The Coldest Ground

Jake Cashen Crime Thriller Series, Book 10

By: Declan James

Narrated by: Alexander Cendese

Forty years ago, on a sweltering summer evening in southern Ohio, seven-year-old Michael Adkins vanished into thin air.

Two years later, in the dead of winter, his case long gone cold, Michael's remains were found in a well-searched area, just one hundred yards from where he disappeared. The discovery provided no answers, only more questions.

Last week, Michael's now elderly mother walked into Detective Jake Cashen's office with a tantalizing clue that just arrived on her doorstep. A handwritten letter filled with chilling details only someone close to the decades-old crime could know. Jake knows it's false hope. A cruel prank likely perpetrated by some heartless internet troll. He's seen things like this before. But he promises Michael's still grieving mother to look into it one last time.

When Jake traces the letter to its source, what he finds blows the case wide open and exposes a web of secrets and shocking truths buried beneath the coldest ground.

The Coldest Ground is book ten in the Jake Cashen Crime Thriller Series, perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, C.J. Box, and Craig Johnson. This dark, small-town murder mystery weaves together a decades-old cold case, conspiracy, corruption, and a child's disappearance into a gripping, atmospheric listen.

©2026 Declan James Books (P)2026 Podium Audio

Good plot!

It held your attention the whole way! Characters well drawn and had enough twits to be entertaining.

Best One of the Series

This one was my favourite of all the series. I hope you continue writing the Jake Cashen Series

Keep interest

Like every single thing in this book Hope for another story soon with updates on Jake and Joe

Another great mystery.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Cashen series of audiobooks. The narrator is easy to listen to and the story has its twists and surprises. Great book yo listen to on the go!

The maturation of the author

I’ve read all of these novels about Jake Cashin and I would say this is probably the best. A lot of new characters a lot of new plot lines and it shows that the author was ready to move on from the hilltop boys, etc.. if you’re a fan, you should not miss reading this