Cold Comfort

Barry Gilbert #1

by Scott Mackay

Cold Comfort by Scott Mackay released on Feb 23, 2004 is available now for purchase.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Ebooks, Canada

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Award-winning author Scott Mackay has over thirty-five published short stories to his credit and four novels: OUTPOST, THE MEEK, A FRIEND IN BARCELONA and COLD COMFORT, which was nominated for the 1999 Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel. He lives in Toronto.

Reviews

[David C. Kempf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing read.

Well written. Two stories that while different, create an ending for both. A look at life in Canada, and it's system of justice.

[Jacob Khalife · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A good detective/murder-mystery novel.

[Elaine Bougie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Scott Mackay I've read and I'm surprised I didn't hear of this Canadian writer of detective fiction set in Toronto, previously. I enjoyed this book including his many local references and his main characters, Detective Barry Gilbert and his younger partner, Lombardo.

My only quibble with this book is the theme I've read in so many police procedurals, depicting the bosses as being wrong-headedly incompetent, obsessed with almost ridiculously quick solutions and charges for murders, regardless of whether the right person is charged or not. This is so commonly part of the action in police procedurals I've begun to rebel a little. Surely not all supervisors and managers in the police are self-centred idiots focussed primarily on looking good. It seems just too easy a thing to rely on, and we've seen it so often.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason I read this book is because it's the first of three books in a series. Several months ago, I bought a book from a dealer on eBay. Well, it turned out they sent me the wrong book, which turned out to be the third book in this series (Old Scores). I emailed the dealer and he said to keep the wrong book and they would send me the correct book. Since I like to read, I went ahead and found the first two books. Which brings you up to date.

I had shelved this book for several days so I could read and comment on an ARC (advanced reader copy) I was lucky to receive. Cold Comfort is nothing to write home about. It is a standard fare police procedural. No real suspense or action. Plenty of suspects though. Not too sure what the next two books will be like, but that's TBD.

All-in-all, not a bad read.

[Tim Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging - some nice twists. A very nice initial set up - small spoiler alert - who shoots a frozen corpse and why? Not rushed, believable characters. Falls short of a 5 more because of a lack of polish, but still a really nice piece of detective fiction.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheryl Latham, stepdaughter to Tom Webb a Toronto politician, is found dead, shot. Homicide detective Barry Gilbert is assigned the case with his partner Joe Lombardo.
An interesting and enjoyable mystery, probably more a 3.5 star rating.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, easy read mystery. When two detectives have a murder assigned to them and find out the victim is the stepdaughter to a high ranking Canadian official, they have to sort through lots of clues, some real and some planted, to discern who the culprit is. Good read.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad. What made it okay was that it took place in Toronto so I found that entertaining in itself.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone had recommended The Miser of Cherry Hill by this author but this is the one I found at the bookstore. Barry Gilbert, the underpaid homicide detective, felt like a really well-made comfortable old shoe. The Toronto setting was realistic without sounding like the author spent his whole day on Google Maps. I will certainly be looking for Mr. Mackay's other books.

[Wayne Thiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book. It was well written with plenty of twist and turns that kept you guessing throughout the book. It led to a very interesting climax. Want to read more of Inspector Barry Gilbert.

[Valadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super read!!

Written in real time police language, this book is fantastic!
Warning:
The characters are addictive. Once you begin this book, you are hooked. By finishing the book, you are guaranteed to go into withdrawal!! Thank goodness the author has written other books!!

[Sandra Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery.

I liked that you wasn't able to figure out killers until the end. Only thing didn't like or underway miles per housewares were going in that part. Wasn't what we use her. Great story.

[Aspin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well crafted

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good involving detective story with sympathetic characters

[Frances I. Guempel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Comfort

Scott tells a good story. Keeps your interest thru the twists and turns. Barry Gilbert is very likeable and smart. I enjoyed this book and bought two others.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read!

[Alison Netty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I enjoyed reading cold comfort. Was easy yo follow, Barry and Joe made a good team. .......... Thank you h