Ross Greenwood’s DI Barton is back on the case in The Cold Killer, a fast-paced, highly charged and terrifying thriller full of twists and turns you simply won’t see coming.

When an inmate is found dead in his jail cell, the prison calls in DI Barton to investigate. As the prisoner was advanced in years, it seems likely that he died of natural causes – an assertion that Barton believes is backed up by all the testimonies he has collected from some of the other prisoners. Barton thought that this was an open and shut case, however, little did he realise that this murder enquiry was going to get far more twisted than he had ever imagined.

The dead man’s house is subsequently burgled and then set on fire. Realising that there is something far more chilling going on here than meets the eye, Barton finds himself desperate to find the answers to the questions that have been plaguing him about this case. Barton needs to speak to his widow – urgently! – however, she is nowhere to be found. Where is she? Is she hiding something? And could she be connected to her husband’s death?

In less than a day, every single person Barton needs to speak to about this case has vanished off the face of the earth. Clearly, this was not a natural death, but cold-blooded murder and if Barton wants to find answers then he must take a closer look at what’s happening behind the prison gates. A violent killer is waiting in the shadows and if Barton doesn’t solve this case soon, more bodies will be found.

Ross Barton’s The Cold Killer is an excellent crime thriller that grabs the reader’s attention from page one and keeps them engrossed till the very end. Ross Barton brilliantly juggles forensic insight with tension, menace and suspense and in The Cold Killer has penned a gritty, chilling and compulsively readable thriller that is an absolute struggle to put down.

Another gripping and entertaining story in this series. It's a bit slow at the beginning but totally gripping.
I loved how the author dealt with a crime as children sexual abuse in a sensitive way and with no graphic scene.
The plot is well developed, full of twists and turns. I love DI Barton as he's a well rounded and relatable character.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Cold Killer is the fourth book in the DI Barton Detective Series.

This is a really gritty crime thriller, that was fast paced and gripping from the start. I especially liked how the chapters alternated between Barton and the “Cold Killer” who initially you were not sure who that actually was.

The story and theming was really was quite sad, especially the scenes from Barton’s private life with his Mum’s battle with Dementia which really hit home for me.

I liked how Jim Dalton from Prisoner was mentioned during a scene in HMP Peterborough, which wasn’t part of this series but a book I throughly enjoyed.

I highly recommend this book, Ross Greenwood writes in such a way that the books are easy to read and I look forward to more from this series.

This is the fourth book in the DI Barton series and I would recommend reading them in order. They say revenge is best served cold and the way revenge is served by this killer was definitely cold. This is a fast paced thriller with an interesting look into the daily life within a prison which is something I have never experienced personally and don't care every care to find out if there are any details that aren't correct. I look forward to the next book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book

"Barton understood the illusion of glamour a gangster lifestyle offered. Watching the movies, it was all girls and guns and high jinks, but the reality wasn't like that in the UK. It was knives and drugs. The people involved lived chaotic, violent, boring existences, interspersed with occasional bouts of terror. Careers were short."

When DI Barton and his team are called to investigate a death in their local prison, they hope it will just be to confirm natural causes. Having to interview the residents of the vulnerable persons wing, home to child abusers and sex offenders, isn’t a task the team relish, but nothing out of the ordinary turns up… That is until the wife of the dead prisoner goes missing, her home is set on fire, and the deaths start to mount up…

With events hitting them thick and fast, Barton and his team must delve back into some of the area’s most horrifying past crimes to find out the motive for these apparent revenge attacks. Will they be able to catch the right man, before it’s too late?

I love a good crime book, and discovering great authors in this genre is always a treat. “The Cold Killer”, 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.

This is the first Barton book I’ve read, and although the series is a few book in, it works well as a standalone. Meeting DI Barton for the first time, I found him a likeable and relatable character; no hard drinking and broken home life here, but a genuine person balancing the traumas he meets in his job with a loving but believable family.

This was one of those crime books where, once I read the solution, I wanted to go back to the beginning and read it again for the clues I missed! As described above, this plot has a focus on the perpetrators of child abuse, which some readers may not enjoy. But for lovers of crime fiction looking to add another great author to their list, or fans of the previous DI Barton books, this one won’t disappoint!

The Cold Killer by Ross Greenwood- crime thriller- 26th Nov Rachel netgalley 4*
A stunning captivating read. An elderly man dies in prison allegedly from natural causes. He was due to be released a couple of weeks later along with others who were at the same crime- they abducted a child and released her unharmed the following morning. All were part of an online chatroom that was on the wrong side of the law which was being monitored. A subject sensitively dealt with and there is no detail at all as to what happened with the children. DI Barton has to interview the inmates as part of procedure and then when the house of the deceased is broken into there appears to be more going on. When body parts are then found- there is a violent killer on the loose but quite why no-one knows.
I enjoyed this. The first part didn't have the usual pace of Ross’s usual books but is still compelling, as we are introduced to the characters and I liked that each prison interview was paragraphed separately rather than all run into each other. Then- oh boy! The pace quickens and so much happens in a short time. I like Barton and his tenacity and that little bit of humour along the way which brings out his character. A highly enjoyable read with a twist or two and a skillfully put together plot.
(amazon done- misfits farm)
#blogtour

This is a complex investigation with multi viewpoints and an insight into the prison system. DI Barton and his team investigate a series of killings that have few leads. A flawed and likeable character DI Baton uses experience and insight to solve his investigations. This series retains an authentic edge, and the author's knowledge of the prison system reinforces this.

Some of the subjects explored are disturbing, and there is a necessary violent element in keeping with the storyline. The insights into the killer's mind are absorbing. Believably flawed characters, realistic settings and a twisty plot make this an engaging read for crime fiction enthusiasts.

I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The cold killer by Ross Greenwood.
The DI Barton Series Book 4.
It's hard to live when you think you deserve to die…

When a tired old inmate is found dead in his cell, the prison is obligated to investigate and so DI Barton attends. The men he interviews have been convicted of some of the worst things a human being can do, but it appears likely that the death was due to natural causes.

When the house of the dead man is burgled and that crime is followed by a suspicious fire, Barton desperately needs to speak to his widow, but she’s nowhere to be found.

In the space of twenty-four hours, everyone he wants to talk to has vanished. Then he receives some post which makes him believe he could be the next to disappear.

Barton’s investigation goes full circle, through a series of brutal murders, back to the prison, and all signs are pointing to the fact that he’s made a terrible mistake.

There’s a violent killer on the loose, who wants everyone to learn that some people deserve to die.

Another brilliant read in this series. Ross doesn't disappoint either. Read in one sitting. 5*.

The Cold Killer is a solid police procedural, but with a twist in that the reader also gets the point of view of a criminal. I had a difficult time getting into the rhythm of the book, but I had not read any of the previous books in the series and felt a bit lost with character development. When I did get immersed in the plot, The Cold Killer was a quick, good read.

DI Barton is called to Peterborough prison to investigate the death of a sex offender. The prisoner was old, and the death could have been by natural causes. But when Barton and his team try to interview others involved with this prisoner, they find more bodies and disappearances.

If there is a theme to the book, I would say it is family. What would you do to protect family or to avenge a family tragedy? We even see Barton dealing with his mother's declining health from dementia. (Since I have not read the series, I do not know if this situation has been in earlier books).

I gave three stars because I did think the book started slowly and I couldn't engage with the characters. But after the pace picked up, I enjoyed reading The Cold Killer and plan to read the earlier books in the series.

I absolutely loved this book! It was so gripping and fast paced. I have not read any of the other books from the series but I definitely want to now. This thriller really kept me on the edge.

The plot was very unique and I thought gave the reader a good perspective on prison and prison leavers. The point that made me think was the fact prisoners are released into society but some have no support or housing so have to live homeless and this gives a higher chance to reoffend. It really highlights this point to the reader. I loved the beginning when DI Barton and his team conduct interviews with the prisoners, this gave the reader an insight each prisoner. This also gave the reader a good chance to think about suspects.

I thought the first chapter, which was spoken in the perspective of a prisoner, was amazing at drawing the reader in. It left the reader wondering who this prisoner was and what impact they are going to have on the story. The chapters alternated between chapters in the perspective of the unknown prisoner and DI Barton. I enjoyed reading both chapters!

This book kept me guessing and kept me thoroughly entertained. I could talk about this book for a while because of how detailed it was, but I don’t want to spoil anything.

Crime thriller with thrills and great characters

The Cold Killer is counting the weeks down until he leaves prison. Meanwhile members of the criminal world start dying and/or going missing so DI Barton and his team have to puzzle out who is behind it, and who might be the next victim.
In the midst of plenty of action and twists, there are personal moments, and views of life in prison – as a warder and as a prisoner. This is a crime thriller that gives the thrill DI Barton’s chase as well as insights into the personal lives of the great characters.
This is the first of the DI Barton series I have read (this is the 4th in the series), and it is a great story with lots of guesswork for the reader. Everything is cleared up well at the end, but certainly left me wanting to read the rest of the series (I see Books 1 – 3 are available as a “Kindle Box set” 😊)
4*s from me, as there were times when I got a little confused as to who was who, caused by my having come into the series at Book 4. What a great author!

I've really enjoyed getting to know DI Barton and his team over the course of this series. Using his own knowledge of the justice system, and drawing that together with some very cunning bad guys and some rather inventive methods of dispatch, Ross Greenwood has created a series that entertains and amuses, as well as packing each of the stories with a blend of character, mystery and, as in the case of this book, true emotion. With The Cold Killer, not only are we treated to a rather memorable opening scene, but also a story which, for Barton amongst others, is a real blend of the professional and the personal. This is a story of family - both the good and the bad - but it is most definitely the bad that dominates and gives the book that real edge.

As ever with this series, a number of the scenes are told in first person perspective from the point of view of one of the books key antagonists. It is fair to say that there is no love lost between this person and DI Barton, but as you might expect, this voice remains anonymous for a very long time. Nothing unusual in that. Most mystery or thriller books like to keep the 'bad guy' a secret. But there's a slight twist in this tale. The list of suspects really is finite. And already behind bars. A large proportion of the story takes place in prison, where any number of people could have cause to hate Barton, but to hate their fellow inmates more. It adds an interesting element of mystery to the story. The killer - or killers perhaps - remain in plain sight throughout, but even though we are travelling through the narrative from their perspective, we still don't have a clear view of who they are, or what they may be capable of. Strangely perhaps, I actually found myself drawn to them, and although faced with flashes of anger, they were far more sympathetic as a character than you might expect, and the more I learned of them, the more I felt I understood their actions.

I really do like the character of DI Barton and his team, principally his Sergeants, Shawn Zander and Kelly Strange. They work really well together, mostly, a brilliant unit that fire off each others ideas and you get a great sense of authenticity from them. The banter that flows between them serves well to offset some of the tension of the investigation and with a number of the key suspects already known to the team, you know it's going to be a challenge to identify exactly whodunnit. But for all the professionalism and banter, there is a more serious side to this story for Barton, with the author exploring a topic surrounding Barton's family which is very relevant and which a number of readers will no doubt identify with, as he deals with his mother's rapidly declining health.

The motives for murder in this novel are made clear quite early on, and the investigation touches on some very dark subjects that are handled in a way which is careful and respectful to victims of such violence and abuse. Part of the story takes place in a secure unit within the prison that houses the men. convicted of sexual offences, so it is fair to say that it is hard to be sympathetic in any way towards the victims. It also makes the potential list of suspects is vast, from victims to extended families, to people who simply take offence to the crime itself. There is a kind of hierarchy of crime within the prison, and it is safe to say these men are isolated from the rest of the population for a reason. But even with the care taken by the author not to graphically or gratuitously present the violence, there were scenes in which the casual and unapologetic nature of the abusers really made the skin crawl and the anger bubble. Not enough to turn you away from the page, more to draw you deeper in, waiting to see how far down the payback checklist the killer is able to get.

Fast paced, packed with tension and with brilliant characters I have really found myself increasingly attached to, I love the feeling of authenticity from these books, and the sense of mystery that keeps be guessing right to the very last page. This book isn't just about revenge. There is a sense of redemption and of new beginnings, as well as some sad farewells. Most of all it was thoroughly entertaining, making me smile and scowl in equal measure. If you are looking for some great Detective fiction for your next read, that blends investigation with a killer perspective, then look no further. The DI Barton series is definitely recommended.

Another excellent episode in the DI John Barton series based in Peterborough. Three criminals convicted of child abuse one seemingly dead of natural causes in his cell the others violently murdered days after release form the core of the investigation. The chief suspect is seemingly a cert for the crimes as his violent past indicates but there are many clever twists and turns in this tale of revenge for past misdeeds. Barton’s home life again features as an aside and along with characters from previous episodes this is a recommended read!

In his prison cell, a violent serial criminal looks bleakly ahead to his release. But before that he must survive a few weeks in the Vulnerable Prisoners Unit, where sex offenders and child murderers are kept apart from the rest of the prisoners. Our prisoner recognises one Frank Zanthos, serving time for sexual crimes against children.
When he turns up dead, DI Barton heads the routine investigation – but he isn’t wholly convinced Zanthos died of natural causes. And as events escalate outside the prison following the release of Zanthos’s partners in crime he soon begins to suspect that there is a serial killer on the loose. Someone, somewhere has been touched by their crimes and is serving up a cold and calculated revenge.
This an enthralling read. But I do have add the caveat that it can also be a disturbing read at times, delving as it does into the minds of people who are apologists for their awful crimes against children.
Balancing this is the strong and humble humanity of DI John Barton, and the honest self-appraisal of our prisoner, whose identity we don’t learn until later in the book.
With such perfect plot weaving from Greenwood, there’s no way of guessing this story’s outcome, yet the denouement, when it comes is a wonderful “aha” moment for the reader.
What I like best about this book is that in a story of such horrific crimes, the author presents us with a cast of characters who portrays that not everything is black and white, that there’s the possibility of redemption for the most hardened criminals, and that justice will always be served in the end.

A prisoner dies in prison and DI Barton is back with his team to investigate the death. At first it seems like the prisoner died of natural causes but when more bodies start piling up the Barton knows there is a killer at loose going undetected.

The Cold Killer is the fourth book in this gritty police procedural DI Barton series. A gripping story with lots of twists and turns, it's a great addition to the series .. Looking forward to reading the next one

I would like to thank Netgalley & Boldwood Books for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review

What an amazing book to carry on the Barton series. It was a little tough to read due to the cases but I was still pretty gripped and couldn’t put it down. Please note this book isn’t for the lighthearted.

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Cold Killer’ written by Ross Greenwood in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

While taking a quick McDonald’s break, DI John Barton and DS Shawn Zander are called to investigate the death of a prisoner in his cell which appears to be due to natural causes. But unusual occurrences happen at his house and when Barton attempts to speak to the man’s wife she’s nowhere to be found, and in fact everyone he wants to speak to has disappeared.

This is the fourth in the DI Barton series and I’m afraid I’ve not read the previous three nor any other Ross Greenwood books but although I’ve made several attempts at ‘The Cold Killer’ I found myself unable to get involved in the story. It’s narrated by a well-known criminal and DI Barton whose character I liked along with DS Shawn Zander, but despite being well-written and having an interesting initial description I soon realised it wasn’t enough for me to want to continue reading. From the number of positive reviews this novel has received I know my opinion will be in the minority, but although I don’t like ending a novel without finishing it for which I apologise this is one of those books that just isn’t for me.

Another great DI Barton book. A clever mix of prisoners in jail and released from prison the story had me turning the pages to find out the truth. Excellently plotted thriller.

The author cleverly gives away just enough to get you thinking you have solved the mystery, only to turn things around and leave you floundering! A really strong mystery and a great protagonist make for a book you will want to read in a sitting. I really liked watching the mechanics of the team as they set about the investigations - enough detail without being too dry.

This is one of my favourite authors, he writes fabulous gritty crime thriller reads and The Cold Killer is the 4th book in the DI Barton series. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but like all series, they are better read in order.

DI Barton is called in to investigate the murder of an inmate, it looks at face value to be natural. But things don't quite sit right especially when the victims home is also burgled. This is a case that just deepens and grows. It is one that isn't pleasant given the nature of the crimes that those involved are in prison for. This makes for uncomfortable reading at times, but nothing is over dramatised or too detailed. It is part of the story and what a story this one was.

There are several characters in this story, and you soon get to know them if you haven't read any of the books in the series. A lot is going on in this story as there are two distinct stories, one is from the police side of the book, the other is from the perspective of an unknown narrator. This adds so much intrigue to the story and had me wondering, guessing and second-guessing myself as to how things were going to work themselves out in the end.

This is a gritty story, it is fast-paced, it deals with some horrendous people and crimes, but is also very addictive reading. Although this is a police procedural, there are also details of the prison environment. This is something the author knows a lot about given his time working in a prison. This first-hand perspective is a great addition and even though this is a fictional book, it does come across with a certain amount of realism to it.

This is a book that kept me on my toes. I thought I had it sussed a couple of times, but I was way off the mark. Even when things did slot into place there was more to learn. There is also a more personal side to this story for DI Barton, and also some mentions of other colleagues, so it is not all crime thriller for Barton, there is also a family man that is seen.

This is a fast, gritty, crime, thriller police procedural that I adored. It is a series that just gets better and the author deals with some tough subjects. It is one I would definitely recommend.