Theo Scott, an orphan, has met the man of her dreams and she is about to meet his family and spend Christmas at their remote mountain compound. But suddenly she is receiving mysterious texts from an anonymous stranger warning her away from Conner. Theo, adopted at four by a zealous couple had a troubled and abusive childhood. She has been haunted by recurring nightmares for as long as she can remember, but her first four years are a blank. At Connor’s family retreat, Theo realizes that she has been there before as a young child, and her memories are slowly revealing the truth behind her nightmares.

Marshall’s thriller is a fast-paced, twisty tale of a rich corrupt family who will stop at nothing to cover up their crimes, but how deep does the conspiracy go? Is Theo’s fiancé Connor involved in the cover- up? “ A Killing Cold”will keep you up reading late into the night. Unputdownable.

A twisty thriller that kept me on my toes. Secluded and alone with her future in laws, Theo can't shake the feeling that she's been here before. Is this a product of the trauma from her past or are her in laws hiding something more sinister?

This book kept me guessing the whole way through. I loved the characters and enjoyed the secluded setting which gave me horror movie vibes. Karissa Vacker narrates this book and per usual did not disappoint. Incredibly talented and enjoyable to listen to. Highly recommend this to anyone who likes thriller/mystery.

I'm a fan of Kate Alice Marshall and was lucky enough to get a widget for her newest audiobook thanks to my besties over at Macmillan Audio :-D

Grab this story -- OUT NOW!

Would recommend if you love:
-characters with tragic background
-locked room vibes
-tons of family secrets

This author can really set up a character with a tragic past. I love the mystery and high-tension moments in her stories. This had a locked room feel with everyone being at the family's secluded property during the winter and surprise, surprise, there is no cell service up there (gasp). This had lots of twists and kept me guessing. There are so many characters that were hard to read. I never knew who to trust!

I went into this pretty blind and would recommend doing the same. It was fun to uncover the mystery(ies) right along with Theo rather than knowing things that would happen based on the blurb.

I love Karissa Vacker as a narrator and thought she did a great job here. I was kept 'in' the story and her emotions felt right with the story.

I really enjoyed the audio version of this book. The narrator was great and I devoured the story. It had just the right amount of suspense. I highly recommend this one!

This book was everything I want in a thriller! I listened to it in one sitting! The story moved at just the right speed with revelations coming at just the right moments. The main character, Theo, clearly has secrets, but I was rooting for her the entire time, and I didn't know who to trust in the rest of the cast, which is a trope I love.

While the story is not exceptionally original, Marshall executed it perfectly. The twists were satisfying but fitting, and I loved how the story ended. There was just the right amount of thrill to keep me invested but not keep me awake at night.

Karissa Vacker's narration was top notch! She brought an original voice to each character, and she captured the suspense of the novel.

"In the house in the woods the girl waits for the monster to come...hiding as best as she can... she's good at that, she has to be. When the monster comes you don't want to be noticed...the door opens...the monster is here."

Now that's the way to get my thriller loving heart's attention. Teeming with twists, in a bitter cold setting, and a slow burn reveal, A Killing Cold, by cunning author Kate Alice Marshall, is a chilling murder mystery thriller.

Theodora (Theo) Scott has a whirlwind romance with wealthy Connor Dalton and six months later they are meeting his family at the Dalton winter retreat compound. As Theo looks out at the snow covered landscape she can't help the goosebumps that gather, not from the cold weather, but the chills down her back. All she can think is, "I've been here before."

She doesn't understand the cold shoulder from Connor's Mom, or his uncle constantly asking if they've met before, and then there the ominous note, "Stay away from Connor Dalton."

Nobody does a breathy scared to death voice like voice actress Karissa Vacker. I felt her fear throughout my soul. As traumatic memories from her childhood emerge, Theo feels the sharp pain of them like icicles through her heart.

Why is this winter wonderland filled with dreaded familiarity? Why does this ultra rich family seem to fear her? Why can't she remember her past? Is Dalton behind whatever is going on with his suspicious family? A Killing Cold slowly lets the icy past melt and leaves a slick sheet of lies, cover ups and murder.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a fun, fast-paced, and twisty thriller with an isolated winter setting. It has everything I love in a good thriller. Secrets lies and so much family dysfunction.

When Theo goes with her fiance Conner to his family's remote getaway compound of cabins, she's nervous but has no idea what she's getting into. Meeting the rich and powerful Dalton family is a daunting prospect, and Theo isn't prepared for all the secrets that will unravel and the memories she will unlock.

I enjoyed A Killing Cold with its wintery setting and unlikable characters, all of them with something to hide. I listened to the audiobook version of this book narrated by Karissa Vacker. She was perfectly suited to this story and did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. I also own the physical copy, and it was nice going back and reading some parts. You really can't go wrong with whatever version of this book you choose to read.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for this ALC. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book had a really strong start but ended up dragging towards the end and kind of lost my interest. I really enjoyed the concept of rich family with secrets and a stranger coming into the mix only to= discover all their dirty little secrets actually involve her.

I enjoyed Theodora Scott's character and the slow reveal of her background that she has forgotten that built up throughout the book. Connor's character to me seemed really underdeveloped compared to Theodora so it was an odd mixing for a relationship.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the performance by Karissa Vacker was well done.

I didn't read too many thrillers in 2024 and I was itching for a good thriller when this one caught my eye. It had all the marks of a mystery that would captivate me -- remote winter location, a shady, wealthy family with secrets to hide, a whirlwind romance with some ominous threats... and captivate me it did!

I enjoyed the characters, even the unlikeable ones, who all seemed to have something to hide. The audio, narrated by Karissa Vacker, was fantastic. You can't go wrong with the audio or the print version with this one!

Read if you love a little family drama mixed with a "locked-room" setting and secrets galore. Good for fans of A Family Game.

Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for my advanced reader copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

A fast-paced psychological thriller that I could not put down. I love stories about dysfunctional families and this one is right up there with the best of them. Theo (Theodora) and Connor have a quick engagement and decide to meet up with his family at their family compound. Some of the events that happened towards the end of the book felt far-fetched. There were some unexpected twists that made the story fun. The why behind everyone’s actions is what makes a good book great. There were so many secrets that Connor’s entire family kept from the outside world and from each other. This was a fun read that kept me on my toes. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic, I really felt like I was in Theo’s head the entire time.

4.5 Stars
Theodora “Theo” Scott is meeting her fiancé’s family for the first time at their private getaway nestled in a picturesque mountain setting. She’s a ball of nerves hoping to win their approval and hoping they won’t look too closely at her past. However, Theo can’t shake the feeling that she’s been to Idlewood before. When she hears about the tragic death of Connor’s father, memories start to shake loose.

Being at Idlewood, a remote family retreat, hard to get to and without cell service made it a sort of “locked room” kind of mystery! Very atmospheric with a sinister undercurrent!

I kept wondering who could be trusted! One minute I’d think this character is safe and the next not-so-much. Even Theo had her secrets, which were gradually revealed. I liked her and was rooting for her! I was outraged over her past, but happily, Theo wasn’t one to just take it lying down!

Oooh, this got twisty in the end, a surprise around every corner! Was some of it over-the-top? Yes. Was it an utterly fun thrill ride even so? Definitely! I listened to this in one sitting, not being able to stop! I had to know how it all turned out!

Karissa Vacker is one of my favorite audio narrators and she nailed the performance of both male and female characters! A definite recommend!

AHHH! my first audiobook, lol. I liked the narration a lot. I have only read…with my eyes? never my ear and I was truly surprised how easy the narration was. I was listening while working from home and playing mobile games.

I really enjoyed it. on to my actual review.

I liked it. but I didn’t like it enough. I will always be a late Kate Alice Marshall stan and everything she puts out, I WILL be reading of course but this wasn’t a stand out of her work.

It was easy to fly through but I didn’t connect with the characters at all. I didn’t care about any of them, I was drawn in.

I loved the setting, a snowy mountain, isolated, no cell service, that’s my thing but I just couldn’t care less about these characters especially the main character and her love interest. I was like..you guys like each other frl? I didn’t feel their chemistry.

But I do love the author’s book and will always pick up one up when she releases. I don’t think the story was bad but maybe just not for me. Loved the audio version though!

From the moment Theo Scott steps into the secluded winter retreat of the Dalton family, the tension begins to mount, creating a palpable sense of unease that lingers throughout the novel.

The story unfolds with a gripping hook: Theo, newly engaged to the charming Connor Dalton, must navigate the judgment of his powerful family while reckoning with disturbing messages and a creeping sense that she's been to this place before. As Marshall expertly peels back the layers of Theo’s past, readers are taken on a wild ride filled with twists and chilling revelations.

Marshall’s strength lies in crafting vivid, wintry settings that heighten the suspense, making Idlewood as much a character as any member of the Dalton family. The isolation of the retreat adds to the claustrophobic atmosphere, amplifying every threat, from footprints in the snow to long-buried secrets.

The only reason this isn't a full five-star read is that some plot elements veer slightly into predictable territory, particularly toward the climax. A few characters, especially within the Dalton family, felt underdeveloped, leaving their motivations less compelling than Theo’s gripping narrative arc.

Overall, A Killing Cold is a chilling, page-turning thriller perfect for fans of The Guest List and The Last House on Needless Street. With its fast pace, rich atmosphere, and strong protagonist, it’s a must-read for anyone who loves a dark, wintry mystery with a shocking secret at its core.

This book has the unfortunate circumstance of being read after a month full of incredible stories.

If you’re looking for an eerie thriller, A Killing Cold will definitely scratch that itch. Secrets, twists, and suspense aplenty — many readers will enjoy Kate Alice Marshall’s latest release.

As for me, I liked it. The beginning sucked me into the story. Though, I feel I may have lost interest if I hadn’t listened to this in audio. Karissa Vacker is one of my favorite narrators, and she does an excellent job.

I recommend reading during the cold wintry months for peak vibes, and the audio is great!

My mood and heart just weren’t fully in it for this one.

My rating: 3.75⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This story sucked me in from the very beginning. I couldn't put it down nor did I know where it was going to go next. Theo and Connor were engaged after a whirlwind romance, and they're now embarking on a two-week Christmas visit to his family's remote mountain retreat, where she'll meet Connor's family for the first time. This book has everything, rich people behaving badly, secrets, murder. A very big yes for me!

From the very first page, A Killing Cold had me hooked, and I couldn’t put it down - I finished it in a day! This twisty, atmospheric thriller is packed with tension, and jaw-dropping reveals that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Theo’s journey to uncover the dark truth about her fiancé’s family (and her own past) was absolutely gripping. The isolated winter setting added the perfect layer of suspense, making every shadow and every footprint in the snow feel ominous. And those plot twists? Perfection. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story threw me for another loop!

I did a dual read (audio + physical), and I have to say - Karissa Vacker’s narration was phenomenal. Her voice truly brought the characters and eerie atmosphere to life, making the experience even more immersive.

This was my first book by Kate Alice Marshall, but it definitely won’t be my last! If you love thrillers with nonstop action, an unreliable past, and a chilling setting, A Killing Cold needs to be on your tbr!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this title in exchange for my honest review!

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 294 / Genre: Mysteries & Thrillers
Audiobook Narrator: Karissa Vacker
Duration: 9 hours 41 minutes
Release Date: February 4, 2025
🥳#HappyPubDay!🎉

Newly engaged Theodora Scott is off to meet her fiancé’s wealthy family at their isolated winter retreat. She’s especially nervous about making a good impression on this influential family because she herself is estranged from her adopted parents and has no memory of her biological family or even her real name. But as she meets each family member and spends time at their isolated winter retreat, her memories start coming back to her, releasing long-hidden secrets.

This was a thrilling mystery with some nice twists. I felt like there were too many similar relatives though, making it hard to keep track. But Karissa Vacker did an excellent job narrating each character nonetheless.

Thank you, @Macmillan.Audio and @NetGalley for my gifted copy.

Set at Idlewood, a private estate on a secluded mountain, Theo gets to meet her new fiance's wealthy family for the first time for Christmas; but a cheery holiday welcome is certainly not what she gets.
We follow Theodora Scott, who was adopted at a young age after a traumatic event. Because of this, she does not remember her real name or any memories of the first part of her life. Theo's history is clouded in mystery from not just the reader, but from herself as well. But all of this changes when she finds a baby picture of herself at one of the cabins at Idlewood. We then delve into a mysterious web of relationships trying to uncover what happened to her and her mother and why she can't remember her past, and why Idlewood is starting to become strikingly familiar.
Each of the characters in this novel are individual and memorable, which is quite a feat considering the depth of intertwined relationships and dynamics. The mystery kept me hooked and the weaving of timelines was done very well. The highlight of the novel was definitely the mastery of the setting. Kate Alice Marshall was able to fully immerse me into the wintery setting in such a striking way - I truly felt like I was at risk of hypothermia when reading portions of the novel.
Overall, this was a super fun winter mystery thriller that I would recommend broadly.
4 stars

This is a perfect thriller for a winter read! We follow Theodora (Theo) Scott, a girl in her mid-twenties who is freshly engaged to Connor Dalton and currently spending 2 weeks at his family’s lodge, with the entire family. Theo and Connor have only been dating for a few months, and Theo is desperate to keep her personal history a secret from Connor and his family. But the Daltons are a powerful and wealthy family, and they’re not going to let just anyone join their ranks.
But Theo has other things to worry about. Like the foreboding texts warning her to stay away from the family. The footsteps outside their cabin’s window, where someone clearly watched her and Connor. An abandoned cabin that no one talks about. The mysterious whispered conversations the family has about Theo when she’s not in the room. And why it all seems familiar.
The pacing for this book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. As we bounce between Theo’s current predicament, her childhood memories, and the secret she’s trying to keep, the tension gets higher and higher. As we learn more about each of the Daltons, there’s more questions than answers, and it seems like none of them should be trusted.
This has definitely become my favorite Kate Alice Marshall book, and I think it’s a perfect thriller! The cast is fascinating, with every character hiding their fair share of secrets. The main character, Theo, acknowledges that she’s a very unreliable narrator, leaving the reader with no one to wholly believe. The hostile environment of an isolated lodge that only the family can access is terrifying without any context, but becomes claustrophobic as the plot presses on.
I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a classic psychological thriller or to anyone looking to break out of a reading slump. And if you’re very specifically looking for a thriller in a winter setting, this is a perfect pick!
Thanks to Netgalley and Flatiron Books for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

If you're looking for a spooky locked room atmospheric thriller, look no further! I loved the isolated winter lodge vibes, complete with the moneyed soon to be in-laws who do not seem to overly approve of you. the narrator was fabulous, but I did find myself getting a little confused as we were moving through characters so quickly with not a ton of character development. I really enjoyed the main character, Theo Scott's peek into her past and how it is now affecting her present.

Overall a solid read!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, all opinions are my own