I ways get excited at this time of year when I know that Alex Pine is about to release another Christmas thriller. The DCI James Walker series is quite honestly the best Christmas series out there I’ve loved each and every one of these books and the killer in the cold was no exception, and even though this was book 5 in the series it could very easily have been read without reading the rest of the series.

A man dressed as Santa Claus is found dead just outside of his home a couple of days after Christmas. James lives just around the corner from where the body was found and is shocked when he discovers that he not only knows the victim, but that he is a former police officer Nigel Booth.

As James starts his investigation he heads down to the home of Elizabeth Booth to ask why she hasn’t reported her husband as missing over the festive period as a Santa parade attended by her husband took place a couple of days ago. James soon gets his answer when he is confronted with another dead body.

As James and his team investigate they are frustrated at the pace the investigation seems to be moving at and every lead they follow is stumped out by a lack of evidence to support them.

James and his team work around the clock to find out who has so brutally murdered the Booths, being in such a small and close knit community where everyone knows everyone rumours fly, gossip spreads and this does little to help James and his team. At the same time someone is trying to throw James off track when a note turns up threatening other current and retired police officers and that the Booths murders were just the beginning.

I absolutely raced through this book, I couldn’t put it down. I love the story lines they just seem to get better and better each year. I love all the characters the way this series is written just works so well. I’m really hoping there will be a book 6 next year!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for this review. If you are looking for a fast paced and twisty thriller with an unexpected end then this is the book for you .

Another fine read in this series which now stretches to 5 titles. No requirement for familiarity with the previous novels to read this one as all the characters are well introduced and any reference to happenings in this earlier tales is purely superficial.

A further 2 murders occur at Christmas in the small village where James Walker, our senior police officer, resides with his family. The victims in this case are a husband and wife, both former police officers and there seems to be one obvious motive and suspect. As is always the case there is more to the murders than meets the eye.

I have to admit to feeling a little let down by the conclusion as it seemed just a bit too easy in the end but overall the tale was quite engrossing.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

This book is the fifth instalment in the DI James Walker series,, and first of all this one disappoints a it is too formulaic. I enjoyed some of the others.. Yes, he describes the Cumbrian village well and the police characters are excellent but isn't it time for other scenarios?

As always great twists at the end, thus 4 stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books for the chance to read and review the book.

I love this series ... it just seems to get better and better.

Although this is the fifth book in the series, I think it works well as a standalone however, I would recommend you go back and read from the start ... you won't be disappointed.

With great characters, a fantastic setting, excellent plot, great twists and all written at a good pace, this is a book that you will easily get engrossed in. There isn't a lot of gratuitous violence so is suitable for most readers and whilst I did guess the murderer, I think it was just a lucky guess on my part!

Well written and highly recommended.

Many thanks to the author, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this latest edition to a great series.

4 stars - Christmas Crime.

5th book in the series and could be read as standalone but I would recommend reading them all. Another festive season for DI James Walker who lives in the Cumbrian village of Kirkby Abbey. Shortly after Christmas Day, a body is found dressed in a Santa suit and the investigation begins.

I always look forward to this series at Christmas time as a break in between the classic holiday romcoms. The plots are simple and easy to follow but never boring. I enjoy seeing the return of all the good previous characters especially Annie, James wife, who is always ready with a whisky and a ready meal to get the gossip from James.

I love the setting of the quaint fictional village and the idea of a close knit community- though I wouldn’t like to visit over Christmas!

The story is well placed and plotted well over several short chapters and I was shocked when the killer was revealed as I didn’t even think to suspect the individual.

I think the story overall could fall into cosy crime and would recommend for fans of the Thursday murder club.

This is the fifth book in the DI James Walker series. Although it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone novel. If you love a good Christmas murder mystery, this series is perfect for you! Five books ago, DI James Walker left the grimy streets of London in search of a quieter life with his family in Cumbria. However, every Christmas since then has brought a gruesome set of murders, and this Christmas is no different, with a former police officer found murdered close to Walker's home.

I love this series, but I certainly wouldn't want to live anywhere near the quiet little village of Kirby Abbey, which is gaining a reputation for dead bodies turning up at Christmas! I really like DI James Walker's character. Throughout the series, we've seen his family grow with the arrival of his two children. I had hoped he would get a quiet Christmas at home this year instead of searching the cold Cumbrian countryside for murderers, but alas, I was wrong! The murder of former local police officer Nigel Booth was particularly shocking, and I loved following the investigation. Walker is a great lead detective, and it was interesting to follow him and his team as they navigated numerous dead ends.

The story twists and turns throughout, and while there are multiple suspects to consider, the murderer was well hidden—I didn't guess who it was. This is a very good series of books that, while very seasonal, can be enjoyed any time of the year. I would, however, like to see DI James Walker tackle a summer murder so he can have Christmas off! This is a clever police procedural with stunning scenic locations. I would definitely recommend it!

This series is addictive- i know winter is really here when I settle down under a blanket with DCI James Walker (figuratively!) and wonder at the tolerance levels of his wife Annie, yet again..
Christmas is disrupted after the big day this year, with another body discovered under a hedge dressed as Santa, it really is an extremely unlucky place to live.
This felt really slow to get going- at least halfway through the book and I felt the frustration of the villagers! I didn't feel like James' personality really shone through in this one until the last quarter. If I hadn't read the others I'm not sure I would have stuck with it. There are a few hints towards the end about what's next for James and Annie, and maybe this series is getting a bit tired and time for an injection of something new?
I guess we'll have to wait til next xmas to find out.
Please give James a faster paced crime to solve!

DCI Walker is back and is hoping for a quiet Christmas with his family , but quiet and Christmas and James Walker don’t exist in the same sentence !
A man dressed in a Santa suit is found dead in the snow just outside the village that Walker resides in , so the Christmas holidays are over for James and his team .
Expertly written as always making an easy read and kept me guessing until the end .
It’s a testament to Alex Pine’s calibre of writing that each new title although the same theme still hooks me in and makes for an entertaining festive mystery .
Will DCI Walker ever have a quiet Christmas?
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK .

The Killer in the Cold by Alex Pine is the 5th book in the Detective James Walker series, WoW........what a fantastic book this was. All of these books within this series have been excellent. They are set in the quaint little Cumbrian village of Kirkby Abbey during the magical Christmas time, a body dressed in a Santa Claus suit appears in the snow just outside a small village in Cumbria, DCI James Walker is the first to appear on the scene. It's almost a year that has passed since something so tragic has happened in the close-knit community, and James is hopeful that it’s just an accidental death.

But when he uncovers the body, he discovers something that chills him to the bone. This man, was a former police officer, and he was murdered. And it’s not long before another body appears.

Time is ticking..........James races to uncover the killer’s next victim, before they strike again.

But can James find them before the snow washes away the evidence?

WoW this book is So good and can be read as a stand alone, But I do recommend you read all these books within this series. They will not disappoint.

The Killer in the Cold is the 5th book in the DI James Walker series by Alex Pine. Although this is part of a series, I feel like it could be read as a standalone book also. Overall I found this to be an entertaining read, and one that I would recommend to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and Avon, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

An absolutely enthralling series featuring DCI James Walker. I look forward to these books every Christmas time. Like Midsummer Murders, this is one village I wouldn't want to live in though, as idyllic and quaint as it sounds, there are an alarming amount of murders! Killer in the Cold boasts the double murder of ex policeofficers that sets off a puzzling manhunt. It seems there are very little clues and the main suspects all have alibis. A startling discovery unfolds. Such an entertaining read from start to finish. #killerinthecold #alexpine #netgalley #harpercollins #crime #Christmas #murder

My thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for a copy of “ The Killer In The Cold” for an honest review.

I loved the first book in this series , and hadn’t realised I’d missed the other releases, so it was great to be get a chance to read this.It didn’t stop my enjoyment of reading this , I think it fares very well as a standalone., but I shall definitely get the ones in between to see what I’ve missed.
This was well written and kept me guessing right to the end.I really struggled to put it down I mainly read psychological thrillers but at this time of the year I Love something seasonal, so this was the perfect combination of the two for me ..
Well written characters and the beautiful setting of Cumbria .An Ideal festive read for a cosy crime book lover .

I liked the premise of this book but unfortunately the constant repetition and irrelevant filler was irritating. We are told what happened, then we have to read a conversation between James and his wife where he tells her what happened, then we have the rest of that chapter filled with descriptions of his sleep and early morning patterns - really! This became so annoying that I skim read the second half of the book. Despite an attempt to throw in some red herrings, it was a clumsy conclusion. Perhaps this rigid sticking to murder in the countryside at Christmas has run its course.

The arrival of the holiday season is often signalled for many by the sight of the iconic Coca-Cola lorry weaving through streets adorned with twinkling lights. However, for me, the true marker of the season is when a new instalment in the CDI James Walker murder mystery series hits the shelves.

I eagerly anticipated the latest release this year, and "The Killer in the Cold" did not disappoint.

Returning to CDI James Walker's world was like reuniting with an old friend, and the festive backdrop added a unique twist to the thrilling investigation that unfolded. The plot is intricately woven with layers of action and drama, and an array of unreliable narrators drives the story, each presenting veiled intentions that keep readers guessing.

What truly impressed me was the masterful way this author delves into the psyche of his characters, crafting a tapestry of motives that culminate in a shocking reveal. I found myself turning the pages at an alarming rate, wholly engrossed in the twists and turns, and the unexpected conclusion took me entirely by surprise, a testament to his skill as a storyteller.

As with previous books in the series, the writing is sharp and engaging, making it difficult to put the book down. The fast-paced narrative and thrilling and convoluted storyline immediately gripped my attention. These books definitely get better as they progress.

For those who might feel weary of the conventional, light-hearted holiday reads, I wholeheartedly recommend this series, notably "The Killer in the Cold." It’s a refreshing alternative that promises to entertain and provide a delightful thrill this festive season!

The characters are likeable and familiar, the plot is always intricate enough to give you something to puzzle over, but that said, uncomplicated enough to be able to pick up during busy times and know where you are.
The tension between the community and the police in this book really made you get onside and will James to solve the murder.
Another great murder mystery in the small Cumbrian village. I do hope James and Annie decide to stay as I look forward to what’s coming next !

Book 5 in the DI James Walker series. James and his family live in the lakes . Once again their Christmas is interrupted by a Christmas death. This time it is close to home for James. Easy to read and could be read as a stand alone .

I love when the chiller thrillers start to come out - the addition of snow/winter/the festive period really makes me want to buy a thriller more! And this is a series that I look forward to continuing every year!

It was great to be back with James and Annie who thankfully managed to enjoy their Christmas this year... Until Boxing Day! But I enjoy getting a glimpse into their family life nonetheless, catching up with them often in-between the investigation.

And this investigation is a great one! I did predict the killer early on but I think it was more on a whim than being predictable. I just had a sense that was where it was heading, although it still kept me guessing before the reveal which is left until the very last minute!

I really enjoyed how close to home this crime was as it felt very personal to James which made it all the more engaging. But it can definitely be read as a standalone too, as Pine does a brilliant job of summarising any previous events worth mentioning, giving a lot of context, and he even adds a character list at the start which I always appreciate!

It's a cosy enough thriller for those who don't like anything too dark and gritty, but still with plenty of exciting twists and turns to keep the most avid thriller reader entertained!

The next instalment in this series is just as good as the previous books. This time James, Annie and their family have managed to have a Christmas Day all to themselves, with no murder to drag James back to work. Just as they were getting used to the time off, a Santa is found dead in the snow,
The Cumbrian countryside is described so beautifully that even when reading this book in the sun, you still feel the atmosphere, imagine the snow flakes and feel the tension in the village when a murder investigation stuns them all. A really good police procedural, realistic feeling investigation and an unexpected ending. My only downside is trying to imagine where this series can go next. I look forward to whatever this author writes next.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

DCI James Walker is a respected detective. Since moving north to Cumbria, he has solved numerous murders, especially during the festive holidays. This year, he hopes for a quiet time with his young family. Unfortunately, the discovery of a body dressed in Santa's outfit forces him back to work to solve another Christmas murder. It is atmospheric, and the changing moods of the community are believable. I like the characters in the investigating team and how each clue, event and false lead builds the suspense to an unexpected but plausible conclusion.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

‘The Killer In The Cold’ by Alex Pine begins with a body, dressed in a Santa suit, found buried in snow on Boxing Day in the small village of Kirkby Abbey, minutes away from the front door of DCI James Walker. When the death toll increases, panic begins to spread, but Walker is sure that the circumstances are different to the festive countdown serial killer who struck the village just after he arrived from London four Christmases ago. This novel explores darkly personal motives that could have led to the tragic murders.

I liked:
- The tongue-in-cheek way that James describes how he always ends up with career-defining crimes to solve in the Yuletide season (now that we are on Book 5, that’s a lot of ruined Christmasses!)
- DCI Walker’s team are beautifully familiar, and I also enjoy seeing his home life with wife Annie
- There were so many suspects and possible motives, and a few nicely placed red herrings
- The theme of how much parents should forego luxurious retirements to help their offspring onto the housing ladder was topical and thought provoking

Despite these positives, I came out of the book feeling that it was interesting, but not actually Christmassy in any meaningful way - the costume of the first victim aside, the festive season was used as an excuse to have multiple characters away from home visiting others rather than being core to the crime or its solution (note: for a book that does the theming really cleverly, try ‘Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret’ by Benjamin Stevenson). The writing is somewhat simplistic, meaning it isn’t a book I’d necessarily pick up if it wasn’t seasonally appropriate.

Ultimately, giving 3.5 stars as I was gripped throughout and felt that the ending was able to be deduced early but never felt 100% predictable. If you’ve read the others in the series, or want some light reading with a snowy cover, I’d recommend.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Avon Books UK via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.