Book of Cold Cases, The

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Let me tell you, driving at night and listening to this book during the chilling parts was a new experience for me. It seemed like every time I got in the car, an eerie part was due. Beth Greer was the prime suspect - a rich, eccentric 23-year-old woman, seen fleeing one of the crimes. Ever since her surprise acquittal, she's retreated to her mansion, Greer house, and never commented publicly on the case. Claire Lake, Oregon 2017 Shea Collins, 29, pays the bills by working as a receptionist at a doctor's office. She doesn't really have any friends, although she is close to her sister, who says she doesn't see her enough and always wants to set Shea up with dates now that Shea is divorced. But Shea is busy, always busy with her passion, her true crime blog, The Book of Cold Cases. Twenty years ago Shea was a victim of a crime, a kidnapping where she was able to get away and another girl was taken and killed. Even though she was only nine years old, Shea feels great guilt for what happened to that girl. She also won't ride in cars and travels everywhere on foot or by bus. Being a girl is the best….because no one ever believes you’d do something bad. People think you’ll do nothing, which means you can do anything.” Thank you to Elisha at Berkley for providing me with a widget of the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 3/15/22.

St. James has ramped up the supernatural element in The Book of Cold Cases, maybe a little too much, but that is purely a personal opinion. The writing is certainly as compelling as usual and the characters incredibly well depicted. I could 'see' and 'hear' Beth; while not the main character, it is Beth who fascinated me and her story is revealed slowly throughout the book.

In 2017, Shea Collins runs a blog called The Book of Cold Cases. True Crime is her passion. Something happened to her when she was a child and now as an adult, this is what she does at night to keep her sanity. During the day, Shea is a receptionist at a doctor's office, and here is where she sees and recognizes Beth Greer.

Sherry Haines– the girl killed by Anders when Shea got away. Shea was known as Girl A, both to protect her identity, and I think also because she was the first intended victim. What are your thoughts about the paranormal aspects of The Book of Cold Cases? I’m not usually a fan of ghost stories. I did think that Lily’s ghostly presence made her more a part of the story. 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. My favorite character is Shea's adorable adopted cat, Winston Purrchill, who is a green-eyed-gray-tabby-purring-machine! The comfort he gives to Shea during her dogged search for answers in this cold case is a great addition to the story. I want more of this kitty and kudos to the author for this soft touch! Well done!Shea has help from an old detective that had worked the case and from her friend Michael. The question that keeps coming up is “Why?” . . . .Why was Beth telling me this after all these years? Why me??” This is Shea's chance. She can possibly be the one to get the answers everyone wants. Was Beth rightfully acquitted, or did a heartless killer go free?