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A patrol officer is pulled out of her comfort zone and into danger when she follows her heart—and a spunky, cute dispatcher—into a fast-paced, twisty homicide investigation.

Mel Pine is a newly solo cop patrolling the sinister streets on third shift and looking for a distraction from troubles at home. The job keeps her busy, and a friendly dispatcher keeps her company on the radio each night.

Court Wilson can’t wait to get out of the dispatcher’s office and into a patrol car, but with an overprotective dad who happens to also be the chief of police, that’s not likely to happen any time soon.

When a 911 call comes in about a vehicle on fire—and a body within—Court dispatches Mel to the scene.

Eager to observe some real policework… and meet the woman behind the radio… Court follows along and soon finds herself tangled in a killer’s web. Can the lone wolf come to the overeager rookie’s rescue, or will one of them go radio silent—forever?

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2021

169 people are currently reading
212 people want to read

About the author

Cara Malone

68 books477 followers
I write stories that explore the thrills – and challenges – of falling in love as a woman-loving woman, including the bestselling Lakeside Hospital medical romance series and Rainbow Award honorable mention The Rules of Love.

My books are for you if you’re a fan of contemporary romance, if you love strong women who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable, and if you like a little heat with your sapphic love stories.

Grab a free copy of Mind Games on my website, CaraMalone.com

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5 stars
257 (43%)
4 stars
227 (38%)
3 stars
95 (16%)
2 stars
11 (1%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Kexx.
2,339 reviews104 followers
July 18, 2021
Surprisingly one dimensional & quite where the 'series comes in... same town but that was about it. Police procedure so shot it impacted on the story and as for the final chapter / epilogue... WTF?
Profile Image for currentlyreadingbynat.
877 reviews101 followers
January 28, 2022
This is the second book in the Fox County Forensics series but can be read as a standalone.

I liked this novel, but will admit that I found the investigation storyline a tad slow to start and then it ended really abruptly. There wasn't much depth into the investigation plot line. The romance between Court and Mel was sweet, but it felt a bit too insta-love for me, as they developed strong feelings towards each other very quickly and without much of a relationship development between the two.

I'm intrigued by book three as the mystery is set up nicely in the last chapter of this book.
Profile Image for MaxDisaster.
677 reviews88 followers
May 18, 2024
3 stars
Once again, I couldn't give a damn about the "romance" part. But the case was interesting enough for me to keep reading. It wasn't exceptionally well done, mind you, but it was like an episode of NCIS or Bones. A pleasant background noise to switch my brain off but engaging enough to keep my attention.
Profile Image for Lorraine Rusnack.
1,130 reviews33 followers
April 30, 2021
I really enjoyed this second book. I was glued to it for the mystery and the romance. Court says exactly what she's thinking or feeling which is adorable. Mel has been a bit lonely since Zara made detective and got a girlfriend. The second epilogue got my interest peaked for book 3.
Profile Image for Lady Olenna.
849 reviews68 followers
July 23, 2024
3.5 Stars

My first Cara Malone book. It’s not bad at all. The police part was interesting, the relationship part was cozy, the writing and pacing was good.
Profile Image for Gail.
990 reviews58 followers
April 28, 2021
Another enjoyable book from Ms. Malone and the 2nd in the Fox County Forensics series. Could be read as a stand alone.
Clear, crisp writing with main characters Mel (patrol cop) and Court/Courtney (911 dispatcher) mixed with romance, intrigue, murder and retribution. The author's supporting cast of characters, touch on opiate dependency and war veteran mental traumas fleshed out the storyline. Intrigued from the start, I read through to the end in one sitting. Easily recommend this book and look forward to more in the series.

I rec'd a complimentary copy and this is totally voluntary and unbiased.
Profile Image for Sam Way.
119 reviews3 followers
April 19, 2022
3.75*

Another sweet story, with a subtle link to the previous book. I kind of like the predictability in this book, it’s a safe read with a nice change of tempo near the end.

Good, relatable characters. And a possible serial killer? 👀 onto the next book me thinks 😃
Profile Image for Sarah Tino.
134 reviews4 followers
April 13, 2025
Awesome second book in series

I am really enjoying this series. Great characters, quick reads, steamy sapphic scenes....perfect Sunday reading material! I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Kris.
168 reviews3 followers
December 30, 2021
Cara Malone proves once again that she can deliver an amazing love story in any genre. This thrilling story is full of suspense, family drama, mystery, and romance.
This is book 2 in the Fox County Forensics series. Radio silence is equal parts exciting and sweet. Malone has created a perfect balance and pacing throughout the story that kept me full engaged. No one aspect overwhelmed the others, The criminal mystery, the family relationships, the character development, and the endearing romance all balance together in a perfect mix.
I loved the way the romance evolved between Mel and Court. They have a great connection and I couldn’t get enough of them. Since there was an external conflict throughout the story Malone was able to make their relationship relatively drama free and focus of their budding romance is a way that was both sweet and sexy while still keeping the story exciting and captivating.
Mel and Court were fantastic characters with a wonderful connection and great development arcs and their interactions and chemistry with one another was marvelous and heartwarming. The secondary characters were interesting and filled out the story.
The mystery and subsequent action scenes were well written and kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. This is a perfect story for anyone who is a fan of cop dramas.
Malone’s ability to write love stories that capture your heart regardless of genre is astounding. Mel and Court shared a sweet and sexy love story that I completely enjoyed. If you are a fan of thrillers, mysteries, romances, and or dramas, then this is the story for you.
Profile Image for MEC.
390 reviews41 followers
October 13, 2021
This is the second in a series but it stands on its own.

I found that it just didn't have a great hook either in the mystery/crime aspect or in the romance aspect. It was an okay read but it didn't make much of an impression through its writing, plot or characters. The blend was choppy and the two plots/aspects felt pretty disconnected and having perspectives of other, minor/secondary characters didn't help with making the overall story cohesive.

The two main characters - Mel and Court felt-well developed with suitable backstories with their families that had enough detail and originality that they felt real. The secondary characters also worked well - they didn't feel one dimensional and there was time put into giving them depth and credible backstories/motivations and their interactions with the main characters worked really well.

The mystery/crime aspect felt like it was plopped in at the beginning, middle and end and didn't seem to have a lot of depth. . I suspect that police work is actually boring most of the time, but for a book, the expectation is for a bit more oomph. Mel and Court just tagged along with Logan interviewing a few folks until they stumbled on the bad guy - it didn't have a strong procedural feel and made the mystery a bit weak.

I will say that the last chapter piqued my interest and it's a great set up for the next book and links the random crime scene at the storage yard. It's very hard to write from the villain's perspective and not make them come off as an over the top nutbar, but in that epilogue, it seemed to work and it makes me want to read the next book to find out what's he's going to get up to in Fox County.
Profile Image for Mari Stark.
257 reviews6 followers
May 2, 2021
This is another great book by Cara Malone. This one is undoubtedly another one that delivers. The wonderful characters and very intriguing story are a page-turner.

Mel Pine is patrolling solo after her partner became a detective. The night shift is dangerous and lonely, but an energetic dispatcher keeps her entertained. When a 911 call about a car on fire and a dead body comes, she gets to meet the cute dispatcher who can’t wait to get out of the dispatcher’s office. They found themselves in the middle of the investigation, and their chemistry growing by the second. But what happens when the cute dispatcher is also the daughter of the police chief? Will the odds be on their side?

This is book two of the Fox County Forensics series but can be read as a standalone but I suggest to read book one first, it is an excellent book as well. I enjoy all of Cara’s books, but this series is different, the mystery around them, getting to know the characters, their interaction and growing chemistry through the development of the plot is something to look for.

The story is very well-written and very well-developed, the mystery kept me on edge, but enjoying every second. It’s wonderful to see the balance between the mystery solving and the development of the romance.

Both characters are very endearing, although different, one is outgoing and a ball of energy, while the other is more reserved. Regardless, they have great chemistry and make a great team.

I love epilogues and this has two, how great is that? I loved that in the first one she deals with all the loose ends and gives us our HEA for this story, and in the second one, she gives us a glimpse of the next mystery; which by the way, got me already at the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for the next instalment of the series.

This series is great, if you like a well-developed story, relatable characters, a good mystery to solve and a beautiful romance, this book and this series is for you.

I received an ARC copy of the book from the author and voluntarily leaving my review.
1,276 reviews
April 29, 2021
Patrol officer Mel Pine's been quite the loner since her former partner Zara, from Mind Games, made detective. As a solo cop on the third shift, she finds herself attracted to the voice of the 911 dispatcher Court Wilson who just happens to be the daughter of the chief of police.

Mel is also dealing with a very ill grandmother who raised her since her mother ran out on her when she was very young. Courtney's character is outgoing, spontaneous, vibrant and loving - just the type of person Mel needs in her life. These two are so engaging as they help veteran cop Tom Logan solve the case of the burning car with a victim inside.

Cara's writing was a little different this time using two epilogues. In the first, she ties up the story with its HEA, and she very effectively uses the second as a springboard to her next book in the series. However, what I always get from Cara is a well developed story with relatable characters whether it's a rom-com or a little more serious topic like Radio Silence. I just love her writing and look forward to reading many more of her books in the future!
Profile Image for Rachel.
29 reviews
April 24, 2021
I got this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m giving this book a 4.5. As usual with Malone, good writing and relatable characters. I managed to get a friend of mine to lend me the previous book from this series, Mind Games (also a good book); I mean, it’s not necessary, but I always prefer to read them in order. BTW, that book’s summary is total crap: Zara doesn���t mess up the scene, and Kelsey is actually super nice and supportive. Someone really should fix that.

Anyway, this story felt a bit rushed, but it may be because it’s shorter than her usual novels and she still wanted to give us everything she usually does. I have to admit, I missed the cuteness of the animals from her Fur-Ever Veterinary Romance novels 😉. What we still have is the development of amazing side characters, who may or may not get to be the protagonists in her following books. I can’t wait to see who’s next!

As always, any questions about the review will be answered.
145 reviews3 followers
May 1, 2021
Melissa "Mel" Pine patrol officer in Fox County.
Courtney "Court" Wilson, dispatcher at the Fox County police department, and daughter of the Chief of Police in Fox County.

There are a few people who, as they continue to write, just get better and better. Cara Malone is one of those writers and I'm glad I get to read her books.

Court wants to be a cop and she looks up to Mel as both a role model and let's face it, Mel is attractive, a fact that hasn't escaped Court. On ride-alongs, Court learns the ropes and feels she has impressed Mel and learned things from Mel that will help her become a cop. The only obstacle is Court's father, the police chief, who doesn't want Court to be on the streets and in danger.

This is a good, old-fashioned murder mystery where you think you know who did it, and then you don't know for sure. Cara Malone keeps you guessing, though, until the end.

Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Zayne.
777 reviews9 followers
May 27, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised by the quick way in which she introduces the characters to each other and how they almost immediately begin to have this chemistry and flirtatious, feeling-each-other-out relationship initially and then they just hit it off and I could feel the tension in the dark moments as well as even the lighthearted scenes (i.e.- where they're hanging out with Mel's nonna and they joke and laugh about stories). I do kind of wish there had been more with them talking about Mel's mother and Court's mother. I think contrasting those two's relationships with their mother's (I guess Mel's nonna is more like her mother-figure) would've been an interesting choice and a tough one to analyze. I just had a lot of fun with this one.
Profile Image for Katia M. Davis.
Author 3 books18 followers
August 19, 2021
Another decent read

This was another decent investigative story from Cara Malone. It was quite fast paced with a fair amount of action. The intimate scenes between Mel and Court were rather hot, and I liked the idea they get together because Mel wants to put a face to the name of the police radio dispatcher she enjoys taking calls from. Throw in the fact that Court's father is the chief of police you have a recipe for some decent conflict...plus obviously the dead body that needs sorting out too. I think I actually liked this one a little better than the first in the series. They are pretty easy reading, not hard to get through in a single sitting, and hold the reader's attention. I'm looking forward to reading the third in the series, Dark Skies, soon.
Profile Image for Heather Chase.
51 reviews1 follower
May 9, 2022
A patrol officer gets tangled up in an investigation, just to spend more time with a curious police dispatcher who has caught her eye. I liked this one more than the first one. The story felt more filled out and multidimensional. The cliffhanger at the end is something that would really bother me if I didn’t already have the next book. I really like how this book is set in the same “universe” as the first one, but the main characters are different. I’ve read another series that did that, the next book’s main character was either a passing or supporting character in the previous book; and I think it’s brilliant.
Profile Image for Jes.
168 reviews
June 24, 2025
After finishing both 1 & 2 I’m really struggling on if I continue, the books lack substance. Individually the characters have chemistry but it’s honestly so rushed bc of the length of the books so it doesn’t feel genuine and then the plot of the criminal case doesn’t flow well either.

Regardless, this one really upset me bc they explicitly stated how even tho Courtney broke so many procedures AND LAWS (she grabbed and used an officers gun with no training or experience) bc she’s the chief’s kid she won’t get in real trouble. THATS SO FUCKED, obviously it’s all fiction but it really bothered me anyway lol
Profile Image for terry.
289 reviews6 followers
May 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was great with how Court and Mel inserted themselves in the investigation of the car fire. I really liked how well they both just clicked with each other. Mel’s search for the owls at flea markets was cool, it reminded me of looking for books for my Grandmother before the invention of the internet and eBay. I really recommend this book to others. Another great story from Cara Malone.

I received an Advance Copy from the author for an honest review.
876 reviews3 followers
May 6, 2021
The Captain of the Police force almost goes ballistic!

The Captain daughter Courtney is a dispatcher and wants to attend the police academy. Problem is that the Captain wife was shot while on a patrol. Just a little protective, ok a lot. Mel is a officer on third shift. Mel while on patrol encounters a burning car. What follows is a detective being followed by these two women and things get dangerous. Cara has a unique way of writing and shows her mettle in this mystery . Enjoy!
Profile Image for Rocío.
172 reviews1 follower
July 19, 2021
Book 2 in the Fox County Forensics series.
There is a new romance in this book but I like to know and read about the characters from the previous one. At this point, Zara and Kelsey are doing what they always wanted, a narcotics detective and back to med-school.
Mel is Zara's best friend and former patrol partner. Court is a police dispatcher but wants to be a cop, despite her dad, chief of police.
Their love story develops at the same time they're working on a case, something the author does pretty well.
I certainly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Em.
1,667 reviews15 followers
June 18, 2022
“Court was definitely getting some vibes from this woman—she just didn’t know if she was making them all up out of desire and mild sleep deprivation. She hoped not.”

Heroine: Courtney “Court” Wilson
Heroine: Melissa “Mel” Pine

Reoccurring theme it seems with the second installment in the series. We got another case the main characters worked. It pulled them together. Can be read as a stand alone, but there is overlapping characters in the fictional Fox County world.

Cliffhanger – no (book #2 in series)
POV - Court & Mel
296 reviews2 followers
May 8, 2021
Romance and suspense

An intriguing story of Mel and Court finding each other under tense circumstances and situations. Courtney was a pistol ... so young and full of confidence. They worked along side a detective at the precinct to uncover the truth behind a death and an assault. I also loved the secondary characters and especially Nonna. Well done and a good read. I enthusiastically recommend this and all of this author’s works. Thank you Peace
Profile Image for Nicole.
382 reviews32 followers
July 6, 2022
I took forever to read this book after renting it from KU, and I have no particular reason why. But I am glad I finally read it. I definitely want to read more of this series.

I had no particular hang-ups about this book or the plot or the characters. I am only giving three stars, because there was also nothing that I just really loved. I will say, I read this book while incredibly sleep-deprived, and that can skew my perceptions, because I am so out of it. I will see how the next ones goes.
Profile Image for Carolyn G. Manuel.
1,070 reviews
March 15, 2023
Night Patrol

Officer Mel Pine liked her solo night patrol but sometimes missed her former partner Zara. She did enjoy her exchanges with the 911 dispatcher named Court. When she dispatched to a burning vehicle fire she finds a body in the car and decides to ask to follow the case with the detective. Courtney Wilson is actually the daughter of the Police Chief bur Mel doesn’t know that yet. A police procedural and forensics novel. Love the author and characters.
Profile Image for Kit.
24 reviews
December 2, 2023
A simple but charming low angst romance with a good side of mystery added in. Plenty of investigating without too many gory details or unnecessary suspense. Overall an excellent light read that had me hooked until the end. Looking forward to the next in the series. Narration was good, sometimes hard to differentiate the make voices.

I was kindly given a free copy of this audiobook by the author in exchange for an honest review.
521 reviews10 followers
December 2, 2023
I am a fan of Cara Malone for years now, she has the unique talent of telling the story as if it is a movie unfolding in front of us, vivid and captivating. This is a short novel in Fox County Forensics series, but despite the length, I enjoyed the unforgettable sweet first love, the intense confrontation of a dangerous criminal, the tender caring between family members and a case that is interesting and credible.
Profile Image for Michael Wells.
1,087 reviews6 followers
May 1, 2021
What is better than love and mystery? Court and Mel work for the police department and are caught up in investigating a mystery and also a relationship. the plots are good and the characters well written. I found the story very engaging with many twists and turns. I recommend this book for romance and mystery lovers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews

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