Cold Heart Creek by Lisa Regan @lisareganauthor @lisaregan.bsky.social @katehandford @hachetteuk @hachetteuk.bsky.social #DetectiveJosieQuinn #ColdHeartCreek

the setup…
Game commission officers discover two bodies while out on inspection and contact both the Lenore County Sheriff and the Denton Police Department as jurisdiction isn’t clear. Josie and Noah determine it’s theirs but coordination with Lenore County is still required depending on where the investigation leads. Valerie and Tyler Yates appear to have died from poisoning but it soon becomes clear that it’s something more sinister. And, it appears that a third person was camping with them and is missing. Meanwhile, Josie’s nightmares have resumed since she was notified the abusive woman who raised her is dying in prison.

the heart of the story…
Talk about a gnarly case, complicated even more by a lazy and uncooperative deputy sheriff and a host of lying potential suspects. All roads seem to lead back to a place in the center of the park called the Sanctuary, defined as a respite for lost souls regaining their momentum but has all the signs of being a cult. Josie is struggling with those nightmares and can’t even get comfort as she’s decided to keep silent about Lila’s impending death. There were so many twisty paths to the truth.

the narration…
I’m continuing to enjoy Kate Handford’s storytelling skills. She’s now the voice in my head for the characters and the series.

the bottom line…
Yet another story where the case was as confounding to me as the team. The plotting was top notch and I loved trying to assemble the clues and make sense of things. Josie’s struggles and nightmares related to Lila were realistic, despite her decision to hold it in, which is true to her nature. I enjoyed every minute.

Book Info

• Release Date: December 2, 2019
• Series: Detective Josie Quinn #7
• Narrator: Kate Handford
• Audio Length: 12 hours, 12 minutes
• Publisher: Hachette UK – Bookouture

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