The Winter Killer: The new and most chilling book yet in the gripping British detective crime fiction series you have to read this Christmas: Book 3 (DI James Walker series)

Product Information

Overview: This was a great festive read with my reading buddy. I read the first two books in this series last December so was excited to see that this came out last month. As usual I didn't guess the killer. I never do with these books because the author is very clever at throwing numerous red herrings and constantly throwing new suspects into the mix. If you're into mystery, crime and detailed police procedural story, then you can give this one a try. I would definitely still recommend this book, especially if you want an easy thriller to read over the colder months. But if Pine intends to write a fourth book, I just hope he gets a little more daring. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I was totally hooked' NetGalley reviewer, As a snowstorm descends, three lives hang in the balance. But can the killer be caught before the trail goes cold?

Night Before Christmas" by Alex Pine is a delightful reimagining of the timeless holiday classic that captures the magic of the season while infusing it with a fresh and modern perspective. Pine's writing style effortlessly combines the charm of the original story with a contemporary twist, creating a heartwarming and engaging read for readers of all ages.The story follows the familiar structure of the original poem, with a visit from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Christmas is a season to be dreaded in the beautiful Lake District as despite it's breath-taking views, bad things seem to happen around the festive season and this year is no exception. This is not a novel that will set the pulses racing as its tone mirrors the lead character, DCI James Walker. It is calm and methodical with no drama, except the final showdown, but even that has little tension. This is another great thriller by the author. What should have been the best day of her life, Libby's wedding turns into a murder investigation. All the potential suspects are her wedding guests. This is a fast paced, gripping read with plenty of twist and turns. DI James Walker and his team know they won't be spending the New Year holidays the way they had planned. I was pulled into this story at the beginning, and it held my attention throughout. This series gets better with each new book. This book could be read as a standalone. For DCI Walker and his team, Christmas has come to be a much disliked time. Having solved a number of cases around this time over the past few years, they shouldn’t be surprised when yet another Christmas Eve is marred by a very odd case.

I certainly would recommend The Night before Christmas to people who like a well paced whodunnit full of suspense. Although the third book in the series, the book can easily be read as a standalone and there's even a character list at the start of the book to introduce you to who's who which I always find very useful.

This novel is a marvellous read – the pacing is comfortable, it is well-plotted and the story is intriguing. This compelling crime thriller is a nail-biter and will leave you at the edge of your seat. I’m fond of James Walker, who’s a new father to baby Bella, and who might be up for promotion. But he worked hard to solve this complex crime by getting the job done. I like the winter season for the Fells and Cumbria, England, which were the perfect scenic settings for the dual locations. The theme of the story is revenge is a powerful motion in the heat of the moment. I haven’t been overly enthusiastic about this series so far, but I think that The Night Before Christmas is the best so far. The premise is intriguing, not just for the disappearance but for what might or might not be related events. I found it interesting enough to want to know what happened and why.I needed more. The story was often repetitive with the reader constantly reminded of the progression of events. And several of the twists, including the final reveal, were quite predictable. I also didn't see the point of the detective being so uncharacteristically worrying as it served no real purpose in the story. Let this trait hinder or compromise his investigation or, better yet, let it be an asset in solving the case. While staying true to the essence of the original poem, "Night Before Christmas" also surprises readers with unexpected twists and turns that keep the story engaging and unpredictable. This reimagined version maintains the poetic rhythm and lyrical quality of the original while infusing it with a sense of modern sensibility.

This is book four in the DI James Walker series. The author starts off the book by introducing DI Walker and his team for those readers that may not be familiar with the previous books. Since DI Walker has moved to Cumbria there has been a murder every Christmas for him and his team to solve. This Christmas Eve is no different when he receives a call from Maria Payne that her husband Dylan and 3 friends have not returned from a hike they went on earlier that morning. She is not able to reach him and fears that he may be in trouble. The men have been friends for years. A fast-paced gripping read with plenty of twists and turns . This series just gets better and better!�� NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐��⭐⭐

Featured Reviews

Traditionally, the 12 days of Christmas are celebrated as a season of joy and goodwill. However, James Walker's recent promotion to the position of DCI has failed to shake off the Christmas jinx that seems to linger over his team. This particular investigation promises to stretch their overtime budget as they toil through long hours during the holiday season.