Not what I expected, as I was initially thinking there would be a cult element based on the way the narrator spoke about her past, but twisted pieces of rich people behaving in atrocious ways, even within their own families, nonetheless. Theo is a somewhat unreliable narrator since her memory from childhood doesn't always let her see the full picture or have an awareness of how to proceed when things in the mountain start going awry. The writing itself was decent, but the audiobook narrator! Despite the wide range of voices, it is not distracting to the point of having to think "oh, someone is in a studio recording this", instead you are immersed in the story.

The narration was fantastic - done by one of my favorite narrators! However, I found the story to be lacking something although the family was interesting and had lots of secrets.

Theodora is engaged to Connor Dalton. Connor comes from a very wealthy family and Theo has no memory of her childhood and where she came from. The couple head to Connor's family's isolated winter home so Theo can meet his family. Nothing can go wrong? Except Theo starts getting threatening text messages to leave.

Theo starts to realize that every wealthy family has secrets they try to bury and this family is no different.

This is a great domestic thriller where a powerful family will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden. The secrets that they hide are shocking in this one!

This one didn’t work for me. There wasn’t really anything original with the premise. It was fine just nothing that’s going to stand out in a year

I’m going to be honest here: A Killing Cold didn’t really do it for me, despite its isolated, wintry setting and twisty plot – and despite Karissa Vacker's narration of the audiobook (she always does a fabulous job). This just felt like a standard thriller, with over-the-top plot twists that relied way too heavily on coincidence.

The story, too, isn’t all that unfamiliar, with a plot that is just another take on the “rich people behaving badly” trope. I did root for the main character, Theo, and appreciated her willingness to defend herself, but almost all of the other characters were so flat and one-dimensional and unlikeable that it was boring to read about them. It all just felt too…sensationalistic.

I am definitely in the minority here; many thriller readers are loving this one, and I am certain that my feelings about it are down to personal preference. I’ve stopped reading so many thrillers, and books like A Killing Cold remind me exactly why that is. Everything feels so overwrought and tiresome and a bit stale. Kate Alice Marshall is a talented writer; she knows how to weave a complex plot that keeps the reader guessing, and her chilly weather atmosphere is on point here. Please take my review with a grain of salt and check out the more positive reviews as well. I just think this may be a case of me outgrowing a specific type of story.

2.5 stars rounded up. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the early listening opportunity.

This thriller is a perfect read for this time of year. Tis the season for secrets, lies, twists, and turns that are shocking and unpredictable. Rich people behaving badly is always a good time. For Theo, it turns out to be dangerous and terrifying. Long-held secrets, deception and deceit combine to create a thriller that is fast-paced and intense. The narration masterfully adds a layer of intrigue, suspense, and emotion. Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook.

Enjoyed the audio!
Decent. Every book I’ve read by this author I’m really into it and then the ending is so long fitting in so much. I wish the twists were spaced out throughout the book so it didn’t feel like blah blah at the end bringing down my rating.

Marshall does it again with her perfect winter thriller. Always love this narrator!! The twists and turns are great! And the setting with the cabins and woods are so spot on! I will continue to read anything new by this author.

Thank you Flatiron and MacMillan audio for review copies (gifted). I have been a fan of Kate Alice Marshall since her debut and appreciate her moody, tense and twisty plots. I loved how well this was narrated on audio, I could almost hear the crunch of cold snow and felt pulled into the winter cabin setting and the moody rich people privileged lives of many of the main characters. Marshall always satisfies indeed with interesting ways to connect a past wrong with a present day unraveling of secrets.

I struggled though with this one despite appreciating the stylish writing, the well crafted winter setting, and the complex connections and character backstories; I just never quite got into the pacing and characters, no one seeming all that like able and something that just kept me distant from the plot, not quite ready to feel I couldn't put it done, needed to know how it all came together. I am giving this four stars as I appreciated the moodiness, the slow burn engagement with the intricate plot. but also note that something was just kind of missing for me, I suspect it was not feeling connected to the characters as I am the kind of reader who just loves character driven, cheer on someone, vibe.

Meeting the parents is always nerve wracking, which is exactly what Theo is doing over the Christmas holidays at the mountain family retreat of her mega wealthy fiancé. As she’s there snippets of her lost life begin to come back, and she soon finds out that she had entered the viper nest, and just hopes to get out of there…alive

Full of twists, turns, lies, deceptions, mind games, and murders, “A Killing Cold” is just the type of book that a thriller junkie like me loves

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This was absolutely ridiculous. I love me a twisty book, do not get me wrong, but the constant, I remember! Just kidding no I don't! Oh wait its this! No nevermind! GAVE. ME. A. HEADACHE. By the end I couldn't stop rolling my eyes at the CONSTANT twists.

I really enjoyed the super thick mystery of this story and the various twists and turns it took. This author always knows how to pull me in and keep me guessing. I did get part of the twist correct before the reveal but not all of it, and that's always a fun time! If you like slow burn thrillers that slowly unravel until you're left with all the facts, then this is the book for you! I thought the narrator did an excellent job and I hung on her every word. I would recommend the audio route.

5/5

I’m blindly recommending this. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this one. The characters are engaging and dynamic; the story is unique and enticing; and the writing kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

If you like mysteries, thrillers, or twists, this one is for you.

How far would you go to uncover the truth? Would you go so far as to hurt someone you love or even compromise yourself in some way? Would you take heed to threats and warnings or brush them off?

This book is full of mysteries and intrigue and does a nice job of meandering while helping you piece together the story. The author did a good job with giving you little pieces here and there to make you think you had it solved.

Having the audiobook brought a different tone to the story that stressed the anxiety of the main character which was mirrored in oneself while listening; it helped bring the story to life.

There was some nice world building with small details that really helped to bring out aspects of the book. Makes me think about different traditions within my friend and family groups. It also happened to take place near Christmas and I read it just after Christmas so still have the family loyalty and quality time on the mind.

Thank you to Flatiron Books for the eARC copy, Macmillan audio for the advance audiobook, the author Kate Alice Marshall, and NetGalley!

A whirlwind romance, ominous threats, and a two week stay at a family’s winter retreat…what could go wrong?!?
This one was such an additive listen!! The narrator, Karissa Vacker does a wonderfully job port saying all of the characters including many male voices. I was lost in the story. While the pace was a bit slow, the writing truly captivated and I was invested in Theo’s story and which side would Connor take. The plot twists were so good as well. A wealthy family with many secrets protecting their own. Don’t miss out on this one.

This was so full of twists and turns and really held my attention. I loved the narrator as well. Had my headphones in non stop I could not put this one down! Thanks!!!!

Theo and Conner met 6 months ago and fell head over heels in love. Now engaged, he is taking her to his wealthy family’s winter retreat. She has been receiving text messages from an unknown person warning her not to go. The Dalton family is ruthless and don’t exactly give her a warm welcome.
Theo has a feeling she has been at this winter retreat before. And as she begins to remember things and she does her own sleuthing, the mysteries surrounding her past…and her present, come head to head.
This was a fun, if not a very believable read. I listened to this in audio format and the narrator, Karissa Vacker, did a truly excellent job.
I have read two previous books by Kate Alice Marshall before, one I didn’t like and one I loved. This one falls in the middle for me. I enjoyed the sense of isolation and the tense atmosphere was beautifully written. Theo was a great main character, who was flawed and likable. It just boils down to how believable I found this book and it’s just too many coincidences for me. I think you have to believe in fate for this story to work for you and that’s just not me.
But, overall, it’s a fun, fast paced thriller that’s an enjoyable winter read.

I love Kate Alice Marshall and I enjoyed this narrator. This wealthy family’s winter retreat, their family secrets and drama were great and everything was perfectly paced. Most all of the hints that were dropped throughout made it fun while putting the story together. Until the end, I felt like it was too much and keeping up with the twists just became annoying.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this surprise ALC!

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall

Thank you to @macmillan.audio, @netgalley, and @kmarshallarts for the opportunity to read this #advancedlistenercopy in exchange for my #honestaudiobookreview! This book will be available February 4.

This was a chilling one - no pun intended! Such a dangerous and twisted web - definitely not possible to guess all the twists and turns! This had the high stakes feel of The Family Game with the ruthlessness of The Fiancée and the holiday backdrop made it all the better. This is one you’ll be glad you snuggled up next to the fire to enjoy! I highly recommend this for thriller fans who enjoy a solid mystery!

TWs: inf*delity, framing, g*slighting, loss of a loved one, child n*glect and abandonment, t*lk of su*cide,dr*gging, more

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ - 4.5/5

I've been very picky about my mystery/thrillers recently. I’ve only been reading authors that worked really well for me before which is why I was excited to pick this one up. This one is probably my favorite by her yet, I had a lot of fun with it. The winter setting and the seclusion was done really well, the MC was endearing. I really liked how it ended up playing with some tropes and how the twists worked out.

I had really loved Karissa Vacker’s narration in both of the other Marshall novels I listened to, her narration style and tone works really well for the first person, female MC thriller. The plot was also easy to follow on audio.