Scan barcode
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
missdaniellexo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Abandonment
Minor: Terminal illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, and Child death
sosocrafty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Medical trauma, Medical content, and Child abuse
Minor: Infertility, Rape, Pregnancy, Infidelity, and 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
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
someryarns's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Pedophilia, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Infertility and Pregnancy
lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Death, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcoholism, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Gun violence, Car accident, Child death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Bullying, and Child abuse
With thrillers like this, there are always a lot of CWs, so please check them before reading, if necessary. This book was a solid mystery, but St James's novels (of the two I have read, at least), are more about the characters and how they solve the mystery and their own traumas, rather than shocking last minute reveals. The solutions are not really that surprising. I couldn't help but comparing this to the author's book, The Broken Girls, and this one felt like a lesser (and less interesting) version. There are a LOT of surface level similarities with the character types, a spooky building, even careers of the the heroine and hero. The two main characters here were semi-decently fleshed out, but the other minor characters really weren't. I read it in literally one sitting, but more just to be done with it, rather than that I couldn't put it down. All the same, I would still give St. James another try. This was solid (and The Broken Girls was very well-done and memorable).pernillelsk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Murder, Death, Forced institutionalization, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Child abuse, and Car accident
Minor: Sexual assault and Pregnancy
katyannreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Murder
Moderate: Miscarriage, Infertility, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
shinypurplepants's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not for me, reasons in spoilers just in case.
As a black femme, I am often treated as a threat despite my femininity so all the proto-feminist "but women can murder toooo" made me really upset and the focus over and over and over on White Beauty was annoying at best and distracting fluff that took away from any building tension at worst.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Gun violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Panic attacks/disorders