sjj169's review
4.0
Let's get something out of the way. Alexandra Sokoloff writes a damn fine book. I thought her edge might wear off but she stays strong. This is the third book in her Huntress/FBI storyline and I can't decide which one of them I love the most.
She takes the time to research her writing, there is good flow with her words and her characters come to life. Bravo.
I'm done fangirling now... so about the book.
Cara Lindstorm has been arrested and suddenly the sixteen year old girl that was the prosecutions witness goes missing. While Cara is still in custody a pimp is murdered and his slaying is very similar to Cara's MO. Then more evil men are turning up dead.
Roarke is still haunted by Cara and he is a tortured hero but there is one thing that stands out about his character. His demons don't make me hate him. Sometimes reading a book that has a male lead can lead to cockiness and if they do have a weakness it gets to the point where I just want to smack them. It has not happened with Roarke yet, I still like him.
Then you have Cara, a female serial killer. She didn't make herself that way though. Her past is violently cruel and the way that the whole story-line of her seeing "IT" comes into play. You just believe she can see that evil.
Whether IT was a seperate, independant force or just a word for the evil that humans beings do, Roarke didn't know. He only knew that evil was real.
IT was evil.
I do not want to give much of the story away because I think more people should read these books. They make you rage, think and question what is right and wrong.
There is a trigger warning for some of you: This book involves human trafficking.
The murders all of which they attributed to Santa Muerte:
She is out there.
But she is not the only one.
This is a call to arms.
This is a war on rape culture.
She takes the time to research her writing, there is good flow with her words and her characters come to life. Bravo.
I'm done fangirling now... so about the book.
Cara Lindstorm has been arrested and suddenly the sixteen year old girl that was the prosecutions witness goes missing. While Cara is still in custody a pimp is murdered and his slaying is very similar to Cara's MO. Then more evil men are turning up dead.
Roarke is still haunted by Cara and he is a tortured hero but there is one thing that stands out about his character. His demons don't make me hate him. Sometimes reading a book that has a male lead can lead to cockiness and if they do have a weakness it gets to the point where I just want to smack them. It has not happened with Roarke yet, I still like him.
Then you have Cara, a female serial killer. She didn't make herself that way though. Her past is violently cruel and the way that the whole story-line of her seeing "IT" comes into play. You just believe she can see that evil.
Whether IT was a seperate, independant force or just a word for the evil that humans beings do, Roarke didn't know. He only knew that evil was real.
IT was evil.
I do not want to give much of the story away because I think more people should read these books. They make you rage, think and question what is right and wrong.
There is a trigger warning for some of you: This book involves human trafficking.
The murders all of which they attributed to Santa Muerte:
She is out there.
But she is not the only one.
This is a call to arms.
This is a war on rape culture.
lauraslitloves's review
4.0
Brilliant
Another brilliant book in thus series I will be sad to see the end of this series as its definitely a page turner
Another brilliant book in thus series I will be sad to see the end of this series as its definitely a page turner
aly36's review
5.0
This series is very good! I enjoyed them very much. I love a good mystery and full of twists and turns and everything I look for in a book. I really like this author Alexandra Sokoloff as well. I think will look into other books she has since I loved this series so much. * I received this book from Netgalley---this is my honest review*
ymiranda's review
5.0
Re-read - 12/1/2021
Even better the 2nd time! 5 stars
Another good addition to the series, but Agent Rourke it's time to get a grip on reality.
I really hope #4 isn't more pining away for the serial killer. I just don't see a real future for the both of you!
Even better the 2nd time! 5 stars
Another good addition to the series, but Agent Rourke it's time to get a grip on reality.
I really hope #4 isn't more pining away for the serial killer. I just don't see a real future for the both of you!
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
4.0
Cold Moon is the third in the The Huntress/FBI Thrillers and again like the authors other books can easily be read as a stand alone.
In the third book FBI Special Agent Matthew Roarke is struggling to come to terms with his near miss while Cara is trying to adjust to life in jail.
Cold Moon heavily features prostitution and child abduction and the author goes quite into detail with quite worrying statistics and facts surrounding something that happens more than we like to think of. You can tell the author has done a lot of research for this book from the information in the story.
There are many characters in this story that have been in all three books which I really like as you get to see some of the lesser mentioned characters grow in their roles throughout the series.
Alexandra Sokoloff has delivered yet another hard hitting, dark and chilling read that fans and new readers are going to be gripped by.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In the third book FBI Special Agent Matthew Roarke is struggling to come to terms with his near miss while Cara is trying to adjust to life in jail.
Cold Moon heavily features prostitution and child abduction and the author goes quite into detail with quite worrying statistics and facts surrounding something that happens more than we like to think of. You can tell the author has done a lot of research for this book from the information in the story.
There are many characters in this story that have been in all three books which I really like as you get to see some of the lesser mentioned characters grow in their roles throughout the series.
Alexandra Sokoloff has delivered yet another hard hitting, dark and chilling read that fans and new readers are going to be gripped by.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
thebooksitter's review against another edition
3.0
The unraveling of the characters in this book was intriguing but I felt like this one didn't pack as much of a punch as the other two did. Cara is as determined as ever to continue fighting against "It" and Roarke is still struggling to keep a balance between duty and his want. Maybe I did myself a disservice by reading the books back to back, that I was left with the impression that this one would have the same amount of nail-biting action but it didn't. I'm invested in this series so I'll be reading the next book just to see what becomes of Roarke and Cara.
jonetta's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
Matt Roarke finally has Cara Lindstrom behind bars but he's extremely conflicted. Part of him knows it's where she belongs even if they might not have the evidence for all the murders they suspect are attributable to her. Then there's the part of him that is inexplicably drawn and connected to her. When other men turn up dead during her incarceration, Matt's suddenly faced with the prospect of multiple killers using the same modis operandi.
I'm so fascinated with this series and just as conflicted as Roarke. My head tells me that he needs to get over it and my heart is challenging him to stick with her. The young women introduced in this story seem transparent on the surface but begin to appear just as opaque as Cara. I enjoyed following the investigations as the twists and surprises weren't predictable and had no idea where the clues would lead.
I was hoping for a definitive conclusion this time but there's still a lot unresolved, including Roarke and Cara. This was a strange and creepy but sophisticated story that is hard to pigeon hole. It's mysterious with hints of paranormal elements. The realities presented about human trafficking will leave you discomfited, at least it did me. And, you'll find it difficult to clearly separate the heroes from the villains. It's murky at best.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Matt Roarke finally has Cara Lindstrom behind bars but he's extremely conflicted. Part of him knows it's where she belongs even if they might not have the evidence for all the murders they suspect are attributable to her. Then there's the part of him that is inexplicably drawn and connected to her. When other men turn up dead during her incarceration, Matt's suddenly faced with the prospect of multiple killers using the same modis operandi.
I'm so fascinated with this series and just as conflicted as Roarke. My head tells me that he needs to get over it and my heart is challenging him to stick with her. The young women introduced in this story seem transparent on the surface but begin to appear just as opaque as Cara. I enjoyed following the investigations as the twists and surprises weren't predictable and had no idea where the clues would lead.
I was hoping for a definitive conclusion this time but there's still a lot unresolved, including Roarke and Cara. This was a strange and creepy but sophisticated story that is hard to pigeon hole. It's mysterious with hints of paranormal elements. The realities presented about human trafficking will leave you discomfited, at least it did me. And, you'll find it difficult to clearly separate the heroes from the villains. It's murky at best.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
gudzilla's review against another edition
2.0
This is my 1st review and I really wanted to it to be good but I guess I started with wrong book.
First of all thanks to netalley for sending free copy in exchange of honest review so here it goes -
I didn't like it because too slow for my taste and could not understand why the novel is of 400+ pages and divided into 90+ chapters when it could be way shorter and could have described in 20 chapters.
When I started reading I though it is similar to 'The Hit' by David Baldacci and I really like that novel but its nothing like it.
Though novel has some characters that I like - female strong characters like Cara, Jade and Antara Singh. However I was disappointed when author didn't spend much time in Cara's head. She has unique thinking and I'd have appreciated more things described from her prospective. It also could have made the read more interesting. This is the first novel I've read by the author so I am not sure if author has described the behavior in her past series or was planning to do so in next installment, I am not sure.
Now something about Roakre - he is too softy for an Agent. I mean what kind of special agent has problem seeing a burnt corpse and had nightmares for life! If you are an agent the least thing is considered from you is being tough. I am not saying insensitive but though - not someone who has urges to puke so often.
I also didn't like end - the only reason I keep reading because I was hoping for interesting ending. I know that this is not romantic novel and didn't expect Tutti Frutti ending but something meaningful would have been appreciated. Maybe Roarke and Cara could have been together - retiring from all this awfulness or simply joining arms in mission together but no. I guess it would be predictable and in order to give realistic ending - it ended up in no ending at all or very dull ending.
Overall good character development described but too slow for my liking.
Would I read another novel by same author? No. But I wish her best luck as she seem to have so many fans :)
First of all thanks to netalley for sending free copy in exchange of honest review so here it goes -
I didn't like it because too slow for my taste and could not understand why the novel is of 400+ pages and divided into 90+ chapters when it could be way shorter and could have described in 20 chapters.
When I started reading I though it is similar to 'The Hit' by David Baldacci and I really like that novel but its nothing like it.
Though novel has some characters that I like - female strong characters like Cara, Jade and Antara Singh. However I was disappointed when author didn't spend much time in Cara's head. She has unique thinking and I'd have appreciated more things described from her prospective. It also could have made the read more interesting. This is the first novel I've read by the author so I am not sure if author has described the behavior in her past series or was planning to do so in next installment, I am not sure.
Now something about Roakre - he is too softy for an Agent. I mean what kind of special agent has problem seeing a burnt corpse and had nightmares for life! If you are an agent the least thing is considered from you is being tough. I am not saying insensitive but though - not someone who has urges to puke so often.
I also didn't like end - the only reason I keep reading because I was hoping for interesting ending. I know that this is not romantic novel and didn't expect Tutti Frutti ending but something meaningful would have been appreciated. Maybe Roarke and Cara could have been together - retiring from all this awfulness or simply joining arms in mission together but no. I guess it would be predictable and in order to give realistic ending - it ended up in no ending at all or very dull ending.
Overall good character development described but too slow for my liking.
Would I read another novel by same author? No. But I wish her best luck as she seem to have so many fans :)
brancrisp's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
literaryfeline's review against another edition
3.0
Cold Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff
Thomas & Mercer, 2015
Crime Fiction (Thriller); 391 pgs
This book should definitely not be read without having read the first two books, Huntress Moon and Blood Moon. As it is, this review may contain some spoilers, although I tried to keep out any major plot points or twists that may occur.
Author Alexandra Sokoloff continues to keep the tension high in Cold Moon, the third book in her series, even despite FBI Special Agent Roarke and his team having caught their killer. If only it were that simple. Roarke continues to struggle with his feelings for the Huntress and what the implications of that may be for his job. Law enforcement has always been his passion and yet he doubts its effectiveness--his effectiveness--at trying to root out the evil in society. To complicate matters, he is also dealing with issues of Post Traumatic Stress, something that anyone in his shoes would likely be given everything that has transpired over the course of the series.
With the Huntress in jail awaiting trial, another killer appears to be picking up her mantel. Roarke and his team are not sure what they are dealing with. A serial killer? A vigilante? They know they have a job to do though, and they do what they can to try to get to the bottom of it.
There's a lot of discussion about intuition and feelings that can seem to border on the paranormal, but does not go there. At time it felt like it could, but Sokoloff keeps the story grounded in reality. She does a good job of letting us see into Cara's mind and know what her thought process is.
In my review of Blood Moon, I commented how I wanted a little more character development of the minor characters; I get it in Cold Moon. I really like the character of Singh, one of the FBI team members working with Roarke, in the novels and was glad to see her featured a bit more in this installment of the series. And I'm back to liking Special Agent Epps. Whew. I really do understand his frustration though. Both he and Roarke have similar goals, but it's not as clear cut for Roarke, given his ambiguous feelings toward the Huntress.
There is quite a lot going on in Cold Moon. The case against the Huntress is weak at best, the only witness to the crime they can pin on her has gone missing, and then the new murders . . . Add to that Roarke's mental state, a social worker hellbent on protecting her girls, a distraught sister, the speed and influence of social media, and the growing discontent of the public. What you get is a novel that takes you on an intense ride that you just have to see until the finish--and what a finish it is.
The only fault I found with the book was that, with so much going on, it felt sometimes as if I was reading two books instead of just one. There were also moments when my suspension of disbelief was put to the test, but fortunately I never left the story. As often happens with series' books there are things I still have questions about, characters left hanging--which likely will be answered in future books. I hope. So, I am always more forgiving in that regard.
Overall, I have enjoyed this series, as dark as it is. It was impossible not to be pulled into the novel and cheer for the Huntress, even in her lawlessness. I want the evil to be stamped out as much as she does. If only it were that simple.
Review copy provided by author for honest review.
Thomas & Mercer, 2015
Crime Fiction (Thriller); 391 pgs
This book should definitely not be read without having read the first two books, Huntress Moon and Blood Moon. As it is, this review may contain some spoilers, although I tried to keep out any major plot points or twists that may occur.
Author Alexandra Sokoloff continues to keep the tension high in Cold Moon, the third book in her series, even despite FBI Special Agent Roarke and his team having caught their killer. If only it were that simple. Roarke continues to struggle with his feelings for the Huntress and what the implications of that may be for his job. Law enforcement has always been his passion and yet he doubts its effectiveness--his effectiveness--at trying to root out the evil in society. To complicate matters, he is also dealing with issues of Post Traumatic Stress, something that anyone in his shoes would likely be given everything that has transpired over the course of the series.
With the Huntress in jail awaiting trial, another killer appears to be picking up her mantel. Roarke and his team are not sure what they are dealing with. A serial killer? A vigilante? They know they have a job to do though, and they do what they can to try to get to the bottom of it.
There's a lot of discussion about intuition and feelings that can seem to border on the paranormal, but does not go there. At time it felt like it could, but Sokoloff keeps the story grounded in reality. She does a good job of letting us see into Cara's mind and know what her thought process is.
In my review of Blood Moon, I commented how I wanted a little more character development of the minor characters; I get it in Cold Moon. I really like the character of Singh, one of the FBI team members working with Roarke, in the novels and was glad to see her featured a bit more in this installment of the series. And I'm back to liking Special Agent Epps. Whew. I really do understand his frustration though. Both he and Roarke have similar goals, but it's not as clear cut for Roarke, given his ambiguous feelings toward the Huntress.
There is quite a lot going on in Cold Moon. The case against the Huntress is weak at best, the only witness to the crime they can pin on her has gone missing, and then the new murders . . . Add to that Roarke's mental state, a social worker hellbent on protecting her girls, a distraught sister, the speed and influence of social media, and the growing discontent of the public. What you get is a novel that takes you on an intense ride that you just have to see until the finish--and what a finish it is.
The only fault I found with the book was that, with so much going on, it felt sometimes as if I was reading two books instead of just one. There were also moments when my suspension of disbelief was put to the test, but fortunately I never left the story. As often happens with series' books there are things I still have questions about, characters left hanging--which likely will be answered in future books. I hope. So, I am always more forgiving in that regard.
Overall, I have enjoyed this series, as dark as it is. It was impossible not to be pulled into the novel and cheer for the Huntress, even in her lawlessness. I want the evil to be stamped out as much as she does. If only it were that simple.
Review copy provided by author for honest review.