This book is well crafted with clue after clue given like bread crumbs throughout the story which build the suspense until it reach the big climax at the end. Having come up with thoughts along the right lines i.e. that the killer was hiding amongst our cast of characters, I still managed to miss identifying precisely who, though I'm still wondering why Rebecca avoided my suspicions right till the end. I think in part I was bought by the text messages, which reflects precisely what the detectives were described as experiencing in the book, so I thought the author did brilliantly there . And, if it wasn't bad enough to be dealing with a situation like this so close to Christmas, the worsening weather situation isn't anything to feel merry about either. Now, in a race against time, DI Walker and his colleagues must try to locate the remaining three missing men. The only problem is, few people seem inclined to help them do so. When I selected this book, I wasn’t aware that this was the 3rd volume in a series, but thankfully there is an intro chapter which gives an overview on who the characters are, what their relationship is, some non-spoiler highlights from the previous books and it makes the listener / reader feel confident to continue without having all the details. I think the synopsis from the cover gives just the right amount of info, so I’ll include it below for reference:

When one of DI Walker’s team is attending a wedding and one of the guest goes missing he is called in to handle the case. What starts as a simply missing person soon turns into a murder enquiry with many suspects. A fast paced storyline with plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing how it will all come together.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Although everything appeared to be fine on the surface, DI Walker and Jessica uncover resentments, secrets and sibling rivalry between the two sisters. Rachel was supposed to marry ten months earlier at the same hotel but was cruelly dumped a few weeks before the wedding. Her ex-fiancé, Douglas Hannigan, is a dubious character who had political ambitions until someone, possibly Rachel, exposed his drug habit. And as DI Walker arrives on the scene and the investigation begins startling revelations come to light. Not only about the victim, but the family too. One of the book's strengths is Pine's ability to evoke vivid imagery, painting scenes that transport readers to a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights and festive decorations. The author's attention to detail adds depth to the story, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the enchanting atmosphere.

Featured Reviews

Book four in Alex Pine's excellent Detective James Walker mystery series is, to my mind, the best yet, and I've loved them all! The investigation is detailed and difficult with a cast of characters who cover all aspects on both sides of the case, and my only criticism would be that there are an awful lot of people in this story! The book is deceptive in that it seems to be a slow burner, but actually something is happening all the time with hints and red herrings both helping and hindering in equal measure! Although this can be read as a standalone, all four are definitely worth reading on a cold night, maybe as the snow falls outside. DCI James Walker has settled into his job in Cumbria and is living with his wife Annie, their 18 month old daughter, Bella and looking forward to the arrival of a new baby. It is Christmas Eve and he is about to go home to spend Xmas with his family when a call comes in about 4 missing men. I really like DCI James Walker as a protagonist. A dedicated policeman with a supportive and understanding wife and a young daughter. Will he ever tell his wife about the new job he has been offered? What is clear is that this is a very controversial topic, and I don't think I liked a single person that we came across in the investigation. The heavy snowfall hampers the search efforts, but eventually one of the dogs is found hiding, cold, and covered in blood.

Loved this festive crime thriller. Gorgeous Lake District setting but with a very dark storyline. Excellent characters and fast paced.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ With an impending blizzard threatening Cumbria, the sudden disappearance of four trail hunters adds an extra layer of complexity to the situation, making it even more challenging for search and rescue teams. Among these missing individuals is Ted Rycroft. The discovery of his farm broken into and vandalized, along with the damage inflicted on the hunters' vehicles, raises suspicions regarding a potential connection to their disappearance.

Summary

Full of twists and turns with everyone a suspect, the story takes an interesting look at family dynamics along with the complexities and intricacies of relationships between friends and lovers. Blame and guilt emerge as key issues in the search for the killer with resentments and distrust at the forefront. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I was totally hooked' NetGalley reviewer,

The topic of trail hunting is contentious and divisive. Both the pro-hunt and the anti-hunt activists have been known to fabricate details of incidents and there is a degree of enjoyment by both sides from the confrontations. A strongly developed thriller with an interesting case, The Winter Killer is a hard-to-predict investigation with a wedding-clad party full of guests to suspect.

Member Reviews

The night before Christmas by Alex One is the fourth book in the DI James Walker series but can be read as a standalone. Good points: I enjoyed the crime element of this book and the ever changing plot and new developments. It certainly keeps you guessing. The plot was really gripping and interesting and unusual. I haven't read a thriller based around a wedding before. DCI Walker continues to shine as a compelling character, possessing the invaluable qualities of level-headedness and composure, especially in the face of crisis. These attributes contribute significantly to his appeal and the narrative's coherence. Christmas is a season to be dreaded in the beautiful Lake District as despite it's breath-taking views, bad things seem to happen around the festive season and this year is no exception. Although the third book in the series, the book can easily be read as a standalone and there's even a character list at the start of the book to introduce you to who's who which I always find very useful.

This compelling crime thriller is a nail-biter and will leave you at the edge of your seat. I’m fond of James Walker, who’s a new father to baby Bella, and who might be up for promotion. But he worked hard to solve this complex crime by getting the job done. I like the winter season for the Fells and Cumbria, England, which were the perfect scenic settings for the dual locations. The theme of the story is revenge is a powerful motion in the heat of the moment.

This is the 4th book in the series and I have enjoyed each of them although this book is a little bit darker than the previous ones. A wedding couldn’t be more beautiful in an idyllic winter setting. But unfortunately, the ending is splashed by murder. The most chilling crime thriller you’ll read this winter, perfect for fans of Catherine Cooper’s The Chalet and Simon McCleave’s The Snowdonia Killings – and anyone who prefers their mince pies with a side of murder. This is another great thriller by the author. What should have been the best day of her life, Libby's wedding turns into a murder investigation. All the potential suspects are her wedding guests. This is a fast paced, gripping read with plenty of twist and turns. DI James Walker and his team know they won't be spending the New Year holidays the way they had planned. I was pulled into this story at the beginning, and it held my attention throughout. This series gets better with each new book. This book could be read as a standalone. This novel is a marvellous read – the pacing is comfortable, it is well-plotted and the story is intriguing.