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Harsh Winters
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.
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.
532 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2025
16 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 4, 2026
One of the things that, in my opinion, John Randall does better than almost anyone is character development. You aren't reading a story about fictional people you will soon forget - you are on a journey alongside people that you feel you know. You don't read a John Randall book; you experience it. This book has been one that I long anticipated and dove into hungrily when I got my hands on it. Then I forced myself to slow down, take it in, and enjoy the ride.
Some people will call this a slow burn, and that's fair to say. But I'm not one of those people. It isn't a matter of it being slow - it's a matter of an author who makes space for detail. Diane feels like a friend. Someone whose life I've witnessed and been part of and felt. This book is a collision of true crime and the dangers of thinking you understand and know things that you really don't, and postmodern fiction at its absolute finest. I am very excited to see what happens in the second half and highly recommend this author to anyone who is a fan of authors like Chuck Palahniuk, Kurt Vonnegut, Mark Danielewski, Doug Dorst & J.j. Abrams, Steven Hall, and Haruki Murakami.
Randall doesn't color within the lines of conventional fiction. He plays you a symphony of postmodern formats that few others could achieve as beautifully. This is not your average serial killer story. If you're into surface-level quick reads, this may not be for you. But if you like to be enveloped by a story, engaged with characters, and experience a story as it forms on the page - you NEED this book. And when you're done, read Randall's other works and see how he jumps genres seamlessly but maintains the detail that makes him the writer that he is.
Some people will call this a slow burn, and that's fair to say. But I'm not one of those people. It isn't a matter of it being slow - it's a matter of an author who makes space for detail. Diane feels like a friend. Someone whose life I've witnessed and been part of and felt. This book is a collision of true crime and the dangers of thinking you understand and know things that you really don't, and postmodern fiction at its absolute finest. I am very excited to see what happens in the second half and highly recommend this author to anyone who is a fan of authors like Chuck Palahniuk, Kurt Vonnegut, Mark Danielewski, Doug Dorst & J.j. Abrams, Steven Hall, and Haruki Murakami.
Randall doesn't color within the lines of conventional fiction. He plays you a symphony of postmodern formats that few others could achieve as beautifully. This is not your average serial killer story. If you're into surface-level quick reads, this may not be for you. But if you like to be enveloped by a story, engaged with characters, and experience a story as it forms on the page - you NEED this book. And when you're done, read Randall's other works and see how he jumps genres seamlessly but maintains the detail that makes him the writer that he is.
December 6, 2025
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!
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!
December 10, 2025
Review time for Harsh Winters by John Randall.
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
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
January 6, 2026
Outstanding!!
This book is a real page-turner, folks! It's got all the makings of a great story: a dash of 70's and 80's nostalgia, a healthy dose of obsession with serial killers, and a protagonist who's just a little bit quirky. Diane's journey from childhood trauma to podcasting sensation is a wild ride, full of twists and turns that'll keep you guessing until the very end. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good true crime story? John Randall really let's you feel as if you're inside the characters head and feel all the emotions. Definitely 5 stars!!
This book is a real page-turner, folks! It's got all the makings of a great story: a dash of 70's and 80's nostalgia, a healthy dose of obsession with serial killers, and a protagonist who's just a little bit quirky. Diane's journey from childhood trauma to podcasting sensation is a wild ride, full of twists and turns that'll keep you guessing until the very end. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good true crime story? John Randall really let's you feel as if you're inside the characters head and feel all the emotions. Definitely 5 stars!!
January 25, 2026
No question, five stars! The first book I've read in 2026 and possibly the best book I’ll read all year unless book 2 of Harsh Winters surpasses it. I loved the characters. They all could be people in your neighborhood just ordinary people. But there is so much more going on behind closed doors. The plot is a real page turner with references to many serial killers interspersed throughout the book. What I liked the most was the descriptive writing and edge of your seat plot. Well done, John Randall!
January 25, 2026
Back at the end of October, I had the honor of beta reading this beautiful book, Harsh Winters by John Randall. I loved it! I knew it was something special and it became my #1 book for 2025. I usually don't reread books because there are so many that I want to read, but I just finished rereading this one! Not only does it hold up to a second reading, it was even better the second time!
Diane grew up in the shadow of trauma her mother experienced nearly 10 years before she was born. Watching her mother struggle with mental health issues throughout her childhood would help shape who Diane would become and how she would deal with trauma.
At 10, Diane's best friend Jennifer was taken and killed by a serial killer, setting into motion her future obsession with catching serial killers.
As an adult, she uses her podcast and group of internet sleuths to seek the truth for the latest serial killer to rock the nation. Certain she is correct, she accuses the wrong man via her podcast. Meanwhile, the real killer is waiting and watching. The FBI is also seeking the killer. Will the FBI catch him before he kills again? Will Diane? Can Diane protect her daughter from inheriting the trauma that is her mother's legacy?
If you haven't read this book, you need to! Book 2 releases April 17 and I cannot wait!!
Diane grew up in the shadow of trauma her mother experienced nearly 10 years before she was born. Watching her mother struggle with mental health issues throughout her childhood would help shape who Diane would become and how she would deal with trauma.
At 10, Diane's best friend Jennifer was taken and killed by a serial killer, setting into motion her future obsession with catching serial killers.
As an adult, she uses her podcast and group of internet sleuths to seek the truth for the latest serial killer to rock the nation. Certain she is correct, she accuses the wrong man via her podcast. Meanwhile, the real killer is waiting and watching. The FBI is also seeking the killer. Will the FBI catch him before he kills again? Will Diane? Can Diane protect her daughter from inheriting the trauma that is her mother's legacy?
If you haven't read this book, you need to! Book 2 releases April 17 and I cannot wait!!
December 5, 2025
“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.
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.
December 8, 2025
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.
February 2, 2026
Absolutely loved Harsh Winters by John Randall. It follows Diane, who is deep into true crime, but it also shows how that obsession didn’t start with her. It traces back to her mom, which adds this really sad, layered look at how trauma and fixation can be passed from one generation to the next.
The book focuses more on Diane’s head and heart than just the crimes, so everything feels personal. You feel the weight of what the cases do to families, to the victims and even to people the system gets wrong.
For me it started off as quiet slow burn, but the tension sneaks up on you until you realize you are completely hooked. Emotional, character-driven, and the kind of story that lingers after you close the book.
This book is truly an experience that cant be rushed. I can't wait for Book 2!!!!
The book focuses more on Diane’s head and heart than just the crimes, so everything feels personal. You feel the weight of what the cases do to families, to the victims and even to people the system gets wrong.
For me it started off as quiet slow burn, but the tension sneaks up on you until you realize you are completely hooked. Emotional, character-driven, and the kind of story that lingers after you close the book.
This book is truly an experience that cant be rushed. I can't wait for Book 2!!!!
February 19, 2026
Diane doesn’t feel like a character. She feels like a person who has lived with loss for too long and keeps making decisions from pain instead of clarity. That messiness felt honest because that is how humans are when they are hurting. We do not move cleanly through grief or fear. We stumble, misjudge, and make choices that complicate everything. I gave it four stars because I hate being left hanging.
January 12, 2026
Harsh Winters by John Randall will blow you away! One great thing, besides fantastic writing, is that John Randall has such a love for his writing, research, and character development. When reading this, you will feel as if you are in the story with them and feel all the emotions they do. You follow Diane through decades of growing up, losing her best friend to a seriel killer at such a young age, a mom who was a reporter and lives life with always expecting the worse, which now we know is a true mental health disorder and would be better treatment for that. I can not wait until book 2 is released!
January 1, 2026
I enjoyed this book, it's a slow burn at the beginning, but it will take you down memory lane, back to the late 70s then eventually brings you up into 2019, the story picks up pace as Diane gets older. The descriptions brought vivid images in my mind. Diane watches her mother become obsessed with crime and serial killers, spiraling. Diane's life changes when crime hits close to home, someone she loves turns up missing. Diane soon finds herself becoming like her mother.
December 1, 2025
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. ❄️💀✨
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. ❄️💀✨
December 22, 2025
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.
November 22, 2025
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!
December 1, 2025
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 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!
December 4, 2025
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!!*
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(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!!*
November 17, 2025
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
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
November 24, 2025
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.
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.
November 5, 2025
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.
November 21, 2025
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!
& remember, the city is always WATCHING you.
& remember, the city is always WATCHING you.
November 30, 2025
This was a great story, I didn’t realize the history behind it till the end. Can’t wait for the next book!!
December 21, 2025
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.
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.
January 31, 2026
This is well written, and edited. The formatting was odd, but maybe it was just my kindle adding the weird spaces. True crime lovers will love this book. And I like most true crime so I thought I would enjoy it. Readers who enjoy suspense will certainly enjoy this book as there are many many questions that John causes to be asked. This is a brain on book for sure. If you are a vibe reader move along.
I read this as a bookclub pick for a Facebook group. Eh...I don't think I'll be reading their picks anymore. Did not enjoy this at all. It sounded interesting, and this is an indie author so why not. I got 100pgs in and was still confused. I got to the end and had more questions than answers. Why did we bother starting so early on? Great it was cold during these crimes. This read like a love letter to the serial killers more than a sympathetic story about a struggling journalist. I don't think I'll be reading any more of John's work.
I read this as a bookclub pick for a Facebook group. Eh...I don't think I'll be reading their picks anymore. Did not enjoy this at all. It sounded interesting, and this is an indie author so why not. I got 100pgs in and was still confused. I got to the end and had more questions than answers. Why did we bother starting so early on? Great it was cold during these crimes. This read like a love letter to the serial killers more than a sympathetic story about a struggling journalist. I don't think I'll be reading any more of John's work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2025
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.
3.5 ⭐ - Rounding up to 4⭐
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.
3.5 ⭐ - Rounding up to 4⭐
December 31, 2025
Harsh Winters by John Randall follows Diane Campbell, whose best friend is murdered by a serial killer in 1986. The story begins when Diane is just two years old and spans decades, showing how she grapples with the brutal reality of losing someone so early in life. It’s an emotionally charged novel that explores the impact of a serial killer, not from the killer’s perspective, but through Diane’s. She’s broken, yet driven to find justice for her friend and to understand what makes a serial killer tick.
I typically don’t read long books, but this one never has a dull moment. My favorite scene is when Diane visits the prison. It's realistic, chilling, and the kind that makes you want to lock your doors.
An excellent book that I highly recommend.
I typically don’t read long books, but this one never has a dull moment. My favorite scene is when Diane visits the prison. It's realistic, chilling, and the kind that makes you want to lock your doors.
An excellent book that I highly recommend.
January 22, 2026
What I enjoyed most about Harsh Winters by John Randall is his genuine passion for detail. You can feel the care in the way he describes scenes and moments; it never feels forced or overdone, just steady and immersive in a way that quietly pulls you deeper into the story.
I’m a true crime fan, and this book absolutely hit that place for me. The exploration of obsession, investigation, and what happens when people get it wrong felt realistic and unsettling in the best way. It made me pause more than once and sit with the consequences alongside the characters. If you enjoy detailed writing and true crime–inspired thrillers that feel thoughtful rather than sensational, this one is definitely worth your time.
I’m a true crime fan, and this book absolutely hit that place for me. The exploration of obsession, investigation, and what happens when people get it wrong felt realistic and unsettling in the best way. It made me pause more than once and sit with the consequences alongside the characters. If you enjoy detailed writing and true crime–inspired thrillers that feel thoughtful rather than sensational, this one is definitely worth your time.
November 29, 2025
holy crap...
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
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
November 26, 2025
Harsh Winters is a beautifully written and suspenseful thriller that keeps you on your toes.
John's prose is second to none and it is evident throughout that this novel is a real labour of love!
4/5 stars only due to personal preference as although John's writing style is spectacular, I did find it slightly overwhelming at times.
John's prose is second to none and it is evident throughout that this novel is a real labour of love!
4/5 stars only due to personal preference as although John's writing style is spectacular, I did find it slightly overwhelming at times.
December 17, 2025
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.
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.
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