Another great installment to the series, really hope this continues further. A very twisty detective thriller with festive vibes.

This is a Christmas Police Mystery, and this is the fourth book in the DI James Walker series. I have read the first three books in this series before picking up this book, but I do think this book can be read as a standalone without any problems. This series and the characters in the series have really grown on me. I love the mystery in this book, and I did not guess who was the killer. This book took me on a cold snowy twisty crazy ride, and I really enjoyed it. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

This book was ok. I didn’t enjoy it as I usually enjoy the seasonal thrillers. I can’t think of anything else to say…………….

This Christmas, the hunters become the hunted...

Another great book to add to this series is a gripping and well written thriller. I have loved this series from the start and every year hope for a return the following year. This is 4th in a series and although people have said it can be read as a standalone I think reading from the first one gives so much more background into Detective Walker and adds to enjoyment of the story. Seriously though, he just deserves to have a nice and quiet Christmas 🤣

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books UK, and Alex Pine for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another fantastic book from Alex pine. I love their other books in this series and highly recommend this one too. I always look forward to another one in this series.

I have read another book in this series and loved it but this one wasn’t as good for me. I found the plot a bit unbelievable and I felt I was at the half way point before anything actually happened/investigation moved on. I liked it but I wasn’t gripped by it.

I have read, and enjoyed, the previous books in this series and this latest instalment didn’t disappoint. Another great crime to solve and a little more insight into the life of the main character and his family. I recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre. Looking forward to the next one. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers.

Yet again, another smash for Alex Pine. Every year I look forward to my Christmas read to see what DI James Walker is investigating this time. And yet again this book has not disappointed. It was fast paced and exciting, a real page turner. I can’t wait for book number five next year. My absolute Christmas must read.

I have read all 3 previous novels in the DI James Walker series and I still enjoy a good murder mystery at Xmas, although I dont think I would like to move to the Lake District if this is what happens every year!!

As with the previous 3 it was a gripping story, and whilst the pro/anti fox hunting debate wasn't really my scene, I still enjoyed following the mystery along and as usual I didn't guess the murderer!

I sometimes find some of the sentences are not realistically how people talk but I think I can forgive this when I enjoy the story so much.

Everyone should read a good Xmas muder mystery and the DI James Walker series is a great one!

I absolutely love this series of books - they are always fast paced, and constantly keep you guessing, and this one was no different.
It gives a quick recap at the beginning of who is who, so I guess you could read this as a standalone, but it does mention things that happened in previous books so In my opinion would be more enjoyable if you read them on order.
Great read - would highly recommend.

The Night Before Christmas was such a wild ride. The reader gets thrown into the mystery when the disappearance of four men is reported. We are greeted by the original police team who are quickly on the scene, although they soon learn that they will be working another Christmas. They begin to investigate the disappearance until a body turns up. Then they are against the clock if they want to find the other men alive.

I loved the characters in this book, the books are seamless and the characters are consistent. These books can be easily read as standalones but the books do follow the lives of the police team so that’s how they are connected. The book had a good pace and I was hooked from the first page. I couldn’t believe the ending, I was completely shocked by what I read. I thought I had worked it out but I was so far from it. So many of the characters were suspicious and I had a hard time deciding who was being truthful.

These books are so entertaining and they are easy to read. The writing style makes it so quick to fall into the book and into the plot. I was hooked from the first page and the suspense was gripping throughout. The book flows well from the previous books and I am excited to see where the author goes next. I highly recommend this book and the previous books in the series, i absolutely love reading them!!

This is another wonderful read in this series. I have read the previous books in the series and whilst they're not edge of your seat thrillers I highly recommend them.

DI Walker is back with his team trying to solve the disappearance of 4 men whilst juggling time to spend with his extremely patient wife and daughter.

I guessed the ending to this story quite early on but it certainly didn't stop me from enjoying the book. What I love most about this series is the fabulous setting - who doesn't love a snowy winter scene, and the wonderfully written characters. The author doesn't need to create characters with drama or quirky personalities, he writes characters we can relate to who are easy to visualise and remember.

A wonderful book and series which I highly recommend. Roll on winter 2024 for the next installment.

The Night Before Christmas is the fourth book in DI James Walker series and it keeps getting better and better.

I love how the author combines festive season with the grusome and chilling aspects and makes them all work together.

The books are all very realistic, down to earth and relatable.
I also appreciate many side characters having their time in the spotlight and how each and every one of them evolve and grow through the books.
The plot is well crafted and presented with clues to follow along.
It has a steady pace and I immensely enjoy getting the look behind the scenes of every day police life, and how unglamorous it is most of the time yet how efficient and dedicated police officers are. I believe that this series presents them in very human light and paints the completely different picture many of us have of them.

This is the perfect chilling read for the holiday season.

I've read all the books in this series, and this one is exceptionally chilling and convoluted. Detective Inspector James Walker hopes to spend Christmas with his wife and their young child. Wintry weather and a group of missing men make this unlikely, especially when a missing persons' case becomes more sinister. The Cumbrian setting is untamed and wild and adds to the story's menacing quality. The missing men are hunters and not particularly likeable characters, but what happens to them makes this a particularly gritty and thought-provoking story. The themes explored are rural and contemporarily relevant and add complexity to the investigation. There are numerous credible suspects and many false leads, but the clues to the crime are solvable. I like the authentic investigation, the detectives and the story's many twists before its impactful conclusion.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I read the Christmas Killer when it was first released, and every year since I've looked forward to the next installment. Christmas and mystery are two of my favourite aspects of books, so they're such a treat for me.
This time, the victims are fox hunters and so there is much controversy around the case, many disagreeing with their actions, as well as hunt saboteurs who protest their actions- so therefore there are a number of suspects who could want revenge.
I really enjoyed seeing this story piece together, as well as James Walker's home life and the beautiful backdrop of the lakes. Overall this was a really good story, and I'll look forward to seeing where things go next!

#TheNightBeforeChristmas #NetGalley This is the fourth book in this series but it is perfectly capable of being read as a stand alone especially with the recap of "Who's Who" at the beginning. I really love this series. It's well written with likeable believable characters, fast paced with plenty of action, lots of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat and all against the backdrop of beautiful Cumbria!!. I read this in just over a day. I would love to see a story set in a different season to see more of the Lake District in all its glory! I look forward to the next installment in this series and finding out whether James accepts his new job offer or not!

Detective James Walker and his team are called upon to find 4 missing men that set off on a hike on Christmas Eve, with a blizzard fast approaching. Fast-paced, intriguing thriller. You won't want to put it down. A must read.

DCI James Walker is back and it’s Christmas time and that can only mean one thing that there are murders on the horizon.
It’s Christmas Eve and four hunters have gone missing in a blizzard , DCI tries to remain optimistic and hopes they are found alive .
The story that unfolds is a clever and intriguing.
It’s an easy to read book and excellently written and moves at a fair pace .
I enjoyed this book as much as the previous books in the series .
A great Christmas mystery sit back and enjoy the detecting skills of DCI Walker and his team .
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

This was a great book! Reasonably accurate about the Lake District, and also about Mountain Rescue - I wish other authors could learn from this. I do like authors who do a bit of research!
It was also well written, with good characters that make sense. Some good twists, which I always love, and plenty of action - always good in my book! I'm often not a great fan of police novels, but this one doesn't swell too much on that aspect; it is nicely balanced between the crime and surroundings, the police, and home life. And the weather is great! Perhaps a salutary lesson to those who venture onto the fells in shorts and trainers?
But for those who do favour police or crime novels, this would be happily received, I'm sure.
It is the fourth book of a series, however each book can be read on its own, and make perfect sense. But it is nice to follow the characters through the series.

This was my first book to read from this series — and I appreciated the introduction of the characters found at the beginning of the book— it allows this 4th book in the series to easily be read as a stand-alone. The story is based around the controversial topic of fox hunting in the UK. This book started as a slow burn for me— as we reached the 50% mark the story started to heat up and I was getting more invested in the outcome. The writing is quite good and I am now interested in trying out the first 3 books in the series to learn more about the backstory of these characters.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK, Avon for this ARC. This is my honest review.