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Samantha Church Mystery #4

Cold Case No. 99-5219

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A baby is murdered on New Year’s Eve 1999, her tiny body abandoned in a Dumpster. Twelve years later, while locked in a vicious legal battle to regain custody of her own daughter, reporter Samantha Church stumbles across the infant girl’s headstone at Golden Cemetery. Sam is immediately intrigued by the plea for help from the Grandview Police Department on the child’s gravestone. Sam approaches Grandview police detective James Page, the original officer in charge of the case, but without new evidence, there is nothing Page can do to reopen the cold case and bring the killer to justice. Or is there? As Sam digs deeper into the baby’s murder, powerful businessmen, a former Merchant Marine and even a strange and mysterious psychic illuminate her path. Though the further she goes and the more dangerous and deceiving her journey becomes, she refuses to give up and let this infant girl’s murder go unsolved. Cold Case No. 99-5219, is the newest fast-paced novel in the award-winning mystery series featuring reporter Samantha Church and the rest of the great ensemble cast of characters who will keep you coming back for more.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2018

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1194 people want to read

About the author

Betta Ferrendelli

12 books123 followers
I have been an award-winning journalist since 1989, having worked at newspapers and magazines in Denver, Seattle and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
I am the author of the award-winning and Amazon best-selling Samantha Church Mystery Series, featuring The Friday Edition (named one of the best books of 2013 by Kirkus and a Readers' Favorite gold medal winner), Revenge is Sweet, Dead Wrong, Cold Case No. 99-5219 (a Readers' Favorite gold medal winner), On the Border, The Long Way Home and Point of Origin. Dusk, the eighth book in the mystery series, will publish in late 2026.
I have also written two award-winning books in contemporary women's fiction: Last Things and An Invincible Summer.
Be sure to follow me on BookBub for the latest on all my books and to download a free copy of The Friday Edition: https://bit.ly/3JztNtx

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5 stars
589 (59%)
4 stars
267 (27%)
3 stars
104 (10%)
2 stars
21 (2%)
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7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
Profile Image for Marleen.
1,867 reviews90 followers
March 18, 2018
Trying to cut back on my Kindle purchases, I came across Cold Case No. 99-5219 because it was free of charge (for 24 hours, at least), and the synopsis genuinely appealed to me. I love police procedurals, and although the main protagonist is a reporter, Samantha Church follows the investigative process just as law enforcement does. Sam Church is a very likeable character. I also immensely like her resilience, her vulnerability and the love she has for her grandmother, her older friend Howard, who both live on the ranch with Sam. Not forgetting how she adores her young daughter, April. Added to that, the backdrop of the Denver area surely helps to complete the visual.
This is the 4th installment in the series, and although I haven’t read the previous books, I was just a bit surprised, and dare I say skeptical about all the heartache and trouble Sam’s job and personal life has dished out so far. If this was a standalone book, I would’ve appreciated it more I suppose, but learning that in the 3 previous books, one female protagonist has had her corrupt ex-husband (a cop) commit suicide, her beloved sister killed, her daughter's custody taken away by her mean ex-mother-in-law, and then her battling alcoholism, I think it’s a bit too much for one person – in my humble opinion.
That doesn’t take away that this was an interesting read, where, fortunately, no heinous killer was lurking in the dark, committing murders, but rather human failings and bad judgment lead to the death of a baby girl.
It’s the nameless tombstone of “Baby Hope” leading Sam to dig deeper in the story and finally breaking it wide open.
All things considered, this deserves a 3,5 stars rating from me, because it warmed my heart to come across people who might be flawed, but mainly decent and goodhearted.
Profile Image for Joyce.
1,801 reviews18 followers
June 15, 2020
An unusual cold case

Samantha Church is a Colorado reporter, a Mother, a widow and an alcoholic. Her young daughter is living with her paternal grandmother in Seattle. She lost custody because of her drinking. Sam locates a file on a cold case in the newspaper’s morgue. Baby Hope who was found dead in a garbage bag in a dumpster twelve years earlier. She begins to investigate what happened and is working somewhat closely with a Detective who had been the responding officer when the baby’s remains were found. Sam is also going to Court to try to resume custody of her daughter. This is pretty much a character driven story and the cast is large. Some are very well developed and some others could use a bit more development. All in all, it was a better than average read. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
278 reviews5 followers
July 11, 2021
This was the first book of the series that I’ve read. There were a lot of references to things that happened previously and that made feel like I should have started at the beginning of the series. I did enjoy the characters and the premis.
Profile Image for MWBP.
146 reviews8 followers
January 9, 2018
Never Forgotten

“Only the forgotten are truly dead.” - Tess Gerritsen

Author Betta Ferrendelli’s novel ‘Cold Case, 99-5219’ is the latest installment in the Samantha Church mystery series books. While visiting the grave of her sister, Sam discovers an odd headstone in the graveyard—of a baby who was murdered 12 years ago. Already reeling under the stress of a protracted custody battle for her sole daughter, Sam is drawn to uncovering the mysteries behind this decade old case. As new leads turn up, she gets the police to reopen the case. But as Sam digs deeper, it becomes clear that someone powerful doesn’t want the truth to get out. Samantha then is forced to find a way out of a dangerous situation that could sound the death knell for her.

Betta Ferrendelli brilliantly draws us into a terrifying but ultimately affirmative novel in which emotions like love, friendship, and compassion reign supreme. The book also shines light on the quest for truth that is within all of us, and the shining eminence it has in an otherwise hopeless world.

Featuring a recurring lead who is both independent and immensely likable, Cold Case works as much because of the plot as because of the lead character. This is a novel that espouses the complicated and essential nature of friendships and family in one’s life. And coming after the previous year which was in many ways the year of the women, this is a book that shows that femininity and feminism need not be mutually exclusive.

“It boasts of having a solidly plotted mystery at its core, and this should appeal to fans who enjoy Gillian Flynn novels.”

Speaking about the cold and lonely heart of this book, it has a poignant and haunting story about a woman’s search for the truth behind a young child’s murder juxtaposed with her search for deeper meaning in her personal life. This is a powerful and emotional journey for Sam, but is ultimately a hopeful one, as she uncovers evidences that not only shines light on the murder case, but also makes personal progress that helps Sam put her traumatic past behind her.

“Betta explores the complicated nature of adult relationships while delivering a suspenseful novel full of unpredictable twists.”

Betta’s writing is so descriptive, and it isn’t about the boring details her characters do, but more about the technical side of journalistic practices and police work. She doesn’t try and show off the research that she has done for this book, but at the same time the hard work becomes obvious when you read these passages. There were many scenes in the book that hit hard and were thought provoking and stayed with me even after the book ended. I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone, but the scene set in the farm at night was especially telling. Then the revelation scene also gripped my heart, and at times I found myself tearing up. It was certainly very intense and moving, with many surprising revelations.

Betta shows that she is capable of both depth and mystery in equal measure and can create characters that you can sympathize with. I encourage you to check out the other books in this series. As for me, I look forward to the next book where hopefully we will get to see certain relationships continue to develop and prosper.
Profile Image for Emily-Jane Orford.
Author 33 books352 followers
January 17, 2018
Sam is a reporter. She views everything in life with that reporter’s careful analytical eye. She seeks the truth, the depth of the story, the heart of the story, but ultimately, she seeks the answers that others struggle to understand. When visiting her sisters grave, Sam notices another tombstone, with the name, Baby Hope. The name leads to an unsolved murder, a cold case from twelve years past. It’s a challenge Sam can’t resist. And she’s always up to a challenge. While she’s fighting her own battles against alcoholism and a court battle to regain custody of her own daughter, Sam dives into this murder mystery with vigor and finds herself in some pretty precarious situations. As the truth about Baby Hope unravels, so do the truths about her own struggles and hopes, as a parent, primarily, but also as a good reporter.

Betta Ferrendelli’s mystery novel, “Cold Case No. 99-5219: A Samantha Church Mystery”, doesn’t have a very auspicious title, but the power of her writing draws the reader in from the very beginning. There are references in the novel to previous Samantha Church mysteries, but this story certainly stands well enough on its own. The characterization is constructed with distinctive insight into real life people. Both good and evil, the reader easily distinguishes between the protagonists and the antagonists. The plot develops at a steady pace, allowing the reader to digest each character’s role as the story unfolds. The author has a powerful use of descriptive passages and the fast-paced, action filled scenes carry the story along effectively. A very enjoyable mystery.

Reviewed for Readers' Favorite.
7,755 reviews49 followers
March 22, 2019
While at the cemetery San noticed a baby gravestone, the reporter in her wonders about it. Found in a dumpster on New Year’s Eve, she finds the officer who reported .He was still interested in the case, would go and show her how it was that day. Could she find new evidence to reopen the case, what about the psychic . It draws the energy from Sam as she think of he r daughter, still having to live with the grandmother. April bonds with a mix breed dog, she call Step. Asking to bring to the ranch which is fine Though her grandmother thinks another home would be better for the dog. Words are spoken between her and Sam. Heartbroken and not having the dog, and ready to leave. Would the grandmother even say goodbye.
This centers on the baby case. Also shows the softer emotional side of Sam and Wilson of the struggles in their lives. Another plus to read in this series.
250 reviews2 followers
August 11, 2020
Finding a child killer after 12 years cold cases warm up.

Another Samatha Church mystery. A cold case catches Sam’s eye when she sees Baby Hopes headstone in the cemetery near her sisters grave. How can a four month old baby die and no one know anything about her or her family? The town came out and claimed the baby as their own. Everyone was heartbroken that this little girl died alone in a garbage bag in a dumpster. Leave it to Sam to get on the trail and get the case opened to try and find out what happened. Maybe it’s the mother instinct in Sam as she is about to go to court to try and get custody of her daughter April from her mother in law that drives her. Will she find the identity of Baby Hope? Follow the clues stay on the trail it winds up and down the Colorado Rockies.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,036 reviews
November 12, 2022
Samantha Church Mysteries Book 4 by Betta Ferrendelli - Wow! I am so glad I found this author. This series is terrific. Samantha is a reporter for a weekly paper in Denver. She is a recovering alcoholic and is anxious to prove herself to the court so she can regain custody of her daughter. While visiting her sister’s grave, she sees a marker with two little lambs on top. She is curious and goes over only to discover a baby’s grave but without any identification. A note asks for help if anyone knows anything about this death. She sees a bunch of primrose are on the grave, not artificial, but from living plant. This makes her think that someone knows something. So, she starts investigating. It is a good story. I recommend that you start with the first book so you know the entire back story. These are available in Kindle Unlimited.
132 reviews
June 17, 2020
Baby Hope

Samantha Church, a recovering alcoholic, sees a child's headstone in the cemetery while visiting her sister's grave. It is what is written on the stone that draws her attention! All it says is that "Baby Hope" was murdered on New Year's Eve 1999 and a telephone #. She decides to check the newspaper morgue to read about it. She finds the lead investigating officer was James Page, her ex-husbands partner. Not knowing how she will be received, Sam goes to interview him. James is very happy to talk to her about this case;a case that has gone very cold! James helps Sam understand more about the case and how cold cases are worked. Sam needs this distraction to keep her mind occupied as she is about to be in a court fight for custody of her daughter, April. Sam starts her own investigation and pulls up just enough that James plays her writing an article suggesting that the police may be considering re-opening the case. The more she writes, the more nervous some people become. Don't want to give away the ending, but I think you will really enjoy this book.
208 reviews
May 26, 2022
This is the 4th in the Samantha Church series that I've read in recent days. Although I can't understand how Sam reacts to some situations, I have enjoyed reading this book as well as the others. Sam's a reporter and this time is captured by the story of Baby Hope's murder which happened 12 years earlier. She has noticed the gravestone while visiting the grave of her much missed sister, Robin, who's murder was told in the first book of this series (The Friday Edition) and especially the 1800 number etched on it (something rather unusual for a gravestone she thought). How she goes about putting her story together (and eventually helping to solve the case) was well put together. A good read
Profile Image for Bettye McKee.
2,188 reviews156 followers
October 4, 2018
A cold case mystery

This is a well-written story about newspaper reporter Samantha "Sam" Church. I have not read any other books in the series.

Sam is pulling the plug on her alcohol addiction and trying to regain custody of her daughter. When she visits her sister's grave, she sees another grave nearby and stops to read the inscription. It is an unknown baby referred to as Baby Hope who was murdered twelve years earlier and found in a Dumpster.

Sam writes an article about the case, hoping someone will recall something that will provide a lead to help the police solve the cold case.

25
Profile Image for Ann.
1,117 reviews19 followers
March 7, 2021
Sam (a lady) was a writer for the newspaper. Sams daughter lived with her deceased husbands Mother. because she was taken from her for being addicted to alcohol , the judge deemed her unfit until she proves other wise. Parts of book are really good when it talks about police procedures and other related topics like unsolved murder cases. Sam become interested in a cold case she found out about a little baby who was found in a dumpster near a apartment building. Its been about 15 years since it happened. The baby had no name on the headstone and Sam become really interested in help solve it. In the meantime she worked on getting herself clean and getting her daughter back home with her.
Profile Image for Kayla Wiklanski.
228 reviews16 followers
February 23, 2025
Strong female journalist main character

I'm one who loves a good crime mystery. I had no clue it was part of a series when I started it. I didn't feel lost of what was going on. The author does well with covering what has already happened while moving forward with the new mystery. While this book covers a sad heartbreaking case it was done well while also following what was going on in the Main character's life. I did get a little lost as the police procedures are described. I had to read them over to make sure I understood. Overall the book was good and I will check out the others in the series.
1,146 reviews7 followers
June 12, 2021
Slow

An alcoholic reporter in a custody battle for her daughter becomes immersed in a cold case. The case involved the shocking death of an infant girl left in a dumpster. Sam the reporter revisits clues in an effort to solve the case.

This is a slow story. The recovering alcoholic custody battle was boring. The plot was further dragged down by the constant info dumps, especially regarding police procedure. The ultimate conclusion was not surprising. It was okay with minimal suspense.
Profile Image for Lori.
Author 1 book27 followers
May 30, 2023
The Cover is a plain wrapper for an addicting read

Author Bette Ferrendelli has a new fan. Thinking "Cold-Case #99-5219, A Samantha Church Mystery" was a police procedural, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Samantha Church is an investigative reporter. The characters are so real-to-life that I found myself having feelings of empathy, concern, anger, and pride in Sam's fortitude and climb to sobriety. Not fantasy world lives and stories, but the struggles of everyday people. Thank you.
Profile Image for MARY JANE CLARK.
66 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2018
Fast moving and enjoyable!

This is the first of this series that I have read, but it won't be the last. I'm sure that Samantha's character has been developed over the past 3 books and I look forward to reading more about her. The plot is not unique nor particularly suspenseful and the revelation of "who done it" didn't surprise me. Overall it was an enjoyable escape and I will read the previous and future episodes, as I appreciate characters!
47 reviews
June 17, 2019
Good story but sketchy syntax and appalling grammar

What a shame that this book was so badly written!
The sentences were extremely convoluted, often with multiple split infinitives making them impossible to read at times. The numerous typos didn’t help either. And don’t get me started on the choice of vocabulary!

I only stuck with the book because I wanted to read the end. Which proves that the story was very good, but the rest.....oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.
:-(
Profile Image for Beverly Cownover.
23 reviews
August 13, 2019
99-5219

I chose this rating because I thought this book was easy to read. It was full of characters that you could visualize and see as though you were looking at them. It had varied situations that gave us pause to think about so that it was full bodied. Then there is the mystery which was a cold case and involved a innocent child so all through the book you are rooting for the resolution of this case for justice for the child. I really enjoyed this book.
75 reviews
March 15, 2021
Enjoyable, entertaining and sad.

I haven't written a review in some time but this book moved me. A mystery with undertones of romance and the characters seemed very realistic and relatable. A mother, her daughter, her grandmother and the gentle giant who watches over them all. The colleagues and the police and the bad guys are artfully portrayed. It was a bit wordy but overall a solid good read.
Profile Image for Darlene.
376 reviews28 followers
February 18, 2025
Who killed Baby Hope?

This book will keep you wanting to keep turning the pages. The way in which the author Betta Ferrenelli captures the details, scenes and characters is amazing. She walks you solving the cold case of Baby Hope. It's remarkable. So who killed Baby Hope that last day in December? Who were her parents and how did she actually die? For the answers to these questions you're going to have to read this mystery. I give it 10/10 paws.
38 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2018
What happened to Wilson???

I'm upset if this is the end of the series!! Wilson was a major character in these novels. Now, after four books we're just left hanging!! If this is the manner in which Ms. Ferrendelli ends a series, I will not read her works again!!!! HOW SAD AND DISAPPOINTING!!
12 reviews1 follower
May 21, 2018
I liked the book except

If the author dislikes/misunderstands dogs as much as it appears, perhaps a storyline without them might be a better choice for future projects. I couldn't help a few laughs while reading this with my sweet, gentle Bean (a.k.a. The Killer Rescue Rottie) beside me.
Profile Image for Anne Wingate.
504 reviews16 followers
February 15, 2019
Very Fine Novel

Terrence did her homework. The knowledge of newswriting and police procedure are impressive. The protagonist struggles with alcohol addiction and her intense need to regain custody of her daughter, knowing that she cannot have both.
The solution to the puzzles the story puts forth do not come easily.
Recommended for all readers of strong mysteries.
26 reviews
June 12, 2019
Lovingly written


I really enjoyed this book. It is a bitter sweet sorry written with great insight and feeling. Through skillful writing I felt all of the emotions of sadness, frustration, and joy as the mystery was solved and personal problems are resolved. Make a great movie.

Profile Image for Dave.
484 reviews
June 17, 2022
Thank you to author Betta Ferrendelli for this FREE Kindle copy of Cold Case No. 99-5219.

I liked it. More of a family drama than anything else for sure. But the characters were good, and the time to create visuals through words was done well. I did think the book ran on the slow side, and could have used one more edit go-through. Nicely done cover.
Profile Image for Joyce.
1,665 reviews9 followers
November 12, 2023
Baby Hope.

Sam read the words on the tombstone of an unidentified baby found in a dumpster New Year's Eve 12 years ago. She read what she could in the newspapers archive and asked a friend in the police department if she could write a story to try to get someone with knowledge of the event to come forward.
Profile Image for Pamela Brown.
4 reviews
February 12, 2025
cold case book 4

This was a good story that ended good! Suspense kept me thinking that all was going wrong, but the tides would turn to the right in the nick of time! A side note: several sentences would have a word left out, making an incomplete sentence or thought. Proofreading would solve this.
9 reviews
March 3, 2018
Great Read

This book was so interesting. It had many features that were well written and all pulled together. I just fell in love with Sam and all the characters in relation to her.
Profile Image for Patricia Pickett.
19 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2018
Wonderful book!

Y
This book is interesting and full of mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The writing, kept me interested. I could not wait to find out, the mystery behind, the babies death.
Please, take the time, to read the book

Profile Image for Sharon.
860 reviews15 followers
May 20, 2018
Enjoyable read with relatable characters and interesting storyline. Case clues unfold over time and draw readers into the journey toward solving the cold case of an infant's murder. Recommended reading.
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