The serenity of Bowers Inlet, New Jersey, has ended with the discovery of a woman's body. The scene of the crime is a mirror image to the same crimes that shocked this sleepy town 26 years ago. At that time, the killer was known as the Bayside Strangler. Is this a copy-cat or has the original killer returned?

Cassie Burke was just a child during the earlier killings, but she is now a police detective working on the case. Chief of Police Craig Denver remembers the killings and is the recipient of the written messages left by the current killer. After more bodies are found, Denver calls the FBI and Agent Rick Cisco arrives. The attacks get personal after Cassie's cousin is almost killed. Not only does her cousin resemble the other victims, but the attacker kept repeating a particular name over and over again.

With the killings escalating and the safety of the community in jeopardy, Denver follows up on a tip from the daughter of a murdered true-crime author. Regan Landry discovers messages in her father's research files that eerily match the messages left for Chief Denver. She also discovers lists that lead to the discovery of more unsolved deaths. Are the messages written by the same person? Are the other numerous unsolved deaths connected to the Bayside Strangler? Chief Denver and Detective Burke may discover that the crimes are shockingly personal and close to home.

COLD TRUTH is the first in a new suspense series from Stewart. The descriptions throughout this story are so rich in detail, I was immersed in the tense small town setting. I'm looking forward to the next installments -- HARD TRUTH (9/27/05), DARK TRUTH (10/25/05) and FINAL TRUTH (hardcover 6/6/06) -- with great anticipation.