Cold Heart [Mass Market Paperback]

Micky is a cop who has had a lot of tragedy and death in her life. She escapes Houston to the other side of the world, to visit her friend Damon in Alaska. Fade out and it's 4 years later and Micky is still there, losing herself in the art of stained glass. Everyone knows everyone in the small outpost of McRay, so when the killings start, it seems surreal. There's no serial killer here, just a madman on a spree.

Young Dawn Glorianus is the first witness to the murders being committed by Eldred, who has always been somewhat of a cipher to the other folks in McRay. The story, with an intense pace and deadly violence moves on from where Dawn's mother is killed. Micky is forced to deal with her fears of death and violence in order to save lives, but nothing prepares her for the twist of fate she finds when she learns why El is killing.

Cold Heart, McGrew's first novel, came out only in paperback (remember Grisham?), but it is such a tense and exciting read, it should create a following for the next paperback, Night Terror. McGrew, if he can continue in this vein, promises to be one of the exciting young authors of the future. Unlike many new authors, he doesn't sacrifice characterization for action -- and Micky, Dawn and Damon are thoroughly sketched, with interesting supporting characters sprinkled throughout the chapters.

A real gem of a book, really could not put it down once I got started!
And a real plus was the author's dedication, which was memorable:
"Oh, hell, they're all for Rene".

As fate would have it, she faces yet another deadly encounter. This time in the remote wilderness of McRay, Alaska, where she has retreated from civilization with her best friend Damon. With no major roads in or out of McRay, (accessible only by small air strip) the small bush town has only a handful of residents. It is here that Micky makes some unusual and enduring friendships. But who can she really trust?

When a mad man begins to kill and mutilate the residents of McRay, it is up to Micky to confront the demons of her past and try and save herself and Dawn, a terrified young girl.

Chandler McGrew has written one hell of a suspense thriller. This can not possibly be his first book! He has mastered the art of getting inside a character (I speak mainly here of Dawn, who basically steals the show from the main character Micky) and makes the reader feel as though they are there and these horrifying things are happening to them! It's been a long time since I read a book that actually gave me a nightmare.

The time line in Cold Heart is exciting and unusual. The story spans mostly over a period of 4 hours with short chapters making it a fast-paced and enjoyable read. Mr. McGrew's suspenseful, narrative voice is perfection, and he keeps us on the edge of our seats with a bang of an ending! Chandler McGrew has another book due out called Night Terror published by Bantam Books. Can't wait to read it.

This book gets a green light. Go for it!