Review: The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James

Author: Simone St. James

Publisher: Berkeley

Publication Date: March 2022

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?

The Book of Cold Cases is a dual timeline thriller/ghost story that involves Shea.  She has a popular true crime blog and spends her nights investigating cold cases.  Claire was acquitted of murder in the 70s.  But, there was always a question of whether she really got away with murder or not. 

I ultimately enjoyed this one, I just didn't love it.  I will admit to not liking it as much as her last book, The Sun Down Hotel.  It was more mystery and less ghost story.  There is a paranormal element, but it was kind of underwhelming.  I was surprised as to who the ghost was, so that was a nice twist.  I was just hoping for more.  I feel like there was too much time spent in the past and not enough of Shea finding out what really happened.  It was told to us instead of her figuring it all out for herself.  I did like Shea's character.  Her trauma as a child really drove her life as a adult. She was the best part of the book.  I do recommend this one, it's just not my favorite of hers.