Genre: Murder Mystery
LGBTQ+ Category: Lesbian
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
Is any case too cold to crack? Book 8 in the popular Lessons in Murder series, by award-winning, best-selling author Edale Lane.
Jenna’s gaze lingers over the diamond rings in the showcase. She wants to pop the question to her partner Randi if she can only arrange the perfect proposal. Per usual, her work as Roanoke PD’s leading homicide detective gets in the way, not to mention the inconveniences of an early winter storm.
Randi, who knows Jenna isn’t ready for marriage, has a surprise planned for their first anniversary. She’s also crafting a strategy to visit both their families for Christmas while preparing for the end of the semester.
The Review
Lieutenant Detective Jenna Ferrari is out on a jewelry store burglary investigation. As usual, her team of expert detectives are with her: Trisha Jamison, Ron Owens and Ethan Bauman. Everything is handled smoothly. Besides taking care of business, her eyes have been wandering over the engagement rings. She just doesn’t know what to select, and she has big plans for the evening. The only thing left to do is call on the classy and stylish Trisha for advice.
But police business comes first. Jenna is called on by one of the officers when a sixty-eight year old African American woman, Donna Ramsey, comes to the station for help. She is searching for closure, and her time is running short. At the age of eighteen, her daughter Shondra was shot on her way home from school. The case dates back to March 1993 and is very cold. No matter how many times Mrs. Ramsey has inquired about her daughter’s case, she has never got a decent response.
Jenna’s plans for Randi are almost perfect, and she’s only a few minutes late. But of course, a police officer’s life is never without interruption. Jenna is called away.
Once she makes it home, she still has quality time with Randi, but now her plans have changed. Will her fears and doubts put a halt to her plan? Will she ever find that right moment to seal her commitment to Randi?
As Jenna and Trisha investigate the 1993 cold case, they visit one of the veteran officers involved, the somewhat disgruntled Lt. Jonny Butler. He and rookie Officer Casey Brenner worked the case. The case points to gang activity, and takes Jenna and Trisha into the dark,Red Onion State Prison in Wise County. The case of Shondra Ramsey will bring up issues and emotions that make Jenna think of her own future and family. Will she be able to put it all aside and have one true moment of happiness?
Lane focuses heavily on both Jenna and Trish as they meticulously go through the process of investigating a cold case. Jenna is always observant of her team, and never goes without making thoughtful compliments. She’s always encouraging them in every way possible. Jenna also still needs to work on her anger issue, and has found a way to control it.
I highly recommend Cold in Murder, book eight of the “Lessons in Murder” series. Lane is in fantastic form here, exploring so many different types of cases, each with a thorough, step-by-step investigation. I can’t wait for the next book!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
