‘Chilling truths are buried in this snow…‘
– The Killer in the Cold
[ About The Killer in the Cold ]
When a body dressed in a Santa Claus suit appears in the snow just outside a small village in Cumbria, DCI James Walker is the first to appear on the scene. Almost a year has passed since something so tragic has happened in the close-knit community, and James is hopeful that it’s just an accidental death.
But when he uncovers the body, he discovers something that chills him to the bone. The man, a former police officer, was murdered. And it’s not long before another body appears.
Time is ticking as James races to uncover the killer’s next victim, before they strike again. But can James find them before the snow washes away the evidence?
[ My Review ]
The Killer in the Cold by Alex Pine published November 7th with Avon Books. It is book #5 in the DI James Walker series and is described as a novel ‘from the master of wintery crime…a thriller that will chill you to the bone…‘
I haven’t read the previous books in this series but, in the opening pages, Alex Pine provides a brief introduction to all the characters, which is a very handy device.
Detective Chief Inspector James Walker moved to the small rural village of Kirkby Abbey in Cumbria over four years ago. Having worked in the Met in London for approximately twenty years, this move was supposed to offer a more peaceful alternative, a place where his wife Annie and himself could rear a family, away from the chaos and frenetic lifestyle that was part and parcel of city living. But murder and mayhem followed James, with life in Kirkby Abbey being anything but peaceful, making them question their decision to move here.
After a relaxing family day on Christmas, James and Annie were preparing for a day out with their young kids when an urgent call comes through to James. A body has been discovered in a wooded area, dressed in a Santa costume and has been quickly identified as a local retired police officer, a once colleague and friend of James and others on the force.
As the investigation ramps up, it becomes clear that the evidence trail is weak, but it soon escalates when another discovery is made. The villagers inevitably get wind of the news and panic starts to set in. As James attempts to calm the local community, he is also very much aware that many of these people are his friends and neighbours and they expect answers and results fast.
With pressure mounting from all sides, James is under serious stress but, with plenty of experience under his belt, he starts to gain momentum as snippets of information slowly start to seep in. James and his team are tasked with uncovering is this the work of another possible serial killer or is there something more personal at stake.
The dramatic and eye-catching cover of The Killer in the Cold depicted a rather different scene than any that transpired within the novel so I was a bit underwhelmed with what I read. In reality this is very slow-paced and, dare I say, repetitive story, with finer details that were very much surplus to the plot. James’ relationship with his wife, what they ate, who drank what and how many glasses, were really all just padding as far I was concerned. And he did seem to tell his wife quite a bit of confidential information! There is most definitely an interesting murder-mystery at the core but it’s more in line with Midsomer Murders as opposed to the more gritty and sinister plotline that I had been expecting.
The Killer in the Cold is perfect for all who like their crime novels a little more community-centred, lighter and cosy. It’s not particularly a festive read, although set during the Christmas period, so it can be picked up as a reading choice in any season.
*Thank you to the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
[ Bio ]
Alex Pine was born and raised on a council estate in South London and left school at sixteen. Before long, he embarked on a career in journalism, which took him all over the world – and many of the stories he covered were crime-related. Among his favourite hobbies are hiking and water-based activities, so he and his family have spent lots of holidays in the Lake District.
He now lives with his wife on a marina close to the New Forest on the South Coast – which provides him with the best of both worlds!
