What do you think?
Rate this book
Winter #4
Winter Falling
For fans of Lee Child, Robert Ludlum and Stieg Larsson, comes the exhilarating fourth instalment of the Winter series, winner of Audible’s Thriller of the Year 2019.
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster....
Firestorm is down - the assassin for hire website that had the world by its throat, gone. Alek Konstantin, king of the underworld, is in hiding. But while the world celebrates, Winter is bracing for what must surely follow.
All the world’s cut-throats, assassins and thugs are unemployed, roaming the globe without a leader - and nature abhors a vacuum.
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken....
Something’s not right, and it’s not only that Winter’s body is in pieces. A boy held captive. An attempted assassination. Thirty men gunned down in rural South Wales. What sinister hand is directing these events, and to what end?
GCHQ is a place of secrets, and they follow Winter everywhere. There is so much she must conceal, and Control is keeping something from her, something vital about her past.
As she crashes towards the ultimate showdown, Winter faces the hardest decision of her life - and she must ask herself the question - whose side is she really on?
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster....
Firestorm is down - the assassin for hire website that had the world by its throat, gone. Alek Konstantin, king of the underworld, is in hiding. But while the world celebrates, Winter is bracing for what must surely follow.
All the world’s cut-throats, assassins and thugs are unemployed, roaming the globe without a leader - and nature abhors a vacuum.
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken....
Something’s not right, and it’s not only that Winter’s body is in pieces. A boy held captive. An attempted assassination. Thirty men gunned down in rural South Wales. What sinister hand is directing these events, and to what end?
GCHQ is a place of secrets, and they follow Winter everywhere. There is so much she must conceal, and Control is keeping something from her, something vital about her past.
As she crashes towards the ultimate showdown, Winter faces the hardest decision of her life - and she must ask herself the question - whose side is she really on?
Audiobook
Published April 7, 2022
3 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 6, 2022
This series is pulp action nonsense but at least it is the type of fun pulp action nonsense that is enjoyable to read! This whole series reads like a female aimed Bond or Mission Impossible. It is a ton of fun and one of my favourite new series finds in years!
The plot was pretty compelling in this 4th instalment of the series. With Winter having taken down Firestorm she should be on a high but that sentiment is short lived as it soon becomes apparent Alex Konstantin has a plan to relaunch it! He enlists the help of the greatest assassin in the world to set up a tournament that will select new Guardsmen and help hype the relaunch. They also kidnap the son of a senior security figure. It is up to Winter to rescue the kid and stop the relaunch all while dealing with assassins and her own conflicted loyalties.
The story was great. Winter is always an easy character to root for and it feels like she had to grow a fair bit in this one as she got her perceptions challenged and had to deal with more responsibility now that she was in charge of her own team.
The other big plus for the story was the addition of two new POV characters who had significant parts to play in the story. I felt like both their stories really added to the story and I enjoyed both characters a lot. I’d love to see them in future instalments even if that means a spin-off!
All in all I enjoyed this a lot. Last year I went hunting for a thriller series that could suck me in as much as my favourite fantasy series. I had more misses than hits but this series was the one that succeeded where the others failed. The mix of crazy action, fun characters, drama, and tad of romance really holds my full attention and helps make this a favourite series of mine. Sure it has a few flaws but none that hurt my enjoyment of the story!
Rating: 4.5 stars. I’m rounding up to 5 here on Goodreads as it was only a few flaws away from a full 5 star rating as it was!
Audio Note: As always Ell Potter was fantastic with the audio. She really breathed life into the tale and was great at convening the emotion of the story through her performance.
The plot was pretty compelling in this 4th instalment of the series. With Winter having taken down Firestorm she should be on a high but that sentiment is short lived as it soon becomes apparent Alex Konstantin has a plan to relaunch it! He enlists the help of the greatest assassin in the world to set up a tournament that will select new Guardsmen and help hype the relaunch. They also kidnap the son of a senior security figure. It is up to Winter to rescue the kid and stop the relaunch all while dealing with assassins and her own conflicted loyalties.
The story was great. Winter is always an easy character to root for and it feels like she had to grow a fair bit in this one as she got her perceptions challenged and had to deal with more responsibility now that she was in charge of her own team.
The other big plus for the story was the addition of two new POV characters who had significant parts to play in the story. I felt like both their stories really added to the story and I enjoyed both characters a lot. I’d love to see them in future instalments even if that means a spin-off!
All in all I enjoyed this a lot. Last year I went hunting for a thriller series that could suck me in as much as my favourite fantasy series. I had more misses than hits but this series was the one that succeeded where the others failed. The mix of crazy action, fun characters, drama, and tad of romance really holds my full attention and helps make this a favourite series of mine. Sure it has a few flaws but none that hurt my enjoyment of the story!
Rating: 4.5 stars. I’m rounding up to 5 here on Goodreads as it was only a few flaws away from a full 5 star rating as it was!
Audio Note: As always Ell Potter was fantastic with the audio. She really breathed life into the tale and was great at convening the emotion of the story through her performance.
April 12, 2022
The forth installment of the Winter series was spectacular! With all the elements I loved from the first two books and only a smidgen of that prequel I like to pretend didn't happen. I loved the continuation of Bond type action, saving the world and good sex(Winter on top next time okay?), but this book also adds physical limitations to the mix. This grounds the book adding a tasty realistic spice. Winter grew as a person while still holding on to her badass, intelligence, not so secret secret agent self.
April 26, 2022
Thank goodness Winter is back because there's no one like her. She's the kind of kick-arse, strong, independent woman I can really get behind. Seeing her relationships with others develop from her lone-wolf status in the first book has been a privilege. She's growing in depth and maturity and that has to be a sign of a thoughtful and intelligent author who allows the reader/listener to feel as if they are part of the character's development. The plot is twisty and tricky without ever seeming too contrived. As always, the talented Ell Potter turns in an excellent performance and takes this book from a listening to a fulsome immersive experience. My only complaint is that the 11 and a half hours whipped past too quickly and now I have to wait impatiently for book 5. And when is the film of Winter coming to our screens?
November 17, 2025
Another great instalment, I’ve just got to read number five. I do hope there’s a number six, but doubt it as it’s been some time since five was published 😔
September 27, 2022
The Winter novels (or audiobooks, in this case, superbly read by Elle Potter) are miles apart from your everyday espionage thriller. Winter Falling, the fourth in the series, references Winter's early days at GCHQ and the first three novels. However, it is not quite as tightly written as the first three (or maybe I kept getting interrupted). Well worth a second listen, however, as Winter balances on the razor edge between the dark and the light.
May 6, 2022
By: Alex Callister
Narrated by: Ell Potter
Series: The Winter Series, Book 4
Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 07-04-22
I am a great fan of The Winter Series and was delighted when Winter Falling was released on Audible. I could not wait to get my hands on it, or should I say my ears.
I am so pleased to say it did not disappoint and Ell Potter's narration leaves nothing to be desired, I have no idea what Ell looks like but hearing her voice, well she is Winter to me.
I love that the characters go through from one book to the next, so you can really get to know them, and as for The Prince Of Darkness, well I think she is a lucky girl.
I am hoping that Alex will write another story soon, but in the meantime listening to this book makes me want to relive Winter's adventures, so In the meantime I will be listening to the Series again, which is something I never do.
I hope you have enjoyed my review.
Narrated by: Ell Potter
Series: The Winter Series, Book 4
Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 07-04-22
I am a great fan of The Winter Series and was delighted when Winter Falling was released on Audible. I could not wait to get my hands on it, or should I say my ears.
I am so pleased to say it did not disappoint and Ell Potter's narration leaves nothing to be desired, I have no idea what Ell looks like but hearing her voice, well she is Winter to me.
I love that the characters go through from one book to the next, so you can really get to know them, and as for The Prince Of Darkness, well I think she is a lucky girl.
I am hoping that Alex will write another story soon, but in the meantime listening to this book makes me want to relive Winter's adventures, so In the meantime I will be listening to the Series again, which is something I never do.
I hope you have enjoyed my review.
May 10, 2022
I am really enjoying this series, yes they may be far fetched but that adds to my enjoyment.
The narrator is excellent, one of the best I have heard.
Winter is back to fight another battle with some familiar faces and a few new ones. Of course she is still gorgeous, sexy and almost invincible.
If I had to offer a criticism it would be the repetition of certain phrases like, he/she puts his/her hands in his/her pockets and when he/she removed them they were covered in metal.
I can't wait to see if there is a follow-up but I am not sure where it could go after this.
The narrator is excellent, one of the best I have heard.
Winter is back to fight another battle with some familiar faces and a few new ones. Of course she is still gorgeous, sexy and almost invincible.
If I had to offer a criticism it would be the repetition of certain phrases like, he/she puts his/her hands in his/her pockets and when he/she removed them they were covered in metal.
I can't wait to see if there is a follow-up but I am not sure where it could go after this.
May 4, 2022
I have not listened to the rest of the series, but this did not detract from this story in the least. Winter is a fearless heroine who will put herself into situations that most (sane?) individuals wouldn't want to. The building of the twisty story-line is excellent - only aided by super narration from Ell Potter. I will definitely now take in the earlier books in the series.
May 6, 2022
Winter Falling Alex Callister
Narrated by Ell Potter
I love love love this series, so was delighted to get started on this book.
The combination of this author and this narrator will always be a winning combination for me.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish, and can't wait for the next installment. 5 stars
Narrated by Ell Potter
I love love love this series, so was delighted to get started on this book.
The combination of this author and this narrator will always be a winning combination for me.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish, and can't wait for the next installment. 5 stars
April 12, 2022
As always, it is over by far too quickly. And then the long wait starts all over again.
So many things I did not see coming, which is, I suppose, why I keep devouring them as soon as they are released.
So many things I did not see coming, which is, I suppose, why I keep devouring them as soon as they are released.
April 26, 2022
This genre isn't my usual choice but I enjoyed the pace of the story.
Winter Falling is the only book in the Winter Series that I've read.
Ell Porter is an excellent narrator. She kept the reader's interest very well.
Winter Falling is the only book in the Winter Series that I've read.
Ell Porter is an excellent narrator. She kept the reader's interest very well.
February 2, 2024
This is a fun pulpy series. It is a bit ridiculous at times but that is fine. It's a fun ride that can often means I read it in one sitting. I enjoy it and seeing how Winter's mind works and what she will do next/how she get out of situations when the odds are stacked against her.
May 5, 2022
Assume there may be another book in the series ......?
May 9, 2022
Another amazing installment. I really enjoyed this book and it was well paced and exciting. Such a brilliant performance too.
Please Let there be more
♥️
Please Let there be more
♥️
May 13, 2022
There is one thing in this book I cannot overlook or get past - rape does not equal sex. Period. No matter the character, no matter the relationship.
September 28, 2022
Nice pace. Good action. Hit man turned softy for teenage victim was a stretch. Enjoyed the GF reunion and the ending. But contrived though.
February 8, 2023
I enjoyed this far more than the last book. There were a lot more twists than I was expecting; and I didn’t see them all coming which I enjoyed.
Read
April 19, 2023Enjoyed this book 📖 and looking forward to the 4th installment later this year!
October 19, 2024
Audiobook Review: Back in Hunger Games territory for this one like in Winter Dawn with the Coliseum and the Fire Storm inception except this time in boat! Adeline and Michael were very fun character additions. Winter being off her game physically and mentally was a fresh perspective on the unbelievably invincible spy.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews