Cold Storage has some great techno-thriller aspects, but even though it's called a standalone I found it hard to get a full glimpse of the world that was built in Grumley's series that I hadn't read. What was the actual state of the US, and what was going on with China's army? What freezing technology experiments had and hadn't been revealed, and most importantly, which of the sides competing for the technology and its guinea pig stood for what? It didn't have to be good/evil, but some aspect of a rooting interest or worldview, as they both seemed similar on their surface - people wanting to freeze themselves to wake up in the future for various reasons, and how to manage the crazy risks.
That being said, there were interesting characters and plots, and very compelling descriptions of scientific and ethical conundrums.

Before you even think of taking a plunge into Cold Storage (pun mildly intended) make sure you’ve read the first book in the series, Deep Freeze, otherwise you might find yourself more than a bit confused. But for those that have read Deep Freeze, buckle up for another wild adventure. This is a popcorn flick in book form, and by that I mean don’t even try to over analyze the plausibility of it all (and by that I mean I have no idea where the research into this type of technology actually is), just sit back and enjoy the ride. For me this is just pure escapism. Army vet John Reiff is a human lab rat. Armed with secrets that people are willing to kill for, he also has a will to survive like no other. This is a fast paced, action packed thriller sure to delight fans of the first novel. While most of the loose threads are tied up by the end, I won’t be disappointed if Grumley decides to give us more in the future. Now as for the audio, Scott Brick is the narrator, and when I see his name attached to a project I just know it’s going to be quality. He’s just one of those top tier narrators who never disappoints. I’d like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review an advanced copy of the audio version of Cold Storage.

The narrator was great and even-toned. The plot was a bit slow, and it felt like I heard the same thing in four different ways during the first 30-40% of the book. The interesting premise of being frozen, coming back, refreezing, and still coming back (but with dangerous side effects) was intriguing and kept me going. Fans of James Patterson and David Baldacci may enjoy this one.

So, as I now see in a few reviews, this is book #2 in the series…so you may want to read book #1 first.

That being said, this was quite the ride!! Reiff is a “lab rat” for a cryogenics project, with hopes that people can be frozen, and then thawed, and return to life…maybe in different times… maybe healthier… maybe for other reasons.
And, as happens with new technology, sometimes draft number one is not always the best…

Although it seems to be a great idea with some valid points, there are always those who are not in it to make progress for all, but only for a select few! This is one of those times…

So, Reiff and the crew go about trying to make history, and yet at times, just trying to STAY ALIVE…to see another day is a big order! 😮

Fast paced, lots of theories, lots of action (and killing)…

But, overall a great read!!

And, if you listen to the audiobook, you have the bonus of a terrific narrator in Scott Brick!!
And it felt like a ‘Reacher’ book (a bit) because of the narrator! 😄

#ColdStorage by #MichaelCGrumley and narrated beautifully by #ScottBrick.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is **** DUE TO HIT SHELVES ON 1/7/25 ****
..so a few short weeks away!!

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This is an interesting book about a man who is basically a test subject. John has so many secrets, and this book was so fun as it carefully revealed them. I got lost in the pages and the audio. I listened to this one and took turns reading my physical copy as well. It made for quite the reading experience. The audio was well done and really helped bring the story to life. I loved the narrator and think that they did a fantastic job. This book does get a little technical at times, but it isn’t overwhelming and fits into the story nicely. It is one of those books that you have to let yourself go, and just go with the flow. I think sometimes that can be tricky with dystopian, but once you do it is really great. This book is a great sequel, and while it says it can be read as a stand alone, I think that you will get so much more out of it if you read the first one before diving in here.

If you’re looking for a fun thriller, then you need to check this one out.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Michael C. Grumley, and Macmillan Audiofor providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Michael C. Grumley returns with this great story that pushes the limits of scientific technology and the realm of survival. In this piece, he explores cryogenics and the slippery slope that comes from being able to live longer—even forever. When John Reiff is revived from a cryogenic state, many want to study him, though their methods and end desires are anything but pure. As he tries to stay one step ahead of a band of criminals, Reiff must make sense of what has happened to him and how he could be the answer to many scientific problems, as well as the kernel to create a criminal enterprise like no other. A great story that uses the reader to think as they enjoy get another Grumley novel.

John Reiff is a technological marvel, though some would call him a lab rat. While the Army vet is living proof that technology can lengthen one’s life, the worry is that it could also make him a target for those with nefarious ideas. Such is the case this time, when Reiff is revived from his passing in a shady neighbourhood. Many are hunting him down to study his time in cryogenics and how they can use this to their advantage.

Add to that, John Reiff holds the key to many secrets, bth military and personal, that could be highly useful in the wrong hands. Now, Reiff is a hunted man. His body, mind, and future are all hot commodities for those with the means to cultivate them. With little time to waste and no time to ponder, John Reiff will have to make smart choices if he wants to stay alive, and out of the hands of those who would use him like a lab rat once more. Michael C. Grumley keeps the reader thinking as they try to decipher the core values of scientific research based on cryogenics. A great read, though not for the passive reader!

There is something about Michael C. Grumley that always gets my mind spinning. He chooses great storylines and infuses them with keen scientific questions, all of which are worth pondering and picking a side. The narrative lays the groundwork for a great story and key areas of interest in relation to cryogenics. The reader can see all there is on offer and then pick their side, substantiating it with some of what Grumley offers up in this book. As things gain momentum, the reader is keenly aware of all that is going on, as well as formulating their position. Characters provide wonderful insights and fuel additional levels of analysis, something the reader can latch onto for their own enjoyment. Plot points are key to keeping the story clipping along and Grumley does not skimp on these either. I enjoy a book that keeps me thinking and wondering as it meanders from topic to topic with ease.

Kudos, Mr. Grumley, for a great story that left me questioning all I know!

While this was marketed on NetGalley as a standalone thriller, I think readers who have not read "Deep Freeze" will feel a bit unmoored as they try to come up to speed. "Cold Storage" begins right where "Deep Freeze" leaves off, so I do recommend reading book one in the Revival series first for the smoothest experience.

The characters are well developed and there is plenty of action to sweep readers along. Like with its predecessor, there are times in the book where the science gets quite technical, so those looking for a light thriller may want to look elsewhere. This technical side does help lend an air of believability to an otherwise large stretch. While I don't think I'm the target reader for this series, I know it will be well received and find its place with other readers.

I listened to this audiobook courtesy of NetGalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review. Scott Brick did a wonderful job on narration and the audiobook production was strong with few to no distractions. 3.5 stars rounded down.

The gangs all back: John, Rachel, Wayne, Henry, and Devin. The billionaires, who are funding the illegal government cryogenics program, are back too. They’re still planning to use John’s DNA, who was their guinea pig for the program in the last installment and use John’s DNA to make them live longer and healthier. They still have their goons looking for John and the gang who have been on the run for months now since the end of the last installment. However, the gang is looking for the machine that can bring John back to life – again.

The book summary basically introduces the primary storyline and the real reason for all the research and testing of freezing and unfreezing John. What the book summary isn’t saying is that this secret that the billionaires have been keeping for decades is the real reason and purpose for the whole project that brought John back to life. The use of the program to put the billionaires into a cryogenic state was always the secondary purpose of the project. This isn’t a spoiler since it’s revealed pretty early in the story (approx. 27% mark).

The rest of the story is all about getting John back so that the billionaires can continue the real project that will reveal what needs to be done in order for them to go safely under cryogenics so that they can continue to rule the world in another time. Then late in the story, a totally unexpected reveal completely puts a whole different spin on the story leading to a shocking end. Unfortunately, it also brings an end to the storyline. Not sure if Grumley has any plans to continue, but if he does, I will certainly check it out.

There are those who will not like this story because of how unbelievable it is. That is why it is called fiction folks. It’s not a true story or even based on a true story and especially not on current proven scientific experiments and/or theories, at least I don’t think it is. Every reader has a right to their own opinions and every book has their own audience, who will love it for what it is. I feel so fortunate that I am not one of those kinds of readers whose enjoyment of a fictious story is contingent of the story’s level of believability. For me, the crazier the better. That is why I read fiction!

The continuing character development of John and his friends was good and the further development of the billionaires was certainly welcomed. The reader now gets a full picture of who all the players are. The pacing was steady to fast and the storyline continued to interest me from the get-go to that shocking end. The writing was good too, but I still feel that Grumley was pretty stingy with clues and leads. I’m sure that’s by design though. The narrator, Scott Brick, is as good as ever! That guy is so good at creating a fevered pitch of suspense and intensity throughout the story, adding so much value to the story and writing. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.3 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #ColdStorage

I listened to this book. The narrator is top notch. I didnt realize this was part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. Part science fiction, part action thriller. Very enjoyable listen. From the Himalayan mountains to Key West to Arizona, the action never stops.

4 stars

Cold Storage, the fantastic sequel to Michael C. Grumley’s Deep Freeze and book two in his Revival series, is a stunning thriller that starts with action and ends with a mind-blowing cyclone of a finish.
John Rieff, the protagonist from Deep Freeze, is on the run from a shadowy group determined to reclaim their cryogenic experiment. Set in a near-future world, this thriller explores the dark side of technological advancements. The world as we know it has changed, and a group of privileged individuals is attempting to use cryogenics to save themselves for a later period when technology has improved. But they have a secret that could change everything. Rieff, while attempting to recover from being in cold storage, is determined to work with his team to unravel their objectives and stop them.
Crumley has masterfully crafted a story that will steal hours of your sleep as you won’t want to put it down. The book delves into themes of immortality and the ethical dilemmas of cryogenics, questioning what it means to truly live. What if the key to immortality was within reach, but only for a select few? Highly recommended for fans of sci-fi thrillers, Cold Storage will grab your attention at the on-set and stay with you long after the last page.

This just got wilder the longer I read it. The conclusion was fast and satisfactory, but I can see a sequel! An interesting concept and written in layman's terms so that anyone could follow along. Well-done!

Great narration by Scott Brick (of course)!

This is book two of the Revival series, and I highly recommend listening to or reading the first one ahead of time or there will be a lot of things that don’t make sense.

This felt on-par with book one with the somewhat confusing world building - like there was a collapse and everything fell apart, and people are starving and everything is chaos, but there’s a still a zoo? And you can buy a burner phone? And satellites are still in orbit? - it all feels a little too conveniently inconsistent for me. I did really appreciate that the FMC Rachel was much less of a dithering dingdong this time around.

Overall, this was entertaining enough with some fun surprises along the way, and I’d definitely listen to a third book to see where it goes next.

A new novel in the Revival series - “The Nine” (evil multi-billionaires) are getting old and impatient for the cryogenic science that is going to put them in a position to run the world in a few decades. But their test subject is missing. This sets off a cat and mouse game, leading to a shocking discovery that has far-ranging implications for the project.
It took me a little while to remember the first book, but then I was back with Reiff and the medical and scientific team working to keep him alive.
My thanks to the author, publisher, #MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Scott Brick narrates with a seriousness that drives the suspense. Publication date: Jan. 7, 2025.