Great author. Always like his books and this one didn’t disappoint. Very well written. The plot was exciting And played out well. It kept me on the edge of my chair

This is a captivating crime thriller. The storyline was so gripping. There are lots of twists and turns. A great thriller

Book 4 in the DI Barton series. Another great read which had you guessing with a clever twist at the end. What’s different about this author style of writing is that each book is told from the POV of the killer and DI Barton alternatively. Looking forward to the next one in the series

Where is everyone? The detective can’t find anyone to question…murder…mystery…intrigue…although this story moves slowly, it is still worth taking the time to reach a conclusion…try this one…this book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for approving me for this book.

I felt the writing was done well in this book but there was just something missing for me and I couldn't get into it and enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.

Solid read! I ended up finding out that the author had previously worked as a prison guard, which totally explained why his book felt so believable. It felt real, because it was real.

The book is part of a series, the fourth installment but can be read as a standalone. After reading this one, I am definitely going to go back and read the first three. I loved the characters, the way the story was written, and the depth in which the author takes you. I felt like I was there, living each moment beside Detective John Barton.

Did I mention it is a British thriller? To me, that just makes it even better.

📌 Pub Date: November 25, 2021

I was given an ARC of this story to read; but thoughts an opinions are all my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the chance to read this book!

The D.I. Barton series is one of my current favourites. Ross Greenwood has a special talent of bringing his characters to life. Excellent book, I highly recommend

I’m a fan of Ross Greenwood, so it was an easy decision when the tour sign up for The Cold Killer landed in my email.

This story is set in the Peterborough prison, and this author writes what he knows and it shows. He worked as a prison officer which adds to the validity of what is shown to us as readers. We are able to be immersed in prison life, and the realities.

The Cold Killer is fast-paced and complex. I love the writing style and the twists and turns. It was not was to set down because it was such a gripping read. There are a lot of uncomfortable topics here but it is balanced out well with wonderful characters, especially Barton.

Great read and would definitely recommend.

Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.

A solid crime thriller. The Cold Killer is the fourth book in the DI Barton series, was a great read, and author Ross Greenwood is definitely someone I’ll look out for in future. He has worked as a prison officer himself, and has used this experience as the backdrop to weave a detailed and complex mystery for Barton and the team.

Once again, Ross Greenwood has managed to deliver a solid novel that gets you inside the heads of both the killer and the police team whilst still managing to throw in a few surprises that I did not see coming. As with the other novels (which can all be read as stand-alone novels, but I recommend reading them in order for a deeper understanding of DI Barton and his team), this one pulls you in from the start, immersing you into this world with these characters that he has created.

There are a few things I really enjoy about these novels - the first being the way the author manages to seamlessly weave the points of view together into one cohesive story, and the second is the way that despite the horrific nature of the crimes that take place, the reader is able to understand killer's motivations and even sympathize with them. Case in point, this novel centers on the murders of three sex offenders, specifically those that target a certain age group. While the murders themselves are quite different (one, in particular, is much more gruesome than the others), and because we are seeing things from the killer's point of view (especially when their identity is revealed) as a reader, I can completely understand why they did it.

Another thing I enjoy is that DI Barton and his co-workers seem like REAL people. These aren't cookie-cutter police officers the way you see in other novels. DI Barton isn't struggling with alcoholism, nor is he divorced or heading for divorce. What he is is a police officer with a loving wife and family who struggles to balance his personal and professional lives. His co-workers, in turn, have their own issues and problems that they are dealing with as well. It adds a deeper level to the stories, making you actually care about them and what happens.

I will admit that this one seemed a bit slower than the others due to the fact that a lot of it takes place inside of a prison, but even with that, his descriptions of life "on the inside" were so vivid (likely due to his time working as an actual officer inside of a prison), that I didn't mind. I would definitely recommend this novel to those who enjoy engaging and well-written novels, and I can't wait to read more of this series!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

DI Barton is called to a prison when an inmate dies. It appears to be natural causes but murder is suspected when the man's widow goes on the run. The police need to identify the killer and begin to search for recently released prisoners. But they aren't quick enough and more bodies are found...
The Cold Killer is the fourth book in Ross Greenwood's DI Barton series but it is the first that I have read. I want to read them all as it was brilliant! There are no spoilers about events in previous books although other killers are mentioned but not by name.
The plot is delivered at a fast pace and I found myself reading faster and faster as I became totally absorbed by the narrative. There is some violence and allusions to child abuse but neither is too graphic. Things seem quite straightforward but the ending was a jaw dropper!
The book is written from two perspectives: The Cold Killer and DI Barton. This allows us to become immersed in both viewpoints equally and make an emotional connection with both characters. They are both written so well that they seem realistic and I could understand the emotions that underpin their actions.
The Cold Killer is in prison, due for release but haunted by the past. His best friend killed himself after abuse and now the killer seeks revenge on the abusers. DI Barton has a troubled homelife. His mum has dementia and he is relying on his wife to cope with her and their three children while he throws himself into the case. There is great banter between the crime team which allows humour to counteract the darkness of the murders and sex offenses.
The Cold Killer was a wonderful police procedural novel and crime thriller. I need to catch up on the previous books and look foward to book 5.

I am a big fan of this series and one thing is certain when you pick up any of these books - you are in for a fast-paced read full of lots of twists and turns to keep you on your toes, and The Cold Killer joins this series seamlessly.

This time Barton and the team are called to the local prison when an inmate is found dead in his cell. As an older prisoner, it is quickly assumed that he died of natural causes, but when their house is subsequently ransacked and torched, Barton starts to doubt the original theory. This is compounded further when everyone linked to the case is conveniently unavailable for a chat with the police.

This is another brilliant police procedural/thriller that despite some gruesome scenes, is totally gripping and difficult to put down. I still think Barton and his team are some of the most believable fictional police around and I loved the poignancy in his home life with the situation they are dealing with around his Mum.

I have just listened to all the previous DI Barton books on audible so couldn’t wait to get started on this book! DI Barton and his team have had little time to catch a breath following the end of the Ice Killer case before getting a call to Peterborough Prison following a death of an inmate – this is usual protocol in the case where it may not have been natural causes. The death in question was a convicted paedophile Zanthos – no great loss there, but when his friends are released from prison shortly after and start turning up dead Barton and his team have to catch the killer before anyone winds up dead, but first they figure out who it is – a fellow realised prisoner or someone just out for revenge?

This is quite a chilling read and does cover the issue of child abuse and paedophilia – not in graphic detail in the slightest but still enough to turn your stomach. I absolouty loved this book from the get go, the characters are just amazing and Greenwood really pulls you into the investigation. I totally had no idea who was responsible at all – there were moments when I thought I had it all figured then bam – I was proved wrong! That twist then that ending — oh my! LOVED IT!!!

Can’t wait to read more from Barton and his team.

Review :
This is 4th book in series but can be read as standalone. To start with the the crimes are so disturbing, brutal and cruel and it is thrown more insight in the interviews conducted. The author shows us how life in prison can be from his perspective.

With the death of an old inmate and more bodies turning up dead, Barton has to investigate and his nature adds warmness amid all the violence and graphic details. This story is fast paced with twist and turns, from the POV of Barton and the prisoner. There are lot many characters involved in the story.

The author has written it well and it will keep you on edge. I recommend this crime thriller story.

Thank you @rachelsrandomresources for having me on this tour.

I discovered Ross Greenwood a few months ago with his prison-life crime fiction, Prisoner, and had no idea the DI Barton crime thriller series existed.

Wow! Compelling and engaging, The Cold Killer is another winner.

Though it is book four in the series, I didn’t feel as though there were blank spots or missing info from the previous books.

DI John Barton, like Jim Dalton in Prisoner, is diligent and hardworking while trying to keep a balance between work and his family.

When an aged sex offender is brutally murdered in prison, Barton and his team are called in to investigate the not-so-unusual death. When the victim’s home is burglarized, Baron realizes there’s nothing normal about the case. All too soon, they realize they’re dealing with a serial killer, and he’s escalating as crimes and the body count rise. Is the killer a vigilante or seeking a special type of justice? Is the Peterborough prison the only connections between the victims? As Barton runs out of witnesses, he finds he may also be running out of time.

This slow burn read is masterfully written with points of view from both sides of the prison bars. Characters are likeable—or deliciously unlikeable—and memorable. Even the story’s villain, though vicious and brutal, evokes a certain amount of sympathy.

I’ve already downloaded the first three books in the DI Barton series and look forward to reading more of his cases.

Enjoy!

The fourth in the DI Barton series; it is fine to read as a standalone but it does pick up where book 3 ends.

Mostly set in Peterborough prison, on the sex offenders wing, Barton & his DS are requested to investigate the death of an inmate. These men are the dregs of society, so did the man die naturally or was it murder?
Of course one body is never enough & Barton finds himself in the midst of a complex case. A violent killer is on the loose, witnesses are disappearing, could he be next?
Fast-paced & far from straightforward, this was a brilliant read. Despite the subject matter, pedophilia, there are no graphic scenes & Barton’s character lightens the mood. Roll on book 5. Highly recommended.

Favorite Quotes:

‘How’s your wife?’ Mortis’s wife had just got over a cancer scare… ‘She’s great. Demands sex every day.’ ‘Nice. With anyone we know?’ asked Zander.

‘Yes, I killed that dirty old man. He was rude to me.’ ‘How did you kill him?’ ‘Prison beans give me deadly farts. I straddled him and gave him a full load.’ Barton heard a brief titter come from Strange before she nipped it in the bud. ‘Will you admit to that in a court of law?’ asked Barton. ‘I’m prepared to demonstrate how I did it.’ ‘We'll be in touch.’ ‘I could show you now.’ ‘Out!’

‘I’ve got an itch in my head about her.’ ‘That’s probably just the hamster on the wheel in there needing some more cheese.’

My brain isn’t happy with how this fits together. It’s as though I have a finished jigsaw puzzle, but a few of the pieces are in the wrong place.


My Review:

My introduction to the ingenious scribblings of Ross Greenwood may seem backward as I picked up the fourth book rather than starting at the beginning with book number one. While I have every intention of reading every well-chosen word this clever wordsmith has and well ever pen, I didn’t need to start at the beginning as this compelling story was excellently crafted. The engaging storylines and descriptive narratives were gripping and perceptively fashioned with the strength of a kickboxer’s legs and more than capable to stand alone with occasional mentions of the previous cases that made up the earlier installments. I am rubbing my hands together in glee as I anticipate reading each and every one of them.

There is a grisly start to this story as an old man is attacked with a chainsaw, wielded by one Archie Spencer, a man who has somehow evaded the long arm of DI John Barton ‘s law, and a childhood friend of the Cold Killer. The Cold Killer is sharing a prison cell with Archie’s son Spenny. Small world, eh? Even smaller when you consider the old man’s son was friends with Spenny and disappeared at the same time as Archie’s ex-girlfriend when she was the one person brave enough to give evidence against him. Barton and Zander break up the fight and the old man is shipped off to hospital minus an arm. Meanwhile in prison the Cold Killer is having a rough time as his position as top dog is threatened. Finding himself in the medical ward, he opts for the safety of the vulnerable prisoners’ unit and there spots the father of another old friend who killed himself. He sets to work and it’s not long before Barton is informed of the death of one of the “Three Paedos” as they were dubbed by the press. Together with his two loyal sergeants, DS Zander and DS Strange, he knows that the death must be investigated, however little anyone thought of the victim while he was alive. With an inconclusive post mortem, Barton and Strange interview some of the most odious sex offenders and other vile criminals in an effort to decide whether the death was murder or natural causes. They struggle to find anything suspicious but very soon events turn darker and more sinister, and there’s no time to waste in a twisty race to catch a dangerous killer.
The story is told from two sides. One is by The Cold Killer and the other is an account of DI Barton and his team’s movements and investigations. I love the way we see the story unfolding from both sides. It is always interesting being better informed than the detectives, knowing the truth and waiting to see if they can make all the connections themselves. They are a great team, with an undoubted closeness and loyalty which supersedes ambition and personal glory. It is nice to see a lead detective with a pretty normal and happy life outside of work, although his mother’s increasing dementia is sad to read about. All the characters are very well drawn and it is hard not to have empathy for the killer. The author’s personal knowledge of life behind bars (as an officer, I hasten to add!) is evident from his writing as he draws a vivid picture of life in the prison. With a clever and complex plot and lots of gripping action, this is another excellent book in a series nobody wanted to end at three books and I am so glad there are more. 5*

A new instalment for D.I Barton makes this the fourth book that I have loved! A Ross Greenwood book is always such a treat.Another fast-paced, gritty crime thriller that is very easily read as a standalone, but I would advise anyone to read in order, just to understand the characters better and get the fuller picture.
The story is told from two angles, one from the police and the other is from the perspective of an unknown narrator. I felt this increased the intrigue, as I was attempting to work everything out, including the identity of the narrator. This author is excellent at building the tension as the book develops. I must say I was kept guessing all the way.
As always Ross Greenwood has written an addictive story that brings characters that aren't all nice. Some of them are terrible and the crimes, well just pick up the book you will soon see. I love that this book brings not just the police angle but also a prison angle. The experience of the author's time working within the prison system gives us an authentic story.
We also see a bit more of Barton's personal life in this book and his colleagues too. This is great for me as it gives the book an even more rounded perspective.
I loved the fact I couldn't quite work out what was what in The Cold Killer, that is what gives Ross Greenwood the edge over other crime I have read.
Thanks to Ross Greenwood, Boldwood Books and NetGalley

Another absolute gem of a book. I couldn’t put this one down. I have devoured page after page of this one. Completely unwilling to put this one down.
This has kept my interest and made me want to read more by this author.