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

"On the bus, I pulled out my phone, put my earbuds in my ears, and played the audiobook I was in the middle of listening to. A thriller: a woman in danger, most of the characters possibly lying, everything not quite as it seemed. A twist somewhere near the end that would either shock me or it wouldn't. There were dozens of books just like it, hundreds maybe, and they were the soundtrack of my life. The woman's voice in my earbuds told me about death, murder, deep family secrets, people who shouldn't be trusted, lies that cost lives. But a novel always ends, the lies come to the surface, and the deaths are explained. Maybe one of the bad characters gets away with something --that's fashionable right now --but you are still left with a sense that things are balanced, that dark things come to light, and that the bad person will, at least, most likely be miserable." p.7

These are the words of Shea Collins; doctor's office receptionist, part-time true crime blogger, and child abduction survivor. She is the main character in "The Book of Cold Cases" and when I read this in the opening pages of the book, I wondered if I had just had the main points of the plot summed up for me. It's not too far from the way the book played out, but even with that neat little outline to follow, this was one gripping story. Thriller? Check. Murder mystery? Check. Amateur sleuthing? Check. Creepy haunted house? Check. Family secrets? Check. Morally ambiguous/possibly mentally unstable characters? Check. Throw in multiple POV's and timelines, a dash of romance, and enough twists that what might have been formulaic felt original and utterly readable. This was my February "Blind Date With a Book" selection from my local library, and it was a hit. Because of the supernatural/ghostly aspects of the book, I probably wouldn't have picked this book out for myself, but because I really did enjoy reading this, I will undoubtedly look for this author again.

Content Warnings

strrygo's review against another edition

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medium-paced

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

2.0

trying 2 be kind but, :t least favorite combo of straight and true crime in one, everyone is masculine or sexy or perfectly a type (rly feel like that only works for me in noir), reminds me of people who would say they have a "favorite murder" they would lovveeee this, so teeny bit strange !
this many stars bc i think this could've been vry good if it leaned into the house and beth without trying to do e v e r y t h i ng, an essay on memory and home and family and ghosts, but that would b a different book !

Content Warnings

erinmichele_reads's review against another edition

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mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Content Warnings

iriswhatiris's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

5.0

Content Warnings

pryorlee's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-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

3.0

Content Warnings

moreta1's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

megwilli's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25

Content Warnings

jillie's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.25

Ooooh!! Loved this atmosphere & the way this story unfolded! Dark & eerie, this story pulled me in & stuck with me. I REALLY enjoyed the mystery & how even when I guessed pieces, I never got the whole picture on my own. Can’t wait to read more from this author! Check the content warnings.

Read if you like:
- dual timelines (done well)
- creepy atmosphere
- slight paranormal elements

November 2023

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