Book Review
Bitterfrost
Bryan Gruley
reviewed by Lou Jacobs


readersremains.com | Goodreads


From Edgar Award–winning author Bryan Gruley comes a superb police procedural that seamlessly morphs into a courtroom thriller. The first in a series, this novel introduces the complexities of small-town politics, family feuds, and the power of wealthy families—all set against the backdrop of a chilling murder mystery.

At the center is Jimmy Baker, a local hockey legend whose minor league career ended abruptly. Known for his quick temper and talent for dropping the gloves to administer punishment to his rivals, Jimmy was a natural on-ice enforcer. But after goading rival Cory Richards into a fight and pummeling him so severely that Cory ended up hospitalized and permanently wheelchair-bound, Jimmy’s hockey days were over. He returned home and settled into a quiet life as the Zamboni driver for the local Ice Kings club.

Jimmy has grown fond of “Zelda,” his Zamboni, and takes great pride in keeping the ice perfect at the rink, which is owned by the Payne family—the richest in Bitterfrost, Michigan. The family matriarch, Eleanor, owns the club; her son, Evan, manages the rink; and her daughter, Devyn, is both a local lawyer and an amateur hockey enthusiast. Devyn and Jimmy share a distant but mutual attraction. Jimmy, now divorced and estranged from his daughter, lives a solitary life. Meanwhile, a long-simmering feud brews between the Paynes and the Dulaneys. Butch Dulaney and his two younger brothers resent the Paynes’ power and status.

Then Jimmy wakes up at 4:00 a.m., dazed and on his kitchen floor, to the metallic scent of blood. His knuckles are torn, his face bruised, and his jacket sleeve stained. The last thing he remembers is leaving the arena and heading to the Lost Loon Tavern for his usual single drink. Everything after is a blank. Meanwhile, the state police discover a blood-spattered pickup truck near Jimmy’s house—torched, but with no body inside.

Detective Garth Klimmek of the Bitterfrost police arrives on the scene. As his investigation unfolds, circumstantial evidence begins to mount against Jimmy—especially once a body is discovered and the son of a prominent local figure goes missing. Jimmy turns to his longtime friend Devyn for legal help, and as the case builds, she must dig deeper to defend him in the face of damning evidence.

Bryan Gruley proves himself a masterful storyteller, expertly weaving multiple plotlines with escalating tension and intrigue. The bitter cold of a Michigan winter adds an atmospheric touch to this claustrophobic tale, steeped in small-town obsessions, buried secrets, and the corrosive tension between wealth, politics, and family loyalty. This finely honed mystery marks a strong start to an ongoing series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for supplying an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading more about Jimmy and Devyn’s future entanglements.

In the small Michigan town of Bitterfrost, two murders have occurred and the Zamboni driver at the local hockey rink has been arrested. From there, the case becomes intertwined with danger and suspense. The plot is well-conceived and presented, while the pace is even as the story moves right along from the investigation to the courtroom showdown. The characters are interesting, with a bit of family drama and hockey culture, along with a first-rate mystery.

Let me just say, I truly enjoyed Bitterfrost. Well-written, well-conceived, and well-plotted. There was a lot to keep track of and the author does a masterful job moving between characters as the story progresses. Meanwhile, the courtroom scenes are well-written and never boring. The addition of the hockey aspects made this book even more interesting for me and, after attending hockey games, I believe the author has truly captured the uniqueness of this sport and the people who love it.

I suspect this is the first book in a potential series and I’m looking forward to Mr Gruley’s next one. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

Memory loss and murder!

For one small moment I thought I’d wandered into a Backman book. Northern climes, ice hockey, Zamboni drivers! Far from it. Well winters in Northern Michigan are far enough. An interesting mystery where the Zamboni driver, ex hockey player, Jimmy Baker is accused of murder. (those grazed knuckles and lost memory will do it every time!) It’s up to his friend and defence attorney Devon Payne to help solve the murder and bring Jimmy out from under the cloud of suspicion that surrounds him.
Needed to be a bit more snappy and succinct for me. A good yarn nevertheless.

A Severn House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

✨ Publication date: April 1, 2025✨

Bitter Frost is the first book in a new crime/thriller series by Bryan Gruley. I have never read this author before but I really enjoyed his writing and was pulled right into the story and the characters.

Devyn Payne is a defense attorney in her small town Bitter Frost Michigan. A year or so after she helped free a client due to the small police department’s mistakes in investigating one of the worst crimes the small town had seen.

Jimmy Baker lives a quiet life in his small home town of Bitter Frost. After having an illustrious minor hockey career, this once hometown hero works at the local hockey rink after his career ended after nearly killing an opponent in an on ice fight. Jimmy doesn’t really miss the hockey world but having been an enforcer for his entire career he often has breaks and holes in his memory.

Jimmy wakes up one night on his kitchen floor covered in blood. He can’t remember what happened the night before, only that he was at the local bar and had one drink before a couple of out of towners came in to cause trouble. Now Jimmy is on trial for a double murder and has no recollection of that night.

Devyn faces off against the same veteran detective she exposed a year ago but this time she’s less sure she can help her old friend Jimmy. As the pieces of that night slowly come together, the detective and lawyer find they may actually be working for the same side.

This was really good! I enjoyed the writing, the characters and the story kept me interested all the way through! I will definitely be picking up the next book in their series! This is a 4 star read for me.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #bryangruley #bitterfrost

This book was awesome! Ive read lots of Gruley's books, and this was the best yet! I loved Jimmy and Devyn, and Ronnie. Not sure about the detective, but interesting characters. This was hard to put down, and I love hockey, so that helps! It was really down to the end to find out what was really going on. Loved it! I highly recommend this book.

Thank you netgalley and Severn House for the arc for my honest review.

It took me about half way through this book to really get into it. I figured out for the most part what was going on before it was revealed, but it wasn't overly obvious. If you like court room drama and hockey, then this would be a great book for you.

Such a well paced and suspenseful book! The twists were believable and not predictable.
It had excellent writing and a fascinating plot.
Bitterfrost by Bryan Gruley is a book which kept me thoroughly engaged from beginning to end.

Bryan Gurley's #1 BITTERFROST, the first installment in his highly anticipated Bitterfrost crime thriller series, is a unique blend of genres. This riveting, gritty, and atmospheric small-town whodunit murder mystery intertwines the world of hockey with a legal drama twist, set against a chilling backdrop. This innovative combination will pique your interest and keep you turning the pages.

BITTERFROST is not just a story about a town, a game, or a fallen star. It is so much more. The narrative will grip you from the first page and refuse to let go until the end, leaving you anxiously awaiting #2.

About...

Defense attorney Devyn Payne faces off against veteran detective Garth Klimmek as they work to solve a vicious double homicide in their small, icy town of Bitterfrost, Michigan.

Thirteen years ago, former ice hockey star Jimmy Baker left the game he loved after almost killing an opponent. Now, he is a Zamboni driver for the amateur team in his hometown, paying his penance. Then he wakes up to blood...

Jimmy is arrested for a brutal double murder, but he has no memory of the night in question. The town is in an uproar as the evidence is against him. Could he have committed such a gruesome crime, or is someone setting him up to take the fall? The mystery deepens, leaving you on the edge of your seat, wondering who and why.

My thoughts...

BITTERFROST is a haunting, twisty, and triumphant page-turner. The big-hearted story is filled with unexpected plot twists that keep you guessing until the end.

Razor-sharp, Gurley serves up a knock-out new series that will keep you riveted with small-town politics, corruption, family rivalry, legal drama, and murder, with compelling, well-developed characters you will root for.

Jimmy's defense attorney, who plays on a local hockey team in her off-time from legal work and a friend. She and veteran detective Garth Klimmek have the task of unraveling the truth.

The author skillfully uses his storytelling skills to build tension and suspense with well-drawn characters in which you become deeply invested. A propulsive mystery with a lot of heart, Jimmy is profoundly flawed and loves his daughter fiercely. You'll find yourself rooting for him despite his past.

I also adored Devyn risking it all to help her friends. Driven and tenacious, I loved Jimmy and Devyn. Their emotional depth, the way they navigate their challenges, and the personal sacrifices they make will leave you feeling deeply connected to their journey.

Beautifully written, character-driven, a fast-paced thriller, expertly crafted, a blend of crime, cop procedural, legal, literary, and a small-town whodunit murder mystery. The characters in Bitterfrost are not just part of the story; they are the story, and their emotional depth will leave you feeling deeply connected to their journey.

While the book is set in a hockey-centric environment, Gurley delves into the human emotional complexities that transcend the sport.

Fans of rural noirs are in for a treat with this dark and twisted thriller. Bitterfrost delivers a heart-pounding, engaging thriller that will leave you turning the pages at lightning speed. It's as good as it gets, and I cannot wait for #2!

Recs...

BITTERFROST is for fans of the author, hockey, and those of Allen Eskens, John Grisham, Ken Jaworowski, Chris Whitaker, and Fredrik Backman's Beartown series.

Thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. And introducing me to this fabulous author.

Blog review posted@
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: April 1, 2025
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Hot-Blooded Crimes In A Very Cold Environment

Jimmy Baker is a Zamboni driver for the IceKings. He must have had a doozy of a night as he wakes up with dried blood on his hands and the skin on his knuckles is shredded, exposing bone. His right cheek has a lump on it, resembling a strawberry. He doesn't remember anything after his first drink at the Lost Loon Tavern. He is oblivious to a vicious murder that occurred last night near his home. From this start, the novel proceeds.

This novel consists of four main storylines. The first thread is Jimmy Baker’s story. This thread offers the reader a perspective on the events and provides background information on Jimmy Baker. The second is the investigation that starts with the murder of one of two travelers who had stopped at the Lost Loon for a few drinks. The discovery of the second traveler’s body leads to Baker’s arrest. Devyn Payne is the protagonist, and the third thread centers on her as she defends Baker. The fourth thread involves various criminal elements, both local and those to the North and the South. Payne faces numerous obstacles, starting with having left a Detroit law firm after failing to make partner. She now lives rent-free with her meager income supplemented by her mother. Baker, her friend and client, can’t remember anything between leaving the tavern and waking up in his kitchen. As the novel progresses, the scope of the crime continues to expand. More deaths occur. Witnesses disappear. She encounters criminal elements when she attempts to locate the witnesses. Several twists occur that change my understanding of the events in the novel.

Devyn Payne’s background is quite extensive. Her mother owns the local minor league ice hockey team and her insight business of that team. She plays pick-up games every morning with men. She does more than hold her own on the ice. Her on-ice antics add a lightness to the novel. Her history, from becoming a lawyer to her success and fall, and her return home, is provided. Currently, she relies on pro bono work. She does her own investigative work, which was not without significant risk. Her character enhanced my reading enjoyment of this novel.

A significant aspect that can cause some readers to stop reading is the language. Profanity and impious language are at a very noticeable level. On the plus side, the use was not just of singular words but of phrases that are more realistic to how they are used in real life. There are not any intimate scenes. Most of the violence is described after the fact, but there is one very vicious scene described in detail by a woman in the witness box. These aspects did not hinder my reading enjoyment of this novel.

The only issue I had was a minor loose end. I would have liked to learn what happened to Dulany’s gate guard, Charlie. I did enjoy the relationship between Payne and Baker. It added a lightness to the novel. This is necessary, as the novel presents almost constant threats against Payne, including the death of one witness and another in hiding, which keeps the tension at a high level until the end. My reading time was typical for a novel of this length. I was engaged with the novel throughout my reading.

My familiarity with this author is from reading his Purgatory Bay novel five years ago. I have been waiting for his next novel since then. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. As this is the second book from this author, I have moved my rating from Pending to Will Read. I highly recommend reading this novel and rate this novel with five stars.

I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version from Severn House through NetGalley. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Severn House, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

This engrossing novel may be Bryan Gruley's best book in a distinguished career. Jimmy Baker, tormented by doubts about his memory and his innocence, is a tragic central character.

In an aptly named small town in Michigan, Bitterfrost is dominated by hockey. One of the local stars is Jimmy Baker whose memory is addled from too many hits to the head. Once a formable hockey player, Jimmy returned home to Bitterfrost to drive Zelda the Zamboni. Then one morning, he wakes up on his kitchen floor with no memory of the night before. The back door is open, there’s blood on his jacket and his gloves are missing. A body is found, then another. Coincidentally, the two men had been in the bar with Jimmy the night before. This gives the local police, already under pressure from the father of one of the victims, enough to arrest Jimmy. His lawyer is Devyn Payne, daughter of the rink owner. She believes in Jimmy’s innocence and begins to investigate the miurder on her own with occasional help from Detective Klimmek. What she learns will change lives and Bitterfrost itself.

This is my first book by Edgar award nominated and Pulitzer Prize winning author Bryan Gruley and it definitely will not be my last. Bitterfrost is a tour-de-force, a story about murders in a small town, about feud between families, and life long friendships. It is dark, atmospheric and dominated by two characters, Devyn and Jimmy. Devyn is a talented, driven lawyer who failed to make partner at a Detroit lawyer because of a misogynistic decision. Jimmy is a tragic figure, haunted by an act of violence. He desperately tries to pull facts about that deadly bight out of his muddled mind. Bitterroot, the first in a new series, is a must read that will stay with you long after the final pages. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Severn House and Bryan Gruley for this ARC.

Have you ever woken up and not had a clue what happened? I don’t mean a few minutes of disassociation, but full on many minutes of having no clue what in the heck happened or why you are in the shape you are in? I’ve done it several times thanks to concussions.

The first, and probably the most traumatic and the probable source of some of my health and cognitive issues these days, was back in elementary school many years ago. My parents had always said that I should not play in the pickup football games before school. That I would get hurt. I did not listen. One morning, the last memory I have is running to intercept a bigger kid and make the tackle. I’m told that I got him and his buddy, in anger, drop kicked my head afterwards as I laid on the ground.

I lost over an hour and a half where I have no memory of what went on. It is incredibly scary to have no idea what in the heck happened.

Former hockey player Jimmy Baker finds himself in that situation as Bitterfrost by Bryan Gruley begins. He awakens to a pinging noise in his head and the smell of blood. He is on his kitchen floor just before four in the morning, missing a shoe, with torn up knuckles, and a host of other issues. He is still wearing his IceKings jacket, now with a very bloody sleeve. He knows he wore that jacket the night before, had it on when he left the arena, and while he had his one drink at the Lost Loon Tavern. He knows he spent some time there as it is his nightly ritual, after he puts the Zamboni away, to lock up the place and hang out at the Lost Loon Tavern. He has one drink and goes home after a while.

But, something clearly happened. Not only is he wearing evidence that something happened, there is even more evidence outside his home, and in his truck. Something really bad happened. He has no clue at all what. With his record, that makes everything so much worse.

Meanwhile, the state police get a call that there is an abandoned pickup truck nearby. Upon arrival, they find that somebody failed at trying to burn the truck. The same truck that has a lot of blood in it. The same truck that is dumped in close range of Jimmy Baker’s house.

The truck is just inside the jurisdictional boundary of city of Bitterfrost, Michigan, and that means Detective Garth Klimmek is on the case. A case that gains urgency as the son of a wealthy man has gone missing. Politics, media attention, and the finding of a body means the pressure is on to solve the case fast.

What follows is a highly entertaining read that this review only scratches the surface. Multiple storylines, personal agendas, family secrets going back decades, and more is at work in this read that one hopes is the start of a new series from this very talented author. If you have read Bryan Gruley before (Starvation Lake, Bleak Harbor, and others), you know that the complicated mystery will include a lot of references to hockey, wealthy families and their power, and old murder cases, are always the backbone of his books. Such is the case here as is a lot more besides. Much of which should not be discussed so as to not ruin the read.

In short, make sure you read Bitterfrost by Bryan Gruley. The read is very much worth your time and is strongly recommended.


My reading copy came through NetGalley from the publisher, Severn House, with no expectation of a review.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2025

This is a riveting, atmospheric story set in wintertime in a cold Michigan town named Bitterfrost. It focuses on hockey culture. Having lived in three wintery Canadian provinces where hockey was a major sport, the setting seemed authentic and believable. The story includes small-town politics, corruption, family rivalry, and murder, with well-developed characters. It cleverly combines a murder mystery with legal drama.

Jimmy Baker was a former hockey player and star in a minor league team thirteen years ago. Due to his aggressive nature, he was designated the 'goon' or enforcer for his team and severely injured a rival player, returning home to Bitterfrost following the incident. He now drives a Zamboni, which prepares smooth, hockey-ready ice. Jimmy is popular with the crowds, with a cheering section for Jimmy and also the Zamboni, that has become a secondary character. Jimmy has nicknamed the vehicle and talks to it to relieve boredom.

Two men from outside Bitterfrost are dead after causing a scene in a local bar. Jimmy had been present in the bar that night. His past participation in hockey had left him with memory gaps due to blows in the head. He wakes up in the morning with blood on his jacket, a black eye, an injured fist, a missing phone and boot, and no memory of what happened the previous night after he left the bar. He fears he may be guilty of a double homicide but is determined to proclaim his innocence.

With a history of violence with his fists, he has become the major suspect in the murders, both killed by blows to the head. His defence attorney will be Devyn Payne, who plays on a local hockey team in her off-time from legal work. She became Jimmy's friend during ice time. She and veteran detective Garth Klimmek have the difficult task of discovering the truth before the trial. Can Jimmy be saved from a lifetime in prison? I was riveted to the pages by increasing tension and suspense.

This is the first book in a new series. If you are a hockey fan or know little about the sport, you should enjoy the well-written story. Thank you, Netgalley and Severn House, for the much-appreciated ARC. The publication date is April 01, 2025.

It took me a couple of tries to get into this book. But I'm glad I kept at it. Once it takes off its one thing after another. Devyn is a great character. And I was completely invested in Jimmy. I definitely will stick with the series.

🏒 T H R I L L E R T U E S D A Y review 🏒 featuring “Bitterfrost” by Bryan Gruley!

MY RATING: 🖤🖤🖤.5/5

Jimmy Walker was a hockey star 13 years ago and walked away from the game when he almost killed an opponent. He now works as the Zamboni driver at the local hockey rink in his hometown of Bitterfrost, Michigan.

One morning Jimmy finds himself covered in blood with shredded knuckles and a black eye. He has zero recollection of what happened the night before. However, two out of town visitors end up dead after causing a scene at the local watering hole. Jimmy becomes the primary suspect of the double murders and doesn’t have much to defend himself with. Jimmy has a violent past and now it’s catching up with him …

What a great start to a new series: a small town mystery and legal thriller combined with the fandom of hockey! Smart as a whip writing with lots of grit and circumstances as frigid as the blizzard looming around them, this series is one to keep an eye out for!

Thank you kindly to @bryangruley @severnhouseimprint @netgalley for my #gifted digital advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on April 1, 2025!

A good start to a new series. Those who appreciate hockey will enjoy the details that help build Jimmy Baker's life, a life which changed drastically after he became too violent in a game, leaving him to work as a Zamboni driver. But that doesn't mean he is a killer, even if he blacked out and doesn't remember what happened that night. His pal Devyn takes on his case, as she's also convinced he didn't do it. But there's a dogged cop and some difficult evidence. Or is it just assumptions? No spoilers from me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fine read.

This was my first Bryan Gruley book, and it really appealed to me (double homicide/defence attorney/veteran detective). The opening chapter was quite interesting and there were some fascinating characters, but the amount of American hockey jargon was extremely off-putting (coming from a non-American who knows nothing about ice hockey). The dialogue was a bit clunky in places, and it took quite a long time to get to the main plot. It also didn’t take much to figure out who the killer was.
Thank you to NetGalley, Severn House and Bryan Gruley for the eARC.

I did not anticipate the level of profanity in the book. Since it occurred early in the writing, I skipped through a lot. The plot had my attention which is the reason I requested Bitterfrost by Bryan Gruley who was a NTM author.

Releases Apr. 1st. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3,5 ⭐

jimmy baker, once a professional hockey player, now works as the zamboni driver for the amateur IceKings team in his small hometown of bitterfrost, michigan.
one morning, he wakes up at home with no memory of the night before, only to discover that he was involved in a brutal fight. soon after, he is arrested for the brutal murder of two men. now, defense attorney devyn payne and local detective garth klimmek have to unravel the truth behind the case.

the book revolves around ice hockey which i'm not a fan of and know nothing about. however, i still enjoyed the story :D
though, it kinda took a long time to reach the main plot, and by the time it did, i had lost interest. overall, the book was just okay for me. it kept my attention throughout, and i loved the setting, but i guessed who the killer was pretty quickly. nevertheless, i still had fun with this one - it was a quick and engaging read which i'd reccomend.

i found the characters interesting and likeable.
i think devyn is my favorite one - relentlessly pursuing the truth no matter the cost, even if it meant risking her career and life. i really admired her dedication.

it was definitely a solid first book in the bitterfrost series, can't wait to read more and see how the characters develop. this was my first bryan gruley book and i actually liked the writing style so i'm looking forward to reading more.




*thanks to NetGalley, Severn House and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Really good story line with interesting characters . Ending was little bit disappointing , but overall really good fast read.

Thanks to NetGally for avance copy