Grimm- The Icy Touch by John Shirley is the first book in the paranormal mystery media tie-in series based on the show, Grimm (available November 5, 2013).
I can’t tell you how geeked I was when I first heard about Grimm. I like my urban fantasy with a side serving of mystery and since the cancellation of The Dresden Files, there hadn’t been anything on television that filled that niche. When a Twitter link offered a code for a “special preview” of the series pilot, I logged on eagerly. When the show opened with a girl in a red hoodie being abducted from a jogging path in an absolutely gorgeous Portland park, I was so there.
I continued to be engaged as a bravely bald Kate Burton showed up towing a trailer of ancient weapons and books filled with arcane lore. And when the hour ended with a twist I did not see coming—and I’m pretty good at seeing twist endings coming—I was ready to become a fan.
In the subsequent weeks though, I was often disappointed. For one thing, although the show’s writers hinted at larger backstories for the characters, particularly the enigmatic Captain Renard, most of the episodes were “Wesen of the Week” and that got boring.
Also, and no disrespect intended toward actor Silas Weir Mitchell, who’s great—the writers fell in love with their laid-back blutbad character and turned him into “Fonzie,” to the detriment of all the other characters. (Seriously, when are they going to give Reggie Lee something more to do than be comic relief? I once saw him playing a silky, sinister gangster in a Jason Statham movie and he rocked the part.)
I kept watching the show, though, because I liked the mythology and I liked the characters and I just like urban fantasy with a side of mystery. Call it a guilty pleasure.
The most satisfying episode in the first season, for me, was “Three Coins in a Fuchsbau,” written by series creators David Greenwalt and Jim Kouf. The coins of the title are powerful artifacts known as “the Coins of Zakynthos” and they’re the Grimm equivalent of “the precious” in Lord of the Rings and the Spear of Destiny rolled into one. Anyone who touches the coins is corrupted by their power and ultimately destroyed.
Which brings us to this book by John Shirley, a novel based on the characters and concepts of the television show. Shirley, a Bram Stoker Award winner, writes dark fiction in multiple genres and he “gets” the world of Grimm and reflects it back like a dark mirror.
The show’s fans will be delighted by the introduction of the coins in the prologue but the story will also engage readers who have never watched a single episode with its fantasy-history take on Napoleon’s fall from glory.
In many ways he felt it would be doing his friend a service, in the long run, if he could get the coins away from him. Once he’d lost the Coins of Zakynthos, Napoleon might lose heart. He had become dependent on them. Without them, he would likely lose the battle—a defeat that Kessler’s employer desired—and perhaps Napoleon would be saved from the madness and physical deterioration contact with the coins would inevitably bring.
When the story switches to modern-day Portland (where Shirley grew up), the novelist brings on the weird as a burned body clutching a donut box (from a place that’s clearly a shout-out to Portland’s famous “Voodoo Donuts”) leads to a much, much bigger criminal conspiracy.
“Ice.” Renard nodded to himself. “Here.” He pushed a folder on his desk toward them. “This is for your eyes only. It’s all I’ve got on The Icy Touch. Ever hear about them?” “Nope.” Nick looked at Hank, who shook his head. “Not likely you’d have heard much,” Renard said. “They were out of business, for a long time. And when they were active they were smalltime, compared to the mafia. Kind of an offshoot of the Hasslich, going way back.” “The Hasslich…” The name struck a chill through Nick. It was an organization that existed only to kill Grimms. “Great.” “Grimms aren’t an Icy Touch priority, especially now,” Renard said. “They’ve got some other agenda. I keep reading between the lines on FBI reports, and Interpol—I suspect it’s gone Wesen.”
Shirley nails the characters from the show, and in one beautifully written sequence, goes inside Monroe’s mind so readers can experience Portland through the heightened senses of the blutbad:
A misty dusk. Monroe stood on his front porch and sniffed the October air. Across the street was Forest Park, 5,100 acres of wildness on the west edge of Portland, where shadows were gathering like flocks of dark birds. The sun was going down beyond the park; the line of firs and deciduous trees broke up the reddening sunlight into a trembling coinage of scarlet-gold. Forest Park, his second home.
Monroe inhaled deeply, taking in the woodland’s damp exhalation, parsing the scents with a clarity an ordinary human could only dream of.
Exquisite.
Overtop were the distinct fragrances of evergreens, western red cedar, Douglas fir, western yew, grand fir, all mingled with the decay-rich scents of fallen leaves from black cottonwood, bigleaf maple, red alder; piquant notes of wild blackberries and salmonberries struck through like thorns on a vine. He scented dozens of varieties of mushrooms and tree fungus; he caught the smells of Oregon Grape, trillium, Morning Glory and… Hooker’s Fairy Bells. That one made him smile.
The “guest stars” in the book are also dimensional, particularly a small-time thug named Santiago who’s recruited from an outfit called Sombre Corazon (shadow Heart) to serve the Icy Touch. It’s a matter of self-preservation for Santiago. “He did not want to be eaten. Especially not eaten alive.”
The Icy Touch offers readers the best of both worlds; for fans of the show, it provides a deeper and richer look at the characters and the legends, for readers new to the world, it’s a great introduction and a stand-alone story that has its own pleasures. It does not disappoint.
See more new releases at our Fresh Meat feature page.
To learn more, or order a copy, visit:
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The Icy Touch Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry. To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2013/11/fresh-meat-grimm-the-icy-touch-by-john-shirley-paranormal-crime-t-v-television-horror-detective beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) November 4, 2013. Sweepstakes ends at 2:29 p.m. ET November 11, 2013. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.
Katherine Tomlinson lives in Los Angeles in an apartment where her TBR pile has its own bookcase. She writes dark fiction but has a soft spot for cozy mysteries, heroic fantasy, and horror novels where only bad people get killed. She is the author of the upcoming novel Misbegotten.
Are you aware that there is also an ongoing GRIMM comic book from Dynamite? It’s not too shabby, actually. Ironically, the first volume there is also about the Coins of Zakynthos.
I would love to win this!!
Big fan of the show–can’t wait to read this!
Looks amazing!
Thanks!
Looks like a good book.
Good Show
Really enjoy the show
Love the show. The book hopefully will be as good as the show.
Hmmmmm. Interesting to try same subject in two medias.
Great show. I bet the book is better.
Book sounds great!
Sounds like a great book. Love fan fiction that embellishes and expands a plotline from a show. Great idea, Mr. Shirley!
I love this show! The book sounds absolutely wonderful.
The coins remind me of winning lottery tickets, they corupt all.
OH, how I love Grimm! This would be a wonderful gift.
So want to read!
I don’t watch Grimm on tv, but I would like to read it.
haven’t been able to catch the show – love the fairly tales – can this book stand alone even though it is a tie-in? If not I’m sure I can watch it on Demand – thanks for the great chances to win.
Awesome, can’t wait to dive into this book.
Thanks
WOW! Grimm and John Shirley. Can’t beat that combination. I’m a big fan of both.
Would love to win.
Love the show. Would love to read the book.
Whole family loves the show, can’t wait to read the book.
I think the show’s got something and hope the books will too.
I am most definitely going to read this book. I love the show!!!!
I didn’t realize there was a book series that went with the tv show. I love the show so I am sure I would love the books.
Kids and I have been glued to tv since Grimm first aired and never miss an episode!! Now I find out there’s a book that goes along with series!! Can’t wait to read!! Thanks for contest & good luck to all!!:0)
I love this TV series!! I hope the book is as great as the show!!! I can’t wait to read the book!!!!
John Shirley has been around for a long time–this looks like a branching out for him
Grimm is so creepy, but I like it. I look forward to reading the book!!
Sounds Awesome! I would LOVE to win this!
My son would love this book!
love this show
this sounds great
Sounds awesome, would love to win this! Thanks for the giveaway 😉
Sounds good!
Please enter me.
Thanks
can’t wait – love the series.
Great contest – I hope I win!
Please enter me…I’d love to read this!
Would love to win this.
Love the show and want to WIN!!!!
I’ve never seen the show, but it sounds fantastic! I’m going to have to check it out, and I’d love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Love the show and I’m sure I’ll love the book. Thx.
I am a fan of the show and can’t wait to read the book
I love this show so I can’t wait to read this book.
The show is okay but a book by John Shirley has to be good. Sign me up!
I love how the fairy tales get an update. Most are just people trying to get by. I would love to read the book.
I’m pretty sure I haven’t missed an episode since this show began. Really like it and would love to read the book.
Great to see fantasy making TV comeback . I hope books live up to the show.
Thanks for the giveaway! I love the show!
I’ve watched odd episodes of this show and it’s okay. It conflicts with another series I like better, but I do watch when I can. Would rather read the book.
Thanks for the giveaway offer.
Very cool that they are in print now!
I must say that I am so happy to hear about this book! I would love to read it! I love the tv show. I have found that the book is always better than the show!!!
My husband and I really like the show, and I am anxious to read the book!
I love this program. It is such a change from all the stupid reality shows. — I watch for escape from the daily grind. Would love to read this book.
Love Grimm! So glad it’s back on!
Now I loved Kate Burton’s character on Grimm and I really wish they hadn’t killed off Adalind’s mother. I thought she had great potential as a long term character.
Looks like another good one!!
Would love to read it & discover the mysteries.
I Love this show
Would love to win this for my wife, she’s a big fan of the show.
Love the show but the book sounds better.
Bruce
Interesting show
I worked as an Extra on this show for 5 episodes before ever seeing any of it. Would love to read this.
I love the series, I think I would have to love the book.
I was hooked on Grimm from the first episode. I would love to read this book.
My daughters and I LOVE the GRIMM TV show! We are all avid readers and this would be a cherished book at our house! I would love to win it!
Like the show and love any and all books.
I haven’t seen the show yet, but I have to say these coins remind me of the ones Jim Butcher used (the denarii) in the Dresden Files. I’d love the chance to read more about them.
thanks I’d love to read this
Sounds like an awesome read. I would love the chance to add this to my TBR pile. Thank you.
I love the show. Hope the book is as good.
Count me in, please!
Books! are allways Better!
I wonder what my 14yo daughter would think of this book. She loves this show, so I am thinking she would really like it.
And, of course, I know I would read it. I am an avid reader of EVERY genre. And, with my Kindle broken, I need to read actual books again.
This looks interesting.
Born and raised in Portland OR. Love the show want the book.
a scarey book and a dark night nothing better !
Finally!!! Tha book has arrived!!!
Finally!!! The book has arrived!!!
Yay! A paranormal mystery series tied to the Grimm TV series?! Pardon me while I get a napkin to wipe away the drool. I can hardly wait!
I’m a big fan of the show. Would love to win this!
looks good
Thanks for the chance. Good Luck Everyone!
looks great.
Please count me in – thanks!
Looks like a great read!
I watch anything with Silas Weir Mitchell. I can’t wait to read this book. Thanks for hosting these contests.
I love the show
I like urban fantasy / occult detective admixtures too.
P.S.
Is there a reason the book cover shown above doesn’t match the one displayed on Amazon? (Is one of them an early proof that was discarded in favor of the other? Which one?)
P.P.S.
As far there not being anything that counts as “urban fantasy with a side serving of mystery” on TV since The Dresden Files, you should note that a large percentage of Supernatural‘s episodes (albeit not all of them) do have that sort of investigatory aspect to them.
Sounds like something I’d really enjoy. Definitely on my TBR list.
Love the TV show and this book sounds wonderful
Our family loves watching Grimm and would probably enjoy the book just as much. Thanks
Well, of course, who wouldn’t want to win a copy of this?
The e-book was fun. With good writing talent like Shirley the book series should be as good as the show for us fans.
Enjoy the TV show a lot, so I bet this would be fun too!
Looks exciting!!
I enjoy the show and am looking forward to reading the book. Thanks for the giveaway!
This is a great giveway
Somehow I totally missed this show but it looks right up my alley
Somehow I totally missed this show but it looks right up my alley
This is awesome. Thanks so much for the opportunity and great info.
fantastic contest – thanks for the opportunity
I cxould win this and be very very happy, or I could not win and release the flying monkeys….choose wisely
I love Grimm, this is a great sweepstakes.
Love the show and this would be great thanks
My wife loves this show and I would love to win this book for her!
love the show! would reaslly like to read the book!
oops forgot to log in! I love the show, would really like to read the book!
I love how the different Wessen are introduced and the characters have evolved.
The show ROCKS, I’d like to read Grimm : The Icy Touch to learn more about the Coins of Zakynthos.
Mindy 🙂
[url=mailto:Birdsooong@comcast.net]Birdsooong@comcast.net[/url]
Thank you for the chance to win this book. Love the show!!
Love the series. Would love to win the book.
Looks great. Hope I win!
Looks great!
Looks right up my alley!
I would love to read a book of the series.
sounds like a fun one!
Great show, wanna read.
One of the best shows on tv right now. Didn’t know there was a book, cool!
Looks like a great book
love this show
My husband will love this!
Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in 🙂
great gift idea … thanks
I would like to read the work of John Shirley!
I would like to read the work of John Shirley!
Love the show! Can’t wait to read the book : )
Love the show. So glad its back for another season.
I am entering your giveaway.
It would be great to win a copy of
Grimm-The Icy Touch by John Shirley.
Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!
I love Grimm!
I’d love to read this!
No I was not aware of the ongoing GRIMM comic book from Dynamite, but thanks to you, jimgysin, now I know, Thank You! I would love to read this book from the giveaway!. The show has its good points and its not so good points.
This would be great
Grimm rocks! Give it me now! 🙂
I love Grimm. I would love to read this book. It sounds very interesting.
Scary and interesting show. Would love to read some of the books, too!
My favorite show. Would love to read the book series.
love the show. i am sure i would love the book.