Cold Case at Cardwell Ranch

Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy #6

by B.J. Daniels

Buried secrets threaten a lawman
And a woman with everything to lose.

A grisly discovery at the bottom of an abandoned well leads cold-case detective Waco Johnson to Cardwell Ranch—and a thirty-year-old unsolved homicide. When evidence points to Ella Cardwell’s missing mother as the murderer, Waco knows he'll need the Montana rancher's help to find the vanished woman. Ella’s desperate search for answers uncovers family secrets that could break the case wide open…and thrust Ella and Waco into a killer's sights.

Genres: Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Romance

251 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 8, 2021

About the author

B.J. Daniels started her life in Houston, Texas, before her family moved to Montana at age five. She grew up in a cabin in the Gallatin Canyon near Big Sky and later on Hebgen Lake near West Yellowstone. Because of her love for Montana, most of her books are set there.
Born into a storytelling family, all she'd ever wanted to do was write stories. After a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist, she wrote and sold 37 short stories before she finally wrote her first book, ODD MAN OUT. Since then she has won numerous awards including a career achievement award for romantic suspense.
She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, two Springer Spaniels. When she isn't writing, she quilts, boats and. makes rope/fabric baskets. She always reads, loving to lose herself in a good book.

Reviews

[Valri Western]

I'm sad that the Cardwell books are ending! I've read them all and will miss this family and all the characters! This was a fitting ending to the series. You don't have to read the other books but you are missing out if you don't! When bones is found in an abandoned well, Waco Johnson knows they are decades old. He's a cold case detective and the discovery soon leads him to Cardwell Ranch. Ella Cardwell's mother is soon a suspect and she runs. Ella has always known her mother has secrets but when she can't find her, she sets out on her own investigation and Waco is following HER! What they find is not anything that they expected! And the murder victim left behind a family that was ruthless so they aren't going to stand for Ella's poking around! Fantastic characters and fantastic story!

[Valita]

The cover is misleading.

[Phylis Carpenter]

If you have ever read any of B.J. Daniels book then you know that you are in for a treat this one does not disappoint. Once I picked it up and started reading it was hard to put down.


Ella is worried about her Mom who keeps disappearing and then comes back after a couple of days but never tells anyone where she goes. Trying to tell a little about the book but not giving spoilers is really hard unless I tell you basically what the blurb tells you.

In my opinion if you want an awesome book to read that will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you intrigued through the whole book then look no further this is an awesome read.

[Tammy Morse]

Stacy Caldwell thought her secret would get out. Detective Waco Johnson came to Montana to close a Cold Case of over 30 years ago. Marvin Hanover was the husband who disappeared 30 years ago. Stacy Caldwell Hanover was to have a son by him when he found our she was pregnant he gave her ten thousand dollars for his son and she would never see him again. He had left one night and.
Stacy hadn't seen him since. Then her came Ella Caldwell and she took her baby girl back to The Caldwell Ranch her sister Dana would help her. Dana did and every couple of months Stacy took off for some reason never telling anyone not even her daughter. So when Detective Waco Johnson called and asked her to meet with him she was suppose to be at the Ranch the next morning. But she wasn't she packed all her clothes and took off.
Ella didn't know where here mother was and she looking like the murder Suspect in this case. Ella went looking for ) with Waco following her every move.
Do we know if Stacy killed Marvin Hanover?
What secrets was Stacy keeping from her Family?
Was Ella going to solve this case and find the killer or killer.
What happens between Ella and Waco?
B.J. Daniels books are all amazing and fabulous stories. I love reading your work. I recommend if you haven't read her book go out and buy on I don't think you'll regret it.

[bexbooklover]

I absolutely love romantic suspense. It is one of my favorite things to read. And this is top tier romantic suspense.

You have a cold case of a body being discovered at the bottom of a well. Followed by the chief suspect suddenly running away and disappearing. Her daughter is trying to find her while the cold case detective is hunting her down.

Because this is a Harlequin book it is no surprise that Ella (the one who is looking for her mom) and Waco (the detective) end up spending a lot of time together. And of course falling in love.

The chemistry between these two is immediate and I was here for it. This book has
🟤 tension
🟤chemistry
🟤mystery
🟤intrigue
🟤incredibly deep family secrets.

I was hooked from the start and I could not put it down. 10 out of 10. Recommend this book and definitely this author if you are a fan of romantic suspense. B.J. Daniels is a master.

[Kea]

COLD CASE AT CARDWELL RANCH by B.J. Daniels. Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy Book 6 is another nail-biting mystery bringing cold-case detective Waco Johnson to the scene of a body and a thirty-year-old unsolved homicide. Evidence points to Ella Cardwell’s missing mother as the murderer. Tag along and watch Waco and Ella put themselves in the killer’s sights as they search for the truth. BJ Daniels knows how to keep her readers intrigued in her romantic suspense thrillers, and COLD CASE AT CARDWELL RANCH is definitely one of them. I received this complimentary copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Linda]

The end of a very enjoyable series! BJ Daniels can weave a story. This one was weaker than most of the others and, unfortunately, I guessed who the bad guy was so many interactions between the characters were less dramatic because of that 'known.' Could understand a mother's love and desire to protect her child, but this carried it to the extreme. She was from a strong family and many were in law enforcement and she still allowed 3 adult children of her former husband to hold her hostage for 3 decades!! Don't think so.

The writing was superb, the editing great, the storyline was the weak point.

[Kelly]

A skeleton is found at the bottom of an old well. The victim disappeared 30 years ago and detective Waco Johnson is on the case. A local woman, Stacy, was the victim’s ex-wife and when she disappears everyone suspects her. Her daughter, Ella, searches for her to find the truth. Waco follows Ella, and the two find that they are attracted to one another.
This was a pleasant, easy read…part mystery, part romance. The main characters were likable. The ending was a bit predictable abut I liked the story.

[Carol McBride]

Constant twists and turns in the hunt for a killer

B. J. Daniels can always be counted on for a good story. This cold case starts with a body in a well, turns to the man's ex-wife, then gets carried by the daughter Ella and the detective Waco. A search in an almost ghost town and murderous siblings keep the mystery twisting, as an unlikely romance begins. The Cardwell Ranch will never be the same.

[Barbara]

An anonymous phone call leads to the discovery of a thirty-year-old unsolved homicide, a mother on the run, a daughter eager to find her and uncover the secrets she’s held onto for years. She’s also being hunted by the law. Suspense, drama, family dynamics, secrets, fear, danger, new beginnings, surprises, and more.

I enjoyed the story but, for being the last book in the series, there are several unanswered questions.

[Mrs Moa]

I really enjoyed the mystery and plot twists.

Unfortunately, I found the development of the relationship between Waco and Ella lacking.

And surely woman on a ranch do more than can vegetables.

Stacey’s back story was intriguing and her flawed character was well written.

I was sent this book by the publisher and all opinions are my own.

[Roberta Abt]

Good story. Lot action. Will keep you guessing.

Good story. Will keep you reading hard to put down. Like character of Ella & Stacey. Two strong women doing what they had to do to protect and defend family.

[Audrey T Seaman]

Stacy

It was fun finally getting to know Stacy and Ella story. I enjoyed meeting the son/brother who really was a surprise. Thanks Ms. Daniels for allowing me to get to know this family and extended family. Love Dana the heart of this series.🌝

[Rhonda Campbell]

Great

Another great story. Poor Waco has met his match in Ella and her family. I sense he's going to have his hands full keeping them on the right side of the line. Luckily he will have HUD to back him up. Will be interesting to see more on Jeremiah and if his ambition works out.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Romantic Suspense, Western Romance, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy (Book #6)

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Romantic Suspense, Western Romance, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy (Book #6)

[Eefus]

Best Harlequin I've read so far but didn't enjoy it all that much. Could've had more cowboy themes in it. Waco didn't even ride a horse :/

[Sharon Stephens]

Review

Book really kept your interest without all the dull spots lots have. Enjoyed the characters and the plot a lot

[Debra Shutters]

Love reading this story! It drew me in and I had to keep reading to find out what is happening and how it turns out! I highly recommend this book!!!!!

[Brenda Virtue]

Good Read

Page turner. Lots of suspense. Interesting plot. Liked the characters and the dynamics of the plot. I like this author

[Elizabeth Falcone]

I have enjoyed all the Cardwell books. I have read a lot of B.J. Daniels books and enjoyed them immensely!

[Rebecca Delio]

GREAT STORY

I really enjoyed this story, but to be honest I really would have liked to know how much that inheritance was and if they finally found it…

[Diane Morrell]

Good read, good series. I really liked these characters and the plot of this book. I enjoy the suspense and mystery going on. Looking forward to reading more from this talented storyteller.

[Debra Reeves]

I enjoyed reading Waco and Ella's story.

[Kitt]

A really nice light read with enough twist and turns to keep you entertained and reading on. Found it a bit slow in the beginning but I loved the last half.

[Annette Cook]

B.J. Daniels is a great author. Her books do not disappoint!

[Eeeps :)]

As usual with B. J. Daniels, the mystery was excellent. The action kept me very invested, and there a few twists that I did not anticipate (something that is rather rare after reading so much). I liked both main characters, and their relationship made sense. They had such similar personalities and outlooks that it made sense that they would be drawn to each other. My only criticism is that Ella’s stubbornness and recklessness, diving into danger regardless of what other people say, was kind of annoying.

[Harlequin Books]

Romantic Suspense, Western Romance, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective, Western Fiction, Suspense, Crime, Small Town & Rural Fiction
Miniseries
Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy (Book #6)

[Susan]

Good book. When Detective Waco Johnson gets a call about some bones at the bottom of an old well, it starts him down the trail of a thirty-year-old murder. The most logical suspect, the man's ex-wife Stacy, vanishes before he can question her. Waco believes that watching the woman's daughter Ella will lead him right to her.

Ella worries about her mother. Stacy always kept secrets and often disappeared for days at a time with no explanation. Now Ella wonders if her mother is capable of murder. With the detective on her heels, Ella desperately searches for answers to where Stacy is hiding.

The story's suspense was very good, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. The dead man, Marvin Hanover, had any number of people with a motive to kill him. His ex-wife Stacy filed for an annulment after his disappearance, happy to escape his plans for the child she carried. His adult children from his first wife showed no grief when notified of his death, only an obsessive interest in what happened to his money.

I enjoyed watching Ella try to evade Waco while she attempted to find Stacy and discover how tenaciously he sticks to her. Her determination pays off when a search through an old photo album turns up a likely bolt-hole for her mother. In this case, Ella lucks out when Waco follows her, as her destination turns out to be a bit sketchy. Ella realizes that they both want to find Stacy and agrees to work together. They get some help from an unexpected source and get quite a shock when they catch up to Stacy. The revelation of a family secret stuns Ella creating hurt and confusion. That same family secret complicates the investigation of Marvin's murder.

Ella, who lacks patience when dealing with the investigation, takes matters into her own hands. Though furious at her for risking herself, Waco has to admit that the plan was a good one. The intensity ramps up as Ella carries out the plan to draw out the killer. The final confrontation takes a couple of twists and a dangerous turn before it is all over. I didn't see that ending coming and breathed a sigh of relief when it was over.

The relationship between Waco and Ella progressed very rapidly. It started with distrust and wariness and ended with professions of love within a few days. Sparks of attraction bubbled under the initial antagonism and popped to the surface after they started working together. Waco finds himself unexpectedly protective of Ella. However, I honestly didn't feel that there was much in the way of emotional connection between them in that short of a time.

I enjoyed seeing more of the previous couple Ford and Hitch (Trouble In Big Timber). Hitch is in a tough spot as the medical examiner because of her connection to the Cardwell family. She's worked with Waco before and knows him pretty well, and I liked their interactions. Dana Cardwell's devotion to her family plays a significant role in the book, especially when it comes to her sister Stacy. I also enjoyed the interactions between Dana and her husband, Hud. I loved that she finally got her long-delayed wish at the end.

[Jessica]

Another great story from this author. This is book 6 is the series but can be read as a standalone. I have not read all of them yet, but the ones I haven't yet are on my to be read list. This is the final book in the Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy series.

Ella Cardwell knows her mom has secrets. she just ups and goes away for couple days at a time and won't tell anyone about where she goes. Detective Waco Johnson knows that his chance at finding Ella's mom is to follow her when she leaves the ranch after he shows up asking questions about her mom, having to do with a 30 year old unsolved murder case. This victim was married to Ella's mom.

It is really hard to write this review without possibly giving out any type of spoilers so I am just going to say that there are many twist and turns that keep you captivated in the story, making you want to know what is going to happen next. You will think oh maybe I have it figured out then again maybe not. Secrets that come out will they destroy the family or will they be able to get past them?

If you love a good story with great suspense with some romance then this story is a great one. One Click it today! #ColdCaseatCardwellRanch #NetGalley