Just when I was starting to feel so burnt out on thrillers, Kate Alice Marshall gave us A Killing Cold. Incredible. I was hooked from the first chapter!

Our story starts when Theo and her fiancé, Conner, are stranded with his new-to-her family at an isolated mountain lodge during a brutal snowstorm. Tensions rise when one of the group is found murdered, and Theo realizes the killer is among them. As paranoia spreads and the body count rises, Theo must uncover the truth while grappling with her own secrets, her unknown origins, trust issues amongst these strangers, and the looming threat that someone is about to unravel it all.

Narrated by Karissa Vacker, she’s a familiar voice and moved this book along at an incredible pace. I felt Theo’s emotions; fear, distrust, confusion, anger, empathy, and genuine love.

I am one who always tries my best to work out a million theories as to who the penultimate antagonist will be, especially during lulls in the storyline, but Kate kept me guessing till the end. I was so engrossed in the plot and her writing that I was able to simply flow along with the story as it happened. So many twists and details swirled into her captivating writing.

If you’re a fan of Riley Sagar, Harlan Coben, or even TJ Newman, pick up this book. I felt the same sense of thrill with this book as I have with theirs, and it did not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Flatiron Books for sending this ALC for review! All opinions are my own.

A Killing Cold begins when Theodora meets Connor Dalton. Good looking and wealthy, Theodora falls for him instantly. Love at first sight. Six months into their relationship Connor decides to bring Theodora to a family winter getaway at the families winter retreat certain his family will love her as much as he does. Theodora is not so certain. Theodora has a past of her own and one she is not sure the Dalton family would approve of. But his family is bizarre and things start to unravel causing Theodora to have moments where she feels she’s been to Idlewood before but how could she? As the story unfolds you don’t know who to trust and what will happen next but this story will keep you on the edge of your seat second guessing. The ending will have you dropping your jaw.

A Killing Cold is a pretty good thriller that kept my interest all the way through it. I really liked the narrator! I enjoyed that it wasn’t as predictable as I thought it would be, but the ending was all thrown together rather abruptly and a little far-fetched. Overall, I would recommend the book to just about anybody.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced audio copy of “A Killing Cold” by Kate Alice Marshall in exchange for a review.

I really enjoyed Marshall’s first work ‘What Lies in the Woods’, so when I saw another book from her I had to check it out.

This was a solid thriller with good character building, and twists, but I can’t say I ended up “OMG OBSESSED.” I think I’ve read so many thrillers that now I’m a tough critic. The ending felt rushed, which was a disappointment.

Overall, I’d say it’s an entertaining-in-the-moment thriller that likely won’t stay with me long term, and while I’m not sure it’d be at the top of my recommendation list, I certainly wouldn’t deter anyone from picking it up!

Read Completed 1/2/25 | 3.5 stars | Book #1 of 2025
I listened to an advanced review copy of this audiobook. Thank you to Macmillan Audio via Netgalley for this opportunity.

Ah, the curse of the first book of the year. I can never love it, can I?

WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS, Kate Alice Marshall's adult debut, remains one of my favorite thrillers, but her subsequent adult thrillers just haven't done it for me lately. For some reason, I just really never got into this book and I had such a hard time connecting to any of the characters. Theo was just very mid-level, and hard to get to know with a mysterious past and missing memories. There was a lot of focus on her past, but we didn't get to KNOW her NOW. She didn't have much personality, nor did anyone else in the book. Everyone was just a character and no one felt like a real person.

There were also a few too many characters here for me. Usually it's not an issue but since the characters weren't super memorable, half of the men just kind of blended together which really didn't help things once accusations started flying around. I just didn't care about them enough and they didn't stand out enough for me to really set each one of them in their place.

I was also disappointed in Connor's involvement. He was a pretty boring character, and I supposed he didn't have be to someone so outstanding, but I wanted more personality from him too. He existed just to pull Theo into the story and really served no other purpose.

The plot was just fine for me. The story was engaging enough and there were a couple times that I was allllmost really into it. It's still well put-together, even if I didn't love the structure of it. I really didn't like the moments in the past going back to third person, switching from the book's first person POV. I get that it's to distance yourself from what's going on, but it felt awkward every time it popped in. I think I would have liked a bigger reveal closer to the end that having it peppered in the whole book.

I don't know! This one just didn't do it for me. I felt disconnected the whole time. Maybe I read it at the wrong time, taking a break during my fantasy reads to get a couple of "regular sized" books in before I dive back into to 1000+ page books, but I just didn't connect with this really at all. Maybe I hyped myself up too much, or maybe it just wasn't the story for me. I don't connect with every single book from a thriller author and it's rare that I do. I saw so much potential in this but this just didn't pull me in.

AUDIOBOOK THOUGHTS: I'm also really tiring of Karissa Vacker's narration. I really hated it here for some reason. She was my favorite narrator for a really long time and I still think she does a nice job, but I just didn't like her voice for this story. I wanted someone new, gritty, tough. She's too soft.

Wow! This was so creepily good! It was slow but also not slow. We were constantly getting little pieces so it was coming together nicely just not super fast. The characters are all written well. I loved how it all came together too. A bit far fetched and predictable at times maybe… but I didn’t mind! This was my first book I have read by her and it won’t be my last!!! Oh…and that final twist! Bravo! Did not see it being that person!!!

This is was the first book I listened to by Kate Alice Marshall and I had such a great time with this book. Karissa Vacker was the narrator of this book and I thought she did a wonderful job. She held my attention and kept me entertained the entire time. The story and the characters were well written.

When Theo met Connor who is wealthy, charming and a member of a wealthy family, she fell in love instantly. Six months later, he’s brought her to Idlewood, his family’s isolated winter retreat, to win over his skeptical relatives. Theo receives threatening messages that she ignores but can't ignore that something weird is going on at this retreat.

One day while out walking she finds a cabin that hasn't been used in years and finds the unthinkable: a picture of herself as a child taken at Idlewood. Theo has no recollection of her earliest years but slowly she starts remembering things. Why is there a photo pf her here? What happened when she was here? So many questions but what will she like the answers?

This book had me drawn in quickly. I was on the edge of my seat in the end trying to figure out what was going to happen. Then all the twists and turns made me feel like I was on a rollercoaster ride. This one definitely took me for a ride and I had one heck of a good time on it. I would highly recommend this book. I definitely look forward to checking out other books by Kate Alice Marshall.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ALC for my honest opinion.



Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ALC for my honest opinion.

4.5 Stars - rounding up ❄️🔪
I was absolutely thrilled to win a paperback ARC of "A Killing Cold" through the Flatiron First Edition giveaway! It's been sitting on my shelf for a bit, but I finally picked it up, and it was worth the wait!

This is my second journey through the mind of Kate Alice Marshall, and she truly has a knack for crafting jaw-dropping twists and shocks! I also scored an early audiobook version, thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley. The narration by Karissa Vacker, one of my all-time favorite narrators, brings so much atmosphere to the story, and she nailed the eerie vibe. Picture a remote estate owned by a wealthy family, surrounded by a foreboding forest—a perfect backdrop for the tale that unfolds during an intense winter storm. It gives the story a chilling edge!

The tale follows Theo, who meets Connor from an ultra-wealthy family, and after a whirlwind romance, they get engaged. But when Theo visits the exclusive Idlewild Estate to meet Connor's family, things don't go as planned. His family is suspicious that Theo's just after their money, and on top of that, Theo is pretty mysterious, which doesn't help her case. The plot thickens as Theo's mysterious past surfaces, with haunting flashbacks about being at the estate as a child.

This book is an absolute page-turner you won't want to put down! I can't recommend it enough!

#AKillingKind #KarissaVacker #KateAliceMarshall #NetGalley #MacAudio2024 #FlatironFirstEditionGiveaway #FlatironPublishing #MacMillanAudio

This one starts off sloooowwww, it wasn’t until about 35% in that the story really picked up, and we began piecing together the puzzle of Theo’s life before she met Connor and her fate at Idlewood. It offers a chilling glimpse into how the upper echelon lives, giving me serious Murdaugh family vibes.
Who killed who and why? How did Theo get tangled up with this family? Was she hunted? If you love stories about toxic families, the wealthy behaving badly, and plenty of mystery, this one’s for you.

That said, I knocked off two stars for the incredibly terrible and, in my opinion, completely unbelievable ending. It just didn't seem plausible to me.

A Killing Cold is the newest book from Kate Alice Marshall. I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of the audiobook, narrated by Karissa Vacker. As usual, Karissa Vacker does an excellent job narrating this thriller. A Killing Cold tells the story of Theo who is heading to the mountains to spend Christmas with her new fiancé, Connor's, mega rich family. There is a lot of mystery surrounding Theo's past and even she doesn't know all the details. As soon as she arrives at the mountain retreat, memories from her childhood and a suspicious connection to Connor's family start to emerge. I found this book to be entertaining enough. It was your typical thriller. Easy to follow with no amazing twist. I didn't have to think too much about it which is nice for an audiobook. As far as Marshall's books go, this is not my favorite but I surmise many will find it enjoyable.

Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC of "A Killing Cold" by Kate Alice Marshall on audiobook! This was a solid ⭐⭐⭐.5 read for me. The isolated winter setting and the mysterious family definitely created an eerie atmosphere. The mystery kept me guessing. Overall, a good thriller for fans of locked-room mysteries with family secrets.

“A Killing Cold” is one of those thrillers that’s easy to get through but hard to get excited about. The premise—rich people trapped in an isolated location, secrets and grudges bubbling to the surface—is one we’ve all seen before. While it has potential for tension and drama, it doesn’t really bring anything new to the table.

The plot leans heavily on one major coincidence, and whether or not you can go along with it might determine how much you enjoy the book. For me, it felt too convenient, like the whole story was propped up on a shaky foundation. And while there are twists, they’re more predictable than shocking—if you’ve read a fair share of thrillers, you’ll probably see them coming.

That said, it’s not bad. The writing is fine, the pacing moves quickly, and the setting is atmospheric enough to keep you turning pages. It’s just not a standout. If you’re looking for something new or groundbreaking, this isn’t it, but it’s an okay way to pass the time.

Author Kate Alice Marshall is a pro at creating gripping, terrifying, and mysterious thrillers, her newest is no exception. Wealth, winter, and weddings combine for an intriguing plot as Theo enters the family's retreat for the first time. With no memories of her childhood, some warning texts, and odd memories resurfacing, Marshall quickly draws us in.

I requested this because it was heavily recommended but it just didn't do it for me. I didn't like the characters and I found it dull and one-dimensional. The big secret seemed far fetched too.

This was a good popcorn thriller. I wasn't sure about it early on but the pace really picked up about 1/3 way in and I read to the end in one sitting.

If a remote setting in winter and a wealthy family with issues are your thing you'll want to check out A Killing Cold. I really enjoyed it!

Narration: Karissa Vacker's performance is perfection. I love how she voices female and especially male characters.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for allowing me early access to the Audiobook in exchange for my opinion. 3.5 stars

This is the third book I read by this author and I absolutely loved it just like the other two books. I love Kate Alice Marshall's way of telling a story which grabs the reader's attention from the beginning.
The story follows Theo who is recently engaged to Connor. Connor invites her to his family's cabin for a winter retreat. Theo has her concerns about going because Connor's family is very wealthy and he had warned her that it is important to seek their approval, especially his grandparents approval.
Upon her arrival strange this start to happen, texts warning her to stay away, family acting secretive and she experiences deja vu. She has a feeling that she has been on this property before and we start learning part of Theo's past.
There are many twists and turn once Theo starts remembering her past. She doesn't know who she can trust in this family or if she can even trust the man she loves.
I love books that take place in secluded areas and this one did not disappoint.

Regarding the narrator, let me just say that anything narrated by Karissa Vacker is amazing!!! She is one of my favorite narrators so if you listen to audiobooks don't pass this one up!

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillon Audio. All opinions are my own.

Kate Alice Marshall’s A Killing Cold is an enthralling blend of psychological suspense and atmospheric mystery. Set in the icy isolation of Idlewood, the Dalton family’s luxurious winter retreat, this novel pulls readers into a tangled web of love, secrets, and danger.

Theodora Scott, our protagonist, is relatable and compelling—a woman swept into a whirlwind romance with Connor Dalton, only to discover that the powerful Dalton family harbors dark secrets. From the moment Theo arrives at Idlewood, Marshall builds a sense of foreboding with vivid descriptions of the snowbound retreat and its eerie isolation. As Theo grapples with menacing messages, mysterious footprints, and a shocking photograph that ties her past to Idlewood, the suspense tightens like a noose.

Marshall excels at pacing, keeping the twists coming while giving readers time to unpack Theo’s fragmented memories and piece together the Daltons’ sinister motivations. The novel’s strength lies in its ability to balance emotional stakes with the creeping dread of discovery, making readers feel both Theo’s vulnerability and her determination to uncover the truth.

While the central mystery is compelling, some plot points feel slightly familiar to fans of the genre, and the resolution, though satisfying, leans on well-worn tropes. However, Marshall’s atmospheric writing and Theo’s emotional journey elevate the story, delivering a tense and immersive experience.

For fans of psychological thrillers with a gothic edge, A Killing Cold is a must-read. It’s a chilling reminder that the past doesn’t stay buried—and that some secrets are worth killing for.

Another slam dunk from Kate Alice Marshall in this one! While we have definitely all read these types of stories before, (girl gets engaged/goes off to fiance's private family home/things are not as they seem), Marshall delivers with well painted characters that keep you guessing as to who the deviants truly are. I received the audiobook ARC of this one, and the narration and delivery were supurb. This novel kept me engaged and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending, as well.

A quick engagement has Connor’s wealthy family concerned about Theo’s intentions so when they all get together it makes sense that they would begin asking her about her family, right? What Theo did not expect was for everything to be so familiar. Has she been here before? Has she met these people before?
This gripping novel will have you guessing until the end and trust me it is worth it. The audio narration by Karissa Vacker was gripping and propulsive. Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This book was amazing! Theo meets Connor and while on vacation meeting his family for the first time after getting engaged Theo discovers his family has a lot to hide. There are secrets coming from every member of Connor's family as well as the secret's Theo is keeping about her past and who she really is.
While being at this isolated family retreat, Theo uncovers so many locked memories. This audiobook and narrator were amazing. Thanks, Net Galley for providing me with the copy to listen to. I was fully emersed into the story. Listening to the plot play out was great and I finished it in one day.