* Thank you NetGalley & Flatiron Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. *

A Killing Cold is about Theo, a girl with no memory of her past who arrives to meet her future in laws - and suddenly realizes there may be more at play here than your usual holiday get away.

Another great read from Kate Alice Marshall. It was, at times, a bit unbelievable, but to be honest, I never care about that with most mystery books and especially not KAM's, because I am here for the ride, not for the small details. And the ride of this book was as fun as ever. I LOVE her mysteries, because they never quite go where you think they will, and they always take a detour to crazy town (in the best way possible).

Highly recommend to anyone who likes twisty thrillers, and especially if you like them set in cold, desolate places, like I do.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A Killing Cold actually delivered a handful of unexpected twists. It started a bit slow but the pace picked up as the pieces of Theo’s memory started to fall back into place. This would be a great book for a snow day.

Kate Alice Marshall is basically an auto-request at this point, but add in a snowed-in plot, deep family secrets, and a cast of very suspicious characters — and I. Am. In.

Unlike some of Marshall's previous books, this one took me a little longer to get into. Theo's flashbacks and vague references to her past were a bit distracting because they were so (seemingly) out of context. Around the 25% point, the story really picks up and I flew through the middle part. Without revealing spoilers, the ending gave me a bit of whiplash. The author clearly constructed a very nuanced mystery, but the reveals were so back to back, even after finishing the book, I have to stop and try to recall what the actual truth was. And while I love being surprised, I do wish the ending could have been a bit easier to get through.

That said, I still loved this book and am anxiously awaiting Marshall's next one.

I couldn’t turn the pages of this book fast enough! This was twisty and turny in all the right places!

Theo is adopted and doesn’t know her real name or who she really is. She goes to meet her fiancé’s wealthy family for the first time at their estate of cabins in the mountains. While she’s there she begins receiving disturbing messages from someone on the estate that start ignite memories from her past and who she really is. She discovers more and more about her past whiles she’s there and soon realizes she may be in real danger for her life.

This book will make you question everything and everyone! I love the feeling of isolation the author created with the snowy mountain setting. It makes the plot so intense and compelling. I adore a good rich vs. poor trope and this one was well done.

Additionally, the twists in this book just kept on coming once they started and I kept on being shocked at the unpredictability.

Loved this!

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron books for this advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

“A Killing Cold" by Kate Alice Marshall is a gripping read that kept me on the edge of your seat. The atmospheric setting and the characters drew me in, while the suspense was building with every twist. There was a lot of tension with emotional depth, making me enjoy the characters. It’s a perfect mix of mystery and thriller that fans of dark, engaging stories will love. If you're looking for something to keep you up at night, this one's a winner!

This was another great read by KAM. I really enjoyed the setting, it was creepy and haunting. This would be a perfect read for a cold winter evening. I was feeling for Theo throughout. Who can she trust?! Thanks to NG and the publisher for this eARC.

What the? With family like that….I am a long time fan of Kate Alice Marshall and once again she didn’t disappoint. The twists and turns of this plot will keep me thinking for days. Book hangover anyone? Theo, after a whirlwind romance, is on the way to meet fiancé Connor’s very wealthy family. This is a wealthy family full of secrets. I read this is one sitting, and I could not read fast enough. This is the perfect twisty thriller for a cold winter night. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Poor Theo. She really had a lot of crap dealt to her in this book. There were so many unlikeable characters in this book and I would change my mind about some as I was reading too. I did not like Connor until the end. This book taking place in the woods just amped up the the creepy feeling and the thrill factor and you knew some stuff was going to go down. I could have lived without reading about the deer scenes but I get people like to hunt. I did feel like the book could have been shorter and did drag a bit in parts. Overall I did not guess the twists and wanted to know what happened.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for another fun and intense thrilpler by Kate Alice Marshall!
The story centers on Theo, who is recently engaged to Conner after dating for 6 months. Conner brings Theo with him to meet his family at their winter home on a secluded mountain. Theo herself is hiding a few secrets, and as their stay goes on, she discovers she's not the only with secrets and that maybe they are interwoven.
The story has several twists and turns. You constantly feel like anyone or everyone could be involved, and you don't know who to trust. Theo is also a complex character.
The mountain and woods during the winter holiday make it sound like anything but cozy. There are a few violent scenes. It could be stressful at times.
The pacing felt a little off at times, and it felt like there might have been almost too many characters to keep track of. I understood it was to help make it more confusing on who to trust.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a good suspenseful thriller, and I recommend it.

4+ stars! I really enjoyed this! I've previously read and enjoyed What Lies in the Woods and No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall and A Killing Cold has been my favorite of the 3! This one definitely doesn't have as many "creepy" elements as the other two I've read in case you're curious.

A Killing Cold is set in winter on an isolated mountain where our FMC, Theo, is spending time with her fiancé's (Connor Dalton) wealthy family at their winter retreat , Idlewood. Theo comes from a mysterious past and clearly has secrets that she hasn't shared with Connor. Connor's family is very wealthy and has their own reputation and position to protect. Someone has been warning Theo away from Connor and there are clues that Theo has been to Idlewood before. Where did Theo come from? What happened to her? Why and how has she been to Idlewood before?

This is equal parts mystery and thriller - as Theo gets closer to the truth of the past, she can't trust anyone on the mountain.

This book is a little slow to set up in the beginning, but it really picks up! Especially towards the 80% mark, I couldn't put it down. A Killing Cold will keep you guessing until the end!

With the isolated setting, interesting cast of characters, and numerous secrets to figure out, this is the perfect winter, snowy day thriller/mystery!

Thank you to NetGalley & Flatiron Books for this eARC!

I asked for this book when there was not even a description listed because I adore the author. When the description came around, I was a little hesitant, but I am glad that I trusted my gut because this book was great.

It's been a whirlwind romance, but Theodora is finally meeting her fiancé Connor's family by being invited to their remote resort in the woods. Being that she is adopted and has a strained relationship with her parents, she doesn't have a family to introduce Connor to. But when she gets to the resort, things are becoming familiar to her, somehow. She finds some photos that make her wonder if Connor has been hiding something, and could his family be involved in her early childhood? I mean, what are the chances??

This is a slow burn mystery, with big reveals at 25%, 50% 75%. The last 20% of the book is a whirlwind. I read it in one sitting as is an easy read with short chapters. Minor bloody details, most of the action happened 20 years ago. Everything is not as it seems. Theo seemed very mature for her age (24) and there is some trauma in her teenage years that felt a bit unnecessary. But it is a good story and limited characters. Perfect for fans of Gillian McCallister, Lisa Jewell, JD Robb, Sally Hepworth. If you are looking for a fun mystery to get you out of a reading slump, this could be the book for you.

Thanks to @netGalley and @flatiron_books for the ARC. Book to be published February 4, 2025. Read it during the Super Bowl???
#booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #arcreview #booktok #netgalley #bookrecommendations #AKillingCold

When the queen of winter-set thrillers releases another mystery, you dive in with high expectations.

This is yet another twisty, intriguing, fast-paced, and well-developed thriller I couldn’t put down, much like her other works, despite my strong dislike for the entire Dalton family. Their dysfunctionality, ruthlessness, and lack of soul reminded me of the notorious Dalton brothers from the Lucky Luke series! They’re an irritatingly dysfunctional bunch, making me question how Connor fits in, and if being part of this family means he’s inherently evil.

The story centers around Theodora Scott, an ordinary girl who works at a bookstore, orphaned and raised by an abusive, dysfunctional adoptive family. She claims they’re all dead, but is she telling the truth, or hiding a dark secret about her past? Theodora has no memories before she turned four, only vague images of a woman in a red scarf—possibly her mother—telling her to run from an unknown danger.

Theodora meets Connor Dalton, a member of a threateningly wealthy and powerful family, through her best friend at an art show. She feels an immediate, inexplicable connection with him. Their whirlwind romance quickly turns into an engagement, and soon Theodora finds herself on the way to the Dalton family’s isolated winter retreat to meet them. The experience is intimidating—only Alexis, Connor’s older sister, seems to be on her side. Alexis’ wife, Paloma, and their son, Sebastian, may be her only allies amidst the family: authoritarian grandmother Louise gives her hostile vibes, suspicious mother Rose questions her motives, and the spoiled, black sheep younger brother, Trevor, is quick to label her a gold-digger and, Uncle Nick also gives her a somewhat cold and hostile shoulder. It seems like she’s stumbled into the worst possible family.

As if dealing with the Daltons wasn't enough, Theodora begins receiving threatening texts telling her to stay away from Connor, followed by a letter at her cabin, indicating that someone in the family wants her gone. She becomes intrigued by the mystery surrounding the death of Connor’s father, Liam, and an empty cabin called Dragonfly—just like the tattoo she bears. Inside the abandoned cabin, she finds a photo of herself as a child, posing with Liam Dalton. How could that be? Then, memories start flooding back. She realizes she’s been here before, with her mother, the woman in the scarf, and a dangerous man wearing antlers chasing them. But who was he, and why? Could Connor know about her connection to this place, and is he drawing her into some sick game? The Daltons seem determined to keep a dark secret buried, and Theodora must uncover the truth about who she really is and what happened to her mother, even if it puts her life in danger.

Overall, the last third of the book was truly mind-blowing. While some of the explanations felt far-fetched and coincidental, the pacing, building tension, climax, and shocking revelations made the journey worthwhile.

I’m excited to read more from Kate Alice Marshall, who consistently delivers twisty YA and adult thrillers. This is another highly recommendable addition to her works!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for providing me with this unputdownable thriller's digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

A chilly atmospheric thriller about a woman who is living a princess's dream, or is it a nightmare?
Theo (Theodora) Scott is engaged to the incredibly wealthy Connor. Six months later, they are engaged and he’s brought her to his family camp. Right away Theo feels that there is something off. She is positive that she has been here before. She is incredibly stressed and that's before she has even met the relatives. Everyone has a secret in this awesome thriller ! #flatironbooks #akillingcold #katealicemarshall

This is a great nail-biting thriller. It is skillfully constructed with twists galore.

When Connor takes his new fiancée, Theo, to his wealthy family’s retreat, things don’t go well for either of them. Theo has a feeling of familiarity, like she’s been there before, and Connor is stuck between his family, who are not very accepting of this new girl, and Theo, who he wants everyone to love. There are family secrets, Theo’s paranoia and a wretched snowstorm to keep things interesting. Some will not survive. Others will get revenge.

I’m a sucker for thrillers and this one intrigued me from beginning to end. It’s a fairly quick read and a definite adrenaline producing story. Thank you, NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the eARC.

Kate Alice Marshall’s latest A KILLING COLD (publishing February 4, 2025) has the coldest winter vibes of any novel I’ve read in a while. Theodora is newly engaged to Connor, and they are going to his family’s compound for the holidays.

Theodora knows precious little of her past. She was adopted when she was four years old by horrible parents. She’s clinging to this new life with Connor, who has more money than she knows what to do with.

When they get to the compound, there’s a cast of characters Theodora meets, including Connor’s mother Rose (his father Liam passed away), his grandparents Magnus and Louise, his uncle Nick, his older sister Alexis along with her wife and son, his younger brother Trevor, and a few workers Irina, Olena, and Mr. Vance.

Soon after arriving, Theodora’s world is rattled when she finds a picture of Connor’s father Liam and a four year old Theodora. How did she end up at this same place twenty years later??? And is it connected to her missing parents and Connor’s family?

Novels that presume the United States has 300 residents are difficult for me to wrap my brain around. I found the male characters of Nick, Trevor, Magnus, and Mr. Vance very difficult to distinguish from one another. The winter vibes were so amazing, but unfortunately the setting was the best part of this novel. The next best things were Theodora’s process in trying to figure things out and the character of Alexis. All in all, this was an okay read. Do check it out if you like thrillers in winter settings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is my second book by Kate Alice Marshall, and I am officially a fan for life! A perfectly twisty thriller that kept me guessing the whole time, I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for their next great read.

Kate Alice Marshall is back with another adult thriller and dare I say it's her best one yet!

I was obsessed with What Lies in the Woods and enjoyed No One Can Know, but this one is it, y'all!

The story is told in the POV of main character Theo and takes place on a secluded mountain top. What could possibly go wrong 😩

With a dark backstory lurking it becomes difficult to determine who to trust. This is a quick read with all the twists and family drama you could hope for.

This was my third book by Marshall and dare I say, the best yet! While this is a thriller/mystery, it’s also beautifully and almost poetically written. I felt the anxiety of being in that house as Theo felt it, the writing was that good. I found her character alluring and mysterious and loved that she was not one to back down against the wealthy clan that were incredibly misbehaved (and that's putting it mildly). There was suspicion on all sides, the Dalton's were suspicious of Theo and Theo was certainly given ample reason to be suspicious of them. I found the story unraveled beautifully and I can't say enough good things about this book, it had me up way past my bedtime!

When Theodora Scott met Connor—wealthy, charming, and a member of the powerful Dalton family—she fell in love in an instant. Six months later, he’s brought her to Idlewood, his family’s isolated winter retreat, to win over his skeptical relatives.

Stay away from Connor Dalton.

This is a good winter thriller that will have your heart pounding with anticipation. This is my first novel from the author and it hooked me till the end!
Theo and Connor are Engaged after 5 months and Connor is an heir to a billion-dollar company and everyone is going to look at Theo like she’s in it for the money. But she isn’t, she loves Connor and wants to be with him. After facing a horrible childhood and a traumatic start to her life that left her with no memories of her first 4 years of life, Theo is ready to move on and be as normal as possible. But when she and her fiancé go to her family’s retreat in the snowy mountains, Theo has memories that come back from her childhood, things she hasn’t ever remembered.

Why does this campsite look so familiar?

The short chapters, fast paced writing, and cliff hangers at the end of each chapter are really what kept hooked in through this whole book.