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Detective Bernadette Callahan of the RCMP Serious Crimes Division is called to investigate the scene of a mysterious industrial accident.

A man has died near a pipeline on the outskirts of a small city in Canada. The death will lead to what at first looks like an experiment by university students that went too far.

What the students thought was a prank, has become real. And their invention has the potential to wreak havoc on the world’s pipelines.

When terrorists steal the experiment to use as a weapon, Detective Callahan must find a way to stop it or find the only man who can.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2019

434 people are currently reading
405 people want to read

About the author

Lyle Nicholson

26 books58 followers
Lyle Nicholson was born in British Columbia Canada. His is the youngest of three sons born to a father who was a cook and mother who was a waitress.

His father, who died when Lyle was 15, was a story teller, something that Lyle adopted at an early age. His life would lead him to travels in Europe, then 5 years in a Monastery. He found he was not a good Monk, as poverty was easy - it was the chastity and obedience that was a stumbling block.

He left the Monastery in 1979, and met and married his wife in 1982. He would spend a few years working for companies, getting fired, starting business's that failed, until he finally started a sales agency that was a success. Lyle retired in 2011.

Retirement didn't work well for Lyle. His mind wanted to explore the regions he's experienced in both meditations and his extensive travels. This has resulted in the publication of one Novella, two Novels, and several free lance articles for magazines in Canada.

Lyle now resides in a small city in Western Canada where he continues to write his thrillers and mysteries with a twist.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
280 (49%)
4 stars
186 (33%)
3 stars
73 (13%)
2 stars
13 (2%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer Manganelli.
16 reviews4 followers
April 8, 2015
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I had a really hard time putting this book down.
If it wasn't easter weekend I would have finish Pipeline Killers so much faster.
Extremely exciting from start to finish!!
I will definitely be recommending this book to all my friends and family and I recommend it to all of you on here!!
I look forward to reading other books by Lyle Nicholson and I will definitely read this book again in the future.
2 reviews
February 9, 2015
I couldn't put this one down. I LOVED this book! Nicholson's vivid characters come to life in this heart-stopping and gripping mystery. This powerfully imaginative plot will keep you guessing. Some might say that Nicholson and "Pipeline Killers" is Canada's equivalent to Stieg Larsson and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".
Profile Image for Liz Wood.
478 reviews3 followers
August 20, 2017
Kerazie but good

Bernadette lives with her instincts, using sharp observation and insights emerging from her Native American ancestors. Her Grandmother Moses adds mystery and touches of another culture. Plus, I really like the character Bernadette..Her thinking matches mine.
Profile Image for Monty Bates.
213 reviews18 followers
April 20, 2020
Very Good Indeed!

Ok so I just gotta say that this writer did it again. Yep, this is the second nd of his books that I stuck my nose in and I like them. When I like'em I read more of them. I'm off to get the next book NOW!
Profile Image for Dave.
638 reviews9 followers
January 16, 2021
I was very enthusiastic in my praise of the first book in this series. Now that I've read the 2nd one, I am less impressed. In essence, it is the exact same plot, repeated. It was fun to read, but it strains credulity to think a lowly RCMP detective from Red Deer, AB would be chasing all over the world and a key figure in solving a global terrorist plot. She is a likable protagonist, and we want her to succeed, but why not have her work on simpler crimes closer to home - it might be more realistic and just as interesting.
10 reviews
May 30, 2020
This is the second book in the trilogy. I loved the premise of microbes eating up metal, and that the idea comes from the the fact that there are microbes eating up the Titanic. Author Lyle Nicholson put this into an interesting and fast-paced story, bringing back RCMP agent Bernadette Callahan, who works just barely within the law, and is remarkably discerning. Never really in charge, yet works the crime to near resolution with the help of colleagues. And the bad guy McAllen with his “boys,” are never quite the bad guy.
The story is humorous at the same time with most of the major characters being in the 60’s, war veterans from the gulf wars, Vietnam Nam, etc. The story once again, circles around the oil pipelines. Nicholson has a quirky sense of humor, and a unique way of killing off people.
There are a lot of characters and it’s difficult to remember who they all are. I had to resort to a small chart. Nonetheless, I’m anxious to dive into Book Three.


Profile Image for Patricia.
365 reviews5 followers
January 21, 2020
I enjoyed getting to further know RCMP Detective Bernadette Callahan. She is an enjoyable character who uses her instincts to solve crimes. She is quite good at it. In this book she and the other various law enforcement characters are in hot pursuit of a man who has created a “BioBug” capable of eating through metal. The damage it can do is obscene and dangerous to the oil industry. Read this book to find out what happens on a wild chase around the world to catch the criminals! I think you will like it; I sure did!
Profile Image for Ginger Robinson.
214 reviews
July 25, 2020
First, I would like to point out that there are a lot of editing errors in this book. This kind of irks me. I don't look for them, so imagine how many I would find if it was my job to find errors. Hmm. Second, this book is basically a rewriting of the first Callahan mystery. We are still sabotaging oil with some "difficult to believe" science fiction. In the end, the harbinger of doom is reversed quite easily. The author spends a lot of time developing peripheral characters which seems unnecessary to the story. I don't think I will read any more of this series. I was just disappointed.
165 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2018
Another great read by Mr Nicholson!

Bernadette has loads of spirit, determination. She is a terrific heroine. Her leading man in this book is Anton and he is great. The plot is very interesting with many twists and turns and different well described locations. The author makes you see the places he takes you. You can almost feel the change in temperature. I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series.
162 reviews
February 4, 2019
Great READ! And a good continuation from Polar Bear Dawn!

There are several twists that I've still haven't gotten over and it's been a week since I finished that book!
More twist and turns in here too and I'd be surprised if you can come with the same as the author did!!
Challenge? Yes!! He Is Good!
89 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2020
A perfect blend of science and mystery,

Like an inclined plane, no valleys of dullness, just increasing tension and action! The heroine has weaknesses, but courage and steely determination. Her strengths are in her upbringing, the battles she fought, and values that she holds. Can't wait for more of Detective Callahan!
230 reviews
July 22, 2021
Climate change and oil eaters

Bernadette is a detective from the RCMP, Atom is a detective with a Sicilian background in Canada's security servie. Prof McAllen is an environment so activist whose students invented oil munching boo bugs.But the bugs mutated and are the ship's and their crew......
6 reviews
September 17, 2025
A fun read but…

As a former teacher, I struggle with books where the editor missed too many errors. And Janis Joplin died in 1970. No way a sixty something person was a her sound engineer. Sorry, I was a kid when she died and your sixty something guy was no more than 8-10 years old. Good story, but I was put off by the little stuff.
27 reviews
April 25, 2020
Interesting

This was a very interesting novei. The premise was, to me, a little on the "not possible" side. I did enjoy the discussions of the RCMP. And I'll most likely buy the third book in the series, because I would like to know what happens nexr.
16 reviews
May 4, 2020
Less neurosis, more adventure and a fascinating villain

This series moves, presents some interesting characters and ethical issues in tight plots. I binged over a long weekend and it was worth all the chores that did not get done.
7 reviews
June 3, 2020
Great female lone wolf

I’ve enjoyed the first two books in this series. The storyline entertaining even when a bit formulaic. It’s the characters that this series worth reading. I will certainly read the next book in the series.
26 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2020
Detective Callahan is saving the oil industry again!

The oil industry is so important to us and when it is sabotaged it’s huge. Detective Bernadette Callahan is great at stopping the sabotage at all risks. It was hard to put the book down for me!
Profile Image for Will  England.
86 reviews2 followers
August 7, 2020
Steadily improving. A solid thriller

With interesting characters and a chase down the North American continent, the story unrolls with several surprises and several high points. Looking forward to reading the next book! This one kept me up half the night, a real page turner!
90 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2021
Another escapade for Bernadette

Another thrilling escapade for RMCP Callahan. More oil pipeline being destroyed by a strange virus. Bernadette and her cohorts were able to get the virus stopped. Pretty good story.
2 reviews
October 1, 2021
A second winner

This is my second book by this author. I am very happy I stumbled on to his work. I believe he is the John Grisham of the oil industry. I had a hard time putting the book down until I finished it. On to his third book!
Profile Image for Susan Cook.
347 reviews
October 21, 2022
four and a half stars

Action, drama, International intrigue and Native American mystique all mixed together create an exciting story. It all starts with a body by an oil pipeline in Canada and then takes the reader to several other countries as the drama builds.
Profile Image for Marseydoats.
2,118 reviews6 followers
April 21, 2025
It's been over 5 years since I read the first one of these, and I didn't remember a single thing about the series. This was AWESOME! Loved all the characters! This is fast paced and hard to put down, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
Profile Image for jean buck.
508 reviews2 followers
Read
November 1, 2019
Russia involvement

I enjoy this author.A real page turner. I enjoy Bernadette character and Anton character and their interactions. Will she marry Chris?.
69 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2020
Exciting chase case

Enjoyed exploring the world of pipeline workers! Artic is an awesome environmental world to explore. Can't wait for next adventure!
183 reviews
April 15, 2020
Loved it

Another great book by Nicholson. There was nothing to suggest where the story was going from one scene to the next.
30 reviews
April 19, 2020
Pipeline Killers

I found this story to be exciting. The characters were well developed and very believable. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Terry Baker.
4 reviews
August 1, 2020
Exciting

Very interesting with a few unexpected twists. The book ends well and ties up all the loose ends. It is very well written.
178 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2020
Great

Second volume as good as the first. Well drawn characters, good mixture of action and office politics. Very sympathetic anti-heroes.
Profile Image for Jill.
19 reviews
November 4, 2020
Easy enjoyable reading

The author has done a great job of storytelling...easy to follow plot, just a touch of romance. I will be reading the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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