. Troy doesn't know who to trust, and what she ultimately finds out threatens to shatter the serenity of these mountain towns. She must decide which family secrets should be exposed, what truths should remain hidden, and how far her own loyalty can reach.
A Cold and Lonely Place, the sequel to Learning to Swim, follows Troy on a powerful emotional journey as she discovers the damage left by long-hidden secrets, and catches a glimpse of what might have been.
Freelance writer Troy Chance is snapping photos of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival ice palace when the ice-cutting machine falls silent. Encased in the ice is the shadowy outline of a body--a man she knows. One of her roommates falls under suspicion, and the media descends. Troy's assigned to write an in-depth feature on the dead man, who, it turns out, was the privileged son of a wealthy Connecticut family who had been playing at a blue collar life in this Adirondack village. And the deeper Troy digs into his life and mysterious death, the murkier things become. After the victim's sister comes to town and a string of disturbing incidents unfold, it's clear someone doesn't want the investigation to continue. Troy doesn't know who to trust, and what she ultimately finds out threatens to shatter the serenity of these mountain towns. She must decide which family secrets should be exposed, what truths should remain hidden, and how far her own loyalty can reach.
A Cold and Lonely Place, the sequel to Learning to Swim, follows Troy on a powerful emotional journey as she discovers the damage left by long-hidden secrets, and catches a glimpse of what might have been.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Sara J. Henry
7 books323 followersYou can read the first chapters of my novel LEARNING TO SWIM here. You can read chapters of the sequel here. (Don't have to read them in order.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 651 reviews
November 9, 2014
I wrote it; I'm fond of this book!
February 14, 2020
A delightful beach read. Great setting (the Adirondacks appeals to me), a very likeable lead character (Reporter Troy Chase), easy to visualise settings, well written and I never saw the real ending approaching. Can't wait to read her first book.
Unputdownable.
Unputdownable.
Read
January 29, 2020Anti-climatic and plodding: Troy gets hungry a lot and eats PB&J sandwiches. Troy also returns her phone calls and checks email in a responsible fashion.
November 5, 2013
Good; not great. A quick read.
I like Troy, but found myself starting to laugh out loud at the copious descriptions of what she eats. Not a chapter goes by that we don't learn what Troy had for breakfast (eggs and toast with blackberry preserves; oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar; a bowl of crunchy granola), lunch (half a sandwich and cup of soup at Panera; lentil soup with crusty bread; ham and cheese on wheat with a glass of milk; the ubiquitous PB&J), and too many dinners (Wendy's! Mexican! Fries!) to count. And then there are the snacks. She is frequently mentioned as being "ravenously hungry," and I found myself saying "Of course you are! What will you eat next?" I almost started keeping a tally of food sightings. Probably not what the author intended.
Gustatory notations aside, the story is quiet and not exactly a whodunit in the traditional sense. I enjoyed the northern atmosphere and some of the characterizations. I would've liked to see a little more of Troy's prickly qualities that came through in the first book (yes, you should read "Learning to Swim" first), and the relationships from the previous novel get short shrift here. But I'm glad the author resisted tying up one considerable one loose end, and I'd like to see what she does next.
I like Troy, but found myself starting to laugh out loud at the copious descriptions of what she eats. Not a chapter goes by that we don't learn what Troy had for breakfast (eggs and toast with blackberry preserves; oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar; a bowl of crunchy granola), lunch (half a sandwich and cup of soup at Panera; lentil soup with crusty bread; ham and cheese on wheat with a glass of milk; the ubiquitous PB&J), and too many dinners (Wendy's! Mexican! Fries!) to count. And then there are the snacks. She is frequently mentioned as being "ravenously hungry," and I found myself saying "Of course you are! What will you eat next?" I almost started keeping a tally of food sightings. Probably not what the author intended.
Gustatory notations aside, the story is quiet and not exactly a whodunit in the traditional sense. I enjoyed the northern atmosphere and some of the characterizations. I would've liked to see a little more of Troy's prickly qualities that came through in the first book (yes, you should read "Learning to Swim" first), and the relationships from the previous novel get short shrift here. But I'm glad the author resisted tying up one considerable one loose end, and I'd like to see what she does next.
December 9, 2012
Above all else, Sara Henry's new novel, "A Cold and Lonely Place" (Crown 2013) beats into the reader how frigid and forlorn Saranac Lake, in Upper state New York, is. My fingers tingle, my nose goes numb, and my eyelashes ice over just thinking about it. The glacial setting is so richly constructed, it becomes the antagonist in the story as characters constantly work around it, involve it, and pay attention to it in everything they do.
Not only does chilly isolation define the setting, these traits catalyze the mystery that drives the plot. Tobin, friend-of-a-friend of Troy Chance, a local citizen who rents rooms out in her oversized house to help pay bills, is found dead, bobbing beneath a frozen lake, no clue whether his death is suicide or murder. Troy is a journalist, usually on call for local events and sport rivalries, but pulled into this story because its national appeal (estranged son of wealthy parents dies in wilderness town) demands thorough coverage by the small local paper. To write the story, she researches, building a picture of who Tobin was and how he ended up in a backwater town rather than the posh resort his upbringing would indicate to be a better fit. She quickly finds out Tobin's death wasn't the only mystery about the man.
As she struggles to unravel the clues, she finds herself attacked by unknown assailants who apparently aren't happy with her involvement.
The story is well-written with multi-dimensional and strongly-drawn characters. Each has ample backstory Henry dribbles out like bread crumbs, enticing readers to follow along and try to untangle why each individual chose to live in a world of snow and ice and few comforts and did any of those reasons lead to Tobin's death? Every time Troy thinks she understands, something pops up forcing her to dig deeper. Pacing, like excitement in a town where there is little to do besides ski and snowshoe and try to stay warm, is quick enough but not so fast you can't afford a bathroom break.
I'll be looking for her next novel (this is her second), though I wouldn't mind a warmer setting. I still shiver when I think about the book.
Not only does chilly isolation define the setting, these traits catalyze the mystery that drives the plot. Tobin, friend-of-a-friend of Troy Chance, a local citizen who rents rooms out in her oversized house to help pay bills, is found dead, bobbing beneath a frozen lake, no clue whether his death is suicide or murder. Troy is a journalist, usually on call for local events and sport rivalries, but pulled into this story because its national appeal (estranged son of wealthy parents dies in wilderness town) demands thorough coverage by the small local paper. To write the story, she researches, building a picture of who Tobin was and how he ended up in a backwater town rather than the posh resort his upbringing would indicate to be a better fit. She quickly finds out Tobin's death wasn't the only mystery about the man.
As she struggles to unravel the clues, she finds herself attacked by unknown assailants who apparently aren't happy with her involvement.
The story is well-written with multi-dimensional and strongly-drawn characters. Each has ample backstory Henry dribbles out like bread crumbs, enticing readers to follow along and try to untangle why each individual chose to live in a world of snow and ice and few comforts and did any of those reasons lead to Tobin's death? Every time Troy thinks she understands, something pops up forcing her to dig deeper. Pacing, like excitement in a town where there is little to do besides ski and snowshoe and try to stay warm, is quick enough but not so fast you can't afford a bathroom break.
I'll be looking for her next novel (this is her second), though I wouldn't mind a warmer setting. I still shiver when I think about the book.
November 1, 2012
Another winner from Sara Henry. This, her second novel featuring the quirky, independent, and immensely likable Troy Chance, is multi-layered, beautifully written, and almost impossible to put down. 'A Cold and Lonely Place' is not only a satisfying mystery, it also has much to say about the strength and fragility of human relationships. After a local man is found beneath a frozen lake Troy begins the search for his killer with the help of a few old friends, and some new ones as well. As she delves into the past of this young man she barely knew, she is drawn to places she never expects in her quest to find the truth.
The events in the novel take place, fittingly, in the middle of winter, proving that a cold, lonely place can also be breathtakingly beautiful. Highly recommended.
The events in the novel take place, fittingly, in the middle of winter, proving that a cold, lonely place can also be breathtakingly beautiful. Highly recommended.
February 3, 2013
My Thoughts
I call this a “quiet” book. The story unfolds slowly and the author did a great job of keeping me involved. Along the way, secrets are revealed and mysteries are solved. There were a few surprises, but no major twists or surprise endings. For this book, it all worked.
This is my first book by this author. I did not realize that it was a sequel to Learning to Swim . There were enough references to Troy’s previous experiences that it made me wonder if there had been a first book, but this in no way impeded my enjoying A Cold and Lonely Place. In fact, I so enjoyed the author’s style that I want to go back and read her first book.
My thanks to Crown Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
Publish date: February 5, 2013.
I call this a “quiet” book. The story unfolds slowly and the author did a great job of keeping me involved. Along the way, secrets are revealed and mysteries are solved. There were a few surprises, but no major twists or surprise endings. For this book, it all worked.
This is my first book by this author. I did not realize that it was a sequel to Learning to Swim . There were enough references to Troy’s previous experiences that it made me wonder if there had been a first book, but this in no way impeded my enjoying A Cold and Lonely Place. In fact, I so enjoyed the author’s style that I want to go back and read her first book.
My thanks to Crown Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
Publish date: February 5, 2013.
February 5, 2021
I found this book fascinating, a brilliant exercise in sustained tension, with new information and clues following one after the other ... until the end ... which IMO resolved several threads much too quickly and too simply.
January 23, 2013
This book starts out rather slowly, definitely a character based mystery but I loved the setting of the book. I have never been to Lake Placid but it is a place I hope to get to one day. The story is unpeeled layer by layer, family secrets exposed and people who are not what they seem. Their are no big action scenes, no gory situations just a good solid story, with a likable lead character who works for a newspaper. Read her first book in this series, and look forward to her third. ARC from publisher.
July 28, 2019
Sara Henry has given her debut character, Troy Chance another mystery to solve. In the beautiful but desolate Lake Placid area of northern New York, Troy is on scene when a young man is discovered frozen in the ice of Saranac Lake. Troy, a free lance writer, is consigned to write a series of articles surrounding the mysterious death.
This is not a fast paced heart pounding thriller. The author gives depth to her characters from beginning to end. And that includes the locale. Northern New York in the throes of winter is frigidly cold. Unless you've been there it's hard to imagine the how bitter the cold is and how the snow just keeps coming. But the author is able to bring the area to life for her readers.
As Troy researches and puts together her articles, the mystery unfolds with secrets uncovered, and nothing is really as it seems. The deeper she digs the more complex things become. I thoroughly enjoyed getting reacquainted with Troy and her adopted community. The twisty turns kept me engaged and guessing to the end. I hope I haven't heard the last from Troy Chance.
This is not a fast paced heart pounding thriller. The author gives depth to her characters from beginning to end. And that includes the locale. Northern New York in the throes of winter is frigidly cold. Unless you've been there it's hard to imagine the how bitter the cold is and how the snow just keeps coming. But the author is able to bring the area to life for her readers.
As Troy researches and puts together her articles, the mystery unfolds with secrets uncovered, and nothing is really as it seems. The deeper she digs the more complex things become. I thoroughly enjoyed getting reacquainted with Troy and her adopted community. The twisty turns kept me engaged and guessing to the end. I hope I haven't heard the last from Troy Chance.
December 28, 2012
I enjoyed meeting Troy Chance in Learning to Swim, so I was happy to meet up with Troy Chance again in A Cold and Lonely Place. The novel begins with Troy doing what she does best - journalism. Troy is working on a story about the annual ice palace being constructed on Lake Flower in the town of Lake Saranac. Construction stops for a time when a body is found in the ice. As Troy moves closer to spot where blocks of ice are being cut from the ice and the body is discovered, she realizes that she knows the man under the ice. And thus the investigation begins. Through her investigation for articles she's asked to write, Troy uncovers another mystery surrounding the man pulled out of the lake. I liked the way Henry handled not only the mystery but also the character development. The beauty of this novel is that is more character driven than action driven. As a reader, I was constantly questioning everyone, wondering who they were and what made them tick. My perception of all of them changed significantly as the novel continued. I was initially frustrated with the ending. I wanted to blame someone for Tobin's death. However, the more I thought about the ending, the more I realized that A Cold and Lonely Place is like life. Sometimes things happen, and there's no one to blame. It was just an accident. I appreciate that this novel imitates life in that way. I also like the mystery within the mystery and the family secrets the novel contains. An absolutely gripping novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2014
The beginning of the story had an interesting scenario and I had thought this would develop into an engaging crime story, but instead it seemed as though it was about proving how smart the journalist was and how dumb the police can be. To me there were too many smart connections and coincidences and I was left with a feeling that it just didn't ring true. Maybe okay for a read on a sun-couch somewhere, but I wasn't on a sun-couch.
March 10, 2013
This a quiet and powerful book. More than a mystery, it's a story about secrets and how they affect people. And it's a story about how we all affect each other. It's a "what really happened" and "how did it happen" kind of book instead of a whodunnit. While the focus may be on Tobin and what happened to him out on the ice that night, we are really concerned with the people who have been left behind. Tobin's death brings to light a lot of secrets regarding his family--secrets that his friend David Zimmer needs to talk about and his sister Win needs to hear. Through his death and Troy's investigations following it, friends will be made, a father will be found, and lives will be touched. And so will the reader. Sarah J. Henry has written a powerful story that brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. With memorable characters and an interesting storyline, she's definitely given me a series that I want to read more of--I'll be going back to read the first book (Learning to Swim) and I'll be looking forward to new entries in the Troy Chance collection. Four stars.
**Oh...and cheers for her homage to Ngaio Marsh's heroine Agatha Troy! It's nice to see the hat tip to one of my vintage mystery authors.
This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks!
**Oh...and cheers for her homage to Ngaio Marsh's heroine Agatha Troy! It's nice to see the hat tip to one of my vintage mystery authors.
This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks!
August 25, 2017
This was a really good mystery and an interesting story. It was told in the first person and you could not help but like the person telling her story. I never figured out what really happened until the teller told you at the end of the story. All the main characters were really great and the way the story was wrapped up at the end was excellent. I know this was a second book about the same person but I did not read the first book and really it did not matter. I will want to now read the first book, though.
January 31, 2013
Troy Chance is a highly independent woman. She left her home and family in Tennessee and moved to Oregon to attend college at the age of seventeen. After completing college she eventually relocates to the Adirondack region of upstate New York, the Lake Placid/Saranac area. She worked for a few years as the sports editor for the local paper before becoming a freelance journalist. She's renting a house and sublets several of the bedrooms to various athletes and townsfolk. Her constant companion is her dog, Tiger. A Cold and Lonely Place begins with Troy watching the Winter Festival ice palace preparations when suddenly a body is discovered under the ice . . . the body of one of her roommate's missing boyfriend. Troy is immediately pulled into the investigation when she is asked to take pictures of the scene for the local police. She then breaks the news of Tobin's death to her roommate, Jessamyn. What follows is a discovery of the secrets and hidden past in both Tobin and Jessamyn's lives.
Once again Troy is pulled into an investigation, but this time she is functioning more as an investigative journalist as she's been asked to write a series of articles about Tobin for the local paper. As Troy seeks answers to who Tobin was and how he wound up in their small town, she learns that appearances can be deceiving and that Tobin was much nicer than she ever knew. Tobin was running from a past but not from any mistakes he made but from his family and disappointment. Her search for the truth also unveils secrets of Jessamyn's past of abuse, neglect and disappointment. The only roommate that is fully developed and explored is Jessamyn, but she winds up becoming a good friend to Troy and vice versa. Troy is also befriended by Tobin's surviving sibling, his sister Jessica known as Win. Win plays a pivotal role in helping Troy uncover the truth about Tobin's past and life after he left his family.
A Cold and Lonely Place seems to focus more on relationships and Ms. Henry does an admirable job in creating characters that you can relate to and be empathetic toward. The drama in this story comes more from Troy's reactions to the information she uncovers as well as how that information impacts others through her articles. Characters from Learning to Swim make reappearances, such as Canadian police detective Jameson, Paul and Philippe Dumond and their nanny/housekeeper Elise, as well as Troy's brother Simon, a police detective in Florida, and her longtime friend Baker. Jameson, Simon and Baker all function as sounding boards for Troy as well as advisers. It was fascinating to see the changes in relationships evolve as Win and Jessamyn go from being casual acquaintances to friends. At its heart A Cold and Lonely Place is a mystery but also a great read about family and relationships and their continued impact on our lives. I found A Cold and Lonely Place to be an amazing read and one that I enjoyed from beginning to end. If you enjoy mysteries and drama, then I strongly recommend you read A Cold and Lonely Place (if you haven't read Learning to Swim then add that to your TBR list as well . . . you won't be disappointed).
Once again Troy is pulled into an investigation, but this time she is functioning more as an investigative journalist as she's been asked to write a series of articles about Tobin for the local paper. As Troy seeks answers to who Tobin was and how he wound up in their small town, she learns that appearances can be deceiving and that Tobin was much nicer than she ever knew. Tobin was running from a past but not from any mistakes he made but from his family and disappointment. Her search for the truth also unveils secrets of Jessamyn's past of abuse, neglect and disappointment. The only roommate that is fully developed and explored is Jessamyn, but she winds up becoming a good friend to Troy and vice versa. Troy is also befriended by Tobin's surviving sibling, his sister Jessica known as Win. Win plays a pivotal role in helping Troy uncover the truth about Tobin's past and life after he left his family.
A Cold and Lonely Place seems to focus more on relationships and Ms. Henry does an admirable job in creating characters that you can relate to and be empathetic toward. The drama in this story comes more from Troy's reactions to the information she uncovers as well as how that information impacts others through her articles. Characters from Learning to Swim make reappearances, such as Canadian police detective Jameson, Paul and Philippe Dumond and their nanny/housekeeper Elise, as well as Troy's brother Simon, a police detective in Florida, and her longtime friend Baker. Jameson, Simon and Baker all function as sounding boards for Troy as well as advisers. It was fascinating to see the changes in relationships evolve as Win and Jessamyn go from being casual acquaintances to friends. At its heart A Cold and Lonely Place is a mystery but also a great read about family and relationships and their continued impact on our lives. I found A Cold and Lonely Place to be an amazing read and one that I enjoyed from beginning to end. If you enjoy mysteries and drama, then I strongly recommend you read A Cold and Lonely Place (if you haven't read Learning to Swim then add that to your TBR list as well . . . you won't be disappointed).
February 4, 2013
A Cold And Lonely Place
by
Sara J. Henry
My " in a nutshell" summary...
A body is found frozen in the ice of a lake. Yikes!
My thoughts after reading this book...
This was a really fascinating mystery. I loved the setting...Lake Placid...and I loved the small town stuck in winter icy cold atmosphere. Troy has a big log house...and is a character from another book written by this author. She is a photographer/ writer...appears to be a bit of a loner...and takes in boarders...usually athletes in training. However...she allows Jessamyn to rent a room from her and it's Jessamyn's boyfriend who is found dead in the ice of a frozen lake. From this event Troy becomes involved with Jessamyn and Win...Tobin's /dead man's sister. The more Troy learns about Tobin...the more complicated this all becomes. It's aways so difficult to discuss a book like this one without giving too much of the story away! Just know that each chapter allows the reader to wonder more and more about these people and what actually happened. The characters are quite interesting...the mystery grows more and more mysterious...and...the build up to the ending is exquisite.
What I loved most about this book...
Ok...I loved the cold! Everything was crunchy and snowy and slippery...everyone was always sipping hot tea or yummy coffee. Everyone was always bundling up into warm cozy clothes or lighting stoves and fireplaces. Suspicious people were all over this town...it was a great cozy keep warm kind of mystery! I also loved knowing what Troy was eating...not sure why I liked this but I did!
What I did not love...
Troy was a bit odd...a loner...and I hated that I didn't read the book before this one.
Final thoughts...
This was a memorable nicely written cozy mystery...fun to read...fun to figure out the characters...and very enjoyable.
by
Sara J. Henry
My " in a nutshell" summary...
A body is found frozen in the ice of a lake. Yikes!
My thoughts after reading this book...
This was a really fascinating mystery. I loved the setting...Lake Placid...and I loved the small town stuck in winter icy cold atmosphere. Troy has a big log house...and is a character from another book written by this author. She is a photographer/ writer...appears to be a bit of a loner...and takes in boarders...usually athletes in training. However...she allows Jessamyn to rent a room from her and it's Jessamyn's boyfriend who is found dead in the ice of a frozen lake. From this event Troy becomes involved with Jessamyn and Win...Tobin's /dead man's sister. The more Troy learns about Tobin...the more complicated this all becomes. It's aways so difficult to discuss a book like this one without giving too much of the story away! Just know that each chapter allows the reader to wonder more and more about these people and what actually happened. The characters are quite interesting...the mystery grows more and more mysterious...and...the build up to the ending is exquisite.
What I loved most about this book...
Ok...I loved the cold! Everything was crunchy and snowy and slippery...everyone was always sipping hot tea or yummy coffee. Everyone was always bundling up into warm cozy clothes or lighting stoves and fireplaces. Suspicious people were all over this town...it was a great cozy keep warm kind of mystery! I also loved knowing what Troy was eating...not sure why I liked this but I did!
What I did not love...
Troy was a bit odd...a loner...and I hated that I didn't read the book before this one.
Final thoughts...
This was a memorable nicely written cozy mystery...fun to read...fun to figure out the characters...and very enjoyable.
March 8, 2013
This is book #2 of a series. I knew that going in, and knew enough about the premise of the prequel to follow along. I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I suppose it would be loosely defined as a mystery, though at no time did I feel driven to learn about the events that resulted in a man found dead in the ice. I did however finish it in a couple of days, so there was something that kept me reading. Is it a cozy mystery? Had no idea what that meant so looked it up:
- The crime-solver in a cozy mystery is usually a woman with a college degree who is an amateur sleuth. Check.
- The cozy mystery usually takes place in a small town or village. Check.
- Although the cozy mystery sleuth is usually not a medical examiner, detective, or police officer, a lot of times her best friend, husband, or significant other is. Check.
- It is important that the characters are likeable. Check.
- There is no graphic violence, no profanity, and no explicit sex. Most often, the crime takes place “off stage” and death is usually very quick. Check.
It might just be that cozy mysteries are not my cup of tea.
- The crime-solver in a cozy mystery is usually a woman with a college degree who is an amateur sleuth. Check.
- The cozy mystery usually takes place in a small town or village. Check.
- Although the cozy mystery sleuth is usually not a medical examiner, detective, or police officer, a lot of times her best friend, husband, or significant other is. Check.
- It is important that the characters are likeable. Check.
- There is no graphic violence, no profanity, and no explicit sex. Most often, the crime takes place “off stage” and death is usually very quick. Check.
It might just be that cozy mysteries are not my cup of tea.
October 14, 2014
This is the second in the series featuring Troy Chance, a freelance writer. In cold Saranac Lake, Troy is covering the buildings of the annual ice castle. As a block is carved out of the ice, a body is seen inside and Troy realizes the victim has been dating one of her house mates. The mystery of what he was doing there and what happened to him intrigues her and she begins trying to answer all her questions. She befriends his sister and begins a series of in-depth articles about his life.
I really enjoy the character of Troy Chance. I have read the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich and the alphabet mysteries featuring Kinsey Millhone written by Sue Grafton. I have stopped reading both and Sara J. Henry has filled the void with Troy Chance. She is smarter and lives in Lake Placid which is one of my favorite places. I am hoping there is a third Troy Chance mystery and more beyond that.
I received my copy of this book from the author herself in exchange for a charitable contribution.
I really enjoy the character of Troy Chance. I have read the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich and the alphabet mysteries featuring Kinsey Millhone written by Sue Grafton. I have stopped reading both and Sara J. Henry has filled the void with Troy Chance. She is smarter and lives in Lake Placid which is one of my favorite places. I am hoping there is a third Troy Chance mystery and more beyond that.
I received my copy of this book from the author herself in exchange for a charitable contribution.
April 1, 2013
Troy is a cool character, and the freezing cold mountains offer a different kind of scenery. I'd really like to see these turned into a series.
April 21, 2013
Goodreads Description- Freelance writer Troy Chance is snapping photos of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival ice palace when the ice-cutting machine falls silent. Encased in the ice is the shadowy outline of a body--a man she knows. One of her roommates falls under suspicion, and the media descends. Troy's assigned to write an in-depth feature on the dead man, who, it turns out, was the privileged son of a wealthy Connecticut family who had been playing at a blue collar life in this Adirondack village. And the deeper Troy digs into his life and mysterious death, the murkier things become. After the victim's sister comes to town and a string of disturbing incidents unfold, it's clear someone doesn't want the investigation to continue. Troy doesn't know who to trust, and what she ultimately finds out threatens to shatter the serenity of these mountain towns. She must decide which family secrets should be exposed, what truths should remain hidden, and how far her own loyalty can reach.
A Cold and Lonely Place, the sequel to Learning to Swim, follows Troy on a powerful emotional journey as she discovers the damage left by long-hidden secrets, and catches a glimpse of what might have been.
This book caught my eye because of it's hauntingly beautiful cover and because it is a sequel to a book that I found randomly through my book club that I thought was wonderful. Henry, again, does a wonderful job setting her mystery in the cold of the Adirondack mountains near Lake Placid. She writes her setting so well that I could feel the cold quiet of the lake and the biting cold of the snow that fell on the characters. It felt like I was there all snuggled up in a blanket reading this quiet story.
Troy Chance is a sports and features reporter for the local paper in Saranac Lake, New York. She has been asked to cover the building of the annual Ice Palace on Saranac Lake, capture the work it takes to cut and haul the huge blocks of ice that will be carved into a beautiful palace that will sit on the lake all winter. While out on the lake covering the construction, the men notice a shadow in a block of ice that they are cutting. As they continue to work, they realize that this isn't a shadow at all but a dead body...the body of Tobin Winslow, a prep school boy who seemingly came to the cold and cut off Adirondacks to get away from his life back East. Troy is particularly shocked because Tobin has been dating her roommate Jessamyn and now Troy has the job of telling her roommate of her boyfriend's fate before the town's gossip mill gets to her first.
Rumors start fast in this small town and soon suspicion falls on Jessamyn due to a newspaper report that implied that she had something to do with his death. Troy wants to get her friend out of the limelight and approaches her editor to fix the article and he offers her the chance of a lifetime to write about Tobin, his life and his death, and becomes entangled in the events that led him from his high society life and Princeton education to a middle-of-nowhere cabin in Saranac Lake eventually to his death.
As she begins her research into Tobin's life, she becomes close with his sister, Win, and this friendship allows her entry into even more of the private details of Tobin's life. Then strange things start happening. Tobin's cabin, where his sister is staying, is trashed. Troy starts getting strange hang up phone calls. The air of Troy's tires are let out. Troy's car is pushed off the snowy road into a ditch. Someone doesn't want anyone digging into Tobin's death and they are making it very clear by their threatening actions.
This is a slow and quiet book and I don't mean that it is boring. The book is well paced and flowed beautifully. There weren't any events that felt out of place, no dangling threads, and every character had a purpose. The author takes her time to give each major character a backstory that enables the reader to care what happens to them. Henry also does a great job of connecting each of the characters in a way that is was easy to see that all of the major characters were either friends or foes. She writes in a way that makes the reader understand how Tobin's death affects each character differently.
Henry's novel is more than a mystery, it's a story about secrets and how they affect people. And it's a story about how we all affect each other. It's a "what really happened" and "how did it happen" kind of book instead of a whodunnit. Even though the focus is on Tobin and what happened to him out on the ice that night, we are really concerned with the people who have been left behind. Tobin's death brings to light a lot of secrets regarding his family--secrets that his friends and family need to hear. Through his death and Troy's investigations following it, friends will be made, a father will be found, and lives will be touched. And so will the reader.
Sarah Henry has written a powerful second book in her Troy Chance series and I look forward to reading more about Troy and the people of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. It seems that many readers don't know that this book is part of a series so I recommend reading her first book, Learning to Swim, first so you can get the backstory on Troy and understand who her Ottawa, Canada friends Philippe, his son Paul, and Jameson are and why they are important to Troy. The only thing I found distracting were the sidebar chapters that involve Troy and her old flame Philippe. They really weren't important in the story other than maybe set up some circumstances to happen in the next book in the series. These chapters were the reason I gave this book 4 stars. If I could I would give the book 4.5 stars but Goodreads and Amazon don't give half stars. However, I still highly recommend reading Henry's works. She truly is a gifted writer and it is well worth the time spent to read her works. 4 stars.
A Cold and Lonely Place, the sequel to Learning to Swim, follows Troy on a powerful emotional journey as she discovers the damage left by long-hidden secrets, and catches a glimpse of what might have been.
This book caught my eye because of it's hauntingly beautiful cover and because it is a sequel to a book that I found randomly through my book club that I thought was wonderful. Henry, again, does a wonderful job setting her mystery in the cold of the Adirondack mountains near Lake Placid. She writes her setting so well that I could feel the cold quiet of the lake and the biting cold of the snow that fell on the characters. It felt like I was there all snuggled up in a blanket reading this quiet story.
Troy Chance is a sports and features reporter for the local paper in Saranac Lake, New York. She has been asked to cover the building of the annual Ice Palace on Saranac Lake, capture the work it takes to cut and haul the huge blocks of ice that will be carved into a beautiful palace that will sit on the lake all winter. While out on the lake covering the construction, the men notice a shadow in a block of ice that they are cutting. As they continue to work, they realize that this isn't a shadow at all but a dead body...the body of Tobin Winslow, a prep school boy who seemingly came to the cold and cut off Adirondacks to get away from his life back East. Troy is particularly shocked because Tobin has been dating her roommate Jessamyn and now Troy has the job of telling her roommate of her boyfriend's fate before the town's gossip mill gets to her first.
Rumors start fast in this small town and soon suspicion falls on Jessamyn due to a newspaper report that implied that she had something to do with his death. Troy wants to get her friend out of the limelight and approaches her editor to fix the article and he offers her the chance of a lifetime to write about Tobin, his life and his death, and becomes entangled in the events that led him from his high society life and Princeton education to a middle-of-nowhere cabin in Saranac Lake eventually to his death.
As she begins her research into Tobin's life, she becomes close with his sister, Win, and this friendship allows her entry into even more of the private details of Tobin's life. Then strange things start happening. Tobin's cabin, where his sister is staying, is trashed. Troy starts getting strange hang up phone calls. The air of Troy's tires are let out. Troy's car is pushed off the snowy road into a ditch. Someone doesn't want anyone digging into Tobin's death and they are making it very clear by their threatening actions.
This is a slow and quiet book and I don't mean that it is boring. The book is well paced and flowed beautifully. There weren't any events that felt out of place, no dangling threads, and every character had a purpose. The author takes her time to give each major character a backstory that enables the reader to care what happens to them. Henry also does a great job of connecting each of the characters in a way that is was easy to see that all of the major characters were either friends or foes. She writes in a way that makes the reader understand how Tobin's death affects each character differently.
Henry's novel is more than a mystery, it's a story about secrets and how they affect people. And it's a story about how we all affect each other. It's a "what really happened" and "how did it happen" kind of book instead of a whodunnit. Even though the focus is on Tobin and what happened to him out on the ice that night, we are really concerned with the people who have been left behind. Tobin's death brings to light a lot of secrets regarding his family--secrets that his friends and family need to hear. Through his death and Troy's investigations following it, friends will be made, a father will be found, and lives will be touched. And so will the reader.
Sarah Henry has written a powerful second book in her Troy Chance series and I look forward to reading more about Troy and the people of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. It seems that many readers don't know that this book is part of a series so I recommend reading her first book, Learning to Swim, first so you can get the backstory on Troy and understand who her Ottawa, Canada friends Philippe, his son Paul, and Jameson are and why they are important to Troy. The only thing I found distracting were the sidebar chapters that involve Troy and her old flame Philippe. They really weren't important in the story other than maybe set up some circumstances to happen in the next book in the series. These chapters were the reason I gave this book 4 stars. If I could I would give the book 4.5 stars but Goodreads and Amazon don't give half stars. However, I still highly recommend reading Henry's works. She truly is a gifted writer and it is well worth the time spent to read her works. 4 stars.
July 11, 2024
This started out promising but for me it just didn't go anywhere. A body is found under the ice, and Troy Chance, the female protagonist, writes a series of articles about the dead man. That's about it. Oh, and it's cold, really cold, teeth chattering cold out there.
Not terrible, just not very exciting or mysterious.
Not terrible, just not very exciting or mysterious.
January 19, 2024
I read the first in this series 10 years ago and am finally circling back to read the next. This was a great story to read on a snowy day - a body is found frozen in the ice up in the Adirondacks. Solid mystery and overall an enjoyable read!
January 9, 2018
Always trying to find a mystery I can enjoy, I brought this one home from the library's display of fiction titles involving winter weather. I looked forward to reading it at night, without it being so suspenseful that I couldn't put it down.
Since the protagonist/detective isn't a cop or a PI, readers are spared all the cliches that often plague mysteries--different agencies squabbling over jurisdiction, bosses vs. rogue cops, and for that alone I'd like to applaud the author. I hate that stuff and liked that Troy Chance was just going about her life and being suitably nosy about events that cropped up.
I guess my work has made me awfully jaded, because I found the characters all a bit sensitive--thrown for loops by the thought of a neglectful or harmful parent, moved to tears about this and that... I can't tell whether it bothered me that the author seemed to be writing about a different world where those things are still shocking, or whether it bothered me that maybe the author's world *is* the real world and my world, where they don't even register as mildly surprising, is a horrible choice.
I enjoy it when books are grounded in places I've never been, and the Adirondacks in Henry's place seems like a nice place to visit, if you stay off the ice at night.
Since the protagonist/detective isn't a cop or a PI, readers are spared all the cliches that often plague mysteries--different agencies squabbling over jurisdiction, bosses vs. rogue cops, and for that alone I'd like to applaud the author. I hate that stuff and liked that Troy Chance was just going about her life and being suitably nosy about events that cropped up.
I guess my work has made me awfully jaded, because I found the characters all a bit sensitive--thrown for loops by the thought of a neglectful or harmful parent, moved to tears about this and that... I can't tell whether it bothered me that the author seemed to be writing about a different world where those things are still shocking, or whether it bothered me that maybe the author's world *is* the real world and my world, where they don't even register as mildly surprising, is a horrible choice.
I enjoy it when books are grounded in places I've never been, and the Adirondacks in Henry's place seems like a nice place to visit, if you stay off the ice at night.
October 21, 2013
My honest review from Firstreads book---
Sanarac Lake in the Adirondacks is a place where snow and ice accommodate many winter sports, and tourists who just want a fun winter retreat. It's a place so cold that cars drive over frozen lakes in the winter, and tears freeze on you face before they can fall off. Troy Chance is a freelance journalist who lives in her home with numerous roommates who do their own thing, and that suits her just fine!
Troy is sent to cover the set up of the Winter Carnival, where an Ice Palace is being built from carved out slabs of ice from the lake. As she's snapping pictures, see finds herself looking into the frozen face of, Tobin, one of her roommate's boyfriends. Did he die by accident, suicide, or murder? The local newspaper editor wants Troy to write a series of articles on Tobin's life. Troy had not liked Tobin before his death, and she wasn't exactly sure how she felt about him as she learned about his childhood, family, and recent friends. But for sure, she learned a great deal about traumas, kindnesses, and more about this run away playboy than she could have imagined.
Not being overly fond of media reporting in general, I found this book fascinating as much for the journalistic investigating and reports, as I did for the mystery. Both good and bad sides of reporting facts and interpretations of facts really developed the mystery for me. I especially appreciated Troy's take on her decision making---"Sometimes letting the truth out let's people heal, and sometimes it makes things worse. And you couldn't really know which, until you did it, and sometimes only later."
This is Troy's second adventure. Though not necessary to read the first before this one, there are references to LEARNING TO SWIM in this book that would be spoilers if you choose to read the first book later----and the first book was an excellent multi-award winner that I would highly recommend reading first. Sara Henry captures character and atmosphere excellently. Even in my warm house, I felt frosted while reading these books. I was also surprised to find myself in some of the same dilemmas as Troy in deciding how I might report a situation. Definitely more than just your average mystery!
Sanarac Lake in the Adirondacks is a place where snow and ice accommodate many winter sports, and tourists who just want a fun winter retreat. It's a place so cold that cars drive over frozen lakes in the winter, and tears freeze on you face before they can fall off. Troy Chance is a freelance journalist who lives in her home with numerous roommates who do their own thing, and that suits her just fine!
Troy is sent to cover the set up of the Winter Carnival, where an Ice Palace is being built from carved out slabs of ice from the lake. As she's snapping pictures, see finds herself looking into the frozen face of, Tobin, one of her roommate's boyfriends. Did he die by accident, suicide, or murder? The local newspaper editor wants Troy to write a series of articles on Tobin's life. Troy had not liked Tobin before his death, and she wasn't exactly sure how she felt about him as she learned about his childhood, family, and recent friends. But for sure, she learned a great deal about traumas, kindnesses, and more about this run away playboy than she could have imagined.
Not being overly fond of media reporting in general, I found this book fascinating as much for the journalistic investigating and reports, as I did for the mystery. Both good and bad sides of reporting facts and interpretations of facts really developed the mystery for me. I especially appreciated Troy's take on her decision making---"Sometimes letting the truth out let's people heal, and sometimes it makes things worse. And you couldn't really know which, until you did it, and sometimes only later."
This is Troy's second adventure. Though not necessary to read the first before this one, there are references to LEARNING TO SWIM in this book that would be spoilers if you choose to read the first book later----and the first book was an excellent multi-award winner that I would highly recommend reading first. Sara Henry captures character and atmosphere excellently. Even in my warm house, I felt frosted while reading these books. I was also surprised to find myself in some of the same dilemmas as Troy in deciding how I might report a situation. Definitely more than just your average mystery!
December 26, 2012
Troy Chance, a free-lance reporter, is present for another story when a body is discovered frozen in a pond. It turns out to b that of Tobin Winslow, the boyfriend of one of her roommates. She hadn't particularly liked Tobin but, when she is assigned to write about his life, she is determined to be fair and honest. What she discovers is a lot of family secrets and soon she is wrapped up, not only in the mystery of Tobin's death but another from years before. She also finds her opinions about Tobin and many of her friends changing as she delves deeper into his history.
This is the first Sara Henry novel I have read and I didn't realize it was the second in a series. There are numerous references to her first book, Learning to Swim. I didn't find this spoiled my enjoyment of A Cold and Lonely Place but reading the second book definitely made me want to read the first because I really enjoyed this novel.
As much a character study as a mystery, the book takes you beyond the usual mystery novel. Henry has created characters who are much more than just props for a tale of murder and mayhem - they have background, foibles, and secrets - and, because of this, we care about them as much as we care about the solution to the mystery.
She also does a great job of evoking place. The story takes place in the Adirondacks, a place I really know nothing about. After reading Henry's descriptions of it, though, I came away with a strong impression of a place which may be very, very cold in winter but where the inhabitants have learned to adapt and celebrate their winters - a perfect setting for this story about Tobin's death in a frozen pond and Troy's story celebrating his life. This novel definitely has layers.
A Cold and Lonely Place is that rare mystery novel in which the characters are as important as the plot. Most such stories make me curious to know what happened; this book made me care about who it happened to. (
This is the first Sara Henry novel I have read and I didn't realize it was the second in a series. There are numerous references to her first book, Learning to Swim. I didn't find this spoiled my enjoyment of A Cold and Lonely Place but reading the second book definitely made me want to read the first because I really enjoyed this novel.
As much a character study as a mystery, the book takes you beyond the usual mystery novel. Henry has created characters who are much more than just props for a tale of murder and mayhem - they have background, foibles, and secrets - and, because of this, we care about them as much as we care about the solution to the mystery.
She also does a great job of evoking place. The story takes place in the Adirondacks, a place I really know nothing about. After reading Henry's descriptions of it, though, I came away with a strong impression of a place which may be very, very cold in winter but where the inhabitants have learned to adapt and celebrate their winters - a perfect setting for this story about Tobin's death in a frozen pond and Troy's story celebrating his life. This novel definitely has layers.
A Cold and Lonely Place is that rare mystery novel in which the characters are as important as the plot. Most such stories make me curious to know what happened; this book made me care about who it happened to. (
January 10, 2013
Is this a mystery? Sort of - our heroine, Troy, is a reporter who happens to be there when a body is found frozen in the ice. Her investigation is more about Tobin's life than about his death, with the "whodunnit" part very much in the background (there is a question as to whether anyone dunnit anyway). That's possibly why this is so annoyingly subtitled "a novel", rather than "a mystery" or "an investigation" or something. It is part of a series, however, and the first book is referenced throughout.
That's part of what cost this the fifth star: the heavyhandedness of the references to the previous book. Troy's supposed to be from a family where she didn't count, estranged from everyone except one brother. She has a problem forming relationships and friendships, yet in the first book she does start to do so - and continues here. There was also a determined effort to set this into the Saranac Lake/Lake Placid area (how many references did we need to Carhart pants? winter sports? transient inhabitants? "Adirondackers"?) which felt forced. Having said that, if you don't know the area (and I do, down to the "diner off exit 22 on the Northway") it probably doesn't feel unnecessary.
As for the mystery/investigation, it was rather typical in terms of Big Family Secrets Revealed and Local Feelings to be dealt with. While there were no surprises, the way in which the author approached Troy's exploration of Tobin's life was well plotted. Troy's relationship with Jessamyn and Win evolve naturally, and one hopes they will continue to grow as the series continues.
Finally, I'm not sure why an American would rely so heavily on a Canadian for advice in terms of police matters... but perhaps that'll be clearer in future books?
ARC provided by publisher.
That's part of what cost this the fifth star: the heavyhandedness of the references to the previous book. Troy's supposed to be from a family where she didn't count, estranged from everyone except one brother. She has a problem forming relationships and friendships, yet in the first book she does start to do so - and continues here. There was also a determined effort to set this into the Saranac Lake/Lake Placid area (how many references did we need to Carhart pants? winter sports? transient inhabitants? "Adirondackers"?) which felt forced. Having said that, if you don't know the area (and I do, down to the "diner off exit 22 on the Northway") it probably doesn't feel unnecessary.
As for the mystery/investigation, it was rather typical in terms of Big Family Secrets Revealed and Local Feelings to be dealt with. While there were no surprises, the way in which the author approached Troy's exploration of Tobin's life was well plotted. Troy's relationship with Jessamyn and Win evolve naturally, and one hopes they will continue to grow as the series continues.
Finally, I'm not sure why an American would rely so heavily on a Canadian for advice in terms of police matters... but perhaps that'll be clearer in future books?
ARC provided by publisher.
October 27, 2015
This is a quiet novel, introspective and full of the slow rhythms of small-town life. It is billed as a mystery novel, a sequel to Sara Henry’s debut Learning to Swim, which snagged some major mystery awards. But I think mystery fans will be disappointed here. The book starts with a bang: a man’s body is found encased in lake ice in a small upstate-New York town not far from Lake Placid. Troy Chance, the freelance writer we met in Learning to Swim, is there when the body is found. She knows the man, who was dating one of her roommates. She eventually begins researching the victim’s life for a series of articles for a local paper. The plot has its riveting moments as Troy digs up secrets and must decide what to expose and not expose. There are hints she is in danger because of her investigation but they are hardly heart-racing and ultimately prove nothing more than a tease. The book is more of an emotional journey for Troy, with ties from the fallout of her earlier novel, rather than anything resembling a classic whodunit mystery. In fact, Henry breaks a cardinal rule of mystery writing by introducing characters and suspects late in the game that finally reveal how the man came to end up under the ice. A nice read in many ways, but not a classic mystery.
Bruce Most’s latest mystery is Murder on the Tracks
Bruce Most’s latest mystery is Murder on the Tracks
March 4, 2013
Having read the award winning debut novel of Sara J. Henry, "Learning to Swim", I was eagerly anticipating
its sequel, "A Cold and Lonely Place". I was not disappointed. This book continues the story of Troy Chance,
a free-lance writer living in the Lake Placid area. Troy is out on a lake to report on the building of
an ice castle for a winter carnival. Everything stops when a frozen body is discovered in the ice. What's
more, Troy recognizes the body as that of a boyfriend of one of her roommates. The writer has a terrific
style in that she tells the story in a logical, interesting, well-paced manner rather than employing the frantic style many mystery writers use. You care about the characters and how the events of the story impact on
them. The character development is satisfactory as is the ending. I did not give it five stars because although it could be a stand alone novel, I really believe you need to have read the author's first novel to get the most
enjoyment out of this one.
its sequel, "A Cold and Lonely Place". I was not disappointed. This book continues the story of Troy Chance,
a free-lance writer living in the Lake Placid area. Troy is out on a lake to report on the building of
an ice castle for a winter carnival. Everything stops when a frozen body is discovered in the ice. What's
more, Troy recognizes the body as that of a boyfriend of one of her roommates. The writer has a terrific
style in that she tells the story in a logical, interesting, well-paced manner rather than employing the frantic style many mystery writers use. You care about the characters and how the events of the story impact on
them. The character development is satisfactory as is the ending. I did not give it five stars because although it could be a stand alone novel, I really believe you need to have read the author's first novel to get the most
enjoyment out of this one.
May 4, 2013
Troy Chance is writing a story on the town’s annual Winter Carnival and the ice palace. Every year the ice palace is carved out of ice with a different design. Machines are running and it is noisy until suddenly the machines stop. Frozen beneath the ice is a body. When Troy sees the face she recognizes him as the boyfriend of her roommate’s.
Troy’s roommate becomes a suspect. To help clear her name, Troy does some investigating on her own.
I read Ms. Henry’s first book, Learning to Swim and loved it. So I was excited to read her next book featuring Troy Chance. This book did not excite me as much as the first one. However it was still a good book. The pace of the story was slow and drawn out. Also, I felt like the way the victim was portrayed made me not like him as a person thus I did not really care what the true events were leading up to his death in a block of ice. When the reveal did happen at the end, I was left saying “That is it?” So needless to say I was hoping for a stronger ending.
Troy’s roommate becomes a suspect. To help clear her name, Troy does some investigating on her own.
I read Ms. Henry’s first book, Learning to Swim and loved it. So I was excited to read her next book featuring Troy Chance. This book did not excite me as much as the first one. However it was still a good book. The pace of the story was slow and drawn out. Also, I felt like the way the victim was portrayed made me not like him as a person thus I did not really care what the true events were leading up to his death in a block of ice. When the reveal did happen at the end, I was left saying “That is it?” So needless to say I was hoping for a stronger ending.
April 25, 2013
Troy Chance is still running her “boarding” house and still writing freelance articles for the local Lake Placid paper. As she is covering the harvesting of ice for the annual building of the ice castle, everything suddenly stops. The workers have uncovered a body floating under the ice. As Troy nears the site she is immediately struck by the fact that she recognizes the face under the ice, not a local man but someone she knows none-the-less. And, someone she in all honestly, did not care for very much.
I enjoyed Ms. Henry’s Learning to Swim a great deal, so I knew when this book came out I would have to pick it up. Ms. Henry does not disappoint. I enjoy her writing style and her characters and appreciate the fact that her characters are not perfect people living perfect lives. The reader is allowed to get to know her characters as they go about the business of living their lives; lumps, bumps, insecurities and successes … all included.
I enjoyed Ms. Henry’s Learning to Swim a great deal, so I knew when this book came out I would have to pick it up. Ms. Henry does not disappoint. I enjoy her writing style and her characters and appreciate the fact that her characters are not perfect people living perfect lives. The reader is allowed to get to know her characters as they go about the business of living their lives; lumps, bumps, insecurities and successes … all included.
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