I just finished Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates and here is my review!

Running from the ghosts of her past, Christa and her boyfriend join a tour group heading deep into the rocky mountains to unplug from the real world. On the way there, bad weather has them stuck on the road with snow falling like heavy blankets…

During the night their tour guide goes missing but in the morning… the group finds his severed head… Suspicion falls on everyone in the group and worst still….. Maybe it is someone they have upset… out there.

I have to admit, I was so curious about this book. Darcy Coates writes horror and I love her horror books so to see she had written a thriller with her old school horror edge… Had me beyond excited. She nailed it. Truly nailed it. I had gotten to the point where thriller books were all starting to feel the same and this one really felt like it opened the thrill of the rush back to me again.
Christa was involved in an accident years before and she was barely hanging in there. Her boyfriend wanted to take this trip together so they could get out and do something together. The character development was really well done. The way Christa felt was so tangible and realistic, that I could not help flipping through the pages as fast as my eyes could read. You get to know all the people on the bus and that helps to give a real well rounded book cast!
I’m not a huge fan of snowy plots because cold temps are always a given but I felt this one had something that made it feel unique! I am not going to lie. I guessed the ending. I’ve read so many thrillers in my time and it’s hard to deke me out. I knew from the middle of the book what was what but I am in the minority. It is an epic rollercoaster ride and I was glad I took it.


I would have liked more from the ending. I just needed to know the after effects from Christa but it wasn’t needed to complete this brilliant book.
5 stars! Thank you so much to @netgalley and poisonedpenpress for my gifted copy

<B>I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

If you need trigger warnings, this is not the read for you.

My Review</b>: What you need to know is that this author's already famous, and has done this work for over twenty books now. This means there are Expectations from Darcy Coates readers, plus the hook is baited with care and attention to the creation of more Darcy Coates readers. This effort is successful, and pays off. The sentences flow past you, making perhaps only a modest impression separately. The cumulative effect, like the river's flow of my metaphor, is powerful and impressive. I'm not all that impressed with the author's effort until I step back and consider what the journey I've been on has left me to feel and think about.

There are always, always comparisons of "stranded together, death stalks them" stories to And Then There Were None. Inevitable; unfair. The standard-setter of the subgenre will usually win because that's the nature of literary analysis. When one is held up to a known standard, one is seldom going to be the one coming out on top in the comparisons. So let's get this out of the way: Darcy Coates isn't Dame Agatha. And you know what? That's just fine with me. I enjoy the set-up enough to get the story on its terms, not my literary snobby standards.

One of those standards is mysteries don't reveal the gore; thrillers do. Author Coates, then, delivers a thriller. Given a lot of her work is horror, that isn't in any way out of character. Also notable is the truism that thriller characters live to die, and more often than not aren't givena lot of development before or after their deaths. Another tick in the thriller column.

The freak-storm trope always decreases my pleasure in a mystery/thriller. If it was unexpected, how did the miscreant plan and execute (!) all these elaborate endings? How were these people, all with vile secrets that meant I was utterly indifferent to their murders (in a couple cases, actively pleased they'd died horribly), assembled with the assurance that they'd be incommunicado? That was always the flaw in my own pleasure when reading this particular set-up by anyone. It means I've literally never rated one of these reads above four stars.

Looking above, you'll see all four of those stars. I loved the experience of being chilled to the bone by Author Coates's wintertime evocation. I was, ironically, delighted with the nurderer's choices of victims. The issue for me was there were too many of them for the sketchy chsracterizations to keep me interested in their fates. Being inside Christa's head made the technique inevitable. The use of very short chapters suits the need to keep the story moving but ultimately make that action, propulsive as it is, feel more repetitive than it should in order to propel the story to greater-than-the source heights. The tragedies, as I've said above, seem less effective as character establishing mechanisms than as justifications for the briyality inflicted on these rotters because there isn't the scope to do more than report them.

Cavils like these aside, I join the chorus of Goodreads readers wondering where the hell the movie is—I can already see it, done by (say) Guy Ritchie...it's got his blend of violence and moral ambiguity and visual power.

Book Review

-Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates
Pub Date: 7.11.2023

Such a good read. This was my first read by Darcy Coates (even though I have like 3 of her other books on my shelf).

The suspense, thrill, mystery was all there. I enjoyed the short chapters. Right amount of horror. I absolutely was hooked from beginning to end. I had my suspicions of who it could be but then it keep switching through the book and was not expecting who it actually was.

Do check trigger warnings on this.

If you love a good mystery, camping/outdoor setting this is the book to read.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Darcy Coates & I very much enjoyed it! The writing is easy and engaging and really works for this type of a book. While I did have the killer figured out right away, I thought the way the story was told was interesting to keep me turning the pages. I would've liked to know if the other two people survived, but that's just me, It wasn't necessary to the story! I'll be checking out Darcy's other books for sure!

Darcy Coates had me until the last head rolled and that was fantastic and very unusual. This dark and disturbing, graphically suspenseful novel had me so wrapped up I couldn’t stop reading until the last word was read.

I don’t even have the breath to scream. My face is to the sky, my back to the empty white void beneath me as I plunge, carrying a wave of snow in my wake.

And that is only the beginning of Christa’s nightmare. Nine people begin the tour and only one person will be left standing. I figure…it has to be her…doesn’t it? But, how will the others be taken out and who is the one doing it that is the question.

At first I rated Dead Of Winter by Darcy Coates a four, but as I wrote this review, seeing the novel had everything I could want in a suspense novel and an ending that deserves a star of it’s own, I had to raise my rating to a 5. I mean, I love a good storm, whether in the cold climes leading to a blizzard or the warm climes leading to a hurricane, an isolated location, a killer amongst them, bloody, gruesome and graphic deaths…I mean, what more could I possibly require for a mind numbing thrill ride into the depths of depravity and revenge?

We have those ‘don’t go out there’ moments…and I love it.

The writing and pacing keeps the suspense at a high level, the story flowing seamlessly. The list of suspects included all of the tour goers, Darcy Coates making me suspicious of them all, at one time or another. I couldn’t eliminate anyone, except Christa. Did I see who the villain was and the need for revenge? Sure, there was a hint or two here and there of the reason, but it did not lead me to the villain…until Darcy Coates exposed him. I bow to her for a job WELL DONE.

OH, I forgot to mention the gorgeous cover and the intriguing title that screams, “Read me!”.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

I spent this book on a ride to guess who the killer was. I guessed in chapter two. I was right and only thought I was wrong for about half a chapter. There were far too many clues to guess the killer.

That being said, as always I loved Darcy's writing style and her ability to give you the absolute ick factor in any situation. The cold and the crowded room feeling and the dread were put across the page so well here. That definitely added to the fun. On the other side, this was not my favorite work of Darcy's. I think I prefer her haunted house stories to this.

Like many locked room (in this case locked snowstorm) mysteries, the clues are there from the beginning to figure out whodunnit. For me, this one was pretty obvious from the start. But I am well-read in my Agatha Christie, so maybe it comes easier to me. I did enjoy the ride and seeing if there would be a final girl at the end. This is a bit gorier than classic AC, so if you're looking for a a cozier read, this is not the book for you.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I am convinced Darcy Coates is the queen of horror, and nothing can convince me otherwise. Her books are horrifying in the best way. I think this might be my new favorite of hers!!! I do wish it came out closer to fall or winter to get the full affect of the book, but reading it in July was awesome too!

I can’t believe that this was my first Darcy Coates book!! I own several of her books but this was the first time I’d read anything and whoa.. I read it in two sittings staying up until 4AM the second night because I couldn’t be pulled from it!

I mean, EVERYONE was a freaking suspect in this book! And the ending? I so did not see that coming. I doubted everyone from the main character to the snow itself in this book.

Dead of Winter is a must read if you’re looking for a quick and intriguing thriller. You will not be disappointed one bit when picking this book up!

Wow just wow!! Dead of Winter is a crazy whodunit is a thrilling ride that will keep you guessing until the end. This book has a lot of characters but it’s told from Christa’s POV.
Kieran takes Christa on a tour into the Rockies in the middle of winter. From the start of the tour things start to happen and people start to die one by one. Don’t even want to say anymore than that bc I’m afraid I will spoil the book.
I could not put this book down today!! There were so many twists and turns up until the very end. I had an idea who the killer was from the beginning but throughout the book Darcy made me second guess myself…a lot. The only thing I wished is that it wouldn’t have left you guessing or using your imagination at the end. This book has made my favorite thriller list for 2023.
Thank you Darcy Coates, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an advance copy of Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates. I really enjoy books by Darcy Coates as they are spooky thrillers, often with ghosts. This one was different from the others I’ve read in that there is no haunting. A small group of people are heading for a relaxing vacation in the mountains when their bus gets stranded on the road. A winter storm comes in and they are forced to find shelter in an old house. One by one, people start to disappear and show up murdered. The main character, Christa, tries to figure out who is targeting them and why. It was a good story, a little gruesome in parts so if you don’t like that kind of detail, you may want to skip those parts. Overall, I enjoyed it. I thought I knew who the culprit was early, but the story had me second guessing myself until the end. I recommend it!

Christa and her boyfriend Kiernan are on a bus traveling up the mountainside to spend a few days in a beautiful retreat. A fallen tree stops them, then a horrible snowstorm hits. Christa is separated from Keirnan but is able to make her way to a small cabin where she finds the rest of the tour group. Christa’s primary concern is getting back out there and finding Keirnan, but the murder of the trip guide changes her focus.
Unexplained things continue to happen with cruel regularity. The days go by, the food runs out, and the remaining few are infighting. Just as you think you’ve figured out this “Agatha Cristy” type of tale, the author throws a wrench in your theory. The pace is super-quick, the actions and thoughts of Christa keep you on your toes, and the description of the cold is painstakingly descriptive. If you love who-done-its, this is your next read.
Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date was July 11, 2023.

This novel gave was exactly what I was expecting it to be, and I loved it, it surely didn't disappoint! Seriously, I couldn't put it down!
The author is really good at building a creepy atmosphere, which is something I really enjoyed. It really felt as if I was on a freezing mountain and there was someone trying to unalive me (How fun!).
And I have to say it: I actually guessed who the killer was 1/4 into the book! I'm glad they turned out to be the killer, because if they hadn't, the ending would have been very anticlimactic.
Also, it they made a movie based on this book, I'd be the first one on the line to buy tickets.
I'm definitely going to be reading more books by Darcy Coates!
If you want to read a thriller with slasher vibes, go read this one, you'll love it!
I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Christa and her boyfriend Kiernan join a tour group heading to a luxurious lodge in the middle of the mountains, but when the tour bus is blocked by fallen trees and a snowstorm the group is forced to take shelter in an abandoned cabin. Deep in the night, their tour guide goes missing...only to be discovered the following morning, his severed head impaled on a tree outside the cabin. Terrified, and completely isolated by the storm, Christa finds herself trapped with eight total strangers. One of them kills for sport...and they're far from finished.

Wow this was a wild ride from start to finish. My first book from Darcy Coates and it will defiantly not be my last!

This was a fantastic who dunnit and i genuinely had no idea what was going on!

Christa has agreed to join her boyfriend on a tour group of the Rocky Mountains, while on the trip. She his hoping to find some clarity in how to deal with some ghosts from her past. When a snowstorm hits the bus the group realizes they must find shelter and quickly if they are goingmto survive the weather. They find an abandoned hunting cabin and everyone feels relatively safe. Soon they learn that no one is safe, first the tour guide goes missing and is later found without his head. Everyone is scared and no one knows who to trust. They soon.learn that the killer is just getting started. Christa finds herself looking at the others in the group trying to figure out who the killer may be. Will Krista figure out who the murderer is and why they are killing before she ends up dead? This was an intriguing read that had me guessing the whole way through!

Thank you to the Publisher, Author, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book, in return for my honest review.

I was so excited to get accepted for an ARC of this story as I have heard such great things about Darcy Coates and her stories. Sadly, I just could not get into the story. Although it will not stop me from trying another one of her books. I can say the wintry, isolated setting with a murderer on the lose is a trope, I have read one too many times in my life. The story seemed to be dragged out, maybe I might have liked it if it was shorter? On the other hand, Darcy does really dive into building the characters up and providing a question around who actually could be the murderer which left me guessing the entire book.

Christa joins her boyfriend and a group of others on a tour into the Rocky Mountains. Their end stop is an isolated lodge, but when a blizzard comes through and stops them before getting there, they are forced to relocate to an abandoned cabin in a valley. They find solace in the warmth and shelter from the snowstorm, until members of the group start disappearing. How could this be happening, in the isolated parts of the Rocky Mountains?

DEAD OF WINTER, by Darcy Coates, is a twisty, psychological horror/thriller novel that takes place in an isolated lodge--or "should" have....

Our Main Character, Christa, is traveling with her boyfriend--the only one who was able to draw her out of her shell after being part of a horrible accident a couple years prior. The action starts out immediately, and I will admit that in those first few chapters, I felt a little "lost"--like I was already missing something. However, that quickly changed as the direction of the story became more clear.

One by one, members of their lost party are being picked off in gruesome ways, and they can only assume the killer is one of their own.

How well do you know the people around you?

This book--while having some very predictable elements--was still one that managed to keep me turning pages, determined to see if my theories were correct. While the main one I formulated early on was, another was not, and I absolutely loved that the author was able to pull it off so convincingly!

One of the better novels I've read by this author!

Recommended!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat, engaged and petrified the entire way through. A definite 5 star read.

This is one of the best novels I have read this year. It has wonderfully complex characters. An honest fear is put into everyone of them and the read, as well. It starts in the beginning and never lets up. The writing is so good that you will feel the anxiety, tension and terror of Christa and the other characters. It will keep you up at night. I can’t express how good this is.


I received an ARC from Poison Pen Press through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

This is a particularly gruesome story about a group who go off to a luxury lodge in the Rocky Mountains for a romantic (supposedly!) weekend. As expected by the title, there is a lot of death in this thriller! Their private bus breaks down and Crista loses track of her boyfriend Kiernan and cannot find him in the brutal winter conditions so agrees to stay with the others, who are all by the way strangers to her. They end up in a small cabin along the way, and she plans on going back out to find Kiernan. Then their guide, Brian, is the first to disappear, and is found with his head impaled on a tree branch. It reminds me of most of the locked-door thrillers, with people being picked off one by one! If you like that story, this is the book for you!

This book will have you disturbed and eager to keep reading. Dead of Winter is a horror/thriller following a young couple on their way to a lodge in the Rocky Mountains for a vacation. Only the bus gets stuck on the way up the mountain and while the passengers find refuge at a cabin they start getting picked off one by one. This book was a lot of fun. I guessed the twists before they happened but I still had a good time reading it. I’d recommend it to anyone that likes who among us is the killer vibes and macabre displays left by the killer. Maybe just don’t read it at night, especially if it’s snowing.