Info
Written By: Eric Ferguson.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a physical copy of the book for the purpose of this review, also thanks to Random Things Blog Tour for adding me to the tour.
Overview
After a young woman is found brutally murdered on an estate in remote northern California, detectives swiftly identify and arrest Andrew Rodarte, a young man passing through the area, for the crime. Returning to the arena after years away, veteran DA Sonya Brandstetter takes on the prosecution of Rodarte as a personal mission, while junior prosecutor John Patrick Howland – assisting to his own surprise – does little more than watch. But after a startling revelation at his trial raises the stakes for Rodarte, a late crisis irrevocably alters its course. And years later, Howland is called upon to revisit the killing, its agonizing aftermath, and the layered nature of truth itself.
In this gripping debut novel, ideally suited for fans of courtroom drama and subtle legal mysteries, author Eric Ferguson draws on his 19 years of experience as a criminal prosecutor to create a powerful, authentic story of justice sought and served. Reflective and moving, Cold Record vividly explores the impact of a brutal crime on all those it touches – the victim and those who mourn her, those who seek justice in her wake, and even the defendant himself, whose own elusive narrative ultimately decides his fate.
Overview taken from the official book press release.
Review
I love a good gripping drama so when the opportunity to review Cold Record came up I literally jumped at the chance, first the cover grabbed me with it's chilling vision looking down from above, so I kind of got the feeling that what I was about to read really wasn't going to be a gentle breeze more like a shuddering chill.
The story follows the investigation into the gruesome murder of a young woman, Haylee Branch detailing the rocky road to justice that shows the intensity of bringing the culprit to justice.
As the story unfolds the trial goes on and the harrowing truth comes out, those that are fans of the Law and Order TV show will be at home here as the drama is definitely there from the outset, the book reads like you were reading the case file as different accounts build up the case as we determine if Andrew Rodarte was actually capable of committing the crime.
I liked the style of writing, I thought that Eric Ferguson has a unique style that hooks you deep into the world he has created, his years of experience within the courts shines through as the writing seems very authentic.
Summary
Time now then to put my thoughts into a summary, overall I enjoyed the book I felt it was engaging from the start and the level of authenticity really added different layers to the book. I'd definitely recommend this especially to those who enjoy the Law and Order series it definitely has that flow about it.
Verdict-Out of 5 ⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
GOOD
I give Cold Record a good score of 4 ⭐ an engaging and authentic experience fully recommended for those that love their thrillers with a different pace.
Cold Record is available now from all good book shops.
Note on the author
Eric Ferguson was born in Texas, but migrated west as a preschooler and was raised in Los Angeles. The son of writers and a lifelong reader and rereader, he earned his undergraduate degree in history from California State University, Los Angeles. After several years as a journalist, freelance writer, marketing copywriter and editor, he attended Chapman University School of Law, where he served on the editorial board of the Chapman Law Review and graduated with honors in 2004.
Eric joined the district attorney's office for a major Southern California county in 2005, and spent his first five years in a colorful trial assignment on the rural fringe of the county. He then moved to his office's appellate unit in 2010, and has since focused primarily on post-conviction writs and motions, including habeas corpus, DNA and discovery litigation in murder cases. He has also represented the People at more than 50 parole-suitability hearings for inmates convicted of murder.
Eric and his wife Susanne are the parents of two adult children now living abroad. Cold Record, written over a period of more than a decade, is his first novel.
This review was part of the Random Things Blog Tour please check out the other bloggers on the tour.
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