I started reading this book and found that it was not for me. I didn't think it was right to review a book that I didn't finish.

This one was on my TBR longer than it should have. This was a great thriller/mystery, and I LOVED the setting in Alaska. I have yet to read the first book in this series, but I have plans to reserve it, as well as the rest of the books at my library. I found this book hard to put down, and enjoyed the dark, gritty feel.

This one was stuck in my TBR pile, but I’m SO glad that I rediscovered it! What a fast-paced and well-written mystery! I loved the main character, Beth, who has fled to Alaska to escape a dangerous man. I want to go back and read the first installment in this series, but please know that this one is a stand-alone as well.

I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska (been to 49 states – that’s my 50th!) and this novel did a great job of describing it and evoking the solitary nature of living in the isolated Alaskan wilderness where this story takes place.

Thank you for my e-galley! I look forward to reading more in this series!

This is a fun read that transports you to rural Alaska as you try to unravel several mysteries. It's the second in a series and I have not read the first, but it does a good job of filling in what you've missed so you can read it as a standalone. I liked the main character and really enjoyed the descriptions of her new life in a secluded Alaska town. That part felt very real. Some of the other characters were likeable and realistic, while some seemed kind of like caricatures. The mysteries were enjoyable and I did not figure it out ahead of time, but only because the story was frankly convoluted and implausible. Talk about coincidences! And ridiculous motives for some things that happened.... Almost none of it made logical sense looking back once you know what really happened. But the journey getting there was a great time, so I forgive Shelton.

I also appreciate the lack of gore, torture, or the use of unforgivable plot tropes like secret twin sister villains or characters with Dissociative Identity Disorder.

I'll happily read the next one, which I think is due to be released soon.

I read a digital ARC of this book via Net Galley.

Another really fast read that was hard to put down. A fall mudslide has changed the landscape around Benedict, Alaska, Old roads are uncovered and an ice cave is accessible again. When Beth discovers two mud covered girls at the door of the newspaper building, the twisty mystery begins. They seem to be sisters, but are unable to speak. The search for their family expands the boundaries of the town and characters. Being that Beth is in hiding, I continue to find it concerning that she has so much contact with people back home. I am guessing this will be addressed in a future book.

Cold Wind is the second book in the Alaska Wild Mysteries featuring Beth Rivers. Beth has come to the isolated town of Benedict, Alaska because the man who kidnapped her and terrorized her for three days has not yet been apprehended. She is settling into the life in Benedict and becoming a part of the community, but she is ever aware of her surroundings and the people with whom she interacts, fearing that her kidnapper from Missouri will track her to Alaska. While Beth is actually a famous novelist, she has changed her name and kept her famous profile a secret. She is still writing her books, but she does so out of the eyes of anyone in her new environment. There is one person who knows who she really is, Gril the police chief, and she is able through him, and the occasional call on a burner phone to her mother, to keep updates on the search for her kidnapper.

Beth's background with working for her grandfather who was a police chief has made her particularly savvy in sifting through evidence and clues in crimes, and she brings that skill to the Benedict community, which is not immune to murder or malice. In book two, a woman is found dead and frozen after some weather-induced landslides occur. At the same time, two young girls make their way to the door of the local newspaper where Beth has taken on its publication. The girls appear lost and are covered in mud, and they aren't talking. Uncovering who the dead woman is and who the girls are takes Beth and law enforcement on a twisted, complex journey, where murder has a hard track to follow. Beth's great instincts and nose for evidence helps Gril get to the bottom of it all.

I'm enjoy this new series from Paige Shelton, but I did have some misgivings about Beth's frequent forays into dangerous situations, thinking that perhaps she needs to be more attentive to warnings and advice. Her dismissal of the danger of a situation didn't seem to jive with her experience as a trauma victim. I'm hoping that there's some more practical caution on her part in book three.

Give me all the Alaskan mysteries and I'm yours! I was so thrilled with the first book in this series by well known cozy author Paige Shelton, and am happy to say I loved this one even more. Like I said, I will happily armchair travel to Alaska anytime. I love the setting so much, and Shelton does a great job of immersing the reader in this environment. This series is not cozy, but it's not too dark, either. A perfect middle ground for mystery lovers.

Famous mystery writer Beth Rivers is slowly settling into her new home in Benedict, Alaska. The man who kidnapped her months ago in Missouri still hasn't been found, so she's still living incognito in the small town , which, as autumn descends, is starting to feel more like home. She's making friends and finding time to write again. A mudslide is wreaking havoc on their town: two mute, mud-covered girls show up on Beth's porch; a secret trapper's house is discovered in the woods; and most frightening of all, a dead and frozen body is discovered in the trapper's shed. Beth puts her journalistic skills to use as she tries to answer all the questions that keep coming up...

As I mentioned, Shelton does a wonderful job of creating the isolated town of Benedict. Its citizens are unique and a little odd, all choosing to live off the beaten path. I love that Beth lives in a halfway house of sorts, which introduces interesting secondary plot lines. Great writing and a taut mystery make this a very compelling read. I'm a fan of this series and can't wait to see what comes next for Beth!

Cold Wind is the second book in the Alaska Wild mystery series by Paige Shelton. Released 8th Dec 2020 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.

This is an well written and immersive thriller/mystery set in a very remote part of Alaska. Main protagonist Beth is a writer on the run to try to reclaim her security and heal herself from a violent abduction by a stalker. She's made friends since moving to Benedict, Alaska, but hasn't opened up about her traumatic past or what she really does for a living (she's a fairly famous author under a pseudonym). The setting is beautifully drawn, stark and brooding. The plotting and tension arc never felt forced or too slow. The author is adept at her craft and the flashback interludes from Beth's point of view worked very well with the 1st person point of view. There are some chilling flashbacks as she begins to regain memories from her earlier trauma. In fact the whole book has a fair amount of creepy atmospheric secondary characters and settings.

The language is somewhat rough (the secondary characters are rugged outdoorsy types as well as a drug addict - Beth lives in a halfway house since there weren't other accommodations) but wasn't completely over the top or gratuitous. There is violence and psychological tension in the narrative, but again, I never felt the author threw it in without reason. There is potentially triggering trauma (the main character was abducted, held, and tortured for days). There was also threatened sexual assault described in a flashback and in some dialogue, but nothing graphic. There are also references to violence and trauma against children in the book. Although it's the second book in the series, it works well enough as a standalone read. The author provides the necessary backstory.

Four stars. I enjoyed it and will be looking forward to the next book(s) in the series.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Best known for her cozy mystery series, Shelton has moved into darker territory with her rural suspense series "Alaska Wild Mysteries". Cold Wind is Book 2 in the series. Set in Alaska, in a hamlet located near Juneau, Shelton skillfully introduces both the puzzle and tells us more about her protagonist, Beth River.

Readers of Thin Ice will remember Beth is still hiding from a terrifying experience of being held captive for three days. As with many people who are recovering from severe trauma, Beth is denying the truth that she is not back to normal. The scars, both visible and invisible, have eroded her trust in herself, and above all in others. She wants to believe she is well; visions of the kidnapping are proving otherwise. Beth is not only a trauma survivor, she is a best selling thriller writer, and former journalist. As part of her cover, she now helms the The Petition, the local paper. While writing in her 'shed/news office' she hears a strangled ululating sound. She opens the door to find two children, covered in mud and stoically silent. The adventure begins.

As with most suspense novels, the secondary characters all have back stories that beg to be told. Not to take away from Beth. She is vivid and believable, as is the plot of Cold Wind. I look forward to more books in this series.

Highly recommended for all readers of suspense fiction.

Full disclosure: I received the ARC from netgalley and Macmillan in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.

Beth Rivers is in hiding. She’s a thriller writer who came close to the same fate as her characters. Kidnapped, held for three days, injured badly, and suffering memory loss, she left the hospital and chose as her hiding place, the most remote area she could find—Benedict, Alaska. So far, it’s worked. Only a handful of people know how to reach her and most of them don’t know her location.

She’s settling in and making friends. Alaska doesn’t seem so foreign as it did at first. She’s the editor for the small newspaper and is writing another book.

Years ago, a mudslide cut off part of the area. Now, a new slide has opened up roads again. Two young girls, mud-covered, and seemingly mute by choice, show up at the newspaper office. No one knows who they are. A trapper, rarely seen in town, now is noticed, and a woman’s frozen body is found in his storage shed.

Just like the mudslide uncovered formerly hidden roads, it’s also uncovering secrets from the past. Randy, owner of the mercantile store in town, is in the middle of all of them.

All in all, there are several mysteries to solve. And Beth is remembering more about her kidnapper. If only she could remember his face so she could stop wondering about everyone she meets.

This is book two in the series. Beth is learning more about living where the weather can change in a moment, where a reliable truck and always-ready gear are a necessity, and where people are willing to help, given the chance. This multi-layered tale will have readers turning the pages as fast as they can, to find out who is causing all the problems but wishing for more when the book is done.

Shelton also writes the Scottish Bookshop series (five books and a mini-mystery), the Country Cooking School mysteries (5), the Farmer’s Market books (6 plus a mini-mystery), and the Dangerous Type series (3). Many have been reviewed at KRL.

Cold Wind is a great second installment in this wonderful series. I love that the atmosphere plays such a big part in this series. Even though the solid writing, the cast of interesting and unique characters, and strong mystery are reason enough to read Cold Wind, the Alaskan wilderness puts it over the top.

I highly recommend Cold Wind to anyone looking for a book that will keep them turning the pages. If you haven't read the first book in this series, Thin Ice, you might want to go ahead and give it a try first. It's not necessary, but I think it will help you have a better backstory on Beth.

After reading Thin Ice I knew I’d be picking up the next book in the series. The setting of Alaska always intrigues me and it provides a perfect backdrop for a murder mystery.

In Cold Wind we meet up with our main character Beth and once again her backstory that was prominent in the first book ties into the current mystery. As much as I enjoy her character her decisions can be frustrating at times. There were definite moments I yelled what are you doing?! While one can can understand wanting to get to the truth of of what’s going on that doesn’t mean you get to trample on other’s privacy.

The mystery was engaging but I have to admit the conclusion was over the top for me. Thin Ice is my favorite of the two books but I will definitely be picking up the next in the series when it comes out. Thank you Minotaur books for my DRC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cold Wind by Paige Shelton

Beth Rivers is still in Alaska. The unidentified man who kidnapped her from her home in St. Louis hasn’t been found yet. She can’t go home until he is caught.

This was a very exciting mystery. Lots of dead bodies, lost children, and people hiding. It gave us readers a picture if what living in Alaska is like.. Many interesting characters. Kept you guessing, right bro the end, who the killer was.

Thank you Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for review.

This series is really growing on me. In the first novel, I noted that the protagonist seemed to have too many convenient life experiences and characteristics to make her totally three-dimensional and I still feel that to a degree. But, also like I found in the first book, the secondary characters are really wonderful. The setting is intriguing and the cast of characters keeps you coming back for more.

One thing that has really piqued my interest in this series is that we explore not only the mysteries that lurk in Beth's past (both that of catching her attacker and finding out what happened to her father), but the other characters also have secrets in their pasts that the reader wants to learn about. (We're told early that many of the people who populate this small, Alaskan town have come here to hide.) Plus, of course, there is a mystery of sorts that needs to be resolved in each entry. In this book, the mystery that Beth investigates is solid. It's a little convoluted towards the end, but it still works.

All in all, I recommend this series. I'd suggest starting with the first because the character development is definitely one of the strengths of the series, but you could probably read this one as a standalone with no problems. I look forward to the continuation of the series!

The second installment in this series takes us back to Alaska where Beth still resides. I was hoping we’d have some resolution on her kidnapper. Well written story but I find Beth’s impulsiveness in conflict with her experience as one who had been kidnapped. Main characters in cozy mysteries tend to have this type of impulsive behavior because nothing ever ends up hurting them in that genre. Since this series is not a cozy which is the authors usual genre, I’d like to see her break completely off the formula. Fingers crossed we’ll finish Beth’s story in the third installment.

Thin Ice is the first book in this mystery series set in Alaska. I suggest you begin with it first, it sets up this excellent series.
Elizabeth Fairchild is the pen name of Beth Rivers, a highly successful mystery writer.
She was stalked and kidnapped and her assailant still has not been caught, so she is hiding out in Alaska after her severe trauma.
The tiny town of Benedict is really beginning to fell like home to Beth. She is writing again and becoming friends with the residents.
After a mudslide, two mud covered young girls show up in town. They don't speak, so no one knows what happened to them.
The slide also uncovered an area that leads to a previously unknown house and storage shed.
A woman's frozen body is found in the shed.
Beth helps the investigation, to find out who the victim is, and what happened to her.
They must find the answers as the cold winter weather descends upon them.
This was a suspenseful and intricately plotted mystery.
The characters are delightfully eccentric. Beth has an impulsive personality, it is always interesting to see what she'll do next.
I absolutely love the setting, how they must deal with the hardships of the remote area and harsh weather.
And the ongoing mystery as to who attacked Beth and why is fascinating.
Thank you St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the e-ARC via NetGalley.

I requested this for review then requested book one from my library. I think, though, that it would work fine if you jumped in with this one. Book one wowed me; it was suspenseful, engrossing, and had intriguing characters. "Cold Wind" didn't wow me but I liked it, and I'm on board to read book three, if there is one. I hope there will be. The setting, an isolated small town in rural Alaska, was fascinating; the characters interesting, if sometimes overly quirky; and the writing engaging.

Now, the story did drag at times, and I just don't buy the motivations and behavior of some of the suspects and guilty parties. Honestly, while the mysteries were interesting, the solutions were weak and not entirely plausible. What did engage me was Beth's recovery journey and her mother's antics. It was engrossing getting into Beth's head and seeing and feeling her thoughts and emotions. She's trying to regain her memory, navigate this new environment she's living in, re-learn how to trust people, and get back her writing mojo. Beth is fascinating and full of flaws. So is her mother; she's on a hunt for Beth's kidnapper and nothing slows her down. Not even pesky things like laws. I fully expect her to be arrested at any time. She loves Beth fiercely though and will do anything to protect her daughter.

Meanwhile, Beth helps with the local investigations, sometimes with the blessing of the police and sometimes not. The book was a mix of cozy mystery, police procedural, and suspense. Beth did work as a police secretary and dispatcher many years ago and the Benedict police chief sometimes asks for her help but he also tells her when to back off. She doesn't always listen though. Her behavior was questionable at times; she shared info freely, broke into houses, grilled people, and didn't always think before acting. All of this did help with the various investigations but I have to wonder how well some of it will hold up in court when the cases get there. Yes, I know they are fictional but I can't help but wonder.

Overall, "Cold Wind" was interesting, exciting, and engaging. While the plausibility was weak and the pacing occasionally erratic, Shelton kept me engaged and intrigues. I do hope there will be more in the series.

Cold Wind by Paige Shelton is book two but this was the first for me. I was able to get caught up quickly. I am planning on reading book one.
This is a well written mystery that has you on the edge of your seat. It has great characters, some are quirky. And you will feel as if you are in Benedict, Alaska.. I couldn't put it down. to the jaw dropping end.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley for an honest review.

This is one of my most anticipated reads this year! The book has a lot going on in it however it’s quite easy to keep track of. It takes place in Benedict Alaska and it is the story of Beth Rivers. She is a successful thriller writer who is hiding out in Alaska. Come to find out everybody in Benedict has a reason for wanting to be so secluded. You have a mix of police investigation and some amateur investigation and on. However it works for this town.

Cold Wind is another "second book" that provided enough background that it wasn't necessary to have read the first book.
from description: "Beth Rivers is still in Alaska. The unidentified man who kidnapped her in her home of St. Louis hasn’t been found yet, so she’s not ready to go back."

Benedict, Alaska seemed a safe place for Beth to stay hidden because her kidnapper is still at large. Secure in the fact that only a few people know about Beth and her situation, she is able to continue writing her thrillers under a pseudonym.

When two eight-year-old girls knock on the door to her office, Beth realizes that they either cannot or will not explain who they are or how they got there. They are silent.

Oh, and the body of a woman is found in a trapper's shed. Beth gets busy trying to solve both mysteries. She wants to find the girls' parents and to discover who the dead woman is why she was killed.

I liked most of the book, but found the plot complications too far-fetched. Not that you know this until the conclusion, but still.

The characters and setting appealed to me, but the resolution was disappointing because I couldn't get past all the coincidences in the explanation.

Netgalley/St. Martin's Press

Mystery. Dec. 8, 2020.