This was so good! There were certainly parts that were unrealistic, but it was such a fun ride. It kept me engaged the whole time wondering who was involved in the mystery and what part they played. I really enjoyed the way the story progressed and played out.

I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Karissa Vacker and she did a fabulous job. I was able to listen for hours and get completely lost in the story. She was totally believable as our MC.

I've read several of Marshall's books now and I always find them to be well-written and entertaining. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next. I think this is the third audio I've listened to that was written by Marshall and narrated by Vacker. They make a great team and I'm hoping to listen to more by the duo.

This might be my favorite Kate Alice Marshall yet. The story follows a woman who accepts an invitation to her wealthy fiancé's family retreat, only to discover that she's been there before—a fact that should be impossible given her history. As she arrives at the secluded winter lodge, she must confront not only her mysterious connection to this place but also her own fractured past as an adopted child with no memory of her biological family. Marshall's strength lies in her ability to build tension like layers of ice, each chapter adding another crystalline sheet of suspense. The pace starts strong and intensifies dramatically in the final quarter, creating a reading experience that's both exhausting and exhilarating, I listened to the whole thing in two days. The author masterfully employs foreshadowing and the gradual unlocking of blocked memories to keep readers perched on the edge of their seats. The winter setting isn't just backdrop—it's practically a character itself, with the isolation and bitter cold serving as perfect metaphors for the protagonist's psychological journey. The snow that piles up outside mirrors the mounting lies and secrets within the lodge, stacking higher and higher as the story progresses.The family drama aspect of the novel is particularly well-executed, think Catherine Steadman’s “The Family Game”. Rather than relying on cheap thrills or shock value, Marshall delves deep into the complexities of family relationships, both chosen and biological. The result is a richer, more nuanced thriller that satisfies on both an emotional and intellectual level. Each revelation is carefully timed, each twist earned through meticulous groundwork laid in earlier chapters. The final quarter of the book delivers a series of stunning revelations that will have readers reassessing everything they thought they knew. Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance listener copy.

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you Flatiron Publishing for sending me this physical ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I also received an audiobook from NetGalley, thank you!
Pub Date: 2/4/25

I’m a fan of Marshall’s writing style and thrillers.
This one had a good setting and plot.
Characters were easy to follow and keep up with.
The twists were good, but not jaw dropping.
The final twist was equally as decent but not profound.

Worth the read.
Would recommend for a snowy retreat and a warm fireplace with wine or hot chocolate.

I was sucked in from the start with this thriller, waiting to see what was really going on in the lives of Connor and Theo. How did they get together and how were things going to go finally meeting the family? There were hints it wasn't all it appeared to be on the surface, and that definitely proves to be true. As the book went on, however, these coincidences and happenstances just continued to seem too much. I was frantically searching for someone to like or root for in the midst of all the drama, and never really could. It is an enjoyable read that I had no trouble sticking with, but the farfetched storyline got away from me a little too much. I did think the narrator did a pretty good job with the voices, but a multicast might have made it even more engaging.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

Oh, this was a tough read! Watch for content warnings, because whenever children are involved, I find it especially difficulty.
Overall, great suspense, SO much creep-factor, and a lot of twists I didn't see coming!

The plot that keeps on giving! This was fast paced and had several nice plot twists towards the end I didn’t see coming. Overall pretty entertaining!

While I do love Karissa Vacker as a narrator, I had a bit of hard time staying engaged during some parts and ended up starting a handful of chapters over.

Thank you Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for my ALC of this winter thriller!

"A woman invited to her wealthy fiance’s family retreat realizes they are hiding a terrible secret—and that she’s been there before."

They have secrets, but does she. However, she (Theo) is having trouble clearing recalling these childhood memories with only bits and pieces coming back to her as her mother died when she was very young and she was then adopted. Now, engaged to the most wonderful man (she thinks) is meeting his family and receiving anonymous messages telling her to stay away, things aren't what she thinks.

This story kept me intrigued enough to listen to all of it in a day!

My thanks to Net Galley, FlatIron Books, and Macmillian Audio for an advanced copy of this audio book.

Theodora (Theo) Scott thinks she has met the man of her dreams when Connor Dalton comes into her life. Now, six months later the two are engaged and Connor is taking her to his family’s winter vacation compound Idlewood. Theo, an orphan, is nervous enough to meet the prestigious Dalton family, but when she starts receiving threatening text messages, she becomes deeply concerned for her own well being. When Theo becomes acquainted with the family, she sees that all is not as it seems and everyone is acting suspiciously. As the week progresses, Theo comes across clues that seem to indicate she may have been to Idlewood before, but has no memory of it. Will she find out the secrets that the Dalton’s are hiding? Or will she end up loosing everything, including her life trying?

Great audiobook narration. The narrator's regular tone is great, but when she is reading paragraphs from the younger version of her or going through flashbacks, she makes her voice a little more high pitched which I thought was great. It makes it easier to understanding what is happening and who is talking. I also thought her male voices were pretty good!

As for the plot and actual story, meh. It was a cookie cutter/popcorn thriller that I will forget quicker than it took me to read it. It felt too similar to other thriller/mystery novels. If you are not a fan of the rich people doing bad things trope, I would stay away from this one. It had some nastyyyy male characters in it. Great setting/atmosphere but just kinda blah.

4/5 stars for the audio narration
2/5 stars for the story/plot

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook. This book was intense and I loved it. So many twists and turns and not at all who I expected! I loved this book.

I have enjoyed everything I’ve read by Marshall so far and this book was no exception. The audiobook was entertaining and the narrator was pleasing to listen to. I highly recommend this book to others!

I’m absolutely floored by how much I enjoyed A Killing Cold. With jaw-dropping twists, shocking curveballs, and a fast-paced, tension-fueled plot, this book was impossible to put down. The cold, isolated setting paired with layers of domestic suspense and family drama created the perfect storm for an unforgettable thriller.

The audiobook, narrated by Karissa Vacker, was phenomenal—her distinct character voices and skillful delivery elevated the story's intensity. While the Dalton family’s snobbish and soulless demeanor made them hard to like (likely by design), I found Theodora (Theo) and her fiancé, Connor, to be engaging and relatable. Overall, this was a brilliantly crafted, suspenseful read that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

I received a free advanced listeners' copy of this book from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. I am voluntarily leaving my review; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

** Note, when the book is released, I will post my review on Amazon as well (unable to prior to release) **

So, so so good. Filled with mystery, and so extremely full of twists. Just when you think you know the truth, bam! Another twist. Sooooooo good!!!!

This was a great book! I loved discovering bits and pieces along the way and then figuring out the truth of what really happened. The ending was perfect, right down to the dog.

Kate Alice Marshall delivers another spine-tingling thriller with “A Killing Cold.” I love how Marshall weaves romance, mystery, and psychological suspense into a chilling winter tale!

While it begins with the intoxicating promise of a whirlwind romance, the novel quickly spirals into a tale of dread and psychological manipulation.

I personally like Theo is as the protagonist, and her journey from infatuated outsider to determined survivor is handled with finesse. The mystery of her forgotten past is unraveled in a way that feels both shocking and earned, keeping readers hooked with every new revelation. While some twists are predictable, the execution is so taut and atmospheric that the suspense never wanes.

I highly recommend this book for fans of layered mysteries and chilling, character-driven tales.

This book has so much to love! Cold snowy weather, a secluded location, fragments of memories, family drama and lots of secrets. The pace was perfect and this book kept me guessing until the end. I loved every minute of this twisty ride, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book. Thanks NetGalley!

This audiobook was the perfect way to spend a snow storm prep day! When Theo and her new fiancé Connor go up a snow strewn mountain to meet his family for the first time, Theo gets way more than she bargained for in this chilly thriller. She quickly finds out that the family retreat is somehow tied to the childhood she cannot remember and she must try to figure out what the fragments of memories she is retrieving really mean. The narrator does an excellent job with elocution and speech and capturing the mood of this icy story and I was able to listen at 2x speed without sacrificing any of the details. Definitely recommend this one to any thriller fans.

A Killing Cold follows our MC - Theo. She is engaged to Connor and they are returning to his families very private residence in the middle of nowhere. This sounds like an idyllic vacation, right? It was until Theo finds a picture of herself in the abandoned cabin.

This feels similar to Marshall's other adult mystery/thriller novels. It wasn't my favorite, but it was not my least favorite. I feel like we got so many twists and turns and it was always keeping you on your toes. However, it did not hit a full 5 stars for me, mostly because I am sick of hearing about how awful men can be towards women.

Overall, if you liked the author's prior books, I would recommend checking this one out too!

A gripping thriller that I literally could not put down!
❄️
Theodora Scott met Connor Dalton and the two instantly fell in love. Six months later Connor is bringing Theo, his fiancé, home to meet the family—his very wealthy and protective family. From the minute Theo arrives at their secluded estate, she feels both unwelcome, yet her surroundings feel familiar. As Theo is threatened away by anonymous texts, this makes her dig her heels in even more , desperate to find out more about her connection to this place and the Daltons, even as she puts her life at risk.
🦌
Okay. Wow. This is by far one of the best suspense thriller books I’ve read in a long while. I will be recommending this to everyone looking for a family mystery with twist after twist. Add this to your TBR or @bookofthemonth cart now! This title releases 2/4!

CW: murder, death of a parent, blood, drugging, alcohol, gaslighting, animal cruelty/death, infidelity, emotional abuse, physical abuse, suicide, terminal illness, self-harm, gore, body horror, miscarriage, religious bigotry, medical trauma, violence, toxic relationship, abandonment

Kate Alice Marshall delivers another gripping thriller with A Killing Cold, packed with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The suspense builds masterfully, and just when you think you’ve figured things out, another twist leaves you reeling.

One of the book’s strongest elements is its character development, particularly the main character, who undergoes significant growth throughout the story. The depth and complexity of Theo’s storyline were especially compelling—I was blindsided by some of the revelations about him and the intricate web of lies the Daltons wove to protect their family.

The story doesn’t shy away from exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the lengths people go to for those they love. I also appreciated the resolution for Conner and Theo; it felt both satisfying and emotionally authentic, tying up their arcs in a way that stays true to the story’s tone.

If you’re a fan of tightly woven mysteries with well-drawn characters and shocking twists, this book is a must-read. Marshall has once again proven herself a master of suspense.