A supernatural crime thriller? Yes, please. This one started off quite slow, but I'm really happy I stuck it out.

Overall, I was super pleased with this book. I loved the characters ( I honestly would love to see them again in another book!), and I thought the setting was fantastic. The supernatural elements kept me on edge and guessing. The only complaint I have was the pacing. It took a little long for things to start happening in my personal opinion.

I would definitely recommend this for lovers of horror as well as to the readers who enjoy police procedural and crime thrillers. After finishing this, I added a couple more Coppel books to my TBR.

We know from the outset that there is something supernatural going on but Latency by Chris Coppel took a long time to get there. However, the chemistry between the leading detectives was enough to hold my interest until the big reveal. Cold Blooded Books on Instagram.

The newest entry from gifted author Chris Coppel delivers every bit as much excitement as
his previous riveting novels. Set in the LAPD and among high-priced (very) Los Angeles real estate, LATENCY contains mind-boggling Supernatural events in locked-room after locked-room, and weaves through the course of two LAPD detectives as they seek to unravel these incredibly puzzling murders, resulting in, eventually, Poetic Justice.

Two detectives team together to figure out unsolved murders. This book was such a fun read! I love the author’s flow and how I got just enough background to make me feel a connection to the characters without being bogged down with details. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased another book by the author. Thanks for the opportunity to read!

I wanted so much to love this book. Its description has literally everything i could want in a story but i kept waiting for a spark that i never felt. I could not get into this book. As hard as i tried it became a slog and found myself just not that invested as i went along. Ultimately I did not finish this as it was very slow moving.

I had so much fun reading this book. The writing is excellent and the story progression was very smooth. I loved that it was a fantastical thriller. I was hooked from the first scene in the book. I liked the characters and we got a bit of background to reel you in and care.
Thank You Netgalley for the ebook from Cranthorpe Millner Publishers, written by by Chris Coppel. Release date 6/25/2024.

Two down on their luck detectives; Mason Darby and Teri Grey. Have been paired together to investigate a series of unsolved murders. After hitting dead end after dead end; they both realize that there is one link that ties these murders together. A man who is something of a performer at elite parties. However, what they can't seem to find out is what he actually does at said parties. With no one talking due to an NDA, the detectives become increasingly frustrated. Yet, as they begin to uncover the truth. They both begin to realize that some monsters are not of this world.

I really enjoyed this book, though I wouldn't classify it as a part of the horror genre. It is more of a procedural with a supernatural twist. So if you're not a fan of horror you'll still love this one.
Firstly, the characters were well written and fun. I loved that we got an insight into their backstories, without taking up too much of the actual plot.

The chemistry between our two main MCs was stellar and made this book much more enjoyable. They had wit, banter and yet a since of sincerity when it came to each other and their past. The procedural element of the book was engaging and kept me on my toes, despite knowing what was happening before our characters caught on.

The supernatural aspect was okay. Not too scary but definitely added something different to what is usual in a procedural. I liked it, and I loved the ending too. The epilogue left me wanting more of these characters and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there is a book two.

Thank you to Netgalley, Cranthorpe Publishing and Chris Coppel for my eArc of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.

Pub day: June 25th, 2024.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Latency by Chris Coppel is a riveting blend of police procedural and supernatural thriller that grips the reader from the first page to the last. Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, the novel introduces us to two detectives, Mason Darby and Teri Grey, who are as different as they are determined. Tasked with solving a series of cold cases that have left the LAPD baffled, they stumble upon a thread that weaves together the city’s most gruesome unsolved murders.

Coppel masterfully crafts a narrative that is as much about the monsters lurking in the shadows as it is about the demons within. The story delves into the realm of the otherworldly, where creatures from a different dimension threaten the fabric of reality. It’s a tale that explores the latency of evil—how it lies dormant, waiting for the right moment to emerge.

The author’s writing is sharp and evocative, creating a cinematic experience that is both terrifying and enthralling. The dialogue crackles with wit, and the chemistry between Mason and Teri adds a layer of depth to the narrative. Their partnership, fraught with tension and mutual respect, drives the story forward as they navigate a world where the line between the natural and the supernatural blurs.

The book’s pacing is relentless, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Coppel’s attention to detail in both the crime scenes and the exploration of the supernatural elements is meticulous, creating a world that is richly imagined and chillingly plausible.

In Latency, Chris Coppel has not only delivered a compelling crime novel but has also woven in a heavy dose of horror that will satisfy fans of both genres. The book is a testament to the author’s ability to blend different elements into a cohesive and engaging story that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

With its well-drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and a plot that is both intelligent and original, Latency is a standout novel that heralds Chris Coppel as a master storyteller for the modern age. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery with a supernatural twist.

3.5 stars rounded up

This was super fun but it is drastically miscategorized as horror. I read this as an ARC from NetGalley, so maybe by the time of publication it will be marketed differently. I hope so because people who enjoy horror are unlikely to get anything from this. And unfortunately, people who love banter-y, low stakes buddy cop books with a touch of supernatural are never going to find it on the horror shelf. Are cosy police procedurals a thing? Because that's what this is. Like the tv show Psych but no ones faking it in LATENCY.

Mason and Teri are the black sheep of the LAPD. Mason because he killed his previous partner - never mind that the guy was a serial killer and had Mason in his sights as his next victim - and Teri because the Chief of Police used to be her stepmom. They're thrown together, banished to the basement, and stuck with the coldest of cold cases. But things start to heat up when together they discover an angle the previous investigations had failed to explore. Things start to smell sulfurous when they are forced to face the fact the inexplicable crime scenes might have otherworldly causes.

Thank you Net Galley and Chris Coppel for allowing me to ARC (advanced reader copy) read this book.

Ray Spirito
Adam Parition
Garry Houl
Paul T Ergest

The names of an elite entertainer hired by A-listers in Hollywood. No one really knows who he is or what he does. He makes everyone sign a non-disclosure agreement. But one this is for sure. People are showing up dead in inexplicable manners with fear frozen on their faces.

Mason, returning to the force after killing his partner, is assigned to the newbie, Terri, in the basement. Their assignment? Solve this cold case that has been long forgotten and deemed career suicide. Through skill and grit Mason and Terri will become an unstoppable team. Mixed with suspense, humor, and a few last-minute plot twists, Latency manages to bring together the believable, unbelievable, and the human instincts of rage, greed, and desire all in one sharply written fast paced story.

A supernatural mystery has two LAPD detectives traveling all over the city of angels looking for answers when members of the Hollywood elite begin dying in horrific ways. This book is in the horror category but is heavy on police procedural while detectives Mason Darby and Teri Grey are investigating a current case in addition to cold cases. What they learn is that not all that glitters is not gold. In a city where throwing the biggest, hottest most impressive party keeps you current and hot, may backfire and some will pay the ultimate price.

Some things that occur in this book can be labeled as horrific, but I don't feel this book was true horror. I enjoyed the investigative work and the banter. Both detectives have something to prove and go about trying to do so.

Although enjoyable, I wanted more scares, more creepiness, more horror, more danger, more tension. What I did enjoy was reading about the parts of L.A. that I know as I lived there for a long time. I also enjoyed the supernatural element to the book.

Amongst the glitz and glamour of the A lister mansions, the rich and famous try to one up each other at their dinner parties. NDAs are signed and staff shooed from view.💎

Detectives Darby and Grey are newly assigned partners, neither by choice. They end up working cold cases in the bowels of an interrogation room they convert to a working space.🕵🏻‍♀️🕵️‍♂️

What the detectives uncover is not for the faint of heart! Piecing together cases from the past and connecting them to recent ones… the gruesome deaths appear to be related. LAPD has never seen a monster of this magnitude. 😱

I enjoyed the read and thought the story was interesting. Round it out to a police procedural, paranormal who dun it, and you get to know the characters (in and outside of work) throughout. I have not read anything else by the author and enjoyed how descriptive the book was. Don’t get sucked up into the vortex! 🌀

Thank you to the author, Chris Coppel, NetGalley and Cranthorpe Millner Publishers for the opportunity to read to this book.
The publication date for this book is June 25, 2024.

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Chris Coppel's 'Latency' is high-caliber entertainment, a super cool horror-thriller type of story, brimming with subtle humor, police banter, and deeply unsettling scenes of urban horror. The author portrays the Los Angeles area realistically, mentioning local details in a manner that shows both love and exasperation for the place; he's equally adept in bringing out the best in his characters, even when they don't deserve it - dropping brief episodes of urban daily life, from ultra-rich Beverly Hills to less fortunate neighborhoods. In fact, the inclusion of a couple of plotlines only tangentially related to the main story (the so sad coyote episode, the so satisfyingly resolved bad renter tale), brought so much authenticity to the book, I started wondering if it' s based on a true story police detectives have been telling each other. In any case, Coppel's storytelling flows effortlessly, the characters keep you interested thoughout, and the abundance of tiny details are always enjoyable, never tiresome. I should emphasize that the characters are really, really well drawn, far better than any police procedural I've read that combines detective work with supernatural horror. Wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

LATENCY by Chris Coppel is a mystery set in the Los Angelos area. Two detectives, one new to the unit and the other branded a cop killer, are assigned the unsolved murder of one of LAs elite, which has been known to end careers. Their boss has given them an office of their own, which, with a little ingenuity, they manage to furnish. The two read up on the case, check out the scene, add a few more cold and new murders, then they can't believe what they find. Trying to figure out killed them keeps you guessing. I was absorbed into this story from the beginning until the end, which reminded me of a pilot tv show before the credits appear.

Mason Darby, returning to the LAPD Robbery Homicide Division after a years’ eventful absence, and the department’s newest transfer Teri Grey are assigned to the cold case no one wants…the Harter case. Seventeen years ago after an A list party, wealthy Cynthia Harter was found dead with Pietro Ginetto, one of the event caterers. Both bodies had been hideously mutilated. Mason and Teri take a fresh look at that case and others that have similarities to the earlier one. The cases are connected by the gruesome deaths of the victims, the lack of evidence and the complete lack of suspects. Then there is another horrific death and Mason and Teri are desperate to find out who…or what the murderer is.

Latency by the talented Chris Keppel is an excellent police procedural combined with bone chilling horror. With their witty reoartee and interesting private lives, Mason and Teri make a good team. All characters are well described, described so vividly that you see the action as you read it. I hope that this is the beginning of a series, similar to X Files. I waiting to see what comes next. 5 Stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Cranthorpe Millner Publishers and Chris Coppel for this ARC.