Cold Record: A Novel

Where Is the Line Between Guilt and Innocence?

“A remarkable and compelling courtroom drama” – Kirkus Starred Reviews
"Ferguson's Cold Record stands vibrantly as a literary triumph" – The Bookish Elf
“A compelling blend of legal drama and heartfelt storytelling . . .” – Literary Titan
"Beautifully written . . . Must read" – Reedsy Discovery Review
"A superbly written courtroom drama that will leave readers hungry for more" – The Prairies Book Review

After a young woman is found brutally murdered on an estate in remote northern California, detectives swiftly identify and arrest Andrew Rodarte, a young man passing through the area, for the crime. Returning to the arena after years away, veteran DA Sonya Brandstetter takes on the prosecution of Rodarte as a personal mission, while junior prosecutor John Patrick Howland – assisting to his own surprise – does little more than watch. But after a startling revelation at his trial raises the stakes for Rodarte, a late crisis irrevocably alters its course. And years later, Howland is called upon to revisit the killing, its agonizing aftermath, and the layered nature of truth itself. In this gripping debut novel, ideally suited for fans of courtroom drama and subtle legal mysteries, author Eric Ferguson draws on his 19 years of experience as a criminal prosecutor to create a powerful, authentic story of justice sought and served. Reflective and moving, Cold Record vividly explores the impact of a brutal crime on all those it touches – the victim and those who mourn her, those who seek justice in her wake, and even the defendant himself, whose own elusive narrative ultimately decides his fate.

''Ferguson presents his readers with a story that begins as a relatively straightforward Law & Order-style procedural, but soon takes the reader on a ride that turns out to be much wilder than your average TV mystery. The author has nearly two decades of experience as an attorney in Southern California, and his deep knowledge of court proceedings is on full display through his novel’s many twists and turns . . . His greatest strength as a writer, however, is characterization; his players come across as real people caught up in real lives, and readers are likely to find themselves affected by their tribulations.'' – Kirkus Starred Reviews