The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James - July 2024

[Gem , Moderator & Admin]

Hello Fellow Crime, Mystery & Thriller readers,


Welcome to our discussion about The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James, your discussion leader is Sarah.
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about spoilers

Please note: If you have not finished reading the book spoilers are permitted in this discussion from the start. If you would like to use the spoiler formatting it can be found on the top right of the comment box in the "(some html is ok)" menu.
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Summary

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?

[Sarah Ann]

Hey, everyone!

I can’t wait to discuss this one. It’s crazy. I did not see most of this coming. What about you all?

I wish the book would have sectioned off by names. That would have helped. But to keep it more of a mystery and to keep the twists - I understand. :)

What was everyone’s favorite part of the book? And what would you rate it. I would give it 4/5 stars

[Sarah Ann]

To clarify - I mean as instead of chapter 1, 2, 3, etc. But with the name of the person. Sorry for not clarifying earlier. I reread what I wrote and noticed how it made no sense. 😂

[Ness]

This is such a great book 5/5 💛💛💛💛💛

[Kelly]

I was thinking that we were going to read Murder Road by same author. I will finish that one and join this discussion soon!

[Sarah Ann]

Right, Ness! It was so good! I’m glad you liked it! Yay!!!

I liked how one of the main characters was so confident with herself, and so smug - but then at the end - we learn why. 🧠🩸

And I loved murder road also. That one had sooo many twists and turns in still trying to unravel. 🤯😅

My favorite of his, so far is The Broken Girls.

[Kirsten]

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as The Broken Girls and The Sun Down Motel

[Sarah Ann]

Kirsten - I LOVED the broken girls, also! I hope I find more like that. ❤️

[Rosina]

I read this 2 years ago and gave it 5 stars....will find a copy to refresh my memory....

[Caroline | dogtailsandcrimetales]

This was an excellent read! I first read it a few years ago, and it comes to mind whenever there's a haunted mansion setting (most recently with 'The New Couple in 5B'). Simone St. James has become an auto-buy author for me!

[Sarah Ann]

Agreed! I have not gone wrong yet with any of her books! I’ll need to check out The Couple in 5B!

[Renee’s Reviews]

Just finished it! Im giving it 4/5 🤩very entertaining read

[Anna]

I loved 75 percent of this book but I wasn’t too satisfied with the ending. I read The Broken Girls and absolutely loved it. I am not against paranormal in thrillers when it is thoughtfully done. I felt like it was the perfect amount in The Broken Girls, creating a spooky atmosphere with a still somewhat realistic and intriguing twist! The ending of TBOCC got a little too crazy for me when Shea gets pulled off the cliff and suffers serious injuries from it in real life! Overall, I do love the atmosphere Simone St. James creates in her stories and there is more character development than you get in a lot of thrills! I definitely want to read The Sun Down Motel next.