-16% 🏆 Bestseller The Book of Cold Cases — Supernatural

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

🕯️ Supernatural −16%

The Book of Cold Cases

Name: The Book of Cold Cases
Price: 20.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780440000235

✍️ Simone St. James

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$20.00 ~~$24.00~~ Save $4.00 (16%)

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A dual-timeline mystery about a acquitted killer and a true crime blogger in Oregon.

The narrative follows Shea Collins, who runs a website dedicated to true crime stories. Her interest stems from a childhood trauma involving an attempted abduction. She meets Beth Greer, the woman accused of the 1977 Lady Killer Murders in Claire Lake, Oregon. Beth was acquitted despite being considered the perfect suspect for the murders of two men committed with one gun. Shea seeks clarity through an interview, but the interaction reveals hidden complexities. The story examines how past violence influences present relationships and professional pursuits.

Key Themes

Lady Killer Murders true crime website acquitted suspect

Literary Context

The story is set in Claire Lake, Oregon, spanning the years 1977 and 2017. It engages with the tradition of small-town mystery fiction and the modern genre of true crime media. The narrative reflects on how cold cases are revisited decades later through personal investigation rather than official police work.

Simone St. James

📚 all books by this author (13) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Tana French · Gillian Flynn · Shirley Jackson

🕯️

Supernatural

🏛 Berkley Books 📅 2023 📖 368 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780440000235

📝 Description: The Book of Cold Cases

This dual-timeline mystery follows Shea Collins as she investigates the 1977 Lady Killer Murders in Claire Lake. The story involves two men murdered with the same firearm, accompanied by strange notes. Beth Greer served as the primary suspect but was acquitted of the charges. Forty years later, Shea Collins operates a true crime website driven by her own history of surviving an attempted abduction in childhood. Shea encounters Beth and requests an interview regarding the past events. Beth agrees to speak with her, allowing Shea to observe the woman closely. As their connection deepens, Shea begins to notice unsettling details that contradict her initial impressions. The plot relies on the tension between the historical crimes of 1977 and the modern investigation conducted in 2017. This book suits readers interested in dual-timeline mysteries involving unsolved killings and psychological suspense. It may not appeal to those who prefer fast-paced action or clear resolutions without ambiguity. The narrative structure shifts between the original era of the crimes and the contemporary period where Shea seeks answers. James uses the specific details of the Claire Lake case to build atmosphere rather than relying on broad generalizations about crime fiction.

💎 Our verdict on The Book of Cold Cases

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Simone St. James constructs a tense atmosphere through the juxtaposition of 1977 crimes and modern investigation, focusing heavily on psychological nuance rather than procedural details. While effective for fans of character-driven suspense, this book may not appeal to readers who prefer clear resolutions or fast-paced action sequences. The narrative relies on ambiguity and the tension between historical facts and personal interpretation, which might frustrate those seeking definitive answers. It is a slow-burn experience that demands patience but rewards attentive readers with a complex exploration of truth and perception in the context of unsolved killings.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy intricate psychological suspense and the intersection of historical crime with contemporary investigation will find this title compelling. It appeals to those fascinated by the complexities of guilt, acquittal, and the lingering effects of childhood trauma on adult behavior. The book offers a deep dive into how past violence shapes present relationships, providing a nuanced look at character motivation rather than simple justice. Those who appreciate atmospheric storytelling that prioritizes emotional depth and ambiguity over fast-paced action will gain satisfaction from its layered narrative structure.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

Fans of atmospheric dual-timeline mysteries and psychological suspense will adore this slow-burn investigation. However, if you crave high-octane action sequences or neat, unambiguous conclusions, look elsewhere; this story thrives on ambiguity and haunting ambiguity rather than adrenaline.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

❓ Frequently asked questions

Not at all. The narrative is a slow-burn psychological study that prioritizes atmosphere, character development, and creeping dread over rapid plot progression or action-heavy set pieces.

While the central questions are answered, the ending embraces ambiguity. You will not find a clean, tidy resolution; instead, expect lingering unease and open-ended emotional fallout typical of this subgenre.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Simone St. James firmly anchors her narrative within the rich tradition of modern gothic suspense, bridging the gap between classic cold case tropes and contemporary true-crime obsession. By juxtaposing the isolated, fog-drenched paranoia of 1970s small-town America with the digital voyeurism of 2017, she revitalizes the genre. This work echoes the psychological depth found in foundational horror literature while addressing modern anxieties about media consumption and historical truth.