It's Christmas again and DCI James Walker is hoping to enjoy a lovely Christmas with his family. When he receives a call on Christmas morning he doesn't expect to see the body of local journalist and friend Gordon Carver. It appears someone struck him from behind when he was walking home on Christmas eve night. The investigation leads James and his team to people who he had been seen with and people who might of had a grudge against him due to his reporting. The prime suspects are eventually cleared and other surprising suspects arise, but why was Gordon killed. Another seasonally themed book from Alex Pine. I really like this series.

I love all Alex Pine’s books which are set at Christmas time in Cumbria. DCI James Walker hopes for a quiet family Christmas each year. Each year he is called into work to solve a murder. We have descriptions of the weather in winter in Cumbria, snow, ice, wind, dark days, the local people and Christmas festivities. This book is the 6th in the series, but can be read as a stand alone book. This time a journalist from the local paper is murdered. He was a friend of James, but as he has made enemies of hardened criminals by writing about them in the paper, and indeed giving information to the police, there are plenty of suspects. Just when all the leads are proving negative, James and his team find the murderer. I didn’t guess who it was! There were several twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing. Besides all this police work, James’ wife Annie is waiting for tests for an health scare and this adds to the tension. I recommend this book and my thanks go to NetGalley, the publishers, Harper Collins and Alex Pine of an arc of this fabulous book.

This Christmas Crime series by Alex Pine has been my go to books in December over the last few years. I thoroughly enjoy spending December in snow filled Cumbria with DCI James Walker and his team. Cold Blooded Killer is the 6th book in the series. It was another gripping, read. There was still plenty of snow and frost but also howling winds to contend with. Christmas in Cumbria is never just about sparkly lights and Christmas songs, but murder, mystery, and mayhem This sixth book delivers everything I’ve come to love: a chilling crime, a tightly woven plot, and fabulous characters that I have got to love over the last few years. This can be read standalone though and you will quickly get to know the characters. We follow James Walker and his team as they try to uncover who was responsible for the murder of journalist Gordon Carver.. There's plenty of red herrings and we meet several gruesome characters, who may, or may not have committed the murderous act. This was a fast paced book. We are introduced to several possibilities, side stories and intriguing plot lines. Just when you think you have worked out who it might have been, you get thrown in a different direction. The final revelations were wonderful. The setting in Cumbria is awesome. You can really picture yourself in the book, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the lakes and fells. The challenging weather conditions adds to the sense of adventure and you really feel that James Walker and his team have to grapple with not only the terrible crimes but also the unpredictable weather that they face. A series that I thoroughly enjoy and a new tradition to winter is looking forward to reading these. Settle in with a mulled wine and a mince pie (or whatever festive food and drink you prefer) and embrace this fantastic Christmas Crime caper.