Full Cold Moon

A Full Cold Moon is the fourth novel in the Cold Case Investigation series by Lissa Marie Redmond. Released 31st Jan 2020 by Severn House, it's 240 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

This is a nicely written, taut, and well plotted procedural with one foot in the American cop/FBI genre, and one firmly fixed in ScandiNoir. Although it's the fourth book in the series, it worked well enough as a standalone for me since I had no familiarity with the series beforehand. The author is adept at providing background without spoon-feeding, and I didn't feel the lack of prior engagement with the characters too keenly. I found it intriguing enough that I do intend to go seek out the prior books.

The author is adept at plotting and the technical aspects of writing compelling and realistic dialogue and characterization. This is a very readable book. The action is split between Buffalo and Iceland and is richer and more nuanced for the dual settings. The plot is also split between the current murder of an Icelandic tourist in Buffalo, and the long-ago cold case disappearance and murder of a young boy in 1978. Main character Lauren is also trying to navigate her relationship with her work colleague who suffered a job related head injury and has moved into her house (with his dog, Watson).

I like that Lauren is intelligent and well spoken as well as a bit of a badass. She has a moral compass and is mature and strong. She's loyal and driven and a good protagonist.

The action is brutal and bloody in some places and the language is also raw and rough. 'R'-rated, more or less. The book includes some more mature themes such as violence against homosexuals, drug use, etc.

This is a well written modern procedural with a satisfying (if melancholy) denouement. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Lauren Riley Now Working A High Profile Murder with International Scope

The novel opens with the heroine, Buffalo Police Detective Lauren Riley, at the scene of vicious murder of an Icelandic native. Riley has been moved to the Homicide Squad while her regular partner is still recovering at her home from injuries received in a confrontation with her former husband. The victim was visiting Buffalo because a recent DNA profile identified his biological father living in Buffalo. The victim was visiting the father who is dying and was the recipient of a double-digit million dollar settlement. His son and daughter-in-law are not happy in the prospect that their inheritance may be significantly reduced. Riley soon discovers that the victim had a male traveling companion who returned to Iceland the night of the murder. This case quickly gathers the intense attention of the DA, mayor, local FBI and the Icelandic government. The FBI assigns a young special agent, Matt Lawton. He looks like he is twenty years old and inexperienced. The novel proceeds from here.

The main storyline moves quickly as the investigation develops. My interest was quickly captured and held until the last page. I just could not stop reading. When I did, I started as soon as possible. I completed reading this novel in near record time for me. I enjoyed the two new characters. The straight-laced Lawton turned out to be quite a gem who was not ready for a winter in Buffalo or Iceland. The Icelandic liaison officer, Detective Berg Arnason, was another gem along with his wife and blunt daughter. These characters increased my enjoyment in reading this novel.

The B-storyline was rich and well integrated into the flow of the main storyline. Riley’s recovering partner, Reese, provides a sounding board for Riley’s frustrations. There are many personal level communications between Riley and Lawton and Arnason that provide more insight to the side of her personality that she makes public. The author uses much insight into her inner personality thought her through her thoughts. Lastly, the victim’s biological father reminds Riley of the father of her first cold case victim that still remains unsolved. She had promised that she would solve that crime. That unkept promise weighs heavily upon her.

There were no sex scenes at all. Violence and language issues were barely registered on my meter. These should not be an issue for the vast majority of readers. This book is fourth book in the series. This book can be the first that you read as all the references to events in the previous books are explained.

I really enjoyed reading this novel. As explained at the start of my review, the main storyline is a significant shift from the previous novels that was refreshing. It met all my requirements for the five star rating that I am giving it. I can’t wait for the next novel in this series.

I have received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Severn House with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Severn House for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Detective Lauren Riley from Buffalo, New York’s cold case squad is currently working in the homicide division. She is assigned investigate the murder of a citizen of Reykjavik, Iceland who is found dead in an alley close to his hotel. Lauren is committed to solving this murder, but is also still haunted by a cold case she has been working on for years. A possible lead on that case has to be put aside when Lauren’s bosses decide she and FBI agent Matt Lawton must go to Iceland to investigate the current homicide. Lauren tries not to take this case so personally, but the more she looks into the case, the more determined she is not to give up until it’s solved.

“A Full Cold Moon” is the fourth book in this series. I’ve not read any of the prior books in the series but have recently finished a standalone by the author that I loved. Even though I hadn’t read the first three books in this series, I had no problem following this book or connecting with Lauren. I would consider the book a procedural but it’s elevated above many I have read by the interesting, likable characters and the Icelandic setting in which much of the book takes place. I was engrossed in the story from beginning to end and enjoyed reading about both the current and the cold case.

Lauren’s personal life seems complicated, but I enjoyed learning about her and her colleague and friend Shane Reese and am interested to see what comes next for them as he continues to recover from his injuries. I like the FBI agent, too, but don’t know if he will appear in any future books. I love the ending of this book and hope the series continues. Those following this series as well as fans of Vicki Delany’s “Constable Molly Smith” series will enjoy this book. Lissa Marie Redmond is a relatively new author to me, but has become one I’ll be following in the future.

I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.