Cold revolves around three central themes.
First, Susan’s own writings showed she realized she was trapped in an abusive marriage. She reached out to family and friends, yet she could not escape. Understanding why might allow other women to navigate and avoid their own dangerous situations.
Second, the totality of the evidence, most all of it circumstantial, pointed to Josh’s guilt. The police investigation was comprehensive, a fact backed up by police records. There were, however, missed opportunities that could have changed the outcome.
Third, the records revealed Josh’s father, Steven Powell, groomed him as a child and influenced him as an adult to act in a controlling, abusive manner to his spouse. Josh and his dad shared a complicated relationship, part of a multigenerational pattern of manipulation.