What do you think?
Rate this book
Cold Blooded: A chilling, true tale of terror, rape, and murder in the Arkansas River bottoms
A chilling, true tale of terror, rape and murder in the Arkansas River bottoms. On a cold January morning in 1981, a knock on an apartment door began what would become one of the bloodiest crime sprees in Arkansas history. In the coming days the bodies of newlyweds Larry and Jawana Price, businessman Holly Gentry, and Police Detective Ray Tate were discovered. They had been executed in cold blood and discarded like so much trash. What kind of person murders four people in cold blood? Did the right one go to prison?Praise for Anita Paddock, author of Blind Rage and Closing Time!“Paddock is a gifted storyteller, and Blind Rage is a riveting read.”– Sonny Brewer, author of The Poet of Tolstoy Park “The newest and strongest voice in true crime writing . . . makes you feel as if you are there, seeing what happened, and feeling the terror and sorrow of those felled by these brutal crimes.” – Marla Cantrell, author and Arkansas Art Council Fellow “Somehow [the author] is able to create tension and suspense even when the outcome is already known. She has a way of making each character as familiar as the guy next door, be they ordinary people or despicable creeps! Truman Capote, even though you can't roll over, maybe you should step aside because a new ‘true crime’ star is here!”– John McFerran
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2019
160 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 4, 2023
This was such an enjoyable read and easy to follow! I love her writing style! I love being able to read this book knowing exactly where she is talking about and it’s crazy to see names of people I personally know.
August 11, 2020
Audio - very interesting account of a true event from my home state.
November 17, 2019
Yes, I remember it well
I remember when these murders occurred, but it took this book for me to learn the full story. The events and the subsequent trial are described in detail in an easy-to-read style.
It all began when a man answered an ad for a car for sale. He really wanted to steal the car and sell it to get money for college tuition. Larry Price was selling the car for Holly Gentry, his friend and landlord. The man took Larry to a rural area at gunpoint and killed him.
Then he realized that Jawana Price could identify him so he would have to kill her as well. Jawana and Holly Gentry had reported Larry missing, and Detective Ray Tate followed them back to the Price residence. However, the man was waiting inside for Jawana. Now he had to get rid of three more witnesses.
The story is well-written and well-researched. It includes photos and the narrative is interesting throughout. Congratulations, Anita! You are a full-fledged true crime author.
24
I remember when these murders occurred, but it took this book for me to learn the full story. The events and the subsequent trial are described in detail in an easy-to-read style.
It all began when a man answered an ad for a car for sale. He really wanted to steal the car and sell it to get money for college tuition. Larry Price was selling the car for Holly Gentry, his friend and landlord. The man took Larry to a rural area at gunpoint and killed him.
Then he realized that Jawana Price could identify him so he would have to kill her as well. Jawana and Holly Gentry had reported Larry missing, and Detective Ray Tate followed them back to the Price residence. However, the man was waiting inside for Jawana. Now he had to get rid of three more witnesses.
The story is well-written and well-researched. It includes photos and the narrative is interesting throughout. Congratulations, Anita! You are a full-fledged true crime author.
24
November 17, 2020
The writing was awful! It felt more like a fiction than non fiction.
October 15, 2024
Really good true crime book. Interesting, horrible case handled and written very well!
June 13, 2023
Recounts senseless killings of 4 locals to the Arkansas River Valley, namely Fort Smith area. I found it the most interesting because was an acquaintance of the family of one of the victims and somehow never knew that he had been murdered—or that these murders had even occurred. Our little town was the setting of several brutal murders by horrible men in the early 80s… I enjoyed this book because of the familiarity of the towns and the personal connection with one of the victims.
July 1, 2024
I recently finished reading *Cold Blooded: A Chilling, True Tale of Terror, Rape, and Murder in the Arkansas River Bottoms* by Anita Paddock, and it was a gripping and intense experience from start to finish. Paddock's skillful storytelling brings to life a horrifying crime that shook a small community to its core.
The book dives deep into the harrowing events surrounding the brutal murder of a young couple, and Paddock does an exceptional job of capturing the atmosphere of fear and tension that gripped the town. The narrative is both compelling and meticulously researched, providing a detailed account of the investigation and the eventual capture of the perpetrators.
What stood out to me was Paddock's ability to humanize the victims, making their tragic loss deeply felt. She provides a poignant look at their lives and the devastating impact their deaths had on their families and the community. This emotional depth adds a layer of authenticity and empathy that is often missing in true crime narratives.
Paddock's writing is clear and engaging, making it easy to follow the complex and sometimes disturbing details of the case. She balances the factual recounting of events with insightful commentary, offering a thoughtful perspective on the social and psychological factors that may have contributed to the crime.
One of the strengths of this book is its focus on the perseverance and dedication of law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to bring the killers to justice. Their relentless pursuit and eventual triumph over the darkness is both inspiring and reassuring.
While the subject matter is undeniably chilling and at times difficult to read, Paddock handles it with sensitivity and respect. She does not sensationalize the violence but instead provides a sober and honest account that underscores the real-life horror of the crime.
Overall, *Cold Blooded* is a powerful and haunting true crime story that stays with you long after you've finished reading. It's a testament to the resilience of a community and the enduring quest for justice in the face of unimaginable evil. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates well-written true crime stories that go beyond the sensational to explore the deeper human elements of tragedy and justice.
The book dives deep into the harrowing events surrounding the brutal murder of a young couple, and Paddock does an exceptional job of capturing the atmosphere of fear and tension that gripped the town. The narrative is both compelling and meticulously researched, providing a detailed account of the investigation and the eventual capture of the perpetrators.
What stood out to me was Paddock's ability to humanize the victims, making their tragic loss deeply felt. She provides a poignant look at their lives and the devastating impact their deaths had on their families and the community. This emotional depth adds a layer of authenticity and empathy that is often missing in true crime narratives.
Paddock's writing is clear and engaging, making it easy to follow the complex and sometimes disturbing details of the case. She balances the factual recounting of events with insightful commentary, offering a thoughtful perspective on the social and psychological factors that may have contributed to the crime.
One of the strengths of this book is its focus on the perseverance and dedication of law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to bring the killers to justice. Their relentless pursuit and eventual triumph over the darkness is both inspiring and reassuring.
While the subject matter is undeniably chilling and at times difficult to read, Paddock handles it with sensitivity and respect. She does not sensationalize the violence but instead provides a sober and honest account that underscores the real-life horror of the crime.
Overall, *Cold Blooded* is a powerful and haunting true crime story that stays with you long after you've finished reading. It's a testament to the resilience of a community and the enduring quest for justice in the face of unimaginable evil. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates well-written true crime stories that go beyond the sensational to explore the deeper human elements of tragedy and justice.
February 10, 2022
There's a sickening essence to every grisly, true crime novel. That a malevolent heart can be
covered by pseudo integrity is frightening...The recidivism rates of criminals is very high.. And so many evil individuals are allowed to walk among the lawful..In this story, the victims are exceptionally naive and unsuspecting. Even the law officer's behavior -his acquiescence when he should have known better,--is hard to understand. As a finale, the author offers her version of the events and who was culpable for this slaughter, and she does present a plausible scenario. I could have done without this book--only because it left me wretched at the cruelty.
covered by pseudo integrity is frightening...The recidivism rates of criminals is very high.. And so many evil individuals are allowed to walk among the lawful..In this story, the victims are exceptionally naive and unsuspecting. Even the law officer's behavior -his acquiescence when he should have known better,--is hard to understand. As a finale, the author offers her version of the events and who was culpable for this slaughter, and she does present a plausible scenario. I could have done without this book--only because it left me wretched at the cruelty.
September 20, 2021
Once again Anita did a great job of telling a story. It was interesting to me because it happened in my community I hope she is working on another. I have already gone thru the three she had written so far.
January 22, 2023
True crime about a man of limited intelligence that kills a man to steal a car and then returns to the man's home to kill his wife who had seen him. The purpose of stealing the car was to sell it to go to college,
March 16, 2023
Justice Served, and Well Deserved
A well written and thoroughly researched account of an horrific crime. If you are a true crime buff like myself, I highly recommend reading this book.
May all the victims Rest in Peace.
A well written and thoroughly researched account of an horrific crime. If you are a true crime buff like myself, I highly recommend reading this book.
May all the victims Rest in Peace.
August 20, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
This book is written on a murder from 1981 that occurred in a small town just down the road from my hometown. Combined with the fact that I knew all of the locations described in the book & that it read like a true crime podcast, it made the story even more impactful.
This book is written on a murder from 1981 that occurred in a small town just down the road from my hometown. Combined with the fact that I knew all of the locations described in the book & that it read like a true crime podcast, it made the story even more impactful.
January 6, 2021
A great true crime novel worth reading!
March 11, 2022
3.5 stars. Compelling story but the we don't get to learn much about the main characters.
January 6, 2023
Didn’t care a lot for the writing. Lots of info that didn’t have anything to do with the murders. Repetitive at times.
March 30, 2023
Repetitive in the second half but I did enjoy the book. It gave a voice to the victims which I think is always a necessary thing.
June 5, 2024
Good true crime
The author, though new to the writing of the true crime genre, did an excellent job of telling this sad tale. Good flow and quick read.
The author, though new to the writing of the true crime genre, did an excellent job of telling this sad tale. Good flow and quick read.
October 6, 2024
a well written true crime story.. a quick read too.. if you like this kind of book, it's worth the read..
July 22, 2025
😳 the account was very disturbing since it happened down the road from where I live! Yikes!
January 2, 2023
Once again Anita has written a very moving book. Showing compassion for the victims and their families. Bringing forth the events that happened and not made public. Her books bring you into the event and have you walking the path that the victims, their families and law enforcement walked during the crime.
September 22, 2019
Once again, the "Grandma Moses of true crime" delivers a captivating story of the murder of four people in the Kibler bottoms of Arkansas. Her thorough research and her ability to make the reader feel the emotions of the victims is what draws her fans to her books. I live in the area where these crimes were committed (my father went to school with Mrs. Paddock) and although I was very young at the time, I heard stories about them my whole life. Looking forward to more books, and more visits with this amazing woman!
August 14, 2019
Very interesting
Being from the area of this tragedy, and old enough to remember the actual event (I am almost the age of the author), this is very interesting because I can relate to every location and most names. However, you need not be familiar with the area to feel the pain of every person. You feel like you personally know each person and learn great insight of what leads a person to seamlessly murder four innocent people.
Being from the area of this tragedy, and old enough to remember the actual event (I am almost the age of the author), this is very interesting because I can relate to every location and most names. However, you need not be familiar with the area to feel the pain of every person. You feel like you personally know each person and learn great insight of what leads a person to seamlessly murder four innocent people.
December 28, 2021
I love a good true crime book and never heard of these murders so got curious when I saw it somewhere on social media.
The murders this book is about are interesting. Difficult to connect them, I had hoped for a deep dive into the investigation. But that did not happen. It was more on how the murders were committed. Sometimes it felt a bit too fictionalized.
The murders this book is about are interesting. Difficult to connect them, I had hoped for a deep dive into the investigation. But that did not happen. It was more on how the murders were committed. Sometimes it felt a bit too fictionalized.
July 28, 2019
I have read all of Anita’s books and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. It is intriguing to read about crimes that have happened in an area you know well. I also love the connections between the three cases she has written about thus far. I look forward to more stories!!
September 2, 2019
Couldn't stop reading it
To read something like this that happened around near where I was born and raised is incredibly shocking and chilling. I was only 6 months old when this happened. Really enjoyed this book.
To read something like this that happened around near where I was born and raised is incredibly shocking and chilling. I was only 6 months old when this happened. Really enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews