Tag Archives: Flatiron Books

Review: A Killing Cold

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A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Pub Date: 2/4/2025

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the free advanced copy. 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Theodora Scott falls for Connor Dalton and joins him at his family’s remote winter retreat, where strange warnings and memories from her forgotten past surface. As Theo uncovers the dark secrets of the Daltons and Idlewood, she realizes the truth could cost her everything.

A Killing Cold is the third book I’ve read from Kate Alice Marshall. The premise of the book was intriguing, but I found Theo’s anxious inner monologue to be monotonous and repetitive at times. The flashbacks sprinkled throughout offered interesting hints about what might have happened in the past. However, I didn’t feel as invested in the other characters as they lacked depth and weren’t fully fleshed out. Theo and Connor’s relationship also fell flat for me as it seemed to lack substance. The ending was decent in terms of the whodunnit reveal. The audiobook performance by Karissa Vacker was excellent. After reading my third Kate Alice Marshall book, I’m beginning to think her writing style may not be for me. Overall, I’d rate this 3 stars.

Review: No One Will Know

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No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Pub Date: 1/23/2024

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

In No One Can Know, three sisters confront their dark past in their old mansion, dealing with two mysterious murders and family secrets that could destroy their lives. Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. While the plot initially sounded intriguing, the execution felt like a commercial thriller and was too predictable. I knew who the culprit was from the start, rendering the red herrings ineffective and leading to a boring reading experience. All the characters, including Emma and Nathan, lacked depth and appeared two-dimensional. I couldn’t muster any sympathy towards any of the characters. The story is told through the perspectives of the three sisters, with Daphne’s being the most interesting. Emma’s perspective was boring and JJ’s seemed odd but better than Emma’s. The flashbacks kept me engaged, but the pacing in the present narrative was slow, which affected the overall momentum of the story. Additionally, the way diversity and queerness were integrated into the story felt forced and less naturally integrated, seemingly added as an afterthought rather than as a meaningful and intentional part of the narrative. The last half of the book picks up, but the scenarios are far-fetched and detract from the storyline. I personally can’t recommend this one.