Thursday, March 16, 2023

Book Review: CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Lauren Carr


Book Details:

Book Title: Chris Crossed Murder (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr 
Category: Adult Fiction (18+)
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: Feb 22, 2023
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn, few and far between). No F-bombs!


"Carr is a master at creating unique, complex plots and colorful characters, both evident in her latest cold case mystery featuring Chris Matheson and the geezer squad. The plot is twisted, the mystery unique, and the ending a surprise. A must-read." Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Marilyn R. Wilson, Author, Speaker, Book Reviewer.

"Lauren Carr is among my favorite mystery writers. She knows how to write a fun tale while keeping readers engaged. ... I would give Chris Crossed Murder one hundred stars if I could. I believe readers who enjoy reading well-written and clean cozy mysteries will most definitely want to read it. I have no doubt they will enjoy it as much as I did. The fifth installment from A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery series is on my radar." Review of Chris Crossed Murder (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Amy Campbell, Locks, Hooks and Books.

Book Description:
It proves to be a Christmas to remember when the Matheson family receives the horrendous news that Chris Matheson's body has been found in the woods near an international airport.

Everyone is stunned - especially Chris Matheson.

The mystery deepens when they discover the victim has Chris's federal agent badge and appears to have been investigating one of his old cases.

The Geezer Squad's latest case is not only a whodunit but a who-got-dun. Is this a case of mistaken identity? Was Chris the intended victim? If not, then they must identify the murder victim to find his killer.

With Christmas days away, join Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad as they race to piece together the clues to their most puzzling case yet.

Review:
The Matheson family eagerly awaits Christmas with Chris and Helen and all four girls, along with Chris's mom (Helen), and the dogs, Sterling and Chompers. The news of Chris's death floors them all as Chris is very much alive. Chris' partner from his agency days asks for his help and the Geezer squad (including Helen) is not to be left out.

As they try to figure out how this relates to a case Chris was involved in for only three short days, strange things at the Matheson home are occurring, potentially aimed at taking Chris' life. There are many twists and turns and whoever is behind this won't stop until they get to Chris.

As usual, Carr has put together a series of puzzle pieces, red herring or two, and a contest among the four girls for who can escape handcuffs the fastest. Sterling and Chompers add to the fun. The pace is quick and the key characters are well-developed, with creative planning to the plot.

This is my second in the series and will be reading Books 2 and 3. Book 4 is easily read as a stand alone, and there are no cliffhangers. I'm a big fan and highly recommend this one as well as her other books.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Buy the Book:
B&N ~ BAM
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Check Out the Rest of The Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries:

Book Title: ICE (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #1) by Lauren Carr 
Category: Adult Fiction, 364 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: Feb 26, 2018
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn, few and far between). No F-bombs!

"Lauren spins an amazing web of lies, murder and love that will have you on the edge of your seat... I love the way Lauren spun this novel. I could not put the book down! I had to know what happened to Sandy and her unborn child and this disappearance was tied to a string of other murders. I never saw the end coming but it was perfect and suited the novel. A definite must read novel!" 5-Star Review by Carla at Working Mommy Journal

Book Description:

When Sandy Lipton and her unborn child disappeared, the court of public opinion found young Chris Matheson guilty. Decades later, the retired FBI agent returns home to discover that the cloud of suspicion cast over him and his family has never lifted.

With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation, Chris Matheson starts chipping away at the ice on this cold case to uncover what had happened to Sandy and her baby, and the clues are getting hot!

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Book Title: Winter Frost (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #2) by Lauren Carr 
Category: Adult Fiction, 332 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: Jan 22, 2019
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn, few and far between). No F-bombs!

"Filled with twists and turns, Winter Frost reads perfectly well as a stand-alone, though it is part of a series. The author creates tension and suspense throughout by keeping the reader guessing; she keeps readers engaged with well fleshed out characters and a dash of humor. Sterling, the retired German Shepherd police dog turned card shark, is a new favorite. As the story flows, the truth unfolds, layer by layer, leading to a satisfying conclusion."

"Winter Frost was an entertaining, at times humorous read with suspense, some surprises, and even cute animals in the mix." Review by The iRead Review.

Book Description:

It all started with a chance encounter in the city with Blair, his late wife.

Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad, working under the guise of a book club, dig into the events surrounding his late wife's supposed death halfway around the globe. A state department employee shoots himself in the back three times. A CIA operative goes missing. A woman is targeted by an international assassin three years after being declared dead in a terrorist attack overseas.

Nothing is as it seems.

In his most personal cold case, Chris fights to uncover why the state department told him that Blair, the mother of his children, had been killed when she was alive. What she uncovered that has made her a target? Who terrified her so much that she had gone into hiding and why are they now after him?

Buy the Book:
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Book Title: The Last Thing She Said (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #3) by Lauren Carr 
Category: Adult Fiction, 386 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: July 22, 2019
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn, few and far between). No F-bombs!

"Too many twists and turns to easily share about this book. Nevertheless, Carr has pulled another "hit" that kept me reading in one setting until the clues were so well together that the villain fell into our laps ... or Chris's, LOL. Carr has put a lot into the book beyond the mysteries this time... Characters enjoyed chocotinis, visited book stores...and even blundered into getting engaged (the ring had been purchased 4 months ago)... But for me, a special thank you for the political spoof at a tie when politics at the national level is devastating, gave me a laugh and lightened the load of it all." Review by Glenda Bixler, Book Reader's Heaven

Book Description:

"I'm working on the greatest mystery ever," was the last thing noted mystery novelist Mercedes Livingston said to seven-year-old Chris Matheson before walking out of Hill House Hotel never to be seen again.

For decades, the writer's fate remained a puzzling mystery until an autographed novel and a letter put a grown-up Chris Matheson on the trail of a cunning killer. With the help of a team of fellow retired law enforcement officers, each a specialist in their own field of investigation. Chris puts a flame to this cold case to uncover what had really happened that night Mercedes Livingston walked out of Hill House Hotel. Watch out! The clues are getting hot!

Buy the Book:
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Meet the Author:

Selling over half a million books worldwide, Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries - thirty titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

The owner of Acorn Book Services and iRead Book Tours, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearance at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions.

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the Author





2 comments:

  1. Oh, Christa, thank you so much for the wonderful review for CHRIS CROSSED MURDER. I am so glad you enjoyed this latest Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery! I am certain your followers will enjoy it as well. Here's wishing everyone luck in the giveaway for the $75 PayPal and Granny Bella's Cookies.

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