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Rosie Gilmour #5

A Cold Killing

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Crime reporter Rosie Gilmour returns from hiding in Bosnia to a story of a brutal execution. University lecturer Tom Mahoney was shot at point blank range, the killing has all the signs of a hit. But who would want to kill a retired lecturer?

Rosie throws herself into the investigation, looking for a witness that has gone missing. A witness that might hold the key to the story. But she has her own reasons to stay hidden.

As Rosie digs deeper, she finds the story has connections to the Ministry of Defence and MI6 and Mahoney's past is darker than anyone could imagine.

Rosie's running out of time to find out the truth, before Mahoney's killers silence her for good.

432 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 2015

40 people are currently reading
214 people want to read

About the author

Anna Smith

22 books185 followers

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5 stars
425 (62%)
4 stars
204 (29%)
3 stars
34 (4%)
2 stars
15 (2%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,475 reviews23 followers
October 31, 2018
Another fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, no holds barred Rosie Gilmour adventure!

She is a Glaswegian crime reporter and she always gets stuck right in.

This is not for the faint-hearted and maintains a blistering pace throughout.

I really enjoyed this one (especially on audio - great narrator) - more please...although I need a bit of a rest first!
Profile Image for Liz.
575 reviews32 followers
May 24, 2017
I'm really enjoying reading this series of books. I like the interaction between the characters and the fact that the plots are totally different each time. However, I didn't really feel a build up of tension in this one , maybe it's because I know there are more books in the series so know that whatever situation Rosie gets herself into, and whatever risks she takes, she will live to fight another day! Nevertheless, a fast-paced, gritty novel that kept me turning the pages.
Profile Image for Best Crime Books & More.
1,192 reviews179 followers
April 1, 2015
Rosie Gilmour is something of a compelling series. Maybe it’s because she isn’t a copper? Maybe it’s because she is just a darn interesting character, who knows the exact reasoning but whatever it is, it draws me back to each new book in the series. Rosie Gilmour is a journalist that takes far too many risks just to scoop the story. This is book 5 in the series and after Rosie’s last escapade I was expecting it to be quieter and for Rosie to take less risky escapades. Not sure why I thought that and as usual Rosie has only just got herself back on safe ground when a new story breaks that piques hers and her boss Micks interest.

The shooting of a University lecturer at point blank range is what gets Rosie’s knickers in a twist this time and the victim Tom Mahoney is a seemingly mild mannered retired lecturer. Rosie’s instincts know this isn’t straightforward. I was pleased to see that Rosie’s colleague Matt returns (albeit briefly) as well as Adrian to help her out and follow leads. As usual Rosie’s leads are always fraught with danger and you end up holding your breath when she gets herself cornered in certain situations. There is a change in tack with the type of story Rosie follows but it made the book no less thrilling.

I swear to God I spend half the time when reading a Rosie book waiting for her to get killed, and the other half trying to work out how on earth she will get the answers she is looking for. We see all sorts of murky secrets uncovered and towards the end I still wasn’t sure whether the good guys were actually bad guys or what! Another great read which will have you turning the pages late into the night. I think maybe the reason this series is so popular is down to the tough character of Rosie, combined with varying themes that she works on. I guess Anna’s real life journalist experience helps her keep her books feeling very different without losing the main threads of the characters. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Colette Lamberth.
535 reviews16 followers
August 22, 2016
This is my favourite Rosie Gilmour book so far although for transparency I feel I must mention that I skipped book 4 but do intend to return to it. As with the others in the series it works perfectly well as a standalone book and Anna Smith adds just enough background for it to make sense. A refreshing change from a detective led crime book and highly recommended.
Profile Image for Angela.
552 reviews13 followers
April 5, 2018
I'm loving this series and highly recommend Anna Smith to people who like authors such as Kimberley Chambers and Jessie Keane.
Profile Image for Vicki - I Love Reading.
961 reviews58 followers
September 25, 2017

My thoughts.

​Firstly I would like to Thank you to the Author, Publishers and Netgalley for a review copy of this book. And apologise on how long it's taken me to get around to reading it. 

​The Amazing author that is Angela Marsons seems to be able to write about anything, and grab you right into the story from the early pages. Again this book was brought to my attention only because of who the aurthor was, and had it been an author I hadn't known, I may never have read it. I am so glad I did read it.
​What an amazing story the journey of two women who have totally different lives but one thing in common. Drink!
​Meeting at an AA meeting they certainly don't hit it off. It's only a matter of time before they realise how they could help each other and a friendship begins to form.
​This really was a heart warming read, emotional yet interesting. I found myself really rooting for Kit and Fran to do so well. 

​A book well worth reading. And a welcome change from the normal genre I read. 
Profile Image for Brigid Gallagher.
Author 1 book115 followers
November 14, 2025
Anna Smith's experience as a journalist covering major investigations shines throughout her writing on very difficult topics.
A Cold Killing focusses on the links between arms and drug smuggling and the plight of those smuggled into prostitution. It also shines a light on all those who are affected by the actions of others, and live in fear for their safety.
It is well written, fast paced, and harrowing at times. Rosie puts herself into even more very dangerous situations, and has thus far used up a lot of her "nine lives."
Once again, I was hooked from page one, as I continue to enjoy the Rosie Gilmour series.
Profile Image for Sarah Stocks.
396 reviews4 followers
July 19, 2021
So my last book in this series and I have not read them in order! Gutted this is the last one as I have enjoyed these books and devoured each one!
As usual Rosie gets herself in danger (whilst I know she will get out, you are still on tenterhooks!)
2 investigations that become one with twists and turns at every stage, this kept me on my toes....love her and Adrian. So happy no TJ in this book apart from remembering the last phone call...yawn he is so not right for her and wants to change her. At least Adrian knows you can’t change her!

Please write some more Anna Smith!
Profile Image for jeannette allerston.
329 reviews5 followers
February 12, 2018
Absolutely brilliant

Can not get enough of this series, love the character of Rosie, this series just keeps on giving, never know what is going to happen next, well done Anna Smith 100/100 really recommend this series , grips you from the first page and does,nt it you go ☺ x
61 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2018
Brilliantly written....

Read through the night just finished and brought the next one......page Turner right to the last page .100% for Anna Smith thanks for try turning my insomnia into an excuse to read all night xx
Profile Image for Isabel McKendrick.
14 reviews
October 10, 2018
I really am enjoying Anna Smith’s Rosie Gilmour series. Rosie always deals with current, topical issues and is never afraid of exposing the bad guys even if they are senior government officials and high ranking police officers- wish there were more like her! Another great read!
32 reviews
January 26, 2019
She does it again!

The Rosie Gilmore stories has you on the edge of your seat, gripping and edgy. This one is no exception. Brilliantly written and well executed. Had me hooked and did not want to put it down. Fantastic read.
Profile Image for Miss Dizzy Read .
598 reviews6 followers
March 4, 2019
The Rosie Gilmour books really are great thrillers, never disappointed when i read these, well written, page turning with highly believable characters if you want a great series to get into, i can highly recommend these.
Profile Image for Roy McDine.
410 reviews7 followers
May 13, 2017
Gripping plot with plenty of action, maybe slightly spoilt by the continuing 'bad luck' popping up in the last chapters - keep it believable.
Profile Image for Sue.
436 reviews
May 21, 2017
A good story once again but I felt the ending could have been better.
Profile Image for Julia Jones.
82 reviews
June 10, 2017
A Cold Killing

I gave this book a 5 star rating as it was just as brilliant as the last 4 books about Rosie Gilmour Glasgow journalist who really knows how to get her story.
Profile Image for Nicky Mottram.
2,159 reviews20 followers
August 28, 2017
Audio version of this book- narrator excellent as always. Storyline was good but not as gripping as the others in the series
3 reviews
August 19, 2018
Another great story line

Brilliantly done couldn’t put this book down from start to finish can’t wait to read next one another great story line
15 reviews
December 30, 2019
Fabulous read

Rosie Gilmour a wonderful character, believable and exciting , I can't wait for the next one, couldn't put it down.
7 reviews
July 16, 2021
Brilliant read couldn't put it down cannot wait until the next one
Profile Image for Jack.
2,884 reviews26 followers
March 11, 2023
Intrepid reporter Rosie Gilmour is covering the murder of a retired academic when she attracts the attention of the security services, then things start to get complicated. Exciting mystery thriller.
Profile Image for Isabella Cole.
42 reviews
May 13, 2023
Cracking thriller, but goodness me the proofreading left a lot to be desired! The amount of times Rosie and Ruby were used wrongly was shocking!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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