Frozen in Time: Murder at the Bottom of the World (Antarctic Murders, #1) by Theodore Jerome Cohen

Frozen in Time: Murder at the Bottom of the World (Antarctic Murders, #1) Reviews

• 
  Gary Wilhelm

  I knew the National Science Foundation sponsored many far-reaching and worthwhile academic opportunities and learning for bright science and math students after Sputnik, but I had no idea of the adventure that some participants had until reading this book. I learned so much about Antarctica, penguins, active volcanoes as well as the great difficulty of not knowing when a deep crevice might open up presenting real dangers. Just the constant wind blowing would have been difficult to endure, but how did the graduate students manage to gather geology samples and take measurements regarding gravity in so many of the spots in the area amid such conditions? And during all this there were murders, mystery, and untrustworthy people to deal with --- amazing story and gripping read. As an engineer, I appreciated the detail and interesting information about how the people lived and met challenges. This story is fiction based on fact, my favorite genre.
• 
  Steve

  A really pleasant semi-autobiographical adventure read. Bordering on Young Adult fiction this was an interesting and fun read.
• 
  April

  Author Theodore Jerome Cohen adeptly mixes fact with fiction in his fascinating novel, "Frozen in Time: Murder at the Bottom of the World". Taking place during the austral summer of 1961-1962, we embark on the adventure of a lifetime with Ted Stone, a graduate student on his way to the Antarctic to assist in the collection of rock samples as well as establishing a new gravity network. The journey is difficult, to say the least, and could easily turn deadly due to severe storms, icebergs, calving glaciers and even hungry orcas. Mr. Cohen uses his unique personal experience to bring this story to life in a way that allows the reader to easily picture the beautiful setting as well as the dangers of life in such a harsh environment.
  
  That said, I found the book to be engaging and, at times, intriguing but I wasn't left with a desire to read the other two books in the Antarctic Murders trilogy. This book is marketed as a novel but it is made very clear that it is based on actual events. In an effort to clarify what is real and what isn't, the author has made use of footnotes, often referencing web sites, which the reader can use to familiarize themselves with the truth that surrounds the fiction. I found these footnotes to be very distracting and they often pulled my focus from the story just as I was getting more into it. I think the book would have been better served had this information been listed at the end in a "For more information" section or something similar.
  
  Even though I had some issues with the layout of the book, it is obvious that Mr. Cohen is passionate about Antarctica and he uses that to his advantage throughout the novel to weave his story. It is well written, unique in perspective and offers a glimpse into an environment that most of us will never experience. I would recommend this book to those who love adventure and intrigue set in a brutal environment, written from the point of view of one who experienced these relentless surroundings first hand.
• 
  Grampy

  “Frozen in Time” by Theodore Jerome Cohen is a fascinating work of fiction, made all the more intriguing by virtue of being an account of actual events in the author’s life. “Frozen in Time” is set in Antarctica, during the austral summer of 1961-‘62. Ted, Grant, Dave and Dr. Mhaille – three graduate students and an advising professor – spent many weeks at the southernmost continent on Earth working on their various projects, courtesy of a National Science Foundation grant and a cooperative agreement with the University of Chile.
  
  Ferried between southern Chile and the Antarctic by the Chilean Navy, the quartet experienced far more than the exhilaration of being in a place few people will ever visit. Braving some of the deadliest sea-weather anywhere, contending with life-threatening winds and temperatures on the continent, and avoiding suspected murderers, are just a few of the “perks” they encountered during their research.
  
  Cohen has written at least eight other novels, each one a winner. Written in a first person narrative style, “Frozen in Time” will take you along for the ride without subjecting you to the intense cold and wind. However, I can’t guarantee that you won’t feel a bit of sea-sickness at times, and you may well want to put on a sweater while reading parts of the story. I know “fascinating” is an over-used adjective, but it really is the best description of this book.
  
• 
  Gregory Lamb

  This book was of interest to me because Ted Cohen is a "self publisher" and has put out several books lately. He is also an Amateur Radio Operator and it is from this connection that I discovered his books. I plan on reading all three in this series.
• 
  Carolyn Wilhelm

  From the picturesque language and vivid details such as:
  "Seen from the mountain to the south, the base had all the appearance of a small, abandoned mining town on a planet at the outreaches of the galaxy."
  The base was painted bright orange (for visibility, I assume) each year as the winter wind, ice pellets, and snow hit it with speeds of up to 150 miles per hour which removed the paint. How would a person survive in such conditions? Not me as the indoor daytime temperatures were in the 40's when I think 60's are too cold. There were 23 hours a day of sunlight which sounds nice until remembering this was in Antarctica, decades ago, and sunscreen then didn't help much at all.
  This is the real story of the author's experience as a National Science Foundation researcher and scientist and is based on real facts. Who would think murders and intrigue would happen in such a remote location with few inhabitants?
  When a radio is submerged in salt water, a description of what the repair entailed is given, yet that radio did help save a man's life later. Sailors shooting seals caused an avalanche. The glacier calved by itself anyway, and deep crevices would open up with no warning. Since this happened decades ago and would be dangerous today, it was quite the adventure (if a scientific adventure).
  The ending is quite philosophical and considers how precarious life can be. It also ends with a mystery and leaving me anxious to read book two in this trilogy.
• 
  Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb

  This story takes you to Antarctica and the way the author wrote you can almost feel the cold winds and Sub Temperatures. I found this 1st book very much a Pagetuner and look forward to Audible book #2. The Narrator did a good job with the characters and the Storyline, bringing this book to life.
• 
  Bob

  This was an interesting trilogy based on a real event following a devastating earth quake in Chile in 1960. A Chilean naval vessel was sent to provide assistance and two crewmen assigned to secure a bank that had been severely damaged. The men taking advantage of being the only ones present proceeded to ransack the vault, emptying the deposit boxes. The loot they secreted in a refrigerator that they and purchased for friend and shipped to the Antarctic base where they were soon to be headed. What follows is the tale of the stolen goods and the murders committed to keep the secret.