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boba_n_books's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Child abuse, Car accident, and Kidnapping
Minor: Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
tearbear418's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Car accident, and Death of parent
ktdakotareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Confinement, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Car accident
leahthebooklover's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Alcohol, Death, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Gun violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, and Car accident
kmsander4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The mystery was easily solved and the ghost story wasn't something I really wanted or needed. It was fitting for spooky season but if it wasn't this time of year, it probably would have fallen to 2.5 stars.
It's fine if this is your kind of thing, but there are better mystery-thriller options out there!
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Car accident
Moderate: Rape and Child death
Minor: Miscarriage
cyndi1966's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Addiction
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Rape
jmkendall0218's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Murder, Rape, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, and Gun violence
maddiearthur's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, Alcoholism, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Addiction, Blood, Death, Drug abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Car accident, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Minor: Infertility and Pregnancy
lbaclian's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
Minor: Car accident
elkiebear's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Car accident, Cursing, Death, Gaslighting, and Gun violence
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Rape, and Sexual assault