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Cover of A Long Cold Sleep

A Long Cold Sleep

A Novel

Deborah Crombie

Written by
Deborah Crombie
Length
12 hrs
Series
Kincaid and James Series, Book 20
Publisher
William Morrow
Released
2027-04-13

Shelved under

What it is

Read by AudioFile Golden Voice narrator Gerard Doyle

When the shocking discovery of a body in Regent’s Canal interrupts a riverboat tour, Metropolitan Police Inspectors Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid are called to investigate in the next twisty mystery from New York Times bestselling author Deborah Crombie.

A few months after his beloved wife’s death from cancer, Miles Deering wonders if he’ll ever get used to her absence. Then he discovers papers among her belongings that make him wonder if he ever really knew her at all…

The next day, Detective Inspector Gemma James is called to Regent’s Canal to investigate a body that surfaced during a boat tour. It’s none other than Miles Deering, and it doesn’t look like he went into the water of his own accord. Still adjusting to her new station after a recent transfer, and mistrustful of her colleagues given the station’s reputation for discriminating against outsiders, Gemma calls on Duncan Kincaid for assistance.

Along with Gemma’s old partner, Melody Talbot, and Duncan’s sergeant, Doug Cullen, they begin to unravel the details of Miles Deering’s life. According to his friends and family, he was a well-off widower with no obvious enemies. But Gemma can’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t a random killing—which means one of Miles’s nearest and dearest is lying.

Someone is hiding a secret worth killing for, and the detectives are determined discover who. But as the team gets closer to a real answer, another attack puts the pressure on. To make matters more complicated, Gemma’s new boss seems intent on stymying her investigation. But Gemma, Kincaid, and their colleagues are willing to risk everything, including their careers, if it means catching a killer.

About the series

Kincaid and James Series in order →

Kincaid and James Series — 26 books, showing the 24 around this one

  1. 3 Leave the Grave Green4.4
  2. 4 Mourn Not Your Dead4.5
  3. 5 Dreaming of the Bones4.3
  4. 6 Kissed a Sad Goodbye: A Duncan Kincaid / Jemma James Novel4.5
  5. 7 A Finer End: A Duncan Kincaid / Gemma James Novel4.4
  6. 8 And Justice There Is None: A Duncan Kincaid / Jemma James Novel4.5
  7. 9 Now May You Weep: The Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Novels, Book 94.5
  8. 10 In a Dark House
  9. 10 In a Dark House: The Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Mystery Series, Book 104.6
  10. 11 Water Like a Stone: The Duncan Kincaid / Gemma James Mystery Series, Book 114.7
  11. 11 Water Like a Stone4.5
  12. 12 Where Memories Lie4.6
  13. 12 Where Memories Lie4.6
  14. 13 Necessary as Blood4.4
  15. 13 Necessary as Blood4.6
  16. 14 No Mark Upon Her4.6
  17. 14 No Mark Upon Her4.3
  18. 15 The Sound of Broken Glass: A Novel4.6
  19. 16 To Dwell in Darkness: A Novel4.5
  20. 17 Garden of Lamentations: A Novel4.5
  21. 18 A Bitter Feast4.5
  22. 18 A Bitter Feast: A Novel4.6
  23. 19 A Killing of Innocents: A Novel4.6
  24. 20 A Long Cold Sleep: A Novel

On the charts

Last charted October 19, 2026. Its best position was 3 on Coming soon in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, reached September 26, 2026. Seen on 1 chart over 39 days of readings, the first on August 28, 2026.

1 18 3 September 13, 2026 October 19, 2026 September 13, 2026 — position 18September 17, 2026 — position 10September 21, 2026 — position 14September 22, 2026 — position 10September 23, 2026 — position 12September 24, 2026 — position 9September 25, 2026 — position 6September 26, 2026 — position 3September 27, 2026 — position 4September 28, 2026 — position 3September 29, 2026 — position 9September 30, 2026 — position 8October 1, 2026 — position 8October 2, 2026 — position 8October 3, 2026 — position 4October 4, 2026 — position 5October 5, 2026 — position 3October 6, 2026 — position 5October 7, 2026 — position 5October 8, 2026 — position 4October 9, 2026 — position 4October 11, 2026 — position 4October 12, 2026 — position 6October 13, 2026 — position 7October 14, 2026 — position 7October 15, 2026 — position 5October 16, 2026 — position 5October 17, 2026 — position 5October 18, 2026 — position 6October 19, 2026 — position 4
Coming soon in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense — position by day.
ChartBestDaysLast seen
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Coming soon 3 30 days October 19, 2026

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