While staying true to the essence of the original poem, "Night Before Christmas" also surprises readers with unexpected twists and turns that keep the story engaging and unpredictable. This reimagined version maintains the poetic rhythm and lyrical quality of the original while infusing it with a sense of modern sensibility. I’d like to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for approving me for an ARC of this book. This is the third book in the DI James Walker series but haven’t not read the previous two books, I can confirm it works very well as a standalone. This is a series that I have and continue to enjoy and I really hope that this isn’t planned to be the last that we all get to see of DI Walker and his team. It’s becoming a bit of a tradition for me to read these part cosy, part thriller police procedural books around this time of year and I don’t want it to end. I really enjoyed this third book and if you’ve already read the first two, I think you will too. Alternatively, if you haven’t read any of the books in this series, this could easily be read standalone. Overall a great Christmas read that I loved reading during the cold evenings. Trail hunting, a contentious and polarizing topic, has garnered fierce proponents and opponents. Both sides have been known to manipulate facts about incidents, deriving a peculiar satisfaction from their confrontations.

What I love most about Alex Pines books is that 1 I am always drawn in right from the start and 2 I never know what direction they will take me in. I had my suspicions throughout the book over who the murderer could be then right at the end there was a massive twist that through a grenade in my theory and I was completely stunned by this. However, it's already too late for at least one of the men. His brutally murdered body is found staining the snow scarlet. Clearly, the men aren't the only ones out hunting on Christmas Eve...This is book four in the DI James Walker series. The author starts off the book by introducing DI Walker and his team for those readers that may not be familiar with the previous books. Since DI Walker has moved to Cumbria there has been a murder every Christmas for him and his team to solve. This Christmas Eve is no different when he receives a call from Maria Payne that her husband Dylan and 3 friends have not returned from a hike they went on earlier that morning. She is not able to reach him and fears that he may be in trouble. The men have been friends for years. One of the book's strengths is Pine's ability to evoke vivid imagery, painting scenes that transport readers to a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights and festive decorations. The author's attention to detail adds depth to the story, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the enchanting atmosphere.

As DC Abbott is spending a relaxing New Years Eve with her fiancée Sean; attending the wedding of a mutual friend at a posh hotel on the shore of the gorgeous Lake Windermere. When she finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation after the maid of honour disappears during the reception and is later found floating in the lake. Really looking forward to the next book in the series and catching-up on the previous two! Happy listening / reading! Although the third book in the series, the book can easily be read as a standalone and there's even a character list at the start of the book to introduce you to who's who which I always find very useful.

Member Reviews

The Winter Killer is the 3rd in the DI James Walker series. At a New Year's Eve wedding the sister of the bride has gone missing and all available police are called to search the grounds of the hotel, the scene of the wedding. When her body is discovered, it is up to the team to find out how, why and who killed her. I raced through it this weekend. Such a smart twisty, warped, credible, brilliantly plotted and compelling. Deserves to be such a hit.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an advance copy of The Night Before Christmas, the fourth novel to feature DCI James Walker of Cumbria Police.