A solid police thriller with all the usual elements and a handful of twists and turns.
Whilst it is a stand alone novel, I did feel I'd have benefitted from reading the others in the series first.

Such a good book, I need to catch up on the series as have read out of order. I really enjoyed that we experienced some of the book through Paul’s POV

The Winter Killings is the 5th book in the Yorkshire Murder Series, should you read the previous - hell yeah! They are just so damn good you will want to catch up on DCI Emma Gardner and her team.

DI Riddick is still batting his demons and has gone a bit AWOL leaving Emma worried for him and trying her best to track him down, but when a case comes along she has no time to be distracted. When a real skull makes it way as a replacement to a prop in a story telling night at the pub, Emma has to keep her head in the game - literary - as she tries to connect the dots when a headless then turns up!

Between the skeleton and Riddick, Emma has a lot on her plate, and once again Wes Markin has weaved a wonderful thrilling tale, with a few twists and an ending this has left me wondering how the next book will play out!

The Winter Killings is the fifth book in The Yorkshire Murders. This book is only the second one I've had a chance to read. I will definitely go back and read books one through three.

DCI Emma Gardner is still trying to figure out what happened to DI Paul Riddick in book four. She's hired a PI to track him down. In the middle of Emma's search for Paul, a skull is found, opening up a new case that leads them to a home for single mothers filled with secrets and tragedy.

This book had me on the edge of my seat. The Winter Killings is a suspenseful crime thriller with multiple storylines. The characters, plot, and world are complex and well-constructed. There are so many twist, turns, and shocking events throughout the novel. The author did a magnificent job weaving everything together and then systematically unraveling it all in a dramatic and exciting fashion.

The brilliant new series The Yorkshire Murders. Such a well written book that grips you from the very first page. So hard to put down once you start.

A Gruesome Discovery..
The fifth instalment in the Yorkshire Murders series and a most gruesome discovery is very close to home for DCI Emma Gardner. Emma and team are hunting a killer whilst initially all they have to work with is a skull. As horrific secrets begin to come to light the team realise that they are dealing with something that they could never have bargained for. Another gripping instalment with a well developed and credible cast of characters populating a pacy plot with a well imagined backdrop.

The Yorkshire Killings is my current favourite series, so I knew that I was really going to enjoy this latest book in the series, as I am so invested in the lives of DCI Emma Gardner and particularly DI Paul Riddick, who has been slowly going off the rails and has now disappeared.

Every book in the series so far has been superbly written and The Winter Killings is no different. Gripping from beginning to end, with a dark plot, the ongoing mystery about Riddick and an unexpected ending, this book is unputdownable!

While this works perfectly well as a standalone book, I HIGHLY recommend that you read the books in order, to get the full backstories of Emma & Paul.

More 5 star brilliance from Wes Markin.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

Wes Markin’s Yorkshire Murders series continues with another nail-biting installment, The Winter Killings.

Winter has come to Yorkshire and DCI Emma Gardener is hopeful that work will calm down for everyone. Still troubled by the disappearance of her old friend DI Paul Riddick, Emma cannot seem to focus and she is in danger of losing all the skills that had made her a top-notch detective. When a gruesome discovery of a skull is made in the local pub, Emma knows that the time has come for her to show everyone just what she is capable of.

Just who did the skull belong to? Nobody has been reported missing and with no body and no obvious clues and leads, Emma and her team have got their work cut out for them. When the first body is found, it’s clear that they are dealing with a psychopath and in a race against time, Emma and her team need to think fast and work faster to get to the bottom of this case. As the past and present intertwine in the most surprising of ways, Emma doesn’t know which way to turn. But there is one final surprise in store for her: her old friend Riddick.

Police procedural fans will be completely engrossed in Wes Markin’s The Winter Killings. A brilliantly plotted crime thriller full of twists and turns and shocking surprises readers simply won’t see coming, The Winter Killings is a sharp, unpredictable and action-packed page-turner from Wes Marking readers will not want to miss.

The Winter Killings is Book 5 of The Yorkshire Murders series and a second read for me.

I liked the pace, the characters, the plot it was an engaging intense read.

This is my first novel from this author. Even though it can be read as a standalone, for me I definitely felt as though I was missing out on some of the nuances and connections of the relationships between the lead characters. I would definitely recommend reading the previous novels to get the most out of this book. This book was well plotted and moved at an excellent pace. The writing was excellent and I loved the characters.
The locations and wintery descriptions all added to the atmosphere.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

The ‘Winter Killings’ is the fifth book in the fabulous Yorkshire Murders series but it can be easily read as a stand-alone. It is a self-contained story but if you want to know more about the two protagonists' relationships and some of their actions it might be best if you read the whole series. Which won't be a chore as they a brilliant reads!

This outing is quite dark in its main topic but it deals with it with empathy and understanding. When DCI Emma Gardner is tasked with identifying a skull that has been found she doesn't have a lot of information to go with, mainly due to lack of a body! No one knows how old the skull is, whether it if even murder but there is definitely something sinister afoot as there was a target note placed within…

Apart from the main case Emma is still searching for missing DI Andy Riddick and has roped an old colleague turned private investigator into helping her. She finds him but refuses to give Gardner the information and ends up in a sticky situation.

I always fly through Wes Markin's books and this one was no exception, less than a day. I thought many aspects were sensitively portrayed and well written - from the main theme but also characters like Jess, a young woman with autism. There are some twists and turns you won't see coming and the reveals when they come are top-notch!

Let me know if you pick this one up!

"The Winter Killings," the fifth installment of The Yorkshire Murders series, can be read as a standalone, just like I started the series with the last and newest installment. As a fan of the crime/thriller genre, I found this novel to be a compelling read.
The story centers around DCI Emma Gardner, who, despite being a newcomer to North Yorkshire from Salisbury, shines as a single mother and a dedicated officer. Her personal life is just as complex as her professional one, juggling the responsibilities of raising her daughter Anabelle and niece Rose with the support of Monika, their Polish au pair.
The narrative introduces a cast of well-crafted characters, from the spirited DC Lucy O’Brien to the enigmatic Ray Barnett, each adding depth to the unfolding mystery. Jess Beaumont stands out as a particularly well-portrayed autistic character, adding a unique perspective to the tale.
The plot weaves multiple intriguing threads, from the search for Emma's missing colleague, DI Paul Riddick, to bizarre occurrences that add new spice to the story. I like the writer's style, the pace is spot-on, with each chapter making me more interested, and eager to uncover the next twist.
Overall, "The Winter Killings" is a masterful blend of suspense and character development, making me eager to dive into the rest of the series.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Winter Killings' by Wes Markin.

This book is fantastically written with vivid descriptions that absolutely grip the readers attention and puts them right in the middle of it all making your heart pound and you constantly second guessing.

OMG!!! I absolutely LOVED this dark, gritty, suspense packed explosive page turner!!! I well and truly love, love, LOVED this book (and series!) which had absolutely everything I could ask for in a psychological thriller!!! I would even go as far as saying this is the BEST book I have read this year and I am absolutely LANDED that there are 3 books that I can go back to and more to come in this amazing mind blowing series!!!! A huge success by Wes!! This book had me hook, line and sinker from the first page and I could not put it down!!! Every time I said one more chapter it ended on a cliff-hanger and I just had to know what was going on!!! This kept on happened over and over until before I knew it I had devoured the whole book in one sitting!! If you are going to read this then clear your day because it is truly unputdownable. I started this this morning and finished it at approx.1pm, reading it in one sitting. It is explosive and suspense filled throughout the book. Wes's evocative writing skills that has multiple perspectives gives the reader the full picture with vivid descriptions that brings the storyline and the characters to life throughout! This book is filled with crime, murder, drugs and more twists and turns than a rollercoaster as well as just as fast paced!! I will be counting down the days for the next book but I am definitely getting stuck into the rest book in this epic series while I am waiting!!! I have read hundreds of crime and psychological books but I have to say this has been one of the most unique, shocking and explosive ones I have ever read so a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Wes!!! It is getting harder and harder to shock me but your vivid imagination and evocative writing skills have completely blown my mind!!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!! Grab your copy and jump on the rollercoaster ride of tension, murder, torture, suspense, twists and everything you could ask for in an epic page turner!!! Wes's fantastic and evocative writing skills ensures you are sucked into the storyline feeling your heart pounding and the hair on your arms raise. This book is rammed with suspense, action and tension and will keep you biting your nails, on the edge of your seat with your heart pounding while your flipping the pages because you just cant stop.

It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture. I Absolutely LOVED this addictive, chilling, unique and action packed page turner that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout leaving me needing more!!! Although this is the fifth book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader. Wes's absolutely fantastic evocative writing skills brings each of the characters to life and leaves you feeling that you are standing next to them from the first page to the last. It is clear that Wes cares about his characters making them incredibly in depth and ensuring the readers see and feels everything that they are. Each of the characters were realistic, well rounded and strong characters which makes it a better and realistic read. All the characters were strong and realistic as well as having their own unique personalities. I was completely invested in each and every one of them. I loved meeting both DCI Emma Gardner and DI Paul Riddick again and getting to know them more. They are both fascinating and intriguing characters and I am looking forward to going back to the previous books in this series and getting to know them from the start although I had no problems reading this as a standalone. I loved watching their characters develop as individuals but also seeing their interactions together especially the chemistry between them. They work perfectly together and make a great team. They very quickly came to feel like friends after I read 'the Graveyard Killings' and I loved meeting them again in this book and am also looking forward to meeting them again and again. Regardless of whether you love them or hate them each of the characters played their parts perfectly!!!

ANOTHER MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EXTREMELY TALENTED WES ON YET ANOTHER ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, EXPLOSIVE, UNIQUE AND GRIPPING PAGE TURNING BOOK IN AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING SERIES. I CANNOT WAIT TO GO BACK AND READ ALL THE PREVIOUS BOOKS AND THEN ALL FUTURE BOOKS. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY YOU ARE ON MY TOP 3 MALE AUTHOR LIST WES AND HERE IS TO YOUR NEXT GUARANTEED SUCCESS 🥂!!!!!!!

Overall an absolutely gritty, unputdownable, dark and suspense packed page turner!! Grab your copy now!!!

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The Winter Killings is Book 5 of The Yorkshire Murders series, but was my first of his books and is perfectly fine to read as a standalone. I do enjoy a good crime/thriller book, it’s one of my favourite genres and this novel is a great read.
DCI Emma Gardner is our main character. She’s originally from Salisbury, but was seconded to North Yorkshire eighteen months previously. She is a divorced, single mum to Anabelle (8) and is also bringing up her niece Rose (9) with the help of a Polish au pair called Monika.
I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters, especially the police team. There’s DC Lucy O’Brien, who is in her late twenties, so younger than Emma, yet they definitely have a spark between them. I also really liked Ray Barnett, who has a connection to something discovered as part of the police investigation. Away from the police, I also liked Jess Beaumont, an autistic character, who is written really well.
There are a few different strands going on in the story. We have Emma trying to find her missing colleague – DI Paul Riddick – with the help of former police officer, now private investigator, Cecile Metcalf. We also have a couple of strange things happening - a real skull turning up in place of a fake one during a pub act, then a body being dumped at a farmhouse.
It is a perfectly paced book, I kept picking it up to read more as the storylines were intriguing and I wanted to know what was going to happen next. The chapters are a really good size, easy to keep reading! I thought the police team were a really interesting bunch and I’d love to read all the books in this series, as The Winter Killings is a brilliant book.

I'm so sorry, but I couldn't get into this book, maybe it's because I hadn't read the previous, it just didn't hold my attention.

A thespian telling pirate stories in a pub gets an almighty shock when his treasure chest reveals a real human skull but fortunately DCI Emma Gardner and DC Lucy O’Brien are in the audience and take control of the situation. Emma had been dying to get away and speak to her former mentor turned private investigator ex-DI Cecile Metcalf who has been tracking down the missing DI Paul Riddick for Emma. The reader already knows that he has been working in a sordid dirty house for a drug dealer and has just watched a new recruit die after having an adverse reaction to testing the new batch of drugs. Cecile refuses to tell Emma the location and decides to make contact with Riddick herself but her plan could put her in mortal danger. Soon the skeleton body to match the head is found by a farmer in a derelict barn and when an identification is made, it opens a murder case with links to very dark deeds in a homeless shelter. There are secrets from decades ago that powerful individuals kept very well hidden. Now someone is intent on bringing them into the light with terrible consequences for all involved.
I’m always excited to read anything new by this author as I know it will be great and this story was definitely no exception! It’s best to read this series in order to understand the continuing history between Emma and Riddick and the gruelling events that they have worked through together, as well as Riddick’s tragic back story that has led to his downward spiral. The team includes regulars 70s throwback DI Phil Rice and highly dependable DS Ray Barnett and they all work really well together under Emma’s guidance in a tremendously dark and sad case. I think is the best story so far in this excellent series and I can’t wait to see what comes next!

It was so good to be back with Emma and Riddick. I really love their partnership and connection, everything just works so well! In this book Emma finds herself in the middle of a tricky case with lots of questions and seemingly no obvious answers. I really enjoyed seeing the investigation play out and seeing each piece of new evidence come to light that. Although as usual that only brought more questions. While Emma had her difficulties, Riddick was decidedly in trouble and I was eager to see how it would all play out.

The plot itself moved quickly and my attention was kept throughout. I was just as eager as the characters to discover the truth. As ever the whole team brought something to the story but I do especially love Emma and Riddick’s characters. While The Winter Killings is part of a series I do think it’s possible to read this book as a standalone. However you really would be missing out on some fantastic books in this series. Especially with all the back stories and personal connections that hold more depth. So to be fair I would recommend starting with book one.

For me The Winter Killings had an intriguing cold case at its heart along with brilliant characters albeit with their flaws. This all combined to create a very interesting story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you fully invested in discovering the truth. I really enjoyed my time with this book!

The author creates a believable Yorkshire Winter ethos that perfectly matches the disturbing crimes and sadness this story evokes in the reader. It soon immerses you in its characters and events. DCI Emma Gardner is struggling emotionally with her family life and work relationships. Still haunted by the disappearance of her friend, Paul Riddick, she enlists the help of a friend and former colleague to find him. When she does, it further unsettles Emma's complicated life and emotions. A strange case stretches Emma's investigative team to its limits, leading them into a dark past to find the solution. Although this primary investigation is complete, it's best to read the books in series order to appreciate the intricacy and complex character relationships. It's absorbing and addictive reading with some impactful actions and insightful introspection. I like the investigation team relationships, DCI Emma Gardner's character development and the overriding mystery involving Paul Riddick.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I am a huge fan of Wes's work and have been for quite a while. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every book that he has released to date. I must admit that I am particularly enjoying the 'Yorkshire Murders' series. When I heard that Wes was due to release the fifth in the series, I knew that I had to grab a copy and read it just as soon as I could. Well ladies and gents the wait is over because the fifth book is called 'The Winter Killings' and it was released on 18th June 2024. It's another superb addition to a superb series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Winter Killings' but more about that in a bit.

The fact that I saw Wes's name on the cover of a book that I knew I hadn't read yet was enough to grab my attention and draw me in. As soon as I started reading, well that was it for me. I knew that I wouldn't be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the afternoon because I knew that I wasn't going to be able to put the book down. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. The characters intrigued me and I had to keep reading to see how their part in the story was going to pan out. I also had to keep reading to see if the overall story was going to turn out in the way in which I thought it would. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I was so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and also of how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'The Winter Killings'. I found 'The Winter Killings' to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

'The Winter Killings' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Wes Markin. Wes certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story and then some. For me, this story certainly started in a memorable way. The story hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. Wes describes his characters so vividly and realistically that they seem just as real as you and I. Reading 'The Winter Killings' was a bit like being on an at times rather scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I love the way in which Wes makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That's how I felt anyway.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Winter Killings' and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Wes's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

The story:
When DCI Emma Gardner goes for a drink with colleague Lucy O’Brien, she’s hoping to sort out what is becoming a complicated relationship. What she doesn’t expect is for local performer Robert Thwaites to discover some grisly remains amongst his props — a real human skull. Things get more confusing when the rest of the skeleton is discovered on the farm of John Atkinson — a man with no apparent connection to Thwaites. Are these old bones, or is this murder?

Meanwhile, Emma has a bigger worry on her mind — former DI and colleague, Paul Riddick has vanished, and even more worryingly, so has the private investigator Emma sent to search for him…

With a reduced team on the case and a friend in terrible danger, will Emma be able to untangle the truth?

My thoughts:
Just as the weather is starting to improve here in the UK, I have been engrossed in snowy Knaresborough with “The Winter Killings” — the latest in the Yorkshire Murders series.

I have followed this series from the start, and have become really invested in Emma Gardner and Paul Riddick’s stories. The events of the previous book left Riddick in a terrible place, and at the start of this story Emma has resorted to a private investigator to track him down. What she finds is shocking, but as always with Riddick, there is more to things than meets the eye…

The main mystery the team are challenged with this time is a really challenging one, made worse by a lack of manpower. As the Knaresborough team investigates, the trail leads them back to the past, and historic cover ups and abuse at a homeless shelter that potentially connect with one of the team, making the case even more challenging.

Also lurking in the background is the ongoing story of Emma’s sociopathic brother Jack — now in prison, but still with a connection to the mysterious Neville Fairweather…

This was a great read, with all the parts of the case coming together for dramatic revelations at the end. The author also leaves us on probably the worst cliffhanger yet, so I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next instalment from Emma and the team!