"In GRIM PARADISE: The Cold Case Search for the Mackinac Island Killer, Rod Sadler does what he does best, giving the reader an in-depth, inside look into the investigation of the murder of widow and mother Frances Lacey at one of Michigan's most beloved vacation spots. Sadler's background in law enforcement allows him to write about crime with true attention to detail. Here, Sadler gives us so much more than a glimpse at a horrific tragedy that shouldn't be forgotten. It's an engrossing read."
-RACHEL GRECO, Lansing State Journal
"Leaning on his background in law enforcement, [Sadler] examines the 1960 investigation into the death of Frances Lacey through a modern-day lens, reigniting hope that Mackinac Island's only unsolved murder might be solvable yet. This one's a must-read!"
-JENN CARPENTER, author of The Cereal Killer Chronicles of Battle Creek and Haunted Lansing
"Rod Sadler, seasoned retired police officer and now best-selling author, has applied his thirty years of law enforcement experience to the unsolved murder of Frances Lacey to try and discover the truth. GRIM PARADISE creates a suspenseful, page-turning account of this 63-year-old mystery, including some of Mackinac Island's deepest secrets. Sadler brings the reader hope for solving this brutal murder with the possibility that the same advanced DNA technology that recently solved the Golden State Killer case might now solve the Lacey murder." -ALAN R. WARREN, NBC News Radio, Los Angeles, and Best-selling Author
"Things like this aren't supposed to happen on Mackinac Island. Rod Sadler's access to the actual police file regarding the murder of Frances Lacey adds much to this sad story, and as a retired police officer, his methodological 'investigation of the investigation' and reporting of this crime are second to none." -DEB MALEWSKI, Historian and Researcher, Contributing Writer, Community News
"[Sadler] humanizes Frances Lacey and focuses the investigation on those suspects who may have been responsible for her death. Throughout, the cast of witnesses and investigators are prominently featured, weaving an intricate web of mystery, and illustrating the impact of Lacey's death on so many... Grim Paradise is a compelling story and a tribute to the life of Frances Lacey... Though there is no shortage of suspects, some are more likely than others, Sadler is careful to maintain the objectivity of an investigator. -KAREN HOLT, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University
"GRIM PARADISE is a concise narrative and draws the reader in the investigative arena. It's well written and spellbinding while providing the true anatomy of a cold care homicide investigation. A terrific read." -WM. LENAGHAN, Mackinac Island Chief of Police (ret.), Cold Case Investigator