Written
as the fourth Thomas Martindale murder, Ron Lovell casts himself as the
mouthy journalist, based on his own experience as a journalist and professor
of journalism at Oregon State University. Using global warming and the
Arctic as a backdrop, Lovell gives readers a glimpse of the Pacific Northwest
and the much more pristine Arctic Circle. MURDER BELOW ZERO was
preceded by: MURDER AT YAQUINA HEAD, DEAD WHALES TELL NO
TALES, and LIGHTS, CAMERA...MURDER.
Retired professor Thomas Martindale jumps at the chance to join a scientific
expedition to the Arctic as a public relations guru. But almost immediately
his "once in a lifetime" opportunity turns difficult...His old
flame, another professor, shows up with the man who tore her away from
Tom years earlier, who now has his now gay lover in tow. The autocratic
project head, Jameson, who has possibly sold his soul...and the safety
of the project...to a suspicious Russian company who have their own agenda:
"'The company is Siberoil, which owns a lot of the oil and gas fields
in Siberia,' he answered, finally. 'The guy who controls that company
has a Western view of the value of public relations and advertising. He
thinks the company will gain prestige if its logo is on the tags Boris
puts on the whales. He plans to use photos of the whale-tagging operation
in a new public relations and advertising campaign.'"
Lovell treats readers to a fast-paced, tightly plotted mystery that is
all too current. He knows his subject matter, whether it be what effect
global warming has had on the Arctic to real time problems that have resulted
from the breakup of the Soviet Union. He uses this unique knowledge as
a backdrop to craft a fascinating plot. His characterizations are well
defined and mesh smoothly with the tale, and the reader can't help but
become engrossed from the first page.
This scientific, quasi-military, mystery thriller is one that should be
a must read. Lovell really knows how to weave a plot; and when the ending
comes, the reader is bowled over by the power of the story. Lovell's MURDER
BELOW ZERO is a masterpiece and would make a great movie! He also gains
environmental kudos for explaining the effect of global warming on the
fragile eco-system of the Arctic. A big thumbs up!
— Midwest Book Review
Journalism professor and amateur sleuth Thomas Martindale is back in the newest novel in the series by Lovell, a Gleneden Beach resident. Martindale takes leave from his position at an Oregon university to join an Arctic research expedition aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea. Martindale signed on to the expedition for the challenge and adventure, but he fears for his safety when he’s blackmailed, suspected of murder and attacked by an ax-wielding enemy—all during the first few days. “Murder Below Zero” is a fast-paced, enjoyable read.
—Beverly Close, The Oregonian
Bad guys, bad vibes and bad weather all harass the characters in Ron Lovell’s new novel, “Murder Below Zero.” Its acton centers on a scientific expedition, gone terribly wrong, along the coast of the Beaufort Sea.
The protagonist and narrator, Professor Thomas Martindale, was supposed to be the project’s chronicler and publicist. Instead, he finds himself cast in the roles of lightning rod and intended victim and, ultimately, dismayed survivor.
Martindale is the alter-ego of Oregon writer Ron Lovell, also a former journalism professor. This is the fourth book Lovell has written about Martindale’s misadventures but the first to venture north.
Lovell is on unfamiliar turf here, but he conjures up convincing descriptions of mood as well as scenery….
That spooky reverie is about the last quiet moment in the book. The fictional professor attracts trouble with his nosiness, sarcasm and knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Although the book’s cover describes it as a “mystery,” Lovell’s storytelling has more in common with Tom Clancy than Agatha Christie. He reveals his murderers early and ramps up the rest of his story with rough language, military action, covert government operatives and a mounting death toll….
The author is skilled at racheting up suspense while moving Martindale and company into deeper and deeper doo-doo. Nasty revelations and dashed hopes terrorize the expedition members and keep readers turning the pages….
Given his work as a journalism professor, it is a surprise that Lovell did not polish his manuscript more. He writes well, but one more edit would have gone far to flesh out characters, smooth rough spots, clarify ambiguities and avoid minor glitches.
"Murder Below Zero” is escapist entertainment aimed at fans of masculine thrillers. Even if it does not move smoothly, it moves with enough speed and unpredictability to generate plenty of excitement.
—Shana Loshbaugh, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner