Tuesday, March 15, 2022

"The Book Of Cold Cases" by Simone St. James

 




A true crime blogger gets more than she bargained for while interviewing the woman acquitted of two cold case slayings in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.

In 1977, Claire Lake, Oregon, was shaken by the Lady Killer Murders: Two men, seemingly randomly, were murdered with the same gun, with strange notes left behind. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect--a rich, eccentric twenty-three-year-old woman, seen fleeing one of the crimes. But she was acquitted, and she retreated to the isolation of her mansion.

Oregon, 2017Shea Collins is a receptionist, but by night, she runs a true crime website, the Book of Cold Cases--a passion fueled by the attempted abduction she escaped as a child. When she meets Beth by chance, Shea asks her for an interview. To Shea's surprise, Beth says yes.

They meet regularly at Beth's mansion, though Shea is never comfortable there. Items move when she's not looking, and she could swear she's seen a girl outside the window. The allure of learning the truth about the case from the smart, charming Beth is too much to resist, but even as they grow closer, Shea senses something isn't right. Is she making friends with a manipulative murderer, or are there other dangers lurking in the darkness of the Greer house? ~taken from Goodreads



Paranormal novels aren't usually my thing. I get scared easily and ghosts are something I believe in, so I often avoid any book that deals with ghosts.  Simone St. James is an author I can never pass up. The stories are unique, well put together, and even though there is always a paranormal element, I simply enjoy them from start to finish. The latest book, "The Book Of Cold Cases, is my favorite so far. 


Previously I have read and reviewed "The Broken Girls" in 2017 and "The Sundown Motel" in 2020. Both were amaing 5 star reads so please add them to your TBR pile if you haven't already. 


The summary listed on both Goodreads and Amazon do an amazing job explaining what the novel is about, so I won't waste both my time and yours going over the plot again. What I will tell you is that this story alternates perspectives and timelines of both Shea in the present and the Beth of the past. There are HUGE secrets  each women hiding from each other and from the rest of the world. Will they share them or will their secrets be their demise?


St. James did a phenomenal job of creating atmosphere and imagery. From the coziness of Shea's shut-in apartment, to the eeriness that is the Greer Mansion. Every scene was thought out and worded to perfection. You might need to leave some lights on if reading at night because this story is spooky. 


Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me an advanced digital copy to read and give my honest review. It was a 5 star read! I look forward to the next Simone St. James novel!


Lucky for you this book was released today, March 15, 2022, in the U.S. so get your copy at our favorite book retailer! 


Happy Reading! 

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