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DI Barton #4
The Cold Killer
It's hard to live when you deserve to die…
When a tired old inmate is found dead in his cell, the prison is obligated to investigate and so DI Barton attends. The men he interviews have been convicted of some of the worst things a human being can do, but it appears likely that the death was due to natural causes.
When the house of the dead man is burgled and that crime is followed by a suspicious fire, Barton desperately needs to speak to his widow, but she’s nowhere to be found.
In the space of twenty-four hours, everyone he wants to talk to has vanished. Then he receives some post which makes him believe he could be the next to disappear.
In just a few days, Barton’s investigation goes full circle, through a series of brutal murders, back to the prison. There’s a shocking development which even he could never have imagined, and all signs are pointing to the fact that he’s made a terrible mistake.
There’s a violent killer on the loose, who wants everyone to learn that it’s hard to live when you deserve to die.
When a tired old inmate is found dead in his cell, the prison is obligated to investigate and so DI Barton attends. The men he interviews have been convicted of some of the worst things a human being can do, but it appears likely that the death was due to natural causes.
When the house of the dead man is burgled and that crime is followed by a suspicious fire, Barton desperately needs to speak to his widow, but she’s nowhere to be found.
In the space of twenty-four hours, everyone he wants to talk to has vanished. Then he receives some post which makes him believe he could be the next to disappear.
In just a few days, Barton’s investigation goes full circle, through a series of brutal murders, back to the prison. There’s a shocking development which even he could never have imagined, and all signs are pointing to the fact that he’s made a terrible mistake.
There’s a violent killer on the loose, who wants everyone to learn that it’s hard to live when you deserve to die.
Hardcover
First published November 25, 2021
290 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
Ross Greenwood
43 books559 followersI was born in 1973 in Peterborough and lived there until I was 20, attending The King's School in the city. I then began a rather nomadic existence, living and working all over the country and various parts of the world.
I found myself returning to Peterborough many times over the years, usually when things had gone wrong. It was on one of these occasions that I met my partner about 100 metres from my back door whilst walking a dog. Two children swiftly followed. I'm still a little stunned by the pace of it now.
Fifty Years of Fear book was started a long time ago but parenthood and then after working in sales management all my life, i randomly spent four years as a prison officer. Ironically it was the four a.m. feed which gave me the opportunity to finish the book as unable to get back to sleep I completed it in the early morning hours.
I've now written five further books. My second book, The Boy Inside, was picked up by a publisher, and Lazy Blood is also out. All my books are thought provoking, and told with a sense of humour. Reading the reviews has been great.
The first three books are stand alone, however, some of the characters cross over, and you can see how at times, their lives overlap.
Abel's Revenge is something a bit different. It's a modern day love story set against the backdrop of an escalating serial killer. There's a whodunnit element to it, and some smiles along the way.
Shadows of Regret was inspired by my time on the women's side of the jail in Peterborough, and analyses the close relationship between victim and villain. You won't have read a book like it.
I hope you enjoy reading them.
Please feel free to get in touch.
https://www.facebook.com/RossGreenwoo...
I found myself returning to Peterborough many times over the years, usually when things had gone wrong. It was on one of these occasions that I met my partner about 100 metres from my back door whilst walking a dog. Two children swiftly followed. I'm still a little stunned by the pace of it now.
Fifty Years of Fear book was started a long time ago but parenthood and then after working in sales management all my life, i randomly spent four years as a prison officer. Ironically it was the four a.m. feed which gave me the opportunity to finish the book as unable to get back to sleep I completed it in the early morning hours.
I've now written five further books. My second book, The Boy Inside, was picked up by a publisher, and Lazy Blood is also out. All my books are thought provoking, and told with a sense of humour. Reading the reviews has been great.
The first three books are stand alone, however, some of the characters cross over, and you can see how at times, their lives overlap.
Abel's Revenge is something a bit different. It's a modern day love story set against the backdrop of an escalating serial killer. There's a whodunnit element to it, and some smiles along the way.
Shadows of Regret was inspired by my time on the women's side of the jail in Peterborough, and analyses the close relationship between victim and villain. You won't have read a book like it.
I hope you enjoy reading them.
Please feel free to get in touch.
https://www.facebook.com/RossGreenwoo...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
February 2, 2022
Ross Greenwood is back with another captivating crime thriller that is sure to keep the reader thinking. DI Barton is ready for another unique adventure that is sure to cause issues for many, as an elusive killer is exacting a sick form of revenge. When a older prisoner is found dead in his cell, some question if it was murder, while others suspect it might have been old age. As officials begin poking around, DI Barton is called in to assist with the investigation. Things take an odd turn when the prisoner’s family home is burgled and others are hurt. Could there be a connection and if so, what is it? DI Barton will have to use all of his resources to put the pieces together and find justice that has been years in the making. Greenwood does well keeping the series going with another great novel.
The death of an older inmate at the local prison forces officials to open an investigation. Might it have been a hit of some sort, or could this simply be old age? DI Barton is called to attend the investigation and give his own perspective on what’s taking place. Barton undertakes interviewing some of the other prisoners, all of whom have long histories of child abuse. Weighing all the evidence, Barton is fairly certain that it was natural causes that brought things to an end, rather than some revenge for hurting a child.
As DI Barton continues tying up loose ends with regards to the investigation, he learns that the prisoner’s house is burgled and the widow nowhere to be found. This raises some alarms for Barton, who needs to speak with her. After a suspicious fire takes down another witness, Barton is beginning to worry that the investigation might be more complicated than first suspected.
Soon, everyone Barton hopes to interview has either gone missing or turned up dead. Might there be a killer on the loose, trying to mute a collection of people who hold a secret? As Barton rushes for answers, he discovers that he’s hot on the trail of a killer with a grudge. Tracing it all back to the prison, Barton may have found the motive, but the killer remains elusive and things are only getting more dangerous, but eerily intense. Greenwood pens another winner with this piece, sure to impress fans of the series.
I stumbled upon this series by Ross Greenwood in its infancy and have not been able to stop reading them whenever a new book is published. He finds new and exciting ways to tell a police procedural in smaller tower England, keeping the reader on the edge of their seats throughout the piece. There is something to be said for this type of novel, where a serial killer and the police are eyeing one another on opposite sides of the narrative. As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed where things went and how Ross Greenwood was able to transport the reader there.
DI Barton has grown on me throughout the series, leaving me feeling a strong connection to him throughout the series. There were some personal hurdles that had to be overcome and that contrasted nicely with the intense case management throughout the story. Barton has suffered a great deal and uses his personal issues to fuel a passion to solve crimes. There is still a great deal left to explore with Barton, which I hope takes place over the coming few novels.
Ross Greenwood has always been able to cobble together a great deal of intriguing ideas in a short period of time, leaving the reader feeling highly entertained. This piece was no exception, as the story flowed well and kept my attention throughout. The narrative clipped along and told the story of two men, in a form of cat and mouse game, while always revealing a little more about the larger story. There were a number of strong secondary characters who supported Barton and the Cold Killer well, using their uniqueness to contrast with the preponderance of cop and robber that the story begged to highlight. Plot lines worked well and kept me guessing, while I was eager to delve deeper during my reading experience. I am eager to see what else Greenwood has for readers, particularly with this series. There’s still so much to learn.
Kudos, Mr. Greenwood, for a great addition to the series. I am eager to read more, when time permits.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
November 12, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼ (4.25/5 stars) — DI Barton returns to face a new killer, with all the old familiarity & some new twists to help impose a new energy…
Having reviewed The Snow Killer, The Soul Killer, and The Ice Killer previously, I approached The Cold Killer with the comforting sense of returning to familiar ground — that blend of steady, humane police procedural and the dark undercurrents of British crime that Ross Greenwood writes so well. What’s particularly pleasing about this latest entry is how it feels closest in spirit and sharpness to the original Snow Killer — taut, grounded, and somehow fresher, as though Greenwood himself has taken a long, steady breath and returned to the essence of what made the first novel sing.
DI Barton remains the series’ anchor — the everyman detective whose calm humanity sets him apart from the usual brooding or damaged tropes of the genre. There’s something quietly compelling about his presence; he doesn’t shout, posture, or grandstand, but he listens — to his team, to his instincts, to the fractured humanity around him. It’s that listening that continues to make him one of the more relatable and believable leads in modern crime fiction.
Greenwood’s gift, as I’ve said before, lies not only in his procedural pacing but in the way he humanises everyone — the victims, the detectives, even the killers. In The Cold Killer, that balance between empathy and unease is particularly well executed. The killer’s perspective — always one of Greenwood’s trademarks — is once again fleshed out with nuance and texture, avoiding caricature in favour of psychological truth. It’s not about shock, but understanding.
Stylistically, this novel has that familiar Ross Greenwood rhythm: brisk, dialogue-driven, laced with warmth and just enough dread to keep you turning the pages well past midnight. The supporting cast continues to evolve organically, each book layering new shades of loyalty, fatigue, and moral greyness.
If I had one minor reservation, it’s that the plot resolution, while satisfying, comes together a touch too tidily compared to the almost haunting ambiguity of The Snow Killer. But that’s a small quibble in what feels like a confident, rejuvenated chapter in the Barton series.
After the solid but slightly uneven Ice Killer, The Cold Killer reaffirms why I keep coming back to Greenwood’s world: believable policing, human storytelling, and the sense that even in the darkest corners, decency and empathy still matter.
A chillingly compassionate return to form — and one of Barton’s best outings since the very beginning. A late shout for the ever reliable David Thorpe who’s narration in the series feels as important as anything, making this series such a way choice for my daily commute listens.
Having reviewed The Snow Killer, The Soul Killer, and The Ice Killer previously, I approached The Cold Killer with the comforting sense of returning to familiar ground — that blend of steady, humane police procedural and the dark undercurrents of British crime that Ross Greenwood writes so well. What’s particularly pleasing about this latest entry is how it feels closest in spirit and sharpness to the original Snow Killer — taut, grounded, and somehow fresher, as though Greenwood himself has taken a long, steady breath and returned to the essence of what made the first novel sing.
DI Barton remains the series’ anchor — the everyman detective whose calm humanity sets him apart from the usual brooding or damaged tropes of the genre. There’s something quietly compelling about his presence; he doesn’t shout, posture, or grandstand, but he listens — to his team, to his instincts, to the fractured humanity around him. It’s that listening that continues to make him one of the more relatable and believable leads in modern crime fiction.
Greenwood’s gift, as I’ve said before, lies not only in his procedural pacing but in the way he humanises everyone — the victims, the detectives, even the killers. In The Cold Killer, that balance between empathy and unease is particularly well executed. The killer’s perspective — always one of Greenwood’s trademarks — is once again fleshed out with nuance and texture, avoiding caricature in favour of psychological truth. It’s not about shock, but understanding.
Stylistically, this novel has that familiar Ross Greenwood rhythm: brisk, dialogue-driven, laced with warmth and just enough dread to keep you turning the pages well past midnight. The supporting cast continues to evolve organically, each book layering new shades of loyalty, fatigue, and moral greyness.
If I had one minor reservation, it’s that the plot resolution, while satisfying, comes together a touch too tidily compared to the almost haunting ambiguity of The Snow Killer. But that’s a small quibble in what feels like a confident, rejuvenated chapter in the Barton series.
After the solid but slightly uneven Ice Killer, The Cold Killer reaffirms why I keep coming back to Greenwood’s world: believable policing, human storytelling, and the sense that even in the darkest corners, decency and empathy still matter.
A chillingly compassionate return to form — and one of Barton’s best outings since the very beginning. A late shout for the ever reliable David Thorpe who’s narration in the series feels as important as anything, making this series such a way choice for my daily commute listens.
November 21, 2021
THE COLD KILLER is the fourth book in a British Crime Thriller Series by Ross Greenwood featuring Detective Inspector John Barton. Having read and enjoyed the previous three books in the series, I was anxious to start this one. I can now see that it will be well received and appeal to a wide audience, as it combines many different genres. This novel can be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend reading the novels in sequence, as this book picks up from the last book.
Novels in this DI Barton Series Include:
The Snow Killer (Book 1)
The Soul Killer (Book 2)
The Ice Killer (Book 3)
The Cold Killer (Book 4)
The Cold Killer is mostly set in the Peterborough prison, a setting that the author knows very well, as he previously worked as a prison officer. Here the author allows the reader to be immersed in prison life as he knows it, which gives a greater depth to the story.
When an old inmate, a sex offender is found dead in his cell, DI John Barton and his colleague DS Shawn Zander are requested to attend to the scene. But was this just old age or murder? The men he interviews have been convicted of some of the worst things a human being can do, but it appears likely that the death was due to natural causes. He investigates the six men due to leave the sex offenders wing of the prison. They are all violent.
Once again Barton and his team are thrown into a very complex case, bodies begin to pile up. Barton is tasked with finding the killer.
When the house of the dead man is burgled followed by a suspicious fire, Barton urgently needs to speak to his widow, but she’s nowhere to be found.
Everyone Barton wants to talk to has vanished…and he could be the next to disappear.
There’s a violent killer on the loose, who wants everyone to learn that some people deserve to die.
This fast-paced complex novel has plenty of twists and turns, and totally gripping. I liked that the author was able to balance the violence with no pedophilic graphic sexual scenes with Barton's warm character and humor.
Many thanks to the author, and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
Novels in this DI Barton Series Include:
The Snow Killer (Book 1)
The Soul Killer (Book 2)
The Ice Killer (Book 3)
The Cold Killer (Book 4)
The Cold Killer is mostly set in the Peterborough prison, a setting that the author knows very well, as he previously worked as a prison officer. Here the author allows the reader to be immersed in prison life as he knows it, which gives a greater depth to the story.
When an old inmate, a sex offender is found dead in his cell, DI John Barton and his colleague DS Shawn Zander are requested to attend to the scene. But was this just old age or murder? The men he interviews have been convicted of some of the worst things a human being can do, but it appears likely that the death was due to natural causes. He investigates the six men due to leave the sex offenders wing of the prison. They are all violent.
Once again Barton and his team are thrown into a very complex case, bodies begin to pile up. Barton is tasked with finding the killer.
When the house of the dead man is burgled followed by a suspicious fire, Barton urgently needs to speak to his widow, but she’s nowhere to be found.
Everyone Barton wants to talk to has vanished…and he could be the next to disappear.
There’s a violent killer on the loose, who wants everyone to learn that some people deserve to die.
This fast-paced complex novel has plenty of twists and turns, and totally gripping. I liked that the author was able to balance the violence with no pedophilic graphic sexual scenes with Barton's warm character and humor.
Many thanks to the author, and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
December 4, 2021
Favorite Quotes:
‘How’s your wife?’ Mortis’s wife had just got over a cancer scare… ‘She’s great. Demands sex every day.’ ‘Nice. With anyone we know?’ asked Zander.
‘Yes, I killed that dirty old man. He was rude to me.’ ‘How did you kill him?’ ‘Prison beans give me deadly farts. I straddled him and gave him a full load.’ Barton heard a brief titter come from Strange before she nipped it in the bud. ‘Will you admit to that in a court of law?’ asked Barton. ‘I’m prepared to demonstrate how I did it.’ ‘We'll be in touch.’ ‘I could show you now.’ ‘Out!’
‘I’ve got an itch in my head about her.’ ‘That’s probably just the hamster on the wheel in there needing some more cheese.’
My brain isn’t happy with how this fits together. It’s as though I have a finished jigsaw puzzle, but a few of the pieces are in the wrong place.
My Review:
My introduction to the ingenious scribblings of Ross Greenwood may seem backward as I picked up the fourth book rather than starting at the beginning with book number one. While I have every intention of reading every well-chosen word this clever wordsmith has and well ever pen, I didn’t need to start at the beginning as this compelling story was excellently crafted. The engaging storylines and descriptive narratives were gripping and perceptively fashioned with the strength of a kickboxer’s legs and more than capable to stand alone with occasional mentions of the previous cases that made up the earlier installments. I am rubbing my hands together in glee as I anticipate reading each and every one of them.
‘How’s your wife?’ Mortis’s wife had just got over a cancer scare… ‘She’s great. Demands sex every day.’ ‘Nice. With anyone we know?’ asked Zander.
‘Yes, I killed that dirty old man. He was rude to me.’ ‘How did you kill him?’ ‘Prison beans give me deadly farts. I straddled him and gave him a full load.’ Barton heard a brief titter come from Strange before she nipped it in the bud. ‘Will you admit to that in a court of law?’ asked Barton. ‘I’m prepared to demonstrate how I did it.’ ‘We'll be in touch.’ ‘I could show you now.’ ‘Out!’
‘I’ve got an itch in my head about her.’ ‘That’s probably just the hamster on the wheel in there needing some more cheese.’
My brain isn’t happy with how this fits together. It’s as though I have a finished jigsaw puzzle, but a few of the pieces are in the wrong place.
My Review:
My introduction to the ingenious scribblings of Ross Greenwood may seem backward as I picked up the fourth book rather than starting at the beginning with book number one. While I have every intention of reading every well-chosen word this clever wordsmith has and well ever pen, I didn’t need to start at the beginning as this compelling story was excellently crafted. The engaging storylines and descriptive narratives were gripping and perceptively fashioned with the strength of a kickboxer’s legs and more than capable to stand alone with occasional mentions of the previous cases that made up the earlier installments. I am rubbing my hands together in glee as I anticipate reading each and every one of them.
October 26, 2021
Nothing starts a book off right like having someone getting their arm chainsawed off by a career criminal. Amazingly enough, it turns out to be self-defense.
That pulls us into the story. But it is not quick to action, at least for DI Barton. Instead, we pop into the POV of a prisoner, and how he has always been top dog in prison, but he's older now, slower, and can't take down the prisoners who attack him in his cell (which he shares with the career criminal's son). This takes up a good part of the beginning, since this is where the prisoner is getting to the area of the prison where the child molesters are. There, he discovers that the father of his best friend is in the same block. His best friend committed suicide in front of this prisoner and the career criminal above, as his father had moved on from abusing him to abusing his younger brother. He figures justice needs a little help, since the man was going to be released soon (as were a few others on the block, including the POV prisoner) so he smothers the old man in his cell.
Now Barton makes an appearance, as any unexplained death in the prison has to be investigated. From the looks of it, it's just old age. Barton and one of his team members, Strange, interview the 60 or so inmates on the block, looking for a possible killer. They're all creepy in their own way, but none seem like killers. The autopsy reveals some things that may be consistent with suffocation, but then again, may not be. Result: inconclusive, leaving Barton to figure it out.
Then one of the released pedophiles is found dead, and Barton believes it's all connected, so his team starts digging. Are they being targeted? If so, by whom,and why, other than they're all scumbag deviants?
It's a good investigation, and flows along smoothly, with occasional scenes from Barton's home. His mother has dementia, with moments of clarity, but he and his wife and kids are happy to be able to spend whatever time she has left with her.
As the story moves toward its end, the bodies are piling up, and strangely, the prisoner who killed the old man in prison turns out to be a bit of a sympathetic character. the pedophiles, not so much.
There aren't any real draggy parts in the middle/guts of the investigation. I've not read any other books in the series, and that made keeping track of all the people on Barton's team a little difficult. Additionally, they have a shared history that would have been helpful to know about before going into this book, but it can be read as a standalone.
Generally, I'm not a fan of mysteries where there aren't enough clues for the reader to determine who the murderer is, but the mystery is so complex here, and the story well told, so that issue is offset for me.
Four and a half stars out of five, rounded up to five.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the reading copy.
That pulls us into the story. But it is not quick to action, at least for DI Barton. Instead, we pop into the POV of a prisoner, and how he has always been top dog in prison, but he's older now, slower, and can't take down the prisoners who attack him in his cell (which he shares with the career criminal's son). This takes up a good part of the beginning, since this is where the prisoner is getting to the area of the prison where the child molesters are. There, he discovers that the father of his best friend is in the same block. His best friend committed suicide in front of this prisoner and the career criminal above, as his father had moved on from abusing him to abusing his younger brother. He figures justice needs a little help, since the man was going to be released soon (as were a few others on the block, including the POV prisoner) so he smothers the old man in his cell.
Now Barton makes an appearance, as any unexplained death in the prison has to be investigated. From the looks of it, it's just old age. Barton and one of his team members, Strange, interview the 60 or so inmates on the block, looking for a possible killer. They're all creepy in their own way, but none seem like killers. The autopsy reveals some things that may be consistent with suffocation, but then again, may not be. Result: inconclusive, leaving Barton to figure it out.
Then one of the released pedophiles is found dead, and Barton believes it's all connected, so his team starts digging. Are they being targeted? If so, by whom,and why, other than they're all scumbag deviants?
It's a good investigation, and flows along smoothly, with occasional scenes from Barton's home. His mother has dementia, with moments of clarity, but he and his wife and kids are happy to be able to spend whatever time she has left with her.
As the story moves toward its end, the bodies are piling up, and strangely, the prisoner who killed the old man in prison turns out to be a bit of a sympathetic character. the pedophiles, not so much.
There aren't any real draggy parts in the middle/guts of the investigation. I've not read any other books in the series, and that made keeping track of all the people on Barton's team a little difficult. Additionally, they have a shared history that would have been helpful to know about before going into this book, but it can be read as a standalone.
Generally, I'm not a fan of mysteries where there aren't enough clues for the reader to determine who the murderer is, but the mystery is so complex here, and the story well told, so that issue is offset for me.
Four and a half stars out of five, rounded up to five.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the reading copy.
November 14, 2021
I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review. I devoured it!
I haven’t read any of the three previous books featuring DI Barton, but I didn’t feel I had missed out on any backstory.
I loved the pace of this book with its short intense chapters. Ross Greenwood took me on a literary journey full of twists and turns, where past injustices are dealt with by illegal justice. With his engaging style, I wanted (some of) the bad guys to win.
I felt very sorry for a couple of people; wondering how different their lives might have been… one if he’d told who gave him the knife and the second if his adopted parents had been open from the first about his parents being alive… I’ll never know unless Ross decides to write about it.
Cant wait to read more from the pen of Ross Greenwood.
I haven’t read any of the three previous books featuring DI Barton, but I didn’t feel I had missed out on any backstory.
I loved the pace of this book with its short intense chapters. Ross Greenwood took me on a literary journey full of twists and turns, where past injustices are dealt with by illegal justice. With his engaging style, I wanted (some of) the bad guys to win.
I felt very sorry for a couple of people; wondering how different their lives might have been… one if he’d told who gave him the knife and the second if his adopted parents had been open from the first about his parents being alive… I’ll never know unless Ross decides to write about it.
Cant wait to read more from the pen of Ross Greenwood.
April 30, 2023
Absolutely love this series. Really well written and character development. I love all the characters this the DI Barton series. What I love about Ross Greenwood is he shows both sides of the story in equal amounts. The viewpoint of the killer and the police. All killing is bad, but sometimes you sympathize with the killer. There is always a reason why people do they things they do. We are all products of our environment, and that is a powerful statement.
April 23, 2022
4.5 Stars
This is number 4 in one of my favourite crime/police procedural/mystery series. I particularly like that you get alternating POV's from DI Barton and the Cold Killer.
It's set in Peterborough, England and it feels very homely to me with a bit of family drama thrown in; although I should point out that it does contain violence & is gruesome in places (but fleetingly imo).
This is number 4 in one of my favourite crime/police procedural/mystery series. I particularly like that you get alternating POV's from DI Barton and the Cold Killer.
It's set in Peterborough, England and it feels very homely to me with a bit of family drama thrown in; although I should point out that it does contain violence & is gruesome in places (but fleetingly imo).
April 9, 2022
I did not know this is book 4, I read the Snow Killer last year and I thought that was Book 1.
Good, I have three more books in the DI Barton series.
This books was really good, a unique approach to the "twist" everyone knows there was a twist coming, but how would Greenwood pull it off?
Again, as is my wont, no plot stuff, just read the book, and thank me later.
Good, I have three more books in the DI Barton series.
This books was really good, a unique approach to the "twist" everyone knows there was a twist coming, but how would Greenwood pull it off?
Again, as is my wont, no plot stuff, just read the book, and thank me later.
January 13, 2024
Another great DI Barton novel. He's probably one of my favourite fictional detectives as he's not a stereotype and as such, makes him and the stories more realistic. Definitely a series I'd recommend.
November 29, 2021
The Cold Killer is the fourth book in the DI Barton Detective Series.
This is a really gritty crime thriller, that was fast paced and gripping from the start. I especially liked how the chapters alternated between Barton and the “Cold Killer” who initially you were not sure who that actually was.
The story and theming was really was quite sad, especially the scenes from Barton’s private life with his Mum’s battle with Dementia which really hit home for me.
I liked how Jim Dalton from Prisoner was mentioned during a scene in HMP Peterborough, which wasn’t part of this series but a book I throughly enjoyed.
I highly recommend this book, Ross Greenwood writes in such a way that the books are easy to read and I look forward to more from this series.
This is a really gritty crime thriller, that was fast paced and gripping from the start. I especially liked how the chapters alternated between Barton and the “Cold Killer” who initially you were not sure who that actually was.
The story and theming was really was quite sad, especially the scenes from Barton’s private life with his Mum’s battle with Dementia which really hit home for me.
I liked how Jim Dalton from Prisoner was mentioned during a scene in HMP Peterborough, which wasn’t part of this series but a book I throughly enjoyed.
I highly recommend this book, Ross Greenwood writes in such a way that the books are easy to read and I look forward to more from this series.
December 16, 2021
Fantastic read. Highly recommended.
November 9, 2021
I was lucky to get an ARC of this. It's the first book I've read by Ross and I devoured it so it won't be the last.
I enjoyed the buzz and interaction that existed between the investigating team and the weaving of Barton's home life into the story to give us a deeper understanding of him. I thought the description of the prisoners cell by cell following the sudden death of an inmate was fantastic and showed what a wide variety of characters we were likely to encounter. Some compliant, most not! Greenwood has created a tough detective with a good soul. I warmed to Logan as a character too.
Just a couple of quotes I highlighted:-
'There is comfort in familiarity. On the outside, I feel compelled to live, whereas here I'm only expected to survive.'
'There comes a moment in your life when the choices or mistakes you've made will mean you're completely on your own. It's called growing up.'
A very well woven tale that I became engrossed in. After finishing the book, I was left feeling as I did after reading my first Peter James many moons ago. More please!
I enjoyed the buzz and interaction that existed between the investigating team and the weaving of Barton's home life into the story to give us a deeper understanding of him. I thought the description of the prisoners cell by cell following the sudden death of an inmate was fantastic and showed what a wide variety of characters we were likely to encounter. Some compliant, most not! Greenwood has created a tough detective with a good soul. I warmed to Logan as a character too.
Just a couple of quotes I highlighted:-
'There is comfort in familiarity. On the outside, I feel compelled to live, whereas here I'm only expected to survive.'
'There comes a moment in your life when the choices or mistakes you've made will mean you're completely on your own. It's called growing up.'
A very well woven tale that I became engrossed in. After finishing the book, I was left feeling as I did after reading my first Peter James many moons ago. More please!
November 6, 2021
DI Barton is back. A prisoner is dead while in prison, is it murder or not? The case spirals on brining in child abuse and multiple murders. And Barton also has a sick mom at home.
Engaging read
I was given a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Engaging read
I was given a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
November 23, 2021
Another great addition to the series, a big chunk of the book is set in Peterborough Prison, a prison that the author knows well, from working there. This makes for a believable and realistic read which is fast-paced, compelling and although it deals with disturbing crimes there is also humor. I love the main character DI John Barton who can be tough but also has a soft side, especially where his family is concerned and also when he has to give bad news to victims next of kin. This book deals with the aftermath of historic pedophilia and starts with the death of a prisoner who has served his sentence on the special wing for people who commit such heinous crimes. This is just the start of a series of attacks and although some may think they are getting true justice Barton is tasked with finding the perpetrator. The author deals sensitively with the nature of the crimes with little detail to what actually happened to the children involved. Zambia
November 25, 2021
Again an excellent, fast-paced, complex, interesting and also poignant DI Barton investigation! Set mostly in Peterborough prison, the reader is fully immersed in prison life accurately described as the author previously worked as a prison officer. The death of a sex offender occurs: natural death (he is old and sick), or murder? Barton thoroughly investigates the six men due to leave the sex offenders wing of the prison. All are violent men, but different in their violence code... More dead men turn up... Is the murderer looking for revenge? But then, who? And why? Or is it an act of insanity?
I enjoyed this book even though violence is evident, because there are no paedophilic graphic sexual scenes and also because of Barton's character: a warm character with a warm family life, and a very likeable team. This feels like a good balance for me while following the violent cases he investigates! A great read as always!
Thank you so much, Ross, for sending me an advanced copy of your thrilling novel!
I enjoyed this book even though violence is evident, because there are no paedophilic graphic sexual scenes and also because of Barton's character: a warm character with a warm family life, and a very likeable team. This feels like a good balance for me while following the violent cases he investigates! A great read as always!
Thank you so much, Ross, for sending me an advanced copy of your thrilling novel!
August 30, 2025
Got better as it progressed.
Updated for audio again
I went through a binge listen on this series and now that I have listened to them in order it got much better.
Updated for audio again
I went through a binge listen on this series and now that I have listened to them in order it got much better.
December 1, 2021
I have been a fan of Ross Greenwood’s work for a little while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that he has written but I am almost there. I especially love the series featuring Detective Inspector Barton. ‘The Cold Killer’ is the fourth book in the DI Barton series and what a cracker it is too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Cold Killer’ but more about that in a bit.
All it took for me to be drawn into this book was the sight of the cover, seeing the name of Ross Greenwood with the mention of DI Barton and realising that this was a book I hadn’t read. Once I started to read, I knew that it was pointless thinking that I might be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the day because I simply couldn’t put the book down. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me as I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I had my own theories as to what was going to happen and of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. The more of the book that I read, the more that I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn as I worked my way to the end. I managed to finish the book within a few hours, which is really good for me as I am usually easily distracted but not in this case. I found ‘The Cold Killer’ to be the true definition of an unputdownable page turner of a read and then some. I found it to be a gripping story, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Cold Killer’ is superbly written but then that is always true of Ross’s books. Ross has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. Ross certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a read. The story hits the ground running and maintains a fast pace throughout. The story is told in chapters from the points of view of both the killer and from the viewpoint of DI Barton. Reading ‘The Cold Killer’ felt like being on one hell of a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. Just when you thought that you could take a moment to reclaim your stomach, gather your thoughts and catch your breath then off the action would go again. The fact that Ross is a former prison warden himself makes the story seem that bit more authentic. Certain details in the story are at times a bit gruesome in nature but that certainly didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the story. The series featuring Detective Inspector Barton continues to go from strength to strength with each new book in the series better than the last.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Cold Killer’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. ‘The Cold Killer’ has to be one of my top reads of 2021. I will definitely be reading more Ross’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
All it took for me to be drawn into this book was the sight of the cover, seeing the name of Ross Greenwood with the mention of DI Barton and realising that this was a book I hadn’t read. Once I started to read, I knew that it was pointless thinking that I might be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the day because I simply couldn’t put the book down. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me as I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I had my own theories as to what was going to happen and of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. The more of the book that I read, the more that I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn as I worked my way to the end. I managed to finish the book within a few hours, which is really good for me as I am usually easily distracted but not in this case. I found ‘The Cold Killer’ to be the true definition of an unputdownable page turner of a read and then some. I found it to be a gripping story, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Cold Killer’ is superbly written but then that is always true of Ross’s books. Ross has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. Ross certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a read. The story hits the ground running and maintains a fast pace throughout. The story is told in chapters from the points of view of both the killer and from the viewpoint of DI Barton. Reading ‘The Cold Killer’ felt like being on one hell of a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. Just when you thought that you could take a moment to reclaim your stomach, gather your thoughts and catch your breath then off the action would go again. The fact that Ross is a former prison warden himself makes the story seem that bit more authentic. Certain details in the story are at times a bit gruesome in nature but that certainly didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the story. The series featuring Detective Inspector Barton continues to go from strength to strength with each new book in the series better than the last.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Cold Killer’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. ‘The Cold Killer’ has to be one of my top reads of 2021. I will definitely be reading more Ross’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
December 2, 2021
There is a grisly start to this story as an old man is attacked with a chainsaw, wielded by one Archie Spencer, a man who has somehow evaded the long arm of DI John Barton ‘s law, and a childhood friend of the Cold Killer. The Cold Killer is sharing a prison cell with Archie’s son Spenny. Small world, eh? Even smaller when you consider the old man’s son was friends with Spenny and disappeared at the same time as Archie’s ex-girlfriend when she was the one person brave enough to give evidence against him. Barton and Zander break up the fight and the old man is shipped off to hospital minus an arm. Meanwhile in prison the Cold Killer is having a rough time as his position as top dog is threatened. Finding himself in the medical ward, he opts for the safety of the vulnerable prisoners’ unit and there spots the father of another old friend who killed himself. He sets to work and it’s not long before Barton is informed of the death of one of the “Three Paedos” as they were dubbed by the press. Together with his two loyal sergeants, DS Zander and DS Strange, he knows that the death must be investigated, however little anyone thought of the victim while he was alive. With an inconclusive post mortem, Barton and Strange interview some of the most odious sex offenders and other vile criminals in an effort to decide whether the death was murder or natural causes. They struggle to find anything suspicious but very soon events turn darker and more sinister, and there’s no time to waste in a twisty race to catch a dangerous killer.
The story is told from two sides. One is by The Cold Killer and the other is an account of DI Barton and his team’s movements and investigations. I love the way we see the story unfolding from both sides. It is always interesting being better informed than the detectives, knowing the truth and waiting to see if they can make all the connections themselves. They are a great team, with an undoubted closeness and loyalty which supersedes ambition and personal glory. It is nice to see a lead detective with a pretty normal and happy life outside of work, although his mother’s increasing dementia is sad to read about. All the characters are very well drawn and it is hard not to have empathy for the killer. The author’s personal knowledge of life behind bars (as an officer, I hasten to add!) is evident from his writing as he draws a vivid picture of life in the prison. With a clever and complex plot and lots of gripping action, this is another excellent book in a series nobody wanted to end at three books and I am so glad there are more. 5*
The story is told from two sides. One is by The Cold Killer and the other is an account of DI Barton and his team’s movements and investigations. I love the way we see the story unfolding from both sides. It is always interesting being better informed than the detectives, knowing the truth and waiting to see if they can make all the connections themselves. They are a great team, with an undoubted closeness and loyalty which supersedes ambition and personal glory. It is nice to see a lead detective with a pretty normal and happy life outside of work, although his mother’s increasing dementia is sad to read about. All the characters are very well drawn and it is hard not to have empathy for the killer. The author’s personal knowledge of life behind bars (as an officer, I hasten to add!) is evident from his writing as he draws a vivid picture of life in the prison. With a clever and complex plot and lots of gripping action, this is another excellent book in a series nobody wanted to end at three books and I am so glad there are more. 5*
November 17, 2021
This is one of my favourite authors, he writes fabulous gritty crime thriller reads and The Cold Killer is the 4th book in the DI Barton series. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but like all series, they are better read in order.
DI Barton is called in to investigate the murder of an inmate, it looks at face value to be natural. But things don't quite sit right especially when the victims home is also burgled. This is a case that just deepens and grows. It is one that isn't pleasant given the nature of the crimes that those involved are in prison for. This makes for uncomfortable reading at times, but nothing is over dramatised or too detailed. It is part of the story and what a story this one was.
There are several characters in this story, and you soon get to know them if you haven't read any of the books in the series. A lot is going on in this story as there are two distinct stories, one is from the police side of the book, the other is from the perspective of an unknown narrator. This adds so much intrigue to the story and had me wondering, guessing and second-guessing myself as to how things were going to work themselves out in the end.
This is a gritty story, it is fast-paced, it deals with some horrendous people and crimes, but is also very addictive reading. Although this is a police procedural, there are also details of the prison environment. This is something the author knows a lot about given his time working in a prison. This first-hand perspective is a great addition and even though this is a fictional book, it does come across with a certain amount of realism to it.
This is a book that kept me on my toes. I thought I had it sussed a couple of times, but I was way off the mark. Even when things did slot into place there was more to learn. There is also a more personal side to this story for DI Barton, and also some mentions of other colleagues, so it is not all crime thriller for Barton, there is also a family man that is seen.
This is a fast, gritty, crime, thriller police procedural that I adored. It is a series that just gets better and the author deals with some tough subjects. It is one I would definitely recommend.
DI Barton is called in to investigate the murder of an inmate, it looks at face value to be natural. But things don't quite sit right especially when the victims home is also burgled. This is a case that just deepens and grows. It is one that isn't pleasant given the nature of the crimes that those involved are in prison for. This makes for uncomfortable reading at times, but nothing is over dramatised or too detailed. It is part of the story and what a story this one was.
There are several characters in this story, and you soon get to know them if you haven't read any of the books in the series. A lot is going on in this story as there are two distinct stories, one is from the police side of the book, the other is from the perspective of an unknown narrator. This adds so much intrigue to the story and had me wondering, guessing and second-guessing myself as to how things were going to work themselves out in the end.
This is a gritty story, it is fast-paced, it deals with some horrendous people and crimes, but is also very addictive reading. Although this is a police procedural, there are also details of the prison environment. This is something the author knows a lot about given his time working in a prison. This first-hand perspective is a great addition and even though this is a fictional book, it does come across with a certain amount of realism to it.
This is a book that kept me on my toes. I thought I had it sussed a couple of times, but I was way off the mark. Even when things did slot into place there was more to learn. There is also a more personal side to this story for DI Barton, and also some mentions of other colleagues, so it is not all crime thriller for Barton, there is also a family man that is seen.
This is a fast, gritty, crime, thriller police procedural that I adored. It is a series that just gets better and the author deals with some tough subjects. It is one I would definitely recommend.
December 19, 2021
This is the 4th in the DI Barton series and I love DI Barton, he is complex but not in the usual, drinking, rugged, disillusioned policeman in so many crime dramas. He is a family man and loves his wife and family. He worries about his elderly mother and hates having to be away from them at all sorts of ungodly hours. He is an ordinary man, a man you can believe in, honest, hardworking and caring. A relief from the usual fed up, sad, doesn’t care about anyone kind of cop.
Once again Ross has written the most compelling book. His knowledge of the prison service shines through. The violence can be brutal but it is never unnecessary violence. The perpetrator always has a reason for doing what they do. Not something we would agree with but you do get a sense of why these people are committing the crimes they do. In The Cold Killer we really get into the mindset of the killer. He justifies what he doing as an act of vengeance for past crimes, horrific crimes that need putting right and the only “right” in his mind is death.
A cracking crime thriller that will keep you riveted right to the last page. There is a level of realism in the investigation that makes DI Barton the most believable Police character I have ever read. A truly brilliant crime drama that I could read over and over. I highly recommend if you have never read Ross Greenwood, well what are you waiting for? Trust me you won’t be disappointed.
⁵and characters almost immediately. The descriptions of the characters, murder scene and underlying plotline are expertly done. If a book so chunky, 439 pages to be exact, can hold your attention from beginning to end then that’s a damn fine book in my humble opinion. The chapters are short which for me just keeps the pace flowing quickly, the story keeps moving apace and you just have to read “on more page, one more chapter” then hey presto its finished and you’re itching to get your hands on the next one. A brilliant plot, superbly written. The perfect book for anyone who loves a proper murder thriller with a excellent plotline.
~~~~~~~~~~
Once again Ross has written the most compelling book. His knowledge of the prison service shines through. The violence can be brutal but it is never unnecessary violence. The perpetrator always has a reason for doing what they do. Not something we would agree with but you do get a sense of why these people are committing the crimes they do. In The Cold Killer we really get into the mindset of the killer. He justifies what he doing as an act of vengeance for past crimes, horrific crimes that need putting right and the only “right” in his mind is death.
A cracking crime thriller that will keep you riveted right to the last page. There is a level of realism in the investigation that makes DI Barton the most believable Police character I have ever read. A truly brilliant crime drama that I could read over and over. I highly recommend if you have never read Ross Greenwood, well what are you waiting for? Trust me you won’t be disappointed.
⁵and characters almost immediately. The descriptions of the characters, murder scene and underlying plotline are expertly done. If a book so chunky, 439 pages to be exact, can hold your attention from beginning to end then that’s a damn fine book in my humble opinion. The chapters are short which for me just keeps the pace flowing quickly, the story keeps moving apace and you just have to read “on more page, one more chapter” then hey presto its finished and you’re itching to get your hands on the next one. A brilliant plot, superbly written. The perfect book for anyone who loves a proper murder thriller with a excellent plotline.
~~~~~~~~~~
November 29, 2021
Ross Greenwood’s DI Barton is back on the case in The Cold Killer, a fast-paced, highly charged and terrifying thriller full of twists and turns you simply won’t see coming.
When an inmate is found dead in his jail cell, the prison calls in DI Barton to investigate. As the prisoner was advanced in years, it seems likely that he died of natural causes – an assertion that Barton believes is backed up by all the testimonies he has collected from some of the other prisoners. Barton thought that this was an open and shut case, however, little did he realise that this murder enquiry was going to get far more twisted than he had ever imagined.
The dead man’s house is subsequently burgled and then set on fire. Realising that there is something far more chilling going on here than meets the eye, Barton finds himself desperate to find the answers to the questions that have been plaguing him about this case. Barton needs to speak to his widow – urgently! – however, she is nowhere to be found. Where is she? Is she hiding something? And could she be connected to her husband’s death?
In less than a day, every single person Barton needs to speak to about this case has vanished off the face of the earth. Clearly, this was not a natural death, but cold-blooded murder and if Barton wants to find answers then he must take a closer look at what’s happening behind the prison gates. A violent killer is waiting in the shadows and if Barton doesn’t solve this case soon, more bodies will be found.
Ross Barton’s The Cold Killer is an excellent crime thriller that grabs the reader’s attention from page one and keeps them engrossed till the very end. Ross Barton brilliantly juggles forensic insight with tension, menace and suspense and in The Cold Killer has penned a gritty, chilling and compulsively readable thriller that is an absolute struggle to put down.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When an inmate is found dead in his jail cell, the prison calls in DI Barton to investigate. As the prisoner was advanced in years, it seems likely that he died of natural causes – an assertion that Barton believes is backed up by all the testimonies he has collected from some of the other prisoners. Barton thought that this was an open and shut case, however, little did he realise that this murder enquiry was going to get far more twisted than he had ever imagined.
The dead man’s house is subsequently burgled and then set on fire. Realising that there is something far more chilling going on here than meets the eye, Barton finds himself desperate to find the answers to the questions that have been plaguing him about this case. Barton needs to speak to his widow – urgently! – however, she is nowhere to be found. Where is she? Is she hiding something? And could she be connected to her husband’s death?
In less than a day, every single person Barton needs to speak to about this case has vanished off the face of the earth. Clearly, this was not a natural death, but cold-blooded murder and if Barton wants to find answers then he must take a closer look at what’s happening behind the prison gates. A violent killer is waiting in the shadows and if Barton doesn’t solve this case soon, more bodies will be found.
Ross Barton’s The Cold Killer is an excellent crime thriller that grabs the reader’s attention from page one and keeps them engrossed till the very end. Ross Barton brilliantly juggles forensic insight with tension, menace and suspense and in The Cold Killer has penned a gritty, chilling and compulsively readable thriller that is an absolute struggle to put down.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 26, 2021
"Barton understood the illusion of glamour a gangster lifestyle offered. Watching the movies, it was all girls and guns and high jinks, but the reality wasn't like that in the UK. It was knives and drugs. The people involved lived chaotic, violent, boring existences, interspersed with occasional bouts of terror. Careers were short."
When DI Barton and his team are called to investigate a death in their local prison, they hope it will just be to confirm natural causes. Having to interview the residents of the vulnerable persons wing, home to child abusers and sex offenders, isn’t a task the team relish, but nothing out of the ordinary turns up… That is until the wife of the dead prisoner goes missing, her home is set on fire, and the deaths start to mount up…
With events hitting them thick and fast, Barton and his team must delve back into some of the area’s most horrifying past crimes to find out the motive for these apparent revenge attacks. Will they be able to catch the right man, before it’s too late?
I love a good crime book, and discovering great authors in this genre is always a treat. “The Cold Killer”, the fourth book in the DI Barton series, was a great read, and author Ross Greenwood is definitely someone I’ll look out for in future. He has worked as a prison officer himself, and has used this experience as the backdrop to weave a detailed and complex mystery for Barton and the team.
This is the first Barton book I’ve read, and although the series is a few book in, it works well as a standalone. Meeting DI Barton for the first time, I found him a likeable and relatable character; no hard drinking and broken home life here, but a genuine person balancing the traumas he meets in his job with a loving but believable family.
This was one of those crime books where, once I read the solution, I wanted to go back to the beginning and read it again for the clues I missed! As described above, this plot has a focus on the perpetrators of child abuse, which some readers may not enjoy. But for lovers of crime fiction looking to add another great author to their list, or fans of the previous DI Barton books, this one won’t disappoint!
When DI Barton and his team are called to investigate a death in their local prison, they hope it will just be to confirm natural causes. Having to interview the residents of the vulnerable persons wing, home to child abusers and sex offenders, isn’t a task the team relish, but nothing out of the ordinary turns up… That is until the wife of the dead prisoner goes missing, her home is set on fire, and the deaths start to mount up…
With events hitting them thick and fast, Barton and his team must delve back into some of the area’s most horrifying past crimes to find out the motive for these apparent revenge attacks. Will they be able to catch the right man, before it’s too late?
I love a good crime book, and discovering great authors in this genre is always a treat. “The Cold Killer”, the fourth book in the DI Barton series, was a great read, and author Ross Greenwood is definitely someone I’ll look out for in future. He has worked as a prison officer himself, and has used this experience as the backdrop to weave a detailed and complex mystery for Barton and the team.
This is the first Barton book I’ve read, and although the series is a few book in, it works well as a standalone. Meeting DI Barton for the first time, I found him a likeable and relatable character; no hard drinking and broken home life here, but a genuine person balancing the traumas he meets in his job with a loving but believable family.
This was one of those crime books where, once I read the solution, I wanted to go back to the beginning and read it again for the clues I missed! As described above, this plot has a focus on the perpetrators of child abuse, which some readers may not enjoy. But for lovers of crime fiction looking to add another great author to their list, or fans of the previous DI Barton books, this one won’t disappoint!
October 8, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this ARC.
I hope this review can do justice to how much I enjoyed this book. It started off really well and grabbed my attention straight away, soon picking up pace. The author has, in my opinion, wrote a cracker of a book here, and his experiences of working in a prison and knowledge of day to day life in one shows in his writing making for a very realistic read. . I loved this book, just loved it from beginning to end. Reading this book has taken up all my spare time over the last couple of days and in one way I didn’t want to reach the end. I really like DI Barton and his team, who are portrayed very realistically and believably. I enjoyed following them as they worked on a murder investigation where the body count quickly rises. I loved that the book was told through DI Barton and other characters, and enjoyed the glimpses into DI Barton’s personal and home life. This was one of those rare books where I had empathy for the killer and could relate to the reasons behind the murders. I found this to be a fast paced and thrilling read, it flowed really well and came together brilliantly at the end. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book, I can’t fault it and think it’s the best book in his DI Barton series so far. I would highly recommend this and think this is one of my top 5 reads this year.
I hope this review can do justice to how much I enjoyed this book. It started off really well and grabbed my attention straight away, soon picking up pace. The author has, in my opinion, wrote a cracker of a book here, and his experiences of working in a prison and knowledge of day to day life in one shows in his writing making for a very realistic read. . I loved this book, just loved it from beginning to end. Reading this book has taken up all my spare time over the last couple of days and in one way I didn’t want to reach the end. I really like DI Barton and his team, who are portrayed very realistically and believably. I enjoyed following them as they worked on a murder investigation where the body count quickly rises. I loved that the book was told through DI Barton and other characters, and enjoyed the glimpses into DI Barton’s personal and home life. This was one of those rare books where I had empathy for the killer and could relate to the reasons behind the murders. I found this to be a fast paced and thrilling read, it flowed really well and came together brilliantly at the end. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book, I can’t fault it and think it’s the best book in his DI Barton series so far. I would highly recommend this and think this is one of my top 5 reads this year.
November 29, 2021
I discovered Ross Greenwood a few months ago with his prison-life crime fiction, Prisoner, and had no idea the DI Barton crime thriller series existed.
Wow! Compelling and engaging, The Cold Killer is another winner.
Though it is book four in the series, I didn’t feel as though there were blank spots or missing info from the previous books.
DI John Barton, like Jim Dalton in Prisoner, is diligent and hardworking while trying to keep a balance between work and his family.
When an aged sex offender is brutally murdered in prison, Barton and his team are called in to investigate the not-so-unusual death. When the victim’s home is burglarized, Baron realizes there’s nothing normal about the case. All too soon, they realize they’re dealing with a serial killer, and he’s escalating as crimes and the body count rise. Is the killer a vigilante or seeking a special type of justice? Is the Peterborough prison the only connections between the victims? As Barton runs out of witnesses, he finds he may also be running out of time.
This slow burn read is masterfully written with points of view from both sides of the prison bars. Characters are likeable—or deliciously unlikable—and memorable. Even the story’s villain, though vicious and brutal, evokes a certain amount of sympathy.
I’ve already downloaded the first three books in the DI Barton series and look forward to reading more of his cases.
Enjoy!
Wow! Compelling and engaging, The Cold Killer is another winner.
Though it is book four in the series, I didn’t feel as though there were blank spots or missing info from the previous books.
DI John Barton, like Jim Dalton in Prisoner, is diligent and hardworking while trying to keep a balance between work and his family.
When an aged sex offender is brutally murdered in prison, Barton and his team are called in to investigate the not-so-unusual death. When the victim’s home is burglarized, Baron realizes there’s nothing normal about the case. All too soon, they realize they’re dealing with a serial killer, and he’s escalating as crimes and the body count rise. Is the killer a vigilante or seeking a special type of justice? Is the Peterborough prison the only connections between the victims? As Barton runs out of witnesses, he finds he may also be running out of time.
This slow burn read is masterfully written with points of view from both sides of the prison bars. Characters are likeable—or deliciously unlikable—and memorable. Even the story’s villain, though vicious and brutal, evokes a certain amount of sympathy.
I’ve already downloaded the first three books in the DI Barton series and look forward to reading more of his cases.
Enjoy!
December 1, 2021
I have just listened to all the previous DI Barton books on audible so couldn’t wait to get started on this book! DI Barton and his team have had little time to catch a breath following the end of the Ice Killer case before getting a call to Peterborough Prison following a death of an inmate – this is usual protocol in the case where it may not have been natural causes. The death in question was a convicted paedophile Zanthos – no great loss there, but when his friends are released from prison shortly after and start turning up dead Barton and his team have to catch the killer before anyone winds up dead, but first they figure out who it is – a fellow realised prisoner or someone just out for revenge?
This is quite a chilling read and does cover the issue of child abuse and paedophilia – not in graphic detail in the slightest but still enough to turn your stomach. I absolouty loved this book from the get go, the characters are just amazing and Greenwood really pulls you into the investigation. I totally had no idea who was responsible at all – there were moments when I thought I had it all figured then bam – I was proved wrong! That twist then that ending — oh my! LOVED IT!!!
Can’t wait to read more from Barton and his team.
5 stars
This is quite a chilling read and does cover the issue of child abuse and paedophilia – not in graphic detail in the slightest but still enough to turn your stomach. I absolouty loved this book from the get go, the characters are just amazing and Greenwood really pulls you into the investigation. I totally had no idea who was responsible at all – there were moments when I thought I had it all figured then bam – I was proved wrong! That twist then that ending — oh my! LOVED IT!!!
Can’t wait to read more from Barton and his team.
5 stars
December 4, 2021
I am a big fan of this series and one thing is certain when you pick up any of these books - you are in for a fast-paced read full of lots of twists and turns to keep you on your toes, and The Cold Killer joins this series seamlessly.
This time Barton and the team are called to the local prison when an inmate is found dead in his cell. As an older prisoner, it is quickly assumed that he died of natural causes, but when their house is subsequently ransacked and torched, Barton starts to doubt the original theory. This is compounded further when everyone linked to the case is conveniently unavailable for a chat with the police.
This is another brilliant police procedural/thriller that despite some gruesome scenes, is totally gripping and difficult to put down. I still think Barton and his team are some of the most believable fictional police around and I loved the poignancy in his home life with the situation they are dealing with around his Mum.
This time Barton and the team are called to the local prison when an inmate is found dead in his cell. As an older prisoner, it is quickly assumed that he died of natural causes, but when their house is subsequently ransacked and torched, Barton starts to doubt the original theory. This is compounded further when everyone linked to the case is conveniently unavailable for a chat with the police.
This is another brilliant police procedural/thriller that despite some gruesome scenes, is totally gripping and difficult to put down. I still think Barton and his team are some of the most believable fictional police around and I loved the poignancy in his home life with the situation they are dealing with around his Mum.
December 3, 2021
This is the 4th book in the DI Barton series, it is the first one I have read in the series and it certainly can be read as a stand alone without feeling like you have missed out on anything. I love a good crime thriller book to get sunk into and this one definitely fit the bill !
DI Barton is put on the case when an old inmate is found dead , the man's house has been burgled and set on fire , his widow is no where to be found. We follow DI Barton on the trail to catch the killer , more deaths are happening and when he receives post that hints that he will be next to disappear the clock is ticking for him to catch the killer!
The book is fast paced , action packed and has so much in it that draws you back to it , you mind plays it in your head like you are watching it trying to work out who the killer is. DI Barton is a great character to read about , to see the workings of his mind. Due to the setting of the book being one that the author knows well it adds so much depth to the book and makes it even more realistic. A truly thrilling read!
DI Barton is put on the case when an old inmate is found dead , the man's house has been burgled and set on fire , his widow is no where to be found. We follow DI Barton on the trail to catch the killer , more deaths are happening and when he receives post that hints that he will be next to disappear the clock is ticking for him to catch the killer!
The book is fast paced , action packed and has so much in it that draws you back to it , you mind plays it in your head like you are watching it trying to work out who the killer is. DI Barton is a great character to read about , to see the workings of his mind. Due to the setting of the book being one that the author knows well it adds so much depth to the book and makes it even more realistic. A truly thrilling read!
November 17, 2021
4.25⭐️
#4 in the DI Barton series
It’s my first book in the series. It reads well as a standalone.
Barton is called to prison to investigate an unexplained death, when he tries to talk to people associated with the dead man he finds them missing. Then more bodies start turning up and Barton has his hands full.
It’s told from 2 POV the prisoner and Barton. I like that a lot of the story is told from the prison, it’s adds a different perspective.
For some of the story the reader knows what is happening slightly ahead of Barton.
The main characters are likeable, even the prisoner, I engaged with them and wanted a good outcome, which I felt I got.
The pace is good, there’s plenty going on for interest. I like the easy going writing style.
I really enjoyed the book. I liked seeing snippets of Barton’s home life with his mother having dementia.
#4 in the DI Barton series
It’s my first book in the series. It reads well as a standalone.
Barton is called to prison to investigate an unexplained death, when he tries to talk to people associated with the dead man he finds them missing. Then more bodies start turning up and Barton has his hands full.
It’s told from 2 POV the prisoner and Barton. I like that a lot of the story is told from the prison, it’s adds a different perspective.
For some of the story the reader knows what is happening slightly ahead of Barton.
The main characters are likeable, even the prisoner, I engaged with them and wanted a good outcome, which I felt I got.
The pace is good, there’s plenty going on for interest. I like the easy going writing style.
I really enjoyed the book. I liked seeing snippets of Barton’s home life with his mother having dementia.
December 24, 2021
I listened to this one
When an inmate in prison is found dead DI Barton is sent in to investigate.
This is quite a twisted plot and I quite often questioned whether some people deserved to live. I was drawn to all the characters and I felt they were quite believable It was a new experience to be on the side of perpetrators.
This is a procedural police plot and kept me entertained from beginning to end. I have listened to this author before and I enjoyed catching up with
DI Barton and team.
Would totally recommend this one
When an inmate in prison is found dead DI Barton is sent in to investigate.
This is quite a twisted plot and I quite often questioned whether some people deserved to live. I was drawn to all the characters and I felt they were quite believable It was a new experience to be on the side of perpetrators.
This is a procedural police plot and kept me entertained from beginning to end. I have listened to this author before and I enjoyed catching up with
DI Barton and team.
Would totally recommend this one
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