Winter Kill

by Joshua Harkin

One little town. One deadly cult. So many ways to die.

Former Marine Frank Ranger has been a fugitive for two long years. Framed for his wife’s murder and relentlessly hunted, his search for the truth finally leads him to Aniatak, a frozen Alaskan outpost where winter never truly ends.

There he hopes to find Bruno Harris, the last surviving member of his old squad and the man who may hold the key to clearing his name.

But there’s one big problem. Bruno has joined the Bloodwashed Legion, a violent doomsday cult operating from abandoned gold mines outside the town.

Led by deranged ex-military chaplain Gideon Kane, the Legion believes the world must be cleansed through blood and they are planning to massacre this remote community.

Ranger knows he has to put his own goals to one side and use all of his lethal skills to protect this little town.

Cut off from the outside world and pushed to his limits, Ranger must survive the elements, outmaneuver a madman, and confront a new kind of enemy—one that kills in the name of salvation.

Winter Kill – book 3 in the brilliant action thriller series featuring Frank Ranger. Perfect for fans of Lee Child, Jason Kasper and David Archer.

338 pages, ebook

Published November 16, 2025

About the author

Joshua Harkin is an action thriller author based in a town just outside Melbourne, Australia. With twelve years of writing experience, he has previously published psychological thrillers under a pen name. A lifelong fan of action thrillers, Joshua channels his passion for the genre into crafting gripping stories filled with suspense and intensity. When he’s not writing or devouring the latest thrillers, he enjoys quality time with his wife and kids. He also has a background in animation and IT, adding both a creative and technical edge to his storytelling.

Reviews

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this terrific outing for Frank Ranger, he is in Alaska trying to track down the remaining member of his army unit in an effort to understand why his family was targeted. His army buddy is now involved in a cult which seems to have a more sinister goal than what you'd expect.

This was a compelling read. It's fast paced and I really enjoyed the whole storyline. I loved how his brother in law's pursuit is getting him closer and the surprising aspect of that thread has me really looking forward to the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carl Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winter Kill, the latest instalment in Joshua Harkins’ gripping Ranger series, is an absolute triumph—tense, atmospheric, and utterly impossible to put down.

Harkins once again proves his mastery of pacing and suspense, dropping readers straight into a hostile winter landscape where danger lurks behind every snow-covered shadow. From the first chapter, the tension coils tight and never lets up.

This book brilliantly expands the Ranger universe, deepening the emotional stakes while introducing new threats that feel both unpredictable and perfectly tailored to the world Harkins has built. The protagonist’s resilience and raw determination shine through as he navigates brutal conditions and moral gray zones, making him as compelling as ever. Harkins’ prose is sharp and cinematic, painting scenes so vivid you can almost feel the icy wind cutting across your face.

What truly elevates Winter Kill is the constant sense of unease—every quiet moment feels like the calm before a storm, every choice feels weighted with consequence. By the final pages, I found myself desperate for the next book in the series.

A superb addition to the Ranger saga and a must-read for fans of high-stakes thrillers. Harkins has delivered his best yet.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Winter Kill, Joshua Harkin delivers a blistering thriller wrapped in ice and isolation. The third installment in the Frank Ranger series plunges us into Aniatak, a remote Alaskan town where the cold is merciless—and so are the secrets.

Frank Ranger, a former Marine and fugitive, arrives chasing redemption and truth. But what he finds is a doomsday cult buried deep in abandoned gold mines, led by the chillingly charismatic Gideon Kane. As the Bloodwashed Legion prepares for a massacre, Ranger must set aside his personal mission and become the town’s last line of defense.

Harkin’s prose is sharp and cinematic, with a pulse that never falters. The frozen landscape becomes a character in itself—hostile, beautiful, and unforgiving. Ranger is a compelling lead: haunted, lethal, and quietly noble. The moral stakes are high, the action relentless, and the emotional undercurrents surprisingly tender.

Perfect for fans of Lee Child and Jason Kasper, this is a thriller that doesn’t just entertain—it grips, chills, and lingers like frost on glass.

With thanks to Joshua Harkin, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kudos to Joshua Harkin in book #3 of the Frank Ranger series, as the storylines keep getting better and better. He's developed Ranger into a character you can appreciate for his steadfastness and inability to walk away from a tough situation, despite his own plight, instead of the not very likable person he was portrayed as in the first book.

The plot keeps things moving in a fast pace, with non-stop action leading to lots of bumps, bruises and conflicts along the way. Ranger has to put aside his own personal goals to help save a rural Alaska town and from sheer destruction by a deranged cult. This same cult also holds the last member of his squad, a person who has the answers to why his wife was killed and clues as to why.

There are several big reveals here before the satisfying conclusion, and with them comes the big question: what's next for Frank Ranger? I'll look forward to find out in the next volume.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* Something tells me this is probably the penultimate book in this series...

I can't quite picture Frank Ranger, but I think he's a less stands-out Reacher. Similar background and skills, can mostly take care of himself in a fight, thought of with suspicion by the authorities, but comes good in the end, sometimes with help from other authorities.

So, this tale isn't unique but Ranger has a reason for being where he is when he is, and he gets answers. They're late and can't change the past but maybe they'll help him move forward and be a father again. Dane has his eyes opened, both about Ranger and about how much of an obsessed, selfish a-hole he's being. I'm not sure he deserves Henrietta, but we'll see in the next book.

With the answers that Dane and Ranger get I'm thinking justice is going to get done in book 4, ending the series. I can't see how it can be prolonged if Ranger gets to be a dad again.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Inkubator Books, for my reading pleasure.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank Ranger is still trying to find the person responsible for his wife's death and ends up in Alaska mean while Dana his brother-in-law is determined to find and recapture Frank who in his mind is responsible for his sister's death. There's never a dull moment in this book the action is non-stop an full of dangerous situations, but Frank is like a Timex watch " he takes a licking and keeps on ticking". There's answers in Alaska where both Frank and Dana finally learn the truth.

[Ellen Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank Ranger wants to prove he didn’t kill his wife. To do so he needs to find an old Marine buddy who is living in Alaska under an assumed name. Getting to Alaska is easy compared to finding his friend who appears to have joined a cult. Enlisting the help of a local woman he ventures off into a blizzard. Will he find his friend and prove his innocence?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Robert Foland · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Winter Kill" is another fantastic addition to this gripping series, bringing the lead character Ranger ever closer to possible retribution. Joshua Harkin dives deeper into Ranger's past, dropping intriguing hints about what lies ahead. It’s a book that hooks you from the start and keeps you engaged all the way through—action-packed, tense, and ultimately, incredibly satisfying.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Ranger is former Marine and hasn't has it easy the last two years. He was wrongfully accused of his wife's murder and has been trying to clear his name ever since. He's looking for a former squad member, Bruno, who he hopes he can trust to help him clear his name. Unfortunately, when Frank arrives he finds out that Bruno has joined a radical cult that wants to kill the entire town. Can Frank clear his name, save the and and his friend.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank has finally located the one man who can give him answers…but to get to him he must confront a delusional cult leader. Oh goodness was this one ever intense. So many questions answered, yet it is far from over. Frank still has a lot of hurdles ahead. I am beyond excited for book 4. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ranger is trying to find the last of his platoon.

He is in Alaska & searching for his friend who is wrapped up with a cult. Meanwhile Dane is still chasing him to bring him to justice but the man who has been killing Rangers's friends is following Dane to find Ranger.

[Mahnoor Lasania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harkins once again proves his mastery of pacing and suspense, dropping readers straight into a hostile winter landscape where danger lurks behind every snow-covered shadow. From the first chapter, the tension coils tight and never lets up. It's literally impossible to not love the series!!!!

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I can't wait foe the next one! The ranger character is believable. I'm going to.keep.reading the series for sure. Thanks.

[Robb Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

much better than book 2, however I cannot give the book 5 stars as a lot of it was quite predictable, but still enjoyed reading it