A Killing Cold is a gripping, atmospheric thriller filled with twists that keep readers guessing until the very end. The story follows Theo Scott, who, after a whirlwind romance, accompanies her fiancé, Connor Dalton, to Idlewood—their family’s secluded winter retreat. Upon her arrival, the threatening messages Theo had been receiving to end her romance with Connor escalate while she feels an inexplicable sense of familiarity with the place. When she discovers a childhood photograph of herself taken at Idlewood, she begins to search for answers. As she uncovers concealed truths, she becomes a target and realizes she won’t be able to leave alive.

The isolated, snow-covered setting of Idlewood is the perfect atmospheric backdrop for a psychological thriller. For Theo, whenever she leaves her cabin, there’s an omnipresent sense of being watched and a predator lurking in the shadows. The characters in this story are mostly unlikeable, morally grey, and suspicious. Theo is a complex protagonist who comes across as more mature than her 24 years. Her innate sense of curiosity and constant need for answers allow her to uncover hidden truths but also quickly garner suspicion from others. She has a ruthless and unremorseful side to her that becomes more apparent as the story unfolds, making it difficult to fully empathize with her. Connor’s devotion to her after such a short relationship is almost implausible, especially with their opposite wealth statuses. The way in which they met is delved into but never really becomes clear, and readers may have to suspend their disbelief. Many of Connor’s family members are introduced early in the story. With their brief and spread-out appearances, readers may have trouble discerning between them, so it’s a great idea to jot down their names and associations early on.

The story has a slow-burn suspense first half, mostly fueled by Theo’s feeling of uneasiness and from her discovery of having been there before. While reading this book, seasoned thriller readers may feel like variations of this story have been done before. Having said that, the nonstop atmospheric suspense coupled with the multitude of twists makes this book worthwhile and a standout. In the second half, as Theo delves deeper into the Dalton family’s secrets, the pacing increases and the plot unfolds with more twists, one after another! While some plot twists are predictable, there’s always another one hiding underneath that readers will not expect. In a story where almost all of the key characters are morally grey and have committed some sort of heinous act, it’s difficult to get a just ending—and in this case it’s not the ending you may expect or agree with, but it’s certainly entertaining!

Overall, A Killing Cold is a perfect option for fans of atmospheric suspense and psychological thrillers. Kate Alice Marshall, who’s written several YA and adult thrillers, is getting better with every new book—she’s crafted a highly bingeable, engrossing book here that has deservingly received a lot of praise. The audiobook version, narrated by Karissa Vacker, is incredibly immersive, and her performance truly elevates the story. If you love stories about questionable rich people harboring secrets and locked room thrillers with twists upon twists, then do yourself a favor and pick this one up!