Customer Reviews

Cold Shoulder (Paragon Softcover Large Print Books)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I was familiar with Lynda LaPlante from the PBS series, Prime Suspect featuring Helen Mirren as Jane Tennyson. Ms. LaPlante does not disappoint readers with her first American character, Lorraine Page, who supposedly is based on the real-life story of a female LAPD officer. I don't know if that's true, or just publicity to help sell the book, but in any case, COLD SHOULDER is quite realistic.

Lorraine Page is an alcoholic and finds herself leaving on the streets of LA after her husband takes their children away from her. She goes into survival mode as she's fighting her way up from the depths of alcohol and drug addiction. She turns to prostituting herself, when one afternoon she has a quite unexpected run-in with a serial killer she is servicing. Not to give anymore away, but suffice to say her police training and instincts take over and the hunt is on!

The plot is full of twists and turns, the characters are well-written and the ending is gripping. The book is open-ended, so you know a sequel will follow. Overall, the realism is what makes the story work so well. Do yourself a favor and read a really strong female character's story. It's a nice change to see a woman detective who's as strong as any man in a mystery novel!!

Enjoyed this mystery thoroughly. Not only was the plot well thought out and well written, portrayal of Lorraine Page and her life was realistic, gritty, and left no rock unturned. I didn't find this story depressing, I found it hopeful. I enjoy stories that don't sugarcoat the bad things that happen but also leave the reader hopeful that there are good, smart people who can overcome adversity and catch the bad guys! Her fellow compatriots, Rosie (sweet and optimistic) and Rooney (tough, unperfect cop with a big heart) are interesting as well. This is the kind of book you keep so you can read it again! If you like a good whodonit with realistic characters and an interesting plot, you'll like this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the 'cold' series, I could not put any of the books down. I found they all were equally enjoyable, and I learned to love Lorriane as a friend. I was hoping for another sequel, it is sad to see her go. An excellently written novel, well done Lynda!!!

In Cold Shoulder, Lynda LaPlante takes Lorraine Page down about as low as it is possible to go. Alcoholic, thief, street-bum and occasional prostitute, Lorraine plumbs the depths of humanity after seemingly having it all. She has reached this point after a promising career in the police force, reaching the rank of lieutenant with two bravery commendations, the wife of an up-and-coming lawyer and the mother of two small girls.

While trying to straighten herself out, Lorraine manages to escape from a killer, making her a valuable witness in a serial killer investigation. Because of who she has become, she doesn't come forward to the police, preferring instead to use her almost forgotten police skills to track the man down. With limited resources, money and hold over her alcoholism, an investigation of sorts is conducted.

This is a dark and sometimes depressing book with little hope on the horizon for Lorraine Page. As a protagonist, Lorraine is a hard character to warm to. I think you just have to accept that she's a tough character who will occasionally succumb to her demons. It's these character flaws that make this an interesting story although, at times the going does get a little heavy as we wade through the morass of her life.

"Cold Shoulder" is a very thought provoking book. I started it a few days ago and absolutely hate putting it down. I have about 20 more pages to go and can't wait to get home today to finish it. I have sympathy for Lorraine and cannot imagine being in her situation, yet, I know there are women who have to resort to prostitution to survive (if you can call that surviving). Every now and then I need to read a book like this because it makes me appreciate my life as well as rethink through my problems. I don't have any compared to Lorraine. Also, being somewhat familiar with alcoholism since it runs in my family helps me to understand how truly devastating a person can become because of it. It is a tough fight. Great book!

After reading about so many male protagonists, it was finally nice to meet a female. The fact that she is a ex-police Lieutenant fighting alcoholism, drug addiction and many other demons certainly puts her in the same league as the others. While some readers might be put off by this, it made the character more of a survivor in my opinion. La Plante is an excellent author and definitely kept me turning the pages. The ending was a bit convoluted but I still look forward to the next book in this series Cold Blood.

i've only seen one of the PRIME SUSPECT mini-series on PBS (PS #1) and only read one novelization (PS #3), so i came to la plante as a near novice. COLD SHOULDER is an amazing police thriller for people who enjoy character-driven storylines. for much of the book, the mystery takes a backseat to the spychological explorations of the main character--30-something lorraine page. seldom have i encountered a more fascinating and multi-dimensional character as page. at 452-pages, this is a tremendously readable page-turner that i couldnt put down. i carried it everywhere for more than a week. and i can't wait to spread the word to friends looking for the new patricia cornwell.

I love the Anna Travis series and had high hopes for Lorraine Page - I was sorely disappointed. Overwrought, under-researched, completely improbable and way too long. If you want to read great present-day stories about LA cops stick to Robert Crais and Michael Connelly.

It is so frustrating to discover titles you want to purchase & then find out that they are not available in Africa!

The concept is okay, but the characters are cookie-cutter and the style, such as it is, consists of cliches from cover to cover. From the way LaPlante does love to focus on alcoholism you reckon she would have some experience of it or researched it a bit, but none of it rings true. And the plot just does not make sense. She has her main cop drink six fingers of bourbon straight down, twice, then start the third drink rather more sedately. Get real! And he's supposed to be on duty, and he's driving everywhere? It appears that everything LaPlante knows about American cops she's read in trashy novels or seen on trashy TV shows. In other words, nothing. They have ample reason to arrest their main suspect, with a good third of the novel left to go, with full means of eliminating him from the inquiry, but don't dare because he's rich. Dragging it out for dramatic effect like this does not make up for lack of imagination.