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Jeremy Winter Thriller #2
Dead of Winter
How far will he go to have his revenge?
When the fingers of dead women start showing up in the Supreme Court’s mail, ex-FBI Agent Jeremy Winter is brought back to the Bureau to aid in the investigation. Agent Maggie Keeley, his girlfriend and now boss, leads the search for the serial killer. Together, Jeremy and Maggie learn the five remaining cities on the murderer’s list, but they have no idea when the killer will strike or whom he will target.
When they stumble upon a clue at the scene of a young woman’s death, the case focuses on an abandoned ramshackle home in sparsely populated west Texas. As the FBI closes in, the ante is upped in ways no one could have imagined, forcing Jeremy to choose between justice and revenge.
When the fingers of dead women start showing up in the Supreme Court’s mail, ex-FBI Agent Jeremy Winter is brought back to the Bureau to aid in the investigation. Agent Maggie Keeley, his girlfriend and now boss, leads the search for the serial killer. Together, Jeremy and Maggie learn the five remaining cities on the murderer’s list, but they have no idea when the killer will strike or whom he will target.
When they stumble upon a clue at the scene of a young woman’s death, the case focuses on an abandoned ramshackle home in sparsely populated west Texas. As the FBI closes in, the ante is upped in ways no one could have imagined, forcing Jeremy to choose between justice and revenge.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2019
1709 people are currently reading
1019 people want to read
About the author
Tom Threadgill
11 books390 followersTom Threadgill's books have a distinct focus on clean, suspenseful action with strong character development. He is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In his downtime, Tom enjoys woodworking, riding his Harley, and chasing the elusive Yard of the Month award. He currently resides with his wife in the Dallas area and can be reached through his website at TomThreadgill.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
February 16, 2021
Good suspense novel! This was stronger than the first of the Jeremy Winter Thriller Series.
On contract with the FBI, Winter is involved in finding a serial killer. The details about the serial killers motivations coming from the Bible were interesting.
Look forward to continuing the series.
On contract with the FBI, Winter is involved in finding a serial killer. The details about the serial killers motivations coming from the Bible were interesting.
Look forward to continuing the series.
Want to read
June 25, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/25/2019)! 🎁
January 26, 2019
It begins as FBI Agent Maggie Keeley and former agent Jeremy Winter (now acting as a consultant) collect the fourth severed finger that has been mailed to the Supreme Court. All have been mailed from widely separate locations in the United States. Why the severed fingers, and why are they mailed to the Supreme Court? No one knows. They know a serial killer is loose, but they don’t know who he is or where—or who the next victim might be.
With this novel, author Tom Threadgill has produced another spine-tingling thriller. Jeremy and Maggie’s hunt for the murderer ranges over much of the US, with tantalizing clues here and there but nothing to identify the killer or his motive.
Winter has other problems: anger management after Afghanistan, a well-connected officer from those days who pressures him to sign a nondisclosure agreement, continuing conflicts with the FBI Director, and the difficulty of courting Maggie without compromising her status with the FBI.
Author Threadgill weaves these disparate elements into a rich narrative tapestry that keeps the reader looking for what happens next toward solving the crimes. But the author again shows particular skill in taking the reader into the mind of a very different kind of serial killer. The two narrative tracks—the killer’s actions and Winter and Maggie’s efforts to find him—build through increasing tension to an unexpected and thrilling climax.
The result is a suspense novel that readers will remember long after they finish reading it. Highly recommended.
With this novel, author Tom Threadgill has produced another spine-tingling thriller. Jeremy and Maggie’s hunt for the murderer ranges over much of the US, with tantalizing clues here and there but nothing to identify the killer or his motive.
Winter has other problems: anger management after Afghanistan, a well-connected officer from those days who pressures him to sign a nondisclosure agreement, continuing conflicts with the FBI Director, and the difficulty of courting Maggie without compromising her status with the FBI.
Author Threadgill weaves these disparate elements into a rich narrative tapestry that keeps the reader looking for what happens next toward solving the crimes. But the author again shows particular skill in taking the reader into the mind of a very different kind of serial killer. The two narrative tracks—the killer’s actions and Winter and Maggie’s efforts to find him—build through increasing tension to an unexpected and thrilling climax.
The result is a suspense novel that readers will remember long after they finish reading it. Highly recommended.
October 5, 2019
What a page turner, lots of twists and turns and heart in mouth moments, looking forward to the next one!
January 13, 2019
While reading Tom Threadgill’s first book in his Jeremy Winter series (Coming of Winter), I couldn’t stop thinking about the story. I even talked to my husband about it—a lot! (Poor guy, he was deep into a book of his own at the time.) It intrigued me so much, and I was so eager to keep reading that I deep-sixed all my self-imposed reading rules and curfews. So what was I thinking when I downloaded an advance copy of the second title in the series, Dead of Winter, while crawling into bed and telling myself I wouldn’t read a word of it until the next day?!? (Well, maybe I should just open it to make sure it downloaded properly. Yep. And, since I’d already read the sample (first chapter) a couple of weeks earlier, I could just re-read the first chapter to make sure the author hadn’t reworked it since my reading of it, and then I’d go to sleep, ready to start in on all-new material the next day after work.) Yeah, right! A dozen or so chapters later, I realized Tom Threadgill had done it to me again. Instead of starting the book the next day after work, I read much of the night away and then sneaked the book along with me the next day and read during every break and spare moment that came along. That evening I read and read until I finished the book in the early morning hours.
You see, I love a good thriller, but rarely read thrillers because I hate the profanity, gory violence, and crude or “steamy” sex scenes that are contained in the great majority of them. Oh, I have read some “clean” thrillers, but sadly, too many are contrived, trite, and weak. What this book does NOT have are the profanity, gore, protagonists without morals, and sex. What it does have is a very well-written, compelling, exciting story with suspense and twists and turns along the way that will have you turning pages into the night if you’re not careful. The story’s point of view changes hands (or should I say heads?) between the serial killer and the investigator. It is masterfully done. Threadgill knows how to give enough info to keep the reader completely engrossed but not enough to sate one’s curiosity; the reader remains hungry for more until the satisfying conclusion. His writing is intelligent and balanced, his characters rich and engaging, the murderer chilling. This is a book I have already recommended to several people (including my mother—which doesn’t happen very often!) and I highly recommend it to you if you enjoy a good thriller. I don’t give five stars lightly.
Yes, I won a complimentary advance copy in a contest, but no, I was not compelled or compensated for reviewing the book. This review is my honest opinion.
By the way, if you found the first book too violent, be advised that this one is much less so. It is still about the quest to catch a serial killer, so I don’t think it’s a spoiler to warn you that murders are committed in the telling of this story. But it's not too graphic--at least not after page 1!
You see, I love a good thriller, but rarely read thrillers because I hate the profanity, gory violence, and crude or “steamy” sex scenes that are contained in the great majority of them. Oh, I have read some “clean” thrillers, but sadly, too many are contrived, trite, and weak. What this book does NOT have are the profanity, gore, protagonists without morals, and sex. What it does have is a very well-written, compelling, exciting story with suspense and twists and turns along the way that will have you turning pages into the night if you’re not careful. The story’s point of view changes hands (or should I say heads?) between the serial killer and the investigator. It is masterfully done. Threadgill knows how to give enough info to keep the reader completely engrossed but not enough to sate one’s curiosity; the reader remains hungry for more until the satisfying conclusion. His writing is intelligent and balanced, his characters rich and engaging, the murderer chilling. This is a book I have already recommended to several people (including my mother—which doesn’t happen very often!) and I highly recommend it to you if you enjoy a good thriller. I don’t give five stars lightly.
Yes, I won a complimentary advance copy in a contest, but no, I was not compelled or compensated for reviewing the book. This review is my honest opinion.
By the way, if you found the first book too violent, be advised that this one is much less so. It is still about the quest to catch a serial killer, so I don’t think it’s a spoiler to warn you that murders are committed in the telling of this story. But it's not too graphic--at least not after page 1!
January 20, 2019
Tom Threadgill is a new, exciting, fresh voice in thriller fiction. I have always loved a good mystery but rarely read them because of the profanity and steamy sex scenes. Threadgill is able to weave a riveting plot without these offensive (to me) elements. And I love it. This is the kind of book that will live in your head and keep you up late turning the pages. If you love clean, thriller fiction, this is the author for you. The only problem is, waiting for the next book to come out! Hurry up, Mr. Threadgill!
January 4, 2019
Retired FBI Agent Jeremy Winter is called back as a consultant for a special case. His boss will be his girl friend FBI Agent Maggie Kelley. The fingers of dead women are being sent to the Supreme Court. Multiple women have been killed across the country, and the cities they are killed in match the birth places of the Judges. The case becomes very personal with the newest victim.
This is the 2nd book in the Jeremy Winter series , it is just as good as the first, but it could be read as a stand alone. The story is told from 2 points of view, Jeremy and the killers. This is a very well written book with plenty of suspense that will keep you turning the pages. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
This is the 2nd book in the Jeremy Winter series , it is just as good as the first, but it could be read as a stand alone. The story is told from 2 points of view, Jeremy and the killers. This is a very well written book with plenty of suspense that will keep you turning the pages. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
January 7, 2022
Much better than the first book, Dead of Winter sees Jeremy Winter hunting a lunatic serial killer who always many steps ahead. I just wish for more of Jeremy’s past plot….that one is interesting than the serial killer case.
April 6, 2021
This is a great finish to an intriguing series. I am glad I found this on Kindle Unlimited. Happy reading and listening!
March 28, 2019
I do not normally read suspense/thriller/crime novels. But I did this one. “WOW”…I am so glad I did! I found Tom Threadgill’s writing to be beyond what I expected from this genre. His descriptiveness of characters, emotion, and settings was superb and allowed me to enter fully into his tale. And as far as the suspense…Tom landed me from the beginning and held me captive until the end. This book was so difficult to put down! Whether you are a fan of suspense or not, do yourself a favor, as I did, and pick yourself up a copy of “Dead of Winter”!
November 24, 2024
The writing in this series is so amazing. I love how Threadgill gets to the point in his writing- it continues, it flows, there aren’t lulls in scenes and the characters continue to evolve throughout- there is no lack of plot or character development. I’m seriously so in love with this book series, Threadgill will now be an author I buy the book without ever reading the back.
June 10, 2020
Edge of your seat storyline!
The pace of the series continues to escalate in this second novel. By the end, the pages zipped past my eyes.
Excellent cat and mouse storyline with one twisted villain as the cunning feline. And, two brilliant FBI agents in search of the next steps of the maniacal monster.
Can't wait to read the last series novel, it's going to be dynamic.
The pace of the series continues to escalate in this second novel. By the end, the pages zipped past my eyes.
Excellent cat and mouse storyline with one twisted villain as the cunning feline. And, two brilliant FBI agents in search of the next steps of the maniacal monster.
Can't wait to read the last series novel, it's going to be dynamic.
January 20, 2019
I loved this book from the very beginning -from the Acknowledgments before the story actually. Tom Threadgill is so personable in his Acknowledgements that you immediately feel comfortable and ready to dig in to whatever he is writing. That feeling of comfortable compatibility with the flawed yet dependable Agent Jeremy Winter is what makes you feel secure as you experience chilling crime scenes through the eye of a serial killer. Don't let the idea of a serial killer intimidate you from reading this book though. Mr Threadgill likes to diffuse intense situations with quirky internal thoughts. For example, when the killer (who has already proven his cold determination) is stalking a victim, who lives in a farm house out in the country, he muses over the idea of wearing a cow costume to you know, sneak up on her. I also laughed out loud when he quipped about one of his victims saying they wanted to take care of animals as they were eating chicken nuggets. If you haven't gotten on the Jeremy Winter Thiller train yet, this cold and icy winter is the perfect time to start.
*I received an advanced copy of this book and was in no way compensated even though I stayed up half the night to finish it because I couldn't put it down. All opinions given are my own.
*I received an advanced copy of this book and was in no way compensated even though I stayed up half the night to finish it because I couldn't put it down. All opinions given are my own.
January 18, 2019
Great thriller! I didn't read the first book in the series, but there's a continuation of one plotline from there, so if you have read the first one, you'll want to check this one out. Jeremy Winter, no longer with the FBI, is working as a consultant for them, and his girlfriend is his boss.
Most of this type of thriller, hunting down a serial killer, are mostly the same plot over and over; the hunt for clues, the chase, and catching said killer at the last possible moment. We've all read it time after time. What you have to watch for in these books, is whether or not the author still catches your interest, and makes you follow breathlessly anyway. This author did just that...You know what's going to happen, but you are pulled along for the ride in spite of that. I will check out more of this author's books.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
Most of this type of thriller, hunting down a serial killer, are mostly the same plot over and over; the hunt for clues, the chase, and catching said killer at the last possible moment. We've all read it time after time. What you have to watch for in these books, is whether or not the author still catches your interest, and makes you follow breathlessly anyway. This author did just that...You know what's going to happen, but you are pulled along for the ride in spite of that. I will check out more of this author's books.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
February 1, 2019
I received an advance copy of the book and am in no way obligated to give a positive review. I choose to give it 5 stars because I really believe in this author and in the stories he tells. This second book in the series did not let me down. I loved the first and really enjoyed this one, too. Jeremy Winter is not a perfect hero, and the villains are never completely evil, either... and I like that. The characters are human; they experience loss, struggle with their view of self and their personal relationships. The writing is well done, too!
April 13, 2025
🌟4/5
❤️🩹2/5
🥰2/5
🌶️0/5
🔎0/5
😰4/5
🎭😂2/5
🎭😭1/5
👻0/5
🔬0/5
🔫4/5
🏥3/5
✍🏼4/5
🥱0/5
🏃🏻♀️5/5
🌎5/5
💁🏻♀️5/5
🙅🏻♀️
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Courtesy of StoryGraph
*No Content Warnings - I’ll do them from memory
Graphic:
Murder
Death
Stalking
Kidnapping
Religious Bigotry
Blood
Gore
Gaslighting
Moderate:
Minor:
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
This has been a decent series so far but very memorable. Some parts have been devastating but for the most part they’re a little lackluster when compared to Coben, Cornwell, Patterson and others. I do like Jeremy and Maggie and the storyline. I just feel like it could be more.
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
How far will he go to have his revenge?
When the fingers of dead women start showing up in the Supreme Court's mail, ex-FBI Agent Jeremy Winter is brought back to the Bureau to aid in the investigation. Agent Maggie Keeley, his girlfriend and now boss, leads the search for the serial killer. Together, Jeremy and Maggie learn the five remaining cities on the murderer's list, but they have no idea when the killer will strike or whom he will target. When they stumble upon a clue at the scene of a young woman's death, the case focuses on an abandoned ramshackle home in sparsely populated west Texas. As the FBI closes in, the ante is upped in ways no one could have imagined, forcing Jeremy to choose between justice and revenge.
Written for the General Market (G) (I) Contains little or no; sexual dialogue or situations or strong language.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
3.98⭐️
based on 64 reviews
MOODS
dark: 87%
tense: 87%
mysterious: 62%
emotional: 50%
adventurous: 37%
challenging: 12%
hopeful: 12%
sad: 12%
Pace
14% of readers chose fast
85% of readers chose medium
Plot or character driven?
50% of readers chose Plot
50% of readers chose A mix
Strong character development?
50% of readers chose Complicated
50% of readers chose No
Loveable characters?
50% of readers chose Complicated
25% of readers chose No
25% of readers chose N/A
Diverse cast of characters?
25% of readers chose Yes
75% of readers chose No
Flaws of characters a main focus?
25% of readers chose Yes
25% of readers chose Complicated
25% of readers chose No
25% of readers chose N/A
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared🫣/Anxious😱 - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy😂/Tragedy😭
-based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky😵💫/Creepy🧟♀️ -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
🔬🦄b>Sci-Fi -based on the Science Fiction in the book as well as the Dystopian and Fantasy elements.
🔫 Action/Thriller -based on if I thought this was more of a spy action type of thriller.
🏥 Medical Content -based on the amount and the accuracy of any medical content or if the book is supposed to be a medical style thriller.
✍🏼 Writing Style -based on if I enjoyed the writing style or not and how the author portrayed the world, characters, concept, plot etc.
🥱 Boredom -based on if I was bored if it held my interest or if I’d rather be doing something else 😴.
🏃🏻♀️ Book Pacing -Based on how quickly I thought the book moved.
🌎 World Development -Based on how well I liked the world development of the story.
💁🏻♀️ Character Development -Based on how well the characters were fleshed out and if I hated or loved with a passion.
🙅🏻♀️ DNF -based on if the book is just stupid, boring, childish, overly ridiculous etc.
**rounded up or down based on how the book left me feeling and because Goodreads doesn’t offer half stars.
***The triggers listed are only the most graphic listed in most to least severity. Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of times this trigger was reported.
❤️🩹2/5
🥰2/5
🌶️0/5
🔎0/5
😰4/5
🎭😂2/5
🎭😭1/5
👻0/5
🔬0/5
🔫4/5
🏥3/5
✍🏼4/5
🥱0/5
🏃🏻♀️5/5
🌎5/5
💁🏻♀️5/5
🙅🏻♀️
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Courtesy of StoryGraph
*No Content Warnings - I’ll do them from memory
Graphic:
Murder
Death
Stalking
Kidnapping
Religious Bigotry
Blood
Gore
Gaslighting
Moderate:
Minor:
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
This has been a decent series so far but very memorable. Some parts have been devastating but for the most part they’re a little lackluster when compared to Coben, Cornwell, Patterson and others. I do like Jeremy and Maggie and the storyline. I just feel like it could be more.
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
How far will he go to have his revenge?
When the fingers of dead women start showing up in the Supreme Court's mail, ex-FBI Agent Jeremy Winter is brought back to the Bureau to aid in the investigation. Agent Maggie Keeley, his girlfriend and now boss, leads the search for the serial killer. Together, Jeremy and Maggie learn the five remaining cities on the murderer's list, but they have no idea when the killer will strike or whom he will target. When they stumble upon a clue at the scene of a young woman's death, the case focuses on an abandoned ramshackle home in sparsely populated west Texas. As the FBI closes in, the ante is upped in ways no one could have imagined, forcing Jeremy to choose between justice and revenge.
Written for the General Market (G) (I) Contains little or no; sexual dialogue or situations or strong language.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
3.98⭐️
based on 64 reviews
MOODS
dark: 87%
tense: 87%
mysterious: 62%
emotional: 50%
adventurous: 37%
challenging: 12%
hopeful: 12%
sad: 12%
Pace
14% of readers chose fast
85% of readers chose medium
Plot or character driven?
50% of readers chose Plot
50% of readers chose A mix
Strong character development?
50% of readers chose Complicated
50% of readers chose No
Loveable characters?
50% of readers chose Complicated
25% of readers chose No
25% of readers chose N/A
Diverse cast of characters?
25% of readers chose Yes
75% of readers chose No
Flaws of characters a main focus?
25% of readers chose Yes
25% of readers chose Complicated
25% of readers chose No
25% of readers chose N/A
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared🫣/Anxious😱 - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy😂/Tragedy😭
-based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky😵💫/Creepy🧟♀️ -based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety!
🔬🦄b>Sci-Fi -based on the Science Fiction in the book as well as the Dystopian and Fantasy elements.
🔫 Action/Thriller -based on if I thought this was more of a spy action type of thriller.
🏥 Medical Content -based on the amount and the accuracy of any medical content or if the book is supposed to be a medical style thriller.
✍🏼 Writing Style -based on if I enjoyed the writing style or not and how the author portrayed the world, characters, concept, plot etc.
🥱 Boredom -based on if I was bored if it held my interest or if I’d rather be doing something else 😴.
🏃🏻♀️ Book Pacing -Based on how quickly I thought the book moved.
🌎 World Development -Based on how well I liked the world development of the story.
💁🏻♀️ Character Development -Based on how well the characters were fleshed out and if I hated or loved with a passion.
🙅🏻♀️ DNF -based on if the book is just stupid, boring, childish, overly ridiculous etc.
**rounded up or down based on how the book left me feeling and because Goodreads doesn’t offer half stars.
***The triggers listed are only the most graphic listed in most to least severity. Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of times this trigger was reported.
April 5, 2019
This author is quite new to me but is definitely one to watch. His first book I knocked down a star for a crashing mistake and, although this one is not error-free, it's a great improvement with its presentation and so has to be 5*. The story was terrific once again and I was disappointed to see book 3 isn't listed as yet. I really hope there's going to be one.....
Once more the back story of Winter's time in Afghanistan features running alongside today's happenings and I doubt very much we'll not hear more about Cronfeld in the next instalment. I'd like to learn more about the Pastor as well. He owes Winter a steak dinner so I'm hoping there's an "in" there and we can trawl through his past a little more. It's nice to see Winter and Maggie are getting along well in their relationship, too, and long may that continue. I appreciate Jeremy's humour a great deal, it must be said and Maggie's learning, too ! I liked the character of Kat as well. I did get a little confused here and there as to which city we were in as this story crosses back 'n' forth across the country a great deal, and sometimes the killer was in one place and Winter in another......
I did disagree a bit with Jeremy pointing out that serial killers don't just stop killing. Whilst this is mainly true, what about Joe DiAngelo, Dennis Rader or Gary Ridgeway ?? As far as I'm aware, they packed it in LONG before each was finally apprehended.
As I said, this one is not perfect...though I am thinking the first thing I highlighted is perhaps an Americanism......"headed his direction" or "heading Levi's direction" without the in. The same for "A smaller sandwich bag would have been plenty big" dropping enough......or "This old girl's not in too bad of shape" and, finally, "The flashlight shined on a side door...." For me, it's godawful English but I am thinking Americans to tend to speak that way, so it could've been written like this on purpose.
People watching needs a hyphen, Achill needs a space (that puzzled me for a while), so does Acouple, he didn't seem to know whether Mrs Ellenburg was a Miss or Mrs as it kept changing and marquis should be marquee as well.
All this aside, he writes incredibly good stories, in my opinion and I look forward to the next instalment.
Once more the back story of Winter's time in Afghanistan features running alongside today's happenings and I doubt very much we'll not hear more about Cronfeld in the next instalment. I'd like to learn more about the Pastor as well. He owes Winter a steak dinner so I'm hoping there's an "in" there and we can trawl through his past a little more. It's nice to see Winter and Maggie are getting along well in their relationship, too, and long may that continue. I appreciate Jeremy's humour a great deal, it must be said and Maggie's learning, too ! I liked the character of Kat as well. I did get a little confused here and there as to which city we were in as this story crosses back 'n' forth across the country a great deal, and sometimes the killer was in one place and Winter in another......
I did disagree a bit with Jeremy pointing out that serial killers don't just stop killing. Whilst this is mainly true, what about Joe DiAngelo, Dennis Rader or Gary Ridgeway ?? As far as I'm aware, they packed it in LONG before each was finally apprehended.
As I said, this one is not perfect...though I am thinking the first thing I highlighted is perhaps an Americanism......"headed his direction" or "heading Levi's direction" without the in. The same for "A smaller sandwich bag would have been plenty big" dropping enough......or "This old girl's not in too bad of shape" and, finally, "The flashlight shined on a side door...." For me, it's godawful English but I am thinking Americans to tend to speak that way, so it could've been written like this on purpose.
People watching needs a hyphen, Achill needs a space (that puzzled me for a while), so does Acouple, he didn't seem to know whether Mrs Ellenburg was a Miss or Mrs as it kept changing and marquis should be marquee as well.
All this aside, he writes incredibly good stories, in my opinion and I look forward to the next instalment.
November 26, 2023
“Young women across the country slain. Theories this is some sort of vendetta against Christians. The Supreme Court receiving body parts in the mail.”
“When the Israelites attacked, she hung a red cord out her window as a signal to them so they wouldn’t kill her or her family. Red, the color of blood. Sounds an awful lot like the lamb’s blood on the Jews’ doors at the first Passover, doesn’t it? Didn’t matter that Rahab was a prostitute. Her past didn’t destroy her future.”
“God and religion are two different things. Most folks never figure that out. Carry their pain their whole life.”
Wow, what a book! Tom Threadgill has become one of my favorites over the last year or two. He’s a fantastic writer of thrills and suspense. I love that there is such a gritty reality in his books and love even more that he often is not predicable so you never know what’s coming next. And Dead Of Winter is no exception. It was incredible.
I’ve said before, in reviews of other books by Tom Threadgill, that his writing reminds me of Michael Connelly who is a master at crime fiction. What I like about the Jeremy Winter series is that it is a mix of Connelly as well as Christian authors Nancy Mehl and Jessica R. Patch’s books that revolve around the FBI. It is awesome to read so many excellent Christian stories that not only keep you on the edge of your seat but also creep you out. This serial killer is not for the faint of heart! And that makes you root for both Jeremy Winter and FBI Special Agent Maggie Keeley all the more.
Can’t wait to read Winter’s Fury at some point as well as whatever books Tom Threadgill writes in the future.
“When the Israelites attacked, she hung a red cord out her window as a signal to them so they wouldn’t kill her or her family. Red, the color of blood. Sounds an awful lot like the lamb’s blood on the Jews’ doors at the first Passover, doesn’t it? Didn’t matter that Rahab was a prostitute. Her past didn’t destroy her future.”
“God and religion are two different things. Most folks never figure that out. Carry their pain their whole life.”
Wow, what a book! Tom Threadgill has become one of my favorites over the last year or two. He’s a fantastic writer of thrills and suspense. I love that there is such a gritty reality in his books and love even more that he often is not predicable so you never know what’s coming next. And Dead Of Winter is no exception. It was incredible.
I’ve said before, in reviews of other books by Tom Threadgill, that his writing reminds me of Michael Connelly who is a master at crime fiction. What I like about the Jeremy Winter series is that it is a mix of Connelly as well as Christian authors Nancy Mehl and Jessica R. Patch’s books that revolve around the FBI. It is awesome to read so many excellent Christian stories that not only keep you on the edge of your seat but also creep you out. This serial killer is not for the faint of heart! And that makes you root for both Jeremy Winter and FBI Special Agent Maggie Keeley all the more.
Can’t wait to read Winter’s Fury at some point as well as whatever books Tom Threadgill writes in the future.
January 26, 2019
As we begin this journey, retired FBI agent, Jeremy Winter is recovering from injuries sustained by being too near a barn when it exploded. He is delighted to use the down time to spend with his girlfriend, FBI Agent Maggie Keely and her fiery five-year-old red-haired daughter Rebecca. That recovery time is rudely interrupted with the delivery of yet another severed finger of a woman to the Supreme Court. Jeremy is called in as a consultant to the FBI to assist Maggie and her team find the serial killer. As the story enfolds, we are treated to the inner workings of not only Jeremy’s mind but also the killers! It’s like a game of tennis where your head snaps first to the left and then to the right, as you are on the edge of your seat anxiously waiting to see who will score game, set, and finally match. The twist and turns find the reader traveling the country from Washington DC to Nashville, Tennessee, to small town west Texas to rainy Portland, Oregon to snowy Brattleboro, Vermont and back again. As if chasing the killer isn’t enough, Jeremy is also being chased by a corrupt politician who threatens his very freedom if not his life and the lives of those he loves most.
The only negative part of this book is now I must wait for the third book in the series to be released to read more about these very special characters, whom I have grown to care about and enjoy traveling with them through life.
I received an advanced copy of this book and was in no way compensated other than an entertaining and satisfying journey leaving me wanting more. All opinions given are my own.
The only negative part of this book is now I must wait for the third book in the series to be released to read more about these very special characters, whom I have grown to care about and enjoy traveling with them through life.
I received an advanced copy of this book and was in no way compensated other than an entertaining and satisfying journey leaving me wanting more. All opinions given are my own.
April 3, 2021
Jeremy Winter is a middle-aged FBI agent on the cusp of retirement. Each story has a beginning-middle-end murder mystery that comes to a satisfactory conclusion. No story is for the faint-of-heart, as Jeremy's FBI specialty has been serial killers. The Jeremy Winter Series, written by Tom Threadgill, is three novels to date, each in the area of 10 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format. Coming of Winter, Dead of Winter, and Winter's Fury. Read them in sequence, or you'll miss continuity.
A thread through the novels is Jeremy's service as an FBI interrogator in Afganistan. He witnessed illegal behavior by his superior but has kept quiet. The superior is now married to a presidential candidate and fears a leak might damage political aspirations. There is also a thread of Jeramy's budding romance with another FBI agent in addition to the unsolved murder of his pregnant wife while he was deployed.
All were released in 2019 by Silverton Agency. Books one and two are narrated by Austin Walp, book three by Drew Bott. IMO, Austin is the better of the two, but that's just an opinion. My reaction when starting book three was, "What's wrong with this narration?" So ... there is that. Bott's voice for Jeramy didn't work for me, high pitched and whiney for a guy in his late 40s. There is no explicit sex, no objectionable language, albeit some of the murders are on the grizzly side—good mystery and suspense.
At the end of book three, the author's note tells us that there will be more Jeremy Winter stories.
Recommended for the murder mystery fan!
A thread through the novels is Jeremy's service as an FBI interrogator in Afganistan. He witnessed illegal behavior by his superior but has kept quiet. The superior is now married to a presidential candidate and fears a leak might damage political aspirations. There is also a thread of Jeramy's budding romance with another FBI agent in addition to the unsolved murder of his pregnant wife while he was deployed.
All were released in 2019 by Silverton Agency. Books one and two are narrated by Austin Walp, book three by Drew Bott. IMO, Austin is the better of the two, but that's just an opinion. My reaction when starting book three was, "What's wrong with this narration?" So ... there is that. Bott's voice for Jeramy didn't work for me, high pitched and whiney for a guy in his late 40s. There is no explicit sex, no objectionable language, albeit some of the murders are on the grizzly side—good mystery and suspense.
At the end of book three, the author's note tells us that there will be more Jeremy Winter stories.
Recommended for the murder mystery fan!
March 9, 2021
Dead of Winter is the second book in Tom Threadgill’s Jeremy Winter Thriller series. After the dramatic conclusion to his last FBI case, Jeremy Winter is trying to figure out what to do with his retirement. But a serial killer starts to send dismembered fingers to Supreme Court justices, and Jeremy is called back as a consultant on the case. Along with his girlfriend, FBI agent Maggie Keeley, Jeremy is trying to get one step ahead of an illusive killer. Dead of Winter is again a creep-inducing thriller. The author does a great job of getting inside the murderer’s head. This time religion is mixed up in the motivations. Jeremy is not a believer and Maggie has just a basic understanding of Christian thoughts. It was interesting to see Jeremy puzzling out what the killer was trying to accomplish. While that is the main plot, a subplot introduced in book 1 continues to follow Jeremy and complicate his life. Revenge is a predominant theme, and Jeremy comes to the brink of exacting it without regard to justice. It will be interesting to see this character’s development in the third book of the series, Winter’s Fury.
Dead of Winter is a dark look into what motivates people. If you are a fan of Steven James or Criminal Minds, I think you will like this book. Be sure to read book 1, Coming of Winter, first though.
Recommended.
Audience: adults
(This audiobook was included in my Audible subscription. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Dead of Winter is a dark look into what motivates people. If you are a fan of Steven James or Criminal Minds, I think you will like this book. Be sure to read book 1, Coming of Winter, first though.
Recommended.
Audience: adults
(This audiobook was included in my Audible subscription. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
June 17, 2025
Tom Threadgill’s second novel in the series blends a classic crime procedural with a chilling portrait of religious fanaticism. The serial killer at the center of the story is terrifying not just for his actions, but for the unwavering belief that he’s doing God’s work. That zealotry gives the novel a darker psychological dimension, one that hints at a larger commentary on justice, morality, and the dangers of blind conviction.
It’s this angle that really sets the book apart. The killer isn’t just targeting random victims—he’s on a mission, convinced he’s enacting divine judgment. It’s an eerie, unsettling concept that adds layers to what could’ve otherwise been a standard whodunit. But while this thread is fascinating, it never fully delivers on its potential.
The biggest letdown comes at the end. After such a deliberate buildup, the climax feels oddly rushed and anticlimactic. The final confrontation doesn’t hit with the emotional or thematic weight it could have—especially given how compelling the setup was. There’s also a sense that more could’ve been explored about the killer’s past: what twisted his faith, what seeded the madness. We get fragments, but not enough to satisfy that deeper curiosity.
Still, the book is sharp and suspenseful, with solid pacing and strong dialogue. It’s a brisk, tense read, but one that leaves you wanting a bit more meat on the bone, especially in the final chapters.
It’s this angle that really sets the book apart. The killer isn’t just targeting random victims—he’s on a mission, convinced he’s enacting divine judgment. It’s an eerie, unsettling concept that adds layers to what could’ve otherwise been a standard whodunit. But while this thread is fascinating, it never fully delivers on its potential.
The biggest letdown comes at the end. After such a deliberate buildup, the climax feels oddly rushed and anticlimactic. The final confrontation doesn’t hit with the emotional or thematic weight it could have—especially given how compelling the setup was. There’s also a sense that more could’ve been explored about the killer’s past: what twisted his faith, what seeded the madness. We get fragments, but not enough to satisfy that deeper curiosity.
Still, the book is sharp and suspenseful, with solid pacing and strong dialogue. It’s a brisk, tense read, but one that leaves you wanting a bit more meat on the bone, especially in the final chapters.
November 1, 2022
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one was even better. It had an excellent plot, a great bad guy, and of course the main character Jeremy and his FBI girlfriend. I found the plot in this book rather ingenious....I won't give any spoilers, except the main character thinks he is doing God's will -that comes across very early in the book, so it isn't much of a spoiler.
I loved the nonstop action and suspense, and the workings of Jeremy and the FBI as they tried to track the killer, figure out where he would go next, and work on the "why".
But added to all that, the author's descriptive writing really stood out to me, and in some cases made me laugh out loud. In one place, he described a man and said "a muscle shirt had abandoned its efforts to cover his belly". And in another place for another guy: a large man, his suit remained unbuttoned, and Jeremy doubted the two sides of the coat had met each other for years". I think more than the first book, this one had a lot more humor. I like to laugh, and I did a lot of it while reading this one.
As a sub plot, Jeremy's trouble with the Colonel was also in play, and he had to deal with that on top of the case.
The book had a very climatic ending, and I was about holding my breath....and the author did not disappoint.
Looking forward to reading the third book.
I loved the nonstop action and suspense, and the workings of Jeremy and the FBI as they tried to track the killer, figure out where he would go next, and work on the "why".
But added to all that, the author's descriptive writing really stood out to me, and in some cases made me laugh out loud. In one place, he described a man and said "a muscle shirt had abandoned its efforts to cover his belly". And in another place for another guy: a large man, his suit remained unbuttoned, and Jeremy doubted the two sides of the coat had met each other for years". I think more than the first book, this one had a lot more humor. I like to laugh, and I did a lot of it while reading this one.
As a sub plot, Jeremy's trouble with the Colonel was also in play, and he had to deal with that on top of the case.
The book had a very climatic ending, and I was about holding my breath....and the author did not disappoint.
Looking forward to reading the third book.
August 30, 2020
Mr. Threadgill has another winner in the second of the Jeremy Winter series. While there aren't quite as many gory details here as in The Coming of Winter, there is plenty of tension, suspense, action, and twists. One of my favorite things about Mr. Threadgill's writing is that he proves it is quite possible to write an intense, gritty, pulse-pounding thriller without resorting to the use of profanity or gratuitous, graphic sex scenes. It is such a nice change. Mr. Threadgill also creates characters that the reader loves and loves to hate. His protagonists are relatable, fully-developed, three-dimensional characters that this reader had no difficulty bonding with. The only criticism I can come up with (and it's relatively minor) is that I would have liked to see the background of the killer more fully developed. I like to know why and what events in the killer's past made them the way they are. Here the things from the killer's past were hinted at but not explored to the extent I would have liked. It didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story but was my personal preference. Now to read the third Jeremy Winter book and then see what else Mr. Threadgill has available. I recommend you check him out.
January 18, 2025
surprisingly good
This was very well written, well edited and a great story. I never set a high expectation for Kindle Unlimited “free” reads, but I am very impressed with this set. Often, it’s difficult to “lose” myself in these books because the choppy language or re-use of strange words keeps pulling me out, reminding me I am reading. I hate to be so cliche, but when I read authors like Stephen King or John Grisham, I forget I’m reading and I am simply in the story. Also, many of the usual “unlimited” employ predictable scenarios. I love not knowing what’s coming and I detest obvious misdirections. None of that mess here. One and only one issue in the whole book; I know a person from Afghanistan. I used to think that the word to describe such a person was “Afghani” but he corrected me. “Afghan” is the proper term. The word “Afghani” describes their money. Both terms were used to describe people. And since these were Americans, it’s possible they thought, as I used to, that the incorrect word meant a person from Afghanistan… However, in the end of the story, an actual Afghan refers to people from her country as “Afghani.” Just one tiny thing and I am still enjoying this set. And now on to book three! Thank you!
This was very well written, well edited and a great story. I never set a high expectation for Kindle Unlimited “free” reads, but I am very impressed with this set. Often, it’s difficult to “lose” myself in these books because the choppy language or re-use of strange words keeps pulling me out, reminding me I am reading. I hate to be so cliche, but when I read authors like Stephen King or John Grisham, I forget I’m reading and I am simply in the story. Also, many of the usual “unlimited” employ predictable scenarios. I love not knowing what’s coming and I detest obvious misdirections. None of that mess here. One and only one issue in the whole book; I know a person from Afghanistan. I used to think that the word to describe such a person was “Afghani” but he corrected me. “Afghan” is the proper term. The word “Afghani” describes their money. Both terms were used to describe people. And since these were Americans, it’s possible they thought, as I used to, that the incorrect word meant a person from Afghanistan… However, in the end of the story, an actual Afghan refers to people from her country as “Afghani.” Just one tiny thing and I am still enjoying this set. And now on to book three! Thank you!
January 20, 2025
Rating: 3.5
Mode of Reading: Audio Book
How did I pick this up: Second in a Series that I found in Libby as a Ready to Borrow Audiobook (random setting) - Only Series I've read via Graphic Audio
Short Yet Sweet Review: I put this book on hold immediately after I finished the first Jeremy Winter story as I enjoyed the first one and wanted to immediately read the second one. I enjoyed how Threadgill shows both the killers' perspective as well as Jeremy's perspective. This second story, while still focusing on Jeremy, focuses more with Maggie as she's the only FBI agent active as Jeremy retired but acts as a consultant. This story was "same same but different" from the first one as there was more background into the killer and why he kills but also came to a quick conclusion of the story. I know that there's only one more book in the Jeremy Winter series and I'm excited to listen to it as again, it's an easy listen and I can fully picture visually like a TV show!
Mode of Reading: Audio Book
How did I pick this up: Second in a Series that I found in Libby as a Ready to Borrow Audiobook (random setting) - Only Series I've read via Graphic Audio
Short Yet Sweet Review: I put this book on hold immediately after I finished the first Jeremy Winter story as I enjoyed the first one and wanted to immediately read the second one. I enjoyed how Threadgill shows both the killers' perspective as well as Jeremy's perspective. This second story, while still focusing on Jeremy, focuses more with Maggie as she's the only FBI agent active as Jeremy retired but acts as a consultant. This story was "same same but different" from the first one as there was more background into the killer and why he kills but also came to a quick conclusion of the story. I know that there's only one more book in the Jeremy Winter series and I'm excited to listen to it as again, it's an easy listen and I can fully picture visually like a TV show!
June 4, 2019
Tom Threadgill knows how to spin a tale of suspense and chills skillfully. This second book in the Jeremy Winter trilogy finds the now ex-FBI agent again trailing another serial killer. They need his expertise now more than ever.
I did have a little trouble getting past the fact that the killer seems to be “faith” motivated, while the hero is skeptical of a good God because of all the tragedy he’s seen, yet Jeremy is realistic. Looking at it another way, it is a cautionary tale of misunderstanding scripture and misappropriating its meaning in one’s life without proper study and the help of those more knowledgeable. Or perhaps the psychopath is just that—mentally ill.
Either way, the main characters are well-developed and continue to grow and change throughout Dead of Winter. And Threadgill writes a fast-paced and tight story with a satisfying conclusion. If you like clean thrillers, then this book is for you.
April 22, 2024
In this second installment of the Jeremy Winter series, we follow detective Maggie Keely and main character Jeremy Winter on another man hunt for a serial killer who believes he has been chosen by God to complete a mission that involves sacrificing Godly women to gain more access to God himself. Jeremy, no longer employed with the FBI is hired on as a consultant because of his vast knowledge of dealing with serial killers. The book of course is still following the plot line that was established in book one focusing on a serial killer, Maggie and Jeremy's personal lives and a battle with a former boss that's trying to blackmail Jeremy. It is another win for Threadgill due to his incredible descriptive writing, ability to develop his characters, and create a plot that just continues to draw you in to it. Like other series, it needs to be read in order written as some of plot lines wouldn't be understood otherwise. Highly recommend!
December 20, 2021
Pretty good but ending not so SPOILER
Why do so many authors think putting main characters protagonist, their loved ones or someone’s kid in danger makes an exciting end. To some yes, but is the outcome really unknown.
Unknown would be someone other then the above being the perpetrators last victims. Oh well enough suspense before the on suspenseful end.
The Colonel thing may have come to an end, but will see, if not a promising series slides from an almost 5 to a three then a two and then goodbye series.
There are thousands of homicides every year, countless other true crimes where it is almost non existent for the primary characters are in perilous drama. Yet, the story lines of true crime have endings that are suspenseful, not yawner alls well that ends well at least until the next book.
Why do so many authors think putting main characters protagonist, their loved ones or someone’s kid in danger makes an exciting end. To some yes, but is the outcome really unknown.
Unknown would be someone other then the above being the perpetrators last victims. Oh well enough suspense before the on suspenseful end.
The Colonel thing may have come to an end, but will see, if not a promising series slides from an almost 5 to a three then a two and then goodbye series.
There are thousands of homicides every year, countless other true crimes where it is almost non existent for the primary characters are in perilous drama. Yet, the story lines of true crime have endings that are suspenseful, not yawner alls well that ends well at least until the next book.
January 16, 2019
Jeremy has been asked to be a consultant for a case. Women have been killed across the country and fingers have been sent to Supreme Court Judges. What is the reasoning behind this ? How are these women chosen? Is there more than one killer? Or is one man driving south to north to east to west to south? The agent in charge of this case is Jeremy's girlfriend Maggie Keeley.
There is action and suspense, anticipation wondering what's going to happen next.
Characters are well described. You may feel like you know them.
This is a complete story. No cliffhanger, no foul langage, no graphic violence, no sex, no typos. This story is well thought out and well written. You can get lost in this story and won't want to put the book down. I'm looking forward to Jeremy's next adventure.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
There is action and suspense, anticipation wondering what's going to happen next.
Characters are well described. You may feel like you know them.
This is a complete story. No cliffhanger, no foul langage, no graphic violence, no sex, no typos. This story is well thought out and well written. You can get lost in this story and won't want to put the book down. I'm looking forward to Jeremy's next adventure.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
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