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lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
THE SNOW KILLER by Ross Greenwood is the first book in a new series featuring Detective Inspector John Barton. The novel is a combination of genres. Part of it is historical mystery, part contemporary police procedural, and part an insight into a serial killer’s mind.
The novel is set in and near Peterborough in the United Kingdom, a place where the author was born and later visited many times. This lent authenticity to the sense of place. The opening scene starts fifty years ago when a family is gunned down in the snow. However, a teenager survives, takes revenge a few years later and becomes known as the Snow Killer. However, the case goes cold and is forgotten by most. Fifty years later, murders start again that are somewhat similar in style to the revenge killings. Has the Snow Killer started killing again or is this a copycat Snow Killer? The novel is told from the alternating points of view of two very different individuals, DI Barton and the Snow Killer.
The characters are compelling and their motivations seem believable and well-drawn. The reader gets insight into DI Barton’s family life as well as his team members working to solve the contemporary murders. The descriptions are vivid and give a clear sense of time and space. The insight and perspective of the Snow Killer is disturbing. The ending has a twist that I did not see coming until late in the book.
This is the only book that I have read by this author but I am looking forward to the next book in the series. What a great start to a new series. I believe those readers that enjoy police procedurals with a little something extra will enjoy this book.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Ross Greenwood for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
The novel is set in and near Peterborough in the United Kingdom, a place where the author was born and later visited many times. This lent authenticity to the sense of place. The opening scene starts fifty years ago when a family is gunned down in the snow. However, a teenager survives, takes revenge a few years later and becomes known as the Snow Killer. However, the case goes cold and is forgotten by most. Fifty years later, murders start again that are somewhat similar in style to the revenge killings. Has the Snow Killer started killing again or is this a copycat Snow Killer? The novel is told from the alternating points of view of two very different individuals, DI Barton and the Snow Killer.
The characters are compelling and their motivations seem believable and well-drawn. The reader gets insight into DI Barton’s family life as well as his team members working to solve the contemporary murders. The descriptions are vivid and give a clear sense of time and space. The insight and perspective of the Snow Killer is disturbing. The ending has a twist that I did not see coming until late in the book.
This is the only book that I have read by this author but I am looking forward to the next book in the series. What a great start to a new series. I believe those readers that enjoy police procedurals with a little something extra will enjoy this book.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Ross Greenwood for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
disjointedenvy's review against another edition
5.0
A Great read with a couple of good twists..The author wrote the book well by having it come from two perspectives throughout the entrie book. The killer and the leading detective on the case.
I definitely didn't pick the twists, which this book had a few. None was far fetched and all came together nicely for the reader by the end of the novel.. Overall a really good starting book for a series. I look forward to reading the next book.
I definitely didn't pick the twists, which this book had a few. None was far fetched and all came together nicely for the reader by the end of the novel.. Overall a really good starting book for a series. I look forward to reading the next book.
cjfooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
themisssmas's review against another edition
5.0
Such a page turner. Really enjoyed this book! Certain parts were confusing such as the gender of the killer. Was this done purposefully? Did it matter? Either way I highly recommend this book
maggymags's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book and will continue with this series.
thisisthesun's review against another edition
5.0
I read this on a whim, something different from what I’ve been trying recently, and I was pleasantly surprised. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m thinking of giving the second book a try (even though the reviews aren’t great).
pippad's review against another edition
I love a good murder... and there were plenty in this book.
I love that I didn't get the twist to start with, (although I had kinda guessed some of it) and was very happy with this... to the point that I started The Soul killer straight away!
I love that I didn't get the twist to start with, (although I had kinda guessed some of it) and was very happy with this... to the point that I started The Soul killer straight away!
shreyas1599's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars (rounded to 4). Another decent read I found on Prime Reading.
A revenge story with a semi-successful ending is how I'd best describe it. The reader is given the perspective of the killer as well but a certain detail about the killer is kept hidden until close to the end.
The writer sort of challenged my presumptions. I did question the gender of the killer in the beginning and of course, was led astray purely due to my wrongly assuming that the killer was naturally an older brother and could not be an older sister. Props to the writer for hiding that fact till the very end.
There were junctures throughout the story where I felt it kind of dragged off and could have been wrapped up sooner. But all the connections between the different characters are finally given an explanation in the end.
The pregnancy plot was kind of irrelevant to the story. But seems like this book is the first in a series. In that case, I suppose it'd make sense to provide the characters with a longer story arc built up over the course of several books.
DS Strange's boyfriend being the DCI's son also felt kind of forced. In an attempt to make every character present in the story feel more connected as a part of the story, it did feel a bit out of place. Of all the people that could've been her boyfriend, it had to be her superior's son? Anyway, to an extent it goes to amplify the small town narrative of the story - where everyone knows everyone else and everyone has some or the other connection with everyone else.
On the main character itself - I can't seem to get a hold over whether I like him or not. He seems almost too perfect and bland. Which I guess, is a tried and tested recipe. Why bungle up your main character. Stuff him in with all the good traits with no shades of murkiness beneath. And add all the distasteful and murderous attributes to the villain of the story with a backstory to explain it out.
Overall, a decent written story with a semi-predictable ending, but a good read nonetheless.
A revenge story with a semi-successful ending is how I'd best describe it. The reader is given the perspective of the killer as well but a certain detail about the killer is kept hidden until close to the end.
Spoiler
The writer sort of challenged my presumptions. I did question the gender of the killer in the beginning and of course, was led astray purely due to my wrongly assuming that the killer was naturally an older brother and could not be an older sister. Props to the writer for hiding that fact till the very end.
There were junctures throughout the story where I felt it kind of dragged off and could have been wrapped up sooner. But all the connections between the different characters are finally given an explanation in the end.
The pregnancy plot was kind of irrelevant to the story. But seems like this book is the first in a series. In that case, I suppose it'd make sense to provide the characters with a longer story arc built up over the course of several books.
DS Strange's boyfriend being the DCI's son also felt kind of forced. In an attempt to make every character present in the story feel more connected as a part of the story, it did feel a bit out of place. Of all the people that could've been her boyfriend, it had to be her superior's son? Anyway, to an extent it goes to amplify the small town narrative of the story - where everyone knows everyone else and everyone has some or the other connection with everyone else.
On the main character itself - I can't seem to get a hold over whether I like him or not. He seems almost too perfect and bland. Which I guess, is a tried and tested recipe. Why bungle up your main character. Stuff him in with all the good traits with no shades of murkiness beneath. And add all the distasteful and murderous attributes to the villain of the story with a backstory to explain it out.
Overall, a decent written story with a semi-predictable ending, but a good read nonetheless.