Cold July

Dave Garrett #7

by Neil Albert

This is an entirely new book, not previously published, the first new book in the series since Tangled June in 1996. Available as a Kindle edition as well. Dave fulfills a promise he made in Cruel April so you might want to read that one to have a little more of the backstory.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

I am a trial lawyer, mystery writer, and retired foxhunter living in the Amish Country near Philadelphia. I started writing a series of mysteries in the 1990s and now I am returning to finish the series. I was very lucky to be published then, in the days when there were still independent bookstores and there was a chance to meet your fans face to face. As exciting as it was to be published, the best part was the fans, editors and other writers I met. Writing is far more collegial than people suspect.
I stopped the series in 1996 partly because I had run out of good ideas (I had plenty of bad ones) and because, at age 47, I had started riding horses for the first time in my life. Six months after my first ride I was fox hunting. It was very time intensive and the books went on the back burner. (And no, we do not kill the fox.) After twenty years and putting down my last hunt horse, I find myself with time on my hands and a need for a distraction.

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continued the story line of Cruel April. Dave Garret tries to follow up on a promise he made to Elsie Mankovik, who saved his life. His promise was to help her daughter, Angela, currently in a state prison on a drug charge that Elsie felt was a set up. Dave's investigation involves corruption in the police department, the judicial system, and a privatized prison system that were all involved in her conviction. Will he succeed? This was a fast paced, interesting read and I enjoyed it. Looking forward to August! (I actually read the kindle edition of this also, but could only get the stats to transfer in this edition)

[Sandy Heisey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent in the Ross MacDonald style.

[Northwestreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The weather was lousy so I settled in by the fireplace and enjoyed romping through Pennsylvania with PI Dave Garrett. Some unexpected turns, to say the least.