South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Fright builds in spooky ‘Book of Cold Cases’
“The Book of Cold Cases,” Simone St. James’ eighth stand-alone novel about a young blogger who focuses on unsolved cases, begins as a well-plotted mystery. But slowly, and persuasively, bits of the paranormal and horror genre seep into the novel, and these elements become as much a part of the plot as the mystery.
By keeping the frightening factor quiet — at least at first — St. James manages to ramp up the terror. The horror genre often is built on fantasy, yet St. James makes her plots believable. Readers will not doubt that lights can turn on by themselves, or heavy footsteps stomp through the hallways though no one is there.
During the day, 29-yearold Shea Collins works as a receptionist at a doctors’ office in Claire Lake, Ore. But after work, Shea’s real vocation ramps up, a blog called the Book of Cold Cases devoted to unsolved true crimes.
The blog is a way for Shea to deal with her own fears and coping with her past. When she was 9 years old, she escaped an attempted abduction by a man who later was convicted of killing several girls, one of which occurred shortly after Shea ran away from him.
To say Shea has a few issues would be an understatement. She remains fearful of riding in a car or having a romantic relationship.
A chance encounter puts Shea in contact with Beth Greer, a wealthy woman who was suspected of being The Lady Killer, who murdered two Claire Lake men in 1977. Although an eyewitness swore he saw Beth commit the crimes, she was acquitted because no evidence could be linked to her. Now in her 60s, Beth lives like a near hermit in the mansion she inherited from her parents; almost a pariah since most people in town still believe she’s a murderer.
Shea likes Beth, although the older woman appears cold and evasive. But the Greer mansion troubles Shea. Beth lives “buried in her parents’ belongings,” with her mother’s clothes and cosmetics still displayed, her father’s papers and desk untouched. Cupboards open on their own; sounds of footsteps fill the hallways although no one is there. Then there is the matter of the blood that flows from the faucets that no one has turned on. Beth has the same unease about her own home: Every time she tries to throw out her parents’ possessions, they reappear in the house within minutes.
St. James’ creation of a modern haunted house story works well as the author also focuses on family bonds and destructive gossip. St. James excels at delving into the psyche of her characters. Both Shea and Beth are mired in their pasts, unable to move beyond their backgrounds.
Whether either is able to move forward is a crux of “The Book of Cold Cases.”
St. James’ 2020 novel “The Sun Down Motel” was a master class in the dread, as is the terrific “The Book of Cold Cases.”
Oline H. Cogdill can be reached at olinecog@aol. com