Cold Case Heat

...Sydney Hansen's quest to find the truth behind the vicious murder of her best friend, Wyatt, forty years ago. The police at the time seemed to just put it down to a 'gay' crime of passion and moved on - even though there were layers and layers to be seen, including financial malfeasance. When one of the major players in Sydney's previous life dies, and she's subsequently sent a threat, not to herself but to Wyatt's young grandchild, her first thought is thankfully to report it to the police and hopefully get the case re-opened. There, she meets Detective Gale Sterling, whom she convinces to take a look at the cold case and thus begins a deep dive into the past and how secrets, lies and crimes have begun to make themselves felt in the present.

Ms. Burns takes the reader back to the late 1970s, early 1980s when the gay club scene was flourishing, back before the AIDS epidemic, and when free love flourished, but never losing sight of the consequences especially with regard to the murder that is central to the story.

I have to admit that I got lost a couple of times in the financial twists and turns, and also had a difficult time keeping all of the dramatis personae straight in my mind, but that did not detract from my ultimate interest in the case.

Katie Walker via NetGalley

When I sit down to watch television I always search out shows on solving cold cases. There is nothing better than falling into a forty year old dead end case and see the dedication and heart that the detectives put into their efforts. Cold Case Heat is no exception. Creatively written with a wide cast of characters. Main character Sydney Hansen’s best friend was murdered forty years ago. At the time Syd was threatened to keep quiet if she suspected anyone. Living with her guilt of not contributing to the investigation, Syd brings all her information to the Cold Case squad of detectives. Relying on Syd’s memory for most of the facts, Gale the lead detective brings her deep into the investigation.

The mystery is expansively laid out with many a twist and turn...An enjoyable mystery with a slow burn, mature romance on the side.

Della Baczyk via NetGalley

A 40 year old murder cold case is reopened when Sydney Hansen receives a threat. One very similar to one she received all those years ago after finding her best friend dead. Getting help from the police is like pulling teeth, until she comes into contact with Detective Gale Sterling. Sparks are immediate between the two, both the sexual, and the confrontational kind. They butt heads many times along the way, especially as the case ramps up in ways no one is expecting.

This book did take a little bit for me to get into, mostly the beginning when the case hasn't fully gotten going. But when it does, it DOES. I love a mystery for the twists and turns and Cold Case Heat delivers. And seeing Syd and Gale dance around one another has just as many twists and turns. The entire cast, even the "bad guys" are compelling and not at all 2-D. They all have their reasons, motives, and are victims and perpetrators in equal measure.

I also loved getting the look at the LGBT history that this book gives. I grew up in the 90s, so knew people with a lot of stories about the AIDS epidemic. This book brings it to life in a way that sounds like a friend telling you a story instead of a documentary. Despite the characters being fictional, these were still very real people and it's interesting to be reminded how far we've come.

Kay Mullane via NetGalley

A complex mystery which was well written. I didn't get into the story until a few chapters in but regardless I enjoyed it. I thought the characters were great. A look forward for another book by Mary.

BONNIE KAY A via NetGalley

Though there are a lot of characters to remember being as its a cold case and happened 40 years ago the main characters of Sydney and Gale are well written and established.

Sydney's friend was murdered 40 years ago and his murder was never solved.

Gale is in the cold case section and is good at her job.

The two meet when Sydney is threatened and soon the cold case team is reopening the case from 40 years ago, but that's a lot of time to find any clues.

An enjoyable read that kept me guessing who it could have been and to see the play between Sydney and Gale was entertaining.

Sue Plant via NetGalley