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.

I am a sucker for the protagonist isolated with a group of people, only really tethered to said group by one person. There are so many things that can happen and I love what Kate Alice Marshall did with this one.

Theo joins her fiancé Connor at his very wealthy family’s winter estate, Idlewood for a little getaway. Knowing a very different upbringing, she is already feeling out of her element with the demeanor of some of the family members. Theo is also plagued with the feeling that someone is watching her. She has been ignoring the messages on her phone, but she can’t ignore footprints in the snow outside their bedroom window.

The past and the present converge in such a fun way in this thriller. I really enjoyed the setting and the imagery of where this all takes place. It had a very old money gothic feel.

This was a rollercoaster and a half, and I loved every minute of it! I love Kate Alice Marshall's earlier works, and this one was no exception! The twists were amazing, the characters were fabulous, and the atmosphere was perfection (winter retreat). I may need to reread this in the winter to get that amazing atmospheric dread! This a must read for thriller fans!

Love books with a lot of twists and turns. And for me I didn’t predict them and that’s a win in my book. So intense and suspenseful it kept me entertained the whole way through.

This ARC was 5.0 stars for me! It captures your eyes at the very beginning! Never a dull moment and then it’s mentioned something along the lines of “I can’t let them see the ways I’m broken because they get rid of things that are broken”! This is where it captured me! Such an amazing read!

Thank you Kate Alice Marshall and NetGalley for allowing me to read this amazing ARC!

3.8
I want you to know: This is more of a ferris wheel than it is a roller coaster. Every time there is a "twist" there is a flashback or a chapter from another character's perspective that explains how everything you just learned fits into the whole. Which, honestly, is somewhat reassuring even though it defeats the purpose of this sort of thing in a real way.

I was so excited to receive this one! I loved the setting, the creepy underlying vibe, and all of the characters. I will definitely be recommending this to everyone!

4/5 ⭐️ If you’re looking for a thriller novel full of deep rooted family secrets, twists, a little romance, and a eerie winter scenery, A Killing Cold is one you don’t want to miss! This story follows main character Theo who just got enagaged after a few short months to her wealthy fiancé Connor. The couple is invited up to Connor’s family retreat in the mountains for Theo to meet the rich and renowned Dalton family. Upon arrival, Theo gets a strange feeling that this isn’t her first time at this retreat. She is able to eventually piece together memories of her traumatic childhood and uncovers deep family secrets about what really happened on this mountain years ago.

I absolutely loved the winter setting of this book, it makes me wish I would have waited until winter to dive in! There were a lot of characters to keep straight throughout the book, however, they’re all well connected to the story line once you get them straight. I loved the ruthlessness of Theo especially; she is definitely a character you can’t help but root for!

Thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and author Kate Alice Marshall for this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 🩵

Pub date February 4, 2025

So many twists & turns in this thriller! Kept you wanting to read until the very last page.
Thanks ARC and NetGalley for the early read!