A Killing Cold

A Novel

By: Kate Alice Marshall

Narrated by: Karissa Vacker

"Listeners will find it challenging to hit pause on this suspense thriller by Marshall...Perfect for listeners who enjoy intricately-plotted suspense thrillers full of family secrets, deception, and isolated settings."—Booklist (Starred Review)

A woman invited to her wealthy fiance’s family retreat realizes they are hiding a terrible secret—and that she’s been there before, by the bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods.

A whirlwind romance.

When Theodora Scott met Connor—wealthy, charming, and a member of the powerful Dalton family—she fell in love in an instant. Six months later, he’s brought her to Idlewood, his family’s isolated winter retreat, to win over his skeptical relatives.

Stay away from Connor Dalton.

Theo has tried to ignore the threatening messages on her phone, but she can’t ignore the footprints in the snow outside the cabin window or the strange sense of familiarity she has about this place. Then, in a disused cabin, Theo finds something impossible: a photo of herself as a child. A photo taken at Idlewood.

I’ve been here before.

Theo has almost no recollection of her earliest years, but now she begins to piece together the fragments of her memories. Someone here has a shocking secret that they will do anything to keep hidden, and Theo is in terrible danger. Because the Daltons do not lose, and discovering what happened at Idlewood may cost Theo everything.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

©2025 Kate Alice Marshall (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“A Killing Cold is a gripping tale, full of dizzying twists and turns! It is packed with suspense and kept me frantically turning pages until the very end!”–Freida McFadden, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Housemaid

“A Killing Cold is a tightly wound thriller perfect for fans of Stacy Willingham and Gillian Flynn. Readers will flock to this outstanding story. The suspense is palpable, the danger obvious but obscured, and the isolation creepy enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck. Theodora Scott is a fascinating and complex character, and the entire Dalton clan is everything you’d expect from a family who spends two weeks every winter locked away at their Grand Lodge. Secrets and coverups abound. Marshall has created a feral and alluring gothic that you won’t be able to put down.”—J.T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author of A Very Bad Thing

“Tense, layered, and gripping from start to finish, A Killing Cold is a masterfully suspenseful, character-rich thriller of the first order. With the harsh winter landscape, isolated family compound, and buried memories come back to haunt, Marshall deftly creates an atmosphere of dread that will keep you up past your bedtime and chill you to the bone.”—Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of The New Couple in 5B

A must read!!

Very good storyline had me hooked from the beginning. The narrator was amazing felt as if you were right there! I would definitely recommend!

A good story

This is a well thought out story with likable characters and a few good plot twists. The narration is also good. But it doesn't break the mold of mystery books with exceptional writing.

Riveting story/ immersive narration

Excellent descriptive writing, I was completely enthralled and transported to the stories geography and seasons. The narrator voices all the characters seamlessly and superbly with a pleasant cadence and believable voice.
I will be sure to check out both the author and the narrator for future works.

Suspenseful and intriguing

This book kept me in suspense and questioning throughout to the end. The narration was wonderful. The storyline was easy to follow.

Her best book yet!

I literally couldn’t stop listening!!!! I love rich family dramas and add a secluded lodge on top of that and I’m in!

Really really good

What a great story! Kept me intrigued the whole time. Lot of depth and suspense, also well narrated!

the twists

kept me engaged the whole time. appreciate the attention to emotions and detail. looking forward to what's next.

Twists and turns up to the end

I found myself not wanting the story to end. The story is captivating and draws you in while you try to keep up with all the twists and turns. You’ll be questioning every character and their intentions.
Great for fans of Freida McFadden books who are looking for stories with a less YA feel to them.

The Plot Twists that keeps twisting!

I loved this book! Every time you thought you knew what was happening, it twists again!

Fun twists in the snow!

I think listening to this on audio book was the best choice, because while I found it interesting and I enjoyed the ending, it did drag at times. But the narrator was wonderful and kept me wanting to know the truth in the end with her use of different voices and perfect inflections for the right moments.