Cover Image: The Frozen Girl

The Frozen Girl

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Member Reviews

This book is the second instalment in the Jessie Novak series written by Roberta Gately, set in Boston, Massachusetts.

Patrick O’Hara rings 911 saying he has discovered a dead body previously hidden by the ice in the murky depths of the Neponset River. Meanwhile, Emergency Room Triage Nurse Jessie Novak has arrived at the ME's office for an 8 am meeting. She's there to see Dr Roger Dawson the state’s Chief ME and watch the autopsy of a young man who had died from a gunshot wound and Dawson mentions the woman who was brought into the morgue earlier. The body is the same one that was found in the Neponset River. Detective Sam Dallas, Jessie’s love interest, shows her the multicoloured silk scarf that was taken from the victim's neck as well as a black pearl necklace and Jessie recognises them. They belong to her previous boss at the hospital...

The Frozen Girl was a compelling read and I was soon wholly absorbed in the storyline. Jessie is edgy, sharp and a little different to your average protagonist. I liked Jessie's intelligence, astuteness and keen sense of observation. This novel was a wicked and exciting thriller where no one could be trusted and with dangerous situations, keeping things peppy. It was so good and I can't wait for book three!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

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Overall, really, truly enjoyed this one.

I love Jessie Novak, and I love the Detective. I love their chemistry, I love the pace she's setting where it's not a romance novel but it provides another dimension to the story. I also loved that it picked up right where the last one left off.

BUT.... so much of this one was over the top almost phony. The scene in the beginning where all the police are in the lobby and one basically quiets the room and gives a speech about "This is Jessie and she is one of us now!!" Big round of applause. Don't get me wrong, I understand the family that is the police community.... but c'mon. I also found it almost laughable when anyone tells Jessie not to share this information, or that the information is not for public consumption, or that she can't violate HIPPA laws. Every time I just know she's about to break the laws and share the information. It was so consistent that it almost distracted me from the story.

I'm still excited to see more of Jessie Novak....but hopefully a little less hokey.

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The Frozen Girl by Roberta Gately is the second book in the Jessie Novak series. I find the books can be read as standalones but I personally prefer to follow the series to gain a deeper understanding the characters and keep up with the story as well.
A body of a woman is found in the Neponset River, frozen in ice , just at the point where it meets with the sea. Jessie Novak and her partner Detective Sam Dallas attend the scene. Jessie notices the silk scarf worn by the woman and instantly recognises an old colleague, Sheila Logan, they worked closely together previously. She starts to dig into Sheila's past and discovers she was having and affair and could possibly have been pregnant. Was the father not happy about the pregnancy? This all brings memories back for Jessie and she is determined Sheila will have justice. Another body is found with the same scarf and Jessie sees the pattern emerging. Jessie's car is broken into and she knows it is a warning. Is Jessie able to catch the killer before she becomes a victim herself?
This series is shaping up to be a fabulous one. Jessie herself is a gutsy woman and is prepared to keep digging until she gets her answers, no matter how much danger there could be or how murky it gets.
I really enjoy the fact that these books are a little different in the fact that not only is it a police procedural, it gives us Jessie's medical side. This brings a unique slant for me. As always Roberta Gately has brought an intriguing mystery that raises more questions than anwers for Jessie as the story unfolds.
I always enjoy a story that manages to be exciting and emotional this instalment is just that. The author has again managed to write another Jessie Novak book that kept me turning those pages until I got to the end, too quick!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the copy of the book.

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Wow wow Wow. What an amazing story. Thrilling. Tense. Twisted. I just could not put this one down. Loved loved loved. An outstanding read.

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First, I want to thank Roberta Gately, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

Roberta Gately is back with her second installment of her Jessie Novak series entitled The Frozen Girl! Oh how I loved how fast paced this book was. The Frozen Girl combined my two loves of all things medical and criminal into one book.

This book is dedicated to Roberta’s twin sister, Susan Richard, who has nurtured her, listened to her, and taken care of her since before she was born. She can’t imagine her life without her by her side.

Roberta hooks us into her prologue with such an unbelievable sickening scene that would scare the living daylights out of me!!

Oh I am craving pizza like crazy now and must go get some! Roberta mentions pizza a lot in this book.

I love how the motto Boston Strong is used in this book.

Having worked in the medical field as a Medical Assistant I was familiar with terms Roberta used like EMR. Infact, I used the EPIC system that was mentioned in the story.

The story that pulled hard on my heartstrings in so many directions was Jessie and her Mom. What an emotional story that you just couldn’t help feel empathy for both of them.

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Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. I really enjoyed the first book in this series so I was eager to see what Jessie got herself caught up in this time.

Jessie is one of those people who loves to dig and dig until the truth is revealed no matter how ugly it is. This is an excellent skill for her new role. Jessie isn't one to sit on her laurels and let other people do the work. It's a pretty admiral quality to have if a little dangerous at times. I like Jessie, she's caring and has guts.

The case itself was quite the mystery with every lead giving you more questions than answers. Jessie however was not going to give up. Roberta kept me intrigued throughout. I read this book in two big sittings as I just couldn't put it down. The chapters are a good size that you can easily say oh just one more over and over, before you know it you've read half the book.

Roberta really got all of my emotions running in this book. In the first few chapters, I was wiping away the tears which I did not expect to happen so early on. There were also a few scenes where I knew what was going to happen and I was powerless to stop them. Like a car crash happening in slow motion and you can do absolutely nothing. They were important scenes but man, they were difficult to read.

This book is a great police procedural with a difference. I love seeing the medical side of things. I am a huge lover of medical dramas and any crossovers with police or fire are high up on my list.

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The Frozen Girl is the second instalment in the Jessie Novak series set in Boston, Massachusetts. When 911 receive a call from Patrick O’Hara who claims to have discovered a dead body previously hidden by the ice in the murky depths of the Neponset River, police are sent out to recover what's left of the remains. 27-year-old ER nurse and liaison between Boston Police Department, the Medical Examiner and the victim, Jessie Novak turns up at 8 am to watch the procedures at the Medical Examiner's Office where she meets Dr Roger Dawson the state’s Chief ME. She was there to watch the autopsy of a young man who had died from a gunshot wound but soon Dawson mentions the Jane Doe who had been brought into the morgue a day earlier. The body was the one found in the river and Jessie stays to watch Dawson and his assistant, Tony, start the work. They find deep ligature marks around her neck and a fractured hyoid bone but concede that this will be a tough autopsy as the body is in a state of advanced decomposition. A short time later, Jessie’s love interest Detective Sam Dallas shows her the multicoloured silk scarf that had been wrapped tightly around Jane Doe’s neck as well as a black pearl necklace. Immediately, Jessie recognises them as belonging to her old boss at the hospital.

Sheila Logan was a nurse who disappeared around three months ago. They didn't get along but she certainly wasn't the only one as Sheila was disliked by many. Jessie is now no longer allowed to be involved in the investigation and becomes a person of interest, however, she is cleared of any involvement soon after and is reinstated on the case. Despite not liking Sheila, Jessie wants justice for her murdered colleague and begins to dig uncovering evidence, including a concerning series of emails in Sheila’s office, that help in progressing the investigation. Little does she know that someone has their beady eye on her and she is in more danger than she or her police colleagues realise. This is a compelling, intriguing and well-plotted police procedural with plenty of mystery to it and some interesting characters. Jessie's heart seems to be in the right place although she does have a tendency to take matters into her own hands frequently disregarding the safety of those she works alongside. Told exclusively from Jessie’s perspective, this allows you to immerse yourself in the story without the often unnecessary switches between points of view and the twists, turns and fiendishly good red herrings culminate in an action-packed, explosive conclusion.

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This is a great read. For me, it was better than the first book.
Jessie is asked to help Sam and the team after a woman’s body is found. She attends the autopsy and is keen to help find the killer.
When it transpires the woman was her old manager, she’s no longer allowed to be part of the investigation. She didn’t recognise her at the autopsy due to the body being in water for so long.
Jessie is eventually allowed back on the case and discovers some worrying emails in Sheila’s office.
She starts to put it all together and someone seems to be watching her.
Jessie is unaware but she is in danger and soon a victim in a hit and run.
I loved the way all the pieces came together and loved the ending.
A great series that I can’t wait to read more of.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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Unfortunately, this was just an ok read. Jessie isn't the most likable character. But I really like Sam. As for the plot, it was predictable. I knew who the villain was as soon as they appeared on the pages and each point that should have been a twist wasn't. There was no suspense. The sad thing is the premise has promise. The idea of an ER nurse assisting the ME is interesting. If it was left at that it would be great. But it's pushed past the point of disbelief to also have her as an actual investigator. I don't think I'm going to continue this series.

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This is a very good book! At times, I felt like it was part of a series and I missed the beginning. But it wasn't enough for me to put the book down. I read it in one sitting, definitely fast paced and great characters.

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I really loved this book! While I haven't read book 1 in this series I had no problem following what was going on. (and I will be reading that one soon) I love both Jessie and Sam.. Iam really loving whole nurse helping the police solving homicide thing. They mystery was really good, I had who was behind everything until the very end when everything was revealed.. Jessie is working as an ER nurse, she is also starting a job working with homicide and the MEs office. When the first body she helps with ends up actually ends up being her boss that had been missing for a few months.. Of course at first she is a suspect, or at the very least a person of interest, when she is finally cleared and able to help the police again she dives right in and ends up putting herself in danger as she uncovers evidence in the case.
Sam is the homicde detective working with Jessie, they have a bit of a past that Im looking forward to seeing some of in the first book. They make a really cute couple. The story moves along really quickly and I couldn't put it down..
I look forward to reading the first book, and more books in this series.

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Brilliant book. So many twists and turns. Sone great characters with Jessie and Sam. Its good to see that hospitals emergency dept can work alongside the police Department. I will be wary about wearing a scarf thou.

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I cannot not give this 5 stars because I am a little bit in love with Jessie and Sam!! I requested this before I realised I hadn’t read the first one - so quickly purchased the first one and read it quickly. This runs along a similar vein! Jessie’s annoying boss turns up dead after being missing for months! Splitting her time between the ER and the forensic department (not sure that dream job would even exist) she starts digging into Sheila’s past.
I do have to say though, that as much as I love Jessie - she is so indiscreet that in a real world she probably wouldn’t keep either job! And yet there are never any consequences!! That being said - the whole point of a book is to escape reality!! I will excitedly wait for the next one!!

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I didn’t realise that this was number two in a series but it didn’t matter a jot as it was still a great read. Great premise to have an ER nurse work with detectives and a great frisson of attraction between Jessie and Sam.
When a body is given up by the thaw Jessie is appalled to discover it’s her ex colleague who went missing. This is a fast paced read that kept me turning the pages, I may have missed the first one but I won’t miss out on the third. This is a series I’ll definitely want to keep up with

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Frozen Girl' by Roberta Gately.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Roberta Gately, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous.

Publication date 18th May 2021.

This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the second book in the 'Jessie Novak' series but can be read as a standalone.

I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. It also stated in the synopsis that 'Fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Abbott and Tess Gerritsen will be totally hooked until the last heart-thumping page'. I am a huge fan of Lisa and Tess so am looking forward to see if it lives up to this. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue and 49 chapters. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in Massachusetts, USA 🇺🇸.

This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonist being Jessie Novak. The benefits of third person perspective especially with are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

This book is well written with good descriptions to help the reader imagine what is going on to the point where u could feel the cold of the snow. The synopsis and cover worked well with the storyline.

The storyline was unique in the fact that not only is Jessie a nurse but she's also working with the police so you get the benefit of seeing both the medical and police side of things. It is quite fast paced with lots going on to keep the reader absorbed throughout. I cannot say I was surprised when it came to the end which was a shame but I figured something wasn't right with a certain character from pretty much the start. However, please don't let this out you off as I read several crime novels a week and get pretty suspicious pretty quickly!! I was devastated by a certain evet and feel alot of readers will feel the same. Although I wasn't shocked I still enjoyed reading this book and do believe Roberta did alot of medical research which is great to see so congratulations Roberta as several authors don't do their research which can spoil a storyline. There is alot of suspense filled momenta in the book and I was on the edge of my seat on severs occasions. I also love the fact that all medical and police terminology were explained in Layman's terms. Although this is the second book in the series I easily read it as a standalone and didn't feel that I was missing any important information given in the first book.

The characters were realistic and strong and I really enjoyed getting to know Jessie and Sam's characters and watching their relationship develop. It will be interesting to see what happens with them in the next book in this series. I also really enjoyed getting to know Roger , Tony, Donna. Eddie and Rufus who all stood out for me, each their their own unique and likeable personalities.

Overall an intriguing crime thriller novel with the perfect mix of police and medical scenes.

Genres covered in this book include Thriller, Mystery, Romance Novel, Suspense, Noir Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Police Procedural, Urban Fiction, Crime Fiction, Medical Thriller and Medical Fiction amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Rachel Abbott

317 pages.

This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 4 /5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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The second book of Jessie Novak series, though this is the first book I have read from the author. Jessie was given a chance to work at the ME office and dividing her shifts with the ER. So when a frozen body of a woman was brought in at ME's office, the body was recognized as that of Sheila Logan, a colleague of Jessie and who Jessie really didn't get along. Due to the fact that she knows the victim, she was asked to return back to ER but becomes involved with the investigation...

This was OK thriller to me--not much OMG moments or page turning effect. It was a bit boring to me though towards the end, the story got interesting in the end. Jessie is a likable character in my opinion and the author's writing was OK. Not much of twists and turns that will hook you to the story but nevertheless, an OK thriller.

Worth three stars! Thank You Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

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This is book two starring Jessie Novak, Nurse and investigator as the main protagonist.
This was an enjoyable read which kept me entertained. I liked the characters and how the story unfolded. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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When the waters thaw a young womans body is revealed under the ice of the Neponset River.
Jessie Novak new to her role as a registered nurse working with homicides Detective Sam Dallas has to hit the ground running when she is faced with the fact that the victim is Sheila Logan her boss at the hospital who disappeared a few months ago. When Sheila’s home is burgled the neighbour who calls it in is murdered, and as Jessie gets closer to the answer her life is threatened. Can Jessie and Sam find the murderer.
A fast paced thrilling read.
#NetGalley #TheFrozenGirl #RobertaGately

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I found this to be a decent mystery. It didn't really draw me in. It was well paced and well written but for me I just felt like there was something missing.

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Loved this! Wicked read! Sped through this book as I couldn't wait to see how it would turn out! I hope to read more of Jessie Novak & Sam Dallas in the near future!

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