A fast-paced, clever, and satisfyingly twisty thriller.
Feature image credit: Ultimo Press
Harlow Close has lived her whole life in Winnipeg, Canada, running tours of the city and a hugely popular Instagram account. One day, during the depths of a cruel Winnipeg winter, her beloved father goes missing, and it looks like foul play. When the police don’t seem to be doing much to help, she launches out on her own to find him, pulling her chaotic sister Blaise along with her. But a series of events makes Harlow believe that she herself is in danger. Will she survive the threat to her life? And will she find her father?
Ashley Kalagian Blunt, known as ‘the queen of tech noir,’ has had one hit already with her previous novel Dark Mode, which was shortlisted for the 2024 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year. Cold Truth looks set to garner similar praise and success.
Using the framework of a missing father, and some dodgy police work, Blunt has sculpted a narrative which explores the myriad ways in which we are digitally vulnerable. Cold Truth dips into cryptocurrency, Malware, Stingrays, and simple online exposure. Building on the idea that we can hide our true identities in cyberspace, Blunt also looks at how we often hide our truths in real life, or refuse to see the truths of others. In this idea lies the basis of the story, both in terms of plot, and of character context.
Importantly, Blunt knows how to write a crime thriller and puts that foremost. Although many contemporary readers want a tad more depth to their crime stories these days, they still need to be well-crafted, and deliver the psychological journey we expect. With Cold Truth, there are no issues. It does the job well. Harlow is an interesting and complex enough protagonist, without being either cloyingly perfect or a pathetic victim. Every character is well-drawn, and of course the character of below-zero Winnipeg wraps her arms around the whole ensemble.
Blunt has delivered a clever, engaging, fast-paced, twisty thriller, with some satisfying depth, leaving the reader with much to think about after turning the final page. And yes, it will keep you guessing until the end!
Reviewed by Tracey Korsten
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Ultimo Press
Released: January 2025
RRP: $34.99
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