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Cold Open (Caught Dead in Wyoming, Book 7) Kindle Edition

by Patricia McLinn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 582 ratings
See all formats and editions
Open house to murder
Elizabeth Margaret “E.M.” Danniher finds house hunting in Cottonwood County, Wyoming difficult, but deadly? That she never expected.

In television, a cold open rolls before the credits, pitching the viewer into the news story. That’s how Elizabeth and her cohorts feel after she finds a body in a house for sale. A victim with a hidden history, few suspects, and the sheriff’s department not happy having Elizabeth -- and amateur sleuth thorn in their sides -- as the closest thing they have to a witness.

Mike, Diana, Tom and the rest jump in to dig in. Elizabeth has her own problems, including a trip back east to wrest her belongings from storage and the clutches of her ex. And the question of whether the cold will ever end…

Cold Open is Book 7 of USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn's Caught Dead in Wyoming cozy mystery series. If you like quirky characters, hints of romance, and twists you won't see coming, then you'll love this page-turner.

"Colorful characters, intriguing, intelligent mystery, plus the state of Wyoming leaping off every page." -- Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author

Don’t miss any of the Caught Dead in Wyoming collection:
Sign Off
Left Hanging
Shoot First
Last Ditch
Look Live
Back Story
Cold Open
Hot Roll
Reaction Shot
Body Brace
Cross Talk
Air Ready
Cue Up


What readers are saying about the Caught Dead in Wyoming series:
“McLinn has created in E.M. a female protagonist who is flawed but likable, never silly or cartoonish, and definitely not made of cardboard.”

"I love the whole series Caught Dead in Wyoming. The writing is witty and sharp; the story is gripping; and the characters are so realistic. Even the supporting characters are fully defined and interesting. What I didn’t expect was a renewed appreciation given by this 'inside' view of the world of journalism. With all the current focus on Fake News, I loved being reminded of how vital news people are to our society. E.M. Danniher changes her community and certain individuals – for the better – due to her dogged pursuit of truth and justice."

"I confess to being addicted to this series and characters. I LIKE them. I wish they were real."

“E.M.’s internal monologues are sharp, snappy and often hilarious.”

"A terrific series with a western flair. . . . Great characters that you would want as your friends. Smart, funny, but not perfect."

“Hoping this series lasts forever!”


More mystery from Patricia McLinn
Secret Sleuth series
Death on the Diversion
Death on Torrid Avenue
Death on Beguiling Way
Death on Covert Circle
Death on Shady Bridge
Death on Carrion Lane
Death on ZigZag Trail
Death on Puzzle Place

The Innocence Trilogy
Proof of Innocence
Price of Innocence
Premise of Innocence

Ride the River: Rodeo Knights (includes Caught Dead in Wyoming characters)
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  1. Book 7 of 14
    Caught Dead in Wyoming
  2. Print length
    290 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    August 23, 2018
  6. File size
    1028 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Along with Tom, Mike, Diana, and Jennifer, this group seems to be able to crack the cases as fast as Elizabeth seems to find bodies...dead bodies. Great suspense books with plenty of suspects to keep our group...and the reader...guessing." -- Barnes & Noble 5-star review

"McLinn is a master at making her characters so real that you begin to see them as living, breathing human beings. Even the dog has a personality that is endearing. This book will stand alone, but to really appreciate these characters, starting with the first book in the series will give you better insight into all the players and how they fit in." -- Amazon 5-star review

"I really really like these characters. More please." -- Amazon 5-star review

About the Author

Patricia McLinn is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 60 published novels cited by readers and reviewers for wit and vivid characterization. Her books include mysteries, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, historical romance and women's fiction. They have topped bestseller lists and won numerous awards.She has spoken about writing from London, to Melbourne, Australia, to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian.McLinn spent more than 20 years as an editor at The Washington Post after stints as a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.) and assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.). She received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University.Now living in Kentucky, McLinn loves to hear from readers through her website PatriciaMcLinn.com and social media.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07D2M2CL5
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Craig Place Books (August 23, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 23, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1028 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 290 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1944126848
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 582 ratings

About the author

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Patricia McLinn

Patricia McLinn

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Patricia McLinn’s books have put her name on bestseller lists and her journalism career took her to The Washington Post for 20-mumble-mumble years. But it all started with secrets.

She learned to read at a tender age as a matter of self-preservation, because older siblings spelled words to keep secrets from her. Once Patricia discovered that the magic of written words allowed her to know people she hadn’t met and experience places she hadn’t visited, she was hooked.

She wanted to be a novelist from then on, though there was a detour. She received a BA in English Composition from Northwestern University. (Have you ever seen a job posting for an English Composition major? No. And you never will.) With her parents holding out for more practical pursuits, she added a masters in journalism from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism in her fourth year. (Two degrees for the price of one!)

Not willing to be too practical, she became a sportswriter at a time when women doing that was quite rare, starting at the Rockford (Ill.) Register-Star and becoming assistant sports editor at the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer before moving on to The Washington Post.

But the dream of writing fiction kept calling. And journalism proved an excellent training ground, with enduring lessons in clarity, dialogue, research, drama, deadlines, conflict. Plus, it provided lots of characters. Lots and lots of characters.

Patricia has published more than 60 novels, with the characters for many more impatiently tapping their feet in the waiting room. Her books often include dry humor in exploring the resilience of people – whether in murder mysteries, romance, romantic suspense or women’s fiction.

For more on Patricia’s books -- as well as on her hopeful-gardening, dog-loving, book-collecting, old movie-watching ways -- join her readers list at https://www.patriciamclinn.com/signups

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
582 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

rlptwo
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Who-Dunit Solved
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2019
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Can E. M. Danniher ever not find herself in the middle of a murder needing to be solved? She, she's a former nationally known reporter who was married to an opportunist adulterer and is now relegated to a small TV station in Wyoming doing helpful hints-type stories on a part-time basis. But who the murders HAVE to happen around her? Well, truth be told, Ms Danniher pretty much sees a wrong that must be uncovered and, as an investigative reporter, she's just the one to do the uncovering. With wit and tenacity, Ms McMinn has a winning combo in E.M. for heading of the evildoers at the pass. Superb writing, fully developed characters, thoughtful prose and a keen eye for thrills means excellent reading anytime from McLinn.
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Jenni
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2018
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I am enjoying this series, Wyoming - not that I know anything about the place - provides an interesting setting, and the main characters are well-drawn with some depth. Not that you'd know it unless you have read the previous books for background. Although I don't particularly like it when every book in a series rehashes previous storylines, very little backstory is given in this book, which if you're reading it as a stand-alone, doesn't provide for much character development.
I would have appreciated more interaction with the minor characters too, most of whom make just a cameo appearance, and who were responsible for much of the humour previously. To me, they feel just a little glossed-over, yet there's not all that much happening in the lives of the main characters to overshadow the others. This focus of this story seems to be the murder mystery, more so than the characters solving it.

The murder/s are solved by good investigating from the amateur detectives - mostly staff from the local TV station - much to the dismay of the local law enforcement personnel. The interaction/conflict with the cops is not as big a feature of this book as it was in others, and some of the ensuing tension, and also humour is absent.

The potential romance, smouldering in book one, yet so minimally dealt with since, is all but ignored here. I hope that our heroine either makes a choice or decides on neither of the potential love interests very soon...leaving them hanging is only likely to make both of them, and me, lose interest.

So, it's good but not great. The writing is clever and concise, and the mystery sustained until the end. Some ongoing issues from previous books are finally resoved, some - like the barely there romance - need a resolution. But it kept my interest, kept me turning the pages, and I look forward to the next installment from Sherman, Wyoming.
Four stars.
2 people found this helpful
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Kimberly Tompkins McGie
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2019
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I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the books in the Caught Dead in Wyoming series. Every book in the series has been so good that it's hard to put down. I'm excited to read Hot Roll when it's released. The series has been so good that you'll love all the characters in the series, and the characters are described so well that you develop a relationship with them.
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Karen Jean
5.0 out of 5 stars great read
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2018
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I found this book to be more enlightening about the characters and their interaction with one another. They still try to gather information about a crime and not get themselves injured in the process. We get to learn more abut Elizabeth's past and how she is dealing with the now and the future. The story line is well done and leads one on a tale of who done what. I had to finish this book in one sitting it was that good.
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Court
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great read from Patricia McLinn
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2018
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Cold Open was a great story in this series. I love following the progression of all the characters and see how strong and independent Elizabeth is becoming. Like the other books in this series, you have many twists and turns in the storyline and you're always questioning whodunit? While looking for a new home, Elizabeth stumbles upon another murder victim. Her and her friends work all the angles to figure out who is the murderer and to make sure they aren't the next victim. This book is a must read! I can't wait until the next book is out!
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Quirkywriter
4.0 out of 5 stars Can't get enough of these characters
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2018
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Although this is the first book in the series that I felt might lose a reader who hadn't read all of them in sequence, it's still another winner. There's humor (although I wouldn't say hilarious), characters with wit and charm, as well as grit, and a mystery that has "convoluted" written all over it. Who killed the realtor and why? Was it about her, or was it about the house she was showing, or was it....? There are a lot of bits to follow, but Elizabeth comes through again with the help of her seriously gifted band of friends. This is one of my favorite mystery series. Not much blood and gore, but a lot of detecting, dodging bosses, and skirting the legal aspects. :)
2 people found this helpful
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Sandy
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2018
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I have been waiting for this follow up book for what seems like forever. It was certainly worth the wait. I am not going to go through the plot nor am I going to offer any spoilers. Sufficient to say that these books can be read as a stand alone, but they are much better read in order. If you haven't read any of the Wyoming series, just start with the first one... It's a great series.
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Mema Robin
5.0 out of 5 stars Great series
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2019
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Just finished this book and downloaded book 8.
This book was even better than the earlier books. The characters keep you hooked and wanting more. Love the story lines and situations this group gets into
Looking forwad to starting the next, and also sad....i have read the first 7 straight through in about a week...now i know this is the last for a while. Hope its being written quickly
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Top reviews from other countries

kmgservices
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good mystery! Great series!
Reviewed in Canada on November 4, 2018
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I love the series! Every book adds texture to the characters and the plots are imaginative and entertaining. Patricia McLinn keeps you hanging and intrigued until the end. Cold Open was all the above. I love the insightful way the author develops her characters with every book, informs you at the same time on consumer issues and gives you a taste of life in Wyoming.
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Cumbrian Fellwalker
5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta read ‘em all!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2019
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If you haven’t started reading this series and you enjoy reading funny, sassy, interesting, characterful books, then start at book one and continue through. You won’t be sorry.
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Carol Gray
5.0 out of 5 stars Continues to deliver
Reviewed in Australia on September 10, 2018
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This is a fantastic series,I just love it. Why you ask? Mostly because the main character Elizabeth is working through a major upheaval in her life and every book brings her a step closer to fulfillment in her life. Then there is the mysteries/murders that the team work toward solving. It doesn't get much better.
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CH
3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good a previous books
Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2018
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Was OK --kinda wandered a bit - enjoyed previous books more.
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Ireally loved this book! Great story & interesting characters. Liked the Indian myths woven the stor
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story & characters!
Reviewed in Australia on January 22, 2019
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I always look forward to the next in this great series & this one is right up there with the best!
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