Review: 'Cold Day in July' by Stella Cameron
In branching out to find authors of fictional crime/mystery with whom I have not yet become acquainted, I found "Cold Day in July" by Stella Cameron.
Cameron is not a newcomer to writing, having published her first book in 1985. Her website has the tag line, "Mysteries with heart -- sometimes beating." I couldn't have said it better myself -- "Cold Day in July" offered not only a mystery or two to be solved, but a romance between the two main characters.
The story takes place in Toussaint, Louisiana where more than the weather is hot. The small town has been set back on its heels with the recent unexplained death of a young female drifter who had only recently settled in to live there. The death may not have cause as much anxiety had there not been the murders of two local women whose murderer was safely behind bars.
The mysterious death is enough to unnerve the town folk, but their anxiety swells as the well-to-do former local boy returns as an adult with questions of his own. Said well-heeled hunk renews an acquaintance with a young woman who is now the town's only doctor. To say that sparks fly between these two people is a serious understatement.
Included in the cast of characters is the local priest who had given refuge to the recently deceased drifter -- and who was also well-acquainted with the two women who had been murdered. There's a cantankerous housekeeper, a church secretary whose admiration for the priest is evident, a scum-of-the-earth businessman and questions about the true identity of the dead drifter.
The plot is well-crafted, keeping the reader in suspense until the last moment. There are descriptions of the physical intimacies between the two main characters, but done tastefully. If you like romance with your crime-solving, Stella Cameron's books may be of interest to you.
* * * * *
Additional Reviews of Crime/Mystery/Noir
" Rose Gold " by Walter Mosley
" The Son " by Jo Nesbo
" The Analyst " by John Katzenbach
FOPP - StellaCameron - Mystery - Noir - Romance
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Comments
allen0187 wrote on July 26, 2015, 12:24 AM
This is the first time that I've read/heard about this author. Based on your review, it seems, her work is right up my interest. I'll definitely look her up.
1CoralLevang wrote on July 26, 2015, 3:01 AM
This is a book that I might enjoy, as well. I have so many to read. I don't know if I can get to them all!
1Feisty56 wrote on July 26, 2015, 10:18 AM
I've been reading this general genre since I first became hooked on Nancy Drew when I was a pre-teen. It's hard to believe how many authors I haven't tapped into. I hope you enjoy.
Feisty56 wrote on July 26, 2015, 10:19 AM
I feel the same way. My list of "Want to Reads" just keeps growing, but that's okay -- one book at a time and always new reading adventures ahead. : )
1Kasman wrote on July 26, 2015, 11:40 AM
I was never really into crime or mystery books but some of them (like this one) sound really interesting. I may read it one day.
1Feisty56 wrote on July 26, 2015, 6:20 PM
My fascination with noir is just not up your alley, is it Kasman ? I did recently review a non-fiction history book called "The Romanov Sisters." That one may hold some interest for you.
Kasman wrote on July 27, 2015, 2:28 PM
Tsar Nicolas' daughters? That one might interest me but I am mainly into science fiction especially early SF from the first half of the 20th century.
1Feisty56 wrote on July 28, 2015, 10:52 PM
Yes, about the four daughters of Tsar Nicholas. msiduri writes reviews about a variety of genres, but sci-fi is well-represented. If you're not already following her, you may want to check it out.
msiduri wrote on July 29, 2015, 6:08 PM
Thanks for the plug, Feisty56 ! Just when I was beginning to think I was writing to the wind. Actually, several people have been leaving nice comment lately.
1msiduri wrote on July 29, 2015, 6:11 PM
Nicely written. I usually don't get around to much of this type of book, but maybe in my next incarnation I'll have chance.
1Feisty56 wrote on July 30, 2015, 10:32 AM
There is so much available for reading, isn't there? There's something for everyone -- our preferences just don't happen to be the same, but it makes life a lot more interesting.
msiduri wrote on July 30, 2015, 10:43 AM
Exactly. It would be a boring world where everyone read everything all the time.
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