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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Edna Buchanan's COLD CASE SQUAD.
Miami52@aol.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
I have read all of Ms. Buchanan's prior books and enjoy her style of writing, character and storylines immensly.
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
I am an avid reader and some of my favorite authors are Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler, Tony Hillerman, John Grisham, John Sandford, Dan Brown, W.E.B. Griffin, Stephen Coonts, Nelson DeMille, Tim LeHayne/Jerry Jenkins, Lee Child, Michael Connelly and Douglas Preston.
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
I enjoyed COLD CASE SQUAD but not as much as I enjoyed Ms. Buchanan's Britt Montero series. The storyline in COLD CASE SQUAD was exciting and the characters were great. It was an enjoyable read, especially for a Miami resident who will recognize the background and settings in the story.
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
I will definitely read Ms. Buchanan's future works and hope she continues the Brit Montero series as well as this series..
jprechtl@staktek.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
No.
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Phillip Margolin.
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
I really enjoyed it. I am not typically a fan of "police" or "legal" novels, but this one had a wonderful variety of characters --- including the Cold Case Squad members who were not all stereotypical clones of Sam Spade, as well as the Terrels, Connie Burch and her daughter, Natasha, Nelson the landscaper and, of course, the main villain who killed to atone for his shortcoming as a first-born son.
The only part of the book I had a problem with was the unnatural ability of Nazario to detect a liar. Maybe it's my innate pessimism, but if I were writing the story, I think I would emphasize it more as an "uncanny knack for rather consistently detecting when someone is telling the truth" rather than it's being accepted as inviolable fact whenever he uses it.
[Nelson's] activity [at the diner] --- pacing, raising his hands and fists, cursing at the police surrounding him --- was truly realistic to envision, and I think her explanation of his thoughts at the time was probably as realistic. Ms. Buchanan has a knack with accurately getting inside the character's head.
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
But definitely.
SCYEN@aol.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
Yes, I believe I've read most of her books. I find her quite interesting and her books are a "good read."
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
I read James Patterson, Iris Johanson, Tami Hoag, Patricia Cornwell, John Grisham, most of the suspense novelists.
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
I really enjoyed the book and the presentation of the characters. I enjoyed the storyline and development of the guilty party.
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
Yes, I would continue to read her books..
CJANIE@peoplepc.com
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
Loved my first ever Buchanan book. Couldn't put it down. I finished it in one night I was so engrossed in the story. The "Squad" has joined my list of "have-to-read" main characters along with Jack Ryan, Dirk Pitt, Doc Ford, Lucas Davenport, Alex Delaware, Harry Bosch, Matt Payne and Lou Boldt. Hoped the Squad has 1000 more cases to solve. One per week would be good. What a GREAT series this will make, hopefully one that lasts as long as Ed McBain's.
dandolino@sc.rr.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
Yes and I have loved her other books. I was glad to see that she had a new one! And thanks for sending this one.
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
I think of her books more as police procedurals --- of those I read Peter Robinson, Ian Rankin. Will remember a lot more as soon as I send this email. I'm really not certain who would fit into the category you ask about. I'm a voracious reader (5 - 10 books a week) so there might be a lot of authors I read that you would consider thrillers/suspense.
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
When is the next one? Soon I hope.
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
I'll read anything she writes!
dixmil@yahoo.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
I read so much that I can't be sure if I have read her works before or not.
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
Harlan Coben, Mary Higgins Clark, James Patterson, etc.
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
I enjoyed reading it. It's a quick read, would be great for the beach.... sometimes I got a little confused on characters....
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
Maybe.
HCKawaters@aol.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
No, I have not read anything by Edna Buchanan before now.
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
David Baldacci (Paperbacks only. Have read all)
Dan Brown (Hardcover and paperbacks. Have read all)
Nelson DeMille (Have read all)
Ken Follett (Hardcover and paperbacks. Have read all)
John Grisham (Hardcover only. Have read all)
Tony Hillerman (Hardcover only. Have read all
Jonathan Kellerman (Paperback only. Have read all)
John Le Carre (Paperback only. Have read all)
Robert Ludlum (Hardcover only. Have read all)
James Patterson Paperback only. Have read all)
Scott Turow (Hardcover only. Have read all)
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
Edna Buchanan's COLD CASE SQUAD is a very enjoyable read. It is an ideal summer day at the beach read. The use of two aged homicides to tell the story was very well done. The squad is made up of a Lieutenant, Sergeant and two detectives. Their relationship with each other could have been flushed out more. I must confess that I have not had the pleasure of reading her earlier works, thus, maybe the relationship was pre-established. I would have like more background on the detective from Cuba, the inter play between the detective and his grandmother, and how the squad interacts. In fact there were many places that I would have liked more information. The book easily could be triple the length and still be a good read. Having said that I do intent to read more of Buchanan's work. If a sign of a good book is to leave you wanting more Buchanan did that.
The feel of Miami was captured to a tee. The description of the ocean and the inner city was very well done. Being a non-Miamian the description gave me a real sense of the city. All in all this was an excellent read. In fact it was good enough that I gave my wife my copy to read.
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
Yes, and I will seek out her older works as well.
Kelly636@aol.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
Yes, only one book. THE ICE MAIDEN. That is what led me to this book.
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
I read Harlan Coben, Kathy Reichs, Tami Hoag, Michael Connelly, Patricia Cornwell, Jeffery Deaver, Sue Grafton and many more.
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It was like I couldn't wait to finish it, but I didn't want to finish it either. I love returning characters in books, and this book is great because it follows the course of several people. I did miss Britt Montero but that's all right, I'm sure she'll be back. The plot had so many twists and turns it was fantastic. Some books try to do this and all they do is confuse the reader. Not so here, your constantly going in different directions, but your understanding it all the way. It seems like many stories are going on and that's one of the reasons I loved it so much. Even though the three murders are solved, there's just enough loose ends with the characters to lead us looking forward to the next book so they can be tied up (I hope).
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
Definitely. But, this is what I hate about reading a book that just came out: I have to wait so long until their new book comes out. In the meantime since I've only read one of her books I'm going to go backward and read some of her old ones.
kkelly8826@yahoo.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
Yes.
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
James Hall, Randy Wayne White, James Lee Burke, Ace Atkins.
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
Just into it and do enjoy it. Read her last book and did meet Cold Case characters.
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
Sure thing.
abolin@shoemakerhoard.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
I have not read Edna Buchanan before.
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
Sue Grafton, Kathy Reichs, Nevada Barr, Ian Rankin, Carl Hiaasen, Karen Harper, Elizabeth Peters, Stephanie Barron, and John Dunning.
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
I am intrigued by the concept of police departments investigating and possibly solving old cases uses new technologies. I thought that the characters were each interesting on their own, but they never seemed to quite come together as a team. I think that such a small group that is always facing the possibility of being cut because of budget would have had more chemistry. I felt like there was to much time spent dealing with the characters personal lives as there was on the cases being solved. I don't know that there always has to be as much background given, anyone that has read many thrillers involving police know that they all seem to come with a whole lot of baggage (ex-spouses, children that don't speak to them anymore, dead partners, etc.) and are emotionally damaged (recovering from alcoholism, drugs, gun shot wounds, etc.) in some way. Personally, I would like to see a thriller that really focuses on the investigation, the science of catching the bad guy and not on a broken heart. Edna Buchanan seemed to try to go in this direction at times, but never quite went into the detail I would enjoy reading more about. That said, I thought she did a great job developing the more minor characters and that the descriptions of Miami were wonderful. I felt like the senior citizen serial killer was to easy to catch and it left me feeling like an editor had been a bit to liberal with the cutting of the story to meet the page count.
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
Yes, I will read more of Edna Buchanan.
RKCKSYST@aol.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
No.
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
Michael Connelly, Thomas H. Cook, Mary Willis Walker, Barbara Vine/Ruth Rendell, Harlan Coben, Greg Iles, Dennis Lehane, Robert Crais, Elizabeth George.
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
I have to say I wasn't crazy about this one. Though the story itself was somewhat compelling, the writing style wasn't my cup of tea. I found some of the transitions (from person to person, from situation to situation, etc.) a bit choppy and difficult to follow; I was often stopped in my reading to puzzle out what had happened and when in regard to the treatment of the storyline and those involved in it.
Again, though, I found the tale an interesting one and there were things I positively liked, such as the running gag having to do with pink underwear.
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
Probably not.
tnharris@web-ster.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
I have read most of Edna Buchanan's books.
What other suspense/thriller writers do you read?
Jonathan Nasaw, Preston Douglas, John Grisham, Carl Hiassen.
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
This book is one of the best books I have read in a long time.
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
I would absolutely read her books in the future. In fact I have just ordered the titles that I have not read
TrayMona@aol.com
Have you read Edna Buchanan before?
I have never read Edna Buchanan before COLD CASE SQUAD.
Would you read future Edna Buchanan titles?
I may or may not read another of this author's books but I will read just about anything.
What did you think of COLD CASE SQUAD?
The story kept my interest but it was like eating cotton candy, good while it lasted but with no substance. It doesn't leave any lasting effect on my mind. I like a book that I can't wait to pass on to someone else so they can see how good it is too. This book would not be that kind of book, to me. I will pass the book along to others because it wasn't a terrible book, just not terribly good either. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to read a new author though.
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