"A killer who streams his murders online for money knows her secret. Now she could be next."
Reviewed by Rosie B
Posted July 3, 2022
Romance Suspense
FBI Hostage Rescuer Shane Livingstone couldn’t have broken his arm at a worse time. When they lose one of their own to a sadistic killer who live-streams his kills on the dark web for money, Shane is determined to do whatever he can to end the killer’s deadly games. When his boss gets him a position as a liaison with the Bureau’s task force that’s been set up to find the killer, Shane sees it as his change to get some justice for his fallen friend.
Yael Brooks has a devastating secret she needs to keep safe. Though working for Alex Parker as a white hat hacker puts that secret at risk, she’s willing to put it on the line if it means helping save people. Working with Shane to bring down a psychopath inevitably leads to them getting closer though Yael worries about her past. But the killer knows Yael’s secret, and he’s more than willing to use it to destroy both her and Shane for good.
I very recently binged Toni Anderson’s entire Cold Justice (and spin-off) series. The plan was to read them while on a three week vacation but since there were 15 books, I figured what’s the harm in starting a little early. We all know how that goes. I ended up reading all the books within three weeks and only got half way through my vacation before I was done the last one. So when I say I have been waiting very impatiently for COLD SILENCE to be released, I mean it.
I love romantic thrillers and Anderson does an incredible job of sucking you into the pages of her books and bringing her world to life. Like most readers, I love it when characters from previous books in the series cross over into the current read, so I was ecstatic to see some past favourites, like Alex Parker and Ashley Chen, show up. The hunt for the killer is intense and I love all the possible suspects Anderson throws in readers path to muddy the water. Add in the slow burn romance between Yael and Shane and you have the makings of the perfect read. COLD SILENCE is an intensely intriguing and electrifying read that you will take you into the early hours of the night.
SUMMARY
FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Shane Livingstone is frustrated when an injury sidelines him during an operation to catch a sadistic killer. A killer who auctions off vicious ways to torture his victims and screens the events for money on the dark web. When a teammate dies during the op, Shane’s devastated and vows to track down the monster responsible—but to do so he’ll need access to specialized skills he doesn’t possess.
A bloody game of cat and mouse…
As a white-hat hacker at Alex Parker’s security firm, Yael Brooks knows how to track predators through the darkest recesses of cyberspace. She can’t say no to Shane’s request…even though she fears her own secrets may put her at risk.
With a serial killer who makes it personal…
Shane and Yael must work together as a team if they hope to stop this psychopath. As they begin to grow closer, Shane demands Yael’s complete trust, but trust is the one thing Yael is reluctant to give. As the chase intensifies and more people die, it becomes obvious that the killer knows exactly who Yael is and plans to make both her and Shane pay the ultimate price for getting in his way.
ExcerptThe parking lot was empty of people. Laura’s car was gone from the spot where she’d left it earlier. Yael was annoyed with her friend but she sent her a quick text to check she was okay.
It was about two miles to her new place and if it wasn’t for the memory of what she’d witnessed last Friday night she’d have started hiking along the dark road already. Instead, she pressed the button to call a rideshare.
The door of the bar opened and Shane Livingstone strode out. He stopped in surprise. “Something wrong with your car?”
She laughed softly. “Only the fact I don’t own one. Laura drove us here. I’m calling a rideshare.”
He tipped down his chin and frowned over his straight nose. “Don’t even think about it.” He held up his key fob with his good hand. “Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”
She shook her head. “I don’t even know you.”
“And you know the Uber driver?” he scoffed.
She hesitated. “I get rides all the time.”
He snorted. “You gonna Uber to work? You think the USMC guards are gonna let them past the barriers?”
She crossed her arms. “Firstly, I didn’t say I was working on base”—though she was—“and, secondly, I didn’t say I didn’t have transportation. I said I didn’t have a car.”
“Who the hell doesn’t have a car?” Amusement tugged at his lips and she forced herself to look away. God, he was attractive. “Look, I’m heading home and I’m happy to give you a ride. Saves me following your driver to make sure you get home safe, and it also makes me look good to the Marines who are about to walk out this door thinking I got lucky with the hottest chick in the place.”
“Hottest chick?” she sputtered, half indignation, half surprise. “Wait. Was I the only female in there?”
He grinned and shook his head. “You are a hard woman to compliment.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t lead with you look pale and I might believe you.”
“I didn’t mean you aren’t attractive.” He sounded genuinely confused.
Damn, this conversation was mortifying. She wasn’t fishing for compliments.
He hunched his shoulders as if to fight off the biting chill in the air, not surprising considering he was only wearing a t-shirt and jeans. “Look, Yael.” She jolted as he said her name. “After last week I don’t like the idea of you being in a vulnerable position when it’s avoidable. It would make me feel better if you let me give you a ride home. I promise I won’t try to suck your face.”
Embarrassment burned her cheeks once again. She hadn’t meant to suggest for a moment that he would make a pass at her. This was why she preferred computers to people. She had yet to offend a PC with a socially awkward moment.
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