4.5 stars

When Theo and Connor get engaged, Connor decides to bring his fiance to his the mountain estate to meet his entire family. Theo does not receive the warm welcoming she had hoped for, and it is clear that Connor's family is skeptical of her at best. Even worse, Theo has been receiving ominous and threatening texts to stay away from Connor. Theo, who has secrets of her own, starts to wonder what it is that she is being warned away from-- does it have to do with things from her own past? Then, in an old abandoned cabin, Theo finds the unimaginable-- a picture of herself as a child. Suddenly she begins to wonder if coming to the estate was intentional.

Kate Alice Marshall reliably writes twisty thrillers, and A Killing Cold was no exception. I love a rich family full of secrets, and an isolated (almost locked in) type setting-- it makes for an ideal spot for thrillers. The dysfunctional family aspects and nonlinear timelines also made this an enjoyable read, as we were left guessing until the very end.

3.5 rounded up

I love Kate Alice Marshall’s books. But this was a very slow burn. Only until around 60% did I feel like it picked up. The story was pretty new and unique but at times the writing lost me. When the chapters have a break, you don’t know who’s talking and it can get confusing.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Killing Cold. KA Marshall kept my attention as to the true identity of Theo as it unfolded throughout the book. Additionally, the Dalton family’s secrets exemplified how people with riches and power can get away with murder and deceit within and outside the family. There were many twists and turns throughout the book with a surprising ending. I highly recommend this book for my fellow readers.

Atmospheric and tense; I couldn’t put it down!
I loved that some of the characters (I don’t want to name them and give anything away) actually turned out to be good people; not everyone was hiding something or in on the secrets.

I’ve been a fan of this author since reading What Lies in the Woods. This is set at a vacation cabin so isolated it might as well be a locked room mystery. The wealthy family includes the fiancé, siblings and their spouses of the groom to be, his parents, the crotchety grandfather, demanding grandmother, and the creepy caretaker. They’re gathered at Idlewood for the holidays in snowy upstate NY for their annual celebration. The past and present collide and threatens to tear apart secrets buried for a generation. The fiancé couldn’t foresee the danger she’s about to face. The scrutiny of joining this well-bred family has life altering ramifications. Can she win them over baking Christmas cookies and hunting with grandpa or will she become a new secret for the family to bury? I read at break neck speed to see what would happen. Another winner from an author I’ve put on auto read.
Flatiron Books (via NetGalley) provided an Advance Reader Copy of “A Killing Cold” by Kate Alice Marshall, publication expected 02/04/2025. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without expectation of compensation.

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall is a chilling and addictive read that grabs you from page one. Theo Scott thinks she’s found the perfect man in Connor Dalton—rich, charming, and a member of an elite family—but when he brings her to his family’s secluded estate, Idlewood, things quickly turn dark. The mountain retreat is icy and isolated, adding to the tension, and soon Theo can’t shake the feeling that she’s been here before. Mysterious warnings, footprints outside her window, and an eerie childhood photo of herself taken at Idlewood only deepen the mystery. As Theo starts uncovering secrets about the powerful Dalton family, she realizes there’s more danger around her than she could have imagined.

With its haunting, isolated mountain setting and suspenseful pacing, A Killing Cold keeps readers guessing until the final page. Told in both past and present timelines, the story reveals glimpses of Theo’s life before she met Connor, her eerie experiences at Idlewood, and her childhood memories slowly coming into focus. As Theo digs deeper, suspicion falls on nearly every character, creating a constant sense of unease and intrigue. The past and present timelines work together perfectly, drawing readers deeper into Theo’s world and the secrets surrounding the Dalton family. Watching Theo piece things together keeps the suspense high, and by the end, you’ll be questioning everyone! The twist is incredibly well-executed, layered with subtle clues that make the final reveal all the more satisfying. I read this in one day and if you love thrillers with eerie settings and dark family secrets won’t want to miss this one when it releases on February 4, 2025!

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

From her YA Horror to her Adult Thrillers @kmarshallarts is easily one of my favorite authors - but, dare I say, this is my favorite of hers yet?! This book hooked me from page one! I loved how Theo was slowly unraveling what happened in her past throughout the whole story — the ending of this book had me on edge and I absolutely LOVED it.

Make sure you put this book on your radar, it comes out in February and it’s the perfect winter atmospheric thriller!

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️/5

A huge thank you to @flatiron_books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#AKillingCold #NetGalley
Brilliant.
In A Killing Cold, Kate Alice Marshall crafts a chilling psychological thriller that combines romance, mystery, and a deep sense of unease. The story follows Theodora (Theo) Scott, who seems to be living a dream after falling in love with Connor Dalton, a charming and wealthy man from a powerful family. But what begins as an idyllic romance quickly turns sinister when Theo is invited to Idlewood, Connor’s family’s isolated winter retreat. As threatening messages appear, followed by unsettling discoveries, Theo realizes that she has been to Idlewood before and her connection to the Dalton family may be more dangerous than she ever imagined.
Likes:-
1 Atmospheric Setting: The cold, desolate setting of Idlewood plays a major role in the book’s suspense. The isolated, snow-covered retreat adds layers of tension and claustrophobia that heighten the mystery. Marshall uses the weather and landscape to build a sense of foreboding that permeates the entire story.
2 Intricate Plot: The blend of Theo’s forgotten past with her present-day situation keeps readers on edge. The mystery surrounding her childhood memories and the threatening presence of the Daltons unfolds slowly but effectively, pulling the reader deeper into the dark history of Idlewood.
Overall :- A Killing Cold is a gripping, atmospheric thriller that will keep readers hooked with its intricate plot and dark, snow-bound setting. Kate Alice Marshall skillfully combines elements of romance and mystery to deliver a story of buried secrets, forgotten memories, and the lengths people will go to protect their past. Although the pacing falters at times, the tension remains high, and the twists are sure to keep readers turning the pages. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers looking for a chilling winter read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for giving me an advance copy.

The twists and turns in this one? I thought I knew what was going on about 10 times, only to be proven wrong every single one.
This one gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the twists and turns alone. Keeping me guessing to the very end? That’s worth at least ⭐️⭐️ more. The unique story line and character development? Yes, please.

If you like your thrillers to keep your mind reeling over where the author could possibly be taking you, sucking you in from the first chapter, grab this one.

Theo has had quite the troubled past. Adopted at a young age with no recollection of her past, the religious family that took her in mistook her trauma for evil. Several years after finally escaping their grasp, she falls in love with the perfect man. Fate had to bring them together.

When they visit his family’s mountain (you know, because billionaires can buy anything they want) for Christmas, she begins having confusing flashbacks to her childhood. Things she has never before remembered.
What about this mountain and these people could trigger these memories?
And why are they so dark and frightening?
Who are the faces in her flashbacks?
Who is Theo?

Trust me, as these questions and more are answered, your jaw will drop.

Coming February of 2025.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

Kate Alice Marshall is SUCH an amazing writer. Her characters come alive and her stories always suck you right in.

This is another hit!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Kate Alice Marshall, and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
3.5 ⭐️
A Killing Cold opens with our newly engaged FMC, Theo, arriving at a secluded estate with her fiance to visit for 2 weeks over the Christmas holiday and gain his family’s approval. Upon arrival, it’s clear the family is hiding secrets, but, as many readers will guess, so is Theo.
❄️
For me, this book was a slow-burn mystery. We got little glimpses of Theo’s past, which I felt was the main mystery. It wasn’t high octane, but it was extremely atmospheric. At times, I felt like the pacing slowed to a crawl, but the last 15% or so just kept twisting and turning every which way. There were several twists I didn’t see coming, but I will say that sometimes I struggled with my patience in waiting for the next reveal.
🌲
If you’ve read and enjoyed Kate Alice Marshall in the past, I think you’ll find this to be a solid addition. I think for some readers, it might be a little too slow to be worth the reveals at the end. Check it out when it releases if you want a wintery mystery to make you feel the creeping cold.
🥶

Kate Alice Marshall does it again.

I was so excited to get an ARC of this book, after being a huge fan of her previous work.

This book did not disappoint. I could not put it down. It had my heart racing, my red yarn flowing & so many twists giving me whiplash, in the best way possible. Every chapter left me wanting more, more answers, more secrets, more memories, MORE.

Marshall does such a great job at imagery, that it truly plays out like a movie in my head while reading. I could see myself watching this in theaters & on the big screen, being on pins & needles for the truth.

Secrets will always find a way out, don’t forget it!

Review can also be found on Goodreads.

3 stars… this was a compelling story that I truly enjoyed! Kate Alice Marshall has a way with words and something about her writing/stories is so different than other suspense writers out there! While the end was mostly predictable I did have a great time getting there! Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

My second book by this author and it was a bit of a slow burn but was paced nicely. I really enjoyed the family dynamic of these rich characters. They were all a hot mess. People will do anything to remain on top and this book did a great job of untangling that web.

I absolutely adore a good domestic thriller, and Kate Alice Marshall’s latest novel, “A Killing Cold”, had me hooked from start to finish!

The story revolves around Theodora (Theo), who recently got engaged to Connor, her boyfriend of just six months. When Connor takes Theo to his family’s secluded winter estate, she understandably feels nervous. Meeting the family of your future husband can be anxiety-inducing, but Theo's nerves are heightened by recent anonymous text messages that have been ominous and warning her to stay away from Connor. However, upon their arrival, she is overwhelmed by a strange sense of déjà vu, as if she has been there before. At this moment, I found the novel completely unputdownable!

The twists and turns in the plot were plentiful and perfectly timed! I know many friends are on the lookout for the ideal book to cozy up with during winter, and THIS IS IT! I thought the storyline was masterfully crafted, and the pacing was lightning fast. Throughout the book, I kept asking myself how it was possible that this was my first experience reading Kate Alice Marshall. After finishing this five-star read, I’ve definitely moved her earlier novels to the top of my TBR list!

Another gripping novel by Kate Alice Marshall! She is a must-read for me, and once again, I couldn't put this book down.

Thank you to Flatiron Books and Netgalley for sending me an arc of A Killing Cold.
Theo doesn’t know much about her fiancé’s family, but she slowly uncovers the horrifying truths that connect them. 5 stars!! This gripped me from the first page and is such a fun, easy read!! The twists were fantastic and I found the story thrilling and engaging. I highly recommend especially if you like What Lies in the Woods!

"A Killing Cold" by Kate Alice Marshall is a gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat with its numerous twists and turns. Theodora “Theo” Scott heads to her fiancé's family mountain home, and despite having few memories from her early childhood before her adoption, she experiences a strange sense of familiarity upon arrival. As the story unfolds, we delve deeper into Theo's past and uncover why the mountains seem so familiar. Get ready for a thrilling ride as secrets are revealed and mysteries unraveled.

This is my second book I’ve by KAM and I absolutely can’t wait to read more!

Thank you Flatiron Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

•Kate Alice Marshall’s latest, A Killing Cold, is a chilling, gripping thriller that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

•Theodora Scott is a mysterious woman with a dark history. One night at a party, she meets Connor Dalton— a charming member of a local wealthy family. Their romance blossoms overnight and after a few months, they’re engaged. He brings her to his family’s winter cabin for their yearly family trip.

•As soon as they arrive, Theo begins having nightmares, receiving threatening texts, and has an overall sense of unease. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she stumbles upon a photo of her … as a little girl… in this exact same cabin. She has no recollection of ever being at this cabin before, but she is determined to figure out what happened.

•I will never pass up a Kate Alice Marshall book. I know it’s always going to be a wild, twisty tale and this book was no different. A Killing Cold will be released on February 4, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Kate Alice Marshall for this ARC.

And the award for the worst future in-laws goes to….

Kate Marshall does it again! This takes a bit to pick up but the last 50% is so shocking and captivating you’ll be hooked!

Theo Scott knows that most people think she’s with Connor Dalton for his family money. Despite coming from 1% kind of wealth, Connor is sweet and kind and loves Theo so much that he can’t wait to marry her, even inviting her to spend two weeks with his family for the holidays at their remote vacation home. Theo grew up in a bad adoptive family situation, and finally found the family she has always wanted in Connor. But their quick engagement means they need to go on a convincing campaign.

Theo immediately feels the animosity Connor’s family has for her, but she is ready to fight to win them over. Until she is distracted by the feeling that she’s been up in these cabins before. And maybe someone in the Dalton family is responsible for the missing first few years of her life that she has not been able to remember since she was adopted.

Really compelling and great mystery/thriller! Everyone was a suspect by the end. There were a few secondary plot lines I would have loved some more details on for closure, but overall really enjoyed this one as I have most of this author’s books!