Reviews

Stone Cold Heart by Caz Frear

bookmadbarlow's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The second book in the Cat Kinsella series and I enjoyed this way more than the first book, so I'm very glad I finally picked this one up.
Cat is investigating a girls murder, when someone pops up in the investigation that she has seen before, but is he the murderer? 
This follows on nicely from book one, the main characters are already in place and it was much more fast paced than book 1. 
It makes a nice change to have a female police person as the lead, especially one with a slightly dodgy background.
I was kept guessing until the end and I had no clue as everyone felt like they could have done it.

cassiecat's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

4.5⭐️

DC Cat Kinsella #2

I had the audiobook narrated by Jane Collingwood who does a great job with good distinct voices for the characters. I think the narrator adds to the experience for me. 

A young visiting Australian woman Naomi Petrovic turns up dead after a party thrown by her boss. The investigation points to Joesph Madden, he insists that he is innocent, his wife Rosa doesn’t back up his alibi. Who is lying and why? 

I love the chatty writing style, it gives a more modern twist with a less formal and less stuffy approach to police procedurals. It  makes this stand out from the crowd. Don’t get me wrong it still has a full on procedural feel. 

 It has a good plot complexity and a great pace. 

I love Cat’s relationship with her mentor and partner DS Parnell and DI Steele ( whose name is very fitting) it feels like a little ‘gang’ Cat is very likeable. 

I find that in general most police procedurals don’t hold my interest as they used to, I find them too samey, so I need something different to grab my attention. This series fits the bill for me. 

It’s one I’d highly recommend. 

mojostdennis's review

4.0

Not as good as the first one.

ambranner's review

4.0

Great murder mystery book. Took turns I didn’t see coming. Felt like the ending was rushed but overall a really good book.

rebbiest's review

3.0

In my opinion, this followup to Sweet Little Lies wasn't nearly as gripping or believable. Maybe it wasn't the right time for me to enjoy it or maybe the end was a let down, but I could take or leave this as a procedural. I still play to read the third in the series, and hope to change my mind!

mytobereadstash's review

4.0

Excellent writing. Solid book.

alicewonders's review against another edition

3.0

I'm super annoyed she's a crooked cop but I'm in this story now.

timbr's review

5.0

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre for an advance copy of Stone Cold Heart, this was an advance release and requires some editing and refinement but it didn't detract from the story in any way unlike some published works by other authors. Stone Cold Heart is an excellent second novel from Caz Frear, it is the first book I have read and enjoyed it so much I have now purchased her first novel in the Cat Kinsella series. a great story that moves at a relaxed pace without stagnating. I could not put this down once I had gotten into the story. it would have helped to have read stone cold lies first however but I wouldn't say it was required. the characters were realistic as was the plot with plenty of twists and turns. a strong 4.5

mbjrose99's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

4.0

tawny73's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Loved this book, it's clever and very well written. It's dark but there is wry humor that lightens it up.