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A Cold Case

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In the divided society of a mega city on its way to independence, police investigators are dragged into a series of dangerous events. A fight against the criminal organization threatening the city results in multiple deaths of people dear to Detective Frank Harris—most importantly, his wife.

When Frank’s only daughter returns home after a long year abroad, his colleague goes missing under disturbing circumstances. Jack was last seen in the majestic, modern city of Newbourne but now can’t be located.

Misled and distracted by different groups shamelessly fighting for power, Frank must rely on his guts and the kindness of strangers on his way to the Alter-City underground. Despite what he thought he knew, Frank soon realizes there is much more to his world than he imagined.

392 pages, Paperback

First published March 12, 2020

15 people want to read

About the author

Anna Lavrynenko

1 book10 followers

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5 stars
39 (92%)
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3 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for PAUL BOWEN.
9 reviews18 followers
August 20, 2020
Wow! This is not my usual sort of reading material, but it was recommended by a friend. I'm so glad I listened. In this city of the future, I can really empathise with Frank, the detective and central character of the book. His loyalties are pulled in various directions. All the most appealing characters suffer from an inner turmoil, and Frank is right up there with the best of them.

Some books feel like a chore while reading them, but not this one. The author's straightforward, easy-to-read style made this book a pleasure. However, don't mistake simple style with a simple, dumb-downed plot. There were so many twists and turns that its unpredictability and lack of padding kept me on the edge of my seat, so to speak.

I don't want to give too much away or I will have to tick the spoilers' box. However, I will say this: the twists in the ending will hopefully give rise to a sequel. If and when that happens (Hopefully, it will), I will be one of the first to buy it.
Profile Image for Farha Khan.
118 reviews8 followers
December 26, 2020

🌺BLURB:
The book is set in a futuristic city called Newbourne. The book is a crime thriller, the main protagonist of the book being Detective Frank Harris. He lost his wife. His daughter had just returned from abroad after studying. He wasn’t able to give her enough time. He was fighting against a criminal organisation which was threatening the city, which resulted in deaths of people close to Detective Frank Harris-most importantly, his wife. So this book is a quest of Frank to find reasons to above questions.
🌺MY TAKE:
💫I loved the description of the futuristic city, Newbourne. It’s beautifully depicted and makes readers curious to know more.
💫The book is a crime thriller and I love reading this genre a lot, but this book has a lot in it. From describing emotional relationships so well to describing mysteries, the author has done a great job.
💫The book is the first part in the series and I am already waiting for its sequel.
💫The book has a lot of elements apart from crime, which makes it an interesting read.
💫The book is quite long but worth spending time and money on. It’s a book that keeps you hooked with a different storyline.
💫 The characters are so well described and looked so realistic. The perfect blending of words, make it look so appealing to the readers. However, there are a lot of characters in the book which you must remember.
💫The writing style of the author is articulate and she has described all the scenes in the book emphatically. Even the book is very long, the writing style is simple yet effective which keeps us hooked.


🌺Who should read it?
•If you love crime thrillers and fantasy together, then you can’t miss this book.
•If you love reading a fast-paced book.
•If you love books with a lot of drama unfolding on every page.
Profile Image for TheBookersDiary.
35 reviews4 followers
June 6, 2020
Newbourne is the city of the future. The protagonist, Detective Frank Harris, is wound around attacks on his friends and family. What keeps me on my toes is how the case is like a maze and keeps unravelling itself every page you read.

Uniqueness:
The book is unlike any other crime novel. The storyline is very different and connects every character of the book very well.

Predictability:
Not for a moment was I able to predict what was going to happen the next moment. That's the very essence of a well-written crime book.

Writing style:
The style is definitely easy to read. I could draw the images of Newbourne city and the Alter city, and it was a beautiful picture. It was all possible, as the writing was simple but elegant.

Entertaining:
The cold case, being true to its name, does all the justice to every crime scene in the book.

Verdict:
A 9/10 for its unique storyline, the mix of fantasy and crime fiction balanced perfectly. I am looking forward to the next book in the Newbourne Series.
2 reviews1 follower
May 19, 2020
Newbourne! A blockbuster novel written by the phenomenal Lavrynenko Anna. I'm an avid reader and this book Newbourne, it didn't disappoint. The name and subtitle, is straight to the point. I was drawn in from the suspense in the Prologue. I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat as I read. This book has it all; the suspense, the thrill, the love, the hate, the chase. Anna weaved together a fabulous tale of grand finesse. In this masterpiece, she merged the world of reality, with the world of Fiction and all in a seamless transition. She wrote about politics, rot in the force, betrayal amongst like-minded, not to overlook the peek into futuristic science and experiment.

Anna told an intriguing tale, written in simple English. Her story resonates with the homeless, the hopeless, the struggling family, the underdogs, the crazies. Anyone can read this book and everyone who reads is, they're most likely to fall in love with it, I did fall in love. I fell in love with Frank; a man who loves his daughter but always manages to push her away, a man loyal to his job, loyal to his friends and loyal to the society. I loved his kinship with Miles Smart; I especially loved Miles Smart's happy family. Miles Smart, a man who sort to love and protect but was betrayed in the end. I hope to read more about him.

I felt for Daniel, a boy who craved love and recognition from his father, a craving that eventually pushed him off the edge and literally turned him into a flesh eater.

Mason, was a man who pulled off a double life, in an effortless manner. Sworn to protect and yet, he leads the most deadly ring that causes chaos and brings pain wherever they go.

The earthworm, a flesh eating being that seems to side with the good guys; never knew good could be found in sometimes evil and sinister. The puppeteer, who is he? The one charting the course, using vulnerable people as tests for his wicked means.

Guards
Oracle
Undertaker
Androids.

Whatever your preference is, you're bound to find it in this book. All you need to do, is pick it up, fill a glass of wine, find a recliner, then chillax and enjoy the ride. I sure did. You may choose to ignore this tale of mine, but do remember that "only fools ignore tales." That was Adonis talking to Miles, when the latter chose to nitpick a true tale and dismiss it as a fable.
Profile Image for Sejuti Majumdar.
313 reviews7 followers
October 11, 2020
This book is a crime novel I thoroughly enjoyed. The setting, the plot and the characterisation are all very different.

The story starts with Kelly Harris, eighteen year old daughter of Detective Frank returning to Newbourne after one year. She shares a very jovial relationship with her father. Her mother is dead under mysterious circumstances. Frank though loves her daughter a doesn't share much of his office workings.

It so happens that Frank's friend disappears and in trying to solve the case it weaves into a complex but interesting tale.

I love the thrill of the story especially that this is a long book and nowhere is the pace slowed down. The language is simple and will appeal to all readers.

In the recent times I must say it should be a must read. I love the portrayal of politics. It will keep you hooked and this is unputdownable.

I will recommend this book to evey crime thriller novel. Please don't think twice before picking this up
1 review2 followers
April 20, 2020
Хорошая и интересная книга, рекомендованная для чтения!) Автор держит интерес читателя на персонажах, не раскрывая их целиком, так что остается желание знать, что же случится дальше с каждым из них. Надо сказать что мир, в котором обитают герои книги, составлен удивительно и описан до мелочей. Читая главу за главой, ты вливаешься в эту историю целиком, наблюдая то со стороны, то словно из каждого персонажа. Жду продолжение, потому что очень хочется знать, что же будет дальше. История не закончена))
1 review
April 28, 2020
I downloaded the book this morning and just finished it a few minutes ago. I really enjoyed it! I won't give anything away and all I can tell you if you want something you can follow along, without the unnecessary "padding", then download this book and give it a read. You would not regret it!
1 review
May 20, 2020
There's some brilliant mind! Never expected it to be THAT good. This is something!
Profile Image for Hunter Rabby.
3 reviews
May 30, 2020
I enjoyed every bit of it! Surprised it's not a bestseller yet 😅
Profile Image for Kazi Rokon.
10 reviews
May 29, 2020
It exceeded my expectations. There's an outstanding story there.
Profile Image for Laraina Stevens.
5 reviews
May 29, 2020
Applause. I loved it. I tried, but I couldn't predict a thing.
Profile Image for Jhon Hercules.
7 reviews
May 29, 2020
Amazing! I loved the thrill! I had no idea that a seemingly simple story about cracking a cold case could be so complicated!
Profile Image for Steve Rogers.
4 reviews
May 29, 2020
Some characters are terrifying and hideous, but I couldn't stop reading. I recommend.
Profile Image for Devid Hox.
3 reviews
May 30, 2020
I really liked the way author merged technology and real life together.
Profile Image for Victor King.
3 reviews
May 30, 2020
The cover... it's something, come to look at it after the read.
Profile Image for Don Bradman.
3 reviews
May 30, 2020
Don't judge the book by the synopsis. The author understands human psychology so unbelievably well, that it's scary.
1 review
May 7, 2020
Well-written. I read this book since last few weeks and I really love the story so much.

Job well done! Great author.
Profile Image for Magan Marial.
4 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2020
It's good. I enjoyed every bit of it. Not really my genre though.
Profile Image for bookswithsakshi .
492 reviews45 followers
September 11, 2020
A unique plot with high level of imagination!

Newbourne Cold Case is a crime thriller with a blend of fantasy. This book kept me hooked from the first page. The book is of 400 pages approx but definitely worth trying if you like reading books related to crime, emotions with a mix of mystery unveiling here and there in the book.

Main protagonist of this book is Detective Frank Harris who lost is wife due to unknown reasons. His daughter comes from abroad after one year of studying there. Frank is hardly present there for his daughter but also feels guilty about it. He remains too absorbed in his work that sometimes his daughter also feels proud or her dad as she never liked his profession but now after seeing him so dedicated, she secretly admires her dad.

The book unveils series of people missing and dead, people who are close to Frank. Frank is shown as a strong lead in the book as well as a caring man towards his daughter. I really loved, how well author maintained to give an emotional touch between father and daughter in a book like this. I really felt pity for Frank's daughter.

As mentioned, the book is approx 400 pages, there are so many things going on and so many things unfold with time. Writing style is lucid and smooth so it makes it easier to go through this book. However, I felt a bit confused when at some point, so many new characters were introduced. I had to read slowly at that time to understand the point.

First of all, hats off to author for writing a book like this. This book is the first book in the series. Can you imagine that? One book has so much in it and I can't wait to read, what the sequel is going to have. I really liked, how well developed the main characters are there in this book and how well author has given a touch of human emotions with no lose ends. Moreover, it was so fun and thrilling to read about people, using high technology devices which are yet to exist in today's time, I feel.

I will recommend this book to people who can read long reads with full attention and who are interested in crime thrillers with a blend of fantasy in it. Go grab it!
Profile Image for Humayra Khatun.
2 reviews
July 24, 2020
"A Cold Case" is an intriguing piece of literature.
I have given it a thorough read twice and, guess what? The second read feels completely different, especially having the proper intel that is given to the reader little by little throughout the story. There is no standart main character in "A Cold Case". We view events through the actions and decisions of three different individuals. Related. However, it feels like Kelly is going to play a major role in the following books.
There are no long descriptions here. We mainly learn from dialogues, which significantly speeds up the reading.
The characters are formed extremely well. Feels like the author is king on human psychology.
I loved all of the controversial moments in the book and the way author made me feel throughout the journey.
I recommend!



62 reviews4 followers
November 2, 2020
~ BOOK REVIEW
~Newbourne: A Cold Case
~Anna Lavrynenko

Genre : Crime , Thriller and Fantasy.

The novel is futuristic and is set in the city of Newbourne. The protagonist of the story Detective Frank Harris is on his way to solve the case and find out the reason behind certain attacks on his friends and family.

The novel was page turner and not predictable . I was totally hooked to the story and all the subplots and characters were so well tied together. The world building in this novel was beautiful and the city if Newbourne was so elegant.

I really loved the storyline and enjoyed this book a lot. The writing style of the book was cohesive and easy. If you're a beginner you can pick this book up as the langauge is beginner friendly. Overall it was a slow yet impactful and awesome read for me.
Profile Image for Luiz Rioz.
1 review
July 25, 2020
It is interesting how the story in "A Cold Case"unfolds, the perspectives of the heroes, the outcomes. I would say it is generally about decision-making and facing the consequences.
The cover seemed confusing until I finished reading.
I enjoyed the book, but it's hard to swallow, because there is a lot of information to process.



Profile Image for Prince Nill.
3 reviews
May 29, 2020
I don't want to spoiler it, so I'll just say vaguely: the moments in the dark were breathtaking!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
5 reviews
May 30, 2020
What can I say about the book? Sometimes a piece of coal is actually a jewel.
Profile Image for Mark William.
2 reviews
July 4, 2020
appreciated all of it! Astounded it is anything but a success yet 😅
Profile Image for Devid Hox.
3 reviews
June 28, 2020
In this wonderful book, the author combines technology and real life
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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