I love these books from Alex Pine, extremely well written as always and the series just get better and better.

I was involved in the storyline from the very beginning and enjoy reading about DCI James Walker, his team and his family, absolutely brilliant storytelling. I especially enjoy how everything was brought to a satisfactory conclusion and I can't wait for the next masterpiece from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for this ARC which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Off we go again with yet another murder mystery set at Christmas time in Cumbria. Don't they have murders at other times of the year?

Poor old DCI James Walker settling down for a quiet family Christmas, but each year he receives the phone call and he is called into work to solve a murder, this time a local journalist/friend of James. As with previous books from Mr Pine there are many suspects.

Lots of twists and turns kept me guessing and, for once, James's wife ( a very patient woman!) features more.

I cannot give the book 5 stars as I want James to have Christmas off, for a change! Enjoyable, but a bit samey.

Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for the chance to read and review.

Cold Blooded Killer by Alex Pine is a cozy mystery/police procedural with a solid storyline. This was my first time reading Pine’s work, and I found it to be a well-crafted and enjoyable narrative, leaning more toward the cozy end of the spectrum. Although I haven't read previous books in the series, Pine did a great job laying the groundwork, especially with the helpful character overview at the beginning, which made it easy to understand the key players. Cozy mysteries aren’t typically my go-to genre, but the storyline kept me engaged, and Pine’s clear, accessible writing style made for a smooth reading experience.

This novel may appeal to readers who enjoy lighter, less intense mysteries. Since I tend to gravitate toward darker, grittier crime thrillers and police procedurals, I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Alex Pine for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received a free copy of, Cold Blooded Killer, by Alex Pine, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the sixth book in the DI James Walker series. DI James Walker has a case to solve, one his informants has died, also he has some bad news in his personal life. This was such a good read, This book made Di James Walker, more humble and human.

you know you are in good book hands when Alex Pine pops into your tbr pile. and quite often it goes right to the top and with this one it even went into my to read now slot. and im glad it did. this was another solid book that kept me once again glue to our detective and the plot.
this time James and the team have got to solve the mystery of a murdered journalist Gordon. along the way we are kept guessing because as always in these books there are more than a few suspects. some bad people but not all bad people are murderers are slotted in the book.
the setting only adds to the tension. Alex has a way of completely fleshing out your locations and the characters themselves. so you can feel the scenes set before you and the characters happening within them. the setting and weather can sometimes feel like another player against the team finding out what is going on.
i always appreciate how authentic these books feel. the pieces come together and sometimes they really dont. you can often feel the frustration of the team as they try to search out clues, cctv footage of motives. and even when they have suspicious they then have to work to build the case or evidence.
i think this book once again had me hooked to the pages from beginning to end and is a great addition to this series. these books get better and are very much go-to books.

I've really enjoyed this series. It just gets better and better. I enjoyed reading a bit more about Annie. I didn't guess who did it until the reveal. The 'other' event that occurred took me by surprise. I was not expecting that! As always, brilliantly written and kept me turning the pages.

On a side note, I do enjoy the short chapters because there's always time to make time for a quick read. I do think James and his family should go away for Christmas.

Another great read from Alex Pine. James Walker is again working over Christmas as a killer strikes. It may be a time for family but James needs to support another family in desperate times.
James works hard despite worries closer to home.
Alex Pine leaves you wanting more crimes with James but knowing it’ll be another year before you get it. Christmas is the time for murder.

This is the sixth book in the DCI James Walker series, which is ever improving and it is another exciting read. The Cumbrian setting is well described and as usual, the events take place around Christmas time. I love the team relationships and the developing characterisation as the plot develops and the Christmas theme is still fresh in book 6. The author never disappoints and I highly recommend the series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I have read and enjoyed the whole series so far but I'm not sure how many more deaths at Christmas would be believable and suggest that Alex Pine opens up the premise somewhat because the detective, his colleagues and his little family are an interesting bunch of characters and the plots are very well written.
I did find the whole 'Annie's got a problem' somewhat overdone. I've been in her position and beyond and neither myself and definitely not my husband became so emotionally overwrought. I feel that considering their working backgrounds they would have been a little more resilient and couldn't help rolling my eyes at times.

I thoroughly enjoyed my annual visit to the lakes for Alex Pine's Christmas murder story. These books are a nice quickish read with some clever twists although I'm surprised there is anyone left in town at Christmas. Have the residents not got the message yet and gone elsewhere for the festive season?
Joking aside Alex Pine writes a competent, enjoyable, murder mystery with likeable relatable characters and does it every year. What more can a reader ask?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for the ARC. While I have not read the previous books by Alex, I felt a bit thrown by some of the story. I did enjoy James Walker and about the mysterious death of Gordon Carver. I will have to read the previous books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cold Blooded Killer - Alex Pine

DCI James Walker desperately needs to go abroad when it’s Christmas time - I swear the bloke is a jinx! 🤣

Another fantastic festive outing for James Walker and his awesome team. The murder count continues to grow in their little part of Cumbria - and personally, I can’t wait for the next one!

Alex’s books are always a blast - pacy, exciting and full of festive thrills.

What will happen for Christmas 2026?! Keep ‘em coming Alex!

Thank you NetGalley and AVON Books UK for the opportunity to read "Cold Blooded Killer" in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is book 6 in the DI James Walker series. At the beginning of the book Mr. Pine introduces the main characters from the book - DCI James Walker, Superintendent Jeff Tanner, DI Phil Stevens, DS Jessica Abbott and DC Caroline Foley. They all figure prominently in the books and the introduction is good for someone who is new to the series. While it can be read as a stand-alone story, it is best to read them in order to understand why certain things happen and the references to previous cases.

As in all the past books there is a murder during the Christmas season. Since the DCI and his family moved from London 5 years ago there have been 13 murders over the Christmas period. This gruesome Christmas tradition has brought some of the most disturbing cases of his career. This one hits DCI Walker especially hard as the victim was a friend of his. Gordon Carver was a trusted journalist who when introduced in the story is shaken and fearing for his life.

Gordon Carver was investigating a missing person case from 8 months ago. Chloe Walsh went to university with Gordon and worked as an estate agent. Gordon always suspected that her ex-boyfriend had killed her and he'd been threatened by him. The suspect list grows and when another man is attacked the team races to find a connection.

There are a few side stories that distract the team at times, developments that help with other cases but not the one they are desperate to solve. Did someone with a revenge list target Gordon? Who is the mystery woman that visited Gordon hours before he was killed? The one certain thing is that everyone is lying to DCI Walker and his team.

DCI Walker's wife Annie is hiding something from him. Didn't want to spoil his Christmas and then she didn't want to distract him from his case.

When all the pieces come together and they solve the case, the suspect and motive turn out to be quite the surprise. Another thrilling installment in this series.

When Alex Pine falls in your inbox you know it’s cozy time of year! This book has not disappointed! This whole series is a fab read. It was lovely to be reacquainted with the characters and villages :)

You know winter's on its way when an Alex Pine novel drops onto your kindle. The novels are an ideal read when it's cold outside and you want to just lose yourself in a great book.
You have to feel for DCI James Walker and his team though, every Christmas a heavy case drops leaving them no option but to drop their festive plans and dive straight in to solving the crime. Thank goodness they have a supportive network at home, its refreshing that they are all in commited relationships, with no stereotypical images that are in so many detective novels. This Christmas brings its own challenges to James's wife Annie though.
The team all work well together with no differences between them to bring the novel to a surprising but satisfactory conclusion

4.5 stars - ARC Review

This is very much a police procedural, you spend the entire investigation with DI Walker. From the moment he wakes and chats with his lovely wife to going to bed as he searches for the killer of a local journalist he considered a friend. All while leaving his wife and children at home knowing something is not quite right there too.

There is little evidence and no shortage of suspects. Carver's investigative pieces had helped put a number of people behind bars and exposed a lot of secrets. But he also had one of his own. There are some red herrings and interesting twists but it gets a little bogged down in the driving around to places and his terrible diet, but I guess more realistic for detective work. Despite that, rounding up to five stars because I did not guess the killer early.

I just hope that next year, they at least get to spend Christmas with the kids before the body drops. Thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

Another Christmas and another case to solve for DCI James Walker. This time well known journalist, Gordon Carver is found dead. This one strikes hard for DCI Walker having known Gordon well. What has Gordon done to get himself killed? Or was it just a random attack?

Another great instalment in this series. If I were part of the community where these books are set, at this point I would be leaving town for the festive season. It’s very reminiscent of midsomer murders where more deaths occur in the one town than anywhere else in the country.
I liked all the familiar characters, always good to take you straight back into the setting. There was a bit of a twist in there but this time I did actually figure it out. That said it was still an enjoyable read.

Cold Blooded Killer is another gripping, snow-laden triumph in Alex Pine’s DI James Walker series—a collection I’ve truly come to love. Each new installment feels like a return to a familiar yet ever-changing world, where Christmas in Cumbria brings not only festive traditions but also murder, mystery, and moral reckoning.

This sixth book delivers everything I’ve come to expect: a chilling crime, a smartly constructed plot, and the calm but determined presence of James Walker at its core. The murder of journalist Gordon Carver strikes a personal chord, and the emotional burden James carries gives the investigation real depth. His connection with his team, his quiet guilt over missed family time, and the evolving bond with Annie and their daughter all continue to make him one of the most grounded and compelling detectives in crime fiction.

Alex Pine has a real gift for keeping the festive backdrop fresh while allowing the characters we’ve grown attached to develop naturally. The pacing is sharp, the clues well-placed, and the final twist is both surprising and satisfying. I particularly enjoyed how each interview gradually revealed new layers, leading to a resolution that felt well-earned.

I’ve devoured every book in this series, and Cold Blooded Killer might just be my favourite yet. It’s become a winter tradition I look forward to—and one I hope continues for many Christmases to come.

Huge thanks to Alex Pine, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. I had high hopes for this one, and it exceeded them!

Another great book in the DI Walker series, this book keeps you hooked in and enjoying every moment!

There are some books that will always jump to the front of my to read pile and the DI James Walker series by Alex Pine is one of them. Cold Blooded Killer is book 6 in this series and what a story it is.
James and his wife Annie were hoping for a quite Christmas period this year but again that was not meant to be. James is called out on Christmas morning to investigate the murder of local journalist Gordon Carver, and it is an investigation which will again consume Walker and his team throughout the holiday period. There are plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing right the way until the end to the unmasking of the killer.

I absolutely love this series and especially the characters of James and Annie. As I start each story I really wish for them to have the quiet, family Christmas they both want with the children but obviously that wouldn't make for a good story, so I am hoping for lots more Christmas murders in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC.