Cover Image: Cold Conviction

Cold Conviction

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This is the third book in this series and it is one of the only Suspense series that I will read. It is thrilling but doesn't go to dark like other suspense series. This book revisits the murders of Aspen's parents and a lot of new information comes to light. The books have been mostly set in Tahoe but this book travels to the San Francisco area. It had a great story and lots of wow moments but the ending left me wanting more. A great series and I would recommend this book but you have to read the first two books first.

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Once again I completely lost myself if the wonderful suspenseful mystery. The characters are complex and intriguing. The storyline is well-developed and and fast paced. I look forward to more in this series.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

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I didn't realize when I started reading this book, that it was the third in a series. Once I figured it out, I was not deterred. The characters & the plot were both believable. I was hooked from the first page. Gerber has gained a new reader!!

When her parents were murdered fourteen years ago, Aspen Adams coped as best she could as a college freshman and numbly moved on when the case was never solved. Living since then with almost daily reminders of how the tragedy shaped the lives of her and her sister, she’s always known that someday she would launch an investigation of her own. And now, with her sister in crisis, she draws on all her experience as a private investigator to untangle a case that left the police baffled and her family in ruins.

Interviewing the detectives who worked the case, scouring endless pages of their notes, and even tracking down the original suspects, Aspen discovers aspects of the crime and her parents’ lives she never knew about—and ignites a menacing series of events that threaten to engulf everyone near her. Certain she’s on the trail of the killer and unwilling to be deterred, Aspen faces down her own fears about what she’ll find in her search for answers—and justice—before a killer who scarred her life can resurface to wreak havoc on her family once again . . .

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A fourteen-year double murder, which had baffled law enforcement officers and left two sisters in limbo. Now, it all began to unravel, and the puzzle pieces fit in place with near-fatal circumstances. A delightful, thrilling, and captivating story that had me hooked from page one, the storyline was excellent, and the characters were great, together they made an exciting and intriguing package.

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This is the third book in the Aspen Adams series, but I hadn’t read the others and still was completely sucked into this one. The writing was excellent full of realistic characters and suspects and a great mystery. Aspen’s parents were murdered years before and her sister Rosie calls her to ask her to look into the cold case as Rosie says the guilt is why she’s never been able to stop using. Aspen visits her home town and dives into the case even though it is obviously emotionally difficult. Early into her investigation she gets warned away which only makes her more invested. I really enjoyed this case of characters and will definitely be reading the previous two books and I hope future volumes. Aspen is a great protagonist and an excellent private detective.

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Protagonist Aspen Adams is back in the third installment of the Aspen Adams Novel of Suspense Series by award winning writer, Daryl Wood Gerber. In Cold Conviction, Aspen Adams, a private detective working in Lake Tahoe, travels back to her childhood home to try to solve the murder of her parents that happened fourteen years prior and has gone cold. Unfortunately, Aspen’s sister, Rosie, who is a drug addict, is having guilt problems from the past, and begs her sister to solve the murder. Aspen digs up the old case files and interviews past suspects, putting herself in some danger. Several people from her past, including her Mother’s best friend, Tammie, are there to help, and as Aspen uncovers clues that weren’t available earlier, she puts herself in more danger.

Gerber is an excellent storyteller, and has written several different series including cozies as well as some more traditional suspense novels. She has the ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats with unexpected scenarios. Gerber also does a good job of developing her characters. The main characters, like Aspen, Aunt Max- owner of the detective agency, Nick - Aspen’s boyfriend, Candace - Aspen’s niece who lives with her because her mother is a mess, and Rosie - Aspen’s sister are quite believable characters. Aspen is a bit pushy, but that apparently makes her a good private detective. Candace is an entitled teenager, and anyone with teenagers will relate.

While the books in these series aren’t exactly cozies, they aren’t heavy-duty suspense novels, either. There is no sex, foul language, or graphic violence, but the stories are good, and there are solid plots. All told, this is a series that can be read by all ages, and will be enjoyed by anyone who likes a good suspense novel.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

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Princess Fuzzypants here: 14 years ago Aspen’s parents were murdered in their own dining room. The case ended up cold and now that she is settled in Lake Tahoe working as a private investigator, her druggie sister, Rosie, begs her to find the killer. Aspen already has custody of her child. Rosie feels guilt ridden about the murder and Aspen cannot dislodge the thought that perhaps Rosie, with her coterie of questionable friends, might feel that way with good reason.

She meets up with the detectives that worked the case and even goes over the notes with the dying retired detective who headed the investigation. She contacts the various suspects and digs deeper into the circumstances. She is convinced the killer was not some random thief caught unexpectedly. Some of the people involved with her parents convince her they are innocent. Others act suspiciously and when one of her old neighbours gets too close to the answers, he too is murdered. Then another contact is attacked and Aspen is forced to realize there were a lot of things she may have gotten wrong. When the real murderer is revealed she is shocked and dismayed. While I had the accessory to the crime pegged as the killer, the actual killer was a surprise.

I like Aspen. She is an intelligent, capable lady who does not go looking for trouble, even those she is trained to deal with it. She is a kind and generous lady whose life has been turned upside down by her parents and her sister. She leads a cast of compelling characters as the author weaves a complex tale of betrayal. It was a page turner.

Five purrs and two paws cup.

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Cold Conviction is the 3rd in the Aspen Adams Novel of Suspense Books by Daryl Wood Gerber. Aspen Adams is coming into her own as a private investigator when her sister Rosie calls her frantically begging her look into the cold case of their parents’ murders. Aspen was a college freshman at the time of the murders fourteen years before. Would she have even a hope of uncovering viable clues after so many years? But her sister’s desperation compels her to make a trip to their hometown and begin an investigation.

This mystery was taut with suspense! I found myself holding my breath as I turned the pages. The characters and the storyline were complex and so mesmerizing that I stayed up way too late to finish this book. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.

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Cold Conviction is book 3 in Daryl Wood Gerber's mystery series featuring Aspen Adams. I've read and loved several of the author's cozy mystery books, but this was a more suspenseful and darker novel than the tales from her other series'. I enjoyed this book and all the great components of her writing style were there, though this particular series is not a cozy.

In Cold Conviction Aspen Adams is a private detective who takes on a cold case involving her parents at the request of her sister, Rosie. As a mystery it's strong and is well poised between possessing some heavyish elements but without any violence. I like Aspen as a character as she fights for what she believes in, and doesn't keep the results of her own sleuthing to herself. With some tension and tidbits of romance there is something for everyone in this super story. Daryl Wood Gerber has great talent and I will be reading more from this series (I've yet to read the first two) as well as others in her cozies.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

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Aspen's family history keeps haunting her. In Cold Conviction, the third Aspen Adams novel by Daryl Wood Gerber, Aspen is determined to solve the cold case of her parents' murder. As she reviews the case, she finds out more about her parents' lives than she ever thought she would know.

This is another great novel by Daryl. She is continuing this series in the style of classic detective novels. The plot stays nice and tight throughout, and there are plenty of twists and turns.

Her characters continue to evolve. Aspen and her niece Candace continue to grow in their relationship. Her sister, Rosie, and her addiction problems add to the plot. Aspen's work with her Aunt Max at the detective agency makes Aspen's resolution possible.

If you have been missing classic detective novels, this is a great place to look. It has everything you need for a cozy detective read. Enjoy!

I received a copy of this book from the author, but all opinions are my own.

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Daryl Wood Gerber knows suspense, and knows how to keep a reader on the edge of their seat. Cold Conviction, her 3rd Aspen Adams novel, takes the reader on a thrilling journey as private investigator Aspen embarks on her most personal investigation yet as she delves into the past while seeking to discover who brutally killed her parents 14 years ago. An absolute page turner, I simply could not put it down. A+++

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Cold Conviction is a very well written romantic suspense. Fast paced plot and well crafted characters. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

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Cold Conviction by Daryl Wood Gerber is the 3rd book in an Aspen Adams Novel of suspense series, and another great addition. Aspen Adams lives in Lake Tahoe, working for her aunt Max as a private investigator. Aspen's parents were murdered fourteen years ago, and Aspen's sister begs her to solve the murders. This book just kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I have always enjoyed Ms. Gerber's books, and this book does not disappoint. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. This is not a cozy mystery series, but to me it was a nice change. Can't wait for the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy mysteries.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Aspen Addams book #3
Private Investigator Aspen Adams is takingon a case that is going to pull a lot of her.
Her sister who has many problems of her own asked Aspen to look into their parents death. Sometimes what you remember and what actually was are different things.
She leaves her niece who she's raising with her great aunt, and heads off to see what she can discover.
I always enjoy when there is a family secret to discover.
The killer surprised me.

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Great read by a new author for me. The plot is well written and enticing to the reader. The author writes in a way that makes the reader feel like part of The story.

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Aspen Adams is going back home. Her sister, Rosie, feels serious guilt over the deaths of their parents. She has asked Aspen to use her investigative skills to find out what happened. So Aspen goes back to the Bay Area to unearth the cold case and a whole lot of memories, and in doing so, she stirs up someone - someone who doesn't want her to figure out what happened.

This was the first of Daryl Wood Gerber's Aspen Adams books that I've read. It's different from her cozies, but oh, so good. I got enough of Aspen's backstory that I didn't feel lost, but I'd like to read the earlier books now to get the whole picture. The story moved quickly and held my interest, and the characters were believable. And while this isn't a cozy mystery, it also isn't what I'd call a gritty crime thriller. It's a well-written, engaging mystery with a fair bit of suspense, and I enjoyed the heck out of it. Must read all the Aspen Adams books, and I hope Ms. Gerber has a lot of these books left to write!

Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an advance copy.

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Fourteen years ago, Aspen and Rosie's parents were murdered in a home robbery. Rosie, still struggling with addiction, wakes Aspen up shocking Aspen with a few secrets that she kept to herself. Along with the secrets, Rosie begs Aspen, who is now a PI. Rosie hopes that if the case is solved, she will find closure, get rehabilitated and get custody of her daughter, Candace, who lives with Aspen.

Aspen, along with her boyfriend, Nick Shaper, take off to Aspen's old stomping grounds. Aspen decides to start re-questioning all the suspects in the case. They visit the retired detective, who's running streak of solving cases ended with the Adams murders. Evers lets Aspen take photos of all his notes.

Just as they start to investigate, Nick is called back due to an emergency, leaving Aspen to handle things. Aspen discovers some suspects are easy to deal with, but others not only do not want to speak with her, they want her to leave. The more Aspen searches, the more things start to happen with those she comes in contact with. Someone is deliberately trying to sabotage Aspen pulling up the past.

While Aspen tries to interview suspects, she will have to ward off an ex-husband, who seems to forget that they are divorced.

I enjoyed this book, and it kept me guessing. I had no clue who was guilty, and was surprised in the end.

I received an ARC from NetGalley via Beyond The Page, and I have voluntarily reviewed this book. I, also, purchased a copy for my own library.

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Daryl Wood Gerber always delivers engrossing and entertaining stories. This one was no exception.
Great character development, interesting setting and a solid mystery, full of twists and turns, that kept me guessing.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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Cold Conviction is a great addition to the Aspen Adams series. I enjoyed the mystery and look forward to the next book in this series!

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I was drawn to Cold Conviction because I am a fan of Daryl Wood Gerber books. I have read several of her books. I also was drawn to Cold Conviction because of its ominous-looking cover.

I have read the first two books in this series, and I am a huge fan of the Candace character. The author is skilled at creating believable characters, exciting storylines, and incredible settings that have the reader right in the middle of each scene. The Aspen Adams series is highly engaging and always keeps my interest. The storylines are true to life and suspenseful. I highly recommend this book and this series.

#ColdConviction #NetGalley

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