A Cold Day in Hell

Bayou #9

by Stella Cameron

'Tis the season to be wary…

Christmas is coming and all is far from calm in Pointe Judah, Louisiana. Newcomer Christian DeAngelo―Angel to his friends―is at his wit's end trying to manage Sonny, the hotheaded nineteen-year-old everyone believes is his nephew.

In fact, Sonny is the orphaned son of a notorious mob boss, a protected witness…and Angel's responsibility.

Angel has been commiserating with Eileen Moggeridge, whose lonely son Aaron has latched on to Sonny and gotten into deeper trouble than ever. But nothing could prepare Angel and Eileen for the boys' latest as they are horsing around in the swamp one afternoon, a shot rings out. Aaron is hit, but was the bullet meant for Sonny?

Suddenly, goodwill toward men is in short supply and Angel doesn't know who's more the hoodoo mystic with an eerie hold over the boys, the hit man roaming the bayou or Eileen's volatile ex-husband, Chuck.

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Cozy, Fiction

416 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Stella Cameron is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. With over fourteen million copies of her books in print, Cameron is now turning her pen to mysteries and independently publishing COLD, Introducing Alex Duggins. She draws on her English background for this new, already critically acclaimed mystery series. Atmospheric, deeply character and relationship driven, COLD reveals the power of old secrets to twist the present. Cameron’s reputation for using her backgrounds to add tension and allure to her stories is heightened again.

Cameron is the recipient of the Pacific Northwest Achievement Award for distinguished professional achievement and for enhancing the stature of the Northwest Literary community. She lives in Washington with her husband Jerry, her Papillon Millie, black cat Zipper, and a cheeky little tabby named Jack.

Reviews

[Betty Stoneking · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was very good if like murder and crime you will like this. Book

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read this author. The book was not at all what I thought it would be from reading the synopsis but well worth the read. A little quirky and unexpected but I will definitely be reading this author again

[Renee Kamenszki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly glad I did not shy away from this book because of the cover or the name. I really do not like bloody, gory horror. I hate reading about pain and the rest, I was so pleased to find out this has none of that. It is such a great read. I know you will love it, as I do.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice enough story with an ok plot. I liked the mystery part. The romance part could use some work. They keep all of these secrets from each other but end up together. Not my idea of a good relationship. Not to mention they ignore the kids they are supposed to be responsible for.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! 1st time reading this author. Little romance & mystery

[Kelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like this book. The writing is not quality and I would go days without wanting to read it. When I got done with it my thought was, “I’m throwing it in the garbage so no one else reads it.” It’s a flop!

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books where I really wish that I could give half stars. I rounded up because I generally like Stella Cameron.
In this book, we come into Pointe Judah, Louisiana, where Eileen's son and Angel's nephew are creeping through a swamp on a dare. The son gets shot but the boys are luckily near the local witch doctor. As the book progresses, we learn that Sonny is not actually Angel's nephew, he's actually in a witness protection program, for what, we're never really told.
That's the biggest problem with this book, actually, with most of the Cameron's I've read lately. There's a lot of back story that's not explained and a lot of character development that's never really developed. Blergh.
The redeeming point of the book was the action. There was a lot. After the boys are shot at, Angel and Eileen are shot at. Several women are attacked.

[Cameron · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a resounding flop! I know, I know, I shouldn't have expected a lot, but I was hoping for something that at least took my mind off the real world. All this did was make me want to finish fast so not too much time was wasted! So, I can say the plus was it was a fast read. However, the editing was awful with characters (those with similar names) switched around in places. The story jumped from place to place with no attempt at continuity. There were characters introduced who never had anything in them fleshed out at all, yet they had a major role in the story towards the end.

Overall, unless someone hands this book to you and you have absolutely nothing else to do, don't bother. It truly was a waste of time and paper.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella Cameron has always been one of my favorite authors...
She just keeps getting better and better and "A Cold Day In Hell" was a fun read!
Christian 'Angel' DeAngelo is a great character and I really enjoyed the developement of his relationship with Eileen.
I always enjoy reading books set in Louisiana.
I seem to have a fascination with the swamps for some weird reason.
I've never even seen a swamp!
And swamps may be something better enjoyed from afar.

[Marla · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just can't get into this book. I've read Stella Cameron's stuff before and now wonder if her other books were like this as well. By the 3rd chapter I am still feeling like I should be half way through the book instead of in the beginning. She plops you down in the what feels like the middle of the story. I have no idea who these people are and what they hell is going on! I should care for them why?
Before when I have experienced this with other authors, the read was still good and I knew I was in the middle of a series. I have no idea if there are books that are prior to this one that I should have read first. Anyway, there is nothing here that makes me want to continue...

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love steamy romantic suspense, you'll enjoy this one set in Pointe Judah, Louisiana. Eileen Moggeridge has a lot for her--a successful business, a great teenage son, and Christian "Angel" De Angelo, her new love interest. She had met her match in him, who's also her friend. But when someone takes a shot at Aaron and Angel's nephew Sonny, things get heated up, when it leads to someone scaring residents to a couple of murders. When her ex-husband storms back into town, he does anything to want her back. As Eileen's and Christian's lives are on the line, so is the body count of suspicious murders and assaults. You'll love the Bayou in this one.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella Cameron knows how to write romance she does add a few steamy scenes but they are not too bad. She develops the story well and keeps you turning the pages late at night when you should have went to bed but you just can not put down the book. She adds twists and turns to the book which I did not expect I always enjoy the thrilling mystery she adds and this book is no different. If you read this one you will not be disappointed.

[Leslie Mesmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love Stella Cameron's books but unfortunately this was not one of them.
I struggled to get the characters straight and follow the story but just to many stories going and it jumbled up my mind.
I finally jumped a few chapters and then a few more and finally jumped to the last few chapters.
Jus to much is all I can say.

[Taters · Rating 1 out of 5]

Possibly one of the 10 worst books I have ever read. Illogical, self-sexist, and stupid. And by the preview for the next book that was at the back, fully exemplary of the author's works. Crappy romance/sex book wrapped in a poor mystery.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really can't understand why I keep reading her books-although this one was better than the other book I read.
I really didn't have much to read and found this book perusing thru the library shelves. I honestly wouldn't waste my time putting something of hers on reserve.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thriller/suspense mysteries aren't normally my thing, but I don't mind one now and again - the helpless wilting females looking for big strong decisive men to make their problems go away made it impossible for me to get more than a couple chapters into this one though. Too awful to finish.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beyond bad!

[Maura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trashy romance novel VERY thinly veiled as a mystery story.

[Leanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

the last half of the book was easier for me than the 1st half.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book edge of your seat suspence.

[Kristen Doherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good romance thiller book.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

front to back cover was really great.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eileen, Sonny and Angel

Improbable plot, attempts at humor that fell flat, undeveloped emotions. Not my favorite SC book, not by a long shot.

[Dennis W · Rating 4 out of 5]

7.5

[Kelli]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12128782

[Renna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Louisiana series.

[Deb Diem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reading. Ms Cameron once again kept me guessing till the end.

[Veronica Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these swamp tales!

[Vinesh Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mild thriller but an excpetional page turner !