Barbara M. reviewed on 12/12/2019 + 152 more book reviews

I'm reading the series in order so this is the fourth Monkeewrench book I've read. I have lived in MN all my life (68 years), growing up in NE MN (Hibbing) and living in the Twin Cities since summer 1972. So, I am familiar with the weather and parts of the state--particularly the eastern part of MN between the Twin Cities and the "Iron Range" where I grew up. I have lived through many bad winters (and the winter of 2018-2019 was a doozy as far as snow fall). Theodore Wirth Park, where the first snowmen are found is an actual park on the west side of Mpls.

The concept of dead bodies disguised as snow men is interesting but pretty implausible, particularly because this was at a public park where a snow man building contest was going on. Given how much snow was falling, if the bodies were simply left lying on the ground, they would have been quickly covered in snow and less likely to be discovered any time soon. The area where another corpse is found within a snow man is 60 miles north of the Cities in "Dundas" County (no such county in MN--why not use a real county?). Also, the description of the area comprising Dundas County doesn't really sound like the area 60 miles north of the Cities--sounds more like NE MN. Someone who isn't from MN would likely be unaware of the things but as someone who has lived here all my life, I question why the authors didn't stick with real places.

I have noticed a pattern in these books that I suspect is a deliberate one: while the Mpls. PD detectives are central characters in each book, there is also a small town jurisdiction (different one in each book) where a crime occurs and somehow has a tie to Mpls. which then gets the Mpls. detectives involved. I suspect this theme will continue in the series.

The Monkeewrench crew doesn't make an appearance until well into the book. As I've mentioned in previous reviews of this series, the crew members seem to be cartoonish characters. Also, as I stated in at least one previous review in this series, the ending seemed rather abrupt and unsatisfying.

In spite of some of these things, I will continue to read the series. The writing is pretty good and the plot lines can be interesting (even if sometimes implausible). I started this book on a Monday and finished on Wednesday so it's quick, light reading--sometimes what one needs (I had just finished reading a book on loneliness that was on someone's list of recommended books; I gave that book two stars and was ready for something light and fun and "Snow Blind" fit the bill).

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