Cold River

by Liz Adair

Mandy Steenburg thinks her doctorate in education has prepared her to run any school district - until she tangles with the moonshine-making, coon-dog-owning residents of a remote district in Pacific Northwest timber country. She's determined to make a difference, but the local populace still looks to the former superintendent for leadership. When Mandy lands in the middle of an old feud and someone keeps trying to kill her, instinct tells her to run. With the river rising and death a real possibility, will she find a reason to stay and chance the odds? Part romance, part cozy mystery, part thriller, Cold River, like many of Liz Adair’s books, is a novel about family ties and second chances. From The Deseret "Cold River" is a light read, with emphasis on romantic entanglements and small-town politics…Readers expecting a complex thriller or a dark suspense book may be disappointed with "Cold River," but those looking for light afternoon entertainment will enjoy it. The content is family friendly, with no sexual issues beyond a few kisses and a frank discussion about reasons not to let physical intimacy progress. While there is danger and some potentially violent situations, these are neither graphic nor overly threatening. The family relationships are well done. Especially entertaining is the sibling banter between Mandy and her young sister, who joins her in the backwoods and also falls in love ... not with a boy, but with bluegrass. From Alice Wills Gold’s I’m so Funny (Sometimes): Sometimes I wonder where my brain is. It wasn't until I sat down to write this review that I realized how the title Cold River reflects the subject of the book. I swear I am blonde sometimes. The gist of the story-line in Cold River is a gutsy gal takes a job as a superintendent of schools in the small town in the upper mid-west of the US. She has never lived in such a small town and so when she ends up renting a house right on the river, the river and its surrounding landscapes are a comfort to her as she acclimates to the small town life. The river also has significance in one of the main plots, but I hate to give away spoilers in the reviews I write, so you will just have to read the book yourself. I fell in love with the male co-leads, if that's what we can call them. There are three cousins that are completely different yet equally hunky and mysterious. Once the story got going it was fast paced and intriguing and the suspense and romance only grew my interest up until the very end. I loved how the relationships all twist and intervene with one another; the mere idea is so consistent with small town living, especially because everyone is related in one way or another. I didn't guess the villain of the story until they were revealed and that is not easy for an author to do...I always guess what's going on, so I appreciated the surprise. It was a great surprise and I love when an author can get me shaking my head at myself for not guessing what was really going on in the story-line. I am personally connected to the three subplots of music in schools, literacy, and gaining emotional maturity and I agreed with the viewpoint of the author on them all and enjoyed how Adair wove them into the greater story. The end of the story was magnificent. I have a real hard time giving a book a good review if I don't think the end was spectacular. It has to be not only spectacular but real to life and feel-good. I know that limits me, but I don't think I am going to change now, so all you authors out there, write good endings.

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Una Tiers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clear writing but at YA level. Characters did not develop, but every man in town was in love with the protagonist.

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story dragged a lot, mostly due to excessive details in “filler”. For example: When the MC sat down to play the piano, it goes on and on about the pieces she chose to play. A schoolteacher might enjoy all the details the author included about mundane things involved in the MC’s occupation. I did not. A little editing there would have greatly helped the flow of the story. I found it annoying that she kept referring to the car by its make—never said, “She got in her car,” or “…started the car.” It read like a commercial for the brand.

I almost didn’t finish this one. The storyline was okay, but I likely won’t read another by this author.

[Brenda H · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars - ok but nothing exciting

[Amberlee Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something about this book grabbed me, and I find myself thinking of it at odd times. I've read it twice and will be reading it again. The characters are unique and believable, the story is good, but it's the location that really hooked me. I could see the mix of rundown and quirky homes, feel the cold damp air seep into my bones, and still mix in the mystery and possibility of romance. One of my favorites.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mandy is completely out of her element from the moment she steps into the North Cascade School District. Not only does she get a very cold reception from the locals but also from her new staff, including her assistant, Grange Timberlain. She doesn't know why he didn't get the proper license so he could retain the position as Superintendent, but it's not her fault that he's been demoted.

Mandy tries really hard to fit in and make the right decisions but it's hard to do when others tell her to just accept her salary and let Grange make the decisions. To make matters worse, her younger sister arrives wanting to finish out the school year while living with Mandy. She's getting over an old relationship and someone keeps trying to kill her. She questions whether she should have taken the position in Alaska instead.

However, Mandy is a very strong character who is complex and riveting as her situation unfolds. The plot is solid, keeping this reader up late turning the pages as the antics of the small town unfold with that creepy feeling lurking in the corner. Liz Adair writes a superb suspense and I can't wait to read more from this very talented author!

[Kate Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kindle freebie.

I thought there was a lot of potential here, but I was disappointed by the end of the book. The characters felt two-dimensional, with people falling in love very quickly for no apparent reasons, the MC responding inconsistently to several attempts on her life (she's going to leave the district to be safe, oh, wait, of course she's not going to leave, she's busy at work, etc.), a villain who was clearly not acting in the MC's best interest from quite early in the book, etc.

The romance wasn't satisfying, the mystery plot was resolved with absolutely no agency or effort on the part of the MC, so I was left with a story about a woman learning about bluegrass music. Not really enough to keep me engaged.

[Kay Curtiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love curling up on a chilly day with good mystery and Liz Adair's Cold River delivered over the Thanksgiving Weekend with a "couldn't put it down" read. Having several projects I was working on, I kept having to take a break to read another chapter, finally staying up into the wee hours of the morning to finish it. Not many books grab my attention like this one did - If you like a good mystery with a little romance, you'll definitely want to pick up this one up - great setting, quirky characters and a story that will keep you guessing until the end.

Read my full review at http://ldsretailers.blogspot.com/2011...

[Lola Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!!

It was great to read a book set in the Pacific Northwest.
I was surprised to find that I could not figure out the bad guy right away.
I will tell all my friends about Liz Adair and her great book.
I was given this b for free in exchange fore an honest review.

[David Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book. Sometimes the free books that you get for Kindle are not that great, but this one impressed me. Easy to read with a couple of surprises along the way.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting novel of a new to town superintendent and trouble brewing in a tight knit community. Twists and turns abound, as well as a dip in the cold river.

recommend this.

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tarheel. Music

Mandy leaves Albuquerque for a superintendent job in a small backwater town in Washington state. After a less than friendly greeting, a hot dog from the Quicki Mart and sleeping on the couch overnight at the school she is not sure what she has gotten herself into. After several mishaps including a wheel falling off her car she is not sure she wants to stay. Than she meets Vince, Grange and Raul. Who is trying to get her to leave and which man is truly the man for her. I loved this mystery set among the forest of the Pacific Northwest.

[Linda Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandy came to supervise the school district. The town taught her Bluegrass and Steelbands

Mandy came in to a cold reception for her new job but she fought her way to find acceptation. The fight was hard and her assistant who had the job before her fought her from the start. Her younger sister joined her. then weird things started to happen to her. Accidents that almost killed her. Mandy found she fell in love with the town and could have fell for three men but finally fell for one. But even that wasn’t simple. Since coming north nothing had been simple

[Sherry]

Cold River

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Cold River, my first reading of a Liz Adair book. A disturbing note to me was when the mother of Mandy & Leesie advised them to go to Planned Parenthood, an abortion facility. The story was not about abortion, however. Mountain music, rescue from numerous near-death experiences, and a school in chaos all mixed together for entertaining reading.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it!!

Liz is a great writer. I had already read a couple of her books a few years back. Came across this one and knew it would be good. I was right.
Boy, I had a feeling about Fran setting that fire on the house. 8t was just too convenient for her to happen to turn up the way she did. No wonder she didn't want Mandy to call the sheriff.
This is a great book and I sure hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed her other books.

[Carole Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like to criticize, but this book reads like a 1940s movie: predictable scenes strung together with a smattering of misunderstandings, a little mystery, many contrived, improbable situations and ending with polar opposites falling in love for no developed reason. When was the last time you heard a man call a woman (he has recently disliked) "darling" in an emergency situation ? Ends happily ever after for everyone. Suitable for adolescents.

[Jenny Carr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't understand anyone giving five stars. The characters were shallow, ridiculous, unbelievable. The writing dragged on, and I kept on reading hoping something would happen, but when it did it lacked the tension of the usual suspense novel. Also, how on earth can you have romantic involvements with so many at one time like that? That part seemed really flippant.

[Dystopian Mayhem · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, the plot was very promising, the characters are well written and the hint of a mystery at the beginning was interesting. But... it was too slow. Very descriptive . Repetitious. There was not much romance either, half way through the book and there still was none to speak of. And when it finally showed up, it was weird.

[Georgene Ingwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might read some more books by Lis Adair. This one caught my interest with the rural school district setting and the blue grass music. A young woman school superintendent who also teaches reading! I always loved teaching people to read. (Liz Adair was a reading teacher.) This book had quite a lot of adventure and romance....more than enough. A fun read.

[Bookworm2721 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in a small town was awesome.

The characters in this book reminds me of people I knew. I love when a community comes together and celebrate. Miss it. Very close to learning about the thoughts of people who have a network connection. Loved it.

[Myra Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning

I enjoy books of all venues. This was fast paced and a quick read. Adventure, nice plot, unusual cast of characters. Having lived in Washington state , the description s of the area was great and now living in New Mexico made this book a jewel.

[Kathy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

You can’t go wrong reading a Liz Adair mystery. Love her storyline and plot twist. Unlike this story, your head won’t hurt in the end. Ha! Highly recommend this book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. A little slow for my tastes Sometimes a little confusing, like the situations or paragraphs weren't fully wrapped up or completed.

[JessicaMHR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twisted ending

This book hums along through most of the book, and then everything that has been occurring comes rushing out at the end.

[TimsGlitterBug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great, easy read. A mystery almost to the end, left wanting a lil more. Happy to have more books to read from the same author!

[Sandra Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting

Leaves you wanting to know what happened next. Hard to put down. Could have read in one day if I had the time.

[Liz Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

What a lovely way to while away a grey raining day...and the people are so interesting. And what a delightful romance.

[Christine Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly sweet

This is a good story, with a small mystery. There are some nice morality lessons without being preachy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Kathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read, kind of predictable, I figured it out early on. It was well written and the characters had some depth.

[Christy Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Really loved this book. Mystery and love all in one book!
Love this author's way of writing and keeping the readers attention.

[GeorgeB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters

Wonderful story drawing you into the mystery. Funny, intriguing, great character development! Would recommend to anyone. Good read that keeps you interested