As part of Lit Society’s Book Review Program, members are reading and reviewing books by independent writers we think deserve more attention. This review reflects one reader’s honest experience and aims to spotlight exciting new voices.
Big Take? A cozy mystery surrounding a New York heiress, a suspicious husband and a missing wallet. Perfect for readers who enjoy the suspense of a thriller with a side of rich people behaving badly.
- Would You Recommend It? Maybe
- Book Club Worthy? Yes
- Would You Read This Author Again? Yes
- Did It Change How You See Something? No
- Is It More Plot or Ideas? Ideas
- Pace: Slow
- Emotional Impact: Lingering
- Best For: Cozy mystery read over a rainy weekend—a quick escape read
- Skimmable or Demands Attention? Skimmable
- Would You Reread It? Maybe
Set against an impending war, a 1930s New York heiress goes missing, and her best friend, Liza, is the last person to see her. From the start, every recount of the day is shaky and everyone is a suspect. The husband who sends chills down Liza’s back; the mysterious tea shop owner; and anyone else without a solid alibi for that unseasonably cold day almost a year ago.
On the surface, Liza’s best friend Jane is what so many women back then could hope to be: independent, educated, opinionated, wealthy and a socialite in her own right. She also just so happens to be married to a successful attorney. At times, Liza has found herself a bit jealous of Jane’s perfect life. Until she remembers the unkind remarks Liza made about her husband and her subtle hints about what starting a new life somewhere far away could look like.
But all in the same week, Liza and her mother are dismissed publicly by Jane’s mother; Liza has a verbal fight with Jane’s husband Billy at his office; and her brother has flown back from London for a meeting at the local precinct. To top it all off, for the past year, Liza has blamed herself for Jane’s disappearance. Should she have followed her? Should she have made her stay for an extra cup of tea? Should she have taken Jane up on the shopping trip?
As the story unfolds, more friends, family, and acquaintances look suspicious. Plus, a childhood crush, who she’s always considered a friend, is the lead journalist covering the case of her missing best friend. With a few twisty turns, we end the book with several truths revealed: what actually happened to Jane, who Liza’s sister Madeline really is, why a criminal attorney has been called, and why Liza has witnessed her casual on-again off-again boyfriend with his arms wrapped around a popular gallerist from London.
Unseasonably Cold is the perfect cozy mystery to enjoy over a week of rainy nights, a low-key weekend at home, or by the water with a bubbly beverage in hand.
Favorite Lines?
“The test had been positive for rust. Not blood. The lawyers were surprised, not that they let on.”
“No monkey business needed. No tinkering around. The forensics guy made them pay extra anyway, but who could blame him.”
“If Kelly himself had surveyed his own crime scene, he might have noted that he was not known for doing dishes or discarding newspapers or empty bottles. The apartment looked a bit too tidy.”
Recommended Media?
📚 Anything written by Abby Collette or Ashley Elston
🎵 Dark Classical Music playlist on Spotify
📺 The psychological thriller miniseries All Her Fault and Imperfect Women
Interested in reviewing books for Lit Society? Join our growing team of member reviewers and help champion independent authors and unforgettable reads.
