Scan barcode
daveparry67's review against another edition
2.0
I did enjoy parts of this book; at the start the panic, anguish, bewilderment & shock & search for who to blame in particular & also the realisation of what had actually happened & how the two families were linked.
However, I’ve read the other 2 star reviews & agreed with them all - for me a book with some very good passages & what should have been a good idea as its basis was let down by the implausibility of the plot. “Oh come on...” I kept saying, “...that would never happen, he’d never do this, she’d have to do that...”
A book with this scenario would need to get much more deeply into the minds of all the characters for it to work; the author is relying on us to do the hard work rather than doing it herself. I wanted to get more of the child’s eye view & didn’t really identify with anyone.
Maybe the author is saying that we should be aware that sometimes implausible things do happen, & it’s their implausibility that keeps the characters’ eyes so firmly shut to the reality of what’s gone on. That we need to stay alert or we’ll miss critical, life-changing things going on right in front of our eyes...?
I wondered half way through if it was me who’d missed something with this book & hoped so as I persevered to the finish... maybe I did!
However, I’ve read the other 2 star reviews & agreed with them all - for me a book with some very good passages & what should have been a good idea as its basis was let down by the implausibility of the plot. “Oh come on...” I kept saying, “...that would never happen, he’d never do this, she’d have to do that...”
A book with this scenario would need to get much more deeply into the minds of all the characters for it to work; the author is relying on us to do the hard work rather than doing it herself. I wanted to get more of the child’s eye view & didn’t really identify with anyone.
Maybe the author is saying that we should be aware that sometimes implausible things do happen, & it’s their implausibility that keeps the characters’ eyes so firmly shut to the reality of what’s gone on. That we need to stay alert or we’ll miss critical, life-changing things going on right in front of our eyes...?
I wondered half way through if it was me who’d missed something with this book & hoped so as I persevered to the finish... maybe I did!
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
A special thank you to Legend Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
WOW, a riveting, emotional and brilliantly written page-turner! Crossing many genres, fans of suspense, mystery, intrigue, family drama, women's fiction, adult fiction, and psycho-thrillers will devour The Cold Cold Sea.
The novel begins in Cornwall at a holiday beach cottage, and flashing back and forth with two separate families, and a caring school teacher, Kate who ultimately links the two families for an intense (edge of your seat), and explosive conclusion.
Maggie/Colin and their two children, Olivia and Jon—a family is out for a day on the beach, Olivia wants to join her dad and older brother, so Maggie, says go ahead while she goes back to sipping her coffee.
However, in the blink of an eye, Olivia (Livvy), only three years old never makes it to her father. She just vanishes, and being next to the beach, after time goes on in a frantic search, this family worries she has drowned. Colin blames Maggie and she is guilt and grief stricken. The search places more added stress on their marriage, so he takes off with the son and leaves Maggie at the cottage. Maggie wants to stay and wait for her daughter, and never gives up home, as she continues to put off the memorial service.
In the meantime, we switch to another family in England: Jennifer and Phillip, who have lost a daughter, as well. Jennifer is preparing for her daughter, Hailey’s first day at school, while her husband Phillip is away in Los Angeles, CA taking care of the elderly grandmother.
Enter, Katie, a new and eager teacher who takes Hailey under her wing, as a new student in her class. She is quite concerned about her, appears to be young for her age. Hailey seems disturbed and tense around her mother and wonders if there could be problems at home, as she knows the mother is pregnant with twins and the father is away in the states.
Most of the second half of the story centers on Jennifer and her relationship with Hailey, and plans for her husband’s return for a shocker reunion. What happens next is mind blowing, as Phillip now is immersed in a saga between protecting his family and doing the right thing.
Jennifer’s twisted character is brilliantly crafted, clearly delusional and has escaped reality. Phillip’s engrossing character is cleverly crafted as this mind blowing tale comes to a choice of right and wrong, and his conflicting feelings of love and loyalty.
The Cold Cold Sea is quite unique, cleverly crafted and a gripping suspense thriller, hooking you immediately into the intriguing and powerful storyline, as have never read any other book like it-with twists and turns which will keep you dying to learn the fate of these families.
With the Switzerland author’s former profession as psychotherapist, she does not “miss a beat” for a dynamic character-driven read, with strong raw emotions, and feelings of motherhood, grief, love, loss and family.
The one thing I have mentioned to a few other readers, the front cover does not adequately convey the complexity, power, and intensity of the novel, as it seems a little elementary. As a former publisher, and designer, I am into covers, as believe they sell books, and speak for the book as a brand and image. Would like to see a change in cover for the next 2015 printing to reflect more sophistication. Can envision a battered cottage on a cliffside with thick landscaping and hidden with a winding path, and many rocks overlooking a gray/blue foggy beach front, to further enhance the mystery and intrigue surrounding this stunning and spectacular thriller.
Highly recommend The Cold Cold Sea and delighted to be introduced to talented Switzerland author, Linda Huber. Cannot wait to read her first book, The Paradise Trees, (teaser included). Sounds like another intense mystery suspense. Fans of Diane Chamberlain will enjoy this one!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
WOW, a riveting, emotional and brilliantly written page-turner! Crossing many genres, fans of suspense, mystery, intrigue, family drama, women's fiction, adult fiction, and psycho-thrillers will devour The Cold Cold Sea.
The novel begins in Cornwall at a holiday beach cottage, and flashing back and forth with two separate families, and a caring school teacher, Kate who ultimately links the two families for an intense (edge of your seat), and explosive conclusion.
Maggie/Colin and their two children, Olivia and Jon—a family is out for a day on the beach, Olivia wants to join her dad and older brother, so Maggie, says go ahead while she goes back to sipping her coffee.
However, in the blink of an eye, Olivia (Livvy), only three years old never makes it to her father. She just vanishes, and being next to the beach, after time goes on in a frantic search, this family worries she has drowned. Colin blames Maggie and she is guilt and grief stricken. The search places more added stress on their marriage, so he takes off with the son and leaves Maggie at the cottage. Maggie wants to stay and wait for her daughter, and never gives up home, as she continues to put off the memorial service.
In the meantime, we switch to another family in England: Jennifer and Phillip, who have lost a daughter, as well. Jennifer is preparing for her daughter, Hailey’s first day at school, while her husband Phillip is away in Los Angeles, CA taking care of the elderly grandmother.
Enter, Katie, a new and eager teacher who takes Hailey under her wing, as a new student in her class. She is quite concerned about her, appears to be young for her age. Hailey seems disturbed and tense around her mother and wonders if there could be problems at home, as she knows the mother is pregnant with twins and the father is away in the states.
Most of the second half of the story centers on Jennifer and her relationship with Hailey, and plans for her husband’s return for a shocker reunion. What happens next is mind blowing, as Phillip now is immersed in a saga between protecting his family and doing the right thing.
Jennifer’s twisted character is brilliantly crafted, clearly delusional and has escaped reality. Phillip’s engrossing character is cleverly crafted as this mind blowing tale comes to a choice of right and wrong, and his conflicting feelings of love and loyalty.
The Cold Cold Sea is quite unique, cleverly crafted and a gripping suspense thriller, hooking you immediately into the intriguing and powerful storyline, as have never read any other book like it-with twists and turns which will keep you dying to learn the fate of these families.
With the Switzerland author’s former profession as psychotherapist, she does not “miss a beat” for a dynamic character-driven read, with strong raw emotions, and feelings of motherhood, grief, love, loss and family.
The one thing I have mentioned to a few other readers, the front cover does not adequately convey the complexity, power, and intensity of the novel, as it seems a little elementary. As a former publisher, and designer, I am into covers, as believe they sell books, and speak for the book as a brand and image. Would like to see a change in cover for the next 2015 printing to reflect more sophistication. Can envision a battered cottage on a cliffside with thick landscaping and hidden with a winding path, and many rocks overlooking a gray/blue foggy beach front, to further enhance the mystery and intrigue surrounding this stunning and spectacular thriller.
Highly recommend The Cold Cold Sea and delighted to be introduced to talented Switzerland author, Linda Huber. Cannot wait to read her first book, The Paradise Trees, (teaser included). Sounds like another intense mystery suspense. Fans of Diane Chamberlain will enjoy this one!
Judith D. Collins Must Read Books
hiking_pages's review against another edition
5.0
I was absolutely gripped from start to finish, listening to this one in pretty much two sittings during a work commute.
Linda Huber's The Cold Cold Sea deals with child loss from two very different, both chilling and devastating perspectives, touching on the strain of loves left behind in the wake of a missing, presumed dead child.
Huber's writing is compelling, intriguing and provocative in its portrayal of two female protagonists, Jennifer Marshall and Maggie Grainger. It's been quite a while since I physically reacted to passages in a book, but I couldn't help but show passion, disgust and despair as the interweaving plots unraveled.
One of the most exciting authors I've read this year, I'm off to look up Linda Huber's entire body of work!
Linda Huber's The Cold Cold Sea deals with child loss from two very different, both chilling and devastating perspectives, touching on the strain of loves left behind in the wake of a missing, presumed dead child.
Huber's writing is compelling, intriguing and provocative in its portrayal of two female protagonists, Jennifer Marshall and Maggie Grainger. It's been quite a while since I physically reacted to passages in a book, but I couldn't help but show passion, disgust and despair as the interweaving plots unraveled.
One of the most exciting authors I've read this year, I'm off to look up Linda Huber's entire body of work!
sapphaos's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cookewitch's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This was very good but to say I 'enjoyed' it seems wrong, I felt anxious and tense the whole time but was gripped!
Only one element of story didn't quite work for me but that was at about 70% and the feeling didn't last long, I kind of got past it.
📖🌊📖
Only one element of story didn't quite work for me but that was at about 70% and the feeling didn't last long, I kind of got past it.
📖🌊📖
jhahn's review against another edition
5.0
Read it in one day. That about sums it up. From the beginning you were pretty sure of the outcome but still couldn't wait to make sure it happened. So many likeable characters and you could feel their pain.
adventureinlit's review against another edition
5.0
If you're a parent, be prepared to have a really difficult time reading through this one. An amazingly told story of one young little girl who is taken by a woman who lost her own daughter and is suffering from psychological madness.
Two families in London; running parallel lives. Colin and Maggie (husband and wife), along with their daughter Olivia (3 at the time) and their son Joe are having a normal day out at the beach. Suddenly Olivia goes missing and after numerous search attempts, must accept the fact that their daughter was drowned at sea.
Enter Jennifer Marshall who lives nearby and her husband Phillip who is visiting his dying grandmother in the States. They had a daughter named Hailey who drowned in the sea on a family vacation to Turkey when she was 5.
Suddenly, Olivia finds herself at the whim of Jennifer who believes this is her dead daughter Hailey. In an attempt to convince Olivia that she is Hailey, Jennifer does some unspeakable things to her to keep her complacent and behave like a good little Hailey.
When we are parents, we realize how important our children are to us. When you lose a child, you can never imagine what you might experience or how you will handle those circumstances. This is a well told story of two families suffering from loss and the ways in which they fight to survive each day. It's a raw portrayal of how far some people will go to keep their perfect family together, even at the expense of others.
Two families in London; running parallel lives. Colin and Maggie (husband and wife), along with their daughter Olivia (3 at the time) and their son Joe are having a normal day out at the beach. Suddenly Olivia goes missing and after numerous search attempts, must accept the fact that their daughter was drowned at sea.
Enter Jennifer Marshall who lives nearby and her husband Phillip who is visiting his dying grandmother in the States. They had a daughter named Hailey who drowned in the sea on a family vacation to Turkey when she was 5.
Suddenly, Olivia finds herself at the whim of Jennifer who believes this is her dead daughter Hailey. In an attempt to convince Olivia that she is Hailey, Jennifer does some unspeakable things to her to keep her complacent and behave like a good little Hailey.
When we are parents, we realize how important our children are to us. When you lose a child, you can never imagine what you might experience or how you will handle those circumstances. This is a well told story of two families suffering from loss and the ways in which they fight to survive each day. It's a raw portrayal of how far some people will go to keep their perfect family together, even at the expense of others.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book I've read by this author and will definitely be looking out for more. Absolutely loved this book, the storyline is every parents worst nightmare and to be honest from the start you know where the story was going and how it was going to turn out but the journey inbetween makes it worth reading.
mjanach's review against another edition
5.0
Oh wow...what an emotional roller-coaster that was! This is a great author to discover :)