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Lou Mason Mystery #3
Cold Truth
When a troubled young woman turns herself in for murder, Lou Mason takes the case – yet something about her story doesn’t add up. To catch a killer, Lou dives into a sordid world of money, drugs and a devastating black market where the price for the truth is paid in blood. A riveting, page-turning romp in the tradition of James Patterson!
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2004
340 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Joel Goldman
34 books280 followersJoel Goldman is the Edgar and Shamus nominated author of four thriller series.
His first series features Lou Mason, a trial lawyer willing to dive into the dark water to save his clients.
Joel's second series introduces former FBI Special Agent Jack Davis who has a movement disorder that makes him shake when he should shoot.Joel has a unique perspective on Jack's condition since he lives with the same disorder.
Alex Stone headlines Joel's third series. She's a public defender who applies her own code of justice when the system gets it wrong.
Joel's fourth series goes international with Cassie Ireland and Jake Carter. She's a modern day Robin Hood and he's a professional poker player. They join forces to bring down the rich and powerful.
Joel lives with his wife and two dogs in Leawood, KS, a suburb of Kansas City, MO.
Series:
* Lou Mason Mystery
* Jack Davis Mystery
* Alex Stone Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 8, 2016
I abandoned this book after the first chapter as there must have been at least a dozen characters introduced in the first few pages and I kept getting lost. I started to write down the names to try to build a character map, but decided to just move onto the next book on my reading list.
November 17, 2017
It was purely coincidental that Kansas City’s Channel 6 news reporter, Sherri Thomas, witnessed a local psychiatrist and author of “The Way You Do The Things You Do” Dr. Gina Davenport’s death. The same could be said about her cameraman Ted Phillips’ film-footage that recorded Dr. Gina’s last seconds of life as she plunged to her death through her eighth-floor office window on to the empty downtown street.
Criminal defense attorney Lou Mason is hired by Arthur and Carol Hackett to defend their daughter, Jordan. Jordan, a twenty-one-year-old woman with too many problems, is being treated at Sanctuary, an upper-class mental and behavioral institute. The list of characters grows disproportionately and the mysteries follow suit. Romance enters the tale when a public relations consultant, Abby Lieberman enters the fray, making Mason’s job both more difficult and interesting. The storyline maneuvers the reader through a quagmire of murder and intrigue. It diverges in many directions but eventually collects again, leaving no unanswered questions.
I found that I could forgive Mason for driving a British Triumph TR-6 because of his dedication to defending his clients. Lou Mason is nothing like Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason, but the world has undergone many changes over the last seventy years since he graced a courtroom. His courtroom antics, demeanor, and success rivals anything John Grisham has ever put to paper. The story keeps you guessing both who did it and when the mysteries and character lineup would it end. This book serves, to me, as an introduction to Joel Goldman and his Lou Mason series. It has proven to be a stellar preamble and I won’t hesitate to read more.
Criminal defense attorney Lou Mason is hired by Arthur and Carol Hackett to defend their daughter, Jordan. Jordan, a twenty-one-year-old woman with too many problems, is being treated at Sanctuary, an upper-class mental and behavioral institute. The list of characters grows disproportionately and the mysteries follow suit. Romance enters the tale when a public relations consultant, Abby Lieberman enters the fray, making Mason’s job both more difficult and interesting. The storyline maneuvers the reader through a quagmire of murder and intrigue. It diverges in many directions but eventually collects again, leaving no unanswered questions.
I found that I could forgive Mason for driving a British Triumph TR-6 because of his dedication to defending his clients. Lou Mason is nothing like Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason, but the world has undergone many changes over the last seventy years since he graced a courtroom. His courtroom antics, demeanor, and success rivals anything John Grisham has ever put to paper. The story keeps you guessing both who did it and when the mysteries and character lineup would it end. This book serves, to me, as an introduction to Joel Goldman and his Lou Mason series. It has proven to be a stellar preamble and I won’t hesitate to read more.
October 17, 2017
Three Winners in a Row: Goldman Writes the Best Legal Thrillers
This is the third volume in Joel Goldman's "Lou Mason" series, and it is a great legal thriller. Although each individual book so far has been a wonderful read, each story is one of a kind. As a writer, Goldman has avoided the danger of following a single pattern. Each book is as individual as the case brought to his protagonist, Lou Mason.
The protagonist is changing and developing as a result of each case, and certainly is developing a dark side, or more accurately, a weakness for the dark side. Exposed to continual violence and constant threats to those he cares for, Lou Mason adapts to each challenge, not always willingly. Will Lou become a hero or an anti-hero? At this point, it could go either way. In this story, Lou has been given a chance to change his past bad luck with women, but the decision (for better or worse) is only made in the last few pages.
As I began, this is the third "Lou Mason" story that I have read. The second kept me up until 2:30 last night, and left me sleepy, but enthused by the story.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS BOTH AN INDIVIDUAL BOOK AND AS A SERIES!!
This is the third volume in Joel Goldman's "Lou Mason" series, and it is a great legal thriller. Although each individual book so far has been a wonderful read, each story is one of a kind. As a writer, Goldman has avoided the danger of following a single pattern. Each book is as individual as the case brought to his protagonist, Lou Mason.
The protagonist is changing and developing as a result of each case, and certainly is developing a dark side, or more accurately, a weakness for the dark side. Exposed to continual violence and constant threats to those he cares for, Lou Mason adapts to each challenge, not always willingly. Will Lou become a hero or an anti-hero? At this point, it could go either way. In this story, Lou has been given a chance to change his past bad luck with women, but the decision (for better or worse) is only made in the last few pages.
As I began, this is the third "Lou Mason" story that I have read. The second kept me up until 2:30 last night, and left me sleepy, but enthused by the story.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS BOTH AN INDIVIDUAL BOOK AND AS A SERIES!!
October 9, 2017
Exciting book
This crime novel is filled with enough twists and turns to confuse Houdini. Lou has his hands full just trying to stay alive much less defending his client. Exciting book action packed cover to cover, thanks.
This crime novel is filled with enough twists and turns to confuse Houdini. Lou has his hands full just trying to stay alive much less defending his client. Exciting book action packed cover to cover, thanks.
April 29, 2019
I couldn't put it down!
Another brilliantly written tale about Lou and his band of merry men. This is the third I have read a d they have all been as engrossing. Keep up the good writing, Joel.
Another brilliantly written tale about Lou and his band of merry men. This is the third I have read a d they have all been as engrossing. Keep up the good writing, Joel.
August 20, 2020
It was good
Lou Mason is a good character. He's a likeable smart alec. The stories can get pretty confusing. Perhaps too many plot twits or characters. I have finished them all which says a lot. I don't stick with poorly written or silly books.
Lou Mason is a good character. He's a likeable smart alec. The stories can get pretty confusing. Perhaps too many plot twits or characters. I have finished them all which says a lot. I don't stick with poorly written or silly books.
September 27, 2021
Not a bad book. When the talk of selling babies came up I was like whoa ok. I thought it was gonna be one of the parents that killed Gina. I defiantly thought that Jordan killed her brother, wasn’t that sorry to see him go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2022
I had kinda forgotten about this series and decided to pick it up again. Goldman is a great writer and the universe he's created in Kansas City is enjoyable. I really like Lou and his circle of friends and he's sarcastic, just the way I like defense attorneys.
May 14, 2017
Exciting
This book is exciting. Mason does not disappoint. He and Amy will make a beautiful life together, and Jordan will survive.
This book is exciting. Mason does not disappoint. He and Amy will make a beautiful life together, and Jordan will survive.
November 11, 2017
Good read. Little confusing keeping up with all the characters.
June 26, 2017
Lou
The adventures of Lou Mason continue. An enjoyable tale with a lot of twists and turns. The characters are interesting from Lou's point of view. Enjoy!
The adventures of Lou Mason continue. An enjoyable tale with a lot of twists and turns. The characters are interesting from Lou's point of view. Enjoy!
June 27, 2017
Lots of twists and turns in the plots
This was a little bit too convoluted in the plots I'd did enjoy not as much as the first 2 books.
This was a little bit too convoluted in the plots I'd did enjoy not as much as the first 2 books.
November 2, 2017
Another good one
I've read three in a row, but will probably take a break before reading the next two. Love this series.
I've read three in a row, but will probably take a break before reading the next two. Love this series.
February 3, 2018
I love Lou Mason and his smart sense of humor.
February 23, 2018
Awesome book. Lou is awesome. I would want him my attorney. The story was a big puzzle that was difficult to solve. All the way till the end I was still guessing.
July 13, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. My daughter recommend this book and I agree with her, it was a good read. It kept me guessing all the way.
Read
July 29, 2019Another thriller by Goldman
Had some headlines in this book and another matter of who done it. I have enjoyed this series and hope to read the rest.
Had some headlines in this book and another matter of who done it. I have enjoyed this series and hope to read the rest.
December 27, 2019
Phewww
What a ride. Lots of thrills and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I don't think Lou's body can take another beating but it's all good
What a ride. Lots of thrills and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I don't think Lou's body can take another beating but it's all good
January 22, 2020
I love this author
If you like legal thrillers, the Lou Mason's series is for you! Very well written, and super captivating. Highly recommended!
If you like legal thrillers, the Lou Mason's series is for you! Very well written, and super captivating. Highly recommended!
July 17, 2020
Slick and satisfyingly complicated.
April 8, 2022
Good read. Lots of characters to keep up with. The ending got garbled with too many scenarios. Somewhat predictable. Lots of action, thrill, and mystery. Easy to read. Enjoyed the protagonist's quick wit and humor. Recommend.
June 28, 2022
Good, not great, installment. I love Lou and his work ethic!
July 9, 2013
Joel Goldman has written fourteen novels, with Cold Truth being third in the Lou Mason series. I came late to Goldman’s party, not a crasher, but invited when I listened to Joel interviewed by fellow crime-mystery writer, Paul Levine. My interest in the interview was to learn how Goldman became one of Amazon’s bestselling authors. Goldman’s responses to Levine’s questions intensified my writer’s curiosity about this highly successful author. So I bought Cold Truth to find out.
Lou Mason is hired to represent twenty-one year old Jordan by her adopted parents, Arthur and Carol Hackett. Jordan is the only person suspected by police when her psychotherapist dies when thrown out of her eighth floor office window. Will this be a typical courtroom drama? Not on your Martindale-Hubbell. Goldman’s trial lawyer mind complicates the case by introducing several other characters (too many characters to keep track of, in my view) with competing motives and more complex plot twist. But Goldman makes it all work to the delight of the reader.
The prose are joyfully absent of lawyerly legalese. Unlike another lawyer-turned-author, Goldman writes for his audience, like me, not legal eagles. The pace and rhythm of Goldman’s writing benefits from his choice of phrases. My only other criticism for this well done work is Goldman’s portrayal of Lou Mason’s love interest, Abby Lieberman. Mason falls deeply in love - way to quickly - without bringing the reader into the romance. It left this reader flat. I wondered if Abby would turn out to be the real killer. I understand that Cold Truth is a murder mystery, not a romance novel, but the love affair between Mason and Lieberman is a motivating factor in several scenes central to the story. I just did not buy Mason’s dissipated devotion to the aloof Abby.
My criticism obviously was not shared by the many readers who enjoyed Cold Truth, as did I. This evidence is represented by the many five-star and four-star rating reviews. A brilliant story, extremely well told and paced to entertain and enthrall the reader, I happily share my five-star rating in this review of a great read from a talented writer.
Lou Mason is hired to represent twenty-one year old Jordan by her adopted parents, Arthur and Carol Hackett. Jordan is the only person suspected by police when her psychotherapist dies when thrown out of her eighth floor office window. Will this be a typical courtroom drama? Not on your Martindale-Hubbell. Goldman’s trial lawyer mind complicates the case by introducing several other characters (too many characters to keep track of, in my view) with competing motives and more complex plot twist. But Goldman makes it all work to the delight of the reader.
The prose are joyfully absent of lawyerly legalese. Unlike another lawyer-turned-author, Goldman writes for his audience, like me, not legal eagles. The pace and rhythm of Goldman’s writing benefits from his choice of phrases. My only other criticism for this well done work is Goldman’s portrayal of Lou Mason’s love interest, Abby Lieberman. Mason falls deeply in love - way to quickly - without bringing the reader into the romance. It left this reader flat. I wondered if Abby would turn out to be the real killer. I understand that Cold Truth is a murder mystery, not a romance novel, but the love affair between Mason and Lieberman is a motivating factor in several scenes central to the story. I just did not buy Mason’s dissipated devotion to the aloof Abby.
My criticism obviously was not shared by the many readers who enjoyed Cold Truth, as did I. This evidence is represented by the many five-star and four-star rating reviews. A brilliant story, extremely well told and paced to entertain and enthrall the reader, I happily share my five-star rating in this review of a great read from a talented writer.
December 15, 2016
Kansas City attorney Lou Mason again goes where dark trouble stalks.
Lou Mason is a nosy criminal attorney with his solo practice in Kansas City. He doesn’t particularly like many of the cases that sidle through his front door, but he takes them anyway. In this, author Joel Goldman’s third crime novel, he takes a case to defend a mentally unstable young woman who, to say the least, has serious anger issues.
Did she murder her shrink by tossing her through an eighth floor window of plate glass? Or is she protecting someone? If so who? As Mason quickly learns there are several choices. What’s more, it soon appears he may be the target of one or more killers himself. Is the plot against him part of the first case? Or is it something quite apart? Mason doesn’t know and neither do readers until well into the story.
This is a gutsy, strong story with wide appeal. The author, who can really write, knows his stuff and he knows how to construct a fast-paced, very enjoyable story populated with interesting and real characters. Not subtly nuanced, COLD TRUTH starts out with an eighth-story bang and careens along with nary a let-up until the very end. In the noir tradition, a finely crafted, enthralling mystery.
Lou Mason is a nosy criminal attorney with his solo practice in Kansas City. He doesn’t particularly like many of the cases that sidle through his front door, but he takes them anyway. In this, author Joel Goldman’s third crime novel, he takes a case to defend a mentally unstable young woman who, to say the least, has serious anger issues.
Did she murder her shrink by tossing her through an eighth floor window of plate glass? Or is she protecting someone? If so who? As Mason quickly learns there are several choices. What’s more, it soon appears he may be the target of one or more killers himself. Is the plot against him part of the first case? Or is it something quite apart? Mason doesn’t know and neither do readers until well into the story.
This is a gutsy, strong story with wide appeal. The author, who can really write, knows his stuff and he knows how to construct a fast-paced, very enjoyable story populated with interesting and real characters. Not subtly nuanced, COLD TRUTH starts out with an eighth-story bang and careens along with nary a let-up until the very end. In the noir tradition, a finely crafted, enthralling mystery.
March 25, 2014
I would read a Lou Mason book any day! Here's what I like about Lou. He's not a former cop that can shoot pistols and have tactical defense down to a science. He's a guy, a lawyer, who understands his strengths and uses them to get the job done. Not a stranger to murder, he dives in at every cost in this novel to save a daughter, even, against his better sense, at putting himself and those he love at risk. I won't give any spoilers, because I WANT you to buy this book and be thrilled with each page as I was. I was unable to put this book down, because I had to KNOW how Goldman was going to pull this all together at the end. The ending was as explosive as a 4th of July fireworks extravaganza, keeping me on edge with excitement and even had me laughing out loud at points. All hail to Goldman who can write something that wasn't boring, as I'm finding with other authors in this genre. This is most definitely a 'good' read, and as a fellow author, I recommend it to anyone who's ready to pick up a book and be unable to put it down.
October 23, 2011
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review. Attorney Lou Mason is caught in a tangle of deception as he attempts to defend a troubled young woman (Jordan Hackett) accused of double murder. Multiple suspects are found and none fit just right except Jordan. I agree with what another reviewer said about this book, "I had a hard time keeping all the characters straight as Goldman introduced them at a rapid-fire pace, resulting in many character sketches but few fully realized personalities." The main story was interesting enough but the ending was a surprise. Not usually my type of book, but worth the read.
December 14, 2008
This book started out slowly enough (for my tastes) that I began to wonder if I would finish it or move on to something more interesting. It did improve, though. The plotline is very thick -- I had to re-read passages to make sure I learned the characters, their pasts and their (possible) motives. Maybe I've been reading too many YA books and my mind revolts at so much complication in a novel! I did like the book, though. I finished it in a few days.
July 5, 2016
There was a point where the motivations got so complicated, I wasn't sure that even the writer knew how to bring it all together. I am still a little hazy on why the phone call set off such a chain reaction and how Paula knew how to find Abby and call her.
Loved the protagonist, though, Lou Mason is not quite Jack Reacher, a little too easy to catch and damage, but very innovative at getting out of trouble.
Will be looking out for more about Lou.
Loved the protagonist, though, Lou Mason is not quite Jack Reacher, a little too easy to catch and damage, but very innovative at getting out of trouble.
Will be looking out for more about Lou.
February 26, 2012
Good read. I'm enjoying this series. I'm really have come to enjoy all the characters. I'm looking forward to book 4 which I'm reading next.
If you have Prime for Kindle lending, you can get all 4 books in one "book" called Dead Times 4. 4 books for one lend! I had already read the first two but finished 3 and 4 this way.
If you have Prime for Kindle lending, you can get all 4 books in one "book" called Dead Times 4. 4 books for one lend! I had already read the first two but finished 3 and 4 this way.
January 28, 2015
Cold Truth (Lou Mason book 4)
Get ready to grind your teeth as you tag along with Lou as he tries to get to the killer or killers in this story. You'll need a road map, great notes, and like Lou, some luck in getting to the one or ones responsible for all the murders, while . Lou does his best to keep his client alive and out of prison. Thanks for another great read.
Get ready to grind your teeth as you tag along with Lou as he tries to get to the killer or killers in this story. You'll need a road map, great notes, and like Lou, some luck in getting to the one or ones responsible for all the murders, while . Lou does his best to keep his client alive and out of prison. Thanks for another great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews