Meeting the family is nerve-wracking in any new relationship, but it's downright suffocating for Theodora Scott. And why wouldn’t it be? Her fiancé, Connor Dalton, belongs to the notoriously wealthy and secretive Dalton family. Their whirlwind romance has gone from a chance meeting at one of Theo's art shows to an engagement in just six months, and now she’s traveling to Idlewood, the Daltons’ isolated winter retreat, to meet the family for the first time. Theo knows the stakes are high. She's determined to prove she’s in this for love, not their fortune.
But something isn’t right. Theo has received anonymous text messages for weeks warning her to stay away from Connor. Dismissing them as pranks, she steels herself to make a good impression. Yet the moment she steps into Idlewood, Theo can’t shake the uneasy feeling creeping over her. The family’s frosty reception is bad enough, but then there’s the unsettling familiarity of the place. Strange footprints appear outside her window. A disused cabin on the property hides something impossible: a photo of Theo as a child, taken at Idlewood. Theo barely remembers her earliest years, but the splintered memories that emerge point to secrets someone in the Dalton family is desperate to keep hidden. As Theo inches closer to uncovering the truth, she realizes she’s not just an outsider trying to win their approval—she’s a threat. And the Daltons will do anything to protect their legacy, even if it means silencing her forever.
Kate Alice Marshall has built a reputation for crafting atmospheric thrillers that keep readers on edge, and her latest, A Killing Cold, is no exception. After making her mark in YA fiction, Marshall broke into adult thrillers with the exceptional What Lies in the Woods, a gripping mystery that delved into the perils of memory and generational trauma. I thoroughly enjoyed that novel and was thrilled to receive a copy of this newest standalone from the publisher. From the first chapter, Marshall establishes a sense of creeping unease. Theo, our protagonist, feels like she’s wading into waters far deeper than she’s prepared for, and it quickly becomes apparent that she’s harboring secrets of her own. As her fiancé’s family secrets come to light, the narrative twists into a tangled web of deceit, ensuring no character—and no reader—is left entirely sure of the truth.
I alternated between reading and listening to the audiobook, and Karissa Vacker’s narration was, as always, a highlight. Her voice brought a chilling immediacy to Theo’s mounting paranoia and the story’s steadily escalating tension. Marshall expertly keeps the reader slightly off balance, just enough to ensure that when the big reveals come, they land with maximum impact. The pacing is relentless, ramping up as threats grow more urgent, culminating in a genuinely shocking conclusion. With A Killing Cold, Marshall proves once again that she’s a master of the winter thriller, delivering an irresistible blend of atmosphere, suspense, and twists. She’s quickly becoming one of my must-read authors.
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2025, 11)
Is this one as good as What Lies in the Woods? Because I really liked that one!
ReplyDeleteI'd say so. It is very different, so it is tough to compare the two.
DeleteI love when secrets come to light and there's some danger when they get closer to getting all the answers they are looking for. This sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteIt really winds up the suspense!
DeleteWell now, I need to listen!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteI just finished this one, was a really good thriller, I love when they are isolated , it gives it more of a thrill
ReplyDeleteI like that element, too. It gives it a kind of claustrophobic feel that really creeps me out!
DeleteI agree, this was an atmospheric page-turner! I didn't know who could be trusted and was even wondering what was going on with Theo! Karissa Vacker is so talented. She definitely enhanced the story. Glad to see you enjoyed this one, too!
ReplyDeleteIt was just such a solid thriller!
DeleteI've not picked up a Kate Alice Marshall book despite how big she is in YA, and I've definitely meant to. This book sounds really great--and the perfect gift for my sister's upcoming birthday. Which is going to save me a lot of trouble figuring out what to get her, so thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteHappy to help! You'll have to let me know what your sister thinks of it.
DeleteI just read another glowing review for this book. Sounds like the author does an amazing job building the tension and throwing out some great twists and turns.
ReplyDeleteBoth of the thrillers from her that I've read have been very different but very impactful!
DeleteI LOVE Kate Alice Marshall! I've requested it on NetGalley but have not been approved yet. And since it was just published, I doubt I will be. BUT, I have also put in a hold at the library so one way or another, this book will soon me mine!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy this one!
DeleteMy request is still just sitting there. I wish they would put me out of my misery and just deny it so I can move on, lol
DeleteThe book sounds good, and the narrator sounds great. I do love a great narrator
ReplyDeleteSolid all around!
Delete