The main character in this book is DCI Antonia Hawkins who is constantly struggling with her work/home balance which is not impressing her fiancé, Mike, who is also a detective. I found it hard to like Antonia as there were several occasions during the book when she promised Mike that she would rebalance her work/home life but within a minute or so got a work call and disappeared off. It seemed plain to me from the beginning that she cared for work a lot more than anyone else and wouldn't change.

Several bodies are found in different locations with no visible signs of death. This stumps even the pathologist for a while. The plot then moves into spiritualism, paganism, devil worship and paranormal territory which I wasn’t fond of.

I was somewhat attracted to read this book as the subtitle on the cover says ‘Christmas is coming’ but this refers to an abandoned church called Cold Christmas where people interested in spiritualism meet. Christmas festivities play no part in the book except for the occasional mention or lights and gifts and the fact it is approaching.

There were two big chase scenes on foot that just seemed to go on forever with so much detail. I can see it would make for a good visual chase on film or TV but I found it tedious in printed form.

Sadly this wasn’t for me but I can appreciate it would appeal to those who like this genre more than I do. With thanks to Penguin UK - Michael Joseph who invited me to read an ARC.

This is a dark festive crime thriller featuring the latest in the DCI Antonia Hawkins series, set in London. Antonia is quietly going crazy with her wedding planning arrangements that have grown to levels she cannot abide as her and DI Mike Maguire's families have got involved. She wishes there was a murder case she can get her teeth into only to find that her wish is granted. Three bodies have been discovered on a Brixton housing estate in an abandoned flat. The men have been dead for at least two weeks and the curious thing is that there appears to be no apparent cause of death. Antonia and her police team that include DS Amala Yasir, DS Aaron Sharpe and a trainee, face a complex investigation in which leads and motive are hard to come by.

Antonia is continuing to be counselled by Brian Sturridge for PTSD after a terrifying multiple stabbing in her past, which she has not got over, still experiencing panic attacks. It eventually emerges that the men were killed by the misuse of a defibrillator to cause a heart attack. The police time struggle to come up with a connection between the men although drugs seems to be a possibility. In the meantime, Antonia and Mike's relationship deteriorates so that it hangs by a thread as Mike moves out. This pushes Antonia to admit that marriage is a difficult option for her as long as she remains in the police force. Other murders with the same MO turn up, with an Alchemy symbol for purification under a body. There seems to be a paranormal or cult connection but the motive eludes the police. Mike and Antonia are in the process of repairing their relationship when they make their way to Cold Christmas Church where rumours of satanic worship abound. There they encounter an insane killer with a twisted motive, will they make it out alive?

If you are looking for a dark and disturbing festive crime read, then this fits the bill. I should warn readers that this is not a feel good read. Gunn's protagonist, Antonia, is a flawed and difficult woman, she is plagued by mental health issues, and she does not easily ask for help. Her life revolves around her work, and everything else comes second, even her fiance, Mike. It is not surprising that Mike takes issue with this, and this has Antonia considering the unthinkable, leaving the force so that her relationship works. This is a gripping novel that is tense, suspenseful and well plotted. A great read that I recommend! Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.

Not a bad book but I prefer my crime books a bit more grittier and detailed.

DCI Antonia Hawkins is off after another seriel killer. Although her professional and personal life are not going as well for her and her fiancé DI Mike Maguire..The storyline involves many twists and turns leading them eventually to the killer. A very enjoyable read

Another exciting police thriller from this author featuring his regular cast in a race to solve murders that pile up at an increasing rate. Throw in some cult worshippers and demonology and you have an entertaining yarn with a shock finish. Roll on the next episode!

I will not be posting a review of this book. I have contacted the publisher to explain.

I almost gave up on this book after the first couple of chapters but am really glad I did'nt. Detective Antonio Hawkins is on the case of a serial killer who is killing his victims with a defibrilltor. The only clue he leaves behinh is a symbol. Hawkins and her live-in partner are at odds as he wants to get married and her job is taking over her life leaving little time for them. Hawkins is a strong character who we learn has been through some tough psychological issues in regards to a previous case.
The book diid not make me feel 'I can't wait to read the next page' it proved more of a plodder but I am glad I finished it.

I was invited to review an ARC of Cold Christmas by Alastair Gunn, by Penguin - Michael Joseph.
The plot revolves around DCI Hawkins, struggling to keep the work – life balance. Shes hoping for her next big case and when it happens it causes more problems than the distraction she wanted.
There’s three men, stripped from the waist down, dead, left in some abandoned flats. Is this a new serial killer or a one off? No one can work it out. The investigation takes them to Cold Christmas Church, a haunted church which has a long history of devil worship. (having visited the church many years ago the creepiness of the location really hit home for me)
I really enjoyed this book once I got into it. There’s a lot of history to learn about DCI Hawkins which made me wonder if this was the first in the series. We slowly learn things about her past but not in depth – either way it works!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the invitation to review this book. On first acquaintance this appears to be a standard police procedural and, as such, it offered some significant reward for the reader’s investment of time. At times the narrative was pacy and fluent, with an ability to keep the reader turning the pages. The plot was a bit of a curate’s egg though, with some good structure and deliberate teasing blind alleys interspersed with less credible interludes. The final denouement, in particular, was less satisfying and perhaps belonged in a more occult-flavoured book. This reader would have preferred fewer deliberately crafted efforts to generate mood and atmosphere - ‘gravid silence’ is hardly an improvement on the more conventional ‘pregnant silence’ and as for ‘ethereal mist’ - well! For me, too, the ups and downs in the lead character’s relationship with her partner did not fit well in the narrative. Others will be able to comment with more authority on the extent to which DCI Hawkins plays fast and loose with police protocols. Overall, an author whose work has real promise but, perhaps, a book that would have benefited from a different editing approach.

I really enjoyed this book, I hadn't realised that this was the third book featuring DCI Antonia Hawkins, and although it referred back to previous books it was easy to read as a standalone. The characters were well drawn and the story line was great, it kept you guessing right up until the end, which had a twist I wasn't expecting at all. I would highly recommend this book.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. The name is definitely appropriate in this case. Great storyline and well written. A lot of characters that all gelled together very well. A sad ending though. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

I finished this book in a day! I loved the combination of supernatural and modern day policing and will admit to being highly emotional at the end. A fantastic read, hugely enjoyable.

This is a story with an unusual tale to tell. It is well written. For much of the book, I thought the storyline of the lead detective's relationship with her fiance was just another example of all detectives having to have dysfunctional private lives but in the end it is used to good effect. There are times when there is overmuch description which could be edited out.

Cold Christmas is a fast-paced thriller set mainly in London but also there is a connection in a village called Thundridge.There are plenty of bodies piling up , a touch of the paranormal and a cracking ending which almost had me gasping with shock , what's not to like ? This is my first book by Alastair Dunn but it won't be the last .Brilliant .

A meaty and gritty thriller which takes you into some dark places in and around the city. For it's Christmas connotations, this makes things all the more grim and the poor police seemed to have more than their fair share of problems. Whilst solid and good on police detail, there were some added points of interest such as the jaunt out of the city to the mystery of Thundridge which I found a nice change from the usual police procedurals. That the author has found a village which sounds very much like it should be a name of a novel and moulded a mystery from it, really appealed to me. I couldn't believe it when i found it was a real place. Don't know why but that just added a frisson of mystery to it right there.

The mystery unfolds in a nice pace with solid investigation and some cracking red herrings and mysteries that don't seem to link up to the case. But of course, they do, although not as you imagine.

A neat and solid police procedural this one with an added dose of village mystery

I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for an advance copy of Cold Christmas, the fourth novel in the DCI Antonia Hawkins police procedural series.

Antonia is fighting with her fiancé Mike over her commitment to their relationship and proposed marriage so, although it confirms everything Mike is saying, she is happy to drop their plans and go to a murder scene where 3 decomposing bodies have been found. There is no obvious cause of death but the pathologist is sure it is murder so with no suspects, means or motive Antonia and the team have their work cut out to make any headway.

I enjoyed Cold Christmas which is an interesting read. The cause of death and the reasons for it are unusual and it's refreshing to see something a bit different to the run of the mill blunt instrument. Whether it's possible I wouldn't like to speculate. The actual investigation is more pedestrian with the team speculating wildly on motives in lieu of any firm facts and most of what they do learn sends them down some spectacular blind alleys.

There is a bit too much of Antonia and Mike's arguments in the novel for my taste. We know she's dedicated and was when he moved in so why does he want her to change and why won't she just say exactly what's on her mind? Who cares? It's a never ending circle and I strongly disagree that it should be her, the more senior of them, considering giving up a career which means so much to her for a relationship - it smacks of old fashioned sexism, Mr Gunn.

Cold Christmas is a good read, which, with some reservations, I can recommend. 3.5*

I was really excited to read Cold Christmas by Alastair Gunn as I love the Antonia Hawkins series of books. 

I loved this book the story was great, really interesting. I enjoyed the paranormal aspect to it, it was fascinating.   It felt real, I can easily imagine that there are groups of people out there who take part in this type of religious ceremony.

Antonia can't seem to catch a break, her love life is a bit of a mess, her work life balance is shot and she can't seem to make it all work.  She's on the verge of losing her realtionship with Mike but can't seem to committ fully to the relationship, work always comes first.

The ending was a bit of a blow out, didn't see that coming!  This book was excellent, it's easily a 5 star read and is in my top 10 books of 2017.  Alastair Gunn really delivered the goods, an awesome read.

I would like to thank Penguin UK, Michael Joseph and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Cold Christmas’ by Alastair Gunn in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
DCI Toni Hawkins and her team are investigating why three young men who were found lying on the floor of a derelict London flat should all have died of heart attacks. As more bodies of young men are discovered Toni suspects they could have been involved in spiritualism. During their investigations they visit an ancient church in Cold Christmas which has the reputation for meetings taking place for devil worship.
‘Cold Christmas’ is a brilliantly written novel with interesting characters I could relate to, a tense and believable storyline and a gripping finale which moved me to tears.
This is the first novel I’ve read by Alastair Gunn but it won’t be the last. I can wholeheartedly recommend this amazing book and look forward to reading the next one.