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.

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:
🥇 Olympics
🎿 Skiing
❄️ Snow
🇨🇦 Canada etting
❓ Murder mystery
📚 Quick reads

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!

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.

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!

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.

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

Walter’s previous book, “Lie 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! ““Running 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.

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

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 ‘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.

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!

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.

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

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

I flew through this book. I’m a huge fan of winter thrillers and this one was a knockout! The story starts with a shocking twist: Julia Adler's husband's suicide is just the beginning of her nightmare. His secret financial dealings leave her penniless and forced to flee their lavish life. Seeking solace in her hometown of Banff, she takes a job as a hotel housekeeper. But when a guest is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect.

This fast-paced thriller is a snowy, suspenseful adventure. I loved the multiple POV and the setting. The Banff setting is the perfect backdrop for a story filled with deception, grief and survival. I could feel how cold it was while reading. The author created a cast of intriguing characters that made each one of them a suspect and kept me guessing until the end. I can’t wait to see what Susan Walter writes next!

I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. It was a well written book. I hope to read more books by this author.

When Julie Adler finds her husband dead on the bathroom floor, her whole life is turned upside down. She is overwhelmed and confused by this and what could have possibly made her husband want to end his life. Things only get worse when Julie discovers that all of the money has been drained from every account her husband had and she has no money to her name.

Julie decides to escape to the comfort of Banff, Canada where she used to live and where her her old friend, Remy, manages a hotel and gives her a job as a housekeeper. When one of the hotel guests turns up dead, all of the evidence points to Julie and she ends up in the fight of her life. In this story of survival, can Julie prove her innocence and do it before she becomes the killer’s next victim?

I loved the setting of this book. The isolated hotel, winter vibes and snowy mountains set the scene for this suspense-filled thriller. Told from multiple points of view, this was a quick enjoyable read filled with lies, deceit and twists! It would be the perfect book to snuggle up with over the upcoming winter season!

I thoroughly enjoyed this fabulous thriller! Set during winter in Banff, Canada, at the Banff Springs Hotel, the setting was so well described and woven into the story that I felt like I was there with the characters. I love when that happens! I could feel the chill in the winter air as I read this in 90 degree summer weather!!

Told in three viewpoints, there were twists and turns, betrayals, deception, tense scenes, and a satisfying ending. The main character, Julie, an Olympic biathlon champion, was likeable and vulnerable and I was rooting for her throughout.

Easy to read and well-paced with short chapters, I read this one in a little over a day. This is the first book that I read by this author but it definitely won’t be my last!!

Like my fellow Thriller Book Lovers the Pulse colleagues, I 100% recommend this great thriller read!

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

4.25/5
Hey hey hey it’s time for #pulsepoint #thepulse recommendations from all my thriller lovers @thrillerbookloversthepulse A huge thank you to @susanwalterauthor @lakeunionauthors for this gifted copy!

I am a HUGE fan of wintery cold books and this one definitely delivered! This one starts out with quite the jaw dropping moment! Julia Adler’s husband commits suicide and if that’s not terrible enough she soon realizes he left her with empty bank accounts. 💸 She is not only grieving but has no idea where all their money went. Feeling embarrassed and lost she leaves quietly in the middle of the night to return home to Banff where she feels most comfortable. Needing to make ends meet she starts working as a housekeeper at a hotel. When one of the guests turns up murdered all fingers point to Julia because she was the last in the room. Talk about bad luck! 😬 She claims she’s innocent and races to try and prove her innocence!

This one was such a wild and twisted adventure! First of all…the setting being in Banff made me envision such a snowy beautiful wonderland! I could picture this fancy hotel on the side of the mountain with snow capped trees and swirling snowflakes! YES PLEASE! ❄️ This book had so many great ideas surrounding deception, forgiveness, murder, survival, grief and thrill! There was not a single moment I felt bored because this was extremely fast paced and had me wondering who the culprit was! Susan does a spectacular job creating several characters that left me questioning if they were the bad guy! The ending unfolded perfectly and was satisfying and complex! I enjoyed this one greatly and can’t wait to see what Susan writes next!

I was totally hooked by "Lie by the Pool," so naturally, I had to dive into "Running Cold." It's a complete change of pace, but with the scorching summer heat, it's a relief to escape into cooler settings, even if it's just in a book.

The story follows Julie, a former Canadian Olympian who left her athletic dreams behind for love. When her husband Jeff, a wealthy tech company owner, tragically passes away, Julie's left in dire financial straits. She returns to her hometown of Banff, Canada, and takes a job as a chambermaid in a resort hotel. The author's descriptions make Banff come alive, almost like another character in the story.

Just when Julie thinks things couldn't get worse, a murder occurs at the hotel, and she becomes the prime suspect. The narrative unfolds from multiple perspectives, keeping readers on edge as we unravel the intricately tangled web of connections and motives. Oh wow! The eventual revelation of the culprit's identity adds to the intrigue, making it a compelling read.

#Running Cold #SusanWalter #LakeUnionPublishing #NetGalley

This one kept my attention from the start and held it! Walter's back and forth chapters from the three main character's point of view was a great way to fill in gaps as the story progressed. While the breadcrumbs at the end of chapters were a bit heavy handed, I appreciated how the story wrapped up and left me wanting more from this author.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Running Cold releases October 8, 2024

3.5

Former Olympian, Julie Adler, is left grieving and penniless after she finds her husband dead in their California home. In the thick of winter, she flees back to her hometown in Banff and asks her old friend, Remy, for a job at the hotel he manages.

Not long after Julie gets settled into the hotel as a maid, things start to go awry when a casual weekend visit from her friends turns into a disastrous city-wide power outage amidst a blizzard, all while Julie becomes the prime suspect for the murder of the hotel’s penthouse guest.

First and foremost, I loved the Canadian setting. I kept picturing Remy as Michel from Gilmore Girls because of his French accent, which made things all the more entertaining.
While the plot was quite predictable, the writing was straight forward and very easy to read. With short chapters and multiple perspectives, this is the perfect mystery to cozy up with on a cold day.

cw: mentions of cheating

Susan Walter just may be the BEST author, that you haven’t yet read! SERIOUSLY.
Good As Dead
Over Her Dead Body
Lie By the Pool and soon…
Running Cold -expected publication date : October 8, 2024

Described ACCURATELY as a heart-pounding story of deception, murder, and survival- It’s the story of former Olympian, Julie Adler, who won the Gold 🥇 in the Biathlon-skiing and target shooting, before giving up the limelight and moving to Sunny California with her new husband, Jeff.

Life was good until Julie came home one day to find her husband dead in their bathroom-an apparent Suicide. But, that would not be the only shocking discovery that she would make. The other one-he has left her penniless.

Confused and heartbroken, Julie doesn’t want to admit all of this to her friends, Izzy, Christa and Suki, so she decides to return to the picturesque ski town of Banff, Canada where she trained for the Olympics.

Remy Delatour is an old friend, who happens to be the manager of the historic Banff Springs Hotel, so he is able to give her a room to live in, and a job as a housekeeper, to tide her over until her house in California can be sold.

But her bad luck will follow her.

A “difficult” guest, turns up dead, and Julie was the last person seen in her hotel room, and therefore the first suspect that Detective Monique Montpelier will focus on.

The story unfolds from the alternating first person POV’s of Julie, Izzy, Remy, and Monique, over 4️⃣ parts-beginning with “THE FIRST TO DIE”.

The evidence may be stacked against her, but Julie is determined to prove her innocence and discover the truth about what happened to her husband Jeff. Her only obstacles? Evading police and the real killer-while outrunning a blizzard.

The tension is palpable, and the setting is oozing in atmosphere! I could feel the chill and I even wrapped up in a blanket while reading this despite the 106 F degree temperature outside my door!

You can tell that Susan Walter was a screenwriter as every one of her books could easily translate to movies. I would love to see this one optioned as Banff and the Banff Springs hotel are actual places and there is even a story of a Murder-Suicide taking place in room 873 according to the Author’s Acknowledgments at the end of the book!

Can't you just picture the treacherous snowy mountains and the Castle like hotel on the big Screen? I can hear the audience cheering now! 🍿

I can’t wait to read whatever Susan Walter pens next! She is 4 for 4 for me!

Thank You to Lake Union Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!