The Snow Killer

Fifty years ago, a family of four is brutally gunned down in the snow. One child survives and then disappears from hospital. The killer is never found and earns the nickname of "The Snow Killer". Then fifty years later, a series of murders occur that just happen to also take place in the snow. Is the killer back? chapters that alternate between the guilty party and the police who are investigating a series of murders, Ross Greenwood takes us on a journey that is both full of thrills and emotion. The book opens in the past when a young child witnesses the murder of their sister and parents and is themselves left for dead. But nearly dead is not really dead now, is it? Soon revenge becomes the only item on the surviving child’s personal show more agenda. Now we fast forward fifty years and we are faced with a brand-new series of murders in which the victims are not the most sympathetic and the motive is unclear to say the least. The killer continues to reveal moments from the past, offering more insight into their present which really adds to the story. It surprised me that I began in some respects, to empathies, with the killer. It was a story that gripped me from the start and kept me glued right to the end. A real one-day kind of book. It had a feeling of reality about it and was filled with surprises and emotion. show less

The gimmick is that we get a lot of narrative from the killer's POV and it continues into book two, so I liked this one enough to continue at least that far. Pretty much all the police officers are normal and none have axes to grind or bottles to get lost in the bottom of. The obstetrician visit felt way off though. As if some coworker that you barely know is going to come with you to get an ultrasound. Men hate dealing with women's plumbing except if they are plumbing them so that was a horribly false note.

The investigation ran smoothly and seemed logical - no big leaps although the connection between the new and old cases was accepted rather quickly in my view. I should have spotted what the snow killer narrative was hiding, but old show more habits and social mores really do blind us. The end had a lot more violence than I expected although none was very graphic. show less

THE SNOW KILLER Good pacing and interesting characters in this suspenseful crime novel by Ross Greenwood. The first in the DI Barton series set in Cambridgeshire constabulary in England. The protagonist is a middle-aged police officer who enjoys his family and work life but is beginning to wonder if he is fulfilled. The antagonist character is unique and surprising. Great read!
I did find it odd that temperatures were given in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, but references to television characters were specifically BBC.

The voice of the Snow Killer drew me in right away, and those sections were very cleverly done. The police procedural parts were solid, although the narrative voice was very definitely that of a man and felt a tiny bit dated in some of its attitudes.

Very enjoyable though, and a quick read.

(Audiobook version)
Once again, Audible has recommended a new author that I truly enjoyed. The story and characters are well developed and intriguing. There are some twists that I absolutely did not see coming. Also, the narrator was excellent. I have downloaded the rest of the series and look forward to "reading" all three. I will then continue with his other works.

I especially enjoy authors that write within their geographic location (CJ Box, Archer Mayor, Louise Penny, etc.). So happy to find another!

This story unfolded in an engaging way. I will continue with the series.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading The Snow Killer. Great storyline kept me reading late into the night. Look forward to reading book 2 when it is released