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New Orleans #2
Cold Blooded
His Vengeance Will Be Repeated... A woman's slashed, incinerated corpse is found in a seedy New Orleans apartment. Her killer is certain there were no witnesses, unaware that his every move was seen by a beautiful stranger--from her bed in a bayou cottage on the outskirts of town. . .
And Repeated...
Weeks later, another violent vision shatters Olivia Bechet's sleep. Convinced a serial killer is stalking the city, Olivia turns to the authorities. But jaded detective Rick Bentz doesn't believe her--even when a second body turns up, slain in exactly the same bizarre, ritualistic manner Olivia described. . .
And Repeated. . .
As New Orleans panics in the icy grip of a merciless killer, Olivia is frustrated by Bentz's skepticism--and captivated by her attraction to him. But soon her dreams are invaded by images of another murder. One that has yet to be committed. This time, Olivia recognizes not only the victim's face--but the murderer's. And both are closer than she ever imagined. . .
And Repeated...
Weeks later, another violent vision shatters Olivia Bechet's sleep. Convinced a serial killer is stalking the city, Olivia turns to the authorities. But jaded detective Rick Bentz doesn't believe her--even when a second body turns up, slain in exactly the same bizarre, ritualistic manner Olivia described. . .
And Repeated. . .
As New Orleans panics in the icy grip of a merciless killer, Olivia is frustrated by Bentz's skepticism--and captivated by her attraction to him. But soon her dreams are invaded by images of another murder. One that has yet to be committed. This time, Olivia recognizes not only the victim's face--but the murderer's. And both are closer than she ever imagined. . .
468 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
1844 people are currently reading
5527 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Jackson
271 books9,575 followersLisa Jackson is the number-one New York Times bestselling author of over ninety-five novels, including the Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya Series, the Pescoli and Alvarez Series, the Savannah series, and numerous stand alone novels. She also is the co-author of One Last Breath, Last Girl Standing, and the Colony Series, written with her sister and bestselling author Nancy Bush, as well as the collaborative novels Sinister and Ominous, written with Nancy Bush and Rosalind Noonan. There are over thirty million copies of her novels in print and her writing has been translated into twenty languages.
Before she became a nationally bestselling author, she was a mother struggling to keep food on the table by writing novels, hoping against hope that someone would pay her for them. Today, neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.
With dozens of bestsellers to her name, Lisa Jackson is a master of taking readers to the edge of sanity—and back—in novels that buzz with dangerous secrets and deadly passions. She continues to be fascinated by the minds and motives of both her killers and their pursuers—the personal, the professional, and the downright twisted. As she builds the puzzle of relationships, actions, clues, lies, and personal histories that haunt her protagonists, she must also confront the fear and terror faced by her victims and the harsh and enduring truth that, in the real world, terror and madness touch far too many lives and families.
Visit http://www.LisaJackson.com where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.
Before she became a nationally bestselling author, she was a mother struggling to keep food on the table by writing novels, hoping against hope that someone would pay her for them. Today, neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly national bestseller lists.
With dozens of bestsellers to her name, Lisa Jackson is a master of taking readers to the edge of sanity—and back—in novels that buzz with dangerous secrets and deadly passions. She continues to be fascinated by the minds and motives of both her killers and their pursuers—the personal, the professional, and the downright twisted. As she builds the puzzle of relationships, actions, clues, lies, and personal histories that haunt her protagonists, she must also confront the fear and terror faced by her victims and the harsh and enduring truth that, in the real world, terror and madness touch far too many lives and families.
Visit http://www.LisaJackson.com where you can find a Media Kit with photos and more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 467 reviews
May 11, 2021
Since her recent return to hometown New Orleans, Olivia Benchet has experienced horrible visions of young women being brutally treated. Her attempts to alert law enforcement were met with something far less than skepticism. But when her latest appeared to her more vividly in all its horror, Olivia desperately reaches out to the detective who solved the recent Rosary Killer murders. Detective Rick Bentz does listen to her but is highly skeptical…until the murder she described in intricate detail is discovered. It’s clear she’s either involved or has a true psychic connection.
This was a fascinating story because we’re given the knowledge that Olivia is having these visions. Figuring out why and the identity of the killer who refers to himself as The Chosen One was much more complicated. Rick was even more conflicted as his growing attraction to Olivia jeopardized his professionalism and objectivity. Considerable aspects of the story also explored his history, which was equally intriguing, especially when his daughter Kristi is inserted into the mix. Theirs is a typical father/daughter relationship with lots of added drama you’ll have to discover yourself.
I loved how the New Orleans setting was a major element of the plot, including its religious heritage, both the traditional and mysterious, along with creepy venues and unique architecture. The author did an excellent job in establishing a sense of place and making it a critical aspect of the plot without being overly so. The religious overtones are also central, adding even more complexities and anxiety to the gruesome murders. Rick and Olivia’s developing romance was very much secondary to the mystery and suspense, which really made the story work better. The climax is intensely exciting with a few surprises I hadn’t anticipated. I enjoyed this book, more than the first and am now invested in the series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
This was a fascinating story because we’re given the knowledge that Olivia is having these visions. Figuring out why and the identity of the killer who refers to himself as The Chosen One was much more complicated. Rick was even more conflicted as his growing attraction to Olivia jeopardized his professionalism and objectivity. Considerable aspects of the story also explored his history, which was equally intriguing, especially when his daughter Kristi is inserted into the mix. Theirs is a typical father/daughter relationship with lots of added drama you’ll have to discover yourself.
I loved how the New Orleans setting was a major element of the plot, including its religious heritage, both the traditional and mysterious, along with creepy venues and unique architecture. The author did an excellent job in establishing a sense of place and making it a critical aspect of the plot without being overly so. The religious overtones are also central, adding even more complexities and anxiety to the gruesome murders. Rick and Olivia’s developing romance was very much secondary to the mystery and suspense, which really made the story work better. The climax is intensely exciting with a few surprises I hadn’t anticipated. I enjoyed this book, more than the first and am now invested in the series.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
November 29, 2015
Lisa Jackson is brilliant at creating nail-biting and exciting suspenseful romantic thrillers with some really scary and evil villains and characters that just pull you in.
Cold Blooded is the 2nd book in the New Orleans Series, is the follow up to Hot Blooded ….my review on it http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54... and having read most of the series before, I have become quite attached to the characters which appear in each story.
Rick Bentz…I so really like this man…what he has gone through in his life would shatter anyone….losing his job with the LAPD when he killed a kid by mistake, his wife’s infidelity and mysterious death, discovering that he is not the biological father to his daughter but fathered by another man, who is very “close” to him, trying to find a new life in New Orleans whilst battling so many issues and angst, overcoming his drinking problem….but still he is not about to give up..well on women he is…trust issues abound.
Olivia Benchet is quite an interesting character. Talk about dysfunctional family….a grandmother who had the “sight”, which Olivia has inherited, a lush for a mother who just loves getting married and divorced, an ex-con father who has just come out of jail after serving a sentence for murder and who has now discovered he has been saved and found religion…could there be a more screwed up family!!!! How can anyone rise above all that…but indeed Olivia does. I really liked her…she has spunk, not afraid to take chances…wow loved the scene where she and Bentz get it together…pity he had to spoilt it all by his reaction to the situation he finds himself in…attracted to her but unable to break through his issues with women. Boy, did that wife of his do a number on him!!!!!
They first meet when Olivia gives a report to Bentz and his partner, Reuben Montoya (another great character…hope we get to discover more about this hot guy, with some really great stylish dressing issued!!!!) on the visions she has been having about a serial killer, who looks like a priest and who is killing women in staged settings of how female saints had died and who calls himself the Chosen.
They race against time to find the killer before he strikes again…and though I had a few characters in mind, I was kept guessing until almost the end of the book. And what a surprise that was finding out!!!!!!! Not once did I even think it was possible. The suspense just kept building up.
I was really not prepared to what happened to Father James, who is Bent’z half brother, his wife’s lover and his daughter’s real father. He was just an interesting character and I would have liked to have read more about him I just wished he had taken the plunge from the beginning and just maybe he would have found true happiness instead of wasting years questioning his belief as a priest.
Though this series is termed as romance suspense, I did want to see a bit more of the romance bit…..just not enough for me. The chemistry between Olivia and Bentz could have done with a bit more zing…..however, in the next book Lost Souls we meet up with them again and you find out what happens after their HEA in this story..see my review http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...
Story is set in steamy New Orleans (before Katrina), which I really liked and Olivia’s house just suited the mood of the story. Her dog…talk about a weird pooch!!!!!
A few twists in the epilogue..which we have to wait for the next book to discover the answers.
Great read.
my review on one of the other books in the series, Malice http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59...
Cold Blooded is the 2nd book in the New Orleans Series, is the follow up to Hot Blooded ….my review on it http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54... and having read most of the series before, I have become quite attached to the characters which appear in each story.
Rick Bentz…I so really like this man…what he has gone through in his life would shatter anyone….losing his job with the LAPD when he killed a kid by mistake, his wife’s infidelity and mysterious death, discovering that he is not the biological father to his daughter but fathered by another man, who is very “close” to him, trying to find a new life in New Orleans whilst battling so many issues and angst, overcoming his drinking problem….but still he is not about to give up..well on women he is…trust issues abound.
Olivia Benchet is quite an interesting character. Talk about dysfunctional family….a grandmother who had the “sight”, which Olivia has inherited, a lush for a mother who just loves getting married and divorced, an ex-con father who has just come out of jail after serving a sentence for murder and who has now discovered he has been saved and found religion…could there be a more screwed up family!!!! How can anyone rise above all that…but indeed Olivia does. I really liked her…she has spunk, not afraid to take chances…wow loved the scene where she and Bentz get it together…pity he had to spoilt it all by his reaction to the situation he finds himself in…attracted to her but unable to break through his issues with women. Boy, did that wife of his do a number on him!!!!!
They first meet when Olivia gives a report to Bentz and his partner, Reuben Montoya (another great character…hope we get to discover more about this hot guy, with some really great stylish dressing issued!!!!) on the visions she has been having about a serial killer, who looks like a priest and who is killing women in staged settings of how female saints had died and who calls himself the Chosen.
They race against time to find the killer before he strikes again…and though I had a few characters in mind, I was kept guessing until almost the end of the book. And what a surprise that was finding out!!!!!!! Not once did I even think it was possible. The suspense just kept building up.
I was really not prepared to what happened to Father James, who is Bent’z half brother, his wife’s lover and his daughter’s real father. He was just an interesting character and I would have liked to have read more about him I just wished he had taken the plunge from the beginning and just maybe he would have found true happiness instead of wasting years questioning his belief as a priest.
Though this series is termed as romance suspense, I did want to see a bit more of the romance bit…..just not enough for me. The chemistry between Olivia and Bentz could have done with a bit more zing…..however, in the next book Lost Souls we meet up with them again and you find out what happens after their HEA in this story..see my review http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...
Story is set in steamy New Orleans (before Katrina), which I really liked and Olivia’s house just suited the mood of the story. Her dog…talk about a weird pooch!!!!!
A few twists in the epilogue..which we have to wait for the next book to discover the answers.
Great read.
my review on one of the other books in the series, Malice http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59...
January 31, 2009
Okay so, I have an issue with the way Lisa Jackson ends her books. Or rather, doesn't end them. This is yet another example where she spends over 400 pages dragging you along to solve gruesome crimes, everything geared up for the climax...that NEVER comes. Perhaps that isn't accurate. You do get to know the "who done it," however, it is never completely finished.
All of that being said, I enjoyed it...up until the last 25 pages...when it dawned on me that she was once again, not going to end a book. It isn't even that the last 25 pages are bad, just not complete. Or maybe, just not as complete as I would prefer. I like my books to END. Nice, neat, clean wrap ups.
Still, this was a book that was hard to put down and enjoyable.
All of that being said, I enjoyed it...up until the last 25 pages...when it dawned on me that she was once again, not going to end a book. It isn't even that the last 25 pages are bad, just not complete. Or maybe, just not as complete as I would prefer. I like my books to END. Nice, neat, clean wrap ups.
Still, this was a book that was hard to put down and enjoyable.
May 14, 2021
Cold Blooded
4 Stars
A new serial killer is roaming the streets of New Orleans and detectives Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya receive a lead from the most unlikely of sources, Olivia Benchet, a woman who claims to have seen a murder in her dreams. Despite his skepticism, Bentz is ultimately convinced when a body is found fitting Olivia's description exactly. Is there a connection between Olivia and the killer?
Series note: The author's note at the end of the book indicates links between the New Orleans and Savannah series. For readers who prefer to read in order, the continuation is The Night Before.
An entertaining thriller with some surprising twists and turns.
Jackson's research is top-notch with interesting details on . It is clear that not much has changed in society when it comes to women being persecuted for rejecting male advances and attention. Moreover, the manner in which Jackson works the supernatural element into the story is compelling and makes the trope more believable in a fictional world that is not paranormal in nature. Although the plot moves along at a solid pace, there is one section just before the end that is overly drawn out, and the writing here could have been shorter and tighter.
Olivia and Rick's slow-burn romance is better than in the first book. Olivia is a particularly endearing character due to her feistiness and determination to get to the truth despite Bentz's doubts and suspicions. Rick is clearly conflicted in his feelings for Olivia, but his honesty, integrity and selflessness are evident throughout the book as details of his past are revealed. It will be interesting to see where Jackson takes this relationship in the future.
In terms of the secondary characters, I am still on the fence with regard to Bentz's partner, Montaya. He is often immature and makes too many sexist comments. Likewise, Bentz's daughter, Kristi, comes across as a spoilt brat and some of her actions make her unlikable. Both of them have their own books and will hopefully mature before their stories.
Overall, an enjoyable read, and I look forward to continuing with the series.
4 Stars
A new serial killer is roaming the streets of New Orleans and detectives Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya receive a lead from the most unlikely of sources, Olivia Benchet, a woman who claims to have seen a murder in her dreams. Despite his skepticism, Bentz is ultimately convinced when a body is found fitting Olivia's description exactly. Is there a connection between Olivia and the killer?
Series note: The author's note at the end of the book indicates links between the New Orleans and Savannah series. For readers who prefer to read in order, the continuation is The Night Before.
An entertaining thriller with some surprising twists and turns.
Jackson's research is top-notch with interesting details on . It is clear that not much has changed in society when it comes to women being persecuted for rejecting male advances and attention. Moreover, the manner in which Jackson works the supernatural element into the story is compelling and makes the trope more believable in a fictional world that is not paranormal in nature. Although the plot moves along at a solid pace, there is one section just before the end that is overly drawn out, and the writing here could have been shorter and tighter.
Olivia and Rick's slow-burn romance is better than in the first book. Olivia is a particularly endearing character due to her feistiness and determination to get to the truth despite Bentz's doubts and suspicions. Rick is clearly conflicted in his feelings for Olivia, but his honesty, integrity and selflessness are evident throughout the book as details of his past are revealed. It will be interesting to see where Jackson takes this relationship in the future.
In terms of the secondary characters, I am still on the fence with regard to Bentz's partner, Montaya. He is often immature and makes too many sexist comments. Likewise, Bentz's daughter, Kristi, comes across as a spoilt brat and some of her actions make her unlikable. Both of them have their own books and will hopefully mature before their stories.
Overall, an enjoyable read, and I look forward to continuing with the series.
May 15, 2021
Because Lisa Jackson unfolds the plot, layer by layer, it is difficult to do a recap without making the whole review a spoiler. So, I just won't address the plot beyond a few basic points. I will say that the whole book was one long, suspense mystery. You had no idea who the baddie was and you had plenty of characters who could have been the one. My big problem was that this is a whole lot more mystery/suspense that romance. About 80% suspense 20% romance.
Olivia is having visions of a priest who is murdering women. Rick Bentz is the New Orleans, LA police detective whom she contacts because he was involved with another serial killer case from Book 1 in the series Hot Blooded. Bentz and Montoya both blow her off until her visions prove to be dead on, so to speak. Bentz has some personal baggage from his first wife and Olivia has a family that defines dysfunction, but that doesn't stop the red hot lust that claims them both, against their better judgments.
Olivia is having visions of a priest who is murdering women. Rick Bentz is the New Orleans, LA police detective whom she contacts because he was involved with another serial killer case from Book 1 in the series Hot Blooded. Bentz and Montoya both blow her off until her visions prove to be dead on, so to speak. Bentz has some personal baggage from his first wife and Olivia has a family that defines dysfunction, but that doesn't stop the red hot lust that claims them both, against their better judgments.
May 8, 2021
When Olivia Benchet has a dream about a violent killer, she knows it is more than just a nightmare. Detectives Ruben Montoya and Rick Bentz don't believe her story of "visions" until their notes of the events outlined by Olivia exactly match the details of a decapitated woman found in a burned out house. Going on the assumption that Olivia seems to have some knowledge of the crime, Rick spends time with her and finds himself overwhelmingly attracted, even if he doesn't believe in her visions. It isn't long before Bentz and Montoya realize that they are dealing with a serial killer, and Bentz fears that the clues they have found so far will lead them back to his own family.
Cold Blooded is very well paced, doling out just enough clues and intertwining them with the personal lives of the characters to keep the reader engaged throughout. Although there is a romantic subplot in the book, it never feels out of place and does not detract from the mystery. The religious aspects of the story have been thoroughly researched and add interest to the book. Some of the smaller plot lines are a bit of a distraction and the ending feels a little rushed, but overall, Cold Blooded is a worthy addition to the Bentz and Montoya series and is a generally enjoyable read. 4 1/2 stars
Cold Blooded is very well paced, doling out just enough clues and intertwining them with the personal lives of the characters to keep the reader engaged throughout. Although there is a romantic subplot in the book, it never feels out of place and does not detract from the mystery. The religious aspects of the story have been thoroughly researched and add interest to the book. Some of the smaller plot lines are a bit of a distraction and the ending feels a little rushed, but overall, Cold Blooded is a worthy addition to the Bentz and Montoya series and is a generally enjoyable read. 4 1/2 stars
August 25, 2016
the beste ever
December 29, 2016
Let me say first that if you enjoyed this book, you are absolutely entitled to read and enjoy whatever you like and good for you, carry on. Now stop reading this review.
What the fuck did I just read?
I will admit that I don't read a lot of romance novels, since I have little patience for many of the common literary tropes in the genre. That said, I feel this was a poor representation.
Mainly: all y'all need therapy.
Seriously, is it too much to ask for a single example of a rational and functional human being? Like, one who, when told by their better sense "gee, this is a terrible idea, maybe I SHOULDN'T GO THROUGH WITH IT," actually LISTENS to it. No? Okay, fine, go ahead and have sex with this person you just met a few days ago and with whom you literally have had one conversation that did not include extreme distain and uncalled for offenses on both sides. See how that goes for ya.
Instead, this is a book of incredibly dysfunctional people who are pretty much guaranteed to make the worst possible choice and then get angry at other people when it turns out it was, yes, a bad idea. I honestly have no idea what the main characters see in each other; at least they deserve each other and save the rest of the world from their unhealthy attitudes towards sex and relationships.
Add to that a serial killer that gets kinda shunted off to 2nd and 3rd priority for much of the book. Though A+ on a DEEPLY disturbing killer POV. I feel kinda unclean after reading this book. Unfortunately, that goes for the other characters too. Some serious sexual repression as the theme of the book.
Again, all y'all need therapy.
I suppose what frustrated me most was that I think this could have been a lot better base on the premise. A psychic, witnessing murders in visions? Not new, but still cool. Instead, it felt more like the plot was shoved around the admittedly patchy brickwork of the romance.
So, if you feel like picking up a great, gripping romance of deep characters and steamy scenes, go read some J.D. Robb. If you want some snack-food reading, with a predictable love affair that you just ready for the easy going kicks... find something else too, actually. If you want to spend 400+ pages yelling at characters to grow the yell up or at least try to catch the friggin' killer - well, this here is your book.
My apologies to Ms. Jackson for the harshness of tone in this review, should you happen upon it. I congratulate you on your commercial success, and hope you had a great time making this book. That said...
Can you just try to include some characters with healthy attitudes to sex and relationships? Maybe one? Please?
What the fuck did I just read?
I will admit that I don't read a lot of romance novels, since I have little patience for many of the common literary tropes in the genre. That said, I feel this was a poor representation.
Mainly: all y'all need therapy.
Seriously, is it too much to ask for a single example of a rational and functional human being? Like, one who, when told by their better sense "gee, this is a terrible idea, maybe I SHOULDN'T GO THROUGH WITH IT," actually LISTENS to it. No? Okay, fine, go ahead and have sex with this person you just met a few days ago and with whom you literally have had one conversation that did not include extreme distain and uncalled for offenses on both sides. See how that goes for ya.
Instead, this is a book of incredibly dysfunctional people who are pretty much guaranteed to make the worst possible choice and then get angry at other people when it turns out it was, yes, a bad idea. I honestly have no idea what the main characters see in each other; at least they deserve each other and save the rest of the world from their unhealthy attitudes towards sex and relationships.
Add to that a serial killer that gets kinda shunted off to 2nd and 3rd priority for much of the book. Though A+ on a DEEPLY disturbing killer POV. I feel kinda unclean after reading this book. Unfortunately, that goes for the other characters too. Some serious sexual repression as the theme of the book.
Again, all y'all need therapy.
I suppose what frustrated me most was that I think this could have been a lot better base on the premise. A psychic, witnessing murders in visions? Not new, but still cool. Instead, it felt more like the plot was shoved around the admittedly patchy brickwork of the romance.
So, if you feel like picking up a great, gripping romance of deep characters and steamy scenes, go read some J.D. Robb. If you want some snack-food reading, with a predictable love affair that you just ready for the easy going kicks... find something else too, actually. If you want to spend 400+ pages yelling at characters to grow the yell up or at least try to catch the friggin' killer - well, this here is your book.
My apologies to Ms. Jackson for the harshness of tone in this review, should you happen upon it. I congratulate you on your commercial success, and hope you had a great time making this book. That said...
Can you just try to include some characters with healthy attitudes to sex and relationships? Maybe one? Please?
January 8, 2019
I liked this installment much more. I felt a deeper connection to the characters. In fact, since this author has no problem killing of characters, one of them this time touched me deeply. So points for that.
I didn’t pick out the killer. Another win.
However, after 3 books, one not in this series, I’ve come to the conclusion that this author has terrible habits.
I know going in her books I will find a redhead, a half sibling and crazy family tangles, naked victims, a predator who gets off (sexually) on killing (no rape or molestation), religious overtones as a factor in the killings, the phrase round rump will be used frequently, and someone close to the main character will die. Not to mention, infidelity will be in someone’s backstory and insta love is almost a surety. And a pet or two with non pet like names (more human).
Still, I will probably read more hoping against hope that the next book doesn’t use the same formula.
The narrator did a good job.
I didn’t pick out the killer. Another win.
However, after 3 books, one not in this series, I’ve come to the conclusion that this author has terrible habits.
I know going in her books I will find a redhead, a half sibling and crazy family tangles, naked victims, a predator who gets off (sexually) on killing (no rape or molestation), religious overtones as a factor in the killings, the phrase round rump will be used frequently, and someone close to the main character will die. Not to mention, infidelity will be in someone’s backstory and insta love is almost a surety. And a pet or two with non pet like names (more human).
Still, I will probably read more hoping against hope that the next book doesn’t use the same formula.
The narrator did a good job.
December 5, 2021
4.5
This is the second book in the detectives Bentz/Montoya series, working for New Orleans Police Department. In my opinion it was better than the first one.
Although there is a romantic subplot in the book, it never feels out of place and does not detract from the mystery. The religious aspects of the story have been thoroughly researched and add interest to the book. The story with the Saints, although creepy, it was really an interesting idea.
I learned more of Bentz's past and a little about Montoya.
There are similarities with the first book, but never mind, after so many books read, I realized long time ago that every author, literally every author, follows some formula. With Lisa Jackson that formula happens to be ''creepy serial killer with some ritualistic signature, a woman with some connection to the killer and dark secrets from the past that haunt them''. Something like Karen Rose. But, it works fine with me. When I start reading her books, I just can't stop.
Some of the smaller plot lines are a bit of a distraction and the ending feels a little rushed, but overall, ''Cold Blooded'' is a worthy addition to the Bentz and Montoya series and is a generally enjoyable read.
This is the second book in the detectives Bentz/Montoya series, working for New Orleans Police Department. In my opinion it was better than the first one.
Although there is a romantic subplot in the book, it never feels out of place and does not detract from the mystery. The religious aspects of the story have been thoroughly researched and add interest to the book. The story with the Saints, although creepy, it was really an interesting idea.
I learned more of Bentz's past and a little about Montoya.
There are similarities with the first book, but never mind, after so many books read, I realized long time ago that every author, literally every author, follows some formula. With Lisa Jackson that formula happens to be ''creepy serial killer with some ritualistic signature, a woman with some connection to the killer and dark secrets from the past that haunt them''. Something like Karen Rose. But, it works fine with me. When I start reading her books, I just can't stop.
Some of the smaller plot lines are a bit of a distraction and the ending feels a little rushed, but overall, ''Cold Blooded'' is a worthy addition to the Bentz and Montoya series and is a generally enjoyable read.
April 17, 2018
Must she repeat herself? This book was almost identical to the basic story line of her previous book, Hot Blooded. The characters have one thought the entire book that the author repeats, just as she constantly reminds you as to what is happening even though its only been a page since it occured. Its irritating and unimaginative. Its obvious she's trying to create emotional depth and passion between these characters but she fails completely. I was gifted these books and they'll be donated to my local thrift store. I'm done with her books. The only positive is that the basic "story" is good....serial murderer in New Orleans. I love New Orleans...but she doesnt even give you a great description of the exotic and balmy city. Meh.
September 12, 2015
The second book in her New Orleans series - liked it. It picks up where the first book "Hot Blooded" left off. A subtle hint here and there as to who the serial killer might be but nothing concrete, plus a couple of red herrings. The main characters are likeable guys - good cops, and both with baggage/issues.
This is a pretty good series, highly recommend it for those that like a good mystery, with a bit of woowoo and suspense!
2 thumbs up and 4.5 stars (and yes there is a TSTL or two)!
This is a pretty good series, highly recommend it for those that like a good mystery, with a bit of woowoo and suspense!
2 thumbs up and 4.5 stars (and yes there is a TSTL or two)!
August 14, 2021
I am so sad with this book. I read Hot Blooded, #1 in this series and loved it. This was nothing like that one. Not only was it long and drawn out, but how many times does one need to use the word macabre?? The characters were unlikeable, and we don’t need the same description of Montoya every time he’s in a scene. “Killer smile, leather jacket and diamond earring,” every. single. time.
February 29, 2024
This was one of my personal reads. I love all of the Lisa Jackson books I have read so far. This one puts Detectives Bentz and Montoya against another religious fanatic serial killer, this time its more gruesome than ever. This psycho dresses like a priest and abducts women so that he can replenish the female martyred saints for and to God. He murders them in the same fashion as the previous saints, that the new women now represent. But when the killer goes after Bentz's daughter and then abducts his girlfriend at the same time, it becomes very very personal to Bentz. Will they find the killer before it's too late? This book was very well written, had a great plot, and never had a dull moment. I highly recommend you read this book.
January 21, 2016
Olivia Benchet is dealing with the death of her cherished grandmother. Fortunately, she is able to keep her house and relive the wonderful memories they shared. Olivia's mother is not such a good provider or role model so her grandmother is about all she had. Her father is spending time in a federal penitentiary, and Olivia was not even told about him until she was grown. One of the special and unique aspects of Olivia's grandmother is that she was a "seer" and it appears she's handed this down the line to Olivia. On one particular evening, Olivia is shocked and disturbed by an experience, she feels like she's watching a murder first hand, it's not clear but she feels that she's seeing this through the murder's.
Freaked or what, she goes to the police department and explains to detectives Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya. Reuben thinks she's a beautiful woman, but a fruitcake and wants to dismiss her instantly. Rick is taken with Olivia personally but also by how obviously upset she is and the detail and descriptions in her vision is striking, hard to ignore. When the body is found, Bentz loses his doubt and contacts Olivia, including her in not only the investigation but maybe his life. It all gets very dark as Olivia's visions continue. It becomes apparent she is no longer alone, this doesn't seem to be a one-way communication, the killer is looking at her and as it happens, Bentz's daughter. The visions become more and more intense as everyone becomes a suspect, priests, instructors, detectives, hard to sort. Very dark but good storyline.
Freaked or what, she goes to the police department and explains to detectives Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya. Reuben thinks she's a beautiful woman, but a fruitcake and wants to dismiss her instantly. Rick is taken with Olivia personally but also by how obviously upset she is and the detail and descriptions in her vision is striking, hard to ignore. When the body is found, Bentz loses his doubt and contacts Olivia, including her in not only the investigation but maybe his life. It all gets very dark as Olivia's visions continue. It becomes apparent she is no longer alone, this doesn't seem to be a one-way communication, the killer is looking at her and as it happens, Bentz's daughter. The visions become more and more intense as everyone becomes a suspect, priests, instructors, detectives, hard to sort. Very dark but good storyline.
August 25, 2015
This is the second in the New Orleans series after Hot Blooded. Cold Blooded is suspenseful and the main romance in the story isn't quite as cheesy as Hot Blooded. But, like Hot Blooded, this book is an over the top melodrama with much of the same plot points as the previous book. Once again a twisted serial killer is loose in New Orleans, and once again the killer is driven by his own twisted/perverted/sick interpretation of Catholic faith. Worst of all, the murders are quite gruesome and perverted. The main plot point could have resulted in a great psychological thriller in the hands of the right author. But Jackson's over-the-top melodramatic writing style can't pull it off.
January 5, 2023
Read it cuz somehow got on my bookshelf. This is the kind of book my Mom and sisters love - a little bit mystery, sex and blood.
Decided to read cuz took place in New Orleans. The cops are stereotypical as is the character that has inherited some type of ESP from her "voodoo" grannie. The Catholic priests are also from central casting. And the familial connections within the book and their situations are hilariously hard-to-believe.
But .... if you like any of the elements above it can be a fun read. Can't say it has me looking to read another of her books. Now for my mother and sisters ....
Decided to read cuz took place in New Orleans. The cops are stereotypical as is the character that has inherited some type of ESP from her "voodoo" grannie. The Catholic priests are also from central casting. And the familial connections within the book and their situations are hilariously hard-to-believe.
But .... if you like any of the elements above it can be a fun read. Can't say it has me looking to read another of her books. Now for my mother and sisters ....
August 16, 2018
Rick Bentz is a New Orleans homicide detective with a younger partner, introduced in a previous book titled Hot Blooded. He has a college-age daughter who isn't really his, a hang-up about the fact that his ex-wife cheated on him with his half-brother (who happens to be a Catholic priest), and since he busted a killer priest in his previous case, a bit of a hang-up about the church. Plus, you know, trust issues. So imagine how he takes it when a beautiful woman barges into his office, claiming to have had a psychic dream about a priest horribly murdering a woman, and almost immediately a murder scene turns up mirroring every detail of her dream. Bentz doesn't know whether to gather Olivia Benchet into his protecting arms or to push her away.
Long story short, he ends up having to make up his mind really quick when the killer, who knows that Olivia sees everything he does, steps up his gruesome timetable and crafts a gruesome "martyrdom of the saints" scenario around her. And her best friend. And Bentz's daughter, just to be complete. Family secrets, eerie visions, psychosis with religious features, sex, murder, and struggles of conscience flock around Olivia, Bentz, his estranged brother, and even his partner, whose girlfriend's disappearance goes unsolved in spite of this mystery's highly wrought climax.
It was wrought so highly, in fact, that I thought it may have been a bit overdone. A red herring character, skillfully dragged across the killer's trail, is disposed of rather too glibly, while Father James' torment comes to a resolution that somehow, to me, seemed both too easy and over-indulgently drawn out at the same time. Also, I don't really get the romance between Bentz and Olivia. While I sympathize with the detective's past relationship troubles, I just don't buy the way such a strong, independent woman melts into his arms, and then keeps going back to him in spite of his repeated cruelty. Maybe the problem is I'm just not made to enjoy romance novels. But while the focus is on the killer's diabolical doings, the story is pretty gripping. The "whodunit" reveal is actually satisfying, which isn't a given in today's crime fiction. The horror scenes are horrific, the suspense scenes tingle, and the climax pulls all the story threads together in a tight grip. The only thing missing, in my opinion, is a stronger sense of local color, which should maybe be expected of a novel set in New Orleans.
This review is based on listening to the audiobook narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan. Following Hot Blooded (which I haven't read), this book is the second in the New Orleans-based Bentz/Montoya series of mystery thrillers, which is currently up to eight books. Jackson is also the author of two "Abandoned" novels, of which the second, titled Million Dollar Baby, bears no relation to the Clint Eastwood film by the same name; four "Maverick" western romance novels, a "historic trilogy" penned as Susan Lynn Crose, at least four "Love Letters" books (A Is for Always, etc.), three "Dark Jewels" novels, the "Forever Family" romance trilogy, five "McCaffertys" novels, three "San Francisco" thrillers, the "Medieval Trilogy," the "Savannah" trilogy, eight "Montana/To Die" thrillers, two "Wyoming" novels coauthored with Nancy Bush and Rosalind Noonan, and some 40 other novels. This was my first time reading anything by her, as far as I can recall. I'm personally more interested in the crime thriller side of her work than in the romance, but this book hits both angles.
Long story short, he ends up having to make up his mind really quick when the killer, who knows that Olivia sees everything he does, steps up his gruesome timetable and crafts a gruesome "martyrdom of the saints" scenario around her. And her best friend. And Bentz's daughter, just to be complete. Family secrets, eerie visions, psychosis with religious features, sex, murder, and struggles of conscience flock around Olivia, Bentz, his estranged brother, and even his partner, whose girlfriend's disappearance goes unsolved in spite of this mystery's highly wrought climax.
It was wrought so highly, in fact, that I thought it may have been a bit overdone. A red herring character, skillfully dragged across the killer's trail, is disposed of rather too glibly, while Father James' torment comes to a resolution that somehow, to me, seemed both too easy and over-indulgently drawn out at the same time. Also, I don't really get the romance between Bentz and Olivia. While I sympathize with the detective's past relationship troubles, I just don't buy the way such a strong, independent woman melts into his arms, and then keeps going back to him in spite of his repeated cruelty. Maybe the problem is I'm just not made to enjoy romance novels. But while the focus is on the killer's diabolical doings, the story is pretty gripping. The "whodunit" reveal is actually satisfying, which isn't a given in today's crime fiction. The horror scenes are horrific, the suspense scenes tingle, and the climax pulls all the story threads together in a tight grip. The only thing missing, in my opinion, is a stronger sense of local color, which should maybe be expected of a novel set in New Orleans.
This review is based on listening to the audiobook narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan. Following Hot Blooded (which I haven't read), this book is the second in the New Orleans-based Bentz/Montoya series of mystery thrillers, which is currently up to eight books. Jackson is also the author of two "Abandoned" novels, of which the second, titled Million Dollar Baby, bears no relation to the Clint Eastwood film by the same name; four "Maverick" western romance novels, a "historic trilogy" penned as Susan Lynn Crose, at least four "Love Letters" books (A Is for Always, etc.), three "Dark Jewels" novels, the "Forever Family" romance trilogy, five "McCaffertys" novels, three "San Francisco" thrillers, the "Medieval Trilogy," the "Savannah" trilogy, eight "Montana/To Die" thrillers, two "Wyoming" novels coauthored with Nancy Bush and Rosalind Noonan, and some 40 other novels. This was my first time reading anything by her, as far as I can recall. I'm personally more interested in the crime thriller side of her work than in the romance, but this book hits both angles.
January 2, 2021
My first read of 2021! If all my books this year are as good, I will have a stellar year.
A seriously messed up killer, a drop dead gorgeous priest, a detective with family issues and a beautiful woman with visions of murders! Oh, and a cranky college student, and a scraggly little mutt named Hairy S and a loud parrot named Chia. What more can a girl ask to start off the new year?
Olivia Bechet returns to New Orleans to take care of her ailing grandmother. The grandmother that raised her and when her grandmother dies, Olivia stays. When she begins to see visions/dreams of murdered women she contacts the police and is blown off. However, shortly she begins to see the murder take place and eventually the hunt for the next victim in her visions. She finally convinces Detective Rick Bentz to look into what she is seeing and he does although not a believer of her abilities, at first.
Drama, more murders, craziness, mistrust and so much more make this book a roller coaster ride! It grabbed my attention from the beginning and held my attention. This is the second book in the series and I definitely plan to read number three.
A seriously messed up killer, a drop dead gorgeous priest, a detective with family issues and a beautiful woman with visions of murders! Oh, and a cranky college student, and a scraggly little mutt named Hairy S and a loud parrot named Chia. What more can a girl ask to start off the new year?
Olivia Bechet returns to New Orleans to take care of her ailing grandmother. The grandmother that raised her and when her grandmother dies, Olivia stays. When she begins to see visions/dreams of murdered women she contacts the police and is blown off. However, shortly she begins to see the murder take place and eventually the hunt for the next victim in her visions. She finally convinces Detective Rick Bentz to look into what she is seeing and he does although not a believer of her abilities, at first.
Drama, more murders, craziness, mistrust and so much more make this book a roller coaster ride! It grabbed my attention from the beginning and held my attention. This is the second book in the series and I definitely plan to read number three.
May 14, 2021
I liked this - it is the continuation of the series that began in Hot Blooded with the same detectives, only now we see more of their lives as they are wrapped up in some gruesome investigations that appear related to the previous events. There are loads of family secrets in this - Rick Bentz has some, but so does the female lead, Olivia Benchet. They keep popping up when you least expect it. The author disguised the true killer almost to the very end - it was cleverly done. This is not a novel for the squeamish - the killer is dark and depraved and the descriptions of the torture are graphic and quite literally medieval. The suspense in the last 50 or so pages will keep you on the edge of your seat. But I still don't feel as invested in this as I did with some of the other series I've read for this group...but I like it enough to stick around for more.
July 4, 2024
This rating is not about the writing. Whenever I picked it up to read I was immersed out of the desire to read about the inevitable retribution that would come. It kept me going purely on the level of revenge. To me the crimes were so atrocious, horrific and beyond disturbing that I almost stopped reading it a couple of times. So while the understory and characters were interesting, the morbid far outweighed the redeeming part of the book in my opinion. The bottom line for me was that it conjured up hate in me. Since it was able to create such intense emotion, I’d say the writing itself is really good. However, there’s enough sickness in our current reality to deal with. I don’t want my valued reading time to push fear and anger. I suppose I would put this book in the horror genre and I don’t do horror anymore. As a teenager I did, but I’m well past that fascination.
October 13, 2025
This book was a great addition to the first in the series. I thought some parts of the plot were a bit cliche/similar to the first, but I was impressed with the creativity of the killer’s MO, fueled by its religious undertones. This book had a lot more character development of the main detective in the series, which I really enjoyed.
May 13, 2021
3.5 stars
June 7, 2021
There are a lot of similarities in this book as the first one but the murderer actually had trained the man who they called the rosary murders. I liked this book a lot. The main characters the detective Bentz and Olivia. Also Bentz’s daughter had a smaller role but she also was a good character. It kept me guessing till the end and there are many unusual things that happens throughout the book along with the murders.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2024
Great read
June 29, 2017
Good supernatural mystery story, maybe too many coincidences.
December 19, 2023
plenty of murders and suspense. parts of the romantic through-lines peppered throughout the story rang a bit false or forced, but on the whole, a solid murder mystery/detective thriller.
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