In so many different ways, this was not for me. I did not like the writing and found the plot boring, sadly. I ended up skimming through most of it because it just did not hold my attention

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for this copy in exchange for my review.

A 40 year old murder cold case is reopened when Sydney Hansen receives a threat. One very similar to one she received all those years ago after finding her best friend dead. Getting help from the police is like pulling teeth, until she comes into contact with Detective Gale Sterling. Sparks are immediate between the two, both the sexual, and the confrontational kind. They butt heads many times along the way, especially as the case ramps up in ways no one is expecting.

This book did take a little bit for me to get into, mostly the beginning when the case hasn't fully gotten going. But when it does, it DOES. I love a mystery for the twists and turns and Cold Case Heat delivers. And seeing Syd and Gale dance around one another has just as many twists and turns. The entire cast, even the "bad guys" are compelling and not at all 2-D. They all have their reasons, motives, and are victims and perpatrators in equal measure.

I also loved getting the look at the LGBT history that this book gives. I grew up in the 90s, so knew people with a lot of stories about the AIDS epidemic. This book brings it to life in a way that sounds like a friend telling you a story instead of a documentary. Despite the characters being fictional, these were still very real people and it's interesting to be reminded how far we've come.

Overall a really great read.

This was a surprisingly good read! It was not what I expected. I definitely enjoyed it and loved the character development.

When I sit down to watch television I always search out shows on solving cold cases. There is nothing better than falling into a forty year old dead end case and see the dedication and heart that the detectives put into their efforts. Cold Case Heat is no exception. Creatively written with a wide cast of characters. Main character Sydney Hansen’s best friend was murdered forty years ago. At the time Syd was threatened to keep quiet if she suspected anyone. Living with her guilt of not contributing to the investigation, Syd brings all her information to the Cold Case squad of detectives. Relying on Syd’s memory for most of the facts, Gale the lead detective brings her deep into the investigation.

The mystery is expansively laid out with many a twist and turn. There is a slight pacing issue in the middle of the book where everything slows down yet you quickly forget this fact when the excitement ramps up for the ending. An enjoyable mystery with a slow burn, mature romance on the side.

I received an advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I only say I wont sell it because Id def love to keep it! Sydney Hansen's quest to find the truth behind the vicious murder of her best friend, Wyatt, forty years ago. The police at the time seemed to just put it down to a 'gay' crime of passion and moved on - even though there were layers and layers to be seen, including financial malfeasance. When one of the major players in Sydney's previous life dies, and she's subsequently sent a threat, not to herself but to Wyatt's young grandchild, her first thought is thankfully to report it to the police and hopefully get the case re-opened. There, she meets Detective Gale Sterling, whom she convinces to take a look at the cold case and thus begins a deep dive into the past and how secrets, lies and crimes have begun to make themselves felt in the present.Ms. Burns takes the reader back to the late 1970s, early 1980s when the gay club scene was flourishing, back before the AIDS epidemic, and when free love flourished, but never losing sight of the consequences especially with regard to the murder that is central to the story.
I have to admit that I got lost a couple of times in the financial twists and turns, and also had a difficult time keeping all of the dramatis personae straight in my mind, but that did not detract from my ultimate interest in the case.

I enjoyed reading this and watching the truth unravel, but I didn't get as drawn in as I would've liked. I enjoyed the plot but was left wanting more. I liked that the two main characters were Syd and Gale (the main characters from scream)!

Cold Case heat… Took a bit of time to get into the story, which was okay. There was lots of information given at once. But it was still a good suspense/ thriller. The main characters I was slightly disappointed with. It felt like something was missing but can't put my finger on it! Maybe more sparks were needed. Nice to have an older couple tho!

I've given Cold Case Heat a 3 out of 5

A welcome complex lesbian detective novel, there are many characters to keep track of and an intricate story to follow, which is the joy of this book. I liked the subtle way that it invoked different aspects of life in 80's New York, the exploitation of vulnerable young men, the AIDs crisis, the link to today's gentrification and makes for a fascinating story. I also enjoyed that the two main characters are women in their 40's/50's with dodgy knees and thinking about retirement, it added depth to the story and a more realistic long slow getting to know each other.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A complex mystery which was well written. I didn't get into the story until a few chapters in but regardless I enjoyed it. I thought the characters were great. A look forward for another book by Mary.


Thank You, NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books.

While this sounded like something I would enjoy. I found myself struggling from the beginning.
Had I not read the synopsis before starting I wouldn't have known what was happening.
The writing just didn't work for me. The beginning just felt slow and disconnected for me.
In the end I ending up giving up on the book at 48%. By this point I had retained nothing and was still struggling to be interested in any character or plot.

Forty years ago, Sydney's best friend Wyatt was murdered. His killer left her a threatening note. She always thought she knew who the killer was, even without the proof to put the man behind bars. However, after the man dies, her great-niece is threatened in the same way, she decides to go to the Cold Case experts to solve the old crime to protect the young girl.

Gale has been handling cold cases for over a decade and caring for her elderly father when she takes on the case Sydney brings them. There's a connection between the two, but will it get in the way of solving Wyatt's murder?

The first part of this book felt overloaded with so much detail and so many characters, it took me a long time to plow through. I'm glad I did. As the pieces fell together, the connection between Gale and Sydney grew, I was happy that I stuck it out. This definitely wasn't a standout for me, but if you enjoy sapphic police procedurals, you might enjoy this!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This has an ending that I didn't see coming and is well written. This is a very complex story with several moving parts which I didn't mind but that might matter to others. Overall I enjoyed this! Special Thank You to Mary P Burns, Bold Stokes Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦: ꜱᴀᴘᴘʜɪᴄ. ᴄʀɪᴍᴇ. ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀʏ. ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ. ᴏʟᴅᴇʀ ᴍᴄꜱ.

Now, this was some grown MCs. Both with grown-up characters. I think that is what I liked the most. The crime part was slightly hard for me to fall, but it all had to do with the font format. It was too much wording and internal monologue. It made falling the story a little bit hard.

I loved the fact that the main characters were older. This is usually rare, and Gale had a softness to her that was really beautiful even though she was the detective. They are usually the ones brooding. So I loved that. And when they do get their happily ever after, that's usually the sweetest part of the book.

That moment when Gale had a chat with her partner about letting someone go because of work conflict, now that was such a real-life moment, it had me reflecting. The support from her partner in that moment was beautifully handled. And hence , I liked this book. Even though I didn't follow the police part, I enjoyed the emotional moments. Don't get me started on that shooting scene. BEAUTIFUL.



𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

though there are a lot of characters to remember being as its a cold case and happened 40 years ago the main characters of sydney and gale are well written and established

sydney's friend was murdered 40 years ago and his murder was never solved

gale is in the cold case section and is good at her job

the two meet when sydney is threatened and soon the cold case team is reopening the case from 40 years ago, but thats a lot of time to find any clues

an enjoyable read that kept me guessing who it could have been and to see the play between sydney and gale was entertertaining

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.
Cold Case Heat by Mary P Burns is to come out on Sept. 12, 2023

Sydney Hansen has been carrying the baggage of her best friend, Wyatt's, murder 40 years ago.
After the death of Wyatt's father, his son found out the details of the murder. After a heated fight with the son, she went to confront who she believed to be at fault for the murder. This set into motion threats, another death, and the investigation into this cold case.

Gale and her partner, Tommy, are a fantastic pair of detectives. Syd was having a hard time finding an officer to listen to her concerns. They took the case and promised to find Wyatt's murderer.

I'd like to give this book a 3.5, but I'll round up. I love a good crime procedural, but the writing could use some improvement. In the first 5% of the book, I was introduced fleetingly to so many characters, it was hard to keep them all straight. The author used first and last names intermittently, so it was a lot to remember.
There was a lot of words used, when not that many were needed. I understand trying to set the scene, but I don't have to know what every inch of the room looked like. Chapters were very long. They could have been broken up a little better to make the flow feel better as well.

Overall, the story was interesting and that's what kept me coming back. It was hard to keep up with every single character, but the main three of Gale, Tommy, and Syd are great. I found it odd that the author threw in the concurrent case that the FBI was interesting. It gave away that it was going to eventually intersect with the cold case. It was briefly tossed in a few times to remind you that it was coming. I think it could have been fleshed out a little more.

The only negatives I have are that the writing is too verbose and the story had too many moving parts. If you are into crime procedurals, it might be worth throwing on your 'to read' list.

I have to admit that I ALMOST DNF’ed this book. Somewhere between 30-40% I was like… this is overwritten, so much detail and description it was over stimulating and boring. BUT I am not a quitter AND I needed to know what the heck was going on and who killed Wyatt. I powered through and once I got to about half way (my kindle said about 55%) the writing changed and got a little better, things sped up and detailed descriptions got less… wordy I guess I’d say?? But the story started to progress. So here’s some things I loved:
First is Tommy, I feel like he was a great partner for Gale, he’s supportive, he’s reasoning when needed, and he’s just a fun character. Sometimes he’s like ya just go for it, when things aren’t so serious, and other times he’s the voice of reason when someone needs to hear the facts. His character is well written and right where he needs to be when needed.
Second I loved the relationships in this book: Gale and Syd, Syd and Drew and Izzy (which we don’t see as much of but it’s sweet and shows a side of Syd I think is important) and of course Gale and Tommy. I also like Sullivan’s role as dad, he seems to dad everyone which reminded me of my own father and a few of my friends dads who fathered me second hand throughout the years.
Lastly I love that Gale and Syd found love at an older age after losses, tragedy and life has happened. No one writes enough about what happens as we age. I love that this is something that is out there’s and shows real life with love, intimacy and sex with people that are just teens and 20s.

Over all 3 stars if I could do 3.5 I probably would. I liked the overall point of the book, cold case murder with lots of mystery and who did it and I loved the characters and relationships, I wished the beginning moved better, I could have cut out half the first part of the book and still enjoyed it. The last half of the book was good, held my attention and got the answers I’d been looking for.

2/5 stars

A quick review for this one:
I struggled with this. It feels a little dry to begin with and I’m having a hard time wanting to be involved in the characters and the plot. I kept waiting for it to get better, but sadly I didn't enjoy my time in this book.

I feel terrible about not enjoying this, but something about the character interactions made me uncomfortable. I think it started when Syd confronted “the gentleman in one-oh-five”. It might be because Syd’s past experiences made her more paranoid, less trusting, more vicious and mean, but reading from her POV was draining. It made me emotionally tired and unable to push through slow or rough narrative patches in a way that would make my experience reading this worth it in the end. The concept is good and I always love a good suspense story, especially with interesting elements to it. The writing is also good and I can appreciate the struggle Syd is experiencing; it’s just not an emotional process that I can involve myself in my current life stage.

I hope that readers can enjoy the nuances and specifics of trauma and recovery that the author demonstrates through Syd!

I enjoyed this story because it isn’t the norm in lesfic or even crime stories. There are many threads moving through the complex plot and lots of characters and quite a few red herrings. But Ms Burns manages them all brilliantly. The lead characters Sydney and Gale are excellent and well drawn but the auxiliary characters are just as important in the story. This is especially true of Gale’s police partner and her ex police father and Syd’s ‘family’.

A murder 40 years ago was never solved and Syd didn’t make a fuss at the time because of threats and fear. But a new threat to her goddaughter brings everything back to the front of her mind. Luckily Gale takes the threat seriously and the cold case team start digging around. Syd doesn’t think they’re digging quite quickly enough and investigates by herself. Gale struggles to stop her and also struggles to explain why she’s so desperate for Syd not to get hurt.

Both characters have baggage and the angst is dialled up to just the right level. The depth of the narrative and plotting were very satisfying and I found the ending was true to the characters and the story. I do rate Ms Burns and will look out for her next book.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

"Cold Case Heat" by Mary P. Burns presents a gripping murder mystery that revolves around the unsolved death of Sydney Hanson's best friend, Wyatt, forty years ago. The novel delves into the intrigue of a cold case that resurfaces when Wyatt's son seeks answers about his father's tragic demise. The story takes us through the intricate layers of a potentially targeted murder, weaving together a web of suspense and intrigue.

The book, however, presents some challenges that hinder the reading experience. One notable concern lies in the initial impression, where the book's cover fails to generate intrigue. While the backdrop of New York is appealing, the color scheme and imagery appear mismatched, offering a darker tone that doesn't quite align with the story's essence.

The narrative also introduces a plethora of characters within the first chapter, often relying on telling rather than showing. This abundance of names and relationships can be overwhelming and potentially confusing, making it difficult to follow the unfolding events. A prologue that focuses on the murder might have improved the pacing and overall readability by laying a solid foundation for the intricate plot.

Another drawback involves the character introductions, which are often fleeting and leave readers struggling to remember their significance. The use of both first and last names interchangeably adds to the confusion. Additionally, the relationship between Sydney and Gail, two central characters, is portrayed in a manner that feels unprofessional and overly familiar, detracting from the novel's otherwise tense atmosphere.

The book shines when it delves into the investigation process, with detective Gail Stirling and her partner detective Tommy adding depth to the story. However, Sydney's character can be polarizing. Her self-absorbed nature and wavering commitment to solving the case sometimes overshadow her supposed pursuit of justice. The chemistry between Sydney and Gail, while introducing an interesting dynamic, might not resonate with all readers due to its questionable professionalism.

The narrative's handling of LGBTQ+ themes occasionally feels awkward, such as the stereotype-laden use of nicknames and assumptions based on appearances. These aspects could have been more sensitively addressed, especially considering the queer perspective within the story.

The book's conclusion ties up loose ends adequately, although certain elements, like the unexpected involvement of the FBI, could have been further developed for a deeper impact. The resolution of the mystery aligns with initial expectations, but the execution is nuanced enough to keep readers engaged.

In summary, "Cold Case Heat" delivers a complex murder mystery that is somewhat hampered by pacing issues, character dynamics, and some thematic insensitivities. The book's potential is evident, particularly in its intricate plot and investigation sequences. With further refinement in character development, pacing, and handling of themes, the story could have even greater impact.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the text in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "Cold Case Heat" by Mary P. Burns.
This book had a lot - I mean a LOT - of moving parts, but at its heart it is one person - Sydney Hansen's quest to find the truth behind the vicious murder of her best friend, Wyatt, forty years ago. The police at the time seemed to just put it down to a 'gay' crime of passion and moved on - even though there were layers and layers to be seen, including financial malfeasance.
When one of the major players in Sydney's previous life dies, and she's subsequently sent a threat, not to herself but to Wyatt's young grandchild, her first thought is thankfully to report it to the police and hopefully get the case re-opened. There, she meets Detective Gale Sterling, whom she convinces to take a look at the cold case and thus begins a deep dive into the past and how secrets, lies and crimes have begun to make themselves felt in the present.
As I mentioned earlier, there are a lot of moving parts to the investigation, and it seems that none of those involved are motivated to be truthful - including, unfortunately, Sydney herself; as Detective Storm has to pry some of the information out of her piece by piece. There are suspects galore, some of whom are deceased (presumably) and many of whom might have had motive.
Ms. Burns takes the reader back to the late 1970s, early 1980s when the gay club scene was flourishing, back before the AIDS epidemic, and when free love flourished, but never losing sight of the consequences especially with regard to the murder that is central to the story.
I have to admit that I got lost a couple of times in the financial twists and turns, and also had a difficult time keeping all of the dramatis personae straight in my mind, but that did not detract from my ultimate interest in the case.
Woven throughout is the growing attraction between Sydney and Gale, both of whom have heartbreak in their pasts, but who really try to connect - date night turning into stakeout and shootout notwithstanding.
In the end, the case is wrapped up (a little messily and bloodily, but that's okay) and some ghosts are put to rest. All in all, I highly recommend this book if you want something a little different in a murder mystery.