Thank you to Macmillan Audio via Netgalley for this ALC in exchange of an honest review.

Wow wow wow. This is how locked room mysteries should be done. There’s a multi-layer of secrets and when you thought you have it all figured out, think again.

Recently engaged Theo and Connor spend the holidays in the Dalton’s winter retreat, Idlewood, as a way to meet and win over Connor’s family. Aside from the cold welcome, Theo also receives cryptic messages saying to stay away from Connor Dalton.

I really enjoyed this dysfunctional family and the secrets each of them are willing to keep, even at the expense of another’s life. I like how the each of those secrets slowly started unravelling and seemed like a puzzle piece to the bigger mystery that was being hinted at the book.

This was fast-paced and unputdownable and the perfect chilly read for a very cold cozy winter day. Plus points for Karissa Vacker narration as well (one of my faves!)

Listened to in one day. Kept my intention throughout. Suspense, unexpected twists and turns, fast paced. Family secrets, confusion as who to trust. romance. I really enjoyed this. Great narrator! Thank you to the author, publisher, and net galley for this opportunity!

Kate Alice Marshall

There is something about this place, something about him. Something about the way he makes her feel.

They fell in love in an instant. His family would take more work. She hasn't met them yet. They are a part of the infamous Dalton family. Rich beyond measure and she is due to meet them over an extended family getaway.

She'll have to impress, she'll have to win them over. She'll have to be quick on her feet and effortless with retorts.

The week will feel endless. The wind, will feel like A KILLING COLD. By the end of her time there she will figure out what she liked about him in the first place. By the end of her there she will know more than she ever wanted to.

I like Kate Alice Marshall and I like this book. It feels like a classic but in a good way. It was a great way to spend time on those cold winter mornings. Atmospheric and chilling.

The story didn't feel incredibly new, it didn't feel entirely surprising. It felt like coming home, something dependable. Something you know will hit every time. It will be amongst books that I revisit from time to time and especially when the days are short and the to do list is long.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy!

A KILLING COLD...⭐️⭐️⭐️

Not only a 5 star read for me but it’s now one of my favorite thrillers of all time! This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire second half.

I really enjoyed A Killing Cold. This was very different than the last book that I read by her, and I definitely liked this one better, but it was a completely different vibe/read.

This book falls into a more "typical" thriller for me. It has more of the expected twists and turns that I have come to expect in a mainstream thriller/suspense novel. But often there are those times that I want that "old, reliable, go-to" kind of book. That is what I did appreciate about this book. There wasn't the abstract, out of left field paranormal at the end- which I don't mind, but just every once and a while.

So, I guess, so summarize all my chaotic thoughts on this book I would just put it down to this: good solid plot, characters you love to hate, and a good pace throughout. The narrator is great and doesn't make your wish you would have read the book instead. I don't think you will be disappointed, it's not groundbreaking, but not weird AF either.

3.75 stars rounded up to 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for this advanced copy of A Killing Cold. This was a medium to fast paced mystery/thriller. Theodora Scott was a fleshed out main character who was easy to root for. Oftentimes the decisions of characters in thrillers can feel infuriating for the sake of the plot. However, Theo’s actions and decisions made sense based on the character information we were presented with. However, the rest of the characters seemed like “rich people doing bad things” caricatures.

There were many moving pieces to this plot, and the information given to the reader is released slowly, which maintains the suspense until the end. The writing alternates between a current timeline (most of the novel) and a past timeline. At times second person writing was used in the past timeline (as our MC and other characters) and this felt disjointed and confusing. Overall, I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a cold season thriller with dark family secrets!

I’m all for a good mystery featuring an isolated setting amidst the snow blanketing the town full of people with secrets, some of them dangerous. You can easily guess why I decided that this was the right book to introduce me to Marshall’s writing.

I was approved for the audiobook version, narrated by Karissa Vacker, and she was perfect for this role. Theo’s entire personality is centered on the fact that her personal history is basically a blank, with her entire identity for her to make her own. But despite Theo’s dark ‘Mary Sue’ persona, I still found Vacker’s rendition to be likable. Wait, more intriguing than likable, because it’s really hard to get to know Theo when she doesn’t know herself. It made me want to know what the random flashes of memories actually mean when not filtered through the innocent lens of a child’s perspective.

This is told through the eyes of Theo, mostly, with some other characters thrown in, but she’s the one who stands out the most. Most likely because I was just waiting for her to be revealed as the missing piece connecting her lost history and the danger she steps into the present time.

As someone with an advanced degree in mental health counseling and significant working time with people who had extremely severe mental health disorders, I’m always intrigued by a book that depicts a rounded individual who seems to have some kind of inability to access their memories. Is this why amnesia storylines are so popular on television? TV isn’t something I watch often, but I can see the allure of watching someone kind of rebuild their personality if/when they can integrate their blocked memories. Maybe it’s because I haven’t worked with this issue, so I can’t really pull apart how the character and their disorder is portrayed. Aside from being unable to remember her earliest years, when she was old enough to see things occurring around her, she seems pretty functional for the most part. Which is good, because Connor’s family is a tough crowd.

Connor, Theo’s fiancé, comes from the prestigious Dalton family, which seems to mainly be composed of jerks, with like two members who aren’t total trash, one of those being Connor himself. While the majority of the Daltons weren’t people I’d want to be around, there were some cool moments as Connor introduces Theo to his family in one big go at a winter resort that the family owns.

Idlewood itself is a really interesting aspect of the story, seeing as how it is the location for two major mysteries—one in the past which relates to Theo herself and sets her on a path to discover what happened to her there as a child. It isn’t sexual abuse, I promise, but that was a huge fear for me, so I figure that it might put someone else at ease. But, as she discovers small clues, she realizes that she’s starting to remember pieces of her past, despite multiple threats instructing her to stay away from Connor, a bunch of people who are shady and have some pretty serious secrets that they’ll do anything to protect, and an underdog romance between a young woman with no roots and the odds stacked against her and Connor, a young man from a wealthy and extremely conservative family who wasn’t afraid to buck their traditions and choose the person he wanted to marry based on who they are, as opposed to their social class.

We constantly are reminded of the extreme differences between Connor’s upbringing and Theo’s often, as she is finally introduced to the family and learns that they’re more interested in ‘protecting the family’ than they are about celebrating a family member’s happiness. It might have read differently in printed or ebook versions, but hearing someone repeat that phrase, protecting the family, gave me strong Helen Lovejoy from the Simpsons vibes.

Won’t someone please think of the children??

We don’t really get to know much about Connor through showing, although we are told some of the basics to give a general outline, but he reads as particularly flat in the context of putting him into scenes where he is overshadowed by the side characters at every turn. Connor offers little to the story itself, yet he’s the link between Theo and Idlewood, so that’s really his main purpose, rather than creating a well-rounded character who furthers the plot in a meaningful way. When side characters overshadow a man she’s planning to marry, that’s not a great sign, but these side characters are the baddies (possibly baddies but maybe not?) I loved to read about.

The pace of this book is fast, starting early on, and intensifying in the last quarter of the book. There’s a strong buildup to the plot twists, and since we see the worst of the majority of the Dalton family, it’s hard to guess who is behind it. Connor, besides being about as plain of a character as a baked potato, is one who can be trusted, and is possibly the only person she an put her trust in, aside from his sister, Alexis, whom she is growing more friendly with after having met her in a lower-pressure setting.

My introduction to Marshall’s writing was a great choice with this book. I loved the dual timeline mysteries, and seeing things from several different perspectives, but still struggling to see who was responsible for the mysteries Theo is exploring as she recovers her memory one piece at a time. Despite the breakneck pace of the story, it still allowed Theo time to make discoveries and integrate new information, for the most part. The way Marshall wrote tension so sharp it nearly crackled through my speakers blew my mind, keeping me glued to this book from start to finish, and leaving me thinking about it long after the end. This book would be a good fit if you love an isolated setting, winter mysteries, books about family secrets, and dual timeline mysteries.

4.5🌟
A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall is a twisty mystery thriller with lots of Secrets.
I was hooked from beginning to the shocking end.
I listened to the audiobook with great narration by Karissa Vacker. She brought the story to life.
I definitely recommend reading or listening to A Killing Cold.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of *A Killing Cold* by Sarah Kate Marshall, and I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read it! This was my first read from this author, and it definitely won’t be my last.

The mountain, snowy setting was absolutely stunning and added an eerie, atmospheric quality that perfectly complemented the story's mysterious tone. I was immediately drawn into the mystery surrounding Theo's stay with Connor's family. Connor’s family is mysterious and wealthy, their secrets creating layers of intrigue that kept me hooked.

One of the most gripping moments was when Theo stumbled across a photo of what she believed to be herself as a child, despite having no memory of ever being at this mountain. This discovery added a fascinating twist to the story, pulling me deeper into the unraveling mystery.

While it was a bit tricky to keep track of the slew of characters at first, I quickly found myself immersed in the story. The tension, twists, and rich character development made it a compelling read.

Overall, I really enjoyed *A Killing Cold*. It’s an atmospheric and suspenseful mystery perfect for fans of character-driven thrillers. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from Sarah Kate Marshall!

Great book that kept me guessing the whole time! Each time I though I had figured it out, a new twist came along!

A Killing Cold is the perfect winter thriller. Listening to this audiobook in January, you could literally feel the frigid and isolated atmosphere of Idlewood. Kate Alice Marshall keeps readers on the edge of their seats during this wild story. With lots of twists, dark intentions, and family secrets, A Killing Cold is the perfect book to snuggle under a blanket with while the snow piles up outside.

Theo and Connor have had a whirlwind romance. Meeting at a party in LA, Connor proposed after a few short months. Now it's Christmas time and Theo is headed to an isolated winter retreat owned by Connor's family. to spend two weeks celebrating the holidays From the instant she arrives, Theo is on edge. Will Connor's family like her? Do they think she is using him to get to him insane wealth and family fortune? And why does it feel like Theo has been here before?

As Theo discovers more and more about Connor's family and Idlewood itself, she begins to understand pieces her own identify. Between mystery messages and gifts to an untrustworthy cast of characters, this book is sure to keep you guessing until the very last page.

Theodora Scott is newly engaged to Connor Dalton, a member of the very wealthy and powerful Dalton family. In an attempt to win over his family, Theo accompanies Connor to Idlewood, the Dalton family's winter retreat, for Christmas. Through a series of strange dreams and the discovery of an old photo in an abandoned cabin, Theo comes to the shocking realization that this is not the first time that she has been at Idlewood. As she begins to uncover the truth about the Dalton family, she understands just how many secrets they have buried and lengths to which they will go to ensure those secrets stay buried - even if that means burying Theo.

A Killing Cold is a perfect winter read for those of us who love twisty, suspenseful thrillers. It is dark, atmospheric, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. The narrator sucked me in from the very beginning and held my attention for the entirety of the book. Some of the "twists" turned out to be fairly predictable, but I still found it to be a fun, exciting read, and I would absolutely recommend it to someone looking for a good winter thriller.

Ahhh! Highly recommend the audio. I was feeling in a huge book slump and this I couldn’t stop. It has that mystery from the beginning and it kept me guessing the entire time. Loved!!

A wintery mystery thriller full of rich family drama! So many twists, lies, secrets and a few red herrings. Theo is a compelling main character whose complex memories and moral dilemmas drove the plot forward and kept me interested.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I LOVED this!! 10/10. Kept me on the edge of my seat and kept me guessing until the very end!!
Karissa Vacker does an amazing job bringing this twisty book to life!! I was hooked from the first page and was drawn deeper and deeper as the story progressed. I loved the isolated setting and man those twists and turns kept coming, some jumping out of nowhere completely changing how I felt about certain characters at any given moment. AND THE FAMILY DRAMA / SECRETS!! OMG, they are juicy and horrible and well I'll let you read it yourself to see just what all these people have been hiding.

Theo is an amazingly complex character, and I love her quirks, and how she navigates Connor's family. The ending was so good as the tension was ramping up and the reveals were starting to roll out I started to sweat I was so invested in what was happening. and well I want to gush about everything I loved but that will definitely delve into spoiler territory so if you already love Kate Alice Marshall thrillers you should absolutely read this one, if you love a thriller full of twists and turns with deep secrets just itching to be brought into the light you should put this one on your TBR..

First of all, many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second book by the author, and the first book was not a favorite of mine, but I wanted to give her another shot. The plot of this book was so far fetched. I stayed until the end, but I was not thrilled by any of it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎧Song Pairing: Broken - Seether, Amy Lee

💭What I thought would happen:

I am certain I am wrong but why do I see this title and my brain immediately goes to like diphtheria…or maybe something more modern/common like RSV.

📖What actually happens:

💍Newlyweds
🙃Meet the family @ the winter lodge
📸Mystery photo
ccfac0cc-c58c-4750-b1dd-c3202b3cbdbc.pngLost history
⚠️ Abusive adoptive religious family

🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:

Wooooah! This one surprised me more than I thought it would. My fav of hers thus far!

I was not able to predict how the chips would unfold what so ever. Love that! Shock me!

I won’t say anything else because I don’t want to spoil anything but give it a go! She rocks, and perfectly atmospheric for these cold wintery days

This story was intriguing. Every twist and turn had me on the edge of my seat. The ending was so unexpected.

If you love a fast, thrilling, and questioning every move, this is the roller coaster ride for you! Oh. My. God. A Killing Cold is an exemplary mystery/thriller book. Not only are the characters absolutely realistic and believable, but the setting adds an important additional character (if you will). Without the setting as eerie, cold, and secluded as it is, the entire storyline could've paled.

Theo is a young adult woman who was adopted at the age of 4 years-old by the Scott family. She had always wanted to know who her bio parents were, especially her mother. She has some spotted, vague memories but really just puzzle pieces. One day she meets Connor at her friend Harper's party and they end up falling for each other. So the day comes when Connor decides to take Theo to meet his entire secretive and aloof family. There are too many to mention, but Connor has siblings, his mother, grandmother, staff members and other family such as little Sebastian.

The reader learns very quickly that the family has many secrets; on the other hand, so does Theo. She has a secret that she tells no one and believes if they discover it that they'll never accept her. If fact, even Connor doesn't know so she fears he'd leave her too. Their family is in Idlewood where they own cabins and their wealth is quite evident. The family naturally wonders if Theo is after his money. She's grilled by everyone and they're pretty merciless.

Deceit, murders, suspicions, histories, bargaining, bribery, discoveries, blame, acceptance, forgiveness, bitterness and anger, plus so much more is incorporated into this book.

I had the pleasure of having the audio version and the narrator was excellent. I would've loved the book if I had just the hard book alone, but the narration was superb. Her pacing, voice intonations, emotions exuded, were all excellent to create an even more enjoyable experience. I will most definitely be on the lookout for this narrator as well as read more of Kate Alice Marshall's books.

I highly recommend this one!

DNF at 75%. I feel like I've read this book thousands of times. Secluded cabin, rich people behaving badly, everyone lies. Too many characters to keep straight. It felt unoriginal and meandering.