REVIEW: Murder on Ice by Alina Adams

Does anybody wonder where Alina Adams went to? Why don’t you try the mystery aisle.  In fact, she writes Ice Skating mysteries featuring sleuth, Rebecca “Bex” Levy. Murder on Ice is the first mystery featuring Bex. She’s a skating researcher for 24/7 Sports Network.  Bex is best described as more of a self-deprecating sleuth. Her boss, Gil Cahill expects her to investigate and solve crimes that will garner ratings and give them the exclusive.  Along the way, Adams injects just enough humor to make things interesting for her but the mystery is pretty simple and it’s the characters who make this series fun. 

Bex’s job is to know anything and everything there is to know about the competitors who are skating in tournaments.  She provides crucial information to commentators/former skating champions - Francis and Diana Howarth, who don’t always get along on and off air.  The author goes through all the rivalries of skating competitions. Giving the reader insider knowledge about the skating world.  It’s almost like getting first hand information from behind the scenes of skating.  

The central plot in this story deals with a rivalry between the Russian skater, Xenia Trubin and the American skater, Erin Simpson. After the scores are tallied, it is found that Xenia has won the Gold and Erin the Silver. No surprise that this causes an upset. Who to blame? It is suspected that one of the judges was bribed. Then there’s pressure on the judge to change her vote.  However, soon after the close of the competition, the judge is found dead. Thus, it is up to Bex to solve the mystery of the dead judge and get the exclusive. Never mind the police, who seem to be working the case. Bex usually does this solo anyway. She does get some help from amateur sleuths like herself.

This is a fun series thus far. I’ve read two of the four mysteries that are out right now.  I like Bex and her over the top boss who expects her to do more than her job description without paying her for it. The mysteries are not all that serious nor are they all that complex. Also, the endings are wrapped up a bit too neatly.  What draws readers like me is the writing, the humor and the interest in skating even though I don’t have any knowledge of skating and never have watched the Winter Olympics. Never cared. This is Alina Adams area of expertise as this is what she did for years. She has made this a fun series to read thus far and I would grade this entry a B+. So you miss her romances? Get over it. Her mysteries are pretty good.

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