Harsh Winters
In a city gripped by winter’s oppressive silence, where snow muffles footsteps and secrets cling to the cold air, Diane believes she is closing in on the truth. But her relentless pursuit leads to a devastating mistake. She publicly accuses the wrong man, and everything she has built from her credibility, her relationships, and her fragile sense of safety all begins to unravel. Sometimes, in seeking justice, we become the architects of injustice.
Closer to home, someone watches patiently and silently, waiting for the moment when the ice finally cracks.
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Reader Reviews
8 ratings
Alison O.
Harsh Winters by John Randall
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(4.5 rounded up)
This is an amazing and intense thriller story!
Diane Campbell is not new to the subject of crime and killers. As an adult she starts a podcast focusing and becoming obsessed with serial killers.
This story definitely has suspenseful layers to it!! The imagery is fantastic and I was able to picture all the details! It is very well written and has a deep and dark story line.
The book is a slow burn, which I often struggle with, but it’s definitely worth sticking it out!!
I was very lucky to get an arc of this amazing book!!
It comes out December 5th, and is a must read!! Grab this one!!
Liz M.
This was a chilling, fast-paced thriller that hooked me right away. The mix of true crime obsession, internet sleuthing, and a serial killer stalking the Midwest during brutal winter months created such an eerie atmosphere. Diane was a deeply flawed but believable main character, and watching her spiral deeper into the case while her personal life unraveled made the story feel unsettlingly realistic.
What really stood out was the commentary on online true crime culture and the danger of chasing likes, clicks, and attention without considering the consequences. The false accusation storyline added a layer of tension and moral complexity that made this more than just a standard serial killer thriller.
The pacing stayed strong throughout, and the suspense kept building as Diane realized evil was much closer than she thought. A few moments felt a little predictable, but overall this was an intense and engaging read with plenty of creepy vibes and thought-provoking themes. Perfect for readers who enjoy dark psychological thrillers mixed with true crime obsession.
Charlene M.
4.5 rounded to 5.
I'm trying to figure out how I feel about this book 🤣. so we are doing a pros/what didn't work for me list (but may work for you).
So:
Pros:
The setting is perfect. Randall is highly descriptive and it is so easy to get immersed in everything.
The cycle of violence and trauma and obsession was very well done. The characters are profoundly scarred and this is not shied away from. Can evil be genetic? Can obsession?
The emotional impact for many of the scenes is very well done. You have to be careful not to fall into the characters' obsessions!
It is clearly well researched!
Cons...ish? Your mileage will vary:
I, personally, felt like the last third of the book should have been either its own book or been part of Book 2. The climax in 2001 was perfect as a climax for the book and would have still had those threads. But having a hundred odd pages more felt disconnected to me. It really feels like it's own story at that point. Especially with the introduction of characters that will be pivotal in book 2 but either didn't exist or were just vaguely lurking up to that point.
I will stress that this is my own opinion however!
One issue I did have from a technical standpoint is that the tenses kept changing from past to present and back again, especially at the beginning and end. Maybe it was deliberate but mostly it was distracting.
Allll that being said, I am looking forward to book 2 and John had an amazing way of building immersion and depicting trauma which really makes you feel for the characters. And his depiction of the bad guys is always chilling.
Crystal O.
Carina P.
I’ve been really looking forward to ‘Harsh Winters’ since John first talked about it.
First I need to state that if you know John, you know he is adamant about the perfection of his covers. So I need to first show appreciation to the cover. It is an absolute masterpiece—it’s utterly breathtaking! The complex, haunting imagery draws you in immediately. The longer you gaze, the more of those intricate details surface. @frinaart is beyond talented!!
Now onto the story.
Diane Campbell has spent her life dealing with the shadows of killers, still haunted by her childhood friend’s murder. Now she’s part of a true crime group and throws herself into tracking a predator terrorizing Denver.
This book is a slow burn, but one that rewards your patience. The details are so vivid you don’t just read it. You experience it. The crunch of the snow, the bite of the wind, the quiet of long winter nights.
What stuck with me most was the heart behind the story. You can feel the care John poured into each page as he invites you to walk alongside his characters, sharing their hardships and flickers of hope. If you’ve read John’s other books you know his attention to detail is remarkable.
The pacing may challenge some, but I found it really rewarding. The slow reveal gave me time to connect with the characters. By the end, I felt as though I’d lived through the harsh winter with them. This book isn’t just a story; it’s an experience.
Beta‑reading Harsh Winters was such a gift and honor, but the real pinch‑me moment? I have a character in the book! Thank you John for another amazing story!
Carina P.
I’ve been really looking forward to ‘Harsh Winters’ since John first talked about it.
First I need to state that if you know John, you know he is adamant about the perfection of his covers. So I need to first show appreciation to the cover. It is an absolute masterpiece—it’s utterly breathtaking! The complex, haunting imagery draws you in immediately. The longer you gaze, the more of those intricate details surface. @frinaart is beyond talented!!
Now onto the story.
Diane Campbell has spent her life dealing with the shadows of killers, still haunted by her childhood friend’s murder. Now she’s part of a true crime group and throws herself into tracking a predator terrorizing Denver.
This book is a slow burn, but one that rewards your patience. The details are so vivid you don’t just read it. You experience it. The crunch of the snow, the bite of the wind, the quiet of long winter nights.
What stuck with me most was the heart behind the story. You can feel the care John poured into each page as he invites you to walk alongside his characters, sharing their hardships and flickers of hope. If you’ve read John’s other books you know his attention to detail is remarkable.
The pacing may challenge some, but I found it really rewarding. The slow reveal gave me time to connect with the characters. By the end, I felt as though I’d lived through the harsh winter with them. This book isn’t just a story; it’s an experience.
Beta‑reading Harsh Winters was such a gift and honor, but the real pinch‑me moment? I have a character in the book! Thank you John for another amazing story!
Mandy S.
Tara L.
While the pacing wasn’t always my personal preference, I really enjoyed the final section. The tone shifts into a more psychological, suspenseful place, and that’s where the story truly hooked me. Those last chapters genuinely felt like the beginning of a gripping psych thriller, and they left me very excited for Book 2.
Even if this wasn’t a perfect fit for me overall, I respect the heart behind it and I’m looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.
3.5 ⭐ - Rounding up to 4⭐
Rachel B.
While it’s a little bit of a slow burn, it kept me hooked the entire time. The suspense builds perfectly, tightening page by page until you’re fully immersed. A gripping, emotional read that highlights Randall’s talent for storytelling.