4/15/15

TBR Challenge Review: Cold Sight by Leslie Parrish

Pub Date: July 2010
Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Format: Mass Market
Length: 345 pages
FTC: Purchased from Borders (*sniffle*)

I remember hearing tons of buzz about this when it first came out, but I was on a non-paranormal kick then. I did grab it up when Borders was liquidating, though, along with the 2nd book and final book Parrish (aka Leslie Kelly and Leslie A. Kelly) published in the series. I had heard the sales of the Extrasensory Agents series were disappointing, which is too bad since I really ended up liking both books.


This month's theme is Contemporary, but I'm stretching it to include a romantic suspense/paranormal contemporary.  There's a tiny bit of a dated feeling. It's set in 2010. Amazing what changes in 5 years. Otherwise it's very much a contemporary book.  If you're burned out on the idealization of small town life found in many of today's contemporary romances, this is a book for you. There's nothing utopian about the town in this book: its hidden, nasty underbelly forms the basis of the plot.

Even if paranormal romance isn't your thing, this might work for you. Other than some psychic elements, it's a straight up romantic suspense. Even better, there's none of the...ill timed sex-capades or out of character, putting herself in peril antics on the part of the heroine (yea!).  There's no stupidity on the part of the hero, either.

My only real issues were with the occasionally clunky writing. Parrish has a surprisingly bland voice and a tendency to tell rather than show. Even so, the plot and characters were well done, and I never felt like the mystery was thin (another RS pet peeve). I liked Cold Sight enough to read the 2nd book, Cold Touch, which was much better in terms of voice and fluidity. Who knows? Maybe Kelly will self publish more installments, because there are still plenty of related stories to tell.

My Grade: B




The Blurb:

After being made a scapegoat in a botched investigation that led to a child's death, Aidan McConnell became a recluse. Still, as a favor to an old friend, Aidan will help on the occasional XI case. But under his handsome, rugged facade, he keeps his emotions in check--for fear of being burned again.

Reporter Lexie Nolan has a nose for news--and she believes a serial killer has been targeting teen girls around Savannah. But no one believes her. So she turns to the new paranormal detective agency and the sexy, mysterious Aidan for help.

But just as the two begin forging a relationship, the case turns eerily personal for Lexie--and Aidan discovers that maybe he hasn't lost the ability to feel after all...

2 comments:

  1. Oh, oh, I have this book in the TBR mountain range *starts looking around frantically*

    Thank you so much! After three weeks and counting of zero reading mojo, your review truly piqued my interest--"If you're burned out on the idealization of small town life found in many of today's contemporary romances, this is a book for you. " Indeed, count me in as someone who would like a bit less of the "everything is perfect here--except for all the crime, but we only talk about that when it's necessary for plot purposes" small town I've read in the past few years.

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    1. I live in a tiny town—which I love—but small towns have so many issues and they're never perfect. I get sick of reading about these cardboard, stand-in towns that are incredibly fake. Over it. Hopefully this works for you!

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