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The Chilling
An unputdownable thriller set in the pressure-cooker environment of an Antarctic winter.
An isolated research station. A storm approaching.
There's nowhere to run. But so much to hide.
Keen to flee the wreckage of her marriage, Australian scientist Kit Bitterfeld accepts a coveted winter research position at Macpherson Station in Antarctica. On the way there, Kit and her fellow researchers field a distress call from a nearby ship. By the time they reach the vessel it is on fire and the crew has vanished. A lone survivor is found, but he can't remember who he is or what has happened.
They bring the survivor, eventually identified as geophysicist Nick Coltheart, to Macpherson but it's clear that something is wrong. More and more of Kit's colleagues are acting strangely. And she can't shake the suspicion that Nick knows more than he's letting on. With the winter darkness setting in, Kit must figure out the truth before they are completely cut off from the outside world. But is the danger lurking out on the ice, or is it closer than she thinks?
The Chilling offers a compellingly icy twist on the winter thriller setting, transplanting the most haunting elements of Scandi noir to the southern hemisphere, and announces Riley James as a brilliant new talent writing in a fresh corner of Australian crime fiction.
An isolated research station. A storm approaching.
There's nowhere to run. But so much to hide.
Keen to flee the wreckage of her marriage, Australian scientist Kit Bitterfeld accepts a coveted winter research position at Macpherson Station in Antarctica. On the way there, Kit and her fellow researchers field a distress call from a nearby ship. By the time they reach the vessel it is on fire and the crew has vanished. A lone survivor is found, but he can't remember who he is or what has happened.
They bring the survivor, eventually identified as geophysicist Nick Coltheart, to Macpherson but it's clear that something is wrong. More and more of Kit's colleagues are acting strangely. And she can't shake the suspicion that Nick knows more than he's letting on. With the winter darkness setting in, Kit must figure out the truth before they are completely cut off from the outside world. But is the danger lurking out on the ice, or is it closer than she thinks?
The Chilling offers a compellingly icy twist on the winter thriller setting, transplanting the most haunting elements of Scandi noir to the southern hemisphere, and announces Riley James as a brilliant new talent writing in a fresh corner of Australian crime fiction.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2024
25 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Riley James
1 book16 followersRiley James lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her partner and two children. She was born and raised in north-west Tasmania and trained as a journalist before becoming an academic. The Chilling is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
September 14, 2024
Rug up warm because The Chilling, the debut thriller by Riley James, demonstrates just how harsh and unforgiving Antarctica in winter can be. This is a suspense novel that simply drips with atmosphere and tension and not just because there are numerous ways a person can die in the unforgiving deep freeze of the most southern continent on earth. Chuck a bunch of humans into the mix and the number of ways you can die tends to dramatically increase.
Recently divorced Kit Bitterfeld has found her way onto an Antarctic expedition that will see her isolated, with her team, through the dark winter months. As the ship is nearing the Antarctic coast they receive a distress call from the ship transporting the summer team so they race off to assist. What they find is devastation and the crew is missing. There’s only one person found on board, and he was unconscious inside a coolroom.
The man’s name is Nick and when he comes out of his coma it’s apparent he’s suffering psychogenic amnesia with absolutely no memory of the events leading up to when he was knocked out. His predicament is accepted by everyone with the exception of Kit who’s dubious about the amnesia believing he’s faking it - at least to some extent.
While this is going on we’re introduced to the survivors of the abandoned ship. They’re in a fight for their lives as they make their way from the dangerous ice floes in the harbour to the more stable continental coast. It’s clear that a man had been murdered on board the ship before the fire broke and the ship had to be abandoned. What’s unclear are the circumstances surrounding the death and that’s where the story's big mystery lies.
The unique and forbidding setting of the Antarctic adds plenty of interest to this murder mystery. The prospect that any ill considered move outdoors could end in a quick death definitely adds a high level of jeopardy all round and gives The Chilling a unique point of difference.
From very early the seeds of foreboding are sown with the doubts placed on the head of Nick, the plight of the missing crew members wandering about looking for the base camp and then, when a mysterious outbreak hits Kit’s camp, the danger levels are raised yet again. This is an outstanding debut thriller that manages to provide occasional well-disguised twists and surprises.
Riley James has clearly done her research with detailed descriptions of the landscape, life inside the Macpherson base camp and methods used by the inhabitants for survival and day to day living. This aspect of the book was important in creating a credible backdrop to the dramas that were being played out within.
I let myself be transported to Antarctica and found myself fully immersed in the story. I’d recommend this to any reader who enjoys thrillers with an action adventure side to it.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC which has allowed me to read, enjoy and review this book.
Recently divorced Kit Bitterfeld has found her way onto an Antarctic expedition that will see her isolated, with her team, through the dark winter months. As the ship is nearing the Antarctic coast they receive a distress call from the ship transporting the summer team so they race off to assist. What they find is devastation and the crew is missing. There’s only one person found on board, and he was unconscious inside a coolroom.
The man’s name is Nick and when he comes out of his coma it’s apparent he’s suffering psychogenic amnesia with absolutely no memory of the events leading up to when he was knocked out. His predicament is accepted by everyone with the exception of Kit who’s dubious about the amnesia believing he’s faking it - at least to some extent.
While this is going on we’re introduced to the survivors of the abandoned ship. They’re in a fight for their lives as they make their way from the dangerous ice floes in the harbour to the more stable continental coast. It’s clear that a man had been murdered on board the ship before the fire broke and the ship had to be abandoned. What’s unclear are the circumstances surrounding the death and that’s where the story's big mystery lies.
The unique and forbidding setting of the Antarctic adds plenty of interest to this murder mystery. The prospect that any ill considered move outdoors could end in a quick death definitely adds a high level of jeopardy all round and gives The Chilling a unique point of difference.
From very early the seeds of foreboding are sown with the doubts placed on the head of Nick, the plight of the missing crew members wandering about looking for the base camp and then, when a mysterious outbreak hits Kit’s camp, the danger levels are raised yet again. This is an outstanding debut thriller that manages to provide occasional well-disguised twists and surprises.
Riley James has clearly done her research with detailed descriptions of the landscape, life inside the Macpherson base camp and methods used by the inhabitants for survival and day to day living. This aspect of the book was important in creating a credible backdrop to the dramas that were being played out within.
I let myself be transported to Antarctica and found myself fully immersed in the story. I’d recommend this to any reader who enjoys thrillers with an action adventure side to it.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC which has allowed me to read, enjoy and review this book.
October 28, 2024
I feel like i was in a blizzard whilst reading this book - not sure where I was going with not much to see in front of me and nothing to see behind me ~ in fact I felt
quite lost for most of this book and by the time I found some direction to lead me off to “safe ground” I had unfortunately lost interest. I did continue to read but unfortunately found it quite a dull read.
quite lost for most of this book and by the time I found some direction to lead me off to “safe ground” I had unfortunately lost interest. I did continue to read but unfortunately found it quite a dull read.
June 30, 2025
The Chilling is a unique thriller set amongst one of the harshest and most dangerous terrains in the world - Antarctica.
We follow Kit from the beginning of her adventure to the ice continent, including what made her decide to go in the first place. The journey itself is long, cold, isolating and physically hard (think of the waves and ice). But when the ship that Kit is on gets a distress call from the returning Summer crews' ship they need to add in Search & Rescue to that strenuous trip. What they find onboard is confusing - everyone is gone... except one.
Nick is suffering from amnesia due to a head injury he sustained along with hypothermia. He doesn't know what happened to him, he doesn't know what happened to his crew. It is a mystery, and so is he.
Throughout the rest of the novel we go between the POV's of what's happening at McPherson Station and the Summer crew who are stranded on the ice. The thriller element comes from different angles, the potential threat from people and the potential threat from nature. What happens in the end was a perfect storm of various unexpected elements that explain away the threats. Some of this felt a little far fetched (especially with the 'vitamin d') but it was a surprise to me as I didn't expect it.
I thoroughly enjoyed Riley James' debut novel. She has done her research! My father worked with the AAD in Antarctica twice (once at Casey Station and once at Davis Station), so I've had first hand stories of the training involved, driving the Haggs, volunteering with scientists (my dad went down as a builder), the different buildings on the Stations, the weather, the way the ships travel and even a Guide Dog Donation box who was dognapped from Hobart called "Stay".
I look forward to seeing what else Riley writes.
** Thank you Better Reading for an ARC in return for an honest review. #BRPreview
We follow Kit from the beginning of her adventure to the ice continent, including what made her decide to go in the first place. The journey itself is long, cold, isolating and physically hard (think of the waves and ice). But when the ship that Kit is on gets a distress call from the returning Summer crews' ship they need to add in Search & Rescue to that strenuous trip. What they find onboard is confusing - everyone is gone... except one.
Nick is suffering from amnesia due to a head injury he sustained along with hypothermia. He doesn't know what happened to him, he doesn't know what happened to his crew. It is a mystery, and so is he.
Throughout the rest of the novel we go between the POV's of what's happening at McPherson Station and the Summer crew who are stranded on the ice. The thriller element comes from different angles, the potential threat from people and the potential threat from nature. What happens in the end was a perfect storm of various unexpected elements that explain away the threats. Some of this felt a little far fetched (especially with the 'vitamin d') but it was a surprise to me as I didn't expect it.
I thoroughly enjoyed Riley James' debut novel. She has done her research! My father worked with the AAD in Antarctica twice (once at Casey Station and once at Davis Station), so I've had first hand stories of the training involved, driving the Haggs, volunteering with scientists (my dad went down as a builder), the different buildings on the Stations, the weather, the way the ships travel and even a Guide Dog Donation box who was dognapped from Hobart called "Stay".
I look forward to seeing what else Riley writes.
** Thank you Better Reading for an ARC in return for an honest review. #BRPreview
January 8, 2025
The Chiliing is set in the Antarctic and follows a research team that receives a distress call from another team of researchers only to find all of them expect for one missing. I love how atmospheric the story was and despite not knowing much about the Antarctic I was easily about to be transported with the storytelling. The book at times did seem a bit unrealistic in certain aspects (safety protocols who?) and the characters could have used further depth.
October 23, 2024
An enjoyable audiobook that hooked me in so that I was looking for every opportunity to listen. I love a cold, snowy setting with a blizzard or two, I hear there’s even a genre called Research Station Noir and this book fits nicely into that little literary crevasse. Overall I liked the story but it didn’t quite work for me. We can suspend belief when we’re in Antarctica but this story requires we throw away all rational thoughts about safety protocols and wandering off solo on the thinnest of pretences. There’s sex scenes too, possibly a bit “cringe”, the detail was a bit romance novel.
October 18, 2024
As we head into Spring and Summer I picked up this book, having won it in a giveaway from the Publisher.
It’s set in Antartica and centres around the main character forensic dentist Kit, who has agreed to go on this ‘safari’ to Antartica with a friend, wanting to escape her divorce drama for a few months. Not long after leaving Kit and the crew of the boat they are on answer a distress call from another ship, and find a lone man Nick. There’s no sign of the rest of the crew.
What follows is the unfolding of the story, that’s as confusing as it is frustrating. Lots of characters with questionable motivations, and you really wonder about the selection criteria for the trip. Better luck matching people on MAFS. Anyway, at some point this goes from being a suspense like thriller to having a very weird romantic element. In all I’m thankful for having received the book but this didn’t really work for me. It got a little too fantastic and hard to believe which I can usually go with, but unfortunately the characters were too loosely connected and the plot was a bit transparent.
Thanks again to Allen and Unwin for my giveaway win.
It’s set in Antartica and centres around the main character forensic dentist Kit, who has agreed to go on this ‘safari’ to Antartica with a friend, wanting to escape her divorce drama for a few months. Not long after leaving Kit and the crew of the boat they are on answer a distress call from another ship, and find a lone man Nick. There’s no sign of the rest of the crew.
What follows is the unfolding of the story, that’s as confusing as it is frustrating. Lots of characters with questionable motivations, and you really wonder about the selection criteria for the trip. Better luck matching people on MAFS. Anyway, at some point this goes from being a suspense like thriller to having a very weird romantic element. In all I’m thankful for having received the book but this didn’t really work for me. It got a little too fantastic and hard to believe which I can usually go with, but unfortunately the characters were too loosely connected and the plot was a bit transparent.
Thanks again to Allen and Unwin for my giveaway win.
July 31, 2024
Received as part of the Better Reading Preview program to read and review. I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Definitely a good read. It won't change your life but it will keep you turning the pages... and maybe apply to the Antarctic Division program?
Here's my review: Better Reading Preview – ‘The Chilling’ by Riley James
If you like a page turning thriller that keeps you gripped and guessing until the end, then ‘The Chilling’ by Riley James is the book for you. Throughout the story the reader is kept at a distance from immediately knowing the internal motivations of some characters, while sharing the drive behind others so you’re not left flailing in the dark for understanding. Towards the climax of this Antarctic adventure thriller, we begin to discover more of the underlying secrets prompting the actions of the many intriguing characters throughout the story. As the pieces of the puzzle slotted into place, the more I felt this is a book I could enjoy re-reading as there are no simple or easy answers as you delve beneath the surface narrative.
A clever storyline, interesting characters, a setting that is chilling both literally and figuratively and an ending that slots the pieces into place without any manufactured twists, make this a book that would be great to re-read, discuss with friends or enjoy for a book club.
Here's my review: Better Reading Preview – ‘The Chilling’ by Riley James
If you like a page turning thriller that keeps you gripped and guessing until the end, then ‘The Chilling’ by Riley James is the book for you. Throughout the story the reader is kept at a distance from immediately knowing the internal motivations of some characters, while sharing the drive behind others so you’re not left flailing in the dark for understanding. Towards the climax of this Antarctic adventure thriller, we begin to discover more of the underlying secrets prompting the actions of the many intriguing characters throughout the story. As the pieces of the puzzle slotted into place, the more I felt this is a book I could enjoy re-reading as there are no simple or easy answers as you delve beneath the surface narrative.
A clever storyline, interesting characters, a setting that is chilling both literally and figuratively and an ending that slots the pieces into place without any manufactured twists, make this a book that would be great to re-read, discuss with friends or enjoy for a book club.
September 27, 2024
'The Chilling' just left me cold. I always find it's a bit of a 'hit and miss' with debut novels and unfortunately this very average effort is a bigtime 'miss'. James' writing is weak, there was too much boring 'information dumps' by way of explanation, the plot was devoid of any tension or suspense and characterizations were bland across the board. The central mystery was weak and poorly conceived; I had it all worked out by page 18. James certainly has done her research on what it might be like living in Antarctica but doesn't make the best use of the location. For pity's sake, put your characters out in the field a bit more, not inside reading scientific papers or doing experiments or research. James makes the rookie mistake of 'telling' and not 'showing' and sometimes puts in bizarre facts, seemingly for the hell of it, such as people living in Antarctica are more susceptible to hypnosis. Really, why do I need to know this? The romance angle was unnecessarily and unbelievable, goodness knows what drew the two main characters together, they both had underwhelming personalities and dubious morals. This book felt like a draft, I certainly didn’t think it was fit for publication and if it was worked on a bit more, we might have had something decent here. I hope Riley James doesn't give up her day job as an academic, I won’t be reading her work any further. Not recommended.
February 7, 2025
I am frustrated writing this review as I really wanted to like this book but I can’t say that I did. I also can’t say that I disliked it either. It was just what it was. The story was interesting but not gripping, the mood was a little dull, it wasn’t the thriller that had been advertised. The atmosphere and scenery was nice but underused. Most of the characters were quite interesting except for the main character which I found quite annoying as she constantly questioned people in charge and orders in a highly regulated situation where if people don’t follow strict processes and procedures they die. Sadly, some of the other interesting secondary characters weren’t developed on, and this could have added extra layers to the story. I’m not saying that is was bad but just reminded me of an average episode of an average crime show. My biggest issue by far, and this is quite big in my books, is that on the front cover it’s advertised as a cross between Touching the Void and John Carpenters The Thing. This was the only reason why I grabbed the book to start with and I can say that there is no comparisons between them except snow! Sorry Riley James, I do think your next books will be better.
December 14, 2024
Riley James' 'The Chilling' offers a compelling framework that keeps you hooked from the outset. The premise is intriguing, promising a suspenseful journey into the unknown. The story unfolds with a good balance of suspense and mystery, making it a page-turner for those who enjoy a thrilling plot.
However, where 'The Chilling' falls short is in its plot execution, which often feels far-fetched and overly contrived. The twists and turns, while initially gripping, stretch the limits of believability, detracting from the overall impact of the narrative.
Additionally, the characters in 'The Chilling' lack depth and development. They seem to function more as vehicles for the plot rather than fully realised individuals with believable motivations and emotions. This lack of character depth makes it difficult to empathise or connect with any of the characters throughout the story.
Overall, 'The Chilling' by Riley James is a decent choice for readers seeking a straightforward suspense novel with a good framework and an engaging storyline. However, those looking for deeper character exploration and a more grounded plot may find themselves wanting more from this read.
However, where 'The Chilling' falls short is in its plot execution, which often feels far-fetched and overly contrived. The twists and turns, while initially gripping, stretch the limits of believability, detracting from the overall impact of the narrative.
Additionally, the characters in 'The Chilling' lack depth and development. They seem to function more as vehicles for the plot rather than fully realised individuals with believable motivations and emotions. This lack of character depth makes it difficult to empathise or connect with any of the characters throughout the story.
Overall, 'The Chilling' by Riley James is a decent choice for readers seeking a straightforward suspense novel with a good framework and an engaging storyline. However, those looking for deeper character exploration and a more grounded plot may find themselves wanting more from this read.
August 21, 2025
What a thrilling story. The incredible setting of Antarctica was an amazing backdrop for this thriller.
The Chilling is set in one of the most hostile, dangerous, deadly yet amazingly beautiful places on earth, Antarctica, and it is the most amazing and breathtaking setting for a story.
Kit Bitterfield joins an Antarctic winter expedition to help out a friend and escape from a messy divorce. On the way to their destination their ship is diverted to help another Antarctic research vessel, the Petrel. No-one is prepared for what they find, or what they don't find at the stricken vessel.
With a lone survivor on board they head to their destination of MacPherson Station with many questions about what has happened to the remaining crew.
The tension in this story was as thick as the snowdrifts and as icy as the weather outside. There is something strange happening at the base with many people acting weirdly. Are they sick or is the isolation getting to them?
Kit feels like she is one of the only ones not affected by whatever is happening but still questions some of her own actions. And why is she so drawn to Nick, the only survivor from the Petrel?
I truly felt the chill of Antarctica reading this book. Another absolutely brilliant debut novel and one I was very keen to read.
The Chilling is set in one of the most hostile, dangerous, deadly yet amazingly beautiful places on earth, Antarctica, and it is the most amazing and breathtaking setting for a story.
Kit Bitterfield joins an Antarctic winter expedition to help out a friend and escape from a messy divorce. On the way to their destination their ship is diverted to help another Antarctic research vessel, the Petrel. No-one is prepared for what they find, or what they don't find at the stricken vessel.
With a lone survivor on board they head to their destination of MacPherson Station with many questions about what has happened to the remaining crew.
The tension in this story was as thick as the snowdrifts and as icy as the weather outside. There is something strange happening at the base with many people acting weirdly. Are they sick or is the isolation getting to them?
Kit feels like she is one of the only ones not affected by whatever is happening but still questions some of her own actions. And why is she so drawn to Nick, the only survivor from the Petrel?
I truly felt the chill of Antarctica reading this book. Another absolutely brilliant debut novel and one I was very keen to read.
February 25, 2025
❄️ Welcome to an icy fun Antarctic thriller full of seals, science and ~MURDER~. This was so much better and more exciting than I thought it would be. Very creepy, very atmospheric. Luckily the multi POV didn't ruin things for me and the juicy plot kept me guessing. Was only slightly annoyed about having to come clean to authorities at the end. I'm surprised that this is a debut novel. I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms. James! Recommend to everyone!❄️
April 29, 2025
I read the online version of this this book on the library app 'Libby' (must use Libby more often!)
This book was the monthly read for Ben's Book Club, which is a digital book club available to Australian and New Zealand libraries, hosted by best-selling author Ben Hobson.
The Chilling was super fast paced and tense and transported me to Antarctica. I got to ask myself a lot of questions about how I'd feel and act if I was placed in such a dangerous and isolated environment, where I wasn't sure who I could trust, and many people had hidden agendas.
Well written and believable, atmospheric, gripping right to the end. A great read.
This book was the monthly read for Ben's Book Club, which is a digital book club available to Australian and New Zealand libraries, hosted by best-selling author Ben Hobson.
The Chilling was super fast paced and tense and transported me to Antarctica. I got to ask myself a lot of questions about how I'd feel and act if I was placed in such a dangerous and isolated environment, where I wasn't sure who I could trust, and many people had hidden agendas.
Well written and believable, atmospheric, gripping right to the end. A great read.
March 14, 2025
• Debut novel
• Addictive thriller
• Atmospheric
• Suspenseful
• Creepy
I enjoyed this one ☺️
• Addictive thriller
• Atmospheric
• Suspenseful
• Creepy
I enjoyed this one ☺️
September 9, 2024
The Chilling by Riley James is an addictive thriller set against the icy, unforgiving backdrop of Antarctica, where the harsh environment and mistrust among a small crew of researchers heighten the tension.
The story follows Australian scientist Kit Bitterfeld, who, seeking to escape her troubled personal life, joins a research trip to Macpherson Station in Antarctica. Before reaching their destination, they encounter a burning research ship with a missing crew except for a single survivor, Nick, who is found locked in a cold room, suffering from head injuries and memory loss. As Nick recovers, Kit becomes increasingly suspicious that he knows more than he's letting on. When an arctic storm cuts them off from the outside world, Kit must decide whom she can trust as danger closes in.
Antarctica serves as the perfect setting for this thriller, with its life-threatening conditions and intense isolation creating a menacing tension throughout the story. While I’ve never been to the icy continent, the author’s vivid descriptions made it feel well-researched and authentic. However, the characters lacked much depth but despite this, the fast-paced action kept me engaged.
One aspect that didn’t sit well with me was the sudden and somewhat off-putting sex scenes, which felt out of place considering the setting and conditions. Additionally, the ending felt a bit chaotic, and I was left with a sense of being overwhelmed.
Overall, The Chilling is an entertaining thriller that stands out in the Aussie crime genre, with its unique setting adding a fresh twist. Despite some flaws, it kept me turning the pages, and as a debut novel, it shows lots of promise. While it didn’t make me eager to visit Antarctica, it did remind me of how much I enjoy a frosty thriller, and I look forward to seeing what Riley James writes next.
Thank you to @netgalley and @allenandunwin for providing me an ARC copy of this title for honest review.
The story follows Australian scientist Kit Bitterfeld, who, seeking to escape her troubled personal life, joins a research trip to Macpherson Station in Antarctica. Before reaching their destination, they encounter a burning research ship with a missing crew except for a single survivor, Nick, who is found locked in a cold room, suffering from head injuries and memory loss. As Nick recovers, Kit becomes increasingly suspicious that he knows more than he's letting on. When an arctic storm cuts them off from the outside world, Kit must decide whom she can trust as danger closes in.
Antarctica serves as the perfect setting for this thriller, with its life-threatening conditions and intense isolation creating a menacing tension throughout the story. While I’ve never been to the icy continent, the author’s vivid descriptions made it feel well-researched and authentic. However, the characters lacked much depth but despite this, the fast-paced action kept me engaged.
One aspect that didn’t sit well with me was the sudden and somewhat off-putting sex scenes, which felt out of place considering the setting and conditions. Additionally, the ending felt a bit chaotic, and I was left with a sense of being overwhelmed.
Overall, The Chilling is an entertaining thriller that stands out in the Aussie crime genre, with its unique setting adding a fresh twist. Despite some flaws, it kept me turning the pages, and as a debut novel, it shows lots of promise. While it didn’t make me eager to visit Antarctica, it did remind me of how much I enjoy a frosty thriller, and I look forward to seeing what Riley James writes next.
Thank you to @netgalley and @allenandunwin for providing me an ARC copy of this title for honest review.
October 16, 2024
I literally yelled "Men writing women!" when she mentioned a woman's "breasts swaying" over a video call, but turns out it's a female author, so, egg's on my face.
I saw the reveal a long way off, but the threats of exposure and stuff that could go wrong out in the Antarctic kept me interested.
Low effort read.
Wait, did it explain ?
Can't remember already 😬
I saw the reveal a long way off, but the threats of exposure and stuff that could go wrong out in the Antarctic kept me interested.
Low effort read.
Wait, did it explain ?
Can't remember already 😬
June 14, 2025
I really enjoyed the atmosphere in this book. I felt transported to Antarctica while reading. The plot was interesting, a bit shallow at times. Overall a light enjoyable read that kept me engaged.
December 17, 2024
I received a copy of The Chilling from Netgalley to review.
Rating of 4.25.
Australian author Riley James presents a captivating and amazing debut novel with The Chilling, a distinctive debut novel that I had an outstanding time getting through.
The Chilling was a great novel from Riley James that features a fascinating story of survival, identity and secrets. Set on and around Antarctica, the story initially focuses on damaged protagonist, Kit Bitterfeld, who attempts to escape her failed marriage by volunteering for a lengthy expedition. Things get interesting very quickly when the protagonist attempts to assist another research ship in distress, but instead finds it abandoned and on fire, with one mysterious and seemingly amnesiac survivor hidden aboard. While this injured survivor, Nick Coltheart, appears to have no knowledge of what happened aboard the ship or his past life, Kit soon becomes suspicious of him and the behaviour of her fellow scientists, especially when mysterious deaths and disappearances occur around the research compound. At the same time, a separate storyline follows the survivors of the damaged ship, who are attempting to cross the treacherous ice on foot and encounter danger, death and despair, especially as some of the survivors consider the lies and crimes that led them there. The separate storylines come together in an impressive manner as the book continues, and the converging secrets lead to some excellent reveals and moving moments.
This ended up being a deep and intriguing novel that blended a cool thriller storyline with a compelling and moving character-focused plot line. I loved the blend of mystery, drama and intrigue that emerges as James dives further into her narrative, and the resulting twists and swerves are well set up and have a satisfying impact. I felt that the reveals about who was responsible for the various crimes where quite clever, and the slow-burn dive into each of the figures in question allowed for great plot. While some thriller fans may not enjoy how much character drama was contained within The Chilling, I felt that the protagonist’s powerful arc about trauma, lack of trust and finding herself was particularly heartfelt, and it will no doubt resonate with many readers. Other character storylines have some interesting focus on guilt, as the sins of the past come back to haunt them, and it proves very moving to see the various lines of this unravel to discover who did what.
I can’t finish this review without highlighting the way that James featured Antarctica throughout The Chilling, as the continent served as a haunting background to her story. Not only does the author provide some vivid and powerful descriptions of the setting through her writing, but she also describes the impacts of the isolation and desolation of the ice continent on the people who visit it. I loved the complex sense of duality you get from the author’s depictions of Antarctica, as there is both hope and despair hidden within it, and it was fascinating to see some of the characters find themselves there for good or for ill. James also did an excellent job incorporating the aspects and features of Antarctica into the overarching plot, and the problems caused by the remoteness, the weather, and other complicating factors really amps up the thriller aspect of the plot in some fantastic ways. This was such a cool (ha ha) background setting, and it made James first book really striking and memorable.
Riley James really impresses with her debut novel, and I felt that The Chilling was one of the stronger Australian novels I read in 2024. Featuring a complex and multi-layered story of survival, intrigue and deep characters, The Chilling was an outstanding read which is worth checking out, especially if you are interested in something distinctive from a fresh Australian author.
An abridged review of this book also ran in the Canberra Weekly on 5 September 2024:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/12/17/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Rating of 4.25.
Australian author Riley James presents a captivating and amazing debut novel with The Chilling, a distinctive debut novel that I had an outstanding time getting through.
The Chilling was a great novel from Riley James that features a fascinating story of survival, identity and secrets. Set on and around Antarctica, the story initially focuses on damaged protagonist, Kit Bitterfeld, who attempts to escape her failed marriage by volunteering for a lengthy expedition. Things get interesting very quickly when the protagonist attempts to assist another research ship in distress, but instead finds it abandoned and on fire, with one mysterious and seemingly amnesiac survivor hidden aboard. While this injured survivor, Nick Coltheart, appears to have no knowledge of what happened aboard the ship or his past life, Kit soon becomes suspicious of him and the behaviour of her fellow scientists, especially when mysterious deaths and disappearances occur around the research compound. At the same time, a separate storyline follows the survivors of the damaged ship, who are attempting to cross the treacherous ice on foot and encounter danger, death and despair, especially as some of the survivors consider the lies and crimes that led them there. The separate storylines come together in an impressive manner as the book continues, and the converging secrets lead to some excellent reveals and moving moments.
This ended up being a deep and intriguing novel that blended a cool thriller storyline with a compelling and moving character-focused plot line. I loved the blend of mystery, drama and intrigue that emerges as James dives further into her narrative, and the resulting twists and swerves are well set up and have a satisfying impact. I felt that the reveals about who was responsible for the various crimes where quite clever, and the slow-burn dive into each of the figures in question allowed for great plot. While some thriller fans may not enjoy how much character drama was contained within The Chilling, I felt that the protagonist’s powerful arc about trauma, lack of trust and finding herself was particularly heartfelt, and it will no doubt resonate with many readers. Other character storylines have some interesting focus on guilt, as the sins of the past come back to haunt them, and it proves very moving to see the various lines of this unravel to discover who did what.
I can’t finish this review without highlighting the way that James featured Antarctica throughout The Chilling, as the continent served as a haunting background to her story. Not only does the author provide some vivid and powerful descriptions of the setting through her writing, but she also describes the impacts of the isolation and desolation of the ice continent on the people who visit it. I loved the complex sense of duality you get from the author’s depictions of Antarctica, as there is both hope and despair hidden within it, and it was fascinating to see some of the characters find themselves there for good or for ill. James also did an excellent job incorporating the aspects and features of Antarctica into the overarching plot, and the problems caused by the remoteness, the weather, and other complicating factors really amps up the thriller aspect of the plot in some fantastic ways. This was such a cool (ha ha) background setting, and it made James first book really striking and memorable.
Riley James really impresses with her debut novel, and I felt that The Chilling was one of the stronger Australian novels I read in 2024. Featuring a complex and multi-layered story of survival, intrigue and deep characters, The Chilling was an outstanding read which is worth checking out, especially if you are interested in something distinctive from a fresh Australian author.
An abridged review of this book also ran in the Canberra Weekly on 5 September 2024:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/12/17/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
August 28, 2025
Apparently there is such a thing called “Research Station Noir”. According to Paul French via CrimeReads, this is a major sub-genre of both Arctic and Antarctic crime writing that features “research stations, invariably with their communication down and cut off”.
Indeed, with approximately 5000 people living and working in the frozen continent during the summer months and only about 1000 people in winter, primarily at research stations, it makes sense that any crime in Antarctica is worth writing about.
The most interesting part of a research station mystery is the people, which include not just scientists and researchers but also technicians and support staff of diverse backgrounds, skills and competencies. The group dynamics is the focus, which can change dramatically in extraordinary circumstances. (That is, if freezing cold and extreme isolation is not extraordinary enough.)
And this is what Australian author Riley James intends to explore in her debut novel The Chilling, which is set in the fictional McPherson Station in East Antarctica. The protagonist, Kit, is a forensic dentist helping to monitor the health of wild seals. She also assists the station's medical practitioner, Dustin, with various duties.
On their way to the station, Kit and her fellow scientists receive a distress call from a nearby ship. They subsequently find the ship on fire and its crew missing, apart from a lone survivor named Nick, who suffers head injuries and cannot remember who he is or what has happened.
Kit becomes increasingly suspicious about Nick's amnesia. Meanwhile, with the winter darkness and endless blizzards setting in, life on the station takes a drastic turn, starting with Dustin's death in mysterious circumstances. Kit's colleagues are acting strangely, her best friend has gone missing, and the surviving crew of the aforementioned ship – if any – urgently need rescue.
As the plot thickens, we cannot help but wonder whether Kit is a reliable character. Considering her mother's warning about good-looking men at the start of the story, some of Kit's decisions about Nick seem particularly absurd. Is she suffering from paranoia and anxiety due to prolonged isolation? What, exactly, are the “whisperings” in her head?
There is a noticeable lack of in-depth character development throughout the book. Instead, the author relies on the activities and actions of various major characters, as well as their reflections on those events around them, to keep the plot moving. Not only does this help to create a fast-paced story, but some readers may find it frustratingly challenging to find clues that may help them solve the story's many mysteries.
As a result, the story is full of twists and turns, possibilities and surprises that keep readers turning the pages. Thanks to the author's meticulous research and vivid description of the White Continent, this is an atmospheric thriller full of tension and suspense, and the “trust no one” feeling and the sense of isolation bordering claustrophobia is almost tangible. Highly recommended.
Indeed, with approximately 5000 people living and working in the frozen continent during the summer months and only about 1000 people in winter, primarily at research stations, it makes sense that any crime in Antarctica is worth writing about.
The most interesting part of a research station mystery is the people, which include not just scientists and researchers but also technicians and support staff of diverse backgrounds, skills and competencies. The group dynamics is the focus, which can change dramatically in extraordinary circumstances. (That is, if freezing cold and extreme isolation is not extraordinary enough.)
And this is what Australian author Riley James intends to explore in her debut novel The Chilling, which is set in the fictional McPherson Station in East Antarctica. The protagonist, Kit, is a forensic dentist helping to monitor the health of wild seals. She also assists the station's medical practitioner, Dustin, with various duties.
On their way to the station, Kit and her fellow scientists receive a distress call from a nearby ship. They subsequently find the ship on fire and its crew missing, apart from a lone survivor named Nick, who suffers head injuries and cannot remember who he is or what has happened.
Kit becomes increasingly suspicious about Nick's amnesia. Meanwhile, with the winter darkness and endless blizzards setting in, life on the station takes a drastic turn, starting with Dustin's death in mysterious circumstances. Kit's colleagues are acting strangely, her best friend has gone missing, and the surviving crew of the aforementioned ship – if any – urgently need rescue.
As the plot thickens, we cannot help but wonder whether Kit is a reliable character. Considering her mother's warning about good-looking men at the start of the story, some of Kit's decisions about Nick seem particularly absurd. Is she suffering from paranoia and anxiety due to prolonged isolation? What, exactly, are the “whisperings” in her head?
There is a noticeable lack of in-depth character development throughout the book. Instead, the author relies on the activities and actions of various major characters, as well as their reflections on those events around them, to keep the plot moving. Not only does this help to create a fast-paced story, but some readers may find it frustratingly challenging to find clues that may help them solve the story's many mysteries.
As a result, the story is full of twists and turns, possibilities and surprises that keep readers turning the pages. Thanks to the author's meticulous research and vivid description of the White Continent, this is an atmospheric thriller full of tension and suspense, and the “trust no one” feeling and the sense of isolation bordering claustrophobia is almost tangible. Highly recommended.
September 4, 2024
There have been many great horror stories and thrillers set in the Arctic and the Antarctic. So much so that someone has even coined the phase “research station noir”. And plenty of Scandi-noir is set above the Arctic Circle. These areas are always popular as the hostile external conditions add a layer of danger to the proceedings but also effectively trap the characters in place. It also gives authors the opportunity to dig into all of the psychological issues that come with that isolation. Riley James clearly understands all of this – the psychological pressures of living in a closed community and a deep knowledge stories of those who have survived on the most inhospitable continent on Earth. And she deploys all of this knowledge to great effect her debut thriller The Chilling.
Kit Bitterfeld is “doing a geographic”, running away from a failed marriage by agreeing to assist her friend Sally who is going to Antarctica to do research. But before they even get to the continent they encounter problems. A distress call from the Snow Petrel, a ship caught in the ice. When they arrive at the ship it is on fire and the crew is missing with the exception of one man who they find beaten up and locked in the walk-in fridge. But that man, later identified as Nick Coltheart, has lost his memory, and despite his injuries cannot be evacuated due to the weather. Meanwhile, out on the ice, the survivors of the Snow Petrel are fighting for survival.
When Kit finally does get to the base, things start to get weird and dangerous. She does not trust Nick, but more than that, other members of the team start to act strangely and out of character. While Kit seems to be one of the only ones keeping their head, she is also constantly questioning herself and taking massive risks. All of which serves to make her a relatable, flawed action heroine.
James has constructed an effective thriller in The Chilling with some clever reveals, including the resolution of the mystery of the crashed aircraft in the cold open (pun not intended). But at the same time she manages to convey the majesty, danger and loneliness of Antarctica, bringing her knowledge into play through the action rather than through exposition.
Kit Bitterfeld is “doing a geographic”, running away from a failed marriage by agreeing to assist her friend Sally who is going to Antarctica to do research. But before they even get to the continent they encounter problems. A distress call from the Snow Petrel, a ship caught in the ice. When they arrive at the ship it is on fire and the crew is missing with the exception of one man who they find beaten up and locked in the walk-in fridge. But that man, later identified as Nick Coltheart, has lost his memory, and despite his injuries cannot be evacuated due to the weather. Meanwhile, out on the ice, the survivors of the Snow Petrel are fighting for survival.
When Kit finally does get to the base, things start to get weird and dangerous. She does not trust Nick, but more than that, other members of the team start to act strangely and out of character. While Kit seems to be one of the only ones keeping their head, she is also constantly questioning herself and taking massive risks. All of which serves to make her a relatable, flawed action heroine.
James has constructed an effective thriller in The Chilling with some clever reveals, including the resolution of the mystery of the crashed aircraft in the cold open (pun not intended). But at the same time she manages to convey the majesty, danger and loneliness of Antarctica, bringing her knowledge into play through the action rather than through exposition.
August 8, 2024
Kit has been convinced to depart on an Antarctic research trip by her friend and fellow researcher, Sally. This trip suits Kit just fine as she is running away from the remnants of her marriage to former husband Elliot, escaping his divorce demands. Elliot has moved on very quickly and his now girlfriend is pregnant, something that Kit feels very resentful about.
Whilst heading to their research destination, the ship Petrel which has been marooned in the ice for three weeks sends out an automated SOS signal. The ship Kit is on the nearest ship and she is part of the team that checks the Petrel out which should have a crew of over 20 members. When they arrive on board, they can only find one member Nick Coltheart in suspicious circumstances and one body. Where is the rest of the crew, where have they gone and why?
When they get Nick back to their ship, they realise he has amnesia and Kit can’t help but have a strange suspicion and instincts her to remain on high alert around Nick. Kit’s fellow colleague, the expedition medic Dustin has no such misgivings about Nick and nor do the rest of their crew who find Nick charming and helpful.
Whilst having heightened senses around Nick, Kit also feels some underlying allure toward him; she’s unsure if its loneliness, lack of self confidence after Elliot or her fright instinct alerting her.
Hard wired decision making saves lives. Where the lack of good judgement or the failure to follow training for mere seconds on an expedition such as this can cost you and others their life, what is Kit to do? Who should she trust.
This is a suspenseful tale of friendship, hard choices as well as fighting your own inner demons and most of all trust; trusting your instincts and others whom you may not know as well as you think.
I was super fortunate to receive an uncorrected copy of this book supplied by Better Reading. This story had me captivated from page 17 right until the last page. Such a suspenseful tale and so well written that it had me on the edge of my lounge chair sitting by the pool in the tropics. I simply couldn't put it down!
Whilst heading to their research destination, the ship Petrel which has been marooned in the ice for three weeks sends out an automated SOS signal. The ship Kit is on the nearest ship and she is part of the team that checks the Petrel out which should have a crew of over 20 members. When they arrive on board, they can only find one member Nick Coltheart in suspicious circumstances and one body. Where is the rest of the crew, where have they gone and why?
When they get Nick back to their ship, they realise he has amnesia and Kit can’t help but have a strange suspicion and instincts her to remain on high alert around Nick. Kit’s fellow colleague, the expedition medic Dustin has no such misgivings about Nick and nor do the rest of their crew who find Nick charming and helpful.
Whilst having heightened senses around Nick, Kit also feels some underlying allure toward him; she’s unsure if its loneliness, lack of self confidence after Elliot or her fright instinct alerting her.
Hard wired decision making saves lives. Where the lack of good judgement or the failure to follow training for mere seconds on an expedition such as this can cost you and others their life, what is Kit to do? Who should she trust.
This is a suspenseful tale of friendship, hard choices as well as fighting your own inner demons and most of all trust; trusting your instincts and others whom you may not know as well as you think.
I was super fortunate to receive an uncorrected copy of this book supplied by Better Reading. This story had me captivated from page 17 right until the last page. Such a suspenseful tale and so well written that it had me on the edge of my lounge chair sitting by the pool in the tropics. I simply couldn't put it down!
July 13, 2024
(3.5 stars)
The Chilling hooked me in very quickly and made me look forward to curling up in bed. I don't know much about Antarctica or modes of traveling there, and Riley James was able to paint a picture that made me intrigued to read more. Australian scientist Kit Bitterfeld is escaping a failed relationship: "his love was a refrigerator light–whenever she saw him, the light was on... And like an infant she'd assumed the light was on whenever she wasn't there."
The book sets out to explore the varied reasons people choose to work in an environment where you get shut in with your companions for winter with no chance of escape: "there were many signposted dangers in Antarctica, some of the worst were the hidden psychological ones". The book's name stems from the idea that the "boiling point is when people can't control their anger, the chilling is when they can't suppress their hostility or lack of sympathy."
Where The Chilling kind of lost me was when that hostility started to descend into really bizarre decisions. I imagine personality control for Antarctic missions is pretty well monitored, so I find it hard to believe someone could run a drug-based experiment without ethics approval. Adding this on top of a murder, a ship burning and a whole bunch of people going missing felt like overkill. The romance and sex scene was a bit Mills'n'Boon for me: a seemingly intelligent woman suspicious of someone's motives became a dribbling mess over a tuft of chest hair on a man she supposedly doesn't trust. Also has any man in a sleeping bag with a naked lady he fancies ever moved so his erection wasn't touching her? It just didn't feel all that believable.
Thanks to NetGalley & Allen & Unwin for sending me a copy to read.
The Chilling hooked me in very quickly and made me look forward to curling up in bed. I don't know much about Antarctica or modes of traveling there, and Riley James was able to paint a picture that made me intrigued to read more. Australian scientist Kit Bitterfeld is escaping a failed relationship: "his love was a refrigerator light–whenever she saw him, the light was on... And like an infant she'd assumed the light was on whenever she wasn't there."
The book sets out to explore the varied reasons people choose to work in an environment where you get shut in with your companions for winter with no chance of escape: "there were many signposted dangers in Antarctica, some of the worst were the hidden psychological ones". The book's name stems from the idea that the "boiling point is when people can't control their anger, the chilling is when they can't suppress their hostility or lack of sympathy."
Where The Chilling kind of lost me was when that hostility started to descend into really bizarre decisions. I imagine personality control for Antarctic missions is pretty well monitored, so I find it hard to believe someone could run a drug-based experiment without ethics approval. Adding this on top of a murder, a ship burning and a whole bunch of people going missing felt like overkill. The romance and sex scene was a bit Mills'n'Boon for me: a seemingly intelligent woman suspicious of someone's motives became a dribbling mess over a tuft of chest hair on a man she supposedly doesn't trust. Also has any man in a sleeping bag with a naked lady he fancies ever moved so his erection wasn't touching her? It just didn't feel all that believable.
Thanks to NetGalley & Allen & Unwin for sending me a copy to read.
May 9, 2025
An interesting mystery told from 2 different perspectives - those in a group missing from the stranded ship, and those at Macpherson Station. Many suspicions to keep the reader guessing. A few improbable happenings of people surviving blizzards, freezing water and clothing. And I did feel the ending came together rather conveniently.
An unputdownable thriller set in the pressure-cooker environment of an Antarctic winter. An isolated research station. A storm approaching. There's nowhere to run. But so much to hide. Keen to flee the wreckage of her marriage, Australian scientist Kit Bitterfeld accepts a coveted winter research position at Macpherson Station in Antarctica. On the way there, Kit and her fellow researchers field a distress call from a nearby ship. By the time they reach the vessel it is on fire and the crew has vanished. A lone survivor is found, but he can't remember who he is or what has happened. They bring the survivor, eventually identified as geophysicist Nick Coltheart, to Macpherson but it's clear that something is wrong. More and more of Kit's colleagues are acting strangely. And she can't shake the suspicion that Nick knows more than he's letting on. With the winter darkness setting in, Kit must figure out the truth before they are completely cut off from the outside world. But is the danger lurking out on the ice, or is it closer than she thinks? The Chilling offers a compellingly icy twist on the winter thriller setting, transplanting the most haunting elements of Scandi noir to the southern hemisphere, and announces Riley James as a brilliant new talent writing in a fresh corner of Australian crime fiction.
An unputdownable thriller set in the pressure-cooker environment of an Antarctic winter. An isolated research station. A storm approaching. There's nowhere to run. But so much to hide. Keen to flee the wreckage of her marriage, Australian scientist Kit Bitterfeld accepts a coveted winter research position at Macpherson Station in Antarctica. On the way there, Kit and her fellow researchers field a distress call from a nearby ship. By the time they reach the vessel it is on fire and the crew has vanished. A lone survivor is found, but he can't remember who he is or what has happened. They bring the survivor, eventually identified as geophysicist Nick Coltheart, to Macpherson but it's clear that something is wrong. More and more of Kit's colleagues are acting strangely. And she can't shake the suspicion that Nick knows more than he's letting on. With the winter darkness setting in, Kit must figure out the truth before they are completely cut off from the outside world. But is the danger lurking out on the ice, or is it closer than she thinks? The Chilling offers a compellingly icy twist on the winter thriller setting, transplanting the most haunting elements of Scandi noir to the southern hemisphere, and announces Riley James as a brilliant new talent writing in a fresh corner of Australian crime fiction.
August 14, 2024
This was an unexpected riveting read, a great debut.
Kit is escaping an unhappy divorce when her friend Sally offers her the opportunity to work through an arctic winter as her research assistant at Macpherson Station. Trained as a dentist but working in Forensic Dentistry for the past 10 years, Kit is also surprised to find herself to be nominated as the back up medical personnel on the station.
During the trip out the ship receives a distress signal from another vessel. But upon boarding they find the ship on fire and all the crew missing except for a man locked in the cool room. The man is eventually identified as a fellow Australian Geologist Nick Coltheart but he has no recollection of events and how he got there.
Kit is sceptical of Nick’s memory loss but can’t convince anyone else of her suspicions. As the arctic winter descends, her colleagues start acting strangely, fellow colleagues go missing and Kit is madly trying to get to the bottom of these occurrences.
There seem to be three stories intertwined in this book but all is revealed. I obviously have never wintered on an arctic station but to me it felt extremely atmospheric, claustrophobic and had great sense of time and place.
If only life didn’t get in the way because I would have finished it in one or two sittings otherwise.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read. I will certainly be looking out for more from this author.
Kit is escaping an unhappy divorce when her friend Sally offers her the opportunity to work through an arctic winter as her research assistant at Macpherson Station. Trained as a dentist but working in Forensic Dentistry for the past 10 years, Kit is also surprised to find herself to be nominated as the back up medical personnel on the station.
During the trip out the ship receives a distress signal from another vessel. But upon boarding they find the ship on fire and all the crew missing except for a man locked in the cool room. The man is eventually identified as a fellow Australian Geologist Nick Coltheart but he has no recollection of events and how he got there.
Kit is sceptical of Nick’s memory loss but can’t convince anyone else of her suspicions. As the arctic winter descends, her colleagues start acting strangely, fellow colleagues go missing and Kit is madly trying to get to the bottom of these occurrences.
There seem to be three stories intertwined in this book but all is revealed. I obviously have never wintered on an arctic station but to me it felt extremely atmospheric, claustrophobic and had great sense of time and place.
If only life didn’t get in the way because I would have finished it in one or two sittings otherwise.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read. I will certainly be looking out for more from this author.
September 11, 2024
3.5 ⭐
Setting ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters ⭐⭐⭐
Story ⭐⭐⭐
Suspense ⭐⭐⭐
Whodunit/Motive ⭐⭐
Ending ⭐
Overall ⭐⭐⭐
What I liked
• The first half
• The feeling of isolation
• The feeling that no one can be trusted
• The mystery surrounding Nick
• The snow storm
• The crew games
Setting: Fantastic.
Freezing cold, isolated station on Antarctica. It felt like a complete white out. Everything I was hoping for.
Characters:
Kit = a wonder woman who can do anything
Nick = a mystery
The rest are pretty plain normies. There's quite a few of them, I'm still not sure who all of them were.
Story/Suspense:
Loved the first half, but it started to unravel the closer it got to the end.
The pacing is slow.
There are a couple of mysteries, one of which the reader is privy to quite early on and you are waiting for the MC to figure it out.
I enjoyed following the people on the station much more than those of the Petrel.
I really missed the mystery on the station. It felt like almost nothing was happening. The main focus was Nick and the Petrel.
Whodunnit:
Honestly, I'd come to dislike the MCs and story so much, I didn't care anymore. I was just glad it was over.
Favourite Character: Sally. Totally underused.
Least Favourite Character/s: By the end, I hated Kit.
Favourite Scenes:
Find Your Sea Legs Competition ⚓🦵 / Nick's conversation with his bitch wife. His words, not mine 😂
Setting ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters ⭐⭐⭐
Story ⭐⭐⭐
Suspense ⭐⭐⭐
Whodunit/Motive ⭐⭐
Ending ⭐
Overall ⭐⭐⭐
What I liked
• The first half
• The feeling of isolation
• The feeling that no one can be trusted
• The mystery surrounding Nick
• The snow storm
• The crew games
Setting: Fantastic.
Freezing cold, isolated station on Antarctica. It felt like a complete white out. Everything I was hoping for.
Characters:
Kit = a wonder woman who can do anything
Nick = a mystery
The rest are pretty plain normies. There's quite a few of them, I'm still not sure who all of them were.
Story/Suspense:
Loved the first half, but it started to unravel the closer it got to the end.
The pacing is slow.
There are a couple of mysteries, one of which the reader is privy to quite early on and you are waiting for the MC to figure it out.
I enjoyed following the people on the station much more than those of the Petrel.
I really missed the mystery on the station. It felt like almost nothing was happening. The main focus was Nick and the Petrel.
Whodunnit:
Honestly, I'd come to dislike the MCs and story so much, I didn't care anymore. I was just glad it was over.
Favourite Character: Sally. Totally underused.
Least Favourite Character/s: By the end, I hated Kit.
Favourite Scenes:
Find Your Sea Legs Competition ⚓🦵 / Nick's conversation with his bitch wife. His words, not mine 😂
August 29, 2024
A tense and exciting thriller set in the isolated and hostile conditions of Antarctica.
On the back of a messy divorce, Kit accepts a job as research assistant to her friend Sally and agrees to spend the winter at Macpherson station in Antarctica. On the journey there, they answer a distress call from a ship trapped in the ice and discover all of its crew and passengers are missing except for one man called Nick who can’t remember anything. Kit seems to be the only one who is suspicious of Nick’s apparent memory loss and is determined to find out what happened to the others, despite the strange goings on that start occurring at Macpherson.
The setting of Antarctica was really interesting. The author obviously did thorough research on the landscape and the pressures of living in these isolated conditions. The periods of extreme weather that halted any kind of progress really added tension to the storyline.
The pacing was perfect. It hooked my attention from the start, revealing little tidbits of information as the story progressed, then really picked up towards the end. I read the last 25% in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down!
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a thriller with interesting and unusual setting.
Thank you to NetGalley, Allen & Unwin and the author for this ARC.
On the back of a messy divorce, Kit accepts a job as research assistant to her friend Sally and agrees to spend the winter at Macpherson station in Antarctica. On the journey there, they answer a distress call from a ship trapped in the ice and discover all of its crew and passengers are missing except for one man called Nick who can’t remember anything. Kit seems to be the only one who is suspicious of Nick’s apparent memory loss and is determined to find out what happened to the others, despite the strange goings on that start occurring at Macpherson.
The setting of Antarctica was really interesting. The author obviously did thorough research on the landscape and the pressures of living in these isolated conditions. The periods of extreme weather that halted any kind of progress really added tension to the storyline.
The pacing was perfect. It hooked my attention from the start, revealing little tidbits of information as the story progressed, then really picked up towards the end. I read the last 25% in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down!
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a thriller with interesting and unusual setting.
Thank you to NetGalley, Allen & Unwin and the author for this ARC.
September 7, 2024
The Chilling by Riley James is an intriguing thriller set against the backdrop of an impending Antarctic winter.
Looking to escape the dissolution of her marriage, scientist Kit Bitterfield joins an expedition to Macpherson Station, Antarctica. During the journey, the expedition receives a distress call from a nearby ship and alter their route to assist.
Finding the stricken vessel on fire, rescue teams board to search for the crew. Unfortunately, there is only one crew member discovered, and subsequently rescued, joining Kit on the resumed journey to Macpherson Station. Although the stranger’s identity is eventually discovered, things are not as they seem.
Determined to find the underlying cause of the happenings on the stricken ship, Kit finds herself immersed in unexpected, life-threatening situations. Not only outside in the sub-zero Antarctic storms, but also inside Macpherson Station.
The Chilling is a brilliantly written crime fiction novel, with very clever supernatural undertones. I found myself constantly thinking I had figured everything out, only to find another clever twist appear soon after. As I reached the end, I was pleasantly surprised once again to see that my assumptions were incorrect.
Congratulations on a wonderful debut novel.
Thank you to Better Reading for my ARC of The Chilling.
Looking to escape the dissolution of her marriage, scientist Kit Bitterfield joins an expedition to Macpherson Station, Antarctica. During the journey, the expedition receives a distress call from a nearby ship and alter their route to assist.
Finding the stricken vessel on fire, rescue teams board to search for the crew. Unfortunately, there is only one crew member discovered, and subsequently rescued, joining Kit on the resumed journey to Macpherson Station. Although the stranger’s identity is eventually discovered, things are not as they seem.
Determined to find the underlying cause of the happenings on the stricken ship, Kit finds herself immersed in unexpected, life-threatening situations. Not only outside in the sub-zero Antarctic storms, but also inside Macpherson Station.
The Chilling is a brilliantly written crime fiction novel, with very clever supernatural undertones. I found myself constantly thinking I had figured everything out, only to find another clever twist appear soon after. As I reached the end, I was pleasantly surprised once again to see that my assumptions were incorrect.
Congratulations on a wonderful debut novel.
Thank you to Better Reading for my ARC of The Chilling.
April 11, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
If you’re looking for an atmospheric thriller full of suspense, tension and suspicious characters, this book is for you. Set in Antarctica, the harsh environment plays a critical role and becomes an important character in the story. This is a fantastic debut thriller by this Aussie writer.
Kit is trying to escape a painful divorce and signs up to join an expedition of researchers in Antartica where she will use her training as a forensic dentist. However, on their way to the station, the boat they’re on receives a distress call from another boat in the area, the Summer, carrying other researchers. But when they reach the boat, there has been a fire and there is only one person on board, Nick. What follows is a page-turning thrill ride. Where is the crew? Can Nick regain his memory and shed light on what happened on board?
Short chapters and great character development. Loved how the author made us question and suspect every character’s motivation. The story is told in dual POVs, from the researchers at the station who rescued Nick, and from the missing crew of the Summer who are stranded on the ice.
I thought the plot was well conceived, articulated and plausible. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Riley James.
If you’re looking for an atmospheric thriller full of suspense, tension and suspicious characters, this book is for you. Set in Antarctica, the harsh environment plays a critical role and becomes an important character in the story. This is a fantastic debut thriller by this Aussie writer.
Kit is trying to escape a painful divorce and signs up to join an expedition of researchers in Antartica where she will use her training as a forensic dentist. However, on their way to the station, the boat they’re on receives a distress call from another boat in the area, the Summer, carrying other researchers. But when they reach the boat, there has been a fire and there is only one person on board, Nick. What follows is a page-turning thrill ride. Where is the crew? Can Nick regain his memory and shed light on what happened on board?
Short chapters and great character development. Loved how the author made us question and suspect every character’s motivation. The story is told in dual POVs, from the researchers at the station who rescued Nick, and from the missing crew of the Summer who are stranded on the ice.
I thought the plot was well conceived, articulated and plausible. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Riley James.
April 13, 2025
Listened on audio.
Debut novel by Riley James.
I found this book to be a bit disjointed and, I must admit, my attention slipped a bit whilst listening.
Set in Antarctica, Kit Bitterfeld has left her home in Australia to work throughout the winter at the Macpherson Station. A distress call comes in from a ship stuck in ice, but when help arrives the ship is on fire and they can only find one survivor, Nick Coltheart. He, conveniently or not, has amnesia and claims to remember nothing about what happened on his ship.
As crew members start to act strangely, the characters have to deal with a ‘who-done-it’ scenario. Obviously, stuck in the icy confines of an Antarctic station, the bleakness of their situation matches the bleakness of the landscape.
Different relationships, past and present, are woven into the narrative.
The characters are not very memorable.
It was an OK listen, but not really the tense thriller I was expecting. A very scant 3 stars.
Debut novel by Riley James.
I found this book to be a bit disjointed and, I must admit, my attention slipped a bit whilst listening.
Set in Antarctica, Kit Bitterfeld has left her home in Australia to work throughout the winter at the Macpherson Station. A distress call comes in from a ship stuck in ice, but when help arrives the ship is on fire and they can only find one survivor, Nick Coltheart. He, conveniently or not, has amnesia and claims to remember nothing about what happened on his ship.
As crew members start to act strangely, the characters have to deal with a ‘who-done-it’ scenario. Obviously, stuck in the icy confines of an Antarctic station, the bleakness of their situation matches the bleakness of the landscape.
Different relationships, past and present, are woven into the narrative.
The characters are not very memorable.
It was an OK listen, but not really the tense thriller I was expecting. A very scant 3 stars.
May 4, 2025
I prefer not to be critical of someone’s writing- afterall I don’t possess such talents.
This said, I was looking forward to reading this debut novel. A fan of bleak climate thrillers, I love Ragnar Jonassen and Peter May and was hopeful that Riley might join the Australian ranks with Dervla McTiernan. Sadly I found this book difficult to read. It was laborious; dragging on from the halfway point I needed to push myself to finish it.
It read more like a boring chronicle than a mystery thriller.
So much lost opportunity in here - Antarctic expedition, ship on fire, crew missing in bleak weather….and yet it lacked thrill and mystery.
Some writers possess skills (and little else), others possess real talent (the majority of authors ) but a small few are gifted.
Riley James has skills but will need to develop real imagination if she is to move beyond her journalistic approach to writing.
This said, I was looking forward to reading this debut novel. A fan of bleak climate thrillers, I love Ragnar Jonassen and Peter May and was hopeful that Riley might join the Australian ranks with Dervla McTiernan. Sadly I found this book difficult to read. It was laborious; dragging on from the halfway point I needed to push myself to finish it.
It read more like a boring chronicle than a mystery thriller.
So much lost opportunity in here - Antarctic expedition, ship on fire, crew missing in bleak weather….and yet it lacked thrill and mystery.
Some writers possess skills (and little else), others possess real talent (the majority of authors ) but a small few are gifted.
Riley James has skills but will need to develop real imagination if she is to move beyond her journalistic approach to writing.
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