Fantastic read. When detective James Walker moves to a Cumbrian house, with his wife Annie, it appears to be a quiet life, compared to the Met in London. How wrong that turns out to be. For a serial killer is stalking the village, and their modus operandum is to give messages on Christmas cards, and strike. A classic whodunnit, with many suspects.
I would recommend this book highly.

It’s Christmas in the little village of Kirkby Abbey, and all DI James Waller is a quiet holiday with his family. But what shows up on his doorstep is no gift, but rather a grisly surprise and the news that there will be 12 more gifts over the the next 12 days. It’s not long before the first body is found and panic descends on the village. Everyone is a potential victim, and one of them is a killer. Pine’s British police procedural is a well crafted mystery

Loved this!
I cannot say anything negative about this book. This is definitely in the top ten books I’ve read this year.
I’ve been gripped, there’s tension!! I absolutely need to read more by this author

Great introduction to the characters and would like to see the main characters get their own series of novels. Mystery and intrigue throughout

The Christmas Killer - Alex Pine

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley.

At first I was apprehensive as to whether I would enjoy the book, as it seemed to get off to a slow start. However, very quickly the story developed and I was hooked.

On the approach to Christmas in the quiet village, James arrives home to find an unexpected Christmas present waiting for him, with the promise that there will be 12 deaths in the village. As the body count rises, it is James’ job to apprehend the killer whilst being cut off from the rest of the team during heavy snowstorms.

I had a few suspects lined up as I was going through the story, and one by one they were eliminated until I had absolutely no idea who the killer was. When the killer is revealed at the end of the book, it was interesting to see how the clues had been there but cleverly hidden by the author.

I would recommend anyone that is a fan of murder mysteries or crime to get themselves a copy of this book when it is released in October 2020.

The Christmas Killer
Rating: 4.5/5
I believe that this is Alex Pine’s first novel, but I am looking forward to reading more of this series when it is released.

An enjoyable book in many ways but not as tight as I would have liked it to be. Good concept and many winding paths to follow. a killer on the loose at Christmas starting with a partridge in a box.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon books for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a different kind of a thriller with more of a focus on the "whodunit" part than the grizzly murders. Part of what makes crime novels so appealing is the depths killers will go when it comes to--ahem--brutally and maliciously killing their victims. Readers are always appalled and horrified at the lengths people will go, for whatever the reason may be, to kill a person. And deep down we all love that shocked feeling that comes with being horrified and intrigued by the sick minds of a murderer.

Here, another interesting aspect has been added to the crime/mystery genre, which is the tedious investigations and meetings police must have to find the best course of action of finding a murderer/serial killer. Which may sound boring to some, bad when a killer claims to be hunting down twelve victims and a winter storm isolates a tiny village from outside help, pressure builds and nobody is safe, the novel becomes fairly chaotic.

For those who rely heavily on those terrifying and grotesque corpses showing up one after another to get through a crime novel, you may find this one doesn't satisfy those needs. Yet, if there is a desire to seek out a different perspective on crime and serial killers with an emphasis on the "whodunnit," then this is going to be one hell of a ride.

Alex Pine is a talented writer who brings a seriously complex crime to an unsuspecting and seemingly innocent village where anyone could be the killer or the next victim. "The Christmas Killer" is definitely on my list of book recommendations as I was entirely pleased with the suspenseful and mysterious events that kept me second guessing my list of suspects. I'm very excited for others to read this and hear what they think. Check it out!

The expected publication date is October 29th, 2020!!

D.I. James Walker recently relocated with his wife to Kirkby Abbey in Cumbria, when a murder takes place in the village. The murderer delivers Christmas cards to the villagers, saying like the Christmas carol, the twelve days of Christmas, he will be killing someone over the twelve days. DI Walker has a race against time as the bodies are discovered in the deep winter snow. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and putting my detective hat on, I am glad I got the right suspect! A cozy Christmas mystery.

#TheChristmasKiller #NetGalley
Suspenseful. Definitely recommend.
The story starts with Annie Walker who heard her husband car's home. They have a home in Tottenham.. She's freaking because fifty eight years old Andrew Sullivan is free from jail. The one who was behind the bars because of James. She thinks that he will definitely take revenge from them.
Sullivan served thirteen months of a life sentence in jail for the murder of a nightclub owner, Brendon Fox. Although he's denying of it.
Now one by one the bodies are turning up.
Twelve Days, Twelve Bodies. Who's doing it? What's their motive?
I adored this thriller. I loved its characters and narration. Give it a go.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for giving me an advance copy of this awesome suspense thriller.

I really enjoyed this book, read it in two days. The setting was rural, a village which sounded picturesque, at Christmas time but with a serial killer on the loose. The plot is what drew me in and kept me reading for the first half of the book. With a book like this, most of the characters feel like extras/fillers, we don't get to know them in depth because their role is that of suspect or future victim so we only have the main characters but I didn't feel attached to them at first. The main characters are a detective and his wife, who I found likeable but I didn't know enough about them. I feel like the author barely scratched the surface with these two. I'm hoping that's because they're planning on using them again. By the end of the book I was hooked, I want to know what will happen next in their lives. I would love a book explaining their history with an enemy who's briefly touched upon in this book. I honestly wish the book had gone on a bit longer, I felt the ending came around a bit too quick. I would have liked more of a build up. I didn't want it to end. I didn't guess the culprit which is great. This is the first book I've read by this author but I enjoyed it that much, I Googled and discovered they've written previous books in other names so I intend to read more by them. I only gave four stars because I would have liked to know more about the main characters personalities but I'm hoping there's a good reason for this. Otherwise it's a great read.

I always love reading new authors to me, but even more so new authors completely and a new series to boot! Alex Pine sets a good plot in the Christmas Killer. The police officer Walker relocates to the north after fearing for his family in London, and escapes up north for the quiet life. Well sadly the quiet life isn’t going to happen. Suddenly Christmas cards start to land with sinister messages planning to kill 12 people before Christmas. It’s up to Walker to solve the mystery before more lives are lost. I did really enjoy the book and pace of it, I felt it moved along quite nicely. The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, well it may have been a small thing for others but for me, it annoyed me. The lead character Walker continually throughout the whole investigation tells his wife every day what is happening and all the details. Now I’m not a police officer but I know some and that rarely happens and they don’t bring their work home with them, even if they partners are interested. It was a small thing but an annoying one for me. Sorry that aside it was a good read! Thank you @netgalley for the ARC in return for this review. #BookReview

Absolutely loved this book. Had been given a teaser but hadn’t noticed it wasn’t the full book until the end of it and was so disappointed. So when I got the chance to read the full book I jumped at it. What a great book. I loved it from start until finish. It had me hooked from the off. I couldn’t put it down , interesting range of characters. Great plot to get your mind racing. It was fast paced and very well written. I didn’t want it to end. Was so disappointed when it can’t to an end . Will definitely be looking out for the author again

One thing they described Robs house as a bungalow. But said the police came back downstairs. This needs editing

27/7/20 updated review based on full copy of book!
DI James Walker and his wife, Annie, have moved from London to A small village in Cumbria. A different pace of life for James and the threat of an old case is hanging over him. Just before Christmas a package arrives that could spell the end of the peace and festive season. Someone is going to kill everyday over the advent period and it’s James’s job to find out who is doing this and why?
The characters are great. James and Annie are likeable and there is a massive opening for a sequel but this has the bones to be a great series and I look forward to reading more. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book grips you from the begining with plenty of twists you will not want to put this book down.It has great characters that make this story.Well done to Alex Pine.5*

The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine. A police procedural with an intriguing mystery occuring during the holiday season. Really wouldn't want to receive one of the 12 Days of Christmas cards. Solid crime solving in the first of a new series featuring DI James Waller.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

After reading and reviewing the teaser courtesy of the publishers and netgalley I was excited and eager to read and review the whole book.
DI James Walker and his wife Annie have relocated to a small village in Cumbria from London with the threat if an old case hanging over him.
The Christmas theme is played out through a series of threatening Christmas cards being sent by a serial killer who is planning to kill 12 people over the 12 days of Christmas. The Christmas theme continued with a snowy backdrop.
I loved this book but if you are a fan of brutal grisly and detailed murders this may not be for you as it focuses mire on the 'whodunit part than the grisly details.
I look forward to reading more if the series in due course

This book starts off with married couple Annie and James having a brick thrown through their window following the release of a convicted criminal. Annie and James move da to Cumbria to the house Annie’s mother left them, hoping for a fresh start. Soon unpleasant gifts begin to arrive for them and others promising more deaths and they wonder if they are being targeted by a certain someone. Fast paced and easy reading. Well worth a read

The Christmas Killer - Alex Pine
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I received this book from NetGalley and the publishers and as a lover of everything Christmas related I was excited to try a Christmas thriller and wow I was not disappointed!

If you are wanting a cosy, hot chocolate in front of the fire, listening to carols kind of vibe this is not for you!! Instead there is plenty of snow in the Cumbrian village of Kirkby Abbey and the Christmas theme is played out through a series of threatening Christmas cards sent by a mysterious would be serial killer, planning to kill 12 people over the 12 days of Christmas. DI James Walker has the task of discovering who is sending the cards before the body count starts racking up.

I loved this book! I have never read a thriller set around Christmas and I thought it worked perfectly. The book was fast paced and kept me guessing right till the end. I couldn’t put it down and am so glad to hear that it is the start of a series - I will definitely be looking out for the next one!

DI James Walker is persuaded by his wife Annie, to move back to the small Cumbrian village she was brought up in when things start going badly for them in London. On arrival he finds work very slow after working for the Met police, but soon ends up, literally, in the middle of a possible serial killing spree. With the snow falling and roads being closed, he finds himself cut off in the village trying to find the killer before more lives are lost.

This was an interesting take on the usual murder mystery, with the action taking place in a small rural village and focusing on basic policing rather than just hi-tech. James is torn between trying to protect his wife, and finding the killer, with few clues to the killers identity. Well written and plotted, this pulls you in from the start, although I didn’t warm to Annie. It also shows that small village life isn’t all cosy and idyllic. A good read, I did guess who the murderer was, but that didn’t spoil this satisfying who-dunnit. I look forward to reading more by this author,

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and will give it a huge thumbs up. With a great story line and excellent main characters - I would highly recommend this book.

This is the first in a new crime series featuring DI James Walker and I’m quite intrigued to see how they will play out. James wants a quiet Christmas with his wife in their new home. They need it; it’s been a tumultuous few months and living the city for a remote Cumbrian village could be the key to improving their lives. That’s if the village hadn’t been hit by a blizzard and someone promises James that there will be 12 murders in 12 days. Grim. Can James and his team find the killer before they succeed in a series of murders? There are plenty of clues throughout, enough to put you on the right track but also some red herrings to keep you a bit confused.

The DI James Walker series is off to a very promising start in Alex Pine's The Christmas Killer. It certainly is a worthy addition to the previous mystery stories centered around the holiday season. I appreciated the focus on the police investigations and the demands placed upon the investigative team. The hunt for a serial killer is never easy and this is even more so when a small village realizes it's one of their own. In a nice touch, Pine describes the moments of the crimes through the eyes of the victims. Walker has a good team to work with and there is the potential to build a strong supporting cast like we see in the DCI Banks books from Peter Robinson. The Christmas Killer is a slow-build but it will keep you turning the page. Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy. #TheChristmasKiller #NetGalley

It’s 9 days before Christmas and D.I. James Walker is looking forward to spending time with his wife and extended family in their new home in a sleepy little village in Cumbria.

However an unexpected and gruesome gift left on his doorstep is the start of a series of murders. The note says to expect twelve victims... can D.I. Walker discover the killer in time?

This had me hooked from the first chapter. I was on the edge of my seat.

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is not my usual genre, I’m more into romance stories and literary fiction however I wanted to take the opportunity to read something from outside my norm. And I am glad I did!! Thank you for  opening up my mind to something totally different.

**This review will be posted on my book blog close to publication date**

A DI moves to a small village, hoping for a new, peaceful start but soon bodies start appearing, one for each of the 12 days for Christmas all while a raging snowstorm is impending. But the investigations are all going in a loop since everyone in the village has a nasty secret to hide, some secrets, very close to home.

This is a pretty good police procedural, gripping, straightforward, and quick with a satisfying yet kinda predictable end. It took its time to get started though, the first few chapters made me want to dnf it so hard, because really, ‘the whining wife of a good detective’ is so typical and old, also why is the character’s inability to conceive overshadows everything else that’s going on in the story! Like I said, typical and old. But thank heavens I carried on and it was such a good decision.

It takes off after the first few chapters, the pace remains good, and the short chapters helped keep the interest up. I really liked how the whole process of investigation was told, how one point of interrogation lead to another, and this was the best part of the story imo. This the perfect thriller for the jolly season, and quite enjoyable. Much recommended.

I was interested from page 1 of this book! I connected immediately to DI James Walker who has been transferred from the Met in London to the small village of Kirkby Abbey, Cumbria, after the release of gangster, Andrew Sullivan. After Sullivan's release, James and Annie were receiving threatening letters, suspected to be from Sullivan, hence their move to Cumbria. Sullivan has served 13 months in prison for the murder of Brendon Fox until his release after an unnamed man confessed to the murder. Sullivan has always denied murdering Fox.

James's wife Annie, grew up in Kirkby Abbey and has a secret of her own, unbeknown to her husband. There are twists and turns, murders, infidelity, revenge all the things you would expect from a murder mystery with Christmas thrown in!!

I enjoyed the style of Alex Pine's writing, which flowed nicely and kept you interested in finding the killer.

I would recommend this book and have given a 4 star rating

I WANT TO THANK NEWGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK

Despite being a Christmas themed book I really enjoyed reading this book in the middle of July! It was a tense and entrapping read that I managed to read in a couple of sittings.

I liked that the book came from the perspective of the victims. It felt a little different to normal murder type suspense novels.

A great read for people who like the whole whodunnit type books

An excellent Christmas “who dun it”.

Enjoyable read with plenty of mystery and suspense.

5 stars, recommended.

Annie and James are a young couple who re-locate to a village in Cumbria, Annie's family home, to get away from the "bright lights of London" and a criminal who James, a police inspector, had put away. Little do they know that days before Christmas, a serial killer is "on the loose" in the Cumbrian village, but who is the killer and why "the twelve days of Christmas?"

The story get straight to the point from the first word and we soon meet the villagers - Annie and James's new neighbours, who start dropping like flies - which one of his neighbours could it be? So much for being safer away from London!

We also" hear" from each victim just before they are murdered - which I thought was an interesting addition since it's usually the killer.

With each murder James and Annie learn more about each victim's life, and how intertwined with each they were - this reminded me of the Miss Marple books.

Will Annie and James spend their first Christmas in the village without another murder?

And what is Annie's uncle Bill's role in the grand scheme of things, he's arrived early to spend Christmas with Annie and James but seems to be acting oddly?

I found the pace of the story okay, in that it kept reading to find out more about what was going to happen next, and I liked how we learnt about Annie's backstory, growing up in the village.

For some reason I was expecting more gory details, perhaps due to the title.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and HarperCollins for the eARC.

An interesting tale that keeps you interested right from the start, until the final reveal. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading a good detective story.

Detective Inspector James Walker and his wife Annie move to a quiet village in Cumbria after a notorious criminal is released from prison and may pay them a visit for putting him in there!

Things are not as peaceful as they hoped after a 12 days of christmas card is sent along with a dead partridge to their new home. Inside there is a promise 12 murders are to occur and every victim deserves it. Snow is falling fast and thick, worsening every day, the list of suspects are shrinking fast and the press is hot on DI Walker's heels! Using his police experience from London he must act quickly to prevent the christmas killings.

Using the twelve days of christmas was a creative way to keep the novel at a steady pace and hints at a dramatic ending, the book did not disappoint! At times I was second guessing who the murder might have been as there are plenty of red herrings and clues throughout.

My only critique is the professionalism and procedures of the investigation. It all seemed to be informal, based on visiting peoples homes. I wonder if the reality would be quite the same or would these interviews would have made more of an impact in a police station with lawyers.

If you are after a good seasonal thriller this year for the approaching winter months I would whole heartedly recommend this one! It wasn't too detailed and definately more about the investigation than the murders but I enjoyed it so much will definately be keeping an eye out for the rest of the series! 4/5 stars

This is a great 'who done it' book with a Christmas theme. DI James Walker, and his wife Annie have recently moved from London for a safer lifestyle, to the picturesque Cumbrian village of Kirkby Abbey. However, when the Walkers receive an anonymous 12 Days of Christmas card and nasty packet, indicating there will be 12 murders over Christmas, the Walkers are nervous. Then the bodies start appearing.
This is set over Christmas with seasonal blizzards. The story was a real page turner and I didn't guess the murderer until the end.
A perfect seasonal read. BUT the style of writing was rather 'DI reporting' rather than grabbing the opportunity to set the scene, atmosphere and intrigue. Also, why on earth does the dashing DI Walker stick with Annie, who seems to moan and be anxious all the time!
But this is a perfect read over the Christmas holiday season! Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC version of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book was really good and gripping. It hard me hooked all the way though wondering who the killer was. The 12 days off Christmas with 12 murders. It was interesting trying to think who it could have been.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the arc of The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine.

4 star read like wow just wow! i loved this book so much! This follows DI James Walker who is all ready for his christmas with his family until there is an early christmas present left on the door step in which he opens to find out it is a promise from somebody for the 12 days of christmas there will be 12 murders.... not too long after he read this the first body was found in the snow half of its body is frozen... it leaves residents of the village in fear as no one knows what 11 victims he kills next.... can he find it before its too late?

ho-ho-horrifying!

A classic whodunnit with holiday themed twists and turns, this book sucks you right in from the start and keeps your eyes glued to the pages until its conclusion.

I have read many thrillers this year, and I must say that this was one I definitely enjoyed, and admittedly even more so because its a Christmas thriller. There’s just something about holiday stories, whether it be a cozy romance or a suspenseful thriller, that makes it that much more fun and enjoyable to read.

I read the preview of this book before being given access to the full e-galley, and I was immediately gripped and wanting to read more. But because I was so eager to devour the entire story, I was a bit apprehensive that I would end up feeling underwhelmed and disappointed. But as soon as I picked up where the preview had cut off, I was once again instantly immersed into the story and the holiday horrors it contained.

This book has such an intriguing storyline, as it features a serial killer stalking a small village, killing his victims in a “twelve days of Christmas” manner; he leaves messages on Christmas Cards, and then goes in for the kill.

This story is twisty and suspenseful, and there’s never a dull moment to be found. There are many suspects to be suspicious of, and I was constantly on the edge of my seat in anticipation, trying to figure out who the actual killer is. There are so many clues to be found throughout the story, but they are cleverly hidden by the author, like a craftily wrapped Christmas present, purposefully wrapped in a way that's meant to deceive.

Gripping and utterly entertaining, this is a mystery that is very well crafted, like an artfully decorated gingerbread house.

To anyone who is a fan of murder mysteries and holiday themed stories-pick this one up!

4/5 twinkling stars!

This was a brilliant book I couldn't put it down . Defiantly recommend buying this book well worth it .

Thank you for the ARC of the Christmas killer. Strong start to book. Good development of characters. I enjoyed the plot and didn't actually see who the killer was until the very end, enough plausible characters to keep you guessing. Well worth a read and I will try the authors other books. I do not include spoilers or references to the book in my reviews

This was a very good book. I read it in one day. It had me on the edge of my seat and oh my! The twists and turns! A must read! I will definitely recommend this book!

The Christmas Killer is book 1 in the DI James Walker series.

Detective James Walker and his wife Annie are forced to move to a small Cumbrian village because of a threat to their life in London. But just when everything feels perfect and plans to enjoy Christmas with the family, DI James Walker is sent an early Christmas card telling him there will be 12 murders in 12 days!

I really liked this thriller. It had me suspecting almost everyone and I had my reasons why each person might have been the murderer (and in the end I was right!). Although I did find the second half of the book to be slower and sometimes just dragging. But overall, a great first in a series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an advanced copy.

We usually think of warm toasty reads when we think Christmas. Love stories and happy endings. Well not this Christmas read…..12 days of Christmas and 12 dead bodies, bring on my next thriller read.

Firstly I have to admit I’m a total sucker for British crime dramas. My Foxtel IQ is full of police and detective series and that is why I loved this one. This felt exactly like I was watching one of my favourites, complete with that memorable line that every crime show seems to have….. “Where to now guv?”

It’s the lead up to Christmas and a killer is on the loose in the small village of Kirkby Abbey. Not only is he is on the loose, but he’s taunting the police, and a few of the locals, by sending them creepy Christmas cards, and trust me, these aren’t Christmas cards you want to receive.

Twelve Days of Christmas and twelve murders, our killer has a hit list and it would seem, a score to settle. Who would have a vendetta against any of the residents of this sleepy little hamlet? Certainly not the warm welcome our new resident detective was expecting having left London to escape the evils of his past case and live a somewhat quieter life.

Very much procedural driven we follow Detective James Walker step by step through his investigation while he follows up leads and conducts his interviews. Even with the heavy detail, the story still skips along pretty rapidly.

Although for some reason I found the Detective’s wife Annie beyond irritating (is it wrong I was hoping she was on the killer’s hit-list?) I still found this a quick and enjoyable read, almost like reading an episode of Midsomer Murders.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this one.

Excellent book thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
Well written, excellent characters that you can really invest in and a plot that twists and turns and keeps you guessing.
Highly recommended.

I love books set in the winter. I love books with Murders. I love a detective story. I loved this book!

I really enjoyed this book, well written, all the characters were good and the story line kept me involved all the way although I was wanting there to be more murders and I did guess who the baddie was!

I can definitely recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author who is new to me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

An enjoyable read. A little slow paced and if it was on the TV would be comparable to Vera or Midsomer, so if that's your kind of murder mystery then this is definitely for you. Well written with great characters.

Thank you Netgalley for given me a chance to read this book. Its about a detective who lives with his wive in a small town near London and is trying to the solve a mystery. I enjoyed trying to get to know all of the characlters iving in the small town and figuring out who wa the mastermind behind the murders. It kept we guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to many more.

The Christmas Killer tells the story of DI James Walker and his wife, who have left the stresses of life in the Metropolitan Police. Threats linked to a previous case of DI Walker's persuades him to move to the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey in Cumbria, his wife's childhood home. They are soon to discover that Kirkby Abbey has many deep and dark secrets - and there is a killer on the loose who is set on taking the lives of the holders of those secrets. A cat and mouse game is on with DI Walker who is taunted by the killer's use of Christmas cards to hint at what is to come.
I started reading this book when I had a few minutes spare and couldn't put it down. The snowy Christmas scenes are very atmospheric and add to the sinister nature of the killer moving quietly through the village.
As with any good crime thriller, I had several suspects in my head and these kept changing with each twist of the plot.
My only slight criticism of the book is that the ending felt very rushed and the epilogue could have been slightly more detailed.

A Great Old fashioned Crime Novel.
Lots of great characters both amid the Police investigating the Crimes , the Villages who are at possible Risk, along with all the side plots to try keep you from guessing who the Christmas Killer is !
It was made extra interesting because the area where the Book was set is not that far from where I live so I had a wonderful picture of the Village Kirkby Abbey & it's surroundings in my head as I read the story, plus the local dialect of the Villagers& then the London accent of DI James Walker. All in all a very enjoyable Crime read not too much Violence!
I hope this does well once it it published ,& at such time I will then with permission post my review on GoodReads,,Amazon & with several Book Groups via FB that I belong too plus any friends I believe would enjoy reading it.

I received my ecopy of The Christmas Killer via Netgalley.

This is a good village based whodunnit which will keep you guessing. Although there is a serial killer on the loose it is not a heavy, gruesomely detailed scenario. It drew me in from the outset and I liked the main characters. The plot gives nothing away until you realise that the book is running short of pages, at which point it's obvious where the main clue lies which leads to the obvious answer of who the killer is. I felt this final point was really rather rushed.

My only peeve is that James called his wife 'hon' nearly every time he spoke to her and that whilst leading the police team in a race against time and the elements, he assured his wife Annie that he would always have time to chat to her during the working day!

An interesting, police drama in a village setting that ticked all the boxes.

"DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey.
But when he opens an early Christmas present left on his doorstep, he soon realises it is no gift. Inside is a gruesome surprise, and a promise – twelve days, twelve murders. Not long after, the first body is found, half frozen in the snow.
As the blizzards descend, panic spreads through the remote Cumbrian village – there’s a killer amongst them, and with eleven more victims to go, anyone could be next…."

This is the 1st book in a new series by Alex Pine. I love thrillers that revolve around a holiday like Christmas or Halloween and this one did not disappoint! I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series and I hope it comes pickley after this one is published news!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the eARC!

The storyline was somewhat believable and the DCI was methodical in his investigations. Although as the story progressed there were things that I felt the DCI missed

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books for the advance copy of this book.