Cold Blooded

Cold Justice #10

by Toni Anderson

Searching for the truth…

Disgraced investigative journalist Pip West is devastated when she discovers her best friend’s body face-down in a tranquil lake. When cops and federal agents determine that her friend overdosed then drowned, Pip knows they’re mistaken and intends to prove it.

Special Agent Hunt Kincaid doesn’t trust journalists and has no patience for Pip’s delusions, especially since her meddling could reveal why the FBI is interested in her friend’s last days. The dead scientist worked at the cutting edge of vaccine research and might have a connection to a new, weaponized, vaccine-resistant anthrax strain that just hit the black market.

…just turned deadly.

Pip is thrown off her game by grief and her unexpected attraction to the handsome federal agent. Hunt battles the same unwelcome pull, determined to resist the heat that threatens to consume them both. But the more Pip digs, the closer she gets to both the sexy FBI agent, and to a bioweapons terrorist who’s more than capable of cold-bloodedly sacrificing anyone who gets in his way.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Contemporary, Thriller, Crime

335 pages, ebook

First published June 12, 2018

About the author

Next Release: COLD HEAT
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Toni Anderson® writes gritty, sexy, FBI Romantic Thrillers, and is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the Readers' Choice, Aspen Gold, Book Buyers' Best, Golden Quill, and National Excellence in Romance Fiction awards. She’s been a finalist in The Vivian Contest and the RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America, and also in the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers.

Her books have been downloaded more than three million times.

Best known for her Cold Justice® books perhaps it’s not surprising to discover Toni lives in one of the most extreme climates on earth--Manitoba, Canada. Formerly a Marine Biologist, she still misses the ocean.

In January 2016, she visited FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, including a tour of the Strategic Information and Operations Center.


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Start reading Toni's award-winning, bestselling Cold Justice® series with A COLD DARK PLACE.

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Reviews

[Toni Anderson]

"Hypnotically sexy and mind-blowingly intense! Cold Blooded grabbed me by the heart and wouldn't let go until the gasp-worthy end. It's everything I love, love, love in a romantic suspense!" -NYT bestselling author Annika Martin.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Originally posted at Scandalicious Book Reviews

If you are a fan of romantic suspense, you will be thrilled to read Toni Anderson’s latest story. She is back with the 9th book in her Cold Justice series and this one is a breath-holding, nail-biting treat.

Pip West is driven from her home in Florida after her investigative story into police corruption ends with her witness’ death. She seeks refuge from her best friend, Cindy, but when she arrives at her house, Pip finds her murdered. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances of the crime, law enforcement thinks it is an accidental drowning due to drug use. Pip is determined to redeem Cindy’s reputation and sets out to discover the truth.

The FBI thwarts an attempt to sell weaponized anthrax. As the FBI’s local WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) coordinator, Hunt Kincaid is tasked with checking in with every scientist working with anthrax in his region to see if there are any connections. Cindy Resnick was working on a vaccine for anthrax which is why he is at the scene of her death. He has to decide whether to believe the best friend when all the other evidence seems to suggest otherwise.

As you can see, the set up to the story is perfectly poised for suspense. There are more murders. We also have the added pressure of a timeline. The people involved in selling the potential bioweapon are threatening to unleash the virus in retaliation.

Whereas the terrorist angle is fast-paced, the romance is a slow burn. Both Pip and Hunt have reason to be suspicious of one another based on their occupations alone. Pip is wary of all law enforcement based on how they turned on her during her last assignment. Hunt is also cautious around journalists after being burned in the past. Also, because the nature of the investigation, which involves WMDs and terrorist activity, Hunt is especially evasive with Pip. Still, he learns to appreciate her doggedness and intelligence. I really like Hunt. I find him to be one of the most accessible heroes in the Cold Justice series. Although he has his stoic moments, he also exhibits a level vulnerability and a good sense of humor. I can also see why he becomes attracted to PIp. She is loyal and genuine. I would want her on my side if I were in trouble. What rings less true for me is how willing Hunt is to jeopardize his career to pursue Pip. He is told straight out by his boss to not get involved with Pip. Hunt is a rule follower and he aspires to be on the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team. He needs to keep his record clean in order to be a top candidate. Why would he choose to put this dream in jeopardy?

Despite my question about the romance, this is a very well researched and plotted story. As a suspense fan, I love it when the author has me guessing “who done it?” until the very end. Well done, Ms. Anderson.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've given this a B at AAR.

I’ve been reading more and more romantic suspense novels of late, and although Toni Anderson is an author who’s been on my radar for a while, for some reason, I’ve not yet got around to reading anything of hers.  After reading her guest post at AAR a few weeks ago, I decided to rectify that, and picked up the latest in her Cold Justice series – Cold Blooded – for review.  It’s the ninth full-length novel in the series (which also includes a novella), but I had no problems whatsoever following the story, so I can say with confidence that it works perfectly well as a standalone.  I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to fans of the genre; the plot is topical and well-executed, the characters are likeable and while the romantic angle is perhaps more low key than I normally like, it makes sense within the context of the story that this pair would take a bit of time to warm up to each other.

Pip West’s career as an investigative journalist might well be over following the recent publication of her story about police corruption that led to a dirty cop murdering his wife and kids before turning his gun on himself.  Devastated and burdened with guilt, Pip has fled her home in Florida and driven to rural Georgia, intending to stay with her best friend, Cindy - a research scientist at nearby Blake University - while she gets herself together and works out what she wants to do with the rest of her life.  Arriving at her friend’s remote cabin on Lake Allatoona, Pip is worried when she sees her Cindy’s car outside, but can find no trace of her.  Upstairs on the balcony, she sees something floating in the lake and is horrified to realise it’s Cindy.  Panicked and horrified, Pip manages to drag the body out of the water and to call 911 – but it’s too late.

Following the discovery of a terrorist cell in possession of weaponised anthrax, Special Agent Hunt Kincaid, WMD co-ordinator at the Atlanta field office of the FBI, has been tasked with reaching out to anyone in the area whose work involves the use of bacillus anthracis.  Intelligence suggests that this new strain has come from a US source, so Hunt and his counterparts throughout the US are being alerted and given similar tasks, but given the number of government facilities, universities and biotech companies in the area – including the Centre for Disease Control - the Atlanta office is the first on the case.

Hunt’s first stop is Blake University, where he intends to speak to the staff and students who work with the anthrax virus there.  His tour of the department is interrupted by news of the death of a PhD student who had been working on a new vaccine against the virus – and the timing is too much of a coincidence for him to ignore.  He heads out to Lake Allatoona where the local police tell him they suspect the death of the young woman – Cindy Resnick – to be drug related.  When her friend – the dark-haired young woman Hunt noticed immediately upon arriving at the scene -  insists Cindy never took drugs, Hunt takes the assertion with a pinch of salt; after all, this woman found the body and because of that, is currently at the top of the list of potential suspects should this prove to be a homicide.

Pip knows the handsome FBI agent is suspicious of her, but she’s too mired in grief and anger to care.  She knows Cindy wouldn’t – couldn’t – have committed suicide and she’s determined to find out the truth, but it won’t be easy.  After her last investigation, she’s wary of law-enforcement – and once the local cops find out about her exposé of police corruption, they’re not exactly queuing up to help her either.

Pip and Hunt pursue their own lines of enquiry for the first part of the book, their paths crossing mostly accidentally, each suspicious of the other and very cautious about sharing what they find out.  After a journalist stitched him up in a move that almost cost him his career, Hunt has no love for reporters, so he’s not well-disposed towards Pip - no matter that he can’t help the strong pull of attraction he feels towards her. But the more he sees of her, the more convinced he becomes that Pip had nothing to do with Cindy’s death – and Pip finds herself wanting to trust Hunt, even though she knows he subscribes to the police’s theory that Cindy’s death was, if not suicide, then helped along by her use of drugs.  But a second death – another scientist and friend of Cindy’s – also thought to be drug related, brings Hunt to the realisation that Pip has probably been right all along and that there’s more to her friend’s death than getting high and taking an ill-advised swim.

The suspense storyline is tightly-plotted and well-researched, the tension building gradually through its various twists and turns until reaching the final chapters, which really amp things up and propel us towards an exciting, high-stakes finale.  The romance is more of a slow burn, with Pip and Hunt gradually moving in ever decreasing circles around each other as they slowly learn to shed their suspicions and to work together, but this felt completely right given the circumstances and their past experiences.  I appreciated the absence of the over-the-top mental lusting that is so often present in today’s romance novels; Hunt and Pip are attracted to and aware of each other, yes, but there’s never any sense that the plot is being suspended while they mentally drool over one another’s perfect bodies.  I liked both characters, although I can’t deny that there’s something a bit stock-in-trade about both of them; Hunt is your classic ‘I don’t do relationships because I don’t like losing people’ type, and Pip is the ‘I had a shitty childhood and now I don’t trust easily’ one.  That said though, they’re relatable and engaging, and I particularly liked the flirtatious, playful side Hunt allowed out occasionally.  Pip’s grief is very well-handled, too – her sadness and feelings of guilt and uncertainty permeate the first part of the book in a subtle way, and I was pleased to see that she didn’t suddenly recover and start to act as though nothing had happened as the story progressed.

In the negative column though, there are places where the pacing flags and others that feel repetitive, particularly when we’re in Hunt’s PoV and he keeps reminding himself that Pip is a suspect, that he doesn’t trust reporters, and he shouldn’t get involved with her.  I still wanted to know how things would turn out, but there were times I found myself skimming to get to the next bit of plot.

Overall, however, Cold Blooded is an enjoyable, suspenseful read, and I’ll definitely be seeking out more of Ms. Anderson’s work.

[Jess☺️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Blooded by Toni Anderson is book 10 in the Cold Justice series.
It's a fun,fast,thrilling and an exciting ending to this series (as far as we know 🤷)
If murder, anthrax,hot FBI agents, Steamy romance and a HEA is your cup of tea then this book and the whole series is definitely for you the only time this series starts to feel a bit repetitive is in the naughtiness 😉 but each and every main story line is unique and different and never the same.
I definitely recommend this series 📖

[Dísir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toni Anderson’s poised writing is always finely balanced between intricate details, action and intriguing development—well, this is no different. But it’s good to see ‘Cold-Blooded’ starting afresh (either that, or I really can’t seem to remember these protagonists popping up anywhere else) with an entirely new pairing without the strong links to the rest of the characters in Anderson’s previous books as it reads like a proper standalone.

The uneasy relationship between journalists and law enforcement is the crux of Pip’s and Hunt’s initial conflict here and like oil and water, they don’t mix. Both Pip and Hunt get off on the wrong foot and their incompatible goals, along with the secrets kept—not to mention the cloud of grief and mourning that surrounds Pip from the start—pretty much define first half of their bumpy ride together.

Pip and Hunt as a pairing however, does feel like an optional ‘add-on’ in some ways, put together because of their own different inroads into the same investigation with mere hints of attraction and tension that stretch past the halfway mark. That this happens over the course of an intense few days, so much so that it causes Hunt to reevaluate his no-commitment stance after good sex, does make their instalove/connection more implausible and unconvincing (this much is admitted by the characters themselves).

Bottomline is, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was always some kind of wall separating them—Hunt’s indirect way of using Pip to further his investigation, Pip’s grief and her own uncertainty about Hunt as a law enforcement officer and what he represents, the implicit but telling lack of trust on both sides even towards the end of the story—and this barrier didn’t feel as though it’d been overcome by the end of the story, given how they’d only gotten to know each other incidentally (and in bits and pieces) while working the case.

Minus the romance however, Anderson’s storytelling nonetheless, is compelling. Weaving the elements of what appear to be shady circumstances of related homicides and drug use as both Pip and Hunt dig unrelentingly deeper into this tangled web…well, this is Anderson in her element. These are the bits I’ve always enjoyed about Anderson’s writing, even if I thought the romantic relationship between Pip/Hunt could have been left out and ‘Cold Blooded’ would have come out as tighter, more focused story.

But my being less sceptical about the romance doesn’t make ‘Cold Blooded’ a bad book. Far from it, in fact, despite the small conflict I had buying into Pip and Hunt together. I definitely enjoyed this more as a mystery/suspense novel rather than one classified as romantic suspense, but perhaps the base line that matters here is that Toni Anderson writes well enough for me to stayed glued to the pages.

*ARC by the author

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced, totally believable romance, a plot that could really happen and the best book I've read in a long time. Not that I expected anything less from Toni Anderson who has never written a book I wasn't in love with. If you like intelligent heroes, heroines and plots, this is the author for you.

Pip West is going through a rough patch. Her job as an investigative journalist in Tallassee, FL inadvertently caused several innocent people their lives. She needs to regroup and is going to the only home and family she has. When she arrives, she finds her best friend dead. Everything about her death just raises questions for Pip and in her grief she vows to get the answers.

Normally, the FBI wouldn't be interested in the death of a grad student, but Special Agent Hunt Kincaid is assigned as WMD Coordinator for the Atlanta Bureau and this grad student was working on some really nasty stuff. Add to that, her research was into a vaccine with a connection to weaponized anthrax and a batch of the stuff was just intercepted on the black market and Hunt and the Bureau want to know if there is a connection.

The sparks fly when Special Agent Kincaid shows up and all but accuses Pip of murder. But Pip refuses to back down and refuses to believe her friend's death was an accident. Hunt is on a career path and is determined to not let anything or anyone get in his way, especially a beautiful, strong willed, investigative journalist. Until . . . they both end up as targets of a smart bioweapons terrorist with a string of bodies to hid his tracks.

[Bea]

3.5 stars

I've been eagerly awaiting this book since I read the last one. This series has hooked me and I haven't finished all of the books yet. I'm slowly making my way through the earlier books, not rushing because I enjoy them so much an want to make them last.

"Cold Blooded" didn't disappoint. I love Pip's fierceness, her devotion to her friend, and her battle to uncover the facts. Then there was Pip's battle with herself, as she wavered between believing there was a possibility that her friend Cindy had killed herself and her fierce belief that Cindy would never have done that. It echoed the painful doubts and questions that people in real life undergo when a loved one kills themselves. It was painfully realistic and I appreciated that Anderson didn't gloss over it. No one ever wants to believe that a friend or relative could kill themselves but sometimes the signs are hard to see and we miss them. Pip was so sure that Cindy would never have done it but then in her grief, she'd wonder if it was possible, if she had missed the signs. It was hard to read at times but never felt gratuitous or like it was filler.

The local police are inclined to believe that it was suicide, which infuriates Pip, and she conducts her own investigation. Adding to her emotional stew is the fallout from an investigation she did for the newspaper where she was employed. There were complications and she left in disgrace. Then her friend dies and Pip is a mess.

Into this mess comes FBI agent Hunt Kincaid. He's trying to track down an anthrax strain and the people trying to sell it. Cindy worked with anthrax so he looks into her death but he agrees with the local cops that it was a suicide. He doesn't trust Pip because he doesn't trust journalists, and neither does his boss. It doesn't help that he got burned by a journalist and that incident causes his peers and his boss to question his judgment and assume the worst where he and Pip are concerned.

Neither Hunt nor Pip want to be attracted to each other and the investigations into the anthrax threat and Cindy's death complicate matters as does Hunt's inability to talk in detail about his work, but they just can't resist and I was rooting for them. They had to learn to trust each other and to figure out how to communicate and share without violating their respective professional boundaries.

"Cold Blooded" was a compelling story. I wanted to forget about work and sleep and just read. I was caught up in the search for the truth about Cindy's death and the search for the anthrax dealers. The story was fascinating, thrilling, and at times, heartbreaking. I may have cursed Anderson's name a bit near the end with what she did to one character.

The story wasn't perfect. There were times when the pace dragged and I really didn't get why Hunt's buddies and peers gave him such a hard time concerning Pip and the fact she was a journalist. Even with his previous bad experience, their reactions felt over the top and extreme. It seemed more like a manufactured issue to create problems between Hunt and Pip than an organic issue. That was really my main problem with the story and I greatly enjoyed it. And if you are new to this series, this book introduces all new characters and has only a tangential connection to earlier books in the series so it works fine as a stand alone. You can easily jump in with this book. But be sure to go back and read the other books too for thrilling mysteries and passionate romances.

I received a copy from the author for review.

[Maria Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold Blooded by Toni Anderson is the 9th book in her Cold Justice series. It’s an exciting and suspenseful standalone romance, with some twists and turns as a disgraced journalist and an FBI agent cross paths in the search for a murderer.

Journalist Pip West’s last assignment turned deadly for an innocent woman and her family. Seeking a new start, she’s shown up on the doorstep of her friend Cindy only to discover Cindy’s dead body. The police want to blame it on a drug overdose and bad choices, but Pip knows there is more to the story.

Special Agent Hunt Kincaid has been tasked with tracking down the source of weaponized anthrax that has turned up on the black market. When a biotech researcher who is developing an anthrax vaccine turns up dead, he’s on the case. Pip’s presence is unwelcome, no matter that she’s a friend of the deceased. It’s possible she’s involved in some way, and Hunt aims to keep her close as he works to uncover the truth. Their attraction to each other leads to even more complications. But will they get the chance to explore a relationship before time runs out?

For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/review-col...

A copy of this story was provided by the author for review.

[BookSafety Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

Her grief seemed to have stolen the happy pieces of her personality, anything that wasn’t nailed down with misery or sadness.

One of my favorites by Toni Anderson. When I don’t know what to read, one of her romantic suspense novels usually does the trick for me. This is a reread/relisten, but it had been a while since the last time so was lots of fun all over again. And considering it’s M/F which I struggle with a lot lately, neither character bothered me, annoyed me or otherwise grossed me out (too much), which is a massive win, lol. The book is very heavy on the suspense and case solving which is why I love these books. Sure the romance isn’t smooth sailing but it’s not overwhelmingly problematic or difficult either. Just the right amount for a solid romantic suspense book.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
FBI agent
Crime solving
Police procedural
Slow burn
Former journalist
Romantic suspense
Petite FMC
Hurt/comfort

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Death of a loved one (best friend)
CPR on a loved one (on page)
Explicit sexual content
Biological attack
Medical experiments
Mentions of medical testing on animals
Gun violence
Brief and vague mention of past abusive relationship
Deceased SC cheated on (past)
Mentions of past drug use (marijuana, ecstasy - one-time use, off page)
Themes of drug use
Wrongfully convicted of drug possession as a teen
MCs involved in a shooting
Death by drug overdose and drowning (side character)
Fatphobia/shaming comments/thoughts
SC drugged on page
Sexual assault of SC while unknowingly drugged (off page)
Brief detailing of past severe injury
Brief mentions of death of family member in war (past, off page)
Some details of MCs parent abusing alcohol and drugs (past)
Death of side characters (no emotional connection)
Injured MC

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Yes, briefly
POV: 3rd person, multi
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/F
Main characters’ age: 28 and not specified
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 438


“Leave it alone, Pip. Else I’ll have you charged with obstruction.” Rather than backing away, this time she inched toward him until their lips almost brushed. Playing a game of chicken with their mouths. “Freedom of the press. Remember?” He narrowed his gaze before backing away. She’d won that round. He scratched his head and she thought she heard him mutter “pain in my ass” but wasn’t sure.

Pip wasn’t sure what her type was, but didn’t appreciate the fact a sandy-haired federal agent popped into her brain when she tried to figure it out.

It was a devastating combination, the man comfortable both washing dishes and throwing himself in front of bullets.



You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tenth book in the Cold Justice series by Toni Anderson. Special Agent Hunt Kincaid, as the local WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) Coordinator in Atlanta, GA, is assigned to find out who is selling Anthrax. One of his first stops is to check out a grad student who was developing a vaccine for Anthrax. Unfortunately, he gets there too late.

Pip West is a journalist who uncovered a case of police corruption in Florida. But tragedy strikes when her witness is murdered and the cop commits suicide. After talking to her friend, Cindy, she decides to visit her to figure out what to do with her future. But when she arrives Cindy is dead.

The story, of course, centers on Cindy's murder and who could have access to the Anthrax. I have never been let down by Ms. Anderson's writing and this was no exception. She has a gift for balancing the suspense and romance just right for me.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had a slow start for me and didn't really pick up until almost half way through. A lot of that was due to setting things up. I liked that Pip believed in her friend, that she fought to find out what really happened to Cindy. I think since Hunt wasn't in his normal job he looked a little deeper at things once he listened to what Cindy had to say.

It was pretty easy to guess who the bad guy was and why, but that didn't detract from things. I liked seeing them brought down, just wished so many didn't have to pay a big price along the way.

[Antonella · Rating 4 out of 5]

a sold romance suspense novel very current now with the topics of viruses & diseases
however, not as good as the rest of the series
3,5 stars

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have finally completed this EPIC series, and while I wasn't ready to say goodbye, I was super excited to learn that there are spin offs so I've already ordered the whole next spin off because I LOVE the brilliant Toni Anderson's books that much. Pip West had a fight with her best friend in the world, and frankly, the only person she can claim as family so she decided to drive out to Cindy's (said bestie) place to makeup & stay with her. Unfortunately, she finds Cindy dead when she gets there, and no matter what the cops say, she knows her bestie wouldn't do drugs. Special Agent Hunt Kindcaid is trying to get into another area of the FBI when he's called into a serious investigation having to do with anthrax that brings him to Cindy's place, and he's none too happy about that fact since he thinks it's a waste of his time. He only gets more irritated with Pip, who he finds out is a journalist, and he can't stand them so he's not very nice to the girl who keeps insisting that something more sinister happened to her best friend. She's ignored so what does an investigative journalist do?! Well she starts investigating on her own to get to the truth which upsets the FBI office in the area she's at. The more she finds out, the more Hunt is around her so things are starting to develop but both have some serious issues so it's not exactly the easiest journey, and frankly, I was still very pissy with the way he treated Pip for a cool minute, and don't even get me started on more than one of the supporting cast. As the twists are coming in hot & the bodies are dropping, it turns into a race against time to keep Pip safe as she's not letting anything go so is now firmly in the crosshairs of whoever is at the center of the killings. I do believe I yelled more colorful metaphors throughout this story than the previous books since I wanted to throat punch so many people LOL, on top of any shock value I experienced. I read this whole series in one week as it's just that EPIC so what are y'all waiting for?! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Blooded
4 Stars

Assigned to investigate the possible dissemination of a lethal strain of Anthrax, FBI agent Hunt Kincaid is convinced that researcher Cindy Resnick died from an accidental overdose. Unfortunately, here best friend, disgraced journalist Pip West is determined to prove otherwise. As evidence mounts, Pip and Hunt get closer, both to each other and to a malicious bio-terrorist willing to kill anyone who gets in his way.

Series note: This installment continues events initiated in the Cold Dark Promise wedding novella. It is, therefore, recommended that the novella be read first.

Pip and Hunt's relationship gets off to a rocky start as they each have their own conflicting agendas. Moreover, there is a distinct lack of trust despite their attraction and chemistry, and it takes time for them to overcome the obstacles both personal and professional.

The investigation is quite straightforward with some exciting moments. While it is possible to figure out the "who-dun-it" with the clues provided, there are a couple of distracting red-herrings.

All in all, a good addition to the series although the emphasis is more on the suspense than the romance. The next book is actually the first installment in a spin-off series focusing on the FBI's HRT unit. Looking forward to it.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having Read the first 8 Cold Justice Series I was wondering if this would be the one that failed the series.

I can officially say No.

Cold Blooded is one of the best in the series. From beginning to end readers will be hook as Pip West tries to prove her best friend was murdered while dealing with the loss of her only family. Pip is a likable characters to the point she could be your best friend.

The adventure that moves though politics, policy, revenge and bio weapons will keep readers hooked until the very last words on the page.

The story romance is one that flows with the story line and doesn't impact anything or pull readers away.

Thank you to Toni Anderson for Advance Copy of Cold Blood.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now read the entire series (back-to-back) and thoroughly enjoyed it. This last book, like all of them, was an edge-of-your seat read. All the background stories covered topics currently in the news and were all frightening. I really liked Pip, our heroine in this book. She was scrappy, tenacious and tough while fraught with insecurities. But, she never gave up on finding the truth of what happened to her best friend. Very good book.

I almost missed this series because, according to my review, I wasn't impressed with the first book. I am going back to re-read the first book. ;)

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this 9th book in Toni Anderson's Cold Justice series!

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to finish out the series.

[Anne Boleyn's Ghost · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[MBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Blooded is the tenth installment in the Cold Justice series by Toni Anderson. I have immensely enjoyed the series since the beginning, with each novel bringing to readers topics that are prominent in the highly globalized world we live in today. Be it biomedical warfare, terrorism, rising sentiments of white supremacy within Europe and America, or human trafficking, Toni’s books portray a wealth of information alongside with the sizzling romance that she delivers.

Cold Blooded delves into the topic of anthrax and bio-terrorism, and is loosely tied to the novella that was released prior to the release of this book. Having thwarted the attempts of an illegal arms broker from selling a weaponized form of anthrax on the black-market, it is the formulation of a Joint Terrorism Task Force to investigate the threat that lands FBI Special Agent Hunt Kincaid on the team.

Disgraced journalist Pippa West (Pip) is heading to rural Georgia to stay with her best friend Cindy for a couple of days until she can figure out what to do with her life, when she turns up to find her friend’s body floating face down in the lake in front of her property. Pip is utterly shaken by the turn of events which tries to paint her friend in a less than stellar light, and even then Pip knows deep inside that there is more to what had taken place than meets the eye. Butting heads with the altogether too arrogant Agent Hunt is not something Pip is looking forward to in order to prove her friend’s innocence, but that is what needs doing if she is to uncover the truth.

Saying that Hunt is not a fan of journalists would be an understatement. Given the many circumstances under which journalists ruin the intricate work done by investigators on a case just for a story that would make their careers, it is a given that sparks would fly between him and Pip. At first, Hunt is skeptical of Pip’s claims regarding her friend’s innocence. On the other hand, Hunt’s hands are tied when it comes to investigating into what looked like a case of accidental drowning at best. His only interest in the case stems from the fact that Cindy had been a grad student working on a new vaccine against anthrax.

Hunt is ambitious as an agent, having decided long ago that nothing would stand in his way of the ranks that he wanted to climb up the ladder in his career. Love and the softer emotions of life was not for him, that is until he clashes with the altogether too delectable for her own good Pip. Through the course of their individual lines of inquiry which takes both Pip and Hunt towards the same direction, it comes to light that someone is out to silence Pip or stop her from discovering the truth behind the bizarre and untimely death of her friend.

Wading through the various inter-departmental coordination efforts that goes into combating the issue of terrorism, Toni delivers a story that makes for good reading. I admired the grit that Pip showed when it came to standing her ground, especially during a time in her life that she had been vulnerable, not only because of the death of her friend, but the way her career had blown up in her face in a way that she could not even begin to recover from. But for her friend who had been her number one person since she could remember, Pip goes further than that extra mile required, because she knows that if the roles had been reversed, Cindy would have done just the same for her.

Hunt was admirable because of his character; there is integrity and a core of strength in him that is not swayed, no matter what. That in my opinion is a rarefied thing in the world we live in today.

The sizzling attraction that is brought to life between Pip and Hunt was done well, the love that is the ultimate conclusion of a connection that goes beyond physical the icing on the cake. For fans of the Cold Justice series and anyone and everyone who loves a well-researched suspense/thriller novel with a dose of romance in the mix, this is for you.

Final Verdict: Toni Anderson delivers a story that sizzles, suspense that bites, and a romance that stirs you up. Cold Blooded is a testament to Toni’s remarkable talent since the beginning of her rise to fame. She certainly does not disappoint!

Rating = 4/5

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[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 6/15/18/.

OMG, this book--crack it open and hang on for the ride!

Pip and Hunt's story has many twists and turns, both with their relationship and in the suspense plot. I can't tell you how much time I spent telling various characters in the book, "No, it WASN'T a drug overdose! What's wrong with you people???"--honestly, I think I said it more than Pip did (especially since at one point, even Pip started wondering...) I gasped out loud while reading more than once. And OMG--what Ms. Anderson has happen to one of the characters toward the end--I may never recover. I had to re-read a few paragraphs just to make sure that yes, yes, that did really happen. Argh.

Fortunately, she made up for it (kinda, sorta but not totally--but at least she kept me distracted) with some absolutely adorable long-distance(ish) courtship between Pip and Hunt. The last 20% of the book has things happening at breakneck speed--first with the drama of the suspense plot, then with Pip and Hunt--so much so that you almost feel as if you can't take a deep breath until you manage to reach the final page at last. Phew!

A lot of people die in this one (it started to feel a little out of control), and at times the story got a little bogged down in some of the science-y anthrax parts of the plot, and yeah, Pip and Hunt go pretty fast from fairly antagonistic to something a lot closer, but still this was one heck of a read. I don't know why I haven't read more of this series' books, but you'd better believe they're all in my TBR now!

Cold Blooded is the 9th book in the series, but really should work just fine as a standalone if you've been meaning to pick it up.

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Cheryl Whitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed on behalf of http://bookaddict.live,
Cold Blooded is another winner from Toni Anderson. Keeping me up well into the night reading about Pip and Hunt and their search for the anthrax dealers. All starting with the situation that Pip found herself in, finding her best friend dead in the lake by her house. I enjoyed the love hate relationship with Hunt and Pip that was entertaining to witness.
As always I was compelled to read this enthralling adventure in one go. Trying to write this without spoilers is difficult, but I have say I am very upset with the fate of one of the agents. This is a great series and we were introduced to some new characters in this slice of Cold Justice. If you are new to the series, this works as a standalone as we have the complete story.
I can’t recommend this series enough, and I have been trying to catch up with the earlier books by listening to some on Audiobook. Okay enough rambling from me I loved this book as it has everything I love, excitement, intrigue, and mystery and even love what else can you asked for? Thank you Toni Anderson.

[Niken Widyastuti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story from Toni Anderson!

This 10th book in Cold Justice series was just as great as the previous books. Everything I expect in an RS novel was in here. There was who-dunnit mystery that heavily laced with suspense, and hot romance complete with its own drama yet not overwhelming.

Pip, a journalist who just lost the last person she loved, and Hunt, an FBI special agent with bad experience with journalist in the past. There was distrust toward each other in the beginning that kept popping through the story. Very interesting to see how these two overcame their trust issue and work together to solve the mystery, to bring justice. The side characters were also developed well. Well enough that the loss of one of them was felt dearly.

I definitely looking forward to the next books in the series. It might not come often, yet it always come with a bang.

I was provided a complementary copy by the author / publisher, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An FBI agent heading up a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)  team looking for the people who just tried to sell a new Anthrax strain.. A journalist looking into the death of her friend, who happened to be working on a new vaccine for anthrax.. A madman hungry for money willing to sell a new Anthrax strain to the highest bidder killing anyone that gets in his way.

Some of the books in this series have left me with whiplash from all the fast paced action and suspense. This one was more slow and steady getting to the climax but still exciting. It had a great cast of characters mainly new to the series which was a change.. Overall a good mystery/suspense..

[Phe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars - Cold Blooded is an adult romantic suspense thriller by Toni Anderson and the 9th book in her Cold Justice series.

Toni Anderson never disappoints...another highly suspenseful story! This installment of the Cold Justice series revolves around bioterrorism and Anthrax. Truly spinetingling. But I had to laugh when I read the author's Acknowledgements:

And I want to thank my husband for not rolling his eyes too hard when I told him this really was the worst book I'd ever written and that I was done as a writer.

I don't know about your husband, but I certainly rolled my eyes. LOL

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

What a book! It had everything, drama, angst, intrigue, pure evil and love. Beautiful selfless love. This was an emotional read, touching on some pretty horrendous subjects but as is her way Ms Anderson handled them with style and portrayed the characters realistically but compassionately. I was very sad at the end but i was hooked from the beginning. Great book and series.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this Cold Justice instalment! Toni continues to pull out the big guns with this series, suspense, drama, twists, super hot FBI agents aka Special Agent Hot (Hunt) Kincaid 😍and we touch base with a couple of previous characters, which is always nice. If you haven’t read Toni’s Cold Justice series, it’s definitely worth picking up.

Once again terrific audio narration by Eric G Dove also.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Wow, these books just fly the last 20-25%. A page turning frenzy as I was trying to piece everything together right along with the FBI agents. Whew! What a ride. Great HEA and fantastic end to this series. Nice to know it lives on in the Crossfire series.

[Shawna · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars Romantic Suspense

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars