❄A KILLING COLD by Kate Alice Marshall❄
Narrated by: Karissa Vacker
Published by: Macmillan Audio
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Cold-blooded murder meets a chilling winter thriller. If you are into unreliable narrators, secrets, and the rich behaving badly, this one's for you! Shout out to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for this Advanced Listener Copy out for all to read with either your eyes or your ears.

Vacker steels the show again in this audiobook. Her range and emotions bring any story she reads to life.

After a whirlwind romance, Theodora is heading to Idlewood, a remote winter retreat, to meet Connor’s family. After their arrival, strange things start to happen. Theo starts receiving strange text messages, there are footprints outside her cabin, and then she finds a photo of herself as a child. How can this be? She doesn’t have any memory of this place but yet something is familiar.

Theo is a character which is a bit of an enigma. At one point in this tale, you think she is a bit of a villain. But, as the story moves along, you realize how damaged she really is and then the secrets start to unfold.

This is a story that immediately draws you in. The isolated setting, the weird vibes from the family and the secrets create an intense and creepy story that you just can’t stop reading.

I have read another book by this author, What Lies in the Wood. It is an amazing read as well!

The narrator Karissa Vacker is one of my favorites and she is excellent with this thriller!

Need a fast moving, intense thriller with a twisted ending…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Not a thriller reader but lately I have hit gold with several titles. This is one of them. I listened to the audio which was wonderfully done and added some dimension to the characters. This is a locked room mystery but not the traditional sense where someone dies and then you figure it out. A family comes together on their private mountain to enjoy a Christmas holiday retreat and meet the new fiancé. The story is told form the fiancé point of view and she has a past that slowly reveals itself. The family is uber rich and also has a past. You are guessing for quite a while and then the author keeps twisting the story. You think you know, then you don't but then that person isn't fully eliminated either. It is an fast read but lots of moving parts to all the stories, I highly recommend if you want a palate cleanser or if you are one who really enjoys thrillers.

I'd like to thank the publisher and author, firstly, for my free ALC. Thank you!

3.5 stars

This book kept me invested from page one, but sadly, it lost me towards the end. I feel like the way things developed was not only anti-climatic, but also a bit unbelievable. I was expecting somewhat more chills, considering the title of the book.

Again, the author did a great job capturing my attention and keeping me hooked but the ending was underwhelming for me.

A Killing Cold is a gripping mystery novel that immerses readers in an atmospheric, chilling setting while weaving an intricate tale of suspense and intrigue. The novel follows the investigation of a series of murders in a small, snowbound town, where every resident seems to harbor a secret. The harsh winter conditions serve as both a backdrop and an obstacle, heightening the tension and adding to the sense of isolation.
What I Liked
One of the strongest aspects of A Killing Cold is its setting. The author does an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of the icy landscape, making the reader feel the bitter cold with every page. The descriptions of the blizzard and its impact on the characters effectively enhance the novel's suspense.
The protagonist is well-developed, with a compelling backstory that adds depth to their motivations and actions. Their interactions with the townspeople feel authentic, and the small-town dynamics create an additional layer of intrigue. The pacing is well-maintained, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged throughout.
Additionally, the novel’s climax is particularly well-executed. The tension builds up steadily, culminating in a satisfying and unexpected resolution that ties up loose ends without feeling forced.
What I Didn’t Like
While the mystery itself is engaging, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped. A few key suspects blend together due to a lack of distinguishing characteristics, making it difficult to keep track of their roles in the story.
Another area that could be improved is the dialogue. At times, the conversations between characters feel a bit stiff or overly expository, particularly when revealing clues. More natural dialogue could enhance immersion and make the character interactions more engaging.
The novel also occasionally relies on predictable tropes, such as the detective with a troubled past and the isolated town full of secrets. While these elements are executed competently, a more unique twist on these familiar themes would help distinguish the book from similar mystery novels.
Conclusion
Overall, A Killing Cold is a solid mystery novel that successfully creates a chilling atmosphere and keeps readers invested in the investigation. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in character development and dialogue, the book remains an engaging and suspenseful read. Fans of winter-set mysteries and small-town intrigue will likely find it an enjoyable addition to the genre.

A Killing Cold is a fast paced popcorn thriller that grabbed my attention from the first chapter.

Theodora Scott has had a troubled life and can’t remember details of her childhood before she was adopted. One day fate intervenes, she meets Conner and they get engaged. Theo travels to her fiancées country home during winter vacation to meet his wealthy family. Soon secrets from the past are exposed and Theo can finally begin piecing together her memory.

I enjoyed listening to the narrator on this book, Karissa Vacker. Her pacing was good and she did well distinguishing between characters.

I really liked the plot of this book and that it had several twists that weren’t too predictable. I was surprised that this book contained a little bit of spice. I loved the setting of the story. My only critique for this book was how Theo and Conner met again as adults by coincidence, it was a bit far-fetched in my opinion. Kate Alice Marshall books are always a pleasant and fun read. This was a great winter thriller to cozy up with!

Trigger warnings: mentions and/or some description of murder, violence, domestic violence, suicide, and animal death.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Flatiron books and Kate Alice Marshall for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and authentic review.

I really enjoyed this book it kept me guessing up until the very end. I’m still trying to decide if Nick was Theo’s father? It was kind of slow at times but the author did well at keeping the reader interested and wanting to keep reading. I really enjoyed her other books as well. Thank you so much for the advanced copy of the audio book.

I’m always thankful to be apart of Macmillan Audio’s influencer program but this book was a miss for me. I didn’t like Kate Alice Marshall’s previous book What Lies in the Woods. Gave her another shot. The premise of it was interesting. However, the story was very hard to follow on audio. Even after just finishing it I can’t even tell you who was who character wise and what happens. Just bits and pieces. I hated the vivid descriptions of animal hunting and what happens to the dead animals. I guess I should have looked up trigger/content warnings in regard to this so that part is my fault. I just don’t think this author is for me. This is the same review I have done on Goodreads, which. Is also linked below.

A Killing Cold
by Kate Alice Marshall
Narrated by Karissa Vacker

I really enjoyed A Killing Cold. It was a unique, fast-paced story that kept me guessing until the very end. Theo and Connor travel to Connor's family property for the holidays. Recently engaged, this is Theo's first time meeting everyone. Once they arrive, things start to feel...familiar. Theo is adopted and hasn't had an easy life. She's never been to the property before, or at least she doesn't think that she has. As time goes on, she starts remebering things. Things that don't make sense. Connor's family isn't exactly the most welcoming, so she has to try and figure things out on her own. I dont' want to give any more of the stroy away, but this kept me listening and excited to find out what happend next. Karissa Vacker did a great job narrating and really brought life to the characters and the story. I can't wait to listen to Ms. Marshall's next story!

Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for the chance to review this ARC!

Both Theodora and Connor Dalton have secrets from each other. At the isolated family holiday retreat, Theo is welcomed with suspicion by the wealthy Dalton family. Secrets soon start spilling and it becomes obvious that someone from Connor’s family doesn’t want Theo there. I could never pass up on a book narrated by Karissa Vacker and this one was amazing from start to finish. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Wow. I’m almost speechless. The was absolutely incredible. I’m blown away by how creepy and suspenseful that book was! I want to run around and tell everyone about it now. Holy crap. I’m at a loss for words.

Probably my least favorite Kate Alice Marshall adult mystery to date, but still entertaining and propulsive.

This reminded me a lot of The Family Game by Catherine Steadman only without the fun parts, which meant it felt a bit flatter than I would like. It’s also less intricate than Marshall’s previous adult mysteries, though the pacing is excellent and the story is intriguing if not exactly original.

I tend to like isolated location thrillers, especially those which force the characters to contend with the elements, and while I thought the sense of place was well rendered here, the cold, the mountain, etc. aren’t much of a factor in the story save for in the most literal sense. I think I needed more man vs nature in this and less of the main character being mistreated by her fiancé’s family while the reader endlessly tries to figure out who means her harm and who is just plain mean.

All that said, Marshall keeps you intrigued and keeps you guessing, and while this is a dip in quality from her last two adult books, it’s still a fun read a solidly plotted thriller.

This book follows Theodora Scott, an orphan who has had a whirlwind romance recently resulting in a proposal. She has now gone with her fiance Connor to meet his wealthy, skeptical relatives at their isolated winter home to gain their approval. But as Theodora deals with a highly judgemental family, she realizes that this place feels oddly familiar to her, and starts to gain some of her earliest memories back. Could this place be related to the tragic mystery of her missing mother?

I really appreciated the writing and the premise of the story, as well as the inclusion of a lesbian couple for representation! In particular, the audio narration from Karissa Vacker was really well done. The setting of the icy, cold, and isolated winter retreat was also really well developed. However, I thought there were just too many characters and that the mystery aspect was a little easy to predict. Even though this was an average thriller for me, I am excited to pick up whatever comes next from Kate Alice Marshall!

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

I have said before that Kate Alice Marshall can do no wrong and this title was no exception. Twists, turns, scandals, murders-what else could a girl want?! I thought I knew where it was going to end up, and the end still got me!! 4.5/5!

Kate Alice Marshall has become one of my favorite crime writers with this one. She’s created a compelling story of a young woman swept up in a rich family full of secrets, some of them her own. Her fish out of water heroine is layered and complex and the supporting characters are developed nicely. Fantastic setting and strong narration of a very twisty, satisfying suspense.

Lots of twists and a myriad of dark secrets. I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable so found it hard to stay engaged. I think fans of locked room mysteries may like it as it is fairly reliable.

Kate Alice Marshall delivers another gripping, atmospheric thriller with A Killing Cold, a chilling (literally) locked-room mystery set in an isolated winter retreat.

Theo Scott falls fast for the charming, wealthy Connor Dalton, and when he invites her to his family’s estate, Idlewood, she’s eager to win over his skeptical relatives. But unsettling warnings, eerie footprints in the snow, and a forgotten childhood photo taken at Idlewood suggest a past she can’t remember—and a danger she can’t escape.

The audiobook, narrated by Karissa Vacker, is absolutely phenomenal. Her delivery amplifies the tension, making you feel the bitter cold and creeping dread in every scene. The setting itself is haunting, where snow hides evidence, isolates its victims, and turns the retreat into a prison.

What sets this apart from other family-drama thrillers is its deeply immersive mystery. As Theo unravels the Daltons’ secrets, the story grips you tighter, making every revelation feel chilling and urgent. If you’re choosing between formats, I highly recommend the audio!

Kate Alice Marshall remains a staple in my reading, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

A Killing Cold is tense and fast-paced. It's also the epitome of a Winter Thriller. I loved the setting and atmosphere most of all. It felt cold and claustrophobic the entire time.

Theo is trapped at her new fiance's family retreat and it's clear someone doesn't want her there. When she discovers a clue to her past at the property, she's flabbergasted. How can this be? Has she been here before?

I liked following along with Theo as she was thrust into the lion's den that is her fiance, Connor's, family. They've had a whirlwind romance, so Theo hasn't had much opportunity to meet them and she's nervous as heck. As she should be...

It's clear from the start Theo isn't being completely transparent with them about her past, and as the story progresses, you learn a lot more about that. Regardless of where she came from though, her upbringing was very different from Theo's and his siblings. Their family is extremely wealthy, and as with most wealthy families, they're used to getting away with a certain amount of things.

While I was reading this, the dynamics amongst Connor and his brother and sister, kept reminding me of the sibling relationships in HBO show, Succession. If you are a fan of that show, I definitely recommend you check this one out. I think you'll understand pretty quickly what I mean.

I also loved and appreciated how much the weather and landscape was made a part of this story. It felt dark and very cold. Also, due to inclement weather, they do get literally trapped at the estate. This gave it an air of desperation and suffocation it may not have had otherwise. Atmosphere is my number one want in any book, and it was definitely delivered here.

Marshall kept me on my toes with this one and successfully kept me guessing. While I thought the ending had some moments where it veered into convoluted territory, overall, I think it was a fun and intriguing story. I would highly recommend the audiobook, as well, should you have that format available to you. It's narrated by one of my all-time faves, Karissa Vacker, and I feel like she did a fantastic job bringing Theo's perspective to life!

Thank you to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to whatever KAM writes next!!

This was my second book by this author and while I do believe it was better than the last that I read, I realize maybe her writing just isn’t for me. I enjoyed the setting of this mystery, a secluded cabin with a wealthy family that is full of secrets and a newcomer finance with a past that she cannot remember. It was fast moving and I appreciated the twists and the turns. The issue I have with Marshall’s books is that she seems to never be happy with her endings! The number of times that the “killer” is revealed to be then revealed again later as NOT the killer is infuriating. At a certain point, you realize that you don’t even care who the killer is any more. Maybe this is a me thing, but I always leave these thrillers wanting more. The narrator did a great job of bringing the suspense to the book, and I appreciate that aspect. It kept me entertained, I just left a bit disappointed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for an advanced listening copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Overall, I liked this audiobook. I do think the book was better and more exciting because of the narrator and audio. I felt she did a phenomenal job.

When you dig down to it, I kind of felt like it was just another rich family cover-up mystery. I would’ve loved a little more of a surprise or suspenseful moment. I overall didn’t really enjoy any of the characters, but that’s only because most of them were not great people.

Even though I didn’t feel like the book was a mind blowing mystery, I would recommend it to others because it wasn’t enjoyable