From the very beginning the author had me gripped by the intense threat of menace, and an unusual investigation into something both unknown and unsavoury. The plot is intricate and woven from several different strands which eventually converge for an explosive event and the added mystery of whodunit.
The characters are often not quite whom they seem to be and the suspense is heightened by duplicity and betrayal. There are twists and turns and shadows hiding secrets from the past.
This is skilful storytelling with scenes shifting from the rundown top floor London flat of a young drug addict, brutally manipulated by an evil man, to a stately home in the wilds of Wiltshire, where blood will be spilled. The characters are diverse - a Scottish lord, a cat lady driven to the edge of madness, and the beautiful woman hiding in plain sight, but from what - and there are moments of affecting sadness, but also moments of poignant kindness.

The protagonist, Ollie, is so real you could touch him. He’s weak and pitiful in equal parts but the author makes him, amd his awkward circumstances, credible. His new story takes him into another world and it’s a fascinating situation indeed. Watching him navigate difficult choices is almost as fascinating as the main plot line itself.

It took me a while to get in to this book but it did get much better and had me hooked from about half way until the end.
Ollie is a struggling journalist trying to make money to afford him and his girlfriend a better life. However, he gets caught up in a web of politics, blackmail and deceit culminating in murder. At one point he becomes the main suspect.
As things begin to untangle Ollie finds that honesty is definitely the best policy
Lots of characters to keep up with but it eventually became an enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Winter Kill" is a gripping mystery that weaves together secrets, murder, and the relentless pursuit of truth. E. J. Pepper masterfully constructs a web of intrigue, drawing readers into a world where nothing is as it seems.

Ollie Moorhouse, a struggling journalist, faces mounting debt and the fear of losing his girlfriend. When his editor offers him an intriguing story, Ollie hopes it will solve both his personal and financial woes. Little does he know that this assignment will plunge him into a dangerous game of blackmail, murder, and deception.

Pepper introduces a cast of characters, each with their own hidden agendas. Lord Hamish Rosser, a ruthless man who seems to know everyone's secrets, pulls Ollie into a deadly dance. As Ollie investigates, he uncovers connections between a wealthy landowner, a grieving philanthropist, and a homeless drug addict. The threads of their lives intersect, revealing a dark tapestry of betrayal and revenge.

Ollie's journey takes us from the bustling streets of London to the quiet corners of Wiltshire and even Eastern Europe. As he pieces together the puzzle, he becomes a key suspect himself. The stakes rise, and Ollie must navigate treacherous waters to prove his innocence. But what motivates the murderer, and who is the real killer?

Winter Kill is a page-turner that keeps you guessing. Pepper's prose is sharp, her characters flawed yet compelling. The intricate plot unfolds like a chilling winter night, leaving you breathless.

If you enjoy mysteries with unexpected twists and complex characters, this book is a must-read.

The book was a bit slower placed than my usual reads but I guess that is because of the political elements. I like the main character Ollie and could see how he got himself into bad situations for the sake of his finances. There were a lot of characters to keep track of which I do struggle with but overall an interesting story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an ARC.

This book is a political mystery that is rather slow moving. There’s a lot of characters that were hard to keep track of in the beginning, but once the story took off, they all played an important part of the story.
Ollie, the protagonist, is a bit weak and frustrating. He bumbles along and uncovers the mystery more out of luck than any skill.

Overall I enjoyed the book and was interested to read until the end. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

This was fantastic. I loved every second and couldn’t put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book is full of excessive descriptions that made my head spin. Also, I wasn't able to keep track of characters so I was lost the majority of the book. The mystery never interested me and I was left wanting. Unfortunately not my cup of tea. Take an ibuprofen before reading this book.

With the pleasure of reading "Winter Kill" by E J Pepper through NetGalley, I found that this book is a gripping thriller that follows the journey of Ollie Moorhouse, a struggling journalist desperate to solve his personal and financial woes. The author weaves a complex tale filled with intrigue, blackmail, and murder, as Ollie's investigation leads him to encounter a diverse cast of characters with hidden motives as the book goes on. The story is set against the backdrop of London, Wiltshire, and Eastern Europe, and keeps readers on the edge of their seats as Ollie races to unravel the mystery before becoming a key suspect himself. The author's skillful storytelling and vivid descriptions create a suspenseful atmosphere, making "Winter Kill" an enthralling read from start to finish. With its intricate plot and compelling characters, this book is sure to captivate fans of the thriller genre. I enjoyed this book and hope that you do as well.
Happy Reading

Ollie Moorhouse is a struggling journalist, heavily in debt and fearful of losing his increasingly restless girlfriend. When his editor offers him the chance of pursuing an intriguing story, Ollie is hopeful that it will solve his personal and financial problems. His investigations lead him to an eccentric peer of the realm, a grieving philanthropist, a homeless drug addict and a wealthy landowner. But what is it that connects them? I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

E.J. Pepper is the author of both The Colours of the Dance and Flight Path. Winter Kill is also a complex story of humans attemping to navigate

Ollie Moorhouse is a journalist holding a large secret debt as he tries to maintain his waning relationship with his girlfriend. He jumps at the chance of a new story from his editor. When he connects a wealthy power with a homeless drug addict he steps into a swirling story that threatens to drown him - so much so he fears for his life.

Join Ollie at his lowest (so he thinks) and you be the judge of whether he makes the right choices.
#troubador #winterkill #ejpepper

I did enjoy this book!
Took me a while to 'get into it' but then I was hooked.
The book tells the story of murder & blackmail & how a young journalist becomes involved. Ollie is drawn into it by a ruthless man, Lord Hamish Rosser who seems to know so much about everyone.
Ollie is arrested for a murder he didn't commit & needs to prove his innocence.
A gripping story that involves many people & the past life of one of them.
Recommended read, enjoy!