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BOOK INFO
Title: The Book of Cold Cases
Author: Simone St. James
Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: March 15, 2022
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Series: na
My Rating: 4/5
BOOK BLURB
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, 2017. Shea 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?

MY REVIEW
A true crime blogger has the opportunity to interview a woman acquitted of two murders in the 1970s. As they spend more time together, the blogger questions if the woman is really innocent, or an excellent manipulator.
The Book of Cold Cases is told using alternating points of view and timelines. The characters have distinct voices, but also have a fair amount in common. The paranormal element in the novel helps to create a creepy vibe. While the story builds slowly, it stays captivating and keeps the reader wanting more.
The Book of Cold Cases is atmospheric and suspenseful. A recommended read for fans of mystery thrillers with a paranormal vibe.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Books by Simone St. James:
- The Haunting of Maddy Clare
- An Inquiry Into Love and Death
- Silence for the Dead
- The Other Side of Midnight
- Lost Among the Living
- The Broken Girls
- The Sun Down Motel
- The Book of Cold Cases
- Murder Road