A police procedural set in England with a murderer dressed as Santa Claus? I'm in!

THE SANTA KILLER, by Ross Greenwood, was such a fun read to get me prepped for Christmas and dare I say - Halloween!

Apparently THE SANTA KILLER is the finale of the DI Barton series. Lots of fans are sad the series is ending. This was my first venture with DI Barton and I definitely plan to read the series in order.

Sometimes mysteries that revolve around police investigations can be boring. THE SANTA KILLER was interesting because we get various points-of-view: DI Barton, the victims and the killer.

The only thing I did not like were the references to the pandemic, masks and lockdown. I didn't know ahead of time the book made references to the pandemic. Honestly, I'm burned out on all that and would rather not read books set during that time.

THE SANTA KILLER is a quaint mystery filled with lots of Christmas cheer and a dash of an evil Santa.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an e-copy of THE SANTA KILLER to review.

I rate THE SANTA KILLER four out of five stars.

I enjoyed this book but not as much as I hoped.. Christmas is supposed to be a happy time and this was far from it. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

You better watch out
You better not cry
Cos Santa Claus is coming to town
Only he is bad, so perhaps you better be afraid!

First let me start by saying I'm rather pleased that no Santa's were killed during this book, which was my fear from the title, but the blurb mentions bad Santa, so I'm fairly sure I'm not spoiling anything by stating this.

I was aware going into this book that it was book 6 in a series, but given I can never resist a Christmas sounding book, be it romance or thriller, I definitely wasn't going to pass up the chance to read it.

It easily works as a standalone to the extend that I'm a bit gutted its the last in the series, as I would have been happy to carry on reading more DI Barton books.

We are treated to chapters from the killer's point of view in addition to DI Barton and some of the victims.

I love it when you are able to get inside the head of a bad guy.

I also really enjoyed seeing not only how DI Barton tried to solve the case, but also his compassionate side too. There is one family in particular that is featured that will stick with me long after finishing this book, just for the situation they are in, which could be far more common than we like to think with the way the country is going currently.

Those sections are written tactfully and it's good that these sorts of issues are brought into fiction and to a wider audience.

This novel had me coming up with some varying theories but none correct and I had to keep on reading to discover the resolution.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to hearing more about the author's new series in the future.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Santa Killer by Ross Greenwood

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

The Santa Killer is coming to town…

One night less than two weeks before Christmas, a single mother is violently assaulted. It’s a brutal crime at the time of year when there should be goodwill to all. When DI Barton begins his investigation, he’s surprised to find the victim is a woman with nothing to hide and no reason for anyone to hurt her.

A few days later, the mother of the woman attacked rings the police station. Her granddaughter has drawn a shocking picture. It seems she was looking out of the window when her mother was attacked. And when her grandmother asks the young girl who the person with the weapon is, she whispers two words.

Bad Santa.

My Opinion

This is the first book I have read in the DI Barton series but this can easily be read as a standalone. The drama starts straight away and I found it far too easy to read this book in one sitting. There are plenty of suspects in the aftermath of the attack and many red herrings which make for a very suspenseful read.

I really enjoyed this and cannot believe that I have not read any of the earlier books in the series - I will need to be on the lookout for those.

Rating: 4/5

It is less than two weeks until Christmas when a seemingly innocent woman is attacked outside her home and although it looks personal, DI John Barton from Peterborough’s Major Crimes struggles to find any kind of motive. Things turn very strange when two witnesses identify Father Christmas at the scene of the crime and his thoughts revert to a conversation with a local radio DJ who has received an odd letter, telling him The Santa Killer is Coming to Town. With his team including his two loyal sergeants, DS Zander and DS Strange, DCs Leicester, Zelensky and Malik, and latest addition Hoffman also on the case, in quick succession Barton investigates another attacked woman and a second letter to the radio station, and it looks like a pattern is emerging. Can they stop this before anyone else gets hurt? Meanwhile the reader also gets to hear the thoughts themselves, relating events from childhood, current activities and their plan, and gets a good idea who this is. Maybe. And just when Barton thinks it’s all over – it really isn’t.
Once again it’s great to see the story unfolding from both perspectives of killer and detective, willing Barton on to make all the connections in a clever and very twisty plot. The team have a great closeness and loyalty, and Barton’s home life is a pleasure to read about. And so it’s the end of an era and a series I have very much enjoyed. I am definitely looking forward to this author’s new detective series set in Norfolk, and let’s hope we see Barton making an appearance sometime. 5*

This is the first book by Ross Greenwood that I have read and I'm sad I came to his work at the end of a series! I enjoyed DI Barton as a character that was genuine, hardworking and happy with his home life. This may be the final book in the series but you can read it as a standalone like I did and thoroughly enjoy it. I will be going back to the start of the series and reading them though!

As Maggie is returning one evening from the gym she is attacked from behind and left unconscious on her doorstep. DI Barton is called to investigate this horrific crime but soon found there are hardly any clues as there is no one with a grudge against Maggie. A few years days later Maggie’s mum calls Barton to say that her granddaughter has drawn a picture of what looks like the night of the attack. When asked what she saw, she whispers ‘Bad Santa!’

‘The Santa Killer’ is a twisty, suspenseful mystery that keeps readers on their toes about who is the culprit! I warmed to Barton as a character as he is always looking out for people whether as a policeman a colleague or a friend. He has that genuine urge to find justice for those who are hurt and just seems like a stand-up guy. Plus, for once he has a happy home life!

The pacing of the book was great as it leaps straight into the action, it was a compulsive page-turner and you could easily devour it in one sitting! Let me know if you pick this one up.

This is book six in the DI Barton series, but is actually the first one of the series I’ve read. If like me you’ve not come across Barton before you can read it as a stand-alone. Although saying that I enjoyed his team so much I’ll definitely be catching up with the rest of the series soon.
Ross has a great way of writing his characters as not only are they believable, but you become really invested in them and their stories. He makes you think about them even the baddies aren’t all bad, and they sometimes have good reasons why they’ve turned out the way they have.
I like the way the characters get their own chapters so you see the story from all the different perspectives. It’s a nice fast paced read with lots of twists. It’s an emotional ride for some of the characters that you really feel with them.
I highly recommend this book and I look forward to the new series set in Cromer. I’ve spent many happy times there. Five stars all the way for this read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The book begins with Inga, four years previously, in Stevenage. As is often the case, first chapters of crime books don’t often feature characters who live very far into the book and Inga is the same. But it always takes us straight into the action to witness a murder!
A more unusual literary device is employed in this book though, when we have chapters written from the viewpoint of the murderer – this time known as The Santa Killer from the book’s title. This chapter is set in Peterborough in the present day. We discover that the person has been following someone called Maggie, who appears to have a privileged life which the killer is envious of. I really enjoyed reading the killer’s thoughts and trying to find little clues to their identity. You are able to follow their story and see what makes them tick, reading about key incidents in their past.
The next chapter is from Maggie’s point of view, which cleverly shows us what her life is really like and it isn’t the perfect dream-like world that the killer thinks she inhabits. She is 38 and lives with her daughter Pippa (10). As we are able to see into her life and circumstances, we warm to her quickly and want her to be okay.
We also follow the police, with Detective Inspector John Barton being the lead figure in these novels. I haven’t read any of the books previously, but this is part of a series which began with The Snow Killer. I certainly didn’t feel disadvantaged reading The Santa Killer first, it works fine as a standalone.
Barton works in a police station in Peterborough along with his team DS Shawn Zander (who is dating fellow police officer DS Kelly Strange), Zelensky, Malik, DC Leicester and new recruit Hoffman. Barton is married to Holly and they have three children (Lawrence, Luke and Layla) and a greyhound called Gizmo.
I loved the dialogue in the book and there’s a lot of wit and humour. Even little cameo roles are memorable. I also liked that it was mentioned that police officers need the loo! I have often read fast-paced crime thrillers wondering when on earth they get chance for a wee! (Maybe that’s just me.)
I like the length of the chapters here, they are perfect – sometimes just a couple of pages if a brief scene, but usually around five pages on the e-book. I also enjoyed the different viewpoints. I think if you know what a murderer is thinking and feeling, they seem more believable and you have some sympathy for them, even though they are committing a horrible crime. I liked that the novel was set recently and mentioned things like lockdown and face masks, which grounded it well and made it feel real.
Overall, there’s not much to criticise in this book. It was really well-paced, I loved the characters (especially Barton), the writing is clever and the story fascinating. I’m happy to recommend this and I’d love to read the rest of the series.

I hadn't read any Ross Greenwood up to this point, although I do have some of the previous DI Barton books on audio still to read.
So, I did think this can be read as a standalone as I wasn't left confused or left behind at all.
The plot takes you straight into the drama and literally doesn't let up. You can easily read this in one sitting if the opportunity arises. It is that good.
DI Barton is the perfect character to carry this series through, and I am now desperate to go back and read the first books to see his full character development!

THE SANTA KILLER is the sixth book in the DI Barton series and I am really sad that this is Barton's last book, but Greenwood has ended this character at good time and place and who knows we may see Barton and his team pop up in future new series from Greenwood *fingers crossed*

Barton and his team have had few months downtime following their previous case, but that lull doesn't last long when a brutal assault on a single mother brings the team front and foremost at what should be the most wonderful time of the year as they hunt down the attacker who was seen by the daughter and described as being 'Bad Santa'.

Told from the trademark killer and Barton perspectives we see what has triggered them to do the things they have, all whilst leaving us piecing together who the heck it could be. How Barton pieces the jigsaw together and catch them is what I love most about police procedural books - just how from one incident they can tie it to someone you never had on the radar to start with.

The banter that Barton has with Zander and our grumpy pathologist Mortis will be sorely missed but this has been a great series, one I am sad to see end but I am so excited to delve into Greenwoods new series coming soon set in Norfolk - I hope we get same kind of calibre of characters.

5 stars

The Santa Killer is the first book I have read by Ross Greenwood. I hadn't realised that this was part of a series but I found it easy to pick up the backstories of the characters. I found it to be quite a dark read with plenty of twists and turns and a very shocking ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

I would just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for my honest review.

The Santa Killer is book number 6 from the ‘DI Barton’ series but can also be very easily read as a stand alone, which is what I did, with no problems whatsoever.
one night less than two weeks before Christmas, a single mother is brutally assaulted. So DI Barton begins his investigation.
This book was a wonderful change from the genre of books that I usually read and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
The Santa Killer was a suspenseful mystery full of twists and the characters were very down-to-earth and realistic and it definitely kept me gripped right through to the very end…..

What a book! I was so excited but also so sad that this was going to be the last in the DI Barton series. This kept in the same style with the other books, being told in the perspective of both DI Barton and The Santa Killer. I enjoy this layout because we get an anonymous insight into the killer. This one was definitely a page turner.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book, just the talk of Santa made me excited for Christmas. I was hooked from the first page and I couldn’t wait to find out more about the killer. I liked how we got some past background information about the killer, it helped both DI Barton and the reader put the puzzle together. Some of the characters in this book were acting very strange so it was difficult for me to know who to trust.

This book had such a great pace to it, the events in the book were spread out so it kept me hooked. As I’ve said with the other books in this series, the book was easy to read and easy to follow and it flowed between the change os perspectives. I enjoyed this last instalment of the series.

The Santa killer a good read for winter! Didn’t realize this was part of a series so I’m not sure if i needed to read the other books in order. I didn’t feel like i missed out from previous books in the series. A single mom attacked by Father Christmas or was she. Definitely enjoyed the flow of this book

The story:

Christmas is coming, but for DI John Barton and the team, it doesn't seem like there’s a lot of goodwill among men…

When single-mother Maggie is attacked outside her own home, it appears to be a motiveless crime. It's possible she was just unlucky… But when another attack occurs involving her colleague it's clear that something more personal is at play.

Will DI Barton and the team at Thorpe Wood police station be able to crack the case before the perpetrator strikes again? And could there be a link with a series of murders across the country that are gradually getting closer to Peterborough?

My thoughts:

This is the third book I've read in the DI Barton series (see "The Cold Killer" and "The Fire Killer"), and it sadly looks set to be the last, at least for now.

Set in the winter of 2020, DI Barton's station is stretched beyond capacity with team members off sick or isolating. So it falls to him to start investigating the attack on Maggie — a seemingly motiveless but surprisingly vicious beating. Barton's many years of experience (aided by the 'Barton belly'!) leads to an arrest that seems to offer an explanation.

But with the case seemingly put to bed, something doesn't seem quite right to Barton (or me either, with around a third of the book still to go!), and as ever his instincts prove right. I find Barton and the team to be extremely likable (although the rest of the team members are mostly in the background for this one, with Barton doing a lot of the legwork himself), and the story moves at a great pace with plenty of twists and turns. One thing I really appreciate about the author's writing is the depth and complexity of the surrounding characters — the explanations for the crimes aren't straight-forward, few people are entirely 'bad', and the final solution kept me guessing until the end.

Although this book draws the story of DI Barton and his team to a close, with the author now focusing on a new series set in Norfolk (which I'll definitely look out for!), the door doesn't seem entirely closed on the Peterborough team, so perhaps we'll read more about how they are all doing one day. But for now, this story is a fitting send-off for Barton, and a great stocking filler for all crime fans, whether familiar with this series or not!

I didn’t know that this book was book six of the series! It didn’t matter though as you could read this as a stand-alone book. A detective story looking for a murderer!

The sixth (& last?) book in the DI Barton series, it’s another brilliant read. & yet can be read as a standalone. Set just before Christmas in Peterborough, we follow the team on the hunt for ‘Bad Santa’ ,as well as discovering a little more about their personal lives.

Somebody dressed as Santa Claus is attacking women. Are they random? Is there a link? A young witness saw the attacker hence the Bad Santa moniker. Can they be stopped? And more importantly, how quickly?

The plot is, of course, fast paced with many twists & turns. Don’t buy this as a stocking filler - it’s not that kind of Christmas read. Written from the POVs of Barton & the killer this is a fabulous crime thriller albeit touching upon many issues in modern society. Highly recommended.

I only discovered the DI Barton series when I joined the blog tour for the previous book, The Fire Killer, which was book five. Now we’re at book six and what may be the last outing for DI Barton although you never know what the New Year might bring. (In fact, the author is embarking on a new crime series set in Norfolk, an extract from which is included at the end of the book.)

As in The Fire Killer, I enjoyed the glimpses into Barton’s home life. It’s his family that keeps him grounded, especially his wife Holly. However, the run-up to Christmas sees him more conscious than ever of the toll his work takes on him, and on them: the long hours, the missed family events, those late night phone calls, the dangerous situations he may be confronted with.

The book’s structure follows the pattern of the previous book opening with a dramatic scene whose relevance will take some time to be come clear. From that point on the story switches between Barton’s investigation into a series of assaults on women by a perpetrator who may have adopted a seasonal disguise but is definitely not the bringer of festive greetings, and the first person narrative of The Santa Killer. We know a few details about their background, witness their actions and the impulses that drive them but we don’t know their identity. But when we find out, that should be it shouldn’t it? Think again.

The Fire Killer took place against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact that lockdown had on people. The author incorporates a range of social issues into The Santa Killer including mental illness, marital breakdown and financial hardship, the sort of stresses and strains that can bring out the worst in people but perhaps should also be treated with compassion. Through Barton’s eyes we also get an insight into the pressures on the criminal justice system and its inability always to deal appropriately with vulnerable individuals.

Barton adopts his customary painstaking approach to the investigation, forced to carry out much of the legwork himself because there are simply no other resources available. However, when he is able to use some of his old team, he’s great at encouraging ideas, welcoming thoughts about different possible angles and, of course, recognising the value of the hunch. ‘Good coppers had hunches. That was why they were the best. Hunches didn’t help prosecutions, but they kept you in the game. They kept you focused. Any break might be a small one. You needed to be ready and looking.’

Talking of being ready and looking, as I read The Santa Killer I carefully made a list of possible suspects – it turned out to be a long list – but, no doubt to the author’s delight, I had to cross through each and every name on it. Yep, he fooled me with an ingenious addition to the narrative.

The Santa Killer is a cleverly constructed, pacy and engrossing crime mystery. I shall be sad to say farewell to DI Barton and his team – especially the banter between Barton and Sergeant Zander – but I’ll look forward to reading the author’s new series, this time starting from the beginning.

The santa killer by Ross Greenwood.
DI Barton book 6.
A killer is on the loose and he has a list. Can DI Barton catch him before he completes it. Maggie Glover is attacked at her front door. The only witness her 10 year old autistic daughter. What she draws is disturbing. A bad santa.
A brilliant read. I love this series. Read in one sitting. Love Barton and the Team. 5*.

3.5/5

This is the sixth and final book in DI Barton series. There are mentions of Barton's previous cases and the recurring characters' side stories - though each book can be read as a standalone, I felt it would have been better had I caught up with the previous installments.

The story begins with Inga looking forward to spending Christmas with her family. But her dreams are cut short when she's attacked in the car park. Four years later, a young woman is stalked by the attacker - and when the time's right, she's attacked in front of her house.

DI Barton is assigned the case. He starts looking into the woman's personal life - co-workers, boss and handsome gym instructor. When the victim's friend/co-worker is attacked in a similar manner, Barton wonders if there's a killer/attacker on prowl. This doubt is further piqued by the fact that "The Santa Killer" has sent a threatening letter to the local radio.

There are three PoVs here - Barton, The Santa Killer and the victims (Maggie and Anne-Marie). But as the story proceeds, we see there are two connections to the attack. This was a tad confusing because *Spoiler* one victim, two stalkers/killers?? *end of Spoiler*

I really liked the first half - kept me guessing for more. It did feel like a drag halfway through. I suppose this was because of the plot twist (two connections to the attack). I did not like this twist.

The ending was good. The Santa Killer's identity was a shocker, no doubt about that.

Though a bit dragged, overall, this was a good read.