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Cold Case Witness
A DANGEROUS HOMECOMING
When her big-city dreams come crashing down, Gemma Phillips returns to her small hometown—and finds herself the target of a violent stalker. And her attacker may be linked to the robbery she witnessed years ago…a case reopened after the police discovered a body, supporting her claims of overhearing a murder. Now there's only one man who can save her: lawman Matt O'Dell. For Matt, solving this decades-old mystery will finally allow him to distance himself from his father's criminal past. But Matt's drive to close the case soon turns personal. He needs to guard his reputation…but first, he must protect the woman he's just discovered he loves.
When her big-city dreams come crashing down, Gemma Phillips returns to her small hometown—and finds herself the target of a violent stalker. And her attacker may be linked to the robbery she witnessed years ago…a case reopened after the police discovered a body, supporting her claims of overhearing a murder. Now there's only one man who can save her: lawman Matt O'Dell. For Matt, solving this decades-old mystery will finally allow him to distance himself from his father's criminal past. But Matt's drive to close the case soon turns personal. He needs to guard his reputation…but first, he must protect the woman he's just discovered he loves.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2016
44 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 24, 2016
16+ for some adult content and intense situations.
Why, yes, I did jump up and down when the package bearing this delightful little book came to my house. Wow. This was such a fun read! Just so awesome! I finished it in less than 48 hours. The only reason I did not finish it in less time was because of this terrible little inconvenience called housework...
When Gemma Phillips comes back to her girlhood home, all she wants is peace. But an old (and deadly) enemy has other ideas. Will she keep running from danger...or will she embrace the challenge and overcome the odds? And what about lawman Matt? Will he let the past decisions of others run his life or will he do the right thing? The past was bleak and it might make the future even bleaker.
Sarah is the master of suspense. The master of unique and perilous situations. I now view every closed door, every kayak, every tree, and every construction worker with suspicion. All noises in the night are to be considered dangerous. And, yes, I did jump and practically fall off the bed while reading a particularly intense scene and hubby just randomly called me... If you want to be so swept away in a story that you lose all sense of reality, read this book.
I think this was probably my favorite of her books, but I can't say for sure. I've loved them all. This one was fun because it returned us to Treasure Point and mentioned a few of our old friends, such as Shiloh.
I have to keep this review short because there is no way one could write a long review and NOT give away spoilers. If you like suspense, if you like touches of romance, if you like tons of adventure with just a few unlikely situations, and if you like great endings, this book is for you!
Next Sarah Varland book please....
Why, yes, I did jump up and down when the package bearing this delightful little book came to my house. Wow. This was such a fun read! Just so awesome! I finished it in less than 48 hours. The only reason I did not finish it in less time was because of this terrible little inconvenience called housework...
When Gemma Phillips comes back to her girlhood home, all she wants is peace. But an old (and deadly) enemy has other ideas. Will she keep running from danger...or will she embrace the challenge and overcome the odds? And what about lawman Matt? Will he let the past decisions of others run his life or will he do the right thing? The past was bleak and it might make the future even bleaker.
Sarah is the master of suspense. The master of unique and perilous situations. I now view every closed door, every kayak, every tree, and every construction worker with suspicion. All noises in the night are to be considered dangerous. And, yes, I did jump and practically fall off the bed while reading a particularly intense scene and hubby just randomly called me... If you want to be so swept away in a story that you lose all sense of reality, read this book.
I think this was probably my favorite of her books, but I can't say for sure. I've loved them all. This one was fun because it returned us to Treasure Point and mentioned a few of our old friends, such as Shiloh.
I have to keep this review short because there is no way one could write a long review and NOT give away spoilers. If you like suspense, if you like touches of romance, if you like tons of adventure with just a few unlikely situations, and if you like great endings, this book is for you!
Next Sarah Varland book please....
August 15, 2017
I loved this book! I'm a christian but a very open minded one! This book was very fulfilling and warmed my heart. I loved how the main characters realized that our past doesnt have to define who we are. I really enjoyed this book and reccomend it especially if you want the suspense without all the gore and such.
February 22, 2017
This book had potential, but ended up feeling disjointed and just rather blah. At a low point in her life, Gemma Phillips returns to her small hometown in Georgia to work for a local historical group. However, her past is right there waiting for her. When Gemma was a teenager, she witnessed events related to illegal traffic in historical artifacts. We don't get the specifics early on, but it's obvious that Gemma's story was disbelieved by many in town and she was ostracized for speaking up.
Naturally that made me want to learn what happened. We do eventually get there, but the road to the end of the mystery often felt clunky and disjointed. Instead of tension building, the suspense just never really built for me. Gemma's romance with police officer Matt O'Dell was sweet, but again, I just felt distanced from the characters as I read and the writing never fully sprang to life. This isn't a bad book, but it does feel a bit average.
Naturally that made me want to learn what happened. We do eventually get there, but the road to the end of the mystery often felt clunky and disjointed. Instead of tension building, the suspense just never really built for me. Gemma's romance with police officer Matt O'Dell was sweet, but again, I just felt distanced from the characters as I read and the writing never fully sprang to life. This isn't a bad book, but it does feel a bit average.
June 26, 2016
Oh my, what an intense and thrilling suspense filled book! I was turning the pages and holding my breath at times for sure.
The southern coast of Georgia is the setting for this fast paced story. You can just picture the moss draped live oak trees and hear the ocean coming to life in the rich details.
Gemma Phillips has a past she just can't let go of. As a senior in high school Gemma witnessed a terrible crime and insisted she saw a possible murder. Some of the guilty were punished and sent to prison but a body was never found and Gemma has been haunted by this ever since.
When her job ends in Atlanta, Gemma returns home and accepts a job with the Treasure Point Historical Society to do marketing for their new museum.
Matt O'Dell is a local police officer in Treasure Cove and has a past of his own to deal with. His alcoholic father was one of the men sent to prison for his involvement with the past crime.
Many attempts are made on Gemma's life and Matt is assigned to solve this cold case and also feels a duty to protect Gemma from an unknown assailant. The couple start to realize that they have feelings for each other.
There is a faith message in the book. Both Gemma and Matt have to decide not to be defined by their pasts and they both realize that by God's grace they have hope and a future.
I was shocked and surprised as to who the assailant was who was trying to kill Gemma. The book had lots of interesting twists and turns. This was a great book for those who love an action packed suspenseful read.
The southern coast of Georgia is the setting for this fast paced story. You can just picture the moss draped live oak trees and hear the ocean coming to life in the rich details.
Gemma Phillips has a past she just can't let go of. As a senior in high school Gemma witnessed a terrible crime and insisted she saw a possible murder. Some of the guilty were punished and sent to prison but a body was never found and Gemma has been haunted by this ever since.
When her job ends in Atlanta, Gemma returns home and accepts a job with the Treasure Point Historical Society to do marketing for their new museum.
Matt O'Dell is a local police officer in Treasure Cove and has a past of his own to deal with. His alcoholic father was one of the men sent to prison for his involvement with the past crime.
Many attempts are made on Gemma's life and Matt is assigned to solve this cold case and also feels a duty to protect Gemma from an unknown assailant. The couple start to realize that they have feelings for each other.
There is a faith message in the book. Both Gemma and Matt have to decide not to be defined by their pasts and they both realize that by God's grace they have hope and a future.
I was shocked and surprised as to who the assailant was who was trying to kill Gemma. The book had lots of interesting twists and turns. This was a great book for those who love an action packed suspenseful read.
June 14, 2016
Great Love Inspired Suspense! Cold Case Witness is an edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense novel that keeps the reader flipping the pages at lightning speed in order to find out what happens next...
January 8, 2025
No believable explanation for why the town disliked Gemma. She was being a good citizen and willing to testify at a trial. Otherwise, the story is predictable and has more attacks on Gemma that I would have originally thought.
September 6, 2018
A good story line.Great characters a pleasant
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August 17, 2022
enjoyable mystery read. I didn’t manage to guess it was the mail man I thought it was going to be the man who hired her for her job at the museum
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2016
Let me start by saying that this is my first Sarah Varland book, and I was not sure what to expect. However, the book was so well-written that I could not put it down once I started reading.
All in all, a good book to read on a rainy day, with a cup of hot chocolate.
All in all, a good book to read on a rainy day, with a cup of hot chocolate.
July 1, 2016
I'm always excited when I get one of Sharon's books. I enjoy her stories. This book is well written, action packed, and fast paced. She always manages to weave her faith throughout her story like a tapestry. I like that and it was nice to return to Treasure Point.
Gemma Phillips ran away from Treasure Point years ago. She had planned on never returning to her home town. She had witnessed a murder and a smuggling operation. No body was ever found. The men involved in the smuggling operation were put in prison but no one believed her about the murder. Gemma had lived with nightmares for all these years. Gemma lost her job and her savings so she came home to live with her sister and took a temporary job at the Treasure Point History Museum. On the day of her interview a construction crew found a dead body close to where she had witnessed to murder. The police officer in charge of the case was the only boy that had intrigued her in high school but she had sent his father to prison.
Treasure Point Police Officer Matt O'Dell was the first officer on the site when a dead body was discovered. He hadn't had any big cases but his boss told him he was in charge. Matt couldn't figure out how Gemma was involved but there had to be a connection. There wasn't much crime in town until she came back. He soon found out that whoever killed this man was now after Gemma. Matt had always been drawn to Gemma could he protect her, solve the case, and keep his heart safe?
A journey of two broken souls trying to find answers, stay safe, and find the killer. God has a plan for these two. A plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. A plan far greater than any you have dreamed of. Just make God Lord in your life, trust Him to turn your mess around, and watch him work.
Gemma Phillips ran away from Treasure Point years ago. She had planned on never returning to her home town. She had witnessed a murder and a smuggling operation. No body was ever found. The men involved in the smuggling operation were put in prison but no one believed her about the murder. Gemma had lived with nightmares for all these years. Gemma lost her job and her savings so she came home to live with her sister and took a temporary job at the Treasure Point History Museum. On the day of her interview a construction crew found a dead body close to where she had witnessed to murder. The police officer in charge of the case was the only boy that had intrigued her in high school but she had sent his father to prison.
Treasure Point Police Officer Matt O'Dell was the first officer on the site when a dead body was discovered. He hadn't had any big cases but his boss told him he was in charge. Matt couldn't figure out how Gemma was involved but there had to be a connection. There wasn't much crime in town until she came back. He soon found out that whoever killed this man was now after Gemma. Matt had always been drawn to Gemma could he protect her, solve the case, and keep his heart safe?
A journey of two broken souls trying to find answers, stay safe, and find the killer. God has a plan for these two. A plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too. A plan far greater than any you have dreamed of. Just make God Lord in your life, trust Him to turn your mess around, and watch him work.
September 6, 2016
Cold Case Witness is a very enjoyable suspense novel. I was drawn in at the very beginning, and I stayed engaged with the novel the whole time. Gemma and Matt are both very likeable characters, and I really enjoyed watching the story unfold.
I especially liked the suspense thread. I was constantly trying to figure out who Gemma's stalker was, and I was soooo wrong! However, the stalker's identity did make sense, even if I never would have gotten there in a million years.
The only thing that didn't ring true to me was the way Matt reacted to a conflict with Gemma near the end of the novel. By this point, it was obvious that someone was trying to kill Gemma. It also was obvious that he was in love with her. So his decision to completely walk away, to leave her protection detail to other officers, didn't make sense to me. Though circumstances dictated a change in the relationship, I can't believe that Matt wouldn't still have done everything in his power to keep Gemma safe. It was Matt's walking away that set in motion the end of the novel, but it felt more to me like a plot device than a realistic reaction.
Aside from that, though, I really enjoyed Cold Case Witness. It's part of Varland's Treasure Point series, and the next novel will release in November. I'm looking forward to it!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free for review. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
I especially liked the suspense thread. I was constantly trying to figure out who Gemma's stalker was, and I was soooo wrong! However, the stalker's identity did make sense, even if I never would have gotten there in a million years.
The only thing that didn't ring true to me was the way Matt reacted to a conflict with Gemma near the end of the novel. By this point, it was obvious that someone was trying to kill Gemma. It also was obvious that he was in love with her. So his decision to completely walk away, to leave her protection detail to other officers, didn't make sense to me. Though circumstances dictated a change in the relationship, I can't believe that Matt wouldn't still have done everything in his power to keep Gemma safe. It was Matt's walking away that set in motion the end of the novel, but it felt more to me like a plot device than a realistic reaction.
Aside from that, though, I really enjoyed Cold Case Witness. It's part of Varland's Treasure Point series, and the next novel will release in November. I'm looking forward to it!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free for review. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
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June 2, 2016"The mystery is solid throughout, with a realistic pace, which brings Varland’s story to life" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
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June 1, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
June 26, 2016
If you love a cozy suspense novel, you'll enjoy this one! Filled to the brim with romance, the heroine is lucky to enjoy it and stay alive until the end of the book. Or does she? ;)
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February 2, 2017I really like reading this book.
June 6, 2016
Quick, easy read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews