THE BOOK OF COLD CASES

 

SYNOPSIS

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?

Title: The book of cold cases

Author: Simone St. James

Publisher: Berkley

Publication date: March 15, 2022

Simone St. James is the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel and The Broken Girls. She spent twenty years behind the scenes in the television business before leaving to write full-time.

REVIEW

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve never been a big fan of the supernatural, in fact, I always prefer for it to have some kind of rational explanation, but a couple of years back I adored The Sun Down Motel, so of course I was excited to read the author’s new book, The Book of Cold Cases. I love how Simone St. James incorporates the supernatural elements to her stories and even though they may not be explained, I find myself overseeing that and just enjoying the ride.

Shea Collins is a true crime blogger in her spare time. Her blog, “The Book of Cold Cases”, helped her to overcome a traumatic past. When Beth Greer, a woman charged for two murders 40 years ago and then acquitted, walks into her office, Shea can’t help but to ask for an interview as she’s been always fascinated by the Lady Killer case, but when she steps into the Greer mansion she realizes that finding out the truth could turn out deadly.

I absolutely loved the creepy atmosphere! There was a menacing feeling permeating the whole story and not only those scenes on the mansion. Certain parts surely gave me chills!

Both main characters were really well developed but I was mesmerized by Beth’s character. That calm demeanor was truly unsettling. She was so cold and distant that I was attracted like a moth to a flame to find out what was hidden behind her aloofness. 

The mystery itself was quite baffling at first, but as we’re told about Beth’s past it soon became clear where the story was going and the creepiness went away a little bit. It was enjoyable but I missed some wow factor. Even though I’m not a fan of ghosts I think the story could have laid a bit more heavily on those paranormal vibes.

Suspenseful, chilling and engrossing read with the perfect atmosphere and a prose that will grab you right from the start.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.