I’ve become a big fan of Kate Alice Marshall’s since she’s moved into publishing adult mysteries and thrillers. I was ecstatic to get an early copy of A Killing Cold and there is honestly other season than winter to read or listen to this book.
Theodora Scott is set to meet her future in-laws at their elusive family retreat. They’ve only been together a short time and already engaged. It’s no wonder Connor Dalton’s, her fiancé family is leery of their relationship. When you come from wealth, you have to be careful who you let into the family. But it’s not just the Dalton’s that are hesitant about the meeting, Theo’s nervous as well considering she’s already been receiving threating messages warning her away from the family. As the messages continue and she gets to know the Dalton’s, she’s sure she’s not the only one hiding things. With a family as powerful as the Dalton’s there are bound to be secrets, and Theo will need to look back into her past to find which ones are still worth killing for.
If Karissa Vacker is narrating it, I’m 99% sure I’ll listen to the book and love it. She has such a great voice, and while it’s distinct, I think it’s the perfect tone for mysteries and thrillers. Of course, when I saw she was narrating A Killing Cold, I knew I would be listening to this one; and it did not disappoint.
At first, I thought we were headed in a fairly common direction for a wintery mystery thriller; but ended up being pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns thrown at us. My suspect(s) and explanations of the events transpiring changed every few chapters. The Dalton’s weren’t exactly likable characters, add in Theo’s constant references to her past, and I was suspicious of everyone at one time or another.
This is a great book to go in blind to. There are a few things that are a bit far-fetched, there are plenty of red herrings, revelations, and secrets to make this a page turning thriller. I love a good rich people behaving badly story and paired with the chaos that is the Dalton family, and it’s *chefs kiss*. While I haven’t read all of Marshall’s books, I definitely think this is my favorite book of hers so far.
AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP |★★★★★
A Killing Cold comes out February 4, 2025. Thank you to Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for my advanced copy in exchange for my review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
