For the last five December's Alex Pine has been my go to author for an atmospheric Christmas read.
'Cold Blooded Killer' is the sixth book in the series, and a must read for all fans of British crime fiction.
I have grown rather fond of DCI James Walker and his team over these years, and I feel invested in their backgrounds and continuing stories. This sixth book has been eagerly awaited by myself, and having had the chance to preview read it before general publication, I was not disappointed!
I should point out that although I am a series junkie, all of the DCI James Walker books read perfectly well as stand alone novels.
So, my usual Christmas read became my August holiday read, and the time of the year mattered not.
In December I shall buy it in audio format, as the narration and delivery of these stories are always perfect.

Cold Blooded Killer is another gripping, snow-drenched triumph in Alex Pine’s DI James Walker series—a series I’ve genuinely come to love. Each installment feels like returning to a familiar yet ever-evolving world, where Christmas in Cumbria is never just about mince pies and mistletoe, but murder, mystery, and moral reckoning.

This sixth book delivers everything I’ve come to expect: a chilling crime, a tightly woven plot, and the steady, thoughtful presence of James Walker at its heart. The murder of journalist Gordon Carver hits close to home, and the emotional weight James carries adds depth to the investigation. His rapport with his team, his quiet guilt over missing family moments, and the evolving dynamic with Annie and their children continue to make him one of the most grounded and compelling detectives in the genre.

Alex Pine has a knack for keeping the festive setting fresh while deepening the characters we’ve grown attached to. The pacing is brisk, the clues cleverly scattered, and the final reveal—unexpected and satisfying. I especially enjoyed how each interview peeled back another layer, leading to a resolution that felt earned.

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

My thanks to Alex Pine, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. I was excited for this one and it doesn't disappoint!

A gripping festive thriller! DI James Walker is back, and once again Christmas in the village turns deadly. Twisty, atmospheric, and full of suspense—I couldn’t stop turning the pages. Perfect if you like your holiday reads dark and chilling. This can be read as a stand alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for an honest review.

Another winter killer…Christmas time…gruesome details…this series never seems to get old. I like this author..talented and innovative…red herrings kept me guessing…realistic characters kept the story moving…so many characters…who is the killer? Why was the man killed? Will the killer strike again? Questions…spend an evening trying to solve this thriller. Thanks Netgalley.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This is the next instalment of the James Walker series. And, of course as it's Christmas, there's a murder to solve. And James and his team wont rest until justice is served.

This book was really easy reading, as all the books have been in this series. James Walker is a really well written character, who has the perfect mix of fierceness and vulnerability. The author always writes these stories well, and this one was no different, with more twists, turns, and red herrings than I could count. I had my suspicions of the culprit early on, but I still loved reading this book. I love the whole series, and cant wait for the next one.

I've been so looking forward to the latest Alex Pine book and I was not disappointed. Christmas wouldn't be the same without another investigation by DCI James Walker and his team based in Cumbria. Cold Blooded Killer is the 6th book in the series and it's another cracker. Great plot, great characters and plenty of surprises. This time the investigation is into the murder of a prominent journalist and I was hooked from the very first page. Highly recommended. I just hope there are more to come.

Another great book in the series, loved the outcome as well, looking forward to the next one in the near future AAA

Absolutely cracking read. A definite highlight to my year is picking up an Alex Pine book and this one certainly did not disappoint! 5*

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. I love this series by Alex Pine and Cold Blooded Killer did not disappoint. I feel as though I know the characters personally and it was lovely to revisit them again. The story starts off at Christmas as always with murder and chaos thrown in the mix. I was surprised by the culprit and I honestly didn’t see it coming. Another great instalment to a fantastic series. Highly recommend 5 stars.

Another fantastic book in the James Walker series although it can very much be read as a standalone too. A really gripping storyline that keeps you hooked even if it does deviate a wee bit in the journey to the end to find out who was responsible for the journalists murder. Great characters too, specially DCI James Walker and his wife Anne. Definitely a book to highly recommend and make yourself comfy as you won't want to stop until the book is read - my sign of a good book!

Christmas time in Kirkby Abbey, and readers of this series will know what that means.

Once again the festive season is thrown into chaos for DCI James Walker and his wife Annie, along with their two small children. Despite all the promises, wishes and finger crossing, the family have no time to celebrate, as the case of a murdered local journalist on Christmas Eve takes up all DCI Walker’s time and concentration. With the backing of his trusty team, Walker solves not one case but two, making him the local hero!

I really like this series and looked forward to this new instalment. Honestly I’m not sure how much longer the theme can hold the reader’s interest, there is only so much snow and Christmas mayhem a series can take! However, the books are an enjoyable, escapist read and the characters and plot lines are always well executed, so let’s see what next Christmas brings 😉. Roll on next year!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the latest instalment in the DCI James Walker series! As such, I was excited to read Cold Blooded Killer by Alex Pine.

In this instalment, Gordon Carver, local Crime Reporter, is found murdered on path close to his house on Christmas Day. DCI James Walker is hit hard by his death as he had known Gordon Carver for years as their paths crossed through work. He and his team diligently investigate, and review crimes Carver reported on to find a connection.

Unlike the other books where the murders occurred in more remote Lake District locations, is centred in Kendal, a market town and the ‘gateway’ to the Lake District. Whilst there are no witnesses, being a more urban setting there is door-cam footage and CCTV to check, which gives the investigation a different kind of pace. However, it’s still Christmas in the Lake District and Walker and his team still have the elements to contend with.

I love this series of book, DCI James Walker is a fair boss, and he has a great rapport with his team, and he looks out. There’s insight into his home-life with his wife Annie and his two small children and his guilt at missing Christmas, which seems very authentic.

I can’t wait until 2026 and the next James Walker Christmas murder mystery!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Avon Books UK, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

In the sixth book of the DI James Walker series, the officer and his team have got another festive fatality: a journalist has been murdered in a rather gruesome manner. Gordon Carver had tried to contact James prior to being permanently incapacitated, leaving the DI feeling both guilty and resolute to find his killer. But the weather is bad, it’s meant to be a season of goodwill and his closest relation is worried about a secret. Will James and his team be able to discover who is responsible for the journalist’s death and why he was killed? It’s another race against time in this tightly written series whose plots always feel fresh.

Christmas in Cumbria is cold, windy, and snowy. It's also a time for family, present opening, good food, and forgetting about work, at least for a few days. For DCI James Walker however, the holidays, spent with wife Annie and their children, are also tinged with tension as he knows it could all grind to halt with one phone call and unfortunately that's what happens. A body has been discovered in the snow, there are no clues, witnesses, or discarded weapon, but the identity of their victim is already known as James considered him a friend. The investigation takes off with very little to go on, but gradually, as they collect statements and view hours of CCTV, suspects emerge, and a picture begins to build. The clock is ticking, however, and a breakthrough is desperately needed. When it comes, it leaves the team stunned but energised to find the proof needed to make an arrest while they still can.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Avon Books UK, but the opinions expressed are my own. There are some authors' work I consider must read, and Alex Pine's now six book DCI James Walker series is definitely that. I look forward to reading the next instalment of this continuingly excellent series every year, and amazingly, they keep getting better and better. I love the mix of James and Annie's home life as it continues alongside his investigations and relationships he has with his team, which continually evolve. There wasn't a huge number of suspects this time, but I had no idea who was responsible until the final clue clicked into place. I also loved the way each interview opened up another line of enquiry until, at last, everything became clear. Now I'm impatiently waiting for next year's outing. Highly recommended.

Another Christmas, another murder. James and his team are once again called to a murder scene on Christmas Day, only to find that the victim is journalist and friend Gordon Carver. There are many suspects but very few clues to follow. Can James and his team unravel the mystery before the killer disappears. Another great book, can’t wait for the next one.

Journalist Gordon Carver receives news that sends a chill down his spine. Rushing home from the pub, he frantically calls his police contact, DCI James Walker to share his discovery, only to be struck from behind, plunging him into darkness. James misses the call, and by the time he arrives at the crime scene, Gordon is dead. With his name as the last entry in Gordon's phone, James is thrust into a chilling investigation. What vital information was Gordon about to reveal, and who silenced him?! Oooooh absolutely love this book and series! This book had fantastic suspense, chilling murders, mystery, intriguing, action packed, fantastic characters, and a few shocking twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book and series! Can’t wait for more! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Another great murder mystery by Alex Pine. Absolutely loved this. Was a bit shocked at who the victim was in this one and with what was going on with Annie and definitely didn't expect the find that was made. Absolute loved reading this.