In the Shadow of the Glacier
Mystery Book Report

Mystery Book Report: In the Shadow of the Glacier

The sleepy little town of Trafalgar in British Columbia isn't used to brutal murders of prominent businessmen. But when Reginald Montgomery is found dead, head bashed in, behind a popular restaurant the town is thrown into chaos.

Molly, "Moonlight," Smith is a beat cop with a "do-gooder" attitude and trouble controlling her emotions. John Winters is a "has-been" big-city detective, washed up in Trafalgar after a murder case gone very very bad in Vancouver. When his partner ends up out of town right at the time of the murder, the two find themselves partners in an increasingly strange murder investigation.

Tempers are running high over a proposed Peace Garden to honor the Americans that fled the US during the Vietnam draft. Reginald Montgomery was in the process of trying to build The Grizzly Resort on the spot of the proposed Peace Garden incidentally splitting the town into two sides.

As the investigation deepens and Smith's family becomes involved, it's apparent that the person behind this crime will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. The only question is - will Smith and Winters be able to stop the perp before it's too late?

Mystery Book Report: In the Shadow of the Glacier Opinion

Delany writes a good, solid mystery with some interesting sideline stories. Molly Smith is the kind of girl that we can relate to in some way. She's lost a loved one, she lives with her parents, she fights with her best friend, she finds police officers (even if they are her co-workers) attractive from time to time, and she can wear a pair of heels with no problem. She's also fiercely loyal to her friends and family and would do just about anything to bring the "bad guys" to justice.

This makes her a worthy partner of the elusive John Winters even if he doesn't think so at first. He's not free from the skeletons in his closet which overshadow every move he makes in the Montgomery murder investigation. Good think Molly is "green" enough to take a few risks or else they may not end up solving the case in time.

Molly's mother, Lucky Smith, is by far the best character in the novel. She's an old hippie with a cause who loves her man and wants to protect the rights of peace and freedom. She believes hard and fights relentlessly for the "right" thing. She's not described as the most physically attractive woman but her sheer willpower and wit make her quite a catch, which many men of the town seem to realize.

A good murder mystery compounded by layers of small town grit make this an interesting twist on your normal "whodunit" novel.

Mystery Book Report: In the Shadow of the Glacier Discussion Questions

1. What kind of person do you speculate Molly was before Graham's death?
2. Is Christa's anger towards Molly right or wrong and why?
3. If your mother was like Lucky, would you choose a profession in law enforcement?

Return from Mystery Book Report: In the Shadow of the Glacier to Home