Positive Praise in PW's Book Life Contest

August 26, 2025 — Ice and Fire: A Suspenseful Thriller Set in Hawai’i received positive praise in the Publishers Weekly "Book Life Prize" contest. The novel was submitted in May 2025, and received a relatively high score from a Book Life Prize critic — "not enough to win, darn it," Evans remarked, but a solid recommendation. Below is the critic's exact report:

Plot/Idea: This second series entry by Evans offers readers a quick-paced mystery set in Hawaiʻi, where Marie Ingles and her attorney husband, Ryan, have resettled after the whirlwind events of the first installment. But the past keeps popping up in the most unexpected places, and when a Japanese researcher turns up dead, Marie must take up her investigative mantle once again to uncover the danger plaguing their new home. Soon, the pair find themselves embroiled in a hunt for a serial killer that threatens their newfound peace.

Prose: Evans skillfully intertwines multiple perspectives without distracting from the main plot, writing easy, conversational prose that builds suspense, drops red herrings, and offers a satisfying conclusion.

Originality: Though the story’s mystery is attention-grabbing, Evans’s ability to craft lighthearted banter between characters while tying together the plot’s loose ends is what makes the biggest impression. Weaving Hawaiian culture, language, and history into the main premise adds depth.

Character/Execution: Marie and Ryan are an engaging couple, with a flirty camaraderie that easily morphs into more serious fare when their investigation picks up. Evans takes time to construct their background for new readers, and the novel’s ending leaves space for more adventures with this lively pair in the future.

Check out this critic's review and score on the Book Life Prize page at this link, along with other higher scoring books you might want to read. Some books even got 10s!