Member Reviews

This book started out so good, I could not put it down. The writing and character building kept me engaged! Told in four parts.

Julie came home and found her husband dead in their bathroom, from an apparent suicide. After looking further into her husband's death, secrets spill out and Julie retreats to her past life in Banff, Alberta. She gets a job at a very nice hotel as a housekeeper. One of the hotel guest is found dead and Julie becomes the prime suspect.

"Home. I finally knew what the word meant. Home isn't a place. It's a purpose. Being great is not about breaking records, it's about moving powerfully into your purpose. My purpose, my home, was on the mountain."

Shocking Discovery, Secrets, and Solid Mystery!

3.5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This book will be released 10/8/24.

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Wow! This book opened up with a bang. You don’t have to wait for the action because it literally comes full on. This story was very engaging and kept me on the edge of my seat. Definitely a page turner!

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This was a mind-bending kind of experience, reading a cold, icy-cold story during a summer heatwave!
There is a multi-faceted MC (and a former Olympic athlete at that) and… a riveting murder mystery, all happening against the backdrop of Canadian winter. Twisty, atmospheric, filled with secrets, horrible, horrific, fast-paced, and also chillingly gripping read.
This was not my first book by Susan Walter and I’m fairly certain by now that I will be reading whatever she writes next.

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Engaging mystery!

Julie's life is turned upside-down and she has to navigate many hurdles to figure out what/why things have gone so so wrong! That is okay though because she is a former Olympian! πŸ₯‡

She ends up in a fight for her life and runs someplace far far away in the middle of the night. She can't seem to escape the feeling of "someone watching" her.

Things get dicey, secrets spill, Julie will need to find out the truth before she loses her life.

I enjoyed this one and was invested in the characters and guessing what was happening. It wasn't a "I must read one more chapter" pace (for me), but I always enjoyed picking it up and following the clues. The killer was revealed pretty early (which I guessed) and that took away some of the surprise element.

Still a solid mystery with some characters to LOVE and HATE!!

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There’s something about reading a cold-weather story while soaking up the β˜€οΈ that just works for me. I’m not a skier, but @susanwalterauthor ’s writing drew me in right away. The atmospheric setting and characters like Julie kept me hooked.

The setting was also a major draw for me. I’ve got a special place in my heart for Banff, especially the Fairmont Banff Springsβ€”I used to spend a lot of time there in a previous season of my life, so this book really brought back memories. And let’s be real, us Canadians love a good book set in Canada.

On a serious note, Jasper recently went through major fire damage, which adds a layer of poignancy to the story. My heart goes out to all who were impacted.

If you’re building your fall #thrillertbr the crew @thrillerbookloversthepulse and I recommend adding #runningcold . It’s been cool to read a book set in Canada especially one where I can share my insider knowledge of the setting. I liked her style so much I already have two more #SusanWalter books -Good As Dead and Over Her Dead Body - waiting for me on my @amazonkindle !

Thank you @lakeunionauthors and NetGalley for the gifted copy to read and review.

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Really liked this book. Liked all the police procedure in this book and following Julie's story. Loved how pretty Canada sounded

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"𝑻𝒉𝒆 π’π’π’π’š 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 π’Žπ’† 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 π’Šπ’”π’'𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒛𝒆𝒏 π’Šπ’” π’Žπ’š π’˜π’Šπ’π’ 𝒕𝒐 π’”π’–π’“π’—π’Šπ’—π’†. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 π’„π’“π’‚π’„π’Œπ’Šπ’π’ˆ."

Special thanks to @susanwalterauthor @thrillerbookloversthepulse & @netgalley for the #gifted eARC.

➑️ swipe for synopsis πŸ‘‰πŸΌ

π™ˆπ™” 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒:
β­οΈβ­οΈβ­οΈβ­οΈπŸ’«

I just love Susan Walther. This is the second book by her I've read, and I just know I'm going to love it when I crack it open.
Her thrillers are twisty, fast-paced, and deeply intriguing. Running Cold is no different.

Imagine having the picture perfect cushy life with not a care in the world. Then, one day, you come home to find not only your husband de@d , but your life is a complete lie.
So, what would any level-headed adult do?! Runaway, of course!
And that's not even the tip of the iceberg with this book!

You are in for one chilling fast ride with this book! Be sure to pre-order this one ASAP!

π™‹π™π˜½ π˜Ώπ˜Όπ™”:
Oct 8th, 2024

QOTD ❓️⁉️❓️ Have you ever been skiing / snowboarding? Are you any good? Where do you go?

AOTD - I've never tried either, but I'm not very coordinated.

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #pulsepoint #runningcold #susanwalther #chillingthriller #thrilleraddict #thrillergirlie #upcomingthriller #bookbuzz
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This book is set in Canada at a ski resort. It is full of suspense, action and betrayal. This is one you won’t be able to put down. This is the first book I have read by this author and it won’t be the last. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

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Susan Walter’s Running Cold is a thrilling read, perfect for fans of Nita Prose's β€œThe Maid” and Nora Roberts' β€œIdentity”, with its suspenseful atmosphere and strong sense of place. The novel's pacing slows at times, but the short chapters keep the momentum going, making it an engaging read. The protagonist, a former Olympic gold medalist, is a compelling and resilient leading lady, rebuilding her life and clearing her name in the face of danger. Walters expertly sprinkles twists and reveals throughout the story, keeping me hooked, though I did find myself wishing for a larger twist at the end. The contrast between the sunny setting of Southern California and the chilly, Hallmark-esque Canadian town was vivid and immersive. From the very first paragraphs, the book draws you in, delivering on the promise of a gripping, cold thriller that I would highly recommend.

A big thank you to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing, Susan Walter, and The Pulse for this ARC.

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Who can you trust? This fast paced and twisty thriller will have you guessing from page 1. Told by multiple different characters makes this novel full of murder and mystery come full circle. This was my first read by Susan and it won’t be my last.

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If you’ve never been to the mountains in Canada, reading this book feels like a close second to actually experiencing it. The story is so beautiful atmospheric that I could almost feel the chill in the air.

The writing was also very heavy on the foreshadowing. Almost every chapter giving a peak into what’s in store. Which lead to the story being a bit predictable especially with the killer being revealed pretty early. Even so, I still found myself invested, wanting to watch how it all played out.

A big part of that is because of Julie. Julie is such a strong, resilient and real character that even though we were given multiple POV I enjoyed hers the most. Plus coming fresh out of watching the Olympics it was fun to have an Olympian main character.

Read if you love:
πŸ₯‡ Olympics
🎿 Skiing
❄️ Snow
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada etting
❓ Murder mystery
πŸ“š Quick reads

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Thank you to ThrillerBookLovers The Pulse, #partner, and the author for an advanced e- copy and print copy of Running Cold in exchange for my honest review.

This is the 2nd book I’ve read by Susan Walter and I am most definitely a fan! So far, both books I have read have been complete binge-worthy books that I cannot recommend enough.⁣
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This latest one hits the ground running and does not stop! It’s a non-stop race to find answers and reading this book, set in the wintry cold of Banff, Canada during the sweltering heat of the summer, I felt the chill of the snow and below freezing temperatures and loved it!!! Talk about an atmospheric read where the setting really steals the show! And be sure to read the author’s acknowledgement…some really cool information to be found there about the writing of this book!⁣
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This book is fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns. And I loved how there were hints that bad things were coming…this foreshadowing really kept me on my toes, wondering just what could possibly happen next! ⁣
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While the book has a strong plot, I found myself completely drawn to the characters. I became fully invested in what was going on with them, and in particular, rooting for Julie throughout the whole book. I did like how the story was told from multiple POVs, as it did make me question whether Julie was 100% reliable, but I still had a soft spot for her throughout the book. ⁣
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This was such a great read with quite the satisfying ending. I will now be adding the rest of Susan’s books to my tbr ASAP!

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Everything completely changed for Julie Adler after her husband committed suicide. Julie has to leave the life she knew behind and she heads to Banff, the ski town where she once trained for the Olympics. Except now she's there to work as a housekeeper at the resort. When a guest turns up dead and Julie is the last person in the that room, she ends up the prime suspect. Will Julie be able to prove her innocence or will she be the next victim?

Running Cold is a fast-paced thriller that had me chilled to the bone. I loved the fact that it was in an isolated setting. It kept me in so much suspense and I couldn't stop reading until I finished the entire book. I was guessing until the very end. This is the perfect, chilling winter read to curl up to with a cozy blanket and a cup of hot chocolate.

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I love Susan Walter and her writing. Her books are always well written with clever storylines and characters that are make you feel their every emotion. I was deeply invested in Julie Adler's story and I picked this book up without reading the synopsis and I was HOOKED! I read this in one sitting and it was absolutely amazing. The setting of Banff makes me wanna go there and maybe even try skiing again. I can't wait to read what you have up your sleeve next! All the stars girlfriend!

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Running Cold is an addictive domestic thriller full of twists! If you like secrets, secrets, and more secrets, and perhaps a little murder, this is definitely the book for you.

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Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Susan Walter for the ARC!

Walter’s previous book, β€œLie by the Pool”, was one of my favorite books I read last year so I was pumped when we at The Pulse got her newest book too! β€œβ€œRunning Cold” wasted no time jumping right into the action. The shock Julie felt was palpable and I could relate to her wanting to return to the previous life she knew, when it felt like everything else around her was falling apart. Finding herself at a snowy resort opened the door to a whole new mystery when Julie was accused of murder! The fast pace, deeply atmospheric setting and twists kept me glued to the pages of this one, and I couldn’t guess who the true bad guy was.

β€œRunning Cold” releases October 8, 2024. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly.

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I loved the action, twists, and dual points of view. I thought all of the connections made sense which isn’t always a given in a thriller.

It’s written in four parts with titles such as β€˜First To Die.’ which kept my curiosity peaked. There is a lot of foreboding threaded through as well.

If you are missing this Olympics, never fear, the main character of this book, Julie Adler, is a former gold medal winner as a biathlete.

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As the summer heat lingers relentlessly and the Paris Olympic Games come to a close, this book is perfectly timed.

Set in the picturesque Canadian ski town of Banff, the story follows Julie, an Olympic Champion in Biathlon. After her husband's tragic suicide, Julie's world crumbles. She finds herself penniless, realizing her luxurious life was just a mirage. With her life in ruins, Julie decides to leave Los Angeles behind and return to Banff, seeking help from an old friend who offers her a job as a maid in his hotel.

However, trouble seems to follow her. A guest with whom she has a quarrel in front of the others is later found dead with Julie's rifle. What follows is a gripping tale as Julie races against time to clear her name, uncover the truth behind the murder, and evade both the police and a relentless killer.

I buddy read this with two of my favorite bookstagrammers, and we noticed an interesting quirk: the author ends each chapter with a hint of what's to come. Personally, I enjoy little spoilers, so it didn't bother me, but I can see how it might for some.

All in all, *Running Cold* is a must-read for thriller fans craving a fast-paced story set in a captivating location with a brilliantly woven plot. Prepare yourself for a heart-pounding adventure that will leave you breathless!

Thanks to @netgalley and @amazonpublishing for my ADC!

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Another great thriller by Susan Walter! I just love the cover on this one also. Julie Adler seems to have it all. The perfect rich husband, the perfect mansion in sunny California and the perfect friends she can have a few drinks with. But when she finds her husband dead in their bathroom after returning from time out with the girls, she is devastated. What was wrong? Why didn't she see the signs? Was he really that depressed? Such a shock and knowing she cannot stay in that place where there are all the memories and also now nothing, so she heads back to home to Canada. Back to familiar territory and where no body knows the mess that Jeff left her with and where an old friend is more than willing to help her with no questions asked. Working as a housekeeper, Julie gets into a routine and enjoys the freedom of skiing once again. When her friends show up as a surprise during a blizzard, all hell breaks loose when the power to the city goes out and a dead body is found. This hotel guest last had a tiff about Julie's work and security cameras shows Julie was the last to visit her room just prior to her being shot. But the time line isn't making sense, the power outage cut out cameras for about an hour and now Julie knows that something more is going on. Did her husband really shoot himself? But now she is also connected to two deaths and is on the run for her life and not only from the police. Loved this one set in the mountains and how it all tied together. Another great read that Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse is excited for this fall! Thanks you to the author for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

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Well written story, exciting plot, fun characters, and a wintry setting makes for an excellent mystery/thriller.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63277845

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