(The Berkley Publishing Group ©2008 www.penguin.com)
Review by G.L. Giles
Author: D.H. Dublin
Though Freezer Burn is the third novel in the C.S.U. Investigation Series, you can easily start with this book. I haven’t read the first two installments, Blood Poison and Body Trace, yet, but I had no problem jumping right in with this one. I fully intend to read those as well, as I can’t go wrong if they’re even half as absorbing as this read. I was immediately drawn into the world of the protagonist, C.S.U. rookie Madison Cross, and her love interest, small-town Police Chief Matt Boone. It’s the mark of a skilled writer to somehow fit in a budding romance in the midst of gruesome multiple murders. The more realistic portrayals of Crime Scene Investigation processing and criminal life set this novel apart from many of those trying to portray like subject matter. In fact, the difference between C.S.I. (Crime Scene Investigation) and C.S.U. (Crime Scene Unit) is explained on the back cover. I’d say this novel best falls in the category of a Mystery/Thriller, but it also has an element of basic horror in that it frequently evokes an emotional response of fear and dread. Moreover, I think about any horror fan into gore can appreciate a novel that contains a creepy, frozen corpse oozing putrid yellow liquid in place of blood. Set primarily in Philadelphia and surrounding areas, it employs several plot twists involving organized crime in the present and past. Truly a riveting read, I give it 10 out of 10. To learn more, go to www.penguin.com, www.amazon.com or www.myspace.com/jonmcgoran