I was a big fan of last year’s “No One Can Know” by Kate Alice Marshall, so I was excited to dive into her latest, “A Killing Cold.” Unfortunately, this one didn’t fully work for me. While I really enjoyed the characters Theo and Connor, I found that the large cast made it difficult to connect with the story as deeply as I’d hoped.

That said, Marshall’s talent as a writer is undeniable, and I’ll definitely keep picking up her books in the future.

As for Karissa Vacker—she can do no wrong in my eyes. Her crisp, sweet voice and captivating narration style always leave me enthralled.

Thank you to Kate Alice Marshall, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Now, I love a good rich people behaving badly thriller...however, this one just went on and on. Even the poor character wasn't likeable.

The narration was good though, I will give it that.

Thank you to netgalley for the audio arc.

I really enjoy Kate Alice Marshall's style of writing: it always catches my attention. Her stories are well-planned and well thought out. This is the 3rd book of this author that I listened to and it's my 2nd favorite. The top spot belongs to 'What Lies in the Woods' - I still think of that book often even though it's been almost 2 years since I listened to it.
A Killing Cold is atmospheric and full of drama. For some reason it reminded me a lot about another book. I think it was The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins. But at any rate, I really enjoyed it. It is full of twists. The narrator did a fabulous job as well.

Gut wrenching memories of a past threaten one’s future. This one gave me all the feels and wanted so badly to protect our protagonist. A couple from very different backgrounds try to move forward.Triggers: abuse

I could not get into this book, it dragged and I was bored. I kept waiting for it to get better but the reveals were not believable to me. Would not recommend.

💙I’ve loved this author’s previous two thriller books so I was super excited to get an early copy of her next one!

📘Family drama, devastating secrets, sinister plots, and a claustrophobic setting all combine to make this a page-turner. You never quite know who to trust in this one. The audiobook was done really well. I liked the narrator and had no problems following along with the story.

❄️A perfect winter thriller read and the audio is done really well. Definitely recommend it if you like a thriller that is heavier on the family drama and mystery.

*Thank you to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review*

OKAY KATE ALICE MARSHALL!! This is a fabulous winter thriller. An amnesiac's visit to her fiance's family's cabins reveals more than anyone could've predicted. This book is chilling in more ways than you'd expect: the cold, the terrible crimes that occur(red), and the constant sense that one of Thea's memories is on the cusp of returning. And the narration really helped build the tension of the story!

I love a thriller where you can't know who to trust, especially when the characters are rich people behaving badly. We constantly ping-pong between comfort and stress, I swear this book took a year off my life. The scarf visuals alone? Oh my god. The ending/epilogue was a bit abrupt, but I really enjoyed this quick read.

A Killing Cold was an entertaining thriller with a remote setting that only added to the tension and suspense. My only two drawbacks that make this book a 4 star instead of 5 are that there were times the plot was a little hard to follow - there were a lot of secondary characters that did help to move the plot along but otherwise were a bit one-dimensional. The protagonist, Theo, seemed to take a little too long to piece together her past, although I did love how the author brought us down a couple paths only to have to turn around and start over. This book was not predictable by any means! Overall, I really enjoyed Kate Alice Marshall's latest, and can't wait for her next one!

This is my 3rd book by this author and I adored it. I love a locked room thriller, which is what the weather does here, and the huge cast of suspects makes this hard to pin down.
The lost memories of Theo tell a chilling story, even more chilling when they start appearing in real life as opposed to staying in her dreams. The imagery of the dragonfly being danger and salvation was very powerful!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Kate Alice Marshall, and Macmillan audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.

Kate Alice Marshall's books always hit for me! Not my favorite of hers, but still an excellent winter-time read that kept me up far too late at night because I needed to know what was going on!

A Killing Cold follows Theodora, an orphaned woman estranged from her adoptive parents, traveling to meet her fiancee's wealthy family for the first time over the holidays. They spend the season on a large, remote estate with several cabins in snow-covered woods. She's in love, but his family doesn't seem to like her much. And things about the estate seem strangely familiar...could it be tied to the first years of her life she can't remember?

Honestly I wasn't sure what direction this was going to go, and I found a couple of the twists to be surprising. But maybe they wouldn't be as much to someone who reads a ton in this genre. I was thoroughly invested in the story and it kept me hooked to the end! The audio narration was great and only added to the suspense of the story. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars This is a great mystery/thriller that is perfect to read in the Winter. The atmosphere is set on a family's land far from others during the holidays. This is one where I loved the various points of views and I didn't know who to trust and what to believe. This is one to just go in blind and enjoy the story as it unfolds! I listened to the audiobook and it was read by Karissa Backer and I LOVE her narration! This book is out Feb 4th 2025! Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the early audiobook.

In the first chapter, I thought I knew what this book was going to be. A couple rushing into marriage, and meeting the crazy wealthy soon-to-be in-laws on their elaborate, isolated turf. It sounded like the start of several books I've read, and my expectations were immediately low. I was wrong; this was not your typical story. The audiobook narrator NAILED it, and the twists made the story compelling. I guessed a pretty big twist pretty early, but there was always enough going on to keep my interest. I didn't want to stop reading!

Thanks to NetGalley for early access.

Kate Alice Marshall’s A Killing Cold delivers a chilling winter read that masterfully blends atmospheric suspense with deep family drama and a touch of psychological thriller. Theodora Scott, a woman with a fragmented past, steps into the world of her wealthy fiancé, Connor Dalton, only to find herself confronting secrets that could shatter everything she knows about herself and the life she’s building.

The pacing is deliberate, unraveling Theo’s past and the Daltons' secrets through an intriguing drip-feed of clues. While some might find the buildup slower compared to Marshall’s other works, the payoff is well worth it. The twists are unexpected, and the tension is palpable, making the snowy, isolated setting feel as much a character in the story as the humans inhabiting it.

Theo’s struggle with her lost childhood memories adds depth to her character, and her journey of self-discovery is as compelling as the dark revelations about the Dalton family. The flashbacks and themes of religious trauma are particularly resonant, adding layers to the story and making it feel intensely personal.

Fans of Kate Alice Marshall will find plenty to love here, though it’s a slight departure from her usual fast-paced thrillers. This is a story that asks readers to suspend disbelief and embrace the eerie coincidences and high-stakes drama. For those who enjoy rich atmosphere, family intrigue, and a protagonist you can root for, A Killing Cold is a must-read. Highly recommend curling up with this one on a snowy night!

4.5/5

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

First of all, Karissa Vacker's narration makes everything better, and her voice definitely enhanced the creep factor of this book! I loved Kate Alice Marshall's 2023 novel WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS, but found myself a bit disappointed by her 2024 release NO ONE CAN KNOW. Luckily for all of us, 2025 is bringing with it another phenomenal, dark and atmospheric thriller. This was a great one to read at this time of year, as it has a sometimes-cozy-sometimes-ice-cold setting with lots of wintery vibes. I was hooked from the start, despite feeling that the story was going to be predictable and overdone. I was so wrong! There were so many surprises in this shocking and twisted story, and my interest didn't wane in the slightest from beginning to end. This was a quick read that I could not put down, and really nailed what I was wanting from an end-of-the-year read: entertainment, shock value, and creepy winter vibes. Loved it!

ALC review - pub date 02.04.25

Theo is newly engaged to Conner and they are spending time away at the family’s isolated winter retreat. She quickly realizes she is not welcome by the family, even receiving threatening texts/letters that she needs to get out asap.

It did take me a bit to get into the story, but once it picked up I was intrigued. Lots of twists, especially at the end. I’ve loved all of her other books and this one was a win as well. Perfect snowy/locked in mystery to read this winter!

Karissa Vacker will always be one of my favorite narrators, and she did incredible!
4⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my ALC!

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Pub Date: 2/4/2025
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Kate Alice Marshall is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me. She just knows how to write a suspenseful and twisty story.
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I was hooked to this story right from the start. I found myself hooked to the idea of Theodora and Conner being engaged after 6 months and how Theodora had no memories of her past plus of course - extra bonus was the sketchy rich family behavior badly.
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Absolutely loved the setting of the isolated wintry cabin setting. It is absolutely perfect for this time of year. The start of this is more of a slow burn but as the mystery unfolds I felt that the pacing ramped up and I couldn’t put it down. There are perfectly placed twists to keep you guessing and to give those shocking moments. I love where Marshall went with this one.
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I listened to this one via audiobook while reading my ears. Karissa Vacker is a phenomenal narrator and she really brought this one to life for me. I love listening to her work. The audiobook is truly fantastic.
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Overall, if your looking for a chilling, perfect for this time a year thriller - pick this one up you will not be disappointed!! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Kate Alice Marshall, MacMillan Audio and Flatiron Books for the ALC and eARC in exchange for my honest review!

A Killing Cold was a fast paced twisty book that is perfect for the winter time. I have read all of Kate Alice Marshall’s other books and have enjoyed them all, but this one I enjoyed even more. With a large cast of characters that all feel genuine, you are constantly guessing on who could have done what. It was really a great book to read.

Thank you NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Audio for ARCs of this book.

Another outstanding read by Kate Alice Marshall. I read her books any and every chance I get. In this case, I listened to the audiobook and it was absolutely wonderful. The narration was spot on and made the story flow.

This is a domestic thriller with a side of mystery and it's decadent. We are introduced to our main character, Theodora (aka Theo) who meets Connor. It's the classic poor girl meets rich guy story except it has unique twists. Theo is adopted and remembers very little before a certain age. When Connor takes her home to meet the family as his fiancee at Christmas, Theo finds that things there feel familiar....almost as if she's been there before. But she has no memory of it and no one there seems to remember her at all either. So, this leaves her even more confused.

I really enjoyed this one. Now I'll be sitting around waiting for the next one by this author to come along....fingers crossed that it's already in the works.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy of this audiobook.

I've read and loved all of Kate Alice Marshall's books so far. While I did enjoy this one, I feel like it needs a disclaimer that it's a little slower than the others and felt more like a mystery/family drama than a thriller. The ending was very twisty though.

The book centers around Theo, a woman who was adopted at 4 and can only remember fragments (or are they dreams?!) from her past, and Connor, her rich fiance. Connor is bringing Theo to a remote, snowy cabin (before of course he is 🤣) to meet his family, who we quickly learn have tons of secrets. There are lots of strange coincidences throughout the trip, which worked to keep me hooked, but when you stop and really think back on it, are kind of far-fetched.

This is a great atmospheric winter read, with plenty of suspense. I actually binged the audiobook in one day. Karissa Vacker's narration was great! This is a good read for fans of this author, readers who are able to suspend belief a bit with thrillers, and people who believe in fate (I'm still trying to wrap my head around that detail)

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the ALC, and NetGalley and Flat Iron for the ARC.

This was a solid 3-star read for me. I enjoyed the storyline and found the characters engaging. The ending, in particular, was a standout.