I enjoyed the fast pace which suited the premise well. This was helped by the short chapters.
This book would have benefited from more action

I had a super hard time getting through this book…I’m not even sure what it was about it that was off putting to me. Just the same things happening and no answers along the way. Possibly because to me 12 days of Christmas/ 12 days of murder means 1 murder a day? But there wasn’t even that many…I was possible bored while it was getting nowhere.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance reader copy to review.

I am grateful for the advanced copy! A good police procedural though it was more gentle than gritty. It was up to James Walker to solve the surprise gift that landed on his doorstep. It was an interesting mystery but that's where it stopped for me. Just okay and predictable.

This is quite the little teaser! All I can really say it is draws you right in and makes you want to read the full length book.

A great book first in a new series
Set in Cumbria
D.I James Walker has moved up there to the sleepy village for some peace
But that’s what he doesn’t get
With murders piling up can he solve them
Loved this can’t wait for next in the series
Thanks NetGalley

This was a thrilling read by a new author - to me anyways. I love the way the author weaves a story, keeping the reader entertained throughout. Recommended for anyone who loves a good read.

Sounds good, looking forward to reading this book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a sneak peek of this book.

I loved the premise behind this book and was really looking forward to it, especially as the reviews I'd seen were so good. However for me, this cozy village murder mystery simply never really got going until well over half way in. It did pick up after the second murder but the fact that the murderer was obvious from pretty much their first appearance removed any possible tension from the story

I really enjoyed this book and would read more from this author. May have been first but won't he the last.

I enjoyed the book, quick read. Nice interesting storyline, Thanks for the advanced copy. Can't wait to read more by Alex Pine

Wow. This teaser certainly has left me needing to get the entire story.
Brilliantly written, full of suspense, and really grasps your attention right from the start.. I will be eagerly anticipating the rest of the book!

DI Walker arrives at his Cumbrian village home in Kirky Abbey and discovers a gruesome package. It contains a dead bird and a twelve days of Christmas card with a message saying twelve days twelve murders. Then the first body is discovered. The snow and blizzard cuts off the village leaving residents feeling scared and vulnerable. Will Walker be able to catch the murderer before they strike again. Absolutely brilliant read.

Today's book review is a little different in that, I haven't actually finished the book. *Shock horror!* However, hear me out. It's not because I wasn't enjoying it but because I ran out of time.

Today is 7th January, which means I'm already one day late for the last-chance festive themed reads, what with the sixth being the traditional day to take down the decorations *sob*. So guess who timed their last Christmas read too late (read as: I was watching episodes of Bridgerton when I should have been reading – Shh)?

So this is the book review for THE CHRISTMAS KILLER by Alex Pine – Part One. (To be continued next year!)

I loved the conceit of this novel, when the author draws us in with the hook almost immediately; It's almost Christmas and DI James Walker returns home to an early Christmas present left on his doorstep – a dead partridge and a threatening note: twelve days, twelve murders. And so begins the hunt for a serial killer, but can DI Walker and the team solve the crime before there is another death?

Isn't that just great? What a brilliant idea! And I was totally sold, enjoying the characters and Pine's talent for suspense as I was lured further into the book. However – and perhaps it's the book editor in me beng hyper aware to it – but I was not a fan of the heavy reliance on reported narrative; there were parts where I felt I was being told the story, rather than being fully immersed in it as things happened 'off camera'. This is, of course, a style choice, and it didn't spoil the enjoyment of the story itself, but I did find these sections less engaging than they could have been.

At the halfway point, I can't wait to dive in again next year! Keep your eyes peeled for Part 2!

The premise and storyline of this one sounded really interesting. Unfortunately I found the way the story was told quite slow and repetitive. I struggled to relate to the characters and found I was not really interested in discovering the killer. DNF at 56%.

A fantastic introduction to what seems like it's going to be a great thriller. Can't wait to read more since I've been approved for the full book too.

Wow this book is definitely one to add to your Christmas book pile ignore the fact it took me a week to read it wasn't the fact it was no good I just can not get my head into reading atm. But I think this would definitely be a book I would whizz through normally. Lots of characters to make you think is it you is it you. I really like di James walker I hope this is not the last we have seen of him.

With the promise of 12 murders in 12 days this will keep you guessing.

Thank you to netgalley for a gifted copy to give an honest review.

This book was a slow starter and I felt a little let down that it took 20% before someone died... it continued to slowly build and then seemed to unravel to a pretty predictable ending.

It wasn’t all bad though, I did enjoy the two POV’s and the village setting in Cumbria. I liked the backgrounds of how everyone was interlinked but it did feel like it might have been too much crammed in where less could have been covered better.

I found this book quite a good read. It had me wondering throughout who the killer could be. I never guessed who it was until the very last moment.

I did feel like the middle bit did drag on a little with the police not knowing who did it and just going over the same information.

Thank you to the author, publishers and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.

A good Christmas/Winter read. The characters were on the whole likeable and keeps the reader guessing who the murderer is. Short snappy chapters make it a book you can pick up and put down at leisure. I look forward to reading more in the series.

This teaser makes you wish to read the entire book. I cannot wait to continue with the rest of the story.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC