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The Book of Cold Cases

Written by: Simone St. James
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley,Kirsten Potter,Robert Petkoff
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Publisher's Summary

A Most Anticipated Novel by PopSugar * CrimeReads * Goodreads

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 best-selling 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 23-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?

©2022 Simone St. James (P)2022 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

"Lovers of true crime will get a kick out of this thriller that oozes atmosphere."—Silvia Moreno-Garcia, New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic and Velvet Was the Night

"Simone St. James knows how to haunt you. The Book of Cold Cases is St. James at the top of her game, expertly weaving the past and the present to reveal a chilling tapestry of real world mystery and supernatural suspense that will have you turning pages well past your bedtime and jumping at every little sound."—Jennifer McMahon, New York Times bestselling author of The Drowning Kind

"No one writes a ghost story like Simone St. James, whose uniquely spooky thrillers are as chilling as they are captivating, and The Book of Cold Cases is St. James at her best. Steeped in atmosphere and spine-tingling chills, this gripping mystery will haunt you from the very beginning."—Laura McHugh, award-winning author of What's Done in Darkness

What listeners say about The Book of Cold Cases

Average Customer Ratings
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Excellent!!!

The story is interesting and keeps you hooked. The voice actors are great. Definitely found a new favourite author.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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  • Jes
  • 2023-02-10

A great ghost story

This was different than any book I have read in the mystery genre - I liked the ghost/haunting element. At times - especially near the end I felt like it could speed up a bit. But with that being said there were some things that never got addressed that I wish had. Overall I really enjoyed reading it and will be looking for more books by the author - a good sign.

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These were great well-written heroines

I love how the women were written and how the writer took me on a journey to discover depth of their characters.

there were a few things she didn't tie up in the end.

thanks for the awesome novel and production!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Completely Fell Apart

There was so much potential with this tale but it all fell apart about 3/4 of the way through, topped only by a truly nonsensical ending that left me disappointed and surprised. The ghosty part finally showed up about 1/4 of the way through and seemed an afterthought that was never resolved. So Beth hears her mother scratching at the bedroom door? Then what? Nothing. This is never even mentioned again. Many unanswered questions and, again, the ending just felt like the author said, "OK, I'm bored of this; let's just end it here. Bye."

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  • Bitten and Seven Are The Best Kitties In Heaven
  • 2022-03-18

I don’t understand all the positive reviews

Full disclosure: I couldn’t even finish this book.
So perhaps it is unfair to write a complete review.
What I can say, with absolute certainty is, I love the way that the book begins and I loved the premise or the set up.
It sounded like a book written just for me and I was sure to be enthralled.
For the first few chapters I enjoyed it.
I truly enjoyed the narration and things seemed to be moving alone nicely.
But the minute the other narrator begins, the supernatural aspects of this story seemed to be over the top, not even slightly subtle and so “in your face” and ridiculous that I couldn’t even finish listening to it.
I was expecting a beautifully written, creepy ghost story with true crime elements.
Unfortunately the supernatural elements were just not believable and even a little silly from the minute they start.
Thus, I couldn’t finish it.
This is third SSJ book that I’ve started with very high hopes only to be totally let down.
I won’t be making this mistake again.
I hate leaving negative reviews, I am certainly no writer, I am certainly not capable of doing what some of these exceedingly talented authors do so I always feel strange when my
comments are not positive.
Perhaps you will enjoy it.
I could not.
I did not…
Maybe in a few years I’ll actually try to read some of her stuff in the original hardcover or paperback format and maybe that will change my opinion.
But for now, just no…

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26 people found this helpful

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  • Copascribe
  • 2022-03-18

Disappointed

I'm a big Simone St. James fan (The Sun Down Motel and The Broken Girls were both 4.5 stars for me). But this story was predictable, repetitive, the main character was dull and so much was overexplained. The mystery is solved halfway through and then the story is dragged out until the end where it's just summarized for you by the main character. Not at all what I expect from this author. I do think I would've liked it better if I read the book vs listening to the over-acted and forceful narrator...but even still, it was just such a let down.

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  • Whick
  • 2022-04-12

very disappointed

reviews suggested I'd like this book. I kept expecting it would get better. It didn't.......

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5 people found this helpful

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  • LindsayLoo
  • 2022-04-07

Not the Sun Down Motel

I love this Author, but nothing compares to her Sun Down Motel work. That book was amazing and so I expected more hauntings and scare the crap out of me type stuff. This was not it. Hopefully her next work will live up to my expectations, because when she writes something well, she writes it so well!

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  • Kimberly A. Burleson
  • 2022-03-16

Soooo Goood

Another one of her great books such an awesome read couldn’t put it down. So many twist and turns cat keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Love the relationship between the two primary characters.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2022-04-02

Too long and not one likable character

I usually love Simone St James, but this book did not do it for me. I was uninterested from the start and the terrible protagonist just made the book worse. Definitely skip this one:

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  • Ann Rausch
  • 2022-03-17

Absolutely Awesome

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. So far, this is my favorite of all Ms. St. James' books but I look forward to many more to come.

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  • Hannah
  • 2023-05-25

Great as always!

The story/writing was excellent, as always from this author. Aside from that, I love the narrators for this books - I’ve listened to multiple books by them & it’s always well done.

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  • David Clark villagomez
  • 2023-05-21

Love it!

What a great story! If your in to true crime with that paranormal. This is your kind of book!

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  • Brandy
  • 2023-04-27

Another solid story by St. James

I’m definitely biased because I love everything I’ve read by Simone St. James.

I will say this wasn’t my favorite of her (that goes to The Sundown Motel I think) but it’s a solid story and while I guessed the ending fairly early on I was interested in the characters, relationships, and the how things would play out that it didn’t matter. Not quite as atmospheric as some of her other novels but fitting for this story.

The narration was phenomenal overall. Great performances with excellent pacing, nice variety of pitch, intonation, and intensity. Definitely kept me engaged even when I had a good idea of what was coming.

Definitely recommend.

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  • Cheerioh
  • 2022-07-03

sympa sans plus, personnages intéressants

la performance des lecteurs est parfaite. quant au récit, c'est un thriller très classique et malheureusement on comprend vite de quoi il retourne. à éviter pr les gens qui n'aiment pas qu'un élément fantastique soit associé à l'intrigue.

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