Cold Conviction by Daryl Wood Gerber is the third book in the “Aspen Adams” suspense series, coming October 27, 2020.

Agatha Award–winning author Daryl Wood Gerber returns with private investigator Aspen Adams taking on a cold case that has haunted her for years.

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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Dru’s Musing:
Well-done. This was a fast-paced drama that immediately grabbed my attention as I had to know how this was going to end. This well-written story boasted a tightly woven and solid plot, a well-defined mystery that kept me both intrigued and in suspense as our heroine sought answers in a cold case that was very personal. From the beginning the author planted suspects here and there and clues that when exposed led to more clues until that final moment came crashing down on Aspen when the truth was reveal. I liked how this tale was staged with trepidation and uncertainty, but it was dogged determination that prevail. There were a few mixed messages and occurrences that were put in place to keep me off my game which enhanced how well this story was being told and my reading pleasure. With a likable cast of characters, engaging dialogue and a setting that added to the allure of this drama, this is the best book in the series and I can’t wait to see what adventures are in store for Aspen and her friends.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.