Book Details:
Book Title: Chris Crossed Murder (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +)
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: Feb 22, 2023
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr’s books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!
“Carr is a master at creating unique, complex plots and colorful characters, both evident in her latest cold case mystery featuring Chris Matheson and the geezer squad. The plot is twisted, the mystery unique and the ending a surprise. A must-read!” – Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Marilyn R. Wilson, Author, Speaker, Book Reviewer
“Lauren Carr is among my favorite mystery writers. She knows how to write a fun tale while keeping readers engaged. …I would give Chris Crossed Murder one hundred stars if I could. I believe readers who enjoy reading well-written and clean cozy mysteries will most definitely want to read it. I have no doubt they will enjoy it as much as I did. The fifth installment from A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery series is on my radar for when it releases.” – Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Amy Campbell, Locks Hooks and Books
Book Description:
It proves to be a Christmas to remember when the Matheson family receives the horrendous news that Chris Matheson’s body has been found in the woods near an international airport.
Everyone is stunned—especially Chris Matheson.
The mystery deepens when they discover the victim has Chris’s federal agent badge and appears to have been investigating one of his old cases.
The Geezer Squad’s latest case is not only a whodunit but who-got-dun. Is this a case of mistaken identity? Was Chris the intended victim? If not, then they must identify the murder victim to find his killer.
With Christmas days away, join the Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad as they race to piece together the clues to their most puzzling case yet.
MY REVIEW
Chris is dead. What? That sure caught my attention. I was very relieved to find out it was a case of mistaken identity. But why did the dead guy have Chris’s identification? And why is the suspected killer leaving bread crumbs for Chris to follow? Crumbs that lead to an old unsolved murder case? I was hooked.
The troops rally to get to the bottom of things. And their are plenty of suspects who want Chris dead, including the Russian Mafia and a Mexican drug cartel.
The Geezer Squad. They might not be in their prime physically anymore, but their combined intellect and skills at deduction are phenomenal.
The family and close friends. Most are connected to law enforcement in one way or another and when one of their own is threatened they combined their talents and get to work.
And lets not forget our furry friends. They seem to have a knack for pointing out clues the humans might have missed. I love how Lauren can use just a couple of words in a sentence and give you a fully fleshed out personality for each of the animals in her books. And they are every bit a part of the story.
It was a late night of reading for me as I couldn’t stop reading and the book was over 400 pages of intrigue and fun. It had been a while since I read the last book in this series. Lauren managed to draw me right back in and my worries about not remembering who was who were for nothing. I hardly needed to use the cast of characters list she conveniently provides in each of her books. They were still clear in my memory. Chris Crossed Murder was a thrilling read and well worth the wait for it’s release.
5 STARS
Check Out The Rest of The Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries:
Book Details:
Book Title: ICE (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #1) by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult fiction, 364 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: February 26, 2018
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr’s books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!
Book Description:
When Sandy Lipton and her unborn child disappeared, the court of public opinion found young Chris Matheson guilty. Decades later, the retired FBI agent returns home to discover that the cloud of suspicion cast over him and his family has never lifted.
With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on this cold case to uncover what had happened to Sandy and her baby and the clues are getting hot!
I started reading this at night and finally had to set it aside when my eyes got blurry. I woke up n the dark, around 5:46 A.M. and the booked popped right into my head. So, I turned on the light and started back up with it, devouring it in a couple of hours.
I’ve read other books by Lauren and shared reviews saying how much I loved her mysteries and her characters, both human and other. This was a brand new cast of characters and I had such a great time getting to know them.
Chris retired from the FBI. A man in his mid forties, he moved home to his mother’s farm to raise his three daughters after his wife was killed in a terrorist attack overseas. It works well for all of them.
The opening scene is a bit sad as Chris is spreading the ashes of his beloved german shepherd companion. Kind of bittersweet, but it doesn’t stay that way for long because a new dog enters the life of the family. Sterling is a two year old german shepherd who was recently retired from the police force after he was injured and his handler and fellow officer was killed. I had a feeling these two would help each other heal. What I didn’t expect was how Sterling would steal my heart. I confess he was the character I wanted most to read about. Lauren makes the non human character’s as much a part of her stories as their human counterparts. Some of Sterling’s quirks are hilarious. The scene at the casino was so fun. As was his penchant for country music. And what can I say, I’m a dog lover.
On to the mystery, or I should say mysteries, as there are several to untangle. From a couple of cold cases to recent murders, Chris is dragged back into law enforcement as a consultant and things get hairy. Lauren can create such great plots. You really have no clue who did what until right at the end. I did catch one bread crumb that turned out to be right. The rest, I couldn’t figure out the culprits til they were caught. One character I had hopes for didn’t go the way I wanted. Shows how the author can deliver such genuine characters, take you down so many false trails, and serve up the culprits in ways that keep you guessing.
A big bonus that Lauren does is supply a cast of characters at the beginning of the book. She details each one and also puts them in the order they appear in the story. Even the non human ones. It helps when you can’t quite remember who someone is. But even with so many characters, you easily become familiar with them and nothing slows down the reading.
I couldn’t find one thing to fault with Ice. It kept me riveted. I connected with and loved so many of the characters. Cracked up more times that I could count. Enjoyed the brushes with romance. And was very satisfied with how it was all wrapped up.
An exciting, superb new series and I can’t wait for more.
5 STARS
Book Details:
Book Title: Winter Frost (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #2) by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult fiction, 332 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: January 22, 2019
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr’s books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!
“Filled with twists and turns, Winter Frost reads perfectly well as a stand-alone, although it is part of a series. The author creates tension and suspense throughout by keeping the reader guessing; she keeps readers engaged with well fleshed out characters and a dash of humor. Sterling, the retired German Shepherd police dog turned card shark, is a new favorite. As the story flows, the truth unfolds, layer by layer, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
“Winter Frost was an entertaining, at times humorous read with suspense, some surprises, and even cute animals in the mix.” Review of Winter Frost by The iRead Review
Book Description:
It all started with a chance encounter in the city with Blair, his late wife.
Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad, working under the guise of a book club, dig into the events surrounding his late wife’s supposed death halfway around the globe. A state department employee shoots himself in the back three times. A CIA operative goes missing. A woman is targeted by an international assassin three years after being declared dead in a terrorist attack overseas.
Nothing is as it seems.
In his most personal cold case, Chris fights to uncover why the state department told him that Blair, the mother of his children, had been killed when she was alive. What had she uncovered that has made her a target? Who terrified her so much that she had gone into hiding and why are they now after him?
So many things happen in this action packed sequel to Ice that I am struggling to share my review without including spoilers.
Lauren Carr doesn’t waste any time dropping you into the thrills and intrigue with a murder attempt on a person who was supposed to be already dead. Here is where the spoiler free review becomes difficult. So, I’ll just talk about how much fun I had with Winter Frost.
Many of my favorite characters were present, along with some serious bad guys and the much adored non human ones. The bond between the characters and furry family members in Lauren’s books are so genuine. And the animals have their own distinct personalities, which makes for some crazy fun.
There’s also not just one but several mysteries and agendas occurring throughout the book which keeps the excitement ramped up and the anticipation for answers high.
Did I enjoy this book as much as the first one, Ice? I sure did. Lauren once again made me laugh, coo over the romance, cheer on the good guys and wish the worst on the villains.
5 STARS
Book Details:
Book Title: The Last Thing She Said (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #3) by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 386 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: July 22, 2019
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr’s books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!
Book Description:
“I’m working on the greatest mystery ever,” was the last thing noted mystery novelist Mercedes Livingston said to seven-year-old Chris Matheson before walking out of Hill House Hotel never to be seen again.
For decades, the writer’s fate remained a puzzling mystery until an autographed novel and a letter put a grown-up Chris Matheson on the trail of a cunning killer. With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris puts a flame to this cold case to uncover what had really happened that night Mercedes Livingston walked out of Hill House Hotel. Watch out! The clues are getting hot!
I’ve been reading Lauren’s books as fast as she can release them. This newer series is every bit as dear to me as the others.
It is such fun to be back with these characters. There are many. I love how Lauren puts a directory at the beginning. It lists all of the important characters and shares who they are in connection to the story and each other. I always read them to refresh my memory.
I fell right into the story. It’s like the characters stepped onto the stage. There’s murder, kidnapping and all kinds of nefarious shenanigans to be revealed.
The romance is funny and spicy. The mystery is convoluted and hard to figure out. And the ending is one of those, oh, I didn’t see that coming, ones.
And the non human characters play some key roles in making sure everyone stays alive. From a giant rabbit, to a cat mistaken for a skunk and an ankle biting Jack Russell, to two very clever and mischievous German Shepherds, the fun never ends. And if you think bears only poop in the woods, think again. LOL
I loved this from beginning to end and hope Lauren writes another one really fast.
5 STARS
Guest Post by Author Lauren Carr
Mystery Writing – Inside Criminal Minds
By Lauren Carr
Being a murder mystery writer is a strange profession.
Think about it. You spend your days thinking about murder. Most would assume you are strategizing how to solve murder mysteries. They don’t realize how much of that encompasses putting yourself in the mind of a criminal.
It’s not as insane as it sounds. Really. Believe me.
The best detectives look at a crime scene, take the evidence into account, and recreate the event. By doing this, they put themselves into the mind of the bad guy. From there, they can deduct who among their suspects “did it.”
Mystery writers must piece together the crime like a real detective—only with fictional victims, witnesses, and suspects, and make-believe crimes. This gives us an advantage over real detectives. If a time or place doesn’t fit, then we can change it. With my new release, Chris Crossed Murder, I moved up the year of Sky Belmont’s murder by several years to adjust the ages of the suspects. Can real homicide detectives do that? Nope. Real-life detectives are stuck with reality.
When it comes to plotting mysteries, authors have to jump into the mind of the killer to plan the murder or other crimes. It’s all part of putting together the complete puzzle—before scattering the pieces that make up the murder mystery throughout the novel. Of course, this means research—and scouring the Internet about things that normal folks don’t research.
The latest Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Chris Crossed Murder takes readers into the world of big-time heists and professional criminals. We’re taking about elaborate burglaries that involve millions of dollars in jewels and other valuables.
Due to the Internet, most readers are extremely savvy. It takes only a Google search for them to discover if the author fudged the facts. As a result, writers are obligated to not only do their research but clearly think out how the crime had been committed—all in the name of making it ring true for the readers.
This means thinking like a criminal. In the case of Chris Crossed Murder, I had to think like a professional criminal.
For Chris Crossed Murder, I had to research how does a professional criminal live. What does a gang of professional thieves do when they are not pulling big time heists? Think about it. Have you ever met someone at a cocktail party and had them introduce themselves as a “professional thief” who just stole a Picasso painting?
Let me clarify, we are not talking about gangsters like Al Capone. Nor are we talking about the drug cartels carrying around automatic weapons and tattoos all over their bodies.
In Chris Crossed Murder, Chris and the Geezer Squad come up against a gang of professional criminals who live very normal, upper-middle class lives. With this in mind, I had to get into the mind of each member of this gang to imagine, how does a professional criminal live to avoid landing on law enforcement’s radar.
Answer: They work every day and don’t drive Rolls Royce. They don’t associate with criminal elements. They look like you and me.
Why, yu will ask, would someone risk serious jail time stealing millions of dollars in jewels, art, and money? Answer: It’s not about the money. It’s about the rush from stealing it.
But then, after all this research and planning, there is one more thing that the murder mystery writer needs to figure out. What does the bad guy do to get caught? You’ll need to read Chris Crossed Murder to find out.
Usually, during my research and plotting phase, I will ask questions and bounce ideas off people—sometimes asking what would come across as a bizarre question for a normal person. One Sunday at church, I asked a physics professor how much damage a body hurled from a fifth-floor balcony could do to a police cruiser. I didn’t get a clear answer.
Always, I remind our friends and family that I am a mystery writer. I do all this research for good.
I often joke about if anything happens to my husband, I’m going to be in real trouble when the police look at the browsing history on my laptop. That’s why he feels so safe.
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Selling over half a million books worldwide, Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries—thirty titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
The owner of Acorn Book Services and iRead Book Tours, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions.
She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
connect with the author: website ~ blog ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ twitter ~ pinterest
Celebrating the Release of Chris Crossed Murder!
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This sounds like an interesting series.
Thank you so much for the 5-stars! I am honored! I am so glad you enjoyed this latest Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery. I am confident that your followers will enjoy it as well.
I loved every minute of it, Lauren!
Great review. I loved this one too
sherry @ fundinmental