What do you think?
Rate this book
Northampton County #2
Cold Woods
Buried bones of the past rise to the surface in this chilling mystery from the bestselling author of River Bodies.
When the long-buried bones of a man turn up in the middle of December, Pennsylvania homicide detective Parker Reed knows he’s in for a cold case.
Trisha and her friends were teenagers when Trisha’s stepdad went missing. Now, thirty years later, his remains have been found in the mountains. The women have always known there was more to his disappearance than meets the eye, and they must confront their grim past. Secrets can stay secret a long time in the lonely Appalachian foothills—but not forever.
When Parker and his partner identify the remains, their investigation leads them to Trisha’s childhood home. But the deeper Parker digs into the crime, the more he realizes that the truth isn’t always simple. In fact, it’s so complicated that even Trisha and her friends don’t fully understand what really happened in those cold woods.
When the long-buried bones of a man turn up in the middle of December, Pennsylvania homicide detective Parker Reed knows he’s in for a cold case.
Trisha and her friends were teenagers when Trisha’s stepdad went missing. Now, thirty years later, his remains have been found in the mountains. The women have always known there was more to his disappearance than meets the eye, and they must confront their grim past. Secrets can stay secret a long time in the lonely Appalachian foothills—but not forever.
When Parker and his partner identify the remains, their investigation leads them to Trisha’s childhood home. But the deeper Parker digs into the crime, the more he realizes that the truth isn’t always simple. In fact, it’s so complicated that even Trisha and her friends don’t fully understand what really happened in those cold woods.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2019
1005 people are currently reading
2908 people want to read
About the author
Karen Katchur
7 books583 followersKaren Katchur is the Amazon Charts bestselling author of RIVER BODIES and the Northampton County series. She holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice and a master's in education. She lives in eastern Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters. For more information visit: www.karenkatchur.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
April 14, 2019
Unearthed buried bones also expose old secrets and past traumas.
It's December and Pennsylvania Homicide detective Parker Reed has been called to the scene of a "cold case" when a dog unearths bones. When Parker and his partner identify the bones as a man who disappeared thirty years ago.
Trisha has returned home. There she is reunited with her Mother Sharon, and her childhood best friends, Dannie and Carlyn. She hasn't spoken to any of them since she left town when she turned eighteen. Why? Before they all get the chance to become reacquainted, Detective Parker Reef and his partner show up and inform Sharon that the remains found have been identified as her long missing husband, Lester. Trisha and her friends were just teenagers when Lester went missing. Everyone gave their statements when he was reported missing thirty years ago. No one seemed upset he was missing. No one seemed to like him. No one shed a tear. What will they have to say thirty years later?
This is the second book in the Northampton County series. It will work as a stand-alone novel but there are some parts that will be more understandable if you read the first book in the series, River Bodies first. Either way, this book was good, as in I-sat-and-read-it-in-one-sitting-good! I enjoyed reading more about Parker Reed and watching him investigate this cold case. But this book isn't entirely about him, the reader is shown the lives of Trisha, Sharon, Carlyn, and Dannie as well. Katchur gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of these characters to show their motivation, their relationships, their emotions, hardships, and thoughts.
I enjoyed the Detective work done in this book. It was believable and well thought out. Katchur provides the reader with the detective’s thoughts and theories and why they made the decisions they did. I found this to feel very authentic and added in my enjoyment of the book. I always enjoy doing my own detective work while reading. I also love a good mystery. Buried secrets - bring them on! I'm in!
Captivating, well written, perfectly paced, well developed characters and with an interesting plot, this was a fantastic edition to the series. I have a feeling that Katchur is just getting warmed up. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
It's December and Pennsylvania Homicide detective Parker Reed has been called to the scene of a "cold case" when a dog unearths bones. When Parker and his partner identify the bones as a man who disappeared thirty years ago.
Trisha has returned home. There she is reunited with her Mother Sharon, and her childhood best friends, Dannie and Carlyn. She hasn't spoken to any of them since she left town when she turned eighteen. Why? Before they all get the chance to become reacquainted, Detective Parker Reef and his partner show up and inform Sharon that the remains found have been identified as her long missing husband, Lester. Trisha and her friends were just teenagers when Lester went missing. Everyone gave their statements when he was reported missing thirty years ago. No one seemed upset he was missing. No one seemed to like him. No one shed a tear. What will they have to say thirty years later?
This is the second book in the Northampton County series. It will work as a stand-alone novel but there are some parts that will be more understandable if you read the first book in the series, River Bodies first. Either way, this book was good, as in I-sat-and-read-it-in-one-sitting-good! I enjoyed reading more about Parker Reed and watching him investigate this cold case. But this book isn't entirely about him, the reader is shown the lives of Trisha, Sharon, Carlyn, and Dannie as well. Katchur gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of these characters to show their motivation, their relationships, their emotions, hardships, and thoughts.
I enjoyed the Detective work done in this book. It was believable and well thought out. Katchur provides the reader with the detective’s thoughts and theories and why they made the decisions they did. I found this to feel very authentic and added in my enjoyment of the book. I always enjoy doing my own detective work while reading. I also love a good mystery. Buried secrets - bring them on! I'm in!
Captivating, well written, perfectly paced, well developed characters and with an interesting plot, this was a fantastic edition to the series. I have a feeling that Katchur is just getting warmed up. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 19, 2023
Cold Woods is the second book in the Northampton series by Karen Katchur. I read the first book last year because it took place not too far away from where I'd gone to college years ago. When I stumbled upon the second book in the series on NetGalley last week, I immediately requested the book as I'd really enjoyed the first one. While the two book are part of a series, you can easily read them separately, but as I always recommend, read them in order to have the best possible experience.
The weather is often not a friend to crime. Sometimes it distorts the time of death or covers a body for decades, but at others, it can be helpful for preservation of clues. Katchur latches on to this theory and shares an explosive suspenseful thriller about a ~30-year-old murder. Everyone assumed the victim had just run off, but the truth was hidden in the deep snowy woods... along with two key clues and a myriad of problems. Three women each with a daughter. Their husbands or fathers left years ago for various reasons. The women helped each other, but their daughters weren't sure what to do. One escaped. Two stayed. Of those two, one accepted her fate, and the other fought it. Fast-forward to the present when one of the mothers has passed away. Then the dead body is discovered in the woods. Who is he? Who killed him? What secrets are these six women hiding?
The connection between the books is Detective Parker. In the first book, he fell for a witness and compromised the case. Now, they're together, but something isn't working out properly. He's afraid of screwing up again. His new partner doesn't want to let it happen, but she's got her own baggage. As they investigate the case and learn to trust one another, history might repeat itself somewhere along the way... and it's usually not a good thing. Wow! What a roller coaster ride where I truly couldn't decide which of the six women killed the victim. Even though one has recently died, the story is told in two different time frames, so we have a stronger picture of what happened 'back then.'
All I can say is my gender is full of creeps! I know stuff like this happens in reality, and often it's so fictionalized we don't quite know truth from lie, but honestly... why are men often drunken idiots? I'm a happy drunk. Not that occurs frequently, but still! I felt for the women in this story. A single man had an effect on so many lives, any one of them could've been the culprit and I would believe it. Ultimately, the truth comes out, but not necessarily to the right people. I love those kinds of dramas -- when someone confesses to protect someone else, and it may or may not be true. When we finally get the full story, it was highly satisfying... kudos to Katchur for delivering a palpable sequel that kept me guessing the entire time I read the book.
There better be a third installment. I'm not hugely fond of the detectives, but the author's writing style, connections between characters, minute focus on details, witty yet troubling dialog, and innate understanding of why people do the things they do... all coagulate as a riveting story I couldn't put down. I read it in three hours without taking any breaks longer than a few minutes to refill a water glass or nod when someone asked me a question in my house. "Leave me alone, I'm reading a good book," I once countered. When that happens, you know it's solid writing and story development. When's the next one?
The weather is often not a friend to crime. Sometimes it distorts the time of death or covers a body for decades, but at others, it can be helpful for preservation of clues. Katchur latches on to this theory and shares an explosive suspenseful thriller about a ~30-year-old murder. Everyone assumed the victim had just run off, but the truth was hidden in the deep snowy woods... along with two key clues and a myriad of problems. Three women each with a daughter. Their husbands or fathers left years ago for various reasons. The women helped each other, but their daughters weren't sure what to do. One escaped. Two stayed. Of those two, one accepted her fate, and the other fought it. Fast-forward to the present when one of the mothers has passed away. Then the dead body is discovered in the woods. Who is he? Who killed him? What secrets are these six women hiding?
The connection between the books is Detective Parker. In the first book, he fell for a witness and compromised the case. Now, they're together, but something isn't working out properly. He's afraid of screwing up again. His new partner doesn't want to let it happen, but she's got her own baggage. As they investigate the case and learn to trust one another, history might repeat itself somewhere along the way... and it's usually not a good thing. Wow! What a roller coaster ride where I truly couldn't decide which of the six women killed the victim. Even though one has recently died, the story is told in two different time frames, so we have a stronger picture of what happened 'back then.'
All I can say is my gender is full of creeps! I know stuff like this happens in reality, and often it's so fictionalized we don't quite know truth from lie, but honestly... why are men often drunken idiots? I'm a happy drunk. Not that occurs frequently, but still! I felt for the women in this story. A single man had an effect on so many lives, any one of them could've been the culprit and I would believe it. Ultimately, the truth comes out, but not necessarily to the right people. I love those kinds of dramas -- when someone confesses to protect someone else, and it may or may not be true. When we finally get the full story, it was highly satisfying... kudos to Katchur for delivering a palpable sequel that kept me guessing the entire time I read the book.
There better be a third installment. I'm not hugely fond of the detectives, but the author's writing style, connections between characters, minute focus on details, witty yet troubling dialog, and innate understanding of why people do the things they do... all coagulate as a riveting story I couldn't put down. I read it in three hours without taking any breaks longer than a few minutes to refill a water glass or nod when someone asked me a question in my house. "Leave me alone, I'm reading a good book," I once countered. When that happens, you know it's solid writing and story development. When's the next one?
April 17, 2019
Unearthed buried bones also expose old secrets and past traumas.
It's December and Pennsylvania Homicide detective Parker Reed has been called to the scene of a "cold case" when a dog unearths bones. When Parker and his partner identify the bones as a man who disappeared thirty years ago.
Trisha has returned home. There she is reunited with her Mother Sharon, and her childhood best friends, Dannie and Carlyn. She hasn't spoken to any of them since she left town when she turned eighteen. Why? Before they all get the chance to become reacquainted, Detective Parker Reef and his partner show up and inform Sharon that the remains found have been identified as her long missing husband, Lester. Trisha and her friends were just teenagers when Lester went missing. Everyone gave their statements when he was reported missing thirty years ago. No one seemed upset he was missing. No one seemed to like him. No one shed a tear. What will they have to say thirty years later?
This is the second book in the Northampton County series. It will work as a stand-alone novel but there are some parts that will be more understandable if you read the first book in the series, River Bodies first. Either way, this book was good, as in I-sat-and-read-it-in-one-sitting-good! I enjoyed reading more about Parker Reed and watching him investigate this cold case. But this book isn't entirely about him, the reader is shown the lives of Trisha, Sharon, Carlyn, and Dannie as well. Katchur gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of these characters to show their motivation, their relationships, their emotions, hardships, and thoughts.
I enjoyed the Detective work done in this book. It was believable and well thought out. Katchur provides the reader with the detective’s thoughts and theories and why they made the decisions they did. I found this to feel very authentic and added in my enjoyment of the book. I always enjoy doing my own detective work while reading. I also love a good mystery. Buried secrets - bring them on! I'm in!
Captivating, well written, perfectly paced, well developed characters and with an interesting plot, this was a fantastic edition to the series. I have a feeling that Katchur is just getting warmed up. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
It's December and Pennsylvania Homicide detective Parker Reed has been called to the scene of a "cold case" when a dog unearths bones. When Parker and his partner identify the bones as a man who disappeared thirty years ago.
Trisha has returned home. There she is reunited with her Mother Sharon, and her childhood best friends, Dannie and Carlyn. She hasn't spoken to any of them since she left town when she turned eighteen. Why? Before they all get the chance to become reacquainted, Detective Parker Reef and his partner show up and inform Sharon that the remains found have been identified as her long missing husband, Lester. Trisha and her friends were just teenagers when Lester went missing. Everyone gave their statements when he was reported missing thirty years ago. No one seemed upset he was missing. No one seemed to like him. No one shed a tear. What will they have to say thirty years later?
This is the second book in the Northampton County series. It will work as a stand-alone novel but there are some parts that will be more understandable if you read the first book in the series, River Bodies first. Either way, this book was good, as in I-sat-and-read-it-in-one-sitting-good! I enjoyed reading more about Parker Reed and watching him investigate this cold case. But this book isn't entirely about him, the reader is shown the lives of Trisha, Sharon, Carlyn, and Dannie as well. Katchur gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of these characters to show their motivation, their relationships, their emotions, hardships, and thoughts.
I enjoyed the Detective work done in this book. It was believable and well thought out. Katchur provides the reader with the detective’s thoughts and theories and why they made the decisions they did. I found this to feel very authentic and added in my enjoyment of the book. I always enjoy doing my own detective work while reading. I also love a good mystery. Buried secrets - bring them on! I'm in!
Captivating, well written, perfectly paced, well developed characters and with an interesting plot, this was a fantastic edition to the series. I have a feeling that Katchur is just getting warmed up. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 12, 2019
3.5 stars
There’s nothing like a short, creepy prologue to whet your appetite for what’s to come. One line sums it up nicely: “He had it coming”.
The story follows the relationships between a group of women in 2 time lines, one in the present & one from 30 years ago. It’s clear they share a huge secret stemming from traumatic events. When a body is found in present day, that past comes roaring back & forces them to remember what they’d sworn to forget. The thing is, not everyone’s memories are the same.
Parker Reed is a detective in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. After the fallout from his last case, he’s in the department dog house. So when a human skull is found near the Appalachian Trail, he’s the lucky guy assigned to freeze his butt off while forensic crews do their stuff. At least it gives him a chance to bond with new partner Geena Brassard. In some ways she’s the department’s other outcast. Her crimes? Too smart & too attractive. *sigh* The nerve of some women 🙄.
It’s a sparsely populated area where everyone knows your business. So it’s not long before they identify the remains. Lester Haines was a surly drunk who disappeared 30 years ago. Public opinion was he simply walked away from his wife & stepdaughter. Apparently it was a short walk.
Three decades ago Trisha Haines left town in a hurry. That’s no surprise in itself. It’s one of those places you either never leave or never come back to. She cut all ties with her mother & friends Danni & Carlyn. Now she has no choice but to return. Danni’s mother has died & a funeral is the perfect opportunity to remind her old friends to keep their mouths shut about the body.
That’s it, no more yakking about the plot. Best to let you draw your own conclusions as both time lines unfold. I loved the historical side of the story. Trisha, Danni & Carlyn are typical teens dealing with all the usual issues brought on by high school drama & raging hormones. Two of them live with single moms. Danni’s mother has given up & never leaves the house & Carlyn’s works the night shift, leaving her to raise herself.
Only Trisha has a father figure in her life. Her real dad left when she was a baby & her mother soon remarried. Sadly, she’s an alcoholic who is unaware of what’s happening in her own home. Which brings us to Lester. Drunk, despicable Lester. Most of this side of the story is alluded to, leaving the reader to imagine the worst. But the effect on those involved is very well portrayed.
As we follow the 3 families through these years. I was struck by a couple of things. First, with the exception of Parker, few men in this story come off very well. Second, the women are a wonder. Each of them suffers with poverty & abuse or abandonment. But there’s a resilience, the ability to make do with the hand they’re dealt & support each other as best they can. There’s an ominous undertone that builds as these chapters progress. We know Lester is going to meet his maker. The question is who & how.
The present day time line also has an edge but most comes from a separate subplot. I fared less well with this side of the story. Meeting all the characters decades later reveals some long held secrets as they deal with the police. But there’s a middle section where the story, like the investigation, slows down & not much happens. At one point we get some info about Trisha’s real father & how he shaped her current life but I wanted more detail as it had huge significance (trying not to give too much away here).
As they reach for the end, both story lines will have you guessing. Some of mine were spot on, some weren’t even in the same time zone. But when it’s all said & done you might find yourself thinking back to that line from the prologue & agreeing.
There’s nothing like a short, creepy prologue to whet your appetite for what’s to come. One line sums it up nicely: “He had it coming”.
The story follows the relationships between a group of women in 2 time lines, one in the present & one from 30 years ago. It’s clear they share a huge secret stemming from traumatic events. When a body is found in present day, that past comes roaring back & forces them to remember what they’d sworn to forget. The thing is, not everyone’s memories are the same.
Parker Reed is a detective in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. After the fallout from his last case, he’s in the department dog house. So when a human skull is found near the Appalachian Trail, he’s the lucky guy assigned to freeze his butt off while forensic crews do their stuff. At least it gives him a chance to bond with new partner Geena Brassard. In some ways she’s the department’s other outcast. Her crimes? Too smart & too attractive. *sigh* The nerve of some women 🙄.
It’s a sparsely populated area where everyone knows your business. So it’s not long before they identify the remains. Lester Haines was a surly drunk who disappeared 30 years ago. Public opinion was he simply walked away from his wife & stepdaughter. Apparently it was a short walk.
Three decades ago Trisha Haines left town in a hurry. That’s no surprise in itself. It’s one of those places you either never leave or never come back to. She cut all ties with her mother & friends Danni & Carlyn. Now she has no choice but to return. Danni’s mother has died & a funeral is the perfect opportunity to remind her old friends to keep their mouths shut about the body.
That’s it, no more yakking about the plot. Best to let you draw your own conclusions as both time lines unfold. I loved the historical side of the story. Trisha, Danni & Carlyn are typical teens dealing with all the usual issues brought on by high school drama & raging hormones. Two of them live with single moms. Danni’s mother has given up & never leaves the house & Carlyn’s works the night shift, leaving her to raise herself.
Only Trisha has a father figure in her life. Her real dad left when she was a baby & her mother soon remarried. Sadly, she’s an alcoholic who is unaware of what’s happening in her own home. Which brings us to Lester. Drunk, despicable Lester. Most of this side of the story is alluded to, leaving the reader to imagine the worst. But the effect on those involved is very well portrayed.
As we follow the 3 families through these years. I was struck by a couple of things. First, with the exception of Parker, few men in this story come off very well. Second, the women are a wonder. Each of them suffers with poverty & abuse or abandonment. But there’s a resilience, the ability to make do with the hand they’re dealt & support each other as best they can. There’s an ominous undertone that builds as these chapters progress. We know Lester is going to meet his maker. The question is who & how.
The present day time line also has an edge but most comes from a separate subplot. I fared less well with this side of the story. Meeting all the characters decades later reveals some long held secrets as they deal with the police. But there’s a middle section where the story, like the investigation, slows down & not much happens. At one point we get some info about Trisha’s real father & how he shaped her current life but I wanted more detail as it had huge significance (trying not to give too much away here).
As they reach for the end, both story lines will have you guessing. Some of mine were spot on, some weren’t even in the same time zone. But when it’s all said & done you might find yourself thinking back to that line from the prologue & agreeing.
July 20, 2019
When bones are unearthed in the cold woods of Bangor, Pennsylvania, they turn out to be those of Lester Haines, a man who disappeared three decades ago. An unpleasant, sleazy character, it was believed he'd run off, deserting his abused wife Sharon and teenage stepdaughter Trisha, who everyone thought were better off without him. However, when the forensic pathologist concludes that Lester was murdered, Sharon and Trisha are both under the spotlight as suspects.
Trisha has recently returned for the first time since she left at eighteen, to visit her mother and teenage friends Carlyn and Dannie. For the past three decades she's been living in Las Vegas where she married a very wealthy, but abusive controlling man. Although she has run away from him, she knows he will find her soon and drag her back.
Told in two time lines, the plot switches between the present day investigation led by Detective Parker Reed and the events in the 1980s leading up to Lester's disappearance and burial. A well written, twisty thriller that will keep you guessing as long held secrets unfold about what really happened.
Although this is the second book in the Parker Reed series, it works well as a stand alone. 4.5★
With thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy to read.
Trisha has recently returned for the first time since she left at eighteen, to visit her mother and teenage friends Carlyn and Dannie. For the past three decades she's been living in Las Vegas where she married a very wealthy, but abusive controlling man. Although she has run away from him, she knows he will find her soon and drag her back.
Told in two time lines, the plot switches between the present day investigation led by Detective Parker Reed and the events in the 1980s leading up to Lester's disappearance and burial. A well written, twisty thriller that will keep you guessing as long held secrets unfold about what really happened.
Although this is the second book in the Parker Reed series, it works well as a stand alone. 4.5★
With thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy to read.
August 13, 2019
I read Book 1 in this series recently (RIVER BODIES) and could not wait to start Book 2. I was keeping fingers crossed this one would be as good as the first. I was not disappointed.
Starting at the beginning, voices are speaking to each other. They seem anxious and afraid as they try shoveling a hole in the winter ice in the woods. Pushing the body into the hole, they cover it up and go home.
When the long buried bones turn up, Detective Parker Reed is called to investigate. Thirty years ago a man went missing ... he's now been found.
Secrets can stay secret a long time in the Appalachian foothills .....
Although second in this 2-book series, it is easily read as a stand alone. although I highly recommend starting at the beginning. Alternating chapters jump back and forth when a few characters were teenagers to the very present, as people in their 40s. The characters are finely drawn and they all have issues that they are dealing with. One deals with alcohol, one with food, one uses avoidance. The suspense starts on Page 1 and doesn't let up until the final chapter.
For those who are sensitive, the story deals with domestic and sexual abuse. The subjects are handled delicately, almost no graphic descriptions in the telling.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas Mercer / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Starting at the beginning, voices are speaking to each other. They seem anxious and afraid as they try shoveling a hole in the winter ice in the woods. Pushing the body into the hole, they cover it up and go home.
When the long buried bones turn up, Detective Parker Reed is called to investigate. Thirty years ago a man went missing ... he's now been found.
Secrets can stay secret a long time in the Appalachian foothills .....
Although second in this 2-book series, it is easily read as a stand alone. although I highly recommend starting at the beginning. Alternating chapters jump back and forth when a few characters were teenagers to the very present, as people in their 40s. The characters are finely drawn and they all have issues that they are dealing with. One deals with alcohol, one with food, one uses avoidance. The suspense starts on Page 1 and doesn't let up until the final chapter.
For those who are sensitive, the story deals with domestic and sexual abuse. The subjects are handled delicately, almost no graphic descriptions in the telling.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas Mercer / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 19, 2019
Detective Parker Reed has a new partner, Geena Brassard, and they are working a cold case. Remains are found on a mountain, and they go back to a missing person case from 30 years earlier. As Parker and Geena investigate, they are led to Trisha and her friends. The remains belong to Trisha's stepfather, Lester, and it seems he was not an upstanding citizen. Trisha and her friends were teenagers 30 years ago, and Trisha has not kept in contact with them since she left after high school.
Told with two timelines - past and present. The past timeline follows Trisha and her friends, Carlyn and Dannie. Trisha's stepfather is abusive and she escapes her home life by hanging out with her friends. The three girls live on the same street and have been friends for years. After Lester goes missing, Trisha becomes distant from her friends and leaves town without telling them. The present timeline is when Lester's remains are found, and Trisha and her friends are brought into the case. Trisha has returned to town to get away from her husband, and to attend the funeral of Dannie's mother. The girls, now grown women with very different lives, reconnect.
The mystery of what happened 30 years ago is slowly revealed. Since Lester was such an unlikable guy, there are plenty of suspects as to who killed him. It's a difficult case for the detectives to work. The more they learn about Lester, the less they like him, but it's also their job to find who killed him. An interesting and complex case.
This is the second book in the Northampton County series. This book can be read as a standalone.
A suspenseful mystery. I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series, and look forward to reading more by Karen Katchur. Dark, gripping, and complex.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Told with two timelines - past and present. The past timeline follows Trisha and her friends, Carlyn and Dannie. Trisha's stepfather is abusive and she escapes her home life by hanging out with her friends. The three girls live on the same street and have been friends for years. After Lester goes missing, Trisha becomes distant from her friends and leaves town without telling them. The present timeline is when Lester's remains are found, and Trisha and her friends are brought into the case. Trisha has returned to town to get away from her husband, and to attend the funeral of Dannie's mother. The girls, now grown women with very different lives, reconnect.
The mystery of what happened 30 years ago is slowly revealed. Since Lester was such an unlikable guy, there are plenty of suspects as to who killed him. It's a difficult case for the detectives to work. The more they learn about Lester, the less they like him, but it's also their job to find who killed him. An interesting and complex case.
This is the second book in the Northampton County series. This book can be read as a standalone.
A suspenseful mystery. I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series, and look forward to reading more by Karen Katchur. Dark, gripping, and complex.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2019
Karen Katchur nails it with Cold Woods, the second in the Northampton County series and a perfect follow-up to her #1 bestselling hit, River Bodies. Katchur starts Cold Woods with a bang, then builds the action steadily, a gradual unfolding of truths and small-town secrets among three former best friends. Dark and chilling, creepy and emotionally complex—and enthralling all the way to the shocking end.
February 21, 2020
The talented Karen Katchur returns following the introduction of River Bodies (My Top books of 2018), with the second installment of her popular Northampton Country series –COLD WOODS. (My Top Books of 2019) 🙌
In this multi-generational dark, gripping, spine-chilling mystery, a cold case unearths dark secrets that refuse to remain buried, when lines are blurred between good and evil. A "must-read" series. I would suggest cranking down the AC, grab a blanket or throw, a cup of espresso or tea, pretend it is winter with snow falling, and DIVE IN!❄
If you have not read RIVER BODIES, (Northampton County #1), no worries because guess what??? It is on sale NOW for only .99 cents on Amazon Kindle through the month of August! What a DEAL! Order Here.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Karen (An Elevator Ride with the Author) last year with the introduction of the series. A fascinating interview. 😍 View it HERE!
Learn the inspiration behind this riveting series and its characters and in a small rural county where the past never stays buried. Also, if you have not read her previous books, highly recommend. My links are included in the interview.
COLD WOODS revolves about three young girls (Trisha, Dannie, and Carlyn) childhood friends around the age of ten. In 1983, Trisha’s family moved from the outskirts of Chicago and immediately made friends with the two neighbors' gals in the small rural town of Bangor, Pennsylvania.
The girls formed a bond and called themselves "The Slate Sisters." The three mothers also became friends. Trisha’s stepfather was a drunk, creep, an abusive husband, and has a thing for young girls. Everyone wanted to stay clear of him. Each of the girls and their mothers has distinct personalities. They each have their secrets. He goes missing.
Now thirty-some years later, headlines read: Human Bones Discovered Near Appalachian Trail. Leading the present investigation back to when the girls were younger. An aluminum baseball bat was found in the ground. Now, Lester’s remains have been found in the mountains.
From past to present, Trisha returns from Las Vegas (also in an abusive marriage). She meets up with her former friends from the past and stays with her mom, Sharon. Dannie’s mom has just passed away due to a heart attack.
What happened years ago when Lester went missing? Of course, not many people were too sad to see him go. However, now Detective Parker Reed is on the cold case. Could the bones be that of the missing Lester?
If so, who killed him and why cover it up.? Three girls and three mothers. Which one swung the bat and who buried the body? Who will crack? Each suspect the other.
Detective Parker Reed returns with some new characters including his new partner, Detective Genna Brassard. (I hear we get more Genna in Book #3) Spring Girls (2020) Add to your TBR list. 📢
In book #1 we were introduced to Becca, a veterinarian and her faithful German Shepherd, Romy. As well as a bad guy named John. We also met Detective Parker Reed, and in book #2 he gains a partner, Detective Geena Brassard.
In RIVER BODIES,, the author uses the elements of nature, river, water, and woods to set the tone and atmosphere. As she mentions in her interview, the metaphors to reflect the characters’ emotions, needs, and wants. The environment impacts a character’s actions. She references she likes to explore how nature plays a role in the types of crimes committed by those characters. John’s character was a hunter.
In COLD WOODS, we once again return to nature with a setting in the small rural town of Pennsylvania, during the brutal winter months, snow and woods. The harsh weather, cold and unpleasant, like the darkness and evil of human nature, as well as the woods being a mystery and white blanket of snow as purity or redemption. I am a huge nature gal. Nature can be beautiful and dangerous at the same time. There is a mystery and the unknown.
The properties of light and darkness are often associated with weather conditions. Light and darkness are metaphors that represent people, their thoughts, feelings, actions, moods, and light is often connected with goodness, warmth, positive things. In contrast, darkness is connecting with cold, sadness, abuse, evil, bad.😜
Like the first book, there is an ongoing theme of parent-child relationships. Often neither understands the other. They hold secrets for fear of being misunderstood, guilt, shame, or other. However, by doing so, often, this leads to more complex issues.
Friendship and loyalty are other ongoing themes. The author intricately weaves and explores female friendships, mothers, daughters, and the lengths they will go to protect each other.
Katchur not only delivers an engrossing knock-out dark, bone-chilling psychological suspense thriller, she also explores strong human dynamics, which makes her novels stand out with her compelling characters.
In my opinion, it makes for a gripping read. In addition to being plot-driven, COLD WOODS and RIVER BODIES are both strongly character-driven as well as atmospheric with a strong sense of place.
Emotionally resonant, and a deeply insightful tale of family bonds, friendship, betrayal, violence, abuse, and redemption. Men can be good and some evil. We see both sides. I think readers will enjoy the ending!
The author is not afraid to tackle complex characters and dysfunctional families and traumatic experiences that carryover from childhood to adulthood. She explores small rural towns and young girls who want a better life; however, what lengths will they go to break away, which may lead them back to the same place.
A superb mix of suspense, mystery and coming-of-age classics like Stand by Me, Now and Then, and The Five.
An avid fan of the author’s work, I highly recommend all her books. I would love to see this series made into a TV series 🎬 and looking forward to #3 Northampton Country SPRING GIRLS. (June 2020). Fans of true-crime and authors: Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, A. J. Banner, Amber Cowie, Jennifer Hillier, and Christina McDonald will enjoy it.
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy I also purchased the audiobook narrated by Lauren Ezzo, which was exceptional!
#JDCMustReadBooks
In this multi-generational dark, gripping, spine-chilling mystery, a cold case unearths dark secrets that refuse to remain buried, when lines are blurred between good and evil. A "must-read" series. I would suggest cranking down the AC, grab a blanket or throw, a cup of espresso or tea, pretend it is winter with snow falling, and DIVE IN!❄
If you have not read RIVER BODIES, (Northampton County #1), no worries because guess what??? It is on sale NOW for only .99 cents on Amazon Kindle through the month of August! What a DEAL! Order Here.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Karen (An Elevator Ride with the Author) last year with the introduction of the series. A fascinating interview. 😍 View it HERE!
Learn the inspiration behind this riveting series and its characters and in a small rural county where the past never stays buried. Also, if you have not read her previous books, highly recommend. My links are included in the interview.
COLD WOODS revolves about three young girls (Trisha, Dannie, and Carlyn) childhood friends around the age of ten. In 1983, Trisha’s family moved from the outskirts of Chicago and immediately made friends with the two neighbors' gals in the small rural town of Bangor, Pennsylvania.
The girls formed a bond and called themselves "The Slate Sisters." The three mothers also became friends. Trisha’s stepfather was a drunk, creep, an abusive husband, and has a thing for young girls. Everyone wanted to stay clear of him. Each of the girls and their mothers has distinct personalities. They each have their secrets. He goes missing.
Now thirty-some years later, headlines read: Human Bones Discovered Near Appalachian Trail. Leading the present investigation back to when the girls were younger. An aluminum baseball bat was found in the ground. Now, Lester’s remains have been found in the mountains.
From past to present, Trisha returns from Las Vegas (also in an abusive marriage). She meets up with her former friends from the past and stays with her mom, Sharon. Dannie’s mom has just passed away due to a heart attack.
What happened years ago when Lester went missing? Of course, not many people were too sad to see him go. However, now Detective Parker Reed is on the cold case. Could the bones be that of the missing Lester?
If so, who killed him and why cover it up.? Three girls and three mothers. Which one swung the bat and who buried the body? Who will crack? Each suspect the other.
Detective Parker Reed returns with some new characters including his new partner, Detective Genna Brassard. (I hear we get more Genna in Book #3) Spring Girls (2020) Add to your TBR list. 📢
In book #1 we were introduced to Becca, a veterinarian and her faithful German Shepherd, Romy. As well as a bad guy named John. We also met Detective Parker Reed, and in book #2 he gains a partner, Detective Geena Brassard.
In RIVER BODIES,, the author uses the elements of nature, river, water, and woods to set the tone and atmosphere. As she mentions in her interview, the metaphors to reflect the characters’ emotions, needs, and wants. The environment impacts a character’s actions. She references she likes to explore how nature plays a role in the types of crimes committed by those characters. John’s character was a hunter.
In COLD WOODS, we once again return to nature with a setting in the small rural town of Pennsylvania, during the brutal winter months, snow and woods. The harsh weather, cold and unpleasant, like the darkness and evil of human nature, as well as the woods being a mystery and white blanket of snow as purity or redemption. I am a huge nature gal. Nature can be beautiful and dangerous at the same time. There is a mystery and the unknown.
The properties of light and darkness are often associated with weather conditions. Light and darkness are metaphors that represent people, their thoughts, feelings, actions, moods, and light is often connected with goodness, warmth, positive things. In contrast, darkness is connecting with cold, sadness, abuse, evil, bad.😜
Like the first book, there is an ongoing theme of parent-child relationships. Often neither understands the other. They hold secrets for fear of being misunderstood, guilt, shame, or other. However, by doing so, often, this leads to more complex issues.
Friendship and loyalty are other ongoing themes. The author intricately weaves and explores female friendships, mothers, daughters, and the lengths they will go to protect each other.
Katchur not only delivers an engrossing knock-out dark, bone-chilling psychological suspense thriller, she also explores strong human dynamics, which makes her novels stand out with her compelling characters.
In my opinion, it makes for a gripping read. In addition to being plot-driven, COLD WOODS and RIVER BODIES are both strongly character-driven as well as atmospheric with a strong sense of place.
Emotionally resonant, and a deeply insightful tale of family bonds, friendship, betrayal, violence, abuse, and redemption. Men can be good and some evil. We see both sides. I think readers will enjoy the ending!
The author is not afraid to tackle complex characters and dysfunctional families and traumatic experiences that carryover from childhood to adulthood. She explores small rural towns and young girls who want a better life; however, what lengths will they go to break away, which may lead them back to the same place.
A superb mix of suspense, mystery and coming-of-age classics like Stand by Me, Now and Then, and The Five.
An avid fan of the author’s work, I highly recommend all her books. I would love to see this series made into a TV series 🎬 and looking forward to #3 Northampton Country SPRING GIRLS. (June 2020). Fans of true-crime and authors: Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, A. J. Banner, Amber Cowie, Jennifer Hillier, and Christina McDonald will enjoy it.
A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy I also purchased the audiobook narrated by Lauren Ezzo, which was exceptional!
#JDCMustReadBooks
October 10, 2019
Returning home and being told by your mother that you shouldn’t have come back is where we meet Trisha.
Trisha came back after 30 years because they found the bones of Lester, her step father, and bones that she and her neighbors and friends had something to do with.
Lester was not a good man, and Trisha still hated him to this day. All he did was cause trouble for her.
We go back and forth as Trisha’s life as a child and as an adult is described. Her childhood wasn’t a pleasant one and neither was her life as an adult.
The main focus is the investigation of the murder of Lester both past and present. As the investigation moves ahead, the tension increases and secrets are revealed.
COLD WOODS addresses some social issues and life styles that affect the behavior of the characters as well as upsetting, abusive situations.
Readers who enjoy a mystery whose killer you think is known from the start and those who enjoy getting to see the investigation unravel, will want to take a look at COLD WOODS.
You will be guessing and most likely guessing incorrectly until the end...the ending has a great twist and surprise. 4/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Trisha came back after 30 years because they found the bones of Lester, her step father, and bones that she and her neighbors and friends had something to do with.
Lester was not a good man, and Trisha still hated him to this day. All he did was cause trouble for her.
We go back and forth as Trisha’s life as a child and as an adult is described. Her childhood wasn’t a pleasant one and neither was her life as an adult.
The main focus is the investigation of the murder of Lester both past and present. As the investigation moves ahead, the tension increases and secrets are revealed.
COLD WOODS addresses some social issues and life styles that affect the behavior of the characters as well as upsetting, abusive situations.
Readers who enjoy a mystery whose killer you think is known from the start and those who enjoy getting to see the investigation unravel, will want to take a look at COLD WOODS.
You will be guessing and most likely guessing incorrectly until the end...the ending has a great twist and surprise. 4/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2019
A dark, thrilling police procedural with a splash of domestic suspense, Cold Woods is chilling, eerie, and ferociously smart. The second in the Northamptom County series (the first one, last year’s River Bodies, was a bestselling hit), Cold Woods starts with a bang as mysteries and murder from past and present collide.
The story follows three women who were best friends when they were teenagers. Now, 30 years later, the remains of Trisha’s stepfather, Lester, have been found. And it’s the job of Detective Parker Reed to find out what the truth behind his murder really is. But the truth is never as clear as it seems, especially when nobody seems to remember things quite the same way.
With a horrific murder, chequered pasts and vivid characterization, this story is an atmospheric who-dunnit, with a palpable sense of tension, a steady pace, and a twist I genuinely didn’t see coming. I highly recommend Cold Woods for those lazy end-of-summer days; or, even better, those crisp autumn nights curled up in front of a fire.
The story follows three women who were best friends when they were teenagers. Now, 30 years later, the remains of Trisha’s stepfather, Lester, have been found. And it’s the job of Detective Parker Reed to find out what the truth behind his murder really is. But the truth is never as clear as it seems, especially when nobody seems to remember things quite the same way.
With a horrific murder, chequered pasts and vivid characterization, this story is an atmospheric who-dunnit, with a palpable sense of tension, a steady pace, and a twist I genuinely didn’t see coming. I highly recommend Cold Woods for those lazy end-of-summer days; or, even better, those crisp autumn nights curled up in front of a fire.
February 18, 2019
Karen Katchur takes you on another dark, engrossing ride with Cold Woods, the excellent follow-up to her bestseller River Bodies. Friendships and loyalties are tested to the extreme, and this chilling tale had me frantically turning the pages to discover who would make it out alive.
June 15, 2023
The second in the Northampton County series, "Cold Woods" is a police procedural with serious themes of domestic abuse, alcoholism, and guilt. The pacing was faultless, and the descriptions well rendered.
Detective Parker Reed, was everything one could hope for in a protagonist, and as a policeman. His new partner Geena Brassard, was a welcome addition to the dynamic. I was sort of disappointed that Parker's girlfriend Becca didn't play much of a role in this novel, as I was quite taken with her in the first novel in the series, "The River Girls".
One thing I really appreciated about this novel is that all assumptions the reader makes turn out to be false. Secrets carried an enormous weight on the characters involved. A crushing weight...
The narrative was told in chapters alternating from the present police investigation and the winter of 1986 when the girls were teenagers.
This is a crime novel but also a character study. It is a story of dysfunctional families, secrets, and moral dilemmas. I am eager now to read the next book in this series. Overall, "Cold Woods" was a novel that I savored reading and that I can highly recommend!
4.5 stars rounded up
Detective Parker Reed, was everything one could hope for in a protagonist, and as a policeman. His new partner Geena Brassard, was a welcome addition to the dynamic. I was sort of disappointed that Parker's girlfriend Becca didn't play much of a role in this novel, as I was quite taken with her in the first novel in the series, "The River Girls".
One thing I really appreciated about this novel is that all assumptions the reader makes turn out to be false. Secrets carried an enormous weight on the characters involved. A crushing weight...
The narrative was told in chapters alternating from the present police investigation and the winter of 1986 when the girls were teenagers.
This is a crime novel but also a character study. It is a story of dysfunctional families, secrets, and moral dilemmas. I am eager now to read the next book in this series. Overall, "Cold Woods" was a novel that I savored reading and that I can highly recommend!
4.5 stars rounded up
April 28, 2022
Cold Woods is the second book in the Northhampton County series. It starts with bones being found in the cold Pennsylvania woods in December. Homicide Detective Parker Reed knows he has caught a cold case, indeed!
Trisha and her friends were teenagers when Trisha’s abusive and alcoholic stepfather went missing. Now, thirty years later, his remains have been found in the mountains. Parker and his partner identify the remains and their investigation leads them to Trisha’s childhood home. But the deeper Parker digs into the crime, the more he realizes that the truth isn’t always simple. Lots of loneliness, abuse, self-doubt, and rejection are found in Cold Woods.
I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. I felt the flashbacks between the present, the near past, and the far past slowed the pace of the story.
Trisha and her friends were teenagers when Trisha’s abusive and alcoholic stepfather went missing. Now, thirty years later, his remains have been found in the mountains. Parker and his partner identify the remains and their investigation leads them to Trisha’s childhood home. But the deeper Parker digs into the crime, the more he realizes that the truth isn’t always simple. Lots of loneliness, abuse, self-doubt, and rejection are found in Cold Woods.
I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. I felt the flashbacks between the present, the near past, and the far past slowed the pace of the story.
August 10, 2019
Linda's Book Obsession Reviews "Cold Woods" by Karen Katchur, Thomas & Mercer, August 2019
WOW! Karen Katchur, Author of "Cold Woods" has written an amazing, intense, captivating, riveting, page-turning, intriguing and edgy novel. The Genres for this novel are Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, and Fiction. There are two timelines in this story that do connect, and anything that goes back to the past concerns the events or characters in this story. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex, complicated, flawed, each with their own set of problems.
This is the second book in a series, but definitely can be a stand-alone. Detective Parker Reed becomes involved in a cold case when the bones of a man, who disappeared many years ago surface. Local residents Trisha and her friends were just teenagers thirty years before when Trisha's step-father disappeared. Trisha has led an abused life and has just returned to her home, to escape an abusive husband.
As Parker and his partner look into Trisha's home, her mother, and her friends' lives things appear to be more complicated. Trisha's step-father was a miserable man, and many people had reason to kill him. The only problem is that even the suspects don't know what truly happened. There are twists and turns. Anyone could be a suspect.
This is such an intense and edgy adventure, and I highly recommend that you read this!
WOW! Karen Katchur, Author of "Cold Woods" has written an amazing, intense, captivating, riveting, page-turning, intriguing and edgy novel. The Genres for this novel are Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, and Fiction. There are two timelines in this story that do connect, and anything that goes back to the past concerns the events or characters in this story. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex, complicated, flawed, each with their own set of problems.
This is the second book in a series, but definitely can be a stand-alone. Detective Parker Reed becomes involved in a cold case when the bones of a man, who disappeared many years ago surface. Local residents Trisha and her friends were just teenagers thirty years before when Trisha's step-father disappeared. Trisha has led an abused life and has just returned to her home, to escape an abusive husband.
As Parker and his partner look into Trisha's home, her mother, and her friends' lives things appear to be more complicated. Trisha's step-father was a miserable man, and many people had reason to kill him. The only problem is that even the suspects don't know what truly happened. There are twists and turns. Anyone could be a suspect.
This is such an intense and edgy adventure, and I highly recommend that you read this!
July 28, 2019
A dark, thrilling police procedural with a splash of domestic suspense, Cold Woods is chilling, eerie, and ferociously smart. The second in the Northamptom County series (the first one, last year’s River Bodies, was a bestselling hit), Cold Woods starts with a bang as mysteries and murder from past and present collide.
The story follows three women who were best friends when they were teenagers. Now, 30 years later, the remains of Trisha’s stepfather, Lester, have been found. And it’s the job of Detective Parker Reed to find out what the truth behind his murder really is. But the truth is never as clear as it seems, especially when nobody seems to remember things quite the same way.
With a horrific murder, chequered pasts and vivid characterization, this story is an atmospheric who-dunnit, with a palpable sense of tension, a steady pace, and a twist I genuinely didn’t see coming. I highly recommend Cold Woods for those lazy end-of-summer days; or, even better, those crisp autumn nights curled up in front of a fire.
Thank you Netgalley for my copy in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows three women who were best friends when they were teenagers. Now, 30 years later, the remains of Trisha’s stepfather, Lester, have been found. And it’s the job of Detective Parker Reed to find out what the truth behind his murder really is. But the truth is never as clear as it seems, especially when nobody seems to remember things quite the same way.
With a horrific murder, chequered pasts and vivid characterization, this story is an atmospheric who-dunnit, with a palpable sense of tension, a steady pace, and a twist I genuinely didn’t see coming. I highly recommend Cold Woods for those lazy end-of-summer days; or, even better, those crisp autumn nights curled up in front of a fire.
Thank you Netgalley for my copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 25, 2020
Trisha was just a teenager when her stepfather went missing. Just up and disappeared.
Now, 30 years later, his bones have been found in the woods not took far from her childhood home.
As police investigate they find that his death wasn’t an accident, someone murdered him and tried to get away with it.
When police come to question Trisha, her mother, her neighbors, and her childhood best friends....long lost secrets come up.
Trishas stepdad was no saint and had a lot of enemies...but who was the one who killed him?
I was in a slumpy mood so that’s why it took me so long to get through this book but I LOVED it! I love a good mystery/crime/who done it book.
I was actually shocked to find out who the killer was. There was a lot of twists and turns so be prepared to have a different guess every couple of chapters.
Now, 30 years later, his bones have been found in the woods not took far from her childhood home.
As police investigate they find that his death wasn’t an accident, someone murdered him and tried to get away with it.
When police come to question Trisha, her mother, her neighbors, and her childhood best friends....long lost secrets come up.
Trishas stepdad was no saint and had a lot of enemies...but who was the one who killed him?
I was in a slumpy mood so that’s why it took me so long to get through this book but I LOVED it! I love a good mystery/crime/who done it book.
I was actually shocked to find out who the killer was. There was a lot of twists and turns so be prepared to have a different guess every couple of chapters.
November 14, 2019
This is the second book in the Northhampton County series. River Bodies is the first but this is a stand alone read as well. Trisha's Step Father went missing thirty-years ago and now his remains have been found. There are dark secrets and darker happenings in the Appalachian mountains. When Detective Parker starts to investigate it leads to Trisha's childhood home. Trisha has returned home to her mother Sharon and childhood friends Carlyn and Dannie who she hasn't seen since she left at eighteen. I loved River Bodies and this sequel was smart and suspenseful. The writing is compelling and nail biting. This was a fast read. Blending the past and the present and has serious creep factor. Gave me chills. One of the best crime thrillers this fall. Check it out.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Review
Novels N Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Review
Novels N Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
April 14, 2019
Karen Katchur did what view authors are able to do, stump me on the ending of a book! What a journey of twists and turns into unexpected places and emotional ups and downs! Take a walk and a run with three best friends into the past and to the present that was absolutely shaped by their choices when they were younger. A great read! A could not put it down thriller!
December 9, 2022
A really convoluted psychological Thriller combining police Procedural, coming-of-age issues, domestic violence and Sexual abuses in a twisted mystery sure to keep intrepid readers guessing throughout as a "rush to judgment" overtakes victims, law enforcement, and those on the periphery. Like those neighborhoods left pondering "But he seemed like such a nice guy" (as some bystander always whines), the family, friends, and neighbors now confront their own consciences while deciding if they should have been proactive "way back when."
April 14, 2019
Childhood friendships are often a touchstone in our adult lives. This particular small town cop and mystery novel builds upon those friendships, something that happened to several of the friends, and how it impacted their life choices. Strong characters and good issuing make this an enjoyable read, once you get past what one parent is.
April 17, 2019
I LOVED reading Cold Woods by Karen Katchur. Still jolted by the spin and turns of the book. Bones are found in a mountain, a cold case is reopened threatening to ruin the lives of many and all for a man who no one missed.The residents on Second Street, in a small town in PA have moved on with life or more like have ran away from that harrowing night they have tried to forget. Cold Woods is not just a cold case murder mystery. It's deeper. The characters explore wounds that refused to heal, haunted by those painful memories from childhood, each faced off with a shattered relationship.
I really liked how the book went back and forth between past and present. It made for great storytelling and it showed how the pain of growing up changes us.To me the book was especially interesting when it explored the friendship between Trisha, Dannie and Carlyn. Seeing them grow from innocent girls into fractured women was the best part of the book. The only part I didn't care for was the detail technical terminology during the murder investigation.
I really liked how the book went back and forth between past and present. It made for great storytelling and it showed how the pain of growing up changes us.To me the book was especially interesting when it explored the friendship between Trisha, Dannie and Carlyn. Seeing them grow from innocent girls into fractured women was the best part of the book. The only part I didn't care for was the detail technical terminology during the murder investigation.
April 18, 2019
I was pleased to get a copy of Cold Woods, 2nd in the Northampton County series, by Karen Katchur.
In July of 1979 Trisha, her mother and her step-father move from Chicago to a small town in Pennsylvania. Trisha quickly makes friends with Dannie and Carlyn. The three seem inseparable. As time goes on secrets are kept and the girls pull apart from one another.
Almost 30 years later and Trisha returns to her family home, things start to go from bad to worse for the 3 friends.
Human bones were found up on the Blue mountain off the Appalachian Trail. Detective Parker is back investigating the incident. Once they discover whos bones are on the mountain, then Detective Parker and his team must figure out how they got there, while stirring up 30 years of secrets and guilt.
I was glad to see Parker and Becca are back. I was pleased to see the story did not revolve around them.
Thank you for the fantastic un-put-downable read!
In July of 1979 Trisha, her mother and her step-father move from Chicago to a small town in Pennsylvania. Trisha quickly makes friends with Dannie and Carlyn. The three seem inseparable. As time goes on secrets are kept and the girls pull apart from one another.
Almost 30 years later and Trisha returns to her family home, things start to go from bad to worse for the 3 friends.
Human bones were found up on the Blue mountain off the Appalachian Trail. Detective Parker is back investigating the incident. Once they discover whos bones are on the mountain, then Detective Parker and his team must figure out how they got there, while stirring up 30 years of secrets and guilt.
I was glad to see Parker and Becca are back. I was pleased to see the story did not revolve around them.
Thank you for the fantastic un-put-downable read!
August 8, 2019
3.75 Stars
This is the second book in the Northhampton County series by Karen Katchur.
There is a lot going on in this book and even though the story is focused around the discovery of a dead body up in the mountains; unfortunately, the man uncovered isn’t the only truly bad guy in this book. Tricia’s step dad was not a nice guy and Lester made more than her life miserable.
Detective Parker Reed and his partner discover the body and they are immersed in the lives of Tricia and her friends, Carlyn, Scott and Dannie. Not to mention all their parents and neighbors. The death of Lester occurred in 1986, so some people’s memories of the time are rusty. I can’t imagine trying to recall a specific day back when I was a senior in high school. That would be a nightmare waiting to happen.
I would have liked to see more about Detective Reed and his relationship with Becca because that seemed to be pretty much glossed over. I didn’t quite understand the dynamic between them. I know they were both featured in book one of this series and maybe reading that book would have made it all more understandable to me.
The last third of this book was excellent. Exactly what I was looking for in a police procedural mystery. I wouldn’t have minded a few flashbacks in the first two-thirds but the backstory sort of took over the entire novel making it a struggle to get through.
All in all an above average read where I had hopes for more. But the twist at the end revealing whodunit was exactly what I was waiting for. Didn’t see that one coming. Definitely going to check out book one in the series, RIVER BODIES.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the second book in the Northhampton County series by Karen Katchur.
There is a lot going on in this book and even though the story is focused around the discovery of a dead body up in the mountains; unfortunately, the man uncovered isn’t the only truly bad guy in this book. Tricia’s step dad was not a nice guy and Lester made more than her life miserable.
Detective Parker Reed and his partner discover the body and they are immersed in the lives of Tricia and her friends, Carlyn, Scott and Dannie. Not to mention all their parents and neighbors. The death of Lester occurred in 1986, so some people’s memories of the time are rusty. I can’t imagine trying to recall a specific day back when I was a senior in high school. That would be a nightmare waiting to happen.
I would have liked to see more about Detective Reed and his relationship with Becca because that seemed to be pretty much glossed over. I didn’t quite understand the dynamic between them. I know they were both featured in book one of this series and maybe reading that book would have made it all more understandable to me.
The last third of this book was excellent. Exactly what I was looking for in a police procedural mystery. I wouldn’t have minded a few flashbacks in the first two-thirds but the backstory sort of took over the entire novel making it a struggle to get through.
All in all an above average read where I had hopes for more. But the twist at the end revealing whodunit was exactly what I was waiting for. Didn’t see that one coming. Definitely going to check out book one in the series, RIVER BODIES.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
August 6, 2019
COLD WOODS by Karen Katchur is Book 2 in her Northampton County series. I really enjoyed Book 1, RIVER BODIES, and couldn’t wait to read the Book 2. COLD WOODS is a dark and atmospheric thriller set in the Appalachian foothills in Pennsylvania. The book starts off with the chilling discovery in the woods of long-buried bones of a man and it will be up to Homicide Detective Parker Reed and his partner, Geena Brassard to identify the victim and find out who killed him. Thirty years earlier, Trisha Haines’ stepfather, Lester went missing without a trace from the house he shared with Trisha and her Mom, Sharon. Sharon, Trisha and all of their friends were all questioned at the time of his disappearance, but Lester was never found and the case was never solved. As Parker begins to delve into what is now a murder case, he finds there are lots of inconsistencies and things that just don’t seem to add up. The suspense steadily builds as secrets and lies from the past and new mysteries from the present are gradually revealed. There are twists and turns to the plot that I never saw coming. The characters are expertly-portrayed, as are the relationships between the three friends, Trisha, Dannie and Carlyn and their mothers. I enjoyed how the author used the dual timelines and alternating perspectives of the characters to tell the story. COLD WOODS is a compelling and suspenseful book and can’t wait for what comes next in this riveting series. Thank you to author for the chance to read an early copy. I was thrilled to win an ARC.
September 15, 2021
This was an Okay read, it was entertaining and enjoyable to pass the time but is not the kind of thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I didn’t find it intriguing and it was a bit slow. It picked up at the end and it had a big plot twist that I didn’t see coming but even with that it didn’t make the book better, at least for me.
There was also one subplot in the story that I felt was unnecessary and it didn’t bring anything to the story other than more pages to read.
Overall, it was an okay thriller but I don’t think I would recommend it unless you don’t mind slow thrillers with not much mystery.
There was also one subplot in the story that I felt was unnecessary and it didn’t bring anything to the story other than more pages to read.
Overall, it was an okay thriller but I don’t think I would recommend it unless you don’t mind slow thrillers with not much mystery.
August 27, 2019
Thought I knew where it was going and I was wrong! Intense turn of events towards the end, well done!! I couldn't put this book down, so believable, too. Thank you, Karen, can't wait for the next one!!!
July 10, 2020
So good!
I definitely will read this book again! Kept me guessing until the very end.
These books (especially this one) are for adults. I don’t feel the topic would be good for children.
I definitely will read this book again! Kept me guessing until the very end.
These books (especially this one) are for adults. I don’t feel the topic would be good for children.
September 9, 2019
Even better than River Bodies - great characters. Powerful statement on mothers, daughters, & friendship.
April 28, 2019
Childhood friendships are often a touchstone in our adult lives. This particular small town cop and mystery novel builds upon those friendships, something that happened to several of the friends, and how it impacted their life choices. Strong characters and good pacing make this an enjoyable read, once you get past what one parent is/does.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgally for an advance reader's copy of this book.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgally for an advance reader's copy of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews