STONE COLD DEAD by James W. Ziskin

4 STARS

Starring a "girl reporter" in upstate New York who often plays by her own rules and puts her own life at risk when local cops are not doing all they could to solve a case.  Ellie Stone mysteries are perfect for fans of female protagonists, amateur sleuths, the early 1960's and Mad Men-era characters like Peggy Olson.

STONE COLD DEAD

An Ellie Stone Mystery

by

James W. Ziskin

INTRO
(from NightOwl Reviews)
(copyright)

• Number: 9781633880481
• Release: May 12, 2015
• Author: James W. Ziskin
• Availability: Print-Book
• Genre: Suspense
• Tags: * SUSP: Mystery
• Publisher: Seventh Street Books

December 21, 1960, the shortest day of the year: Fifteen-year-old Darleen Hicks slips away from her school bus as it idles in the junior-high parking lot, waiting to depart. Moments later the bus rumbles away without her, and she is never seen again. New Year’s Eve 1960: The small upstate town of New Holland, New York, is in the grips of a severe cold snap, when Ellie Stone receives a late-night caller—Irene Metzger, the grieving mother of Darleen Hicks. She tells Ellie that the local police won’t help her, that they believe Darleen has run off with some older boy and will return when she is ready. Irene has read Ellie’s stories in the paper on an earlier murder case and believes Ellie is her last hope.  Ellie Stone is on a chilling journey to a place of uncertainty, loss, teenage passion, and vulnerability—where Ellie’s questions are unwanted and her life is in danger.

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AUTHOR
James W.. Ziskin is the author of Styx and Stone and No Stone Unturned, the first two Ellie Stone mysteries.  A linguist by training, Ziskin was director of New York University's Casa Italian journalists and academics on cultural and educational events.




REVIEW
What happened on December 21, 1960? It was the shortest day of the year.  The school bus sits idling in the parking lot for the junior high schoolers.  The author wrote a real suspense mystery int his book.  What happened to Fifteen year old Darleen Hicks as the bus leaves without her?  Setting: New Year's Eve 1960, New Holland, New York.  In the middle of a severe winter storm, Irene Metzger, the mother of Darleen Hicks shows up at Ellie Stone's home.  Why won't the police help?  The author gives you the idea that Darleen has run away with some boy and will come back on her own.  But is that what happened?  The author gives the reader a bone chilling tour into a place that is full of uncertainty, teenage crushes, loss, suspense, mystery and vulnerability.This is a place where Ellie is wanted.  Her questions will not be answered or will they?   For certain  her life is in danger.   The author gives the reader a little bit of everything.  Most of all it gives the reader a chance to try to figure out this mystery before the end of the book.  Is Darleen just a teenage runaway or has she been abducted, never to be seen again?  You will have to read the book yourself for any more.  I would recommend this book to anyone w ho loves t he unknown, mystery and lots of suspense.   Grab a copy of this wonderful book by James W. Ziskin and try to figure out what happened to DARLENE????



I was given a complimentary copy of STONE COLD DEAD from the author, James W. Ziskin
and Night Owl Reviews for my view of the book.

I would give this book 4 STARS.




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