Member Reviews
First winter thriller of the season? Check! ☑️ A Killing Cold was everything I wanted it to be! It grabbed my full attention from the first chapter and kept me guessing through the entire book. The isolated snowy setting was perfect and the drama with this rich family was messy and I loved every second. I can’t wait to get to more of Kate Alice Marshall’s backlist! 👏
Read if you like…
❄️ Snowy thrillers
🔪 Tons twists and turns
🩸 Isolated settings
🧸 Family drama
🧣 Secrets and more secrets
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC and eARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded up
I listened to this book. The detailed description helped me visualize the story as I read it. At first, it seemed similar to another book I had read, but I soon realized it was much more complicated. I highly recommend this book.
I received this galley from NetGalley.
A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall is a jaw-dropping, wild ride from start to finish. The suspense and mystery surrounding Theo's story kept me hooked, and I devoured the book in just one day. I felt a full range emotions throughout this story and thought it was very well written and the audio was well done. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fast-paced, emotionally intense read.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review
If you're looking for a fast-paced thriller you'll enjoy this book. I liked the family secrets and the mystery of discovering what happened to Theo's mother. I think the audiobook was well done and I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram @coffee.break.book.reviews in the near future.
This was literally the PERFECT winter thriller! So many twists and turns to keep you on your toes. I’m not at all surprised, this author has yet to write a book I haven’t enjoyed so far!
This book has something for everyone. It’s a thriller, with romance, suspense, and a whole lot of plot twists. As if meeting the family of your soon to be husband isn’t already nerve wracking, add some deadly secrets and murder to the list. Talk about crazy!
I was excited to have received the audio arc of this book, the narrator did an amazing job. She has the perfect emotional to just make the suspense even more chilling while you listen. I couldn’t recommend her narrations enough!!
Although I absolutely loved this story, the plot and the characters, I was able to figure out a few of the twists. It didn’t really take away from my enjoyment, but there were parts that were a bit predictable, however, the chaos that is happening doesn’t let the disappointment linger.
I highly recommend this author to any thriller and mystery lovers out there. Her writing is so well done, the pacing is perfect and the characters are so well developed. I can’t wait to read more by her very soon!
4.5 stars!!!
A woman named Theodora (Theo) falls in love with a wealthy man named Connor and visits his family's winter retreat, Idlewood. Strange messages and mysterious events lead her to discover a shocking secret from her past and put her in danger. Theo must uncover the truth about what happened at Idlewood before it's too late.
This year has introduced me to a plethora of exceptional books, and this one is no exception. This book defies expectations and challenges perceptions in a way that is truly unique.
I was fortunate enough to have access to both the eBook and audiobook versions of this novel. I find that listening while reading along enhances my overall experience, allowing me to stay engaged even when I'm on the go.
This book is a fast-paced rollercoaster that immediately pulls you in. While some parts may seem overly detailed, they are crucial for keeping up with the intricate plot. With multiple points of view and timelines, the story is easy to follow and keeps you on your toes.
The characters in this book undergo significant development, with some being endearing and others downright aggravating. The family dynamics are chilling, mirroring the eerie setting of the story. As the plot unfolds, suspicion begins to creep in, making you question everyone's motives.
The unexpected and twisted ending is both satisfying and shocking, leaving a lasting impact. If you enjoy stories filled with family drama, secrets, and jaw-dropping revelations, this book is must-read. Just be prepared to clear your schedule, as you won't be able to put it down. I highly recommend adding this book to your TBR it truly is a gem.
Thank you, Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
MY GOODNESS! how many twist and turns does one book need! This book was a freaking roller coaster!!
SOOOO goood! Dora! Theo!! Does she even now her real name! She has nightmare about a night she can't even remember! But had a horrible childhood! She can't remember where she came from! She mights this great guy named Connor! And alll hell breaks Loose! This book was amazing!! From start to finish! And i loved it! Theo! Showed these people she wasn't one to play with!!
Theodora Scott works at a bookstore, she was a young child when she was orphaned and adopted by an abusive family. She tells everyone they are dead but are they or is she hiding a deep dark secret. She has vague memories of her early life, she remembers a woman in a red scarf, it could be her mother, but she isn’t sure. She remembers the woman told her to run.
Connor Dalton is a member of the rich Dalton family. The Dalton’s are powerful and menacing. Things always go their way. Theodora Scott and Connor fell in love at first sight. Six months after they met Connor proposed and invited her to Idlewood, his family’s secluded winter retreat. Theodora expected the Dalton’s to be cold and suspicious, but she wasn’t prepared for her own feelings.
There are several members of the Dalton family at Idlewood: Alexis, Connor’s sister. Alexis’s wife, Paloma, and their son Sebastian. Alexis tends to be a bit snobbish. The two women showed support for Theodora. Louise, Connor’s grandmother, showed her dislike for Theodora from the moment they met. Rose, Connor’s mother, a widow was suspicious of Theodora’s motives. Trevor, Connor’s youngest brother, considers himself intitled. He immediately labels Theodora a gold-digger. Connor’s Uncle Nick was on the edge of hostile; the reader knows he is up to something but isn’t quite sure what.
Something strange was going on at Idlewood. Theodora received several threatening messages on her cell phone, someone has been looking through the window of their cabin and she has a sense that she has been there before. There are several cabins at Idlewood, one isn’t used. Theodora is drawn to the cabin and finds a photo of herself as a child with Connor’s deceased father, Liam. The photo was taken in Idlewood. Bits and pieces of her past start coming together. She realizes her mother was the woman in the scarf. She remembers a man with antlers chasing them. Could Connor be playing a sick game? Theodora’s life is at stake.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Publishing for the ARC copy.
The only reason I'd stick through an illogical plot and annoying main character is IF the dramatics are worth it. Give me camp! Give me wacky! Give me theatrics!! The premise of this book?! Gagatrondra!! I was already salivating! But here's the thing, the premise shouldn't be the most enticing thing about the book. You really want to hook your reader in within the first 50 pages, but even at 50% of the way through, I was waiting for something truly juicy or shocking to happen.
It was so meandering, I couldn't care less about whichever snobbish family member had it out with our main female protagonist Theo, when it would've been a much juicier read if her fiancé was featured more. Instead, he's just...some guy. Completely devoid of any character. Is that why we spent so much time with everyone else?! Because of his lack of characterization, I couldn't get over why Theo would agree to spend the holidays with him and his family. And the characterization of Theo was one of limp toast. She wasn't interesting to follow, so I don't know why rich fiancé Connor would be into her either. Overall, too much of rich people being catty or melodramatic childhood flashbacks, not enough mystery.
Just like I have all of Kate Alice Marshall’s previous novels, I loved A Killing Cold. If I could give it more than five stars, I would, because, from the very first sentence to the very last, I was completely and thoroughly riveted.
Theo is my favorite kind of character. She’s strong, and she’s flawed. She’s tough and resilient, and she’s the kind of character that just worked her way in and kept me anxiously flipping pages until the bombshell conclusion.
The setting of a snowy mountain with a spectacular lodge and one lonely ramshackle cabin…perfect. There isn’t a single thing about A Killing Cold that I would change. Add in the fact that the audio version is narrated by the incredibly talented Karissa Vacker…the absolute perfect choice.
Kate Alice Marshall's newest book, "A Killing Cold" grabs you from page one and doesn't let go. The narrator is wonderful as well. Great read overall.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for the book #AKillingCold by #KateAliceMarshall. Theo is going to meet her fiancé, Connor’s family for the first time. While there she gets threatening messages telling her to leave and stay away. She finds a photo of her as child in an empty cabin and memories start coming back to her as if she has been there before. She has flashbacks of her mother, and is trying to put it all together. There are secrets this family doesn’t want revealed and they will do anything to keep them hidden. Is Theo in trouble? Should she just run away from them all?
Wow! First the narration is fantastic. The setting is also amazing!
How do I get one of those boyfriend's whose mom pays me to leave? I love the mystery. I love every character. I absolutely love the main character. This was perfection!
I've enjoyed Marshall's previous thrillers so I was excited to read this and it did not disappoint. A fast paced thriller full of paranoia, snowy isolation (perfect to read during the winter), and family secrets and drama. The narrator, Karissa Vacker, did a great job on the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an arc copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
A Killing Cold, by Kate Aline Marshall, narrated by Karissa Vacker, is an audiobook I couldn't stop listening to. Marshall is an incredibly talented storyteller, and an absolute master at delivering unexpected twists. (If you haven't read her previous novels, No One Can Know & What Lies in the Woods—buy/borrow/download immediately!!!!!) Beyond those twists, Marshall also writes deeply-developed protagonists that make you follow every single sentence, heart in your throat, stressing about everything they're going through. Logically, I knew Theo would make it though okay, if not unscathed. But I was so invested in her journey, I couldn't stop listening until I knew for sure. And Karissa Vacker is pitch perfect as Theo. (tbh, she'a a pleasure to listen to no matter what book she's voicing. But with material like A Killing Gold, she is absolute magic.) Highly recommend!!
I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I am a fan of this author, so this book did not disappoint. I love books with a winter themed setting, throw in some murder, mystery, and intrigue and we have a winner. When Theo goes with her fiance to his family's home, she doesn't know what is in store for her. Why does it look familiar even though she has never been there. This starts is on a wild ride that I could not put down. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
I love KAM and this audiobook didn’t disappoint. Karissa Vacker is one of the best narrators and she is an instant listen for me. The book kept me guessing until the end and I was satisfied with how it turned out. Thanks NetGalley!
4.25⭐️
I had the audiobook read by the brilliant Karissa Vacker who has a great range of voices, she is excellent giving a great level of tension and threat. She really bought it to life which made listening a very enjoyable experience.
This thriller with an underlying mystery is my first book by this author.
Theo and Conor, after a whirlwind romance go to meet Conor’s family in an isolated winter retreat. There she starts to have memories which had been repressed of an earlier visit.
Theres a good intensity for the most part although there are areas where the pace drops, the narrator carried it over these dips. It has twists and secrets which are interspersed rather than keeping all to the end.
I think it’s well worth having the audiobook version, I’m looking forward to more by this author.
I loved this book!! It has a great pace, keeps interest. Unique story. Wasn’t overly easy to to predict. Excellent. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. I also really liked the audiobook narrator. Thanks NetGalley for the review copy!
YES. Okay, now THIS is a THRILLER. I absolutely loved this one. You might think you have things all figured out but I can almost guarantee that while you might predict some of the twists, there’s no way you’ll see everything that’s coming. A Killing Cold had me absolutely hooked from beginning to end. Not only is it filled with unpredictable twists and heart-pounding suspense, but it is also such a character-driven story! The FMC will have you rooting for her all the way while simultaneously questioning her motives. Add this one to your lists and get ready for a crazy ride!
Huge thank you to Kate Alice Marshall, Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.