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“Secrets…the private things we live our lives pretending no one knows.”

Theodora Scott falls hard and fast for wealthy Connor Dalton. Shortly after a whirlwind engagement they take a trip to Idlewood, the winter retreat owned by her fiancé powerful family. All she has to do is win over his skeptical relatives. How hard can it be? Not even the threatening messages she receives can deter her. But quickly she begins to feel an eerie sense of familiarity at the cabin, and she wonders if there’s more to the Daltons than meets the eye.

Oh boy was there ever…

I LOVED What Lies In The Woods and No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall so I couldn’t wait to listen to this one! And it did not disappoint. This book was so twisty I swear I have whiplash. JUST when I thought I had it figured out BAM! Another twist. Even the twists had twists.

And how many more times do you guys want to hear me gush about Karissa Vacker’s narration? Is this good? One more? Just keep going?! You let me know…🤪

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and the author for the complimentary ALC.

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This is my third by this author and I adored the first 2. This one kept me invested to see the way it turned out but overall I was fairly disappointed. There were really no shocking twists and I was just fairly bored throughout this one. It wrapped up nicely but I’m bummed It didnt wow me a little more.

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What a thriller!!! Totally kept me at the edge of my seat and I absolutely loved the twists and turns!! This book kept me guessing and I enjoyed it the whole time..

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

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When Theodora’s new love Connor brings her Idlewood, his family’s isolated retreat, she is hoping to win over Connor’s less than accepting relatives and enjoy her surroundings. Unfortunately for her, that’s not so easy, especially given the threats Theo has been receiving. Complicating matters is the fact that Idlewood seems familiar to Theo, though she is at a loss for why.

Fearing for her life isn’t what she bargained for, but unfortunately for her, it’s inescapable. Can Theo uncover the past and survive Connor’s family and the elements? I’m afraid I cannot say, you’ll have to read or listen to this one to find out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the alc.

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Theo goes with her new fiancé Connor to his family cabin for the holiday. She needs to impress the family, since they come from money and she comes from tragedy. But with so many unknowns and secrets about her past, what should she do when memories arise?

It was a fun story. Connors family does not let people in easily, even though he loves Theo, how can she impress them. Why is there a closed off cabin, and why is it calling Theo. When she investigates it, why does it open more questions than give her answers. Will Theo ever be able to learn the truth about her past, and the lodges past before it’s too late?

Theo was enjoyable and relatable. A little full of bad decisions, but she’s stuck in this atmospheric winter wonderland not feeling wonderful at all.

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A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall

What a bone-chilling winter thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I totally loved it!

The story follows Theodora Scott, known as Theo, a 24-year-old woman who quickly falls in love with Connor Dalton, a wealthy and charming man. After a short six-month romance, they get engaged, and Connor invites Theo to his family’s secluded estate. But once she arrives, things take a dark turn.

Theo meets Connor’s powerful and intimidating relatives, who seem to be hiding something. Then, she starts receiving mysterious messages warning her to stay away from him. As she tries to uncover the truth, she begins to wonder who she can trust. Is she in danger? What secrets are lurking behind the walls of the Dalton family estate?

The book is set in a cold, mountain retreat, which adds to the suspense and makes the story even more fun. There is an eerie atmosphere that makes you feel the chill both inside and out. The tension builds with each chapter, leading to shocking twists that kept me interested.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the gifted audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker.
Her voice brought the characters to life!

This book is full of suspense, unexpected twists, and a chilling atmosphere! If you love a good mystery that keeps you guessing, this book is a must-read!

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Man I am sucker a ~rich people problems~ thriller! This was super atmospheric with its isolated setting, everyone has a secret, and the narrator isn’t reliable!

This was fast paced and was able to finish is in 1 day. Tons of twists and turns through out; however, I had the final twist figured out before we go to the end.

Overall, this was a great read and I definitely recommend it you are looking for a fast-paced, overly dramatic read!

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Enjoyable read that kept me in suspense. I liked trying to figure out who to trust, how everything connected and what was going on. Everytime I thought I had things figured out, I'd be surprised by new information, leading me in a new direction.

I'll definitely suggest this book to my friends to read. Kate Alice Marshall is quickly becoming one of my must read authors!!

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Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Alice Marshall, and the publisher for an advance listening copy of A Killing Cold. Lies, loss, family secrets, and so much deceit- sign me up! The narrator made this such an atmospheric experience for me that I truly felt chilly while listening along. I liked the slight twists in this one and how everything got pieced together. Definitely check this one out if you love a good family murder mystery.

This is out now!!

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As much as I appreciate an audiobook ARC, I was unfortunately not a big fan of this novel. To me, it was another unremarkable, run-of-the-mill popcorn thriller with a secluded setting, a main character with memory issues, and a far-fetched plot. There was a lot of characters to keep track of, and I didn't feel connected to or care about what happened to a single one. I feel like I have read this same story before and nothing about it was new or surprising. Disappointing, since I really enjoyed Marshall's No One Can Know. The book's only redeeming quality was Karissa Vacker's narration, which was great.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this audiobook!

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A perfect thriller, especially during a cold snap or winter! A fun family mystery for sure!! There was one small event that seemed a bit too unrealistic for me, but I could easily look past it. Would definitely recommend, Kate Alice Marshall continues to be an auto-read author for me!

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4 stars,

This book was a wild ride. It has so many elements that I love in a thriller. Memory loss, isolation, rich people drama, a little "romance?" I felt like this was very different for Kate Alice Marshall but still had her own style on the story. Almost all the characters were unlikeable but it the best way. I wish I would have read this during the colder months but this was still a great read overall. I also selected this book to be part of my Sleep When I'm Dead book club (thriller bookclub on YouTube - Reading With Jess) and I look forward to see what everyone else thought of the story.

Thank you Netgalley and Flatiron books for this ARC.

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Kate Marshall delivers a chilling and atmospheric thriller in The Killing Cold, and the audiobook version makes it even more immersive. The icy, isolated setting adds to the tension as the mystery unfolds, keeping me hooked from start to finish.

The story is packed with twists, strong character development, and a gripping plot that never slows down. The narrator does a fantastic job bringing the suspense to life, making every moment feel even more intense.

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Love everything Kate Alice Marshall writes! The plot of the book is definitely one that's been done numerous times but I still enjoyed. 3.5 stars rounded up

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I’m not sure what to rate this because I couldn’t finish it. I didn’t connect with the plot or the characters and felt myself not really paying attention.

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Kate Alice Marshall gave another mystery/thrillers that was full of twists and turns. To add to it, it's an isolated location mystery which enhanced the suspense. Kept me engaged the whole way. The narration by Karissa Vacker increased the thrill. Solid work from Kate Alice Marshall. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC.

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This was a wild ride. A very intriguing, edge of your seat mystery that will have you hooked from the beginning. I read this during a snowstorm over the winter which really elevated the locker room aspect of this novel. Not my favorite from this author but a great read nonetheless.

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I’ve faithfully read and have enjoyed every book by Kate Alice Marshall! She is truly fantastic at writing compelling and bingey mysteries. While it didn’t top What Lies in the Woods for me, it’s a close second. The premise was wild, the setting spooky and atmospheric, and the plot fast paced. The narration was well done and I would easily recommend this to anyone looking to get lost in a locked-room mystery for a few hours.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Theo Scott has been whisked away to her fiancée's family estate to meet Connor's wealthy and very powerful family. Idlewood is their winter retreat, it is very remote and temperatures plummet leaving access to civilization to a minimum, including cell service and internet. As they arrive her nerves of meeting the family mingle with something else, a dark lost memory that tells her she has been here before. She was adopted at 4 years old and refused to speak after a traumatic event that landed her on her new parents doorstep so no one knows who she was or where she came from. This place couldn't be tied to her nightmares, could it? She is not sure what is colder the icy family inside or the blizzard raging outside. When she starts to receive menacing messages to stay away she is convinced someone here knows about her past and who she is. She just can't leave without getting answers.

I have enjoyed other works by Kate Alice Marshall and this one does not disappoint. She has an uncanny way of layering the tension while building interesting characters, even the unlikable ones. She takes the reader on a wild journey where we know something happened on the property years ago but it unfolds before us in a creative and twisty way. It is told from the POV of Theo. Her pacing is very good and the story kept me engaged. This is a great winter thriller.

I had the audio version read by Karissa Vacker who is one of my all time favorite narrators. Her performance is crisp, entertaining and imaginative. She is a joy to listen to.

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“A Killing Cold” is a riveting audiobook that immerses listeners in a suspenseful mystery filled with chilling twists and intricate character dynamics. From the outset, the narrative generates a tense atmosphere, beautifully enhanced by Karissa Vacker’s skillful narration, which brings vivid descriptions and haunting soundscapes to life.

Moments of slower pacing allow deeper character exploration and ultimately enrich the listening experience. The plot is packed with unexpected turns, keeping audiences engaged as they attempt to decipher motivations and secrets. As each revelation unfolds, preconceived notions are challenged, adding layers of intrigue that heighten the overall tension.

The novel excels in developing complex characters that elicit powerful emotional responses, drawing listeners into their journeys. This nuanced character portrayal invites empathy while also prompting critical judgments of their flaws. The writing style is immersive and descriptive, creating a perfect balance of tension and emotional depth, with expertly managed pacing leading to a heart-pounding climax.

Overall, “A Killing Cold” is a masterfully crafted thriller that promises to captivate seasoned fans and newcomers to the genre, ensuring a gripping and unforgettable experience that lingers well beyond the final page.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for providing the audio in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are solely my own.

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