Another person who went above and beyond in helping with this book was Mark Pryor, a prosecutor from Texas, who explained warrants and interviews and probable cause and a whole host of legal issues. I’ll admit, sometimes the legal issues trip me up because I’m not a lawyer and common sense can only take you so far. If I got anything wrong here—that’s totally on me.
Thank you, Robin and Mark! This book is better because of your help.
Many people make my books shine. First and foremost, my editor, Kelley Ragland. A great editor is worth her weight in gold, and Kelley is priceless. She knows my strengths and weaknesses and helps me maximize what I do best and fix what I do wrong. She asks smart questions and makes sure the story is well-paced, the characters true, and the ending satisfying. I would not be a bestselling writer without a great editor behind me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Supporting Kelley are many people who make everything in the publishing process work. Joseph Brosnan, in marketing, does more than “market.” He manages the terrific blog Criminal Element, he and his team provide me fabulous graphics for social media, he has great ideas, and he always has a smile on his face. Who cares that he’s a Yankees fan? (Hahaha.) Madeline Houpt, Kelley’s right hand, is invaluable day-to-day in juggling me and so many other authors. The art department is amazing—Cold as Ice is one of my favorite Lucy Kincaid covers. And a special shout-out to Macmillan Audio for all their hard work on the Lucy audiobooks!
Last but never least, my agent, Dan Conaway, has stuck with me, a neurotic and prolific author, for ten years now. Ten years … longer than many marriages! Ha. Thank you, Dan, for keeping me sane and focused and managing my business with professionalism and a touch of humor. And thank you for bringing in Lauren Carsley as your right hand to stay on top of everything. Lauren, you rock.
I have been blessed to have a family who is super supportive of my writing. My mom, who gets the first copy of each of my books and reads it in one day. My husband, Dan, who gives me the space to create and never thinks twice when I ask him odd questions like, “Where can I steal C-4? Or is there a better way to blow something up?” My kids, all five of them, have been used as sounding boards for years, and take it in stride. I am lucky to have you all.
To my readers, who love Lucy and Sean as much as I do: THANK YOU. Seventeen books, six novellas, and one short story later … thank you for reading and keeping Lucy strong. Without you, there would be no stories. I am forever grateful that you’ve helped me do what I love best: write.
Happy Reading,
Allison
Don’t miss the Lucy Kincaid e-novella
A DEEPER FEAR
By Allison Brennan
Coming in January 2021!
Praise for these other novels by New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan
“If you haven’t been reading Brennan’s truly exceptional Lucy Kincaid/Sean Rogan series, then you have been missing out … In this mind-blowing installment, Brennan also gives readers a fascinating look into the mindset of her epic villains. A chilling thrill-fest from beginning to end.”
—RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!) on No Good Deed
“Allison Brennan reaches new heights in Poisonous, and this smart, sophisticated entry in the Maxine Revere series raises her to the level of Lisa Gardner and Harlan Coben.”
—Providence Journal
“A fast-paced, suspenseful read with interesting characters and sinister twists that keep you turning the pages for more.”
—Karin Slaughter
“Allison Brennan’s Poisonous has it all … A twisty and compelling read.”
—Lisa Unger
“Don’t miss Max Revere’s roller-coaster new thriller. Talk about grit and courage, Max never gives up.”
—Catherine Coulter on Compulsion
“Packs in the thrills as investigative reporter Max confronts new murders and old family secrets in a suspense novel guaranteed to keep you up late at night!”
—Lisa Gardner on Notorious
“Amazing … The interconnectivity of Brennan’s books allows her ensemble of characters to evolve, adding a rich flavor to the intense suspense.”
—RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!) on Best Laid Plans
“Gut-wrenching and chilling, this is a story you won’t soon forget!”
—RT Book Reviews (4½ stars) on Dead Heat
“All the excitement and suspense I have come to expect from Allison Brennan.”
—Fresh Fiction on Stolen
“Once again Brennan weaves a complex tale of murder, vengeance, and treachery filled with knife-edged tension and clever twists. The Lucy Kincaid/Sean Rogan novels just keep getting better!”
—RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick) on Stalked
“Brennan throws a lot of story lines into the air and juggles them like a master. The mystery proves to be both compelling and complex … [A] chilling and twisty romantic suspense gem.”
—Associated Press on Silenced
“The evolution of Lucy Kincaid from former victim to instinctive and talented agent continues in Brennan’s new heart-stopping thriller … From first to last, this story grabs hold and never lets go.”
—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick) on Silenced
“Explosive suspense ratchets up with every turn of the page … will leave people clamoring for more stories of Max Revere. I know I will be!”
—James Rollins on Notorious
“Brennan introduces readers to a new and fascinating heroine worth rooting for. She’s an investigative reporter who’s not afraid to kick butt, climb a tree, or go to jail in pursuit of her story. She’s savvy and smart and takes no prisoners. Buckle up and brace yourself for Maxine Revere.”
—Sandra Brown on Notorious
ALSO BY ALLISON BRENNAN
Cut and Run
The Third to Die
Nothing to Hide
Too Far Gone
Abandoned
Breaking Point
Shattered
Make Them Pay
The Lost Girls
Poisonous
No Good Deed
Best Laid Plans
Compulsion
Dead Heat
Notorious
Cold Snap
Stolen
Stalked
Silenced
If I Should Die
Kiss Me, Kill Me
Love Me to Death
Carnal Sin
Original Sin
Cutting Edge
Fatal Secrets
Sudden Death
Playing Dead
Tempting Evil
Killing Fear
Fear No Evil
See No Evil
Speak No Evil
The Kill
The Hunt
The Prey
About the Author
ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels. Most recently, she was nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by the International Thriller Writers and is a two-time winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award by Kiss of Death. Married for more than a quarter of a century, Allison and her husband Dan raised five children. They recently relocated from California to Arizona with their two youngest where they are looking forward to baseball’s spring training and exploring the Grand Canyon.
Visit her website at: www.allisonbrennan.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chap
ter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-one
Chapter Forty-two
Chapter Forty-three
Chapter Forty-four
Chapter Forty-five
Chapter Forty-six
Chapter Forty-seven
Chapter Forty-eight
Chapter Forty-nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-one
Chapter Fifty-two
Acknowledgments
Praise Page
Also by Allison Brennan
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
First published in the United States by St. Martin’s Paperbacks, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group.
COLD AS ICE
Copyright © 2020 by Allison Brennan.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
www.stmartins.com
eISBN: 9781250768322
Our books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5442, or by email at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition 2020