Chasing a Kidnapper

Dakota K-9 Unit #1

by Laura Scott

A K-9 team will do anything

to protect a baby in danger

When patrol officer Trisha McCord's six-month-old son is nearly abducted, K-9 officer West Cole saves him just in time. The single mom has no leads on who would try to take her baby—or why. And West won’t let her deal with the threat on her own, especially with the kidnapper closing in and attacks escalating. With her child’s life at stake, Trisha, West and his K-9, Peanut, must race to catch a ruthless criminal in time to save innocent lives—including their own.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Dakota K-9 Unit

Book 1: Chasing a Kidnapper by Laura Scott
Book 2: Deadly Badlands Pursuit by Sharee Stover
Book 3: Standing Watch by Terri Reed
Book 4: Cold Case Peril by Maggie K. Black

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Romantic Suspense, Love Inspired Suspense, Audiobook

368 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2025

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dont like how they had a baby with them, while out solving crimes.

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy K-9 unit series, especially when the series is a continuation. From dead bodies piling up to suspects, from a kidnapper to multiple attacks, the multi agency joint task force team has their hands full sorting out which evidence is connected to the gun trafficking case to an unrelated case.
The characters were great, and I enjoyed how Trisha and Gabriel worked their way into West's heart. Peanut took right away to Trisha and Gabriel. The plot was engaging, the storyline was fast-paced with a lot of action, and I am looking forward to book 2.

[Glenda Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense Chasing a Kidnapper. This is book one in the continuity series Dakota K-9 Unit. I always love the K-9 series so I'm glad to have a new one. They are always written by my favorite authors. I loved this one. I enjoy seeing the characters in all of the six or seven books. I know you are going to love it. Laura is awesome.

Patrol Officer Trisha McCord pulled over a truck with one head light only to become involved in a gun fight. Her first in the her five years of service. Another officer had driven up and had alerted her of the gun and backed her in the ensuing battle. Two men ran from the truck into the woods. She went after them.

K-9 Officer West Cole and his K-9 partner, Peanut are looking for Petey Pawner. A man who he had arrested for arms possession and then he was released. He had to know about the arms smuggling that got his partner killed. He saw Petey loading a heavy box into a truck This could be it. He followed the truck and notified dispatch. As he followed, a patrol car pulled the truck over. A pretty patrol officer went to his window and asked him to get out of the truck but West saw the gun and yelled. Trisha ducked. and returned fire.

An exciting journey as these two try to track down the gun smugglers, fighting shoot outs, her child being abducted, and trying to keep from being killed. God has a plan for these two, a plan for hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan for peace and not for destruction. Give Him your heart and watch Him turn your life around.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's only the beginning

But already the task force members are drawn into shoot-outs, kidnappings, brutal assaults and dead bodies piling up quicker than they can find them or process them...but which of these are connected to the gun smuggling and what is a completely unrelated case?
West has a plan for his future and that certainly doesn't include Trisha or a ready made family...until it does! Trisha and Gabriel gradually work their way into West's heart, he doesn't stand a chance as Peanut claims them from the first meeting - she accepts fate far quicker than West does. But once West spends time with Trisha and Gabriel he realises how foolish his plans were, he needs more for his future and he embraces them fully, so lovely to see. They are a beautiful family, all watched over by the very attentive Peanut or Sweet Pea as I prefer!
This is a great introduction to the task force and its members, I look forward to the next books in this multi author series.

[Elaine Applebury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE a Laura Scott book! She has a well written story with good characters, good storyline, lots of action, and a good ending. That said, “Chasing a Kidnapper,” has all these plus a baby and a working K-9! This also starts a new continuity series, Dakota K-9 Unit,where each book carries on a main mystery, but each book has its own story within the story, told by separate authors. The main mystery for this series is stopping the gun trafficking that killed Officer Kenyon Graves. The story within this book is who is trying to kidnap Officer Trisha McCord’s infant son, and why. Detective West Cole lost his partner Kenyon Graves to gun traffickers and he partnered up with Peanut, a beagle that is trained to sniff out gunpowder and gun oil. Did I mention there was lots of action??

[Laura Aase · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good one! Trish and west are cops and ambushed as they are pulling over suspected weapons traffickers. Then Trisha’s son is almost kidnapped after her babysitter was attacked. West is a canine detective trying to get to the bottom . Are the crimes related? Is her ex involved? Fast action as always . The k9 is a gun dog
as

[Catrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Scott once again hit it out ballpark. Trisha stopped a vehicle with one headlight. After things start to swirl out control. Someone try to kidnapped her son. K-9 officer West and her are attacked. Can they solve who behind it before it’s too late. This is action pack book you won’t want to put down. This is the first book out 9 in Dakota K-9 unit.

[Carole Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 in a brand new K-9 series, Dakota K-9 series! Chasing a Kidnapper was a great 5 star read! Full of great new characters, lots of non stop action, suspense, a great story line with romance mixed in!

[Karen Torrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how the K-9 dogs and their handlers interact. And what they can be trained to do. Again another great book

[Harlequin Books]

Inspirational Suspense, Wholesome Romance, Animal Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Dakota K-9 Unit (Book #1)

[Harlequin Books]

Inspirational Suspense, Wholesome Romance, Animal Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Dakota K-9 Unit (Book #1)

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story with likeable characters. The story drew me in right away. I couldn't quit reading.

[Ethelann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing A Kidnapper is an excellent way to start this new K9 series. Very exciting. I couldn't read it fast enough.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story

This was a well done, fast paced suspense. I liked the characters and can't wait to learn the other stories for the rest of the task force members.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read with an intriguing mystery.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome and exciting start to this new series

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

rather abrupt ending but great story

[Destiny Couey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the book didn’t go into detail about the series of events that took place and liked how sweet the book ended

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Plenty of action and amazing characters in this book. I just loved Peanut.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly enjoyable Christian romantic suspense.