“The atmosphere of a northern Michigan small town is expertly detailed . . . The story shines brightest during the courtroom scenes. Baker’s trial is informed and tense, with a knowledge and surety usually found in an engrossing legal thriller”

“Chilling, full of characters that feel real, with a ton of heart”

“Readers who enjoy character depth, family and smalltown drama, and an intricate plot will enjoy this fast-paced thriller”

“An intense, well-written novel, with a great trial, worthy of any John Grisham novel. This is one you will not want to put down”

“Sharp and engaging”

“[Gruley] launches a promising new mystery series with this tense tale of murder in small-town Michigan . . . Gruley buttresses the book’s sleek procedural elements with a textured, lived-in setting . . . An auspicious opening act”

“A freezing, sobering exploration of the hero’s mantra that “every day’s a penance"”

“Engrossing . . . This is the first in a series, thankfully, as readers will want to visit this chilly-in-every-way community again”

“Visceral, vivid, and suspenseful, Bitterfrost immerses readers in a chilly — and chilling — world of lost dreams and deadly feuds. I was instantly and completely engrossed. Masterfully done”

“Bryan Gruley’s Bitterfrost is my kind of crime novel . . . propelled by a razor-sharp plot that swirls around things we can all relate to: getting older, opportunities missed, and the uniting power of sports. Gruley’s at the top of his game”