Fans of Michael Connelly and Steve Cavanagh’s courtroom dramas with plenty of twists and turns will love this first entry in the Cold Case Investigation series.

It’s an understatement to say Cold Case Detective Lauren Riley and defense attorney Frank Violanti don’t get along. While on opposite sides in the courtroom Frank’s called Lauren a sloppy cop he doesn’t trust. She considers him an obnoxious bully. Now Frank needs her help: he wants to hire her as a private investigator.

Frank’s eighteen-year-old godson, David, is accused of the rape and brutal murder of a local woman. Frank’s convinced David’s being set up and he needs Lauren’s help to prove it. Lauren doesn’t want to get involved in another jurisdiction’s homicide case, but things change when she learns the arresting officer is the one man Lauren hates more than Frank . . . her abusive former fiancé, Joe Wheeler.

After meeting David, Lauren’s determined to prove his innocence and stand up to Joe in one fell swoop.

* from Goodreads

Hott Review of A Cold Day in Hell:

Diving headfirst into A Cold Day in Hell, we find ourselves completely absorbed in Lauren’s world. She is a flawed protagonist, fully aware of her own shortcomings and errors. It’s excruciating to delve into her mind and heart, both of which are filled with pain and loneliness. Yet, she can be quite stubborn, unyielding in her fight for justice… except when she isn’t (and likely should).

A Cold Day in Hell is steeped in authenticity – genuine emotions, sincere regrets, tangible relationships, real-world situations and actual crimes. Perhaps that’s why it resonated so deeply with me. I could identify myself, my kids, my family and people I’ve met among these characters. Many of us could easily find ourselves in Lauren or David’s shoes – a terrifying prospect indeed. Imagine being accused of murder before you’ve even begun to experience life. As I got deeper into A Cold Day in Hell, I found myself pondering how many young men have found themselves in such circumstances. How many innocents have been apprehended for being at the wrong place or with the wrong crowd? How many were actually guilty? How many were set up? And how many ended up spending their remaining years confined within prison walls due to a flawed system or an unscrupulous individual?

A Cold Day in Hell was a whirlwind of a book for me. I couldn’t put it down yet it was emotionally taxing, so I wasn’t always sure if I wanted to pick it up. The mystery was a great one. It keeps you on your toes and provides intrigue into the series. It’s a must read, especially if you love books with substance and flawed characters.

More…

Author: Lissa Marie Redmond
Source: Purchased at a Book Conference
Publisher & Date: December 30, 2021 by Elmhurst Books LLC
Genre: Mystery, Crime
ISBN: 9781737939009 (ISBN10: 1737939002)
Pages: 374
Grade: B
Ages: 18+
Steam: Adult — There is sex related crime included, not detailed but still not appropriate for all readers.
Setting: Buffalo, NY
Series: Cold Case Investigation (#1)

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