Scent of Murder

Sullivan K9 Search and Rescue #9

by Laura Scott

From New York Times Bestselling Author Laura Scott

Search and rescue and love…

Cold blooded murder…

When Kendra Sullivan reaches out to Dominic Lakeland, the son of the pilot who was killed alongside her parents six years ago, she is hopeful they will finally uncover the truth about that fateful day. But when bullets start to fly, targeting Dominic it’s clear the past has collided with the present. Someone doesn’t want the truth to be revealed and they will do whatever is necessary to silence Kendra and Dominic…forever.

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Suspense, Audiobook, Christian

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2025

Reviews

[Marybelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of the Sullivan series. The only thing I didn’t like was how Dominic is so wishy-washy. He goes back and forth with the guilt constantly. It is not his fault his father did what he did. It’s not his fault that Kendra got caught up in the trouble facing him. He blames himself for what the bad guy does. The only thing he did wrong was not to stick to his guns about Levy. He knew that Levy was involved, but he let himself be talked out of it. But I love how Kendra sticks by his side, and I love the HEA.

I’m a little bummed out that we never know whether Doug and Maya have a girl or a boy. Can’t wait to see if the Sullivan show up in the next series.

[Valri Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a satisfying end to the series. It was Kendra's story. All along, the siblings have wondered what happened to their parents who died in a plane crash several years ago. They have search high and low for their plane which went down in the rugged mountains to see if they could get closer. Kendra hears from someone named Dominic Lakeland who is the son of the man who was piloting the plane which went down with her parents. He has news that finally gives them both some answers, but they want all the answers and when bullets start to fly, they know they are on to something.
While I enjoyed Kendra and Dominic a lot, I missed having Kendra's dog, Smoky, do a lot of the K9 "searching" that the other books had. That was a big draw for me in this series! Smoky was still prevalent in this book but mostly he just seemed to tag along with Kendra and occasionally do something. All in all, I liked having a few of the other siblings come together to help Kendra with the final outcome of getting answers for their parents' death. It was a satisfying conclusion. I really enjoyed this series and will miss the Sullivans!

[Rosemarie Grainer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super action packed ending for this series!

Dom is meeting Kendra and her K-9 Smoky at a hotel when he is shot at getting out of his truck. He goes on the run and Kendra and Smoky track him down. They leave but someone finds them every single time! The hits keep coming! It will take a bunch of the gang to figure this out why someone ordered his father to be killed taking out the Sullivans' parents as collateral damage and is now after him.

The pace is breakneck and the tone is intense with an action oriented storyline that has a few kisses only and no steam. The characters are vivid and engaging. The Christian ideals are a part of the story. This is the conclusion of this series. Read them in order to get the most out of the story. If you want to read previous series set in Milwaukee, read SWAT Top Cops series in order, then Callahan Confidential series in order, then Finnegan First Responders series in order and finally Oath of Honor series, which introduces the main character in book 1 of this series. I can't wait for the next series that is coming out in 2026!

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page-turner and then some! Kendra and Dom try to stay ahead of the relentless onslaught of flying bullets as some very determined villains continue to show up despite their best efforts to evade them. Lots of tense, hair-raising scenes dominate the plot, leaving just enough room for relationship growth and some serious heart-to-hearts that help draw Kendra and Dom together. Phew! My heart rate is still elevated after finishing this intense romantic suspense!

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome conclusion to the Sullivan K9 series. Scent of Murder is a fast paced Christian romantic suspense with nonstop action from the start and has twists and turns, secrets, and danger. The plot was engaging, and I enjoyed Dominic and Kendra's story. I'm looking forward to Grady's story next year.

[Jan Fore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sullivan K9 Series

This last Sullivan story features the truth behind their parents death in the plane crash. It continues on to arrest the 4 characters who planned to take down Dom. They wanted the good coins his father had stolen. This is the last of the Sullivan clan as it featured the youngest member,Kendra.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Hate to have this series end. Loved the Sullivan's. Dominica fathers real name was revealed. I was wondering what Dominic's real first name was before he and his father went into WITSEC. Lots of action to keep you on your toes. Loved it.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome conclusion to this great series. Loved the Sullivan siblings, their love interests, and dogs

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of mystery and action and has a happy ending. I enjoyed the characters and the story though it was a bit tedious for me in parts.

[Angela Seagren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a terrific and perfect ending to this series. I love the Sullivan family love and support in this series. This became my favorite series in the Love Inspired genre,

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read but I'm sad to see this series end. Hopefully we'll catch up with them again in future series.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final installment and wrap up to the Sullivan K9 Search and Rescue series by Laura Scott. Throughout the series there is the underlying story of the Sullivan's parents' deaths in a plane crash and their suspicious it was might not have been an accident.

Kendra Sullivan reaches out to the son of the pilot who was also killed in that plane crash. Surely they can put the pieces together and find the anwers she needs and the closure they all want. It quickly becomes apparent they are getting too close to the truth and someone is determined to keep them from getting there.