‘Hard Cold Winter’: Sequel proves to be gritty, entertaining

I was 40 pages into Glen Erik Hamilton's new thriller before I noticed that I was quoted on the back cover.

The quote is from a review of Hamilton's first novel, 'Past Crimes.” I wrote, 'Fans of action-filled mysteries should get to know Van Shaw right now and plan to be following his exploits for quite some time.”

Shaw's exploits continue in 'Hard Cold Winter,” and Hamilton continues to impress in this second entry in the series. Shaw, who grew up under the criminal tutelage of his grandfather and then served in the military, is an engaging character - tough, loyal, smart, and haunted by the past.

A case could be made that the character is direct from central casting for this sort of series, but Hamilton fleshes him out convincingly. The author makes particularly good use of flashbacks to Shaw's boyhood, a device that carries over from 'Past Crimes.”

'Hard Cold Winter” finds Shaw attempting to find out how and why one of his high school friends was brutally murdered in a cabin in the woods in the Olympic Mountains near Seattle. Shaw employs his training as a thief, his military know-how, and his stick-to-itiveness to pursue answers. Hamilton has surprises up his sleeve, and executes them well, changing the direction of Shaw's investigation and raising the stakes.

The new book introduces Leo Pak, a Ranger who served with Shaw who turns up in Seattle battling PTSD and eager to support Shaw in his efforts to find the truth. Hamilton does an excellent job portraying Pak, including his obsessive watchfulness and periods of troubled contemplation, and the character is a strong edition to the series.

'Hard Cold Winter” pays off the promise of 'Past Crimes.” I'm already eager for the third entry in Hamilton's series.