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A Luca Mystery #5
A Cold, Hard Case
Half of the time, the killer gets away...
and the case goes cold.
Detective Luca knows there are hundreds, if not thousands of killers out there. When he receives a strange call about an unsolved murder, the evil that struck 25 years earlier resurfaces.
A teenage girl brutally murdered. A younger brother who was with her that night. A devastated mother, unable to move on.
Contemplating fatherhood himself, Luca commits to solving the horrific crime. He'll find the killer, offering the family a measure of closure.
But there are a carousel of suspects, the original investigation was botched and someone is trying to stop Luca.
Someone who isn't afraid to kill again.
and the case goes cold.
Detective Luca knows there are hundreds, if not thousands of killers out there. When he receives a strange call about an unsolved murder, the evil that struck 25 years earlier resurfaces.
A teenage girl brutally murdered. A younger brother who was with her that night. A devastated mother, unable to move on.
Contemplating fatherhood himself, Luca commits to solving the horrific crime. He'll find the killer, offering the family a measure of closure.
But there are a carousel of suspects, the original investigation was botched and someone is trying to stop Luca.
Someone who isn't afraid to kill again.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2018
246 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Dan Petrosini
115 books177 followersDan is a USA Today and Amazon best seller author, who wrote his first story at the age of ten and enjoys telling stories and jokes.
Dan gets his story ideas by exploring the question; What if?
In almost every situation he finds himself in, Dan starts exploring what if this or that happened? What if this person died, was hurt, or did something unusual or illegal?
Dan’s non-stop mind spin provides him with plenty of material to weave into interesting stories.
A fan of books and films that have twists and are difficult to predict, Dan crafts his stories to prevent the reader from guessing correctly. He writes each and every day, forcing the words out when necessary and has written over twenty novels to date. It’s not a matter of wanting to write, Dan simply has to.
Dan passionately believes people can realize their dreams if they focus and act, and he encourages just that.
His favorite saying is – “The price of discipline is always less than the cost of regret”
Dan likes to remind people to get the negativity out of their lives. He feels it is contagious and advises people to steer clear of negative people. He believes having a true, positive mind set makes it feel like life is rigged in your favor. When he gets off base, he tells himself, ‘You can’t have a good day with a bad attitude.’
Married with two daughters and a needy Maltese, Dan lives in Southwest Florida. A New York native, Dan teaches at local colleges, writes novels, and plays tenor saxophone in several jazz bands. He also drinks way too much wine and never, ever takes himself too seriously.
He has an active blog at http://danpetrosini.com, where you can sign up for a newsletter featuring articles, his writing and special deals.
Dan gets his story ideas by exploring the question; What if?
In almost every situation he finds himself in, Dan starts exploring what if this or that happened? What if this person died, was hurt, or did something unusual or illegal?
Dan’s non-stop mind spin provides him with plenty of material to weave into interesting stories.
A fan of books and films that have twists and are difficult to predict, Dan crafts his stories to prevent the reader from guessing correctly. He writes each and every day, forcing the words out when necessary and has written over twenty novels to date. It’s not a matter of wanting to write, Dan simply has to.
Dan passionately believes people can realize their dreams if they focus and act, and he encourages just that.
His favorite saying is – “The price of discipline is always less than the cost of regret”
Dan likes to remind people to get the negativity out of their lives. He feels it is contagious and advises people to steer clear of negative people. He believes having a true, positive mind set makes it feel like life is rigged in your favor. When he gets off base, he tells himself, ‘You can’t have a good day with a bad attitude.’
Married with two daughters and a needy Maltese, Dan lives in Southwest Florida. A New York native, Dan teaches at local colleges, writes novels, and plays tenor saxophone in several jazz bands. He also drinks way too much wine and never, ever takes himself too seriously.
He has an active blog at http://danpetrosini.com, where you can sign up for a newsletter featuring articles, his writing and special deals.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 3, 2020
I loved this book. With so many amateur sleuths out there it is nice to come back to an entertaining police procedural plot and with great characters this one is sure not to disappoint. I have enjoyed the other books in this series but with so many suspects and twist I think this one has to be up there at the top (well so far). You don't need to have listened to the other book to enjoy this one but why wouldn't you if you like a down to earth, slightly obsessed and damaged policeman? I like the introduction of a new partner and the way Luca, who is very wet in his ways, has to learn to get along with him. Can't wait for the next one and I hope the author has plans to keep them coming.
When a tip comes in about a cold case Luca digs out the case file only to discover that the file is very thin and he is not impressed with the investigation. He visits the grieving mother of the teenage girl found dead on the beach, only to find out even after all the years that have past the girls room is still exactly the same as she left it that day and the mother hasn't moved on. Voweling to find justice for her Luca starts running down evidence that wasn't followed up. Can he and his new rookie cop find the killer after all this time? And just how many enemies can a teenager at school have?
I liked the narrator, his slightly gruff voice is perfect for the detective.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
When a tip comes in about a cold case Luca digs out the case file only to discover that the file is very thin and he is not impressed with the investigation. He visits the grieving mother of the teenage girl found dead on the beach, only to find out even after all the years that have past the girls room is still exactly the same as she left it that day and the mother hasn't moved on. Voweling to find justice for her Luca starts running down evidence that wasn't followed up. Can he and his new rookie cop find the killer after all this time? And just how many enemies can a teenager at school have?
I liked the narrator, his slightly gruff voice is perfect for the detective.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 4, 2018
A Cold, Hard Case - a review by Rosemary Kenny
With a popular theme, Dan Petrosini chooses the investigation of an unsolved so-called 'cold case' murder of a young girl seventeen year-old Debbie Boyle, a quarter of a century earlier, as the theme of A Cold, Hard Case, in which the eponymous case has now been brought to the public's attention by the possibility that the same killer has struck again after all this time.
Detective Luca must re-examine evidence in storage and speak to surviving witnesses, hoping finally to bring closure to the still-grieving family, whose daughter never made it home.
What can he discover to solve the mystery and will he too become the next potential victim of a killer who's determined never to be unmasked?
You'll have to read this all-action, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller by Master of Intrigue and Suspense, Dan Petrosini, to find out - get your copy today!!
With a popular theme, Dan Petrosini chooses the investigation of an unsolved so-called 'cold case' murder of a young girl seventeen year-old Debbie Boyle, a quarter of a century earlier, as the theme of A Cold, Hard Case, in which the eponymous case has now been brought to the public's attention by the possibility that the same killer has struck again after all this time.
Detective Luca must re-examine evidence in storage and speak to surviving witnesses, hoping finally to bring closure to the still-grieving family, whose daughter never made it home.
What can he discover to solve the mystery and will he too become the next potential victim of a killer who's determined never to be unmasked?
You'll have to read this all-action, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller by Master of Intrigue and Suspense, Dan Petrosini, to find out - get your copy today!!
November 17, 2020
I really liked this story about the investigation of a cold case from 25 years earlier. It's a well written mystery where the clues lead in many directions and, for a time, you suspect nearly everybody but the investigating cops. Luca is a likeable guy with the kind of obsessive personality that makes a great cop but a horrible friend or lover and the possible perps run the gamut of ordinary people - all nervous, evasive and shifty enough to make convincing murderers. The clues are presented methodically as each new clue and witness leads to the next.
In all, a really good story, well read by a narrator with a voice that screams movie P.I.
In all, a really good story, well read by a narrator with a voice that screams movie P.I.
November 15, 2020
this is my favorite book of this series so far.
I feel like Detective Luca has matured and is ready for the next step in life.
the investigation was interesting, and the emotions this case brought to the detective were genuine.
also - great Job of the narrator.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I feel like Detective Luca has matured and is ready for the next step in life.
the investigation was interesting, and the emotions this case brought to the detective were genuine.
also - great Job of the narrator.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 29, 2019
An incredible mystery that forces the reader to rethink who the killer might be with each new interview. As the detectives work the case, they ever expand all the people who might be involved, and with each person, there is motive and opportunity that keeps the reader guessing.
November 3, 2020
This was a really interesting book. The storyline was intriguing, the characters were wonderful, and the reader was very good. I received a free review copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2019
Really good read! Loved the personal aspects of the main character! Very enjoyable!
May 15, 2021
Emotionally Draining
Another amazing, gritty tale of inappropriate passion and murder. The characters were super realistic as always. Even 25 year old murders can be solved.
Another amazing, gritty tale of inappropriate passion and murder. The characters were super realistic as always. Even 25 year old murders can be solved.
February 13, 2021
This really was a hard book for me rate. I was totally enthralled in the storyline. I don’t read many books with a Cold Case plot. I figured out the murderer early on, but that didn’t take away from the story, as I was interested in how Luca would eliminate the many suspects until he got his man. Plus, there was unexpected turn of events, that came as a shock to me.
This being number 5 in the series, I am invested in Luca, understand his ways, and cringe when he opens his mouth saying something I know Mary Ann isn’t going to like. I was happy that the author gave the readers more of a peak into Mary Ann and Luca’s personal relationship, though I still want more.
The inconsistencies/errors in this book are what I found disappointing. It’s a major pet peeve of mine when authors can’t keep their own stories straight. Examples:
-Fred Stark is referred to as “Larry” Stark. Larry is a totally different character with the last name of Culver. Doesn’t anyone proofread?
-Derrick is with Luca at the first interview with Machado. The two even comment on prime rib. Then a few chapters later, Luca and Derrick discuss needing a second interview with the man. In that conversation, they state the first interview with Machado was conducted with Vargas and Luca. Luca then gives directions to Derrick to where to find Machado. Really?
- There is a mistake referring to Mr. Culver as the principal, at the time when he was a teacher.
It’s stuff like that that kept me from rating this book higher.
This being number 5 in the series, I am invested in Luca, understand his ways, and cringe when he opens his mouth saying something I know Mary Ann isn’t going to like. I was happy that the author gave the readers more of a peak into Mary Ann and Luca’s personal relationship, though I still want more.
The inconsistencies/errors in this book are what I found disappointing. It’s a major pet peeve of mine when authors can’t keep their own stories straight. Examples:
-Fred Stark is referred to as “Larry” Stark. Larry is a totally different character with the last name of Culver. Doesn’t anyone proofread?
-Derrick is with Luca at the first interview with Machado. The two even comment on prime rib. Then a few chapters later, Luca and Derrick discuss needing a second interview with the man. In that conversation, they state the first interview with Machado was conducted with Vargas and Luca. Luca then gives directions to Derrick to where to find Machado. Really?
- There is a mistake referring to Mr. Culver as the principal, at the time when he was a teacher.
It’s stuff like that that kept me from rating this book higher.
June 8, 2021
Luca and his lady were partners at the police department . But his boss decided to give him a new partner before anyone got into it being not right to do as a police officer or detective have any type of relationship together. Luca decided to route thru the cold case files for something new to do. He comes across a 25 year old cold case of a 17 year old girl who was murdered but case was never solved. He come to find out that back then it wasnt treated correctly and lots of info was not collected or documented correctly. So him and his new partner were to go over all the evidence from the beginning again to see how to approach the case and go over all the witnesses again or possible suspects. They had lots of suspect to question and motives.
March 16, 2021
A Cold Hard Case was the first book I've read in the Frank Luca series, and I have to say, it was an enjoyable, quick read. I wish I had read some of the other books in the series prior to reading this one, as there are apparently some 'inside' references to recurring themes. It was a twisty-turny, here, there, everywhere story with a main character that had some interesting quirks. I also found it interesting that the investigating officers jumped to more conclusions than I did... Fun read!
February 18, 2023
Great police thriller
This story kept you on your toes until the end. Lots of drama and suspense. Loved how determined the main character Luca was. Would like to read more about him and see where his romantic relationship goes.
This story kept you on your toes until the end. Lots of drama and suspense. Loved how determined the main character Luca was. Would like to read more about him and see where his romantic relationship goes.
February 22, 2021
Enjoyed this book.
A good read which I enjoyed. I did however pick the murderer out long before the end but then I'm good at doing that.
A good read which I enjoyed. I did however pick the murderer out long before the end but then I'm good at doing that.
March 2, 2021
Enjoyed the read. Well plotted. I'll be looking to read more of Dan Petrosini
December 5, 2024
Another great read
I totally enjoyed reading another Luca mystery. These are my new favorite detective stories. I can't wait to read the next one.
I totally enjoyed reading another Luca mystery. These are my new favorite detective stories. I can't wait to read the next one.
March 28, 2025
Good read
This is a good read. Keeps you questioning who really did it up to the end. The characters are great and the flow good together
This is a good read. Keeps you questioning who really did it up to the end. The characters are great and the flow good together
July 17, 2025
Great Read
Love this series. Great detective work!
Keeps you guessing on who the murderer is but Frank does not give up! A little romance too!
Love this series. Great detective work!
Keeps you guessing on who the murderer is but Frank does not give up! A little romance too!
November 12, 2025
easy reading and always on point
No gory details but enough to keep you reading. Very easy reading. Can connect it all as the story goes forward.
No gory details but enough to keep you reading. Very easy reading. Can connect it all as the story goes forward.
December 25, 2025
A sober, human story about the pursuit of justice, marked by emotional wear and unanswered questions. Quietly unsettling and restrained.
April 4, 2024
Daré otra oportunidad
Me gustó la trama pero las sub tramas y las explicaciones son demasiado largas. Los personajes están bien desarrollados, veré en el próximo libro si mejora las cosas.
Me gustó la trama pero las sub tramas y las explicaciones son demasiado largas. Los personajes están bien desarrollados, veré en el próximo libro si mejora las cosas.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews