This is the 5th book in this series by Alex Pine, with all books being set in the quaint little Cumbrian village of Kirkby Abbey during Christmastime, and following Detective James Walker. At least I assume it’s a quaint village, as we don’t really get much of a description of the setting or much of a festive feel - which really would have added to the atmosphere. Unless it’s on your to-do list to find out which are the major A-roads around Cumbria, don’t get too excited about the setting!

I’ve read the first book in this series but not the others until this - and whilst it worked perfectly fine as a standalone story, I don’t feel compelled to go back and catch up on what I’ve missed.

For me this was a very slow story and very repetitive. There felt like a lot that didn’t really need saying - or at least didn’t need saying multiple times.

So little was going on it felt like we were experiencing the investigation in real time! It moved so slowly I couldn’t understand why they had to commandeer the village hall, other than to remind us a multitude of times that they did that 5 years ago.

Anyway, the story itself. On Christmas Eve, a former police detective and his wife are murdered in the village and James is tasked with finding out whodunnit, whilst the villagers become increasingly frustrated at how long it’s taking the police to get to the bottom of it. Tell me about it villagers!

Yes the pace could have been a lot faster with some more Wow moments, but it was a cosy easy read with a satisfying ending. Just not quite my cup of tea!

I really enjoyed this book the story was gripping and I was hooked from the beginning. Alex pine is not a new author for me having previously read the winter killer. The thing I like about these books is that despite being a series they can be read as stand alones. The short chapters are a hit for me as I find I read quicker compared to long chapters. I hope we will see more from DI walker and that he doesn't relocate with his family. What's Christmas without a little murder?

I have read all the previous books in the James Walker series and I do really enjoy them. I don't know if its ok to say but the festive season just wouldn't feel right without a murder in Cumbria now!! I have visited this area and I know how stunning it is but I would like to go at Christams now and see if it really is as snowy as Alex Pine describes as it sounds very cold and very beautiful!!

I enjoy the mystery every year and this year was just the same. I have to say this was one of the first times I guessed the killer whilst about three quarters through which is a personal best!

My only critisism, which I mention every year in my review, is that the speech is always very stilted and feels unreal. I dont think real people talk how Pine writes it but I still enjoy the books and look forward to more. I do get the feeling that maybe the next one will be in a different location? Maybe I'm worng but the people of Cumbria will be able to sleep easy if I'm correct!!

I received a free copy through net galley. I found this book, the 5th in the series to be slow and quite honestly boring. You don’t have to of read the first 4 books, it can be read as a standalone. There weren’t any twists or wow moments.

I love this series and was totally excited to get this review.

Bring it on Alex Pine. Another fantastic book. Thank you for the opportunity to review

I like a police procedural and this one being set in Cumbria was a bonus for me. A shame that beyond mentioning the location, little was made of it. I was not keen on this book, it felt repetative, the villagers were too quick to jump to conclusions and pushing Annie for information did not ring true.
The investigation was too drawn out and there were too many unnecessary twists in the plot. A shame, but this book wasn't for me.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

I love Alex Pine’s Christmas books set in Cumbria. Lots of snow, a murder or two and the local detectives trying to solve the murders. This is the fifth book in the series, but it can be read as a stand alone book. Detective James Walker and his wife Annie are hoping for a relaxing Christmas with the children, It was not to be, as a dog walker discovered the body of a Santa Claus lying in the hedge covered in snow on Boxing Day. Even worse, it was a retired policeman. Why had his wife not reported him missing? James and his team interviewed many suspects, all of them seeming to have an alibi. I was trying to guess the killer the whole way through the book, but I was kept guessing until the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy of this latest book in the series. I can’t wait for the next one!

A Killer in the Cold by Alex Pine.

When 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. Almost a year has passed since something so tragic has happened in the close-knit community, and James is hopeful that it’s just an accidental death.

Another great book by this author . Loved the characters , loved the story , loved the setting .
Just enough twists and turns and didn't see the end coming, Great.

The discovery of a very dead Santa on Boxing Day morning means Christmas is over early once again for DCI James Walker and his team. With the victim known to everyone in Kirkby Abbey, as well as the officers investigating the death, the pressure is on. As the snow continues to fall, James knows he has to calm the anxious villagers and discover who's responsible for the increasing body count before the case becomes as cold as the weather.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Avon Books UK, but the opinions expressed are my own. This series has become an eagerly awaited early Christmas present and once again I loved it. I read it in one sitting and recommend it highly.

Another amazing book, let’s hope there is another one coming, always love reading these, it has everything in it, suspense and always a great ending AAA

This was a great story with so much going on, I wasn't convinced by any of the suspects but couldn't see options then a great curveball was thrown in!

The ‘ber’ months have officially started, this series is one I always look forward to, so I’m glad it has officially started my festive reads 😊

This is my favourite book in the series, I loved that it was based in Walker’s hometown and involved people he knew. For me, this made me feel more connected to the case.

This was so fast paced with so many suspects and red herrings, I really didn’t see the killer coming!! As always it was good to be back with Annie and James and the interactions between the police action give an enjoyable light relief.

This is a great series and is fast becoming a yearly tradition to read one of Alex Pines books. 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 next year's read!

You know winter is coming when the latest Alex Pine novel drops onto your kindle.
DCI James Walker is crossing his fingers that for the first time in a few years he get a Christmas with no drama. And having spent a lovely Christmas Day with his family he thinks finally things have changed, until he gets a call on Boxing Day. A murder has taken place only a few minutes from his house, and its shocking to discover its a retired police officer. Preparing to start a new life in Spain who could possibly want to kill Nigel.
I love this series, I like that James has a happy family life and tries to balance a work/life balance. There is a strong development of characters. I like how the author reminds us of the main characters at the beginning of the novel.
It's a stong detective series

This is my first read from this author and my interest was piqued by the setting as I've lived in this part of the world. Sadly though, the landscape barely played a part in the story (and yes, I know the village is fictional but the rest of it isn't) which was the first negative for me.
Reading on I found the story to be very linear with convenient suspects dropping in one after the other — there was really no secondary plot or intrigue to keep us amused — and this led to a lot of repetition about the previous murders in the village some four years previously and where all the detectives fitted into the scene. All in all I found there was too much padding and not enough action — even cosy crime can have more than one thing happening at a time.
Detective James Walker's wife appeared very capable — I'd have been frazzled if I'd been cooped up in the house as long as she was with two small children — and the fact that she had time to cook him a meal when he came home, having got the kids to bed without a problem was all a bit slick. He also confides in her quite often which maybe he shouldn't do if they lived in such a small tight knit community.
So all in all I was a little disappointed with this, having read excellent reviews of the writer's previous work. However, I might give further books a try.
With thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

This is the 5th book in the Walker series. They are all well written and this one is no exception. They can also be read as a standalone in my opinion. I recommend these books.

Walker is a great character and very human in his struggle to balance his career with his young family.
Murder happens on his doorstep at Christmas and the ensuing investigation has to focus on his friends and neighbours, leading to uncomfortable interviews, suspicions cast and desperate attempts to find alternative routes of enquiry.
Another fantastic book in this series.

A couple , he a serving policeman, with a young wife and small children are preparing for a perfect family Xmas together. Now living in a village completely different from a previous lifestyle and one which should have proven to be a safe haven. Yet again mimicking their previous experience, this joyful season is destroyed when a man dressed as a Santa Clause is found murdered. The village inhabitants are terrified; gossip and innuendo prevails , and the investigation racks up to a whole different level when the identity of not one but two victims emerge. A thoroughly enjoyable story of a detailed police investigation where nothing and no one can be assumed to be telling the truth or innocent. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Another festive season brings another murder to DCI James Walker and his team and this time it’s personal.

Friends and ex colleagues have been brutally murdered in Kirkby Abbey, the small, close knit town that DCI Walker also resides in. Can his team of officers find out who did it?

Once again another great read. As the fifth book in the series it’s good to see all the regular characters popping up again but with plenty of new additions to keep things fresh. I really enjoyed how the story played out but I will admit I did guess pretty early on who did it this time. I think I’ve read so many of this type of book now that I’m clearly just super suspicious of everyone.

Definitely a book and series I’d recommend.

No leí los libros anteriores y no fue necesario para comprender The killer in the cold.

Con cuatro crímenes consecutivos ocurridos en navidad, dudo que espere com ansías el siguiente año.

No me encantó como se manejo la investigación ya que la mayoría de los hallazgos se dieron porque la gente iba con la esposa de James, le contaban chismes y ella le llamaba a su esposo para decirle.


Yo juraba que el asesino era el primer sospechoso.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.