Stone Cold

Alex Stone Mystery #1

by Joel Goldman

After Public Defender Alex Stone wins an acquittal for a client accused of murder, her client threatens Alex’s lover and becomes the prime suspect in a murderous rampage. Find out how far Alex Stone goes to protect her lover, save the innocent and speak for the dead in Stone Cold, the first book in Joel Goldman’s Alex Stone Thriller series.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Legal, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 23, 2012

About the author

Joel 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

Reviews

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Stone is a Public Defender and in a seven year long relationship with an ER Physician. She also happens to be Lesbian. Her latest client, a vicious gang affiliated man just exonerated on a murder charge confesses to her and also threatens to take care of her if she tells anyone. She is convinced he will go after the witnesses who testified against him and makes daily treks past their homes to make sure they are okay. One evening she finds the Police at the house and talks herself in where she finds the man brutally murdered with his penis sliced off and stuffed into his mouth. She then finds his wife and children also brutalized and dead. Later the same evening she learns the other witness was murdered too. Her client is apprehended and injured during the arrest. He is taken to the same Hospital where her partner is his ER Doctor. He threatens rape and death to the Doctor. Alex defends him in Court the following morning and gets him released on bond. Then she goes to where he is staying and ultimately is arrested for his murder. The novel deals with her trial and all that accompanies it. I won't go any further into it without giving spoilers, but it is good reading and will keep you up late.

[Hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the fast paced plot of this book. The price of being plot driven may have been less developed characters than similar books in this genre. I didn't feel like I really knew the characters enough to really bond with them. I think if I knew Alex better, I would have been more engaged but she seemed flat and kind of needy which didn't fit with who I felt she was supposed to be. That being said, I never felt like not finishing the book so the story was there even when the characters weren't. I would like to read other books by this author.

[Patrick Stemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll try not to spoil anything here. I read the short story featuring Joel Goldman’s Alex Stone, “Knife Fight” before reading “Stone Cold”. As I started reading “Stone Cold” my first impression was that Joel had taken the compressed events of “Knife Fight” and added to them to turn them into a novel length work. I thought that I would suggest to my friends that they skip the short story and just go straight to “Stone Cold”. I was expecting the same story, told from another perspective, but perhaps with a similar ending. That alone was interesting enough to be worth a read.

And then, midway through the book, I hit an event that made my brain play the “record scratch” sound effect that anyone born earlier than ‘90 has most likely never heard, but mirrors my reaction to what I was reading. Holy crap! I had to stop for a moment and reflect on what was happening.

This is a great story. I think readers will get the most out of this work if they read the Jack Davis and Lou Mason stories first. Joel has created a little universe of recurring characters in his works that I look forward to. I've read the Jack Davis series and this first Alex Stone thriller so far. I’m sure that when I read the Lou Mason books there will be even more connections and shared stories that I've missed, having read the books out of (publishing) order.

I can’t wait to find out for sure.

[John Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free review copy of this book.

Once again, Joel Goldman writes another riveting crime book. By introducing a new character he has opened up his existing lines of Jack Davis and Lou Mason. I think Alex Stone is a worthy third to that existing duo.

I hate to spoil, especially in crime thrillers, so I'll say that I loved the tone of the main character, her significant other and other main characters. I do agree with another reviewer that I felt myself idling a bit at the beginning until the gears kicked in and then it was a great ride. I'm thinking that may have been addressed before the publication version.

I find Alex tough enough, if that helps. I think she's vulnerable at times, but when she needs to dig deep down, she pulls up in spades what she needs to get done. Sometimes with the help of friends, sometimes in spite of them. I found the inside baseball of what defense attorneys have to go through very interesting and compelling.

Do yourself a favor and read this fun book, and THEN do yourself a bigger favore and read ALL of the Goldman books. I have. Its really worth it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Stone is good at her job. Maybe a little too good. She believes in the legal system so much that she does everything she can to give her client the best defense. She wins the case but loses so much more as things start to go downhill. The book has a riveting plot with some twists that I wasn't expecting. The characters are well written. Their personalities come across the pages with intensity. I also got to see an old friend, Lou Mason. That was the treat for me.

A great book that I recommend.

[HKelleyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Quote(s): Everybody knows Rossi's dick is a fucking divining rod, Harris said. If Dwayne Reed gives him the wood, that's proof enough for me.

This was an enjoyable, fast-paced novel full of morally questionable characters that I found myself not only liking but actually rooting for. The story confirms my belief that no one is 'all good' or 'all bad' all the time.

[Jackmeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good new character and supporting characters, really liked it.

[Samantha Gluck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first Goldman book and it's incredible. If you like crime thrillers along the lines of Grisham or Patterson, you'll love his books. I can't wait to dive into the others.

[pcb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am such a fan of Goldmans' Lou Mason and Jack Davis books, but this one missed the mark for me. The main character was inconsistent and not as developed as Goldman's others, perhaps because she was a woman. I do like the way Goldman overlaps some characters from other series, though.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Stone Cold' was one of those books that pulled me in. I will admit that I kind of glossed over the legal jargon at times due to the fact that I find it confusing. This book was well written and the way it played out was intriguing. The characters were a mix of great people to some deplorable human beings. Alex made a good lead. I would say great, but she made some stupid and reckless mistakes. I understand her reasoning, but they were still bad decisions. Overall, this book is a great add to your tbr list.

[Diane Bliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great plot, good twists

Very well-written. Interesting ethical and legal dilemma with public defender Alex Stone feeling guilty and sickened when she learns that she did her job a little too well and now has to live with the real world consequences of helping a guilty criminal go free. Some parts are hard to swallow -- purported trial testimony is unrealistic since courts don't allow opinion and hearsay, but you've got to suspend disbelief. Overall, an enjoyable read.

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of Suspense

After getting her client acquitted, Alex lives in fear when the client threatens her. When the client threatens Bonnie her partner, she seeks him out and shoots him. She is charged with murder and brought to trial. The narrative is full of suspense and surprises keep popping up. The characters are unique and believable. Even though I knew how it should end it was still a surprise. Goldman is an outstanding story teller.

[GLENDA COLLINS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected...

I usually do not like to read books where most of the story takes place in a courtroom. However, I was pleasantly surprised regarding the courtroom action. I loved it!

I would recommend this book to anyone that loves an action-packed mystery with an edge of danger included.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a slow starter, but it got better as it progressed. The is the first in the Alex Stone series. Although the end did not leave you hanging you can definitely tell that there is more to come if you want to pursue it. I don't think I will.

[Nancy Radcliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stone Cold

I CHOSE THIS RATING FROM HOW MUCH I ENJOYED READING THIS AUTHORS WORK
THIS BOOK KEPT ME UP ALL NIGHT.
GREAT BOOK

[Carol Hurtig · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good. Alex gets overshadowed by some of the other characters much of the time. And it feels like we didn't get the whole story from her, which is disappointing.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and engaging.

[Jeannie Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

How many times have you seen or heard about a defense attorney saying the prosecutor is trying to inflame a jury with pictures or whatever? If you have ever been in a courtroom or watched a court case on TV, chances are you've seen this happen.
Alex Stone is a public defender that wants to do everything she can to right wrongs in the scale of justice.
I like the way the author starts out this novel. Picture yourself in the courtroom (keep in mind the jury is not present). Alex Stone is thrusting a glossy toward the heavyset, hooded eyed Judge William West. "Your Honor, you can't let the jury see these photographs, not if my client is going to get a fair trial." Also, bear in mind that Judge West is known as Wild West by the criminal defense bar, since he was a prosecutor's best friend, and the close calls go to the prosecution, as well as being a judge that hands down the stiffest sentences.
Who is going to win this case? You'll have to read "Stone Cold" to find out.
I liked the novel. The only drawback for me was the language, but due to my upbringing I am a person that is easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity. The courtroom scenes are pretty impressive. Being a victim of crime myself, and having written a true crime about the murder of my ex-husband, I know a little about courtrooms. (I am not the one who murdered my ex-husband - I helped solve the case and helped bring one of the people to justice.)
I hope you get a chance to check out this mystery, suspense thriller written by an excellent writer who knows how to keep you in suspense and then surprising you with the ending.

Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author)

[Teryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoy the characters in this series

[Roxanne Ludford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. It was fast paced and plot driven but the characters are still very well developed. One aspect I particularly liked is that the main character is already in a relationship; there was no sexual tension or will they won't they secondary storyline. Instead we had a central character who was in a loving relationship. This added to the book as it allows the reader to see another side of Alex; she's not just a cold hearted lawyer.
I found the storyline believable. I can understand someone being pushed to murdering someone in that particular circumstance but I like the way that it was drawn out so the reader doesn't find out that she actually did do it intentionally until quite late in the book.

[Mark Boyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to read it as my reading time is bed time. I am an author as well and trying to write the third book of my trilogy, so my time is mostly dedicated to that. I thought the book flowed well, even though it was somewhat predictable. Characters were not especially dynamic if you read this kind of genre. It was a good read but not "sitting on the edge" of your seat kind of stuff. I would recommend it to people who enjoy a cop/lawyer drama.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Courtroom drama saves this novel from being a total wash. A main character or protagonist should evoke an emotional investment, to keep the reader involved. Alex Stone, Public Defender, simply didn't cut it as a crusader to root for. Her stone- cold personality, cloaked in self-righteousness and layers of downright stupidity, became tiresome. Lots of sanctimonious law-skirting for a sworn upholder of the law. Thankfully other characters and plot twists made this story a worthwhile read.

[jessica delre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

I liked this book a lot. Lots of twists and turns in the plot. Good lawyer and courtroom drama. Excellent women characters written by a man. I would like more in the series. I liked the Lou Mason series and having them in this plot added to the book. A 5 star plus read.

[Chris Birdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Stone is a public defender and believes everyone has a right to the best representation available. She doesn't mind if the killers she's representing are dangerous animals who should be locked away. That is until one of them is freed and goes after her and her lesbian partner. The thrills and suspense in this story are non-stop.

[Kathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Will probably read the #3 of the series because I bought it on my Kindle, but I'm not crazy about this character or the way she practices law. This story seemed shallow with not enough detail and intrigue for me. I didn't get her "understanding" with the Judge and especially his final ruling. Are judges allowed to do that with a sitting jury? A little too convenient for the Alex Stone.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stone Cold

Murder, guilty defendants and lawyers with a sense of justice that goes home with them every night. Interesting take on a criminal and his lesbian attorney and the interaction between them that goes back to their very different lifestyles and sense of what is right and wrong.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspenseful story about a public defender who begins to fear her own client and takes drastic measures to ensure that he does not hurt anyone else. A few clever twists keep this moving, and it is a fun read.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read. The plot took me a little by surprise ...I guess I either misread the intro or just wasn't paying attention, but the book was completely different than I was expecting. Not that it was a bad thing, it just threw me off.

[Joann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read for a snowy day!

I enjoyed this book for how easy it was to like the "good guys." I am a mom though so the foul language always catches me off guard. But I will definitely read more by Joel Goldman.

[Jorge Myszne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and engaging. Can't stop reading

The book is very well written, getting you immersed into the story and always asking what's going to happen now. Even though the verdict of the trial is obvious, the way to get there is brilliant.