A cold case solved by the K-9 unit… but the past is not so easily escaped. Decades after her parents’ murders, Penelope McGregor’s grateful the killer’s finally been identified–until he comes after her. Now Detective Tyler Walker and his K-9 partner, Dusty, must protect Penelope and catch the culprit…while making sure his little girl stays out of the crosshairs. But can the single father … the single father outplay a killer whose endgame will leave no one safe?
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As I began reading this Christian suspense novel, I quickly found myself caught up in the story. Penelope McGregor and her brother lived with the painful memory of their parents’ murders for years. Now the murder plans to finish his killing spree by killing them. Their pain and heartbreak come through the pages of this book.
Tyler Walker works to help keep Penelope safe along with his young daughter. Hurt in the past by his daughter’s mother, he works to find a future. With all three workings in the same Police K-9 unit, fellow officers surround them with friends and more.
The sense of family and the desire to protect within the K-9 unit brings this story to life. I love the various interactions of all the characters in this book. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. So check out this Christian suspense novel for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
I always know that I may as well settle in and make myself comfortable when I pick up a new book by Dana Mentink because I will not want to move for awhile. Her books are always guaranteed to keep me turning pages as quickly as possible because almost anything can and will happen at any moment. Not only is there ample action, danger, and suspense to hold my attention but the author never fails to create a convincing plot combined with a strong thread of faith. It also does not hurt that a dog or a child or even sometimes both are often included.
Cold Case Pursuit contains all of the above in spades. The villain is evil, creepy, and always seems to be one step ahead even while taunting Penny, one of his intended victims. Tyler was the perfect hero as he dedicated himself to protecting Penny and working hard to solve the case, even after a serious injury. He began by trying to be an encouragement to her but it was easy to see that a more serious relationship was in store for them.I enjoyed reading about the K9 division of the police force as well as examples of how they worked.
Do not allow the sweet cover image fool you into passing this book by. Despite the cute dog and child, Cold Case Pursuit has one of the most dastardly plots ever!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Cold Case Pursuit is a great book. The author does a good job featuring working K-9s, their handlers and the support staff required. The original plot lends to a good, interesting story. I liked the well described characters and settings. The story is suspense, inspirational, romance, mystery and law enforcement focused. I really enjoyed this book and plan to read the others in this series. The author handled tough subjects – neglect of children, retaliation, trauma affects and healing. I would recommend this book to fans of stories with dogs, police officers and law enforcement support staff. Readers of inspirational fiction, suspense, romance, and action-packed stories will enjoy this book. I liked the resolution of this story, too.
This book was provided through Celebrate Lit, the publisher and the author for me to read. The opinions expressed are my own thoughts.
If you’ve been following the “True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn” series, you know that the killer who murdered Penelope (Penny) and Bradley McGregor’s parents had never been captured and brought to justice. Twenty years later, Penelope inadvertently stirs the murderer’s anger when she makes a derogatory statement about him in an interview, and now he’s coming after Penelope. As the officers in the Brooklyn precinct work around the clock to bring the killer to justice, his attempts to murder Penelope never stop.
The suspense in this book begins within the first few pages, and it never lessens at any point throughout the story. This story is truly a page-turner! I thought the author did an excellent job of helping the reader get to know Penny and feeling not only her terror and discouragement, but also the courage and love she displays to do everything possible to protect those around her. The romance that begins between Penny and Officer Tyler Walker is a sweet one; and the story is made even sweeter because of Officer Walker’s adorable two year old daughter, Rain. I’ve loved seeing the police dogs at work in this series, and we get to see them in action again in this book.
Dana Mentink is a talented author, and does a great job of writing Christian suspense. This book is one of her best yet.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
First, let me start by saying I have enjoyed reading the entire True Blue K9 Unit series. It’s amazing and they each leave you on the edge of your seat wanting to get to the end of the mystery. Of course, the end of the mystery doesn’t come until the end of THIS book. It’s been a long time coming.
Dana Mentink is one of my favorite authors. She has a way of suspense but also adding romance to the dire situations that she creates. But also she adds humor which really makes the books.
This book is no different. Tyler is a detective with the K9 task force. Penelope is the secretary. But she’s more than that in that she was the original little girl in the original killing that this entire series has focused on. As a little girl, a clown came to her home, killed her parents, and left her a stuffed animal.
And now, that person, that clown, is out to get her. He’s going to kill her if something doesn’t happen. Tyler won’t let anything happen to her on his watch. Add in his delightful little girl Rain and how he guards his heart and this book just can’t get much better.
The suspense is top-notch. There are some places where you just know what’s going to happen but others where you’re blown away because you didn’t see that one coming! I highly encourage you to read this book. But I also want to say read the entire series! Start with book one and work your way up to this one. It won’t take you long because they all read fast and furious. But you don’t want to miss out on one minute of this long suspenseful series.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
So this thriller of a read was pretty creepy from the start. The feeling of always being watched and constantly looking over your shoulder permeated the entire book. What happens when a psychopath has decided to take it upon himself to upend your entire life. To make himself judge and jury and in some sick way expect thanks for it?
Penny’s parents were killed in a cold and heartless way when she was a little girl. The man who did it has never been caught. And the creepy part is he may have struck again on another little girl’s family. To add to the creepiness scale, he is dressed as a clown and I was getting serious vibes of Pennywise the clown.
I like how the author showed the trauma of how that night so long ago affected and is affecting both Penny and her brother. Penny was a loving character and went out of her way to be of service, a help to others, and not be a hinderance herself. But sometimes we do need help and Detective Tyler Walker wants to be that help to her.
Plenty of creepy vibes in this story along with the twists and turns. Throw in some adorable children and police canines and the story is a little bit less scary. Maybe don’t read this one right before bed.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
What’s not to love about an adorable young girl and lots of dogs? Of course, the compelling story has plenty of action as the Brooklyn K-9 Unit strives to catch a murderer bent on ending the lives of some of their own. Twists and surprises keep the reader going full throttle, hoping everything will turn out okay for Penny and Bradley, siblings whose lives are threatened by the man who murdered their neglectful parents years ago, and Tyler and his little daughter, Rain. Throw in some other cases for Tyler and Bradley and their team to solve, which adds to the building tension, along with their painful pasts that hinder both Penny’s and Tyler’s future, and you have a complicated plot to unravel. The characters seem realistic and flawed, just like everyday people. This suspense novel isn’t as gritty as many police mysteries since it’s also inspirational romance. I like the way Penny turns to the Lord for help, but I believe since Tyler is divorced he should remain single, as the Bible teaches. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
“Penelope McGregor shivered at the distant creak from the back of the house. Goose bumps erupted along her spine.”
Wow! These opening lines of Cold Case Pursuit describe how I felt as I read the first chapter of this book! Shivers and goose bumps as Penny learns that she is once again being thrust into a nightmare with a blue-haired killer clown. Apparently, the same person who killed her parents twenty years ago, when she was just four years old, is now intent on killing Penny and her brother Bradley . What follows is a story filled with twists and turns, thrills and chills, and my constant urge to check the doors and windows!
Cold Case Pursuit is part of the True Blue K-9 Unit series and I enjoyed seeing the special bonds between the policemen and their K-9 partners but the human bonds are what make this story so special. Siblings Penny and Bradley McGregor and single parent Tyler Walker and his two-year-old daughter have unique relationships that have been forged by tragedy and loss.
Author Dana Mentink has written a sweet romance filled with believable characters, intense action, and a wonderful faith thread running throughout the story. I especially loved her reminder that “You are lovable and loved because God says so.” I recommend Cold Case Pursuit to all who enjoy Christian romantic suspense.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
It doesn’t take much to convince me to read Christian suspense, but throw in a dog and I can’t turn away! I have a great love for and respect of working dogs of all kinds. That is, admittedly, what first attracted me to this book, followed quickly by the author’s name and the fact that I have yet to read a Love Inspired Suspense novel that I did not enjoy. I was apprehensive about one thing, however, and discussing it will be a bit of a spoiler, but hopefully not one that will cause any upset. Any time I read a book that features a dog, I worry that something will happen to cause or lead to its demise, and I absolutely cannot handle it when a dog dies. Therefore I make it a point to note whether the dog emerges unscathed, because it is the first thing I want to know, and in this case I am happy to report that all is well on that front.
Identifying a murderer dredges up a two-decades-old homicide case that seems to be taking on new life as author Dana Mentink gives readers insight into the K-9 police unit with “Cold Case Pursuit.” Through Penny McGregor, who witnessed her parents’ murders at age 4 and whose brother Bradley is part of the K-9 unit, and Detective Tyler Walker and his K-9 partner Dusty, Mentink explores the effects of past trauma and how they impact the present and even the future. Penny has overcome the challenges of her childhood, but she still harbors fears of inadequacy, and when she once again becomes a target for the killer from twenty years ago, her world is shaken. Likewise, Tyler tries to be the best single dad he can be to his vivacious toddler, Rain, but he struggles with opening his heart after former rejection. And yet in spite of their fears and brokenness, God shows each of them their unique ability to meet someone’s needs because of their past experiences. As Tyler tells Penny, “You are lovable and loved because God says so. I tell Rain that every day and I think maybe you need to hear it, too.” Indeed, your past doesn’t define you, nor does what someone else says about you; what God says about you is what defines you, and in His Word He says that you are chosen, beloved, and free from condemnation through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
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.
I just recently started reading Dana Mentink’s novels, but I wish I had discovered her sooner. Cold Case Pursuit by Dana Mentink is a realistic, romantic suspense tale that I really enjoyed. Tyler and Penny are both relatable people. Both are flawed and feel unloved by at least one parent. Yet, I want to cheer for them as they work through their respective baggage to discover they have value in the sight of God and others. Their pasts do not have to define them. Don’t we all need to learn that?
A friend of mine loves evil clowns, so I enjoyed the story as if through her eyes. I also appreciated the close sibling relationship we see between Penny and Bradley.
Dana Mentink captivated my attention from start to finish.
If you like romantic suspense, young children, or dogs, Cold Case Pursuit will give you plenty to love.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. I am voluntarily leaving these thoughts, while no positive feedback was required. All opinions are solely my own.
I loved the suspense and various twists of the story. Penny was a loving character in spite of her issues with the death of her parents. Her brother, Bradley, a member of the Brooklyn K-9 Unit is very protective of her. Bradley, along with the rest of his unit is hunting their parent’s killer who is determined to kill Bradly and Penny.
The storyline kept me on the edge of my seat. The Christian inspiration weaved throughout warmed my heart. I was amazed by the strength and courage of Penny. She always put her needs last.
The ending was wonderful. A highly suspenseful story steeped in faith, love, and learning to trust.
I received a copy from the author and voluntarily choose to review it.
When Penny is orphaned at age four, her life changed forever. For twenty years the killer remained unknown and when he was finally identified, he comes after her, determined to finish the destruction of the family which he had began decades before.
I admired Penny. The murder of her parents could have made her bitter and angry but it didn’t. She could have developed a victim’s mentality but she did everything in her power but to.
Tyler was an admirable character. He was a single father who was trying to do the best he could to raise his daughter while working as a detective in the canine unit. His integrity and determination to find the killer was evident on every page.
The romantic relationship between Penny and Tyler developed as a friendship in the midst of a stressful situation. In a lot of ways, the romantic element wasn’t very prevalent since none of the two characters we willing to be bold about what they were feeling but as a reader, it was obvious that they cared about each other.
One of the major themes was whether a person is worthy of love if those who were put on earth failed to love them. Penny was reminded, as the reader is, that we are lovable because God says we are. Oh, what a wonderful reminder!
I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publishers through Celebrate Lit; a positive review was not required.
The cover itself told me that I would adore this book. Who can resist a cute little girl and a dog with a watchful eye? Certainly not me! The characters immediately found a place in my heart and I kept holding my breath as both good and bad happened. Penny especially grabbed me with her twenty year journey of looking over her shoulder for the blue clown faced man that murdered her parents when she was only four. She struggled with believing that anyone including God could ever care about her. Detective Tyler Walker knew better but he was trying to protect her after several threats and attempts on her life by the returned madman.
The dog K-9 partners of this special police unit were an added bonus of furry love. Will the killer succeed after twenty years of waiting? Only time will tell.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.
Tears stung to my eyes at one point while reading.
Beautiful, captivating, engaging and very enjoyable story.
The characters were wonderful except the bad man. Lol! I love dogs so the story was right up my alley. The plot was wonderful, curves and bends of it were filled with intrigue, mystery and exhilarating action.
I love how the author wove faith into the story in the most beautiful of ways.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
What makes for a successful romantic suspense? I have a list that I want to share. It has to have suspense that is fast paced, intriguing and keeps you guessing til the end. Of course you need romance, but not too much.You need characters that are easy to get attached to and bonus if there is a child and/or dog involved. Well it looks like this is exactly what this story is. It starts with danger from the beginning and I instantly tensed up. I do not like clowns at all. They are creepy and just right for a suspenseful story.
Penny is a very likable character. She is dedicated to her job and loves her brother. There is a bond between Penny and her brother Bradley that draws a dark cloud over their heads. Growing up with parents that didn’t really take care of them was hard. Penny questions why she was not loved by them. It is hard for a child to be rejected by their parents and it can cause lingering insecurity.
I loved how the author brings a cold case to the surface and unravels it piece by piece. We get a glimpse of who killed Penny and Bradley’s parents, but as the story continues we realize how evil he is. This man who claims that he did it to save Penny and Bradley from more abuse made me want to scream. All he really wanted was to feel power over someone and reign terror in their lives.
Tyler is someone who works with K-9s and dedicates his life to protect others. I liked learning about his precious daughter Rain. He is raising her as a single dad since the mother abandoned her. Tyler won’t let anyone get close to him for fear they will leave him. He has a new assignment to keep Penny safe until they can catch the man who not only killed her parents but is now trying to kill her and her brother. Something in the paper sets this unstable man off. Now the race is on to capture him before he kills again.
The story is one that holds your attention and keeps the action going. Penny has a few close calls that had me on the edge of my seat. Tyler does his best to try to stay one step ahead but somehow this evil person knows where they are at all times. I loved how the K9 dogs took center stage and allowed readers to see how hard they work. Each one is trained and only listens to their handler. I have really been enjoying this series and getting to know more about these specially trained dogs.
In the midst of the danger going on, we see two people start to have feelings for each other. Penny is scared to let someone in because she isn’t sure that she can be loved. Her fear of turning out like her parents keeps her from letting go of the past. Tyler has not forgiven his ex-wife for abandoning him and their daughter. The author does an excellent job of using faith to help these two people realize they both need to stop allowing the past to keep them from happiness. The story is a great example of surrendering to God . His unconditional love is there for them and He is there to heal their broken hearts. I loved everything about the story and always love reading a book by this author. Her ability to make the story come to life is exception. The characters are relatable and the lessons in the book help you understand that God loves us and will never leave us.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
I really enjoyed this suspenseful romantic story. I loved Penny and Tyler and all the dogs in the story. Penny had a hard time growing up and this made her a strong woman but very vulnerable. I loved how the story showed her vulnerability but also her strength. I also loved how Tyler and his daughter worked their way into Penny and her life. I also loved the twists and turns. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
How does he have the right to turn me into a victim for the rest of my life? – Penny
Here is a book that will take your mind off anything going on around you! Penny’s folks were murdered by a blue-haired clown right in front of her – a memory that she just can’t shake, even twenty years later, as the case was never solved.
You first, then your brother – it was a mistake to let you live. — Now it appears he has her in the crosshairs. Another murder, threats, mugging and kidnapping – will this ever end? Is this all her fault or will she finally realize that she is lovable and loved because God says so?
This story will keep you on the edge of your seat right till the end. Published by Love Inspired Suspense and Harlequin Books, this copy was received through CelebrateLit. The impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.
Cold Case Pursuit is part of True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn series by various authors. It is, also, another fabulous read by Dana Mention. I think this one is one of my favorites I have read by her to date. It is a quick read but still full of suspense and mystery. I did not find the story to be predictable and never knew what would happen next. I, also, love the addition of the sweet pup, Dusty, and Tyler’s precious little girl. Their scenes with Penelope was another bonus. So very good.
I am giving Cold Case Pursuit a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend for readers who enjoy reading clean suspense. I would love to read the other books from the True Blue K-9 Unit series.
I received Cold Case Pursuit from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
You are lovable and loved because God said so.
I’ve been reading all the books in the True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn series in preparation for the release of Dana Mentink’s Cold Case Pursuit, knowing that each one builds on the previous one as the K-9 team hunts down the killer in a cold case. They have been releasing over the past six months, so by the time I picked this one up, I had forgotten it tells Penny’s story. When I saw that this was the case, I was so excited! How wonderful that one of my favorite Love Inspired Suspense authors would be the one to tell the story of the young woman who had been the only witness of her parents’ homicide twenty years earlier!
Drawn quickly into the palpable emotions of fear, insecurity, and hope, I even cried when Sergeant Gavin introduced Penny to Scrappy, the K-9 school reject who just needed someone to love him despite his many faults. It was so moving the way Penny and Scrappy met the needs of one other. And I was so drawn to the less than perfect dog with the big heart, floppy ears, and questionable parentage.
Getting to know Penny was such a treat. Despite the horrible things that had happened in her childhood, she chose to live and to hope. And to care well for those around her, doing what she could to make their lives better, even if it was just by providing the best coffee she could.
Poor Tyler was a mess. He deeply loved his two-year-old daughter and poured himself into her life in the ways only a loving daddy could. Wearing bunny ears, learning silly songs, and hugging away her tears. Yet he felt that he could never marry again – his wife’s desertion of him and their child had caused him to feel inadequate and unlovable. He somehow kept blurting out words that his heart knew but his head hadn’t yet accepted, words of caring towards Penny. And his action spoke louder than his words.
And then there is Bradley, Penny’s older brother. His story, Delayed Justice, will be next. It is the conclusion to the series and will release November 1, 2020. Understandably, we see quite a bit of him here, his fiercely protective nature and the nurturing he showered on Penny. I’m looking forward to reading this as soon as it is available!
Read my review of Cold Case Pursuit 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.
This book was so good! It is book seven out of eight in a continuity series, which means that each book is written by a different author, but the series has connected characters and settings throughout. Even though I had not read any other books in this series, I had no trouble diving right into this one and loving it!
The action started right away in Cold Case Pursuit and I was immediately drawn to the heroine of the novel. Penny had endured a lot, having witnessed her parents’ murders when she was four. This book found her being pursued by the same man who killed her parents and he was a scary, creepy villain.
I really liked getting to know Penny and her brother, Bradley. They had a great sibling relationship. Tyler was the romantic hero of this novel. He was such a likable main character. He was a single father who adored his daughter, yet felt like his chance at love had passed him by. I really liked watching the relationship develop between Penny and Tyler and seeing how Tyler began to notice Penny as more than just an assignment.
This was a great romantic suspense novel. I am planning on reading book eight in the series, too, because that book has Penny’s brother, Bradley, as the main character.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.