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DI James Walker #1
The Christmas Killer
As the snow begins to fall, the body count begins to climb…
DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey.
But when he opens an early Christmas present left on his doorstep, he soon realises it is no gift. Inside is a gruesome surprise, and a promise – twelve days, twelve murders. Not long after, the first body is found, half frozen in the snow.
As the blizzards descend, panic spreads through the remote Cumbrian village – there’s a killer amongst them, and with eleven more victims to go, anyone could be next….
Can James stop the killer before they strike again?
The first in a new series, Alex Pine has written a dark, atmospheric crime novel, set in a snowed-in Cumbrian village, for fans of Val McDermid, Ross Greenwood and LJ Ross.
DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey.
But when he opens an early Christmas present left on his doorstep, he soon realises it is no gift. Inside is a gruesome surprise, and a promise – twelve days, twelve murders. Not long after, the first body is found, half frozen in the snow.
As the blizzards descend, panic spreads through the remote Cumbrian village – there’s a killer amongst them, and with eleven more victims to go, anyone could be next….
Can James stop the killer before they strike again?
The first in a new series, Alex Pine has written a dark, atmospheric crime novel, set in a snowed-in Cumbrian village, for fans of Val McDermid, Ross Greenwood and LJ Ross.
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First published October 29, 2020
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About the author
Alex Pine
13 books258 followersAlex Pine was born and raised on a council estate in South London and left school at sixteen. Before long, he embarked on a career in journalism, which took him all over the world – many of the stories he covered were crime-related. Among his favourite hobbies are hiking and water-based activities, so he and his family have spent lots of holidays in the Lake District. He now lives with his wife on a marina close to the New Forest on the South Coast – providing him with the best of both worlds!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,405 reviews
December 31, 2021
DI James Walker just got the kind of Christmas present nobody wants: a promise that 12 murders are about to happen in the small Cumbrian village he now calls home. Having moved from London to escape the vengeful attentions of a gang boss he once arrested, now free and back on the streets, it seems like he's relocated from the frying pan into the fire. As the bodies drop into the beautiful winter snow, he rushes to discover who's suddenly become stabby and why.
Sounds 100% like my kind of thing, bloody Christmas themed murders with a side of whodunnit. But my issue with this book is that it's so lightly written. Simple, short sentences, small paragraphs, unrealistic dialogue, no depth to character. Everything spelled out to the nth degree. There's nothing to it. Thrillers often sacrifice for pace, but there's so little here to hold on to. No tension, nothing that stands out... except perhaps Walker's wife whining her way though the entire book. It's fine, but that's all it is.
If you read widely in this genre, it's unlikely that this will satisfy.
ARC via Netgalley
Sounds 100% like my kind of thing, bloody Christmas themed murders with a side of whodunnit. But my issue with this book is that it's so lightly written. Simple, short sentences, small paragraphs, unrealistic dialogue, no depth to character. Everything spelled out to the nth degree. There's nothing to it. Thrillers often sacrifice for pace, but there's so little here to hold on to. No tension, nothing that stands out... except perhaps Walker's wife whining her way though the entire book. It's fine, but that's all it is.
If you read widely in this genre, it's unlikely that this will satisfy.
ARC via Netgalley
October 27, 2022
The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine is a 2020 Avon publication.
When a dangerous criminal is released from prison, who happens to carry a grudge against DI James Walker, his wife insists they move away from the city. Just as they begin to settle into the small Cumbrian village, and a much slower, and hopefully less dangerous life, an ominous package arrives on their doorstep with a note attached which threatens a twelve-day reign of terror ala the Twelve Days of Christmas.
In blizzard like conditions a body is found in the snow – the potential first victim with eleven more to follow if the killer isn’t stopped…
This debut thriller is pretty rough around the edges. This is not an ARC copy, so I was surprised to find several glaring grammatical errors in the book, early on- especially as the book has a seasoned publisher.
I could overlook that if the story was descent- but there isn’t much here for me to recommend. The characters and dialogue are wooden and stiff, and I guessed, not only who the killer was, very early on- but the motive was also apparent, which didn’t give me much incentive to hang around to see how DI Walker would connect the dots.
But I did stick around, despite all that. The flow of the book did smooth out after a while, and honestly, the bare bones of a good crime novel are here- but the delivery needed a lot of work. That said, I think the author has some potential. The issues here can be worked out with some experience- and so I’m going to try the second installment in this series to see if things improve.
Overall, this debut got off to a rocky start- but it might be a diamond in the rough. Hopefully, the next installment is a bit more polished!
2 stars
When a dangerous criminal is released from prison, who happens to carry a grudge against DI James Walker, his wife insists they move away from the city. Just as they begin to settle into the small Cumbrian village, and a much slower, and hopefully less dangerous life, an ominous package arrives on their doorstep with a note attached which threatens a twelve-day reign of terror ala the Twelve Days of Christmas.
In blizzard like conditions a body is found in the snow – the potential first victim with eleven more to follow if the killer isn’t stopped…
This debut thriller is pretty rough around the edges. This is not an ARC copy, so I was surprised to find several glaring grammatical errors in the book, early on- especially as the book has a seasoned publisher.
I could overlook that if the story was descent- but there isn’t much here for me to recommend. The characters and dialogue are wooden and stiff, and I guessed, not only who the killer was, very early on- but the motive was also apparent, which didn’t give me much incentive to hang around to see how DI Walker would connect the dots.
But I did stick around, despite all that. The flow of the book did smooth out after a while, and honestly, the bare bones of a good crime novel are here- but the delivery needed a lot of work. That said, I think the author has some potential. The issues here can be worked out with some experience- and so I’m going to try the second installment in this series to see if things improve.
Overall, this debut got off to a rocky start- but it might be a diamond in the rough. Hopefully, the next installment is a bit more polished!
2 stars
October 25, 2025
EXCERPT: He was approaching the front door when he noticed that a parcel had been left on the step. It was about the size of a shoebox and was wrapped in Christmas paper.
His first thought as he picked it up was that it had been put there by one of the neighbours. But as he let himself inside, it struck him as odd that on the label that was stuck to it there were just three words written with a black marker:
FOR DETECTIVE WALKER
He took the parcel through to the kitchen and placed it on the table. Curiosity compelled him to open it before doing anything else.
He tore off the wrapping and lifted the lid of the cardboard box. What was inside gave him such a shock that an involuntary gasp erupted from his mouth and he jumped back in horror. In the process, his hand struck the edge of the box and knocked it onto the floor.
A wave of revulsion swept through him as he stared down at the object that rolled out. It was a large blood-soaked bird that was clearly dead.
James tried to swallow but couldn't, and for several moments he just stood there while a pulse thundered in his temples.
He noticed that the bottom of the box was lined with clingfilm, presumably to hold in the blood.
'Why the fuck would someone do this?' he said aloud to himself.
After the shock wore off, he took a deep breath and knelt down to see if there was anything else in the upended box. But there wasn't. However, when he stood again, he spotted something attached by Sellotape to the underside of the lid. It was a Christmas card wrapped in clingfilm, and on the front of it were images from the carol The Twelve Days of Christmas.
James always carried a pair of latex gloves in his jacket pocket, so he put them on before reaching for the card, aware that he should have done so before opening the box in the first place.
He used the tips of his fingers to peel away the Sellotape and flick the card open. There was no seasonal greeting printed inside. Instead, someone had scrawled a message that caused the air to lock in James's chest.
'Here's a Christmas gift for you, detective Walker. It's a little early, I know, but I just couldn't wait. My very own take on the twelve days of Christmas, complete with a dead partridge. Twelve days. Twelve murders. Twelve victims. And they all deserve what's coming to them.'
ABOUT 'THE CHRISTMAS KILLER': As the snow begins to fall, the body count begins to climb…
DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey.
But when he opens an early Christmas present left on his doorstep, he soon realises it is no gift. Inside is a gruesome surprise, and a promise – twelve days, twelve murders. Not long after, the first body is found, half frozen in the snow.
As the blizzards descend, panic spreads through the remote Cumbrian village – there’s a killer amongst them, and with eleven more victims to go, anyone could be next….
Can James stop the killer before they strike again?
MY THOUGHTS: I combined reading The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine with listening to the audio version narrated by Neet Mohan. I greatly preferred the audio edition.
While there is not a lot of suspense and probably one red herring too many, I enjoyed The Christmas Killer far more than one of the later books I read in this series. But a little more suspense definitely would have been appreciated.
The plot has a lot of potential which is subdued by a 'plodding' (I think I used this word in my review of the later book, too) writing style. The characters don't quite ring true and have all the personality of the cardboard cutout dolls I played with as a child.
I did guess the murderer quite early on, but that in no way affects my rating. I may just have been lucky, although I did have some valid reasons for picking this character.
As I don't see any growth between the writing of The Christmas Killer and the later book in this series I read, I am not at all tempted to continue with this series.
⭐⭐⭐.2
#TheChristmasKiller #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: ALEX PINE was born and raised on a council estate in South London and left school at sixteen. Before long, he embarked on a career in journalism, which took him all over the world – many of the stories he covered were crime-related. Among his favourite hobbies are hiking and water-based activities, so he and his family have spent lots of holidays in the Lake District. He now lives with his wife on a marina close to the New Forest on the South Coast – providing him with the best of both worlds!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
His first thought as he picked it up was that it had been put there by one of the neighbours. But as he let himself inside, it struck him as odd that on the label that was stuck to it there were just three words written with a black marker:
FOR DETECTIVE WALKER
He took the parcel through to the kitchen and placed it on the table. Curiosity compelled him to open it before doing anything else.
He tore off the wrapping and lifted the lid of the cardboard box. What was inside gave him such a shock that an involuntary gasp erupted from his mouth and he jumped back in horror. In the process, his hand struck the edge of the box and knocked it onto the floor.
A wave of revulsion swept through him as he stared down at the object that rolled out. It was a large blood-soaked bird that was clearly dead.
James tried to swallow but couldn't, and for several moments he just stood there while a pulse thundered in his temples.
He noticed that the bottom of the box was lined with clingfilm, presumably to hold in the blood.
'Why the fuck would someone do this?' he said aloud to himself.
After the shock wore off, he took a deep breath and knelt down to see if there was anything else in the upended box. But there wasn't. However, when he stood again, he spotted something attached by Sellotape to the underside of the lid. It was a Christmas card wrapped in clingfilm, and on the front of it were images from the carol The Twelve Days of Christmas.
James always carried a pair of latex gloves in his jacket pocket, so he put them on before reaching for the card, aware that he should have done so before opening the box in the first place.
He used the tips of his fingers to peel away the Sellotape and flick the card open. There was no seasonal greeting printed inside. Instead, someone had scrawled a message that caused the air to lock in James's chest.
'Here's a Christmas gift for you, detective Walker. It's a little early, I know, but I just couldn't wait. My very own take on the twelve days of Christmas, complete with a dead partridge. Twelve days. Twelve murders. Twelve victims. And they all deserve what's coming to them.'
ABOUT 'THE CHRISTMAS KILLER': As the snow begins to fall, the body count begins to climb…
DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey.
But when he opens an early Christmas present left on his doorstep, he soon realises it is no gift. Inside is a gruesome surprise, and a promise – twelve days, twelve murders. Not long after, the first body is found, half frozen in the snow.
As the blizzards descend, panic spreads through the remote Cumbrian village – there’s a killer amongst them, and with eleven more victims to go, anyone could be next….
Can James stop the killer before they strike again?
MY THOUGHTS: I combined reading The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine with listening to the audio version narrated by Neet Mohan. I greatly preferred the audio edition.
While there is not a lot of suspense and probably one red herring too many, I enjoyed The Christmas Killer far more than one of the later books I read in this series. But a little more suspense definitely would have been appreciated.
The plot has a lot of potential which is subdued by a 'plodding' (I think I used this word in my review of the later book, too) writing style. The characters don't quite ring true and have all the personality of the cardboard cutout dolls I played with as a child.
I did guess the murderer quite early on, but that in no way affects my rating. I may just have been lucky, although I did have some valid reasons for picking this character.
As I don't see any growth between the writing of The Christmas Killer and the later book in this series I read, I am not at all tempted to continue with this series.
⭐⭐⭐.2
#TheChristmasKiller #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: ALEX PINE was born and raised on a council estate in South London and left school at sixteen. Before long, he embarked on a career in journalism, which took him all over the world – many of the stories he covered were crime-related. Among his favourite hobbies are hiking and water-based activities, so he and his family have spent lots of holidays in the Lake District. He now lives with his wife on a marina close to the New Forest on the South Coast – providing him with the best of both worlds!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 14, 2020
Just for funsies, visualize, if you will, an assortment of sugary goodies on display at a holiday cookie exchange party. There are intricately-decorated Christmas cookies with layers of icing and sprinkles. Then there are expertly-crafted raspberry rugelach lovingly baked from someone’s grandma’s recipe. And who could forget the buttery spritz cookies in various festive shapes.
And then, down at the very end of the table, sit the lazy-a$$ pretzels dipped in white chocolate. You know, from the person who doesn’t really know how to bake, didn’t have any of the necessary ingredients, or simply didn’t want to spend the time.
“The Christmas Killer” is your typical chocolate-covered pretzel thriller, but with red and green sprinkles tossed on top so it’ll sell during the holidays. Sadly, it just doesn’t deliver anything to make it stand out when compared to the many, many other mystery options available. It’s light on murders, suspense, characterization, and finesse. As someone who craves more depth in the books (and baked goods) I consume, it was a pretty big disappointment.
And then, down at the very end of the table, sit the lazy-a$$ pretzels dipped in white chocolate. You know, from the person who doesn’t really know how to bake, didn’t have any of the necessary ingredients, or simply didn’t want to spend the time.
“The Christmas Killer” is your typical chocolate-covered pretzel thriller, but with red and green sprinkles tossed on top so it’ll sell during the holidays. Sadly, it just doesn’t deliver anything to make it stand out when compared to the many, many other mystery options available. It’s light on murders, suspense, characterization, and finesse. As someone who craves more depth in the books (and baked goods) I consume, it was a pretty big disappointment.
September 25, 2020
20% in before someone dies in a murder mystery detective book?
"Inside is a gruesome surprise, and a promise – twelve days, twelve murders."
I could have dealt with the lack of murdery moments (though I prefer not too!) if the side stories and characters had had more pull.
All the characters felt uncomfortable in their own skin which made the book feel more drawn out than was pleasant.
It was all very bland.
Thanks to NetGalley & Avon Books UK for my DRC.
"Inside is a gruesome surprise, and a promise – twelve days, twelve murders."
I could have dealt with the lack of murdery moments (though I prefer not too!) if the side stories and characters had had more pull.
All the characters felt uncomfortable in their own skin which made the book feel more drawn out than was pleasant.
It was all very bland.
Thanks to NetGalley & Avon Books UK for my DRC.
July 31, 2025
This is a Christmas Suspense Mystery, and this is the first book in the DI James Walker Series. I have to say I did enjoyed reading this book after I got pulled into the story, but It took me awhile to get pulled into the story. I also felt the book was slow moving, and I did not felt there was a lot of suspense in this book. I did not guess the person that did it. I wish the characters where more developed because I feel I really did not get a full picture of the characters. Overall, This mystery is just ok. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Avon) or author (Alex Pine) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
October 25, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
DI James Walker #1
DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey. But when he opens an early Christmas present that was left on his doorstep, inside the package is a gruesome surprise and a promise, twelve days, twelve murders. It isn't long before the first body is found, half frozen in the snow.
In twelve days, twelve deserving people will die. DI James Walker is on the case. He is new to Cumbria. He moved to Kirkby Abbey from London with his wife Annie for their own protection. The story drags out and the pace is slow. I had no idea who the kilker was and this always makes a book a bit more interesting. The clues are cleverly hidden. There's a mixed bunch of characters and they all had secrets. This is a promising start to a new series and i look forward to reading the next installment.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AvonBooksUK and the author #AlexPine for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DI James Walker #1
DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey. But when he opens an early Christmas present that was left on his doorstep, inside the package is a gruesome surprise and a promise, twelve days, twelve murders. It isn't long before the first body is found, half frozen in the snow.
In twelve days, twelve deserving people will die. DI James Walker is on the case. He is new to Cumbria. He moved to Kirkby Abbey from London with his wife Annie for their own protection. The story drags out and the pace is slow. I had no idea who the kilker was and this always makes a book a bit more interesting. The clues are cleverly hidden. There's a mixed bunch of characters and they all had secrets. This is a promising start to a new series and i look forward to reading the next installment.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AvonBooksUK and the author #AlexPine for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2020
Alex Pine's debut novel might have it's flaws, but this was exactly the Christmas themed thriller that I was looking for...
The prologue itself explains that DI James Walker and his wife Annie are desperate to leave London and start a new life in the quite village of Kirkbu Abbey in Cumbria.
James is soon welcomed with a gift and card stating that over the next 12 days will see 12 deserving murders will e committed.
I'm glad that the author actually acknowledged the period that the killer was planning their acts was earlier than the actual 12 days of Christmas - it's a bug bear of mine when people get it wrong.
The sleepy small village setting worked so well as news of the murders quest caused panic, the novel really excels at selling this point.
The length gaps between each victim firstly raises the question if a serial killer is about, there's the odd situation where they needed the second body to discover that it just wasn't a coincidence.
The time its between the deaths really allow for the mystery of who's behind the attacks to really come to the fore.
With the reason behind DI leaving London being constantly pushed to the forefront of the narrative.
I didn't mind that the plot was happy to take it time as it helped make the actual reveal even more rewarding.
The prologue itself explains that DI James Walker and his wife Annie are desperate to leave London and start a new life in the quite village of Kirkbu Abbey in Cumbria.
James is soon welcomed with a gift and card stating that over the next 12 days will see 12 deserving murders will e committed.
I'm glad that the author actually acknowledged the period that the killer was planning their acts was earlier than the actual 12 days of Christmas - it's a bug bear of mine when people get it wrong.
The sleepy small village setting worked so well as news of the murders quest caused panic, the novel really excels at selling this point.
The length gaps between each victim firstly raises the question if a serial killer is about, there's the odd situation where they needed the second body to discover that it just wasn't a coincidence.
The time its between the deaths really allow for the mystery of who's behind the attacks to really come to the fore.
With the reason behind DI leaving London being constantly pushed to the forefront of the narrative.
I didn't mind that the plot was happy to take it time as it helped make the actual reveal even more rewarding.
December 16, 2021
Flat as a roadkill pancake.
Lacking of provocation and stimulation.
The summary intrigued me. This is why I requested and was highly anticipating this book. An ominous Christmas card sent with a dead pigeon, to a police detective. Claiming there will be twelve days of death for Christmas this year and all of them are well deserving of their 'death sentence'.
Overall, it felt a bit elementary, and certainly far from anything R rated. The main character's often had long paragraphs devoted to their internal thoughts. Dialogue between character's was minimal in comparison. The lack of the latter, also contributed to the dullness of the read. Those interactions are needed to stimulate emotions and moods, which evokes the drama.
Murder and mystery, while yes, included in the plot, the suspense and drama was not. An unfortunate dull PG delivery.
*Thank you to Harper 360 of HarperCollins’ global publishing initiative via NetGalley for providing the digital reader copy.
Lacking of provocation and stimulation.
The summary intrigued me. This is why I requested and was highly anticipating this book. An ominous Christmas card sent with a dead pigeon, to a police detective. Claiming there will be twelve days of death for Christmas this year and all of them are well deserving of their 'death sentence'.
Overall, it felt a bit elementary, and certainly far from anything R rated. The main character's often had long paragraphs devoted to their internal thoughts. Dialogue between character's was minimal in comparison. The lack of the latter, also contributed to the dullness of the read. Those interactions are needed to stimulate emotions and moods, which evokes the drama.
Murder and mystery, while yes, included in the plot, the suspense and drama was not. An unfortunate dull PG delivery.
*Thank you to Harper 360 of HarperCollins’ global publishing initiative via NetGalley for providing the digital reader copy.
October 29, 2020
DI James Walker and his wife have recently relocated to a small remote village. It's a big change from London, but they're both working on fitting in. There's not much crime here and Walker finds himself a little bored ... he's used to all the 'big' crime in London. But when someone from their past gets out of prison prematurely, they are threatened and in order to appease his wife, they leave, and don't bother with a change of address note.
It's almost Christmas and Walker's thoughts are about decorating, buying presents, and his wife has invited his whole family to spend Christmas with them. Returning home after another long day, he finds an early Christmas on his front porch.
What he finds when he opens the box, inside is a grisly surprise with a note attached.
Think 12 days of Christmas ... promising a body for every day until Christmas. This was just the first. It's not too long before another body is found, buried in the snow.
How many more bodies will be found before the killer is caught? Is this connected to the reason they left London? Is there somewhere in their new home town who has taken issue with him and/or his family?
A new crime series is always welcome... especially when it begins with a lot of suspense that steadily increases until the very end. (No cliffhangers here). This is action packed and will keep you riveted from start to finish. The characters are solidly drawn lending credibility to the story. I look forward to more adventures of DI Walker.
Many thanks to the author / Avon Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
It's almost Christmas and Walker's thoughts are about decorating, buying presents, and his wife has invited his whole family to spend Christmas with them. Returning home after another long day, he finds an early Christmas on his front porch.
What he finds when he opens the box, inside is a grisly surprise with a note attached.
Think 12 days of Christmas ... promising a body for every day until Christmas. This was just the first. It's not too long before another body is found, buried in the snow.
How many more bodies will be found before the killer is caught? Is this connected to the reason they left London? Is there somewhere in their new home town who has taken issue with him and/or his family?
A new crime series is always welcome... especially when it begins with a lot of suspense that steadily increases until the very end. (No cliffhangers here). This is action packed and will keep you riveted from start to finish. The characters are solidly drawn lending credibility to the story. I look forward to more adventures of DI Walker.
Many thanks to the author / Avon Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 8, 2020
When DI James Walker opens an early Christmas present left on his doorstep, he soon realises it is no gift. Inside is a gruesome surprise, and a promise – twelve days, twelve murders. Not long after, the first body is found, half frozen in the snow.
As the blizzards descend, panic spreads through the remote Cumbrian village – there’s a killer amongst them, and with eleven more victims to go, anyone could be next….
The minute I saw this book and its cover, I knew I had to read this one! I love holiday mystery & thrillers, and this book didn't disappoint me at all.
It was so well written, that I was hooked on right from the first page and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Even though the main focus of the book was the investigation and finding the killer, I was more interested to find out who would be the next victim and discovering the reason behind it.
I had a guess as to who could be the killer and I was glad when I found out that my guess was right. There were instances when the investigation would slow down and some clues overlooked, but that didn't affect my reading experience. In terms of the main characters, I found Annie a bit annoying but DI James is a very likable detective and I would definitely look forward to read more of him.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of murder mysteries.
Thank You to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!
As the blizzards descend, panic spreads through the remote Cumbrian village – there’s a killer amongst them, and with eleven more victims to go, anyone could be next….
The minute I saw this book and its cover, I knew I had to read this one! I love holiday mystery & thrillers, and this book didn't disappoint me at all.
It was so well written, that I was hooked on right from the first page and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Even though the main focus of the book was the investigation and finding the killer, I was more interested to find out who would be the next victim and discovering the reason behind it.
I had a guess as to who could be the killer and I was glad when I found out that my guess was right. There were instances when the investigation would slow down and some clues overlooked, but that didn't affect my reading experience. In terms of the main characters, I found Annie a bit annoying but DI James is a very likable detective and I would definitely look forward to read more of him.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of murder mysteries.
Thank You to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!
October 29, 2020
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
To be honest, I find there is more suspense with opening an advent calendar than there was in Pine’s murder mystery. I could not get a sense of danger and the perpetrator was too obvious.
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
To be honest, I find there is more suspense with opening an advent calendar than there was in Pine’s murder mystery. I could not get a sense of danger and the perpetrator was too obvious.
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
November 8, 2025
This is another one that has been on my to-read for a long time now (Oct2023). I don’t know why I haven’t gotten around to reading it sooner because I do love a good murder mystery. I just get so caught up on the sappy Hallmarkesque holiday stories that I typically read this time of year. A killer terrorizing a town around the 12 days of Christmas? Sounds like my kind of story.
The book summary basically just introduces how the story started. What the book summary doesn’t say is that James and his wife, Annie, moved to Kirkby Abbey from London after they received threats when a man that James had put away was released on parole. So, they move hundreds of miles away only to find themselves in a small town with a serial killer running loose, a killer who warned James what he was going to do and why.
True to the killer’s words, the dead bodies begin piling up. There are several suspects like Annie’s first boyfriend, Daniel, who is now a known and convicted pedophile out of prison. Then there is the son of a woman who died last Christmas after an accident at her home, and who was alive for days before dying of her injuries. Her son, Patel, is angry that none of her supposed “friends” ever checked on her to see if she was ok when they hadn’t seen or heard from her. Then there is Annie’s uncle, Bill, who is acting very strangely since he has shown back up in town. He was angry when Annie inherited the family home after her mother died. Her uncle felt that since it was the family home that he grew up in, it should have gone to him.
Most of the story revolves around the discovery of the victims, collecting leads and investigating the murders. It was deep into the second half, and I was still pretty clueless as to who the killer was. I was leaning towards one person, and I was a little surprised when I was right. The end came fast after that in a scary and intense scene for James.
The character development for some of the characters was pretty good and others were basically talking heads. The pacing was steady, and the storyline certainly kept me engaged. The writing was fine too. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.8 that I will be rounding up to a 4star review.
The book summary basically just introduces how the story started. What the book summary doesn’t say is that James and his wife, Annie, moved to Kirkby Abbey from London after they received threats when a man that James had put away was released on parole. So, they move hundreds of miles away only to find themselves in a small town with a serial killer running loose, a killer who warned James what he was going to do and why.
True to the killer’s words, the dead bodies begin piling up. There are several suspects like Annie’s first boyfriend, Daniel, who is now a known and convicted pedophile out of prison. Then there is the son of a woman who died last Christmas after an accident at her home, and who was alive for days before dying of her injuries. Her son, Patel, is angry that none of her supposed “friends” ever checked on her to see if she was ok when they hadn’t seen or heard from her. Then there is Annie’s uncle, Bill, who is acting very strangely since he has shown back up in town. He was angry when Annie inherited the family home after her mother died. Her uncle felt that since it was the family home that he grew up in, it should have gone to him.
Most of the story revolves around the discovery of the victims, collecting leads and investigating the murders. It was deep into the second half, and I was still pretty clueless as to who the killer was. I was leaning towards one person, and I was a little surprised when I was right. The end came fast after that in a scary and intense scene for James.
The character development for some of the characters was pretty good and others were basically talking heads. The pacing was steady, and the storyline certainly kept me engaged. The writing was fine too. I’m looking at an overall rating of 3.8 that I will be rounding up to a 4star review.
June 21, 2022
Flat as a roadkill pancake.
Lacking of provocation and stimulation.
The summary intrigued me. This is why I requested and was highly anticipating this book. An ominous Christmas card sent with a dead pigeon, to a police detective. Claiming there will be twelve days of death for Christmas this year and all of them are well deserving of their 'death sentence'.
Overall, it felt a bit elementary, and certainly far from anything R rated. The main character's often had long paragraphs devoted to their internal thoughts. Dialogue between character's was minimal in comparison. The lack of the latter, also contributed to the dullness of the read. Those interactions are needed to stimulate emotions and moods, which evokes the drama.
Murder and mystery, while yes, included in the plot, the suspense and drama was not. An unfortunate dull PG delivery.
*Thank you to Harper 360 of HarperCollins’ global publishing initiative via NetGalley for providing the digital reader copy.
Lacking of provocation and stimulation.
The summary intrigued me. This is why I requested and was highly anticipating this book. An ominous Christmas card sent with a dead pigeon, to a police detective. Claiming there will be twelve days of death for Christmas this year and all of them are well deserving of their 'death sentence'.
Overall, it felt a bit elementary, and certainly far from anything R rated. The main character's often had long paragraphs devoted to their internal thoughts. Dialogue between character's was minimal in comparison. The lack of the latter, also contributed to the dullness of the read. Those interactions are needed to stimulate emotions and moods, which evokes the drama.
Murder and mystery, while yes, included in the plot, the suspense and drama was not. An unfortunate dull PG delivery.
*Thank you to Harper 360 of HarperCollins’ global publishing initiative via NetGalley for providing the digital reader copy.
November 30, 2021
Stilted dialogue, a predictable plot and slow pacing add up to a not so jolly Christmas read. What a disappointment. I could probably have got past the bad writing if the plot was intriguing or the characters interesting, but every single person felt incredibly flat and one dimensional, almost like caricatures of a Midsummer Murders plot, and the story just wasn't anything special. I ended up skimming to the end to see if I had been right about the killer I guessed in the first 50 pages. I was.
August 20, 2021
The Christmas Killer was a nice surprise. When starting the book I was not sure I would like it. As I got into the story I found I could not put it down. Anne Walker and her husband James are the main characters in this story. The supporting characters fit perfectly with the story.. Anne and James move to the house she inherited in Cumbria's Kirby Abbey.. James is the detective inspector who put Andrew Sullivan in prison. He is let out of prison and James is concerned for his wife safety so he takes up a position at the Cumbria's police Department. It is just before Christmas when James receives a package on his door step with a dead bird inside along with a note stating that there will be 12 different murders. This is where the story takes off. I loved the lead up to each murder with the person who will be murder is talking. There is a snow blizzard that also adds to the story. There are 3 victims; Charlie Jenkins the owner of the White Hart Pub, Lorna Manning, headmistress of the primary school and Daniel Curtis. James and his other officers try to keep the town safe as well as who is doing the murders. The ending and climax to the story was a complete surprise.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers, Ltd. for this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers, Ltd. for this ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2020
A Christmas story about a serial killer... sign me up. It was a fun, quick read. I did guess the killer early on and it was a bit all over the place but enjoyed it
November 1, 2021
Detective James Walker and his wife have just moved to the small quiet village of Kirkby Abbey in Cumbria from the hustle and bustle of London where there are many crimes taking place on a daily basis so James is somewhat disappointed with the slow pace and lack of crimes and excitement that he was so used to with keeping him busy in a job that he loved. So when a Christmas package arrives with a gruesome gift inside and a card wIth the "Twelve Days of Christmas" on the front and written inside the words that this was the first gift and eleven more to go. James thinks this is just a prank until the village priest Father Silver calls him and tells him he just received a "Twelve days of Christmas" card also and this card leads to something far more sinister. Within a few days this quiet and beautiful community will have fear and terror knocking on their doors while one of the largest blizzards is also expected at any moment and the small village will literally come to a standstill with roads completely closed and power outages throughout the community where police work will have to be accomplished on foot while making it easier for a serial killer to carry out his mission under the cover of snow to complete the work that was stated on those holiday cards that have now given a whole different meaning of Christmas for this lovely little village this year and James Walker is facing the most difficult case of his career while not knowing that the killer will be making this much more personal for James, his friends and family.
This was a very enjoyable Christmas murder mystery with red herrings and twists along the way. I loved the snowy atmosphere and the quaint village lifestyle where almost everyone is a suspect while the murders are taking place. Good information on how the police deparment works when dealing with a blizzard and having to carry out their tasks when life basically comes to a complete standstill except for the police in the village. This wasn't a cozy mystery yet it wasn't a hardcore mystery either for me either. The killer was kept in the dark throughout the book although I figured it out almost in the beginning so for me that was somewhat disappointing although I still found this mystery fun and on the lighter side. I didn't care for Jame's wife because she seemed bossy while needy at the same time and the story kept mentioning how and where she drank wine on a daily basis and I thought that was funny though odd because she didn't have an alcohol problem but seemed to drink wine everyday and any hour of the day instead of tea or coffee and I found that amusing and a little confusing. If you do enjoy a snow filled story and Christmas too, I definitely recommend reading this book.
I want to thank the publisher "Avon" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this snow filled story and any thoughts and opinions are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 3 Christmas Tree Top 🎄🎄🎄 Stars!!
This was a very enjoyable Christmas murder mystery with red herrings and twists along the way. I loved the snowy atmosphere and the quaint village lifestyle where almost everyone is a suspect while the murders are taking place. Good information on how the police deparment works when dealing with a blizzard and having to carry out their tasks when life basically comes to a complete standstill except for the police in the village. This wasn't a cozy mystery yet it wasn't a hardcore mystery either for me either. The killer was kept in the dark throughout the book although I figured it out almost in the beginning so for me that was somewhat disappointing although I still found this mystery fun and on the lighter side. I didn't care for Jame's wife because she seemed bossy while needy at the same time and the story kept mentioning how and where she drank wine on a daily basis and I thought that was funny though odd because she didn't have an alcohol problem but seemed to drink wine everyday and any hour of the day instead of tea or coffee and I found that amusing and a little confusing. If you do enjoy a snow filled story and Christmas too, I definitely recommend reading this book.
I want to thank the publisher "Avon" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this snow filled story and any thoughts and opinions are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 3 Christmas Tree Top 🎄🎄🎄 Stars!!
September 26, 2020
3.5* rounded to 4*
A big thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Alex Pine for letting me read a copy of this for an honest review
He's no Saint Nick but he definitely has list. 12 Days, 12 Victims.
As the little village slowly gets cut off from the outside by a blizzard and the murders start increasing, can the killer be stopped before his twelfth victim.
While I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and felt it was a very fun read, I'm left a tad disappointed.
The writing was simple with little to no meaningful interaction and most of the book was spent talking to one person then the next then the next.
However like I said it was a very fun read and I would recommend as a good Christmas book if you wanted a quick and easy read.
A big thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Alex Pine for letting me read a copy of this for an honest review
He's no Saint Nick but he definitely has list. 12 Days, 12 Victims.
As the little village slowly gets cut off from the outside by a blizzard and the murders start increasing, can the killer be stopped before his twelfth victim.
While I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and felt it was a very fun read, I'm left a tad disappointed.
The writing was simple with little to no meaningful interaction and most of the book was spent talking to one person then the next then the next.
However like I said it was a very fun read and I would recommend as a good Christmas book if you wanted a quick and easy read.
January 9, 2023
I didn’t enjoy this….I think mainly because the killers identify was really obvious really early on in this book. Sometimes this isn’t such a bad thing but there wasn’t anything else going on in this book of any interest. It was a little village setting with a few hidden secrets, but they weren’t all that great.
I didn’t mind the writing but it didn’t blow me away, I would try another book by this author….but not in the same series. This book nearly put me in a reading slump!
I didn’t mind the writing but it didn’t blow me away, I would try another book by this author….but not in the same series. This book nearly put me in a reading slump!
December 12, 2020
A good police procedural though it was more gentle than gritty. It was up to James Walker to solve the surprise gift that landed on his doorstep.
It was an interesting mystery, though it lacked the punch. The characters could have had more depth, but James had enough pizzaz for me to enjoy the story. This was one of my fast but predictable reads.
It was an interesting mystery, though it lacked the punch. The characters could have had more depth, but James had enough pizzaz for me to enjoy the story. This was one of my fast but predictable reads.
October 29, 2020
The Christmas Killer is the first instalment in the Detective Inspector James Walker series and is a book as chaotic as the time of year it evokes. DI Walker has relocated to Cumbria CID, where he and wife, Annie, have moved into Annie’s mothers home bequeathed to her 18 months earlier, believing it'll be a change of pace from his previous police work in London, but little does he know, the serenity of the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey is about to be shattered. One of James’s most high profile and dangerous convictions, Andrew Sullivan, has been released from prison unexpectedly, it having been deemed that he had been wrongly convicted. And on his mind is revenge against those who put him away with James and family being at the top of his list. Soon threats are being made. The decorations are up, the nativity is underway, the villagers are full of festive cheer and a blizzard of snow is predicted to be on its way. As Christmas approaches, James receives a present and card left on his doorstep. A dead partridge accompanied by a note stating that one villager, deserving of death, will be murdered for each of the 12 days of Christmas. As the snow begins to fall, and most are sipping mulled wine by the fireside, the body count begins to climb.
Although this starts out quite slowly, by introducing and building the central characters of James and Annie Walker in the prologue, once the scene is set the pace picks up and it becomes a dark, engaging and atmospheric police procedural. You may ask what could be more unsettling than a vengeful serial killer on the loose during the festive season but add to this a village of snowed-in residents and you have got yourself a Christie-esque ”locked room” thriller which has a mix of cosy elements associated with Christmas, some masterfully-executed twists and some incredibly threatening elements doled out by a killer who doesn't feel he has anything to lose. I didn't really get a good feel for the James and Annie but as it's just the first instalment I'm hoping in upcoming books we will get to learn more and see them develop as people. I also expected it to feel more Christmassy than it did but I'm not complaining about that at all as it's a perhaps a little early for festive-themed reads. There's quite a large suspect pool which keeps things interesting and I definitely felt the tension throughout and the Lake District location was remote and perfect. Many thanks to Avon for an ARC.
Although this starts out quite slowly, by introducing and building the central characters of James and Annie Walker in the prologue, once the scene is set the pace picks up and it becomes a dark, engaging and atmospheric police procedural. You may ask what could be more unsettling than a vengeful serial killer on the loose during the festive season but add to this a village of snowed-in residents and you have got yourself a Christie-esque ”locked room” thriller which has a mix of cosy elements associated with Christmas, some masterfully-executed twists and some incredibly threatening elements doled out by a killer who doesn't feel he has anything to lose. I didn't really get a good feel for the James and Annie but as it's just the first instalment I'm hoping in upcoming books we will get to learn more and see them develop as people. I also expected it to feel more Christmassy than it did but I'm not complaining about that at all as it's a perhaps a little early for festive-themed reads. There's quite a large suspect pool which keeps things interesting and I definitely felt the tension throughout and the Lake District location was remote and perfect. Many thanks to Avon for an ARC.
December 18, 2020
THE CHRISTMAS KILLER is written in the style of a traditional whodunit, set amidst a small snowed-in village in Cumbria in early December and delivers just what its title promises. A killer is on the loose and has chosen a 12-days-of-Christmas card to deliver their sinister message: he / she is vowing to murder twelve villagers “who deserve what’s coming to them” in the days leading up to Christmas. Enter DI James Walker, a detective who has relocated to the small village from London to get a break from crime and to appease his wife Annie, who has longed to return to the place of her childhood. It’s needless to say that James’ semi-retirement plans don’t pan out quite as he had hoped when the Christmas killer makes his appearance.
Whilst an Agatha Christie novel this is not, despite its similar “and-then-there-were-none” style, THE CHRISTMAS KILLER made for a quick and entertaining read perfect for the busy season. I really enjoyed the snowy, small town setting, including the quirky village characters, even though I found the dialogue stilted and the plot very predictable. I read this as a group read and our favourite part was coming up with wild and wonderful theories, just to find that my initial suspect was indeed the murderer. So if you are craving twists and red herrings, this book might not be a good fit for you. However, it will appeal to readers who enjoy a cosy mystery with an atmospheric setting, and those who really love to solve the mystery on their own without being blindsided.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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Whilst an Agatha Christie novel this is not, despite its similar “and-then-there-were-none” style, THE CHRISTMAS KILLER made for a quick and entertaining read perfect for the busy season. I really enjoyed the snowy, small town setting, including the quirky village characters, even though I found the dialogue stilted and the plot very predictable. I read this as a group read and our favourite part was coming up with wild and wonderful theories, just to find that my initial suspect was indeed the murderer. So if you are craving twists and red herrings, this book might not be a good fit for you. However, it will appeal to readers who enjoy a cosy mystery with an atmospheric setting, and those who really love to solve the mystery on their own without being blindsided.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
October 25, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
DI James Walker 1
DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey. But when he opens an early Christmas present that was left on his doorstep, inside the package is a gruesome surprise and a promise, twelve days, twelve murders. It isn't long before the first bodyb is found, half frozen in the snow.
In twelve days, twelve deserving people will die. DI James Walker is on the case. He is new to Cumbria. He moved to Kirkby Abbey from London with his wife, Annie for their own protection. The story drags out and the pace is slow. I had not idea who the killer was and this always makes a book a bit more interesting. The clues are cleverly hidden. There's a mixed bunch of characters and they all had secrets. This isna promising start to a new police procedural series and I look forward to reading the next installment.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AvonBooksUK and the author #AlexPine for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DI James Walker 1
DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey. But when he opens an early Christmas present that was left on his doorstep, inside the package is a gruesome surprise and a promise, twelve days, twelve murders. It isn't long before the first bodyb is found, half frozen in the snow.
In twelve days, twelve deserving people will die. DI James Walker is on the case. He is new to Cumbria. He moved to Kirkby Abbey from London with his wife, Annie for their own protection. The story drags out and the pace is slow. I had not idea who the killer was and this always makes a book a bit more interesting. The clues are cleverly hidden. There's a mixed bunch of characters and they all had secrets. This isna promising start to a new police procedural series and I look forward to reading the next installment.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AvonBooksUK and the author #AlexPine for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2020
After a crime boss gets his conviction overturned, DI James Walker and his wife Annie make the decision to relocated to Cumbria for their own safety and peace of mind. And then the murders began… after a creepy card is delivered to James in a box with a dead bird, warning of 12 murders for the 12 days of Christmas to come.
There are a lot of characters in this book and an awful lot of red herrings thrown out. The villain did actually make sense as regards motivation, but the biggest problem I had with it is that the author doesn’t seem to understand the differences between the Church of England and Roman Catholic churches and their traditions. The priest in the story was an odd hodgepodge of both and as such, entirely unbelievable.
James Walker, as the protagonist, was frankly dull. When a police officer’s biggest internal conflict is that he’s concerned country policing might be a bit boring, it’s difficult to feel any empathy with him. His wife Annie was a bit more interesting - at least she had a Past - but she’s written as simpering and one-dimensional too.
The story here has potential, but the writing is flat and dull. I really struggled to get through it. Two stars.
Disclaimer; I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
There are a lot of characters in this book and an awful lot of red herrings thrown out. The villain did actually make sense as regards motivation, but the biggest problem I had with it is that the author doesn’t seem to understand the differences between the Church of England and Roman Catholic churches and their traditions. The priest in the story was an odd hodgepodge of both and as such, entirely unbelievable.
James Walker, as the protagonist, was frankly dull. When a police officer’s biggest internal conflict is that he’s concerned country policing might be a bit boring, it’s difficult to feel any empathy with him. His wife Annie was a bit more interesting - at least she had a Past - but she’s written as simpering and one-dimensional too.
The story here has potential, but the writing is flat and dull. I really struggled to get through it. Two stars.
Disclaimer; I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
November 19, 2020
This was a really fun and engaging thriller!
I absolutely loved the setting of this book. I absolutely love Cumbria and the small village closed off because of the snow made this book incredibly claustrophobic.
The writing style was engaging and easy to read.
The pace was a little off though. There were parts where not much happened. But largely I was really gripped with the story and did not want to put the book down.
I did however, see the ending coming from the start and I did guess it correctly. There were some clues that were just so obvious but it could be because I've read so many thrillers.
I think this is a perfect thriller for anyone needing something quick and easy to read this winter to distract you from the doom and gloom of everyday life.
Highly recommend! I would definitely pick up another DI James Walker book.
TW: murder, abortion, death, violence and suicide
I absolutely loved the setting of this book. I absolutely love Cumbria and the small village closed off because of the snow made this book incredibly claustrophobic.
The writing style was engaging and easy to read.
The pace was a little off though. There were parts where not much happened. But largely I was really gripped with the story and did not want to put the book down.
I did however, see the ending coming from the start and I did guess it correctly. There were some clues that were just so obvious but it could be because I've read so many thrillers.
I think this is a perfect thriller for anyone needing something quick and easy to read this winter to distract you from the doom and gloom of everyday life.
Highly recommend! I would definitely pick up another DI James Walker book.
TW: murder, abortion, death, violence and suicide
December 18, 2020
A page turner of a book? If that’s what you call turning two or three pages at a time so you can skip the nothingness that fills them just so you can skim your way to the end and check that yes, you were right who you guessed was the killer a quarter of the way in. Not a bad storyline (in a been here read it before kind of way) but the writing, characters and language just felt so wrong and awkward. Predictable to the point I even knew why the uncle was acting so shifty.
December 28, 2021
1.5
Il tutto è banale (storia, personaggi, scrittura, dialoghi); le indagini inconsistenti.
Alcuni omicidi e la curiosità di sapere se il proprio sospettato era il colpevole (e solo l'insegna lampeggiante di una freccia sopra la testa che lo indicava, poteva essere più rivelatrice), può far attribuire al libro la qualifica di thriller/giallo?
... per me no.
E in questo libro, non c'è niente altro
Come ho già scritto in un commento, mi ha ricordato un altro thriller "natalizio" Twelve Days of Winter: Crime at Christmas di Stuart MacBride, non c'è paragone, questo è un vero thriller, elettrizzante e molto, molto più solido anche se si tratta di racconti legati da alcuni particolari.
Mezza stella in più perchè siamo sotto Natale e dobbiamo essere più buoni.
James Walker non mi vede più 😑
Il tutto è banale (storia, personaggi, scrittura, dialoghi); le indagini inconsistenti.
Alcuni omicidi e la curiosità di sapere se il proprio sospettato era il colpevole (e solo l'insegna lampeggiante di una freccia sopra la testa che lo indicava, poteva essere più rivelatrice), può far attribuire al libro la qualifica di thriller/giallo?
... per me no.
E in questo libro, non c'è niente altro
Come ho già scritto in un commento, mi ha ricordato un altro thriller "natalizio" Twelve Days of Winter: Crime at Christmas di Stuart MacBride, non c'è paragone, questo è un vero thriller, elettrizzante e molto, molto più solido anche se si tratta di racconti legati da alcuni particolari.
Mezza stella in più perchè siamo sotto Natale e dobbiamo essere più buoni.
James Walker non mi vede più 😑
October 17, 2020
This book was for me about finding the serial killer in a small town. I liked the book Even though i early knew WHO the killer was. I liked the hunt for the serial killer. And i liked all the small town secrets that appeared when you scratched the surface. I would recommend this.book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest review
December 9, 2024
Aunque se venda como un thriller, y aunque el protagonista sea un policía, me ha parecido más un cozy mistery que un thriller como tal, por la ambientación, los personajes y la trama, en la que, a pesar de que se producen varios asesinatos, el desarrollo más sencillo y con una reducida lista de sospechosos, todo resulta más ligero que en un verdadero thriller al uso.
Dice la sinopsis: “Una macabra cuenta atrás amenaza las Navidades…El detective James Walker está preparado para pasar una Navidad en familia en el apacible pueblo de Kirkby Abbey. Lo único que busca tras haber huido de Londres es tranquilidad y descanso.Pero cuando, unos días antes de Nochebuena, se encuentra de forma inesperada un paquete delante de su puerta, se da cuenta de que sus planes están destinados a fracasar. Dentro se esconde una carta con una amenaza clara: «Doce días. Doce asesinatos». A las pocas horas la policía encuentra el primer cadáver, medio congelado en la nieve.Unas terribles tormentas empiezan a azotar la zona y el pánico invade el cada vez más aislado pueblo norteño. Entre sus habitantes se esconde un asesino y, con once víctimas más anunciadas, cualquiera podría ser el siguiente”.
Nada reseñable que decir. De lectura muy rápida (el libro se articula en capítulos muy cortos que facilitan pasar páginas sin parar) tampoco es una novela destacable, más allá de que puede resultar entretenida para la época en la que estamos, y si queremos una novela de asesinatos sin demasiada enjundia. Como decía, la lista de sospechosos es corta, el autor se centra todo el tiempo en los mismos personajes, por lo que, a poco que hayamos leído unos cuantos libros del estilo, no resultará difícil adivinar al responsable.
Dice la sinopsis: “Una macabra cuenta atrás amenaza las Navidades…El detective James Walker está preparado para pasar una Navidad en familia en el apacible pueblo de Kirkby Abbey. Lo único que busca tras haber huido de Londres es tranquilidad y descanso.Pero cuando, unos días antes de Nochebuena, se encuentra de forma inesperada un paquete delante de su puerta, se da cuenta de que sus planes están destinados a fracasar. Dentro se esconde una carta con una amenaza clara: «Doce días. Doce asesinatos». A las pocas horas la policía encuentra el primer cadáver, medio congelado en la nieve.Unas terribles tormentas empiezan a azotar la zona y el pánico invade el cada vez más aislado pueblo norteño. Entre sus habitantes se esconde un asesino y, con once víctimas más anunciadas, cualquiera podría ser el siguiente”.
Nada reseñable que decir. De lectura muy rápida (el libro se articula en capítulos muy cortos que facilitan pasar páginas sin parar) tampoco es una novela destacable, más allá de que puede resultar entretenida para la época en la que estamos, y si queremos una novela de asesinatos sin demasiada enjundia. Como decía, la lista de sospechosos es corta, el autor se centra todo el tiempo en los mismos personajes, por lo que, a poco que hayamos leído unos cuantos libros del estilo, no resultará difícil adivinar al responsable.
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