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B.C. Blues Crime #1
Cold Girl
A popular rockabilly singer has vanished in the snowbound Hazeltons of northern B.C. Lead RCMP investigator David Leith and his team work through the possibilities: has she been snatched by the so-called Pickup Killer, or does the answer lie here in the community, somewhere among her reticent fans and friends?
Leith has much to contend with: rough terrain and punishing weather, motel-living and wily witnesses. The local police force is tiny but headstrong, and one young constable seems more hindrance than help -- until he wanders straight into the heart of the matter.
The urgency ramps up as one missing woman becomes two, the second barely a ghost passing through. Suspects multiply, but only at the bitter end does Leith discover who is the coldest girl of all.
Leith has much to contend with: rough terrain and punishing weather, motel-living and wily witnesses. The local police force is tiny but headstrong, and one young constable seems more hindrance than help -- until he wanders straight into the heart of the matter.
The urgency ramps up as one missing woman becomes two, the second barely a ghost passing through. Suspects multiply, but only at the bitter end does Leith discover who is the coldest girl of all.
430 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2016
26 people are currently reading
919 people want to read
About the author
R.M. Greenaway
12 books84 followersRM GREENAWAY has worked in nightclubs, darkrooms, and courthouses. She writes the B.C. BLUES crime series, featuring RCMP detectives Leith and Dion. Her first novel COLD GIRL, winner of the 2014 Arthur Ellis Unhanged award, will be released 26 March 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
January 11, 2016
I want to thank Dundurn Press and NetGalley for sending me this free ebook in return for an honest review. This book takes place during the brutal winter in northern British Columbia along the Skeena river, centered in the town of Hazelton. I recently rode the Skeena train from Prince George to Prince Rupert, which is why this book interested me.
Two policemen are the central characters in this book, Detective David Leith and RCMP Constable Cal Dion. Dion was a detective but has been demoted after an accident that killed his partner and left him seriously injured. They are on the trail of a serial killer, but they don't get along. The book is a solid police procedural, showing how a whole team of police officers pursue leads in a slow tedious process. I did not know for sure how it would end. I read it in two days, finding that I could not put it down once I was half way through.
This is book 1 in a promising new series. There were recurring formatting issues, i.e., a line of text would stop after 1 or 2 words and drop to the next line even though the sentence was not complete. I would not recommend the ebook version until the formatting issue is resolved.
Update 1-10-2016 My wife read and enjoyed this book, but formatting problems bothered her also.
Two policemen are the central characters in this book, Detective David Leith and RCMP Constable Cal Dion. Dion was a detective but has been demoted after an accident that killed his partner and left him seriously injured. They are on the trail of a serial killer, but they don't get along. The book is a solid police procedural, showing how a whole team of police officers pursue leads in a slow tedious process. I did not know for sure how it would end. I read it in two days, finding that I could not put it down once I was half way through.
This is book 1 in a promising new series. There were recurring formatting issues, i.e., a line of text would stop after 1 or 2 words and drop to the next line even though the sentence was not complete. I would not recommend the ebook version until the formatting issue is resolved.
Update 1-10-2016 My wife read and enjoyed this book, but formatting problems bothered her also.
February 13, 2016
Cold Girl: A BC Blues #1 crime novel by R.M. Greenaway is a strong mystery set in BC and revolves around an interesting group of RCMP officers. The book is this author’s first and was the winner of the 2014 Arthur Ellis Unhanged award. It is a character driven crime mystery and the writing style is a little different, but once you get into the story it becomes smoother.
The story starts with the disappearance of a rockabilly singer and brings together Detective Leith and Constable Dion. The two are extremely different in their styles, throw in the local law, the suspects and local characters, you have a plot that isn’t high intensity, but very intriguing and keeps you reading.
The characters are all very interesting. The area is described in a way that you always feel the cold and sense the ruggedness of the area. It was a well done ending that satisfied. A great start to a hopefully new series.
Thanks to Dundurn and Net Galley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review
The story starts with the disappearance of a rockabilly singer and brings together Detective Leith and Constable Dion. The two are extremely different in their styles, throw in the local law, the suspects and local characters, you have a plot that isn’t high intensity, but very intriguing and keeps you reading.
The characters are all very interesting. The area is described in a way that you always feel the cold and sense the ruggedness of the area. It was a well done ending that satisfied. A great start to a hopefully new series.
Thanks to Dundurn and Net Galley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review
December 1, 2015
This is an absorbing multilayered murder mystery. It begins with a Constable Dion spotting a stalker following a native girl at a Fling concert. He fails to catch up with the stalker or the girl and feels guilt. Leith, another copper, is called into a small community where there is missing girl, where there is some evidence to suggest connections with the pick up truck serial murderer.
Keira, the lead singer in the group Fling, went missing after leaving her boyfriend Frank's home. Other cops like Bosko and Constable Dion join local law enforcement people to track down what happened. There is great character development and complexity within all the individuals. No-one is as they seem, not the outsiders who come to investigate, and not the members of the band, their promoter and not the community. Secrets and rumours abound. Leith proves to be a doggedly determined cop willing to follow all leads.
The landscape and location proves to be a major part of the story. The writer proves to be adept at creating an array of complex characters that interact beautifully. This is why this book got five stars from me. Read this book for an intriguing murder mystery! I got an ebook copy from the publisher via netgalley for an honest review.
Keira, the lead singer in the group Fling, went missing after leaving her boyfriend Frank's home. Other cops like Bosko and Constable Dion join local law enforcement people to track down what happened. There is great character development and complexity within all the individuals. No-one is as they seem, not the outsiders who come to investigate, and not the members of the band, their promoter and not the community. Secrets and rumours abound. Leith proves to be a doggedly determined cop willing to follow all leads.
The landscape and location proves to be a major part of the story. The writer proves to be adept at creating an array of complex characters that interact beautifully. This is why this book got five stars from me. Read this book for an intriguing murder mystery! I got an ebook copy from the publisher via netgalley for an honest review.
May 21, 2018
‘Cold Girl’ by R. M. Greenaway introduces us to two detectives with the RCMP in Northern BC, Cal Dion and Dave Leith. Greenaway does a fantastic job of setting up not only the antagonism that develops between these two officers, but also the competitiveness that arises between many of the officers involved in hunting down a serial killer. Cal Dion has returned to work after a year’s sick leave and attempts to hide the fact that he had a pretty stellar ten year career prior to sustaining a traumatic brain injury in a car crash. He desperately tries to develop coping strategies and fails more often than not. His colleagues also fail to understand what he’s going through and mostly react negatively to his behaviour. When another girl goes missing, Dion and Leith are drawn into each other’s lives as they seek to uncover why this popular member of a local folk/rock band has seemingly walked away. Intrigues between the band’s circle of friends, the locals and the police officers cause mis-steps in both the cases. Greenaway’s depiction of quirky small town Northern BC together with the effect of a long winter is excellent. I would have given the book 5 stars but for me, Dion and Leith were just too moody to really empathize with.
August 22, 2022
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It wasn't terrible. But it wasn't great. It was just the most okayest. Still, I guess that leaves room for improvement with the next one.
It was overwritten, over-detailed and needed a better edit job and a little more punch to the plot. It was kind of boring and stagnant. I would have preferred if the serial killer had been the point of the story, instead of the missing singer. It was all rather boring. A serial killer could have added a much-needed punch of spice.
⭐⭐ | 2 stars
book source: the publisher via NetGalley
It wasn't terrible. But it wasn't great. It was just the most okayest. Still, I guess that leaves room for improvement with the next one.
It was overwritten, over-detailed and needed a better edit job and a little more punch to the plot. It was kind of boring and stagnant. I would have preferred if the serial killer had been the point of the story, instead of the missing singer. It was all rather boring. A serial killer could have added a much-needed punch of spice.
⭐⭐ | 2 stars
book source: the publisher via NetGalley
January 27, 2016
First of all, I want to express my thanks to R.M. Greenway, Dundurn Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of Cold Girl: A BC Blues crime novel in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
A popular young singer goes missing in the Hazelton Mountains in northwest British Columbia. The RCMP, led by investigator Dave Leith, must contend with cold, wet, snowy conditions and a small town police force headed by Renee, Giroux, a strong-willed sergeant. To complicate matters even further, a young constable named Dion on the mend from a devastating accident is assigned to the case as well, and he seems to get in his own way, not to mention mucking up his simple assignments on the investigation.
This scenario seemed to have all the makings of a fascinating plot, and I did find myself drawn in. As time goes on, it becomes less likely, of course, that the missing woman, Kiera, will be found alive. Will she be found at all? Her boyfriend, fellow Fling band member Frank Law, his brothers, other band members, their agent, and townsfolk are all questioned. Someone is lying. Who? Was this a crime of passion, or was it pre-meditated murder?
This is a police procedural, and it’s confusing at times as the RCMP and the local cops seem to have different ideas about how to go about the investigation. Giroux knows “her” people; Leith sometimes lacks confidence in how to approach witnesses he brings in for questioning. Then there’s Constable Dion. For most of the story, fellow officers are unaware of his background and simply think of him as a doofus. He’s referred to several times as “Dudley Do-right.” I got the idea that this assignment was supposed to be a test to see if he was ready to go back to his position as a homicide detective, and there are some indications that he has the instincts, but man, oh man, he also makes some mistakes that had me scratching my head, wondering what his superior was thinking assigning him to this job. Dion seems willing to take on menial tasks, but he often goes off on a tangent, and then he’s like a loose cannon. Dion, there is no “I” in “team.”
If you like a whodunit filled with lies and half-truths, you just might really love Cold Girl. It kept me guessing, that’s for sure. It was a little too long in that some of the details just didn’t pan out, and not all of them were red herrings. At the same time, I wanted to know more about some of the characters, particularly Dion. His part of the story jumped around too much for me, and then…well, no spoiler from me. Granted, there are too many instances in the real world where there are loose ends, but I found the finale of this one rather unsatisfactory. It’s not exactly unsolved, but it felt like a letdown all the same.
Despite the things that bothered me about this book, I think that Ms. Greenway shows much promise as a writer, and I do think that this could be a very readable series. Her career is off to a worthy start with Cold Girl: A BC Blues crime novel, which will be published March 26, 2016.
3.5 stars
A popular young singer goes missing in the Hazelton Mountains in northwest British Columbia. The RCMP, led by investigator Dave Leith, must contend with cold, wet, snowy conditions and a small town police force headed by Renee, Giroux, a strong-willed sergeant. To complicate matters even further, a young constable named Dion on the mend from a devastating accident is assigned to the case as well, and he seems to get in his own way, not to mention mucking up his simple assignments on the investigation.
This scenario seemed to have all the makings of a fascinating plot, and I did find myself drawn in. As time goes on, it becomes less likely, of course, that the missing woman, Kiera, will be found alive. Will she be found at all? Her boyfriend, fellow Fling band member Frank Law, his brothers, other band members, their agent, and townsfolk are all questioned. Someone is lying. Who? Was this a crime of passion, or was it pre-meditated murder?
This is a police procedural, and it’s confusing at times as the RCMP and the local cops seem to have different ideas about how to go about the investigation. Giroux knows “her” people; Leith sometimes lacks confidence in how to approach witnesses he brings in for questioning. Then there’s Constable Dion. For most of the story, fellow officers are unaware of his background and simply think of him as a doofus. He’s referred to several times as “Dudley Do-right.” I got the idea that this assignment was supposed to be a test to see if he was ready to go back to his position as a homicide detective, and there are some indications that he has the instincts, but man, oh man, he also makes some mistakes that had me scratching my head, wondering what his superior was thinking assigning him to this job. Dion seems willing to take on menial tasks, but he often goes off on a tangent, and then he’s like a loose cannon. Dion, there is no “I” in “team.”
If you like a whodunit filled with lies and half-truths, you just might really love Cold Girl. It kept me guessing, that’s for sure. It was a little too long in that some of the details just didn’t pan out, and not all of them were red herrings. At the same time, I wanted to know more about some of the characters, particularly Dion. His part of the story jumped around too much for me, and then…well, no spoiler from me. Granted, there are too many instances in the real world where there are loose ends, but I found the finale of this one rather unsatisfactory. It’s not exactly unsolved, but it felt like a letdown all the same.
Despite the things that bothered me about this book, I think that Ms. Greenway shows much promise as a writer, and I do think that this could be a very readable series. Her career is off to a worthy start with Cold Girl: A BC Blues crime novel, which will be published March 26, 2016.
3.5 stars
November 11, 2015
Being from a law enforcement family, I know that not all crime stories I read are going to be anywhere near how an investigation is conducted. This one was almost too much for me.
The lead singer of a musical group goes missing. There is some talk of a serial killer loose in the area, so cops from all over the region congregate on this small town where she vanished.
Constable Dion is one such cop. He used to be a homicide detective but a car crash, in which his partner was killed, left him brain damaged. Now, here is where I lost any sense of realness. The man cannot remember things. He has a notebook where he keeps descriptions and names of the people he works with... because he doesn't seem to retain information. He even has a video to show him how to tie a tie. Now here is where I shook my head ... even though he's downgraded from detective, he's still a gun-toting cop.
There are lots of suspects, but everyone is lying to cover someone else ..even if it had nothing to do with the missing singer.
The premise wasn't bad but the characters just left me ... cold. There were so many suspects telling different stories at different times. It became very confusing and hard to follow.
Not one of my favorite reads. 3 Stars.
My thanks to the author / Dundurn Publishing / NetGalley who furnished a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. The book will be available March 28, 2016.
The lead singer of a musical group goes missing. There is some talk of a serial killer loose in the area, so cops from all over the region congregate on this small town where she vanished.
Constable Dion is one such cop. He used to be a homicide detective but a car crash, in which his partner was killed, left him brain damaged. Now, here is where I lost any sense of realness. The man cannot remember things. He has a notebook where he keeps descriptions and names of the people he works with... because he doesn't seem to retain information. He even has a video to show him how to tie a tie. Now here is where I shook my head ... even though he's downgraded from detective, he's still a gun-toting cop.
There are lots of suspects, but everyone is lying to cover someone else ..even if it had nothing to do with the missing singer.
The premise wasn't bad but the characters just left me ... cold. There were so many suspects telling different stories at different times. It became very confusing and hard to follow.
Not one of my favorite reads. 3 Stars.
My thanks to the author / Dundurn Publishing / NetGalley who furnished a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. The book will be available March 28, 2016.
November 14, 2015
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Rating: 4.5/5
Plot/Story:
Cold Girl is one of those books that you can either love or hate. And for me, fortunately, it's the first one. I really enjoyed the story and relished the way it ended. The plot is not only outright gripping but quite unique as well but in its own subtle way. Cold Girl has a character driven plotline and the author successfully pulls it off. The plot line is simple enough, but the twists and the turns scattered throughout the book makes it a fairly complicated one but in a good way.
The writing is a little different, which took me a fair amount of time to get used to, but by the end I got the hang of it. The story flowed well and the pace of the story was also good. But, in spite of everything being great, I thought that the book was exceptionally lengthy. In my opinion, it can be reduced to 3/4th of its length and still have the same impact. This little fact bugged me to no end because it was a really, really time-consuming read.
So, if you have enough time on your hands, then go ahead and read Cold Girl, as it's a superb detective fiction.
Characters:
As I just said Cold Girl is a character-driven book and the author has managed to create something that I call as "awesomeness." The main characters, Leith and Dion, are the life of this book and I can still picture them moving around and doing stuff in their daily lives - that's how powerful the characterization in this book is. I was totally able to connect with them and the bond that formed is a really strong one.
When we have two male leads who hate each other there is bound to a favorite. Mine is Dion. His vulnerability is what draws me to him and I'm sure in the coming books he'll emerge as a really strong lead, even more than Leith.
The other characters such as the Law brothers, other constables and DCs, the victims and the suspects, each and everyone had a unique personality and surprisingly I was able to relate to them all. Full marks for characterization!
Romance/Kills:
There is no romance as such, but a major part of the investigation revolves around the relationship of the deceased and the suspect.
There is also a considerable number of killings prior to the main case which involves a serial killer. It serves as a great diversion initially and later on connects beautifully to the case-at-hand.
Writing:
The writing in this book is a little different than what I'm normally used to. Some of the sentences felt a little awkward at times but later I realized that it had more to do with the author's style of writing than glitches. Fortunately, after reading half of the book I found myself getting used to it.
Having said that I would have definitely enjoyed the book more if the editor had straightened out those awkward sentences and made them a little less painful to read.
Still, I enjoyed the book and the amazing characterization totally made up for whatever problems I had with the writing in the first half of the book.
Beginning:
The book started off perfectly well with an intriguing prologue and then continued on a high note that kept me engaged the entire time. I enjoyed the detailed insight into the police procedurals and enjoyed the overall suspense that kept on building till the end.
Ending:
The ending of the book was perfect considering that it's a part of a series. In fact, I'm really looking forward to how things are going to shape up in the next part. The mystery also ended well. A classic example of a simple situation going out of hands.
Blurb:
The blurb is apt and gives a really clear idea about what to expect from the book. If I had come across this book in a bookstore then I would have definitely grabbed it after reading the blurb.
Cover Art:
The cover art is good but not excellent. It could have a been a lot better.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud.
Blog Rating: 4.5/5
Plot/Story:
Cold Girl is one of those books that you can either love or hate. And for me, fortunately, it's the first one. I really enjoyed the story and relished the way it ended. The plot is not only outright gripping but quite unique as well but in its own subtle way. Cold Girl has a character driven plotline and the author successfully pulls it off. The plot line is simple enough, but the twists and the turns scattered throughout the book makes it a fairly complicated one but in a good way.
The writing is a little different, which took me a fair amount of time to get used to, but by the end I got the hang of it. The story flowed well and the pace of the story was also good. But, in spite of everything being great, I thought that the book was exceptionally lengthy. In my opinion, it can be reduced to 3/4th of its length and still have the same impact. This little fact bugged me to no end because it was a really, really time-consuming read.
So, if you have enough time on your hands, then go ahead and read Cold Girl, as it's a superb detective fiction.
Characters:
As I just said Cold Girl is a character-driven book and the author has managed to create something that I call as "awesomeness." The main characters, Leith and Dion, are the life of this book and I can still picture them moving around and doing stuff in their daily lives - that's how powerful the characterization in this book is. I was totally able to connect with them and the bond that formed is a really strong one.
When we have two male leads who hate each other there is bound to a favorite. Mine is Dion. His vulnerability is what draws me to him and I'm sure in the coming books he'll emerge as a really strong lead, even more than Leith.
The other characters such as the Law brothers, other constables and DCs, the victims and the suspects, each and everyone had a unique personality and surprisingly I was able to relate to them all. Full marks for characterization!
Romance/Kills:
There is no romance as such, but a major part of the investigation revolves around the relationship of the deceased and the suspect.
There is also a considerable number of killings prior to the main case which involves a serial killer. It serves as a great diversion initially and later on connects beautifully to the case-at-hand.
Writing:
The writing in this book is a little different than what I'm normally used to. Some of the sentences felt a little awkward at times but later I realized that it had more to do with the author's style of writing than glitches. Fortunately, after reading half of the book I found myself getting used to it.
Having said that I would have definitely enjoyed the book more if the editor had straightened out those awkward sentences and made them a little less painful to read.
Still, I enjoyed the book and the amazing characterization totally made up for whatever problems I had with the writing in the first half of the book.
Beginning:
The book started off perfectly well with an intriguing prologue and then continued on a high note that kept me engaged the entire time. I enjoyed the detailed insight into the police procedurals and enjoyed the overall suspense that kept on building till the end.
Ending:
The ending of the book was perfect considering that it's a part of a series. In fact, I'm really looking forward to how things are going to shape up in the next part. The mystery also ended well. A classic example of a simple situation going out of hands.
Blurb:
The blurb is apt and gives a really clear idea about what to expect from the book. If I had come across this book in a bookstore then I would have definitely grabbed it after reading the blurb.
Cover Art:
The cover art is good but not excellent. It could have a been a lot better.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud.
March 27, 2016
This police procedural set in northern BC tells the story of 2 RCMP officers involved in the search for a serial killer.
Cal Dion used to be a highly regarded detective in Vancouver. That was before the accident that left him with a scrambled brain & a dead partner. Now he's starting over in Smithers, quietly hiding the extent of his disability.
David Leith is a detective in Prince Rupert who's spent the last 2 years tracking the "Pickup Killer". Leads have been hard to come by & the case is in danger of going cold. Then a young, well known singer named Kiera goes missing from a small town in northern BC.
Dion & Leith are among the team sent to assist Renee Giroux, the no nonsense head of the local RCMP detachment. Along for the ride is Mike Bosko, a high flying cop from the big city. Somehow he insinuated himself into the investigation but no one is sure why.
The rest of the cast is composed of local residents & friends of the missing woman. And while they want Kiera found, many are strangely reluctant to cooperate & getting straight answers is like pulling teeth.
The search for Kiera takes up the bulk of the book. But it's also the story of 2 very different men forced to work together in a tense, claustrophobic environment. They alternate as narrators so the reader is privy to their theories & thoughts.
Leith is a cop's cop, determined to find the truth. He's been mostly happy in Prince Rupert but every now & then he wonders what it would be like to join the special crimes units in Vancouver. He's unaware of Dion's background & quickly labels him a "dumbass rookie" after multiple errors. And he's not the only one.
Dion's traumatic brain injury has left him with a spotty memory & cognitive gaps. Reading & writing clearly is difficult & he often loses time. Unfortunately, he does remember what it was like to be an effective & respected detective & this adds to his mounting frustration. Despite the time we spend in his head, there's an ambiguity to Dion's character & the feeling we're not getting the whole story. But you can't help but empathize as he struggles while colleagues quickly write him off as a screw-up.
The strong sense of place turns the setting into another character. Rugged landscapes & weather conditions frequently affect the actions of all the players. It lends the story a dark & moody atmosphere that adds to the tension as the plot progresses.
Several surprising twists & misdirection are employed to keep us guessing right up to he conclusion. Even then, not everything is tied up with a neat bow & some questions remain unanswered. This is not a flashy thriller. It's a subtle thinking man's mystery & you have to pay attention to dialogue. I particularly enjoyed following Dion. His enigmatic character is a perfect foil for the straightforward Leith & there's huge potential for the future of their relationship.
By the end, the case is resolved & both cops are safely back in their respective precincts. But it's clear there are some changes in store & you get the feeling their paths will cross again.
Cal Dion used to be a highly regarded detective in Vancouver. That was before the accident that left him with a scrambled brain & a dead partner. Now he's starting over in Smithers, quietly hiding the extent of his disability.
David Leith is a detective in Prince Rupert who's spent the last 2 years tracking the "Pickup Killer". Leads have been hard to come by & the case is in danger of going cold. Then a young, well known singer named Kiera goes missing from a small town in northern BC.
Dion & Leith are among the team sent to assist Renee Giroux, the no nonsense head of the local RCMP detachment. Along for the ride is Mike Bosko, a high flying cop from the big city. Somehow he insinuated himself into the investigation but no one is sure why.
The rest of the cast is composed of local residents & friends of the missing woman. And while they want Kiera found, many are strangely reluctant to cooperate & getting straight answers is like pulling teeth.
The search for Kiera takes up the bulk of the book. But it's also the story of 2 very different men forced to work together in a tense, claustrophobic environment. They alternate as narrators so the reader is privy to their theories & thoughts.
Leith is a cop's cop, determined to find the truth. He's been mostly happy in Prince Rupert but every now & then he wonders what it would be like to join the special crimes units in Vancouver. He's unaware of Dion's background & quickly labels him a "dumbass rookie" after multiple errors. And he's not the only one.
Dion's traumatic brain injury has left him with a spotty memory & cognitive gaps. Reading & writing clearly is difficult & he often loses time. Unfortunately, he does remember what it was like to be an effective & respected detective & this adds to his mounting frustration. Despite the time we spend in his head, there's an ambiguity to Dion's character & the feeling we're not getting the whole story. But you can't help but empathize as he struggles while colleagues quickly write him off as a screw-up.
The strong sense of place turns the setting into another character. Rugged landscapes & weather conditions frequently affect the actions of all the players. It lends the story a dark & moody atmosphere that adds to the tension as the plot progresses.
Several surprising twists & misdirection are employed to keep us guessing right up to he conclusion. Even then, not everything is tied up with a neat bow & some questions remain unanswered. This is not a flashy thriller. It's a subtle thinking man's mystery & you have to pay attention to dialogue. I particularly enjoyed following Dion. His enigmatic character is a perfect foil for the straightforward Leith & there's huge potential for the future of their relationship.
By the end, the case is resolved & both cops are safely back in their respective precincts. But it's clear there are some changes in store & you get the feeling their paths will cross again.
November 2, 2018
This is a police procedural set in the northern B.C. There were times the story really pulled me in and times where it plodded along for too long. The characters were interesting and most were nicely developed. Although the investigation leader is supposed to be Leith and this is his series, I felt Dion was featured more and was actually a more interesting character. I think the series has potential and will try the next book.
March 3, 2017
Cold Girl is her first novel and was the winner of the 2014 Arthur Ellis Unhanged award. Kiera Rilkoff is the lead singer of Fling and she has suddenly gone missing. Has she run away because of musical differences or has she become another victim of the Pickup Killer? Follow the RCMP as they try to solve this mystery in snowbound Canada.
I really enjoyed reading this book and it did not matter that I have never been to Canada, because her writing was so descriptive that I could picture the scene in my mind’s eye. Greenaway managed to convey the harshness of the weather and the terrain so well that her book will appeal to any reader throughout the globe. She puts you clearly in the scene and includes the language and multi-culturalism running in the background of BC.
There was a lovely diverse range of Police Officers working the case. What made this novel so good was that these Police Officers were not the best, they had their failings but did what they could. There was none of the glamour of wonderful, high achieving detectives just modest officers trying to play their part.
The plot was very good with great attention paid to the small details which hung everything together. Only at the end did all the little details explain what had actually happened and why. Character development was good and I liked the way each chapter centered on a different person.
I got a lot of pleasure from reading this book. It gives you a feeling of hope that nothing bad has happened to Kiera and that she will pop up somewhere alive but cold and tired from a trek across the snow.
A lot of work has gone into this book, it is a very good story and the quality of writing is first class. She not only ticks all the boxes but gives you such pleasure as your thoughts change about what has happened to Kiera. I could find nothing wrong with this novel and it gets the top score of 5 stars from me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Dundurn for giving me a copy of this book on the understanding that I provide an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this book and it did not matter that I have never been to Canada, because her writing was so descriptive that I could picture the scene in my mind’s eye. Greenaway managed to convey the harshness of the weather and the terrain so well that her book will appeal to any reader throughout the globe. She puts you clearly in the scene and includes the language and multi-culturalism running in the background of BC.
There was a lovely diverse range of Police Officers working the case. What made this novel so good was that these Police Officers were not the best, they had their failings but did what they could. There was none of the glamour of wonderful, high achieving detectives just modest officers trying to play their part.
The plot was very good with great attention paid to the small details which hung everything together. Only at the end did all the little details explain what had actually happened and why. Character development was good and I liked the way each chapter centered on a different person.
I got a lot of pleasure from reading this book. It gives you a feeling of hope that nothing bad has happened to Kiera and that she will pop up somewhere alive but cold and tired from a trek across the snow.
A lot of work has gone into this book, it is a very good story and the quality of writing is first class. She not only ticks all the boxes but gives you such pleasure as your thoughts change about what has happened to Kiera. I could find nothing wrong with this novel and it gets the top score of 5 stars from me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Dundurn for giving me a copy of this book on the understanding that I provide an honest review.
May 20, 2016
3.5 Stars
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
A coming singer goes missing. Has she fallen prey to the serial killer who's at work in the region, or did something completely else happen.
For the biggest part this was an interesting detective story. The local police itself has a lot of problems, some of which didn't get enough closure at the end. Speaking about the ending, it left me very confused and I wanted to have another book to read exactly what is going on with Dion and what he's getting at at the end.
Although it might not have been the most original of stories, it was a very pleasant read and many of the characters were interesting. The big twist was not really a big twist in my opinion but I didn't mind. It worked. I would like to see where exactly the story is going from here in a next book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
A coming singer goes missing. Has she fallen prey to the serial killer who's at work in the region, or did something completely else happen.
For the biggest part this was an interesting detective story. The local police itself has a lot of problems, some of which didn't get enough closure at the end. Speaking about the ending, it left me very confused and I wanted to have another book to read exactly what is going on with Dion and what he's getting at at the end.
Although it might not have been the most original of stories, it was a very pleasant read and many of the characters were interesting. The big twist was not really a big twist in my opinion but I didn't mind. It worked. I would like to see where exactly the story is going from here in a next book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
October 21, 2015
I loved this book! The tension between the two sleuths is real. I look forward to more in this series.
February 7, 2016
Cold Girl” by R.M. Greenaway is definitely a story a read will either love or hate as the writing style is very unique and something you need to get used to. I put this title ahead of others as I noticed it was going to be archived well in advance of it publication date. What I enjoyed most in reading this title is the plot twists and turns that flowed throughout the book. The author did an amazing job with creating them and kept me engaged and fascinated to the very end.
As this story is very character driven I given this title 5 stars for creating such interesting characters that were fun to read. There are 2 main characters Leith and Dion and they are so well developed and realistic with their own problems. The rest of the characters are also very well done and bring a lot to the storyline. As Leith and Dion form a working hate relationship in trying to solve the mystery they are both there to help solve, I found myself liking Dion more. Dion is a young man that was severely injured in an accident that killed his partner and left him with brain trauma. He is back to a limited work detail and struggles with his memory throughout his day.
As I said in my opening the writing style is very different and I will admit to having issues in the beginning as the flow seemed so awkward. I was about halfway through the book before I could follow the flow of the story with more ease. I do feel, however, that the author should rework some of the awkward sentences to improve the flow so it will be less confusing.
The beginning of the story started with a prologue and caught my interest and though the sentences were awkward kept me interested in continuing to the first chapter.
The ending was very well done and left just enough of a question as to what will happen in the next book of this series to make you want to read it.
Overall, I truly enjoyed reading “Cold Girl” and looking forward to reading the next book in this series. “Cold Girl” is Greenaway’s first novel and though I found the sentence structure awkward this author shows so much skill in crafting an interesting and engaging story full of memorable characters. Greenaway writing skill will definitely interesting to see grow and develop over time.
I highly recommend “Cold Girl” to anyone who enjoys detective novels.
As this story is very character driven I given this title 5 stars for creating such interesting characters that were fun to read. There are 2 main characters Leith and Dion and they are so well developed and realistic with their own problems. The rest of the characters are also very well done and bring a lot to the storyline. As Leith and Dion form a working hate relationship in trying to solve the mystery they are both there to help solve, I found myself liking Dion more. Dion is a young man that was severely injured in an accident that killed his partner and left him with brain trauma. He is back to a limited work detail and struggles with his memory throughout his day.
As I said in my opening the writing style is very different and I will admit to having issues in the beginning as the flow seemed so awkward. I was about halfway through the book before I could follow the flow of the story with more ease. I do feel, however, that the author should rework some of the awkward sentences to improve the flow so it will be less confusing.
The beginning of the story started with a prologue and caught my interest and though the sentences were awkward kept me interested in continuing to the first chapter.
The ending was very well done and left just enough of a question as to what will happen in the next book of this series to make you want to read it.
Overall, I truly enjoyed reading “Cold Girl” and looking forward to reading the next book in this series. “Cold Girl” is Greenaway’s first novel and though I found the sentence structure awkward this author shows so much skill in crafting an interesting and engaging story full of memorable characters. Greenaway writing skill will definitely interesting to see grow and develop over time.
I highly recommend “Cold Girl” to anyone who enjoys detective novels.
February 28, 2016
Book 1, in the BC Blues Crime series
“Cold Girl” is mystery and a detective fiction that revolves around the disappearance of a pretty singer of a local band. It features RCMP Detectives Leith and Dion, two lead characters who hate each other and are the driving force in this story. It is also the story of Dion’s struggle to recuperate from an accident, a car crash that has left him a stranger in his own body.
Told from the point of views of several characters based on what is going on at the moment, this character driving mystery populated with many players can be a challenge to keep track of. Unfortunately, most characters left me ice cold, I was distracted by Dion’s condition and wondered throughout this drama why would an unhealthy RCMP officer be on the job not fully rehabilitated and working in snowbound Hazeltons. The plot line is simple enough but the action is so scattered I admit to have needed a fair amount of concentration to keep up with all that was going on and stay with it. Indeed, the style is a little different and quite unique and the scenario had all the attributes to make it fascinating. I was drawn to the story at first but it soon became confusing and brutal to read through. Frivolities should have been edited or simply cut out, too much said about food and office chit-chat making one of those exceptionally lengthy books. Cutting the nonsense would have made everything less heavy and kept the story moving at a good pace. Although I may not have been totally captivated by “Cold Girl” I think applying a little tweak here and there this series has good potential.
This is one of those books that you either love or hate. If you have lots of time on your hands give this debut novel a go.
I received this book from Dundurn Press through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This is the Way I see it.
“Cold Girl” is mystery and a detective fiction that revolves around the disappearance of a pretty singer of a local band. It features RCMP Detectives Leith and Dion, two lead characters who hate each other and are the driving force in this story. It is also the story of Dion’s struggle to recuperate from an accident, a car crash that has left him a stranger in his own body.
Told from the point of views of several characters based on what is going on at the moment, this character driving mystery populated with many players can be a challenge to keep track of. Unfortunately, most characters left me ice cold, I was distracted by Dion’s condition and wondered throughout this drama why would an unhealthy RCMP officer be on the job not fully rehabilitated and working in snowbound Hazeltons. The plot line is simple enough but the action is so scattered I admit to have needed a fair amount of concentration to keep up with all that was going on and stay with it. Indeed, the style is a little different and quite unique and the scenario had all the attributes to make it fascinating. I was drawn to the story at first but it soon became confusing and brutal to read through. Frivolities should have been edited or simply cut out, too much said about food and office chit-chat making one of those exceptionally lengthy books. Cutting the nonsense would have made everything less heavy and kept the story moving at a good pace. Although I may not have been totally captivated by “Cold Girl” I think applying a little tweak here and there this series has good potential.
This is one of those books that you either love or hate. If you have lots of time on your hands give this debut novel a go.
I received this book from Dundurn Press through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This is the Way I see it.
March 25, 2016
Set in Northern British Columbia, this is the first book in a crime series by debut author R.M. Greenaway.
When Kiera, a young singer from an up-and-coming band, goes missing an eclectic group of RCMP officers are teamed up to conduct the investigation.
David Leith is a dogged detective who has been tracking a serial killer labeled the "Pickup Killer" for the last couple of years.
Cal Dion suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car crash ending his promising career as a detective in Vancouver. His cognitive abilities still fairly limited, he is now starting over but is keeping his past a secret. Don't ask me why I still don't understand that bit.
Cold Girl is a character driven police procedural with a whodunit mystery that is a little slow to unfold. There is a lot of emphasis on the icy locale, the grim atmosphere, the locals and their way of living. I found it quite interesting, but it felt overly long. I couldn't really warm up to any of the characters either. The most exciting one was Dion because of his unique set of circumstances. But then I felt I didn't really get him. On the one hand, he has terrible short-term memory, he also needs to be reminded of how to tie a tie (something from his long-term memory) and then, on the other hand, he is able to remember precise details of events that happened months ago. It was all a bit conflicting.
When the mystery was finally revealed it felt a bit anticlimactic, and finally right at the end, there were a couple of details mentioned about Dion that really confused me. So there's a good chance I missed something along the way and didn't pick up all the clues, but the ending was a bit mysterious. Still, I'm intrigued enough to want to read the second book.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Kiera, a young singer from an up-and-coming band, goes missing an eclectic group of RCMP officers are teamed up to conduct the investigation.
David Leith is a dogged detective who has been tracking a serial killer labeled the "Pickup Killer" for the last couple of years.
Cal Dion suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car crash ending his promising career as a detective in Vancouver. His cognitive abilities still fairly limited, he is now starting over but is keeping his past a secret. Don't ask me why I still don't understand that bit.
Cold Girl is a character driven police procedural with a whodunit mystery that is a little slow to unfold. There is a lot of emphasis on the icy locale, the grim atmosphere, the locals and their way of living. I found it quite interesting, but it felt overly long. I couldn't really warm up to any of the characters either. The most exciting one was Dion because of his unique set of circumstances. But then I felt I didn't really get him. On the one hand, he has terrible short-term memory, he also needs to be reminded of how to tie a tie (something from his long-term memory) and then, on the other hand, he is able to remember precise details of events that happened months ago. It was all a bit conflicting.
When the mystery was finally revealed it felt a bit anticlimactic, and finally right at the end, there were a couple of details mentioned about Dion that really confused me. So there's a good chance I missed something along the way and didn't pick up all the clues, but the ending was a bit mysterious. Still, I'm intrigued enough to want to read the second book.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2016
This is a very promising beginning for a previously unpublished author. The plot is complex and gripping, the characters realistic to the setting. The author especially excels at evoking the atmosphere of the Central Interior, remote, mountainous, forbidding. This is the kind of place that attracts and/or creates oddballs and loners, people with secrets.
When a promising young singer disappears from a band rehearsal, there are so many suspects that the RCMP have to weed out their stories just to narrow the search. The police officers themselves are a mixed bag of issues. One is a dissatisfied inspector brought in from a nearby city who longs for bigger things. Another is a snarky female officer who cannot separate her emotional life from her interactions with others. The third interesting one is a veteran recovering from a serious brain injury who has been transferred north as a test of his ability to work again. This last character, Calvin Dion, is the most interesting, as he struggles with basic tasks such as writing and concentrating on conversations, but has an instinctive ability to sense subconscious signals from other people.
The solution to the crime was poignant and disturbing, and brutal in its own way. What a tragic waste.
I found the ending so very sad, based as it must be on the real life tragedy of the Highway of Tears. If only the real story could find a resolution.
I liked so much about this book. I'm really looking forward to her next one.
When a promising young singer disappears from a band rehearsal, there are so many suspects that the RCMP have to weed out their stories just to narrow the search. The police officers themselves are a mixed bag of issues. One is a dissatisfied inspector brought in from a nearby city who longs for bigger things. Another is a snarky female officer who cannot separate her emotional life from her interactions with others. The third interesting one is a veteran recovering from a serious brain injury who has been transferred north as a test of his ability to work again. This last character, Calvin Dion, is the most interesting, as he struggles with basic tasks such as writing and concentrating on conversations, but has an instinctive ability to sense subconscious signals from other people.
The solution to the crime was poignant and disturbing, and brutal in its own way. What a tragic waste.
I found the ending so very sad, based as it must be on the real life tragedy of the Highway of Tears. If only the real story could find a resolution.
I liked so much about this book. I'm really looking forward to her next one.
November 14, 2017
Cold girl by rm greenway.
A popular singer vanishes. Lead rcmp investigator david leith and his team work through the possibilities. Has she been snatched by the so-called pickup killer, or does the answer lie in the community, somewhere among her fans and friends. An enjoyable read. I had my suspicions so I couldn't put it down. I had to find out if I was right. I liked the ending too. 5*. Netgalley and dundurn.
A popular singer vanishes. Lead rcmp investigator david leith and his team work through the possibilities. Has she been snatched by the so-called pickup killer, or does the answer lie in the community, somewhere among her fans and friends. An enjoyable read. I had my suspicions so I couldn't put it down. I had to find out if I was right. I liked the ending too. 5*. Netgalley and dundurn.
January 13, 2020
A gripping, haunting, mystery that so masterfully captures it's subzero setting it will make you long to read it by a fireplace. RCMP Constable Dion is one of the most complex and intriguing detectives in crime fiction today. Can't wait to read more in this series!
December 16, 2021
'Cold Girl' was a debut novel and the first book in what is now a six-book crime series by R. M. Greenaway. I picked it as one of the books for my 'Cold Comfort Reads' challenge because I wanted a book that would take me back to winter in the mountains. 'Cold Girl' certainly delivered on that, the story has a strong sense of place. I could feel the cold and sense the endless woods pressing in in the dark.
I found 'Cold Girl' to be a strange but compelling story. The story is framed around an RCMP investigation into the disappearance of a local woman in a rural BC town but it is written less as a whodunnit and more as an exploration of the character, motivations and limitation of two of the RCMP officers investigating the case and to display the lives of a small group of friends in their local habitat.
I loved the writing. R. M. Greenway has a gift for taking the reader right inside the main characters' heads without dropping into the first person. After a couple of paragraphs of sharing a character's thoughts, I had a clear view of who they are and some empathy for their situation.
She uses this talent mostly to take us inside the minds of the two investigators, neither of whom is typical. The RCMP lead, a detective called Leith, is convinced of his own mediocrity. He's a plodder who knows he can't see the big picture but who gets results by working the details rigorously. He has an ambition to move to a homicide unit in Vancouver but doubts that he has the political savvy to get there. Dion, one of the Constables assigned to help with the case, is not who he seems to be. Even he is not sure who he is anymore. He is recovering (probably recovering - he's not sure how to tell) from a brain injury that has turned him from a hotshot detective to a man who has to take notes to remember the names of his colleagues but who still has moments of deep insight and an uncanny knack for ending up at the centre of things.
I enjoyed seeing the case from the eyes of these two men and seeing them misunderstand and clash with each other.
The secondary characters - police chief, an ambitious but ruthless local constable and band members from the missing woman's band, are all well drawn. I felt as though I was meeting people not just suspects or plot devices.
The plot surprised me a few times. I didn't see the ending coming but I believed in it when I got there. What I liked most was that the people powered the plot. This investment in the people meant that R. M. Greenaway could give a realistic portrayal of how much of a grind an investigation can be without becoming dull.
It looks as though future books also feature Leith and Dion, although, based on how the first book ended, I'm not entirely sure how that will come about. I'm going to read the next book in the series, 'Undertow' to find out.
November 13, 2018
Very readable but the plot moves slowly. Some geographic errors such as stating Terrace is north of Hazelton when it is south and west. The Royal Bank has not been in Old Hazelton for at least a decade - it is now in Hagwillget. But maybe the novel takes place in an alternate universe where the locations are different. Most readers won't be familiar with the towns, events and restaurants mentioned but I enjoyed the reminders from Prince Rupert to Smithers having spent a lot of time at both and places inbetween.
April 15, 2016
This is murder in a very cold climate.
Young girls are being killed. It's a serial killer know as The Pickup Killer.
So when Kiera Rilkoff, a local singer on her way to fame is also murdered, the first impression is that she is the new victim of The Pickup Killer.
But things are not what they seem, and the relationship between Keira and her band was beyond complicated.
Investigating these murders are the local police as well as Dion, Leith and Bosko, who are in the Hazeltons area to help solve the case.
Dion is a troubled man. He was involved in an accident and suffered brain damage. He has been demoted and is slowly returning to work, full of frustration and anger at his new situation.
Leith is also an angry man, but that is just the way he is. And Bosko, the highest ranking of them is an enigma to all.
There are also 2 women in the team: Renée Giroux, the local sergeant and Jayne Spacey, the local constable, each with her own agenda.
Don't expect a fast paced book. This is a slow read, worth every moment. The description of the land where it all takes place is incredible, the cold and the cold atmosphere get to you.
I always think I have the killer figured out, but in this case the motive for the killing were completely out of my league. The ending twists and then twists again. So good!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
Young girls are being killed. It's a serial killer know as The Pickup Killer.
So when Kiera Rilkoff, a local singer on her way to fame is also murdered, the first impression is that she is the new victim of The Pickup Killer.
But things are not what they seem, and the relationship between Keira and her band was beyond complicated.
Investigating these murders are the local police as well as Dion, Leith and Bosko, who are in the Hazeltons area to help solve the case.
Dion is a troubled man. He was involved in an accident and suffered brain damage. He has been demoted and is slowly returning to work, full of frustration and anger at his new situation.
Leith is also an angry man, but that is just the way he is. And Bosko, the highest ranking of them is an enigma to all.
There are also 2 women in the team: Renée Giroux, the local sergeant and Jayne Spacey, the local constable, each with her own agenda.
Don't expect a fast paced book. This is a slow read, worth every moment. The description of the land where it all takes place is incredible, the cold and the cold atmosphere get to you.
I always think I have the killer figured out, but in this case the motive for the killing were completely out of my league. The ending twists and then twists again. So good!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
February 20, 2016
I have many thoughts about this one. The first thing that comes to mind is that it seemed to have been longer than necessary. The second is that I felt for that Dion guy. He should not have been out there that soon. His co-workers should have been notified of his disability. Third, I should have put it down and went on to the next book. It was definitely too long and monotonous. I definitely did not need to know what they ate at every meal. "Ate breakfast" would have sufficed for me.
Thanks Dundurn for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks Dundurn for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2018
As a British Columbia resident I loved that this book was set in my home province, and was even more impressed that it was set in the BC north. Overall, it’s a pretty good mystery that is told with an eye to future character development in the upcoming sequels. The author captures the isolated north experience very well and, as her first book, she has certainly drawn me into reading the next instalment.
May 2, 2021
This author was recommended to me by a friend, so I found the first book in the series through the library. I really enjoyed the story, wondering who was involved in the crime. Many twists and turns.
Greenaway's description of northwestern BC was fabulous! I felt I was there -- and needed a blanket to stay warm as the story took place when it was snowing and/or raining. I look forward to reading more of her work.
Greenaway's description of northwestern BC was fabulous! I felt I was there -- and needed a blanket to stay warm as the story took place when it was snowing and/or raining. I look forward to reading more of her work.
May 16, 2020
An assured and compelling debut. Brava!
February 11, 2016
Thank you NetGalley and Dundurn for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have been reading books since my childhood and most of them were crime stories. At first, it was Enid Blyton and her The Famous Five, Russian author Ekaterina Vilmont and her stories about Dasha and her friends, Carolyn Keenу and her Nancy Drew. I had so much fun reading the books and trying to solve the cases with the main characters.
When I was 7 years old I decided that it was time to read something more serious – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, James Hadley Chase, Arthur Hailey, Rex Stout, Georges Simenon and many others. These cases were way harder to solve, but once in a while I guessed who the killer was before the main character did it.
Nowadays it is getting harder and harder to find some good mystery to read. Last year I found Louise Phillips – a very talented author from Dublin – and her crime thrillers about a criminal psychologist Dr. Kate Pearson. I devoured her books in one sitting – they had everything that a good mystery needs.
This year – thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn publishing – I have found RM Greenaway and her Cold Girl. I shall be honest with you – I wanted to stop reading this book after the second or third chapter. One of the main characters – David Leith – made me angry. Right from the beginning he started to whine. Everything irritated him: snow, his wife and their daughter, his work. I wondered, why was he just complaining and didn’t do anything to change the situation. I put the book aside for a few days. In that few days something happened that made me understood David Leith and all his complaints – we’re all like him. There are not many people in the world that are satisfied with everything in their lives. You can’t be happy when everything is good, having ups and downs in our lives that makes us happy.
Another main character of the book is Constable Dion. He used to be a homicide detective but a car crash, in which his partner was killed, left him brain damaged. He can’t remember things. He is unstable and dangerous for everyone, especially for himself. You can’t help but empathize with how he struggles to return to his previous self. He remembers what it was to be a good detective with the promising future, and he wants it back even though he is hiding something that will destroy him completely.
You can’t tell that this book has the happy ending, but the case (i.e. two cases) is closed, both Leith and Dion has some perspectives in their lives and it makes me wait for the second book. I hope that there WILL BE the second where we can find more about Constable Dion’s past.
I have been reading books since my childhood and most of them were crime stories. At first, it was Enid Blyton and her The Famous Five, Russian author Ekaterina Vilmont and her stories about Dasha and her friends, Carolyn Keenу and her Nancy Drew. I had so much fun reading the books and trying to solve the cases with the main characters.
When I was 7 years old I decided that it was time to read something more serious – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, James Hadley Chase, Arthur Hailey, Rex Stout, Georges Simenon and many others. These cases were way harder to solve, but once in a while I guessed who the killer was before the main character did it.
Nowadays it is getting harder and harder to find some good mystery to read. Last year I found Louise Phillips – a very talented author from Dublin – and her crime thrillers about a criminal psychologist Dr. Kate Pearson. I devoured her books in one sitting – they had everything that a good mystery needs.
This year – thanks to NetGalley and Dundurn publishing – I have found RM Greenaway and her Cold Girl. I shall be honest with you – I wanted to stop reading this book after the second or third chapter. One of the main characters – David Leith – made me angry. Right from the beginning he started to whine. Everything irritated him: snow, his wife and their daughter, his work. I wondered, why was he just complaining and didn’t do anything to change the situation. I put the book aside for a few days. In that few days something happened that made me understood David Leith and all his complaints – we’re all like him. There are not many people in the world that are satisfied with everything in their lives. You can’t be happy when everything is good, having ups and downs in our lives that makes us happy.
Another main character of the book is Constable Dion. He used to be a homicide detective but a car crash, in which his partner was killed, left him brain damaged. He can’t remember things. He is unstable and dangerous for everyone, especially for himself. You can’t help but empathize with how he struggles to return to his previous self. He remembers what it was to be a good detective with the promising future, and he wants it back even though he is hiding something that will destroy him completely.
You can’t tell that this book has the happy ending, but the case (i.e. two cases) is closed, both Leith and Dion has some perspectives in their lives and it makes me wait for the second book. I hope that there WILL BE the second where we can find more about Constable Dion’s past.
December 28, 2015
Received from Netgalley
I just finished R.M. Greenaway's Cold Girl. This is a mystery and a police procedural. It revolves around a disappearance--what happened to the pretty singer of a local up-and-coming Canadian band? The main characters are Constable Dion, who has survived a terrible car crash and a year later, is still not able to think the way he once did. Once a hot-shot detective, he's now relegated to the backwaters of Canada doing scut work. The other main character is Leith, a detective who has been pursuing a particular serial killer and thinks that maybe this case is related.
What unfolds is a picture of a place--the cold remote back country of Canada where people eke out a living. It's isolated and unrelenting and oh, so cold. In this tiny town, there are too many suspects. Pinning down motives and who did what and when is a difficult task. Worse, Dion has a terrible time articulating himself and he begins to perceive patterns and clues, but his memory and mind won't work properly. He's frustrated. Everybody is frustrated with him. He's hidden his past, not wanting pity, so everyone sees him as inept at best, incompetent at worst. He quickly finds himself at odds with the other local law enforcement cold girlofficers and scrutinized by his higher-ups.
Leith is feeling burned out, angry, and left behind. Even when he solves one major mystery, he's left with more piling up. He's not sure he's happy in his marriage or his job, and he's not sure what he wants or where he wants to be. But soon, the missing girl becomes important to him and he finds it imperative that he solves the case.
At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. Neither Dion nor Leith are particularly likable. But they are fascinating. And watching Dion both fall apart and pull himself together at the same time is agonizing and yet I kept hoping for him. The mystery was somewhat slow to unfold, but then, while this book is about the whodunnit, it's more about the characters searching and the place and the local world.
The mysteries (they build as you go) are tied up and a satisfying way. Less so are the characters. The ending is slightly muddy for me and I wish it was a little clearer. Two small things are dropped in and I just don't know quite what to make of them. Also, a lot is made of Dion looking native, and yet nothing comes of it. I kept waiting for it to matter.
I do think this is a really good book and I enjoyed it. It comes out in March, so look for it.
I just finished R.M. Greenaway's Cold Girl. This is a mystery and a police procedural. It revolves around a disappearance--what happened to the pretty singer of a local up-and-coming Canadian band? The main characters are Constable Dion, who has survived a terrible car crash and a year later, is still not able to think the way he once did. Once a hot-shot detective, he's now relegated to the backwaters of Canada doing scut work. The other main character is Leith, a detective who has been pursuing a particular serial killer and thinks that maybe this case is related.
What unfolds is a picture of a place--the cold remote back country of Canada where people eke out a living. It's isolated and unrelenting and oh, so cold. In this tiny town, there are too many suspects. Pinning down motives and who did what and when is a difficult task. Worse, Dion has a terrible time articulating himself and he begins to perceive patterns and clues, but his memory and mind won't work properly. He's frustrated. Everybody is frustrated with him. He's hidden his past, not wanting pity, so everyone sees him as inept at best, incompetent at worst. He quickly finds himself at odds with the other local law enforcement cold girlofficers and scrutinized by his higher-ups.
Leith is feeling burned out, angry, and left behind. Even when he solves one major mystery, he's left with more piling up. He's not sure he's happy in his marriage or his job, and he's not sure what he wants or where he wants to be. But soon, the missing girl becomes important to him and he finds it imperative that he solves the case.
At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. Neither Dion nor Leith are particularly likable. But they are fascinating. And watching Dion both fall apart and pull himself together at the same time is agonizing and yet I kept hoping for him. The mystery was somewhat slow to unfold, but then, while this book is about the whodunnit, it's more about the characters searching and the place and the local world.
The mysteries (they build as you go) are tied up and a satisfying way. Less so are the characters. The ending is slightly muddy for me and I wish it was a little clearer. Two small things are dropped in and I just don't know quite what to make of them. Also, a lot is made of Dion looking native, and yet nothing comes of it. I kept waiting for it to matter.
I do think this is a really good book and I enjoyed it. It comes out in March, so look for it.
October 26, 2015
To put it succinctly, Cold Girl left me cold.
For one thing, it has the longest chapters ever! A Mountie who is the foremost expert on a serial killer goes further north to investigate another murder, leaving his wife and child behind for a few weeks, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There’s also a cop up from North Vancouver—never did find out what interested him so much in the case—and another policeman damaged by something in his past, though no one knows that, resulting in him being treated like an idiot. Not all the local cops play nice either.
The victim was a musician, so all the bandmates are the likely suspects, especially the boyfriend. Things are of course never that easy. Halfway through, Dion—the damaged guy—becomes the main character, and manages to liven things up a bit, but despite some parts I liked, most of the didn’t engage. My main problem with it was how the murderer was uncovered; I couldn’t follow it at all. There’s also a point where the author calls a particular character “the killer,” even though it wasn’t. Some of the psychological insights were interesting, and the dialogue wasn’t bad, but I couldn’t help feeling this should have been over a lot faster.
2.5 rounded up to 3/5
For one thing, it has the longest chapters ever! A Mountie who is the foremost expert on a serial killer goes further north to investigate another murder, leaving his wife and child behind for a few weeks, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There’s also a cop up from North Vancouver—never did find out what interested him so much in the case—and another policeman damaged by something in his past, though no one knows that, resulting in him being treated like an idiot. Not all the local cops play nice either.
The victim was a musician, so all the bandmates are the likely suspects, especially the boyfriend. Things are of course never that easy. Halfway through, Dion—the damaged guy—becomes the main character, and manages to liven things up a bit, but despite some parts I liked, most of the didn’t engage. My main problem with it was how the murderer was uncovered; I couldn’t follow it at all. There’s also a point where the author calls a particular character “the killer,” even though it wasn’t. Some of the psychological insights were interesting, and the dialogue wasn’t bad, but I couldn’t help feeling this should have been over a lot faster.
2.5 rounded up to 3/5
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