DCI James Walker is, for once, enjoying a quiet Christmas with his family. Until his peace is shattered on Boxing Day when a dog walker finds a dead body in the village where James lives.
Dressed as Santa the body has been stabbed and James recognises him, he was a retired police officer and James worked with his wife before she too retired.
When another body is found shortly after, fear and panic grip the village.
James and his team need to find the killer quickly, but the victims were loved and well respected members of the community, so finding someone who wanted them dead isn’t going to be easy.
With more twists and turns than a country lane this kept me guessing until the end. DCI James Walker is a brilliant character, and his team complement him perfectly. Throw in a snowy setting and you have the perfect Christmas crime story.
For me, it’s just not Christmas without an Alex Pine book, I look forward to them each year and they never disappoint.

My thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Killer In The Cold’ written by Alex Pine in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

The body of retired police officer Nigel Booth is found in undergrowth still wearing the Santa costume he had on while taking part in the Boxing Day Parade in Kirkby Abbey. Despite being on leave DCI James Walker is called out to investigate and when he visits the home of the victim discovers that his wife Elizabeth, also a retired police officer, has also been killed. DCI Walker and his team have suspects but no actual evidence leading them to the identity of who could have killed these two well-respected police officers who were also his friends.

‘The Killer In The Cold’ is an entertaining crime thriller set in the cold and snowy Lake District where murders have been committed over the Christmas period. Although I’ve only read book four in this Winter series it’s helpful that before the story commences there’s an update on the characters to jog my memory. The characters are perfectly described, especially DCI Walker who it’s good to know has a life and family outside of the police force. The plot is gripping with plenty of suspense and twists and turns and a surprising conclusion, making this an excellent novel to read over the coming festive season while perhaps eating a mince pie and drinking a glass of something warming! This is an addictive thriller that I’ve enjoyed reading and has kept me glued to my Kindle while trying to decide the identity of the killer. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

I've enjoyed each of these novels since reading the first one on publication. This was no exception.

As always James festive season is somewhat marred by bloody corpses. Despite an element of gore these still have a feel of a slightly cosy, traditional thriller. More Midsummer Murders than The Killing.

The writing as always was well thought out and you happily trotted along for the ride encountering red herrings as you went.

I'm already looking forward to the next book. If I had a wish list it would be a tad more character development among the regular faces, and that James wife be a bit less wet.

You can read this as a standalone but I highly reccomend binging on the previous four first this month.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC which was very much appreciated.

I've read all the books in this series and it was nice to catch up with the characters again. Lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing and I'm never going on a break to Cumbria over the Festive period!

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I read all previous books in this series and I enjoy the mysteries in them, they are generally very easy and quick books to read.

However, I think they can also be at least 1/2 the size. There is a lot of repetition in the chapters, lots of overexplaining that honestly makes the reading a bit boring. The characters are not very rounded, there are many police officers that don't really have a role in the story if not so DI Walker can assign more tasks to more people. Would do with a bit of simplification and some show not tell (especially if if you tell so many times).

I also would have liked to see a bit more of the setting coming to life. I don't think at the moment it stands out very much (other than pointing out that everyone knows everyone), and the mysteries could really be happening anywhere. It's a shame, as the setting could have a lot of potential.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alex Pine does it again! I absolutely loved this book. I have read the previous 4 and i always look forward to this every autumn/winter. This is the 5th instalment of DCI James Walker. I don't want to give too much away but there is a murder and lots of twists and turns along the way. This book is the most cosiest of murder mystery's, and i am so looking forward to returning to Kirby Abbey for a 6th time fingers crossed. If you haven't already done so pick this series us it is fantastic, so well written and unputdownable.

We are back in Kirkby Abbey where Detective James Walker is enjoying a quiet Christmas at home. When body is found in the woods, the mystery behind. He knows the person, it’s a retired police officer.
It’s a slow burner, but has a great twist at the end. I enjoyed reading about Walker again and these are light reads. It’s a good crime series. A 4 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

DCI James Walker Series, #5

This is the fifth book in the DCI James Walker series that's set in the Cumbrian village of Kirkby Abbey. All the crimes have been set around Christmastime.

DCI James Walker is on leave when he gets the call telling him that a dog walker has found a body dressed as Santa Claus. But it's only a very short time before James is investigating a double murder that shocks the small community. Both murders are in walking distance from Jame's home, and the snow is falling, so the team need to work fast to gather as much evidence as they can before the snow destroys it all.

With plenty of suspects to choose from, you might, like me, guess correctly who the culprit was, but it did take me a while to get there. This time the case is more personal to James and his team. There were clues, red herrings and twists. \the pace is fast, the characters are well-developed. All five books in this series could be read as standalones, but read them all in order, you won't be disappointed. Plus It's coming into the perfect season to read them.

Published 7th November 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #AlexPine for my ARC of #TheKillerInTheCold im exchange for an honest review/

Well Christmas can start now as I’ve got my Detective James Walker Christmas thriller! This is the 5th book in the series and like the others can still work well as a stand alone story (but it is well worth catching up on the others if this is your first time dropping into Kirkby Abbey). Each Christmas there’s a murder in the village which interrupts Walker’s celebrations with his young family and ever so patient wife Annie! At least this year they got to spend Christmas Day together before all the action kicked off!
A fast paced, gripping thriller, with a few red herrings along the way makes this a good read! I found this one really focused on the investigation and solving the crime and less about the lives of the police officers working on the case. I liked that - it meant I was totally engrossed in the case and it was a great read! Happy New Year Detective Walker!

The Killer in the cold is book 5 in the DI James Walker series. But you can read it as a standalone.
Di James Walker hopes this Christmas is different than the previous ones in the small village of Kirby Abbey in Cumbria that he lives with his wife Anne and their young daughter. But it is short lived when he gets a call to say that they have found a body dressed in a Santa costume not far from his home. When the identify the body, they find out that it I the body of retired Police officer Nigel Booth who they assumed that he was on his way to participate the Santa Claus parade.
When they visit the family home to pass the bad news to his wife Elizabeth, they find that she has been murdered too. She is also retired from the police. Who would want to kill this lovely couple? Was it someone that Nigel put away in his Police days? James are in a rush to find the killer encase they strike again.
This is another great episode in the series. Great characters, with loads of suspects and red herrings along the way. I was quite surprised when the author revealed the true killer right at the end. I didn’t see it coming. 5 stars from me.

In The Killer in the Cold, we are back wi DCI James Walker in his small Cumbrian village where once again a murderer strikes at Christmas. It’s the latest novel in Alex Pine’s series and I was booked from the start. It’s a fast paced, gripping thriller with a well thought plot that you will be unable to put down. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

Fans of this well crafted series know that Christmas always brings murder to Cumbria and that DCI James Walker and his team will be racing to solve them so that they can spend some time with their families. New readers - this will be fine as a standalone. This time out, a retired police officer and his wife also a retired officer, are the victims (and he was in a Santa suit!). But that's not all. The body count in the area over time has been high but James continues to be clever. And his wife Annie is a treat. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me.

First in the series for me and an enjoyable read. Gory murder of Santa, stabbed on his way home, gory murder of his wife, stabbed in their home. Both retired police officers. Small village, everyone knows every else and their business, if they don't they make it up anyway. Main detective also lives in said village. Good policing, good detecting team - all work well together and seem to have avoided the stereotypical drunk/drugged/misogynistic characters of many other series. Pleasure to read and to be able to concentrate on the twists, turns and red herrings. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Another great addition to the series! I love how in every book they look forward to a quiet Christmas and then are surprised when someone gets murdered😂

I was completely surprised by the killer reveal, I would never have guessed it!

This book can easily be read as a standalone but please note that it is book 5 in a series.

I eagerly awaited this book after devouring the rest of the series at the start of this year and I definitely wasn't disappointed.
It was very fast paced, full of twists and turns just like the previous books.
I didn't see the ending coming at all. I had no theories but did have some leanings.
I love these books as they are set in Cumbria, where I visit every year so a lot of the place names are familiar and some of them, places I've been. It really helps me form a picture in my mind whilst reading.
I really hope that there will be more books from this series in the future.
It's the perfect Christmas crime series.

This is the fifth book in the DCI James Walker series. Winter just wouldn’t be the same without a festive offering from Alex Pine, and Killer Cold delivers! The story kicks off when a body is found in a Santa Claus costume in the small village of Kirkby Abbey, Cumbria. The victim is a former police officer known to DCI James Walker, setting off a race against time for James and his small team to catch the killer. Not long after, a second body is discovered, and she, too, is a former officer. The stakes are high, and I really felt for James and Annie, who just want to enjoy time with their young family.

The team dynamic is brilliant, and the characters are well written, especially DI Walker. I loved the clever twists, red herrings, and subplots that all tie up nicely in a Christmas-wrapped conclusion. The setting is beautifully described, transporting you to a wintry village, and the suspense keeps you hooked throughout. This series continues to deliver with its likable characters, smart storylines, and stunning scenery. A great read for anyone who enjoys a festive thriller!

Absolutely amazing! I've read all of Alex Pines books and this one didn't disappoint. I never guessed who it was so it was a surprise plot twist for me

I am a huge fan of this series and couldn't wait to read The Killer in the Cold. It exceeded expectations and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I cannot wait for the next installment.

The Killer in the Cold Alex Pine

5 stars

DCI James Walker, his wife Annie and their 2 small children have just spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together and James is looking forward to Boxing Day. For once it appears that nothing requiring his attention is going to happen this Christmas for the first time in many years and books!

How wrong can he be? He receives a telephone call regarding a body that has been found murdered very close to his house in Kirkby Abbey. When he investigates he discovers that it is his very good friend and ex-colleague, Nigel Booth, last seen taking part in the Santa Claus parade on Christmas Eve. He is still in his Santa outfit and concerned that his absence has not been called in by his wife Elizabeth, James goes to the Booth's house only to discover her body also brutally murdered. The couple have recently retired as police detectives and were very well regarded in the village.

The main suspect is their son, Liam, who has been arguing with his parents about their decision to retire to Spain and spend all his inheritance money. He has been bailed out many times by his parents but is still heavily in debt with a wife and small child to support,.Everything points to him especially when threatening messages to his father are found on his phone. However it could well be a previous criminal who had held a grudge against one or both of the Booths.

The fact that these brutal murders have taken place in the very community that James and his family live makes this case all the more difficult. There is no concrete proof to arrest Liam and the local people are getting more and more fearful and are demanding a solution to the crime.

There are various other characters that could be involved and James is under increasing pressure to find the killer. Of course, as in all good detective stories he does solve the case but I must admit the ending was totally unexpected. I look forward to next Christmas' murder!


Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net Galley

DCI James Walker is looking forward to a quiet family Christmas this year with his family.
This, though, like the years prior is not to be. He finds himself leading an inquiry into the brutal murders of two retired police officers.
Living in small village everyone wants information from Walker and his wife and to pass on theories of what happened.
With not a lot of actual evidence though plenty of apparent suspects and motives the pressure to solve the case is on.
An enjoyable read throughout, enough twists and suspects to keep me guessing until the end.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon books for the advance copy.