Diane Campbell has loved true crime since her early twenties. The genesis as a child was the murder of her best friend by a serial killer. The justice system’s failure of the victim’s families still haunts her. Years later, along with her band of closely knit internet sleuths, they take up the challenge of finding a new serial killer—one who only seems to strike during the harsh winter months of the Midwest.
Her world is turned upside down when she falsely accuses an innocent man. Diane will soon learn life lessons of getting it wrong for the benefit of likes and clicks. For now, with her marriage crumbling because of this obsession, evil sets its sights on her.
John Randall in Harsh Winters proves why he is a ‘master storyteller’—a phrase I don’t hand out lightly. His ability to weave together multiple character arcs with a compelling narrative is unparalleled.
The author goes above and beyond at the very beginning, providing a thoughtfully constructed timeline and author notes that deepen the reader’s understanding of the themes and inspiration of this psychological thriller.
Harsh Winters follows Diane Campbell, who grew up in the 1970s/80s in one of several rural towns being stalked by serial killers who made headlines for abducting young girls. The trauma became deeply personal when one of the victims was her best friend.
As each chapter built, the well-executed plot formed brilliantly in an unforgettably gripping way. The story delivered heart-pounding, heart-stopping moments that left a dry lump in my throat and, ultimately, tears in my eyes!
I particularly enjoyed Mr. Randall’s writing style and the effortless flow of his words. Every one of my senses was vividly engaged. I could feel the pressure drop when a storm brewed in, envision walking through the rooms of a nostalgic 1970s/80s home, and smell the smoke-filled areas where chain-smoking was a normal habit everywhere. Even if a reader didn’t grow up within those decades, Randall ensures you’ll feel completely immersed in the atmosphere through evocative detail.
Harsh Winters is a multi-genre book; yet, it is one of the best works of literary fiction I’ve read all year! I’m already eagerly anticipating where the story continues in Book 2!
First of all, words will not do enough JUSTICE for this Extraordinary novel. I’ve read many books and even five stars ⭐️ is not enough.
It invokes so much emotion as you live vicariously through Nancy as well as her daughter Diane. It brings forth jagged edges of a world filled with monsters as serial killers.
You step into the world of the past as the descriptions fill your mind with the signs of that time. But the reader, myself is LOCKED 🔒 IN to the trauma of Nancy, on the edge. Her nicotine stained fingers clutching one cigarette after the other, eyes vacant and only seeing the endless News on TV, the newspapers whispering of killers. Many of them. More!
The tendrils of the outside world beckon to choke her with outstretched frostbitten fingers of numbness and despair.
She is obsessed to the point of insanity after being a journalist for years that her family is falling apart at the seams.
No one is SAFE
With young Diane it ALL unravels more losing her best friend to a KlLLER and there lies the pain, brokenness, as the Winter snow buries the bodies and the ice 🧊 seeps into the trail of bloody deaths.
Obsessive, deeply poignant, intrusive. Chaos invites itself in, spreading fear and terror into homes, invading family space.
These chapters pull you in, inch by inch, gaining momentum as One mistake by Diane, naming the wrong man as a killer, sets loose a frenzy.
Guilt sighs a long weary breath. The city races against time. The killer whispers “You were almost mine”
Rage, hate and violence sway with the pendulum, as the podcasts hits high numbers, so does the body count.
One killer, two killers, three, hold with abated breath as the PAST wreaks havoc with the PRESENT!
The twists and turns, the Reader will NOT SEE the End that comes….
Unpredictable, a book you cannot put down once started!
That slow burn that turns you right around and back again with WTH moments, the questions piling like the snowdrift’s, as fear intensifies!
Captivating, bold, brutal and raw. Well-written with such eloquent descriptions, brilliant plot, and maddening detail! You learn that sometimes there is NO CLOSURE!
P.S. That ENDING THOUGH! PERFECTION Ready for THE PART TWO of THIS MASTERPIECE
Harsh Winters by John Randall begins as a deliberate slow burn, filled with vivid, atmospheric detail. Randall takes his time crafting the frozen landscape and the emotional depth of his characters, creating an immersive world that pulls you in inch by inch. The early pacing is thoughtful and descriptive but in the best way. Then, once he hits the gas, the story rockets forward with full-speed action. The tension spikes, the stakes climb, and suddenly every detail from those quieter chapters snaps into focus. The transition from calm to chaos is masterfully handled and incredibly satisfying. By the end, Randall leaves you not just wanting more, but needing it. I’m genuinely anxious to read the second part and finally unravel the much-anticipated puzzles he’s set up so cleverly. A near-perfect blend of atmosphere, intrigue, and adrenaline.
This book here definitely left we wondering what the heck just happened. This is such a good story and so detailed. I love all the different timelines and how it follows different people. John i am definitely waiting on part 2.
Y’ALL. ❄️🔥 I am STILL trying to thaw out because this book did not just pull me into the cold—it body-checked me into a snowbank and strutted off like, “you’re welcome.” And honestly? I loved every frigid second. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Let me tell you right now: yes, it’s a slow burn, but it’s the good kind—the kind that lays down a rock-solid foundation while you’re side-eyeing every shadow, knowing something wicked is coming. John builds the tension layer by layer, like packing down snow before the avalanche hits.
Diane Campbell is a standout—sharp, haunted, stubborn, and heartbreakingly human. You feel the cold in her bones, the fear wrapped around her ribs, the weight of living in the shadow of killers her entire life. The murder of her best friend is still a fresh wound, and every crunch of snow underfoot is a reminder she’s never truly escaped that trauma. When she joins a group of true-crime fanatics (my people 🙋♀️), the stakes shoot straight into the stratosphere.
And y’all… the writing is chef’s kiss perfection. 👌 Cinematic. Atmospheric. Vivid enough that I swear I could smell pine, taste the metallic bite of winter air, and hear that eerie muffled silence only deep snow can create.
Then comes the moment—Diane publicly accuses the WRONG MAN. 😬 And the fallout? Brutal. Her reputation crumbles, relationships fracture, her already-fragile sense of safety shatters, and the tension tightens like frostbite spreading. Meanwhile, someone dangerously close is watching her. Patient. Silent.
The result is smart, deliberate, emotional, twisty, and addictive. My heart was pounding. My nerves? Shredded. My soul? Frozen solid.
And after this long wait? I can actually say—it was worth the wait. Even better? I’m already eagerly pacing around like a feral raccoon waiting for book two. ❄️💀✨
My review on this book is mixed but I settled on 3.75 rounded up because overall, I did enjoy it and especially the last 40% or so. The last 25% really picked up the pace. We find out at the end that a part 2 is getting released next year.
Although this isn’t a true crime book, it reads like true crime in many places and the author explains he was moved to write this because of a serial predator that terrorized IL in the 80s. Like I said, the last part of the book that took place in 2019 was suspenseful and faster paced.
The things that detracted from the book for me: it is VERY slow to start. Honestly I skimmed or skipped multiple pages until the 30% mark. And also, the writing style. I never got used to it. Why does the author hardly ever use contractions? It makes the dialogue sound stilted and fake. People speak using contractions. It was so pervasive, it bothered me as I read. Additionally, the book desperately needed an editor (better editor?) There were many run-on sentences, quotation marks that didn’t stop or start in the right place and more so much so that parts just did not make sense. A few typos don’t bother me but when consistently there are errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding of a sentence or paragraph, that’s a problem. Hoping this will improve in part 2, which I do plan to read.
Wow we're do I began I have looked forward to this book since john started advertising it on his page. Thank you so much for the opportunity to Arc read for it I was truly star struck by it. This book started out with Diana and her back story but things soon took a turn. I love how from the very start this book was a slow build up which made me wanna fly through this book so much faster but I didn't and I'm so glad I didn't. I love how the book has so many to me, so many twists and turns and makes me use my brain. I love how John has a way of pulling you in his book like he wrote it just for you in a Krazy kinda way. I love the way this book from the first chapter held me all the way through the end. I could not be happier with this book and look forward to book 2 hopefully soon, cause I'm sitting over here like a kid at Christmas waiting. WELL DONE JOHN YOU MADE A MASTERPIECE THAT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!
This was a unique reading experience for me. The story moves at a slow, atmospheric pace, clearly aiming to capture the tension and uncertainty of Chicago throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Knowing the book is rooted in the real-life murder of Jeanine Nicarico adds a heavy emotional weight, and I can appreciate the author’s intention to honor that history and the mood of the era.
While the pacing wasn’t always my personal preference, I really enjoyed the final section. The tone shifts into a more psychological, suspenseful place, and that’s where the story truly hooked me. Those last chapters genuinely felt like the beginning of a gripping psych thriller, and they left me very excited for Book 2.
Even if this wasn’t a perfect fit for me overall, I respect the heart behind it and I’m looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.
I’ve been really looking forward to ‘Harsh Winters’ since John first talked about it.
First I need to state that if you know John, you know he is adamant about the perfection of his covers. So I need to first show appreciation to the cover. It is an absolute masterpiece—it’s utterly breathtaking! The complex, haunting imagery draws you in immediately. The longer you gaze, the more of those intricate details surface. @frinaart is beyond talented!!
Now onto the story. Diane Campbell has spent her life dealing with the shadows of killers, still haunted by her childhood friend’s murder. Now she’s part of a true crime group and throws herself into tracking a predator terrorizing Denver.
This book is a slow burn, but one that rewards your patience. The details are so vivid you don’t just read it. You experience it. The crunch of the snow, the bite of the wind, the quiet of long winter nights.
What stuck with me most was the heart behind the story. You can feel the care John poured into each page as he invites you to walk alongside his characters, sharing their hardships and flickers of hope. If you’ve read John’s other books you know his attention to detail is remarkable.
The pacing may challenge some, but I found it really rewarding. The slow reveal gave me time to connect with the characters. By the end, I felt as though I’d lived through the harsh winter with them. This book isn’t just a story; it’s an experience.
Beta‑reading Harsh Winters was such a gift and honor, but the real pinch‑me moment? I have a character in the book! Thank you John for another amazing story!
Harsh Winters by John Randall 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(4.5 rounded up) This is an amazing and intense thriller story! Diane Campbell is not new to the subject of crime and killers. As an adult she starts a podcast focusing and becoming obsessed with serial killers.
This story definitely has suspenseful layers to it!! The imagery is fantastic and I was able to picture all the details! It is very well written and has a deep and dark story line.
The book is a slow burn, which I often struggle with, but it’s definitely worth sticking it out!!
I was very lucky to get an arc of this amazing book!! *It comes out December 5th, and is a must read!! Grab this one!!*
HARSH WINTERS BY JOHN RANDALL. BOOK 1 Release date set for the 5th of December 2025 5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s. Wow that dedication alone 😔 As soon as I started reading this book I instantly became hooked. This book is so dark, sad and real. It makes you feel so many different emotions. Reading this story chilled me to my bones😱 John's writing is impeccable and flawless. This is the first book I've read by John and let me tell you I'll be reading all of his work from the past and in the future. I need book 2 like NOW
I was given the privilege of reading Harsh Winters by John Randall, and I absolutely loved it. I've been looking forward to this one from the first time i got to read a snippet. I love the retelling of true crime events, the serial killers mentioned in this story, along with the mind consumption of living in an era with when things of this nature was running rampant.
A slow burn masterpiece that will leave you with your jaw hitting the floor. John has a way of drawing his Readers in and keeping them focused until the very end. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this story.
I genuinely don't even know where to begin with this review. This was the first book I EVER read by John Randal, and it was freaking AMAZING!! I love the way he writes because the tension he puts into just keeps building. I was literally on edge the ENTIRE time in the best of ways!! I now need to know what happens next omg. Thank you so so much for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing book! It will be living in my head rent free! I love this book SO freaking much! This book deserves SO much more than 5 stars honestly <3
Harsh Winters by John Randall is a chilling masterpiece of guilt, obsession, and redemption. Diane Campbell’s hunt for a killer through Denver’s frozen streets is both haunting and heartbreakingly human. Randall weaves atmosphere and tension so thick you can almost feel the cold seep in. When justice blurs into vengeance, the story detonates with a twist you won’t see coming. Gritty, emotional, and utterly unforgettable — a must-read for fans of dark, character-driven thrillers.
Dark. Tense. Morose. - and this is only the beginning! I can't wait for book 2 to come out next year.
I love all of the historical and true crime references. Having grown up in the 80's and 90's, some of it I lived though, other instances I've read about extensively. I think you could enjoy this novel without historical knowledge, but I think having that knowledge gives the book an extra boost.
How do you go about rating something so good? It's hard to put in words what you felt? This book was incredible. If you enjoyed lovely bones, first 48, or any true crime series, this is the book you've been looking for. AMAZING!
Will I recommend this book to someone else? heck yes I will!! Just look at that incredible cover! John Randall has done it again, Harsh Winters is a must read for anyone who loves thrillers. It is a big book but I promise you it's worth it. Definitely looking forward to book 2.
“Harsh Winters” by John Randall is a powerful psychological thriller that follows Diane who is obsessed with true crime and serial killers, pulling you straight into the darkest corners of each case. Randall captures the raw sadness threaded through the narrative, making you feel the emotions as they unfold. He does an amazing job portraying generational trauma while also exposing the justice system’s failures—both in protecting victims and in the damage caused by false accusations.
While it’s a little bit of a slow burn, it kept me hooked the entire time. The suspense builds perfectly, tightening page by page until you’re fully immersed. A gripping, emotional read that highlights Randall’s talent for storytelling.
This is a really good story. In the beginning, we see backstory for Diane's parents before she was born and her early childhood. Once she reaches 10, her life takes a major turn when tragedy strikes. Her best friend is taken by a serial killer.
Diane becomes obsessed with serial killers. As an adult, she ends up starting a podcast about serial killers that takes up all of her time at the expense of her family.
This book is full of 70's and 80's nostalgia done in the best possible way. It feels more like it could have actually been written in that period.
At the end of this book, you receive some answers, but you will definitely be left wanting to see what happens next. I am looking forward to Book 2!!
There is so much more I would love to say, but you should just get this one and give it a read! You will be hooked like me and be ready for the second book!