Cold Kill

The True Story of a Murderous Love

By: Jack Olsen

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

David loved Cindy and was loved in return. Or so he thought. The troubled young man clung to his new love and dreamed of their future together. So begins the chain of events that was to evolve into a horror of terrifying proportions. Jack Olsen, best-selling author of Son, now reveals the details of a true-life romance gone hideously awry.

After weeks of planning, the young misfits from two fine old Texas families donned grotesque battle gear and crept into the luxurious home where Cindy Ray's parents lay asleep with her two small sons. In the hot muggy room, the "cold kill" was over in seconds.

Everyone who knew the unpredictable Cindy suspected that she was involved, but the ghastly crime had been so carefully orchestrated that Houston's top homicide detectives could get nowhere. Cindy wore black and sobbed at the funeral, then began a frenzied attempt to collect her inheritance and as many of her wealthy parents possessions as she could haul away. No one except David West was surprised when she walked out on him.

Then the story took another bizarre turn. In a final bid to solve the case, a seductive young private investigator was assigned to cozy up to West. Soon the gullible killer was in love, once again with fateful consequences.

Traditionally, true-crime drama illuminates the sinister motivations in the human psyche. Yet Cold Kill reveals something still more frightful - unspeakable murders are committed, not out of greed, revenge, or blind demented rage, but out of a troubled young man's tragically misconceived code of honor and a desperate need to please and protect the woman of his dreams.

Jack Olsen's Cold Kill is a stunning testament to the profoundly discerning eye of a grand master of true crime. To listen to Cold Kill is not to forgive David West. It is, however, to undergo the uncanny experience of feeling oneself slowly but surely moving into the shoes of a pathological killer.

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

A good one!

I'm a true crime freak. I've listened to (sadly) pretty close to them all. This one had a little bit different spin than the usual way they get caught, with police chasing down evidence. The private detective's ruse made for an exciting, interesting listen! I jumped back several times to make sure I didn't miss a word. Would love to spend all of my future credits on a book that kept my attention like this one did. Narrator was fantastic too. All around great listen, if you like true crime!

If Cindy Calls - DON'T Answer!

Although this is a murder/crime story, the main focus is on one CA-RAAZY girl (Cindy Ray) who somehow manages to easily persuade others into believing her wild claims of abuse, neglect, incest, and being horribly taken advantage of by EVERYONE she comes into contact with! She uses this method as her sole means of financial support, favors, and housing - moving from one person to the next ...and playing on their sympathy for her. What a manipulator! She was believable enough that it even took ME a while to realize that what she was saying was not true.

When she meets David, her newest boyfriend, he like many others, buys into all her nonsense, and thus becomes more than willing to "save" her. She works on him to the point of eventually coaxing him into a murder plan; by convincing him that her mother and sisters often beat and torture her, her father is an incestuous rapist, and that she will be able to finally move on from all this never ending trauma "they put her through" once the parents are eliminated. And then afterwards of course, her and David will have the bestest sex life ever she promises. Since David already has a pre-existing aggressive personality, he is instantly able to get into defending his lover no matter what it takes. If Cindy is happy, then he will be too.

You will want to reach through the screen and slap Miss Cindy...Lol. Not kidding. We have all met nutty people before, but this girl does it with such drama! And although we are expected to detest the murderer, you will probably find yourself hating the REAL instigator instead.

I thoroughly enjoy how Kevin Pierce (narrator) expresses each characters emotional state as he delivers their private thoughts and conversations - it was VERY well done! Rather than trying to mimic actual voices as some narrators do (which can be painfully annoying), Kevin just has a naturally smooth style and flow conveying each personality type without having to resort to that. *insert loud applause roar here*

Like other Jack Olsen books, its also sprinkled with humorous details and scene descriptions :-) which I personally love. This audiobook was provided to me at no cost by the author/publisher/narrator in exchange for an honest review. It was truly my pleasure, and very easy for me to say "I LOVED THIS!!".

Compelling. Well done.

It reveals the dual sides of this murderer - the pathos and evil. The brilliance and stupidity. The love and hatred. The rational and irrational.

Anything by Olsen and Pierce

I listen to anything narrated by Kevin Pierce. Especially when he narrates Jack Olsen who is the king of true crime.
This is another great one.

One of the Best

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! One of the Best... True Crime Writers - the late Jack Olsen. One of the Best - voice talents - Kevin Pierce. One of the oddest story of a criminal couple.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cold Kill?

I thought how David West was so well researched and his actions explained. Before and after the crime.

Have you listened to any of Kevin Pierce’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I have. I always enjoy his work. Always a high standard.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

I'm always searching for what motivates people in the violent acts they do. Cold Kill was very in depth in that regard. I read many True Crime books. This gave insight (if there is any sane insight to these acts).

Any additional comments?

The publisher's summary "To listen to Cold Kill is not to forgive David West. " is appropriate. Understand him maybe. Forgive, no.
I'm impressed with both the body of the work, but also with Mr. Pierce's exceptional performance.

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost. Which I can only assume was voluntary on their part. I am happy to give my honest review of it. I think I'm suppose to mention how reviewing this was voluntary on my part too.

Another great true story read by Kevin Pierce!

I enjoy reading true crime stories and Jack Olsen is very good at relating them to the reader. We are able to keep up with the events as they happen chronologically as well as know the characters intimately. Kevin Pierce is an exceptional narrator! Read the phone book, Yes! This story is one of the craziest true crime stories I have ever read. I laughed out loud several times driving down the road not being able to believe such "nuts" actually exist! I would recommend this book for true crime fans that would like a bit of humor and not much gore.

Olsen and Pierce = perfection

Any additional comments?

Jack Olsen was the best true crime of all, living and dead. He always told the story from beginning to end in a manner that was completely engrossing. He helped the reader understand the people involved and their motives. This book was no exception. I listened almost non-stop because it was so interesting (and I even knew how it turned out). The character in Cold Kill that I found most interesting was Cindy. It is impossible to believe that there are people like her - and that there are people that could have been taken in by her lies and histrionics. I feel so sorry for her parents for having to deal with her for years, and then end up dying because of her. I understand that she is still in prison and weighs 300 pounds now.

Kevin Pierce is a super great narrator. I love his voice. It is so smooth and he has the perfect tone of voice. He clearly understands what he is reading in order to give the perfect inflection and emphasis. He is perfection

Be Careful Who You Believe

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The psychology of the critical character is so bizarre that it makes for interesting reading. I would recommend it to anyone who is into abnormal psychology even if they weren't into True Crime.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The private investigator who takes on the case and insinuates themselves into the plot.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene where the police realize they were all wrong about the private investigator.

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

Yes - the situations were so unreal I just wanted to see what insanity was going to manifest next.

Any additional comments?

It's not my favorite Jack Olsen book, but its weirdness made it more interesting than the description hinted.

Masterful

Any additional comments?

Jack Olsen is an absolute master of true crime and goodness, this story was a doozy. This truly incredible tale follows the disturbed Cindy as she lies and manipulates her way towards an unspeakable act committed by a gullible man under her control. When I think about true crime I usually conjure up the image of a monster, an evil, emotionless monster who kills without hesitation or remorse. This story is different. The killer in this tale is someone who isn't evil or remorseless, he isn't a sociopath (in my non-doctor opinion). He is a man who is of below average intelligence and does what he sees is necessary to save the one he loves. A fascinating look into the minds of those who manipulate and those who are manipulated into committing murder. Kevin Pierce is unparalleled in his narration ability- he is the literal best I have ever heard. 10/10 would recommend this book to any true crime lovers!

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Olsen and Pierce Are A Great Combo!

I have always enjoyed true crime stories, and I knew what a dynamite combination Olsen and Pierce are. So it was easy to select this book for my next listen. I had immensely enjoyed their previous collaboration, simply "Son". Please see my review of that book below.

While this is an interesting and very good listen, it just did not grab me quite as strongly as "Son." I don't think it was through any fault of the author or narrator. I just did not find Cindy Ray and David West, the protagonists, very compelling or fascinating, nor did I engender any empathy for David for being a gullible follower of Cindy, who was clearly mentally ill. I found them to be two lowlife, not very bright, jerks who reeked devastation on Cindy's family for no real reasons whatsoever.

Despite my dislike of the two main subjects (and of course I should not like murderers, anyway), this is a good listen for true crime buffs. If it interests you, go for it! I have no regrets at all and will easily choose another Olsen/Pierce collaboration in the future.

Too many “f” words

This true story was good, but marred by the ‘f’ word, which actually detracts from the narrative.

Very good

very good read and performance interesting story but I do feel like it had a funny ending

Jack Olsen UnputDownable again!

This is the fifth Jack Olsen True Crime book I've listened to on audible. Superbly narrated by Kevin Pierce and once again it was unputdownable (my word). The more you listen to Kevin Pierce narrating the great Jack Olsen the further you get drawn into Jack's great crime writing. I listened to this book on every possible occasion, on the treadmill, in the car, in the bathroom - wherever I could. Olsen and Pierce are the best pairing in the audible galaxy and Jack writes a riveting story in the earthy language murderers would use.
Time to move on to book number six!

Disappointing

I don’t know what else to say other than that this just wasn’t that interesting a story.