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pamela_xo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmykins_27's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.0
I wanted so much more from this book. I feel like the ending came so abruptly in the middle of the book and then continued on for 150 more pages. I will say it had me hooked at the start, but the turn it took was not the best in my opinion.
allisonbernhart's review against another edition
4.0
The Book of Cold Cases was a definitely a quick but enjoyable read. It was a little spooky, flowed well between Beth and Sheas POVs & timelines and kept me intrigued where I didn’t want put it down. Finished in just a couple of days. Excited to read more from Simone St James but may wait until the fall. I feel like her books would be great to read around Halloween.
tfaison3's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.0
Unexpected horror elements. Also the author repeated that Beth is sexy. Anytime Beth was described some reference to her sex appeal is mentioned. The characters did not feel very flushed out. Finished out of stubbornness vs enjoyment
jaimel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
jhutch1324's review against another edition
4.0
This one is a 4.5 ⭐ rounded down, only because I feel like this book could have been longer or had more to the story.
St. James has now caught my attention and I will be purchasing more of their works for sure. This one was deliciously creepy but not quite the twisty thriller I typically love. I would consider this more of a mystery novel with ghosts which I also enjoy so win win.
Shea is a true crime writer. She runs a website (not her day job) that it appears to be a kind of blog, or a forum where people can go to discuss these true crime cases. Shea is also a central figure in a true crime case, something unspeakable happened to her when she was younger, and it appears to have molded her present day personality a lot. One day at her (day) job Shea meets another true crime famous person who lives in her town and this begins a series of interviews and more with Beth Greer, the woman who was acquitted in the infamous Lady Killer Murders. We are led through these interviews and meetings between Beth and Shea in Beth's mansion which is most definitely haunted. Shea is treated to some frightening moments during the interviews which at times doesn't quite tie into the story as well as everything else. I like the inclusion of the paranormal but it could have been tied in a little better. Anyways, we follow Shea while she tries to both corroborate Beth's story while also solving this old mystery.
As I mentioned before this is definitely more of a twisty mystery than a thriller, (even though there are aspects of a thriller involved like danger to the narrator etc). The author's writing kept me engaged and wanting to read to the end without stopping; when I feel like a kid again and it's "just one more chapter" I consider that a pretty good book. Like I said from the get-go, this author has caught my attention, I'm a big fan of her work and I will definitely be buying more of her novels.
St. James has now caught my attention and I will be purchasing more of their works for sure. This one was deliciously creepy but not quite the twisty thriller I typically love. I would consider this more of a mystery novel with ghosts which I also enjoy so win win.
Shea is a true crime writer. She runs a website (not her day job) that it appears to be a kind of blog, or a forum where people can go to discuss these true crime cases. Shea is also a central figure in a true crime case, something unspeakable happened to her when she was younger, and it appears to have molded her present day personality a lot. One day at her (day) job Shea meets another true crime famous person who lives in her town and this begins a series of interviews and more with Beth Greer, the woman who was acquitted in the infamous Lady Killer Murders. We are led through these interviews and meetings between Beth and Shea in Beth's mansion which is most definitely haunted. Shea is treated to some frightening moments during the interviews which at times doesn't quite tie into the story as well as everything else. I like the inclusion of the paranormal but it could have been tied in a little better. Anyways, we follow Shea while she tries to both corroborate Beth's story while also solving this old mystery.
As I mentioned before this is definitely more of a twisty mystery than a thriller, (even though there are aspects of a thriller involved like danger to the narrator etc). The author's writing kept me engaged and wanting to read to the end without stopping; when I feel like a kid again and it's "just one more chapter" I consider that a pretty good book. Like I said from the get-go, this author has caught my attention, I'm a big fan of her work and I will definitely be buying more of her novels.
kryptidnerd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
nickiep's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5