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Cold Case Investigation #2
The Murder Book
Cold case detective Lauren Riley wakes up in the hospital certain of two she was stabbed and left for dead...and the person who did it was a cop.
After being brutally stabbed at her desk late one night, Lauren Riley works her way backwards through the haze to piece together who attacked her and why. A mysterious phone message forces her to enlist the help of a retired lieutenant to track down a witness who is desperate not to be found. As she digs into the Buffalo Police Department's hidden past she uncovers a terrible secret, one a fellow officer would kill to protect. Packed with suspense and featuring a detective who "relentlessly - and with morbid humor - gets the job done" ( Booklist ), The Murder Book continues a series praised by Kirkus Reviews as "an excellent police procedural combined with a psychological thriller."
After being brutally stabbed at her desk late one night, Lauren Riley works her way backwards through the haze to piece together who attacked her and why. A mysterious phone message forces her to enlist the help of a retired lieutenant to track down a witness who is desperate not to be found. As she digs into the Buffalo Police Department's hidden past she uncovers a terrible secret, one a fellow officer would kill to protect. Packed with suspense and featuring a detective who "relentlessly - and with morbid humor - gets the job done" ( Booklist ), The Murder Book continues a series praised by Kirkus Reviews as "an excellent police procedural combined with a psychological thriller."
306 pages, Paperback
First published February 8, 2019
75 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
Lissa Marie Redmond
20 books313 followersLissa Marie Redmond is the author of the Cold Case Investigation series. She lives in western New York with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
September 26, 2018
I received a free e-copy of The Murder Book by Lissa Marie Redmond from NetGalley for my honest review.
This is the first book I have read from Lissa Marie Redmond. I also didn't realize that this is the second book in a series. I had no problem reading and understanding what what happening. I never felt lost from not reading the first book, but I would like to go back and read it.
The book starts right into action when Detective Lauren, is attacked at her desk while working on a cold case. She finally looses consciousness but remembers seeing a figure in police boots walking away from her and carrying her olive green murder book.
When Detective Lauren finally wakes, all she wants to do is find out who did this to her, knowing it is a police officer who did it. The only person she trusts is Shane Reese, her partner. She reaches out to a retired detective named Charlie Daley and together they all work on trying to track down who is responsible. Why would one of her own work family attack her? What are they wanting with her murder book?
A wonderful book of mystery and suspense with very enjoyable characters.
This is the first book I have read from Lissa Marie Redmond. I also didn't realize that this is the second book in a series. I had no problem reading and understanding what what happening. I never felt lost from not reading the first book, but I would like to go back and read it.
The book starts right into action when Detective Lauren, is attacked at her desk while working on a cold case. She finally looses consciousness but remembers seeing a figure in police boots walking away from her and carrying her olive green murder book.
When Detective Lauren finally wakes, all she wants to do is find out who did this to her, knowing it is a police officer who did it. The only person she trusts is Shane Reese, her partner. She reaches out to a retired detective named Charlie Daley and together they all work on trying to track down who is responsible. Why would one of her own work family attack her? What are they wanting with her murder book?
A wonderful book of mystery and suspense with very enjoyable characters.
February 21, 2019
Detective Lauren Riley's life changes after she is brutally attacked one evening at her precinct while working late. Sure, violence is a part of her job--even working Cold Cases--but she never expected to be stabbed at her place of work. Even worse, before passing out, Lauren recalls seeing a pair of city issue boots: whomever attacked her was one of their own. Was Lauren attacked because of a case she was working, was it random, or is it deeper than that? A mysterious phone call makes Lauren and her partner, Reese, dig deeply into an old case--one that involves her fellow officers and a lot of buried secrets.
"As her vision began to fade, she saw two things pass by her limp, useless hand: a pair of city issue boots and the unmistakable green cover of the Murder Book."
I was really happy to see Lissa Marie Redmond's Lauren Riley back again. I enjoyed her first book, A Cold Day in Hell a lot and this one was a great addition. The second Lauren Riley installment focuses more on Lauren's work as a police officer versus her PI cases, as the first novel did. Lauren is stabbed on the job, and it quickly becomes clear that whoever did it was a cop and they were trying to access files at the precinct.
From there, the case weaves together seamlessly. Redmond is such a good storyteller; her past in law enforcement is clear, as she provides details that makes the story realistic and strong. Riley is a great character. She's still the strong yet flawed woman we came to love in the first book. Grappling with the issues that come with being injured on the job is hard for Lauren, including being more dependent on others. She's as tough and feisty as ever, though, and determined to figure out what happened to her.
As a reader, figuring out what happened to Lauren is interesting and well-done. Redmond's books are so easy-to-read, with bits and pieces pulled together so well. The book isn't full of crazy twists and turns, but it's a really good police procedural that held my interest. And don't worry, there are plenty of good reveals along the way. There are ties to the first book (this book would stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading book one, because there are references to it and because it's really good). We also see more of Lauren's family, including her daughters, her sisters, and her mom. Plus, there's great banter with Reese, who is as enjoyable (and protective of Lauren) as ever.
Overall, this is a great read--compelling, top-notch on its police knowledge, and featuring an excellent, strong female lead character. Highly recommend, and I quite enjoy this series. 4+ stars.
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"As her vision began to fade, she saw two things pass by her limp, useless hand: a pair of city issue boots and the unmistakable green cover of the Murder Book."
I was really happy to see Lissa Marie Redmond's Lauren Riley back again. I enjoyed her first book, A Cold Day in Hell a lot and this one was a great addition. The second Lauren Riley installment focuses more on Lauren's work as a police officer versus her PI cases, as the first novel did. Lauren is stabbed on the job, and it quickly becomes clear that whoever did it was a cop and they were trying to access files at the precinct.
From there, the case weaves together seamlessly. Redmond is such a good storyteller; her past in law enforcement is clear, as she provides details that makes the story realistic and strong. Riley is a great character. She's still the strong yet flawed woman we came to love in the first book. Grappling with the issues that come with being injured on the job is hard for Lauren, including being more dependent on others. She's as tough and feisty as ever, though, and determined to figure out what happened to her.
As a reader, figuring out what happened to Lauren is interesting and well-done. Redmond's books are so easy-to-read, with bits and pieces pulled together so well. The book isn't full of crazy twists and turns, but it's a really good police procedural that held my interest. And don't worry, there are plenty of good reveals along the way. There are ties to the first book (this book would stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading book one, because there are references to it and because it's really good). We also see more of Lauren's family, including her daughters, her sisters, and her mom. Plus, there's great banter with Reese, who is as enjoyable (and protective of Lauren) as ever.
Overall, this is a great read--compelling, top-notch on its police knowledge, and featuring an excellent, strong female lead character. Highly recommend, and I quite enjoy this series. 4+ stars.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Google+ ~ Instagram
January 29, 2019
Detective Lauren Riley works late .. going over records on a cold case she is investigating. When she next opens her eyes, she finds herself in the hospital. She was stabbed, hit in the head, and left for dead. It was only because her partner returns to retrieve a hat he had left in the office.
Lauren remembers three things ... it was a man, he was holding one of the cold case files, and it was a fellow cop.
As she recuperates, she and her partner quietly go about trying to discover who they can trust ..and who they can't. As she digs into the Buffalo Police Department's hidden past she uncovers a terrible secret, one a fellow officer would kill to protect.
Highly suspenseful, this page-turner has many twists and turns before coming to a conclusion. Warning: there is a bit of cliffhanger. I look forward to the next in this series. The author is a retired homicide detective and her diligence and experience show in the credibility of her story telling.
Many thanks to the author / Midnight Ink / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Lauren remembers three things ... it was a man, he was holding one of the cold case files, and it was a fellow cop.
As she recuperates, she and her partner quietly go about trying to discover who they can trust ..and who they can't. As she digs into the Buffalo Police Department's hidden past she uncovers a terrible secret, one a fellow officer would kill to protect.
Highly suspenseful, this page-turner has many twists and turns before coming to a conclusion. Warning: there is a bit of cliffhanger. I look forward to the next in this series. The author is a retired homicide detective and her diligence and experience show in the credibility of her story telling.
Many thanks to the author / Midnight Ink / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
July 15, 2021
A well paced police procedural
Cold Case Homicide detective Lauren Riley is stabbed and left for dead right at her desk in the police station. After her recovery Lauren and her partner Shane Reese with the help of Charlie Daley a retired detective and Lauren's mentor hunt for the who and the why. What shocking revelations will be exposed as they dig deeper and how far will the perpetrator(s) go to keep it all hidden.
A no nonsense blue collar read with a creepy twist at the end.
I recommend you read her first book 'A Cold Day in Hell' to have a better feel for Lauren and her dysfunctional personal life.
Cold Case Homicide detective Lauren Riley is stabbed and left for dead right at her desk in the police station. After her recovery Lauren and her partner Shane Reese with the help of Charlie Daley a retired detective and Lauren's mentor hunt for the who and the why. What shocking revelations will be exposed as they dig deeper and how far will the perpetrator(s) go to keep it all hidden.
A no nonsense blue collar read with a creepy twist at the end.
I recommend you read her first book 'A Cold Day in Hell' to have a better feel for Lauren and her dysfunctional personal life.
April 2, 2019
3.5 stars
Another mini-review from the depths of my TBR pile 🤓
This fast paced police procedural is a quick read that more than holds your attention. It was the book blurb that caught my eye as I enjoy stories about cold cases. The set-up is great & I liked the relationship between the 2 MC's. That said, I felt a bit let down about the resolution but it's real purpose was to dangle a few clues about what happens in the next book. There is a running plot that begins with the first one (which I hadn't read) but this can be read as a stand alone.
Another mini-review from the depths of my TBR pile 🤓
This fast paced police procedural is a quick read that more than holds your attention. It was the book blurb that caught my eye as I enjoy stories about cold cases. The set-up is great & I liked the relationship between the 2 MC's. That said, I felt a bit let down about the resolution but it's real purpose was to dangle a few clues about what happens in the next book. There is a running plot that begins with the first one (which I hadn't read) but this can be read as a stand alone.
January 31, 2019
When a former cold case detective writes a book about a cold case detective, your expectations are high for a riveting story. When that former detective is Lissa Marie Redmond, that's exactly what you get. In the second book in the series featuring Detective Lauren Riley, police procedural fans will be especially pleased with the attention to procedural detail, although Lauren bucks that process when it frustrates her path to a killer. The Murder Book is my first read in this series, having somehow missed Redmond's A Cold Day in Hell. However, I didn't suffer any confusion in joining Lauren Riley and her work partner Shane Reese. Of course, having enjoyed the second book so much, I plan on going back and picking up the first, as I now know some fascinating facts about that story.
There are all different ways to start a story, and if done well, they all work. The Murder Book has no prologue, no events leading up to, and no reflection. The beginning action is Detective Lauren Riley getting stabbed while she is alone at night in the cold case department of the Buffalo Police. I rather liked that, sitting down opening the book, and bam, we're off! As she is attacked from behind, Lauren doesn't see her attacker, but as she lies bleeding out on the floor and she is stomped in the head, she observes the unmistakable footwear of a city-issue policeman's boots. She also glimpses her murder book, where she catalogs all the cold case murders, being snatched away. When she wakes up in the hospital, her parents, her daughters, and her partner Reese are all there to welcome her back from what was a near-death experience. If Reese hadn't come back for his hat he forgot and found Lauren on the floor that night, she would have surely died. Now Lauren and Reese are faced with the terrible knowledge that another cop tried to kill her, and that it's somehow connected to a cold case. But, what cold case? And who can be trusted, as the killer cop is someone who is close enough to the cold case unit to know about Lauren's Murder Book and there have been leaks to the press? Reese moves into Lauren's house as they put their heads together to find answers. Although Lauren is supposed to be concentrating on recovering from her injuries, she can't rest while there is a member of the Buffalo PD who has blood, her blood, on his hands.
When it's discovered that a couple of calls have come in to the number for the cold case department's former hot line about an old homicide, hopes are high that a connection can be made to Lauren's Murder Book and her attempted murder. First though, the voice on the phone has to be identified, and Lauren privately looks up her retired boss Charlie Daley, who might just be able to help on the voice identification. It's a small circle of Reese, Charlie, and herself that Lauren must rely on, with trust issues being so fragile, to uncover a secret that has been hidden deep for years. Meanwhile, the high profile of Lauren's attack will bring other unwanted ghosts from her past into her present again, too.
There's no question that Lissa Redmond is a reliable source for this police procedural, and her background brings the sort of authenticity to the story that readers love and appreciate. The book flows smoothly in its fast paced action, never feeling hurried or incomplete at any point. I liked the partnership of Lauren and Reese, their easy working relationship and established communication connection of having been on the force and friends for a while. The addition of Charlie Daley to their investigative efforts lends a nice quirky note to the team. And, I have to say a word of praise for including Reese's dog Watson. Watson serves a needed purpose of showing some softness in both of these hard-working detectives, especially Lauren. Reese was already a bit easier going, with his gentle art of humor. I look forward to getting to know more and more about these characters and finding out who Watson ends up with. Redmond has established a great new series, and since The Murder Book left us with a cliffhanger, I really can't wait to see what's next.
I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher for an honest review. The Murder Book will be available in bookstores on February 8, 2019.
There are all different ways to start a story, and if done well, they all work. The Murder Book has no prologue, no events leading up to, and no reflection. The beginning action is Detective Lauren Riley getting stabbed while she is alone at night in the cold case department of the Buffalo Police. I rather liked that, sitting down opening the book, and bam, we're off! As she is attacked from behind, Lauren doesn't see her attacker, but as she lies bleeding out on the floor and she is stomped in the head, she observes the unmistakable footwear of a city-issue policeman's boots. She also glimpses her murder book, where she catalogs all the cold case murders, being snatched away. When she wakes up in the hospital, her parents, her daughters, and her partner Reese are all there to welcome her back from what was a near-death experience. If Reese hadn't come back for his hat he forgot and found Lauren on the floor that night, she would have surely died. Now Lauren and Reese are faced with the terrible knowledge that another cop tried to kill her, and that it's somehow connected to a cold case. But, what cold case? And who can be trusted, as the killer cop is someone who is close enough to the cold case unit to know about Lauren's Murder Book and there have been leaks to the press? Reese moves into Lauren's house as they put their heads together to find answers. Although Lauren is supposed to be concentrating on recovering from her injuries, she can't rest while there is a member of the Buffalo PD who has blood, her blood, on his hands.
When it's discovered that a couple of calls have come in to the number for the cold case department's former hot line about an old homicide, hopes are high that a connection can be made to Lauren's Murder Book and her attempted murder. First though, the voice on the phone has to be identified, and Lauren privately looks up her retired boss Charlie Daley, who might just be able to help on the voice identification. It's a small circle of Reese, Charlie, and herself that Lauren must rely on, with trust issues being so fragile, to uncover a secret that has been hidden deep for years. Meanwhile, the high profile of Lauren's attack will bring other unwanted ghosts from her past into her present again, too.
There's no question that Lissa Redmond is a reliable source for this police procedural, and her background brings the sort of authenticity to the story that readers love and appreciate. The book flows smoothly in its fast paced action, never feeling hurried or incomplete at any point. I liked the partnership of Lauren and Reese, their easy working relationship and established communication connection of having been on the force and friends for a while. The addition of Charlie Daley to their investigative efforts lends a nice quirky note to the team. And, I have to say a word of praise for including Reese's dog Watson. Watson serves a needed purpose of showing some softness in both of these hard-working detectives, especially Lauren. Reese was already a bit easier going, with his gentle art of humor. I look forward to getting to know more and more about these characters and finding out who Watson ends up with. Redmond has established a great new series, and since The Murder Book left us with a cliffhanger, I really can't wait to see what's next.
I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher for an honest review. The Murder Book will be available in bookstores on February 8, 2019.
September 8, 2018
I actually clapped at the end of this book. What a thrilling ride that is still far from over. I liked the first book but this one far surpassed it and has me on pins and needles for the next book.
What an opening... Our heroine Cold Case Homicide detective Lauren Riley is stabbed and left for dead right at her desk at the police station.. After her recovery her and her partner Shane Reece leave no stone unturned in trying to figure out the who and the why.. But for every clue they uncover it leads to more and shocking revelations are exposed.
I thought the beginning of this book was mind-blowing but whoa boy that ending was a jaw dropper. Kudos to the author for an exceptional second book and I cannot wait for the third...
What an opening... Our heroine Cold Case Homicide detective Lauren Riley is stabbed and left for dead right at her desk at the police station.. After her recovery her and her partner Shane Reece leave no stone unturned in trying to figure out the who and the why.. But for every clue they uncover it leads to more and shocking revelations are exposed.
I thought the beginning of this book was mind-blowing but whoa boy that ending was a jaw dropper. Kudos to the author for an exceptional second book and I cannot wait for the third...
May 18, 2019
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
a cop stabbed in the back
by another cop
in the station
all hell breaks loose...who could it be..nobody is above suspicion...and then the murder book is reported missing on all the cold cases that have happened over the years
this was a well written book that had you at the edge of your seat trying to figure out the hows the whys and the whens....
cant wait to read the next one in this series..this author knows how to grip you and keep you reading right to the end...
a cop stabbed in the back
by another cop
in the station
all hell breaks loose...who could it be..nobody is above suspicion...and then the murder book is reported missing on all the cold cases that have happened over the years
this was a well written book that had you at the edge of your seat trying to figure out the hows the whys and the whens....
cant wait to read the next one in this series..this author knows how to grip you and keep you reading right to the end...
January 30, 2019
A great sequel to the first book. This wasn't as shocking and maybe not as many twists as the first book, but I think it sets itself up well for the third installment. Redmond is great at developing a well-paced police procedural and imperfect yet likable characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of
The Murder Book.
I didn't realize this was the second book in the series but I didn't have any problems following the storyline or previous plot threads.
** Spoiler-y bits ahead **
Lauren Riley is a cold case detective and PI who is almost killed after she is stabbed in her office late one night. The only item missing: her cold case murder book.
Lauren is certain of one thing before she blacked out: her assailant is a cop.
At the same time, a former ex-client makes his presence known and Lauren's ex-fiancee is pulled into the drama when he winds up dead. No worries; he was a scumbag.
As Lauren and her intrepid partner, Reese, dig deep into the investigation, they uncover a conspiracy that dates back to an unsolved cold case from two decades ago.
I really enjoy police procedurals; the detectives tracking down witnesses and interviewing potential suspects and though there are some of that in here, it wasn't enough.
The blanks are filled in by a snitch and it is up to Riley and Reese to figure out how to catch the bad guys.
I didn't like Riley or dislike her though there is plenty of exposition about her past and present to paint a flawed but realistic portrayal of a hard-working single mother who has AWFUL taste in guys.
I think my beef was that sometimes Riley sounded and acted like a teenager, even though she is the parent of two decent, well-adjusted young ladies.
She mentions pretty often about the poor choices she's made in men and moons over an ex-husband (I get it, they have sexual chemistry) but it became redundant and really annoying.
She's not only attracted to losers, but has an unhealthy obsession with a former client.
The both of them have some kind of a Bonnie and Clyde thing going on they're both trying to deny, which I can only imagine the author is foreshadowing as this person's potential as an arch villain.
Naturally, she's a gorgeous, tall blonde, a fact Reese points out midway through the book, as if that excuses the behavior of the men Lauren is attracted to or vice versa.
Reese isn't too shabby, either; a green-eyed biracial man who charms both men and women alike. I neither liked nor disliked him. I did like his competence, his loyalty and his devotion to Riley.
Remember the first rule of books: the main characters are HOT. Generally.
The why and who behind Riley's attack is meh. Nothing original I haven't heard before.
The writing is decent and so are the characters; its not my favorite but not a bad read.
This series would not be high on my list to continue reading, though.
I didn't realize this was the second book in the series but I didn't have any problems following the storyline or previous plot threads.
** Spoiler-y bits ahead **
Lauren Riley is a cold case detective and PI who is almost killed after she is stabbed in her office late one night. The only item missing: her cold case murder book.
Lauren is certain of one thing before she blacked out: her assailant is a cop.
At the same time, a former ex-client makes his presence known and Lauren's ex-fiancee is pulled into the drama when he winds up dead. No worries; he was a scumbag.
As Lauren and her intrepid partner, Reese, dig deep into the investigation, they uncover a conspiracy that dates back to an unsolved cold case from two decades ago.
I really enjoy police procedurals; the detectives tracking down witnesses and interviewing potential suspects and though there are some of that in here, it wasn't enough.
The blanks are filled in by a snitch and it is up to Riley and Reese to figure out how to catch the bad guys.
I didn't like Riley or dislike her though there is plenty of exposition about her past and present to paint a flawed but realistic portrayal of a hard-working single mother who has AWFUL taste in guys.
I think my beef was that sometimes Riley sounded and acted like a teenager, even though she is the parent of two decent, well-adjusted young ladies.
She mentions pretty often about the poor choices she's made in men and moons over an ex-husband (I get it, they have sexual chemistry) but it became redundant and really annoying.
She's not only attracted to losers, but has an unhealthy obsession with a former client.
The both of them have some kind of a Bonnie and Clyde thing going on they're both trying to deny, which I can only imagine the author is foreshadowing as this person's potential as an arch villain.
Naturally, she's a gorgeous, tall blonde, a fact Reese points out midway through the book, as if that excuses the behavior of the men Lauren is attracted to or vice versa.
Reese isn't too shabby, either; a green-eyed biracial man who charms both men and women alike. I neither liked nor disliked him. I did like his competence, his loyalty and his devotion to Riley.
Remember the first rule of books: the main characters are HOT. Generally.
The why and who behind Riley's attack is meh. Nothing original I haven't heard before.
The writing is decent and so are the characters; its not my favorite but not a bad read.
This series would not be high on my list to continue reading, though.
February 28, 2019
Another 4.5, nearly 5 star read...
I really enjoyed the first in this series - A Cold Day in Hell - when I read it last year. Well, up to the end which I did admit to struggling a bit with at the time. Now, after reading this follow up, I see why it had to end the way it did! I would also encourage you to also read the first book before this one as lot of what happens in this book follows on and, although there is the obligatory catch up, I personally think you'll enjoy this book better if you have the full background. Also, a gentle warning that, once again, there are some unresolved things at the end of this book. Series arcs if you like; forewarned and all that!
So, cold case detective Lauren Riley is attacked in her office late at night and left for dead. It's only due to her partner Shane coming back for something forgotten that she survives. She has scant memories of what happened but does remember a few key things that worry her more. As does what is missing from her desk; her murder book. Then by accident they get a lead to new information on a cold case. Without the murder book to refer to, Lauren and Shane ask a retired detective for help. Hopefully this will help them get to the bottom of the cold case and find out who hurt Lauren.
And then another old face from Lauren's past pops up again...
Wow, this book hit the ground running and didn't let up until the very end. Part of why I love series books is for character backstory development and, well, let's just say that Lauren's is pretty darned interesting! The plotting is tight and, at times, a bit convoluted, definitely shocking, but it all comes together nicely at the conclusion of this book with just a little bit left over for next time!
Another thing I love about this genre book, when well done, is the interaction between the detective partners. Here, Lauren and Shane have the best relationship and banter. Sparking off each other but also being very protective too.
Pacing is fast, characters are well crafted, the story flows well, and the whole thing left me both satisfied and hankering for more of the same. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
I really enjoyed the first in this series - A Cold Day in Hell - when I read it last year. Well, up to the end which I did admit to struggling a bit with at the time. Now, after reading this follow up, I see why it had to end the way it did! I would also encourage you to also read the first book before this one as lot of what happens in this book follows on and, although there is the obligatory catch up, I personally think you'll enjoy this book better if you have the full background. Also, a gentle warning that, once again, there are some unresolved things at the end of this book. Series arcs if you like; forewarned and all that!
So, cold case detective Lauren Riley is attacked in her office late at night and left for dead. It's only due to her partner Shane coming back for something forgotten that she survives. She has scant memories of what happened but does remember a few key things that worry her more. As does what is missing from her desk; her murder book. Then by accident they get a lead to new information on a cold case. Without the murder book to refer to, Lauren and Shane ask a retired detective for help. Hopefully this will help them get to the bottom of the cold case and find out who hurt Lauren.
And then another old face from Lauren's past pops up again...
Wow, this book hit the ground running and didn't let up until the very end. Part of why I love series books is for character backstory development and, well, let's just say that Lauren's is pretty darned interesting! The plotting is tight and, at times, a bit convoluted, definitely shocking, but it all comes together nicely at the conclusion of this book with just a little bit left over for next time!
Another thing I love about this genre book, when well done, is the interaction between the detective partners. Here, Lauren and Shane have the best relationship and banter. Sparking off each other but also being very protective too.
Pacing is fast, characters are well crafted, the story flows well, and the whole thing left me both satisfied and hankering for more of the same. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
September 9, 2018
3 stars
Did I read the same book as the other reviewers?
Lauren Riley and partner Shane Reese investigate her stabbing at the police department. She knows one thing though it was a cop who did it. So begins a story of a police investigation into who stabbed Lauren, left her for dead and why?
This book follows the investigation closely, along with two other detectives. Through moments of tense anticipation and some action-filled scenes, the reader follows the search for answers.
The writing is competent and the plotting is good. One event follows another in a logical progression. There are many places in this book in which the wrong word was used, or the word used was no word at all; many grammatical (spelling?) errors. When I was finished with the book, I still felt like I didn’t know Lauren as well as I wanted. Sufficient information was given about her background to satisfy the reader, but it wasn’t so much that it intruded on the story line. I liked the way she and her partner Shane teased one another.
I want to thank NetGalley and Midnight Ink for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read and review.
Did I read the same book as the other reviewers?
Lauren Riley and partner Shane Reese investigate her stabbing at the police department. She knows one thing though it was a cop who did it. So begins a story of a police investigation into who stabbed Lauren, left her for dead and why?
This book follows the investigation closely, along with two other detectives. Through moments of tense anticipation and some action-filled scenes, the reader follows the search for answers.
The writing is competent and the plotting is good. One event follows another in a logical progression. There are many places in this book in which the wrong word was used, or the word used was no word at all; many grammatical (spelling?) errors. When I was finished with the book, I still felt like I didn’t know Lauren as well as I wanted. Sufficient information was given about her background to satisfy the reader, but it wasn’t so much that it intruded on the story line. I liked the way she and her partner Shane teased one another.
I want to thank NetGalley and Midnight Ink for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read and review.
December 9, 2018
"Cold case detective Lauren Riley wakes up in the hospital certain of two things: she was stabbed and left for dead...and the person who did it was a cop.
After being brutally stabbed at her desk late one night, Lauren Riley works her way backwards through the haze to piece together who attacked her and why. A mysterious phone message forces her to enlist the help of a retired lieutenant to track down a witness who is desperate not to be found. As she digs into the Buffalo Police Department's hidden past she uncovers a terrible secret, one a fellow officer would kill to protect."
What a book! i really enjoyed this from start to finish, it gripped me completely from word go! I loved the characters of Lauren and Reece and thought that their relationship was very well written. The plot was well written as well and flowed completely. There is nothing that i didn't like about this book and I will be definitely looking into books written in this series as i loved the style of writing. Complete worthy 5 star read!
Anybody who likes crime and police procedural types of books will love "The Murder Book"
After being brutally stabbed at her desk late one night, Lauren Riley works her way backwards through the haze to piece together who attacked her and why. A mysterious phone message forces her to enlist the help of a retired lieutenant to track down a witness who is desperate not to be found. As she digs into the Buffalo Police Department's hidden past she uncovers a terrible secret, one a fellow officer would kill to protect."
What a book! i really enjoyed this from start to finish, it gripped me completely from word go! I loved the characters of Lauren and Reece and thought that their relationship was very well written. The plot was well written as well and flowed completely. There is nothing that i didn't like about this book and I will be definitely looking into books written in this series as i loved the style of writing. Complete worthy 5 star read!
Anybody who likes crime and police procedural types of books will love "The Murder Book"
January 25, 2019
This is the second book in the Cold Case Investigation series and I read them both in a weekend - and wish I had the next book in the series to jump into right now!
At the start of this book, Detective Lauren Riley is working late one night when someone comes into her office and stabs her from behind. When she wakes up in the hospital, she doesn’t know who stabbed her but she saw enough to know it was a fellow cop.
From there we are on the case with Riley and her partner Reese as they work to uncover who did it and why. It was an intense book with a lot of interesting action that made me want to keep reading.
While you could read this without having read the first in the series, I strongly recommend reading that first as I believe you will get a lot more from this book with the knowledge of what came before.
Lisa Marie Redmond, the author, is a retired cold case homicide detective herself. I can’t wait to see what she writes next and where the story continues from here!
Thank you to Netgalley and Midnight Ink for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
At the start of this book, Detective Lauren Riley is working late one night when someone comes into her office and stabs her from behind. When she wakes up in the hospital, she doesn’t know who stabbed her but she saw enough to know it was a fellow cop.
From there we are on the case with Riley and her partner Reese as they work to uncover who did it and why. It was an intense book with a lot of interesting action that made me want to keep reading.
While you could read this without having read the first in the series, I strongly recommend reading that first as I believe you will get a lot more from this book with the knowledge of what came before.
Lisa Marie Redmond, the author, is a retired cold case homicide detective herself. I can’t wait to see what she writes next and where the story continues from here!
Thank you to Netgalley and Midnight Ink for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 1, 2019
I was given a free ARC copy of this book, in return for an honest review.
First off, even though this is the second book in the series, but my first. I did not feel I had missed out by not reading the first book. I found that there was enough back story throughout the book, to explain anything I might have missed.
This book was well written and is my first book from this author. I found the characters easy to get on with. The story itself was very well thought out and a good plot written. It did have me guessing a few times and it wasn't the sort of book you pick up and know straight away who it was and what happened.
The book did have many twists in it, thinking you had it sussed and then you really didn't. Which I like in a book.
I would definitely recommend this for a read, and would read another story from this author again.
First off, even though this is the second book in the series, but my first. I did not feel I had missed out by not reading the first book. I found that there was enough back story throughout the book, to explain anything I might have missed.
This book was well written and is my first book from this author. I found the characters easy to get on with. The story itself was very well thought out and a good plot written. It did have me guessing a few times and it wasn't the sort of book you pick up and know straight away who it was and what happened.
The book did have many twists in it, thinking you had it sussed and then you really didn't. Which I like in a book.
I would definitely recommend this for a read, and would read another story from this author again.
February 3, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It drew you in from the beginning and never let you go. There was pretty much nonstop action along with some funny banter between lots of the characters. Even though this is the 2nd book in a series I didn't feel like I missed anything by not having read the 1st book. I would like to go back and read it just to learn more about Lauren, the main character. The book didn't leave you hanging either. While it did leave off knowing there was more to come it wasn't exactly a cliffhanger. They wrapped up all of the mysteries in this story while letting you know what was coming in the next one. Will definitely be adding this author to my list of favorites.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and am giving my honest review voluntarily.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley and am giving my honest review voluntarily.
January 27, 2019
Wow...what a story. I read the second book of Lissa Marie Redmond right after the first one and I have to say this is one of the best crime novels I’ve read. Ever.
The story picks up a year after the first one ended. Lauren is back to her usual workdays when she is stabbed. She wakes up in the hospital, has no idea what’s happened to her. But one thing she does know. A cop did it. And so begins a long, crazy investigation which reveals very dark, old secrets concerning a cold case.
Lauren is still a bullheaded stubborn detective with a need for justice.
I can’t wait for the third book int series.
Thanks to NetGalley, Midnight Ink and Lissa Marie Redmond for providing me with an ARC.
The story picks up a year after the first one ended. Lauren is back to her usual workdays when she is stabbed. She wakes up in the hospital, has no idea what’s happened to her. But one thing she does know. A cop did it. And so begins a long, crazy investigation which reveals very dark, old secrets concerning a cold case.
Lauren is still a bullheaded stubborn detective with a need for justice.
I can’t wait for the third book int series.
Thanks to NetGalley, Midnight Ink and Lissa Marie Redmond for providing me with an ARC.
January 4, 2019
The Murder Book (Cold Case Investigation #2) by Lissa Marie Redmond
February 2019
Suspense, fiction
I received this digital arc from NetGalley and Midnight Ink in exchange for an unbiased review.
I was excited to read this new installation of the series since I was able to preview the first book!
This is not a “stand alone” novel so I suggest reading the first book to appreciate the story as there is a third book being prepped for publication.
Lauren Riley is a cold case detective working with her partner Shane Reese. Divorced with two adult daughters, she takes on cases as a private investigator on the side. She has a complicated relationship with her ex-husband Mark who is an accomplished attorney.
In the first book, she agrees to take on a PI case for attorney Frank Violanti, with whom she has been adversaries on many cases. She is annoyed to discover that Joe Wheeler, a former fiancé, is involved with this high profile case. Lauren ends up seeking assistance from unlikely sources to assist her investigation. Ultimately, she is left frustrated and dissatisfied with the results of acquittal in the Katherine Vine murder trial.
Next, a year later, Lauren is stabbed in the back while working late at the Precinct. Her partner Shane Reese had just left the office and returned to retrieve his baseball hat when he finds her bloody body on the floor. It seems pretty obvious that the crime was an “inside job” since the cold case files were kept in a secure location.
Why would anyone want to steal the Cold Case Murder Book? It seems there is a “mole” leaking information regarding investigations. Being a victim doesn’t stop Lauren from investigating her own case. She won’t stop until the person is apprehended unfortunately cases aren’t as cut and dry as Lauren would like. This book ends with another question mark regarding the involvement of a former client who was acquitted in his murder trial. Why does he continue to taunt Lauren? What is his end game?
February 2019
Suspense, fiction
I received this digital arc from NetGalley and Midnight Ink in exchange for an unbiased review.
I was excited to read this new installation of the series since I was able to preview the first book!
This is not a “stand alone” novel so I suggest reading the first book to appreciate the story as there is a third book being prepped for publication.
Lauren Riley is a cold case detective working with her partner Shane Reese. Divorced with two adult daughters, she takes on cases as a private investigator on the side. She has a complicated relationship with her ex-husband Mark who is an accomplished attorney.
In the first book, she agrees to take on a PI case for attorney Frank Violanti, with whom she has been adversaries on many cases. She is annoyed to discover that Joe Wheeler, a former fiancé, is involved with this high profile case. Lauren ends up seeking assistance from unlikely sources to assist her investigation. Ultimately, she is left frustrated and dissatisfied with the results of acquittal in the Katherine Vine murder trial.
Next, a year later, Lauren is stabbed in the back while working late at the Precinct. Her partner Shane Reese had just left the office and returned to retrieve his baseball hat when he finds her bloody body on the floor. It seems pretty obvious that the crime was an “inside job” since the cold case files were kept in a secure location.
Why would anyone want to steal the Cold Case Murder Book? It seems there is a “mole” leaking information regarding investigations. Being a victim doesn’t stop Lauren from investigating her own case. She won’t stop until the person is apprehended unfortunately cases aren’t as cut and dry as Lauren would like. This book ends with another question mark regarding the involvement of a former client who was acquitted in his murder trial. Why does he continue to taunt Lauren? What is his end game?
February 8, 2019
While working at her desk, late at night, Lauren Riley is viciously attacked from behind…stabbed, with a head injury and left for dead. Lauren is a cold case detective with the Buffalo Police Department and was attacked at the department. An outstanding beginning to an amazing police mystery as Lauren knows one thing for sure, her attacker was a cop. She also knows that her attacker stole the murder book that she uses to research cold cases, but has no idea why. Lauren is a forty-ish old school detective, a single mother with two college age daughters. She will use her need to solve her case and her sense of humor to get her through her recovery and back to work. She and her partner, Shane Reese, will work tirelessly to investigate who would have wanted the murder book and what they have to hide. I read the first book in the series “A Cold Day in Hell” before I knew it was a series and was hooked on Ms. Redmond’s writing. She is a retired homicide detective and her writing brings grit and realism to police work. There will be a third book in the series and I will be looking forward to it as well as anything else Ms. Redmond writes. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
October 20, 2018
”You never stop fighting for the victims. You taught me that.”
Lauren Riley is a cold case detective in Buffalo police department. In the beginning of the book she is stabbed and left for dead. When she wakes up in the hospital, only thing she is sure of is that her attacker was a cop. This is part two of Cold Case Investigation series. I have not read the first book, but it was easy enough to get in to the story. The ending suggests there will be more to come.
I liked the relationship between Riley and her partner Reese. There was nothing sexual, they were very comfortable together and their mutual banter was delightful. And I loved Watson the dog.
The story was good but sometimes it seemed they reached the right conclusions rather easily. The writing style was easy to get in to. The author is retired cold case detective and it shows. She clearly knows her facts. I can warmly recommend this book to anyone who likes crime and mystery stories.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Midnight Ink for the copy of this book.
Lauren Riley is a cold case detective in Buffalo police department. In the beginning of the book she is stabbed and left for dead. When she wakes up in the hospital, only thing she is sure of is that her attacker was a cop. This is part two of Cold Case Investigation series. I have not read the first book, but it was easy enough to get in to the story. The ending suggests there will be more to come.
I liked the relationship between Riley and her partner Reese. There was nothing sexual, they were very comfortable together and their mutual banter was delightful. And I loved Watson the dog.
The story was good but sometimes it seemed they reached the right conclusions rather easily. The writing style was easy to get in to. The author is retired cold case detective and it shows. She clearly knows her facts. I can warmly recommend this book to anyone who likes crime and mystery stories.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Midnight Ink for the copy of this book.
June 5, 2019
This is book #2 in the Cold Case Investigation with Lauren Riley and Shane Reese. Even though the book can be read as stand alone, it is best to begin with book 1 as that has lot of character development and shows the varied relationships that Lauren has with the people surrounding her.
Honestly I wanted to read this series because of the 'cold case' in the title, because I love reading about old and past mysteries being unearthed in the present with the advance of technology. But both book 1 and 2 do not have much action in the cold case category, the action is in the present but that doesn't spoil this brilliant thriller. What makes this such an absorbing read is the close and loving relationship between Riley and Reese. Their banter and witty repartee makes it a comfy read even though I felt the mystery element gets revealed very soon.. Like book 1, this also ends with a cliffhanger and thus looking forward to book #3.
Honestly I wanted to read this series because of the 'cold case' in the title, because I love reading about old and past mysteries being unearthed in the present with the advance of technology. But both book 1 and 2 do not have much action in the cold case category, the action is in the present but that doesn't spoil this brilliant thriller. What makes this such an absorbing read is the close and loving relationship between Riley and Reese. Their banter and witty repartee makes it a comfy read even though I felt the mystery element gets revealed very soon.. Like book 1, this also ends with a cliffhanger and thus looking forward to book #3.
February 23, 2020
Lauren Riley is a detective on the Buffalo Cold Case Squad. One night, while working late, she is brutally attacked; stomped in the head, stabbed in the back, and left for dead. Near death, she glimpses a mans pants and boots, city issued. Her attacker is a cop. And that’s just the beginning
Saved, just barely, Lauren and her partner, Shane Reese, work to solve this. She defies medical advice.
What follows is a complex, violent, and intriguing case of stalking, corruption, and police procedures,
The author is retired from the Buffalo Cold Case Squad. The repartee is gallows humor and funny. The relationships complicated and believable. Sort of a cliff hanger ending after some nail biting action.
Saved, just barely, Lauren and her partner, Shane Reese, work to solve this. She defies medical advice.
What follows is a complex, violent, and intriguing case of stalking, corruption, and police procedures,
The author is retired from the Buffalo Cold Case Squad. The repartee is gallows humor and funny. The relationships complicated and believable. Sort of a cliff hanger ending after some nail biting action.
December 11, 2018
The author has created a very believable protagonist in police detective Lauren Riley. Reading the first book in this series is highly recommended as relationships established in that novel are integral to the appreciation of this one. This, the second book in the series featuring Cold Case detective Lauren Riley starts fast and keeps moving. Stabbed at her desk and left for dead isn’t enough to slow our heroine who works her magic to tie together her attack with a cold case, the death of her former boyfriend, and a stalker featured in the previous novel. I received an advanced digital copy through #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2018
OMG! This was such a great mystery thriller that I forgot how much I love to read these types of books.This was a thrilling ride. I so have to get the first book of this series hope that it is great as this book is. Heroine Lauren Riley was stabbed and left for dead at her desk. When she recover she set out to find out who would do this to her. As for every clue she finds leads to more shocking revelations that it's a cop someone she knows. So can't wait for the next book.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2019
After being stabbed and left for dead late one night Lauren Riley tries to figure out what happened and why. With the help of her partner and a retired police officer can they figure out what happened and what is so important in there cold case murder book before anyone else gets hurt. I enjoyed this book it was a page turner.
October 14, 2018
A mediocre entry in the long list of entries of the mystery thriller genre. The main character is likable but the dots are too conveniently connected.This is one of those stories that doesn't leave much guess work to the reader.
Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley
Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley
October 30, 2020
When I downloaded this book, I did not realize that it was the second in a series. I just knew that it sounded good and the cover was awesome so I had to get it. Thankfully, I didn't feel lost while reading. I enjoy police procedural type books so this book was a good fit. It was definitely a fast read, I didn't want to put it down. While it was good, I felt like it was just middle of the road in general. I liked the characters of this book. I will read the first book when I get the chance and will likely look for other books by this author.
October 27, 2018
The last to leave the office on a Friday night in November, dedicated cold case detective Lauren Riley was startled from her work when she felt an overwhelming pain in her side and fell to the ground. As she realized blood was pooling beneath her, an assailant stomped on her head. In her last moments of consciousness, Riley saw a figure in city-issued police boots walk away holding her distinctive olive-green murder book.
Despite entreaties from her family, doctors, and coworkers to take time off, when Riley wakes up, she is driven to find out why a police officer would attack her and steal the murder book. Trusting only her partner Shane Reese, Riley turns to retired detective Charlie Daley for assistance. Together, they track down an elusive informant who has information about a decades-old murder that may be related to her attack. As they seek evidence for a police conspiracy, they face challenges ranging from a leak, disciplinary action, murderous suspects, and even a car chase on icy Buffalo streets!
Partners Riley and Reese have a fun, teasing-based relationship that is a strength of the novel, and Daley is delightful character as well. The mystery itself isn’t too surprising, but focuses on how the trio will prove the conspiracy, and there are a few twists and turns to keep it interesting.
Although I am not very familiar with Buffalo, we are relatively close, four hours by car, and because of that, the setting felt relatable and exciting. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery was mentioned, and I’ve put that on our places-to-go list. Our winters aren’t as severe as those in Buffalo, but I certainly identified with the cold and snow described in the book. My favorite character might have been Weston, Reese’s dog who becomes a source of comfort to Riley, who, as a “good mother,” even posts pictures of him on her Facebook page.
While I did get caught up in the book, I was slightly frustrated by the awkward transitions between scenes that were often abrupt and at time confusing. Some of the characters’ motivations weren’t sufficiently clear or justified, and that detracted from the novel to me. I also didn’t like some of Riley’s backstory which I viewed as trite: having domestic abuse in the past, being entangled in a strange relationship with a past client/murder suspect (which also reminded me too much of the Frieda Klein series).
The Murder Book did seamlessly introduce a segue into the next volume in the series without leaving the central mystery unresolved. It promises to deliver tension between Riley and Reese and a cunning antagonist.
Thank you to Netgalley and Midnight Ink for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Despite entreaties from her family, doctors, and coworkers to take time off, when Riley wakes up, she is driven to find out why a police officer would attack her and steal the murder book. Trusting only her partner Shane Reese, Riley turns to retired detective Charlie Daley for assistance. Together, they track down an elusive informant who has information about a decades-old murder that may be related to her attack. As they seek evidence for a police conspiracy, they face challenges ranging from a leak, disciplinary action, murderous suspects, and even a car chase on icy Buffalo streets!
Partners Riley and Reese have a fun, teasing-based relationship that is a strength of the novel, and Daley is delightful character as well. The mystery itself isn’t too surprising, but focuses on how the trio will prove the conspiracy, and there are a few twists and turns to keep it interesting.
Although I am not very familiar with Buffalo, we are relatively close, four hours by car, and because of that, the setting felt relatable and exciting. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery was mentioned, and I’ve put that on our places-to-go list. Our winters aren’t as severe as those in Buffalo, but I certainly identified with the cold and snow described in the book. My favorite character might have been Weston, Reese’s dog who becomes a source of comfort to Riley, who, as a “good mother,” even posts pictures of him on her Facebook page.
While I did get caught up in the book, I was slightly frustrated by the awkward transitions between scenes that were often abrupt and at time confusing. Some of the characters’ motivations weren’t sufficiently clear or justified, and that detracted from the novel to me. I also didn’t like some of Riley’s backstory which I viewed as trite: having domestic abuse in the past, being entangled in a strange relationship with a past client/murder suspect (which also reminded me too much of the Frieda Klein series).
The Murder Book did seamlessly introduce a segue into the next volume in the series without leaving the central mystery unresolved. It promises to deliver tension between Riley and Reese and a cunning antagonist.
Thank you to Netgalley and Midnight Ink for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Author's Website
~Find Me Online~
...aka darzy...
Flickr
Goodreads
September 16, 2018
The good stuff first: I really liked this book, read it in one weekend and was really invested in the story and how the characters fared. It's a well written police procedural / thriller mixed in with quite a bit of personal drama.
Lauren, the protagonist, is a cold case cop who does PI work on the side (I didn't know this was allowed?). One evening she is attacked in her office - in the police station - and left for dead.
I'm very glad she didn't die, she recovered fairly quickly (maybe too quick?) and went to solve the case with her partner. In doing so she solved a cold case and some related crimes no one had known about before, resulting in a massive scandal.
Overall I really liked the story, even if there were some illogical / unrealistic moments thrown in there. It's got a nice flow, you feel drawn to the characters, I was almost immediately invested in their fates and hoped for a good outcome.
Now the kinda bad: the book is in dire need of a good copy editor. There are tons of homophones (e.g. pee coat instead of pea coat), strange errors (e.g. breath instead of breathe, consistently throughout the book, Magda cum laude), missing words, double words, sentences with fragments from rewrites etc.
I'm not nitpicking here, it's not just 10-15 errors throughout the book, almost every page has them and that for me is not acceptable. It throws me out of the flow of the story when I have to decipher / guess which word is missing. This is no indie self published book, written and thrown out there in 2 months, it's a solid crime / mystery / police procedural that just needs a bit of TLC to be a really good book.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion about the book.
Lauren, the protagonist, is a cold case cop who does PI work on the side (I didn't know this was allowed?). One evening she is attacked in her office - in the police station - and left for dead.
I'm very glad she didn't die, she recovered fairly quickly (maybe too quick?) and went to solve the case with her partner. In doing so she solved a cold case and some related crimes no one had known about before, resulting in a massive scandal.
Overall I really liked the story, even if there were some illogical / unrealistic moments thrown in there. It's got a nice flow, you feel drawn to the characters, I was almost immediately invested in their fates and hoped for a good outcome.
Now the kinda bad: the book is in dire need of a good copy editor. There are tons of homophones (e.g. pee coat instead of pea coat), strange errors (e.g. breath instead of breathe, consistently throughout the book, Magda cum laude), missing words, double words, sentences with fragments from rewrites etc.
I'm not nitpicking here, it's not just 10-15 errors throughout the book, almost every page has them and that for me is not acceptable. It throws me out of the flow of the story when I have to decipher / guess which word is missing. This is no indie self published book, written and thrown out there in 2 months, it's a solid crime / mystery / police procedural that just needs a bit of TLC to be a really good book.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion about the book.
December 19, 2018
Thank you to Midnight Ink and Netgalley for the ARC of this title. I loved it! I had not read the first book in this series, but will look for it now. This was a great police procedural with an imperfect but likable cold case detective heroine. The mystery kept me turning pages. And of course, since I am originally a Buffalonian, I was in love with the setting. The author did a fantastic job with the setting, even if I am a bit biased. Overall, a quick and enjoyable read.
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