In “A Killing Cold” by Kate Alice Marshall, readers are plunged into a chilling mystery that expertly intertwines suspense and vivid descriptions of a snowy landscape. The protagonist's gritty determination and complex backstory make for compelling reading, while the plot twists keep you guessing until the very end. Marshall's skillful writing vividly transports readers to the bleak, icy setting, evoking a palpable sense of dread and urgency. The secondary characters add depth to the story, each bringing their own unique perspectives to the unfolding drama. Although the pacing occasionally lags, it allows for deeper character development and richer atmospheric detail. Overall, "A Killing Cold" is a gripping, atmospheric thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and is well worth the read for any mystery enthusiast. This was my first of her books and will not be my last.

Theo and Connor are newly engaged, head over heels couple heading up to the family  “cabin” for Christmas. There’s only one hitch.

Connor is extremely wealthy.

The cabin is a castle.

And everyone is keeping secrets.

I went into this story completely blind and I’m so glad for it. The way it starts off and I at once think of the royal family visiting their castle/estate in Scotland. That’s just the vibe that gave me at first. Cold, cozy, warm fires, big money ... you've seen the movie.

I thought I had the whole story figured out. I've read this before and most likely so have you. The story of an innocent, poor, down on her luck, girl meeting a rich man, that’s prince-like. He's perfect, handsome and she's jsut trying to fit in. She loves him for him and not his money. Yeah, know you know what I'm talking about. This story has been told many times before. I did my best not to roll my eyes as the author set the scene.

Kate Alice Marshall is in my "list of authors I look for". And just I wanted to write this off as a lazy story that’s already been told, insert a twist here. Then we find out a secret. And then another. And then another. And every time I think I have it figured out there’s yet another twist and turn.

There is a reason I look out for KAM. Her writing style is easy to digest yet still interesting and not watered down. Her descriptions are to the point, easy imaginable, without being over the top. Her characters are well built. She's simply really, really good a that she does.

My only real criticism is some of the connections were too obvious. And without giving away too much ... if I were an editor I'd say, let go of the “red scarf”. It was overplayed. It was mentioned too many times. I started finding it annoying. The loss of memory is always a cop out, be more clever. Okay, stopping to avoid spoilers.

Other than that, I think the author has some authoring to do and the editor has some editing to do, but this book is absolutely wonderful. Thrilling. Exactly what all Kate Alice Marshall fans are hoping for. I would 100% recommend this chilly, winter thriller to all my reader friends with a cup of tea.

Amazon Link - A Killing Cold By: Kate Alice Marshall

Stats: 304 pages - Expected publication February 4, 2025

***Thank you to Flatiron Books, NetGalley and of course, the author Kate Alice Marshall, for a  copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Publishing February 4, 2025.

This author is fast becoming one of my favorites. She writes good bingeable thrillers that are twisty , engaging and atmospheric. This one was very good
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me

Was very excited to read this book. So good. It was little slow at certain points in the story, but a fun thriller that wrapped up nicely. The characters had just enough history about them so I felt I knew them. Can't wait for Kate Alice Marshall's next book!

Theo, a young, traumatized woman finds love with Connor. Connor takes her to his family’s mountain cabins for Christmas. While Theo is there she starts having memories of when she was a little girl in that location. Connor’s family has secrets and does not welcome Theo into the family. She starts getting mysterious warning texts. Memories start returning which puts her in danger. This book had so many twists and turns that kept me guessing. I felt more invested in Theo as each bit of her past was revealed. This was a great read!

This is one of those books that will stay with me for a while.

It starts off very strong with the sweet story of Theo and Connor. Theo sets out on a Christmas vacation to the remote mountain villa of Connor's extremely rich family. Then she discovers... She's been here before.

The story that unwinds as this book goes on is insanely captivating, to say the least. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, something 10 times crazier actually took place. Not only that, it just KEEPS. GOING. Like half this book was me thinking "No way it can get more nuts than this" and thinking the end was coming soon.

This was my first book by this author and I feel compelled to devour her library now. I HIGHLY recommend this. HIGHLY.

This is the second book I've read from this author. The plot was interesting and I enjoyed the setting. It was paced well and very twisty. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

While Kate Alice Marshall’s books never fail to keep me guessing, the pacing of this one threw me off. It felt like she was really trying to emphasize the scenery as its own character and set the scene so well, but it ended up taking away from the twists and the overall thrill of the story.

The characters were strong, but not as well flushed out as you’d expect from Marshall’s writing. However, once I reached about 60% of the book, I couldn’t put it down and it really picked up. It was a unique read and this one will be well liked among mystery readers, especially with a perfect winter backdrop to set the scene. 4 stars for me, mainly because the pacing in the first half really made me struggle.

3.5 overall! This is the third adult thriller I’ve read from this author & I’ve found this is my favorite so far. The story started off rather confusing for me, but as it progressed and the mysteries started unraveling, I found it to be a lot more fun to follow. Loved the setting of a secluded winter cabin & every character being unreliable until the big reveal(s) at the end. Thank you Flatiron Books & NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Thanks to.Netaglley and Flatiron for providing me.an ARC!!
Where do I start?
The story didn't take any time drawing me in. It started with its mystery and intrigue right from the start. Theo's Fiance Connor takes her to meet his family and spend a few weeks with them. This is the first time Theo is coming face to face with the rich and powerful Daltons. Daltons who might not approve of her, who protect their own. Theo not only wants to impress his family but also keep all her secrets a secret. Which might be tough since she's been getting texts and messages to stay away from Connor..someone on the mountain knows her secret.
But she isn't the only one keeping secrets. The Daltons are hiding something far more heinous.
Unable to remember much of her past due to trauma, Theo begins to remember her life before she was adopted. And all of it is connected to the very mountain she is now on.
This book had me turning the pages well into the night. I'm not joking when I say that I devoured this book whole. I stayed up all night waiting to find out what happens next. There wasn't a slow point in the story. It never dragged on. I wish the characters were a bit more defined, but I've come to notice that in suspense/thrillers the story is more about the outside picture. I didn't want to put this book down. The twists and turns and all the family secrets had me on my toes. Just when I make up my mind about someone they do something that leaves me shocked. I'm so grateful I was able to receive and ARC for thus. It was truly a great read. A mystery where I couldn't figure out exactly what happened until it was actually revealed.

Will be posting full review on my Blog / Instagram and Tiktok Feb 4th 2025.

Kate Alice Marshall's A Killing Cold is her windiest thriller yet. I was on the edge of my seat throughout, the mystery truly unfolding for me alongside the main character, Theo. This was a really fun but impactful read, and I can't wait to see what Marshall does next.

This is a new to me author so I wanted to give this book a try!
It could have been a 5 star rating in my opinion had it not been for the unnecessary language and graphic descriptions.
The plot I thought was good and the twists at the end were great! I enjoyed the characters and thought they were relatable.
I’m not sure if I will read another by this author simply because of the language used. It was rather crude, not just mild profanity.
I really wish there were a way to screen books better through NetGalley to filter better.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity.

Kate Alice Marshall books have always felt a bit mixed for me and this was no different. While I did enjoy this book more than her previous works, the problem started shortly after the half way mark. Once secrets and twists were starting to unfold, the pacing became off and the reveals became unrealistic. I had a hard time connecting to the main character as a lot of her decisions didn't make much sense. Overall I still think this was an enjoyable read especially if you enjoyed her previous books.

This is the first book I've read from this author. It was fast paced and interesting throughout. It certainly kept me guessing until the very end. I will definitely look for more books from this author.

This is the third time Kate Alice Marshall writes an adult mystery/thriller novel, and it was also my third time reading a book by her. Even though this isn't my favourite book (which is No One Can Know), I did find it considerably better than What Lies in the Woods.
A KILLING COLD has, in my opinion, a clichéd plot and cast of characters, and it can also be very predictable - depending on the reader's experience/backgroud with this genre. However, in my opinion, clichés are welcomed when it is done right and efficiently, which I'd say is the case here.
I find this book very fast-paced, easily engaging with the protagonists as well as the antagonists (honestly, my favourite character was Louise, the grandma and 'chief' of the family), very atmospheric (a wintery scenario with snowy luxury cabins, a locked in situation), a dual timeline, different characters with different personalities, and that kind of 'everybody has a dark secret and everyone is keeping secrets from one another' type of mystery - which, again personally, appeals to me.
My only truly reservation lies on the conclusion: this story keeps building and building up to some grand climax and then it just ends. I thought it was too rushed. All the repercussions of the last 15-20% of the story (which when I think about it maybe it was the long climax) happen in the final chapter, that wasn't even a long one.
I still had fun with it and I genuinely believe other readers will, too.
*Just a small disclosure: there are some graphic and gory scenes with dead animals. Be aware.*

I'd recommend this book to readers who have enjoyed this author's previous works before, as well as to anyone who enjoys wintery mystery + a locked in secluded mansion + shady characters filled with dark secrets kind of story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Flatiron books, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
(be patient; this book will only be available on February 4, 2025)

After writing multiple young adult horror/dark fantasy titles, Kate Alice Marshall changes gears into adult thriller/crime territory.

It suits her.

This is my favorite from her since Rules For Vanishing

ARC review
A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall
Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release date: February 4, 2025
—
Theo has recently been engaged to Connor and has been invited on his (very wealthy) family’s trip on the mountain they own in the middle of winter. She’s choosing to ignore the warnings from a random number telling her to stay away from Connor and his family.
But when she arrives, there are things she can’t ignore… like the photo of herself as a child she finds in one of the cabins. What does this mean? Has she been here before? And if so, why does she have no memory of it?
After some other strange findings, it becomes clear that this family has secrets - secrets they’d do anything to keep buried.
Theo is on a mission to fill in the gaps of her childhood memories and discover her connection to this family and place before something terrible happens to her.
—
This was a quick, fast paced read with a remote, snowed-in setting that kept me on edge. While it had its fair share of excitement, twists, and turns, I thought it was just okay overall.

What I liked:
- The setting
- Fast paced
- Memory gaps
- Wealthy family with secrets

What I didn’t like:
- The storytelling was confusing in several parts
- Ending was a let down after so much buildup

I enjoyed this overall but was a little disappointed with the lack of creativity in the plot.

Theo is newly engaged and is meeting her fiancé’s family for the first time at their mountain estate. Rather than being welcomed with open arms, it is clear that she is not wanted there and that these people will do everything to keep their past secrets hidden.

This was a bingey and tense thriller with excellent character development and execution. The isolated, snowy cabin setting mixed with the large family made the “locked-in” with a killer storyline come to life. And while this was a thriller at heart, I loved all the family drama and Theo and Connor’s relationship, especially as they discovered more about each other while being at the cabins. The end got super twisty, but I found all loose ends to be tied up nicely.

Read if you like:
-Winter thrillers
-Locked in stories
-Atmospheric settings
-Past/present connections

Thank you Flatiron for the ARC!

So so many twists! I truly loved Theo and Connor! So many things got revealed and the twists truly shocked me. I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. Truly gripping, I had to read it in one sitting. I love Kate Alice Marshall's writing style, her way of world building truly makes you feel like you're a part of the story and experiencing it all with the characters. Such an amazing suspenseful novel! I loved how it unfolded! 5 stars!

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Flatiron Books to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

This is my favorite Kate Alice Marshall book to date. It was dark, emotional, mysterious, and set during winter with snowy cabins. Involves a rich dysfunctional family with secrets to spare. The ending was a bit dramatic, but that would make it a great Lifetime movie, if it had a good cast. Some parts were a little confusing when the POV would change but was still in 2nd person. I highly recommend this book. I read it in 24 hours.