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As spring beckons, winter chill remains …

In television, a cold open sometimes rolls before the opening credits, often a teaser to news or a feature to follow. For TV journalist Elizabeth Margaret “E.M.” Danniher, a nippy March and April are just a tease for spring after a long Wyoming winter. In her short time in Sherman, she’s learned that winter starts in October and might not end until June. Since last June, a series of murders have tested her and her KWMT-TV colleagues’ reporting – and amateur sleuth -- skills. And the small town’s rumor mill is churning about her relationship with handsome sports reporter Mike Paycik – or is it rugged rancher Tom Burrell?

As winter winds down, Elizabeth is ready for spring and looking for a place of her own. Ah, a little peace and quiet as she begins to settle in Cottonwood County. That is, until she discovers homicide at her front door.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cold Open, Book 7 of USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn's Caught Dead in Wyoming series, is a smart, surprising, fast-paced cozy mystery series with humor and a touch of romance that will entertain fans of Craig Johnson, Sue Grafton and J.D. Robb.

"Colorful characters, intriguing, intelligent mystery, plus the state of Wyoming leaping off every page." -- Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author

Don't miss any of Elizabeth Danniher's Caught Dead in Wyoming adventures:

Sign Off
Left Hanging
Shoot First
Last Ditch
Look Live
Back Story
Cold Open

What readers are saying about the Caught Dead in Wyoming series:

“She writes a little like Janet Evanovich only better.”

“E.M.’s internal monologues are sharp, snappy and often hilarious.”

"A terrific series with a western flair. . . . Great characters that you would want as your friends. Smart, funny, but not perfect."

“Hoping this series lasts forever!”

“McLinn has created in E.M. a female protagonist who is flawed but likable, never silly or cartoonish, and definitely not made of cardboard.”

If you like mystery/suspense with a hint of romance and humor, try also:

Ride the River: Rodeo Knights (which includes scenes in fictional Sherman, Wyoming, and cameos from Caught Dead in Wyoming characters)

Proof of Innocence (set in Virginia)

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2018

271 people are currently reading
100 people want to read

About the author

Patricia McLinn

128 books314 followers
USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s novels—cited by reviewers for warmth, wit and vivid characterization – have won numerous regional and national awards and been on national bestseller lists.

In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.

Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.

She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.

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5 stars
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129 (34%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Betty.
2,004 reviews74 followers
January 19, 2019
Spring is arriving in Sherman and E. M. Danniher has decided to stay and her marriage has ended. Elizabeth flies to Washington DC to meet her ex to settle all remaining the issues left. She has been looking at several varied houses. Elizabeth is to meet the realtor at the house. Arriving late she finds the realtor MURDER. With aid of her cohorts, Mike, Tom, Diane, and Jennifer looks for answers. Shadow's background is explained.I
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
Profile Image for Valorie.
85 reviews
August 24, 2018
Elizabeth's house hunting leads to her finding a dead body. The crew, Elizabeth, Mike, Diana, Jennifer, and Tom are on the case. Some of the usual suspects, such as Stan Newton, come into the picture but there are plenty of new faces as well.

This book has a mystery with in the mystery when it comes to a key characters background. Just who is Renata? When finding the background on someone stumps Jennifer then it is buried deep for some reason.

I honestly found this book a little boring. I'm glad everything is settled with her ex-husband now and I hope that can be completely a resolved issue. This book did not have the pull between Tom and Mike and I'm glad. I hope going forward Ms. McLinn will either end that pull or put Elizabeth with one or the other. A continuing pull between to men becomes old quickly. Frankly, Wayne Shelton would be my pick but I think he is married.
Profile Image for Alisa.
267 reviews
October 25, 2018
This series gets better and better!

I'm a fan of E.M. Danniher and friends. Love of Wyoming drew me to this series, but good storytelling and great characters keep me coming back. McLinn serves up a good mystery alongside a story of a woman rebuilding herself and her life. Both plotlines are entertaining. I'm already impatiently waiting for the next book.
Profile Image for Wayne.
449 reviews
September 3, 2018
I was excited to see that the latest book in the Caught Dead in Wyoming series was out. This series is extremely well written. The main character is surrounded by friends that care for her and help her to stay focused and hopeful about her life. This alone would make me read the series. Added to this, however, are mysteries that are methodically unraveled. The mysteries are always more than I can figure out.

In Cold Open, Elizabeth is finally closing the door on her marriage. Flying back to Washington DC to take care of a final piece of business allows friends from her past to provide a glimpse of how Elizabeth was when her marriage fell apart. Contrasting that person with the confident and much happier person dealing with solving the death of a real estate agent back in Wyoming makes for a read filled with both mystery and humanity. The episode between Shadow and the family he had before Elizabeth found him had me holding my breath.

I've read all seven of the books in this series. All have been wonderful. Cold Open seamlessly brings all the characters together in a unifying way that is natural and heartwarming. I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone that likes a good story.
Profile Image for (Grace) Kentucky Bohemian.
2,000 reviews1 follower
August 20, 2022
Just Too Fun
How do you feel about Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series? Are you a fan? If so, you've got to meet E.M. Danaher of the Caught Dead in Wyoming series. Think Stephanie Plum, but with more... aplomb. She's sharper, a little older, and not quite as accident-prone. In general, this series is a more intelligent, but just as witty style as Evanovich's long-running series.

I mean no offense to Ms. Evanovich by describing it this way- I've read every Stephanie Plum book in the series. I'll be reading every novel in this series as well because E.M. Danaher and her cast of cohorts tick all the boxes on my wish list. They are smart. and funny with a side of occasional snark. They're good friends, great protectors (especially Mike and Tom: every girl should be so lucky), and they understand friendship and loyalty. The ancillary characters run the gamut from warm and friendly to bordering on psychotic. They give the word "character" its full definition, and it's great fun as well as highly entertaining to sit down with this gang for a few hours.

It's sort of like a mini-staycation. You know you could use one.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,846 reviews9 followers
June 4, 2022
This is the seventh in the series. I listened to this book. I like the author and the narrator. Set in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming. Amateur sleuth and reporter Elizabeth Margaret “E.M.” Danniher and KWMT-TV colleagues Mike Paycik, Dianah, Jennifer and local rancher Thomas Burrell assist Elizabeth in resolving the death of Renata Santo, a local realtor.

Elizabeth returns to DC to retrieve her belongings & finalize her divorce. We learn the final straw that drove the end of the marriage. Elizabeth has made a new life for herself. She is looking for a home. While at a 30 acre ranch up for sale, she finds her realtor dead in the bathroom. Things don’t look right.
We learn many secrets that people are hiding. I liked how the author let’s us see the gang’s processes for coming to a conclusion. The characters are growing and the stories are relevant to today’s society.

We learn more about Shadow. I was happy with the resolution for the dog.

There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me entertained. I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Judy.
3,299 reviews
August 29, 2018
Cold Open by Patricia McLinn
Caught Dead in Wyoming Series Book Seven
Elizabeth Margaret “E.M.” Danniher is getting used to life in Sherman, Wyoming. In fact, now that she finally has the final settlement from the sale of their homes after the divorce...she's looking to buy a house and put down roots.

After seeing some real “interesting” houses, she switches to a different Realtor. This home is magnificent! Even if it has thirty acres she doesn't need. As it has been ever since she's been in Wyoming...she finds a body. In this magnificent house.

Along with some Tom, Mike, Diana, and Jennifer, this group seems to be able to crack the cases as fast as Elizabeth seems to find bodies...dead bodies. Great suspense books with plenty of suspects to keep our group...and the reader...guessing.
**Language
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Profile Image for Jan.
425 reviews5 followers
April 21, 2020
As spring beckons, winter chill remains …

In television, a cold open sometimes rolls before the opening credits, often a teaser to news or a feature to follow. For TV journalist Elizabeth Margaret “E.M.” Danniher, a nippy March and April are just a tease for spring after a long Wyoming winter. In her short time in Sherman, she’s learned that winter starts in October and might not end until June. Since last June, a series of murders have tested her and her KWMT-TV colleagues’ reporting – and amateur sleuth -- skills. And the small town’s rumor mill is churning about her relationship with handsome sports reporter Mike Paycik – or is it rugged rancher Tom Burrell?

As winter winds down, Elizabeth is ready for spring and looking for a place of her own. Ah, a little peace and quiet as she begins to settle in Cottonwood County. That is, until she discovers homicide at her front door.
Profile Image for Charlyn.
815 reviews3 followers
September 2, 2018
Elizabeth Danniher, a prime time reporter from the East Coast exiled to Wyoming via divorce, has finally decided to put down roots and look for a place of her own. There are not many choices for realtors or properties in Sherman, but she’s hopeful about her third realtor. Unfortunately, on their first appointment, Danniher finds her realtor’s body in the bathroom of the secluded home. Her team assembles to investigate, but there’s more suspects than usual and even the true identity of the victim is clouded. A great mystery that stands alone, but truly should be preceded by reading the rest of the series for an introduction to the ensemble cast of characters in Danniher’s life, both past and present.
10 reviews
November 22, 2018
Another great read from Patricia McLinn

Cold Open was a great story in this series. I love following the progression of all the characters and see how strong and independent Elizabeth is becoming. Like the other books in this series, you have many twists and turns in the storyline and you're always questioning whodunit? While looking for a new home, Elizabeth stumbles upon another murder victim. Her and her friends work all the angles to figure out who is the murderer and to make sure they aren't the next victim. This book is a must read! I can't wait until the next book is out!
Profile Image for Jan L.
1,003 reviews21 followers
August 26, 2018
Cold Open

I'm so happy when a new book in this series shows up in my library! From the first book the characters have become favorite friends to hang out with. I've never been to Wyoming but because of the descriptive wtiting it's now on my list of places to travel to. There's more cerebral action as the sleuthing team gets together than physical action, with a lot of humor thrown in, & you definitely need to follow the leads. From Aunt G to Ms P to Shadow, it's a very enjoyable read!
Profile Image for IslandRiverScribe.
473 reviews24 followers
August 28, 2018
Pay close attention to the first line of the novel. You will need to remember both it and the opening scene of which it is part as you progress through the novel.

Excellent murder plot, solved by investigative journalists who understand the rules of evidence just as much as any police detective and who do their job with a decided lack of cooperation from the police.

Excellent psychological growth for our main protagonist, a much needed plot advancement.

And terrible proofing and editing.
Profile Image for Kaitlyn Dunnett.
Author 20 books356 followers
August 30, 2018
I enjoyed this latest book in the series, in particular because it cleared up some of the backstory (of both the human protagonist and her dog) as well as opening up interesting possibilities for the future. The mystery was nicely complicated, with lots of suspects to choose from, and the resolution left me satisfied that all the loose ends had been tied up. For those just discovering the Caught Dead in Wyoming books, I'd recommend starting at the beginning, but they can be read as stand-alones.
20 reviews
August 27, 2018
LOVE THE CAUGHT DEAD IN WYOMING SERIES!

I read Patricia McLinn's latest mystery, "Cold Open," in one sitting. Made me laugh; made me cry; made me wish it were twice as long.

McLinn has a gift for characterization; interesting plots; and bringing to life Wyoming's glorious scenic beauty. If you enjoy mysteries by Jerusha Jones, Susan M. Boyer and Julie Smith, don't miss "Cold Open."
116 reviews
August 30, 2018
Stumbled a little on this one

I've loved this series and eagerly awaited book 7, but in my opinion the author stumbled a little on this one. There isn't much character development and the whys of the crime are left a little murky. There's a chapter toward the end that gives some good background, but it's kinda just thrown in with little relationship to the preceding or following chapters. Hope book 8 comes soon and gets back on track.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,117 reviews
September 4, 2018
An excellent story I will give 10 stars! Elizabeth and the gang solve a new mystery and some facts are revealed. Issues with her ex, Wes, are taken care of and lots more comes to light. Elizabeth gets her own house but it comes from a tragedy but it is a good resolution. Shadow’s past comes to light and a good ending! Awesome story with twists , bits of humor and lots of action. I look forward to the next book! An excellent series!
Profile Image for Patty Campbell.
Author 9 books18 followers
April 22, 2021
This Wyoming mystery series is endlessly entertaining. I have read all of them and ordered the next one as soon as I finished Cold Open.

The characters make the stories. Every one is distinct from the other and somehow they all fit to bring the stories to a satisfying ending with the fearless, strong-willed, and charming E.M. Danniher leading the pack of amateur detectives.

It wouldn't normally take me six days to read one of McLinn's books but it's baseball season and I'm a fan.
Profile Image for Ed Burke.
126 reviews3 followers
October 18, 2018
Take tiny bites to make it last longer...

I made this book last for a week, read 2 chapters (ok maybe 3), read another book, read a couple more chapters sigh and get through yet another book etc etc. I even read one of PMs earliest books Widow Woman (very good) before returning to #7. I really really like these characters. More please.
48 reviews
September 21, 2018
I have to say, I love these characters❗️usually there are one or two regulars who are heard from, but this is a team who are very unique and developed. I strongly recommend this series, BUT must be read in order to enjoy fully.
Profile Image for E Sano.
158 reviews
November 27, 2018
I really like this series--well written and very well thought out--and this latest is the best, I think. E.M. has decided to buy a house and remain in Wyoming. And while most adults have horror stories involving house-hunting and realtors, they hardly ever involve murder...
116 reviews
December 16, 2018
I love this series and highly recommend it. The characters are well drawn and feel real. The mysteries have interesting twists. Start from the beginning, get to know the characters and the community, soak in the Wyoming ambiance. Enjoy!
2,529 reviews6 followers
March 31, 2019
Patricia McLinn and Elizabeth Danniher have another best seller!

Who would want to murder a kind, sweet, hard working real estate agent? Elizabeth, Diana, Tom, Mike and Jennifer want to know. Unfortunately, the list of suspects just keeps getting longer...
15 reviews
October 10, 2019
Totally enjoyed each and every one of the books in this series. The thread of mystery pulls you in but the characters become your friends. These books have it all: mystery, romance and witty, snappy dialogue.
Profile Image for Kenneth Funk.
142 reviews4 followers
June 23, 2020
In my opinion, this series just gets better with each passing book. I listen to these in audio format and Betsy Moore provided a nearly perfect person for Elizabeth. If you are a fan of Grafton's Kinsey Milhone, I believe you will enjoy E. M. Danniher.
Author 3 books
April 9, 2021
Dithering

A good crime but a little long & convoluted in the solving. Impact got buried in the process. A tale that could have been 50 pages shorter. Not one of the best in this fun series.
8 reviews
September 18, 2022
Another page turner in the series

This is my 7th book in the series...I loved every second of it....it started off slower than the others but the story built up to its usual crescendo...I am now on to book # 8
29 reviews
April 24, 2024
I really enjoy this series, I love how Elizabeth has become friends with all the people she works with and has adapted to living in Wyoming. I hope that eventually she dates, because she deserves more in her life.
7 reviews2 followers
September 1, 2018
I really enjoy this series, and getting back in touch with the characters I have come to really like. Can't wait for the next book. However, the editing of this book left much to be desired.
9 reviews
September 1, 2018
Cold Open

Cold Open was a great book. I love the series, with all the characters and twists. Maybe a little bit more romance?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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