Detecting Deadly Threats

K-9 Search and Rescue #16

by Carol J. Post

With ruthless criminals closing in,
this K-9 is on a mission to defend.

Amateur photographer Lauren Hollander narrowly escapes a kidnapping attempt—moments before a disastrous earthquake rocks her small town, destroying her store. She’s saved from the rubble by Zachery Kimball and his search and rescue K-9, Ranger. Someone is determined to get to Lauren—but who, and why? Is it tied to her brother’s criminal past? Or are the culprits after the pictures on her camera? Under Zach and Ranger’s protection, Lauren races to discover the truth behind all the attacks. But as the danger escalates, can they survive long enough to untangle the mystery that’s putting their lives on the line?

From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.

K-9 Search and Rescue

Book 1: Desert Rescue by Lisa Phillips
Book 2: Trailing a Killer by Carol J. Post
Book 3: Mountain Survival by Christy Barritt
Book 4: Search and Defend by Heather Woodhaven
Book 5: Following the Trail by Lynette Eason
Book 6: Dangerous Mountain Rescue by Christy Barritt
Book 7: Wilderness Hunt by Lisa Phillips
Book 8: Alaskan Mountain Search by Sarah Varland
Book 9: Alaskan Avalanche Escape by Darlene L. Turner
Book 10: Tracking Stolen Treasures by Lisa Phillips
Book 11: Alaskan Wilderness Rescue by Sarah Varland
Book 12: Lethal Mountain Pursuit by Christy Barritt
Book 13: Tracking the Missing by Sami A. Abrams
Book 14: K-9 Alaskan Defense by Sarah Varland
Book 15: Searching for Justice by Connie Queen
Book 16: Detecting Deadly Threats by Carol J. Post
Book 17: Hunting a Killer by Sarah Varland
Book 18: Tracing a Kidnapper's Trail by Katy Lee

Genres: Inspirational

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Expected publication December 30, 2025

About the author

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special events decorating company, my resume reads as if I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is my love for writing. I currently pen fun and fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. My books have won several awards and been nominated for two RITA® awards and an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award.

After spending most of my life in Florida, a few years ago, I moved to the mountains of North Carolina, where I write my stories outside on the back deck in the summertime and inside in front of the fireplace in the wintertime. When I’m not writing or doing writerly things, I enjoy hiking, camping, kayaking—almost anything outdoors. My two grown daughters and grandkids live too far away for my liking, so I now pour all that nurturing into taking care of two sassy black cats.

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC with no expectations of a positive review. WOW! Why would armed men want to abduct a Lauren, a jewelry owner. They did not want money or any of the jewels. Who would have thought that an earthquake in Tennessee would prevent her abduction. Who is behind the attacks. Join Lauren, Zack, William and Zack's search and rescue K-9 Ranger. This book had me on the edge of my seat from the first page.

[Deena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the best stories from Carol J. Post! It hits all the right notes for romantic suspense, heavy on the suspense.

Lauren, Zach, William, and Ranger are lively characters and bring so much to the story. Each had a critical role to play and did so perfectly.

Lauren is locking up her jewelry store for the day when a masked man attempts to get abducted her at gunpoint. Another masked intruder comes to her rescue and everything comes crashing down.

Literally. Zack and his unlikely family rented the apartment above the store and it’s completely gone. He needs a place to stay and she needs protection, so a friendship is quickly formed.

What follows is a cat and mouse game that will captivate you and keep you reading to the breathtaking answers: The mouse is Lauren, but who’s the cat?

Be prepared to be surprised!

I received an advance copy from the publisher. I’m under no obligation and my review has not been solicited. Highly recommend!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Carol Post. It grabs you from the first page and keeps your interest throughout the book. This book is full of actions, twists and turns and a little romance. I was given a complementary copy of this book and the opinions are my own.

[Conny Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You can’t expect God to protect you when you take unnecessary chances,” Lauren is told in Carol J. Post’s inspirational romance, Detecting Deadly Threats.

~ What ~
A Love Inspired Suspense, this K-9 Search and Rescue story is a 208-page paperback that appeals to readers who enjoy suspenseful romance fiction featuring a service dog. With no profanity but topics of illness, violence, murder, and death, it may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes the author’s note and advertisements.

This contemporary tale is about thirty-year-old Lauren, who has a jewelry business in an old building that collapses in an earthquake, taking her rented apartment upstairs along with it. Her tenants, Zack, his thirteen-year-old nephew, and his rescue dog, become displaced in the disaster, so Lauren invites them to live with her in the interim. However, when it is discovered that the man who died inside the building during the quake is her brother, the race is on to find out why she has become a deadly target. As she faces multiple attacks, her new friends and their dog come to her rescue.

~ Why ~
This is a quick read about trying to stop dangerous individuals who are out to find something. I liked the consistent companion of the dog and how he helped Lauren and William deal with their sorrowful pasts. The story flows from one threat to another while relying on God for answers.

~ Why Not ~
Some may not like stories that have Christian undertones while dealing with tracking someone to harm them. Others may not care for the faith-based prayers, but there are only a few. I felt one scenario was far-fetched.

~ Wish ~
Since this is a Christian read, it would be thoughtful to include the eternal plan of salvation that Jesus Christ died on the cross, shed His blood for all sin, and rose the third day.

~ Want ~
If you like a romantic suspense that includes a maturing teen and a protective rescue dog saving a couple finding love, this one is not a threat but a treat.

Thanks to the author for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

[Kay Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

DETECTING DEADLY THREATS by Carol J. Post is the phenomenally captivating story of Lauren Holland, jewelry store owner and amateur photographer, and Zachery Kimball, who’d rented her apartment above the store, as they sift through the after effects of an earthquake, try to avoid multiply attempts to kidnap Lauren, and trying to figure out the who and why this is happening.

Abandoned by two men in her life, Lauren has resigned herself to being content with her church, friends and customers as her “family”. The cancer she had at a young age left her unable to have children and the knowledge she could have another cancer. It’s a double reason not to burden her life onto anyone else. Then Zach came into her life making her wonder.

When his sister died, Zach became an instant guardian to William. After a brush with the law, Zach was determined William wasn’t going to follow his imprisoned father’s criminal path. He uprooted the two of them moving to Ridgely, TN. While he is attracted to Lauren, his concentration is 100% on William. Can he find a way to get close to William, who is hurting, lost and seems to think he can’t do anything right.

Just before the earthquake, Lauren found herself confronted by two masked men. While she had thought it robbery, it turned out one was trying to abduct her. One masked man shot the other just before the earthquake hit then left her and the shot man buried alive within the rubble. It was Zach and Ranger, his S&R K-9, that found Lauren in the rubble. Since Zach and William’s apartment was demolished and extremely grateful for their part in finding her, Lauren offers them a place to stay at her home. It helped them, but knowing she was the target of a kidnapping gone awry, it also means she isn’t alone.

Can Zach keep Lauren safe through multiple attacks? Why does he feel so protective? Will the identity of the killed masked man bring another layer of questions to the equation? Will it take someone not connected to show Zach and William how to become family? While Ranger is trained in search and rescue, will he show he’s strengths also lean towards guarding and protection as well? Will all the pieces fall into place before the men after Lauren figure out where they are?

DETECTING DEADLY THREATS is an exceptional suspense story that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat and quickly turning pages. Carol J. Post gives us a story of intrigue, danger, grief, loss, adjustments, romance, family, risk, and understanding while wrapping it in a wonderful thread of faith. DETECTING DEADLY THREATS is absolutely a FIVE STAR book!

While DETECTING DEADLY THREATS is the sixteenth book in the K-9 Search and Rescue, it can most definitely be read as a standalone book.

I receive an ARC of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own.
#DetectingDeadlyThreats #K9SearchandRescue #CarolJPost #LoveInspiredSuspense #InspirationalRomance

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is without a doubt an action packed , clean, Christian suspense romance that will keep readers wondering what will be the next obstacle Lauren, Zach and William will have to face.
Lauren Hollander owns a jewelry store in Ridgely, TN, and is also an amateur photographer.
Zach Kimball, the renter of the apartment above her jewelry story, has recently moved to town with his 13 year old nephew, William. A boy who has just lost his mother, and is still not warming up to Zach.
Lauren had just felt vibrations under her feet when two masked individuals came to her shop. Just when it appeared one was about to harm her, an earthquake hits the town and leaves Lauren and one of the assailants buried under the rubble.
It’s Zach and his K-9 dog Ranger, Lauren’s renter, who rescue her.
Now homeless, Lauren takes Zach, William and Ranger into her home. As the three start forming a relationship, danger continues to follow Lauren.
Why is she still threatened? What do the criminals want? Can Lauren’s friends and Zach keep her safe? Is the danger also putting Zach and William at risk?
As the danger increases, so do feelings between the trio. While Lauren feels she can’t offer any man a future, William is adjusting to his new life , and Zach is at loss as to how to reach William and his feelings for Lauren.
Will they survive the danger and realize that they belong together and can become the family they never knew they desperately wanted?
This was a story about becoming a family not by blood but by choice. It’s a story about having faith in God and oneself. It’s also a story about second chances in life and love.
Another winner by this author.
I was entrusted a copy of this Harlequin suspense story. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ranger is definitely the hero in this story. Zach owned the trained search and rescue coonhound and had worked with him several times before moving to the small town of Ridgely, Tennessee, where he hoped to provide a better home for his orphaned nephew than he had in California. Little did he realize that about a week after moving there he would be putting Ranger to work to search for and rescue his landlord after an earthquake struck their small community. That was only the beginning for Ranger. Lauren unwittingly put herself in the crosshairs of some really bad dudes who kept trying to get to her. Ranger constantly roared into action to protect her. William did not like being uprooted from his home in California, but he began to warm up to Lauren and was as protective as a thirteen-year-old could be. I thought the story was well-written with almost constant action, a budding relationship, and a teenage boy who seemed to be starting to heal from all the loss in his life. Zach and Lauren had their own issues to work through and were making some healthy inroads there. I was hanging on for the ride, wondering when the bad guys would strike again and why they kept coming after Lauren. I received an advance copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Joy Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for an earth shattering story in this book. It starts out with Lauren Hollander, who owns a jewelry store, is out taking pictures in the park feels a vibration from an earthquake. She heads back to her store and shortly afterwards a man comes in and points a gun at her, then the plot thickens as another man comes in with a gun. She is terrified about what is happening when an earthquake hits again. She barely gets under a desk before the whole building collapses. Meanwhile Zachery Kimball is picking up his nephew from school and heads to his rental, which is above the jewelry store. Zack has a black-and-tan coonhound, Ranger, that helps find Lauren in the rumble. All of this happens just in the first chapter. Be ready to read this fast paced story in one setting. I really enjoyed the suspense that kept me turning the pages. I also loved getting to know the characters and their background as the walls that both of them had erected begins to come down. Will they found out who and why she was held at gunpoint, and how many more times will she be in danger? Throw in a surly teenager and an amazing dog, and you get a wonderful story of hope and Faith. Thank you to the publisher for an early copy of this. All thoughts and opinions are in my own words.

[Zanese]

Detecting Deadly Threats by Carol J. Post (K-9 Search and Rescue, 16) is an engaging story attractive to readers of romance, suspense, and small-town settings.

After an earthquake destroys Lauren Hollander's business location, including the upstairs apartment being rented by Zack Kimball and his teen nephew William -- for whom Zack has recently become responsible -- Zack and William and their coonhound Ranger temporarily move into a spare room in Lauren's home.

The houseguests are a timely and protective addition, because savory characters who appear to be connected to Lauren's brother, Lyle, recently released from prison, are following her for unknown reasons and want to do her harm. The ongoing danger brings Zack and Lauren and even William and Ranger closer than just a business relationship, offering a satisfying romantic ending and closure in identifying the bad guys.

Another Carol J. Post great read that includes a K-9 helper. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book in order to offer my honest opinion.

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic K-9 story! Ranger was the star of the show! These animals are so amazing, and I love stories about their abilities, even when they aren't trained for specific things and do them anyway!
Lauren is a jeweler and is about to be kidnapped in her store when an earthquake happens! How "convenient" is that?! She thought at first it was a robbery, not a kidnapping, but it soon becomes clear that the kidnapper wants something from her. As the town digs out from the earthquake, Lauren is targeted again and again. Her tenant, Zack, his nephew, William, and K-9, Ranger, are constantly trying to keep her safe. I really liked how Lauren connected with William, who was a moody teenager and Zack who tried so hard to be a loving uncle and a caring guardian at the same time.
What do these men want that are after Lauren? Will they succeed in hurting her? There is a lot of tension and suspense. I enjoyed the book a lot! The characters find solace and strength in their faith.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all - great characters, mystery, action, suspense and a K-9 that will steal your heart. Oh, did I mention that there is even an earthquake??!! Lauren owns a small jewelry business and free-lances as a photographer but she never expects someone to come into her store to kidnap her!! After that fails, her upstairs tenant, Zach and his nephew along with Zach's K-9 Ranger stay with Lauren while figuring out what to do next. I love the small town relationships and how everyone looks out for each other in this book. It seems someone still wants Lauren and will stop at nothing to grab her. Can you figure out the reason before Zach and Lauren do? If you like action, suspense, and a touch of romance, you want to read this book! I received an advance copy from the author but all opinions are my own.

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detecting Deadly Threats is filled with suspense, mystery, pain, loss, and forgiveness. The story got my attention from the beginning, and I liked the main characters. There was one complication after another brought on by attempted kidnapping, a nephew trying to deal with loss, and a man trying to deal with parenting issues.

The small town that Lauren had always felt safe in suddenly became a town of danger, and she was in the crosshairs. I enjoyed Lauren's faith and willingness to help others, and Zack's desire to step in when his nephew needed him. Zack's dog, Ranger, was also amazing. I enjoyed the book and read it in one sitting—highly recommended, fast-paced suspense.

I received a complimentary ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

[Barbara Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot of excitement in this book starting with an earthquake and then an attempted kidnapping. Lauren has no idea who is after her and for what. This book will keep you turning the pages. I couldn't help but fall for William, a 13 year old who lost his mother and now lives with his uncle Zach and his dog Ranger. Read this book and follow the action of Lauren, Zach, William and Ranger as they try to find out who is after her and why. I definitely recommend this book.

[Ethelann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detecting Deadly Threats is such a great and exciting story. Lauren Hollander is a photographer and she is almost kidnapped for an unknown reason, but then an earthquake happens. Her renter, Zach Kimbell along with his search & rescue dog, Ranger, rescues her from the rubble. But the kidnappers don't give up so Zach and Ranger must protect her as they try to figure out what the bad guys want.
This book is a real page-turner with excitement in every chapter!

[SARAH TAYLOR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detecting Deadly Threats by Carol J. Post Was such a great story from start to finish when Lauren Hollander finds herself trapped from the rubble of an earthquake in her small shop can she find out who is wanting to bring her harm! Can her tenant Zachery Kimball and his K-9, Ranger help her to find out what the kidnapper's want and why! This book will draw you in every page you read and turn I highly recommend this book I was given an ARC and this is my own honest opinion!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written small town romantic suspense. A definite page turner that will keep the reader invested in the story. Grief was addressed in a realistic and sensitive way.
I throughly enjoyed Lauren and Zach's story. William was a great addition and Ranger (K-9) was the best "character".
This will make a great gift for my romantic suspense loving friends.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! There's plenty of action and amazing characters. Ranger, of course, is my favorite. I love these K-9 stories.