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Cold Kill
An American actress arrives in London to find herself the target of a ruthless assassin in this compelling standalone thriller.
Actress Adelaide Banks is swapping her native New York for London to spend Christmas with her widowed Aunt Rose. Rose wrote in her note that she was off to Paris for a few days and would be back in time for Addy's arrival. But when Addy reaches Rose's Knightsbridge address, no one's home, and she has two unexpected callers . . .
Where is Rose, and what has she got herself entangled in? Dragged into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse on the snowy streets of London, Addy finds herself navigating a dark underworld of ruthless assassins, rogue agents and international crime. Can she survive long enough to uncover the truth?
Actress Adelaide Banks is swapping her native New York for London to spend Christmas with her widowed Aunt Rose. Rose wrote in her note that she was off to Paris for a few days and would be back in time for Addy's arrival. But when Addy reaches Rose's Knightsbridge address, no one's home, and she has two unexpected callers . . .
Where is Rose, and what has she got herself entangled in? Dragged into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse on the snowy streets of London, Addy finds herself navigating a dark underworld of ruthless assassins, rogue agents and international crime. Can she survive long enough to uncover the truth?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2020
27 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Rennie Airth
17 books269 followersRennie Airth was born in South Africa and has worked as a foreign correspondent for Reuters. The first novel in his John Madden trilogy, River of Darkness, was published in 1999 to huge critical acclaim, was shortlisted for four crime fiction awards and won the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière in France. The sensational sequel was The Blood-Dimmed Tide, and The Dead of Winter forms the final part of the trilogy.
Currently resides in Italy.
Currently resides in Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 9, 2020
An outrageous tale and at its centre the fact that even those you are closest too are not always as they seem. Adelaide "Addy" Banks, a young American actress, arrives in London to spend Christmas with her favourite person, her widowed Aunt Rose. Rose had sent an invite to her niece saying she was in Paris but that she'll be home by the time Addy flies in from New York.
But on her arrival at Rose's fashionable mews home in Knightsbridge, her aunt isn't there. As she settles down to wait, Addy receives two unexpected callers.
The second one - disguised as an Arab woman - attacks her, dragging her through the house and upstairs bedrooms, seemingly searching for something that Addy knows nothing about. Luckily she's rescued by neighbours who have heard the commotion and called the police.
And that's just the beginning of Addy's world being turned completely upside down!
What follows is a fast moving plot involving the London head of a worldwide security network, ex CIA men and former KGB agents working for megarich Russian oligarchs. There's also a Yakuza gangster out to avenge the death of the woman he loved and the infamous Charon, a freelance hitman who's planning to escape his life as a paid assassin.
And there's a missing USB stick containing details of offshore bank accounts worth a billion dollars which the Russian oligarchs want returned to them.
Somehow, the author Rennie Airth keeps all these threads spinning out until drawing them all together as the body count rises and Addy - with the aid of a London policeman she finds very attractive - tries to figure out what exactly is happening to her and why.
This is a powerful standalone story with a complex plot that demands the reader's attention. Oh - and there's a brief diversion about a much loved teddy bear.
Despite the deaths and mayhem, this is a fun read and recommended to anyone who enjoys a puzzling mystery thriller.
My thanks to Severn House Publishers and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
But on her arrival at Rose's fashionable mews home in Knightsbridge, her aunt isn't there. As she settles down to wait, Addy receives two unexpected callers.
The second one - disguised as an Arab woman - attacks her, dragging her through the house and upstairs bedrooms, seemingly searching for something that Addy knows nothing about. Luckily she's rescued by neighbours who have heard the commotion and called the police.
And that's just the beginning of Addy's world being turned completely upside down!
What follows is a fast moving plot involving the London head of a worldwide security network, ex CIA men and former KGB agents working for megarich Russian oligarchs. There's also a Yakuza gangster out to avenge the death of the woman he loved and the infamous Charon, a freelance hitman who's planning to escape his life as a paid assassin.
And there's a missing USB stick containing details of offshore bank accounts worth a billion dollars which the Russian oligarchs want returned to them.
Somehow, the author Rennie Airth keeps all these threads spinning out until drawing them all together as the body count rises and Addy - with the aid of a London policeman she finds very attractive - tries to figure out what exactly is happening to her and why.
This is a powerful standalone story with a complex plot that demands the reader's attention. Oh - and there's a brief diversion about a much loved teddy bear.
Despite the deaths and mayhem, this is a fun read and recommended to anyone who enjoys a puzzling mystery thriller.
My thanks to Severn House Publishers and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.
May 11, 2023
This is an excellent spy novel by a writer nobody's heard of. It follows the meme of an innocent (Addy, a young actor) who is drawn into a spy case. Her aunt has disappeared, and the suspicious, the murderous, and the just plain weird keep showing up at her aunt's home. Airth is a capable, long-experienced writer who crafts a story with clever but credible twists, grounded characters, and evocative scene setting. Well worth the read.
February 14, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for an eGalley of this novel.
I'm a fan of the Rennie Airth series featuring John Madden so I was understandably interested in reading this novel which is, at least at this point, a stand alone book. It was an okay read for me, but I did get impatient with seeing 20 year old Addie make some really poor choices which spoke to me as being signs of her immaturity. Maybe she was just supposed to represent an intrepid heroine and I missed that meaning. But...I'm the type of reader who doesn't like intrepid heroines when they show a lack of logical and common sense. Right from the very first clue (which I can't mention because it would be a great big old spoiler) Addie misses all the obvious clues which should have made alarm bells begin to clang in her head. Intrepid heroines don't pick up on clues until they cause some sort of catastrophic incident and then they try to convince me they saw it coming all the time. Then why go ahead and make a hash of it?
This book was not enough of a success for me that I will ever want to read it again. That doesn't mean I'm sorry I read it, but it does show me that Addy and I are not right for each other and if she comes up in another book she will have to get out of her silly scrapes without my help.
I'm a fan of the Rennie Airth series featuring John Madden so I was understandably interested in reading this novel which is, at least at this point, a stand alone book. It was an okay read for me, but I did get impatient with seeing 20 year old Addie make some really poor choices which spoke to me as being signs of her immaturity. Maybe she was just supposed to represent an intrepid heroine and I missed that meaning. But...I'm the type of reader who doesn't like intrepid heroines when they show a lack of logical and common sense. Right from the very first clue (which I can't mention because it would be a great big old spoiler) Addie misses all the obvious clues which should have made alarm bells begin to clang in her head. Intrepid heroines don't pick up on clues until they cause some sort of catastrophic incident and then they try to convince me they saw it coming all the time. Then why go ahead and make a hash of it?
This book was not enough of a success for me that I will ever want to read it again. That doesn't mean I'm sorry I read it, but it does show me that Addy and I are not right for each other and if she comes up in another book she will have to get out of her silly scrapes without my help.
January 13, 2020
4 stars
Adelaide “Addy” Banks is a New York actress who travels to London to visit her Aunt Rose. However, when she arrives at Rose's charming little bungalow, Rose is not home. Rose told her that she was visiting in Paris but expected to be home when Addy got there. Instead, Addy is surprised and frightened to receive two separate threatening visitors.
When the police arrive, called by the concerned neighbors, so does Rose's friend Molly. As the days pass, Addy wonders just what is holding up Rose's arrival.
This twisty mystery is gritty in its realism. The reader is introduced to Russians, Japanese, spies, killers, missing money, betrayal, some serious backstabbing and some actually kind people.
The book is very well written in Rennie Airth's usual style. While it is a departure from his usual characters, it is still a very good stand alone novel. I truly enjoyed it. Addy seems a little meek at the beginning of the story, but she shows her true mettle at the end. She is made of much sterner stuff than even she thought she was. I will anxiously await Mr. Airth's next book.
I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this exciting book for me to read, enjoy and review.
Adelaide “Addy” Banks is a New York actress who travels to London to visit her Aunt Rose. However, when she arrives at Rose's charming little bungalow, Rose is not home. Rose told her that she was visiting in Paris but expected to be home when Addy got there. Instead, Addy is surprised and frightened to receive two separate threatening visitors.
When the police arrive, called by the concerned neighbors, so does Rose's friend Molly. As the days pass, Addy wonders just what is holding up Rose's arrival.
This twisty mystery is gritty in its realism. The reader is introduced to Russians, Japanese, spies, killers, missing money, betrayal, some serious backstabbing and some actually kind people.
The book is very well written in Rennie Airth's usual style. While it is a departure from his usual characters, it is still a very good stand alone novel. I truly enjoyed it. Addy seems a little meek at the beginning of the story, but she shows her true mettle at the end. She is made of much sterner stuff than even she thought she was. I will anxiously await Mr. Airth's next book.
I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this exciting book for me to read, enjoy and review.
September 18, 2021
This book took a lot of my energy just to finish it. I only finished it because I love the John Madden series by this author. I kept hoping that there was more of a plot. It was disjointed and some of the characters had more than one name. All of the names were confusing and hard to keep track of the characters. Note to the author...please stay with the John Madden series.
April 6, 2020
Cold Kill is a dramatic shift in style and tone for Rennie Airth, who is best known as the author of the highly acclaimed Inspector John Madden series set in England during the inter-War years and into the 1940s.
In comparison to the beautifully detailed and carefully crafted Inspector Madden series, Cold Kill seems a much lighter novel, although it does contain more than its share of murder and mayhem.
As others have noted, the story revolves around a young American actress, Addy, who comes to London to visit her aunt Rose, but finds that she is missing. Some dramatic early events drag Addy into a sinister plot involving a Japanese assassin out for revenge, the London head of a world-wide security network and some nasty ex-KGB types, all of whom are after Rose and something in her possession.
This easy flowing story opens well with an exciting episode in Paris before slipping into the engaging narration by the pleasant Addy, who over the course of the book proves to be more capable than she first appears. The pacing is a little uneven, with moments of quick violence buffeted by lengthy periods of exposition which slow the pace.
On the positive side, the descriptions of London in December are typically dark and gloomy and add to the story, with the frequent flurries of snow giving a surreal touch at times. The underlying plot is interesting and there are some surprising acts of violence as the book builds to a good climax.
In all, it is a solid thriller with some decent twists and a very engaging central character.
See my full review at https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/c...
Many thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book for review.
In comparison to the beautifully detailed and carefully crafted Inspector Madden series, Cold Kill seems a much lighter novel, although it does contain more than its share of murder and mayhem.
As others have noted, the story revolves around a young American actress, Addy, who comes to London to visit her aunt Rose, but finds that she is missing. Some dramatic early events drag Addy into a sinister plot involving a Japanese assassin out for revenge, the London head of a world-wide security network and some nasty ex-KGB types, all of whom are after Rose and something in her possession.
This easy flowing story opens well with an exciting episode in Paris before slipping into the engaging narration by the pleasant Addy, who over the course of the book proves to be more capable than she first appears. The pacing is a little uneven, with moments of quick violence buffeted by lengthy periods of exposition which slow the pace.
On the positive side, the descriptions of London in December are typically dark and gloomy and add to the story, with the frequent flurries of snow giving a surreal touch at times. The underlying plot is interesting and there are some surprising acts of violence as the book builds to a good climax.
In all, it is a solid thriller with some decent twists and a very engaging central character.
See my full review at https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/c...
Many thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book for review.
May 8, 2020
I'm a long time fan of Rennie Airth and River of Darkness is one of my favorite mysteries. This is a stand alone departure from the John Madden books but it shows how well he can craft a mystery. With a contemporary setting - first Paris and then snowy London - he takes the main character, Adelaide 'Addy' Banks on a wild ride all due to her missing Aunt Rose. Addy has been invited to come from New York to stay with Rose in London but, when Addy arrives, no trace of Rose. She had said she was going to be in Paris but would be back before Addy arrived. Taken by surprise in more ways than one, Addy finds herself in Rose's home and being attacked by woman disguised in Arab garb who demands to know the whereabouts of Rose. Rescued by police who are called by the neighbors, Addy is at a loss as to what to do now. Rose holds the key but Addy has no idea how much both she and Rose are in. On the list of nasties are an assassin, ex-KGB operatives, a Japanese gangster set on revenge and some very, very rich Russians. What has dear widowed Aunt Rose gotten Addy mixed up in now?
There were twists and turns galore and the setting of London in Winter was perfect for this thriller. The writing style, as usual from Rennie Airth, was exceptional and I was never bored. Verdict - a very satisfying read.
My thanks to the publisher Severn House and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
There were twists and turns galore and the setting of London in Winter was perfect for this thriller. The writing style, as usual from Rennie Airth, was exceptional and I was never bored. Verdict - a very satisfying read.
My thanks to the publisher Severn House and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 29, 2020
‘He’d been watching the three workmen for an hour, though he wasn’t sure why.’
New York Actress Adelaide Banks travels to London to spend Christmas with her widowed Aunt Rose. But when Adelaide arrives at her aunt’s Knightsbridge home, her aunt is not there. Initially, Adelaide isn’t too concerned. She knew that her aunt was in Paris, perhaps she’s been delayed. Adelaide settles in … but then receives two unexpected callers. The second caller, dressed as an Arab woman, drags Adelaide through the house. The caller is looking for something. Fortunately for Adelaide, neighbours hear the commotion and call the police. Rose’s friend Molly also arrives.
What on earth is happening? Where is Rose? Who are these mysterious visitors and what are they looking for?
This is the beginning of a fast-moving, complicated story involving former intelligence staff, Russian oligarchs, hitmen and a Yazuka gangster seeking to avenge a death. There’s a missing USB stick containing details of offshore bank accounts. Adelaide gets caught up in all of this, and (initially, at least) it isn’t at all clear who can be trusted. And where is Rose?
There are plenty of twists in this mystery, and quite a few deaths. There are some dastardly villains, and a couple of (perhaps unlikely) heroes.
‘And they would never know.’
Mr Airth kept me guessing for quite a while, trying to work out the puzzle. While this novel is very different from Mr Airth’s John Madden series, it is clever and held my attention until the end.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
New York Actress Adelaide Banks travels to London to spend Christmas with her widowed Aunt Rose. But when Adelaide arrives at her aunt’s Knightsbridge home, her aunt is not there. Initially, Adelaide isn’t too concerned. She knew that her aunt was in Paris, perhaps she’s been delayed. Adelaide settles in … but then receives two unexpected callers. The second caller, dressed as an Arab woman, drags Adelaide through the house. The caller is looking for something. Fortunately for Adelaide, neighbours hear the commotion and call the police. Rose’s friend Molly also arrives.
What on earth is happening? Where is Rose? Who are these mysterious visitors and what are they looking for?
This is the beginning of a fast-moving, complicated story involving former intelligence staff, Russian oligarchs, hitmen and a Yazuka gangster seeking to avenge a death. There’s a missing USB stick containing details of offshore bank accounts. Adelaide gets caught up in all of this, and (initially, at least) it isn’t at all clear who can be trusted. And where is Rose?
There are plenty of twists in this mystery, and quite a few deaths. There are some dastardly villains, and a couple of (perhaps unlikely) heroes.
‘And they would never know.’
Mr Airth kept me guessing for quite a while, trying to work out the puzzle. While this novel is very different from Mr Airth’s John Madden series, it is clever and held my attention until the end.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
April 21, 2020
Rennie Airth, the author of the popular John Madden series, delivers a stand alone in Cold Kill. Addy, a young actress, received an invitation to spend Christmas in London with her Aunt Rose. The letter explained that Rose had to travel to Paris, but she would be back to greet her. When Addy arrives her aunt has not returned, but her neighbors provide a key for her. Unexpectedly, there are two visitors looking for Rose. The first offers to return when Rose comes home. The second bursts into the house and assaults Addy while demanding to know where her aunt is. Once again the neighbors come to the rescue and Addy is taken in by Rose’s friend Molly. What was Rose involved in and where is she? These questions plague Addy and she is determined to find answers.
Airth’s story involves a rogue agent, assassins, stolen funds and revenge. At first Addy seems unsure of herself, but as events spiral around her she rises to the occasion and becomes more confident and determined. She truly proves herself in a final confrontation that contains an incredible twist that left me stunned. I would like to thank NetGalley and Severn House for providing this book for my review.
Airth’s story involves a rogue agent, assassins, stolen funds and revenge. At first Addy seems unsure of herself, but as events spiral around her she rises to the occasion and becomes more confident and determined. She truly proves herself in a final confrontation that contains an incredible twist that left me stunned. I would like to thank NetGalley and Severn House for providing this book for my review.
January 17, 2021
This is one of several snippet reviews of books that just haven't worked for me. Maybe it's the pandemic, maybe not. What is sad, is that many of these are authors I've previously liked, so please don't judge them too harshly. These are books of which I want a record for myself, more than anything else.
Oh, Rennie, never will you ever find a bigger fan of your John Madden series than am I. But you really lost your way with this one.
First, we have young, innocent, aspiring New York actress Addie. Then an entire grab bag of nefarious characters, the kindly couple (ha!) across the street, and annoying best friend, the potential boyfriend, and the understanding copper. Did I forget anyone? The problem is what I just wrote is a far more comprehensive summary than one would ever glean from the actual story which is told in snippets. About the only likable character in the whole mess is the young DS.
And then, and then, about half-way through, not only did I put the plot together, I knew the location of the thing everyone was seeking. Could it have been more obvious? Yes, I cheated and looked. ARGH!
Sorry, Rennie. John, John is wonderful. This? Not so much.
Oh, Rennie, never will you ever find a bigger fan of your John Madden series than am I. But you really lost your way with this one.
First, we have young, innocent, aspiring New York actress Addie. Then an entire grab bag of nefarious characters, the kindly couple (ha!) across the street, and annoying best friend, the potential boyfriend, and the understanding copper. Did I forget anyone? The problem is what I just wrote is a far more comprehensive summary than one would ever glean from the actual story which is told in snippets. About the only likable character in the whole mess is the young DS.
And then, and then, about half-way through, not only did I put the plot together, I knew the location of the thing everyone was seeking. Could it have been more obvious? Yes, I cheated and looked. ARGH!
Sorry, Rennie. John, John is wonderful. This? Not so much.
April 22, 2020
Addie thought she was going to spend Christmas with her aunt Rose, not fight off intruders and assassins. She's a young actress not a ninja. Rose, who was supposed to be home from Paris, doesn't turn up and Addie finds herself staying with Rose's friend Molly. Who knows what? How on earth did Rose get tangled up with oligarchs and yakuza and all manner of bad guys? No spoilers. This is a tad implausible but it's high spirited and entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good quarantine read but also one that will be fine any time.
July 23, 2020
I am a fan of Rennie Airth's John Madden series ( though I prefer Charles Todd's Ian Rutledge mysteries ). Both have protagonists suffering from "shell shock" in recovering from WWI. I thought I would like a stand alone novel by this author, but I did not. There were far to many confusing characters. I do not enjoy with spy genre' with the exception of John le Carre'. The ending does not resolve the issue driving the story line. Were the Russians going to give up retrieving their money??? Very disappointing for me. Kristi & Abby Tabby
April 28, 2020
A gripping and entertaining story that I liked.
The cast of characters is well written, the descriptions of London are vivid and enchanting, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I want to read other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The cast of characters is well written, the descriptions of London are vivid and enchanting, the mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I want to read other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
December 29, 2020
Seventh book I've read from author Rennie Airth, the first six being a part of the same outstanding series featuring English detective, John Madden. "Cold Kill," which seems to be a stand-alone, one-off, was quite enjoyable and would make a fantastic movie, I think. Good as a book, no doubt, but the movie, as I envision it, would be even better. Hollywood?
April 9, 2021
3.5 stars. Not a bad read, but a bit jumpy with so many characters. The dialogue was very strange, almost archaic at times -- at some point a woman is referred to as "dame", and not the British way. I didn't feel much for the characters, but I was intrigued enough by the story to keep going.
September 17, 2023
I find it hard to believe the same writer penned the books with Detective Madden. It’s a convoluted story with a host of nasty characters. The reader is treated to accounts of their upbringing, which seemed odd. The grammar: “for who.”
July 14, 2020
A good read with an unexpected ending.
September 15, 2020
Give me the John Madden mysteries any time...
November 9, 2020
not bad
November 30, 2021
It fooled my eye. Addy Banks was too much and yet too little.
December 10, 2021
Not as good as his D.I. John Madden series, but still a decent suspense/crime novel.
March 15, 2022
Ugh. He should stick with his period mysteries.
August 22, 2022
Entertaining, if a bit confusing. Enjoyed it but like his John madden series better
February 18, 2024
This was OK… but I want another in the John Madden series!
November 25, 2024
Great read. Recommended!
June 7, 2025
great twist
July 4, 2021
Fast "who done it" read with some twists and turns.
March 27, 2023
I listened to the Recorded Books version.
Confusing mess of subplots. Who was Kimura and how did he fit into the subplots?
Confusing mess of subplots. Who was Kimura and how did he fit into the subplots?
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews