Psychological Thriller Review: The Book of Cold Cases | Simone St. James

“But I’ve always believed that murder is the healthiest obsession of all.”

I always look forward to the new Simone St. James! She always delivers a haunting and intriguing mystery with an atmospheric and gothic vibe and a great ending. In The Book of Cold Cases, a true crime blogger has an opportunity to interview a local woman famously acquitted of two cold cases, though many still believe her to be guilty.

About the Book | The Book of Cold Cases

In 1977, Claire Lake, Oregon, was shaken by the Lady Killer Murders: Two men, seemingly randomly, were murdered with the same gun, with strange notes left behind. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect–a rich, eccentric twenty-three-year-old woman, seen fleeing one of the crimes. But she was acquitted, and she retreated to the isolation of her mansion.

Oregon, 2017. Shea Collins is a receptionist, but by night, she runs a true crime website, the Book of Cold Cases–a passion fueled by the attempted abduction she escaped as a child. When she meets Beth by chance, Shea asks her for an interview. To Shea’s surprise, Beth says yes.

They meet regularly at Beth’s mansion, though Shea is never comfortable there. Items move when she’s not looking, and she could swear she’s seen a girl outside the window. The allure of learning the truth about the case from the smart, charming Beth is too much to resist, but even as they grow closer, Shea senses something isn’t right. Is she making friends with a manipulative murderer, or are there other dangers lurking in the darkness of the Greer house? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

Review | The Book of Cold Cases

If you’re new to Simone St. James, expect her books to be atmospheric with a gothic-feel, twisty, and vaguely supernatural. Her books are rarely full-on ghost stories, but they always remind me of this quote from Kate Morton’s The Clockmaker’s Daughter:

“Do you believe in ghosts, Mr. Gilbert?”
“I believe a man can find himself haunted.”

St. James’s stories walk the line of the unexplained. They have many events based firmly in reality, but her stories always have a haunted feel. Are there supernatural forces at play, or have the characters found themselves haunted? It’s up to each reader to decide.

Shea Collins is receptionist in doctor’s office and she is also the writer behind a true crime website on cold cases. Shea is a loner—she has some events from her past that were traumatic and have led her to worry about her safety. She has a close friend over the internet named Michael who is a former cop and who she’s never met. This obviously had my radar up! I was super curious if Michael was who he said he was.

“Am I bitter or am I sweet? Ladies can be either.”

When Shea happens to meet Beth Greer—a local “celebrity” who was accused of murdering two men in the 1970s—she jumps at the chance to speak to her. Beth Greer is a fascinating and elusive character. The two men were both shot by Beth’s father’s gun and a witness claimed to have seen the second murder (though he had been drinking so his testimony was discounted). Many (including Michael) are convinced Beth Greer committed both murders even though she was acquitted and maintains her innocence.

As Shea gets to know Beth, the case gets more and more curious. Beth largely stays at the stately home she inherited from her parents. The house is like stepping back into the 1970s. When Beth talks about the murders and the trials, she mentions that her parents had just died and she was partying a lot to escape. This combines with her wealth and beauty made her an easy figure for people to suspect of the murders. There were rumors surrounding Beth and the trial, and it is easy to see why the public was so obsessed with her and the case.

“But a novel always ends, the lies come to the surface, and the deaths are explained. Maybe one of the bad characters gets away with something—that’s fashionable right now—but you are still left with a sense that things are balanced, that dark things come to light, and that the bad person will, at least, most likely be miserable.”

I loved the setting in Beth’s home Greer House (in both timelines), and the flashbacks to the 1970s. The house is dark, and it’s size makes it feel particularly empty. Strange things happen there, and Beth haunts the halls like a ghost though she is very much alive. Greer House added a gothic feel to the novel that worked well and heightened the tension of the plot.

As the book goes on, the story is about more than just the two murders Beth was accused of. St. James adds many twists and turns to the story and I had many theories, most of which were wrong! The story alternates between the past and present and between the stories of Beth and Shea. At it’s core, this is a book about women—bitter and sweet. Ladies can be either, as Beth reminds us.

This book is absolutely gripping. The supernatural events are light enough that the book will appeal to most readers, even those who don’t prefer a paranormal element. Gothic, atmospheric, twisted, and dark—this is another outstanding psychological thriller from Simone St. James!

About the Author | Simone St. James

Simone St. James is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of THE BOOK OF COLD CASES, THE SUN DOWN MOTEL, and THE BROKEN GIRLS.

After years of writing and collecting rejections, Simone’s debut novel, THE HAUNTING OF MADDY CLARE, won two RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America and an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada. AN INQUIRY INTO LOVE AND DEATH was nominated for another Arthur Ellis Award.

Simone spent twenty years behind the scenes in the television business before leaving to write full-time. She lives just outside Toronto, Canada, with her husband and a spoiled rescue cat. She is addicted to sushi, rainy days, coffee, and My Favorite Murder.