The Book of Cold Cases
A Most Anticipated Novel by PopSugar * Crime Reads * Goodreads * A true crime blogger gets more than she bargained for while interviewing the woman acquitted of two cold case slayings in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel. In 1977, Claire Lake, Oregon, was shaken by the Lady Killer Murders: Two men, seemingly randomly, were murdered with the same gun, with strange notes left behind. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect--a rich, eccentric twenty-three-year-old woman, seen fleeing one of the crimes. But she was acquitted, and she retreated to the isolation of her mansion. Oregon, 2017. Shea Collins is a receptionist, but by night, she runs a true crime website, the Book of Cold Cases--a passion fueled by the attempted abduction she escaped as a child. When she meets Beth by chance, Shea asks her for an interview. To Shea's surprise, Beth says yes. They meet regularly at Beth's mansion, though Shea is never comfortable there. Items move when she's not looking, and she could swear she's seen a girl outside the window. The allure of learning the truth about the case from the smart, charming Beth is too much to resist, but even as they grow closer, Shea senses something isn't right. Is she making friends with a manipulative murderer, or are there other dangers lurking in the darkness of the Greer house?
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Community Reviews
The Book of Cold Cases was a definitely a quick but enjoyable read. It was a little spooky, flowed well between Beth and Sheas POVs & timelines and kept me intrigued where I didnât want put it down. Finished in just a couple of days. Excited to read more from Simone St James but may wait until the fall. I feel like her books would be great to read around Halloween.
This was my first time reading Simone St. James. I already had Sundown Motel here waiting for me to finish because I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!
I read this book because it was the pick for the Wine & Crime Book Club (come join us! https://youtu.be/Hm05tYGAyjQ) I saw there was a hint at possible paranormal elements in the blurb and that got me really excited because I love getting creeped out. (Except when it's bedtime, then I question my choices!)
I really enjoyed the way the author flipped between Beth and Shea's points of view, as well as the time jumps as Shea investigates the murders from 1977 that Beth was acquitted of. Beth, after 40 years of silence, has granted Shea an interview and things are getting interesting...well, when Shea isn't being distracted by strange happenings at Greer Mansion.
A thrilling, fast paced read (just watch out for those Beth chapters at night) - I became an instant fan of Simone St. James - can't wait to read more!
I read this book because it was the pick for the Wine & Crime Book Club (come join us! https://youtu.be/Hm05tYGAyjQ) I saw there was a hint at possible paranormal elements in the blurb and that got me really excited because I love getting creeped out. (Except when it's bedtime, then I question my choices!)
I really enjoyed the way the author flipped between Beth and Shea's points of view, as well as the time jumps as Shea investigates the murders from 1977 that Beth was acquitted of. Beth, after 40 years of silence, has granted Shea an interview and things are getting interesting...well, when Shea isn't being distracted by strange happenings at Greer Mansion.
A thrilling, fast paced read (just watch out for those Beth chapters at night) - I became an instant fan of Simone St. James - can't wait to read more!
My first mystery novel, it was an unpredictable easy read & kept my attention. I really enjoyed the storyline.
4.5 ⭐
This book was one of my Book of the Month club picks and I was very excited to dive in and read a book that has two of my favorite topics to read and listen to: crimes and the paranormal. The premise of the story–a true crime blogger interviewing a potential woman serial killer for her blog–was very promising. It even felt that at times there were two protagonist, what with the change in time and perspective. The use of the first person perspective and third person perspective added to the mysterious element and kept you guess about 3/4 of the way through the book.
There were elements about this book that really stood out to me and I feel like they were not explored as much as they should have been. One of them is the fact that women aren't usually seen as serial kills and that it's a topic that has been mainly reserved to men (not that we haven't heard of women serial killers). I think the book does a good job of exploring the inner monologues that a women would have if she were to be a serial killer.
One of my issues with the book is that I would have loved to have seen more of the paranormal aspects. More of the suspense and the anticipation...I feel that it was too much about Beth and not enough about what the house holds and what the house does to her.
It was a good read and I recommend it if you feel liker reading something easy and fast flowing.
This book was one of my Book of the Month club picks and I was very excited to dive in and read a book that has two of my favorite topics to read and listen to: crimes and the paranormal. The premise of the story–a true crime blogger interviewing a potential woman serial killer for her blog–was very promising. It even felt that at times there were two protagonist, what with the change in time and perspective. The use of the first person perspective and third person perspective added to the mysterious element and kept you guess about 3/4 of the way through the book.
There were elements about this book that really stood out to me and I feel like they were not explored as much as they should have been. One of them is the fact that women aren't usually seen as serial kills and that it's a topic that has been mainly reserved to men (not that we haven't heard of women serial killers). I think the book does a good job of exploring the inner monologues that a women would have if she were to be a serial killer.
One of my issues with the book is that I would have loved to have seen more of the paranormal aspects. More of the suspense and the anticipation...I feel that it was too much about Beth and not enough about what the house holds and what the house does to her.
It was a good read and I recommend it if you feel liker reading something easy and fast flowing.
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