Hunting down old leads puts a murderer on their trail. Convinced his sister’s death wasn’t an accident, private investigator Sergio Ross is determined to catch her killer. But with all the clues hinting at a connection to another unsolved murder, he has to join forces with Helen Pike–a woman linked to both deaths–to find the truth. Can they follow the cold evidence trail to get … justice…before they become the next victims?
Experience more action-packed mystery and suspense in the rest of the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series:
Cold Case Connection
Deadly Christmas Pretense
Danger on the Ranch
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
more
Dana Mentink has quickly become a favorite go-to author for romantic suspense. Cold Case Connection cements her place in my favorites list.
Two murders, years apart, and one man’s determination to find justice for his sister lead him to Roughwater Ranch. And the woman he’s held partially responsible for the death of his sister. As Sergio’s blinders are removed, will he learn that seeking justice above all else might cause him to lose the more important and meaning blessings in his life?
Mentink delivers fast-paced suspense with many suspects, lots of danger, a simmering under the surface of attraction, and Jingles the dog.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
“They’d lost their childhood that night, all of them, any last vestiges of innocence had been sucked away by those dark tunnels.”
Two murders from among a group of former high school friends, one in the past and one more recently, spark this “Cold Case Connection” by Dana Mentink. This is an author I’ve not read before, but I will now be watching for her books. This one puts me in mind of the Nancy Drew series that I grew up reading, with romantic interest slowly developing around the heroine, who finds herself in multiple dangerous situations that increase in peril the closer she gets to the truth. Some of the scenes in this book caused a chill, with enough romance to lighten the atmosphere and provide relief from the tension.
Weaving together two crimes related yet with fifteen years between them, Mentink strategically uses characters and events to ultimately showcase God’s enduring love and forgiveness. Blaming herself for negligence after finding out her friend is dead, Helen Pike has not truly healed and moved on. It doesn’t help that her friend’s brother, Sergio Ross, also holds her partially responsible, a wound that reopens when Sergio shows up to conduct his own investigation of sorts. With danger dogging their heels, this unlikely duo doesn’t have much time to solve the “Cold Case Connection.”
Christian suspense is always a treat because it offers the thrill and mystery without undue violence and in a clean environment. No scene is wasted, and there is undeniable suspense throughout. With this particular book, adding in an extended timeline and previous history between the characters enhances the mystery and intrigue. The lines are not always clear-cut, as in real life, but the promise of hope and deliverance never wavers.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
This book is SO good and has everything I love about the Christian Suspense genre: An intriguing storyline that kept me guessing until the very end; interesting characters that aren’t perfect but have their struggles; a budding romance that doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the storyline; and a faith-based hope that gives light all through the book.
This every book in this series by Dana Mentink has been great, but I think this book is now my favorite. Even though there’s past references to the other books in this series, this one is easily read as a stand-alone.
The setting plays a major role in this book, too. There’s quite a bit of mystery surrounding the tunnels, and that raises the suspense level in this story. Everything works together very well in this book and I enjoyed reading it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
A fast-paced adventure
My rating is 4.5 stars
Cold Case Connection is a fast-paced adventure as Helen and Sergio attempt to find the person who murdered his sister (her best friend) Fiona, three years earlier, and whom they suspect also murdered a high-school girl in the nearby caves fifteen years earlier. Danger lurks on every side and likely suspects seem to pop up everywhere.
I enjoyed seeing how Sergio was so devoted to his lovely toddler nieces he adopted at Fiona’s death. His love for them was so strong! Unlike some daddies in stories who are a bit of a superman, he was quite a bit at a loss of what to do – which made me like him more.
Sergio’s strong sense of family caused him to desire vengeance – enough that he became licensed as a private investigator so he could pursue the case! He had such a lesson to learn about allowing the Lord to be the one to take vengeance instead of taking matters into his own hands.
Helen’s many brothers were familiar from the other stories in the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series. Though not brothers through blood, they were a close-knit family, sometimes smotheringly so. I loved the way they all cared for each other.
One of the things I really enjoyed was the way each character’s relationship with the Lord was so natural and so much a part of who they were. There was nothing preachy about the story and yet the spiritual aspects flowed throughout.
While the real murderer was not very high on my suspect list, this person really was there. (Do you like the way I’m not giving away the gender?!) I confess, I really liked my own convoluted theory and the way it would have thrown a wrench into things but the real solution worked, too. 🙂
Though Cold Case Connection can easily stand alone, I recommend reading the Roughwater Ranch Cowboys series in order in order to get the full backstory of all the characters.
Read my review of Cold Case Connection by Dana Mentink at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Adrenaline rush. Action packed. Intrigue. Exciting characters. That is how I would describe this story. The author is well versed in grabbing a readers attention in the first few pages. As the story continues the author draws you in further with characters that are flawed and looking for answers. I love a good inspirational suspense romance that as all the elements that keeps me entertained throughout the book. This story is exactly that and so much more.
I was already invested in the story simply because I love the writing style of the author. She always delivers a well rounded story that is easy to follow. I wanted to know more about what happened years ago to a young girl who was murdered. How would these characters come together and unravel a mystery that has plagued people for years? One night as teenagers go out to have fun, tragedy strikes. Will the murder ever be solved?
Helen has seen her share of tragedies and most recently having to grieve her friend’s death was hard on her. I wanted to know why she felt guilty for Fiona’s death. More importantly is why Fiona’s brother shows up suddenly and why does he blame Helen for his sister’s death? There is nothing more attention getting than a mysterious man who is determined to find a killer. When it is a family member that has been killed, the need to dig for the truth intensives. Sergio is easy to root for because he has taken on the role of raising his sister’s children and will protect them at all cost. The friction between Helen and Sergio can be felt by the curt attitude Sergio throws at Helen.
With every turn of the page, the mystery deepens and Helen and Sergio start to get closer to the truth. I love how the author has a way of connecting the dots in a story with unforeseen twists. I loved the lessons the author gives us in this story. Helen has carried guilt around for years. She will need to learn to forgive herself and trust God to bring the truth to the surface. Sergio has had an anger issue that has caused him to blame others for his sister’s death. Will he learn to let God soften his heart? The author uses faith as a way to guide characters to lean on Him, trust Him and allow Him to soften their hearts. The writing is exceptional and I say move over mystery authors because this is author is taking intrigue to a higher level. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own
Cold case connection
I love a story that has kids and a dog in it. Sergio is taking care of and being the father of his sister twin girls. Sergio wants to find the person that killed his sister Fiona. Helen was Fiona best friend and wants to find the killer also. Will they find the killer?
I loved how Sergio cared for the twin girls and how he played with them. I also enjoyed the dog that was always getting in the middle of things.
This is a wonderful, suspenseful, fast moving story. I did not figure out who did it.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
Cold Case Connection
(Roughwater Ranch Cowboys Book 3)
Dana Mentink
Sergio and Helen have a lot to work through to solve his sister’s murder and a cold case of one of Helen’s friend. Could they be connected? They have to work together to solve it before anyone else dies.
Once again couldn’t put this down until the end.
Love the strong characters, suspense, and happy endings. One you should not miss.
High school seniors exploring some old tunnels, racing to see who can get out first – a race that ends in tragedy. One of the 5 does not get out alive – a case never solved. 12 years later, another is killed in a hit and run after doing some sleuthing on her own. Now there are only three left and someone is out to make sure that there will soon be only 2!
What a fabulous, spell-binding, action-filled book! A note that seems to indicate there is more to the first murder and perhaps the reason for the second, fire, gun shots, explosions and more possible accidents had me glued to my chair until the mystery was solved. I must admit the author did a fine job of suggesting many suspects which only heightened the suspense.
This novel was published by Love Inspired Suspense and Harlequin Heartwarming with a copy given to me through CelebrateLit. The comments, impressions and five star rating are my own and were in no way solicited.
Get ready to hold on because you are going on another wild ride in Cold Case Connection., the third book in the series by Dana Mentink. It doesn’t matter if her characters are in a car, motorcycle, horseback or on foot you can be sure someone is going to be chased until the mystery is finally solved.
This time it’s Helen Pike and Sergio Ross, two people with little in common except for the murdered sister of Sergio and best friend to Helen. I adored these two, she is a hardworking young lady haunted by the loss of her two friends, he is private investigator searching for the person who killed his sister. I thought he was going to be tough throughout the story which he was until he was with is twin nieces and that’s when his softer side is on full display.
I loved reconnecting with some of the characters from the previous books in the series because I have grown so fond of the folks at Roughwater Ranch. No matter what happens in their lives they always have each others backs because they are honorable people who care about each other, their ranch and give so freely of their time to help in anyway they can.
There is always a lot of suspense, a little romance and a strong family connection in this series which is why it has become one of my favorites in the LIS line and why Dana Mentink is one of my must read authors.
So, if your looking for a fast paced read with likable characters do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this wonderful novel then sit back and enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions are my own.
WOW, another edge of your seat thriller by this author. Attention grabbing from the get go and doesn’t let go until you read the very last word. Highly recommend. I received an advance reader copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
Dana Mentink is my go-to LIS author. As I’ve said before, when I read her stories, I know there is going to be page turning suspense and action as well as some much-needed pops of humor. Cold Case Connection is part of a series, but it can easily be read as a stand-a-lone.
In Cold Case Connection, we have two unsolved murders that are years apart, but somehow connected. After an attempt is made on Helen’s life, Sergio, brother of the second victim, and Helen, friend of both victims, set out to find out if these murders are really connected, who did it, and why was Helen attacked.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this story and had no idea who the killer was until the end. The action is nicely paced – not too much that it becomes unbelievable, and not too little that you get bored. This is the reason that Dana Mentink is my favorite LIS author. I can always count on humor, realistic action, and a good mystery!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Cold Case Connection makes 25 plus books I have read by Dana Mentink and I have never been disappointed. This book is the third in the Roughwater Ranch series and the story centers around Helen Pike, the sister of Liam Pike who is main character in book two, Deadly Christmas Pretense. 15 years ago a friend of Helen’s, Trish, was murdered and it was never solved. Helen was there the night that Trish was murdered and so was another friend, Fiona. Fiona died three years ago in a mysterious hit and run. Through a series of events, Helen starts to put together that their deaths are likely connected. It becomes apparent quickly that someone does not want Helen to find these answers and they will stop at nothing to prevent her from finding the answers she is searching for. Helen teams up with Sergio, Fiona’s brother, to try to figure out just who is responsible for the death of her friends. As I have come to expect in a Dana Mentink novel, the story is action packed from the beginning, full of page-turning suspense, relationships dealing with forgiveness and reconciliation, and just the right amount of romance.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
Cold Case Connection ( Roughwater Ranch Cowboys-#3)
By: Dana Mentink
Cold Case Connection is book three in the series Roughwater Ranch Cowboys. This can be read as a stand-a-lone . This is a Love Inspired Suspense Inspiration Romance that grabs you at the start. I was not disappointed. A cold case about a young woman that was killed fifteen years ago and now some friends wants to find answers. This is a great mystery with twist and turns that keeps you turning the pages. After all these years can they find the truth before it is to late?
I was given a complimentary copy of this book , but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
What a great mystery with lots of twists and turns. As usual, Ms. Mentink left me guessing until the very end. I loved the evolution of the relationship between Sergio and Helen. I also loved that both Sergio and Helen were both needing to quit blaming themselves for Fiona’s death. Forgiveness, especially forgiving one’s self, was a theme throughout. I would recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a review.
‘Let’s get something straight right now. I don’t want or need you involved in this investigation. Am I clear?’
Dana Mentink brings us another novel in her Roughwater Ranch series and it’s the best yet! I think. Each one she writes I feel is the best. But this one is great.
Fifteen years ago a high school girl was killed in a series of tunnels she and her friends were exploring. The case was never solved. Three years ago another woman is killed, one of the ones who helped explore the tunnel. Sergio Ross has come to town to find his sister’s killer. He is raising her two year old twins and is determined to get vengeance for her death. Helen is one of the ones who helped explore the tunnel and lives in town but Sergio holds her partly responsible for his sister’s death. Now someone is trying to kill Helen! What is happening? Why is this murderer still trying to kill everyone who was in that tunnel? It’s up to Sergio, Helen and Helen’s brothers to figure it out before anyone else dies.
Mentink once again proves her ability to write a great suspense novel here. I read it in just a few hours. Great characters, good plot and enough intrigue to keep your nose planted in the book till you’ve finished. Recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. The opinion here is my own.
Cold cases are fascinating to me. Clues are hard to come by or they would have been found long ago but the loved ones left behind are still grieving. Such is the premise of this latest book by Dana Mentink. As with the other books in this series, the author writes compelling & fast paced suspense. There are plenty of suspects in this story as to who killed two people – one, a high school girl 15 years ago, and another, a young mother, Fiona, of twins just 3 years ago. The brother of the mother of twins, Sergio, has become the guardians of them and he wont rest until he finds the killer. It’s been 3 years and the authorities are still no closer to finding his sister’s killer so he comes to Roughwater Ranch to do it on his own. His sister’s best friend, Helen, works on the ranch and she’s never forgiven herself for not being there for Fiona when she needed her the day she was killed. Together Sergio and Helen are going to find the truth, even though they don’t particularly like each other! As I said, there is lots of drama and plenty of suspects. You will have a hard time putting this book down! I loved the scenes with Sergio and the darling twins! It was so hard for him to be a dad when that role had been thrust upon him! Check it out!