Customer Reviews

Cold Storage

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am a true crime reader. Usually, we already know who the perpetrator was and we look to the author to make the story interesting and for some interesting analysis as well as to present the facts of the case. Lasseter, the author here, writes in a very amateurish, uninteresting style. While there is nothing inherently wrong with his worshipful portrayal of victim Denise Huber and her family, it does get in the way of presenting a multi-dimensional story. (The book could also have used a copy editor and proof-reader.) He also is so taken with the performance of prosecutor Chris Evans that he is unable to present an objective view of the trial. Indeed, the last third of the book consists mostly of quotes of trial testimony and Evans' rejoinders.
This is a story that seemed tailor-made for a true-crime book. A horrific, unique crime had been committed, there was a sympathetic victim and family, and there was a suspect who had all kinds of psychological issues. Somehow, Lasseter, apparently trying to channel his inner Ann Rule, instead gives us a 3rd- or 4th-rate Ann Rule imitation. I am a reader who, once I start a book, feel like I have a commitment to finish it, often hoping that a poorly written book while somehow redeem itself at the end. That never happened with this book. While I did finish it, what I felt most was that I had completely wasted a few hours of my reading time. There are so many other great true-crime stories and authors out there. Do not waste your time on this one.

As soon as I started reading, I could not put this book down. Don Lasseter is an excellent writer. I appreciate the fact that he went into such detail regarding the people and circumstances involved and the investigation. I was touched by the huge amount of kindness and support that the Hubers' were given. I really like the fact there were pictures, it was nice to put a face with the names.

Denise Huber was an exceptional person. Although I never met her, I feel the world has suffered by losing her. What a wonderful family she has. My heart goes out to them.

Everyone should read this book. It lets you know the families, and it takes you through the investigation and the trial - every aspect interesting. You can tell there was tremendous research done with the entire book. This is one book I will keep and re-read.

The book was hard to put down and a good read (one to add to your collection) but the way the author goes on and on about the looks of the people in the book bored me and so did the first entire chapter on Denise. It kind of dragged on and on making me want to vomit. I'm sure she was a beautiful brillian girl but the chaptor length about her was a little much and i almost put it down until i finally got past "all about Denise" and the book got very interesting! It really made you feel the parents concern when she was missing and got you right into their crying hearts. I cried during this book and i don't usually do that!

I agree with the reviewer who said the back of the book inaccuately described Famalaro as a serial killer.

The weakest bit of the book was definitely the beginning. While I am sure Denise Huber was a wonderful young lady, Don Lasseter goes perhaps a bit overboard with the complete praise and worship. I feel the most disgust at a crime when I am shown the complete picture of the victim, both their virtues and their flaws. Here, though, the first section was almost repetitive. Again, no offense meant to Ms. Huber, her family, or friends; simply critiquing Lasseter's writing style (the prologue about the car being ignored for 19 hours, however, is very well done).

After the discovery of the freezer, it gets more interesting, as the police do their job and we're taken back in time to examine John Falomaro's life and times, although I do feel that sometimes the author wasn't as objective as he could have been (when mentioning a "handcuff incident" described by one of his previous girlfriends, he does not relate seeming inconsistencies in her story until late in the book).

But overall, a well done novel of true crime.

This book is well written, riviting and I was unable to put it down and have not been able to forget it. Mr Lasseter is able to bring the characters to life and describe the events as they unfold. I didn't want to identify with the victims but it seemed I had no choice!
I first heard about Denise Hueber in the summer of 2010. I thought I would be able to handle reading this book without feeling any emotions. I was wrong.
The questions I think about is why do bad things happen to such nice people and why would John Famalarodo do what he did? Is Denise the first person he has murdered or were there others?
I am over 3000 miles away from the Corona Del Mar Hwy never having been to California but feel as if I was with Tammy Brown (Scriven) looking for Denise.
Since I have heard about what happenned to Denise Hueber, I have been left with a sick sinking feeling and after reading this book, the feeling has increased. I am glad that Denise's parents, Dennis and Ione got some closure rather then never knowing what had happenned to their daughter.
For me I wish I never have heard about Denise Hueber or bought this book. I don't usually read true crime books so maybe I just need to get used to it. If this book was a work of fiction, then I would not have theese feelings

This is very well written. I felt that the author gives the reader a clear picture of the type of person Denise was. So often with true crime I feel like the killer overshadows the victim and it is almost as if the victim is an after thought. This is a book that made me cry, especially in the part where her dad was talking. You can tell Denise was loved very much and my heart goes out to her family. Very sad, but hard to put down.

I worked in Newport Beach and Irvine for several years and I used to drive by that sign "Have you seen Denise" all the time. For those of us who live and work in Orange County, this was just a very sad case.

Incredibly, we just found out my brother works for the very Limo company mentioned in the book at the location of perhaps where the murder took place. And me, I used to drive by that warehouse all the time while driving to see the woman I was dating.....who lived in Laguna Hills. It was 1991 and 1992.

This is by far the best written True Crime book I have ever read. I started reading it yesterday afternoon, and stayed awake until 4am to finish it. I don't know where in the world I was from 1991 until now because I had not heard about this crime. I just wish there was something I could do to help this family. I hope that everyone that reads this will take time out of their day and think of Denise Huber,so that she will NEVER be forgotten, she will forever be in my thoughts, she is now an angel up in heaven.

I worked with Denise at The Canery Resturant - She was the only nice waitress - You see I was a hostess! I actually was the one who answered the phone when her mother called looking for her the day after she was taken - I honestly think about Denise each and everyday . She was such a beautiful pure hearted girl who didnt deserve to die the way she did . This book helped me to put some closer to my daily thoughts of her - But what really did it was after reading the book - there was an editorial on the discovery channel - a reenactment of the whole case - I was shocked - and hurt but it has helped me to not think so much about her on a dailey basis . God Bless You Denise and Thank you for being my friend! Love Elaine Leon

We who walked through this horrifying ordeal with the Hubers believe that this book tells the story accurately. Since John Famalaro never testified in court, never talked to reporters or made any public statements, and never apologized to the Huber family, any attempts to tell the story from his point of view would have been fiction. Though Famalaro was sentenced to death in 1997, his first (and automatic) appeal has not even been filed. So he should have plenty of time to give Don Lasseter the material he needs for the sequel. Meanwhile, we will never forget Denise Huber... beautiful, happy, full of life and faith... and we look forward to spending eternity with her in the Kingdom of God "when everything sad will become untrue."