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DI Barton #3
The Ice Killer
Winter is coming, and Detective Inspector Barton is facing the toughest case of his career...
Ellen Toole's therapist told her to forget the past, but with her family story shrouded in secrecy, that’s easier said than done. The approaching long nights of winter loom threateningly in front of her, and with her mother on her death bed, Ellen has never felt more alone. When it becomes clear that her mother has kept secrets about a history darker than Ellen ever imagined, Ellen must find answers about the past if she has any hope for a future.
DI Barton and his team are still recovering from a particularly tough and grisly case, so a report of a kidnapping, followed by the discovery of two dead bodies, is the last thing they need. There’s a murderer on the loose, and the killer needs to be stopped before they strike again. This winter, there will be vengeance on Ellen's mind, and DI Barton will struggle with his hardest case to date.
How can Barton find the truth, when all the victims and witnesses are dead?
Ross Greenwood writes gritty, heart-pounding thrillers, with twists aplenty, and unforgettable endings. Perfect for fans of Lee Child and Ian Rankin.
Ellen Toole's therapist told her to forget the past, but with her family story shrouded in secrecy, that’s easier said than done. The approaching long nights of winter loom threateningly in front of her, and with her mother on her death bed, Ellen has never felt more alone. When it becomes clear that her mother has kept secrets about a history darker than Ellen ever imagined, Ellen must find answers about the past if she has any hope for a future.
DI Barton and his team are still recovering from a particularly tough and grisly case, so a report of a kidnapping, followed by the discovery of two dead bodies, is the last thing they need. There’s a murderer on the loose, and the killer needs to be stopped before they strike again. This winter, there will be vengeance on Ellen's mind, and DI Barton will struggle with his hardest case to date.
How can Barton find the truth, when all the victims and witnesses are dead?
Ross Greenwood writes gritty, heart-pounding thrillers, with twists aplenty, and unforgettable endings. Perfect for fans of Lee Child and Ian Rankin.
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First published November 5, 2020
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About the author
Ross Greenwood
50 books563 followersI was born in 1973 in Peterborough and lived there until I was 20, attending The King's School in the city. I then began a rather nomadic existence, living and working all over the country and various parts of the world.
I found myself returning to Peterborough many times over the years, usually when things had gone wrong. It was on one of these occasions that I met my partner about 100 metres from my back door whilst walking a dog. Two children swiftly followed. I'm still a little stunned by the pace of it now.
Fifty Years of Fear book was started a long time ago but parenthood and then after working in sales management all my life, i randomly spent four years as a prison officer. Ironically it was the four a.m. feed which gave me the opportunity to finish the book as unable to get back to sleep I completed it in the early morning hours.
I've now written five further books. My second book, The Boy Inside, was picked up by a publisher, and Lazy Blood is also out. All my books are thought provoking, and told with a sense of humour. Reading the reviews has been great.
The first three books are stand alone, however, some of the characters cross over, and you can see how at times, their lives overlap.
Abel's Revenge is something a bit different. It's a modern day love story set against the backdrop of an escalating serial killer. There's a whodunnit element to it, and some smiles along the way.
Shadows of Regret was inspired by my time on the women's side of the jail in Peterborough, and analyses the close relationship between victim and villain. You won't have read a book like it.
I hope you enjoy reading them.
Please feel free to get in touch.
https://www.facebook.com/RossGreenwoo...
I found myself returning to Peterborough many times over the years, usually when things had gone wrong. It was on one of these occasions that I met my partner about 100 metres from my back door whilst walking a dog. Two children swiftly followed. I'm still a little stunned by the pace of it now.
Fifty Years of Fear book was started a long time ago but parenthood and then after working in sales management all my life, i randomly spent four years as a prison officer. Ironically it was the four a.m. feed which gave me the opportunity to finish the book as unable to get back to sleep I completed it in the early morning hours.
I've now written five further books. My second book, The Boy Inside, was picked up by a publisher, and Lazy Blood is also out. All my books are thought provoking, and told with a sense of humour. Reading the reviews has been great.
The first three books are stand alone, however, some of the characters cross over, and you can see how at times, their lives overlap.
Abel's Revenge is something a bit different. It's a modern day love story set against the backdrop of an escalating serial killer. There's a whodunnit element to it, and some smiles along the way.
Shadows of Regret was inspired by my time on the women's side of the jail in Peterborough, and analyses the close relationship between victim and villain. You won't have read a book like it.
I hope you enjoy reading them.
Please feel free to get in touch.
https://www.facebook.com/RossGreenwoo...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
October 8, 2020
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Ross Greenwood, and Boldwood Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Returning for the latest (and last) in the DI John Barton series, I turned to Ross Greenwood and this gritty police procedural. Known for writing the dual narratives of cops and killers, Greenwood seeks to pull readers onto the streets of Peterborough and tell a tale. While the delivery is there, some may say it lags a bit. Decent enough to keep my interest as the trilogy comes to an end!
After convalescing from injury during one of his recent cases, DI John Barton is thrust into the chaos that is known as Major Crimes in Peterborough. His first day back sees Barton sent into the DCI chair, replacing his superior who has taken maternity leave. Now, DCI Barton not only has to learn the ropes of the job, but also help hone the next generation of inspectors to see how they might make the leap into a more independent role within the police department.
Elsewhere, Ellen Toole is struggling to stay afloat. Her mother is ill and there is little that can be done. Working her dead-end job, Ellen does the best she can, but cannot help wishing she had it better. After her mother’s death, Ellen slips into a state that sees stress levels mount and self-care dwindle, which fuels poor judgment and a return to some of her old ways. As Ellen’s choices blur, so do some of her inhibitions and she finds herself engaging with people from her school days. This has violent and deadly ramifications, which only trigger Ellen’s mental health issues.
Acting DCI Barton seems to be making headway in the department, hoping to forge a new path all his own. When the team are called out to the scene of a triple murder, things look fairly gruesome. However, these are by no means salt of the earth people, leaving Barton and his team to wonder how much of an effort must be put into the investigation. Still, there are dead bodies and some video to indicate that a burly man might be behind it, so it is worth at least giving it all a try.
After Ellen lashed out at some of her old mates, she tries to justify the act as defence against rape. She cannot believe that she’s acted so harshly, but holds firm that past treatment led to this and kept her from being able to hold her temper. Ellen appears ready to take back her life and right all the wrongs that befell her, not caring who stands in her way. Medication be damned, she refuses to let herself be subservient to anyone!
Acting DCI Barton learns of a DNA hit that might help lead the team towards the killer, though it is familial. This takes the case down some interesting rabbit holes, as they discover the hit belongs to a man who had a psychotic break and turned his rage on others. Could this trait have been passed along to his offspring? Barton hones in on one Ellen Toole, but has little to concretely connect her to the case. He wants to walk a fine line, knowing that if the team strikes too soon, it could mean ruining the case and leaving them with nothing.
As Ellen comes to terms with what she’s done, she is not prepared to go without a fight. Her own mental illness and recent revelations about a past that was anything but calm leaves her ready to scapegoat anyone she can in order to stay two steps ahead of the cops and a certain arrest. What happens next is anyone’s guess. It’s up to the courts to decide, if it ever gets that far!
I have come to enjoy the past novels in Ross Greenwood’s series. This one worked well for me, though I did have a sense that there were some drawbacks that kept me from enjoying it as much as I would have liked. Decent characters and a plot that had potential buoyed the novel, though series fans will have to think on it a but before committing themselves to praising this piece. Not sure this was the series swan song Greenwood may have wanted.
DI John Barton returns for another decent protagonist role. He slides into his new job with ease and is able to keep the reader interested with everything that he has going on. His personal life seems to be reflected a tad more in this piece, though his rise in rank does see him less prominently displayed in this piece. There is some development of his character, but nothing stunning, which is somewhat saddening, as he ends the series back where he started.
Greenwood offers up a decent number of strong secondary characters, including Ellen Toole. Each brings their own flavouring to the story and keeps the reader entertained throughout. I did enjoy learning about their personal struggles and development, some of whom have played key roles in the past two cases, while others are new to the scene. Greenwood paints the Ellen story well here, tossing in those who shaped her as a person and it helps to see how her downfall was a long road to despair.
I must compliment Roos Greenwood for tackling the thorny issue of mental health well throughout this piece. While many convicted criminals do suffer from some form of mental health, it is also something many in the general public have to face daily. While there are dark and menacing sides, Greenwood tries not to tie mental health with criminality. He also tackles the inherited argument of mental illness and whether a parent can pass traits on. Interesting internal discussion for any reader curious enough to pick up the thread.
The story itself had moments of brilliance and others that lagged. There was a strong underlying plot, which permitted the reader to see both the killer and the hunt for her developing simultaneously. This developed in short, alternating chapters that kept the book’s momentum and offered varying sides of the same story arc. However, even with these ingredients, there was a sluggishness to the piece that I could not shake. Greenwood’s use of the ‘know who we hunt for’ has worked well in the past, but seemed to come up short. I found the story dragged at times and I just wanted the Ellen-Barton clash to occur, leaving the courts to offer the final verdict and see if there were twists therein. Perhaps it was just me, but this story seemed much longer than it needed to be and kept the reader tapping their finger between page turns. With the end of the trilogy and Greenwood promising a fresh standalone next, this may be a chance to tap the refresh button and explore new areas of the genre.
Kudos, Mr. Greenwood, for a valiant effort. I’m keen to see if things continue with this series and how you’ll take the piece in new directions, should some of the feedback mirror my own.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Returning for the latest (and last) in the DI John Barton series, I turned to Ross Greenwood and this gritty police procedural. Known for writing the dual narratives of cops and killers, Greenwood seeks to pull readers onto the streets of Peterborough and tell a tale. While the delivery is there, some may say it lags a bit. Decent enough to keep my interest as the trilogy comes to an end!
After convalescing from injury during one of his recent cases, DI John Barton is thrust into the chaos that is known as Major Crimes in Peterborough. His first day back sees Barton sent into the DCI chair, replacing his superior who has taken maternity leave. Now, DCI Barton not only has to learn the ropes of the job, but also help hone the next generation of inspectors to see how they might make the leap into a more independent role within the police department.
Elsewhere, Ellen Toole is struggling to stay afloat. Her mother is ill and there is little that can be done. Working her dead-end job, Ellen does the best she can, but cannot help wishing she had it better. After her mother’s death, Ellen slips into a state that sees stress levels mount and self-care dwindle, which fuels poor judgment and a return to some of her old ways. As Ellen’s choices blur, so do some of her inhibitions and she finds herself engaging with people from her school days. This has violent and deadly ramifications, which only trigger Ellen’s mental health issues.
Acting DCI Barton seems to be making headway in the department, hoping to forge a new path all his own. When the team are called out to the scene of a triple murder, things look fairly gruesome. However, these are by no means salt of the earth people, leaving Barton and his team to wonder how much of an effort must be put into the investigation. Still, there are dead bodies and some video to indicate that a burly man might be behind it, so it is worth at least giving it all a try.
After Ellen lashed out at some of her old mates, she tries to justify the act as defence against rape. She cannot believe that she’s acted so harshly, but holds firm that past treatment led to this and kept her from being able to hold her temper. Ellen appears ready to take back her life and right all the wrongs that befell her, not caring who stands in her way. Medication be damned, she refuses to let herself be subservient to anyone!
Acting DCI Barton learns of a DNA hit that might help lead the team towards the killer, though it is familial. This takes the case down some interesting rabbit holes, as they discover the hit belongs to a man who had a psychotic break and turned his rage on others. Could this trait have been passed along to his offspring? Barton hones in on one Ellen Toole, but has little to concretely connect her to the case. He wants to walk a fine line, knowing that if the team strikes too soon, it could mean ruining the case and leaving them with nothing.
As Ellen comes to terms with what she’s done, she is not prepared to go without a fight. Her own mental illness and recent revelations about a past that was anything but calm leaves her ready to scapegoat anyone she can in order to stay two steps ahead of the cops and a certain arrest. What happens next is anyone’s guess. It’s up to the courts to decide, if it ever gets that far!
I have come to enjoy the past novels in Ross Greenwood’s series. This one worked well for me, though I did have a sense that there were some drawbacks that kept me from enjoying it as much as I would have liked. Decent characters and a plot that had potential buoyed the novel, though series fans will have to think on it a but before committing themselves to praising this piece. Not sure this was the series swan song Greenwood may have wanted.
DI John Barton returns for another decent protagonist role. He slides into his new job with ease and is able to keep the reader interested with everything that he has going on. His personal life seems to be reflected a tad more in this piece, though his rise in rank does see him less prominently displayed in this piece. There is some development of his character, but nothing stunning, which is somewhat saddening, as he ends the series back where he started.
Greenwood offers up a decent number of strong secondary characters, including Ellen Toole. Each brings their own flavouring to the story and keeps the reader entertained throughout. I did enjoy learning about their personal struggles and development, some of whom have played key roles in the past two cases, while others are new to the scene. Greenwood paints the Ellen story well here, tossing in those who shaped her as a person and it helps to see how her downfall was a long road to despair.
I must compliment Roos Greenwood for tackling the thorny issue of mental health well throughout this piece. While many convicted criminals do suffer from some form of mental health, it is also something many in the general public have to face daily. While there are dark and menacing sides, Greenwood tries not to tie mental health with criminality. He also tackles the inherited argument of mental illness and whether a parent can pass traits on. Interesting internal discussion for any reader curious enough to pick up the thread.
The story itself had moments of brilliance and others that lagged. There was a strong underlying plot, which permitted the reader to see both the killer and the hunt for her developing simultaneously. This developed in short, alternating chapters that kept the book’s momentum and offered varying sides of the same story arc. However, even with these ingredients, there was a sluggishness to the piece that I could not shake. Greenwood’s use of the ‘know who we hunt for’ has worked well in the past, but seemed to come up short. I found the story dragged at times and I just wanted the Ellen-Barton clash to occur, leaving the courts to offer the final verdict and see if there were twists therein. Perhaps it was just me, but this story seemed much longer than it needed to be and kept the reader tapping their finger between page turns. With the end of the trilogy and Greenwood promising a fresh standalone next, this may be a chance to tap the refresh button and explore new areas of the genre.
Kudos, Mr. Greenwood, for a valiant effort. I’m keen to see if things continue with this series and how you’ll take the piece in new directions, should some of the feedback mirror my own.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
November 5, 2020
The Ice Killer is the third and final instalment in the Detective Inspector (DI) John Barton series, set in and around Peterborough, and I must admit I'm going to miss it. Barton is back from his injury recuperation and has been promoted to Acting DCI of Major Crimes, when the long-term DCI takes maternity leave, and is expected to step into more of an oversight role than previously. Meanwhile, we are introduced to Ellen who has more issues than a magazine. She has recently lost her mother to illness and not only does she have no one in her life now to care about her, but she is also beginning to lose the ability to provide essential self-care. Stuck in an unfulfilling job, used to being the butt of everyone's jokes and having moved from one abusive relationship to the next, her grip on sanity has loosened substantially. Elsewhere, Barton and his team are called to the scene of a brutal triple murder, and despite each victim having been slain in the same house, the MO used were completely different. The police are baffled as to the perpetrator. How is the guy witnessed leaving the crime scene related to the woman-owner of both the dress and DNA discovered in the house, if they indeed are at all?
This is a compulsive and interconnected story of abuse, mental health and human nature and is the first thriller in a while where I have felt sympathy for the murderer. I expect most of us can relate to the impact of school bullies on a person’s self-esteem as most aren't lucky enough to escape it. Ellen was in need to some serious psychological help, having suffered a lot in life, but the taboo and issue obtaining such help in the plot is very much reflective of modern society. It moves at a quick pace, is well written and I thoroughly enjoyed Greenwood’s choice to tell the story from both Barton and the killer’s perspective allowing you to gain a fully rounded look at happenings, which is unusual and works superbly. Barton and colleagues have their work cut out for them in an intense case but as always his quest for the truth eventually gets to the bottom of it all and the twisty and turn journey to get there was thoroughly enjoyable, engrossing and greatly entertaining. I am sad this series has reached its conclusion but it is stated in the Afterword that if there is sufficient interest there may be more. Here's hoping. Many thanks to Boldwood Books for an ARC.
This is a compulsive and interconnected story of abuse, mental health and human nature and is the first thriller in a while where I have felt sympathy for the murderer. I expect most of us can relate to the impact of school bullies on a person’s self-esteem as most aren't lucky enough to escape it. Ellen was in need to some serious psychological help, having suffered a lot in life, but the taboo and issue obtaining such help in the plot is very much reflective of modern society. It moves at a quick pace, is well written and I thoroughly enjoyed Greenwood’s choice to tell the story from both Barton and the killer’s perspective allowing you to gain a fully rounded look at happenings, which is unusual and works superbly. Barton and colleagues have their work cut out for them in an intense case but as always his quest for the truth eventually gets to the bottom of it all and the twisty and turn journey to get there was thoroughly enjoyable, engrossing and greatly entertaining. I am sad this series has reached its conclusion but it is stated in the Afterword that if there is sufficient interest there may be more. Here's hoping. Many thanks to Boldwood Books for an ARC.
November 5, 2020
THE ICE KILLER is the third and final book in a British Crime Thriller Series by Ross Greenwood featuring Detective Inspector John Barton. Having read and enjoyed the previous two books in the series, I was anxious to start this one. I can now see that it will be well received and appeal to a wide audience, as it combines many different genres. This novel can be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend reading the novels in sequence, as this book picks up from the last book.
Novels in this DI Barton Series Include:
The Snow Killer (Book 1)
The Soul Killer (Book 2)
The Ice Killer (Book 3)
Once, her heart was empty. Now it's filled with ice…
The story begins with Ellen who leads a sad and lonely life. She has a dark disturbing past. She has been used and abused and my heart went out to her. Now she must be strong. Ellen is unstable, lacks confidence and has no friends (her only friend is Scarlett). Ellen recently lost her mother and no one seems to care about her. All she wants is to be happy and normal. If there's hope of a future, Ellen must find answers about the past.
DI Barton recovers from injuries sustained in his last traumatic case. He is asked to step up temporarily to DCI, covering the maternity leave of his boss DCI Cox.
News of a multiple body incident comes in. Once again Barton and his team are thrown into a very complex case, bodies begin to pile up and a fragile young woman seems to be involved somehow. Barton is tasked with finding the killer of three local men whose bodies are found in a flat and as the search progresses the bodies mount up...
The novel is written from the point of view of DI Barton and his investigation, in the third person and the ice killer, Ellen Vickerman and her journey of destruction, in the first person.
The Ice Killer deals with mental health issues and abuse, and the author handled these topics in a sensitive and respectful way.
This fast-paced book has plenty of twists and turns, and totally gripping. The only criticism for me was that I felt this novel was maybe a bit longer than it needed to be, but definitely satisfying.
Many thanks to the author, and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
Novels in this DI Barton Series Include:
The Snow Killer (Book 1)
The Soul Killer (Book 2)
The Ice Killer (Book 3)
Once, her heart was empty. Now it's filled with ice…
The story begins with Ellen who leads a sad and lonely life. She has a dark disturbing past. She has been used and abused and my heart went out to her. Now she must be strong. Ellen is unstable, lacks confidence and has no friends (her only friend is Scarlett). Ellen recently lost her mother and no one seems to care about her. All she wants is to be happy and normal. If there's hope of a future, Ellen must find answers about the past.
DI Barton recovers from injuries sustained in his last traumatic case. He is asked to step up temporarily to DCI, covering the maternity leave of his boss DCI Cox.
News of a multiple body incident comes in. Once again Barton and his team are thrown into a very complex case, bodies begin to pile up and a fragile young woman seems to be involved somehow. Barton is tasked with finding the killer of three local men whose bodies are found in a flat and as the search progresses the bodies mount up...
The novel is written from the point of view of DI Barton and his investigation, in the third person and the ice killer, Ellen Vickerman and her journey of destruction, in the first person.
The Ice Killer deals with mental health issues and abuse, and the author handled these topics in a sensitive and respectful way.
This fast-paced book has plenty of twists and turns, and totally gripping. The only criticism for me was that I felt this novel was maybe a bit longer than it needed to be, but definitely satisfying.
Many thanks to the author, and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
November 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75/5 stars) — Another really solid addition to a fantastically original crime series!
I actually read The Ice Killer over two years ago but, somehow, never got around to reviewing it — a shame really, because Ross Greenwood’s DI Barton series has always been one of my comfort-crime staples. Having previously reviewed both The Snow Killer and The Soul Killer, it felt only right to complete the trifecta, even if a little belatedly.
Greenwood’s writing style remains as brisk and accessible as ever, a blend of gritty police procedural and human empathy that few manage to balance so deftly. DI Barton is still the moral compass at the centre of it all — kind, quietly determined, and refreshingly un-melodramatic — the sort of detective you trust to both find the killer and feed your cat while doing it. His presence continues to ground these stories, keeping them tethered to a world of decency amid the chaos.
But, as I’ve mentioned in my previous reviews, it’s Greenwood’s villains that truly steal the show. They’re never cardboard cut-outs or caricatures; instead, we’re invited inside their minds, to sit for a while and understand what broke them. That empathy — that willingness to linger in the moral grey — is what elevates this series beyond the usual procedural fare. The “killer” in The Ice Killer is particularly memorable, their motives chilling yet tragically human, and the alternating perspectives create that signature Greenwood rhythm: tension, compassion, revelation, repeat.
If I’m honest, this third outing didn’t quite reach the narrative sharpness of The Snow Killer or the emotional resonance of The Soul Killer. A few pacing dips and slightly over-extended scenes dulled the ice a little. But as a continuation of a series that’s carved its own corner in British crime fiction, The Ice Killer still delivers — atmospheric, compassionate, and distinctly Ross Greenwood.
A belated review, yes, but a deserved one — as I read the next instalment “The Ice Killer” which reminded me I hadn’t yet reviewed this effort, I am also reminded how in-the-pocket the author feels in this Crime niche he’s carved out for himself.
I actually read The Ice Killer over two years ago but, somehow, never got around to reviewing it — a shame really, because Ross Greenwood’s DI Barton series has always been one of my comfort-crime staples. Having previously reviewed both The Snow Killer and The Soul Killer, it felt only right to complete the trifecta, even if a little belatedly.
Greenwood’s writing style remains as brisk and accessible as ever, a blend of gritty police procedural and human empathy that few manage to balance so deftly. DI Barton is still the moral compass at the centre of it all — kind, quietly determined, and refreshingly un-melodramatic — the sort of detective you trust to both find the killer and feed your cat while doing it. His presence continues to ground these stories, keeping them tethered to a world of decency amid the chaos.
But, as I’ve mentioned in my previous reviews, it’s Greenwood’s villains that truly steal the show. They’re never cardboard cut-outs or caricatures; instead, we’re invited inside their minds, to sit for a while and understand what broke them. That empathy — that willingness to linger in the moral grey — is what elevates this series beyond the usual procedural fare. The “killer” in The Ice Killer is particularly memorable, their motives chilling yet tragically human, and the alternating perspectives create that signature Greenwood rhythm: tension, compassion, revelation, repeat.
If I’m honest, this third outing didn’t quite reach the narrative sharpness of The Snow Killer or the emotional resonance of The Soul Killer. A few pacing dips and slightly over-extended scenes dulled the ice a little. But as a continuation of a series that’s carved its own corner in British crime fiction, The Ice Killer still delivers — atmospheric, compassionate, and distinctly Ross Greenwood.
A belated review, yes, but a deserved one — as I read the next instalment “The Ice Killer” which reminded me I hadn’t yet reviewed this effort, I am also reminded how in-the-pocket the author feels in this Crime niche he’s carved out for himself.
October 27, 2020
A slow burner but an excellent end to this police procedural trilogy. Hopefully there are more books starring DI John Barton
September 8, 2020
443 pages
4 stars
Sue Ellen “Ellen” Vickerman is the central character in this book. We follow her first person journey.
Acting DCI Barton, Sergeants Zander and Strange and the rest of the team catch the brutal murder of three men in a house. The evidence and sequence of events are puzzling. They were all murdered in different ways. Did they have an argument and kill one another? Was there an intruder, or friend who killed them? A neighbor reports a man leaving the house early in the morning.
As the murders begin to multiply, the detectives ponder various possible suspects. They consider whether the man witnessed leaving from the first murders was somehow related to the woman whose dress and DNA was left behind at the scene. This idea then blossoms into into a semi-lateral investigation involving an old crime. Could this crime be related?
As the team hauls in a couple of suspects, all does not seem well. The story they give makes sense, but there is definitely something wrong. Barton feels it, as does Strange.
This book is an interesting take on the mystery formula. Part first person and part third person, the combination works surprisingly well. This is a compulsive read. I just had to find out what happened. It made me very sad to read in the book that there were that many misogynistic men in Ellen's world. Perhaps it was factors of lack of education, drug habits and fatalistic outlook on life that tipped the men that way. Whatever, there were far too many of them. That seemed overdone. I appreciated the discussions about the mental health problem in England (and here in the States), especially as it applies to the police understanding. It is a huge problem and perhaps that was a factor in Mr. Greenwood's writing of this book. I really liked the way Barton treated his subordinates. They had very solid and friendly relationships.
I was debating between 3 and 4 stars, but landed on 4 for sheer effort. I have read Mr. Greenwood in the past and recall the books as better than this one. Not so confused. Is mental illness inherited? Mr. Greenwood makes a very good case for it, but I am left ultimately unconvinced. It remains very true that there is insufficient support for the mentally ill.
I want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
4 stars
Sue Ellen “Ellen” Vickerman is the central character in this book. We follow her first person journey.
Acting DCI Barton, Sergeants Zander and Strange and the rest of the team catch the brutal murder of three men in a house. The evidence and sequence of events are puzzling. They were all murdered in different ways. Did they have an argument and kill one another? Was there an intruder, or friend who killed them? A neighbor reports a man leaving the house early in the morning.
As the murders begin to multiply, the detectives ponder various possible suspects. They consider whether the man witnessed leaving from the first murders was somehow related to the woman whose dress and DNA was left behind at the scene. This idea then blossoms into into a semi-lateral investigation involving an old crime. Could this crime be related?
As the team hauls in a couple of suspects, all does not seem well. The story they give makes sense, but there is definitely something wrong. Barton feels it, as does Strange.
This book is an interesting take on the mystery formula. Part first person and part third person, the combination works surprisingly well. This is a compulsive read. I just had to find out what happened. It made me very sad to read in the book that there were that many misogynistic men in Ellen's world. Perhaps it was factors of lack of education, drug habits and fatalistic outlook on life that tipped the men that way. Whatever, there were far too many of them. That seemed overdone. I appreciated the discussions about the mental health problem in England (and here in the States), especially as it applies to the police understanding. It is a huge problem and perhaps that was a factor in Mr. Greenwood's writing of this book. I really liked the way Barton treated his subordinates. They had very solid and friendly relationships.
I was debating between 3 and 4 stars, but landed on 4 for sheer effort. I have read Mr. Greenwood in the past and recall the books as better than this one. Not so confused. Is mental illness inherited? Mr. Greenwood makes a very good case for it, but I am left ultimately unconvinced. It remains very true that there is insufficient support for the mentally ill.
I want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
October 8, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy of The Ice Killer, the third novel to feature DI John Barton of the Peterborough Police.
Barton has been promoted to Acting DCI but can’t keep away when a series of gruesome deaths rocks Peterborough. Ellen has recently lost her mother and starts reassessing her life. When she looks back at how her past has impacted her lonely present she gets angry.
I found The Ice Killer to be a very mixed bag. As befits a psychological thriller it has plenty of twists and turns, including a high body count and a strong portrayal of the killer. The novel alternates its narrative between Barton and his investigation and Ellen and her trail of destruction. The investigation has no spark and plods along like a dot to dot puzzle, so the study of Ellen is the more energising narrative. Initially it is novel and very absorbing, later it becomes more of the same in the way she thinks and slightly unbelievable in the support she receives.
Ellen is unstable, that much is apparent from the start in her lack of friends, self confidence and reactions to events, so the reader is unsure of taking what she says at face value, especially her victimhood. I found the conundrum fascinating, to what extent did her mental issues shape her previous life choices and her current re-evaluation. The author does a sterling job of posing these questions and mixing everything together.
Having said all that the novel simply did not hold my attention. It is overly long, becomes repetitive and lacks tension.
Barton has been promoted to Acting DCI but can’t keep away when a series of gruesome deaths rocks Peterborough. Ellen has recently lost her mother and starts reassessing her life. When she looks back at how her past has impacted her lonely present she gets angry.
I found The Ice Killer to be a very mixed bag. As befits a psychological thriller it has plenty of twists and turns, including a high body count and a strong portrayal of the killer. The novel alternates its narrative between Barton and his investigation and Ellen and her trail of destruction. The investigation has no spark and plods along like a dot to dot puzzle, so the study of Ellen is the more energising narrative. Initially it is novel and very absorbing, later it becomes more of the same in the way she thinks and slightly unbelievable in the support she receives.
Ellen is unstable, that much is apparent from the start in her lack of friends, self confidence and reactions to events, so the reader is unsure of taking what she says at face value, especially her victimhood. I found the conundrum fascinating, to what extent did her mental issues shape her previous life choices and her current re-evaluation. The author does a sterling job of posing these questions and mixing everything together.
Having said all that the novel simply did not hold my attention. It is overly long, becomes repetitive and lacks tension.
December 23, 2020
DI Barton is dealing with his hardest case to date. After being temporarily promoted to DCI, he's finding it hard to stay at his desk when there's nothing more he wants than to be out on the streets again. He may come to regret those thoughts.
Ellen Toole is a woman literally on the edge. Suffering from mental illness, she has just lost her mother, discovered her mother and older sister have been lying to her about her father who's been missing from her life since she was a young age.
It starts with a kidnapping, followed by two dead bodies ... then 3 more dead bodies .... There's a murderer on the loose ... how many more will die before being stopped?
This is DI Barton's last act .... no more books to follow that feature Barton and his team. This was an intricate plot filled with well-known characters, unless you're new to the series. I enjoyed the mix of personal and professional of the team. There are some shockers along the way ... a few twists and turns ... and a surprising conclusion.
Many thanks to the author / Boldwood Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Ellen Toole is a woman literally on the edge. Suffering from mental illness, she has just lost her mother, discovered her mother and older sister have been lying to her about her father who's been missing from her life since she was a young age.
It starts with a kidnapping, followed by two dead bodies ... then 3 more dead bodies .... There's a murderer on the loose ... how many more will die before being stopped?
This is DI Barton's last act .... no more books to follow that feature Barton and his team. This was an intricate plot filled with well-known characters, unless you're new to the series. I enjoyed the mix of personal and professional of the team. There are some shockers along the way ... a few twists and turns ... and a surprising conclusion.
Many thanks to the author / Boldwood Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 8, 2021
My thanks to Boldwood Books, the author and Netgalley. I'm going to be a lone dissenter in this review, unlike other readers, I ended up with a strong dislike of this story. I quit 70% in. What a bunch of truly idiotic and miserable people. I did enjoy the beginning, somewhat. Mostly, the killer was someone I found difficult to sympathize with. Probably not a book I'd recommend. Definitely not an author I'll ever read again.
April 6, 2022
This was book 3 in the
"DI Barton"
This was a really good read and the best book in this series. This book was written with dual pov it alters between Ellen and Barton and I liked that it added to the story too me. I felt bad for Ellen her life hasn’t been the easiest of ones and past events have left her extremely scarred. Barton is promoted to Detective Chief Inspector, as his current DCI goes on maternity leave. This was a really good read that had me on edge as I read and listened to this book on audio. This case had a different feel to it than the other cases in this series. I loved how Barton and his team interacted with each other. This book was well written with no errors w grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading or listening to the next book in this series.
August 12, 2023
The 3rd of the DI Barton series. IMO the best so far. The story has plenty of victims and psychos. It is told in chapters alternately between the police side and the protagonist side. The protagonist mostly in 1st person. So, you know right up front who the bad guy is, and it becomes a matter of cat and mouse between criminals and police. Surprises and some brutal stuff, but not extreme. It does contain violent adult themes of a sexual nature. But the action is pretty continuous, and it did not bore me or cause me to put it down. A real fan of Brit police procedurals would probably read it in one go. If you liked either of the first 2, definitely read this one.
December 29, 2024
I was really looking forward to reading this but I was disappointed. I felt it wasn’t as strong as the other books in the series.
The plot was slow to start, and it took ages before the killings began which considering ‘kill’ is literally in the book name is a bit of a let down. I get they had to set the scene and introduce the killers background but it could have been done a bit quicker.
I was also expecting a wintery book considering the summary said that winter was coming but then the book started in February which last I checked was the end of winter and not the start.
I probably will read more of the books in the series but that’s only because i enjoyed the others that I’ve read. If it was based on this book alone then I definitely wouldn’t be.
The plot was slow to start, and it took ages before the killings began which considering ‘kill’ is literally in the book name is a bit of a let down. I get they had to set the scene and introduce the killers background but it could have been done a bit quicker.
I was also expecting a wintery book considering the summary said that winter was coming but then the book started in February which last I checked was the end of winter and not the start.
I probably will read more of the books in the series but that’s only because i enjoyed the others that I’ve read. If it was based on this book alone then I definitely wouldn’t be.
November 6, 2020
This is book three in the DI Barton series. Although this can be read as a stand-alone this is a great series so I highly recommend you go read the previous books and read more of Barton.
I really like Barton and his team. This story is fast paced as the team are on the search for the killer.
I can’t praise this author highly enough. I picked my kindle up to read a chapter or two and next thing I know I’ve finished reading it in the early hours of the morning. This author has a way with words that has me gripped from start to finish. Really hoping this isn’t the end of Barton :).
I really like Barton and his team. This story is fast paced as the team are on the search for the killer.
I can’t praise this author highly enough. I picked my kindle up to read a chapter or two and next thing I know I’ve finished reading it in the early hours of the morning. This author has a way with words that has me gripped from start to finish. Really hoping this isn’t the end of Barton :).
October 15, 2020
Another great read in this fantastic series, I was drawn in from the beginning and found I was empathising with Ellen who although a dangerous killer all she really wanted was to be accepted and loved. As I read along the story went from strength to strength, I particularly love the team and the banter between them. I really hope that the series continues as I'm sure DI Barton and his team have a lot more work to do.
November 28, 2021
I am very much enjoying this detective series. The books all follow the same formula; pov of the killer interspersed with pov from the detective DI Barton & his team.
Both are engaging and give the story depth. Yes, the stories are far-fetched but there is an underlying seriousness highlighting mental health issues amongst the inevitable steps taken by law enforcement to catch/stop dangerous people and the humour/ strength required to deal with such crimes.
Both are engaging and give the story depth. Yes, the stories are far-fetched but there is an underlying seriousness highlighting mental health issues amongst the inevitable steps taken by law enforcement to catch/stop dangerous people and the humour/ strength required to deal with such crimes.
July 1, 2025
Original 12/2022 review- 3.6 stars. Not as good as the previous one, but even so. Also, with this book & the previous, I found it difficult to want the police to win, don’t get me wrong, I wanted the murders to stop, but I kind of almost didn’t want them to get caught or harshly punished. There’s multiple r**e-ish scenes that happen to The Ice Killer just FYI, I don’t know how severe they are since I skipped them.
November 9, 2020
It’s a rare police procedural which finds me rooting for the killer to get away with their crimes, but The Ice Killer definitely got close. I think it’s partly because half the book is told in the first person perspective of Ellen, who by the end of the story has killed at least seven men… all of whom had it coming. Three gang rapists, two drug dealers, one child molester and a police officer with a penchant for domestic violence against his girlfriends? None of them were much of a loss to society.
Acting DCI John Barton is the (third-person) protagonist of the other side of the story, as he tries to figure out just who is on a murderous rampage through Peterborough, and why. Surely, a woman couldn’t have done all this. DNA shows there was definitely one present… but was she alone?
Ellen is a sociopath, and there are some interesting questions asked here about whether certain mental conditions are more likely to be inherited, as he father was also a killer who could become dangerous when off his psychoactive medication. Ellen has had a difficult life; child of a single-parent family, her mother was agoraphobic and Ellen displayed mental instabilities from an early age. There’s a subtle indictment of the failure of the UK authorities to provide any meaningful help or regulation to those with serious mental illnesses, particularly to a child who should have been diagnosed much earlier than she was. Instead, Ellen falls through the cracks and in with a bad crowd, ending up being sexually abused, hooked on drugs and pimped out by her dealer before she spends some time in a psychiatric hospital getting the help she needs.
Now years later, Ellen is trying to live a relatively normal life, working in a call centre and wistfully trying to date, looking for love in all the wrong places. Her mother passes away suddenly, and it’s not until later in the story that I realised that was actually the catalyst for disaster, because it was Ellen’s mother who reminded her daily to take her medications, the meds which kept Bad Ellen under wraps.
As I noted before, it’s an unusual tactic for a police procedural to give us a first-person perspective of a sympathetic protagonist. Honestly, I was way more invested in Ellen’s story than in Barton’s; he was just… a bit of a dull plod in comparison. I found myself rushing through his parts of the story because I wanted to get back into Ellen’s head and figure out what the heck she was going to do next. Which is not, I think, ideal when Barton is supposedly the title character of the entire series.
Overall a strong and rather unique story; I’ll give it four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
Acting DCI John Barton is the (third-person) protagonist of the other side of the story, as he tries to figure out just who is on a murderous rampage through Peterborough, and why. Surely, a woman couldn’t have done all this. DNA shows there was definitely one present… but was she alone?
Ellen is a sociopath, and there are some interesting questions asked here about whether certain mental conditions are more likely to be inherited, as he father was also a killer who could become dangerous when off his psychoactive medication. Ellen has had a difficult life; child of a single-parent family, her mother was agoraphobic and Ellen displayed mental instabilities from an early age. There’s a subtle indictment of the failure of the UK authorities to provide any meaningful help or regulation to those with serious mental illnesses, particularly to a child who should have been diagnosed much earlier than she was. Instead, Ellen falls through the cracks and in with a bad crowd, ending up being sexually abused, hooked on drugs and pimped out by her dealer before she spends some time in a psychiatric hospital getting the help she needs.
Now years later, Ellen is trying to live a relatively normal life, working in a call centre and wistfully trying to date, looking for love in all the wrong places. Her mother passes away suddenly, and it’s not until later in the story that I realised that was actually the catalyst for disaster, because it was Ellen’s mother who reminded her daily to take her medications, the meds which kept Bad Ellen under wraps.
As I noted before, it’s an unusual tactic for a police procedural to give us a first-person perspective of a sympathetic protagonist. Honestly, I was way more invested in Ellen’s story than in Barton’s; he was just… a bit of a dull plod in comparison. I found myself rushing through his parts of the story because I wanted to get back into Ellen’s head and figure out what the heck she was going to do next. Which is not, I think, ideal when Barton is supposedly the title character of the entire series.
Overall a strong and rather unique story; I’ll give it four stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
November 1, 2020
This is the third book in the DI Barton series and basically follows on from the previous novel so would advise reading in order to get the most enjoyment from these books.
The story alternates between Ellen and Barton. This actually adds to the suspense of the storyline. Ellen I felt a whole load of emotions for but mainly empathy and pity. Her life hasn’t been the easiest of ones and past events have left her extremely scarred. Without a doubt this is one killer who will have you question what’s right and wrong.
Barton I just love. He is a great character and I love how him and his team operate. I think my mindset was very much like his towards the end and it’s great to see someone in his role still have some sort of compassion. I mean it can’t be easy seeing so many murders and crimes over the years, someone in that role must get hardened to it somewhat.
For me this was so much more than the run of the mill detective thriller. I think Ellen’s plight touched me and as things from her past come to light and the changing of relationships with the people she is closest to, it felt more personal and went deeper. More than anything it made for a wholly engrossing read.
The Ice Killer will chill you for many reasons. It’s a story about justice that messed with my head as, as much as I knew what Ellen was doing was wrong, I couldn’t help but be routing for her also. There are some wonderfully unexpected turns that made this even more enthralling and had me racing through towards the end. I am seriously hoping this isn’t the last in the series as its just to good not to carry on with. A page turning thriller that will have you desperate for more.
My thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for an invite onto the blog tour. Also thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The story alternates between Ellen and Barton. This actually adds to the suspense of the storyline. Ellen I felt a whole load of emotions for but mainly empathy and pity. Her life hasn’t been the easiest of ones and past events have left her extremely scarred. Without a doubt this is one killer who will have you question what’s right and wrong.
Barton I just love. He is a great character and I love how him and his team operate. I think my mindset was very much like his towards the end and it’s great to see someone in his role still have some sort of compassion. I mean it can’t be easy seeing so many murders and crimes over the years, someone in that role must get hardened to it somewhat.
For me this was so much more than the run of the mill detective thriller. I think Ellen’s plight touched me and as things from her past come to light and the changing of relationships with the people she is closest to, it felt more personal and went deeper. More than anything it made for a wholly engrossing read.
The Ice Killer will chill you for many reasons. It’s a story about justice that messed with my head as, as much as I knew what Ellen was doing was wrong, I couldn’t help but be routing for her also. There are some wonderfully unexpected turns that made this even more enthralling and had me racing through towards the end. I am seriously hoping this isn’t the last in the series as its just to good not to carry on with. A page turning thriller that will have you desperate for more.
My thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for an invite onto the blog tour. Also thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
November 7, 2020
I feel as though these characters are old friends since I have read the other two books in the series and have seen them at their best as well as during some down times. I was pulled into the story right from the beginning and taken on a suspenseful ride. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book thanks to The Book Club Reviewer Group, the publisher, and the author.
August 24, 2022
D I Barton and his support group are quickly becoming must reading. This book was very good, perhaps the best I have read in the series, meaning he gets better with every book.
April 20, 2022
Couldn’t put down from start to finish. Another great instalment from a fantastic author!
February 21, 2025
Well quite a book, i hovered between 3-4 stars. Quite a slow start. Liked the continued build of Bartons family life. What a character Ellen is. I felt so sorry for her and just wanted someone to intervene and it all go right. Oh dear.
April 16, 2022
I enjoyed reading this to be fair. Definitely not my favourite though. This read definitely had me rooting for the killer to get away with it but I think it’s partly because half the book is told in the first person perspective of Ellen, who by the end of the story has killed at least seven men- all of whom had it coming. This book is definitely a little far-fetched and unrealistic but there is an underlying seriousness which highlighted mental health issues.
September 9, 2024
Enjoying DCI Barton. Interesting backstory on mental illness and treatments.
Overall though, pretty depressing characters. I quite enjoy the writing style though, and like the interactions of Barton and his family and fellow cops.
The storyline showing Barton in an Acting role and the training aspects as he works through the crime make for an original twist in the storytelling too.
Overall though, pretty depressing characters. I quite enjoy the writing style though, and like the interactions of Barton and his family and fellow cops.
The storyline showing Barton in an Acting role and the training aspects as he works through the crime make for an original twist in the storytelling too.
October 10, 2020
Absolutely brilliant, a real page turner. Cleverly woven story and characters I simply couldn’t go to sleep until I had finished it. I am sad to learn this is the last in a trilogy, I think DI Barton and his colleagues could go further.
November 8, 2020
I really admire the kind of writing that makes you challenge your initial perceptions. Is someone a heartless killer or a victim of circumstances, and the kind of people they attract? This story is long but full of action and characters. It pulled me this way and that as I tried to make up my mind. Barton is currently acting as DCI and isn’t enjoying living behind a desk (so he escapes occasionally) and his usual team of Zander and Strange make a formidable duo. I really enjoy these characters and hope this is not the last outing for them. I especially loved the ending, which I won’t spoil for you – but I really did. I thought it was inspired.
August 22, 2021
This is so far-fetched and plain silly! I can deal with unlikely plots but this stretches belief far too much. Plus it’s overlong and the protagonist is truly unlikable (not that’s a must). I had enjoyed the previous books of this series but this was very disappointing
November 6, 2020
Having thoroughly enjoyed the second book in Ross Greenwood's D.I. Barton trilogy, The Soul Killer I've been looking forward to reading The Ice Killer. I haven't yet managed to read the first novel, The Snow Killer but this does at least mean that I'm able to confirm that it is possible to read each book as separate standalones - although as always with a series, returning readers will appreciate the development of the recurring characters.
While much of the novel follows D.I. John Barton, there are many chapters which are told from Ellen's perspective and I can honestly say I'm not sure I've ever come across a more complex, morally ambiguous character. At first she appears to be a rather timid, downtrodden woman but after drunken night out ends horrifically we see a different side to her. It gradually transpires that she has a dark history but even she doesn't seem to know quite what she is capable of.
Barton and his team are called out to a strange triple murder but though the men obviously died violently, the evidence isn't initially clear enough for the police to determine whether somebody else was involved. As the body count in Peterborough rises, Barton becomes convinced that the deaths are somehow linked, but he is also trying to learn the ropes in his new position as Acting D.C.I. and is torn between supporting his officers at the scene or trusting them enough to do the job he knows they are capable of, while he remains at his desk. It's a fine line for him to tread and I enjoyed following his thought processes as he weighs up the pros and cons of his possible promotion.
The Ice Killer puts readers in the position of knowing exactly how each murder happens and why but that's not to say there aren't any surprises. Some of the shocks come from the suddenness of the attacks inflicted on the victims - I won't say unfortunate because these are not innocent men and though their deaths are crimes, it is hard to feel too much sorrow for them. Ellen, however, is a far more intriguing character. As we learn about her mental health issues and her troubled life, it's impossible not to feel some empathy for her. That said, her cold, detached demeanour is often utterly chilling and although she is a conflicted figure, there is no doubt as to how dangerous she really is.
While it's inevitable that Barton will eventually piece this gruesome jigsaw together and realise who is responsible for the outbreak of deaths in the city, it's not at all obvious how the unpredictable Ellen will respond to the tightening net around her. By the end of the novel, it's hard to imagine that this intelligent, cunning killer is the same woman we met at the start but I always believed in the transformation and actually found myself unable to fully condemn her despite everything that occurs here.
This is a dark, often violent novel that doesn't flinch from exploring the very worst of human behaviour but it's written with a perceptive acknowledgment of the often sad reality that many of those who end up facing prison sentences often have mental health issues and have been let down by a system which frequently is only able to paper over the cracks. Although undoubtedly not cosy crime, much of the dialogue is refreshingly light-hearted and I enjoyed the clear distinction between the third person chapters following Barton and his team and Ellen's more conversational first person narrative.
The Ice Killer is an addictive thriller with a well-paced rollercoaster of a plot and excellent characterisation. Though currently the final book in the D.I. Barton series, I'm sure I won't be the only reader crossing my fingers for more please!
While much of the novel follows D.I. John Barton, there are many chapters which are told from Ellen's perspective and I can honestly say I'm not sure I've ever come across a more complex, morally ambiguous character. At first she appears to be a rather timid, downtrodden woman but after drunken night out ends horrifically we see a different side to her. It gradually transpires that she has a dark history but even she doesn't seem to know quite what she is capable of.
Barton and his team are called out to a strange triple murder but though the men obviously died violently, the evidence isn't initially clear enough for the police to determine whether somebody else was involved. As the body count in Peterborough rises, Barton becomes convinced that the deaths are somehow linked, but he is also trying to learn the ropes in his new position as Acting D.C.I. and is torn between supporting his officers at the scene or trusting them enough to do the job he knows they are capable of, while he remains at his desk. It's a fine line for him to tread and I enjoyed following his thought processes as he weighs up the pros and cons of his possible promotion.
The Ice Killer puts readers in the position of knowing exactly how each murder happens and why but that's not to say there aren't any surprises. Some of the shocks come from the suddenness of the attacks inflicted on the victims - I won't say unfortunate because these are not innocent men and though their deaths are crimes, it is hard to feel too much sorrow for them. Ellen, however, is a far more intriguing character. As we learn about her mental health issues and her troubled life, it's impossible not to feel some empathy for her. That said, her cold, detached demeanour is often utterly chilling and although she is a conflicted figure, there is no doubt as to how dangerous she really is.
While it's inevitable that Barton will eventually piece this gruesome jigsaw together and realise who is responsible for the outbreak of deaths in the city, it's not at all obvious how the unpredictable Ellen will respond to the tightening net around her. By the end of the novel, it's hard to imagine that this intelligent, cunning killer is the same woman we met at the start but I always believed in the transformation and actually found myself unable to fully condemn her despite everything that occurs here.
This is a dark, often violent novel that doesn't flinch from exploring the very worst of human behaviour but it's written with a perceptive acknowledgment of the often sad reality that many of those who end up facing prison sentences often have mental health issues and have been let down by a system which frequently is only able to paper over the cracks. Although undoubtedly not cosy crime, much of the dialogue is refreshingly light-hearted and I enjoyed the clear distinction between the third person chapters following Barton and his team and Ellen's more conversational first person narrative.
The Ice Killer is an addictive thriller with a well-paced rollercoaster of a plot and excellent characterisation. Though currently the final book in the D.I. Barton series, I'm sure I won't be the only reader crossing my fingers for more please!
November 11, 2020
DI John Barton is just being released from hospital at the start of this, the third in the series set in Peterborough. He suffered injuries at the hands of The Soul Killer but after a further six weeks recovery at home he is raring to go, and his first task is to assume responsibility as acting DCI to cover DCI Cox's maternity leave. His two loyal sergeants, DS Zander and DS Strange, may have to step up a bit sooner than expected. It’s straight down to business with a sad case of an ex-serviceman who has struggled to cope, abandoned by his wife and who is now holding a post worker hostage in an effort to avoid eviction. Once again Barton’s common sense attitude and empathy with people gives a quick and calm solution to the problem. Following hot on the heels of this is the discovery of three bodies in a squalid house. Pathologist Mortis (what a great nickname!) states that they died around three days previously and Crime Scene Manager Sirena has a forensics nightmare on her hands to sift through the rubbish to find evidence for Barton to follow. The men are all identified and have been stabbed or bludgeoned to death.
The story told from two sides. One is by Ellen, The Ice Killer as she becomes, and the other is an account of DI (acting DCI) Barton and his team’s movements and investigations.
Ellen is already a very damaged person with only one close friend, Scarlett whom she has known since school. She has been badly abused by various men in the past, has mental health problems and has done a lot of things she regrets. Feeling lonely but good about herself when she receives a random act of kindness, she runs into a former boyfriend and his two friends. She soon realises just how unsavoury they still are. Waking broken and bloody in the morning after a horrific attack, something in Ellen snaps and she resolves that she will no longer be a victim. This is going to be the turning point for her. These three men become the first to pay. She spends the next few days terrified that the police will come for her but in fact it is three days before the bodies are even discovered. In such a pigsty of a crime scene, it is hard for the detectives to even know what has happened and whether they are looking for a separate killer or not. Then Ellen receives an unexpected visitor who literally turns upside down everything she thought she knew about her past and herself, and will definitely colour her future. Dark times are to come.
I love the way we see the story unfolding from both sides. It is always interesting being better informed than the detectives, knowing the truth and waiting to see if they can make all the connections themselves. They are a great team, with an undoubted closeness and loyalty which supersedes ambition and personal glory. It is nice to see a lead detective with a pretty normal and happy life outside of work. All the characters are very well drawn, and although she is responsible for some terrible deeds, it was impossible not to have some degree of sympathy for Ellen and the life that had brought her to this point. This is an excellent story, a little slow to start but full of twists and shocks once it gets up to speed and I found it very hard to put down until I reached the brilliant and quite inspired ending! It is such great news also that this is not to be last in the series. I am already looking forward to number four. 5*
The story told from two sides. One is by Ellen, The Ice Killer as she becomes, and the other is an account of DI (acting DCI) Barton and his team’s movements and investigations.
Ellen is already a very damaged person with only one close friend, Scarlett whom she has known since school. She has been badly abused by various men in the past, has mental health problems and has done a lot of things she regrets. Feeling lonely but good about herself when she receives a random act of kindness, she runs into a former boyfriend and his two friends. She soon realises just how unsavoury they still are. Waking broken and bloody in the morning after a horrific attack, something in Ellen snaps and she resolves that she will no longer be a victim. This is going to be the turning point for her. These three men become the first to pay. She spends the next few days terrified that the police will come for her but in fact it is three days before the bodies are even discovered. In such a pigsty of a crime scene, it is hard for the detectives to even know what has happened and whether they are looking for a separate killer or not. Then Ellen receives an unexpected visitor who literally turns upside down everything she thought she knew about her past and herself, and will definitely colour her future. Dark times are to come.
I love the way we see the story unfolding from both sides. It is always interesting being better informed than the detectives, knowing the truth and waiting to see if they can make all the connections themselves. They are a great team, with an undoubted closeness and loyalty which supersedes ambition and personal glory. It is nice to see a lead detective with a pretty normal and happy life outside of work. All the characters are very well drawn, and although she is responsible for some terrible deeds, it was impossible not to have some degree of sympathy for Ellen and the life that had brought her to this point. This is an excellent story, a little slow to start but full of twists and shocks once it gets up to speed and I found it very hard to put down until I reached the brilliant and quite inspired ending! It is such great news also that this is not to be last in the series. I am already looking forward to number four. 5*
November 12, 2020
The Ice Killer begins with our serial killer going on a date on Valentine’s Day. She has always been unlucky in love, but hopes this time it might be different. Her best friend, Scarlett Star, helps her to get ready. But after the date turns into another one night stand, our killer looks into her past to try and figure out where things went wrong.
Earlier this year I read (and loved) the first two books in this series, The Snow Killer and The Soul Killer. The Ice Killer kicks off where the previous book ended, and launches us straight back into the action. It certainly didn’t disappoint!
I really enjoy the writing style of this series. Half the book is written from the serial killer’s perspective and half from DI Barton’s. This made me really empathise with the killer. At one point, she says to her best friend Scarlett: “It’s crazy, but I kept thinking that once I sorted a man out, you know, got married, then the rest would come. I’d build my social life around us as a couple. With that mad thought in mind, I desperately threw myself into destructive relationships and ditched anyone who was boring, even if they were kind. I should have built my life around myself and my friends. Then the men could come to me. I’ve been a fool.” I felt huge sympathy for her and I’m sure this is a regret that many others can relate to.
DI Barton is also a great character and very easy to relate to. At the end of the previous book, his superior announced her maternity leave and Barton is promoted to cover her. Throughout the book, he struggles with this new role and the added responsibility, and whether he wants to take on the more desk-based management position. It’s also great to read the scenes between he and Holly, who have a loving, happy relationship.
This is an incredibly gripping story that’s full of suspense with excellent characters. I was hooked from start to finish! The themes around how vulnerable people fall through the cracks in the support system and how easy it is to fall into self-destructive behaviour without that support are brilliant and very well handled. I also love that Ross Greenwood is able to make you sympathise with a serial killer, with an ending that leaves mixed feelings. This is a book that will stick with me for a while, and I really hope that Ross will write further books in this series!
Earlier this year I read (and loved) the first two books in this series, The Snow Killer and The Soul Killer. The Ice Killer kicks off where the previous book ended, and launches us straight back into the action. It certainly didn’t disappoint!
I really enjoy the writing style of this series. Half the book is written from the serial killer’s perspective and half from DI Barton’s. This made me really empathise with the killer. At one point, she says to her best friend Scarlett: “It’s crazy, but I kept thinking that once I sorted a man out, you know, got married, then the rest would come. I’d build my social life around us as a couple. With that mad thought in mind, I desperately threw myself into destructive relationships and ditched anyone who was boring, even if they were kind. I should have built my life around myself and my friends. Then the men could come to me. I’ve been a fool.” I felt huge sympathy for her and I’m sure this is a regret that many others can relate to.
DI Barton is also a great character and very easy to relate to. At the end of the previous book, his superior announced her maternity leave and Barton is promoted to cover her. Throughout the book, he struggles with this new role and the added responsibility, and whether he wants to take on the more desk-based management position. It’s also great to read the scenes between he and Holly, who have a loving, happy relationship.
This is an incredibly gripping story that’s full of suspense with excellent characters. I was hooked from start to finish! The themes around how vulnerable people fall through the cracks in the support system and how easy it is to fall into self-destructive behaviour without that support are brilliant and very well handled. I also love that Ross Greenwood is able to make you sympathise with a serial killer, with an ending that leaves mixed feelings. This is a book that will stick with me for a while, and I really hope that Ross will write further books in this series!
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