What do you think?
Rate this book
Dead of Winter
From bestselling author Darcy Coates comes Dead of Winter, a remote cabin in the snowy wilderness thriller that will teach you to trust no one. There are eight strangers. One killer. Nowhere left to run.
When Christa joins a tour group heading deep into the snowy expanse of the Rocky Mountains, she's hopeful this will be her chance to put the ghosts of her past to rest. But when a bitterly cold snowstorm sweeps the region, the small group is forced to take shelter in an abandoned hunting cabin. Despite the uncomfortably claustrophobic quarters and rapidly dropping temperature, Christa believes they'll be safe as they wait out the storm.
She couldn't be more wrong.
Deep in the night, their tour guide goes missing...only to be discovered the following morning, his severed head impaled on a tree outside the cabin. Terrified, and completely isolated by the storm, Christa finds herself trapped with eight total strangers. One of them kills for sport...and they're far from finished. As the storm grows more dangerous and the number of survivors dwindles one by one, Christa must decide who she can trust before this frozen mountain becomes her tomb.
When Christa joins a tour group heading deep into the snowy expanse of the Rocky Mountains, she's hopeful this will be her chance to put the ghosts of her past to rest. But when a bitterly cold snowstorm sweeps the region, the small group is forced to take shelter in an abandoned hunting cabin. Despite the uncomfortably claustrophobic quarters and rapidly dropping temperature, Christa believes they'll be safe as they wait out the storm.
She couldn't be more wrong.
Deep in the night, their tour guide goes missing...only to be discovered the following morning, his severed head impaled on a tree outside the cabin. Terrified, and completely isolated by the storm, Christa finds herself trapped with eight total strangers. One of them kills for sport...and they're far from finished. As the storm grows more dangerous and the number of survivors dwindles one by one, Christa must decide who she can trust before this frozen mountain becomes her tomb.
341 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2023
About the author
Darcy Coates
69 books9,993 followersDarcy Coates is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen horror and suspense novels.
She lives in the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cat, and a collection of chickens. Her home is surrounded by rolling wilderness on all sides, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
You can hear about her next book by joining her newsletter: www.darcycoates.com/updates
She lives in the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cat, and a collection of chickens. Her home is surrounded by rolling wilderness on all sides, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
You can hear about her next book by joining her newsletter: www.darcycoates.com/updates
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,738 reviews
February 7, 2023
Gripping, chilling, tense, and eerie. I did not want to put Dead of Winter down! It all comes down to a bus forced to stop, travelers seeking shelter, a frozen landscape, and danger - lots of danger. Who doesn't love a good finger pointing "It was you with the Axe!" book that keeps you on your toes, flipping the pages and on the edge of your seat? I love it and Darcy Coates delivered!
Christa and her boyfriend along with a group of travelers are heading deep in the snow-covered Rocky Mountains to a lodge for a getaway. As the wind and snow continues to hammer the area, their bus must stop when there is a tree blocking the road. Stranded in the bitter cold, the travelers must find shelter and fast. They find an abandoned cabin and take shelter hoping to wait out the storm.
I do love that trapped in a cold environment trope in a book! Woohoo!!!
After she is injured and her boyfriend goes missing in the snow, Christa wakes up in the cabin with the other. Sometime that night, their tour guide goes missing. Did he go for help? Has he found a way to get to the lodge? NOPE! His severed head is found impaled on a tree outside the cabin. This was not the getaway they signed up for! Let the finger pointing begin.
Tension mounts as anger flies. The travelers begin looking at each other knowing they are the only ones there. One of them must be the killer! As the snow keeps piling up so do the bodies. One by one, they are being killed. Why, how and by who???????
WOWZA! This was so good. I loved the tension and watching as the travelers/survivors being looking at each other as their suspicion grows. No one is safe and all are afraid. How do they cope? Who can they trust?
This was so nicely done! I had no idea who the killer was. Darcy Coates takes readers on a snow filled, twist filled, shocking ride! I also loved how the cold landscape was very much a character in this book as well. It was unrelenting, unforgiving and the perfect tomb. The characters are an interesting bunch and had me pointing my own fingers at them while reading. Very nicely done!
I can see this being made into a movie. That is how it played out in my mind while reading.
Well thought out, well written, and perfectly paced. This was such a chilling page turner!
#DeadofWinter, #NetGalley, #DarcyCoates
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
4.5 stars
Christa and her boyfriend along with a group of travelers are heading deep in the snow-covered Rocky Mountains to a lodge for a getaway. As the wind and snow continues to hammer the area, their bus must stop when there is a tree blocking the road. Stranded in the bitter cold, the travelers must find shelter and fast. They find an abandoned cabin and take shelter hoping to wait out the storm.
I do love that trapped in a cold environment trope in a book! Woohoo!!!
After she is injured and her boyfriend goes missing in the snow, Christa wakes up in the cabin with the other. Sometime that night, their tour guide goes missing. Did he go for help? Has he found a way to get to the lodge? NOPE! His severed head is found impaled on a tree outside the cabin. This was not the getaway they signed up for! Let the finger pointing begin.
Tension mounts as anger flies. The travelers begin looking at each other knowing they are the only ones there. One of them must be the killer! As the snow keeps piling up so do the bodies. One by one, they are being killed. Why, how and by who???????
WOWZA! This was so good. I loved the tension and watching as the travelers/survivors being looking at each other as their suspicion grows. No one is safe and all are afraid. How do they cope? Who can they trust?
This was so nicely done! I had no idea who the killer was. Darcy Coates takes readers on a snow filled, twist filled, shocking ride! I also loved how the cold landscape was very much a character in this book as well. It was unrelenting, unforgiving and the perfect tomb. The characters are an interesting bunch and had me pointing my own fingers at them while reading. Very nicely done!
I can see this being made into a movie. That is how it played out in my mind while reading.
Well thought out, well written, and perfectly paced. This was such a chilling page turner!
#DeadofWinter, #NetGalley, #DarcyCoates
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
4.5 stars
April 16, 2024
My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, Darcy Coates and Net Galley.
Well, I'll tell ya' what. This damn story got me! Seriously, got me! The cold. The butt jobs that I shared the cabin with. "So, maybe it was a character, but it felt like I was there!"
Me? Hell, I'd have been looking everywhere for a weapon! People who can't find weapons? Phtts. That's nuts! I could manage a weapon with an acorn and a rubber band. Would it be effective? I suppose it all depends on me.
Truly? I adored this damn book! Ms. Coates is often hit or miss with me, but good god, y'all! This was some decent story telling!
Well, I'll tell ya' what. This damn story got me! Seriously, got me! The cold. The butt jobs that I shared the cabin with. "So, maybe it was a character, but it felt like I was there!"
Me? Hell, I'd have been looking everywhere for a weapon! People who can't find weapons? Phtts. That's nuts! I could manage a weapon with an acorn and a rubber band. Would it be effective? I suppose it all depends on me.
Truly? I adored this damn book! Ms. Coates is often hit or miss with me, but good god, y'all! This was some decent story telling!
July 13, 2024
**3.5-stars rounded up**
Dead of Winter is the perfect Summer Chiller to make your blood run cold on a hot day.
If your air conditioning isn't keeping pace with the heat, look no further, this novel will cool you down quickly!
In this story we meet Christa as she embarks on a two-week vacation in the Rocky Mountains with her boyfriend of around six-months, Kiernan. Christa is a woman haunted by her past and this vacation is a big deal for her.
Kiernan has been such a blessing in her life and she feels like she has a little more courage with him by her side. Kiernan is from the area near the mountains they are visiting and Christa is excited to see a place that is so special to him.
As they are making their way to the remote lodge on the tour bus, along with eight other guests and their guide, inclement weather makes the conditions less than an ideal. A fallen tree blocking the road ends up stalling them further.
As the guide breaks the tree down to move it out of the way, Kiernan and Christa hike up a nearby ledge to get a private peek at the view.
In the worsening conditions, the couple get separated and the next thing Christa knows she is awakening in a cabin, groggy and injured, with Kiernan no where in sight.
As the roads became impassable, the group was forced to take shelter in a tiny rustic cabin they found not far from where the bus is stranded.
They were lucky to find Christa, but the search for Kiernan will have to be put on hold until morning. Their new quarters are tight and claustrophobic, with very minimal supplies. This is not going to be easy.
The group settles in and try to come up with a plan for escape, but they might as well be the last people on Earth. They have no means of communicating with the outside world, and even if they could get a signal out, how could rescue even get to them?
In the middle of the night, their guide goes missing. The next morning the group is shocked to find his decapitated head hanging in a tree just next to the cabin.
Fear and paranoia runs high, as each in the group realizes there may be a killer amongst them. As bodies start dropping, the suspect list grows smaller. Who will make it out of this vacation from hell alive?
Dead of Winter is a fun read. This is the second Darcy Coates book that I have read. The first was a DNF because I was bored, so this one is a huge improvement over that.
I am an atmosphere girlie first and foremost and Coates absolutely delivered in that category here. I loved the secluded location, the claustrophobic-feeling cabin and the cold, uninviting wilderness surrounding them.
I also enjoyed the unlikable cast of characters being thrust together into tight quarters. These were people who probably otherwise wouldn't have been socializing with one another, but fate brought them together and they had no option than to try to work together.
Further, I was impressed with their interactions. As the tension rose and people's paranoia started to kick in, I found how they were relating to one another really believable. I think Coates did a great job with the psychology behind it all.
For me though, in spite of the fact that it was action-packed, I did feel like it went on a little too long. There were some sections that dragged, or felt repetitive, when I was just wishing to move forward a little more quickly.
Additionally, I felt that it was pretty clear who the killer was and why, so it made certain reveals a little less impactful than I think the author was intending. I was hoping for a bit more suspense to carry me through to the end.
With this being said, I don't necessarily need to be surprised to have fun with a story and I still enjoyed this one a lot. I thought the level of violence and body horror was perfect and as mentioned above, the secluded setting was fantastically done.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a chilling, intense, cold-weather Horror-Thriller story.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I am excited to read more from this author!
Dead of Winter is the perfect Summer Chiller to make your blood run cold on a hot day.
If your air conditioning isn't keeping pace with the heat, look no further, this novel will cool you down quickly!
In this story we meet Christa as she embarks on a two-week vacation in the Rocky Mountains with her boyfriend of around six-months, Kiernan. Christa is a woman haunted by her past and this vacation is a big deal for her.
Kiernan has been such a blessing in her life and she feels like she has a little more courage with him by her side. Kiernan is from the area near the mountains they are visiting and Christa is excited to see a place that is so special to him.
As they are making their way to the remote lodge on the tour bus, along with eight other guests and their guide, inclement weather makes the conditions less than an ideal. A fallen tree blocking the road ends up stalling them further.
As the guide breaks the tree down to move it out of the way, Kiernan and Christa hike up a nearby ledge to get a private peek at the view.
In the worsening conditions, the couple get separated and the next thing Christa knows she is awakening in a cabin, groggy and injured, with Kiernan no where in sight.
As the roads became impassable, the group was forced to take shelter in a tiny rustic cabin they found not far from where the bus is stranded.
They were lucky to find Christa, but the search for Kiernan will have to be put on hold until morning. Their new quarters are tight and claustrophobic, with very minimal supplies. This is not going to be easy.
The group settles in and try to come up with a plan for escape, but they might as well be the last people on Earth. They have no means of communicating with the outside world, and even if they could get a signal out, how could rescue even get to them?
In the middle of the night, their guide goes missing. The next morning the group is shocked to find his decapitated head hanging in a tree just next to the cabin.
Fear and paranoia runs high, as each in the group realizes there may be a killer amongst them. As bodies start dropping, the suspect list grows smaller. Who will make it out of this vacation from hell alive?
Dead of Winter is a fun read. This is the second Darcy Coates book that I have read. The first was a DNF because I was bored, so this one is a huge improvement over that.
I am an atmosphere girlie first and foremost and Coates absolutely delivered in that category here. I loved the secluded location, the claustrophobic-feeling cabin and the cold, uninviting wilderness surrounding them.
I also enjoyed the unlikable cast of characters being thrust together into tight quarters. These were people who probably otherwise wouldn't have been socializing with one another, but fate brought them together and they had no option than to try to work together.
Further, I was impressed with their interactions. As the tension rose and people's paranoia started to kick in, I found how they were relating to one another really believable. I think Coates did a great job with the psychology behind it all.
For me though, in spite of the fact that it was action-packed, I did feel like it went on a little too long. There were some sections that dragged, or felt repetitive, when I was just wishing to move forward a little more quickly.
Additionally, I felt that it was pretty clear who the killer was and why, so it made certain reveals a little less impactful than I think the author was intending. I was hoping for a bit more suspense to carry me through to the end.
With this being said, I don't necessarily need to be surprised to have fun with a story and I still enjoyed this one a lot. I thought the level of violence and body horror was perfect and as mentioned above, the secluded setting was fantastically done.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a chilling, intense, cold-weather Horror-Thriller story.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I am excited to read more from this author!
June 8, 2023
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
Twitter - Amazon - Storygraph - The Book Review Crew
Stuck in a remote cabin in the Rocky Mountains eight people begin to die one by one...who's doing the killing and can any of them be saved? My gosh, this book was tense, the plot grabbed me right away and who doesn't love an ode to And Then There Were None? The setting was perfect and Coates described it brilliantly, I could feel the bitter cold and the intensity in the atmosphere. It was great getting inside our main character, Christa's head and learning her back history as the story is told from her singular point of view. The other travellers are fully fleshed out, realistic, all are important to the plot and have a significant role.
The winter weather on the mountain is like another character and causes almost as many problems as the people themselves. That ending was perfect because just when I thought I was so smart and had everything figured out, Darcy Coates threw a monkey wrench into the works and the ending blew me away. (I guess I am not as smart as I thought 🤔)
I was really pleased with how good this book was, it takes guts to take on a book that is anything close to Agatha Christie...kudos to the author for that, she did an amazing job of it and she made it uniquely her own. This is really more of a tribute and not a copy.
If you like dark, claustrophobic locked room type mysteries with flawed realistic, multifaceted characters this book is for you. And let me say that the mystery is just that, a mystery because there were red herrings throughout and I kept changing my mind on who the culprit was. This is my fourth read by Darcy Coates and I think it's her best.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
Stuck in a remote cabin in the Rocky Mountains eight people begin to die one by one...who's doing the killing and can any of them be saved? My gosh, this book was tense, the plot grabbed me right away and who doesn't love an ode to And Then There Were None? The setting was perfect and Coates described it brilliantly, I could feel the bitter cold and the intensity in the atmosphere. It was great getting inside our main character, Christa's head and learning her back history as the story is told from her singular point of view. The other travellers are fully fleshed out, realistic, all are important to the plot and have a significant role.
The winter weather on the mountain is like another character and causes almost as many problems as the people themselves. That ending was perfect because just when I thought I was so smart and had everything figured out, Darcy Coates threw a monkey wrench into the works and the ending blew me away. (I guess I am not as smart as I thought 🤔)
I was really pleased with how good this book was, it takes guts to take on a book that is anything close to Agatha Christie...kudos to the author for that, she did an amazing job of it and she made it uniquely her own. This is really more of a tribute and not a copy.
If you like dark, claustrophobic locked room type mysteries with flawed realistic, multifaceted characters this book is for you. And let me say that the mystery is just that, a mystery because there were red herrings throughout and I kept changing my mind on who the culprit was. This is my fourth read by Darcy Coates and I think it's her best.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
July 10, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up. A totally gripping "locked room" style thriller with characters being picked off one by one while stranded during a snowstorm. Great twists and a good horror/thriller combo with zero supernatural elements.
Christa and her boyfriend Kiernan are on a bus with a few others traveling through the Rocky Mountains to reach a remote hotel. A snowstorm has slowed their progress, and then a tree across the road stops them temporarily. Christa and Kiernan walk away and when Christa falls down a hill Kiernan is lost. She miraculously finds her way to a cabin where the rest of the group has congregated, but Kiernan is lost. And one by one, the other people begin to turn up dead. One of the group must be responsible but who?
Although this book is completely far-fetched, I just went with it and enjoyed reading about the freezing temperatures and situations in the middle of summer. I loved the nod to And Then There Were None and other similar locked room mysteries, but this one was definitely skewed more to the horror/thriller end of the book spectrum. The murders are quite grisly and horrific. I read this book late into the night because I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next and if anyone could survive.
The entire book was a tense cat-and-mouse game to figure out who was behind the murders, and most importantly, why they were taking place. I felt like everything was explained well and wrapped up nicely in the end, I was satisfied with the conclusion. I think this would make an excellent movie as it's very suspenseful and edgy throughout.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Christa and her boyfriend Kiernan are on a bus with a few others traveling through the Rocky Mountains to reach a remote hotel. A snowstorm has slowed their progress, and then a tree across the road stops them temporarily. Christa and Kiernan walk away and when Christa falls down a hill Kiernan is lost. She miraculously finds her way to a cabin where the rest of the group has congregated, but Kiernan is lost. And one by one, the other people begin to turn up dead. One of the group must be responsible but who?
Although this book is completely far-fetched, I just went with it and enjoyed reading about the freezing temperatures and situations in the middle of summer. I loved the nod to And Then There Were None and other similar locked room mysteries, but this one was definitely skewed more to the horror/thriller end of the book spectrum. The murders are quite grisly and horrific. I read this book late into the night because I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen next and if anyone could survive.
The entire book was a tense cat-and-mouse game to figure out who was behind the murders, and most importantly, why they were taking place. I felt like everything was explained well and wrapped up nicely in the end, I was satisfied with the conclusion. I think this would make an excellent movie as it's very suspenseful and edgy throughout.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
May 9, 2023
There’s a storm rollin’ in!❄️
Christa has hidden herself away from the world for the past two years. To help ease her back into society her new boyfriend arranges for a mountain getaway with a small tour group. This may be just what Christa needs to start living life again.
Only Mother Nature has something else in store for the travelers. After their tour bus gets stuck behind a fallen tree, the snow begins to fall…and fall.
Now the group of strangers are holed up in a small remote mountain cabin as the storm rages outside. Tired, hungry and cold and with no cell service, can the group survive until help finds them?
Oh, it’s not that simple my fellow readers! One by one, the members of the group are being picked off in the most gruesome of ways. A deranged serial killer on the loose? Or should they be looking at the person sitting next to them in the cabin?
Wow! This was a classic edge of your seat thriller that I absolutely devoured! It’s tagged as a horror which gave me pause since I tend to avoid that genre entirely. But don’t let that hold you back! IMO it’s more of a heart pounding thriller! Just to add to the atmosphere…I saved this for my mountain vacation and so glad I did!
Even with a fairly large cast of characters, you get to know all of them quickly and shouldn’t have any trouble keeping track of their back stories. The twists were amazing! A few I guessed and a few absolutely shocked me!
My first read by this author, who is known for her horror novels. So I’ll have to tread carefully picking up another. But her writing was so good I’ll just have to put on all the lights and make sure my guard puppy Gage is right by my side!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press
Christa has hidden herself away from the world for the past two years. To help ease her back into society her new boyfriend arranges for a mountain getaway with a small tour group. This may be just what Christa needs to start living life again.
Only Mother Nature has something else in store for the travelers. After their tour bus gets stuck behind a fallen tree, the snow begins to fall…and fall.
Now the group of strangers are holed up in a small remote mountain cabin as the storm rages outside. Tired, hungry and cold and with no cell service, can the group survive until help finds them?
Oh, it’s not that simple my fellow readers! One by one, the members of the group are being picked off in the most gruesome of ways. A deranged serial killer on the loose? Or should they be looking at the person sitting next to them in the cabin?
Wow! This was a classic edge of your seat thriller that I absolutely devoured! It’s tagged as a horror which gave me pause since I tend to avoid that genre entirely. But don’t let that hold you back! IMO it’s more of a heart pounding thriller! Just to add to the atmosphere…I saved this for my mountain vacation and so glad I did!
Even with a fairly large cast of characters, you get to know all of them quickly and shouldn’t have any trouble keeping track of their back stories. The twists were amazing! A few I guessed and a few absolutely shocked me!
My first read by this author, who is known for her horror novels. So I’ll have to tread carefully picking up another. But her writing was so good I’ll just have to put on all the lights and make sure my guard puppy Gage is right by my side!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press
November 19, 2023
Very fun! My favorite Darcy Coates for sure. Freezing cold, isolated setting, characters getting their heads chopped off one by one and not one of them can be trusted. What’s not to love? 🤣
January 16, 2024
Off-the-Grid holiday destination sounds awesome until you're stuck with a demented killer!😲
Christa and her boyfriend are spending two weeks on an adventure in the Rockies. Before they reach the Blackstone Alpine Lodge, a fallen tree blocks their tour bus, and an ill-timed snowstorm guarantees they and other vacationers are stranded for the day.
Waaah! I had high hopes for this wintery thriller/horror with all the elements I LOVE.
A snowstorm, a remote locale - Colorado Rockies, strangers, and an abandoned hunting cabin. I'm clearly in the minority to feel a bit bored with the uneven pace. I shouldn't feel bored with all the body parts and gore so that was really odd that I did. The start and finish were strong and I didn't guess the killer correctly or the reason so I liked the AHA moment.
This is my first Darcy Coates novel and I may have expected so much from the hype going in, but I enjoy the premise and I'm sure to try another book by her.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the DRC.
Christa and her boyfriend are spending two weeks on an adventure in the Rockies. Before they reach the Blackstone Alpine Lodge, a fallen tree blocks their tour bus, and an ill-timed snowstorm guarantees they and other vacationers are stranded for the day.
Waaah! I had high hopes for this wintery thriller/horror with all the elements I LOVE.
A snowstorm, a remote locale - Colorado Rockies, strangers, and an abandoned hunting cabin. I'm clearly in the minority to feel a bit bored with the uneven pace. I shouldn't feel bored with all the body parts and gore so that was really odd that I did. The start and finish were strong and I didn't guess the killer correctly or the reason so I liked the AHA moment.
This is my first Darcy Coates novel and I may have expected so much from the hype going in, but I enjoy the premise and I'm sure to try another book by her.
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the DRC.
July 23, 2023
3.5.Stars:
Thank you, GR friend Melissa, for recommending “Dead of Winter”. What I enjoyed most was the strong female protagonist. This is a winter thriller, with 8 characters stuck in a snowstorm, in a remote cabin, and one killer who seems to be on a mission to kill everyone. But who, of the 8 is the killer?
This is a brutally graphic horror story, no cozy mystery here! Yes, the mystery is who is the killer and why? Why kill these random strangers who are about to embark on a winter retreat? And why kill so savagely?
Christa is narrating the story. Her boyfriend invited her to take a romantic getaway in the Rocky Mountains. While on the bus, venturing to the Inn, a tree unexpectedly blocks their road. A storm begins while the tour guide uses his chainsaw to remove the tree trunk. And from there, trouble ensues.
As Christa parses the situation after one perturbing violent death, the body count rises. I haven’t read horror in a while, and this was so OTT that I didn’t mind the grisly details. There are some interesting red herrings in the mystery aspect. Following Christa’s line of logic made the read enjoyable, although it seemed unrealistic that a person could maintain their wits while trying to solve a mystery in the middle of a blood bath.
If you go into this expecting to suspend your hold on reality, and want a strong female lead character, this is the horror story for you!
I always find that thrillers work well on audio, so I got the audio narrated by Emily Ellet.
Thank you, GR friend Melissa, for recommending “Dead of Winter”. What I enjoyed most was the strong female protagonist. This is a winter thriller, with 8 characters stuck in a snowstorm, in a remote cabin, and one killer who seems to be on a mission to kill everyone. But who, of the 8 is the killer?
This is a brutally graphic horror story, no cozy mystery here! Yes, the mystery is who is the killer and why? Why kill these random strangers who are about to embark on a winter retreat? And why kill so savagely?
Christa is narrating the story. Her boyfriend invited her to take a romantic getaway in the Rocky Mountains. While on the bus, venturing to the Inn, a tree unexpectedly blocks their road. A storm begins while the tour guide uses his chainsaw to remove the tree trunk. And from there, trouble ensues.
As Christa parses the situation after one perturbing violent death, the body count rises. I haven’t read horror in a while, and this was so OTT that I didn’t mind the grisly details. There are some interesting red herrings in the mystery aspect. Following Christa’s line of logic made the read enjoyable, although it seemed unrealistic that a person could maintain their wits while trying to solve a mystery in the middle of a blood bath.
If you go into this expecting to suspend your hold on reality, and want a strong female lead character, this is the horror story for you!
I always find that thrillers work well on audio, so I got the audio narrated by Emily Ellet.
July 15, 2023
I just finished listening to this book, and I have to say, the prologue was really exciting! It instantly caught my attention. The story begins with a situation that happened six hours earlier.
The plot revolves around a group of people who find themselves stranded in a dangerous wintery setting. As the story unfolds, they start getting picked off one by one, which adds a lot of suspense and keeps you hooked. The storyline is quite interesting, and it definitely held my interest throughout.
However, I must admit that for a story with this kind of plot, I was hoping for a bit more intensity to really make my heart race. It lacked a certain edge that I was looking for. The last couple of chapters was thrilling enough and pulled it through but I would expect that throughout the entire book for a plotline as this one. The twist at the end was really good. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the overall storyline, and the narrator did an excellent job in bringing the tale to life.
In conclusion, if you're into gripping prologues and an engaging storyline, this book is worth a read. While it could have had more intensity, I found the story and narration praiseworthy. Give it a try!
The plot revolves around a group of people who find themselves stranded in a dangerous wintery setting. As the story unfolds, they start getting picked off one by one, which adds a lot of suspense and keeps you hooked. The storyline is quite interesting, and it definitely held my interest throughout.
However, I must admit that for a story with this kind of plot, I was hoping for a bit more intensity to really make my heart race. It lacked a certain edge that I was looking for. The last couple of chapters was thrilling enough and pulled it through but I would expect that throughout the entire book for a plotline as this one. The twist at the end was really good. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the overall storyline, and the narrator did an excellent job in bringing the tale to life.
In conclusion, if you're into gripping prologues and an engaging storyline, this book is worth a read. While it could have had more intensity, I found the story and narration praiseworthy. Give it a try!
May 19, 2023
Finally 5 Stars.......is here!!!🥳
SUMMARY:
There is a group of 11 people who are traveling to a remote area to enjoy the wilderness. However, due to the extreme weather, they get trapped in the cabin, and as time goes on, person by person goes missing and found dead later. Each of them is a stranger, but only one of them is the killer. So what's the killer's motive, and why did she or he kill them? It's just a random killing, or is there any connection among those travelers?
List of Characters:
▪️Christa (main character) and her boyfriend (Kiernan)
▪️Steve (a truck driver) and his wife (Miri)
▪️Denny (a mechanic) and his teenager son (Grayson)
▪️Blake (a former 911 dispatcher)
▪️Simone (unknown)
▪️Alexis (unknown)
▪️Hutch Huang (a DJ)
▪️Brian (their tour guide)
👉IN TOTAL: 11 People
👁️🗨️ This story is told in first person POV (Christa)
🕰️ There is a Dual Timeline in here
- Past (Six hours earlier, 2 years earlier)
- Present (Now）
MY THOUGHTS:
📌 I loved how the author began the story and how the story flowed, and at the end of every chapter; it was very interesting. And I felt like every character held something (like a mystery). Also, the detail was excellent.
📌 This book kept me on my toes, forcing me to guess, figure it out, and reveal why it even begins. The graphic... argh, I like it something like this: "though it could be a trigger for someone." But in this kind of book, something graphic, sadistic, and brutality-filled is definitely needed. Like their all teeth got plucked out, head got chopped off and hang on the pine tree, body nowehere to find, mutilated, their neck got slashed. Oh, I love this. Blood, blood, and blood in anywhere or everywhere.
📌 Literally every character that is out of sight is going to die, and the killer closed every chance for them to get out and get help from someone outside, and they ended up bickering and blaming each other😆.
📌 it more strikes me as horror rather than mystery thriller hahaha. I mean, the electricity got cut off; every single thing was broken, smashed, or gone. So yeah, it was more horror.
📌 It felt more like watching a movie rather than reading a book; I kept picturing scenes from a movie. The tension and mystery were perfect. And toward the end of the book, that was what made me think "I should give it 5 stars."
📌 I didn't feel enough of a breaking down or strong grieving feeling from each of the characters despite the fact that their spouse, partner, or son died. They were just crying at that time when they found a body, and that's all. No further emotion, they're more focused on how to get this light back on (because the electricity got cut off).
📌 Move on to the twist, which is predictable and not hard to guess if you're a fan of this kind of genre. There's must be a connection and caused why this tragedy happening. And when their jobs revealed, I think you will be able to connect the dots among them and what their roles in the past accident.
Maybe the one more difficult to guess was "Who Done It?"; Uhmmm...this one's a little bit tricky. You could guess it correctly or not even close.
(Well, for me? I saw it coming! I suspected that person but didn't hold onto it until the end. But I did feel something missing from this picture).
📌 The ending was satisfying, though I would like to know what happened to the remaining survivors.
MY PROBLEMS:
⚠️ Despite my high rating, I did have a problem with this book. At first, I didn't quite like it; I couldn't get into it. It was like, "I see... huh, okay then?" But chapter by chapter, it was getting intriguing, and the tension kept building up.
⚠️ I wonder how the killer removed the teeth. It isn't easy to remove the teeth, let alone make it perfect; you need tools, and it takes time. So how did the killer remove it? I really wanted to know.
⚠️ Also, how did the killer hang the heads on the pine tree? Did she/he climb the tree? Using ladder? Or what?
⚠️ What I Thought (at the first):
It went from 2 stars, 3 stars, back to 2 stars, then 4 stars and ended up with 5 stars.
OVERALL:
It was a great journey!!!!
CREDIT:
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🐥
“Someone here has that hunger for violence. They came on this trip with a plan. To hunt us. And they don’t intend to stop until we’re all dead.”
"It would be a mistake to believe too much in anyone’s innocence."
SUMMARY:
There is a group of 11 people who are traveling to a remote area to enjoy the wilderness. However, due to the extreme weather, they get trapped in the cabin, and as time goes on, person by person goes missing and found dead later. Each of them is a stranger, but only one of them is the killer. So what's the killer's motive, and why did she or he kill them? It's just a random killing, or is there any connection among those travelers?
List of Characters:
▪️Christa (main character) and her boyfriend (Kiernan)
▪️Steve (a truck driver) and his wife (Miri)
▪️Denny (a mechanic) and his teenager son (Grayson)
▪️Blake (a former 911 dispatcher)
▪️Simone (unknown)
▪️Alexis (unknown)
▪️Hutch Huang (a DJ)
▪️Brian (their tour guide)
👉IN TOTAL: 11 People
👁️🗨️ This story is told in first person POV (Christa)
🕰️ There is a Dual Timeline in here
- Past (Six hours earlier, 2 years earlier)
- Present (Now）
MY THOUGHTS:
📌 I loved how the author began the story and how the story flowed, and at the end of every chapter; it was very interesting. And I felt like every character held something (like a mystery). Also, the detail was excellent.
📌 This book kept me on my toes, forcing me to guess, figure it out, and reveal why it even begins. The graphic... argh, I like it something like this: "though it could be a trigger for someone." But in this kind of book, something graphic, sadistic, and brutality-filled is definitely needed. Like their all teeth got plucked out, head got chopped off and hang on the pine tree, body nowehere to find, mutilated, their neck got slashed. Oh, I love this. Blood, blood, and blood in anywhere or everywhere.
📌 Literally every character that is out of sight is going to die, and the killer closed every chance for them to get out and get help from someone outside, and they ended up bickering and blaming each other😆.
📌 it more strikes me as horror rather than mystery thriller hahaha. I mean, the electricity got cut off; every single thing was broken, smashed, or gone. So yeah, it was more horror.
📌 It felt more like watching a movie rather than reading a book; I kept picturing scenes from a movie. The tension and mystery were perfect. And toward the end of the book, that was what made me think "I should give it 5 stars."
📌 I didn't feel enough of a breaking down or strong grieving feeling from each of the characters despite the fact that their spouse, partner, or son died. They were just crying at that time when they found a body, and that's all. No further emotion, they're more focused on how to get this light back on (because the electricity got cut off).
📌 Move on to the twist, which is predictable and not hard to guess if you're a fan of this kind of genre. There's must be a connection and caused why this tragedy happening. And when their jobs revealed, I think you will be able to connect the dots among them and what their roles in the past accident.
Maybe the one more difficult to guess was "Who Done It?"; Uhmmm...this one's a little bit tricky. You could guess it correctly or not even close.
(Well, for me? I saw it coming! I suspected that person but didn't hold onto it until the end. But I did feel something missing from this picture).
📌 The ending was satisfying, though I would like to know what happened to the remaining survivors.
MY PROBLEMS:
⚠️ Despite my high rating, I did have a problem with this book. At first, I didn't quite like it; I couldn't get into it. It was like, "I see... huh, okay then?" But chapter by chapter, it was getting intriguing, and the tension kept building up.
⚠️ I wonder how the killer removed the teeth. It isn't easy to remove the teeth, let alone make it perfect; you need tools, and it takes time. So how did the killer remove it? I really wanted to know.
⚠️ Also, how did the killer hang the heads on the pine tree? Did she/he climb the tree? Using ladder? Or what?
⚠️ What I Thought (at the first):
It went from 2 stars, 3 stars, back to 2 stars, then 4 stars and ended up with 5 stars.
OVERALL:
It was a great journey!!!!
CREDIT:
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🐥
September 4, 2023
SNOWBOUND HORRORFEST OF FUN!
Christa and her boyfriend (Kiernan) are traveling by bus with a tour group to a magnificent, secluded vacation lodge deep within the Rocky Mountains in September while the weather is still nice. When they were close to their destination a felled tree blocks their way from traveling any further until they can remove it from the road. Christa and Kiernan go for a walk while the road is being cleared while large, fluffy snowflakes soon turn into an unexpected early Autumn blizzard.
Soon, they are lost since they can see nothing except dizzying whiteness and huge green and white trees when eventually Christa ends up getting separated from Kiernan while struggling to find their way back to the bus. Hours and hours after fighting desvastating temperatures and sheer exhaustion and almost succumbing to the tempting thoughts of giving up and just laying down and falling asleep in the snow yet she knows she has to find Kiernan so she finally stumbles upon a small cabin and finds her group inside but no Kiernan. Christa happens to be sick from suffering hypothermia and she also lost total feeling in one of her hands yet she does fall in and out of a restless, delirious sleep. Sometime during the night the tour guide disappears while the group assumes Kiernan has probably died of exposure from the freezing conditions but the next morning they never expected to find their guide butchered and left where they could easily find his body.
A sadistic killer is after the group, but why? Is it someone hiding out near the cabin or can it possibly be one of the members of the tour? As the blizzard continues to get worse, and without any way of contacting the outside world since there isn't any cell service in this part of the mountains the group is trapped within a small one-room cabin while wondering who to trust and the lack of food and freezing temperatures plus foul moods has everyone impatiently waiting to see what happens next until they find a way to walk to their lodge yet the snow continues to fall and gets deeper and deeper when suddenly another member of their party goes missing.
What is happening? How can this be happening? Everyone in the group seem like normal people but could one of them actually be a monster in hiding? How long can they survive these harsh, barely, livable conditions and how many can outlast a brutal killer and a blizzard in the Rockies could possibly last for many days or longer!
I never fail to enjoy a "Darcy Coates" novel. This book caught me off-guard when the action and suspense started right away and I just loved that. The author reels the reader in almost immediately and each chapter leaves one hanging so you just can't stop reading while needing to find out what will happen next. The atmospheric writing was so crazy, good and I felt so cold while reading even though it was over ninety degrees outside my home. The blizzard conditions gave a perfect locked room mystery feel to this well-written horrorfest! Fun, scary, entertaining, creepy, eerie and don't forget the bloody, bloody gore! Make sure you're not eating while reading this one of you might be sorry for that decision and for some of you readers late night reading might give some a few sleepless nights.
This story will have you rooting for some characters while despising others when their true personalities reveal themselves but ultimately readers can't help but be entertained with so many unexpected twists and turns while trying to find out who the killer or killers are. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Bam, another terrific unexpected twist that made my jaw drop. "Darcy Coates" storytelling is so good that I always look forward to reading her books and they're always very different with new surprises. I can't express enough how much fun the blizzard made this story so special!
Trigger Warnings: Not for sensitive readers, blood, gore, brutality, torture, claustrophobia etc. "Fun, Yes!!"
Highly Recommend!
I want to thank the publisher "Poison Pen Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this exciting novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I given this horror book a rating of 4 1/2 CREEPY, BRUTAL AND DEMENTED 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
Christa and her boyfriend (Kiernan) are traveling by bus with a tour group to a magnificent, secluded vacation lodge deep within the Rocky Mountains in September while the weather is still nice. When they were close to their destination a felled tree blocks their way from traveling any further until they can remove it from the road. Christa and Kiernan go for a walk while the road is being cleared while large, fluffy snowflakes soon turn into an unexpected early Autumn blizzard.
Soon, they are lost since they can see nothing except dizzying whiteness and huge green and white trees when eventually Christa ends up getting separated from Kiernan while struggling to find their way back to the bus. Hours and hours after fighting desvastating temperatures and sheer exhaustion and almost succumbing to the tempting thoughts of giving up and just laying down and falling asleep in the snow yet she knows she has to find Kiernan so she finally stumbles upon a small cabin and finds her group inside but no Kiernan. Christa happens to be sick from suffering hypothermia and she also lost total feeling in one of her hands yet she does fall in and out of a restless, delirious sleep. Sometime during the night the tour guide disappears while the group assumes Kiernan has probably died of exposure from the freezing conditions but the next morning they never expected to find their guide butchered and left where they could easily find his body.
A sadistic killer is after the group, but why? Is it someone hiding out near the cabin or can it possibly be one of the members of the tour? As the blizzard continues to get worse, and without any way of contacting the outside world since there isn't any cell service in this part of the mountains the group is trapped within a small one-room cabin while wondering who to trust and the lack of food and freezing temperatures plus foul moods has everyone impatiently waiting to see what happens next until they find a way to walk to their lodge yet the snow continues to fall and gets deeper and deeper when suddenly another member of their party goes missing.
What is happening? How can this be happening? Everyone in the group seem like normal people but could one of them actually be a monster in hiding? How long can they survive these harsh, barely, livable conditions and how many can outlast a brutal killer and a blizzard in the Rockies could possibly last for many days or longer!
I never fail to enjoy a "Darcy Coates" novel. This book caught me off-guard when the action and suspense started right away and I just loved that. The author reels the reader in almost immediately and each chapter leaves one hanging so you just can't stop reading while needing to find out what will happen next. The atmospheric writing was so crazy, good and I felt so cold while reading even though it was over ninety degrees outside my home. The blizzard conditions gave a perfect locked room mystery feel to this well-written horrorfest! Fun, scary, entertaining, creepy, eerie and don't forget the bloody, bloody gore! Make sure you're not eating while reading this one of you might be sorry for that decision and for some of you readers late night reading might give some a few sleepless nights.
This story will have you rooting for some characters while despising others when their true personalities reveal themselves but ultimately readers can't help but be entertained with so many unexpected twists and turns while trying to find out who the killer or killers are. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Bam, another terrific unexpected twist that made my jaw drop. "Darcy Coates" storytelling is so good that I always look forward to reading her books and they're always very different with new surprises. I can't express enough how much fun the blizzard made this story so special!
Trigger Warnings: Not for sensitive readers, blood, gore, brutality, torture, claustrophobia etc. "Fun, Yes!!"
Highly Recommend!
I want to thank the publisher "Poison Pen Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this exciting novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I given this horror book a rating of 4 1/2 CREEPY, BRUTAL AND DEMENTED 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
July 30, 2023
A blizzard, plenty of suspense, a killer, and a tour group with strangers headed to a remote lodge in the Rocky Mountains for a two-week vacation are featured in
Dead of Winter
by Darcy Coates. The group is forced to take shelter in an abandoned hunting cabin when their bus can no longer proceed. Despite the close quarters, Christa believes they will be safe. Wrong. The tour guide goes missing and is discovered dead the next morning. As the storm continues and the number of survivors diminishes, she must decide who to trust.
The characterization is well done. Not only are there concise and clear physical descriptions, but it is supplemented by various mannerisms and character traits, including shortcomings. Readers don’t get this information all at once. It comes through Christa’s thoughts, observations, and conversations. We also learn about an event that occurred two years ago has greatly impacted her lifestyle since then.
The world-building is excellent which helped paint the story in my mind. The descriptive narrative transported me to the remote isolated cabin and the terrifying world of the victims and survivors. The storyline is gripping and grabs readers attention quickly. I was hooked on the story in the first chapter. Coates is a superb storyteller who kept me rapidly turning the pages with gripping and compelling scenes and a great plot in this disturbing story. The tension is so substantial one can almost see it. My biggest quibble is that I still had a few unanswered questions at the end of the book. While it is good and readers learn who the killer is, I wanted more resolution. Additionally, there was some slower pacing in the middle of the book.
The author does a good job of balancing the shocking events against the mystery of determining who to trust and who is the killer. Exceptional characters, intense fight scenes, bitter cold, snow, ice, horrible deaths, and an absorbing plot are combined with a protagonist who is far from perfect and a killer with one or more unknown motives. The story has plenty of layers and is quite dark and horrifying at times.
Overall, this riveting story immediately grabbed my attention and kept me engaged throughout the book. I loved the tension and the intensity in this novel. It is only the second one I have read by this author, but I am already looking forward to the next one. Those who like horror, thrillers, and locked room mysteries will likely enjoy this novel.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was July 11, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------------
My 4.12 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
The characterization is well done. Not only are there concise and clear physical descriptions, but it is supplemented by various mannerisms and character traits, including shortcomings. Readers don’t get this information all at once. It comes through Christa’s thoughts, observations, and conversations. We also learn about an event that occurred two years ago has greatly impacted her lifestyle since then.
The world-building is excellent which helped paint the story in my mind. The descriptive narrative transported me to the remote isolated cabin and the terrifying world of the victims and survivors. The storyline is gripping and grabs readers attention quickly. I was hooked on the story in the first chapter. Coates is a superb storyteller who kept me rapidly turning the pages with gripping and compelling scenes and a great plot in this disturbing story. The tension is so substantial one can almost see it. My biggest quibble is that I still had a few unanswered questions at the end of the book. While it is good and readers learn who the killer is, I wanted more resolution. Additionally, there was some slower pacing in the middle of the book.
The author does a good job of balancing the shocking events against the mystery of determining who to trust and who is the killer. Exceptional characters, intense fight scenes, bitter cold, snow, ice, horrible deaths, and an absorbing plot are combined with a protagonist who is far from perfect and a killer with one or more unknown motives. The story has plenty of layers and is quite dark and horrifying at times.
Overall, this riveting story immediately grabbed my attention and kept me engaged throughout the book. I loved the tension and the intensity in this novel. It is only the second one I have read by this author, but I am already looking forward to the next one. Those who like horror, thrillers, and locked room mysteries will likely enjoy this novel.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was July 11, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
---------------------------------------
My 4.12 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
December 21, 2023
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.
The setting in this is fantastic.
The remote cabin with a snowstorm outside was gripping and is a perfect atmosphere for a horror book. The dread and unease doesn’t let up throughout the whole plot.
Dead of Winter starts with a bus load of strangers heading to a resort in the Rocky Mountains for some winter fun and vacation time.
Christa is a bit nervous but excited for the trip that her boyfriend Kiernan planned for them. She’s had a rough time for the last few years and feels like this trip will be a good experience for them as a couple, while putting some past demons to rest.
As they head toward the resort, things start going from bad to worse.
The group finds safety in a remote cabin that’s not far from the resort. If they can just bunker down for a few days to let the snowstorm pass, they’ll hike there for help.
But there’s a killer among them.
And this killer has other plans for this group of strangers. Not only is Kiernan and Christa in deep trouble, but so is everyone else.
Dead of Winter has the same feel of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. I loved it!
I think I might be the exception with guessing who the killer was, and I think Agatha plus thrillers have fine tuned my abilities with mysteries over the years.
AND I might be a bit warped with figuring this one out. Not going to lie. 🤷🏼♀️😂🤣
The great thing with this plot is I had an idea of who it could be, but Darcy Coates keeps trying to make me guess someone else all the way until the end.
Kudos to her on producing a thriller that has you gripped with tension and dread!
The gore, action and madness of this one was just top notch. I loved it!!
The setting in this is fantastic.
The remote cabin with a snowstorm outside was gripping and is a perfect atmosphere for a horror book. The dread and unease doesn’t let up throughout the whole plot.
Dead of Winter starts with a bus load of strangers heading to a resort in the Rocky Mountains for some winter fun and vacation time.
Christa is a bit nervous but excited for the trip that her boyfriend Kiernan planned for them. She’s had a rough time for the last few years and feels like this trip will be a good experience for them as a couple, while putting some past demons to rest.
As they head toward the resort, things start going from bad to worse.
The group finds safety in a remote cabin that’s not far from the resort. If they can just bunker down for a few days to let the snowstorm pass, they’ll hike there for help.
But there’s a killer among them.
And this killer has other plans for this group of strangers. Not only is Kiernan and Christa in deep trouble, but so is everyone else.
Dead of Winter has the same feel of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. I loved it!
I think I might be the exception with guessing who the killer was, and I think Agatha plus thrillers have fine tuned my abilities with mysteries over the years.
AND I might be a bit warped with figuring this one out. Not going to lie. 🤷🏼♀️😂🤣
The great thing with this plot is I had an idea of who it could be, but Darcy Coates keeps trying to make me guess someone else all the way until the end.
Kudos to her on producing a thriller that has you gripped with tension and dread!
The gore, action and madness of this one was just top notch. I loved it!!
April 24, 2023
Christa and her boyfriend are part of a small tour group going to a lodge in the Rocky Mountains for a two-week getaway. But when an unexpected and dangerous snowstorm strands the bus on the way to the lodge, the group finds themselves forced to shelter in a nearby hunting cabin. When one of their group goes missing, people don’t panic – until they find proof that the person was slaughtered not far from their cabin. As the storm grows more intense and the group grows more paranoid, Christa can’t help but feel that none of them will be making it out alive.
I do tend to enjoy reads set in dangerous environments/settings where no one knows who to trust. The author did a good job at incorporating the trust issues but could have utilized the environment much better. The work did suffer a bit from a slower-paced middle, which led to the initial tension of being trapped and hunted drastically decreasing. While there were some decently tense parts, the work didn’t keep me up late reading nor did it have me thinking about it after I put it down.
This was one of those reads where the characters were just good enough to not detract from the read but were too one-dimensional and lacking in real development for me to find any sort of emotional connection to them. And because everyone is focused on survival and not trusting anyone else, we never really got to know any of the characters in a way that made them meaningful or relatable. This also made it difficult to keep track of who was who as their characterization was all relatively bland. I also think this work would have been much more interesting if it were told from Alexis’ POV rather than Christa’s, as Christa was honestly quite boring.
I enjoyed this easy suspense read and imagine some folks will really get a kick out of this one, especially if you don’t think about it too much. My thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this work, which will be published 11 July 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I do tend to enjoy reads set in dangerous environments/settings where no one knows who to trust. The author did a good job at incorporating the trust issues but could have utilized the environment much better. The work did suffer a bit from a slower-paced middle, which led to the initial tension of being trapped and hunted drastically decreasing. While there were some decently tense parts, the work didn’t keep me up late reading nor did it have me thinking about it after I put it down.
This was one of those reads where the characters were just good enough to not detract from the read but were too one-dimensional and lacking in real development for me to find any sort of emotional connection to them. And because everyone is focused on survival and not trusting anyone else, we never really got to know any of the characters in a way that made them meaningful or relatable. This also made it difficult to keep track of who was who as their characterization was all relatively bland. I also think this work would have been much more interesting if it were told from Alexis’ POV rather than Christa’s, as Christa was honestly quite boring.
I enjoyed this easy suspense read and imagine some folks will really get a kick out of this one, especially if you don’t think about it too much. My thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this work, which will be published 11 July 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 24, 2023
4.5* And Then There Were None.....Excellent thriller to sit down with in the winter. I would not recommend it in the heat of the summer, but when it was sent to me ...it was winter. It didn't take long to transition to the heights of the Snow capped Rocky Mountains and head on into a blizzard after the author sets a strong visualization. The frostbite fingers, the bitterness of the wind, the crunch and weight of the snow, as well as the burden of a lot of clothing...
With 8 strangers aboard a shuttle bus headed to a mountain cabin, a tree falls across the road. As the guide saws through the tree, Christa and her boyfriend leave the group against my wishes..LOL... to sight-see. Next scene, they are clinging to their life on a slippery uncompromising slope. Christa loses her grip and falls. When she awakens to the other passengers over her, her boyfriend is gone. A loss in itself, then the guide is found with his head impaled on a stick. One-by-one they are gone...it doesn't take long in this locked room mystery to realize the killer is among them or is it?
Tension grows, accusations fly, much like a Clue game as they inspect each person and their background. The bus has been dismantled by its running parts and their hunt for another shelter or a way out is treacherous.
The characters are well thought out and scripted as you would consider when flying with a crowd and analyze from afar. I enjoyed some and despised a few...Lol This truly was an enjoyable "winter" read.
Great job by the author! Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
With 8 strangers aboard a shuttle bus headed to a mountain cabin, a tree falls across the road. As the guide saws through the tree, Christa and her boyfriend leave the group against my wishes..LOL... to sight-see. Next scene, they are clinging to their life on a slippery uncompromising slope. Christa loses her grip and falls. When she awakens to the other passengers over her, her boyfriend is gone. A loss in itself, then the guide is found with his head impaled on a stick. One-by-one they are gone...it doesn't take long in this locked room mystery to realize the killer is among them or is it?
Tension grows, accusations fly, much like a Clue game as they inspect each person and their background. The bus has been dismantled by its running parts and their hunt for another shelter or a way out is treacherous.
The characters are well thought out and scripted as you would consider when flying with a crowd and analyze from afar. I enjoyed some and despised a few...Lol This truly was an enjoyable "winter" read.
Great job by the author! Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 7, 2023
Christa and Kiernan join a tour group going into the Rocky Mountains. When a bitterly cold snowstorm passes through they are forced to hold up in an abandoned hunting cabin. The quarters are claustrophobic and the temperature outside is rapidly dropping but Christa believes they will be safe as they wait out the storm. She could not be more wrong.
Dee in the night the tour guide goes missing. Only to be discovered the next morning his head severed and impaled on a tree outside the cabin. Terrified and completely isolated by the storm, Christa finds herself trapped with eight total strangers. One of them kills for sport and they’re far from finished. As the storm grows more dangerous and the number of survivors dwindles one by one, Christa must decide whom she can trust before this frozen mountain becomes her grave.
I love winter horror and this, did not disappoint. I could hear the wind whistling and feel the cold in my bones as I read. Full of twists and turns right up till the end.
Darcey Coats does it again.
Thank you Ms. Coates , NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advance copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
This should be released for purchase
on July 11th, 2023.
Dee in the night the tour guide goes missing. Only to be discovered the next morning his head severed and impaled on a tree outside the cabin. Terrified and completely isolated by the storm, Christa finds herself trapped with eight total strangers. One of them kills for sport and they’re far from finished. As the storm grows more dangerous and the number of survivors dwindles one by one, Christa must decide whom she can trust before this frozen mountain becomes her grave.
I love winter horror and this, did not disappoint. I could hear the wind whistling and feel the cold in my bones as I read. Full of twists and turns right up till the end.
Darcey Coats does it again.
Thank you Ms. Coates , NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advance copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
This should be released for purchase
on July 11th, 2023.
February 11, 2023
I’m disappointed to say this wasn’t my favorite. It had everything I normally love: a wintery, isolated setting, a whodunit mystery. But I kept finding myself struggling to get through it. It felt long and drawn out and I kept waiting for it to be over. Maybe it would work better for me as an audiobook.
Christa joins a tour group heading into the Rocky Mountains hoping to put her past behind her. But when a freak snowstorm forces the group to take shelter in an abandoned hunting cabin, things go from bad to worse. As the temperature drops, tensions run high, but Christa is optimistic they can wait out the storm. However, sometime during the night their tour guide disappears only to be found the following morning with his head impaled on a tree near the cabin. Christa is trapped with eight strangers and one of them is a killer.
Dead of Winter is available July 11, 2023.
Thank you netgalley and poisoned pen press for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Christa joins a tour group heading into the Rocky Mountains hoping to put her past behind her. But when a freak snowstorm forces the group to take shelter in an abandoned hunting cabin, things go from bad to worse. As the temperature drops, tensions run high, but Christa is optimistic they can wait out the storm. However, sometime during the night their tour guide disappears only to be found the following morning with his head impaled on a tree near the cabin. Christa is trapped with eight strangers and one of them is a killer.
Dead of Winter is available July 11, 2023.
Thank you netgalley and poisoned pen press for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
June 15, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -NetGalley ARC
“When Christa joins a tour group heading deep into the snowy expanse of the Rocky Mountains, she's hopeful this will be her chance to put the ghosts of her past to rest. But when a bitterly cold snowstorm sweeps the region, the small group is forced to take shelter in an abandoned hunting cabin. Despite the uncomfortably claustrophobic quarters and rapidly dropping temperature, Christa believes they'll be safe as they wait out the storm.
She couldn't be more wrong.
Deep in the night, their tour guide goes missing...only to be discovered the following morning, his severed head impaled on a tree outside the cabin. Terrified, and completely isolated by the storm, Christa finds herself trapped with eight total strangers. One of them kills for sport...and they're far from finished. As the storm grows more dangerous and the number of survivors dwindles one by one, Christa must decide who she can trust before this frozen mountain becomes her tomb.”
Horror/Suspense that takes place during winter storms are my absolute favorite trope so I was very excited to get this book to read and review. It was a little slow to start; the first eight chapters were a little repetitive but that is literally my only complaint. The rest of the book was quick paced and so creepy I’m surprised I have any nails left! The ending was mind blowing! 🤯
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book. All thoughts are my own.
“When Christa joins a tour group heading deep into the snowy expanse of the Rocky Mountains, she's hopeful this will be her chance to put the ghosts of her past to rest. But when a bitterly cold snowstorm sweeps the region, the small group is forced to take shelter in an abandoned hunting cabin. Despite the uncomfortably claustrophobic quarters and rapidly dropping temperature, Christa believes they'll be safe as they wait out the storm.
She couldn't be more wrong.
Deep in the night, their tour guide goes missing...only to be discovered the following morning, his severed head impaled on a tree outside the cabin. Terrified, and completely isolated by the storm, Christa finds herself trapped with eight total strangers. One of them kills for sport...and they're far from finished. As the storm grows more dangerous and the number of survivors dwindles one by one, Christa must decide who she can trust before this frozen mountain becomes her tomb.”
Horror/Suspense that takes place during winter storms are my absolute favorite trope so I was very excited to get this book to read and review. It was a little slow to start; the first eight chapters were a little repetitive but that is literally my only complaint. The rest of the book was quick paced and so creepy I’m surprised I have any nails left! The ending was mind blowing! 🤯
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book. All thoughts are my own.
September 15, 2023
The "And Then There Were None" trope, a popular classic in the realm of mysteries, has been used many times, and breathing new life into this well-trodden path can be challenging. However, Darcy Coates manages to break the mold by infusing this familiar setup with a relentless, action-packed narrative that races from the very beginning, injecting a spine-chilling dose of horror into the mix.
From start to finish, the story was a white-knuckle thrill ride, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Coates does not hold back when it comes to delivering grisly and horrifying murders that send shivers down my spine.
One of the highlights of this narrative is the choice of a locked-room setting in a remote, snowstorm-battered location. Coates expertly utilizes this backdrop to enhance the story's eerie atmosphere, further intensifying the horror element.
As the body count rose, my suspicions shifted from one character to another, keeping me guessing until the shocking reveal, and I found myself suspecting everyone until each character met their untimely demise. However, I did manage to deduce the identity of the killer before the final "And Then There Were None" moment. The revelation of the murderer and their motive was a delightful surprise, and I liked the intricate web of connections among the characters, lending an air of credibility to the story that paid off in the end.
Whether you choose to delve into this one in the dead of winter, as a spine-tingling Halloween read, or even on a scorching summer day, one thing is certain: it will chill you to the bone and keep you enthralled until the very last page.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
From start to finish, the story was a white-knuckle thrill ride, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Coates does not hold back when it comes to delivering grisly and horrifying murders that send shivers down my spine.
One of the highlights of this narrative is the choice of a locked-room setting in a remote, snowstorm-battered location. Coates expertly utilizes this backdrop to enhance the story's eerie atmosphere, further intensifying the horror element.
As the body count rose, my suspicions shifted from one character to another, keeping me guessing until the shocking reveal, and I found myself suspecting everyone until each character met their untimely demise. However, I did manage to deduce the identity of the killer before the final "And Then There Were None" moment. The revelation of the murderer and their motive was a delightful surprise, and I liked the intricate web of connections among the characters, lending an air of credibility to the story that paid off in the end.
Whether you choose to delve into this one in the dead of winter, as a spine-tingling Halloween read, or even on a scorching summer day, one thing is certain: it will chill you to the bone and keep you enthralled until the very last page.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
July 11, 2023
Christa and her boyfriend joined a tour group heading into the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, to Blackstone Alpine Lodge, where they were set to have two weeks of adventure, off the grid. On the way there, Brian, their tour guide and coach driver, lamented the wild storm which they were surrounded by, but also affirmed their safety. When they were brought to a standstill by a large tree across the road, Brian set to with his chainsaw, and volunteers from the group. Taking shelter in a nearby cabin, with little to eat, no comfort for sleeping and the bitter cold keeping them company, they hoped the following day to head to the lodge.
But there was a killer out there - or among them? One by one the group was picked off, murdered in a gruesome fashion, starting with Brian, their guide. They were all terrified, but Christa was trying to work out who she could trust - not knowing any of them made it difficult. With no phone reception, they couldn't call for help. They should stay together, isolated in the cabin with the storm continuing to rage around them...
Oh my goodness!! High adrenalin from the very first page - Dead of Winter by new to me Aussie author Darcy Coates (who lives less than an hour from me!) was brilliant! The thrilling tension was electric, I had trouble putting it down. Fast paced, an excellent plot, great characters - I could feel the chilling cold! Highly recommended.
With thanks to Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
But there was a killer out there - or among them? One by one the group was picked off, murdered in a gruesome fashion, starting with Brian, their guide. They were all terrified, but Christa was trying to work out who she could trust - not knowing any of them made it difficult. With no phone reception, they couldn't call for help. They should stay together, isolated in the cabin with the storm continuing to rage around them...
Oh my goodness!! High adrenalin from the very first page - Dead of Winter by new to me Aussie author Darcy Coates (who lives less than an hour from me!) was brilliant! The thrilling tension was electric, I had trouble putting it down. Fast paced, an excellent plot, great characters - I could feel the chilling cold! Highly recommended.
With thanks to Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2023
Find the full review here.
Dead Of Winter is an upcoming thriller novel by best selling writer Darcey Coates, which I got an opportunity to read, thanks to an advance copy by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. I am reading Coates for the first time. The book is a locked door suspense mystery with cabin in the wood kind of horror elements heavily thrown in.
Story is narrated in the first person perspective of Christa. The narrative style of Coates puts the reader in the midst of the events. While reading through the eyes of Christa, we are aware of only that which she knows about. At the same time we are part of all the paranoia and anguish that she feels. This made me as a reader, more immersed and invested in her perilous journey.
Dead Of Winter is an upcoming thriller novel by best selling writer Darcey Coates, which I got an opportunity to read, thanks to an advance copy by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. I am reading Coates for the first time. The book is a locked door suspense mystery with cabin in the wood kind of horror elements heavily thrown in.
Story is narrated in the first person perspective of Christa. The narrative style of Coates puts the reader in the midst of the events. While reading through the eyes of Christa, we are aware of only that which she knows about. At the same time we are part of all the paranoia and anguish that she feels. This made me as a reader, more immersed and invested in her perilous journey.
May 18, 2023
As a mystery I'd give this 3.5 stars; as a horror thriller, I'd give it 4 stars
This is a non-stop action fest of an isolated closed circle thriller that throws you right into the fire (or snow in this case). While I found the "whodunnit" immediately obvious, I think the tense vibes and effective setting made this a really entertaining read, and there was some body horror in here that I think made things even more intense. Recommended!
This is a non-stop action fest of an isolated closed circle thriller that throws you right into the fire (or snow in this case). While I found the "whodunnit" immediately obvious, I think the tense vibes and effective setting made this a really entertaining read, and there was some body horror in here that I think made things even more intense. Recommended!
May 31, 2024
Amazing. Now I completely understand why my daughter binge reads Darcy Coates. Her writing drew me in so much that (even though I was reading this in hot weather) I actually shivered while imagining the characters fight for their lives in subzero blizzards. Cannot recommend Dead of Winter highly enough. An absolutely amazing horror filled thriller.
August 1, 2023
Krista and Kiernan joined a tour group, heading to the Blackstone Alpine Lodge so deep in the Rocky Mountains, only mother, nature has plans of her own a snowstorm that affects all of the tour group. After their tour bus. Is stuck behind a fallen tree. The snow begins to fall with no signs of it letting up anytime soon.
Now the group of strangers find shelter in a small cabin in the valley, exhausted cold, and hungry. Can the group survive the weather and each other.. one by one, the members of the group are being targeted, and a very dark and macabre way. Is there a serial killer among them? It would be a mistake to believe too much in anyone’s innocence.
WoW this is my first read by Darcy Coates, and she doesn’t disappoint. As the tension slowly builds, I was on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The intensity is so palpable at times my heart was beating so fast. The author did an excellent job at keeping the plot twist coming without giving anything away which keep me interested right up to the satisfying ending..
A special thanks to Poisoned, Pen Press, and Netgalley for a copy of the arc, and exchange for an honest review.
Now the group of strangers find shelter in a small cabin in the valley, exhausted cold, and hungry. Can the group survive the weather and each other.. one by one, the members of the group are being targeted, and a very dark and macabre way. Is there a serial killer among them? It would be a mistake to believe too much in anyone’s innocence.
WoW this is my first read by Darcy Coates, and she doesn’t disappoint. As the tension slowly builds, I was on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The intensity is so palpable at times my heart was beating so fast. The author did an excellent job at keeping the plot twist coming without giving anything away which keep me interested right up to the satisfying ending..
A special thanks to Poisoned, Pen Press, and Netgalley for a copy of the arc, and exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2024
I had my fingers crossed this book would give me all the creepy, atmospheric and isolated vibes! 🤞🏾
It half succeeded I guess. I really enjoy a locked room mystery/thriller and this is definitely the book to read if you enjoy that trope too.
I have been looking for a book to give me the same feelings I had when I read 'No Exit' by Taylor Adams and the blurb of this book looked promising. I don't know if it was the over descriptive writing or the repetitiveness but it failed to give me the same vibes.
I had guess the twist of the book quite early on, but I applaud the author with all her red herrings that did make me question whether I was actually right with my speculation (ultimately I was correct).
I expected this to be a one sit read, but I did doze off while reading this admittedly.
I cant lie but the first 150 pages was a little bit of a snooze fest, but my intrigue kept me pushing on. The second half the book was much better and I am glad I persevered.
All in all it was a fun little whodunnit thriller, that I think beginner thriller readers would really like.
I would recommend this book but I would also mention that it is nothing groundbreaking either (IMO)
3.5 ⭐
It half succeeded I guess. I really enjoy a locked room mystery/thriller and this is definitely the book to read if you enjoy that trope too.
I have been looking for a book to give me the same feelings I had when I read 'No Exit' by Taylor Adams and the blurb of this book looked promising. I don't know if it was the over descriptive writing or the repetitiveness but it failed to give me the same vibes.
I had guess the twist of the book quite early on, but I applaud the author with all her red herrings that did make me question whether I was actually right with my speculation (ultimately I was correct).
I expected this to be a one sit read, but I did doze off while reading this admittedly.
I cant lie but the first 150 pages was a little bit of a snooze fest, but my intrigue kept me pushing on. The second half the book was much better and I am glad I persevered.
All in all it was a fun little whodunnit thriller, that I think beginner thriller readers would really like.
I would recommend this book but I would also mention that it is nothing groundbreaking either (IMO)
3.5 ⭐
February 15, 2023
Christa and her boyfriend Kiernan go on a vacation headed to Blackstone Alpine Lodge. On the way there they get stranded on the tour bus due to a snowstorm. Christa and Kiernan go out to see if they can sight the lodge. They get lost in the storm. Christa finds her way to an old cabin in the woods. The tour bus people have found the shelter. Kieran is still lost in the storm. The group of people begin getting bumped off one by one with their heads chopped off and put on a tree outside the cabin. Panic sets in and people do stupid things.
This was a really good creepy book that I hated putting down. Had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Thanks NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC that will be released July 11, 2023!
This was a really good creepy book that I hated putting down. Had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Thanks NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC that will be released July 11, 2023!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2023
Loved, loved this book! Coates absolutely nailed the atmospheric vibe. 🩵😱
Dead of Winter has a modern feel of Agatha Christie's novel, And Then There Were None.
A tour group heading to the Rocky Mountains for a retreat suddenly breaks down miles from their destination and are forced to take refuge in a nearby abandoned hunting cabin. With a bitterly cold snowstorm outside and no cellular service to call for help, the group decides to stay until they can safely travel.
Little do they know that there is a killer in their mist who has organized this whole trip to take them out one by one.
Dead of Winter has a modern feel of Agatha Christie's novel, And Then There Were None.
A tour group heading to the Rocky Mountains for a retreat suddenly breaks down miles from their destination and are forced to take refuge in a nearby abandoned hunting cabin. With a bitterly cold snowstorm outside and no cellular service to call for help, the group decides to stay until they can safely travel.
Little do they know that there is a killer in their mist who has organized this whole trip to take them out one by one.
October 1, 2023
I read this book while on my vacation where life was beautiful all the time so I'm sure my rating reflects my good mood more so than relying solely on the merits of the book alone. So there's that to consider while reading my review.
Somewhere in the rocky mountains in the dead of winter, a group of strangers gets stranded on their way to a resort. Snow storm, bus breaks down, cabin found, and a killer is among them knocking their numbers down one by one with an axe. The action starts right from the get-go and I get hooked in.
There's a cast of unlikables, but they're all stressed out so they get a pass. Of course, they all have a secret, get suspicious of one another and tensions run high. There's angst among the ranks. Some unlikables I liked more than others. A few I would want with me in such a dire situation. Others, I was wondering why can't I find a killer when I need one.
Not without its flaws. The culprit might as well have worn a neon sign. I'm not sure why the author chose to be so blatant here, but there you have it. I would have much preferred to have done the work myself.
The chapters are short and the pacing quick. A good fit to unwind after a hard day of vacationing.
Somewhere in the rocky mountains in the dead of winter, a group of strangers gets stranded on their way to a resort. Snow storm, bus breaks down, cabin found, and a killer is among them knocking their numbers down one by one with an axe. The action starts right from the get-go and I get hooked in.
There's a cast of unlikables, but they're all stressed out so they get a pass. Of course, they all have a secret, get suspicious of one another and tensions run high. There's angst among the ranks. Some unlikables I liked more than others. A few I would want with me in such a dire situation. Others, I was wondering why can't I find a killer when I need one.
Not without its flaws. The culprit might as well have worn a neon sign. I'm not sure why the author chose to be so blatant here, but there you have it. I would have much preferred to have done the work myself.
The chapters are short and the pacing quick. A good fit to unwind after a hard day of vacationing.
July 14, 2024
I enjoyed this more than I thought it would honestly. I was a bit skeptical at the start of the book but by the halfway point I was super invested. I loved how the book kinda just ended after everything. I’m not really a fan of books that drag on for no real reason.
There were a few parts of the book that were a bit confusing for unnecessary but not to the point where it totally ruined the experience. Highly recommend!
There were a few parts of the book that were a bit confusing for unnecessary but not to the point where it totally ruined the experience. Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,738 reviews