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Security Hounds Investigations #4
Following the Clues
A search-and-rescue mission
reveals a lethal secret.
After K-9 handler Kara Wolfe witnesses her childhood friend Beau O’Connor survive a targeted hit-and-run, she’s shocked to learn his mother’s missing. And Beau, who can no longer recognize familiar faces after an earlier attack, can’t shake the feeling these terrifying incidents are somehow connected. With the tracking skills of her blind bloodhound, Kara will help Beau locate his mother—but someone will do anything to sabotage their search. With the culprit on their trail, can they uncover a sinister plot…before their rescue mission turns into a fight for survival?
From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.
Security Hounds Investigations
Book 1: Tracking the Truth
Book 2: Fugitive Search
Book 3: Hunted on the Trail
Book 4: Following the Clues
reveals a lethal secret.
After K-9 handler Kara Wolfe witnesses her childhood friend Beau O’Connor survive a targeted hit-and-run, she’s shocked to learn his mother’s missing. And Beau, who can no longer recognize familiar faces after an earlier attack, can’t shake the feeling these terrifying incidents are somehow connected. With the tracking skills of her blind bloodhound, Kara will help Beau locate his mother—but someone will do anything to sabotage their search. With the culprit on their trail, can they uncover a sinister plot…before their rescue mission turns into a fight for survival?
From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.
Security Hounds Investigations
Book 1: Tracking the Truth
Book 2: Fugitive Search
Book 3: Hunted on the Trail
Book 4: Following the Clues
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published May 27, 2025
18 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Dana Mentink
204 books2,222 followersUSA TODAY bestseller Dana Mentink enjoys writing in many different capacities. She currently writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense and Poisoned Pen Press.
Dana is the recipient of a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, two ACFW Carol Awards as well as a Holt Medallion.
Dana loves feedback from her readers. Contact her via her website at www.danamentink.com. and be sure to follow her on Bookbub!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dana-...
Dana is the recipient of a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, two ACFW Carol Awards as well as a Holt Medallion.
Dana loves feedback from her readers. Contact her via her website at www.danamentink.com. and be sure to follow her on Bookbub!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dana-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
November 8, 2025
I loved getting back to Whisper Valley and (1) meeting Kara Wolfe, another Wolfe sibling, and (2) spending time at the O’Connor Fish Hatchery and meeting Beau and his mom, Ree O’Connor. You may remember Beth Wolfe, the matriarch and owner of Security Hounds. She’s Ree O’Connor’s friend and their children have been friends since they started school.
For those of you who love dogs, you’ll love Phil, an enormous white Anatolian shepherd, but I guarantee you’ll instantly fall in love with Millie, an adorable bloodhound. Millie is mostly blind and relies on Phil to assist her. They are a formidable team!
On the differently abled thread, you’ll also have your heart softened by Beau O’Connor and will have to read to find out why he’s been medically retired from the Marine Corps and why he’s back in town.
Mentink consistently brings something new to her plots, crafts endearing characters (and dogs) and ties it all together with amazing tension and mystery. This is another winner from one of my favourite authors.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
For those of you who love dogs, you’ll love Phil, an enormous white Anatolian shepherd, but I guarantee you’ll instantly fall in love with Millie, an adorable bloodhound. Millie is mostly blind and relies on Phil to assist her. They are a formidable team!
On the differently abled thread, you’ll also have your heart softened by Beau O’Connor and will have to read to find out why he’s been medically retired from the Marine Corps and why he’s back in town.
Mentink consistently brings something new to her plots, crafts endearing characters (and dogs) and ties it all together with amazing tension and mystery. This is another winner from one of my favourite authors.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 23, 2025
Good book in a good series.
May 24, 2025
This was another exciting story by Dana Mentink. A real page-turner.
May 10, 2025
I totally fell in love with Kara and Beau's story!! It's part of the Security Hounds Investigations series. It can be read as a stand a lone. I've enjoyed every story so far. Suspense and K-9's grab my attention!! K9's Phil and Millie stole my heart!! I love how they work together as a team!! Millie has a disability and Phil helps her. Ms. Mentink grabbed my attention from the very beginning to the end!! Fast paced, action packed, sitting on the edge of your seat, heart stopping suspense!! I couldn't put this story down!! I look forward to more books in this series!! I was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
April 23, 2025
This book had my attention from the beginning. The backdrop of a fish hatchery was familiar because I have one where I live. The characters are exciting, especially Beau with his unusual disability. Phil and Millie, with their tracking abilities, are a great addition to the story. And it was evident that Kara adored them.
The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat as one confrontation after another put everyone in danger. The story kept me guessing until the end. Also, adding a sweet building romance and the complications it can bring appeared very real. The ending wrapped up everything in a surprising way.
I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat as one confrontation after another put everyone in danger. The story kept me guessing until the end. Also, adding a sweet building romance and the complications it can bring appeared very real. The ending wrapped up everything in a surprising way.
I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
April 6, 2025
Another amazing book in this series! I just love how these stories dive right into the action. I find it amazing to read about these dogs and their handlers and how they can find people and help with investigations. I loved both Kara and Beau’s characters. They worked together well, and I loved watching them mend their relationship throughout the book. I was guessing until the very end; so many twists and turns. I kept turning pages wondering who did it? Who hurt Beau’s mom and why? Who is impeding the investigation? I highly recommend this one!
**I received a copy of this book for review as part of the CelebrateLit blog teams I was not required to write a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
**I received a copy of this book for review as part of the CelebrateLit blog teams I was not required to write a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 27, 2025
4.5 stars
I’m going to start out my review of Following the Clues by Dana Mentink by gushing about the hero. Phil is loyal to a fault and willing to sacrifice his own life if need be to protect his girls. He has an excellent sense of danger – and people – and he is happiest when he feels useful. His favorite reward for a job well done is a chew rope… which he gleefully adds to the ever-growing pile of them in the corner of his doghouse but one of his quirks is that he never actually chews them. And if you’re scratching your head over that last sentence… well…. Phil is a dog. Specifically, he’s a large, white Anatolian shepherd who has been trained to be the companion and guide for Millie, an almost-blind tracking bloodhound (and a sweetheart), and I adored the relationship between these two – and their mutual relationship to Kara Wolfe, our story’s heroine.
If you’ve read the other books in this series, you’re at least somewhat familiar with Kara, one of the Wolfe siblings who makes up the Security Hounds Investigations teams. And like her brothers and sister before her, she’s about to come face-to-face with a blast from her past who will upend her heart. I really enjoyed the layers that Mentink gave to Kara’s relationship with Beau O’Connor, especially the reasons that he pushed her friendship away after he was violently attacked a while back. Face blindness is so intriguing to me, and so I loved the glimpse at his coping mechanisms and how he adapted on the fly. But my heart also went out to him because I’m sure my fascination with the condition would quickly fade if I was affected by it. Needless to say, the author does a great job of making Beau a sympathetic character who is easy to root for. I mean… he’s no Phil… (kidding, kidding!) Kara is the perfect heroine for him, with her warm heart, quick intuition, and dogged determination. I loved watching the two of them together and found myself smiling often in their presence.
The suspense in Following the Clues is part wilderness-survival, part search-and-rescue mission, and part whodunit. There are several plausible suspects as far as who could be behind the strange things happening at Beau’s mother’s fish hatchery, and I ended up being taken my surprise – delightfully so – when all was revealed. I also stayed on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, because between Beau’s missing mom and the increasing intensity of the attacks against those looking for Ree, there’s not a lot of time to relax in safety. Just the way I like my suspense novels!
Bottom Line: Following the Clues by Dana Mentink is equal parts witty, endearing, romantic, and heart-in-your-throat. The main characters, whether they have two or four legs, are full of personality, relatable, and easy to love, and I grinned a lot while spending time with them on these pages. Beau and Kara make a great team who work well together (same as Phil and Millie do) with compelling relationship and personal layers that kept me absorbed in the story. The high-stakes suspense certainly ensured my attention wouldn’t waver either! I always enjoy this author’s writing voice and especially her portrayal of quirkily-lovable dogs, so it was a foregone conclusion that I would love Following the Clues… and I absolutely did! Eager to read Chase’s (and Tank’s) story next!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
I’m going to start out my review of Following the Clues by Dana Mentink by gushing about the hero. Phil is loyal to a fault and willing to sacrifice his own life if need be to protect his girls. He has an excellent sense of danger – and people – and he is happiest when he feels useful. His favorite reward for a job well done is a chew rope… which he gleefully adds to the ever-growing pile of them in the corner of his doghouse but one of his quirks is that he never actually chews them. And if you’re scratching your head over that last sentence… well…. Phil is a dog. Specifically, he’s a large, white Anatolian shepherd who has been trained to be the companion and guide for Millie, an almost-blind tracking bloodhound (and a sweetheart), and I adored the relationship between these two – and their mutual relationship to Kara Wolfe, our story’s heroine.
If you’ve read the other books in this series, you’re at least somewhat familiar with Kara, one of the Wolfe siblings who makes up the Security Hounds Investigations teams. And like her brothers and sister before her, she’s about to come face-to-face with a blast from her past who will upend her heart. I really enjoyed the layers that Mentink gave to Kara’s relationship with Beau O’Connor, especially the reasons that he pushed her friendship away after he was violently attacked a while back. Face blindness is so intriguing to me, and so I loved the glimpse at his coping mechanisms and how he adapted on the fly. But my heart also went out to him because I’m sure my fascination with the condition would quickly fade if I was affected by it. Needless to say, the author does a great job of making Beau a sympathetic character who is easy to root for. I mean… he’s no Phil… (kidding, kidding!) Kara is the perfect heroine for him, with her warm heart, quick intuition, and dogged determination. I loved watching the two of them together and found myself smiling often in their presence.
The suspense in Following the Clues is part wilderness-survival, part search-and-rescue mission, and part whodunit. There are several plausible suspects as far as who could be behind the strange things happening at Beau’s mother’s fish hatchery, and I ended up being taken my surprise – delightfully so – when all was revealed. I also stayed on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, because between Beau’s missing mom and the increasing intensity of the attacks against those looking for Ree, there’s not a lot of time to relax in safety. Just the way I like my suspense novels!
Bottom Line: Following the Clues by Dana Mentink is equal parts witty, endearing, romantic, and heart-in-your-throat. The main characters, whether they have two or four legs, are full of personality, relatable, and easy to love, and I grinned a lot while spending time with them on these pages. Beau and Kara make a great team who work well together (same as Phil and Millie do) with compelling relationship and personal layers that kept me absorbed in the story. The high-stakes suspense certainly ensured my attention wouldn’t waver either! I always enjoy this author’s writing voice and especially her portrayal of quirkily-lovable dogs, so it was a foregone conclusion that I would love Following the Clues… and I absolutely did! Eager to read Chase’s (and Tank’s) story next!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
June 24, 2025
This is the latest in a series by Mentink featuring a security company using dogs. Each novel features a different primary character and dog so they read well as stand alone stories. This novel begins with action and presents more excitement throughout. There is an interesting exploration of face blindness as Beau suffers from it. It is not a common condition and was the result of an injury. I appreciate learning about it and how Beau made accommodations to be able to recognize people. Another interesting aspect of the novel was that one of the dogs Kara used was blind. I liked how she had another dog alongside to help the bloodhound, a very good tracker. The mystery takes place at a private fish hatchery and I do wish there had been a little information on how it worked.
Mentink's writing style includes much character thinking in between action scenes. This is a novel for readers who like characters reviewing previous events and considering the possibilities of future events before taking action.
I liked this entertaining and adventurous mystery. It is a good addition to the Security Hounds series. While it read well on its own, it would be a good idea to read the earlier novels to get a good sense of their work and the family relationships involved. There is one more sibling (and his dog) whose story needs to be told and I will be watching for it.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Mentink's writing style includes much character thinking in between action scenes. This is a novel for readers who like characters reviewing previous events and considering the possibilities of future events before taking action.
I liked this entertaining and adventurous mystery. It is a good addition to the Security Hounds series. While it read well on its own, it would be a good idea to read the earlier novels to get a good sense of their work and the family relationships involved. There is one more sibling (and his dog) whose story needs to be told and I will be watching for it.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
June 24, 2025
The story of Kara Wolfe, a K-9 handler, and Beau O’Connor, a former Marine with prosopagnosia, held my attention and was a good, quick read. The fact that Kara's deceased fiancé was Beau's best friend—and that Beau had harbored secret feelings for Kara for many years—made the romance portion of the story satisfying. I love the "friends to more" trope. Learning about prosopagnosia (the inability to recognize faces) and how Beau was learning to manage this challenge was interesting. Mentink’s letter to the reader at the end touched on how God loves us and knows us by our hearts, not our appearance.
The suspense part, while well-written and engaging, was slightly formulaic, and I was able to pinpoint the characters committing the crimes right away. However, the motive was incredibly unclear, which kept me reading. That said, it made the ending feel anticlimactic.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy engaging suspense, K-9 units, and prefer a more subdued romance trope.
I received this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
The suspense part, while well-written and engaging, was slightly formulaic, and I was able to pinpoint the characters committing the crimes right away. However, the motive was incredibly unclear, which kept me reading. That said, it made the ending feel anticlimactic.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy engaging suspense, K-9 units, and prefer a more subdued romance trope.
I received this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
July 4, 2025
This was an edge of your seat mystery/suspense right from the beginning. Beau, who has an injury that has caused him not to be able to recognize faces, is being run off the road and attacked. In coming back to town he also finds out his mother’s missing.
Kara and her family’s search and rescue team try to help in locating Beau’s mother. Lots of obstacles stand in the way. Several possible suspects are mentioned but I was kept guessing until the very end. I loved the dogs and their training and loyalty. I enjoyed all the characters but the dogs were really special.
If you like high energy suspense and a hard to solve mystery, you’ll love this one. I’ve read several Dana Mentink books and am always ready to read another.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.
Kara and her family’s search and rescue team try to help in locating Beau’s mother. Lots of obstacles stand in the way. Several possible suspects are mentioned but I was kept guessing until the very end. I loved the dogs and their training and loyalty. I enjoyed all the characters but the dogs were really special.
If you like high energy suspense and a hard to solve mystery, you’ll love this one. I’ve read several Dana Mentink books and am always ready to read another.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.
September 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this book by Ms. Mentink. I have never thought about what it would be like not to be able to remember someone's face. Ms. Mentick has woven a wonderful romantic suspense novel in this aspect. It makes it hard when a crime has been committed with no evidence and the only person who sees it lost their sense facial recognition permanently. This story is woven to show the challenges that are faced as well as the strength of Beau as he overcomes the challenges.
May 13, 2025
Whenever I read a Dana Mentink story, I know I’m in for fast-paced action, engaging characters, a mystery that keeps me guessing, and a lovable dog or two that will try and steal the spotlight—Following the Clues delivers all that and more!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Kara and Beau, longtime friends who have a strong connection. Beau has prosopagnosia, a real neurological condition where a person can see faces clearly, but struggles to recognize them. Can you imagine? We rely so much on faces to identify people, how do we go about recognizing someone if we cannot do it through facial recognition? Watching Beau navigate life—and danger—with this challenge was fascinating and gave the story a deeply human layer. The action kicks off right from the start and doesn’t let up, keeping the tension high from start to finish. The mystery had me guessing until the very end. Dana is a master at planting clever clues and red herrings that keep you on your toes.
Following the Clues is the fourth book in the series, but it reads perfectly as a standalone. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series—it’s been so good!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Kara and Beau, longtime friends who have a strong connection. Beau has prosopagnosia, a real neurological condition where a person can see faces clearly, but struggles to recognize them. Can you imagine? We rely so much on faces to identify people, how do we go about recognizing someone if we cannot do it through facial recognition? Watching Beau navigate life—and danger—with this challenge was fascinating and gave the story a deeply human layer. The action kicks off right from the start and doesn’t let up, keeping the tension high from start to finish. The mystery had me guessing until the very end. Dana is a master at planting clever clues and red herrings that keep you on your toes.
Following the Clues is the fourth book in the series, but it reads perfectly as a standalone. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the series—it’s been so good!
2025
May 17, 2025Following the clues
Who is after Beau’s mother? Kara is a K-9 handler. Kara helps Beau using her bloodhound. Kara and Beau were once friends. He remembers her but not her face. It was very interesting learning about his disease. I loved how Kara interacted with her dogs. Loved her family being involved with her also. Will they be able to find Beau’s mother and figure out who is after her? I loved the story, it was very exciting. A fast reading book because of being so good.
I received an advanced copy of the book from the author. This book review is my own opinion.
Who is after Beau’s mother? Kara is a K-9 handler. Kara helps Beau using her bloodhound. Kara and Beau were once friends. He remembers her but not her face. It was very interesting learning about his disease. I loved how Kara interacted with her dogs. Loved her family being involved with her also. Will they be able to find Beau’s mother and figure out who is after her? I loved the story, it was very exciting. A fast reading book because of being so good.
I received an advanced copy of the book from the author. This book review is my own opinion.
October 3, 2025
I enjoyed how the dogs worked in tandem to due their tasks, it's a good lesson for all of us. I was pleased with the conclusion that I did not see coming!
June 27, 2025
I adored this one from the first sniff of danger to the final, faith-filled exhale. There’s something about a blind bloodhound, a determined K-9 handler, and a man fighting to recognize the world around him that made me pause and reflect on everything I take for granted. Recognition, safety, the familiar faces I love.
I love how Beau’s journey felt painfully real: “Gotta keep moving on.” and even when it hurt at that almost indescribable level, “he knew God has a plan for his life.” It’s all about trust, persistence, and the security only God can offer when life goes off the rails.
There’s suspense in these pages … real danger nipping at their heels. Entertaining with echoing heartbeats of faith in the middle of the storm. This story reminded me that gratitude isn’t for the big moments only. It’s for every breath, every face we know and love, every quiet miracle we’re tempted to overlook.
“The only reason he was able to face the day was that he knew God loved him …” If that’s not the real clue to everything worth finding, I don’t know what is!
I received a digital ARC from Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the great writing and the story’s wonderful content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
I love how Beau’s journey felt painfully real: “Gotta keep moving on.” and even when it hurt at that almost indescribable level, “he knew God has a plan for his life.” It’s all about trust, persistence, and the security only God can offer when life goes off the rails.
There’s suspense in these pages … real danger nipping at their heels. Entertaining with echoing heartbeats of faith in the middle of the storm. This story reminded me that gratitude isn’t for the big moments only. It’s for every breath, every face we know and love, every quiet miracle we’re tempted to overlook.
“The only reason he was able to face the day was that he knew God loved him …” If that’s not the real clue to everything worth finding, I don’t know what is!
I received a digital ARC from Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the great writing and the story’s wonderful content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
October 6, 2025
An enjoyable romantic suspense story!
May 1, 2025
I loved this book!! I love that even though they had hardships they never gave up. Dana Mentink is such a great writer!! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Pick this book and series up today!! You will not be disappointed!!
Read
May 2, 2025Inspirational Suspense, Wholesome Romance, Animal Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Security Hounds Investigations (Book #4)
Miniseries
Security Hounds Investigations (Book #4)
Read
May 2, 2025Inspirational Suspense, Wholesome Romance, Animal Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Security Hounds Investigations (Book #4)
Miniseries
Security Hounds Investigations (Book #4)
July 4, 2025
“Once upon a time we were dear friends, and no matter what’s happened, I’m going to act like we still are until you come around.”
So this is now my fave Security Hounds novel by Dana Mentink so far! Book 4 of this series, Following the Clues is everything I’ve come to expect from a LIS Mentink book about tracking bloodhounds, and then some!
To begin with, let’s talk about the obvious: the bloodhounds. Each bloodhound in this series is a great SAR tracker for the Wolfe family’s venture. Each hound has a significantly odd trait, and is trained by a different sibling, whom we get to know as a main character in the novel. The trainer in this story is Kara, a young woman whose fiancé died of cancer and whose other friend, Beau O’ Connor, deserted her when she needed him most. The basis for this book just cracks me up, though, because I never would have thought such a thing possible. Millie, the bloodhound doing the sniff searching, is almost blind, so she has her own seeing-eye dog, a white Anatolian shepherd. “The dream team.”
Unfortunately, when Beau does return back home, Kara discovers the injury he received several months earlier has drastically changed him. He has been medically discharged from the marines and has a rare condition known as “prosopagnosia” or “face blindness.” Unable to recognize people he’s known his whole life, even family, Beau retreats into himself. His mother verbally confronts him: ”sooner or later you’ve got to put whatever happened behind you. Marines don’t run, do they?”
Beau becomes very concerned when he returns home to find his mother missing. He contacts the sheriff, who contacts the SAR team, the Wolfe family, who together with Kara have to begin to understand why Beau has been treating them like absolute strangers. Once Beau’s secret is out, I am impressed by the different methods and hard work he employs to recognize people more quickly without using the method most of us take for granted!
Time is always of the essence in a search and rescue operation, and Mentink causes the reader to feel the desperation in the erosion of time as Beau, Kara, the other Wolfes, and neighbors of Ree O’Connor’s ( Beau’s mom) fish hatchery search for her. Lots of action, lots of danger, lots of breath-holding! Mentink makes the setting real by sharing details of running a hatchery, some issues that could cause trouble, and a big event the hatchery holds, Pioneer Day.
While there are a handful of workers and neighbors who should all be supporting the hatchery and Ree, we are set up to wonder about a few! Was I surprised to find out who was behind the sabotage!! Great twist! Such an exciting story!
I appreciated the growth of the two main characters. Beau’s growth comes as he admits his disability and finds ways to circumvent it. Also as he begins to realize he can be honest about his feelings. I love that Mentink shows that given time, Kara, grieving her fiancé’s loss, can also remember the good times with a smile. Because of my faith, this is where I am with some present grief, and where I hope to be in future grief!!
I also loved the fact that through her pain of loss, Kara has learned lessons that affect her relationship moving forward with her family and with Beau. She isn’t complacent anymore, letting others care for her. She has learned to speak up for her needs. “But God showed me that I could stand up to it…I had a reservoir of strength I’d not realized because I’d never had to tap into it. When I did, God added His strength to my pittance, and it was enough. I was enough.”
In summary, this is a great romantic suspense search and rescue team story, but it is so much more! Mentink has two more books left in this series. Can she top this one?!
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also purchased my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“But life wasn’t a safe adventure at all, she’d learned. And hiding from risk wasn’t what the Lord wanted from her.”
“The only reason he was able to face the day was that he knew God loved him, no matter what the status of his brain.”
“God made people to stand together in their pain. Sometimes it was the only way to stand at all.” - Kara
“In the midst of the storm, He was there, like He’d always been, that steady pulse of comfort. God would still recognize Beau…even in this new state of disarray he found himself.”
So this is now my fave Security Hounds novel by Dana Mentink so far! Book 4 of this series, Following the Clues is everything I’ve come to expect from a LIS Mentink book about tracking bloodhounds, and then some!
To begin with, let’s talk about the obvious: the bloodhounds. Each bloodhound in this series is a great SAR tracker for the Wolfe family’s venture. Each hound has a significantly odd trait, and is trained by a different sibling, whom we get to know as a main character in the novel. The trainer in this story is Kara, a young woman whose fiancé died of cancer and whose other friend, Beau O’ Connor, deserted her when she needed him most. The basis for this book just cracks me up, though, because I never would have thought such a thing possible. Millie, the bloodhound doing the sniff searching, is almost blind, so she has her own seeing-eye dog, a white Anatolian shepherd. “The dream team.”
Unfortunately, when Beau does return back home, Kara discovers the injury he received several months earlier has drastically changed him. He has been medically discharged from the marines and has a rare condition known as “prosopagnosia” or “face blindness.” Unable to recognize people he’s known his whole life, even family, Beau retreats into himself. His mother verbally confronts him: ”sooner or later you’ve got to put whatever happened behind you. Marines don’t run, do they?”
Beau becomes very concerned when he returns home to find his mother missing. He contacts the sheriff, who contacts the SAR team, the Wolfe family, who together with Kara have to begin to understand why Beau has been treating them like absolute strangers. Once Beau’s secret is out, I am impressed by the different methods and hard work he employs to recognize people more quickly without using the method most of us take for granted!
Time is always of the essence in a search and rescue operation, and Mentink causes the reader to feel the desperation in the erosion of time as Beau, Kara, the other Wolfes, and neighbors of Ree O’Connor’s ( Beau’s mom) fish hatchery search for her. Lots of action, lots of danger, lots of breath-holding! Mentink makes the setting real by sharing details of running a hatchery, some issues that could cause trouble, and a big event the hatchery holds, Pioneer Day.
While there are a handful of workers and neighbors who should all be supporting the hatchery and Ree, we are set up to wonder about a few! Was I surprised to find out who was behind the sabotage!! Great twist! Such an exciting story!
I appreciated the growth of the two main characters. Beau’s growth comes as he admits his disability and finds ways to circumvent it. Also as he begins to realize he can be honest about his feelings. I love that Mentink shows that given time, Kara, grieving her fiancé’s loss, can also remember the good times with a smile. Because of my faith, this is where I am with some present grief, and where I hope to be in future grief!!
I also loved the fact that through her pain of loss, Kara has learned lessons that affect her relationship moving forward with her family and with Beau. She isn’t complacent anymore, letting others care for her. She has learned to speak up for her needs. “But God showed me that I could stand up to it…I had a reservoir of strength I’d not realized because I’d never had to tap into it. When I did, God added His strength to my pittance, and it was enough. I was enough.”
In summary, this is a great romantic suspense search and rescue team story, but it is so much more! Mentink has two more books left in this series. Can she top this one?!
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also purchased my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“But life wasn’t a safe adventure at all, she’d learned. And hiding from risk wasn’t what the Lord wanted from her.”
“The only reason he was able to face the day was that he knew God loved him, no matter what the status of his brain.”
“God made people to stand together in their pain. Sometimes it was the only way to stand at all.” - Kara
“In the midst of the storm, He was there, like He’d always been, that steady pulse of comfort. God would still recognize Beau…even in this new state of disarray he found himself.”
May 7, 2025
Wow! Following the Clues by Dana Mentink is a real page turner! I guarantee it is a book you won’t be able to put down. Two similar attempted murders committed months apart remain unsolved, and neither victim is able to identify their attacker or to describe what happened.
Beau O’Connor survived the attack on him, but a head injury left him unable to recognize people, even those he has known all his life. When he is targeted in a hit-and-run incident, he can’t help but believe the two attacks are related. Could his mother’s disappearance also be related?
Kara Wolfe, a K-9 handler with her family’s Security Hounds Investigations business, witnesses the hit-and-run and vows to help Beau—a friend since their youth—find his mother with the help of her dogs, Millie and Phil. What she didn’t bargain for was a fight for her own survival when someone intent on keeping them from discovering the truth goes to desperate measures to sabotage their search. Will Kara and Beau be able to paste the clues together before they meet their doom?
Dana Mentink never disappoints! Every time I think she has written a great story, she tops it with her very next book. Every chapter of Following the Clues kept me on the edge of my seat. I had to keep reading to figure out “whodunit,” which I was unable to do until the very end. The keen descriptions and well-developed characters will make you feel as if you, too, are running for your life I absolutely loved Millie and Phil. They were characters in their own right with very distinctive personalities. They were such a delightful addition to the story.
Dana always includes elements of romance and faith with a heartfelt message. Goodness prevails, but you will be breathless until your reach that point. I highly recommend this book, only you will need to clear your schedule because it will be difficult to put the book aside to do anything else. This book easily earns five plus stars!!
Beau O’Connor survived the attack on him, but a head injury left him unable to recognize people, even those he has known all his life. When he is targeted in a hit-and-run incident, he can’t help but believe the two attacks are related. Could his mother’s disappearance also be related?
Kara Wolfe, a K-9 handler with her family’s Security Hounds Investigations business, witnesses the hit-and-run and vows to help Beau—a friend since their youth—find his mother with the help of her dogs, Millie and Phil. What she didn’t bargain for was a fight for her own survival when someone intent on keeping them from discovering the truth goes to desperate measures to sabotage their search. Will Kara and Beau be able to paste the clues together before they meet their doom?
Dana Mentink never disappoints! Every time I think she has written a great story, she tops it with her very next book. Every chapter of Following the Clues kept me on the edge of my seat. I had to keep reading to figure out “whodunit,” which I was unable to do until the very end. The keen descriptions and well-developed characters will make you feel as if you, too, are running for your life I absolutely loved Millie and Phil. They were characters in their own right with very distinctive personalities. They were such a delightful addition to the story.
Dana always includes elements of romance and faith with a heartfelt message. Goodness prevails, but you will be breathless until your reach that point. I highly recommend this book, only you will need to clear your schedule because it will be difficult to put the book aside to do anything else. This book easily earns five plus stars!!
June 27, 2025
I’m always excited when I read a book from this author. She creates characters that are relatable and easy to be drawn to. Anything that involves dogs makes me want to dive right into the story. I love how we learn more about how dogs track and the many difficult terrain they have to cover. Her two dogs are quite the pair as you will discover. Take note of their special bond to each other.
Kara is very dedicated to her dogs and is well versed in their abilities. Her attention to details helps make search and rescue a little easier. Kara is taken back a little when she helps an old friend find his missing mother. Why does he not recognize her? The bigger question is why did he cut ties with her?
Beau has been through a very difficult time with his stint in the Marines. He has been diagnosed with something I am not familiar with at all. As his condition is revealed I understood why he had closed himself off from everyone. His condition is very fascinating and the author gives us great information about it.
The story is action packed with just enough suspense to keep readers glued to the book. I like how the two main characters learn to trust each other. I couldn’t wait to find out who was behind the attacks on Beau and his mother. The family hatchery is on hard times which may be a reason someone is trying to cause chaos in the family. Also I wanted to know what Beau witnessed on a dark night that no one seems to find any evidence for.
With the author’s ability to not only give readers a sense of danger but also to draw her characters to life lessons this story becomes one that will have you on the edge of your seat. I applaud the author for her creative writing and how faith is implemented into the story. Another successful book that puts this author on a must read list.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Kara is very dedicated to her dogs and is well versed in their abilities. Her attention to details helps make search and rescue a little easier. Kara is taken back a little when she helps an old friend find his missing mother. Why does he not recognize her? The bigger question is why did he cut ties with her?
Beau has been through a very difficult time with his stint in the Marines. He has been diagnosed with something I am not familiar with at all. As his condition is revealed I understood why he had closed himself off from everyone. His condition is very fascinating and the author gives us great information about it.
The story is action packed with just enough suspense to keep readers glued to the book. I like how the two main characters learn to trust each other. I couldn’t wait to find out who was behind the attacks on Beau and his mother. The family hatchery is on hard times which may be a reason someone is trying to cause chaos in the family. Also I wanted to know what Beau witnessed on a dark night that no one seems to find any evidence for.
With the author’s ability to not only give readers a sense of danger but also to draw her characters to life lessons this story becomes one that will have you on the edge of your seat. I applaud the author for her creative writing and how faith is implemented into the story. Another successful book that puts this author on a must read list.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
July 16, 2025
Following the Clues is a fun continuation of the Security Hounds Investigations series and lets us get to know Kara and her dogs better. I love how Phil takes care of Millie. It’s rather fun watching (because, yes, of course I imagine them in my mind) them go about their jobs. And I love how Phil is so protective of his people and wants to keep everyone safe, plus help Millie find what they’re tracking.
Kara is our main human character. We’ve met her in previous novels, but we’ve never really gotten her story. She’s a vegetarian and they like to give her flak about her weeds and seed muffins, though they sound good to me. She does eat cheese and eggs, just not meat.
In this novel, she and her family are helping Beau to find his mom, who is missing. They’ve known him forever, and he knows them, but he doesn’t know them if that makes sense (which I know it doesn’t, but it will). Kara and Beau have a lot of feelings to navigate as they once were best friends. Then she dated and became engaged to his best friend, which made it awkward because Beau actually liked Kara too.
Then Kyle gets cancer and dies before he and Kara can get married. Kara and Beau form a new sort of friendship, only for tragedy to strike and everything to go cattywompus.
This was such a fun novel. I’ve loved the whole series, and this book was no different. It reads quickly and will definitely keep you reading and wanting more. I’m ready for another book in the series, please!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from 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.
Kara is our main human character. We’ve met her in previous novels, but we’ve never really gotten her story. She’s a vegetarian and they like to give her flak about her weeds and seed muffins, though they sound good to me. She does eat cheese and eggs, just not meat.
In this novel, she and her family are helping Beau to find his mom, who is missing. They’ve known him forever, and he knows them, but he doesn’t know them if that makes sense (which I know it doesn’t, but it will). Kara and Beau have a lot of feelings to navigate as they once were best friends. Then she dated and became engaged to his best friend, which made it awkward because Beau actually liked Kara too.
Then Kyle gets cancer and dies before he and Kara can get married. Kara and Beau form a new sort of friendship, only for tragedy to strike and everything to go cattywompus.
This was such a fun novel. I’ve loved the whole series, and this book was no different. It reads quickly and will definitely keep you reading and wanting more. I’m ready for another book in the series, please!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from 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.
May 26, 2025
2 Corinthians 4:18
K-9 handler Kara Wolfe is part of the Security Hounds Investigations team. The family business specializes in using bloodhounds that are trained to track, search and rescue. Her bloodhound Millie has a keen sense of smell and hearing. It a unique situation that Millie is losing her sight. She has a companion guide dog, an Anatolian Shepherd named Phil who is fiercely attentive to Millie.
Former Marine Beau O'Conner is back in Whisper Valley. Kara is shocked to see him become the target of a hit and run. She is disappointed and puzzled when she notices that he does not recognize his childhood friend.
When the Wolfe family learns that Beau's mother is missing, they start an intense search for Ree O'Connor, owner of a fish hatchery in the area. There's a big mystery here. Is this related to a prior attack on her son? Will local law enforcement take Beau seriously this time?
I have been looking forward to this fourth book in the series. Knowing that a trained bloodhound could function with a guide dog was fascinating to me. Learning about prosopagnosis, face blindness, what it is and how the character of Beau adjusts his life to its challenges was unexpected and very interesting. Readers of the series will note that Beth Wolfe is now able to take an active part in the investigation following her spinal surgery.
This is an excellent addition to the series. I'm happily anticipating Chase's story next. And will Beth have a mystery and romance in the future? This is a definite 5 star read for me.
The author's book dedication to Joybound People & Pets including Emily the vet tech touches my heart.
K-9 handler Kara Wolfe is part of the Security Hounds Investigations team. The family business specializes in using bloodhounds that are trained to track, search and rescue. Her bloodhound Millie has a keen sense of smell and hearing. It a unique situation that Millie is losing her sight. She has a companion guide dog, an Anatolian Shepherd named Phil who is fiercely attentive to Millie.
Former Marine Beau O'Conner is back in Whisper Valley. Kara is shocked to see him become the target of a hit and run. She is disappointed and puzzled when she notices that he does not recognize his childhood friend.
When the Wolfe family learns that Beau's mother is missing, they start an intense search for Ree O'Connor, owner of a fish hatchery in the area. There's a big mystery here. Is this related to a prior attack on her son? Will local law enforcement take Beau seriously this time?
I have been looking forward to this fourth book in the series. Knowing that a trained bloodhound could function with a guide dog was fascinating to me. Learning about prosopagnosis, face blindness, what it is and how the character of Beau adjusts his life to its challenges was unexpected and very interesting. Readers of the series will note that Beth Wolfe is now able to take an active part in the investigation following her spinal surgery.
This is an excellent addition to the series. I'm happily anticipating Chase's story next. And will Beth have a mystery and romance in the future? This is a definite 5 star read for me.
The author's book dedication to Joybound People & Pets including Emily the vet tech touches my heart.
June 23, 2025
My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Follow The Clues. This is book four in the series Security Hounds Investigations. I have really enjoyed this series. I love how Dana can write intrigues and yet have light humous moments in them. I love the hounds. Whoever heard of a blind blood hound in search and rescue. Such a cool concept. I know you are going to love this book, I'm such a huge fan of her writings.
Kara Wolfe was out training her dogs. Minnie is almost blind and Kara is training Phil an Anatolian Shepherd to see for her. As she finished a rusty old van drove her and the dogs into the bushes. They had almost ran her down. She drove off towards the highway when she saw Big Blue, a truck from her old friend. Then she heard a loud engine and saw the rusty van roar up and hit Big Blue not once but twice until it ran him off the road. Was Beau alright? He acted like he didn't know her.
Beau O'Connor had sustained a traumatic brain injury seven months ago. He had witnessed a murder and the been hit over the head at his families hatchery. There had been no evidence of the violence but Beau had lost everything. His body healed but his brain didn't. Now he couldn't recognize anyone face, even the woman he once loved. He did know that his mother was missing. Could Kara and her family help him to find her?
An exciting journey to find Beau's mother and stay one step ahead of the culprit. God has a plan for these two broken souls, a plan for hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan for peace and not for destruction.
Kara Wolfe was out training her dogs. Minnie is almost blind and Kara is training Phil an Anatolian Shepherd to see for her. As she finished a rusty old van drove her and the dogs into the bushes. They had almost ran her down. She drove off towards the highway when she saw Big Blue, a truck from her old friend. Then she heard a loud engine and saw the rusty van roar up and hit Big Blue not once but twice until it ran him off the road. Was Beau alright? He acted like he didn't know her.
Beau O'Connor had sustained a traumatic brain injury seven months ago. He had witnessed a murder and the been hit over the head at his families hatchery. There had been no evidence of the violence but Beau had lost everything. His body healed but his brain didn't. Now he couldn't recognize anyone face, even the woman he once loved. He did know that his mother was missing. Could Kara and her family help him to find her?
An exciting journey to find Beau's mother and stay one step ahead of the culprit. God has a plan for these two broken souls, a plan for hope and a future. God has a plan for you too, a good plan for peace and not for destruction.
July 1, 2025
Christian Suspense Romance if one of my favorite genres. Dana Mentink is one of my favorite authors for this genre and I have read MANY of her books. Following the Clues by Dana Mentick is Book 3 in the Security Hounds Investigation Series. I have been enjoying this series from Book 1 and was excited to learn this book has been released.
The Mystery and Suspense was very prevelent from the very first pages and continued throughout the storyline. Kara Wolfe and Beau O’Connor are the 2 main characters in this story. Kara and Beau are childhood friends and Beau needs Kara's help to find his missing mother. Kara is part of the K9 Investigator team and agrees to help her friend Beau. The hunt for Beau's mom becomes interesting because Beau has a facial disorder that he can see faces, but doesn't recognize them, therefore identifying his mom could be problematic. Kara has the help of 2 wonderful and cute K9 dogs, Phil and Millie, who truly were an amazing help. I really love that Kara's family is part of every investigation and help so much. The relationship between Kara and Beau grows from friendship to Romancitic throughout the book. I was on the edge of my seat many times throughout the story as the twists and turns kept coming. The book is part of a series, but also reads great a standalone. I look forward to reading future books in this series! The book contains Faith, Romance, Mystery and so much more! I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction based books! WONDERFUL BOOK!
The Mystery and Suspense was very prevelent from the very first pages and continued throughout the storyline. Kara Wolfe and Beau O’Connor are the 2 main characters in this story. Kara and Beau are childhood friends and Beau needs Kara's help to find his missing mother. Kara is part of the K9 Investigator team and agrees to help her friend Beau. The hunt for Beau's mom becomes interesting because Beau has a facial disorder that he can see faces, but doesn't recognize them, therefore identifying his mom could be problematic. Kara has the help of 2 wonderful and cute K9 dogs, Phil and Millie, who truly were an amazing help. I really love that Kara's family is part of every investigation and help so much. The relationship between Kara and Beau grows from friendship to Romancitic throughout the book. I was on the edge of my seat many times throughout the story as the twists and turns kept coming. The book is part of a series, but also reads great a standalone. I look forward to reading future books in this series! The book contains Faith, Romance, Mystery and so much more! I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction based books! WONDERFUL BOOK!
June 4, 2025
I am so enjoying the Security Hounds Investigation series by Dana Mentink because….the hounds! They are a brilliant combination of noble goofballs! This time it’s Millie, the blind bloodhound who has her very own guide dog! And I love the way Mentink writes the dogs into the story as important secondary characters. I might have fangirled more over this intrepid pair than our hero. Oops.
Mind you Beau comes a very close second. 🙂 He’s back home after a challenging time recovering from a debilitating injury that has altered his life and left him questioning his future. Unfortunately, he cut himself off from friends and family as he struggled to come to grips with his new reality.
Kara’s mourned the loss of her friendship with Beau. She’s never understood why he cut her off and she certainly doesn’t understand why he’s pretending he doesn’t know her when they finally meet up again. He has a very good reason, as it turns out, and it is fascinating and contributes to the emotional intensity of both the romance and the suspense. Such an enthralling read!
Quintessential Mentink humour lightens even the most intense scenes while thoughtful inspirational moments bring hope in the midst of trauma. A deliciously lethal combination that makes this a not-to-be-missed romantic suspense.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/06/04/f...
Mind you Beau comes a very close second. 🙂 He’s back home after a challenging time recovering from a debilitating injury that has altered his life and left him questioning his future. Unfortunately, he cut himself off from friends and family as he struggled to come to grips with his new reality.
Kara’s mourned the loss of her friendship with Beau. She’s never understood why he cut her off and she certainly doesn’t understand why he’s pretending he doesn’t know her when they finally meet up again. He has a very good reason, as it turns out, and it is fascinating and contributes to the emotional intensity of both the romance and the suspense. Such an enthralling read!
Quintessential Mentink humour lightens even the most intense scenes while thoughtful inspirational moments bring hope in the midst of trauma. A deliciously lethal combination that makes this a not-to-be-missed romantic suspense.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/06/04/f...
June 30, 2025
Following the Clues (Security Hounds Investigations Book Four) by Dana Mentink is the fourth book in the Security Hounds series and is an Inspirational Romantic Suspense novel. As the fourth book in this series, I recommend reading the books in order so you get the most of the stories. Just like the previous books in this series, I found myself drawn into the story from the moment I began reading.
K-9 handler Kara Wolfe witnesses her childhood friend Beau O’Connor survive a targeted hit-and-run, and then finds herself surprised to discover his mother is missing and he can not remember faces. The danger, suspense, and relationships in this book will keep you reading. I truly found myself mesmerized by the story.
I felt drawn into the story and discovering more about the idea remembering names but not remembering the faces that go along with those names. While Kara and her K-9 companions do everything they can to help Beau find his mother, someone else works to sabotage their efforts.
So, if you are looking for an Inspirational Romantic Suspense novel and series, check out Following the Clues (Security Hounds Investigations Book Four) by Dana Mentink along with the rest of the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
K-9 handler Kara Wolfe witnesses her childhood friend Beau O’Connor survive a targeted hit-and-run, and then finds herself surprised to discover his mother is missing and he can not remember faces. The danger, suspense, and relationships in this book will keep you reading. I truly found myself mesmerized by the story.
I felt drawn into the story and discovering more about the idea remembering names but not remembering the faces that go along with those names. While Kara and her K-9 companions do everything they can to help Beau find his mother, someone else works to sabotage their efforts.
So, if you are looking for an Inspirational Romantic Suspense novel and series, check out Following the Clues (Security Hounds Investigations Book Four) by Dana Mentink along with the rest of the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
June 28, 2025
"Following the Clues "by Dana Mentink is the 4th book of the series. Each novel in this series features different characters and dogs so can be read as standalones, but as always, I ask why not read them all? The main male character in this book has a rare condition known as “prosopagnosia” or “face blindness.” Which means he isn't able to recognize people's faces he’s known his whole life, even family. This condition led him to be discharged from the Marines, so he withdraws into his self and causes hurt to Kara, the main female character of the book. When Beau returns home his mother is missing and the Security Hounds is called in to search for her.
This book has lots of action. This book deals with grief, (a character before this story died) and is also a great romance. This book kept me reading till the end.
On a side note, since this novel is fiction, I looked up prosopagnosia and found it was a true condition that most people that have it are born with it, but can be caused by brain damage, to found out how Beau came to be diagnosed with it read the book.
If a reader loves dogs and romance and suspense, I say get yourself this book and enjoy!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.
This book has lots of action. This book deals with grief, (a character before this story died) and is also a great romance. This book kept me reading till the end.
On a side note, since this novel is fiction, I looked up prosopagnosia and found it was a true condition that most people that have it are born with it, but can be caused by brain damage, to found out how Beau came to be diagnosed with it read the book.
If a reader loves dogs and romance and suspense, I say get yourself this book and enjoy!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.
July 5, 2025
This was a pleasant easy read. An engrossing mystery revolving around Beau’s missing mother, Ree. She has a nice piece of land and a fish hatchery, along with hired help. There is a history between these characters and this is the fourth book of the Security Hounds Investigations. Kara and Beau meet up once again and renew their friendship. There was an injury to Beau and he developed a frustrating condition called prosopagnosia also known as face blindness. A cognitive disorder where he can’t recognize the person the next day basically, and so, throughout the story he learns to deal with it and his past decisions. Kara, the K-9 search and rescue girl is ever so resolute to be there for him no matter what anybody says even when she almost dies in the burning shed. She’s a trooper and doesn’t give up, and she also makes for a good detective. I like how the author gives several suspects and really keeps you guessing. Is it the tenants? The neighbours? Or someone under their nose? And why? As Kara and Beau’s relationship blooms, it progresses lightly and not overwhelming, which is appropriate. I received this e-book for free from Celebrate Lit Tour and the opinions I express are honest and my own.
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