Buried bones of the past rise to the surface in this chilling mystery from the bestselling author of River Bodies.When the long-buried bones of a man turn up in the middle of December, Pennsylvania homicide detective Parker Reed knows he’s in for a cold case.Trisha and her friends were teenagers when Trisha’s stepdad went missing. Now, thirty years later, his remains have been found in the … remains have been found in the mountains. The women have always known there was more to his disappearance than meets the eye, and they must confront their grim past. Secrets can stay secret a long time in the lonely Appalachian foothills—but not forever.
When Parker and his partner identify the remains, their investigation leads them to Trisha’s childhood home. But the deeper Parker digs into the crime, the more he realizes that the truth isn’t always simple. In fact, it’s so complicated that even Trisha and her friends don’t fully understand what really happened in those cold woods.
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Cold Woods is the second book in the Northampton series by Karen Katchur. I read the first book last year because it took place not too far away from where I’d gone to college years ago. When I stumbled upon the second book in the series on NetGalley last week, I immediately requested the book as I’d really enjoyed the first one. While the two book are part of a series, you can easily read them separately, but as I always recommend, read them in order to have the best possible experience.
The weather is often not a friend to crime. Sometimes it distorts the time of death or covers a body for decades, but at others, it can be helpful for preservation of clues. Katchur latches on to this theory and shares an explosive suspenseful thriller about a ~30-year-old murder. Everyone assumed the victim had just run off, but the truth was hidden in the deep snowy woods… along with two key clues and a myriad of problems. Three women each with a daughter. Their husbands or fathers left years ago for various reasons. The women helped each other, but their daughters weren’t sure what to do. One escaped. Two stayed. Of those two, one accepted her fate, and the other fought it. Fast-forward to the present when one of the mothers has passed away. Then the dead body is discovered in the woods. Who is he? Who killed him? What secrets are these six women hiding?
The connection between the books is Detective Parker. In the first book, he fell for a witness and compromised the case. Now, they’re together, but something isn’t working out properly. He’s afraid of screwing up again. His new partner doesn’t want to let it happen, but she’s got her own baggage. As they investigate the case and learn to trust one another, history might repeat itself somewhere along the way… and it’s usually not a good thing. Wow! What a roller coaster ride where I truly couldn’t decide which of the six women killed the victim. Even though one has recently died, the story is told in two different time frames, so we have a stronger picture of what happened ‘back then.’
All I can say is my gender is full of creeps! I know stuff like this happens in reality, and often it’s so fictionalized we don’t quite know truth from lie, but honestly… why are men often drunken idiots? I’m a happy drunk. Not that occurs frequently, but still! I felt for the women in this story. A single man had an effect on so many lives, any one of them could’ve been the culprit and I would believe it. Ultimately, the truth comes out, but not necessarily to the right people. I love those kinds of dramas — when someone confesses to protect someone else, and it may or may not be true. When we finally get the full story, it was highly satisfying… kudos to Katchur for delivering a palpable sequel that kept me guessing the entire time I read the book.
There better be a third installment. I’m not hugely fond of the detectives, but the author’s writing style, connections between characters, minute focus on details, witty yet troubling dialog, and innate understanding of why people do the things they do… all coagulate as a riveting story I couldn’t put down. I read it in three hours without taking any breaks longer than a few minutes to refill a water glass or nod when someone asked me a question in my house. “Leave me alone, I’m reading a good book,” I once countered. When that happens, you know it’s solid writing and story development. When’s the next one?
Cold Woods is a multi-point of view story that follows two time periods. Chapters switch back and forth between a several year period in the 1980s beginning when three friends and neighbors are ten years old, and 30 years later when a buried body is unearthed. Physical and sexual abuse are major factors in the novel though most occurs off page. The novel focuses heavily on the effects of abuse, even years later, and the author does a good job demonstrating this and how the effects of trauma can manifest in various way. At times it’s an extremely difficult story to read but that’s the point. I recommend Cold Woods particularly for those who enjoy character-driven mysteries and psychological thrillers.
Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC! The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #ColdWoods #mystery
I read Book 1 in this series recently (RIVER BODIES) and could not wait to start Book 2. I was keeping fingers crossed this one would be as good as the first. I was not disappointed.
Starting at the beginning, voices are speaking to each other. They seem anxious and afraid as they try shoveling a hole in the winter ice in the woods. Pushing the body into the hole, they cover it up and go home.
When the long buried bones turn up, Detective Parker Reed is called to investigate. Thirty years ago a man went missing … he’s now been found.
Secrets can stay secret a long time in the Appalachian foothills …..
Although second in this 2-book series, it is easily read as a stand alone. although I highly recommend starting at the beginning. Alternating chapters jump back and forth when a few characters were teenagers to the very present, as people in their 40s. The characters are finely drawn and they all have issues that they are dealing with. One deals with alcohol, one with food, one uses avoidance. The suspense starts on Page 1 and doesn’t let up until the final chapter.
For those who are sensitive, the story deals with domestic and sexual abuse. The subjects are handled delicately, almost no graphic descriptions in the telling.
Many thanks to the author / Thomas Mercer / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
July 16, 2020
Did Not see That!
Excellent exploration of some common problems. Done with respect and care with realistic characters that you can care about. Loved it!
Karen Katchur takes you on another dark, engrossing ride with COLD WOODS, the excellent follow-up to her bestseller RIVER BODIES. Friendships and loyalties are tested to the extreme, and this chilling tale had me frantically turning the pages to discover who would make it out alive.
This book is definitely one of the best I have read. Though it’s a very touchy subject matter. Full of heartbreaking violence(between the lines so to speak) and family who are in a way hiding horrendous things behind closed doors. This book touches on alcoholism, domestic abuse, child molestation, and in my opinion pure evil. It shows what happens when a person has had enough. When you think you are going to die, actually know beyond a doubt that you will die if you don’t do something. This book can trigger things so be warned, but it’s also a fantastic story of how things played out. Filled with such a great ending. I figured out part of the, who did what, but not all by any means. I actually just had an idea of who may or may not have killed Lester.
Trisha comes home after being gone thirty years. One of her best friends mother had died and she wanted to reconnect and help her friend, Dannie. She was also running from her very sick and abusive husband. She was use to the best of things but she also had a bad problem with drinking. It helped to ease the pain she was in and from what I read it seems her husband may have helped to turn her into an alcoholic. He’s a very bad man and Trisha wants nothing more than to get away from him. She’s never told him about where she lived with her mother so she felt she was safe. Trisha and her mother didn’t have the best relationship either. Her mother did quite a bit of drinking also and had always been working when Trisha was young and needed her most. She was alone with her stepdad, Lester. Lester was a full on alcoholic who loved putting his sorry hands on young girls. Trisha felt it was all her fault. That she deserved what happened to her. This is unfortunately the way victims do feel. Lester had called her a tease and other things and she was afraid to tell anyone, even her best friends.
Trisha, Dannie and Carlyn met the day Trisha’s family moved to Bangor, Pennsylvania. On second street in a side by side house. They had left Chicago for this new start. The three girls because best friends right off and it seemed they would do anything for each other. They had a bond and were as different as any three could be. But they were there for each other up until each went their own way after high school.
A whole lot happens in this book. A lot of it very ugly yet told in a way that made the story what it was. When the story starts a body has been found and eventually identified as Lester. There are two main cops in this story who keep on the case until the very end when someone finally admits to the crime and tells why. Believe me they had every reason to do it.
Things had changed so much between the three friends that when Trisha came back it seemed they would never be friends again. But they are there for each other despite the distance and time. Dannie and Carlyn never left the town other than Carlyn going to college. Trisha of course had run fast and far to escape everything. Even though there were problems the three girls, grown women not, stand together. Dannie’s mother had died and they helped her, along with their mothers, clean out the house. They eventually seem to get over the hurt and resentment that started way back in the mid eighties. Their mother’s had become the best of friends also over the years. Sharon, Trisha’s mother and Linda, Carlyn’s mother were still very upset over losing their friend Evelyn, Dannie’s mother. Each of them had been left single mothers who would do anything for their girls.
This book is one that will definitely make you do some serious crying. It also has a couple of funny parts but not many and they are small. I cringed in so many places. From the young Trisha’s abuse at the hands of her stepdad to the awful horrible cruel treatment at the hands of her husband. The only one who truly loved Trisha was Scott, her high school sweetheart. But that ended also when she left town. She just didn’t feel she was good enough for him. He was a very kind and good boy who grew up to be a policeman and a great dad.
This book had some great characters in it. I didn’t read the first book, River Bodies, but will now. This is a stand-alone but from what I read it would be great to read the first one to get to know Detective Parker Reed more. To find out exactly what happened that made him the way he was. He’s a good cop and a very good human being. He seems to honestly care about what happens to Trisha and her mother. Even to her friends. He tries hard to get Trisha to not go back with her husband. Will he succeed with that. There is no romantic feelings between these too, Parker and Trish. He just knows that in domestic violence cases things don’t always end well. He wants to help. He’s fighting demons of his own yet always seems to reach out and help others. To me he is an all around good man who started liking a character in the first book.
Even with all the hurt and heartache in this story it’s well worth the read. The thriller/mystery of this book will keep you turning pages until the very surprising arrest and ending. The who and what will surprise you. It did me mostly. One I did think of but was not sure. It was so well written and had me hooked from the very first page. It’s told from different time periods and settings or from what is happening at the time. You will want to know who did what and what is going to happen to Trisha.
I am very glad I read this book. It is one that in many ways haunted me and will for a while. I cried so hard in places. If you have ever had an alcoholic stepdad who loved to touch you it may trigger those feelings. I personally was able to cry and work my way through it. I rooted for Trisha and actually all the characters who were touched by the things Lester did to prevail.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #Tomas&Mercer for the ARC of this book in exchange for my complete and honest review.
I give this one 5 stars. I also recommend it to anyone that loves a good mystery/thriller.
Returning home and being told by your mother that you shouldn’t have come back is where we meet Trisha.
Trisha came back after 30 years because they found the bones of Lester, her step father, and bones that she and her neighbors and friends had something to do with.
Lester was not a good man, and Trisha still hated him to this day. All he did was cause trouble for her.
We go back and forth as Trisha’s life as a child and as an adult is described. Her childhood wasn’t a pleasant one and neither was her life as an adult.
The main focus is the investigation of the murder of Lester both past and present. As the investigation moves ahead, the tension increases and secrets are revealed.
COLD WOODS addresses some social issues and life styles that affect the behavior of the characters as well as upsetting, abusive situations.
Readers who enjoy a mystery whose killer you think is known from the start and those who enjoy getting to see the investigation unravel, will want to take a look at COLD WOODS.
You will be guessing and most likely guessing incorrectly until the end…the ending has a great twist and surprise. 4/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first foray with Karen Katchur and I have to say I really, really enjoyed this book. Of course, I have no triggers, but if you do, please think twice about this book.
I didn’t know that this is the second book in the Northamton County series, but I don’t think you have to read the first book before reading this one.
The characters (even the evil ones) are well developed, there is evil, good, frienships that last a life time, coverups, murder, drinking, and an ending that I did not see coming.
If you like dark subjects, than this is the book for you. I am looking forward to more from Karen!
#NetGalley #ColdWoods #KarenKatchur #DarkMatter
Cold Woods is the first Karen Katchur novel I’ve read and now that I found out this is the second in a series, I’m planning to read the first. Don’t let that bother you though, this book was completely standalone. I had no idea it was part of a series.
The story was told in alternating timelines – current and past. It was done very well so that everything flowed smoothly and it held my interest throughout. The idea of someone finding a dead body from 30 years ago will probably always pull me in and Cold Woods really did a great job of that.
The story of Lester and how he came to be found dead was interesting, but what I found the most fascinating was the relationships between the three teens and how they changed over the years. The mothers relationships were also interesting, but there was much less about that.
The author does a great job keeping the storyline moving. It was well done, easy enough to figure out (I mean someone killed him, right?) but not so easy at all! I changed my mind a few times as to whodunit, but never was I right. This is a tightly woven, twisty tale that made me feel so much for all of the characters – whether it was empathy, fear for their circumstances, understanding or what – there was something that touched me about every single character, which is very hard to do. Karen Katchur did a wonderful job both in describing the settings, building the characters and giving snapshots of the times as they were “back then”. Well done!
Pick this up if you like mysteries or crime novels. I think you’ll be glad you did. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this great novel at my request. All thoughts in this review are my own and gratefully given.
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Cold Woods” by Karen Katchur, Thomas & Mercer, August 2019
WOW! Karen Katchur, Author of “Cold Woods” has written an amazing, intense, captivating, riveting, page-turning, intriguing and edgy novel. The Genres for this novel are Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, and Fiction. There are two timelines in this story that do connect, and anything that goes back to the past concerns the events or characters in this story. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex, complicated, flawed, each with their own set of problems.
This is the second book in a series, but definitely can be a stand-alone. Detective Parker Reed becomes involved in a cold case when the bones of a man, who disappeared many years ago surface. Local residents Trisha and her friends were just teenagers thirty years before when Trisha’s step-father disappeared. Trisha has led an abused life and has just returned to her home, to escape an abusive husband.
As Parker and his partner look into Trisha’s home, her mother, and her friends’ lives things appear to be more complicated. Trisha’s step-father was a miserable man, and many people had reason to kill him. The only problem is that even the suspects don’t know what truly happened. There are twists and turns. Anyone could be a suspect.
This is such an intense and edgy adventure, and I highly recommend that you read this!
A dark, thrilling police procedural with a splash of domestic suspense, Cold Woods is chilling, eerie, and ferociously smart. I highly recommend Cold Woods for those lazy end-of-summer days; or, even better, those crisp autumn nights curled up in front of a fire.
Detective Parker Reed has been assigned desk duty the last couple of months after getting into trouble with his lieutenant. He neglected to inform him that he had a relationship with a woman involved in his last case. Finally he is called back into the field along with his new partner Geena Brassard. It’s a cold case – a skull was discovered in a wooded area – but at least he’s not still stuck at his desk. The rest of the bones are dug up by the forensics team along with some other items that may be related to the crime. The remains are identified as a man reported missing thirty years ago. Parker Reed is determined to solve this cold case.
Cold Woods by Karen Katchur is the second book in her Northampton County series. The storyline is well-developed and the characters are well-defined. I found I really liked the good characters and really disliked the bad ones. The process of investigating and solving the murder was quite intertesting and intriguing.
I received the ARC of Cold Woods from NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review.
This was the first book I have read from this author, I found it to be very well written. The storyline is told in several different timeframes, and different points of view. The book could trigger some because it does contain abuse in various forms. I thought I have it figured out, but was surprised by the actual killer. This was a chilling storyline, and I would certainly recommend it to those that enjoy suspense/thrillers.
This book took off like a rocket and had me turning the pages quick! I read it in a day! Wow! I thought I had the book figured out within the first fifty pages but the ending surprised me! I thought it was really good! I need to read the first one in the series and look forward to the next! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy
I love everything that Karen Katchur writes! And absolutely love this one, her best to date! She is the Queen of suspense. This story grab my heart and squeezed so highly with suspense and unbelievable twist that I did not see coming! I thought I had it all figured until the very end!
Wow! This one keeps you guessing until the absolute end! You think you know what happened and then you don’t. It is done seamlessly! A new to me author, I look forward to reading more of Karen’s books.
I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book from the author on Facebook. All I can say is, WOW ! This book is excellent. From the first page you are hooked. Is Trisha a killer ? Are all her bad choices in life based on truth or a lie ? There are always consequences to one’s actions. A body is found in the woods, but who killed him So many people to choose from….. Trisha, her mother, her best friends. I can honestly say you will never see it coming. Such an epic twist to the story ! And then yet another ! This book has it all and you will be glad you read it ! I am looking forward to reading more books by this author. #buythebook
Karen Katchur did what view authors are able to do, stump me on the ending of a book! What a journey of twists and turns into unexpected places and emotional ups and downs! Take a walk and a run with three best friends into the past and to the present that was absolutely shaped by their choices when they were younger. A great read! A could not put it down thriller!