Love everything Kate Alice Marshall writes! The plot of the book is definitely one that's been done numerous times but I still enjoyed. 3.5 stars rounded up

I’m not sure what to rate this because I couldn’t finish it. I didn’t connect with the plot or the characters and felt myself not really paying attention.

Kate Alice Marshall gave another mystery/thrillers that was full of twists and turns. To add to it, it's an isolated location mystery which enhanced the suspense. Kept me engaged the whole way. The narration by Karissa Vacker increased the thrill. Solid work from Kate Alice Marshall. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC.

This was a wild ride. A very intriguing, edge of your seat mystery that will have you hooked from the beginning. I read this during a snowstorm over the winter which really elevated the locker room aspect of this novel. Not my favorite from this author but a great read nonetheless.

I’ve faithfully read and have enjoyed every book by Kate Alice Marshall! She is truly fantastic at writing compelling and bingey mysteries. While it didn’t top What Lies in the Woods for me, it’s a close second. The premise was wild, the setting spooky and atmospheric, and the plot fast paced. The narration was well done and I would easily recommend this to anyone looking to get lost in a locked-room mystery for a few hours.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Theo Scott has been whisked away to her fiancée's family estate to meet Connor's wealthy and very powerful family. Idlewood is their winter retreat, it is very remote and temperatures plummet leaving access to civilization to a minimum, including cell service and internet. As they arrive her nerves of meeting the family mingle with something else, a dark lost memory that tells her she has been here before. She was adopted at 4 years old and refused to speak after a traumatic event that landed her on her new parents doorstep so no one knows who she was or where she came from. This place couldn't be tied to her nightmares, could it? She is not sure what is colder the icy family inside or the blizzard raging outside. When she starts to receive menacing messages to stay away she is convinced someone here knows about her past and who she is. She just can't leave without getting answers.

I have enjoyed other works by Kate Alice Marshall and this one does not disappoint. She has an uncanny way of layering the tension while building interesting characters, even the unlikable ones. She takes the reader on a wild journey where we know something happened on the property years ago but it unfolds before us in a creative and twisty way. It is told from the POV of Theo. Her pacing is very good and the story kept me engaged. This is a great winter thriller.

I had the audio version read by Karissa Vacker who is one of my all time favorite narrators. Her performance is crisp, entertaining and imaginative. She is a joy to listen to.

“A Killing Cold” is a riveting audiobook that immerses listeners in a suspenseful mystery filled with chilling twists and intricate character dynamics. From the outset, the narrative generates a tense atmosphere, beautifully enhanced by Karissa Vacker’s skillful narration, which brings vivid descriptions and haunting soundscapes to life.

Moments of slower pacing allow deeper character exploration and ultimately enrich the listening experience. The plot is packed with unexpected turns, keeping audiences engaged as they attempt to decipher motivations and secrets. As each revelation unfolds, preconceived notions are challenged, adding layers of intrigue that heighten the overall tension.

The novel excels in developing complex characters that elicit powerful emotional responses, drawing listeners into their journeys. This nuanced character portrayal invites empathy while also prompting critical judgments of their flaws. The writing style is immersive and descriptive, creating a perfect balance of tension and emotional depth, with expertly managed pacing leading to a heart-pounding climax.

Overall, “A Killing Cold” is a masterfully crafted thriller that promises to captivate seasoned fans and newcomers to the genre, ensuring a gripping and unforgettable experience that lingers well beyond the final page.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for providing the audio in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are solely my own.

There was a lot going on, and as elements kept revealing themselves, they just made less and less sense. By the time I got to the end, the reveals were more annoying than anything.

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan audio for the first ALC of A KILLING COLD!

This was a such a chilling, twisty family drama set in a remote campground. There are multiple mysteries throughout the plot, many covered up murders and wild family dynamics all forced to be uncovered during a family Christmas trip in the mountains. The narration was fabulous, and as always, Kate Alice Marshall produced a wild, and twisty tale. I definitely recommend, especially in late winter!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review!

I wasn't sure what to think at the start of this one but remained hopeful this book would transform into a unique mystery and/or thriller rather than fall into the abyss of the many thrillers I read throughout the year.

Fortunately, the book picked up quickly and it was a breeze to listen to, it definitely set itself apart and is a thriller unlike many I have read in the past. Kate Alice Marshall does a nice job blending the atmospheric, wintery weather with the thrilling elements of the main character's hidden past. You learn a little bit at a time until the novel is really moving quickly and you get to put the pieces together alongside all of the characters who are on the hunt for the truth.

This would be a great book to read on a cold, winter day next to the fire or curled up on the couch. It definitely was a great companion for getting chores done around the house and I listened to it from start to finish in only a few days.

It's also worth mentioning Karissa Vacker did a great job narrating this novel, I typically enjoy her work and this one was no exception. I look forward to reading and/or listening to more by this author in the future.

This was an intriguing, fast-paced thriller that left me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved the atmospheric vibes throughout the audiobook version. The plot line felt a pit far-fetched at times but the pacing and tension kept my interest. The narration added another element to this story that I really enjoyed.

I love Kate Alice Marshall’s stories, and this one took me to an isolated cabin retreat in the snowy mountains.
What starts as a family getaway quickly turns into a gripping mystery. With perfect pacing and an eerie, isolated setting, this thrilling blend of love, mystery, and suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat. A true page-turner you won’t want to put down.

TY to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC. The audiobook was well done, narrator did a good job. The story, the character and plot were middle of the road for me, predictable.

Theo doesn't know where she came from. She was adopted, but her life is blank before that. Naturally, she heads up the mountain to meet her fiancé's family, and suddenly memories start coming back. His very rich family is full of secrets, and Theo accidentally walks in and starts unraveling them. But why is a picture of her as a little girl in one of the abandoned cabins? And why does the family want her to leave so badly? And why does everything seem like it's vaguely threatening and dangerous?

I really liked Marshall's other two books, but this one was kind of boring. The unraveling went kind of slowly, and Theo spins her wheels a lot. Also the number of memories she gets back from when she was 5 is pretty unrealistic. The entire thing was unrealistic, and once the truth started coming out, the secrets and layers and lies started to build on each other, and never stopped.

The narrator did a good job making the story sound more dramatic than it was, and that is what made me want to finish. I appreciate the ARC.

This was okay. It reminded me of Family Game by Catherine Steadman, which I had a hard time with as well. I wasn't super surprised by the twists or invested in the characters.

This had a great sense of place. Overall, I just couldn't get on board with the contrived feeling of the relationship. The controlling family aspect and that Theo was willing to stay at her fiancé's family winter retreat regardless of their disdain for her. I had a hard time buying it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the gifted ALC.

A Killing Cold by Kate Allison Marshall was quite a gripping experience from start to finish!

The story was narrated by Karissa Vacker. She’s one of my favorite narrators and her performance truly brought the story to life.

Theodora Scott has no clear memories of her early childhood. She has just fleeting glimpses of things like a woman wearing a red scarf. Theo was taken in by a religious couple who initially believed she was an angel but then…

Now Theo and her fiancé, Connor are headed to his family’s retreat. They will be spending two weeks there with his family. Shortly, after getting engaged, Theo started receiving cryptic text messages. They warned her to stay away from Connor Dalton. And the messages don’t stop even once they arrive at the mountain retreat.

Although Theo‘s never been to the retreat, she feels a strange familiarity. Almost like she’s been there before.

But that can’t be true… Right?

I was thoroughly captivated with this story. However, I did find some of the content to be a little too much at times. There is some hunting and butchering of deer, which I really don’t enjoy reading about. Thankfully, I was able to skip over those parts without losing track of the main plot.

Overall, “ A Killing Cold” was an intriguing and suspenseful psychological thriller. Vacker’s narration made it an even more engaging experience.

4 stars!!


I’d like to thank NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

This one draws you in from the start. Tense and quick. One worth snuggling up on the couch on a cold winter day with a hot coco in your hand and binging the whole thing in one sitting! It became a little long with an uneventful ending, but one worth checking out nonetheless.

Theodora Scott and Connor Dalton are engaged to be married. They fell in love rather quickly and seemed to have an uncanny familiarity with each other. Everything about their relationship including how they met, their dating journey, and their engagement, felt so natural to them. Almost as if their story was written for them.

The first time Theo meets Connor’s entire family is during a holiday getaway at Connor’s family’s massive wooded retreat space. Connor’s family is rich but he does not carry the same kind of heir as his family members. He is very down to earth and seems to be head over heels in love with Theo. From the minute Theo set foot on the property, she felt a sense of danger. Shortly after their arrival, she started receiving threatening notes that advised her to stay away from Connor. Each family member certainly has problems of their own that stem from the past but most of them also feel a little on edge or too alert around Theo. It was disclosed that Connor’s father died on the property in the main lodge but later someone leaked information that he died in the closed off cabin on the property.

As the holiday passes, Theo starts to recognize the property more and more. She begins to snoop in the empty cabin…only to discover that this was not her first trip visiting the family. As secrets become unraveled, will Theo and Connor’s love for one another stay strong?

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

Enjoyable mystery with good narration.