It's Christmas Eve, but there's a distinct lack of cheer on the fells of Cumbria. Four trail hunters have gone missing, and the redoubtable DI Walker is called upon to locate them before the bitter cold and lengthy exposure result in tragedy.

However, it's already too late for at least one of the men. His brutally murdered body is found staining the snow scarlet. Clearly, the men aren't the only ones out hunting on Christmas Eve...

Now, in a race against time, DI Walker and his colleagues must try to locate the remaining three missing men. The only problem is, few people seem inclined to help them do so.

And, if it wasn't bad enough to be dealing with a situation like this so close to Christmas, the worsening weather situation isn't anything to feel merry about either.

This is very moreish storytelling, which holds the reader's attention effortlessly. The story is interesting, the suspense is gripping, and the characters are well drawn. What more could you want from a Christmas present (whatever time of year it is that you receive one of Alex Pine's gifts to his readers)?! I give it 3.5 stars.

DCI James Walker has much to be happy about this Christmas – a promotion, a growing family and the chance to spend December 25 with them. However, in the fourth book in this series, the festivities are, once again, not so festive for four families. A quartet of trail hunters go missing in the Cumbrian fells on Christmas Eve and as the snow falls, their loved ones are worried when they’ll come home. One body is found, bearing the message: the real hunt has begun. The temperature plummets as Walker and his team try to catch the killer before all trails go cold. It doesn’t look like he'll get home for his turkey and ham anytime before New Year’s Eve… This is a clever series that offers new and surprising cases, all neatly tied into the holiday period. Anyone who prefers their mince pies and brandy butter with a side of homicide will appreciate it.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

James Walker is back with his fellow detectives to solve another crime at Christmas. Four huntsmen have disappeared and DI Walker is tasked with finding where these men have got to, especially as it seems the weather and everyone they question are against them.

I really enjoy this series, and I’ve started to look forward to the next instalment every year. So many books are lovey dovey when set around the festive period, but this author is just brilliant, because he enjoys a slice of murder and mystery served up at Christmas, the same as me. The style of writing is great, and makes the story so easy to read, and always ensures you read just one more chapter, until you accidentally finish the book. The characters are really well written, and DI Walker always seems to come across as slightly old fashioned, but it fits with the themes of the book. The story was gripping, with many red herrings throughout. The writer ensures the story is the right balance of suspense, with darkness and foreboding, but a glimmer of light the whole way through. Another excellent crime novel from this author.

It’s Christmas Eve and 4 trail hunters have gone missing on the Cumbrian fells, the weather is closing in and it’s a race against time to find them. Newly promoted DCI James Walker knows only too well how difficult this is going to be, Having left the Met Police to move back to his wife, Annie’s home town, this is their 4th Christmas here, and this case could prove to be the most difficult he has had to investigate.

What I like about this police procedural is that it feels authentic as not every lead pans out, mistakes are made and there’s always a huge amount of background work that has to be done. It’s fast paced, very well written and plotted, and the tension carries on right to the end. We see just how divisive Fox hunting can be in normally tight knit communities, how neighbour turns against neighbour. I like the dynamic between James and wife Annie, and also with his colleagues, the team he has put together over the last few years. Although a stand alone read, Im glad I’ve read the rest of this series. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Absolutely fantastic yet again, another great follow up book, the ideas again were brilliant and I didn’t even guess how it would end, I hope there is another one in the future