The Cold Read

They’re there to make a sequel. But someone came for revenge. 

A decade ago, the release of the horror film No One Can Hear You Scream catapulted a young no-name cast into Hollywood fame. But below the surface, they were dealing with the fallout of their friend’s tragic death on set.

Now the cast is reuniting at the remote ski resort where the movie was filmed to announce the sequel and get a first glimpse of the screenplay. Cassidy, Jake, Ben, and Ruby—they’ve all followed different paths over the years, and each has their own reason for agreeing to return to a place they had sworn to leave behind.

At first everyone works hard to ignore the shadows of the past and focus on the opportunity ahead. But the reunion takes a dark turn during the midnight announcement to fans when a disturbing incident stirs up a long-buried secret.

Each of them has something to lose. Each of them has something to hide. And if they want to survive the weekend, they’ll have to deliver the performance of a lifetime…

“The Cold Read is Tara Laskowski’s best novel—and that’s saying something. A love letter to slasher movies, with characters that hit hard and a plot that never lets up. Laskowski delivers a killer blend of thriller and horror that would make Stephen King proud. It cuts deep—and hacks its way into your heart.”
—Alex Finlay, bestselling author of The Anniversary

“Laskowski’s homage to classic horror tropes, slasher films, and the devoted fandom they cultivate is a sharply written page-turner that readers will be hard-pressed to put down. Even if they guess the who, the hows and whys keep The Cold Read boiling all the way to the end. An absorbing and enjoyable ride.”
—Booklist, starred review

“Laskowski’s riveting horror thriller will be beloved by slasher movie fans. Recommended for every collection.”
—Library Journal