Book Review with Giveaway: The Freezer (The Tanner Sequence) by Timothy S. Johnston

This is another sharp, intense mystery with heart-pounding suspense.

The Freezer (The Tanner Sequence)
by Timothy S. Johnston

File Size: 542 KB
Print Length: 308 pages
Publisher: Carina Press (August 25, 2014)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
ASIN: B00KPJNL3E
Genre: Mystery, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 25, 2014
A Tanner Sequence Novel
2402 AD
CCF homicide investigator Kyle Tanner and his girlfriend are on their way to Pluto, en route to a new life together. Just one little death to check out in the asteroid belt first. But when you're as tangled up in conspiracy as Tanner is, a few hours on a case can change your life. Or end it.

The mystery is a strange one—one man dead, a cryptic message his dying breath. Still, Tanner's ready to wrap it up until another gruesome murder shakes him to his core. The discovery of a microscopic bomb near his own heart offers the first faint clue, but the clock is ticking. He has four days….

A desperate search for answers takes Tanner to The Freezer, an isolated facility on one of Jupiter's moons. With anti-CCF dissidents targeting the facility, a team of scientists conducting experiments the military would rather remain hidden, and a mysterious man in white hunting him on the ice, Tanner will have to choose his allies carefully. Putting his faith in the wrong person will leave him bleeding out in seconds.

Review:
Lieutenant Kyle Tanner has a reputation as one of the most persistent and best CCF homicide investigators. He used to be a lone wolf but, since his last case, The Furnace, he has been enjoying recently discovered emotions with his new girlfriend, Shaheen. They are traveling to Pluto to start a new life together when Tanner is assigned a new case that takes him to a base known as “The Freezer” located on an ice moon of Jupiter.

The case begins when a doctor is found dead having left a cryptic message accusing his murderer of 'having reached him'. Tanner learns that the man died of a microscopic bomb that erupted near his heart and a similar device has been found within Tanner. The clock is ticking as Tanner forces two other doctors and a civilian engineer to return to The Freezer where the connections lead.

Tanner and his companions aren’t particularly welcomed. The other scientists and the station leader are clearly hostile, frightened and hiding more than a murder. Tanner soon realizes that he is dealing with several Confederacy dissidents who should have been turned in by the leader but, for some reason, were not. This adds an additional layer of hostility among the scientists. A second murder and sabotage to communications result in making everyone a suspect and it is hard for Tanner to know who, if anyone, can be trusted.

Tanner is sharp and keenly observant as he puts together pieces of information to uncover the motive and murderer. Tanner is challenged not only by the uniquely dangerous surroundings and a deranged, superhuman opponent, but also by his own grief and exhaustion as he races against external and internal deadlines.

I really like the plot details and the non-stop, heart- pounding action of this series. Author Johnston uses finely crafted, unique twists and details to create the mystery and intertwine the characters. There is continual danger and suspense with surprises just as the reader thinks the situation is under control. The story is told in first person by Tanner sharing an interesting view of calm precision and dedication in his job mixed with rare glimpses of emotional turmoil. The wonderful deduction process is summed up showing how Tanner pieces the facts together. My final reaction at completion was somewhere between “whew” and “wow”! I definitely look forward to the next Tanner ‘roller coaster’ mystery!

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This story begins with a great opening quote from Poe [“The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?...”], then slides into a good hook:

I left Mars on a Tuesday in a jumpship bound for Ceres and I didn’t know it at the time but by Saturday I would be dead.    (Location 8.)

I received this title from the author for an honest review.

The author has graciously offered the following for Giveaway:
a) Mobi format eBook copy of The Freezer (available after release 8/25/14) - open worldwide
b) Mobi format eBook copy of the first book The Furnace - open worldwide
c) Five signed covers of The Freezer - US and Canada only.


d) One TSJ Mug - US and Canada only. 

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for chance 

to win items a) through d)

ENTRY FORM HERE

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For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review, OR

visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open as noted: worldwide for ebook copies; US or Canada for swag items.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) August 23, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after August 23, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.