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.