Cold Case Cover-Up

by K.D. Richards

Will solving his father’s murder

plunge her into danger?

Investigative reporter Landon Elkins has never stopped searching for his father’s killer. The discovery of a teenage girl’s remains uncovers a possible connection to the decades-old murder. Suspecting that Nichol Bunin witnessed something that could crack both cases wide open, Landon enlists the beautiful librarian’s help. But they’re up against the secrets of this close-knit town in a case with ever more baffling twists and turns…and a mass murderer who’s hiding in plain sight.

From Harlequin  Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the  Guardians of Justice  series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following

 Book 1: Killer on the Potomac
Book 2: Death by Data
Book 3: Cold Case Cover-Up

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2026

About the author

K.D. is a former attorney and educator. Her books are action-packed, page-turners with strong female characters and twists that will surprise.
Follow her on bookbub https://bit.ly/2TLCA7z.

Reviews

[Katie Mettner]

Cold Case Cover-Up by K.D. Richards is a gripping blend of romantic tension and small-town mystery that hooks you on page one. Centered on investigative reporter Landon Elkins, the story kicks off with the chilling discovery of skeletal remains in Galesburg. For most, it’s a moment of mystery that’s forgotten once the remains are removed, for others, it’s an event that reopens old wounds and long-buried secrets.

Landon plans to investigate the story not just for work. He has a deeply personal connection: a suspicious hit-and-run that killed his father while he was investigating the very same disappearance years ago. Landon’s pursuit of the truth reveals how raw the loss of his father is all these years later.

Enter Nichol, the town’s librarian, who doesn’t know how to be quiet when she sees injustice in the world. Intelligent, resourceful, and grounded, she becomes an unexpected partner in Landon’s investigation and his life. Their chemistry is palpable from page one and their dynamic starts as cautious collaboration and gradually builds into a believable, heartfelt romance.

Ms. Richards does an excellent job weaving together clues, red herrings, smarmy characters, and heavy emotional stakes to keep you guessing. The small-town setting adds an extra layer of intrigue, since everyone knows everyone. Nichol and Landon begin to unravel long-held secrets and reveal surprising alliances. As Landon and Nichol investigate the discovery of the skeleton, it raises questions about truth, justice, and how far people will go to protect both. The pacing is tight, but there are enough twists to keep readers guessing without feeling overwhelmed by the characters’ history and connections. The resolution is satisfying, tying together both the mystery and the romance up in a bow.

Overall, Cold Case Cover-Up is an engaging Intrigue that balances heart-pounding investigation with genuine emotional connection. Fans of cold case mysteries and slow-burn romance will enjoy this one!

[Karen Jones]

I really enjoyed the book and the characters. The pacing was good as was the character development. I didn’t guess the murderer but I had narrowed down to 2. I did reduce a star for the inconsistencies mentioned by another reviewer as they were glaring enough to pull me out of the story and go “Huh?” and then attempted to figure out what I might have missed-read. Still worth reading but I’m wondering if Harlequin is not using human readers….

[Jeanne]

Good story but full of inconsistencies. Us he a great cook, a sometimes cook, or can only cook a few dishes? Opening sentence of chapter 17. " Warm, gooey cheese stretched between Landon's teeth as he spooned ice cream into his mouth." What?

[Sheri Jesse]

Quick easy enjoyable read