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DI Bethany Smith #1
Cold Is the Caller
COLD IS THE CALLER WHO HAS AN AXE TO GRIND
DI Bethany Smith is called out to a murder scene where the state of the body is like nothing she’s ever seen before. The victim, a male, has been left in a terrifying mess. Why? What do the clues left behind mean? They’re not obviously pointing to anything, and working it out is nigh on impossible.
Then a second body is found, a woman this time, and the connection between the dead isn’t apparent—apart from the same clues being present.
With a third body, things make sense. Someone has a serious issue and intends to let the players in the game know it—but who the hell is it?
A fourth body links them all in a chilling way.
What does a skull image have to do with it? Why red contact lenses? And why is a vacuum cleaner one of the tools of the killer’s trade?
DI Bethany Smith is called out to a murder scene where the state of the body is like nothing she’s ever seen before. The victim, a male, has been left in a terrifying mess. Why? What do the clues left behind mean? They’re not obviously pointing to anything, and working it out is nigh on impossible.
Then a second body is found, a woman this time, and the connection between the dead isn’t apparent—apart from the same clues being present.
With a third body, things make sense. Someone has a serious issue and intends to let the players in the game know it—but who the hell is it?
A fourth body links them all in a chilling way.
What does a skull image have to do with it? Why red contact lenses? And why is a vacuum cleaner one of the tools of the killer’s trade?
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 19, 2019
993 people are currently reading
719 people want to read
About the author
Emmy Ellis
136 books115 followersAuthor of these series:
• DI Tracy Collier
• DI Carol Wren
• DI Bethany Smith
• DI Helena Stratton
• The Cardigan Estate
• DI Morgan Yeoman
• Detective Anna James
• DI Tracy Collier
• DI Carol Wren
• DI Bethany Smith
• DI Helena Stratton
• The Cardigan Estate
• DI Morgan Yeoman
• Detective Anna James
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
July 1, 2019
Oh my giddy aunt... what a fabulous read. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, so if you're of a nervous disposition I would steer clear, saying that I think you'd be foolish not to read this stunning novel.
I absolutely love Bethany Smith and her team. They're up against it when they discover the body of a man with horrific injuries. I'm not going to say more about the crimes, I hate spoilers. What i will say is that I loved how we saw half of the book through the eyes of the killer. He's a warp, twisted individual, take my word on that. Driven to do things because of his awful past. The reader almost feels sorry for him.
The ending smacked me in the face and yes, I ended up sobbing my heart out.
If you haven't read this author's work yet then shame on you. PHENOMENAL READ. Don't take my word for it, grab a copy for yourself.
I absolutely love Bethany Smith and her team. They're up against it when they discover the body of a man with horrific injuries. I'm not going to say more about the crimes, I hate spoilers. What i will say is that I loved how we saw half of the book through the eyes of the killer. He's a warp, twisted individual, take my word on that. Driven to do things because of his awful past. The reader almost feels sorry for him.
The ending smacked me in the face and yes, I ended up sobbing my heart out.
If you haven't read this author's work yet then shame on you. PHENOMENAL READ. Don't take my word for it, grab a copy for yourself.
December 7, 2023
Um...the twist is...drum-roll...there is no twist!
Yeah, bit of a strange one, this.
It's not a "whodunit" because (and I'm not giving away any spoilers here, because we're given all this information right from the get-go) nor is it a"whydunit" either, because the killer's motivation is revealed right in the first few chapters. The reader is just sort of going along for the ride, waiting for the police to figure out stuff we've already been made aware of.
There was zero suspense. No extra little added detail as some token pay-off for basically just counting down the pages until the perp was apprehended and everything wound up. No element of surprise; just page turning.
I will give the author some credit though, because this was a fast-paced book that I kept on with, despite already knowing the means, motive & identity of the murderer. But if I'm honest, I really was expecting the plot to suddenly pivot at some point, throwing into question everything I thought I knew. Because there's always a twist, right? Especially in stories where up until now we've been led down an awfully straightforward seeming path.
But no. No twist. And what's even more infuriating is that there were about 4 or 5 points in this book where it looked like we might be learning some questionable information, that could very easily have been perfect little avenues to totally switch things up a bit, and have it so everything you thought you knew up until then wasn't a lie, but an incomplete sketch to make you jump to conclusions that you would then have to reevaluate.
Maybe the author started out with many plans and ideas as to how she wanted to create a web of intrigue, only to realise that she had neither the patience and stamina, or talent required to create a true tale of suspense. It felt lazily completed, with all efforts at creativity saved for the graphic depictions of violence. Which, okay, some were amusingly gory, but Tess Gerritsen & Karen Slaughter know how to create whip-smart, fast-paced, graphically violent thrillers that also keep the reader guessing throughout, with just the right amount of perfectly placed and plausible twists.
Emmy Ellis is no Tess Gerritsen or Karen Slaughter. She seems sophomoric and undisciplined and unimaginative by comparison. I know she's written a slew of procedural/detective/mystery/thriller types of books in a handful of different series, so maybe she's just phoning it in now. Or, if this was her first outing, I'm not sure why Joffe or any other publisher would've green-lit this as the first title to get an author out there and be noticed though.
What I really don't understand though, is why so many people on here have given this book 4 stars (or higher in some cases!) Why? Y'all can't be so easily swayed into thinking you just read a good thriller because of the handful of slightly gory scenes in it? The main characters were cookie-cutter (although on the plus side at least there was no irritating romance sub-plot going on between the male and female protagonists...so that was one less thing to grate on my nerves.)
There were connections between crimes that the police would have figured out way earlier than they did, too. That's not because I'm forgetting that these were points revealed to us the readers, by the perp's inner monologues. These were things that the police already knew, but somehow failed to realise that as 2 or more incredibly correlative factors, they might in fact be connected to one another? Eff off! (Just so annoying.)
The only other thing I liked about this book was the more believably colourful language that certain people used. That might put some readers off, but if you're more upset with a smattering of f-bombs than detailed descriptions of the shattering of bones, or splattering of blood...well you probably need to reassess your priorities. I expect hardened police investigators to swear. I expect people on tough housing estates to swear. I've been known to pepper my own outbursts with the kind of language better suited to a sailor or submariner, than a 'middle-aged-middle-class-white-woman-literally-called-Becky', so cuss words in the right place and situation are absofuckinglutely fine with me.
But a mystery without any mystery? A thriller devoid of thrills? Nah, miss me with that lame sh*t.
I'm being generous and rounding what I felt to be a 2.5 star read (at best) up to a 3 star rating because I want to read the next instalment in this series (having downloaded them all via Kindle Unlimited) before I truly feel comfortable writing Emmy Ellis off as some halfwit hack of a wannabe author who should probably take up throwing pottery instead.*
*At her computer keyboard.
Yeah, bit of a strange one, this.
It's not a "whodunit" because (and I'm not giving away any spoilers here, because we're given all this information right from the get-go) nor is it a"whydunit" either, because the killer's motivation is revealed right in the first few chapters. The reader is just sort of going along for the ride, waiting for the police to figure out stuff we've already been made aware of.
There was zero suspense. No extra little added detail as some token pay-off for basically just counting down the pages until the perp was apprehended and everything wound up. No element of surprise; just page turning.
I will give the author some credit though, because this was a fast-paced book that I kept on with, despite already knowing the means, motive & identity of the murderer. But if I'm honest, I really was expecting the plot to suddenly pivot at some point, throwing into question everything I thought I knew. Because there's always a twist, right? Especially in stories where up until now we've been led down an awfully straightforward seeming path.
But no. No twist. And what's even more infuriating is that there were about 4 or 5 points in this book where it looked like we might be learning some questionable information, that could very easily have been perfect little avenues to totally switch things up a bit, and have it so everything you thought you knew up until then wasn't a lie, but an incomplete sketch to make you jump to conclusions that you would then have to reevaluate.
Maybe the author started out with many plans and ideas as to how she wanted to create a web of intrigue, only to realise that she had neither the patience and stamina, or talent required to create a true tale of suspense. It felt lazily completed, with all efforts at creativity saved for the graphic depictions of violence. Which, okay, some were amusingly gory, but Tess Gerritsen & Karen Slaughter know how to create whip-smart, fast-paced, graphically violent thrillers that also keep the reader guessing throughout, with just the right amount of perfectly placed and plausible twists.
Emmy Ellis is no Tess Gerritsen or Karen Slaughter. She seems sophomoric and undisciplined and unimaginative by comparison. I know she's written a slew of procedural/detective/mystery/thriller types of books in a handful of different series, so maybe she's just phoning it in now. Or, if this was her first outing, I'm not sure why Joffe or any other publisher would've green-lit this as the first title to get an author out there and be noticed though.
What I really don't understand though, is why so many people on here have given this book 4 stars (or higher in some cases!) Why? Y'all can't be so easily swayed into thinking you just read a good thriller because of the handful of slightly gory scenes in it? The main characters were cookie-cutter (although on the plus side at least there was no irritating romance sub-plot going on between the male and female protagonists...so that was one less thing to grate on my nerves.)
There were connections between crimes that the police would have figured out way earlier than they did, too. That's not because I'm forgetting that these were points revealed to us the readers, by the perp's inner monologues. These were things that the police already knew, but somehow failed to realise that as 2 or more incredibly correlative factors, they might in fact be connected to one another? Eff off! (Just so annoying.)
The only other thing I liked about this book was the more believably colourful language that certain people used. That might put some readers off, but if you're more upset with a smattering of f-bombs than detailed descriptions of the shattering of bones, or splattering of blood...well you probably need to reassess your priorities. I expect hardened police investigators to swear. I expect people on tough housing estates to swear. I've been known to pepper my own outbursts with the kind of language better suited to a sailor or submariner, than a 'middle-aged-middle-class-white-woman-literally-called-Becky', so cuss words in the right place and situation are absofuckinglutely fine with me.
But a mystery without any mystery? A thriller devoid of thrills? Nah, miss me with that lame sh*t.
I'm being generous and rounding what I felt to be a 2.5 star read (at best) up to a 3 star rating because I want to read the next instalment in this series (having downloaded them all via Kindle Unlimited) before I truly feel comfortable writing Emmy Ellis off as some halfwit hack of a wannabe author who should probably take up throwing pottery instead.*
*At her computer keyboard.
January 26, 2024
In a quote attributed to George Bernard Shaw, it was said that the US and the UK are two countries separated by a common language. Presumably to prove that point, British author Emmy Ellis placed a “Glossary of English Usage for US Readers” at the end of her 2019 so-called “chilling crime thriller,” which she revised and retitled in 2023 as The Cold Call Killer.
She was not the first British author I have read to provide a glossary nor was she the first to promise “a stunning final twist.” Nor was she the first to break that promise.
Yes, there were words in her book which as an American I was unfamiliar with, but none of them appeared in her useless glossary. And what I suppose she would say was her final twist was neither stunning nor had anything to do with the killer whose identity we knew practically from the first page.
In this book, DI Bethany Smith is a foul-mouthed detective who has a penchant for speaking in obscenities. It’s not the obscenities which offended me; it was that they served no practical purpose.
She and her sidekick Mike spend 200 pages chasing a killer who was avenging the death of his sister. A number of the killer’s victims had no connection to his sister so his motives were largely unintelligible, and the killer himself deserved more pity than revulsion since, in the British vernacular, “the poor sod” was raised by an abusive father and an indifferent mother.
In short, any positive reviews of this book prove only that this author has loyal and forgiving friends — or readers who have no clue what a good crime thriller should look like.
She was not the first British author I have read to provide a glossary nor was she the first to promise “a stunning final twist.” Nor was she the first to break that promise.
Yes, there were words in her book which as an American I was unfamiliar with, but none of them appeared in her useless glossary. And what I suppose she would say was her final twist was neither stunning nor had anything to do with the killer whose identity we knew practically from the first page.
In this book, DI Bethany Smith is a foul-mouthed detective who has a penchant for speaking in obscenities. It’s not the obscenities which offended me; it was that they served no practical purpose.
She and her sidekick Mike spend 200 pages chasing a killer who was avenging the death of his sister. A number of the killer’s victims had no connection to his sister so his motives were largely unintelligible, and the killer himself deserved more pity than revulsion since, in the British vernacular, “the poor sod” was raised by an abusive father and an indifferent mother.
In short, any positive reviews of this book prove only that this author has loyal and forgiving friends — or readers who have no clue what a good crime thriller should look like.
March 3, 2024
Well, that was different. And not in a good way.
The killer and his motive are revealed immediately, so this book is 200+ pages of the reader having to slog through the molasses of law enforcement's ineptitude ("Oh, I forgot to tell you" and "Why didn't I think of that? Stupid!" as they tried to uncover who was responsible for the murders and why.
There was nothing thrilling, shocking, or rewarding about this one.
Epilogue:
And what the heck even was that epilogue? The death of the detective's firefighter husband just for the sake of more death and a chance at some saccharine, hackneyed conclusion to an otherwise boring novel?
The killer and his motive are revealed immediately, so this book is 200+ pages of the reader having to slog through the molasses of law enforcement's ineptitude ("Oh, I forgot to tell you" and "Why didn't I think of that? Stupid!" as they tried to uncover who was responsible for the murders and why.
There was nothing thrilling, shocking, or rewarding about this one.
Epilogue:
And what the heck even was that epilogue? The death of the detective's firefighter husband just for the sake of more death and a chance at some saccharine, hackneyed conclusion to an otherwise boring novel?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2019
Strong NC-17 Grisly murder scenes, OTT violence, blood & gore & guts. Plus NSFW language
If you have a weak stomach, you should reconsider reading this book. Horror fans, here’s a crime fiction book for you!
The main storyline is a police procedural, but there are OTT horror elements throughout. For example, a murder victim’s horrific mutilation injuries are minutely and—I’m not kidding here—almost lovingly described. To add to the horror, the author presents the murderer’s POV, which is skin-crawlingly creepy. However, the author does give the killer a redeeming characteristic.
Hunting the killer is DI Bethany Smith, who is as likable a police protagonist as I’ve come across. I knew who the killer was, but I was invested and followed Bethany as she investigated.
I wanted details/descriptions about the setting, which was too generic. What’s the name of the river that’s mentioned? I don’t know whether Shadwell is a town in the countryside or if it’s a section/district of London.
Question: Why was a small team of detectives allowed to continue investigating after more victims are similarly slaughtered? These are extraordinarily brutal murders; the bodies are horribly mutilated; and the murderer uses a Dyson vacuum in a . . . unique but disgusting way. Why is there no serious crimes team or MIT to assist?
I was able to finish this book, because I have a strong stomach and I read a lot of crime fiction and horror. Luckily this is a very short book.
IMHO, 3 stars was too low. Goodreads has no half points, so 4 stars.
If you have a weak stomach, you should reconsider reading this book. Horror fans, here’s a crime fiction book for you!
The main storyline is a police procedural, but there are OTT horror elements throughout. For example, a murder victim’s horrific mutilation injuries are minutely and—I’m not kidding here—almost lovingly described. To add to the horror, the author presents the murderer’s POV, which is skin-crawlingly creepy. However, the author does give the killer a redeeming characteristic.
Hunting the killer is DI Bethany Smith, who is as likable a police protagonist as I’ve come across. I knew who the killer was, but I was invested and followed Bethany as she investigated.
I wanted details/descriptions about the setting, which was too generic. What’s the name of the river that’s mentioned? I don’t know whether Shadwell is a town in the countryside or if it’s a section/district of London.
Question: Why was a small team of detectives allowed to continue investigating after more victims are similarly slaughtered? These are extraordinarily brutal murders; the bodies are horribly mutilated; and the murderer uses a Dyson vacuum in a . . . unique but disgusting way. Why is there no serious crimes team or MIT to assist?
I was able to finish this book, because I have a strong stomach and I read a lot of crime fiction and horror. Luckily this is a very short book.
IMHO, 3 stars was too low. Goodreads has no half points, so 4 stars.
October 9, 2020
This is the first in the DI Bethany Smith series, and if this book is anything to go by, crime fiction fans have a great few reads ahead of them.
The story begins with someone called 'T' ringing the police and admitting to killing someone, before moving to that crime scene. And so starts an investigation that Bethany and her team won't forget in a hurry. I will also now never look at my cordless hoover without thinking of this book.
T has reasons for what he does. He believes he is justified and in the right because of what happened to his sister. Throughout the book his personality becomes more exposed as you discover what has led him to this point.
Emmy has a bit of a warped imagination when it comes to ways to kill off her characters. She's one #sickoauthor and I mean that as a compliment. The story flows well, T and his his family are something to behold, and there's a great dynamic between Bethany and her colleagues.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
The story begins with someone called 'T' ringing the police and admitting to killing someone, before moving to that crime scene. And so starts an investigation that Bethany and her team won't forget in a hurry. I will also now never look at my cordless hoover without thinking of this book.
T has reasons for what he does. He believes he is justified and in the right because of what happened to his sister. Throughout the book his personality becomes more exposed as you discover what has led him to this point.
Emmy has a bit of a warped imagination when it comes to ways to kill off her characters. She's one #sickoauthor and I mean that as a compliment. The story flows well, T and his his family are something to behold, and there's a great dynamic between Bethany and her colleagues.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
August 3, 2019
My goodness, what a book! Emmy Ellis has done it again! This book is definitely not for the faint hearted.
Why has Jason been murdered, partially skinned and had his innards removed? Bethany and her partner Mike need to find answers, unfortunately the answers don’t come soon enough. Over 3 nights, 3 people are murdered, what links them?
Such a brilliant start to a new series. Loving the characters in this first book and I can’t wait to read more in the series. Bethany and her partner Mike have a good rapport going. This has to be one of the sickest and most gory books I’ve read in a long time - I loved it. Well deserved 5 stars in my opinion.
Why has Jason been murdered, partially skinned and had his innards removed? Bethany and her partner Mike need to find answers, unfortunately the answers don’t come soon enough. Over 3 nights, 3 people are murdered, what links them?
Such a brilliant start to a new series. Loving the characters in this first book and I can’t wait to read more in the series. Bethany and her partner Mike have a good rapport going. This has to be one of the sickest and most gory books I’ve read in a long time - I loved it. Well deserved 5 stars in my opinion.
April 4, 2024
Even though this book was very gory in places, with extreme descriptions of the horrific crimes that were committed, I did find it quite enjoyable (must be I have a very strong stomach!) It was a reasonably simply story with an interesting plot, and even although we knew who the killer was right from the start, what kept me reading was the way that DI Bethany Smith and her team went about trying to solve the crime and try and prevent the sick killer from taking another victim. The author did an excellent job at creating believable and evil characters, alongside her strong police team. The thing that really made this story for me was the massive twist at the end which was heartbreaking and shattering. I am certainly going to read the rest of the books in this series as they are quick but engaging reads, which keep me turning pages into the night.
April 16, 2024
I'M A BIG DAN OF BLOOD-N-GUTS BPUT THIS REALLY WAS OVERKILL IN THAT DEPARTMENT, I MEAN THIS KILLER WAS WAY OVER THE TOP. THE KILLING WENT ON TOO LONG AND I HATED THE ENDING, I DIDN'T LIKE THIS STORYLINE AT ALL. ;<
April 28, 2024
New to this author and these cops, we were told from the start who the perp was, so the series of grisly murders were indeed hair-raising but hardly suspenseful. And while the police work was not incompetent, they made little progress until near the end when just about every other possibility had been eliminated. The ending per se was not really all that satisfying; and a concluding side event that had nothing to do with the tale at hand seemed unnecessary and pointless.
Not particularly a thrilling read... {2.5}
Not particularly a thrilling read... {2.5}
November 14, 2019
An amazing book from an author with a twisted mind, great characters and a gruesome story
January 5, 2020
OMG what have I just read!!!!!! This is a brilliantly gruesome story I couldn't put down. This is the first book I've read by this author and can't wait to read more.
July 8, 2024
Clearly, when you read Chris Carter, there's just nothing can match up.
This wasn't bad, it was just forgettable.
This wasn't bad, it was just forgettable.
March 29, 2024
The Cold Call killer
By Emmy Elllis
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First off i must say i love this cover. It really caught my attention and made me want to go read the description It sounded like it would be a good book . From the very first page i was totally hooked. I could not turn the pages fast enough . It was so good that i read it in one day . It is one of the best books i have read this year. If i could give it 100 stars i would . I cannot recommend this book enough. If you only read one book this year make it this one. When I went to see if she has any more books I was pleased to find out that she has a lot of them. I can't wait to read another book by her.
This book can be read on kindle unlimited .
By Emmy Elllis
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First off i must say i love this cover. It really caught my attention and made me want to go read the description It sounded like it would be a good book . From the very first page i was totally hooked. I could not turn the pages fast enough . It was so good that i read it in one day . It is one of the best books i have read this year. If i could give it 100 stars i would . I cannot recommend this book enough. If you only read one book this year make it this one. When I went to see if she has any more books I was pleased to find out that she has a lot of them. I can't wait to read another book by her.
This book can be read on kindle unlimited .
August 1, 2024
A good premise - the reader knows who the murderer is from the start. But rather too much (gratuitous(?)) violence for me.
May 11, 2025
what was the point of this book? we knew who the murderer was and why he did it!Two detectives with underdeveloped characters, blunder through the pages ..I persevered with the boredom but for what? one to definitely not recommend.
March 27, 2024
Felt somewhat gratuitous in places. From almost the start we knew who the killer was so no bog reveal, fine that's a plot people can go for and can quite well but then the fun of that kind of plot is watching the police piece it together and catch them. This was missing. Although yes the police were closing in, the killer was caught because he was seen killing someone. So essentially the police could have done 0 detective work and still caught him, so I didn't appreciate this element of the plot either.
And then at the end, the detective's husband dies. Why?! It was foreshadowed with her frequent thoughts about him, but coming at the conclusion of the book it serves no purpose other than perhaps to set the scene for future books? But even then I am not left wanting to see what happens, I'm just bemused
And then at the end, the detective's husband dies. Why?! It was foreshadowed with her frequent thoughts about him, but coming at the conclusion of the book it serves no purpose other than perhaps to set the scene for future books? But even then I am not left wanting to see what happens, I'm just bemused
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
I don't like to post negative reviews. Because, (1) any author works hard to produce a book; (2) a publisher has enough faith in a book to risk investing on it and (3) this book has a 4.15 star rating which means there are plenty of other fans who like this book. I'll just let my star rating do the talking instead.
October 7, 2020
Chilling. The author seems obsessed with obscene and gratuitous violence.
January 14, 2021
A superb story with a graphic and emotionally charged edge – highly recommended!
I came to the DI Bethany Smith series when I read book three ‘Red is the Colour’. In that earlier review I mentioned I’d get on and read the earlier ones, and this book is the start of the series, and it does set up the overall emotional vibe that resounded throughout book three. Cold is the Caller is a superb story with a very unexpected twist that will leave you stunned.
At its heart, the book is a graphic, visceral police procedural with an intriguingly tenacious and fallible central character DI Bethany Smith. Miss Ellis knows exactly how to balance the police’s operational lexicon with team-work and psychology game-plays. So many times, you read of a central hero or heroine being seemingly brilliant in everything, and although it may enable the character to squeeze out of those moments where they’re incarcerated within mental or even physical brick walls, it becomes a tad unrealistic. Thus, it’s very refreshing to read a character that’s immensely likable and obviously clever but due to the very nature of her high pressure job, she drops the ball at times. One such occurrence happens mid-way through the story, Bethany is suffering from information overload and contacts a fellow colleague, DI Tracy Collier from Serious Crimes. Collier’s acerbic, just skirting bitchy, nevertheless she helps Bethany, pointing out something that’s straight in front of her, but afterward, Bethany feels stupid and inadequate. Collier hears her, but then in a show of camaraderie, says it’s just part of the job, accept it, don’t beat yourself up and move on to get those results. It’s that injection of motivation that Bethany needs to close the case.
Miss Ellis’ books in this series always have two POVs, Bethany and the killer’s. It feels like a brutal cat and mouse chase. Getting into the mind of a murderer, giving nods to possible rationales for their behaviour, whilst showing their insanity from the way they view the world around them, and particularly the warped perspective they have for their victims, isn’t easy at all, if it’s to be done in an authentic, realistic way. And Miss Ellis achieves this in spades.
The murders in Miss Ellis’ books are set pieces in themselves. Sick, gory and delightfully crafted, one could even imagine the author sits in her home and imagines ways in which to make readers truly shocked. I don’t shock easily, but I found the murders inventive and dare I say, innovative in their nature. Clearly the work of a deeply twisted mind, out for vengeance against another scandalous crime that had been committed.
There is a central trait within this series, and that is the powerful connection of family, and the damage that family can do that can lead to savage retribution, insanity and death. Had the murderer gone through a different upbringing, would they have still killed? Or was the path to insanity ingrained within their DNA? That age old argument of nature v nurture?
Miss Ellis investigates such deep questions, but she does so with humorous flair and panache, that makes this book engrossing as much as it is disturbing. The balance of Bethany and her team gives the story its ray of metaphorical sunshine, demonstrating through sheer tenacity and absolute conviction, that amazing things can be achieved by real (as opposed to superhuman) people.
I loved this book and I would urge you if you haven’t given Miss Ellis’ incredible story-telling a go then you are only denying yourself. Recommended unreservedly.
I came to the DI Bethany Smith series when I read book three ‘Red is the Colour’. In that earlier review I mentioned I’d get on and read the earlier ones, and this book is the start of the series, and it does set up the overall emotional vibe that resounded throughout book three. Cold is the Caller is a superb story with a very unexpected twist that will leave you stunned.
At its heart, the book is a graphic, visceral police procedural with an intriguingly tenacious and fallible central character DI Bethany Smith. Miss Ellis knows exactly how to balance the police’s operational lexicon with team-work and psychology game-plays. So many times, you read of a central hero or heroine being seemingly brilliant in everything, and although it may enable the character to squeeze out of those moments where they’re incarcerated within mental or even physical brick walls, it becomes a tad unrealistic. Thus, it’s very refreshing to read a character that’s immensely likable and obviously clever but due to the very nature of her high pressure job, she drops the ball at times. One such occurrence happens mid-way through the story, Bethany is suffering from information overload and contacts a fellow colleague, DI Tracy Collier from Serious Crimes. Collier’s acerbic, just skirting bitchy, nevertheless she helps Bethany, pointing out something that’s straight in front of her, but afterward, Bethany feels stupid and inadequate. Collier hears her, but then in a show of camaraderie, says it’s just part of the job, accept it, don’t beat yourself up and move on to get those results. It’s that injection of motivation that Bethany needs to close the case.
Miss Ellis’ books in this series always have two POVs, Bethany and the killer’s. It feels like a brutal cat and mouse chase. Getting into the mind of a murderer, giving nods to possible rationales for their behaviour, whilst showing their insanity from the way they view the world around them, and particularly the warped perspective they have for their victims, isn’t easy at all, if it’s to be done in an authentic, realistic way. And Miss Ellis achieves this in spades.
The murders in Miss Ellis’ books are set pieces in themselves. Sick, gory and delightfully crafted, one could even imagine the author sits in her home and imagines ways in which to make readers truly shocked. I don’t shock easily, but I found the murders inventive and dare I say, innovative in their nature. Clearly the work of a deeply twisted mind, out for vengeance against another scandalous crime that had been committed.
There is a central trait within this series, and that is the powerful connection of family, and the damage that family can do that can lead to savage retribution, insanity and death. Had the murderer gone through a different upbringing, would they have still killed? Or was the path to insanity ingrained within their DNA? That age old argument of nature v nurture?
Miss Ellis investigates such deep questions, but she does so with humorous flair and panache, that makes this book engrossing as much as it is disturbing. The balance of Bethany and her team gives the story its ray of metaphorical sunshine, demonstrating through sheer tenacity and absolute conviction, that amazing things can be achieved by real (as opposed to superhuman) people.
I loved this book and I would urge you if you haven’t given Miss Ellis’ incredible story-telling a go then you are only denying yourself. Recommended unreservedly.
July 4, 2019
Oh, My bl**dy Jesus! This has to be the most f##cked-up, gruesome, sick inducing and horror-stricken book that Emmy has wrote to date. If you’re sensitive then, I would be cautious but even so, you don’t want to miss reading this book at all.
I will never ever look at a Hoover in the same way ever again….
I liked how we got into the mind of the killer as it is told from his POV as well DI Bethany Smith.
I am absolutely loving DI Bethany Smith. She is such a loveable, funny character and you will love her the very minute you ‘meet’ her.
I love how DI Tracy Collier is woven ever so slightly into this book too.
You are slung straight into the mind of the killer and the horrificterrifying bodies that are left behind. DI Bethany Smith is shocked and has never ever seen such awful crime scenes. As the body count rises, she is dumbstruck as to what slowly comes to light and its a race against time to find the killer before the body count keeps rising.
It takes you on terrifying, shocking, and stomach twisting, diabolical, despicable turn of events. It is like nothing else. A truly unbelievable wretched storyline. It has you hooked, line and sinker. And oh my, it is a tear-jerker of an ending even for the cold-hearted person which is me. So many tears.
As always it is incredibly well written, fast-paced, and addictive.
I will never ever look at a Hoover in the same way ever again….
I liked how we got into the mind of the killer as it is told from his POV as well DI Bethany Smith.
I am absolutely loving DI Bethany Smith. She is such a loveable, funny character and you will love her the very minute you ‘meet’ her.
I love how DI Tracy Collier is woven ever so slightly into this book too.
You are slung straight into the mind of the killer and the horrificterrifying bodies that are left behind. DI Bethany Smith is shocked and has never ever seen such awful crime scenes. As the body count rises, she is dumbstruck as to what slowly comes to light and its a race against time to find the killer before the body count keeps rising.
It takes you on terrifying, shocking, and stomach twisting, diabolical, despicable turn of events. It is like nothing else. A truly unbelievable wretched storyline. It has you hooked, line and sinker. And oh my, it is a tear-jerker of an ending even for the cold-hearted person which is me. So many tears.
As always it is incredibly well written, fast-paced, and addictive.
October 5, 2020
Really enjoyed this. The first book I have read by this author although when I looked to see if Book 2 in the series was available, I discovered she was actually up to book 6, and not only that - she has a lot of books out! So hopefully I have some reading pleasure coming up!
Unlike most crime thrillers out there, it was refreshing to find characters who don't have a grumpy old boss close to retiring that the main detective doesn't get along with, there was no missing the suspect/killer by 5 minutes, no sexual chemistry between the two cops - okay there may be in future who knows, but at this stage they are just friends, and there is some amount of sympathy in my eyes for the killer.
It is clear from the beginning who that killer is but it doesn't detract from the storyline. There is blood and gore and some of the victims kind of deserved what they got (not all, but 3 certainly did).
Looking forward to Book 2 :)
Unlike most crime thrillers out there, it was refreshing to find characters who don't have a grumpy old boss close to retiring that the main detective doesn't get along with, there was no missing the suspect/killer by 5 minutes, no sexual chemistry between the two cops - okay there may be in future who knows, but at this stage they are just friends, and there is some amount of sympathy in my eyes for the killer.
It is clear from the beginning who that killer is but it doesn't detract from the storyline. There is blood and gore and some of the victims kind of deserved what they got (not all, but 3 certainly did).
Looking forward to Book 2 :)
August 17, 2020
DI Bethany Smith and DS Mike Wilkins face a stomach-churning challenge trying to track down a deranged killer who is out to avenge his sister’s death. The killer, a product of a violent father and dysfunctional mother decides to take justice into his own hands by savagely murdering and mutilating the people he feels were responsible. Although the method of killing is brutal I didn’t find the descriptions to be; the bloody scenes were graphic enough to let you, as the reader, feel for the detectives, but not so bad to put you off your dinner.
As the killer is revealed to the reader from the start, this is more of a cat and mouse novel than a whodunit. The writing style is easy to read and the pages turned quickly. Although I enjoyed it, personally I would have liked more intrigue.
As the killer is revealed to the reader from the start, this is more of a cat and mouse novel than a whodunit. The writing style is easy to read and the pages turned quickly. Although I enjoyed it, personally I would have liked more intrigue.
November 2, 2023
This needs to come with a warning!!! Its content is not for the faint hearted and it is right up my street.
I was absolutely shocked but invested in this thriller. You find out quickly who the killer is and follow both the murderer and the investigators until it comes to a head - literally.
The killer, although deranged seems to have a valid reason to murder and unlike other authors you get the finer details, the nitty and the gruesome gritty. You also get some background of the killer and certain things make sense as you go.
If you have a strong stomach and are not bothered by a bit of gore then I would recommend this to read.
I was absolutely shocked but invested in this thriller. You find out quickly who the killer is and follow both the murderer and the investigators until it comes to a head - literally.
The killer, although deranged seems to have a valid reason to murder and unlike other authors you get the finer details, the nitty and the gruesome gritty. You also get some background of the killer and certain things make sense as you go.
If you have a strong stomach and are not bothered by a bit of gore then I would recommend this to read.
June 20, 2024
The Cold Call Killer is the first book I have read by this autho, and I really enjoyed it, even though it was very gory in places. The author gives a detailed description of the horrific crimes. Hence this book is really not for the faint-hearted!
It is clear from the beginning who that killer is, but it doesn’t detract from the story. The main storyline is really more of a police procedural.
DI Bethany Smith and her partner Mike have a good rapport, and it seems they are a tight team.
Elly Ellis' writing style is easy, and the pages turn quickly. The book is just shy of 200 pages, and I read it within a day.
I am looking forward to more cases of DI Bethany Smith and her team.
It is clear from the beginning who that killer is, but it doesn’t detract from the story. The main storyline is really more of a police procedural.
DI Bethany Smith and her partner Mike have a good rapport, and it seems they are a tight team.
Elly Ellis' writing style is easy, and the pages turn quickly. The book is just shy of 200 pages, and I read it within a day.
I am looking forward to more cases of DI Bethany Smith and her team.
August 2, 2024
"A chilling crime thriller with a stunning final twist" now i wish i could sit here and say that it was true, however i can't. from the get go you find out who the murder is, why they did it and how they did it. the only thing that makes it thrilling is the gory parts but again that is all. the book is written ok but again nothing to rave about. the plot twist is not really a plot twist, i was expecting the person we were told as the killer wasnt the killer, or that they didnt work alone, or that these people werent actually dead but no. the ending is sub par. i felt thoroughly let down by this book.
January 25, 2020
This is the first book in the series and all I can think of is this was such a warped book and so good.
I loved the writing and love Bethany she is such a strong person. She has a lot of ability and she is not one to be idle.
With a book as warped as this one you really do get to see the best and worst in human nature. This book had everything that I could ever want with action and incredibly emotional storytelling.
I really can’t wait to get into more of this authors novels. What I will say I am dubbing her #warpedwoman
I loved the writing and love Bethany she is such a strong person. She has a lot of ability and she is not one to be idle.
With a book as warped as this one you really do get to see the best and worst in human nature. This book had everything that I could ever want with action and incredibly emotional storytelling.
I really can’t wait to get into more of this authors novels. What I will say I am dubbing her #warpedwoman
January 17, 2024
A police thriller
Horrific murders are being done in the name of a young girl. DI Smith and her team follow some of the obvious clues but fail to act quickly enough to stop more murders.
Although some of the murders are clearly linked, there doesn’t seem to be any pressure from superiors to solve it quickly and some of the breakthroughs seem remarkably obscure, while Smith has other things to think about. The final ‘twist’ is unexpected but presumably has a greater bearing on subsequent sequels.
Horrific murders are being done in the name of a young girl. DI Smith and her team follow some of the obvious clues but fail to act quickly enough to stop more murders.
Although some of the murders are clearly linked, there doesn’t seem to be any pressure from superiors to solve it quickly and some of the breakthroughs seem remarkably obscure, while Smith has other things to think about. The final ‘twist’ is unexpected but presumably has a greater bearing on subsequent sequels.
January 18, 2024
A Real Page Turner
When a young girl dies during an abortion, someone is out to kill all those involved, even though she had an undiagnosed heart condition. Not only are they murdered, their bodies are mutilated in the most horrific way and it is up to Detective Bethany Smith and her team to find the killer quickly. If this was a film, I would be hiding behind the settee a lot of the time. Not for the faint hearted, but it is a good read which kept me engrossed. Have just downloaded the next book in the series and can't wait to get started.
When a young girl dies during an abortion, someone is out to kill all those involved, even though she had an undiagnosed heart condition. Not only are they murdered, their bodies are mutilated in the most horrific way and it is up to Detective Bethany Smith and her team to find the killer quickly. If this was a film, I would be hiding behind the settee a lot of the time. Not for the faint hearted, but it is a good read which kept me engrossed. Have just downloaded the next book in the series and can't wait to get started.
January 24, 2024
I read enough thrillers that murders don't 'bother' me in the context of a well written story. Then there are books like this one. This one gave me stilted writing, a weak plot where the killer is known almost immediately after the first death, more deaths thrown in to ramp up the violence, and then a couple more thrown in just to tidy up the hate list. And then another death thrown in at the end to bring some more tragedy...but let's get the main character to hustle off to work again before that has time to settle. Needless to say, I won't be reading more of this series.
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