Rating: 
Summary: Jostled, Impassioned and Spontaneous
Review: Lynda La Plante gave us Lorraine Page, a strong, talented detective, who exuded hope as she picked herself up from skid road in "Cold Shoulder." A fast-paced writer, La Plante's strength is in creating and describing such characters through action."Cold Blood," illustrates that sharp edge on which Lorraine walks. She is drinking again, creating a "denial" that she could control alcohol. Lorraine alienates Rosie and Rooney, associates and helpmates. She lets the "pot at the end of the rainbow" blind her. Her actions seemed to be out of a "blind love" or a "blind rage" or a "blind fear." Although the readers get to the bottom of the mystery, Lorraine doesn't. She lands on feet, but there is little if any personal redemption. This is exactly what I admire about this series. La Plante isn't afraid to give us a tough heroine that we can dislike and distrust yet admire as she struggles for professional success against many major personal weaknesses. In "Cold Shoulder," we were exposed to a full development of Lorraine's past. I hope "Cold Blood" indicates that La Plante will take us slowly through Lorraine's future, one that is jostled, impassioned and spontaneous.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a "Prime Suspect!"
Review: Ms. LaPlante achieved great success with her series, "Prime Suspect," and the Jane Tennyson character. However, after reading "Cold Blood" (before "Cold Shoulder" -- can't find it!), I was very disappointed. First, Ms. LaPlante tries to "Americanize" her characters too much -- providing them with the foulest of language in everyday usage. What women talk like this on a regular basis? None that I know of; however, it's only a book and "Lorraine Page" has to be viewed as a tough cookie -- having gone through the loss of her husband and children because of alcohol addiction. Granted, imperfect and flawed characters are the most interesting to me -- especially detectives who solve heinous crimes -- but Lorraine's on-and-off-again binges are too depressing and far removed from my way of life. The storyline is somewhat strange -- not your usual detective novel -- and the lack of description about New Orleans and its amenities detract from the novel. Had the City been given its due, the book could have had some sparkle! In addition, the "real" perpetrators are never arrested -- which ticked me off somewhat! I read the novel through and will probably read other La Plante books for comparison.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: This book was fantastic! I could not put it down! I carried it everywhere, reading it in elevators, standing in line at the store, in the car when stopped for red lights and heavy traffic, even taking it to the bathroom!! I'm looking forward to her next book.
Rating:
Summary: A real "page turner" !
Review: This is an excellent book for mystery buffs. I was so involved with the story, I didn't want it to end. It is believable and well written. I would put it at a similar level as PD James' novels, but faster moving.
Rating: 
Summary: IS THE BLOOD "COLD" ON THIS CASE??
Review: When I read Cold Shoulder, the first book in this series, I immediately felt a connection to the main character, Lorraine Page. She's nothing like I am - as a matter of fact, she's quite different but she seems like someone I would like. As she struggles through her daily routine, trying to put her life back in order, she manages to capture the reader's heart in such a way that we will defend her to her dying day. In Cold Shoulder, she was actually given the "cold shoulder" by all those who knew and loved her. When her partner is killed on duty, she begins a downward spiral causing her to lose her job as a policewoman, lose her husband, lose her kids, resort to drugs and alcohol for some relief from her nightmares and basically give up living. It's not until she meets "Rosie", an AA member, that her life will finally get the help it needs to go on. Cold Blood now finds Lorraine starting her own private investigation agency with Rosie as her partner. Their coupling is so very needed by both of them. Rosie will keep Lorraine on track and Lorraine will provide a much needed source for Rosie to mother. In this episode, Lorraine will travel from LA to New Orleans as she tries to find the missing teenage daughter of a wealthy California couple. She will be joined by Rosie, as well as Bill Rooney, a retired police captain, and Nick Bartello, another old friend of Bill's from the police department. The foursome has a great incentive...a million-dollar bonus if they can find 18-year-old Anna Louise Caley dead or alive. This book is a fun romp through New Orleans in the midst of Mardi Gras. As usual, Lorraine is overbearingly persistent in tracking down all the clues that will hopefully lead to some closure for the girl's parents. Although the reader hopes and prays that the girl will be found alive, her blood just might be "cold" by the time they find her. I'm just about ready to pick up the next book in the series - Cold Heart - and am looking forward to following Lorraine around again and making sure she stays away from the bottle.
Rating:
Summary: IS THE BLOOD "COLD" ON THIS CASE??
Review: When I read Cold Shoulder, the first book in this series, I immediately felt a connection to the main character, Lorraine Page. She's nothing like I am - as a matter of fact, she's quite different but she seems like someone I would like. As she struggles through her daily routine, trying to put her life back in order, she manages to capture the reader's heart in such a way that we will defend her to her dying day. In Cold Shoulder, she was actually given the "cold shoulder" by all those who knew and loved her. When her partner is killed on duty, she begins a downward spiral causing her to lose her job as a policewoman, lose her husband, lose her kids, resort to drugs and alcohol for some relief from her nightmares and basically give up living. It's not until she meets "Rosie", an AA member, that her life will finally get the help it needs to go on. Cold Blood now finds Lorraine starting her own private investigation agency with Rosie as her partner. Their coupling is so very needed by both of them. Rosie will keep Lorraine on track and Lorraine will provide a much needed source for Rosie to mother. In this episode, Lorraine will travel from LA to New Orleans as she tries to find the missing teenage daughter of a wealthy California couple. She will be joined by Rosie, as well as Bill Rooney, a retired police captain, and Nick Bartello, another old friend of Bill's from the police department. The foursome has a great incentive...a million-dollar bonus if they can find 18-year-old Anna Louise Caley dead or alive. This book is a fun romp through New Orleans in the midst of Mardi Gras. As usual, Lorraine is overbearingly persistent in tracking down all the clues that will hopefully lead to some closure for the girl's parents. Although the reader hopes and prays that the girl will be found alive, her blood just might be "cold" by the time they find her. I'm just about ready to pick up the next book in the series - Cold Heart - and am looking forward to following Lorraine around again and making sure she stays away from the bottle.
Rating:
Summary: Obviously written by a Brit
Review: While I am a HUGE fan of Prime Suspect, I was not a fan of the Lorraine Page saga, especially after I had to put Cold Shoulder down 3/4 of the way through because I simply did not care what happened to Lorraine, so fed up was I with her battle with the bottle (good thing she's not real or I'd be terribly heartless). This book does not fcous nearly as much on Lorraine's drinking problem as the first one (thank God). This was a real down and dirty mystery that I enjoyed but I found Ms. LaPlante's attempts to sound "American" and to have Lorraine, Bill and Rosie sound like tough Los Angelenos irritating. I also found the emotions overwrought, especially between Lorraine and a main suspect. She's in love with him after 3 days? Give me a break! Another former cop brought into the case by Rooney decides Lorraine is the love of his life and tells her so after 2 days? Get real! The plot itself, involving Hollywood brats and the dark side of New Orleans was very good, although I agree with the above reviewer who thought the descriptions of New Orleans were hugely lacking. All in all...the SUBSTANCE of the book was good but the characters and their settings were a little unrealistic. And one character in particular...the famous movie star Elizabeth Seal...the explanation at the end (FINALLY) of why she is the way she is made me laugh out loud...I'm sorry but it was ludicrous (some nonsense about a movie set and a curse and snakes). Anyway, read it if you must but be warned.
Rating:
Summary: Twisted Lady
Review: With Cold Blood, Lynda LaPlante continues her story of ex-cop Lorraine Page which she began in Cold Shoulder. Lorraine Page continues her journey back to the top in Cold Blood after hitting rock bottom, and turning tricks for survival in Cold Shoulder. While this book does not contain the angst of the previous, it is a good, readable detective story. With an offer of one million dollars on the table, Lorraine joins the hunt for lost heiress Anna Louise Caley. Lorraine uses her street savvy and cop instinct to help her find the clues to the mystery. She interviews, intimidates and uses sex to find the clues to Anna Louise's whereabouts. Lorraine continues to be one of the more interesting female detectives. She is a person of dubious morals, who has left much of value behind her. She substitutes sex for love and fights alcoholism with varying success. Lorraine is perhaps the toughest female in the genre, not always likable, but always interesting. If you like hard-boiled mysteries, this is an excellent book. Please read Cold Shoulder first.
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