Cold Trace

by D.V. Chernov

Detective Nick Severs of the award-winning series opener Severed Echoes returns in Cold Trace.

When the body of young Ben Harris is found after a Colorado snowstorm, Detective Nick Severs is drawn into a missing child case that went cold twenty years ago. As he and his hacker girlfriend Claire begin the investigation, every dark turn takes them deeper into the underworld of child trafficking and cybercrime, where danger is closer than they expected, stakes are higher, and where they each must decide the lines they are willing to cross in order to find justice.

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2024

About the author

D.V. Chernov is an award-winning author of historical and crime fiction. His debut novel Commissar was named Finalist for the prestigious Hemingway International Book Award. D.V. Chernov was born in Omsk, Russia and grew up in the Soviet Union during the final decades of the Cold War before immigrating to the US in 1991. For his crime fiction, Chernov derives inspiration from his 20-year career in the high-tech industry, with his extensive experience lending his thrillers a level of authenticity that is rare in the genre.

Reviews

[Lynda Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the body of a dead man is discovered on his watch, FBI agent Nick Severs is plunged into a mystery that gets bigger the more he learns about it. For the John Doe turns out to be that of a boy who had been abducted from his home twenty years before. And it is not the first child abduction, now a cold case from his area.

The autopsy reveals that terrible things appear to have been done to the John Doe. What on earth could have happened to him?

He is to stumble upon a whole industry dedicated to making money out of child pornography, its tentacles reaching from the States into Eastern Europe. Possibly, beyond even the means of the FBI to resolve. But Severs has help from other sources, for his wife once worked as a professional hacker. It seems that she can get to places where more conventional tactics must fail, though morally these sit uneasily with a law-abiding cop.

One mystery and one villain later, things at half mark or so seem to be wrapped up. But no! In fact the real story with all it's dangers to Claire, Silver's wife have only just begun, as Nick Severs goes in search of her in Ukraine, where war has just broken out.

This book is an excellent thriller, crafted not to detonate just one reveal, but several others. On another level, this novel touches upon the effects of history and historical trauma on the present, alongside the the need to counter evil, with the importance of valour. No one can remain unscathed by encounters such as these, but for those with a need for heroes and dragon killers, this book makes up a highly satisfactory read.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A missing child is found dead and he is about to be pulled into the world of child trafficking. He will dig up a 20 year old case and it will not be easy to find the answers. He will be pilled into a very dark and dangerous world. Can he finally solve the case? How will he do it? Can he stay safe in the progress? See what will happen next
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Jason Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Trace - 8/10 - A good paced story from start to finish that was hard hitting and didn’t hold back with the details. An enjoyable read.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Cold Trace, book two of the Nick Servers Mysteries and sequel to the award-winning Severed Echoes, author D.V. Chernov delivers an engrossing crime novel that intricately weaves past and present mysteries. The story follows Detective Nick Severs as he investigates the shocking appearance of a body initially believed to be a victim of a recent blizzard. However, the discovery soon reveals potential links to a cold case involving a missing child from nearly two decades ago. As Severs delves into the investigation, he simultaneously navigates another old missing child case and supports his partner, Claire, through a personal crisis.

Chernov masterfully portrays Nick Severs in a manner that resonates with traditional images of a detective—meticulous even to the point of questioning his breakfast cheese. Yet, Chernov adds complexity to Severs’ character, allowing readers to connect with him on a deeper, more personal level. This depth extends to other characters in the novel, enriching the narrative and enhancing the suspense. The novel's language is notably refined, with skillful use of metaphors that vividly paint the settings and heighten the emotional stakes. Chernov also addresses themes as varied as the COVID pandemic, historical elements from the Soviet Union era, and sensitive issues like human trafficking with tact and insight. Cold Trace is a layered exploration of unresolved histories and human resilience. Chernov’s storytelling is compelling and sure to captivate fans of the genre, making it a recommended read for those drawn to intricate crime narratives.

Readers will have the best experience if they start with the first book in the series so as to have a strong foundation of the characters involved in Cold Trace. This story stands out as a multifaceted detective novel that skillfully intertwines elements of history, suspense, and deep character studies. D.V. Chernov crafts a narrative that is not only compelling but also thought-provoking, handling complex themes with sensitivity and depth. This book is a testament to Chernov's ability to engage and challenge readers, making it a rewarding pick for anyone looking for a crime story that resonates on multiple levels.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2, it helps to read the first book to understand Detective Nick's investigative style and his backstory with Claire as the story revolves around the concept of identity theft and cybercrime, additionally featuring their romantic relationship as well as loss and grief. Nonetheless, the case itself is a standalone. The story predominantly switches between Nick and Claire to give an overall view of their perspectives and thought processes. As a result, readers learn more about Claire's character this time around. This is a plot-driven narrative, featuring plenty of facts relevant to the investigation.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.

[Cherie Melbourne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story more than the first one, it's pace was a bit better, but Nick tends to go over a lot of things in his head constantly and that slows the pace and makes me lose interest.
I felt the ending was a little rushed with Nick not even taking part in finalising the cold case child disappearance and returning to find it all resolved.
I will still keep reading this series as I like the characters and mostly how the story is told.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[KerryO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Trace was interesting and Nick Severs is a character whose pursuit of justice I enjoyed and appreciated. However, the wild trip to Ukraine just as Russia is set to and then invade, made this story a bit too implausible and Nick’s girlfriend, Claire, is too impulsive to be believable as a nurse charged with caring for sick patients! I am intrigued enough to read book #1 of the series because of great reviews. Hopefully, the author will get back on track with the next installment of the series. I received an ARC from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Hidden Gems Books for this free ARC. This review is voluntary and unbiased.

OMG this sequel is insane ! With the settings of covid and the war in Ukraine the plot felt so real I had chills !
Here, Nick and Claire (I love how she has a big role in this sequel) go from trying to solve the murder of a John Doe to fighting against an international crime organisation through detective work and hacktivism !!!!

I definitely recommend this for fans of thriller and tech based crimes !