A floating body. Puzzling clues. When the hunt nearly lands him in the morgue, can a dedicated physician stop a cunning killer?
Peak, NC. Dr. Matthew Paine lives by a high moral code. Struggling to cope with his girlfriend overseas, he agrees to continue consulting for the local P.D. to keep the weight of her absence at bay. But when he arrives at a fresh murder scene, he’s shocked to find a woman’s frozen corpse tossed into a heated pool to confuse the investigation.
Frustrated that the only real lead is a black diamond embedded in a molar, the calm and soft-spoken doctor feels like he’s spinning his wheels. But when he joins the detective to investigate the Jane Doe’s newly discovered car, a second cadaver in the trunk comes with a lethal surprise…
With more people missing and the ruthless psychopath always one step ahead, can Matthew deliver justice for the dead?
Iced is the riveting fifth book in the Matthew Paine Mysteries series. If you like brilliant but flawed heroes, crazed villains, and plenty of twists, then you’ll love Lee Clark's nail-biting whodunit.
A self-professed chocoholic and coffeeholic, Lee Clark is a North Carolina native with family ties in Virginia as well. Originally from Raleigh, Clark still resides in the piedmont of North Carolina with spouse, two mostly grown children who are in and out, and a small petting zoo of dogs and cats.
Clark attended Campbell University, obtained a degree in Journalism from East Carolina University, and then a Master’s in Technical Communication from North Carolina State University. After working in the software technology industry for over 20 years, creating and building highly technical user information for software developers, Clark decided it was time to pursue a true passion: fictional writing.
Though the Matthew Paine character in the mystery series is fictional, he was inspired by two very important men in the author’s life, brother Sean and son Will. Both will see characteristics of themselves in the character and identify with some of Matthew’s struggles.
Lee Clark has hit her stride with this book. Iced: A Matthew Paine Mystery is the fifth book in the Matthew Paine Mysteries and is the best yet. This novel brings in all the favorite characters from her earlier books, has a great plot, good pacing, tension in all the right places, and kept me guessing. Just what I want in a good mystery.
The Description: A cunning killer toys with police… Leaving unconnected mystifying clues, always one step ahead. Can Matthew outwit him? Matthew Paine thought he was intelligent. After med school, the thirty-year-old is confident of his abilities. Until a brilliant but ruthless psychopath with an enormous ego challenges that. Should Matthew run for his life? Or do whatever it takes to catch a crazed murderer? When the first victim’s car – containing a surprise meant to be seen before it is destroyed – blows up in Matthew’s face the decision becomes clear. Balancing a demanding medical practice with an intense investigation means little sleep and lots of angst. Is Matthew up for the challenge? You’ll love Iced – the chilling fifth book in Lee Clark’s Matthew Paine Mystery series – because everyone enjoys suspenseful plot twisting classic whodunit mysteries. Get it now.
My thoughts: Love the friendship between Matthew Paine, the physician, and Danbury the Detective. They make a good crime-solving team with each of them bringing special skills to the table to solve murder investigations. There are multiple murders in this one, but common threads are found. The setting at the strip club was interesting, as well as the interactions with the homeless and the way both Matthew and Danbury reach out to help those in need. I liked getting to know more about Penn, Danbury's girlfriend.
I've followed this series from the start and watched the author grow and become more confident. The writing as well as the characters have grown and this book showcases the maturity. I look forward to the next Matthew Paine adventure.
Thanks to Lee Clark and Cypress River Media for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 23, 2023.
If you’re a fan of cozy murder mysteries then this is the series for you! Iced is the fifth book in the Matthew Paine series but each book can be read as a stand-alone. With each book, you can see Lee’s growth as an author as well as the growth of each of the main characters. In this installment, Matthew and Danbury are tasked with solving the murder of a woman found frozen and left in a pool. Who was she, who killed her, and why? The twist is a good one!
Thank you, Lee, for the advanced copy. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series!
Prepare yourself for the experience that is “Iced.” This book is like a rollercoaster ride with a dash of humor and a whole lot of “what can possibly happen next.” From the very first page, your stomach will churn with anticipation. You will physically be unable to put it down even if your cat tries to distract you with its hilarious antics. You’ve been warned!
This is my first time reading a Matthew Paine Mystery (aside from the short story) and I was blown away by the mystery. The story centres around a woman found dead, frozen and floating in a pool but the circumstances around her death stumps the detectives. Together, Matthew and Detective Danbury must work together to discover the truth and catch the murderer. There were twists and turns, tension and suspense - everything you could want from a good mystery! Thanks to Lee Clark for this ARC! I look forward to going back the beginning of the series and reading more about Matthew Paine.
I'm a sucker for cat and mouse thriller by this one has a twist. Well written , fast passed. and characters so well developed, you'll feel as though you were part of the book. Loved every twist, held my breathe through out..Well worth reading again.
Iced is the latest in Lee Clark’s Matthew Paine series. Iced takes you in all kinds of directions as Mathew, a small town family doctor, and Detective Danbury attempt to solve their latest crime mystery together. But it’s never just one crime. And it’s never just one mystery! Each book in the series has further developed the main characters and their relationships with each other. With Iced, if feels as if you are right there in the fictional town of Peak, NC, eating at the Peak’s Eats Diner.
When a body, a frozen body, is found floating in the pool of a house while the family is away on a long vacation, Matthew and Danbury begin the search for the killer and they take you along for the ride. How did the body get there, why is it frozen, and how can the victim’s strikingly blue eyes still be so vibrant that long after her death?
Another well written story that you will have trouble putting down.
ICED by Lee Clark is an enthralling murder mystery that plunges readers into a chilling investigation filled with secrets, suspense, and unexpected twists. With its intriguing characters, atmospheric setting, and a web of deceit to unravel, Clark delivers a gripping tale that keeps you guessing until the final revelation.
Set against the backdrop of a small town, ICED introduces us to Dr. Matthew, a brilliant physician, and Danbury, a seasoned homicide detective. Their paths collide when the lifeless body of Misty, a vibrant young woman, is discovered floating in a swimming pool. As Matthew becomes entangled in the investigation, he must navigate a treacherous landscape of deceit, hidden motives, and potential suspects to uncover the truth behind Misty's untimely demise.
My Thoughts: Clark's skillful storytelling captivates readers from the very beginning. The author effortlessly sets the stage for a mystery that deepens with every turn of the page. The small-town atmosphere, with its close-knit community and undercurrents of tension, serves as the perfect backdrop for secrets to fester and suspicions to arise. From the start, the reader is gripped by the need to uncover the truth alongside the protagonists.
ICED is a gripping murder mystery that will keep readers on their toes until the final revelation. Lee Clark's adept storytelling, compelling characters, and atmospheric setting make for an immersive reading experience. Prepare to be immersed in a frozen world of deception, as the truth behind Misty's murder slowly emerges, casting a chilling spell that will leave you spellbound.
I was really excited to read this next installment in the Matthew Paine series. I had gotten to love the characters in the previous book, so it was fun to see their next steps. The story is about a woman who is found frozen, but the detective can't figure out who, how, and why. These questions remain until the surprise ending. Along the way there are many unexpected paths that lead to the killer. It's exciting, interesting, and I got to use some of my Spanish knowledge with the inclusion of a wide variety of characters including one who speaks Spanish. The book is very well written. I like how even the minor characters are important. I would highly recommend this book to those who like mysteries.
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review. Fifth book in the series, this is the first Matthew Paine mystery I’ve read. Set in North Carolina, it’s a cozy crime book with an MD helping a detective solve a murder case. There was some humor and surprising twists, too. The first half was kind of slow paced, but it picked up speed halfway through, and the last dozen chapters kept me glued to my seat. If you’re a fan of cozy crime, banter, surprise twists and bromance, this is the book for you.
After a frozen body was found in a swimming pool, Matthew Paine finds himself helping out his detective friend, Danbury. One after another potential killer is eliminated, but who is the killer? After a car blows up & Matthew is injured; it gets dangerous. The search is on to find the killer! Once you start reading this book you can't put it down! I always look forward to seeing what Matthew is up to next! Love the mystery in the book and the characters!
While the action and pacing were good, at times I felt things dragged a little and the tension and danger of certain situations could have been better emphasized. Overall though, this is a solid piece of work and a good introduction to the mystery genre (I feel), especially if you're interested in the things doctors see and do.
Iced is a terrific thriller/murder mystery. Lee Clark masterfully weaves a tale of intrigue and danger. A tale with many twists and turns. A fascinating read from beginning to end!