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A cold case solved by the K-9 unit…

but the past is not so easily escaped.

Decades after her parents’ murders, Penelope McGregor’s grateful the killer’s finally been identified—until he comes after her. Now Detective Tyler Walker and his K-9 partner, Dusty, must protect Penelope and catch the culprit…while making sure his little girl stays out of the crosshairs. But can the single father outplay a killer whose endgame will leave no one safe?

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2020

262 people are currently reading
1580 people want to read

About the author

Dana Mentink

205 books2,219 followers
USA TODAY bestseller Dana Mentink enjoys writing in many different capacities. She currently writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense and Poisoned Pen Press.

Dana is the recipient of a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, two ACFW Carol Awards as well as a Holt Medallion.

Dana loves feedback from her readers. Contact her via her website at www.danamentink.com. and be sure to follow her on Bookbub!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dana-...

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
Profile Image for Dana.
Author 205 books2,219 followers
Read
September 26, 2020
This was a roller coaster of a book to write! Considering the world crash landed in pandemic mode, I had to write in all sorts of weird places, including my car, thanks to two college students and a plethora of online meetings going on in my home all at once. It made me especially appreciate fiction...because I can make everything turn out all right! Too bad it can't happen that way in real life! I hope you are safe and well and have plenty of fiction to sustain you. Hugs!
Profile Image for MJSH.
1,320 reviews74 followers
January 29, 2021
I always enjoy Dana Mentink's romantic suspense but she has outdone herself with this book. It's now one of my favorites from her writing! Packed with intense action, pursuit, and suspense, this book will have you biting your nails until the end of the book. The romance between Penny and Tyler is sweet and tender, even if both of them have reservations about starting any relationship. Penny is gentle, loving, and compassionate though she's still running scared from the trauma that took her parents away from her twenty years ago. Now the suspected murderer of her parents has resurfaced for Penny and it's up to Tyler to keep her safe. Tyler is a great hero - brooding from his divorce and rejection, hard-working and dedicated as a police detective in the K-9 unit, tender and protective as a single father. His interactions with his mother is quite endearing as is his friendship with Penny's older brother Bradley. The police dogs, as well as Penny's pet Scrappy, are easy to fall in love with and rounded out a lovely set of secondary characters.

This is book 7 from the True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn series and it can definitely be read as a stand-alone but it does seem to address two threats that have been hanging over this department throughout the series. The author does a great job of cluing the reader in to these on-going plot lines and I didn't have a problem understanding them even though I haven't read any other book in the series.

I received a copy of the book via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments are solely my own.
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews273 followers
October 1, 2020
'You are lovable and loved because God said so.'

Twenty years ago Penny McGregor's parents were murdered in front of her and the killer gave her a stuffed animal. Now, the killer has been identified and he's coming after her and her brother, a K-9 officer. Detective Tyler Walker and his own K-9, Dusty, are charged with protecting Penny, not an easy thing to do because this is a vicious killer who seemingly cannot be stopped. Will Tyler, a single father, be able to keep both Penny and his own daughter safe with a killer who is determined to achieve his goal?

Dana Mentink once again takes her readers on a high suspense filled novel. I am a dog lover and I love reading about K-9 cops and this series fits the bill perfectly. Populated with good characters and dogs, how could it not be a great book? Loved every minute. Recommended.

*My thanks to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. The review is entirely my own.
Profile Image for Mark.
2,488 reviews52 followers
October 3, 2020
I love this series, and am sorry that it is almost done...only one more book. This was one more awesome read in this great series
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews273 followers
August 31, 2020
'You are lovable and loved because God said so.'

Twenty years ago Penny McGregor's parents were murdered in front of her and the killer gave her a stuffed animal. Now, the killer has been identified and he's coming after her and her brother, a K-9 officer. Detective Tyler Walker and his own K-9, Dusty, are charged with protecting Penny, not an easy thing to do because this is a vicious killer who seemingly cannot be stopped. Will Tyler, a single father, be able to keep both Penny and his own daughter safe with a killer who is determined to achieve his goal?

Dana Mentink once again takes her readers on a high suspense filled novel. I am a dog lover and I love reading about K-9 cops and this series fits the bill perfectly. Populated with good characters and dogs, how could it not be a great book? Loved every minute. Recommended.

*My thanks to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. The review is entirely my own.
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,878 reviews209 followers
October 19, 2020
This book was so good! It is book seven out of eight in a continuity series, which means that each book is written by a different author, but the series has connected characters and settings throughout. Even though I had not read any other books in this series, I had no trouble diving right into this one and loving it!

The action started right away in Cold Case Pursuit and I was immediately drawn to the heroine of the novel. Penny had endured a lot, having witnessed her parents’ murders when she was four. This book found her being pursued by the same man who killed her parents and he was a scary, creepy villain.

I really liked getting to know Penny and her brother, Bradley. They had a great sibling relationship. Tyler was the romantic hero of this novel. He was such a likable main character. He was a single father who adored his daughter, yet felt like his chance at love had passed him by. I really liked watching the relationship develop between Penny and Tyler and seeing how Tyler began to notice Penny as more than just an assignment.

This was a great romantic suspense novel. I am planning on reading book eight in the series, too, because that book has Penny’s brother, Bradley, as the main character.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Glenda Parker.
Author 14 books21 followers
Read
October 2, 2020
My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Cold Case Pursuit. This is book seven in the continuity series True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn. I have really enjoyed this series; it's written by some of the best authors LIS have. This story is well written, action packed and full of drama. I know you are going to love it.

Penelope McGregor's parents were killed over twenty years ago. The killer has been finally identified and she is really grateful but then suddenly because she called him a monster to the media he comes after for her. She is home alone working on a party for their unit, when a picture of the clown mask the killer used when he killed her parents comes on the web site. Terror crushes her. (He had sent her a text saying it was a mistake to let her live, you first and then your brother.) She now lives in overwhelming fear. Creaking noises whispered from the back of her house. Tyler calls just then to tell her he is on his way to pick her up. She didn't tell Tyler about the noises. She searches the source of the noise only to meet her parent's killer face to face in her bedroom. He has a rope and proceeds to strangle her.

Detective Tyler Walker and his K-9 partner, Dusty arrive to pick up Penny. When she fails to show up he is worried. He goes to the back of the house. He hears her screams, breaks out the window, and rescues Penny. He stays with her until help comes and then goes after the killer. She's his best friend's sister so she can't be anything more than a friend no matter how much he cares for her. He must keep her safe.

A terrifying journey to find the killer clown before he can kill Penny or her bother. God has a plan for these two, a plan for a hope and a future. God has a plan for you too even in the midst of a pandemic. It's a good plan and not for evil. He will make a way where the seems to be no way. Give Him your heart and watch Him move in your life.
Profile Image for Patrizia.
1,944 reviews42 followers
May 3, 2022
Mi sento di abbondare perché la storia d'amore fra due persone dal passato doloroso è stata davvero bella. E sono contenta che parte del mistero che corre per tutta la serie sia finita. Non vedo l'ora di leggere l'ultima storia!
Profile Image for Harlequin Books.
18.4k reviews2,805 followers
Read
October 2, 2020
Categories
Inspirational Suspense, Wholesome Romance, Animal Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
True Blue K-9 Unit: Brooklyn (Book #7)
Profile Image for Jane.
370 reviews9 followers
September 5, 2020
Cold Case Pursuit by Dana Mentink. A child watches while her parents are killed. She is adopted. 20 years later the killer decides to come after her and her brother. Penelope's brother is a k-9 officer. Tyler Walker and Dusty hired to protect her. Tyler is a single Dad with a little girl. Rain falls in love with Penelope (Penny). Tragic keeps happening and Randall the murderer almost gets Penny more than once. He refuses to quit. Penny struggles with fear. Tyler struggles with rejection. Penny's brother is almost killed. The end will have you feeling like pray ing for the characters.
Profile Image for Susan Simpson.
Author 24 books96 followers
October 2, 2020
Once again, Dana Mentink has crafted an edge-of-your-seat suspense that will keep you turning the pages from the very first paragraph onward.

As a four-year-old, Penny McGregor witnessed the murders of her parents. Twenty years later, the murderer, who has been at large, returns for her. She has tried so hard to put the past behind her and live a normal life. She has a job she loves and a cop big brother who dotes on her. When the monster “clown murderer” returns, it is Detective Tyler Walker who vows to protect Penny with the help of his K-9 partner, Dusty. The killer pops up in unexpected places threatening Penny, taunting her, and nearly completing his mission to snuff out her life. Tyler struggles to stay one step ahead, to solve the case, to keep Penny safe, and to sort out his unexpected attraction to the brave, young sister of his buddy.

Your heart will pound and your breath will come in gasps until the very end of this superbly written novel. Dana Mentink has a way of drawing you into the action right from the beginning. Her characters are well developed and completely believable. Her descriptions are so vivid that you can “see” exactly what the characters see. I truly had a very difficult time putting this book down. I love Dana Mentink’s books, and Cold Case Pursuit certainly lived up to—and even surpassed—my expectations. I highly recommend this book with one caution: You won’t sleep much until you’ve finished it!
Profile Image for Gail Hollingsworth.
1,003 reviews52 followers
January 24, 2021
The cover itself told me that I would adore this book. Who can resist a cute little girl and a dog with a watchful eye? Certainly not me! The characters immediately found a place in my heart and I kept holding my breath as both good and bad happened. Penny especially grabbed me with her twenty year journey of looking over her shoulder for the blue clown faced man that murdered her parents when she was only four. She struggled with believing that anyone including God could ever care about her. Detective Tyler Walker knew better but he was trying to protect her after several threats and attempts on her life by the returned madman.
The dog K-9 partners of this special police unit were an added bonus of furry love. Will the killer succeed after twenty years of waiting? Only time will tell.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.
Profile Image for Hallie (Hallie Reads).
1,652 reviews155 followers
reviewed
January 30, 2021
For years, the killer of Penelope McGregor’s parents has remained uncaught. Now, his identity has finally been discovered—and she is glad to have an answer—but this puts her in his crosshairs once again. Of course, Detective Tyler Walker and his K-9 Dusty try their best to protect her, which proves to be no easy feat.

Page after page, Dana Mentink’s Cold Case Pursuit delivers suspense and action—with a good dose of romance, family, and faith. It is a highly addictive, quick read that promises a good time to readers of romantic suspense. I enjoyed it and recommend it to interested readers.

This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
1,575 reviews30 followers
February 4, 2021
I enjoy so much reading Love Inspired books. They are small and packed full of fun and adventure. And Cold Case Pursuit was no different. This action packed suspense kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. And I had to read it in one setting because I couldn’t put it down. This story has some difficult issues and I feel the author handles them well. The romance and suspense is strong, and of course there is law enforcement of some kind involved. And I enjoy the faith factor in the story as well. If you like a good suspense that you can read pretty fast you will definitely enjoy this one. I give this Four Stars.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,189 reviews
October 2, 2020
Cold Case Pursuit ( True Blue K-9 unit: Brooklyn #7 )
By; Dana Mentink
Wow, what a story. A Love Inspired Suspense Inspirational Romance. This story is related to a twenty years ago murder and now the killer is back. A very excited book and full of action, mystery, suspense, K-9 unit, and a very sweet little girl. I love books with little kids and dogs in them. You start reading and action is right away and you are holding your breath all through out the story. I was not disappointed. Will the killer be caught before someone else dies?
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are mine.
Profile Image for Janice Sisemore.
1,648 reviews15 followers
October 2, 2020
Cold Case Pursuit

Cold case pursuit is a exciting book. I loved the little girl Rain and also the dog Scrappy. Penny is being stalk by her parents killer. He wants to kill her and her brother. Will they be able to get away? Tyler is doing his best to protect her. Rain is Tyler little girl. Rain becomes close to Penny. I love books with dogs and kids in it. Read Cold Case Pursuit, I know you will love it too.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. This book review is my own opinion.
Profile Image for Virginia Winfield.
2,915 reviews14 followers
January 19, 2021
I really enjoyed this suspenseful romantic story. I loved Penny and Tyler and all the dogs in the story. Penny had a hard time growing up and this made her a strong woman but very vulnerable. I loved how the story showed her vulnerability but also her strength. I also loved how Tyler and his daughter worked their way into Penny and her life. I also loved the twists and turns. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 39 books655 followers
January 27, 2021
COLD CASE PURSUIT starts with a serious creep factor, to the point I wasn't sure that I could read it. It did settle down though and I enjoyed the story. I couldn't read it fast enough.

This is formula romantic suspense, but not as cut and dried as some. A full-fledged k-9 police department set in Brooklin was a nice change.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

36 reviews1 follower
Read
October 10, 2020
"Cold Case Pursuit" was a great book! You don't want to miss this one. The author grabs the reader's attention from the beginning and holds it to the end. The suspense was great.

I received a copy from Mentink. The review is in my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Darlene.
366 reviews16 followers
February 25, 2021
Great suspenseful book that pulled me in from the beginning, I could not put this down once I started reading. Another great book from Dana Mentink.
515 reviews
October 1, 2020
Warning! If you’re a bit of a chicken, like me, maybe you should start this one in the daytime! I thought I would just read a quick chapter or two right before bed. What I didn’t realize is that the opening scene is so perfectly spooky, that you’ll start hearing strange noises in your own house! Throw in a clown mask, (insert goosebumps here) and this becomes a perfect read for October!

Penelope’s parents were killed when she was very young and now years later, that same killer is after her. Tyler and his K-9 partner must protect Penelope until the murderer is found. This sets us up for some very suspenseful moments. Right when I started breathing normally again, something happened! There is also a wonderful faith thread in this story. This quote sums it up very well!

“You are lovable and loved because God says so.”

This is my favorite quote from this book. So simple, yet so true and something we should all remember.

While Cold Case Pursuit by Dana Mentink is part of the True Blue K-9 unit series, it reads perfectly fine as a standalone. If you are in the mood for a spooky suspense with a little romance thrown in, this is it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Patrice Whynott.
12 reviews
September 16, 2020
It has been 20 years since Penelope Mcgregor's parents were murdered by a deranged killer in a clown mask , who left a stuffed monkey with her before he left . Now he's back and wants to finish the job by killing her too . When he goes after Penelope and tries to strangle her , she is saved by Detective Tyler Walker . The single father who is assigned to protect her and take care of his daughter who could be caught in the middle . They've identified the killer after he's killed another child's parents .And left a stuffed monkey with her too . Getting to the bottom of this case is dangerous catching the killer in this cat and mouse game . Now Tyler has another problem , failing for Penelope and she is falling for Tyler as well . Now the killer is after both of them and they have to stay alive so they can have a future . Read this excellent story to find out ! You can't go wrong reading this story !
Profile Image for Joanna.
53 reviews
October 3, 2020
This book was AMAZING! I really did not want to put this book down! Starting at page one, it was non-stop suspense and excitement! The main character Penny is being hunted by her parent's murderer and has to rely on tough but tender Tyler to help keep her safe. She soon finds herself falling in love with the protective single-father and his adorable daughter Rain. As their love story unfolds (with danger around every corner) I found myself completely absorbed in the story! This book turned out to be the perfect blend of romance and suspense and I'm looking forward to the next one! 10/10.
1,759 reviews33 followers
September 8, 2020
I love reading books where you already know the killer and he keeps coming after the victim time and again but gets away! The tension mounts and you just CANNOT put the book down!!! The author is a master as suspense and non-stop action. I love reading her books and this was a great one. Penny witness the murder of her parents 20 years ago but the killer let her live. However, now he decides that it's time she dies and her brother too so he's coming after them! How terrifying would that be in real life! You've been dealing with those memories for 20 years only to have them resurrected now and know that at any moment, he could snatch your life away! Penny actually comes close to that several times! Tyler is the police offer tasked with her safety, even though her brother, Bradley is a police offer too but the killer also has HIM in his sights so Tyler is the one who is trying to keep Penny safe. He's a single-father too and his daughter is so adorable! I really enjoyed this story - all the elements of it - even the angst both Penny & Tyler feel as their feeling towards each other deepen. It's a great book!
Profile Image for Susan.
625 reviews31 followers
September 11, 2020
Wow. This book was non-stop from the first page to the last. I loved Penny, who was trying to hang on to some sort of control of her life, even though a killer was trying to take everything away. I loved Tyler, who, even though he struggled with his feelings, was able to tell Penny she was loveable and loved “because God said so”. I think we all need to hear that at times. The author did a wonderful job telling this story, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I would recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not obligated to write a positive review.
Profile Image for Aminata Coote.
Author 58 books67 followers
January 26, 2021
When Penny is orphaned at age four, her life changed forever.  For twenty years the killer remained unknown and when he was finally identified, he comes after her, determined to finish the destruction of the family which he had began decades before.

I admired Penny. The murder of her parents could have made her bitter and angry but it didn't. She could have developed a victim's mentality but she did everything in her power but to.

Tyler was an admirable character. He was a single father who was trying to do the best he could to raise his daughter while working as a detective in the canine unit. His integrity and determination to find the killer was evident on every page.

The romantic relationship between Penny and Tyler developed as a friendship in the midst of a stressful situation. In a lot of ways, the romantic element wasn't very prevalent since none of the two characters we willing to be bold about what they were feeling but as a reader, it was obvious that they cared about each other.

One of the major themes was whether a person is worthy of love if those who were put on earth failed to love them. Penny was reminded, as the reader is, that we are lovable because God says we are. Oh, what a wonderful reminder!

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publishers through Celebrate Lit; a positive review was not required.
Profile Image for Kathy.
587 reviews
January 27, 2021
Don't let that adorableness on the cover fool you! In this romantic suspense novel by Dana Mentink, the level of suspense is high. I was creeped out on the first page, and the suspense continued regularly throughout the book. This was the kind of book that had me looking over my shoulder, just in case. And I wanted to talk about it with my family, but didn't want to creep them out. The romance was sweet, but awkward, as Penny and Tyler had to get over their perceptions of what they thought the other thought of them. And there was adorable, in Tyler's toddler-daughter. It was extremely heartwarming to see her get attached to Penny. And there were dogs. Well-trained K-9 dogs that were always ready for action, and were extremely loyal. Add in the police station family, and there is a solid read for men and women. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy suspense!

I received an e-ARC of this book from the author, through Celebrate Lit, for review purposes. The thoughts expressed here are my own.
Profile Image for J.E. Grace.
Author 23 books141 followers
January 26, 2021
I loved the suspense and various twists of the story. Penny was a loving character in spite of her issues with the death of her parents. Her brother, Bradley, a member of the Brooklyn K-9 Unit is very protective of her. Bradley, along with the rest of his unit is hunting their parent's killer who is determined to kill Bradly and Penny.

The storyline kept me on the edge of my seat. The Christian inspiration weaved throughout warmed my heart. I was amazed by the strength and courage of Penny. She always put her needs last.

The ending was wonderful. A highly suspenseful story steeped in faith, love, and learning to trust.

I received a copy from the author and voluntarily choose to review it.
Profile Image for Debbie.
2,559 reviews4 followers
January 27, 2021
Cold Case Pursuit" by Dana Mentink is part of a series but it was an enjoyable read as a standalone. This book features a killer clown which might be a trigger for people who are scared of clowns like my niece. This book has a great plot,and lots of suspense. Of course, the dogs and a little girl named Rain are bonus. I love Dana Mentink's books as her books always has a Christian message and this book has this message "You are loveable and loved because God says so."
I received a contemporary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are mine own.

Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews

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