Cold Kill

The True Story of a Murderous Love

De: Jack Olsen

Narrado por: Kevin Pierce

From Jack Olsen, the New York Times bestselling author known as "the dean of true crime," comes a shattering portrait of a crime rooted not in rage or madness, but in something far more chilling: cold calculation.

On the night of June 19, 1982, respected Houston attorney James Campbell and his wife Virginia were shot to death in their luxurious home while their grandchildren slept nearby. No signs of struggle. No forced entry. Just two bodies and a daughter who sobbed at the funeral, then immediately began removing valuables from her parents' house and demanding her share of the estate. When asked what should be done with her two young boys, Cindy Campbell Ray told her family to take them to an orphanage.

Everyone suspected Cindy. No one could prove it.

What investigators didn't yet know was that Cindy had spent weeks manipulating David West, a troubled ex-Marine who loved her desperately. She fed him fabricated stories of abuse, convincing him that killing her parents was not only justified but necessary. Dressed in camouflage, they slipped into the Campbell home and executed the plan with brutal precision. Then Cindy walked away, leaving David holding both the gun and his love for a woman who had never loved him back.

For years, Houston's top homicide detectives could get nowhere. The case cracked only when a bold young private investigator named Kim Paris was brought in to do what the police could not. Paris embedded herself in David's life, earning his trust over months of careful intimacy, and slowly drew out the truth.

What emerged was a story of manipulation at its most intimate and most lethal. A woman who felt nothing. A man who felt everything. And a love story that ended in murder.

With his signature psychological depth and journalistic precision, Jack Olsen explores how a daughter could order the execution of her own parents, how a man could kill in the name of love, and how one investigator's nerve cracked a case that had defeated everyone else.

©2017 Jack Olsen Literary Works, LLC (P)2026 Jack Olsen Literary Works, LLC

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.

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.

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.

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.