Cold Kill

The True Story of a Murderous Love

By: Jack Olsen

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

A shocking true-crime story of murder, manipulation, and betrayal from the Dean of True Crime.

On the night of June 19,1982 in suburban Houston, respected attorney James Campbell and his wife Virginia were shot to death in their luxurious home. The scene showed no signs of struggle or forced entry.

Although the police eventually suspected James and Virginia Campbell’s daughter, Cindy Campbell Ray, was involved, for years there wasn’t enough evidence to make an arrest. When the truth was eventually discovered it was far more horrifying than anyone imagined.

On the surface, Cindy Campbell Ray sobbed at the funeral and acted like a grief-stricken daughter that had tragically lost her parents. But the reality was far more sinister. Motivated by greed, resentment, and a chilling absence of conscience she had carefully planned the murders of her parents. Cindy enlisted her lover, David West, a troubled ex-Marine, convincing him with fabricated stories of abuse, that killing her parents was not only justified, but it was also necessary.

This led to the horrifying night when, dressed in camouflage, David and Cindy slipped into the Campbell home and executed Cindy’s plan with brutal precision. James and Virginia were murdered in their bed while their grandchildren were asleep at the head of the bed.

As police failed to make progress, Cindy’s suspicious sister hired a private investigator named Kim Paris, whose unconventional tactics would help crack the case. Paris embedded herself in David’s life, earning his trust and slowly unraveling the truth. What emerged was a twisted psychological drama of manipulation and blind devotion, where love was weaponized.

In Cold Kill, Jack Olsen masterfully reconstructs the crime, the investigation, and the deeply damaged individuals behind it. With his signature journalistic rigor and storytelling flair, Olsen reveals how a daughter could turn on her parents, how a man could kill in the name of love, and how a private investigator’s bold gamble brought a killer to justice.

Far more than just a recounting of murder, Cold Kill is a psychological deep dive into the minds of two people bound by obsession and delusion. Cindy is portrayed as a textbook sociopath, charming, cold, and devoid of remorse. David is a man lost in her spell, tragically misled and ultimately destroyed by his own misplaced loyalty.

Taut, compelling, and unforgettable, Cold Kill is true crime at its most intimate and disturbing. Perfect for fans of In Cold Blood, The Stranger Beside Me, or If You Tell, it’s a story of deception at the deepest level and a chilling reminder that sometimes the most dangerous people are the ones closest to us.

©2017 Jack Olsen (P)2017 Jack Olsen/Evan Olsen/Su Olsen

Twisted Relationship

Where does Cold Kill rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I generally enjoy all true crime audiobooks. This was right up there as a one of the good ones. I would definitely recommend it to a true crime fan.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

I will never understand how a typically normal & caring person can be convinced to commit murder for someone else.

What about Kevin Pierce’s performance did you like?

Kevin Pierce is by far the best narrator for true crime audiobooks. He never disappoints.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I do not usually listen to any audiobook in one sitting, I listen at work. It does help the workday move along easier.

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator for an unbiased review.

Entertaining and engrossing true tale of two off-beat losers

An interesting story of a tawdry man and woman whose intertwined lives resulted in a proverbial train wreck. I enjoyed hearing about the lifestyles of people living on the fringes of society in the Montrose section of Houston in the 1970’s and 80’s. Olsen did a splendid job of writing about the characters involved in this case. And Pierce brought the story to life, as he always does!

On the downside: There was a bit too
much swearing and use of vulgar language throughout. Some can be expected, of course, but it got repetitive. More importantly, the book kind of has an abrupt ending. I was expecting to hear more of the trials and legal issues involved with the perpetrators at the end, but that was left out.

Murder in Houston

I am from Houston and even live in the neighborhoods where action took place, but I had never heard of these murders. I thought the narrative was a little long- winded and the end of the book was way too abrupt. The book centered on Cindy Ray and literally the book summed her fate up with one sentence.

Jack Olsen delivers!

Cold Kill is a masterpiece account of this tragic murder! I have listened to the audio book 3 times now, and I am more pleased with Jack Olsen's research, interview product, writing, etc each time I listen 👂! Wonderful work by Jack Olsen!!

Good, but the ending left much to be desired.

This was a really interesting read, however I found the ending was abrupt and disappointing.