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Emily Swanson Thrillers #3
Cold Hearts
Corruption, Conspiracy, Greed, Murder...
Three months after the horrific events of Meadow Pines, Emily Swanson is facing a new mystery - what to do with the rest of her life. Enter grieving widow, Diane Edwards, with an unusual proposition. Diane's husband drowned in the River Thames, but she believes there's more to his death than meets the eye - and she wants to pay Emily to find out the truth.
As Emily's investigation takes her across London and beyond, what first seems like an open and shut case quickly escalates into something much more terrifying - and deadly.
Out of her depth and with usual partner-in-crime Jerome busy dealing with problems of his own, Emily must turn to an unlikely ally for help.
It's a lethal race against time as Emily puts her life on the line to uncover a shocking conspiracy of global proportions.
Three months after the horrific events of Meadow Pines, Emily Swanson is facing a new mystery - what to do with the rest of her life. Enter grieving widow, Diane Edwards, with an unusual proposition. Diane's husband drowned in the River Thames, but she believes there's more to his death than meets the eye - and she wants to pay Emily to find out the truth.
As Emily's investigation takes her across London and beyond, what first seems like an open and shut case quickly escalates into something much more terrifying - and deadly.
Out of her depth and with usual partner-in-crime Jerome busy dealing with problems of his own, Emily must turn to an unlikely ally for help.
It's a lethal race against time as Emily puts her life on the line to uncover a shocking conspiracy of global proportions.
- GenresMystery
Nook
First published June 14, 2016
About the author
Malcolm Richards
42 books108 followersMalcolm Richards crafts stories to keep you guessing from the edge of your seat. He is the author of several crime thrillers and mystery novels, including the PI Blake Hollow series, the award-nominated Devil’s Cove trilogy, and the Emily Swanson series. Many of his books are set in Cornwall, where he was born and raised.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Malcolm worked for many years in the special education sector, teaching and supporting children with complex needs. After living in London for two decades, he has now settled in the Somerset countryside with his partner and a cat named Sukey.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Malcolm worked for many years in the special education sector, teaching and supporting children with complex needs. After living in London for two decades, he has now settled in the Somerset countryside with his partner and a cat named Sukey.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 31, 2021
Irritating and Disappointing!
First, I am so SICK of the lead “character”, Emily Swanson, and her NUMEROUS and CONTINUING willfully recurring psychological problems. THREE BOOKS and she can STILL barely form a sentence! She is afraid of sounds, of the light, of the dark, of being alone in a room, of NOT being alone in a room, of the phone, of RESPONDING to ANYTHING, of London, of the country, of dating, of the underground, of THE TRUTH. She blabbers, paranoiacally, about everything (meaning herself), sharing NOTHING with others, making EVERYTHING about HER. Constantly looking over her shoulder, repeatedly locking her doors, HIDING OUT, then recklessly and willfully involving others, whom she, of course, tells nothing, who invariably end up horribly injured or DEAD. She is SO IRRITATINGLY SELFISH, SHY, so paralyzingly, endlessly bewildered and overcome. A total BLANK of insecurities and unprovoked panic. She leaves other people’s circumstances completely unaddressed so she can CONSTANTLY torture herself with unrelated events from her own past, which weren’t even HER FAULT in the first place! She blames herself for EVERYTHING in her past; her man, Lewis, walking out on her after her horrifying mother dies (because Emily gave up YEARS of her life with Lewis to INSTEAD spend ALL OF HER TIME, 24/7, to care for her dying harridan of a mother, a mother who abused Emily all of her life). Emily Swanson is SELFISHLY OBSESSED, PARTICULARLY with the impulsive, completely unprovoked and unanticipated suicide of one of her students, Philip (who was himself profoundly mentally ill after years of his own abusive home life). These memories are ALL and ONLY what Emily will WILLFULLY INDULGE HERSELF IN! All in order to A)Avoid the present and B) torture HERSELF, daily, hourly, completely ignoring the concerns of everyone else currently around her. EMILY: “But… um… I… if…”, followed by a panic attack, then an unresponsive staring out of a window for five minutes, and ALL because a handsome, kind, respectful man she works with has suggested they MIGHT have a coffee together sometime! AARRGGHH! Emily Swanson is INFURIATING! Indecisive, a recluse, a stammerer, a bore, no positive personality traits WHATSOEVER. No humor, no self-awareness, just self-indulgence, AND… THIS BOOK! Emily has the opportunity to bring down a huge, multi-National corporation who purposefully poison MILLIONS of children across the world (for profit), and who employ “fixers” who MURDER ANYONE they perceive to be a threat — five people that Emily knows of so far, including her “best friend” (all except for one person, a JOURNALIST!!! who, for bizarrely unexplained reasons, the corporation LEAVES ALIVE). THEN, ultimately, for small, selfish reasons, Emily decides to… turn over all evidence she has of the corporation’s misdeeds to the CORPORATION ITSELF! WWWHHHYYY? And, then… end of book! WHAT? HUH? This was, perhaps, the most unsatisfying book I have ever read.
First, I am so SICK of the lead “character”, Emily Swanson, and her NUMEROUS and CONTINUING willfully recurring psychological problems. THREE BOOKS and she can STILL barely form a sentence! She is afraid of sounds, of the light, of the dark, of being alone in a room, of NOT being alone in a room, of the phone, of RESPONDING to ANYTHING, of London, of the country, of dating, of the underground, of THE TRUTH. She blabbers, paranoiacally, about everything (meaning herself), sharing NOTHING with others, making EVERYTHING about HER. Constantly looking over her shoulder, repeatedly locking her doors, HIDING OUT, then recklessly and willfully involving others, whom she, of course, tells nothing, who invariably end up horribly injured or DEAD. She is SO IRRITATINGLY SELFISH, SHY, so paralyzingly, endlessly bewildered and overcome. A total BLANK of insecurities and unprovoked panic. She leaves other people’s circumstances completely unaddressed so she can CONSTANTLY torture herself with unrelated events from her own past, which weren’t even HER FAULT in the first place! She blames herself for EVERYTHING in her past; her man, Lewis, walking out on her after her horrifying mother dies (because Emily gave up YEARS of her life with Lewis to INSTEAD spend ALL OF HER TIME, 24/7, to care for her dying harridan of a mother, a mother who abused Emily all of her life). Emily Swanson is SELFISHLY OBSESSED, PARTICULARLY with the impulsive, completely unprovoked and unanticipated suicide of one of her students, Philip (who was himself profoundly mentally ill after years of his own abusive home life). These memories are ALL and ONLY what Emily will WILLFULLY INDULGE HERSELF IN! All in order to A)Avoid the present and B) torture HERSELF, daily, hourly, completely ignoring the concerns of everyone else currently around her. EMILY: “But… um… I… if…”, followed by a panic attack, then an unresponsive staring out of a window for five minutes, and ALL because a handsome, kind, respectful man she works with has suggested they MIGHT have a coffee together sometime! AARRGGHH! Emily Swanson is INFURIATING! Indecisive, a recluse, a stammerer, a bore, no positive personality traits WHATSOEVER. No humor, no self-awareness, just self-indulgence, AND… THIS BOOK! Emily has the opportunity to bring down a huge, multi-National corporation who purposefully poison MILLIONS of children across the world (for profit), and who employ “fixers” who MURDER ANYONE they perceive to be a threat — five people that Emily knows of so far, including her “best friend” (all except for one person, a JOURNALIST!!! who, for bizarrely unexplained reasons, the corporation LEAVES ALIVE). THEN, ultimately, for small, selfish reasons, Emily decides to… turn over all evidence she has of the corporation’s misdeeds to the CORPORATION ITSELF! WWWHHHYYY? And, then… end of book! WHAT? HUH? This was, perhaps, the most unsatisfying book I have ever read.
February 9, 2020
This is book three of the Emily Swanson Suspense Thriller series and follows Emily as she tries to decide what to do with her life after recent events. She has a little bit of money left, but needs to decide on her future job or career and whilst thinking about it, she is contacted by a grieving widow, who has seen the news reports of her recent activities and wants to hire her to find out what happened to her husband, just over a year ago. Her husband Max Edwards was a recovering alcoholic, who had been sober to save his marriage and who hadn’t had a drink for ten years, but after the launch of a charity for Clean Water Project launch event he was leading, he disappeared and was found dead, thought to have fallen into the Thames whilst way over the limit from alcohol.
Emily has lost enough in her short life so far, so knows what it is like to lose everything like Max’s widow. She starts looking into his death and soon finds that those who saw him last have either disappeared or need to be identified. Others have died in similar circumstances, which leads her to believe there was something being hidden from them and it was linked to Max and his work with Valance Industries. He had discovered something that the company he was working for, were doing that went against all of his environmentalist beliefs and his work to supposedly make the company more green, produce less waste and make cleaner products. But he and later Emily found out that the company was selling a lead product to developing countries, a product that most of the civilized world has banned, but they are still exporting to countries where it isn’t and it is causing untold damage to the children and others exposed to it.
Emily needs to find Anya and her son Josh, a major associate of Max, working together on the Clean Water Project. She left her job and moved within weeks of Max’s death and must know more than anyone else. Emily drops her roommate Jerome into the mix as usual, although he isn’t managing as well as her, after recent events. Finding the missing mum and son may well put them back into the cross hairs and liable to be hunted down once more! If Emily and her annoying journalist friend, find out what really happened to Max and the others, are they placing themselves into grave danger as well? There is a serious conspiracy behind events and there are apparently seriously important names, high up in government and elsewhere, that will do anything to keep their secrets!
Emily is out of her depth and just an amateur at this private investigator lark. She will follow the evidence Max’s widow gave her and all the other leads she comes across, but whether it will be enough to get justice for his wife, is for you to find out. Her recent activities have given her some experience in dangerous situations, but it seems more by luck that she has come out on top. She has managed to solve some dodgy scenarios, trusting her instinct and not worrying too much about what others think. This may well lead to her making a good decision about her future career, but it will also hit her hard and leave her wondering if she has made the correct move, with what she found. A difficult choice to save a few or to save millions. Another cracking thriller with Emily Swanson having to uncover a poisonous path of death and devastation, whilst trying to keep friends safe and well. I look forward to reading her next adventure. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Emily has lost enough in her short life so far, so knows what it is like to lose everything like Max’s widow. She starts looking into his death and soon finds that those who saw him last have either disappeared or need to be identified. Others have died in similar circumstances, which leads her to believe there was something being hidden from them and it was linked to Max and his work with Valance Industries. He had discovered something that the company he was working for, were doing that went against all of his environmentalist beliefs and his work to supposedly make the company more green, produce less waste and make cleaner products. But he and later Emily found out that the company was selling a lead product to developing countries, a product that most of the civilized world has banned, but they are still exporting to countries where it isn’t and it is causing untold damage to the children and others exposed to it.
Emily needs to find Anya and her son Josh, a major associate of Max, working together on the Clean Water Project. She left her job and moved within weeks of Max’s death and must know more than anyone else. Emily drops her roommate Jerome into the mix as usual, although he isn’t managing as well as her, after recent events. Finding the missing mum and son may well put them back into the cross hairs and liable to be hunted down once more! If Emily and her annoying journalist friend, find out what really happened to Max and the others, are they placing themselves into grave danger as well? There is a serious conspiracy behind events and there are apparently seriously important names, high up in government and elsewhere, that will do anything to keep their secrets!
Emily is out of her depth and just an amateur at this private investigator lark. She will follow the evidence Max’s widow gave her and all the other leads she comes across, but whether it will be enough to get justice for his wife, is for you to find out. Her recent activities have given her some experience in dangerous situations, but it seems more by luck that she has come out on top. She has managed to solve some dodgy scenarios, trusting her instinct and not worrying too much about what others think. This may well lead to her making a good decision about her future career, but it will also hit her hard and leave her wondering if she has made the correct move, with what she found. A difficult choice to save a few or to save millions. Another cracking thriller with Emily Swanson having to uncover a poisonous path of death and devastation, whilst trying to keep friends safe and well. I look forward to reading her next adventure. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
September 19, 2025
I would rate this book a 3.5
I would have rated it a four as it was very gripping and intense however the whole background of the mystery being related to an environmental company was really any of my interest. There were many plot twists that kept me hooked throughout the book. I love that Daniel and Helen make a reappearance in this novel, and I also enjoy the more personal insights into Emily and Jerome’s lives such as Jerome’s relationship with Daniel and the hatred that Helen and Emily have for each-other despite having to choice but to work together on this case
The book lost .5 stars for me as the ending didn’t go as I hoped however it may be revealed in book 4. I would have liked to see if carter and Emily go on to have that 2nd date and to see how it goes as it is clear that Emily was warming up to him - and I don’t doubt that he will be a character in the next book. Although I would have liked a chapter at the end fast forwarded a year to see if Helen did that that article about TEL or if she handed the evidence into the police - how would Emily react to this - I don’t think this will be in the next book as it is moving onto a different case but it might just come up in passing and Emily and Jerome might slabber about how Helen has acted
The ending of this book is a real cliff hanger as we just learn that Emily is going to become a PI and I can’t wait to see how her career progresses and what the next life threatening situation is for her
I would have rated it a four as it was very gripping and intense however the whole background of the mystery being related to an environmental company was really any of my interest. There were many plot twists that kept me hooked throughout the book. I love that Daniel and Helen make a reappearance in this novel, and I also enjoy the more personal insights into Emily and Jerome’s lives such as Jerome’s relationship with Daniel and the hatred that Helen and Emily have for each-other despite having to choice but to work together on this case
The book lost .5 stars for me as the ending didn’t go as I hoped however it may be revealed in book 4. I would have liked to see if carter and Emily go on to have that 2nd date and to see how it goes as it is clear that Emily was warming up to him - and I don’t doubt that he will be a character in the next book. Although I would have liked a chapter at the end fast forwarded a year to see if Helen did that that article about TEL or if she handed the evidence into the police - how would Emily react to this - I don’t think this will be in the next book as it is moving onto a different case but it might just come up in passing and Emily and Jerome might slabber about how Helen has acted
The ending of this book is a real cliff hanger as we just learn that Emily is going to become a PI and I can’t wait to see how her career progresses and what the next life threatening situation is for her
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2023
Trail of Poison is the third book in the Emily Swanson series and I actually bought it. I never buy mysteries but the three libraries I have cards to did not have the book and I invested in the story.
Emily is running out of money and needs a job to be able to pay her bills. Finances get more dire when Jerome informs her he will be moving out. Happy for her friend but sad to be loosing his company Emily is suddenly contacted by a woman whose husband supposedly committed suicide. Determined to help the widow find out what really happened Emily is thrust into a wild world of lies, murder, and the unknown.
Trail of Poison was my least favorite of the series so far. The ending did not feel full filling and while Emily did react like a normal human I still felt like the case was left open. With that said it is possible the case will continue on with the rest of the series. I was also blind sided by Jerome's nationality being revealed, I have no issue with him being black but I don't recall that being said in any other books. I have had a fever for days so I could have just forgotten that part. Despite not enjoying the story ending as much I purchase the fourth book, Watch You Sleep, since none of the libraries have it either.
Emily is running out of money and needs a job to be able to pay her bills. Finances get more dire when Jerome informs her he will be moving out. Happy for her friend but sad to be loosing his company Emily is suddenly contacted by a woman whose husband supposedly committed suicide. Determined to help the widow find out what really happened Emily is thrust into a wild world of lies, murder, and the unknown.
Trail of Poison was my least favorite of the series so far. The ending did not feel full filling and while Emily did react like a normal human I still felt like the case was left open. With that said it is possible the case will continue on with the rest of the series. I was also blind sided by Jerome's nationality being revealed, I have no issue with him being black but I don't recall that being said in any other books. I have had a fever for days so I could have just forgotten that part. Despite not enjoying the story ending as much I purchase the fourth book, Watch You Sleep, since none of the libraries have it either.
January 31, 2023
Eyeopening
The next stage of Emily's life. A huge step into industrial ethics makes this a cross between crime and spy thriller.
Jerome becomes an injured hero and we get to know more about Daniel.
I love the way these books have a root in reality, it means the plotline is that much more believable.
If you like to be kept on the edge of your seat, perhaps do some reading around a subject that will open up your mind, these books are for you.
Alternatively,if you just like a book with a flawed heroine, a touch of humour and a lot of intrigue and action, you won't her disappointed.
The next stage of Emily's life. A huge step into industrial ethics makes this a cross between crime and spy thriller.
Jerome becomes an injured hero and we get to know more about Daniel.
I love the way these books have a root in reality, it means the plotline is that much more believable.
If you like to be kept on the edge of your seat, perhaps do some reading around a subject that will open up your mind, these books are for you.
Alternatively,if you just like a book with a flawed heroine, a touch of humour and a lot of intrigue and action, you won't her disappointed.
March 28, 2021
By now this series has my full attention. What are the next steps for Emily but I keep going in to find those answers. In this she helps a to uncover a truth knowing how it is. The thing is the victim was found with lethal levels of alcohol which wife or widow insists not so. When someone has be sober for years it seems the killer if they are murdered will use that. In this it does not take log for the danger to escalate. A pair goes missing and it soon becomes more. Emily does need help and does have time hanging over her head. Pulls us to edge once again and this is another page turner.
January 1, 2025
Trail of Poison
Malcolm Richards
Fasten your seatbelt, the ride is rough!
Wow! This story was so gripping, that I had to finish it in one go. Once again, I was thrown into turmoil with the characters I grew to love and I wanted to fight for justice along with them.
Malcolm Richards
Fasten your seatbelt, the ride is rough!
Wow! This story was so gripping, that I had to finish it in one go. Once again, I was thrown into turmoil with the characters I grew to love and I wanted to fight for justice along with them.
April 21, 2020
And here he goes again!!.. well done Malcolm another excellent book.. Emily Emily you do get yourself into so many scrapes!!.. but seriously the scrapes you get into are hardcore intense scenarios.. you need a break and to get a run of the mill job! (No please dont!).. and Malcolm love reading your take on the beautiful coast of my childhood and now your in my adult territory kent!.. seriously keep going your amazing.. :)
June 7, 2020
A Thrilling Series
This is a thrilling series from the author Malcolm Richards. Emily Swanson is an unofficial private investigator who has been asked by a grieving widow to investigatie the death of her husband Max an environmentalist. Diane does not believe that her husbands death was an accident. All hell breaks loose as Emily investigates Max's life. Page turner that grabs you and doesnt let go until the very end. Highly recommend.
This is a thrilling series from the author Malcolm Richards. Emily Swanson is an unofficial private investigator who has been asked by a grieving widow to investigatie the death of her husband Max an environmentalist. Diane does not believe that her husbands death was an accident. All hell breaks loose as Emily investigates Max's life. Page turner that grabs you and doesnt let go until the very end. Highly recommend.
September 10, 2021
Brilliant read, I couldn’t put it down!
March 28, 2024
Loving this series!
February 15, 2017
3 pack Available Kindle Unlimited, don't know if individually they are, seem to remember the first was a freebie, this one as the 3 set which of course is helpful in filling just 1 of the 10 kindle 'unlimited' spots. The stories were interesting, but too detailed for me at first because had been reading cozies, so even the massive to me amount of pages was probably due to the cozy reading. Obviously a lot went in to writing each story.
0 Bad Blood JUST OUT
1 Lost Lives
2 Cruel Minds
3 Cold Hearts
Available 3 pack, 2 pack, individually
0 Bad Blood JUST OUT
1 Lost Lives
2 Cruel Minds
3 Cold Hearts
Available 3 pack, 2 pack, individually
July 14, 2016
An Author to Take Notice Of
I have recently finished reading this book and Malcolm Richards surpasses himself every time. This well-crafted story takes you into a world where murder and big business mix, where motives and opportunities for murder abound. The pace and setting were excellent and plot twists served to keep me on the edge of my seat until the last page. The story has a few excellent twists before providing a truly satisfying, and surprising, conclusion. I can recommend this book to lovers of a good murder mystery.
I have recently finished reading this book and Malcolm Richards surpasses himself every time. This well-crafted story takes you into a world where murder and big business mix, where motives and opportunities for murder abound. The pace and setting were excellent and plot twists served to keep me on the edge of my seat until the last page. The story has a few excellent twists before providing a truly satisfying, and surprising, conclusion. I can recommend this book to lovers of a good murder mystery.
December 14, 2016
The main character, Emily Swanson, gets embroiled in another heart-stopper. I thoroughly enjoy Malcolm Richards' writing and look forward to the next installment of the Emily Swanson thrillers! (It doesn't hurt that the stories take place in and around London, one of my all-time favorite places!) I can recommend this as a clean read.
August 12, 2016
By far the best Swanson thriller so far – Emily is growing into something, or someone, you can actually believe in. Keep up the good work, Malcolm :-)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews