Reviews

Cold & Deadly by Toni Anderson

kellym_16829's review against another edition

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  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.25

I enjoyed this book enough to continue reading the series, but both MCs were extremely frustrating. By the end of the book, I honestly felt that both should be fired.

elawder's review against another edition

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4.0

Always here for apart of the Cold Justice Series. I will continue to read the Negotiators series! We have all of our old favorites in this one, including Lincoln Frazer and Malory Rooney.

just_a_reader's review against another edition

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5.0

A great read with quite a lot of action and strong characters. However, the mystery wasn't so unguessable(at least not in the second half) even though the action kind made it up for me. The romance was sort of a slow-burn (but not too slow, mind you). The writing style had me engrossed. All in all, it was a satisfying kinda read and I'll definitely be trying more books by Toni Anderson.

fresholivebread's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The MCs (rookie FBI agent heroine and SSA hero) teamed up to solve the murder of their mentor, and uncovers a much bigger conspiracy. The mystery/investigation aspect is great, exciting, unexpected  and fast paced. There was a slight lull in the middle where the MCs got involved in a separate negotiation case, but that served as fodder for their romance. There're a few tropes: supervisor-rookie, bodyguard (the heroine) and age-gap. 

The heroine starts off as a bit prickly, but she's super intuitive, brave and dedicated. The hero is delicious - confident with a touch arrogance, sexy and protective. And as romance goes, I think this one of the best of the series. There's insta-attraction, but the romance took some time to build, as they both had issues with letting people in, and I really like the development of it, and how they protect and trust each other with their hearts. This book is also steamier than the earlier ones, the sex is kinda *hot*. Also enjoyed the inclusion of three of my favourite characters from earlier books. Just a great read overall. 

booksbymary1's review against another edition

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4.0

4 stars

“You aren’t alone in the FBI, Ava. You have a lot of people who love you and respect you.”

mareeva's review against another edition

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5.0

5 stars

I tend to avoid detective novels like a plague. I genuinely have no idea why but I just do, unless the hype gets to me I will not read a book involving cop main characters.

BUT THIS THOUGH

Cold & Deadly had the perfect balance of everything;
- suspense
- angst
- romance
- likable characters
- interesting plot

The pace was great too. It never felt drawn out or too quick.
Also, I usually find out who the killer is very early on, but this time I had no clue until the end. The reveal wasn't necessarily a shock but it made a lot of sense. Had me face palming for not guessing sooner.

It was just a very solid read.

I've never read the cold justice series, but I've got a feeling I'm about to go on a binge

thebookdisciple's review against another edition

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4.0


Cold and Deadly is a spin off of Anderson's other series, which I loved! She writes great romantic suspense and yall know I love romantic suspense! Also, I am on a bit of an FBI agent kick apparently!

Dominic and Ava are both FBI agents, so the story has a touch of an office romance. They are forced to work together and endure some serious danger! Anderson writes stunning suspense and mystery and Cold and Deadly was no exception. There really isn't a good place to stop reading because its kind of a non stop action plot. I will admit I wasn't entirely in love with Dominic and Ava initially. However, as you get further into the story and learn more about them, they grew on me. Anderson develops the characters with strengths and weaknesses which makes them feel more believable. Ava's backstory is sort of teasingly revealed which keeps you wondering. I think this additional mystery kept the plot quick and snappy. There is always something you are trying to parse out!

Cold and Deadly combines the fast paced mystery of a killer on the loose with a touch of office/taboo romance (they are on the same team, so not suppose to 'fraternize') and lots of danger. If you are new to Anderson, this spin off series is a great place to start! If you have been a fan for years like me, you will love the cameos.

 

  •   POV: 3rd

  •   Tears: no

  •   Trope: FBI, office romance

  •   Triggers: none

  •   Series/Standalone: stand alone

  •   Cliffhanger: 
    Spoilerno

  •   HEA: 
    Spoileryes





Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts, Say You're Sorry by Karen Rose, Buried Lies by Kaylea Cross...then you will probably like Cold and Deadly!

 

nikkisbooknook's review against another edition

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5.0

What a superb start to a new branch of the Cold Justice Series!

Dominic may be the experienced Agent but Ava has killer instincts and, like a dog with a bone, she isn't giving up on her theory. She knows there is more to th death of her friend and mentor. She won't let the FBI sweep his "accident" under the rug.

As Dominic and Ava are forced to spend time together, developments are made and it seems that someone is attempting to clean house. The FBI agents are becoing targets of a warped serial killer.

This was a truly well written and crafted story. The characters are passionate about what they do, and each other! I defy you not to attempt to read this in one go because there is no rest in the story where it makes sense to put it down! Ava is all sharp edges and when Dominic could come across as sleazy and using his status to get his way, he's actually doing everything NOT to be alone with Ava.

Loved meeting some of the "old" gang again. There is no way you'd get me to traipse through the woods with a murderer, no matter how desperate the circumstances!

beckymmoe's review against another edition

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5.0

Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 2/18/19.

OMG, THIS BOOK.

It is so freaking good.

It kept me going from the first page to the last--a roller coaster ride of a story to rival anything Cedar Point has to offer and the some! Ms. Anderson did an amazing job of concealing who the antagonist was, even while giving us clues aplenty--once it all comes together they make total sense, but ohmygoodness she really kept me guessing for a good chunk of the book. I kept going back and re-reading scenes, looking for the clues that would have revealed it all, but the obvious ones aren't there. At. All. The last 25% of the book was pretty much one "Ah ha! So that's why..." moment after another, interspersed equally with heart-pounding suspense and romance.

Speaking of romance--everything in that arena too is spot-on. I loved Ava and Dominic, and even while bemoaning the fact that they weren't sitting down and having a much-needed conversation, it made complete sense that they weren't--they barely had time to breathe with everything that was going on. And yes, they argument could undoubtedly be made that things happen pretty fast here relationship-wise, but with everything else that was going on, falling in love quickly honestly felt like the least of their worries. By the book's end, I was more than ready to believe in the EA part of their HEA.

Cold & Deadly is the first in Ms. Anderson's new series, and as such is a great place to start reading her books if you're a newbie. If you're not, you may see some familiar characters here--there's an especially exciting connection to book one in the Cold Justice ([b:A Cold Dark Place|21864681|A Cold Dark Place (Cold Justice, #1)|Toni Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403174146s/21864681.jpg|40351596]) that helps to make this story one I won't be forgetting soon... (no worries if you haven't read that book yet--but trust me, you're going to want to!)

I am so freaking ready for this series--bring more on, please, ASAP!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

pavi_fictionalworm's review against another edition

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4.0


Also Posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds

Disclaimer: An eARC was provided via Inkslinger PR and the Author as part of the Blog Tour. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own.

Actual Rating 4.5 Stars

This is honestly my first book by Toni Anderson –
I had actually heard of Cold Justice Series (which romantic suspense reader worth their salt wouldn’t?) – yet somehow I never got around to reading her Cold Justice Series; EVEN though the first book in Cold Justice Series is now sitting on my kindle app (since its FREE on Amazon, currently!).

I binge read Cold and Deadly where SSA Dominic Sheridan meets Agent Ava Kansas on a dark day for both of them – at the funeral of their shared mentor – Agent Van Stamos. They butt heads when Dom finds out that Ava is adamant that her mentor didn’t die by his own hand, but under suspicious circumstances.

Ava is a prickly Agent; a loner due to her past and walks around with a huge chip on her shoulder – while she secretly wants to be part of a team, the brotherhood, she just doesn’t know how to make a move for it – but is quite an agent; I loved tenacious attitude she had; the one that frustrated her, especially when no one gave her opinions the attention they deserved.

Dominic @ Dom, on the other hand, was born with a silver spoon in his mouth – which ends up with a different kind of chip on his shoulder as well – he follows rules and regulations religiously; and has never once used his clout or his connections for either personal or professional gains; even though he unconsciously knows he enjoys the unseen perks of his known connections.

The book drops the reader smack dab in the middle of action from the first chapter itself – and the action never stops, even though it might slow down a bit at times to focus on the connection between Ava and Dom – the twists just keep coming one after the other – and the author’s talent shows when even I couldn’t figure out who exactly the villain is (and I am an Assistant Forensic Psychologist by day trade!).

The connection between Dom and Ava is apparent from the start – its attraction from the first glance – and it’s a slow burn romance with a bit of forbidden thrown in the mix – even with the fast paced plot, the romance between Dom and Ava was handled delicately and given it’s due – and there was not one moment where it felt that the mystery or the romance were being neglected!

I absolutely adored this first book in a crossover series – and I plan on picking up COLD JUSTICE SERIES; the HEA of two secondary (and important part!) characters in this current one and I am really excited to see start her original series!



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