AWW Feature & Review: Kathryn Fox and Cold Grave

Please welcome Kathryn Fox!

I was honoured to be able to speak with Kathryn Fox, author of Cold Grave, the 6th book in her series featuring forensic physician, Dr Anya Crichton late last week. Kathryn Fox is a medical practitioner with a special interest in forensic medicine and lives in Sydney with her family.  She has worked as a family physician, medical journalist and freelance writer. Her debut novel received international acclaim and won the 2005 Davitt Award for best crime novel. Cold Grave follows Malicious Intent, Without Consent, Skin and Bone, Blood Born and Death Mask.

I have long been a fan of Kathryn’s and I was incredibly nervous (which you will notice) during  the interview,  even though she was absolutely lovely to talk to.  In the audio which you can listen to  by clicking play below, we chat about Cold Grave, writing and much more.

Kathryn Fox and Cold Grave

**Please note I am still not having much success with my recordings so you will likely need to turn up your computer speakers to hear Kathryn’s responses to my questions.

While you listed you can read my review below.

Title: Cold Grave {Dr Anya Crichton #6}

Author: Kathryn Fox

Published: Pan Macmillan July 2012

Synopsis: Forensic physician Dr Anya Crichton needs a break. Cocooned from the world aboard a luxury cruise ship, nothing can interrupt time with her precious six year old son. Peace is shattered when the body of a teenage girl is discovered shoved in a cupboard, dripping wet. With no obvious cause of death and the nearest port days away, Anya volunteers her forensic expertise. She quickly uncovers a sordid pattern of sexual assaults, unchecked drug use and mysterious disappearances. With crew too afraid to talk, she is drawn into the underbelly of the cruise line, its dangerous secrets and the murky waters of legal accountability. Shadowed by a head of security with questionable loyalties, Anya can trust no one. Her family’s lives depend on what she does next. One thing is certain. There is a killer on board.

Status: Read on June 30, 2012 — I own a copy {Courtesy Pan Macmillan Australia}

My Thoughts:

Cold Grave is the 6th book by Kathryn Fox featuring forensic physician, Dr Anya Crichton, and after the first few pages I was barely able to tear myself away.

Cleverly plotted with multiple threads that provide intriguing mystery and thrilling action, Cold Grave is a fantastic read. Inspired in part by the death of Australian Dianne Brimble, a mother of three who was drugged, raped and left to die by a group of men during a cruise in 2002, Fox creates a compelling story exploring the seedier side of cruising that happy holiday makers are rarely aware of. In Cold Grave the victim is Lily, a naive teenager and talented musician, whose death seems to be little more than an inconvenience to the crew of the luxury liner. The discovery of bruising on her inner thighs and GBH in her system during the post mortem leads Anya to suspect she was drugged and abused before being left to die in a towel cupboard on deck. A group of aggressive men on board seem to be likely suspects but proving their culpability will be difficult, especially since the crew seem reluctant to cooperate.
As Anya pushes for an investigation into the circumstances of Lily’s death, an anonymous note alerts her to more deadly secrets aboard the ship. Violence, espionage, missing persons, illegal practices and cover-ups put Anya, and her family, at risk with no where to go. Wary of the security agent who shadows her every move Anya is nevertheless determined to do what she does best, speak for the victims.

As always it is Anya’s compassion and desire for justice that drives her to become involved in the crime. While Anya can sometimes seem cold and self righteous she is, I think, more emotionally vulnerable in Cold Grave than in previous books, specifically in terms of her relationship with her ex husband and I appreciated the opportunity to gain more insight into her character. I also enjoyed seeing Martin in another light and liked him far more than I expected.

I have to admit I am no longer as keen to one day cruise upon a luxury liner but Cold Grave is a compelling crime novel with a setting that lends itself well to suspense and intrigue. The Dr Anya Crichton series remains a firm favourite of mine and I am happy to recommend it without reservation.

You can learn more about Kathryn Fox at

Website I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads

Cold Grave is available:

Australian Edition: @PanMacmillan I @BoomerangBooks I @Booktopia I @Amazon {Kindle} I @Google Play

via Booko

UK Edition: @Amazon UK I @Amazon US I @BookDepository 

UK Cover August 30th

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