Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Book of Cold Cases

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

195 reviews

srullo's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

boba_n_books's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The Book of Cold Cases is another hit Simone St. James novel.

This book is told in dual POVs and dual timelines. Back in 1977, we learn about the Lady Killer Murders: a killing spree in small-town Oregon that left everyone reeling trying to figure out who did it. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect: a rich girl who was seen fleeing the scene of the crime. But when she is tried, she was acquitted and has since isolated herself in her family's mansion. In 2017, Shea Collins is a receptionist with a passion for true crime. Having almost become an abduction and murder statistic as a child, she is drawn to these stories and has an online forum dedicated to solving cold cases. By chance, Shea meets Beth Greer, and though she has declined multiple interviews in the past, Beth agrees to be interviewed by Shea. The two women form a bond through their trauma and the odd presence they both feel at the Greer mansion. Shea can't decide whether she's interviewing a manipulative murderer or hearing the story of an innocent women. Or maybe the truth lies somewhere in the grey.

As with the other Simone St. James books I've read, The Book of Cold Cases applies a supernatural element, which I think just makes the story even more spooky and tense. The more you read, the more twisted the plot becomes, and the more you're unsure of what really happened back in 1977.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Fans of psychological thrillers, true crime, serial k!llers, multi-POV, dual timelines, and 1970s vibes will love this novel.

Content Warnings

rgetch06's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Content Warnings

missdaniellexo's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

sdurhamohr's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.25

Content Warnings

theinstabookworm's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I seem to be in the minority. The beginning pulled me in, but then I found myself not caring about the past chapters. I started skimming the last 130ish pages of this book. The present chapters did spook me, but when you only like half of the book, it makes it tedious to read. The paranormal aspect also became silly in the last third of the book. I have more of the author's books on my TBR and hope I like them better.

Content Warnings

harpoonholly's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Audiobook. Brittany Pressley, Kirsten Potter, and Robert Petkoff were perfect. I wish there could be some consensus on how to pronounce "rifling"; there's "riffle-ing" or, the correct and better sounding way, "rifle-ing".

This is the second St. James horror I've listened to, the first being Sundown Motel, which I also enjoyed, but The Book of Cold Cases is more satisfying at the most important times, though the horror/plot of Sundown Motel is more compelling (to me).

Also, I get it, Beth Greer is beautiful, I didn't need to be convinced with repeated assertions. She was hot in her 20s and she was hot in her 60s, noted.

Content Warnings