The Cold Room

By J. T. Ellison

Homicide detective Taylor Jackson thinks she's seen it all in Nashville--but she's never seen anything as perverse as The Conductor. Once his victim is captured, he contains her in a glass coffin, slowly starving her to death. Only then does he give in to his attraction.

Later, he creatively disposes of the body by reenacting scenes from famous paintings. Strangely, similar macabre works are being displayed in Europe. Taylor teams up with her fiancé, FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin, and New Scotland Yard detective James "Memphis" Highsmythe--a haunted man who has eyes only for Taylor--to put an end to The Conductor's art collection.

Has the killer gone international? Or are there dueling artists, competing to create the ultimate masterpiece?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
• Release date: Oct 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781460304761

J. T. Ellison

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels and the EMMY award-winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. She also writes urban fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim and prestigious awards. Her titles have been optioned for television and published in twenty-eight countries. J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel. www.jtellison.com

Reviews for The Cold Room

[philiptroy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I made the mistake of reading "The Cold Room" before reading any of Mr. Ellison's other works, which made this one a bit difficult to follow. Still, I do not think that should detract from the overall value of the book. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed it tremendously. Refreshing not to see another rerun of CSI:NY in paperback form.

[re_re_98_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great mystery! I would however recommend reading the other books in the series first. I received this one as an Early Reviewer book, and so I did not have the other books in the series. Being unfamiliar with the rest of the author's works left me feeling a little list at times. Overall, a good read.

[miyurose_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a mostly solid mystery. Ellison gives us an unusual crime, committed by an unusual criminal in an unusual way. And, I’m always excited to read a police procedural that isn’t set in New York or southern California. But there were a few pieces that bothered me.One was Memphis. I didn’t quite get his obsession with Taylor, and would have liked a bit more a clue. Also, I didn’t think the reason he was sent to the U.S. was very good — he spent more time tagging along with Taylor and Baldwin than worrying about his own case. I suspect we’ll be seeing much more of him in the next book. The other piece that didn’t make a lot of sense to me was the tiny subplot with Taylor’s new boss. It ended up being worthless filler, as he appears at the beginning, disappears by the end, and doesn’t have any sort of significant affect on the novel’s events.I found the book a bit dense, and realized way too late that I should have started this series from the beginning. There were too many references to past events without sufficient information to back them up for me to recommend this to anyone who hasn’t already read the first three books in the series. But, the story did keep me reading, and I would be interested in starting the series from the beginning to see what else Ellison has to offer.

[nwadel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A "chilling", murder mystery! Its one of those psychological thrillers that keeps you on your toes with a surprising ending. The author does a great job with the details and gives slight hints throughout but you don't really find out until near the end.Its a great weekend read!

[angel_bonzai · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Taylor Jackson's back with yet another thriller.. Young, Petite Black American Girls are disappearing in Nashville... Detective Taylor(after the demotion from Lt.) came to a horrific scene... victim starved to death, put into a glass coffin, then posed like Picasso's Painting 'Desmoiselles D'Avignon', with the art catalogue left at her side... "The conductor" has struck his first chord... or was this his first chord?With the help of her fiance FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit Agent John Baldwin, he noticed that the kills are similar to a cross-alatanic serial killer "Il Macellaio" :the butcher, who killed petite white girls in London and Florence in the past 3 years... are they connected? Why has the killer come to America?Book also introduce Detective Inspector James "Memphis" Highsmythe from London. Detective also hot on the trail of "Il Macellaio".. A thrilling read! I cannot put it down!”

[trishalynn0708 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book creeped me out and gave me chills as I was reading it. In a good way. It creeped me out because I can not imagine what the girls went through to be locked in a glass box and starved to death and then having the killer do horrible things to their bodies after they were dead. It gave me chills to think of this and knowing that someone out there is sick enough to actually do something like this. This is my first novel my Ellison and also my first novel featuring detective Taylor Jackson. I will be reading more of Ellison's books and going back to read the other Jackson books that have been written. And even though I didn't start from the beginning the book still made perfect sense to me. I am guessing the way Ellison wrote the books you don't need to read them in order to get what is going on. I just loved the character of Taylor Jackson. She has a fiance named John Baldwin but the book takes a turn when Memphis starts helping the case out and he isn't so shy about letting Taylor know that he likes her. Even though Taylor is taken. The creepy part is that Memphis sees someone he loved in Taylor and he is stopping at nothing to let her know he is interested. So this part of the story really made a twist and gave the story a little romance. If you like horror, and being creeped out then this is the book for you! Amazing read!

[ctfrench · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Due to restructuring of the Nashville Metro Police Department, homicide detective Taylor Jackson’s been demoted from her prior position of lieutenant. If that isn’t bad enough, she’s being pursued by a serial killer called the Pretender. Now another serial killer’s in Nashville, one who abducts young black women, starves them to death and, after performing necrophilia, poses them per scenes from famous paintings. It isn’t long before Jackson’s fiancé, FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin, connects Jackson’s serial killer to one he’s been investigating in Europe named the Conductor. Jackson and Baldwin team up with Scotland Yard detective James “Memphis” Highsmythe, and the chase is on as the three try to determine if they’re dealing with only one killer or perhaps two. As the investigation proceeds, Jackson’s trying not to be distracted by the chemistry between her and Highsmythe, which is unexpected and confusing, and her superior’s strange actions, which are hampering her efforts to investigate her case. This fourth installment of the Taylor Jackson series is as suspenseful and intriguing as the first. This psychological thriller is gritty and realistic and filled with intense action. The chemistry between Jackson and Highsmythe, although not expected, is nicely delivered. Jackson’s a great character, a woman who’s tough mentally and physically but a real softy on the inside. The colorful backdrop of Nashville is a bonus to readers, as is Ellison’s intelligent writing.

[miked_181283 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Story of a serial killer with a twist. The main characters are Detective Taylor Jackson and FBI profiler John Baldwin who soon discover that seperate murder cases they are working on may be linked as there are several similar elements in each case that cannot be attributed to coincidence. A very good thought provoking story that is part of a series and will make the reader want more. A better than average detective story, very enjoyable!

[bumpersmom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the 4th book in the Taylor Jackson series. I received it as an Early Reviewer copy, but upon realizing it was a part of a series, I had to purchase and read the first three books first. Truthfully, it was not only a wise choice, but a most enjoyable one, too.The author has written an excellent police procedural with characters that grab your interest not only in their professional abilities but their personal lives as well.[The Cold Room] is a suspense filled thriller that covers multiple homicides and 2 continents, while bringing in police officers from New Scotland Yard, Italy, the FBI and our lead character, Taylor Jackson of Metro Nashville PD.These murders are unique and complex, involving, topics not common such as necrophilia. If mystery/suspense is you favorite genre, then this series is for you. It is well written and very interesting. I stayed through four books without a pause, turning pages and staying up till all hours. Well worth the time spent.

[velopunk · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Taylor Jackson and her boyfriend, FBI profiler, Dr. John Baldwin, find that they have a serial killer on their hands who likes to starve his victims, have sex with them, and then leave them posed like famous paintings. Reporters have learned that classical music has been left playing at several scenes and have dubbed the killer, "the Conductor." There are startling similarities between the "conductor's" M.O. and a killer in Italy called "il macellaio," (the butcher). Their DNA even seems a match. Has "il macellaio" immigrated to the United States? The plot is thickened by an English detective who has come from Scotland Yard to consult on the case. It seems his late wife resembled Taylor very much and he is smitten by her. A sequel seems a sure thing as "the pretender" is still stalking Jackson and leaves her a message to end the book. I know I will look forward to it.

[caitemaire · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Sadly, I did not like this book as much as many reviewers. First, I do like a bit of suspense in my 'mysteries', something almost totally lacking from this book. No, this is a thriller more than any sort of mystery. We know the killer, his name, his job, how he kills, why he kills...all in the first few pages. Granted, the murders are a bit more complicated than it appears at first, but the twist is hardly a huge surprise.Second, there are a bit too many smoldering looks going around for my taste. Not to mention that one of the sources of said smoldering looks, the handsome New Scotland Yard detective James "Memphis" Highsmythe, is actually quite creepy. If that was the intent, the author was successful, but if we are to consider him as an actual romantic possibility for our heroine, it was totally unbelievable.If you have a great interest in police procedurals, you may love this book, since that is really the emphasis of the story. And some of the characters are quite interesting. If you have read the previous three books in the series, which I have not, no doubt you will be more vested in them than I was. This is a book in a series that really cries out to be read in order. There are a number of references to incidents in past books that the reader will really not understand, not to mention the whole Pretender thread, which we can not appreciate not having read the first three books.A well written book, based on a good idea, with some good characters, but one whose approach to a very creepy and fascinating crime did not really live up to my hopes.

[mutti_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another enjoyable Ellison book. I really like the protagonist. In this age where every book seems to have a "strong female lead", Ellison truly gives her protagonist a personality and makes her relatable.

[dsdmd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I, like several other reviewers, had never read J.T. Ellison until I snagged a copy of The Cold Room in the early reviewers club. She is now the newest addition to my favorite authors, and I have already ordered her earlier books.Taylor Jackson is a Nashville homicide detective investigating a series of homicides in which the victims appear to have died of starvation and are left in posed positions based on various artworks. The killer, a sadonecrophiliac, has constructed a double sided plexiglass coffin where he keeps his "dolls" after kidnapping them and watches them slowly starve. Her fiance, John Baldwin, head of a profiling unit of the FBI, just happens to have a similar series of deaths in Italy. When the same type murders show up in England, James "Memphis" Highsmythe from the New Scotland Yard becomes involved in the investigation and also becomes obsessed with Taylor who resembles his deceased wife. That part of the book got a bit old. The investigation leads them across Tennessee and Italy to an interesting conclusion. The book was well written. There were some points where background from previous novels would have been helpful but not enough to diminish the strength of this one. Generally I feel books have a tendency to move a little slowly. I felt at times that this one moved a bit too fast. For anyone interested in crime and psychological thrillers, I would highly recommend this book.

[boots4u · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was the first time reading a book by J.T. Ellison - part of the Early Reviewer program - I very much enjoyed this author's ability to grab your attention and keep it throughout the novel - her main Character Taylor Jackson is portrayed as someone with a lot of grit and determination - someone who knows her abilities, takes what life hands out while showing compassion and understanding towards new situations and people. Ellison's of topic/storyline of necrophilia grabs your attention at the very beginning and holds it throughout the book. The Cold Room shows how depraved human beings can get and how law enforcement officers are faced with this everyday. Ellison is also able to show personal relationship development throughout. This is Ellison's 4th book featuring Taylor Jackson - I for one will purchase the first three 1) because I enjoyed her writing - 2) would like to have the background and see the development of the main characters.

[she_climber · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received this book as part of the Early Reviewer program. I had not read anything previously from Ellison, although this is the 4th book in her Taylor Jackson series. There were a number of times that I felt out-of-the-loop without the background of these previous novels, and I would highly recommend that anyone interested start at the beginning. That said I very much enjoyed this story. It grabs you immediately with the taboo subject of necrophilia and by the end I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I loved Detective Taylor Jackson as a smart,strong female character with the exception of the entire Memphis storyline. I didn't like his character, nor did I feel that it fit with Jackson (although again I didn't have the background of the previous three novels). I really enjoyed Jackson's new partner, McKenzie, and I will miss him if/when I go back an read the previous books in the series. Overall, a great story - I even wanted to go even further as the sorted out the evidence for trial the bulk of the case was decided. Hopefully in a future novel Ellison gives a heads up on how this one turned out ultimately.

[cdnshopaholic · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this one. I am a mystery/psychological thriller lover and this book did not disappoint. It was fast-paced and action-packed all the way through with a love triangle and a creepy twist at the end. I have not read anything by this author before and was pleased to discover that this is book #3 in a series (so now I have to go buy the other 3). LOL If you are like me and love a book with a story you can just roll with, get engrossed, and be entertained then this is a book for you to check out.

[booksgaloreca · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this one. I am a mystery/psychological thriller lover and this book did not disappoint. It was fast-paced and action-packed all the way through with a love triangle and a creepy twist at the end. I have not read anything by this author before and was pleased to discover that this is book #3 in a series (so now I have to go buy the other 3). LOL If you are like me and love a book with a story you can just roll with, get engrossed, and be entertained then this is a book for you to check out.

[dbower_21 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Do not miss this author! I snagged this through early reviewers with no preconceived ideas and having read none of the earlier books. This book had all the components of a great psychological thriller - great characters (with incredibly sick villians), a great story, and a writing style that makes you feel in the moment. I am definitely going to go back and read the earlier books in the series. A few additional comments - 1) It took a few chapters to get caught up to the characters since it is the 4th book in the series - either read them in order or give it time because everything you need is provided. 2) Beware the topic dealt with is quite disturbing and not for the faint of heart. 3) The story is quite well researched which adds an interesting dimension (you will have to read the book to know what I am talking about.).

[tjshoe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am always excited when I find a new author and figure I hit the jackpot when that author has written a series. I recently hit the jackpot when I won The Cold Room on LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer program. I did a little research on the author J. T. Ellison and found The Cold Room was the fourth book in a series featuring Taylor Jackson. If you like psychological thrillers with a strong, yet vulnerable protagonist, these books are for you.Jackson is a homicide detective in Nashville, Tennessee who has a history of turning up serial killers. That certainly leads to very interesting conversations with her fiancé, John Baldwin who is an FBI profiler. In The Cold Room, Taylor is on the search for a killer who slowly starves his victims to death as he watches. And this is only one of his perversions!Taylor and John find that the case each has been working on has now become one. Their journey takes them back to Italy (read the first 3 to see how Italy plays into their story – you won’t be sorry). The hunt is complicated by a brooding New Scotland Yard detective James “Memphis” Highsmythe who is “hot” after Taylor while they are all “hot” after the killer. If you have a bit of a “dark” side, as my reading group knows I do and have not yet read The Cold Room, you have just hit the jackpot! The Taylor Jackson series will give you a glimpse into the dark side witnessed by law enforcement officers worldwide. I, for one, can’t wait until the next Taylor Jackson novel is available.

[rdurant1217 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Cold Room was my first foray into J.T. Ellison as an author, and I must say, I was very pleasantly surprised. From the first few pages written from the point of the killer, straight through to the end, this is a solid, well-written book. The plot moves along at a good pace, the characters were well-written and I was given just enough of a glimpse into their back stories to want to get the prior novels that I haven't read yet. The only distracting parts involved the inspector from England and his attraction to Taylor (and her sort of confused attraction to him). The book could have done without that, but overall it was kept to a minimum.There's nothing new or particularly twisty in this novel, just a solid cop procedural drama that is well written and pulls you in from the start. I'll definitely be reading more J.T. Ellison and I look forward to the next book in the series.

[cycoduck · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

At first, I thought I was reading a combination of Women's Murder Club and Alex Cross novels. Everything met those formulas (is every woman detective dating/engaged to an FBI behavior unit/profiler?!?). After I got over that, the book flowed pretty good. A quick read, good for the plane or bus. I'll read the rest of the series to check it out.

[psychdoc66 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A chilling, well-written, and gripping story. J.T. Ellison takes the reader into the disturbing mind of a serial killed and does a masterful job of dealing with the psychological determinants of the killer's pathology. I enjoyed the character of the detective Taylor Jackson. She is a strong and courageous woman yet has the human flaws of a well-developed character. Although there is a series of Taylor Jackson stories, the Cold Room can be fully enjoyed without having read the previous stories (however, I fully intend to read the previous books in the series!)

[pepe76_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the most chilling and disturbing crime stories I’ve read, avid enthusiasts of this genre should greatly enjoy. JT Ellison has the skill of a seasoned writer while clearly defining her own style for a fresh take on the psychological thriller. Taylor Jackson is a believable main character, focused on her career as a Homicide Detective yet trying to balance it with a life outside of her work – one that involves her FBI fiancé. And in addition to her current case, Taylor is being stalked by another serial killer known as “the Pretender”.The Cold Room gripped me from the very first pages and held on tight until the end, setting things up well for a sequel. Starting out in Tennesee, the story takes you half way around the world to arrive at its conclusion.The suspect is set up from the get go to be just an average person with an average job and an average life. He’s a normal looking fellow who goes to the gym after work and picks up food for his cat on the way home. But what lies beneath all outward images will give you the chills.

[jennsbookshelves · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Homicide detective Taylor Jackson has seen her share of disturbing murders during her career in Nashville. She's met her match with the latest serial killer, The Conductor. He captures young women, places them in a glass coffin and watches as they slowly starve to death. After they die, he assaults them and disposes them in a manner that recreates scenes from famous paintings.She mentions these crimes to her fiance, FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin, and finds it is reminicent of a slew of murders taking place in Europe. Has the killer come across the pond to wreak havoc on the States, or are there two killers at large? Jackson and Baldwin join forces with New Scotland Yard detective James "Memphis" Highsmythe and attempt to put an end to these killings.Once again, Ellison doesn't fail to impress me. If you want a thriller full of action and twists and turns, this is the author for you. Taylor Jackson is a character that one can't help to like, and the side story of her romance with Baldwin really adds to the storyline. Jackson is a smart, no nonsense kind of cop and I think that's a great attribute to see in crime fiction.Technically, this is the fourth book in the Taylor Jackson series, but it could definitely serve as a stand-alone. Ellison relays a great deal of back story to the reader. I would still highly recommend you read the entire series, though (All the Pretty Girls, 14, Judas Kiss). To make it easier for you, the author has made a free ebook of ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS available on her Web site. So run, not walk, to your local book store and pick up a copy of one of Ellison's books. I guarantee you won't regret it!

[darcia_10 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the 4th book is Ellison's Taylor Jackson series. Jackson and her fiance, FBI profiler John Baldwin, hunt down a serial killer who is terrorizing multiple countries. The plot is creepy and twisted, though not overly graphic. Ellison's writing flows easily. The story moves at a good pace and kept me engaged throughout. Each character has a unique personality and they suck me right into their world. While this book is part of a series, a reader should have no problem picking up this book and reading it as a stand alone.

[2wildravens · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well written suspense filled thriller; numerous strong female characters; unexpected turn of events keep momentum fast. Clearly focused Detective Taylor Jackson smoothly juggles office politics, gruesome crime spree, scary stalker and love interest FBI profiler John Baldwin. This book is a winner!

[peaceloveandpat_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Conductor is a sick human being. That is a huge statement coming from me. I often watch gory and truly horrifying films (both paranormal and twisted demented minds of a serial killer) my cousin-in-law and I, would watch three consecutive films every other saturday and would have a lengthy discussion of what happened to the characters, the camera angles and the acting, etc. With that I rarely get the urge to buy a book a read them up. But when The Cold Room was offered to me, the blurb intrigued me to no end so I grabbed the opportunity.So the premise is - the Conductor kidnaps his victim, place them in a clear coffin like glass box, starves them to death, strangles them then performs the disgusting and truly perverse way of Necrophilia and of course it does not end there after the "process" he then calls the poor kidnapped / dead victims as his doll / masterpiece by reenacting famous artworks, disposing them that way. Pay very attention on the first chapter of this book, it hold a great clue about the Conductor himself.The love drama between Jackson, her FBI profiler boyfriend, Dr. Baldwin and Scottland Yard's Highsmythe neutralizes the horrors of the crime written in this book. I didn't realize that this is book 4 of Taylor Jackson series, I did not get lost nor had that fleeting urge that I should have read the other books first and that works for me. I like Taylor and will be reading her previous adventures. If you are looking for a great suspense-thriller-and murder mystery book, this one is for you