***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
A perfectly wicked debut thriller about an ambitious woman who, after a lifetime of conning alongside her mother, wants to leave her dark past behind and marry the heir to one of the country's wealthiest families.
Like any enterprising woman, Bea knows what she’s worth and is determined to get all she deserves—it just so happens that what she deserves is to marry rich. Filthy rich. After years of forced instruction by her mother in the art of swindling men, a now-solo Bea wants nothing more than to close and lock the door on their sordid partnership so she can disappear safely into old-money domesticity, sealing the final phase of her escape.
When Bea chooses her ultimate target in the fully loaded, thoroughly dull and blue-blooded Collin Case, she’s ready to deploy all of her tricks one last time. The challenge isn’t getting the ring, but rather the approval of Collin’s family and everyone else in their 1 percent tax bracket, particularly his childhood best friend, Gale Wallace-Leicester.
Going toe-to-toe with Gale isn’t a threat to an expert like Bea, but what begins as an amusing cat-and-mouse game quickly develops into a dangerous pursuit of the grisly truth. Finding herself at a literal life-and-death crossroads with everything on the line, Bea must finally decide who she really wants to be.
Like mother, like daughter?
Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft is a wickedly creative thriller that I just loved. I found the book impossible to put down.
Story Recap:
Bea knows what she wants in life, and she’s determined to get it. And Bea is used to getting what she wants. She learned from the best, her mother. She taught Bea how to swindle men and get what she deserves. Except, Bea has more aspirational goals, she wants to marry an extremely rich man and be set up for life.
Bea has set her sights on Colin a very wealthy man from a family of old money. Bea doesn’t believe in love and that makes Colin a perfect candidate, he’s boring, loyal, and completely besotted with her. Bea is confident she can get Colin to pop the question, her only challenge will be his doting family and his best friend Gale.
My Thoughts:
After reading just the first few pages, I knew this book was for me! The book is told from Bea’s POV, and her thoughts are disturbing and calculating. Bea is not a likable character, but she’s fascinating, intriguing, and very compelling. I couldn’t stop reading even though she’s a cold-hearted, and disturbed woman. And, even though she’s not very nice, I was rooting for her the entire book.
The book flashes back to her childhood with her mother, and these flashbacks definitely made me more sympathetic for Bea, she’s a product of her unorthodox and disturbing childhood.
Stone cold fox is a fast-paced, exciting thriller that I couldn’t put down.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Stone Cold Fox to anyone who enjoys thrillers. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Rachel Koller Croft
Rachel Koller Croft is an author and screenwriter in Los Angeles where she has scripted projects for Blumhouse, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Comedy Central, among others. She lives by the beach with her husband, Charles, and their rescue pitbull, Juniper. STONE COLD FOX is her first novel.
I DNFed a book last week and almost used my widget to get this one. But with my ankle being like it is I was too afraid to take on another book. I wish I had after your review though. It sounds wonderful!
Sounds like one I would enjoy, Wendy. The title turned me off when I saw it on NG. Glad it was a good one.
This sounds like a fun read and I love when an author can make an unlikable character compelling.
Sounds like you really enjoyed this one! Great review!
Great review! I’d like to read this one!
great review! i keep seeing this popping up on social media. it must be good!
I thought it was great. Thanks!
Great review! Love doesn’t seem to play into the plans at all for this protagonist. I have to feel sorry for Collin.
It’s really cold-hearted. But, Colin isn’t completely innocent either!
I DNFed a book last week and almost used my widget to get this one. But with my ankle being like it is I was too afraid to take on another book. I wish I had after your review though. It sounds wonderful!
Too many books out there to read and just not enough time. I think you would have enjoyed this one.
Well reviewed the story is fantastic! 👌
Sounds interesting.
Thank you!
Color me curious. I am off to add this to my wishlist.
I hope you enjoy it, Kimberly. This one really surprised me.
She sounds as ruthless as Becky from Vanity Fair!
She’s certainly ruthless
Amazing review, Wendy! Now I can’t wait to see if I like Bae or not.
I liked her from the first page!
I’ll be reading this around month end.
I hope you enjoy it too
Ooo! This sounds good! I need to see if my library has it!
I hope you can get it and enjoy it too
This sounds good. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
I love a book where after a few pages you can already tell it’s going to be a winner. Happened to be a few times too.
It was such a pleasant surprise.
Great review! I haven’t heard of this one but I do enjoy thrillers!
It’s a good one.
Great review of this intriguing book Wendy!
Thank you, Jodie!
Ohh I need to grab this, wonderful review!
I hope you enjoy it!
This sounds so good! Awesome review Wendy!📚🤗💜
Thank you, Susan.
I have this to read but wasn’t sure about it till I read your review and recommendation. It has now gone to the top of the list.
https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/
Oh good! I wasn’t sure about it either, but I enjoyed it
Great review, Wendy. This sounds really good.
Thank you, Bonnie
Nice to change up the genres every so often.
Yes, it is fun!
This does sound interesting, I’m glad you enjoyed and great review 😊
Thank you, Jenny!