Looking for Beta Readers: STONEVEIL: Shadows Under Ice

Hello all! I'm looking for a few beta readers to help with my debut crime novel, which is the first in a planned series. This will eventually be self-published. I've been writing and polishing this one for close to a year now, and I'm excited to finally start sharing it. The story for Book 1: When a body surfaces from beneath the ice in the small mountain town of Stoneveil, Colorado, former Detective turned reluctant consultant Galen Voss is pulled back into the world he tried to leave behind. As the investigator closes in, Galen realizes the killer isn't just hiding from the case... they're shaping it.

Genre: Crime fiction/mystery-thriller (small-town setting, procedural elements, character-driven)

Status: The story is complete and mostly edited, but not 100% final. I'm currently doing a full review pass and posting updates as I find issues. So the version you read may get a few refinements. It won't be anything major though. It's in a great place for story-level feedback right now.

Right now I'm mostly interested in:

• Pacing - where did you feel pulled in, and where did it drag?

• They mystery - did the reveal feel earned? Did any red herrings feel like padding?

• Characters - who did you connect with, and did anyone feel flat?

• The ending - did it feel satisfying

If you accept, I'll also send along a short list of specific questions with the manuscript so you're not starting from a blank slate.

Timeline: Looking for feedback withing 4-6 weeks if possible.

Ideal reader: Enjoys crime/mystery/thriller fiction.

If interested, please reach out and let me know via text (if you have my number), Instagram or Facebook. Then I can send a link via Google Docs.

Thank you so much for reading, and for being part of this journey with the Mediocre Press!

Nik