The Book of Cold Cases - Simone St. James

[Ginger]

Hey all!

Latasha and I will be reading this new book by Simone St. James. We'll be starting it at the beginning of next week.

Please come join us!

[Kandice]

I somehow missed this book, but if I can get it from the library I will definitely join you!

[Ginger]

Kandice wrote: "I somehow missed this book, but if I can get it from the library I will definitely join you!"

I hope you can get it this week Kandice.

I got it from the library myself this week so I'll be starting it this weekend. I have only 20 days to read it now and the library doesn't mess around. hahaha!

[Latasha]

I got it from the library too. Thanks for setting this up Ginger! I’m going into this completely blind. All I know is what’s on the cover.

[Ginger]

Latasha wrote: "I got it from the library too. Thanks for setting this up Ginger! I’m going into this completely blind. All I know is what’s on the cover."

No problem! I have no idea what the plot is about too. I've read some other books by her and did like them. Hoping this new one is good too.

[Latasha]

Yes! I’ve liked everything I’ve read by her so far.

[Kandice]

I just checked and it's available, so I will definitely join. I read The Sun Down Motel and really enjoyed it.

[Ginger]

Kandice wrote: "I just checked and it's available, so I will definitely join. I read The Sun Down Motel and really enjoyed it."

Great Kandice! Glad you were able to get it.

[WendyB]

I'll join in. :)
I just got a copy of this book and I may have one of my current books finished by then.

[Ginger]

WendyB wrote: "I'll join in. :)
I just got a copy of this book and I may have one of my current books finished by then."

Great Wendy and glad you can join!

[Anja]

Hey, I'm in for it too :D

[Ginger]

Anja wrote: "Hey, I'm in for it too :D"

Yay Anja! Glad you can join.

[Latasha]

🥳🥳woot! Glad y’all could join us!

[Anja]

I started a couple of days ago, but as I was still reading another too, I'll wait until next week continuing. only about 20 pages in

[Ginger]

I’m going to finally start this tonight after dinner. Hope it’s good!

[Latasha]

Started this today. So far so good.

[Latasha]

The interview with Beth-
Imagine the gif of Whoopi’s saying Your in danger girl and
Elle Woods first court case and the in the shower debate.

Our MC is acting the way I would with a cult leader. I’m not much on true crime but I love a good cult story. I’m not to silly to think I wouldn’t fall for them either. I’d probably be hooked within 5 minutes!

[WendyB]

At only page 36 but I'm liking this already.
It has a nice creepy beginning.

[Ginger]

Got to the beginning of chapter 12 tonight. I’m really liking this one!

The (view spoiler)[house that Beth lives in is crazy. Not only is it a time machine but there’s some seriously spooky shit going on.
The blood coming out of the faucet along with Shea turning around in the kitchen and seeing all the cabinets open would freak me out. 🤣😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Latasha]

Ginger wrote: "Got to the beginning of chapter 12 tonight. I’m really liking this one!

The house that Beth lives in is crazy. Not only is it a time machine but there’s some seriously spooky shit going on.
The bl..."

Yeah I can’t wait to find out what’s going on with that!

[Thomas]

This book was my least favorite out of the Simone St James canon. I was hoping for an active serial killer set in the 1970s, more atmosphere and scares. I found the supernatural aspect underwhelming. The story is more family drama than a thriller. If you like the former, you will find a lot to like here.

[Anja]

I'm continuing from today with the book :)
I have high hopes as I was just now terrible disappointed to the degree of frustration about Alex Finley's Night Shift, so Simone need to give me some good stuff now lol

[Latasha]

I’m not listening today. I don’t want to get too far ahead of everyone.

[Ginger]

Thomas wrote: "This book was my least favorite out of the Simone St James canon. I was hoping for an active serial killer set in the 1970s, more atmosphere and scares. I found the supernatural aspect underwhelmin..."

Thomas, too bad this was one of your less favorites by her. I can understand going into something and wanting a different type of vibe.
I enjoy both types of plots so it will be interesting to see how it works for me.

[Ginger]

Anja wrote: "I have high hopes as I was just now terrible disappointed to the degree of frustration about Alex Finley's Night Shift,..."

Oh no! I added that one awhile back to check out. Sorry that one didn't work for you Anja and hope this one does. :D

[Anja]

so far I like this one. Not as eerie feel (yet) as Sun Down, but it still have the same Simone St. James warm feeling.

the Night Shift, I honestly don't understand the tons of high praise reviews, but each to each own :D

[Thomas]

Ginger wrote: "Thomas wrote: "This book was my least favorite out of the Simone St James canon. I was hoping for an active serial killer set in the 1970s, more atmosphere and scares. I found the supernatural aspe..."

I like that books are subjective, and we all react differently to them.

[WendyB]

I'm on Chap 13. Really liking this so far, maybe because I'm familiar with the 1970s. I graduated high school in '79 and the descriptions of things from those years sounds right.

[Anja]

I'm around 30% in, and also really like it

[Latasha]

My sister lives home decor from the 50’s, I love stuff from the 60’s. If we could get into Beth’s house, we’d be in heaven.

[WendyB]

Latasha wrote: "My sister lives home decor from the 50’s, I love stuff from the 60’s. If we could get into Beth’s house, we’d be in heaven."

...but all the weird stuff going on there?

[Latasha]

Yeah, we’ll freak out a minute then get over it

[Latasha]

I’m into part 2. I guessed the twist right after part 1.

[Anja]

well...from where I'm in the story right now, I think I'll pass the visit to Beth's house lol

[Latasha]

Mom is a sensitive. We all heard and saw stuff in the house we grew up in. It was scary as first but then u got use to it. It always sounded like someone was walking in the kitchen. I think stuff follows Mom. I got snowed in her house a couple Christmas’ ago and I heard women talking but it sounded like they were outside or in another room. You couldn’t make out what they were saying. I told Mom and she’s like yeah, I hear them all the time. And that was that 🤣

[Latasha]

I finished today. I liked it but not as much as her previous stuff but I keep getting her & Jennifer McMahon confused.

[Kimberly]

I just got this book--may not start until Friday, but is it okay if I jump into the chat then?

[Latasha]

Absolutely!

[Ginger]

Kimberly wrote: "I just got this book--may not start until Friday, but is it okay if I jump into the chat then?"

Heck yeah! I'm only 30% in so jump on in. :D

[Kimberly]

Can't wait--finishing one (of my 3 or 4--LOL) up now.

[Anja]

I finished today, and I really liked it. As Latasha I liked Sun Down Motel, which is the only of her books I've read prior.
But I was fully engaged all the way.
is it weird I like Beth's Character much more than Shea? lol

[Latasha]

Anja wrote: "I finished today, and I really liked it. As Latasha I liked Sun Down Motel, which is the only of her books I've read prior.
But I was fully engaged all the way.
is it weird I like Beth's Character..."

Not at all!

[Ginger]

@Latasha & @Anja, glad to see you both liked this one and it worked for you! Even if the book isn't as strong as one of her other books, she's a great writer and I find myself immersed into the story.

I'm hoping to get back to it tonight after work.

[Latasha]

I agree, she’s a great writer and a hellva storyteller.

[WendyB]

I'm liking this book by the author better than any other I've read by her.
I've finished the first part and think I have some idea of what is happening. Can't wait to read more and see if my thoughts are correct.

[WendyB]

Just finished. I really liked this one. It was a fast read and didn't get bogged down with unnecessary details. I especially liked Shea as she (view spoiler)[ grew as the story progressed. She had something terrible happen to her and it affected her life but she didn't completely collapse and wring her hands and cry constantly. She had her foibles but realized she had to do something about them and change (hide spoiler)]

[Justin]

Is the book as good as the title implies? I love a good cold case

[Anja]

Justin, I gave the story 4* narration 5* as I listened to the audiobook. I really liked the story, but now as your question is if it's as good as the title implies, I will say it like this; I had expected a different take on the cold case theme. But this is probably mostly because I almost never read the whole synopsis because I want to know as little about a story as possible, when start reading.
You can read my review of it, if you want to know more, but want to avoid spoilers, as I don't write reviews with spoilers (also I don't write reviews with abstracts ;) )

[Ginger]

I finished this one last night. I did end up liking this one and agree with most of the comments. It felt like it was more of a (view spoiler)[family thriller with a sprinkle of paranormal thrown into the mix.

I liked how Beth ended up taking out Lily in the end.
Damn, that ashtray must have been thick as shit to not crack. They don't make 'em like that anymore. hahaha!!

And Shea grew on me. I really liked her character by the end and all the steps she took to take her life back. (hide spoiler)]

There wasn't any shocking plot twists in this for me but I still enjoyed the hell out of it if that makes sense. It was good writing and I was never bored when I picked it up. I really like Simone St. James writing.

[Justin]

Anja wrote: "Justin, I gave the story 4* narration 5* as I listened to the audiobook. I really liked the story, but now as your question is if it's as good as the title implies, I will say it like this; I had e..."

Thanks for your response Anja and I don't like spoilers either! :)