In his Empire review of the feature film version of Cold in July, Kim Newman praises Joe R. Lansdale’s original novel.

Lansdale’s plot begins in parallel with David Cronenberg’s A History Of Violence — they have a shared debt to a certain type of 1950s man-alone-against-outlaws Western — and both versions of Cape Fear, but a major reversal triggered by the actions of a too-smooth-to-trust cop (Damici) sends the story in an unexpected direction. 

On the movie itself:

A character-driven thriller with more twists than an off-the-map dirt road, awards-quality performances from the three leads, a rare sensitivity to the after-effects of horror and a sure directorial hand. Mickle and Damici officially segue from ‘promising’ to ‘delivering’. 

The movie tie-in edition of Cold in July is currently available from all finer outlets.

Cold in July the movie, starring Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Sam Shepard (Black Hawk Down), and Don Johnson (Miami Vice), is currently playing in theaters and on VOD.

Book cover design by Elizabeth Story.