I received this book for free from the NetGalley, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James Published by Berkley on March 15 2022
Genres: Adult, ghost story, Psychological thriller
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A true crime blogger uncovers some long-buried truths in this stellar murder mystery.
This is my first time reading Simone St. James, and I was blown away! The Book of Cold Cases is an intricately plotted mystery with fully developed characters and a twisty plot that will keep readers guessing.
The story takes place in the small town of Claire Lake, Oregon and centers around a woman named Shea Collins. Shea works in a medical office by day, but at night she runs a popular blog called The Book of Cold Cases, which focuses on serial killers and murders that have gone unsolved over the years. Shea is obsessed with true crime because she was nearly a murder victim herself as a child, only escaping from her situation because of quick thinking. One day at work, a woman comes into the clinic, and Shea is shocked when she recognizes her—Beth Greer, now in her sixties, was arrested for murdering two men in Claire Lake back in 1977. Dubbed the Lady Killer by the press, Beth was eventually acquitted due to a lack of hard evidence. Shea knows everything about the case and has written about Beth on her blog, but because the murders were never solved, Shea sees this as a golden opportunity to try to talk to Beth herself.
Beth agrees to an interview, but their conversation only raises more questions. When Shea arrives at Greer mansion, she’s shocked to find a house untouched by time. Everything in the house, down to the piles of magazines on the coffee table, is preserved from Beth’s 1970s childhood. Even more unsettling, Shea experiences several inexplicable events in the house: a water faucet in the bathroom that turns on and off by itself, kitchen cupboards that open and close on their own, and a mysterious message—”I’m still here”—that comes out of Beth’s cell phone. Who is this ghostly presence, and how is Beth connected to it?
The further Shea delves into Beth’s past, the more shocking the answers become. With the help of the original detective who handled the Lady Killer case, Shea’s PI friend Michael De Vos, and even the Greer mansion itself, Shea gets closer and closer to the deadly truth.
I don’t want to say anything more about the plot, because as with most mysteries, it’s best if you go in knowing as little as possible. This is such a well developed, multilayered story, and it kept me guessing almost until the end. St. James knows how to create an eerie atmosphere with her descriptive prose, especially when she’s describing Beth’s house, around which the entire story revolves. I also liked the balance between the real life crimes and the supernatural elements. If you aren’t a fan of ghost stories, don’t worry, because this is a crime thriller first and foremost. But if you love a touch of the supernatural in your stories, this book is perfect for you.
The story is told from both Shea’s and Beth’s points of view and alternates between the present day—2017—and the past. Beth’s chapters were my favorites because she knows the truth, and little by little that truth is revealed through her narrative. The author takes us back to Beth’s childhood growing up in the Greer mansion, a large, rambling house overlooking the ocean. Beth’s mother Mariana came from a wealthy family, but when her mother died she left her fortune to Beth’s father Julian instead of Mariana. This created a rift in their marriage and of course, Beth suffered from her parents’ escalating fights. The author paints Beth as a victim growing up, so of course she’s capable of murder, right? These jumps back in time were masterfully done, and with each one the reader gets to put more pieces of the puzzle together.
Even though the mystery sucked me in and kept me hooked, it was the characters who really elevated this story to another level. I loved everything about the way Simone St. James developed her characters and made me care for them. Shea seems the most vulnerable, since she’s still suffering from her traumatic childhood abduction. The man who kidnapped her has been in jail all this time, but he’s up for parole soon, and Shea is terrified he’ll be back on the streets. Because of her experience, she refuses to get in any car, and so she gets around by walking or taking the bus. Now that she’s face to face with a (possible) real killer, Shea is thrust out of her comfort zone, and it turns out she’s stronger than she thinks.
Beth was also a fantastic character, especially since it’s unclear whether or not she’s guilty of the murders. Beth has a big secret—that eventually she shares with the reader—and this made the story really exciting! (I wish I could tell you more but of course I can’t.) I loved the flashbacks to Beth’s childhood with her parents. Even her mother Mariana has a secret in her past that is important to the mystery.
There are several side characters that added even more depth. I especially loved Detective Joshua Black, who believes Beth is innocent in 1977 and still does in the present. Shea ends up working with Black after he agrees to an interview, and I love the way his character ties the past and present together. Beth’s lawyer during her arrest, Ransom Wells, is another great character who helped Beth and never lost faith in her. Other side characters like Shea’s friend Michael and even her adopted cat Winston Purrchill (!) were incorporated into the story in such a way that it wouldn’t have been the same without them.
Eventually all the pieces come together into a thrilling conclusion, and the author manages to tie up all her plot threads as well. I loved the last chapter in particular, which takes place two years later. It gave me chills, but in a good, spooky way! Fans of Simone St. James will love The Book of Cold Cases, and if you’re a new reader like me, this is a great place to start.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Hook, line and sinker! 🙂
This book seems to fuse seamlessly both thriller and horror elements, and your review made me quite eager to sample this author who is new to me – but not for long, I guess…
Thanks for sharing!
You should try her! I’m so glad I finally did.
There are some things in this book that usually I don’t love: I am not a fan of a not linear timeline, and, even more important, I love my thriller free of any hint of paranormal, and yet your review was so captivating and your enthusiasm so infectious that I have added this one to my TBR!!
I thought the linear timeline worked really well. She tells you at the beginning of the chapters which year it is and I had no trouble following it.
I only skimmed your review because I really want to read this one! Glad to you really enjoyed it!
Thanks Nadine! I hope you love it too:-)
Yay, so glad you enjoyed this one! If you want to try another by her, I highly recommend The Sun Down Motel. It has that same creepy, supernatural vibe to it.
Yes! That will be next for sure:-)
I have yet to see a bad review for The Book of Cold Cases. Clearly you liked it too! Good review.:-)
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…I’m Now a Member of the Kendall Reviews Team!
I can see why, it’s hard to imagine anyone not enjoying this:-)
I really enjoy stories that stay mostly grounded in reality but throw in that hint of supernatural. And Winston Purrchill?!?!?! 🙂
LOL I loved the cat:-)
I’ve seen so many people rave about this author, but I assumed I wouldn’t be interested, since I don’t usually go for thrillers. However, having read your review… I may need to give this one a try!
It’s more than a thriller, lots of great characters:-)
Yay! I’m glad you loved this one. I’m eagerly awaiting the audiobook.
I hope the audio is good!
Oooh, great review! I still haven’t read anything from this author but really want to, and I think I might start with this one. 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries recently posted…Spring 2022 TBR (and a look back at my winter progress)
I thought it was a great place to start. I’m going to go back and read The Sun Down Motel now:-)
That will be my next audiobook and I am so excited now!!!
Enjoy, it’s so good!
I enjoyed this and I’m glad Beth had some on her side.
Me too, I thought it was a great choice for the author to make, allowing us to see a different side of the “suspect.”
I’m glad you enjoyed this, it’s definitely one I still want to read. I’ve only read The Sun Down Motel but would definitely recommend it, that had a great setting too and was pretty spooky at times.
Pages and Tea recently posted…Reading Review: March 2022
I really need to read The Sun Down Motel!
First of all, Winston Purrchill?! I wanna read the book just to meet the cat! But it really does sound like a great read with fantastic characters. I love a story where characters really make the book!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Other Half of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
The cat is so cute! Not a big part of the story, but I loved the way the main character gets the cat dumped on her and at first she isn’t happy. But Winston wiggles his way into her heart:-)
I have started reading reviews of this and every review seems to reveal something more about it to enjoy — aalso, the supernatural elements and true crime, is something I never knew i needed
It’s such a great combo. I didn’t know I needed it either!
Your rating is so exciting! This will probably be my next read so I had to skim most of your review, but wow, now I’m so looking forward to it!
I excited to read your review!
She writes my favorite ghost stories. Such great atmosphere and I still have a couple left to read on her backlist. Fabulous review, Tammy. So happy you enjoyed it.
I still haven’t read this author and was wondering whether to try and pick up a copy of this one to try first – such a glowing review is certainly very tempting. That being said,I do have the Motel book so perhaps I should pick that one up first. Decisions decisions.
Lynn 😀