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Jake Cashen #10
The Coldest Ground
Forty years ago, on a sweltering summer evening in southern Ohio, seven-year-old Michael Adkins vanished into thin air.
Two years later, in the dead of winter, his case long gone cold, Michael’s remains were found in a well-searched area, just one hundred yards from where he disappeared. The discovery provided no answers, only more questions.
Last week, Michael’s now elderly mother walked into Detective Jake Cashen’s office with a tantalizing clue that just arrived on her doorstep. A handwritten letter filled with chilling details only someone close to the decades-old crime could know. Jake knows it’s false hope. A cruel prank likely perpetrated by some heartless internet troll. He’s seen things like this before. But he promises Michael’s still grieving mother to look into it one last time.
When Jake traces the letter to its source, what he finds blows the case wide open and exposes a web of secrets and shocking truths buried beneath the coldest ground.
The Coldest Ground is book ten in the Jake Cashen Crime Thriller Series, perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, C.J. Box, and Craig Johnson. This dark, small-town murder mystery weaves together a decades-old cold case, conspiracy, corruption, and a child’s disappearance into a gripping, atmospheric read.
Two years later, in the dead of winter, his case long gone cold, Michael’s remains were found in a well-searched area, just one hundred yards from where he disappeared. The discovery provided no answers, only more questions.
Last week, Michael’s now elderly mother walked into Detective Jake Cashen’s office with a tantalizing clue that just arrived on her doorstep. A handwritten letter filled with chilling details only someone close to the decades-old crime could know. Jake knows it’s false hope. A cruel prank likely perpetrated by some heartless internet troll. He’s seen things like this before. But he promises Michael’s still grieving mother to look into it one last time.
When Jake traces the letter to its source, what he finds blows the case wide open and exposes a web of secrets and shocking truths buried beneath the coldest ground.
The Coldest Ground is book ten in the Jake Cashen Crime Thriller Series, perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, C.J. Box, and Craig Johnson. This dark, small-town murder mystery weaves together a decades-old cold case, conspiracy, corruption, and a child’s disappearance into a gripping, atmospheric read.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2026
211 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 12, 2026
Happy Release Day! This is a must read series for me. Downloaded it @ 3:00 a.m.so I'd be ready to read when I got up this morning. OMG!!! Best book yet Declan James. I've anxiously awaited this book for months and it was even better than I anticipated. My favorite so far, and great news, book 11 comes out early next year (hoping it's sooner, 🙏 PLEASE!).
Detective Jake Cashen takes on a cold case of a mother who's young son went missing, then found dead 22 years ago. She's recently received a letter that sets this shocking story in motion. What unfolds is mind blowing. Riveting read that moves quickly, is highly suspenseful with numerous secrets and so many twists and turns as Jake and his partner Birdie try to get to the bottom of what really happened and why.
Love this series main characters. I especially enjoyed the surprising new developments here in both Jake and Birdie's personal lives. Can't wait to read what happens next.
Detective Jake Cashen takes on a cold case of a mother who's young son went missing, then found dead 22 years ago. She's recently received a letter that sets this shocking story in motion. What unfolds is mind blowing. Riveting read that moves quickly, is highly suspenseful with numerous secrets and so many twists and turns as Jake and his partner Birdie try to get to the bottom of what really happened and why.
Love this series main characters. I especially enjoyed the surprising new developments here in both Jake and Birdie's personal lives. Can't wait to read what happens next.
January 20, 2026
Loved it! These characters just keep getting better. I never tire of Jake and his cases. Can’t wait for the next one.
January 19, 2026
Couldn't put it down until I finished it.
This book had so many different plots and sub plots I had to keep reading so I could keep track of them. This a great read.
This book had so many different plots and sub plots I had to keep reading so I could keep track of them. This a great read.
January 13, 2026
Such a great story
I look forward to these releases that seem to take so long in between books. The characters that follow from one story to the next are so believable. The stories start out so simple and easy to get into but by mid-book, its complicated and intriguing. I love the small town stories that are not as innocent as you might expect.
I look forward to these releases that seem to take so long in between books. The characters that follow from one story to the next are so believable. The stories start out so simple and easy to get into but by mid-book, its complicated and intriguing. I love the small town stories that are not as innocent as you might expect.
January 17, 2026
I like the vibe of these books and the characters' interaction. This story got a little complicated timeline-wise, and that made it a bit difficult to follow the storyline. Enjoyed Jake and Birdie finding a bit of romance, finally. (not with each other!).
January 17, 2026
Great Mystery
I love the Jake Cashen series and this one had me guessing until the end. I also enjoyed the dynamic brought by Jo's character. Excellent read!
I love the Jake Cashen series and this one had me guessing until the end. I also enjoyed the dynamic brought by Jo's character. Excellent read!
January 13, 2026
so good
Ok another book that really messes with life. I started it and literally couldn’t put it down. Loved the mystery, loved all the characters! But, most of all Loved the new Love in Jack’s life. Can’t wait for the one!
Ok another book that really messes with life. I started it and literally couldn’t put it down. Loved the mystery, loved all the characters! But, most of all Loved the new Love in Jack’s life. Can’t wait for the one!
January 13, 2026
Fascinating
This was a totally fascinating story! I love all of Mr. James books but, oh my, what a story this was! I couldn’t put it down! Amazing!
This was a totally fascinating story! I love all of Mr. James books but, oh my, what a story this was! I couldn’t put it down! Amazing!
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Coldest Ground🥶
Wow, another riveting page turner by Declan James. A seven year old boy goes missing in 1984, only to be found close to where he disappeared two years later. Now, a letter with details that only someone close to the case could know is delivered to the mother of the murdered boy. She seeks out Jake, in the hopes of getting clarity which leads to more complications and a host of secrets dating back forty years😳
Such an emotional read but loved how Jake and Birdie investigate this cold case with open minds and bigger hearts💛 A must read story and series, looking forward to more Jake Cashen stories. I received an advanced copy and willingly leave my honest review❤️🩹
Wow, another riveting page turner by Declan James. A seven year old boy goes missing in 1984, only to be found close to where he disappeared two years later. Now, a letter with details that only someone close to the case could know is delivered to the mother of the murdered boy. She seeks out Jake, in the hopes of getting clarity which leads to more complications and a host of secrets dating back forty years😳
Such an emotional read but loved how Jake and Birdie investigate this cold case with open minds and bigger hearts💛 A must read story and series, looking forward to more Jake Cashen stories. I received an advanced copy and willingly leave my honest review❤️🩹
January 12, 2026
Another great installment in the Jake Cashen series! This one has many twists and turns and is definitely a page turner!
Jake has a visit from a woman whose son disappeared 40 years ago and was determined murdered when a young boy’s bones were found two years after his disappearance. However, the mother received a letter that she finds believable and wants Jake to follow up to determine whether it’s authentic.
Highly recommend!
Jake has a visit from a woman whose son disappeared 40 years ago and was determined murdered when a young boy’s bones were found two years after his disappearance. However, the mother received a letter that she finds believable and wants Jake to follow up to determine whether it’s authentic.
Highly recommend!
January 24, 2026
this is book 10 in the James Cashen series and it is one if the best. An intriguing mystery that you can guess at but still surprises.
As usual strong characters and good dialogue. Two new characters appear and they are both solid and add to the story. Both provide a glimpse into future stories which is good.
Familiar characters like Grandpa Max and Gemma continue and are enjoyable to see.
An easy read and enjoyable.
As usual strong characters and good dialogue. Two new characters appear and they are both solid and add to the story. Both provide a glimpse into future stories which is good.
Familiar characters like Grandpa Max and Gemma continue and are enjoyable to see.
An easy read and enjoyable.
January 23, 2026
This was a great read for me, with an interesting and unique plot. As usual the characters are well developed and interact meaningfully. The introduction of Jo is a welcome addition.
January 25, 2026
Another great entry in this series. This one had a different kind of mystery, kept me turning the pages. Glad to see the series is continuing, as I'm already looking forward to the next one!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews