Unputdownable!
A Killing Cold by is a must-read for anyone who enjoys mystery thrillers set in remote wilderness locations. The author does a great job peeling back the layers of mis-information, cover-ups, and secrets as the main-character struggles to remember her past and reconcile with the present. The twists were fun - lots of red herrings - and the ending worked for me, not over-the-top, but satisfying. Mostly I liked hanging out with the MC as she interacted with her boyfriend’s family and tried to decide if one (or all) of them was gaslighting her, or if she was wrong about the only version of her past she could remember.

The audio was narrated by @karissavacker and wow, does she ever bring the characters and story to life! I even had the audiobook on while I was reading my physical copy as I thought she did a much better job of reading the story then the voice in my head 😂 I’m adding Karissa to my list of must-listen to audiobook narrators.

When Theo met Connor Dalton, it was love at first sight. There was something so familiar about him, she was sure they had met before. Six months later, they are newly engaged and, on their way, to meet the powerful Dalton family for their isolated winter retreat in Idlewood. Theo is anxious to meet the family, someone has been leaving her threatening messages to stay away from the Daltons and she cannot get over how familiar the mountain is. When she finds a photo of herself as a child in one of the cabins, fragments of her forgotten childhood start to come together. But Theo is not safe, the Dalton's like to keep their secrets buried and some will do anything to make sure it stays that way.

A Killing Cold is a fast-paced mystery/thriller. Theo is not only trying to piece together her memories of her childhood and what happened on the mountain all those years ago but trying to figure out who she can trust in the Dalton family. Can she trust the love of her life or was this all an elaborate plan to get her to the mountain? I was completely hooked and couldn't put this down as each chapter seemed to uncover another piece of the puzzle. The flashbacks of Theo's childhood were heartbreaking but also answered a lot of questions into Theo's actions on the mountain. If you are looking for a thrilling mystery for this winter, I would recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to review A Killing Cold. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow, this was a wild ride from start to finish! The story is packed with twists and turns that kept me guessing right up until the end. The story focuses on the mystery identity of the main character, Theo, when she can't recall her childhood before she was adopted. She starts having flashes of memory while staying at her wealthy fiancé’s family lodge. Since his family is already a bit unsure of her, the tension and hostility surrounding her only build the suspense as the plot builds. Cue the the Daltons shady, extra juicy secrets and despicable skeletons in their closet. Theo tries to piece her memories together as the dangerous truths about the Dalton family unravel.

I absolutely loved Karissa Vacker as the narrator for the audiobook! Her character voicing elevates the story to another level, making it a must-listen for anyone who enjoys a thrilling, high-stakes mystery!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the opportunity to listen to the advanced audio copy in exchange for my honest opinions!

4.25 ⭐️ Advanced Reader Review!

Theo and Connor just got engaged only after just a few months of dating. Together, they go to Connor’s family’s winter retreat, Idlewood, to meet everyone and spend the holidays together.

Before even arriving, Theo receives threatening notes telling her to leave Connor alone. Once at Idlewood, the notes don’t stop, and even stranger, Theo begins to remember things about her own childhood. Has she been here before? As secrets and lies are uncovered, is Theo safe at Idlewood?

My thoughts: I thought this book was a fun mystery/thriller with winter vibes. The setting was very atmospheric, and the cast of characters were very compelling. It was bit difficult to keep track exactly who everyone was at first, but once I figured it out, I realized all of the characters served a purpose.

My only critique would be the pacing. I feel as though some parts of the book raced by, while others dragged on. I thought the ending was a little rushed, but I like how everything turned out in the end.

Karissa Vacker is one of my favorite narrators, and she did an amazing job on this book! I love her ability to portray both men and women with it sounding goofy.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to receive it in Book of the Month and to have the audiobook! 4.25 stars.

This thriller was exceptionally well done! Each plot development unveiled a new twist, secret, and lie. The ending was truly satisfying. I highly recommend it!

Thank you, #Netgalley and #MacmillanAudio for this ARC.

This was very similar to the family game. It was a cozy snowy mystery but I did guess most things from the beginning. I enjoyed the characters and family dynamic since it is similar to the family game. I would recommend though! The audiobook was very intriguing

Okay, this book was wild. From the start, A Killing Cold pulls you into a tense and amospheric thriller that feels like a psychological horror movie. Theo thinks she’s just meeting her fiances fancy and judgmental family at their winter retreat, but things get creepy fast. The isolated setting, the mysterious warnings, and the footprints in the snow all builds this unsettling tension. And then she finds a photo of herself as a child at this place she doesn’t even remember! Kate Alice Marshall is so good at writing these eerie and burning mysteries, and this one is no exception. Theo’s unraveling memories and the family’s secrets kept me hooked, and the way the story slowly pieces together her past was both chilling and addictive. Plus, Karissa Vacker’s narration is phenomenal! She makes every moment feel even more intense. If you love thrillers with a psychological twist, you need to pick this one up!

I thought this book was absolutely incredible, especially as an audiobook. Maybe it's because I listen at 1.5% speed, but I felt such a rush every time things started to pick up in the story telling. I wouldn't mind listening to it again just because I enjoyed it so much, which I don't usually do. 5 stars!

I’ve read my fair share of thrillers, and unfortunately, A Killing Cold didn’t quite stand out for me.

The Plot:

A woman joins her fiancé’s family at their secluded wilderness retreat, only to discover they’re hiding a chilling secret. A classic setup unfolds— a snowstorm traps them, danger lurks, and the tension rises. While the premise had potential, the storyline felt predictable, relying on familiar tropes.

The first half of the book was slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. Many of the plot points felt far-fetched, and I struggled to connect with most of the characters. There were also noticeable gaps in the story that left me wanting more depth and explanation. That said, the book does deliver plenty of twists—though they all seem to come at once near the end, making for a rushed payoff.

One highlight for me was the audiobook narration by Karissa Vacker. She does a phenomenal job bringing the story to life, using distinct voices for each character and infusing excitement into key moments. If not for her performance, I may have set this one aside unfinished.

While A Killing Cold wasn’t a favorite of mine, I know many readers have loved it. If you’re a fan of snowy, isolated thrillers with big reveals, it might be worth checking out for yourself!

Publication Date: 2.4.25
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Theo and Connor just got engaged. They haven’t met each other’s families yet so Theo is nervous and excited to visit Connor’s whole family for Christmas at their mountainside estate, Idlewood. Connor has his secrets, and Theo does too. But this trip is life changing. Theo’s background is a mystery. The truth will come out - are Connor and Theo ready? Can their relationship survive? More importantly, can they survive?

The audiobook was great. The narrator gave personality to the characters, and ratcheted up the tension as needed. Sometimes, especially with an audiobook, it is hard to keep track of all of the characters, particularly if there are a large number of characters. But in this case, each character had their own way of speaking, which along with the storyline, informed the character’s personality.

It was fast paced with lots of action. The plot stretched back to the previous twenty years from multiple perspectives. Many times, a memory sparked the retelling of the past. Some questions were answered after being asked directly from one character to another, and some answers were provided when the storyline moved back in the past.

Many points of the plot could be predicted by someone familiar with the genre, but not all. Some reveals were truly surprising. I thought the ending was sweet but pretty far fetched. Throughout the story and at the end, things tied together a bit too easily. No loose ends. Sometimes a little bit of uncertainty goes a long way. Overall, though, it was worth the listen. I did listen to it instead of watching tv more than once, so that says something!

I’m so happy I got the ARC for this audiobook. I’ve recently been into audiobooks as I’ve been busier - it keeps me reading (in a way) while getting my stuff done.

I LOVED the storyline of this book. It wasn’t the most spooky or thrilling, but definitely interesting and easy to follow.

The main characters were very likeable, and the author did a great job of introducing new facts that solidify the hatred/love towards a character.

I’m so glad they kept dutchess in the end lol.

3.75/5

This is my third book by Kate Alice Marshall. Definitely enjoyed the snowy and remote atmosphere, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. The main character kind of annoyed me, and I guessed some of the plot twists. Overall it was a fun, okay read, but was lacking a bit.

I'm a HUGE fan of "What Lies in the Woods" so I was beyond excited for "A Killing Cold". Kate's writing is very well done, and I enjoyed this thriller a lot!

I was so invested in who I could trust and what happened years ago when Theo was young. The building sense of anticipation and danger kept me invested the whole time. This book made me realize how much I love a book that takes place in only one setting. The remote winter cabins were the perfect setting!

The narrator on this one was great as well! Fans of fast-paced and suspenseful thrillers (with a dash of romance) will LOVE this one!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! :)

I tandem read and listened to this and it was amazing! The narrator kept my interest the entire time. The thrill and mystery of A Killing Cold is phenomenal.

Rating: 3.25★
The story follows a girl who does not know her true past as she ends up in a secluded mansion/resort of her fiancé’s family for Christmas…family secrets start to come out and people die. While it’s a page‐turner and has a nice slow‐burn tension, I found parts of the mystery a little underdeveloped. Still, a good chill‐inducing read for a cold night. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fastastic job. Not my favorite of Marshall's but definitely worth a read!

I was hooked from the start; there were so many clues. I kept thinking I figured it out, but I was wrong.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Macmillan Audio for this ARC.

A Killing Cold written by Kate Alice Marshall and narrated by Karissa Vacker was a page-turning thriller that kept me on my toes. Karissa Vacker made the twists, turns, and drama all the more enjoyable with her seamless narration.

A Killing Cold follows Theo through a weekend getaway with her new fiancé that turns into quickly begins to spiral with years of family secrets. If you are a fan of Freida McFadden, run to read this book ASAP.

Really enjoyed this! This book has the perfect balance of twists, whodunnit and character work. I also love the snowy setting. A fantastic winter read!!

This fun and fast-paced thriller had me engaged from the start and kept me enthralled until the very last page. It has all the elements I appreciate in a good thriller: lots of family drama and buried secrets, nobody is as they seem, a locked-door mystery to solve, and lots of twists!

Newly-engaged couple Theodora and Connor visit Connor's family's winter hunting retreat on an isolated mountain. Theo's future in-laws aren't too thrilled about how quickly their relationship is progressing, and are hinting that she's after his money. Theo might be hiding something, but the Dalton family isn't exactly innocent either, and she can't shake the feeling that someone is watching her. When Theo finds a photo of herself as a child hidden in one of the unused cabins, proof that she had been there before, the family's secrets, and Theo's, start to unravel.

Narrator Karissa Vacker did an excellent job of bringing the suspense of this story to life. The audio production of this book was done very well.

This was a typical Kate Alice Marshall book. Slow reveal, twisty and suspenseful. Built on characters more than the plot. I think she's staying safe and it's one that will not make big waves or make you think about it for a long time. Kind of unremarkable.

The narrator was very good and easy to listen to.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my ALC. It was a pleasure.