A winter wonderland trip should mean a thick sweater, UGG boots and lots of snuggling by the fire. Not murder.

For Bridget, the February winter break usually means a week free from students and alarm clocks. Erik has other ideas.

After winning the vacation destination toss fair and square, Erik chooses a seasonal vacation for their first trip together as a couple, much to Bridget’s chagrin. The Viking god clearly has snow imprinted in his DNA.

Bridget, a total novice, initially balks at the idea. But being a good sport, she agrees to try anything once, much like her approach to food. Whether a winter wonderland vacation is her cup of tea, or in her case strong coffee, is still TBD and eyeroll-worthy.

No sooner do they arrive at the Poconos resort when their fun-filled vacation starts to unravel. A woman violently dies on the slopes right before Erik’s eyes. A couple days later, another resort guest is found strangled behind the lodge. Both Bridget and Erik don’t believe these two random events are a coincidence, but they’re at a loss trying to find a connection.

The day before they are due to depart, another tragedy occurs, this time hitting too close to home. Together with local law enforcement, they all agree there must be a common denominator, but they struggle to uncover it.

Until the unimaginable happens.

Second Attempt—Book Two in the Hearts and Homicides series—is perfect for those who have already fallen in love with our crime-fighting duo and are curious to see what murderous mayhem they find themselves wrapped up in next.