The Icy Touch

The Icy Touch is the first book in the Grimm novel series. A paperback issue was published on November 5, 2013.

Blurb
Back in the 19th century a Wesen and a Grimm fight to the death. The Grimm wins, but the Wesen’s son escapes and vows revenge. In the present day, Captain Renard sends Nick and Hank to investigate an international crime cartel named Le Touche Givre (The Icy Touch). They discover this deadly gang is run by Wesen, and is involved in various illegal activities, including forced prostitution and drug pushing. As they close in on the gang, Nick begins to realise that their charismatic and dangerous leader is just as intent on tracking him down…

Synopsis
There once was a man who lived a life so strange, it had to be true. Only he could see what no one else can: the darkness inside, the real monster within. And he's the one who must stop them.

This is his calling. This is his duty. This is the life of a Grimm.

When a torched body is found in an underground tunnel, Portland Police Captain Sean Renard takes one look at the victim's burned claws and assigns the case to homicide detectives Nick Burkhardt and Hank Griffin. They soon discover that a criminal organization known as The Icy Touch is threatening Wesen into joining their illegal drug-smuggling operation, and brutally murdering those who refuse. But as Nick closes in on the gang's charismatic and ruthless leader, the Grimm uncovers an ancient-- and deadly-- rivarly...

Credits

 * Author: John Shirley
 * Publisher: Titan Books
 * Copyright: 2013 Universal City Studios Productions, LLLP
 * Based on: NBC TV Series Grimm
 * Licensed: 2013 NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group
 * Cover images: Universal Network Television, LLC; Dreamstime
 * Researcher: Mickey Shirley
 * Editor: Mickey Shirley
 * Outline Shepherd: Cath Trechman
 * NBCUniversal Contributors: Chris Lucero, Alex Solverson, Jessica Nubel
 * Police Procedure Clarifier: Gary Labb

In fiction

 * "The Robber Bridegroom", as told by the Brothers Grimm

Characters
In order of appearance, excluding minor characters:
 * Captain Sean Renard
 * Sergeant Wu
 * Homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt
 * Homicide Detective Hank Griffin
 * Monroe
 * Juliette Silverton
 * Rosalee Calvert
 * Albert Denswoz
 * Federico Malo
 * Danielle Lanive
 * Marque Garnick
 * Jase Grogan
 * Lily Perkins

Wesen

 * Hundjäger
 * Reinigen
 * Drang-Zorn
 * Blutbad
 * Balam?
 * Hässlich
 * Königschlange
 * Fuchsbau
 * Hexenbiest
 * Steinadler
 * Mordstier
 * Spinnetod
 * Eisbiber
 * Geier
 * Löwen
 * Coyotl
 * Mauvais Dentes
 * Wendigo
 * Siegbarste
 * Dämonfeuer

Mentioned

 * Schakal
 * Balam
 * Glühenvolk
 * Jinnamuru Xunte

Continuity

 * The prologue, which takes place in 1815, doesn't introduce any conflicts.
 * The story starts and ends in October of 2013, after Nick has opened up to Juliette about Wesen, but before Rosalee moves in with Monroe.
 * Nick is not living with Juliette in this book, as a result of her kicking him out of the house (a second time) for not telling her the truth sooner.
 * Monroe drives a truck in this book instead of a VW Beetle.
 * Renard has a new car.
 * As guinea pigs in a pilot program at the station, Nick and Hank are assigned a smart car as their marked vehicle and a Crown Victoria as their unmarked vehicle.
 * Nick loses his badge but is later reinstated.