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Running Cold
Julie Adler’s perfect facade is shattered by grief when her husband commits suicide. His death reveals that their luxurious California life was a house of cards, and his secret business dealings have left Julie penniless.
As she strikes out on her own, Julie feels drawn to her old stomping grounds in Banff, a charming and isolated ski town where she once trained for the Olympics. She finds work as a housekeeper at a luxury resort, but just as she starts to piece together a new life, an eccentric guest turns up dead. And Julie, the last person seen in her hotel room, is the prime suspect.
The evidence is stacked against her, but even in the encroaching blizzard, Julie knows her way around these mountains. She just needs to evade the police long enough to find the truth behind the murder…and before the real killer finds her first.
As she strikes out on her own, Julie feels drawn to her old stomping grounds in Banff, a charming and isolated ski town where she once trained for the Olympics. She finds work as a housekeeper at a luxury resort, but just as she starts to piece together a new life, an eccentric guest turns up dead. And Julie, the last person seen in her hotel room, is the prime suspect.
The evidence is stacked against her, but even in the encroaching blizzard, Julie knows her way around these mountains. She just needs to evade the police long enough to find the truth behind the murder…and before the real killer finds her first.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2024
About the author
Susan Walter
7 books681 followersSusan Walter is a recovering screenwriter and film director who started writing books to kill people because it was frowned upon in real life. Her first two novels, “Good as Dead” and “Over Her Dead Body” are set in the movie business, but then she discovered there are places that are even more dangerous. She is now murdering people on airplanes, on ski hills, and in safehouses while on the run from organized crime.
A sometimes director, her Netflix movie ALL I WISH, which she also wrote, stars Sharon Stone and Tony Goldwyn and won a screenwriting award that you have never heard of, but that she is proud of nonetheless. Her latest novel, "Letters from Strangers," is based on the real-life mystery that riddled her own childhood. You can learn more about Susan at www.susanwalterwriter.com, and thanks for stopping by!
A sometimes director, her Netflix movie ALL I WISH, which she also wrote, stars Sharon Stone and Tony Goldwyn and won a screenwriting award that you have never heard of, but that she is proud of nonetheless. Her latest novel, "Letters from Strangers," is based on the real-life mystery that riddled her own childhood. You can learn more about Susan at www.susanwalterwriter.com, and thanks for stopping by!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
August 12, 2024
Susan Walter just may be one of the BEST authors that you haven’t yet read! SERIOUSLY.
Good As Dead
Over Her Dead Body
Lie By the Pool and now-Running Cold!
Described ACCURATELY as a heart-pounding story of deception, murder, and survival- It’s the story of former Olympian, Julie Adler, who won the Gold 🥇 in the Biathlon-skiing and target shooting, before giving up the limelight and moving to Sunny California with her new husband, Jeff.
Life was good until Julie came home one day to find her husband dead in their bathroom-an apparent Suicide. But, that would not be the only shocking discovery that she would make. The other one-he has left her penniless.
Confused and heartbroken, Julie doesn’t want to admit all of this to her friends, Izzy, Christa and Suki, so she decides to return to the picturesque ski town of Banff, Canada where she trained for the Olympics.
Remy Delatour is an old friend, who happens to be the manager of the historic Banff Springs Hotel, so he is able to give her a room to live in, and a job as a housekeeper, to tide her over until her house in California can be sold.
But her bad luck will follow her.
A “difficult” guest, turns up dead, and Julie was the last person seen in her hotel room, and therefore the first suspect that Detective Monique Montpelier will focus on.
The story unfolds from the alternating first person POV’s of Julie, Izzy, Remy, and Monique, over 4️⃣ parts-beginning with “THE FIRST TO DIE”.
The evidence may be stacked against her, but Julie is determined to prove her innocence and discover the truth about what happened to her husband Jeff. Her only obstacles? Evading police and the real killer-while outrunning a blizzard.
The tension is palpable, and the setting is oozing in atmosphere! I could feel the chill and I even wrapped up in a blanket while reading this despite the 106 F degree temperature outside my door!
You can tell that Susan Walter was a screenwriter as every one of her books could easily translate to movies. I would love to see this one optioned as Banff and the Banff Springs hotel are actual places and there is even a story of a Murder-Suicide taking place in room 873 according to the Author’s Acknowledgments at the end of the book!
Can't you just picture the treacherous snowy mountains and the Castle-like hotel on the big Screen?
I can hear the audience cheering now! 🍿
I can’t wait to read whatever Susan Walter pens next! Four books-all solid 4 star ⭐️ reads!
AVAILABLE NOW
Thank You to Lake Union Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Good As Dead
Over Her Dead Body
Lie By the Pool and now-Running Cold!
Described ACCURATELY as a heart-pounding story of deception, murder, and survival- It’s the story of former Olympian, Julie Adler, who won the Gold 🥇 in the Biathlon-skiing and target shooting, before giving up the limelight and moving to Sunny California with her new husband, Jeff.
Life was good until Julie came home one day to find her husband dead in their bathroom-an apparent Suicide. But, that would not be the only shocking discovery that she would make. The other one-he has left her penniless.
Confused and heartbroken, Julie doesn’t want to admit all of this to her friends, Izzy, Christa and Suki, so she decides to return to the picturesque ski town of Banff, Canada where she trained for the Olympics.
Remy Delatour is an old friend, who happens to be the manager of the historic Banff Springs Hotel, so he is able to give her a room to live in, and a job as a housekeeper, to tide her over until her house in California can be sold.
But her bad luck will follow her.
A “difficult” guest, turns up dead, and Julie was the last person seen in her hotel room, and therefore the first suspect that Detective Monique Montpelier will focus on.
The story unfolds from the alternating first person POV’s of Julie, Izzy, Remy, and Monique, over 4️⃣ parts-beginning with “THE FIRST TO DIE”.
The evidence may be stacked against her, but Julie is determined to prove her innocence and discover the truth about what happened to her husband Jeff. Her only obstacles? Evading police and the real killer-while outrunning a blizzard.
The tension is palpable, and the setting is oozing in atmosphere! I could feel the chill and I even wrapped up in a blanket while reading this despite the 106 F degree temperature outside my door!
You can tell that Susan Walter was a screenwriter as every one of her books could easily translate to movies. I would love to see this one optioned as Banff and the Banff Springs hotel are actual places and there is even a story of a Murder-Suicide taking place in room 873 according to the Author’s Acknowledgments at the end of the book!
Can't you just picture the treacherous snowy mountains and the Castle-like hotel on the big Screen?
I can hear the audience cheering now! 🍿
I can’t wait to read whatever Susan Walter pens next! Four books-all solid 4 star ⭐️ reads!
AVAILABLE NOW
Thank You to Lake Union Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
July 21, 2024
Susan Walter. You just made me incredibly homesick!🍁😩
Julie Weston Alder was an Olympic biathlete. (Combination of cross country-skiing and shooting marksmanship.) Perhaps not as popular in the US, but in Canada she was a local hero!
However, when love comes calling, Julie puts her Olympic life behind her and heads for sunny California!
But what ideally should have been a dream life just isn’t panning out.
She and her husband Jeff aren’t happy. And after brunch with her friends Julie returns home to find Jeff dead from a self-inflicted gunshot.
With grief overwhelming her Julie heads back to the happiest place she knows from her past…the town of Banff, Alberta. (One of my happy places too).
She finds herself knocking on the door of her long-time friend, Remy Delatour. (who happens to be the general manager of the Banff Springs Resort), begging for a job so she can hide from her grief.
Try as she might, Julie can’t outrun death as it follows her across the border!
Sometimes it’s the storyline that captures the readers and other times it’s the atmosphere of the background. Susan Walter superbly weaves both effortlessly and I was once again transported back to my happy place in Canada.
Her research on the City of Banff and the enchantment of the historical Banff Spring Hotel was impeccable. I was right there at the Rundle Bar having my Old Fashioned🥃 while the snow swirled outside on the majestic mountain peaks.🗻
So while I was reading this book in sweltering 115*F summer heat, it was a welcome change to turn a page and immerse myself in a blinding blizzard and sub-zero temperatures of -20*C. (The cold may not appeal to some, but brings back fond memories for this Canadian girl! Even if it was that same weather that had me running for warmer climates).😂
If you’re looking for a thriller to cool off your summer…look no further!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing
Julie Weston Alder was an Olympic biathlete. (Combination of cross country-skiing and shooting marksmanship.) Perhaps not as popular in the US, but in Canada she was a local hero!
However, when love comes calling, Julie puts her Olympic life behind her and heads for sunny California!
But what ideally should have been a dream life just isn’t panning out.
She and her husband Jeff aren’t happy. And after brunch with her friends Julie returns home to find Jeff dead from a self-inflicted gunshot.
With grief overwhelming her Julie heads back to the happiest place she knows from her past…the town of Banff, Alberta. (One of my happy places too).
She finds herself knocking on the door of her long-time friend, Remy Delatour. (who happens to be the general manager of the Banff Springs Resort), begging for a job so she can hide from her grief.
Try as she might, Julie can’t outrun death as it follows her across the border!
Sometimes it’s the storyline that captures the readers and other times it’s the atmosphere of the background. Susan Walter superbly weaves both effortlessly and I was once again transported back to my happy place in Canada.
Her research on the City of Banff and the enchantment of the historical Banff Spring Hotel was impeccable. I was right there at the Rundle Bar having my Old Fashioned🥃 while the snow swirled outside on the majestic mountain peaks.🗻
So while I was reading this book in sweltering 115*F summer heat, it was a welcome change to turn a page and immerse myself in a blinding blizzard and sub-zero temperatures of -20*C. (The cold may not appeal to some, but brings back fond memories for this Canadian girl! Even if it was that same weather that had me running for warmer climates).😂
If you’re looking for a thriller to cool off your summer…look no further!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing
February 17, 2025
Running Cold ran out of steam early on. But let me tell you more:
Julie is on the run. She’s an athlete who won a medal in the Olympics for Canada. But now she’s running from being accused of a crime and she’s run to the Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta.
This story had me running lukewarm to frigid.
The dialogue was juvenile. Mean girl-like for women in their mid to late 30’s? No thanks.
As another death is discovered, it becomes clear there is a set up. Really?
The writing, amateurish. The sun shone like a yellow orb? The hub putting the kids to bed? Ok…
As for friendship….ya not sure one can be easily forgiven. I won’t disclose that hornet’s nest.
Everything else, too convenient.
The setting was awesome but not enough to hinge this story on.
But Walter, can’t we talk more about this hotel? I stayed there on a business trip a few years ago. A beautiful majestic place nestled into the mountains. There is history here that is blatantly ignored. This hotel is said to have been haunted. They used to do ghost tours! I remember hearing some weird-assed clanging one night and I was convinced it was too! I can’t believe this folklore wasn’t shared here?!? Big miss IMO.
Anyways, I did skim the rest of it. Not sure why. Maybe because it’s freaking cold out…
2.5⭐️
Julie is on the run. She’s an athlete who won a medal in the Olympics for Canada. But now she’s running from being accused of a crime and she’s run to the Banff Springs Hotel, Alberta.
This story had me running lukewarm to frigid.
The dialogue was juvenile. Mean girl-like for women in their mid to late 30’s? No thanks.
As another death is discovered, it becomes clear there is a set up. Really?
The writing, amateurish. The sun shone like a yellow orb? The hub putting the kids to bed? Ok…
As for friendship….ya not sure one can be easily forgiven. I won’t disclose that hornet’s nest.
Everything else, too convenient.
The setting was awesome but not enough to hinge this story on.
But Walter, can’t we talk more about this hotel? I stayed there on a business trip a few years ago. A beautiful majestic place nestled into the mountains. There is history here that is blatantly ignored. This hotel is said to have been haunted. They used to do ghost tours! I remember hearing some weird-assed clanging one night and I was convinced it was too! I can’t believe this folklore wasn’t shared here?!? Big miss IMO.
Anyways, I did skim the rest of it. Not sure why. Maybe because it’s freaking cold out…
2.5⭐️
September 11, 2024
Holy cow! Having read several of Susan Walter’s books already, I knew even before diving into Running Cold that I was in for a treat. Let me tell you, this intoxicating thriller did not disappoint. From the atmospheric setting to the ever present foreboding, the swiftly moving plot quickly pulled me in deep. Not only did the Hallmark-esque town of Banff come alive before me, but the multiple POVs felt undeniably well-drawn. But the gasp-inducing twists were what drove this book home. Turning the story on its head, it just couldn’t have been better no ifs, ends, or buts.
The characters were, in a phrase, simply sublime. Running the gamut from someone you’ll love to hate to a resourceful, strong protagonist that you’ll happily cheer on, I was easily swept up in her deadly ordeal. I especially loved the shocking revelations that exposed weaknesses that made them all oh so genuine and true. As much as I loved each of them in turn, though, it was the naturally unfurling plot that made this book sing. It’s no wonder all of my colleagues at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse couldn’t put this one down.
All said and done, with short, cliffhanger chapters that escorted me handily through the heart-pounding climax and soul-satisfying conclusion, I was easily bowled over by this unputdownable novel. My absolute favorite piece to the puzzle, however? That would be how we learned the who in this magnificent whodunnit earlier than expected. Far from ruining the rising suspense, it instead elicited an addictive game of cat-and-mouse that kept me utterly spellbound from beginning to end. Needless to say, you have GOT to order this book now. A slam dunk success, Walter has clearly done it again. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Julie Adler’s perfect facade is shattered by grief when her husband commits suicide. His death reveals that their luxurious California life was a house of cards, and his secret business dealings have left Julie penniless.
As she strikes out on her own, Julie feels drawn to her old stomping grounds in Banff, a charming and isolated ski town where she once trained for the Olympics. She finds work as a housekeeper at a luxury resort, but just as she starts to piece together a new life, an eccentric guest turns up dead. And Julie, the last person seen in her hotel room, is the prime suspect.
The evidence is stacked against her, but even in the encroaching blizzard, Julie knows her way around these mountains. She just needs to evade the police long enough to find the truth behind the murder…and before the real killer finds her first.
Thank you to Susan Walter and Lake Union Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 8, 2024
Trigger warning: suicide, death of a spouse, infidelity
The characters were, in a phrase, simply sublime. Running the gamut from someone you’ll love to hate to a resourceful, strong protagonist that you’ll happily cheer on, I was easily swept up in her deadly ordeal. I especially loved the shocking revelations that exposed weaknesses that made them all oh so genuine and true. As much as I loved each of them in turn, though, it was the naturally unfurling plot that made this book sing. It’s no wonder all of my colleagues at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse couldn’t put this one down.
All said and done, with short, cliffhanger chapters that escorted me handily through the heart-pounding climax and soul-satisfying conclusion, I was easily bowled over by this unputdownable novel. My absolute favorite piece to the puzzle, however? That would be how we learned the who in this magnificent whodunnit earlier than expected. Far from ruining the rising suspense, it instead elicited an addictive game of cat-and-mouse that kept me utterly spellbound from beginning to end. Needless to say, you have GOT to order this book now. A slam dunk success, Walter has clearly done it again. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Julie Adler’s perfect facade is shattered by grief when her husband commits suicide. His death reveals that their luxurious California life was a house of cards, and his secret business dealings have left Julie penniless.
As she strikes out on her own, Julie feels drawn to her old stomping grounds in Banff, a charming and isolated ski town where she once trained for the Olympics. She finds work as a housekeeper at a luxury resort, but just as she starts to piece together a new life, an eccentric guest turns up dead. And Julie, the last person seen in her hotel room, is the prime suspect.
The evidence is stacked against her, but even in the encroaching blizzard, Julie knows her way around these mountains. She just needs to evade the police long enough to find the truth behind the murder…and before the real killer finds her first.
Thank you to Susan Walter and Lake Union Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 8, 2024
Trigger warning: suicide, death of a spouse, infidelity
August 28, 2024
Engaging mystery!
Julie's life is turned upside-down and she has to navigate many hurdles to figure out what/why things have gone so so wrong! That is okay though because Julie is a a former Olympian. 🥇
She ends up in a fight for her life and runs someplace far far away in the middle of the night. She can't seem to escape the feeling of "someone watching" her.
Things get dicey, secrets spill, Julie will need to find out the truth before she loses her life.
I enjoyed this one and was invested in the characters and guessing what was happening. It wasn't a "I must read one more chapter" pace (for me), but I always enjoyed picking it up and following the clues. The killer was revealed pretty early (which I guessed) and that took away some of the surprise element.
Still a solid mystery with some characters to LOVE and HATE!!
Thanks to NG for my ARC! OUT Oct 8, 2024
Julie's life is turned upside-down and she has to navigate many hurdles to figure out what/why things have gone so so wrong! That is okay though because Julie is a a former Olympian. 🥇
She ends up in a fight for her life and runs someplace far far away in the middle of the night. She can't seem to escape the feeling of "someone watching" her.
Things get dicey, secrets spill, Julie will need to find out the truth before she loses her life.
I enjoyed this one and was invested in the characters and guessing what was happening. It wasn't a "I must read one more chapter" pace (for me), but I always enjoyed picking it up and following the clues. The killer was revealed pretty early (which I guessed) and that took away some of the surprise element.
Still a solid mystery with some characters to LOVE and HATE!!
Thanks to NG for my ARC! OUT Oct 8, 2024
October 15, 2024
Julie Adler is a former Canadian Olympic biathlete, who now resides in California with her husband, a successful businessman. The couple share a beautiful home, plenty of money and by all accounts, a healthy marriage.
That perfect facade is shattered though the day that Julie's husband commits suicide. Left to pick up the pieces, Julie is reeling and as it turns out, he wasn't quite as successful as he put on. Julie is left with essentially nothing.
Julie is heartbroken. She's embarrassed. She doesn't know what to do next. She can't come clean to her friends, admit they've been living a lie, so she does what many of us would do, she runs away, returning home to Canada.
Back in Banff, where she once trained for the Olympics, Julie finds work as a housekeeper at a luxury resort. Just as she starts to feel she is getting some stability, a high profile guest is discovered dead in her room; murdered.
Julie was the last person seen, via hotel cameras, exiting the guest's room. This makes her the number one suspect, but what motive could Julie possible have?
Meanwhile, Julie's Californian girlfriends miss her. They think she's gone to Canada to lick her wounds. They have no idea how dire Julie's circumstances actually are.
Wanting to support Julie, they travel to Banff and end up checking into the hotel where Julie works. They think Julie is a guest there and she doesn't correct their assumptions.
There's so much is happening with this story. It is a complete whirlwind of action and well developed characters that gripped me from the start.
I listened to the audiobook, mostly on a solo road trip, and I gotta say, that 5-hours of windshield time flew by. I was so invested in this story.
You get a few perspectives, including the local cop investigating the hotel murder, Detective Monique Montpelier, who was a nice contrast compared with Julie, Remy, the hotel manager, and Izzy, Julie's closest friend from California.
I loved all the perspectives and what they each contributed to the narrative. It was a detailed story and each perspective switch helped to put all the vast pieces into place. I felt it was very well executed by Walter.
I love stories that follow professional athletes, so loved hearing about Julie's time as a biathlete. I totally understood her reasons for returning to her old stomping grounds after her husband's death and really felt like Julie's whole background contributed so much to this story.
I also loved getting Monique's perspective. The local detective, with not a ton of murder investigation experience, being thrown into this high powered world.
It felt honest, and so captivating.
This is the first novel I have ever read from Susan Walter and I loved the way she delivered this story. It was so readable, from start to finish, pulling me in and keeping me on my toes. I loved the balance between action and mystery.
Towards the end, it got crazy. I'll admit to not being as completely wild about the way it went in the end, as compared with the build-up, but it's still a super solid 4-star action-packed Thriller that I would 100% recommend.
Particularly, with the Winter months closing in. I feel like this is the perfect cold weather Thriller. The Banff setting will transport you to that isolated ski town. Be sure to have your hot beverage at the ready.
Thank you to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This has been a standout Thriller for me in 2024. I urge y'all to check it out!
That perfect facade is shattered though the day that Julie's husband commits suicide. Left to pick up the pieces, Julie is reeling and as it turns out, he wasn't quite as successful as he put on. Julie is left with essentially nothing.
Julie is heartbroken. She's embarrassed. She doesn't know what to do next. She can't come clean to her friends, admit they've been living a lie, so she does what many of us would do, she runs away, returning home to Canada.
Back in Banff, where she once trained for the Olympics, Julie finds work as a housekeeper at a luxury resort. Just as she starts to feel she is getting some stability, a high profile guest is discovered dead in her room; murdered.
Julie was the last person seen, via hotel cameras, exiting the guest's room. This makes her the number one suspect, but what motive could Julie possible have?
Meanwhile, Julie's Californian girlfriends miss her. They think she's gone to Canada to lick her wounds. They have no idea how dire Julie's circumstances actually are.
Wanting to support Julie, they travel to Banff and end up checking into the hotel where Julie works. They think Julie is a guest there and she doesn't correct their assumptions.
There's so much is happening with this story. It is a complete whirlwind of action and well developed characters that gripped me from the start.
I listened to the audiobook, mostly on a solo road trip, and I gotta say, that 5-hours of windshield time flew by. I was so invested in this story.
You get a few perspectives, including the local cop investigating the hotel murder, Detective Monique Montpelier, who was a nice contrast compared with Julie, Remy, the hotel manager, and Izzy, Julie's closest friend from California.
I loved all the perspectives and what they each contributed to the narrative. It was a detailed story and each perspective switch helped to put all the vast pieces into place. I felt it was very well executed by Walter.
I love stories that follow professional athletes, so loved hearing about Julie's time as a biathlete. I totally understood her reasons for returning to her old stomping grounds after her husband's death and really felt like Julie's whole background contributed so much to this story.
I also loved getting Monique's perspective. The local detective, with not a ton of murder investigation experience, being thrown into this high powered world.
It felt honest, and so captivating.
This is the first novel I have ever read from Susan Walter and I loved the way she delivered this story. It was so readable, from start to finish, pulling me in and keeping me on my toes. I loved the balance between action and mystery.
Towards the end, it got crazy. I'll admit to not being as completely wild about the way it went in the end, as compared with the build-up, but it's still a super solid 4-star action-packed Thriller that I would 100% recommend.
Particularly, with the Winter months closing in. I feel like this is the perfect cold weather Thriller. The Banff setting will transport you to that isolated ski town. Be sure to have your hot beverage at the ready.
Thank you to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This has been a standout Thriller for me in 2024. I urge y'all to check it out!
October 17, 2024
3.5 rounded up
Olympic gold medal winner Julie Adler’s life is in tatters following the death of her husband Jeff in an apparent suicide. Heartbroken, grief stricken and in desperate need of employment she heads for Banff, a place which lies in her heart as it’s where she trains for her Olympic bid. Her friend Remy Delatour is manager of the Banff Springs Hotel and offers her a housekeeping job as a temporary fix for her money issues. However, Banff isn’t the safe haven she imagines it will be as her life further implodes.
I do like the way that Susan Walter writes as it’s just good storytelling, no unnecessary frills or deviations as she just gets on with the plot. Perhaps other writers would like to take a leaf out of her book!
The setting in Banff is superb, I feel the chill in more ways than one as the blizzard conditions add an extra layer of treachery and danger. The tension the author creates is palpable and it’s suspenseful throughout. As it nears the end there are numerous twists and turns.
But
There is certainly one and probably two plot features I have difficulty swallowing as it/they should have been obvious to characters from the start. It irritates me enough to rate it 3.5 but as despite this I cannot deny that it’s an entertaining and easy read so worthy of four stars overall. I will always want to see what the author comes up with next!
Kindle Unlimited
Olympic gold medal winner Julie Adler’s life is in tatters following the death of her husband Jeff in an apparent suicide. Heartbroken, grief stricken and in desperate need of employment she heads for Banff, a place which lies in her heart as it’s where she trains for her Olympic bid. Her friend Remy Delatour is manager of the Banff Springs Hotel and offers her a housekeeping job as a temporary fix for her money issues. However, Banff isn’t the safe haven she imagines it will be as her life further implodes.
I do like the way that Susan Walter writes as it’s just good storytelling, no unnecessary frills or deviations as she just gets on with the plot. Perhaps other writers would like to take a leaf out of her book!
The setting in Banff is superb, I feel the chill in more ways than one as the blizzard conditions add an extra layer of treachery and danger. The tension the author creates is palpable and it’s suspenseful throughout. As it nears the end there are numerous twists and turns.
But
There is certainly one and probably two plot features I have difficulty swallowing as it/they should have been obvious to characters from the start. It irritates me enough to rate it 3.5 but as despite this I cannot deny that it’s an entertaining and easy read so worthy of four stars overall. I will always want to see what the author comes up with next!
Kindle Unlimited
October 16, 2024
Julie Adler, a former Olympic gold medalist in the biathlon (a combination of cross country skiing and precision rifle marksmanship), now living in California, is shattered by grief when her husband commits suicide. His death reveals that their luxurious life was a house of cards, and his secret business dealings have left Julie penniless. She feels drawn to her old stomping grounds in Banff, Canada where she once trained. She obtains work as a housekeeper at a luxury resort, but when an eccentric guest turns up dead, Julie is the prime suspect.
I really loved the setting for this novel. I'm a proud Canadian, and I've been to Banff twice, most recently about 12 years ago, and the scenery and weather in that area are absolutely jaw-dropping. It's well described and provides the perfect backdrop for this novel of suspense. It's a good story, told from the points of view of various characters, but it wasn't all that difficult to determine what the outcome would be. I still enjoyed the book with its nice short chapters.
My thanks to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: October 8, 2024
A couple of quotes from the book that I really liked (and yes, they made it to the published edition):
"The Canadians were the nicest people on the planet. They were kind to foreigners, had free health care, and were quick to offer an apology, even if it wasn't their fault."
"Everyone loves a comeback. It's the place where quitting and starting meet."
I really loved the setting for this novel. I'm a proud Canadian, and I've been to Banff twice, most recently about 12 years ago, and the scenery and weather in that area are absolutely jaw-dropping. It's well described and provides the perfect backdrop for this novel of suspense. It's a good story, told from the points of view of various characters, but it wasn't all that difficult to determine what the outcome would be. I still enjoyed the book with its nice short chapters.
My thanks to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: October 8, 2024
A couple of quotes from the book that I really liked (and yes, they made it to the published edition):
"The Canadians were the nicest people on the planet. They were kind to foreigners, had free health care, and were quick to offer an apology, even if it wasn't their fault."
"Everyone loves a comeback. It's the place where quitting and starting meet."
August 15, 2024
As always @susanwalterauthor delivers yet another fantastic thriller!!! 😍 My besties 👯♀️ @thrillerbookloversthepulse are loving this book!! Thank you @susanwalterauthor @amazonpublishing for my gorgeous gifted copy !! 🥰🥰
Pub date is October 8th!! 🥳🥳
First off… @susanwalterauthor blew me away with her first book and continues to do it.. EVERY SINGLE TIME! 👏👏 She is definitely one of my very favorite authors!!
Second… this cover!! OMG the details!! ❄️ Gorgeous!! Third… listen to this..
Julie is living the good life… the best home 🏡.. trendy clothes 👠💍👜…perfect hubby.. you like how I listed off hubby last ??😂🤷♀️ Look her life was so perfect that her friends were jealous. 🤫
When her husband is found dead in their home… it’s ruled a suicide… Julie realizes… he wasn’t who he seemed. 😬 So she packs her stuff 💼 and flees to Canada. 🇨🇦 Her comfort zone. You see she is a former Olympian.. and the isolated ski 🎿 town.. is her former life… and then things got VERY interesting..😳 Girl… Step away from the leather pants.. 😂
Okay I absolutely love love love a 🥶 cold,isolated setting!!
Throw in some murder 😳… and it was the perfect combination! 👏👏 It made for a binge worthy thriller that had me guessing all the way until the very end.
Pub date is October 8th!! 🥳🥳
First off… @susanwalterauthor blew me away with her first book and continues to do it.. EVERY SINGLE TIME! 👏👏 She is definitely one of my very favorite authors!!
Second… this cover!! OMG the details!! ❄️ Gorgeous!! Third… listen to this..
Julie is living the good life… the best home 🏡.. trendy clothes 👠💍👜…perfect hubby.. you like how I listed off hubby last ??😂🤷♀️ Look her life was so perfect that her friends were jealous. 🤫
When her husband is found dead in their home… it’s ruled a suicide… Julie realizes… he wasn’t who he seemed. 😬 So she packs her stuff 💼 and flees to Canada. 🇨🇦 Her comfort zone. You see she is a former Olympian.. and the isolated ski 🎿 town.. is her former life… and then things got VERY interesting..😳 Girl… Step away from the leather pants.. 😂
Okay I absolutely love love love a 🥶 cold,isolated setting!!
Throw in some murder 😳… and it was the perfect combination! 👏👏 It made for a binge worthy thriller that had me guessing all the way until the very end.
October 6, 2024
Rating 2.5 Stars
Running Cold by Susan Walter is about a former Olympian grieving her husband's recent loss. Wanting to escape, she returns to Banff, an isolated ski town where she once trained for the Olympics. Staying at a hotel run by a friend, she soon becomes implicated in the murder of one of the eccentric guests. I enjoyed the premise of this story, the setting of Banff, Alberta, and the inclusion of Banff Springs. I became easily distracted, and the characters lacked depth. I couldn’t relate to them enough to get through, and I found them unrealistic. Some of the plot was contrived. The slow-medium pacing didn’t help; my mind wandered, and I skipped ahead, which wasn’t a good sign. Although described as a ‘heart-pounding story,’ it didn’t have that effect on me. It was a solid story but could have been executed better with a great atmosphere, especially in Banff's picturesque setting. Unfortunately, I found the murder mystery too clear, even from the beginning. Perhaps this was the intention; however, I would have enjoyed an unreliable narrator being misled and thrown off track rather than having it be the most straightforward and predictable answer. It was my first read by Susan Waters.
I paired the e-arc with the ALC for a fully immersive experience. It had an entire cast: narrators Selah Victor, Erin Moon, Jess Nahikian, and Braden Wright. I didn’t enjoy Izzy's character's narration; it was whiny.
I want to thank Lake Publishing, Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the e-ARC and ALC for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Running Cold by Susan Walter is about a former Olympian grieving her husband's recent loss. Wanting to escape, she returns to Banff, an isolated ski town where she once trained for the Olympics. Staying at a hotel run by a friend, she soon becomes implicated in the murder of one of the eccentric guests. I enjoyed the premise of this story, the setting of Banff, Alberta, and the inclusion of Banff Springs. I became easily distracted, and the characters lacked depth. I couldn’t relate to them enough to get through, and I found them unrealistic. Some of the plot was contrived. The slow-medium pacing didn’t help; my mind wandered, and I skipped ahead, which wasn’t a good sign. Although described as a ‘heart-pounding story,’ it didn’t have that effect on me. It was a solid story but could have been executed better with a great atmosphere, especially in Banff's picturesque setting. Unfortunately, I found the murder mystery too clear, even from the beginning. Perhaps this was the intention; however, I would have enjoyed an unreliable narrator being misled and thrown off track rather than having it be the most straightforward and predictable answer. It was my first read by Susan Waters.
I paired the e-arc with the ALC for a fully immersive experience. It had an entire cast: narrators Selah Victor, Erin Moon, Jess Nahikian, and Braden Wright. I didn’t enjoy Izzy's character's narration; it was whiny.
I want to thank Lake Publishing, Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the e-ARC and ALC for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
May 29, 2025
"Running Cold" was hot.
Sizzling hot.
Yes, this "There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather, Just Bad Clothing" New Englander shivered when experiencing this book's gripping and pulverizing thrills and chills.
THE STORY:
A former Canadian Olympic biathlete's life unravels after her husband allegedly commits suicide in California and leaves her in financial ruin.
After retreating to a luxury ski resort hotel in the Canadian Rockies, a guest is murdered, and the protagonist's life spins out of control.
The atmospheric frigid blizzard conditions intensified the book's palpable tension and suspense.
The book was character-driven, pacy, twisty, intricately plotted, unpredictable, and unputdownable.
I especially enjoyed the author's portrayal of the "perfect" Olympian.
In addition, I adored the LOL wit and snarky sarcasm of one of the Olympian's California friends.
I listened to the audiobook expertly narrated by Selah Victor, Erin Moon, Jess Nahikian, and Braden Wright.
When a book unfolds from multiple POVs, full-cast narrations are always a treat.
All narrators gave superb performances.
One of my besties of 2025.
All the stars!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 10, 2025
My first book of 2025 and my introduction to this author—and it was a good one!
Julie Adler, a former Olympic gold medalist, sees her once-charmed life crumble when her husband dies in an apparent suicide, only for her to discover his secret business dealings have left her penniless.
This is a well-written mystery/thriller, and the atmospheric setting of Banff was perfect for this story. As the book progressed and the tension mounted, I found myself getting stressed for Julie and how things would turn out for her. While the mystery itself wasn't difficult to figure out, I still enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. 4 stars.
Julie Adler, a former Olympic gold medalist, sees her once-charmed life crumble when her husband dies in an apparent suicide, only for her to discover his secret business dealings have left her penniless.
This is a well-written mystery/thriller, and the atmospheric setting of Banff was perfect for this story. As the book progressed and the tension mounted, I found myself getting stressed for Julie and how things would turn out for her. While the mystery itself wasn't difficult to figure out, I still enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. 4 stars.
October 9, 2026
Another win from Susan Walter! This is my third book by this author, and all three have been 4+ star reads.
This time Walter takes us from Los Angeles to Banff as Julie, a former biathlete, struggles to come to terms with her husband's sudden death. Broke and bereft, she decides to leave it all behind. But death follows her. A woman is found murdered at the Banff resort where Julie works as a housekeeper, and Julie appears to be the perpetrator.
Of course, things are not as they seem.
Told from the POV of four characters, including Julie, Julie's best friend Izzy, and Monique, a police detective with the RCMP, the story never wavers in its intensity, careening like an avalanche toward a stunning ending while exploring the themes of friendship, betrayal, and greed.
I find many FMCs unrelatable, but even though Julie made mistakes, I got her. I could see her flaws (perfectionism, inability to ask for help, emotional detachment) in myself, like a lens flipped inward.
This time Walter takes us from Los Angeles to Banff as Julie, a former biathlete, struggles to come to terms with her husband's sudden death. Broke and bereft, she decides to leave it all behind. But death follows her. A woman is found murdered at the Banff resort where Julie works as a housekeeper, and Julie appears to be the perpetrator.
Of course, things are not as they seem.
Told from the POV of four characters, including Julie, Julie's best friend Izzy, and Monique, a police detective with the RCMP, the story never wavers in its intensity, careening like an avalanche toward a stunning ending while exploring the themes of friendship, betrayal, and greed.
Cold burns like fire. Love turns to hate. Death gives life meaning as life gives death power. In their extremes, opposites merge, as if their differences are merely imagined.
I find many FMCs unrelatable, but even though Julie made mistakes, I got her. I could see her flaws (perfectionism, inability to ask for help, emotional detachment) in myself, like a lens flipped inward.
September 8, 2024
Running Cold grabbed me from the very beginning. It is so immersive it completely transported me to Banff. The setting was so amazing, it made me, a die hard summer lover, want to go to Banff and learn to ski.
I loved the multi POV writing, it was so well done. Susan Walter really allowed to get us into the characters' mind. Julie, the MC, was absolutely amazing. She was a total girl boss and I loved everything about her.
Susan Walter is truly one of my favorite writers. Her books are fast paced and addictive. This one is no exception.
I loved the multi POV writing, it was so well done. Susan Walter really allowed to get us into the characters' mind. Julie, the MC, was absolutely amazing. She was a total girl boss and I loved everything about her.
Susan Walter is truly one of my favorite writers. Her books are fast paced and addictive. This one is no exception.
October 6, 2024
3.5 Stars
Julie’s life is ripped apart in Running Cold - and her journey to save herself is chock-full of swirling secrets!
The story is told from several points of view, but because each chapter has the name of whose voice we're hearing, it's easy to follow.
Was everything that happened entirely believable? Definitely not. Did that bother me? Definitely not! Running Cold is perfect for readers who appreciate an atmospheric book filled with suspense, as well as twists and turns.
Many thanks to both #LakeUnionPublishingand #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Running Cold. This book has an expected publication date of October 8, 2024!!
Julie’s life is ripped apart in Running Cold - and her journey to save herself is chock-full of swirling secrets!
The story is told from several points of view, but because each chapter has the name of whose voice we're hearing, it's easy to follow.
Was everything that happened entirely believable? Definitely not. Did that bother me? Definitely not! Running Cold is perfect for readers who appreciate an atmospheric book filled with suspense, as well as twists and turns.
Many thanks to both #LakeUnionPublishingand #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Running Cold. This book has an expected publication date of October 8, 2024!!
January 7, 2025
4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! Why is it that I’ve only read one other Susan Walter book (Good As Dead)? You’d think with my 5 star rating on that one that I should have read all of her other books too. I need to get with the program.
Running Cold was everything you want in a thriller. Multiple POV’s (my fave), short cliffhanging chapters, lots of secrets, liars and a terrific mystery that kept me guessing! I listened to the audio and it was great! Multiple narrators, super fast paced.
You can feel the wintery atmosphere here. Perfect reading for these chilly days!
Adding Banff to my bucket list STAT! ❄️
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced copy to read and review.
Wow! Why is it that I’ve only read one other Susan Walter book (Good As Dead)? You’d think with my 5 star rating on that one that I should have read all of her other books too. I need to get with the program.
Running Cold was everything you want in a thriller. Multiple POV’s (my fave), short cliffhanging chapters, lots of secrets, liars and a terrific mystery that kept me guessing! I listened to the audio and it was great! Multiple narrators, super fast paced.
You can feel the wintery atmosphere here. Perfect reading for these chilly days!
Adding Banff to my bucket list STAT! ❄️
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced copy to read and review.
July 13, 2026
Having recently discovered Susan Walter and her writing, I chose to dive into another of her thrillers. When Julie heads out to Banff to reset, she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, where her past proves to be an essential part of the motive.
Julie Adler is a successful Olympian whose life is shattered when her husband commits suicide. Upon his death, it would seem the financial stability was a falsehood and Julie is now penniless and needing a new start. She returns to what she knew before Jeff, pleading for a job at the Banff Springs Hotel, a posh property close to Calgary. She trained for the Olympics there and is now trying to seek her ultimate restart. Working in housekeeping, she clashes only with one eccentric guest, who soon turns up murdered. Julie is the prime suspect and the evidence is piled up against her. With a blizzard rushing into the rural area, Julie will have to evade the authorities long enough to prove her innocence. Her past may be the one thing on which she cannot rely, but it is all she has. A great thriller that keeps the reader wondering as Walter delivers an impactful punch.
I love a good thriller that has evolving and moving parts. Susan Walter builds a strong narrative that is anything but clearcut. Short chapters help build a solid story whose momentum adds to the tension. Soon, the reader is fully committed, with character backstories that provide pieces for the ongoing murder investigation. There is no time to rest, with a killer in the shadows and Julie Adler trying to show her innocence.
Characters serve to set the scene in this piece as well. Julie is a strong protagonist, whose backstory and slight development are keys to learning the essentials needed to solve the case. Julie is tossed into trying to ensure people trust her husbands suicide was just as it looked, and this new murder a plot someone else concocted. The reader will want to know more about Julie, which is slowly revealed. Strong secondary characters help create a sense of tension in this mystery, from old flames to distant friends, each defining things for the attentive reader without revealing too much at once. Everyone plays a role and the pieces only link when the mystery’s answers create a stunning reveal and a killer comes to light.
Walter embeds twists and surprises inside the story from the outset. She keeps the reader hooked with multiple perspectives that add something, rather than diluting it. The foundation of this novel surrounds clarity and misunderstanding, with nothing being as it seems. The reader’s focus is all the more important to crack the case. Another great thriller that will keep the reader guessing until the final page turn, with more lingering even thereafter!
Kudos, Madam Walter, for a story somewhat local to me with all the tension I needed to devour it!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Julie Adler is a successful Olympian whose life is shattered when her husband commits suicide. Upon his death, it would seem the financial stability was a falsehood and Julie is now penniless and needing a new start. She returns to what she knew before Jeff, pleading for a job at the Banff Springs Hotel, a posh property close to Calgary. She trained for the Olympics there and is now trying to seek her ultimate restart. Working in housekeeping, she clashes only with one eccentric guest, who soon turns up murdered. Julie is the prime suspect and the evidence is piled up against her. With a blizzard rushing into the rural area, Julie will have to evade the authorities long enough to prove her innocence. Her past may be the one thing on which she cannot rely, but it is all she has. A great thriller that keeps the reader wondering as Walter delivers an impactful punch.
I love a good thriller that has evolving and moving parts. Susan Walter builds a strong narrative that is anything but clearcut. Short chapters help build a solid story whose momentum adds to the tension. Soon, the reader is fully committed, with character backstories that provide pieces for the ongoing murder investigation. There is no time to rest, with a killer in the shadows and Julie Adler trying to show her innocence.
Characters serve to set the scene in this piece as well. Julie is a strong protagonist, whose backstory and slight development are keys to learning the essentials needed to solve the case. Julie is tossed into trying to ensure people trust her husbands suicide was just as it looked, and this new murder a plot someone else concocted. The reader will want to know more about Julie, which is slowly revealed. Strong secondary characters help create a sense of tension in this mystery, from old flames to distant friends, each defining things for the attentive reader without revealing too much at once. Everyone plays a role and the pieces only link when the mystery’s answers create a stunning reveal and a killer comes to light.
Walter embeds twists and surprises inside the story from the outset. She keeps the reader hooked with multiple perspectives that add something, rather than diluting it. The foundation of this novel surrounds clarity and misunderstanding, with nothing being as it seems. The reader’s focus is all the more important to crack the case. Another great thriller that will keep the reader guessing until the final page turn, with more lingering even thereafter!
Kudos, Madam Walter, for a story somewhat local to me with all the tension I needed to devour it!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
September 30, 2024
Julie Weston Adler is quite a respected and accomplished woman. An Olympic gold medalist, she’s a biathlete; one of the best skiers and shooters in the world. When she met her technological wizard of a husband, Jeff, she left Canada and moved to be with him in Southern California. She met her best friends, Izzy, Suki and Christa, and was finally settling into this new life, when that life ended with a bang. She came home one day to find her husband dead in the bathroom, having locked himself in before shooting himself in the head.
Julie is devastated that her husband is gone, and she’s very perplexed by why he would kill himself. It’s not until she checks their bank accounts that she finds one possible reason: they had nothing left. Her husband had received $3 million in seed money for a nanotechnology project, and that along with her salary as a part-time physical therapist should have left them with plenty of money - money she now needs, as life insurance doesn’t pay out for suicides. Instead, she finds their personal and business accounts have been completely wiped out.
Not knowing what to do with herself, she heads back to Canada, where an old Olympic buddy manages a luxury resort. When she asks for a job as a housekeeper, Remi is surprised, but he is able to give her the job and lodging. It’s while working her new job that Julie meets Cici Rousseau, a wealthy woman in the middle of a divorce, who has been living in the penthouse for months. After a catty confrontation in the lobby, Cici is found dead in her room, and Julie is arrested for her murder. Then the story REALLY gets going…
This was a well-crafted mystery/thriller that didn’t get bogged down in unnecessary characters or details. The story was relatively simple, but very effective…Julie is now on the run in the Canadian wilderness. Can her training and knowledge of the mountains help her save her own life? You’ll find out in a book that was definitely a page turner, especially towards the ending, which was also simple but effective. Four stars!
(Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Susan Walter and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on October 8, 2024.)
Julie is devastated that her husband is gone, and she’s very perplexed by why he would kill himself. It’s not until she checks their bank accounts that she finds one possible reason: they had nothing left. Her husband had received $3 million in seed money for a nanotechnology project, and that along with her salary as a part-time physical therapist should have left them with plenty of money - money she now needs, as life insurance doesn’t pay out for suicides. Instead, she finds their personal and business accounts have been completely wiped out.
Not knowing what to do with herself, she heads back to Canada, where an old Olympic buddy manages a luxury resort. When she asks for a job as a housekeeper, Remi is surprised, but he is able to give her the job and lodging. It’s while working her new job that Julie meets Cici Rousseau, a wealthy woman in the middle of a divorce, who has been living in the penthouse for months. After a catty confrontation in the lobby, Cici is found dead in her room, and Julie is arrested for her murder. Then the story REALLY gets going…
This was a well-crafted mystery/thriller that didn’t get bogged down in unnecessary characters or details. The story was relatively simple, but very effective…Julie is now on the run in the Canadian wilderness. Can her training and knowledge of the mountains help her save her own life? You’ll find out in a book that was definitely a page turner, especially towards the ending, which was also simple but effective. Four stars!
(Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Susan Walter and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on October 8, 2024.)
November 8, 2024
This is the first book I’ve read by Susan Walter.
I loved it 💜‼️
It was exciting, thrilling, wonderful + more.
I didn’t want to put it down.
I’m going to try to find Susan Walter’s past novels to read. Plus, I’m definitely going to read any future books she writes.
Please see other reviews for more information on Running Cold.
I highly recommend Running Cold!
I loved it 💜‼️
It was exciting, thrilling, wonderful + more.
I didn’t want to put it down.
I’m going to try to find Susan Walter’s past novels to read. Plus, I’m definitely going to read any future books she writes.
Please see other reviews for more information on Running Cold.
I highly recommend Running Cold!
August 12, 2024
Running Cold is a read-in-one-day kind of book that pulls you in from the opening pages and won’t let go. Thrilling, fast-paced, atmospheric, and with a heroine you’ll cheer for, this story will keep you entertained until the satisfying ending. Highly recommended.
December 17, 2024
A racing pulse, wintry kind of thriller.
October 6, 2024
Bestselling author Susan Walter (a favorite author) returns following Lie By the Pool with her latest RUNNING COLD —a former Olympian escapes to the Canadian wilderness for a new start in this intense and entertaining action-packed murder mystery thriller.
About....
Julie Adler, a former Olympic gold medalist, learns her perfect life is now imperfect. Her world begins to crumble when her husband commits suicide and reveals his dark secrets. Their luxurious California life is a lie, and now she is penniless.
She leaves alone and is embarrassed to tell her close friends how she could have been so clueless. She retreats to a place she knew from the past in Banff, an isolated ski town where she once trained for the Olympics.
Her friend helps her land a housekeeping job at a luxury resort, keeping her head down until a guest winds up dead. Julie is the last person to see her alive in the hotel room. Who is setting her up and why?
In the meantime, her friends came for a surprise visit, thinking she was on vacation at this luxury resort and not working there as a housekeeper. Nothing is as it seems.
The evidence does not look good, and Julie decides to escape again until she discovers the truth about what happened. Now, out in the vast mountains with an incoming blizzard. Will the real killer find her before she has proof of what happened to clear her name?
My thoughts...
RUNNING COLD is a spellbinding, action-packed, twisty, well-written murder mystery thriller full of suspense and tension! Atmospheric and chilling, it delves into the dark secrets of the past and leads to a shocking murder.
Susan Walter is a master storyteller, and in RUNNING COLD, she draws you into Julie's world with rich detail and a stunning setting. The protagonist's fight for survival is a gripping journey that keeps readers glued to the heart-pounding narrative from the beginning to the satisfying ending. Exploring complex female friendships adds depth to the story, and I loved the short cliffhanger chapters!
I enjoyed the Epilogue, the author's notes, acknowledgments, and the background of Banff Springs Hotel and its alluring, mysterious past.
Recs...
RUNNING COLD is for fans of the author and those who enjoy books by Hannah Mary McKinnon, Robyn Harding, Wendy Walker, Kaira Rouda, and Samantha M. Bailey. If you're a fan of these authors' suspenseful and thrilling storytelling, you'll find similar elements in RUNNING COLD.
Thanks...
I want to express my sincere thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a gifted advance reading copy of RUNNING COLD for an honest opinion of this thrilling tale.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins |#JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 8, 2024
Oct 2024 Must-Read Books
Oct Newsletter
About....
Julie Adler, a former Olympic gold medalist, learns her perfect life is now imperfect. Her world begins to crumble when her husband commits suicide and reveals his dark secrets. Their luxurious California life is a lie, and now she is penniless.
She leaves alone and is embarrassed to tell her close friends how she could have been so clueless. She retreats to a place she knew from the past in Banff, an isolated ski town where she once trained for the Olympics.
Her friend helps her land a housekeeping job at a luxury resort, keeping her head down until a guest winds up dead. Julie is the last person to see her alive in the hotel room. Who is setting her up and why?
In the meantime, her friends came for a surprise visit, thinking she was on vacation at this luxury resort and not working there as a housekeeper. Nothing is as it seems.
The evidence does not look good, and Julie decides to escape again until she discovers the truth about what happened. Now, out in the vast mountains with an incoming blizzard. Will the real killer find her before she has proof of what happened to clear her name?
My thoughts...
RUNNING COLD is a spellbinding, action-packed, twisty, well-written murder mystery thriller full of suspense and tension! Atmospheric and chilling, it delves into the dark secrets of the past and leads to a shocking murder.
Susan Walter is a master storyteller, and in RUNNING COLD, she draws you into Julie's world with rich detail and a stunning setting. The protagonist's fight for survival is a gripping journey that keeps readers glued to the heart-pounding narrative from the beginning to the satisfying ending. Exploring complex female friendships adds depth to the story, and I loved the short cliffhanger chapters!
I enjoyed the Epilogue, the author's notes, acknowledgments, and the background of Banff Springs Hotel and its alluring, mysterious past.
Recs...
RUNNING COLD is for fans of the author and those who enjoy books by Hannah Mary McKinnon, Robyn Harding, Wendy Walker, Kaira Rouda, and Samantha M. Bailey. If you're a fan of these authors' suspenseful and thrilling storytelling, you'll find similar elements in RUNNING COLD.
Thanks...
I want to express my sincere thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a gifted advance reading copy of RUNNING COLD for an honest opinion of this thrilling tale.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins |#JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 8, 2024
Oct 2024 Must-Read Books
Oct Newsletter
June 6, 2024
After Julie loses her husband to suicide, she realizes that he has drained their accounts. She had no clue they their finances were null.
She ends up back int eh town of Banff, were she trained in the Olympics. She has left her posh lifestyle in California and needs a fresh start.
She ends up getting a job as a housekeeper and a resort. One of the guests turns up dead and Julie becomes the suspect. Her past and present collide. Will she find out what truly happened?
Another chilling novel by Walter. This engaging novel had me glued to the page’s way too late.
She is now an auto-buy for me. Thank you Thriller Book Lovers-The Pulse and author Walter for the gifted e-copy.
She ends up back int eh town of Banff, were she trained in the Olympics. She has left her posh lifestyle in California and needs a fresh start.
She ends up getting a job as a housekeeper and a resort. One of the guests turns up dead and Julie becomes the suspect. Her past and present collide. Will she find out what truly happened?
Another chilling novel by Walter. This engaging novel had me glued to the page’s way too late.
She is now an auto-buy for me. Thank you Thriller Book Lovers-The Pulse and author Walter for the gifted e-copy.
July 1, 2024
3.5 rounded up
Julie is a former Olympic gold medalist who goes on a search for answers after her husband’s suicide. Her quest for answers soon turns into a fight for her freedom, and her life. One death, two deaths, three deaths….why are these people dying? Who is going after them?
Although imperfect, I found it super easy to root her Julie, and the detective on the case. They are both strong female leads that know how to kick some ass. I enjoyed both of their POV’s! This is a book you could read in one day, and if you want to know more about skiing, this book is full of info! Susan does a great job describing the scenes so it is easy to visualize!
Julie is a former Olympic gold medalist who goes on a search for answers after her husband’s suicide. Her quest for answers soon turns into a fight for her freedom, and her life. One death, two deaths, three deaths….why are these people dying? Who is going after them?
Although imperfect, I found it super easy to root her Julie, and the detective on the case. They are both strong female leads that know how to kick some ass. I enjoyed both of their POV’s! This is a book you could read in one day, and if you want to know more about skiing, this book is full of info! Susan does a great job describing the scenes so it is easy to visualize!
June 5, 2024
Running Cold starts with a memorable protagonist: a former Olympian put to the ultimate test in the wake of her husband's death. What begins as a fight for answers turns into a fight for survival -- but through it all, she's tough as nails, easy to believe in, and fun to cheer for. Susan Walter delivers a satisfying race to the finish.
January 6, 2025
Short chapters, fast paced, and a frigid atmosphere setting featuring a blizzard at a ski resort - the perfect book for these long, cold days of January.
Also, I now want to go skiing in Banff!
Also, I now want to go skiing in Banff!
September 24, 2024
(( audiobook ))
Julie Adler is a former Olympic biathlete (skiing + target shooting) living in California. When her life is thrown into turmoil after her husband dies by suicide and she finds out she has no money, she returns to Canada and gets a job from an old friend, working as a maid in a picturesque Banff ski resort. When a hotel guest turns up dead, everyone suspects Julie, and she has to stay ahead of the police (and the real killer) to clear her name.
This was a fun one! Fast-paced, super cool setting, and a unique main character! The early reveal of the killer wasn't my favorite while I was reading, but the more I've thought about it, getting that business out of the way (because it was honestly pretty clear who it was going to be) and focusing instead on the action (and wondering when Julie would wise up to what was going on) led to some harrowing moments! Julie was an interesting, intense character -- love that her Olympic training is what got her through the roughest moments -- so few people could do what she did, that it made it all the more impressive. I did have a few flashbacks to watching the Tori Spelling movie, Alibi, but in an "I love this and I wish I had some popcorn" way.
Overall, this was an engaging, fast-paced thriller in a killer setting. It *almost* makes me want to ski!
(3.5 rounded up)
* Thanks to Brilliance Audio & Amazon Publishing for the ALC. Running Cold publishes October 8.
#thrillerbooklovers #thepulse
Julie Adler is a former Olympic biathlete (skiing + target shooting) living in California. When her life is thrown into turmoil after her husband dies by suicide and she finds out she has no money, she returns to Canada and gets a job from an old friend, working as a maid in a picturesque Banff ski resort. When a hotel guest turns up dead, everyone suspects Julie, and she has to stay ahead of the police (and the real killer) to clear her name.
This was a fun one! Fast-paced, super cool setting, and a unique main character! The early reveal of the killer wasn't my favorite while I was reading, but the more I've thought about it, getting that business out of the way (because it was honestly pretty clear who it was going to be) and focusing instead on the action (and wondering when Julie would wise up to what was going on) led to some harrowing moments! Julie was an interesting, intense character -- love that her Olympic training is what got her through the roughest moments -- so few people could do what she did, that it made it all the more impressive. I did have a few flashbacks to watching the Tori Spelling movie, Alibi, but in an "I love this and I wish I had some popcorn" way.
Overall, this was an engaging, fast-paced thriller in a killer setting. It *almost* makes me want to ski!
(3.5 rounded up)
* Thanks to Brilliance Audio & Amazon Publishing for the ALC. Running Cold publishes October 8.
#thrillerbooklovers #thepulse
October 8, 2024
A twisty, multiple POV, domestic thriller slash murder mystery that has tons of Desperate Housewives/Real Housewives vibes and sees Julie, a former Canadian biathlon Olympic gold medalist finding her husband dead after an apparent suicide and discovering she's now completely broke.
With no money and nowhere to go, she drives back to Banff and begs for a job from a former ski friend turned hotel owner, Remi. Unbeknownst to her, some of her fellow California socialite friends follow her and they find themselves all wrapped up in a murder mystery where Julie is the prime suspect.
Full of action, secrets, affairs and multiple suspects, this story kept me on the edge of my toes and was also great on audio narrated by a full cast. This was my first book by Susan Walter and I really enjoyed it! Highly recommended for fans of books like Breathless by Amy McCulloch. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
With no money and nowhere to go, she drives back to Banff and begs for a job from a former ski friend turned hotel owner, Remi. Unbeknownst to her, some of her fellow California socialite friends follow her and they find themselves all wrapped up in a murder mystery where Julie is the prime suspect.
Full of action, secrets, affairs and multiple suspects, this story kept me on the edge of my toes and was also great on audio narrated by a full cast. This was my first book by Susan Walter and I really enjoyed it! Highly recommended for fans of books like Breathless by Amy McCulloch. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
September 15, 2024
Running Cold by Susan Walter. Thanks to @amazonpub for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Julie Adler escapes to her old stomping grounds, an isolated ski resort, after her husband unalives himself. She works as a maid and tries to piece her new life together when an eccentric guest is found murdered and Julie is the prime suspect.
Atmosphere was big in this story. You can really feel the cold and environment that adds to the suspense and fear. I figured out the mystery early on, so didn’t get a big reveal. I think I may be at my limit with murders at hotels and resorts, that specially involve maids. Unfortunately I wasn’t as enthralled by this one as other readers, but I’ve enjoyed other books by the author so I will still try her next one.
“Hell is supposed to be all fire and hot lava,
But you don’t know hell until you’ve been as cold as me.”
Running Cold comes out 10/8
Julie Adler escapes to her old stomping grounds, an isolated ski resort, after her husband unalives himself. She works as a maid and tries to piece her new life together when an eccentric guest is found murdered and Julie is the prime suspect.
Atmosphere was big in this story. You can really feel the cold and environment that adds to the suspense and fear. I figured out the mystery early on, so didn’t get a big reveal. I think I may be at my limit with murders at hotels and resorts, that specially involve maids. Unfortunately I wasn’t as enthralled by this one as other readers, but I’ve enjoyed other books by the author so I will still try her next one.
“Hell is supposed to be all fire and hot lava,
But you don’t know hell until you’ve been as cold as me.”
Running Cold comes out 10/8
July 8, 2024
Former Olympic biathlete Julie Weston Adler made a huge sacrifice when she left her sport for love, so when she finds her husband dead and learns their savings have vanished, there’s only one place to go: home. But back in Banff, Canada, where Julie secures a housekeeping job thanks to an old friend, a hotel guest she locks horns with is murdered and her problems snowball.
This captivating thriller is packed with both action and compelling female characters whose complex relationships will appeal to fans of great psychological suspense. Settle in for a murder mystery/thriller mashup you won’t want to put down.
This captivating thriller is packed with both action and compelling female characters whose complex relationships will appeal to fans of great psychological suspense. Settle in for a murder mystery/thriller mashup you won’t want to put down.
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