Really enjoyed this book, though I'm a sucker for a crime novel set in London!

Really like the main character and her shadow-y past, entertaining story - think I read this in less than a day. Really want to read more by this author!

Only half way through this novel..... and loving it!! Brilliantly well written with humour,great characterisation and intriguing plot line. Loved Big little Lies ..... this is up there !! Can’t wait to finish it and find out ‘who dunnit’

This book kept me up until almost midnight for two consecutive days, until I have finished it (and I am someone who loved her sleep!). A satisfyingly complex plot plays with the reader's preconceptions, until we really don't know who or what to believe. DC Kinsella is a great character, and it is a nice change not to have any deeply troubled detectives with drink/relationship problems. My only criticism is that the characters of Joseph and Marcus don't really ring true, but the story is so compelling that the reader doesn't really notice.

I enjoyed this book very much, it's not a psychological thriller that is the norm for every other book published these days, more of a slow burner. I strongly felt that it was let down by one thing only, Cat's family background, which was a tad unreal, her relatives more like fictional characters in a soap opera than genuine people. We're obviously supposed to be intrigued by what happened in the past with Maryanne, but to be honest, I didn't care. By the time I got half way through I was starting to scan a few pages but then once we were on track again with the main story I kept going and was glad that I did. The police procedures and interviews were excellent and I, for one, didn't work out who was the guilty party until the very end when all was revealed. I'm assuming that cat's family play a bigger part in her next book which, to be honest, has put me off. Without all those irrelevant interruptions in Stone Cold Heart nothing would have been lost. It was also strange that her boyfriend disappeared off the scene for a while then was suddenly there on her birthday with no explanation of what went on in between. It was also a bit annoying that Cat acted up like a lot of heroines in psychological dramas, in that she ignored her Dad's phone calls, never got round to calling him back. We know from experience in other story lines that this usually is not a good idea and often leads to trouble, in this case it led to nothing. Why didn't she just ring him back, there didn't seem to be any drama from the result. As for uncle Frank, well he is straight out of Eastenders. I'm sorry to be so critical about this because I truly think it spoiled a very good book, but otherwise I couldn't put it down and thought it was an excellent read.

I really enjoyed this book - it has a great plot, excellent main characters and is a real page turner. I would highly recommend this book.

An absolutely outstanding read. I’ve been looking forward to this for forever and it was so completely worth the wait. Stone Cold Heart see the return of the amazing DC Cat Kinsella. She’s feisty and funny and her relationship with her police partner DC Parnell is superb. Just beautiful to read. We read about Cat’s sad and dysfunctional family and upbringing and are aware of how important this relationship is in her adult life. Caz Frear has an incredible wit and ear for dialogue, which makes this story stand out from all the other Police/murder mystery tales out there.
A compelling mystery with a kick ass protagonist, talented prose and clever characters. This is a must read. Highly recommended xx

A fantastic and gripping crime thriller. Stone Cold Heart will keep you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend Caz's work (I've just bought Sweet Little Lies!). Believable characters, a dark setting and lots of betrayal and secrets....what more could you ask for!

‘Stone Cold Heart’ sees the return of the inimitable DC Cat Kinsella. This is Caz Frear’s second novel and Cat was the main character in the first, although it is a stand alone for those who haven't read the previous book. Personally I enjoyed this one more than the first (only slightly) although they are both excellent.

A routine coffee collection from her local cafe, one morning, Cat is approached by Joseph Madden, who she believes is the owner, asking advice about a problem hinting that his wife is bullying or threatening him. As a detective on the murder squad (MIT) she diverts him to his local police station, thinking no more about it.

However, a young woman, Naomi Lockhart, is found dead after going to a party attended by Joseph and his wife Rachel. Now it becomes complicated as MIT investigate. Joseph has had a multitude of affairs and the inference is that this was yet another one.

DC Cat Kinsella’s character has a special appeal to me as she is not even close to being perfect with a shady background and the ending left me wanting to read the next novel. I am a sucker for a classy ending and this had it in abundance because it opened up as multitude of options for the future.

What I really found exceptional about this book was the style of writing and the way the author kept me hooked. Talented prose with clever characters combined with a complex family interaction. Brilliant.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and Caz Frear for my ARC of ‘Stone Cold Heart’ in return for my honest review.

A must read for any fan of crime/psychological thrillers. Highly recommended.