Book Review: Cold Day in July

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Cold Day in July     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Stella Cameron
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Romance
Kensington, Sep 2002, $24.00, 336 pp.

Though his family owns a sizable part of Toussaint, Louisiana, not too many people are pleased to see Marc Gilbert return to town after a thirteen-year absence. Marc saw a picture of local singer Bonnie Blue in his hometown newspaper that he still receives. The accompanying article reports the death by accident of Bonnie. Marc believes that Bonnie is his missing older sister Amy.

Medical examiner Reb O’Brien has always had a crush on Marc that never really went anywhere especially after he graduated from Tulane as she was completing her freshman year there. Reb has no reason to conclude foul play occurred in Bonnie’s death, but Marc ties the case back to two other murders two years ago though the convicted killer resides in prison. Marc persuades Reb to help determine whether Bonnie was Amy and if someone, perhaps her married boyfriend, killed her.

COLD DAY IN JULY is a wonderful romantic suspense that provides the audience with growing intrigue that seems to grip all the residence of Toussaint, many of who fear the return of Marc as a catalyst for trouble. The story line is fast-paced yet takes the time to enable the reader to feel the ambiance and the apprehension gripping Toussaint. Marc is a strong lead protagonist though why he concluded that Bonnie is Amy seems stretched while Reb is a delightful local doctor trying to do the right thing even as she wonders what that is. Stella Cameron provides her fans with a wonderful reading day in September.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner