This is was the first book I listened to by Kate Alice Marshall and I had such a great time with this book. Karissa Vacker was the narrator of this book and I thought she did a wonderful job. She held my attention and kept me entertained the entire time. The story and the characters were well written.

When Theo met Connor who is wealthy, charming and a member of a wealthy family, she fell in love instantly. Six months later, he’s brought her to Idlewood, his family’s isolated winter retreat, to win over his skeptical relatives. Theo receives threatening messages that she ignores but can't ignore that something weird is going on at this retreat.

One day while out walking she finds a cabin that hasn't been used in years and finds the unthinkable: a picture of herself as a child taken at Idlewood. Theo has no recollection of her earliest years but slowly she starts remembering things. Why is there a photo pf her here? What happened when she was here? So many questions but what will she like the answers?

This book had me drawn in quickly. I was on the edge of my seat in the end trying to figure out what was going to happen. Then all the twists and turns made me feel like I was on a rollercoaster ride. This one definitely took me for a ride and I had one heck of a good time on it. I would highly recommend this book. I definitely look forward to checking out other books by Kate Alice Marshall.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ALC for my honest opinion.



Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ALC for my honest opinion.

4.5 Stars - rounding up ❄️🔪
I was absolutely thrilled to win a paperback ARC of "A Killing Cold" through the Flatiron First Edition giveaway! It's been sitting on my shelf for a bit, but I finally picked it up, and it was worth the wait!

This is my second journey through the mind of Kate Alice Marshall, and she truly has a knack for crafting jaw-dropping twists and shocks! I also scored an early audiobook version, thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley. The narration by Karissa Vacker, one of my all-time favorite narrators, brings so much atmosphere to the story, and she nailed the eerie vibe. Picture a remote estate owned by a wealthy family, surrounded by a foreboding forest—a perfect backdrop for the tale that unfolds during an intense winter storm. It gives the story a chilling edge!

The tale follows Theo, who meets Connor from an ultra-wealthy family, and after a whirlwind romance, they get engaged. But when Theo visits the exclusive Idlewild Estate to meet Connor's family, things don't go as planned. His family is suspicious that Theo's just after their money, and on top of that, Theo is pretty mysterious, which doesn't help her case. The plot thickens as Theo's mysterious past surfaces, with haunting flashbacks about being at the estate as a child.

This book is an absolute page-turner you won't want to put down! I can't recommend it enough!

#AKillingKind #KarissaVacker #KateAliceMarshall #NetGalley #MacAudio2024 #FlatironFirstEditionGiveaway #FlatironPublishing #MacMillanAudio

This one starts off sloooowwww, it wasn’t until about 35% in that the story really picked up, and we began piecing together the puzzle of Theo’s life before she met Connor and her fate at Idlewood. It offers a chilling glimpse into how the upper echelon lives, giving me serious Murdaugh family vibes.
Who killed who and why? How did Theo get tangled up with this family? Was she hunted? If you love stories about toxic families, the wealthy behaving badly, and plenty of mystery, this one’s for you.

That said, I knocked off two stars for the incredibly terrible and, in my opinion, completely unbelievable ending. It just didn't seem plausible to me.

A Killing Cold is the newest book from Kate Alice Marshall. I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of the audiobook, narrated by Karissa Vacker. As usual, Karissa Vacker does an excellent job narrating this thriller. A Killing Cold tells the story of Theo who is heading to the mountains to spend Christmas with her new fiancé, Connor's, mega rich family. There is a lot of mystery surrounding Theo's past and even she doesn't know all the details. As soon as she arrives at the mountain retreat, memories from her childhood and a suspicious connection to Connor's family start to emerge. I found this book to be entertaining enough. It was your typical thriller. Easy to follow with no amazing twist. I didn't have to think too much about it which is nice for an audiobook. As far as Marshall's books go, this is not my favorite but I surmise many will find it enjoyable.

Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC of "A Killing Cold" by Kate Alice Marshall on audiobook! This was a solid ⭐⭐⭐.5 read for me. The isolated winter setting and the mysterious family definitely created an eerie atmosphere. The mystery kept me guessing. Overall, a good thriller for fans of locked-room mysteries with family secrets.

“A Killing Cold” is one of those thrillers that’s easy to get through but hard to get excited about. The premise—rich people trapped in an isolated location, secrets and grudges bubbling to the surface—is one we’ve all seen before. While it has potential for tension and drama, it doesn’t really bring anything new to the table.

The plot leans heavily on one major coincidence, and whether or not you can go along with it might determine how much you enjoy the book. For me, it felt too convenient, like the whole story was propped up on a shaky foundation. And while there are twists, they’re more predictable than shocking—if you’ve read a fair share of thrillers, you’ll probably see them coming.

That said, it’s not bad. The writing is fine, the pacing moves quickly, and the setting is atmospheric enough to keep you turning pages. It’s just not a standout. If you’re looking for something new or groundbreaking, this isn’t it, but it’s an okay way to pass the time.

Author Kate Alice Marshall is a pro at creating gripping, terrifying, and mysterious thrillers, her newest is no exception. Wealth, winter, and weddings combine for an intriguing plot as Theo enters the family's retreat for the first time. With no memories of her childhood, some warning texts, and odd memories resurfacing, Marshall quickly draws us in.

I requested this because it was heavily recommended but it just didn't do it for me. I didn't like the characters and I found it dull and one-dimensional. The big secret seemed far fetched too.

This was a good popcorn thriller. I wasn't sure about it early on but the pace really picked up about 1/3 way in and I read to the end in one sitting.

If a remote setting in winter and a wealthy family with issues are your thing you'll want to check out A Killing Cold. I really enjoyed it!

Narration: Karissa Vacker's performance is perfection. I love how she voices female and especially male characters.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for allowing me early access to the Audiobook in exchange for my opinion. 3.5 stars

This is the third book I read by this author and I absolutely loved it just like the other two books. I love Kate Alice Marshall's way of telling a story which grabs the reader's attention from the beginning.
The story follows Theo who is recently engaged to Connor. Connor invites her to his family's cabin for a winter retreat. Theo has her concerns about going because Connor's family is very wealthy and he had warned her that it is important to seek their approval, especially his grandparents approval.
Upon her arrival strange this start to happen, texts warning her to stay away, family acting secretive and she experiences deja vu. She has a feeling that she has been on this property before and we start learning part of Theo's past.
There are many twists and turn once Theo starts remembering her past. She doesn't know who she can trust in this family or if she can even trust the man she loves.
I love books that take place in secluded areas and this one did not disappoint.

Regarding the narrator, let me just say that anything narrated by Karissa Vacker is amazing!!! She is one of my favorite narrators so if you listen to audiobooks don't pass this one up!

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillon Audio. All opinions are my own.

Kate Alice Marshall’s A Killing Cold is an enthralling blend of psychological suspense and atmospheric mystery. Set in the icy isolation of Idlewood, the Dalton family’s luxurious winter retreat, this novel pulls readers into a tangled web of love, secrets, and danger.

Theodora Scott, our protagonist, is relatable and compelling—a woman swept into a whirlwind romance with Connor Dalton, only to discover that the powerful Dalton family harbors dark secrets. From the moment Theo arrives at Idlewood, Marshall builds a sense of foreboding with vivid descriptions of the snowbound retreat and its eerie isolation. As Theo grapples with menacing messages, mysterious footprints, and a shocking photograph that ties her past to Idlewood, the suspense tightens like a noose.

Marshall excels at pacing, keeping the twists coming while giving readers time to unpack Theo’s fragmented memories and piece together the Daltons’ sinister motivations. The novel’s strength lies in its ability to balance emotional stakes with the creeping dread of discovery, making readers feel both Theo’s vulnerability and her determination to uncover the truth.

While the central mystery is compelling, some plot points feel slightly familiar to fans of the genre, and the resolution, though satisfying, leans on well-worn tropes. However, Marshall’s atmospheric writing and Theo’s emotional journey elevate the story, delivering a tense and immersive experience.

For fans of psychological thrillers with a gothic edge, A Killing Cold is a must-read. It’s a chilling reminder that the past doesn’t stay buried—and that some secrets are worth killing for.

Another slam dunk from Kate Alice Marshall in this one! While we have definitely all read these types of stories before, (girl gets engaged/goes off to fiance's private family home/things are not as they seem), Marshall delivers with well painted characters that keep you guessing as to who the deviants truly are. I received the audiobook ARC of this one, and the narration and delivery were supurb. This novel kept me engaged and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending, as well.

A quick engagement has Connor’s wealthy family concerned about Theo’s intentions so when they all get together it makes sense that they would begin asking her about her family, right? What Theo did not expect was for everything to be so familiar. Has she been here before? Has she met these people before?
This gripping novel will have you guessing until the end and trust me it is worth it. The audio narration by Karissa Vacker was gripping and propulsive. Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This book was amazing! Theo meets Connor and while on vacation meeting his family for the first time after getting engaged Theo discovers his family has a lot to hide. There are secrets coming from every member of Connor's family as well as the secret's Theo is keeping about her past and who she really is.
While being at this isolated family retreat, Theo uncovers so many locked memories. This audiobook and narrator were amazing. Thanks, Net Galley for providing me with the copy to listen to. I was fully emersed into the story. Listening to the plot play out was great and I finished it in one day.

This was so good! There were certainly parts that were unrealistic, but it was such a fun ride. It kept me engaged the whole time wondering who was involved in the mystery and what part they played. I really enjoyed the way the story progressed and played out.

I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Karissa Vacker and she did a fabulous job. I was able to listen for hours and get completely lost in the story. She was totally believable as our MC.

I've read several of Marshall's books now and I always find them to be well-written and entertaining. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next. I think this is the third audio I've listened to that was written by Marshall and narrated by Vacker. They make a great team and I'm hoping to listen to more by the duo.

This might be my favorite Kate Alice Marshall yet. The story follows a woman who accepts an invitation to her wealthy fiancé's family retreat, only to discover that she's been there before—a fact that should be impossible given her history. As she arrives at the secluded winter lodge, she must confront not only her mysterious connection to this place but also her own fractured past as an adopted child with no memory of her biological family. Marshall's strength lies in her ability to build tension like layers of ice, each chapter adding another crystalline sheet of suspense. The pace starts strong and intensifies dramatically in the final quarter, creating a reading experience that's both exhausting and exhilarating, I listened to the whole thing in two days. The author masterfully employs foreshadowing and the gradual unlocking of blocked memories to keep readers perched on the edge of their seats. The winter setting isn't just backdrop—it's practically a character itself, with the isolation and bitter cold serving as perfect metaphors for the protagonist's psychological journey. The snow that piles up outside mirrors the mounting lies and secrets within the lodge, stacking higher and higher as the story progresses.The family drama aspect of the novel is particularly well-executed, think Catherine Steadman’s “The Family Game”. Rather than relying on cheap thrills or shock value, Marshall delves deep into the complexities of family relationships, both chosen and biological. The result is a richer, more nuanced thriller that satisfies on both an emotional and intellectual level. Each revelation is carefully timed, each twist earned through meticulous groundwork laid in earlier chapters. The final quarter of the book delivers a series of stunning revelations that will have readers reassessing everything they thought they knew. Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance listener copy.

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you Flatiron Publishing for sending me this physical ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I also received an audiobook from NetGalley, thank you!
Pub Date: 2/4/25

I’m a fan of Marshall’s writing style and thrillers.
This one had a good setting and plot.
Characters were easy to follow and keep up with.
The twists were good, but not jaw dropping.
The final twist was equally as decent but not profound.

Worth the read.
Would recommend for a snowy retreat and a warm fireplace with wine or hot chocolate.

I was sucked in from the start with this thriller, waiting to see what was really going on in the lives of Connor and Theo. How did they get together and how were things going to go finally meeting the family? There were hints it wasn't all it appeared to be on the surface, and that definitely proves to be true. As the book went on, however, these coincidences and happenstances just continued to seem too much. I was frantically searching for someone to like or root for in the midst of all the drama, and never really could. It is an enjoyable read that I had no trouble sticking with, but the farfetched storyline got away from me a little too much. I did think the narrator did a pretty good job with the voices, but a multicast might have made it even more engaging.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

Oh, this was a tough read! Watch for content warnings, because whenever children are involved, I find it especially difficulty.
Overall, great suspense, SO much creep-factor, and a lot of twists I didn't see coming!

The plot that keeps on giving! This was fast paced and had several nice plot twists towards the end I didn’t see coming. Overall pretty entertaining!

While I do love Karissa Vacker as a narrator, I had a bit of hard time staying engaged during some parts and ended up starting a handful of chapters over.

Thank you Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for my ALC of this winter thriller!