The Book of Cold Cases
By: Simone St James
Published Year: 2022
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 352
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion of this novel.
Summary (Provided by Goodreads):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?
First Impressions
I have read a few of St. James’ novels, most recent being The Sun Down Motel. I’ve enjoyed all of them so I was excited when I saw she was coming out with another. I was really intrigued by the title and the cover of this one. Then when I read the synopsis I knew I was going to read it.
What I thought
This might be one of my favorite of St. James’ novels that I’ve read. I think sometimes her summaries sound better than the books turn out to be but this one really grabbed me.
Shea is a receptionist at a doctor’s office who also runs a blog called The Book of Cold Cases. When the subject of one of the cold cases that she featured walks into her place of work, she takes a risk and decides to ask for an interview. Beth Greer was accused of being the Lady Killer murderer in Claire Lake in the 1970s. Now she gets to tell her story for the first time.
This book had me from the beginning. I was equally sucked into the past and present chapter that alternated between Shea and Beth. Beth’s chapters were a little bit more intriguing just because I was very curious what really happened back in the 70’s, but we were getting information from her interviews with Shea as well. I do wish that parts of Shea’s story/backstory had been fleshed out a little more. I felt like it all came out quickly at the end, and while that was satisfying, I wouldn’t have minded a little more.
The one thing I consistently forget about St. James’s novels is the supernatural elements. In her world, the supernatural is real and you just have to roll with it. I forget that each time and it takes me by surprise and then I have to wrap my head around it all over again. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just not what I usually look for when reading mysteries.
I know I haven’t said much about this book but I don’t want to accidentally give anything away. The two storylines intertwine wonderfully and I couldn’t put this book down. I needed to know what happened and how. While the explanation isn’t maybe what I would’ve chosen, it was satisfying and understandable. Like I said, I think this is my favorite of her mysteries and I would definitely recommend checking it out.