Reviews

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

anniedavid's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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

2.75

anneleveck's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

3.0

jenmat1197's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

2.5

 

In 1977, The Lady Killer is arrested for several murders in the town of Claire Lake, Oregon.  Beth Greer - a then young woman whose both parents were dead - is eventually found not guilty of the crimes because there just isn't enough evidence.  Beth would like to tell the truth about what happened to those people, but knows she can't.  That is until 2017 when a crime junkie named Shea Collins comes into her life.  Shea has written a book about cold cases and has gotten Beth's attention.  Beth feels like enough time has past that the truth needs to come out - even if it means she goes to jail once and for all.

This book was not very good.  The writing was just so-so.  I did like the ghosting part of this book - held my attention in hopes that the story overall would get better.  But it never really did. The story is not griping at all.  And, my least favorite - too much keeping the reader in the dark for no other reason but to fill pages. 

shanhautman's review against another edition

2.0

Disappointed in this one. I liked her last book a lot. The plot felt kind of blah and it wasn’t a huge surprise to learn what happened. No plot twist.

amandalyn's review against another edition

4.0

So I loved Sundown Motel so much because it was a ghost story. I had read like three thrillers in a row that were marketed as ghost stories, but instead the Scooby Doo'd me and it was people all along. But Sundown Motel promised me ghosts and it delivered.

I like this one slightly less for the exact opposite reason. I kinda didn't want it to be ghost this time, and it lost me a little when ghosts were introduced. But I still really liked it and had a good time. It wasn't as twisty and turny as Sundown and it didn't put me on edge the same way, but it was still a good read and it did keep me guessing who the actual Lady Killer was for a long time.

vperkins13mk's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

lifeinsideabook's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

2.75

vickystarrr's review against another edition

4.5

A solid 4.5 on this one!  
The blend of paranormal and true crime in this was splendidly done.  I really enjoyed the plotline and Simone’s style of writing.  
What a great book to kick off my first completed book of May!

finding_happiness's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.0

sea_su's review against another edition

1.0

So uh this was boring....so disappointing and so very predictable. Honestly not even half way through the book I predicted the ending. Not perfectly, but for the most part it happened exactly how I predicted it. This audiobook was almost 11 hours and I am surprised I got through it. I am not even sure if the ghosts were meant to be like a scary part of the story, but it just felt a bit random to me.

Here's a good thing about the book I will say though, Beth's story about her fighting for her mother's love and Lily doing the same and her mother telling Lily she's the best thing that's ever happened definitely hurt. The whole family dynamic definitely made you feel some way. Which is why maybe a story based on Beth only would have been better?