Frozen Stiff by Annelise Ryan is the third book in the “Mattie Winston” mystery series. Publisher: Kensington, September 2011

Death is never pretty, but Mattie’s latest victim is strikingly beautiful . . . or at least she was before someone stuck that knife into her chest. When detective Steven Hurley arrives on scene, he takes one look at the body, turns as white as the newly fallen snow, and excuses himself from the case. Turns out the victim was a top investigative reporter from Chicago, and Hurley not only knew her, they dated a year and a half ago until she broke it off. Hurley swears Mattie to secrecy and then tells her . . . that knife in his ex’s chest is his!

It’s a case with more twists than Mattie’s own crazy love life, and it’ll take all of her forensic skills to unravel the increasingly bizarre clues and find the killer before she herself becomes just another cold case!

Mattie is at it again as she entertains us with her escapades as she helps Hurley prove that he is not responsible for the sudden crime wave hitting Sorenson. This mystery was non-stop action from the first page to the excellent conclusion when Mattie’s birth name was revealed and that was pure deliciousness and well worth the wait. Mattie’s vulnerability makes her a great character to love and root for as she tries to solve this puzzle. This was a terrific read and I can’t wait for the next adventures with Mattie and the gang in this enjoyable and amusing series.

Annelise Ryan is the pseudonym of Beth Amos.