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Ryland & St. Clair #1
Cold Pursuit
Ex-FBI profiler River Ryland still suffers from PTSD after a case that went horribly wrong. Needing a fresh start, she moves to St. Louis to be near her ailing mother and opens a private investigation firm with her friend and former FBI partner, Tony St. Clair. They're soon approached by a grieving mother who wants them to find out what happened to her teenaged son who disappeared four years ago. River knows there's almost no hope the boy is still alive, but his mother needs closure, and River and Tony need a case, no matter how cold it might be.
But as they follow the boy's trail, which gets more complicated at every turn, they find themselves in the path of a murderer determined to punish anyone who gets in his way. With a killer on the loose set on finishing the job he started, will River be pulled back into her tormented past or finally face the demons that haunt her?
But as they follow the boy's trail, which gets more complicated at every turn, they find themselves in the path of a murderer determined to punish anyone who gets in his way. With a killer on the loose set on finishing the job he started, will River be pulled back into her tormented past or finally face the demons that haunt her?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2023
148 people are currently reading
5163 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Mehl
61 books1,447 followersNancy Mehl is the bestselling author of over 50 books. She’s won the Daphne Du Maurier Award, as well as an ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award and a Carol award. She was also a finalist for the prestigious Christy award. Her short story, Chasing Shadows, was in the USA Today bestselling Summer of Suspense anthology. Learn more about her at www.nancymehl.com and on her blog, the Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
July 11, 2023
Happy Release Day!
This book was AMAZING! I was on the edge of my seat literally the whole time. Captivating from the beginning and didn’t let me go until I finished.
Ex-FBI profiler River Ryland still suffers from PTSD after a case that went horribly wrong. Needing a fresh start, she moves to St. Louis near her ailing mother and opens a private investigation firm with her friend and former FBI partner, Tony St. Clair. They're soon approached by a grieving mother who wants them to discover what happened to her teenage son who disappeared four years ago. River knows there's almost no hope the boy is still alive, but his mother needs closure, and River and Tony need a case, no matter how cold it might be.
There is so much about this book, both River and Tony dealing with repercussions from a previous case. they are also evading a serial killer who is targeting them and the danger seems so realistic that it is terrifying at times. This is a Complex fast-paced, page-turning story...Well-written and well-thought-out. > A story that was hard to put down. A lot of twists and turns, a thrilling mystery that is both intense and gripping, with an unforgettable cast of characters. Highly Recommended. Summer must read.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
This book was AMAZING! I was on the edge of my seat literally the whole time. Captivating from the beginning and didn’t let me go until I finished.
Ex-FBI profiler River Ryland still suffers from PTSD after a case that went horribly wrong. Needing a fresh start, she moves to St. Louis near her ailing mother and opens a private investigation firm with her friend and former FBI partner, Tony St. Clair. They're soon approached by a grieving mother who wants them to discover what happened to her teenage son who disappeared four years ago. River knows there's almost no hope the boy is still alive, but his mother needs closure, and River and Tony need a case, no matter how cold it might be.
There is so much about this book, both River and Tony dealing with repercussions from a previous case. they are also evading a serial killer who is targeting them and the danger seems so realistic that it is terrifying at times. This is a Complex fast-paced, page-turning story...Well-written and well-thought-out. > A story that was hard to put down. A lot of twists and turns, a thrilling mystery that is both intense and gripping, with an unforgettable cast of characters. Highly Recommended. Summer must read.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
July 26, 2023
Cold Pursuit - Nancy Mehl - 4.5 Stars rounding up to 5 on Goodreads - A spiritually uplifting Christian suspense novel that will leave you immersed from start to finish!
"And I will bring you through this storm. You are my beloved child, and I never left you."
I am not really a general suspense or thriller reader - but now I will be, as Nancy Mehl is now a new favorite author! WOW, I read this in 1 day ya'll. ONE. DAY. This was so close to a perfect read for me and I can't wait for book 2 as this ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger! It's fast paced, has great faith elements and discussions surrounding mental health (schizophrenia and synesthesia).
In the story we are following River Ryland and Tony St. Clair. They are now private investigators in their own practice and former FBI employees. River and Tony are great friends and now partners in this new practice together. As we see them start to work on getting new cases, there are remnants of a previous case that we see from the prologue still haunting them. They also have some personal issues they are each dealing with that bring emotional depth to the story.
As they get their first case to try and find a mother's missing teen that has been missing for 4 years, we get the perspective of someone named Brian - we know Brian is a killer but how is he involved in their case? Brian has schizophrenia and synesthesia - both mental illnesses that have went untreated for too long and he is suffering. Some parts of his POV as a killer were a little unsettling for me to personally read, but it really did add to the depth of the story and I understand why it was added. You have empathy and compassion for Brian because of what he is going through mentally, but you also don't excuse what he is doing because we know everyone ultimately is responsible for their own actions, regardless. We see how he is tied in with the case River and Tony are working through and it's all makes for an action packed story!
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries, thrillers or suspense novels. I loved our characters and hope there will be a little bit of a romance form between them. I felt like it was hinted a little bit in book 1, so hopefully we will see more development there.
For content warnings: Clean read, but some of the killer POVs may be a little unsettling with mentions of the killings, blood, mental illness, etc. Also, River's mother has Alzheimer's so we see some of her struggles in that regard.
Thank you to Baker Publishing and Bethany House for providing a copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
"And I will bring you through this storm. You are my beloved child, and I never left you."
I am not really a general suspense or thriller reader - but now I will be, as Nancy Mehl is now a new favorite author! WOW, I read this in 1 day ya'll. ONE. DAY. This was so close to a perfect read for me and I can't wait for book 2 as this ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger! It's fast paced, has great faith elements and discussions surrounding mental health (schizophrenia and synesthesia).
In the story we are following River Ryland and Tony St. Clair. They are now private investigators in their own practice and former FBI employees. River and Tony are great friends and now partners in this new practice together. As we see them start to work on getting new cases, there are remnants of a previous case that we see from the prologue still haunting them. They also have some personal issues they are each dealing with that bring emotional depth to the story.
As they get their first case to try and find a mother's missing teen that has been missing for 4 years, we get the perspective of someone named Brian - we know Brian is a killer but how is he involved in their case? Brian has schizophrenia and synesthesia - both mental illnesses that have went untreated for too long and he is suffering. Some parts of his POV as a killer were a little unsettling for me to personally read, but it really did add to the depth of the story and I understand why it was added. You have empathy and compassion for Brian because of what he is going through mentally, but you also don't excuse what he is doing because we know everyone ultimately is responsible for their own actions, regardless. We see how he is tied in with the case River and Tony are working through and it's all makes for an action packed story!
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries, thrillers or suspense novels. I loved our characters and hope there will be a little bit of a romance form between them. I felt like it was hinted a little bit in book 1, so hopefully we will see more development there.
For content warnings: Clean read, but some of the killer POVs may be a little unsettling with mentions of the killings, blood, mental illness, etc. Also, River's mother has Alzheimer's so we see some of her struggles in that regard.
Thank you to Baker Publishing and Bethany House for providing a copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 30, 2024
First of all, thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing book one of this series so that I could go back and frame a background.
I had started this series at book two last year and therefore appreciated getting a proper introduction to these two main characters by going back and reading book one. River Ryland and Tony St. Clair had previously worked for the FBI in the Behavioral Analysis Unit but after trauma in the field and a lack of trust between their colleagues, River and Tony left and formed their own private company. They start their lives over in a new city with different challenges but with the support of each other.
This book opens with them taking on their first client, Mrs. Amy Stover. Her 16-year-old son, Chris, has been missing for four years and she needs closure. As the pair take on this cold case, the reader becomes aware of the appropriate title linking the season to the type of case.
You’ll want to read this book for the way the author can place you inside the mind of someone experiencing a schizophrenic episode. It’s one thing for us to identify, but it’s quite another for us to read about it happening from the POV of someone living with schizophrenia! This character and the character’s family were so well portrayed that my empathy led me to Google how to help others who struggle to live with a different reality. I love it when a book prompts me to educate myself and reframe my preconceived ideas.
Anomic aphasia, synesthesia, and Alzheimer’s were also highlighted and it helped me understand how traumatic it must be to be misunderstood and be unable to communicate one’s discomfort.
Most of all, I appreciated how Mehl was able to circle back to what it means to be a Christian. Highlighting River’s journey and her doubt that God will give her another chance, pulled at my heartstrings. Tony is a great pillar of faith and patiently teaches her about God’s unconditional love. I needed her reminder that being a Christian isn’t about following other people, it’s about following Christ. Equally important was her reminder about judging others when we don’t understand; it’s not our journey and we need to leave others to travel in their own way. We don’t see the big picture. However, it was Mehl’s highlighting of integrity that had a powerful impact. She stressed the importance of us finding a friend or a life partner for whom we don’t need to leave our integrity on the back burner.
Things that I haven’t stopped thinking about:
“The devil’s playground was constructed of fear, deceit, unforgiveness, and resentment.”
“Accept what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be.”
“Murder is the most selfish crime of all.”
My heart was racing, I loved knowing more than the characters at different points, and I don’t think I’ll wear red nor drink coffee from a pod any longer!
I was gifted this book by Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I had started this series at book two last year and therefore appreciated getting a proper introduction to these two main characters by going back and reading book one. River Ryland and Tony St. Clair had previously worked for the FBI in the Behavioral Analysis Unit but after trauma in the field and a lack of trust between their colleagues, River and Tony left and formed their own private company. They start their lives over in a new city with different challenges but with the support of each other.
This book opens with them taking on their first client, Mrs. Amy Stover. Her 16-year-old son, Chris, has been missing for four years and she needs closure. As the pair take on this cold case, the reader becomes aware of the appropriate title linking the season to the type of case.
You’ll want to read this book for the way the author can place you inside the mind of someone experiencing a schizophrenic episode. It’s one thing for us to identify, but it’s quite another for us to read about it happening from the POV of someone living with schizophrenia! This character and the character’s family were so well portrayed that my empathy led me to Google how to help others who struggle to live with a different reality. I love it when a book prompts me to educate myself and reframe my preconceived ideas.
Anomic aphasia, synesthesia, and Alzheimer’s were also highlighted and it helped me understand how traumatic it must be to be misunderstood and be unable to communicate one’s discomfort.
Most of all, I appreciated how Mehl was able to circle back to what it means to be a Christian. Highlighting River’s journey and her doubt that God will give her another chance, pulled at my heartstrings. Tony is a great pillar of faith and patiently teaches her about God’s unconditional love. I needed her reminder that being a Christian isn’t about following other people, it’s about following Christ. Equally important was her reminder about judging others when we don’t understand; it’s not our journey and we need to leave others to travel in their own way. We don’t see the big picture. However, it was Mehl’s highlighting of integrity that had a powerful impact. She stressed the importance of us finding a friend or a life partner for whom we don’t need to leave our integrity on the back burner.
Things that I haven’t stopped thinking about:
“The devil’s playground was constructed of fear, deceit, unforgiveness, and resentment.”
“Accept what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be.”
“Murder is the most selfish crime of all.”
My heart was racing, I loved knowing more than the characters at different points, and I don’t think I’ll wear red nor drink coffee from a pod any longer!
I was gifted this book by Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
January 22, 2025
3.5⭐️ This story was engaging and had a great plot. Nancy Mehl has a way of telling a story that draws you in and makes every scene very tangible and realistic. I had a good time reading this first installment in the Ryland & St. Clair. However, I enjoyed the Kaley Quinn Series a bit more. I really enjoy very intense plots and deep character work. These elements were present in this book but I think my expectations were a bit too high, especially after reading Kaley Quinn. I wished there was more of a winter setting but there were "chilling" aspects. Nevertheless, Nancy portrays the life believer and unbeliever in a way that is so profound and grounded. I loved the faith in her books so much! Overall, I had a fun reading Cold Pursuit. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
TW/CW: killer POV, violence, some drug references, intense family dynamics
TW/CW: killer POV, violence, some drug references, intense family dynamics
June 12, 2023
A great start to Nancy Mehl's Ryland and St. Clair suspense series!
River and Tony were both engaging characters with backstories that added to this book. Poor River and Tony both had a hard time in this book ... and before the book started. I wish there'd been a few more scenes from Tony's perspective, but those will probably come in the other books in the series. The villains' perspectives were well done and didn't delve into anything that became too creepy.
The plot moved along at a good speed and kept my attention throughout. I appreciated that Nancy Mehl kept both the language and hint of romance clean. Speaking of the hint of romance, I'm guessing it will develop during the rest of the series.
I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series and following along with more of River and Tony's adventures. I think it's cool that this series features the same main characters throughout. It's a fun change since most suspense/romantic suspense novels feature a new couple for each book.
Overall, Cold Pursuit was an exciting read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction and suspense novels.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
River and Tony were both engaging characters with backstories that added to this book. Poor River and Tony both had a hard time in this book ... and before the book started. I wish there'd been a few more scenes from Tony's perspective, but those will probably come in the other books in the series. The villains' perspectives were well done and didn't delve into anything that became too creepy.
The plot moved along at a good speed and kept my attention throughout. I appreciated that Nancy Mehl kept both the language and hint of romance clean. Speaking of the hint of romance, I'm guessing it will develop during the rest of the series.
I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this series and following along with more of River and Tony's adventures. I think it's cool that this series features the same main characters throughout. It's a fun change since most suspense/romantic suspense novels feature a new couple for each book.
Overall, Cold Pursuit was an exciting read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction and suspense novels.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
February 3, 2024
“The killing hadn’t stopped. It had only just begun.”
“I believe you may be dealing with something called synesthesia.”
“When God forgives, He forgets too. That means there’s no place for guilt…All you can do is move on and make good choices for your life from now on.”
Another action packed Nancy Mehl book! I love a good detective mystery and this one does not disappoint. River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are great characters that Nancy Mehl has created. They have a fantastic rapport and I enjoyed their back and forth. Their background as former FBI Behavioral Analysts made it similar to some of her previous outings but also much different as private detectives. This one has several storylines involved, including a serial killer from their past who has been put into jail but may have a partner out there, and a cold case brought to them from four years earlier of a missing high school student. Throw in a young janitor who cleans their building that deals with synesthesia and schizophrenia and you have an intriguing read. Not as many twists as her books sometimes has but very enjoyable nonetheless. There is a cliffhanger at the end that will lead into Book 2 of the series.
* I received this book free from Netgalley and publisher Bethany House in exchange for an honest review
“I believe you may be dealing with something called synesthesia.”
“When God forgives, He forgets too. That means there’s no place for guilt…All you can do is move on and make good choices for your life from now on.”
Another action packed Nancy Mehl book! I love a good detective mystery and this one does not disappoint. River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are great characters that Nancy Mehl has created. They have a fantastic rapport and I enjoyed their back and forth. Their background as former FBI Behavioral Analysts made it similar to some of her previous outings but also much different as private detectives. This one has several storylines involved, including a serial killer from their past who has been put into jail but may have a partner out there, and a cold case brought to them from four years earlier of a missing high school student. Throw in a young janitor who cleans their building that deals with synesthesia and schizophrenia and you have an intriguing read. Not as many twists as her books sometimes has but very enjoyable nonetheless. There is a cliffhanger at the end that will lead into Book 2 of the series.
* I received this book free from Netgalley and publisher Bethany House in exchange for an honest review
July 16, 2023
Whenever I start a new Nancy Mehl suspense, I know there will come a moment when I’m absolutely gobsmacked by a twist I didn’t see coming. And even when I try to figure out the twist ahead of time (because I know it’s waiting for me), I rarely can. I’m still gobsmacked when it shows up even when I’m bracing myself for it. I don’t know how she does it so consistently but it’s always one of my very favorite parts of her stories, and that proved true for Cold Pursuit as well.
River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are former profilers with the FBI who left after a very traumatic experience that happened as they tracked a serial killer. Now they are partners in a private detective agency in a small St. Louis suburb while River cares for her mother who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. There’s a lot of family dynamics involved in River’s story, and I appreciated the emotional layers we unpacked in Cold Pursuit. I am also looking forward to further development of the existing layers – as well as exploring new ones – related to River’s family in the next books. River & Tony’s relationship is promising for romance potential as the series progresses, but right now they are just best friends and partners with the faintest stirrings of more. I suspect that Tony’s feelings have been leaning that direction a bit ahead of River’s, and I can’t wait to see who initiates any changes in their relationship status in later books.
BUT, first and foremost Cold Pursuit is a suspense novel that will have you on the edge of your seat as various threads intersect and separate and tangle together. River and Tony’s honed skills in behavior analysis serve them well in many ways in their new gig as private detectives, but their investigation into a missing son whose mother desperately wants closure stretches requires a different skill set as well. I enjoyed watching their sharp minds, intuition, and friendship work together on this case that takes them in directions they never imagined going, not to mention the twists that threw them – and me – for a loop. There’s an overarching plot thread that I suspect will carry across the series, and I can already tell that it will keep my heart in my throat until it’s resolved. I’m still shivering a bit when I think of a couple of scenes/revelations in this book!
Bottom Line: Riveting suspense. Unique characters. Layered relational dynamics. Realistic explorations of faith issues. A hint of romance. And those stunning twists. These are all trademarks of a Nancy Mehl novel and, in particular, of Cold Pursuit. You will find yourself unable to put down this story until you’ve reached the end and then you’ll inevitably start stalking the internet for word of book two. I look forward to watching Ryland & St. Clair’s relationship develop in future stories and also watching how the author resolves the series arc that had me on the edge of my seat throughout Cold Pursuit. Is it 2024 yet?!? Pick up Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl if you’re in the mood for an intriguing read that’s part psychological thriller and part cold case mystery with romance potential and a sweet message of faith.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are former profilers with the FBI who left after a very traumatic experience that happened as they tracked a serial killer. Now they are partners in a private detective agency in a small St. Louis suburb while River cares for her mother who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. There’s a lot of family dynamics involved in River’s story, and I appreciated the emotional layers we unpacked in Cold Pursuit. I am also looking forward to further development of the existing layers – as well as exploring new ones – related to River’s family in the next books. River & Tony’s relationship is promising for romance potential as the series progresses, but right now they are just best friends and partners with the faintest stirrings of more. I suspect that Tony’s feelings have been leaning that direction a bit ahead of River’s, and I can’t wait to see who initiates any changes in their relationship status in later books.
BUT, first and foremost Cold Pursuit is a suspense novel that will have you on the edge of your seat as various threads intersect and separate and tangle together. River and Tony’s honed skills in behavior analysis serve them well in many ways in their new gig as private detectives, but their investigation into a missing son whose mother desperately wants closure stretches requires a different skill set as well. I enjoyed watching their sharp minds, intuition, and friendship work together on this case that takes them in directions they never imagined going, not to mention the twists that threw them – and me – for a loop. There’s an overarching plot thread that I suspect will carry across the series, and I can already tell that it will keep my heart in my throat until it’s resolved. I’m still shivering a bit when I think of a couple of scenes/revelations in this book!
Bottom Line: Riveting suspense. Unique characters. Layered relational dynamics. Realistic explorations of faith issues. A hint of romance. And those stunning twists. These are all trademarks of a Nancy Mehl novel and, in particular, of Cold Pursuit. You will find yourself unable to put down this story until you’ve reached the end and then you’ll inevitably start stalking the internet for word of book two. I look forward to watching Ryland & St. Clair’s relationship develop in future stories and also watching how the author resolves the series arc that had me on the edge of my seat throughout Cold Pursuit. Is it 2024 yet?!? Pick up Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl if you’re in the mood for an intriguing read that’s part psychological thriller and part cold case mystery with romance potential and a sweet message of faith.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 24, 2023
Nancy is one of my favorite authors. I love the way she writes faith and redemption into her books. This book pull me on the first page and kept my attention until the last page. i recommend this book to any reader, but I highly recommend it to anyone struggling in their faith. I look forward to the next in this series.
March 14, 2024
FINALLY a Christian suspense book that doesn’t involve a romance! Thank you, Nancy Mehl!
August 3, 2023
Wow! This is my first book by Nancy Mehl and I can’t wait to read more. I love a good psychological suspense and this book was definitely it. From the get go I was hooked and ended up devouring it.
River Ryland is an ex-FBI profiler who still suffers from PTSD after almost ending up a murder victim in a case she was investigating. Her friend and former partner Tony St. Clair suffered lasting effects as well. Now River’s moved to St. Louis to start an investigative firm with Tony and to be near her mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s.
Their first case involves a mother who needs closure concerning her son’s disappearance. As they investigate, they discover a serial killer on the loose who suffers from schizophrenia and a rare condition called synesthesia. Told from several points of view including the killer’s, this fast-paced, complex, inspirational psychological thriller will keep you quickly turning the pages to find out what happens next.
I enjoyed the friendship between River and Tony. They both have a lot of baggage yet work well together and are such a support to each other. There’s a hint of romance and I look forward to seeing how this plays out in future books. The faith element is woven beautifully and naturally throughout the story and I enjoyed seeing River rediscover her faith.
The killer’s point of view is both disturbing and heart wrenching. It’s clear he’s been mistreated and fallen through the cracks of the mental health system. His anger and delusions add a frightening twist to the story.
It’s an exciting start to a new series with an ending that leaves you wanting and needing more, especially when River’s past comes back to haunt her. Highly recommend to inspirational romantic suspense and suspense fans! While there are some instances sensitive readers may find disturbing, it’s a clean read with minimal violence and descriptions. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
River Ryland is an ex-FBI profiler who still suffers from PTSD after almost ending up a murder victim in a case she was investigating. Her friend and former partner Tony St. Clair suffered lasting effects as well. Now River’s moved to St. Louis to start an investigative firm with Tony and to be near her mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s.
Their first case involves a mother who needs closure concerning her son’s disappearance. As they investigate, they discover a serial killer on the loose who suffers from schizophrenia and a rare condition called synesthesia. Told from several points of view including the killer’s, this fast-paced, complex, inspirational psychological thriller will keep you quickly turning the pages to find out what happens next.
I enjoyed the friendship between River and Tony. They both have a lot of baggage yet work well together and are such a support to each other. There’s a hint of romance and I look forward to seeing how this plays out in future books. The faith element is woven beautifully and naturally throughout the story and I enjoyed seeing River rediscover her faith.
The killer’s point of view is both disturbing and heart wrenching. It’s clear he’s been mistreated and fallen through the cracks of the mental health system. His anger and delusions add a frightening twist to the story.
It’s an exciting start to a new series with an ending that leaves you wanting and needing more, especially when River’s past comes back to haunt her. Highly recommend to inspirational romantic suspense and suspense fans! While there are some instances sensitive readers may find disturbing, it’s a clean read with minimal violence and descriptions. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
June 14, 2023
This book was everything and more.
Wow!!! I loved how the author wrote this book. The suspense, the intrigue, the details were amazing. I just wanted to continue reading. The pace of the book was perfect.
I loved how the author wove the characters' faith into the story with very beautiful illustrations. I saw trust in God during very dire circumstances beautifully illustrated. I saw love for one's family even in situations that are not ideal.
I admired the friendship between Tony and River . Everyone needs that kind of friendship in their lives.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Wow!!! I loved how the author wrote this book. The suspense, the intrigue, the details were amazing. I just wanted to continue reading. The pace of the book was perfect.
I loved how the author wove the characters' faith into the story with very beautiful illustrations. I saw trust in God during very dire circumstances beautifully illustrated. I saw love for one's family even in situations that are not ideal.
I admired the friendship between Tony and River . Everyone needs that kind of friendship in their lives.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
June 24, 2023
Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl is a great kick off novel for a new series – Ryland and St. Clair. Nancy does creepy serial killer stories so well. Readers will be sucked into the mind of a killer.
River Ryland and Tony Sinclair are private investigators and former BAU analysts with the FBI. They are each dealing with the fallout of an assignment gone bad, but their first case brings them right back into the world of behavioral analysis when they are asked to look into the cold case of a missing teen.
I love the suspense and intensity of this story. The romance is minimal (I assume will develop over the course of the series) but this story deals with River and Tony working to heal from their past traumas. River has to manage her mother’s Alzheimer’s as well as her new life as a PI. She and Tony also discover that the killer behind bars, the one that assaulted them, might not have worked alone.
I highly recommend Cold Pursuit. The book moves a little deeper than most as far as the characters coming to terms with their pasts and with their spiritual journeys. But the intensity of having a serial killer on the loose makes this a nail-biter. Much of the point of view is in the killer’s mind, making the story more creepy and intriguing
I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
River Ryland and Tony Sinclair are private investigators and former BAU analysts with the FBI. They are each dealing with the fallout of an assignment gone bad, but their first case brings them right back into the world of behavioral analysis when they are asked to look into the cold case of a missing teen.
I love the suspense and intensity of this story. The romance is minimal (I assume will develop over the course of the series) but this story deals with River and Tony working to heal from their past traumas. River has to manage her mother’s Alzheimer’s as well as her new life as a PI. She and Tony also discover that the killer behind bars, the one that assaulted them, might not have worked alone.
I highly recommend Cold Pursuit. The book moves a little deeper than most as far as the characters coming to terms with their pasts and with their spiritual journeys. But the intensity of having a serial killer on the loose makes this a nail-biter. Much of the point of view is in the killer’s mind, making the story more creepy and intriguing
I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 27, 2023
River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are former FBI and Behavior Analysts and now partner in a detective agency in a suburb of St. Louis. With trouble in their rear view mirror and the criminal that tried to kill them behind bars, they focus on their first case as private investigators.
Very exciting story delving into a little known condition called synesthesia where people see colors and words. However, the antagonist in this story also has schizophrenia and becomes a killer.
River is a lapsed Christian who has lost trust in God stemming from her father abandoning the family and difficulties coping with her mother’s Alzheimers diagnosis. Tony is a solid Christian who prays for River, her reconciliation with God and wants to protect River as they launch their new venture.
The characters feel genuine, the bad guys are creepy and the faith thread is presented in a natural way. The story crescendos to a dramatic conclusion with plenty of fodder for more stories to come.
A favorite author, Ms. Mehl knocks it out of the park yet again!
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Reviewers on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Very exciting story delving into a little known condition called synesthesia where people see colors and words. However, the antagonist in this story also has schizophrenia and becomes a killer.
River is a lapsed Christian who has lost trust in God stemming from her father abandoning the family and difficulties coping with her mother’s Alzheimers diagnosis. Tony is a solid Christian who prays for River, her reconciliation with God and wants to protect River as they launch their new venture.
The characters feel genuine, the bad guys are creepy and the faith thread is presented in a natural way. The story crescendos to a dramatic conclusion with plenty of fodder for more stories to come.
A favorite author, Ms. Mehl knocks it out of the park yet again!
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Reviewers on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
July 23, 2023
I get so excited every time Mehl has a new series out and Cold Pursuit did not disappoint. If you love a good suspense fast paced read, you will enjoy this one. I cannot wait for book two.
4 stars form this reader.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
4 stars form this reader.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
July 16, 2023
Cold Pursuit was absolutely captivating! I read the prologue one evening and then yesterday I ended up reading the entire book in one day! The story was so engrossing that I simply couldn’t walk away from it for long before needing to find out what happened next.
Mental illness played a large role in this story, with a villain who struggled with both schizophrenia and synesthesia, as well as a sad back story, which may have exacerbated his overall problems. He was clearly a very disturbed and dangerous individual.
I really liked the main characters, River and Tony, who had recently started a private investigation agency built on their behavior analysis backgrounds. Both characters suffered from trauma brought on by their last case with the FBI and were hoping to move on in their lives and heal.
River and Tony were close friends, as well as partners in their new endeavor. There was no romantic storyline in this book, however, it will be interesting to see if this relationship develops into more as the series continues. There was a strong faith thread in the story, with a redemption arc for River, who had fallen away from following God years earlier. Tony’s faith was strong and I appreciated the way he was solid in his beliefs while respecting where River was at in her life.
I enjoyed this book so much and look forward to reading the rest of the series when those books release.
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...
Mental illness played a large role in this story, with a villain who struggled with both schizophrenia and synesthesia, as well as a sad back story, which may have exacerbated his overall problems. He was clearly a very disturbed and dangerous individual.
I really liked the main characters, River and Tony, who had recently started a private investigation agency built on their behavior analysis backgrounds. Both characters suffered from trauma brought on by their last case with the FBI and were hoping to move on in their lives and heal.
River and Tony were close friends, as well as partners in their new endeavor. There was no romantic storyline in this book, however, it will be interesting to see if this relationship develops into more as the series continues. There was a strong faith thread in the story, with a redemption arc for River, who had fallen away from following God years earlier. Tony’s faith was strong and I appreciated the way he was solid in his beliefs while respecting where River was at in her life.
I enjoyed this book so much and look forward to reading the rest of the series when those books release.
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...
January 31, 2025
I was recommended this book by some members the Clearly Christian Readathon group and it was so good! I really enjoyed it. Great Christian content. The bad guy is a serial killer so he is creepy.
Content: murder, murderous thoughts, abandonment, synesthesia
Content: murder, murderous thoughts, abandonment, synesthesia
August 6, 2023
I have apparently been living under a rock because this is my first Nancy Mehl book and dare I say I am hooked?! From the very first page you are immediately immersed into the action of the story and it just doesn't let up.
These characters were no joke. River has gone through some intense trauma in her previous job as an FBI Behavior Analyst which has her changing careers. Joining her is her partner Tony who also has gone through some stuff in the exact same FBI case. They both start a private investigators office in a suburb of St. Louis and start their very first case while hoping the past doesn't come back to continue haunting them.
I loved Tony he was loyal, heartwarming, protective and charming. He wants to protect River from getting hurt not only physically but emotionally as well. We not only meet these two characters but we also have the point of view of the villain. A disturbed young man with the condition of synesthesia which I have never heard but was completely enthralled with and as a psychology fan I had to do some more digging on. Truly fascinating. But he's definitely not the only villain in the story... The other character we meet is River's mom which has Alzheimer's and you get to see what life is like for River living with a parent who suffers from this type of memory loss. The author did an excellent job at portraying this for you.
There is a lot going on in this story but it flows together so smoothly you will lose track of time while you are reading it! There is a faith thread in the story and I can't wait to see the growth of River throughout the series. While there is no romance between the characters I think there is potential for some. I hope that as the series goes on they "see" what is right in front of them so to speak. That would make this reader very happy.
Being that this is a series the author leaves you on a cliffhanger so now I need the next book so I am very impatiently waiting!
If you enjoy suspense storylines with creepy characters but a definite faith thread then I definitely recommend you grab this book! I for one can't wait to read more from this author!
I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
These characters were no joke. River has gone through some intense trauma in her previous job as an FBI Behavior Analyst which has her changing careers. Joining her is her partner Tony who also has gone through some stuff in the exact same FBI case. They both start a private investigators office in a suburb of St. Louis and start their very first case while hoping the past doesn't come back to continue haunting them.
I loved Tony he was loyal, heartwarming, protective and charming. He wants to protect River from getting hurt not only physically but emotionally as well. We not only meet these two characters but we also have the point of view of the villain. A disturbed young man with the condition of synesthesia which I have never heard but was completely enthralled with and as a psychology fan I had to do some more digging on. Truly fascinating. But he's definitely not the only villain in the story... The other character we meet is River's mom which has Alzheimer's and you get to see what life is like for River living with a parent who suffers from this type of memory loss. The author did an excellent job at portraying this for you.
There is a lot going on in this story but it flows together so smoothly you will lose track of time while you are reading it! There is a faith thread in the story and I can't wait to see the growth of River throughout the series. While there is no romance between the characters I think there is potential for some. I hope that as the series goes on they "see" what is right in front of them so to speak. That would make this reader very happy.
Being that this is a series the author leaves you on a cliffhanger so now I need the next book so I am very impatiently waiting!
If you enjoy suspense storylines with creepy characters but a definite faith thread then I definitely recommend you grab this book! I for one can't wait to read more from this author!
I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
dnf
January 9, 2025This seemed like a great book, but I do not like killer POV. I had to dnf this one, but I can tell it is going to be an excellent story.
July 21, 2023
There is nothing that quite hits like a Christian suspense book - I have tried many times to stop reading these, because they just aren't very enlightening, but there is something about the frequency that they're published and the topics they cover that makes me keep coming back. Sometimes I want a fast paced/high-stakes read that's not too dark that I can read in an afternoon, and I have yet to find something that does it quite like Christian suspense. Out of all the Christian suspense writers, I like Nancy Mehl's books the most, which is what finally got me to pick up this book after 6 months.
One of my favorite parts about this book was the difference in points of view and perspective. Without going too much into detail, there were a couple point of view scenes from the antagonist that really established the stakes of the book. I also liked that River wasn't a Christian, because that also adds some interest to the storytelling. Switches in point of view aren't usually my favorite but this time it was done well and added a lot to the story in my opinion.
The book opens with a really intense scene where the main characters almost die, and then the subplot of the book is where they are trying to work through the trauma while starting their careers anew. I liked that the two main characters already had history, both of knowing each other and of working together; it made getting to know them feel more natural. They had a lot of chemistry together, and although nothing romantic happened in this book, I am already rooting for them as a couple because they are so naturally compatible and work together so well. There were several bantering scenes that was REALLY fun and all in all they just WORK.
The main antagonist in the book suffers from schizophrenia and synesthesia, which was really interesting, BUT I don't think that either of those conditions were necessarily portrayed accurately. I don't know enough to really say for sure, but from what I do know there were some harmful stereotypes being portrayed in this book, which obviously I don't like.
In general though, I did like the mental health portrayal and the discussion on deeper subject matter. River, the protagonist, is taking care of her mother who has Alzheimer's, which I DO think was portrayed well. There were a lot of discussion about what that disease entails and how it affects not just the person themself, but also their family, which was really well done. River is estranged from her father and has a complex relationship with the church, which is very rarely seen in books like this, and I really liked seeing that portrayal. River also has PTSD from her job. The antagonist sees a therapist (which isn't necessarily painting therapy in a /good/ light but is at least painting it in a positive light, which is more than most Christian suspense books do).
The storyline in the book itself was really interesting, but not my favorite part of the book. I liked seeing River and Tony's relationship develop platonically (also not common in Christian suspense), and I liked seeing the arc that will thread through the rest of the series. The storyline itself felt pretty cliche, with the main climax scene being one that I had seen coming from a mile away. However, the sub-storyline and the romantic line are really interesting and I am excited to continue reading this series!
This book was really fun: it was written in a really interesting way. There were lots of plot twists, one of which I completely didn't see coming (which doesn't happen very often for me), which was really fun to read about! There were some inaccuracies, remarks, and plot holes that I didn't love, but overall it was a fun read and I'll be reading the rest of the series when it comes out!
My Rating-
3/5
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion; I was not required to write a positive review.
One of my favorite parts about this book was the difference in points of view and perspective. Without going too much into detail, there were a couple point of view scenes from the antagonist that really established the stakes of the book. I also liked that River wasn't a Christian, because that also adds some interest to the storytelling. Switches in point of view aren't usually my favorite but this time it was done well and added a lot to the story in my opinion.
The book opens with a really intense scene where the main characters almost die, and then the subplot of the book is where they are trying to work through the trauma while starting their careers anew. I liked that the two main characters already had history, both of knowing each other and of working together; it made getting to know them feel more natural. They had a lot of chemistry together, and although nothing romantic happened in this book, I am already rooting for them as a couple because they are so naturally compatible and work together so well. There were several bantering scenes that was REALLY fun and all in all they just WORK.
The main antagonist in the book suffers from schizophrenia and synesthesia, which was really interesting, BUT I don't think that either of those conditions were necessarily portrayed accurately. I don't know enough to really say for sure, but from what I do know there were some harmful stereotypes being portrayed in this book, which obviously I don't like.
In general though, I did like the mental health portrayal and the discussion on deeper subject matter. River, the protagonist, is taking care of her mother who has Alzheimer's, which I DO think was portrayed well. There were a lot of discussion about what that disease entails and how it affects not just the person themself, but also their family, which was really well done. River is estranged from her father and has a complex relationship with the church, which is very rarely seen in books like this, and I really liked seeing that portrayal. River also has PTSD from her job. The antagonist sees a therapist (which isn't necessarily painting therapy in a /good/ light but is at least painting it in a positive light, which is more than most Christian suspense books do).
The storyline in the book itself was really interesting, but not my favorite part of the book. I liked seeing River and Tony's relationship develop platonically (also not common in Christian suspense), and I liked seeing the arc that will thread through the rest of the series. The storyline itself felt pretty cliche, with the main climax scene being one that I had seen coming from a mile away. However, the sub-storyline and the romantic line are really interesting and I am excited to continue reading this series!
This book was really fun: it was written in a really interesting way. There were lots of plot twists, one of which I completely didn't see coming (which doesn't happen very often for me), which was really fun to read about! There were some inaccuracies, remarks, and plot holes that I didn't love, but overall it was a fun read and I'll be reading the rest of the series when it comes out!
My Rating-
3/5
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion; I was not required to write a positive review.
January 26, 2024
I was excited when I won a copy of Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl.
River and Troy both had nightmares about their run in with a serial killer and their almost death. They left the FBI behind and started their own private investigation firm in Mehlville (HAHAHA).
Killers are running amok. One is in prison, one is up front and personal, and one is stalking River from the shadows….waiting.
One story is told and one story is ongoing. I can hardly wait to see what happens in Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl.
River and Troy both had nightmares about their run in with a serial killer and their almost death. They left the FBI behind and started their own private investigation firm in Mehlville (HAHAHA).
Killers are running amok. One is in prison, one is up front and personal, and one is stalking River from the shadows….waiting.
One story is told and one story is ongoing. I can hardly wait to see what happens in Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl.
May 13, 2023
I received a free copy of, Cold Pursuit, by Nancy Mehl, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. River Ryland is an ex fbi profiler, she return to St,. Louis, intending to start over, with her fbi partner Tony St. Clair, they decide to open a pi business, the first case is a boy who disappeared. This was a chilling read, the ending sent chills up my spine. I like River and Tony as partners they have great chemistry.
August 6, 2023
I really enjoyed my first experience reading a suspense book by Nancy Mehl. I loved the faith content throughout the book, it was done really well and felt like a part of the character's lives. The suspense kept me glued to the book, I listened to the audiobook in 24hrs. This book is told in multiple perspectives, including the killers. Honestly Nancy did too good a job with the villain, as I was feeling bad for him 😅. There may be romance in the later books of this series, but in this book there was no romance. Just fun action and page turning suspense, I can't wait for the sequel.
*thank you to Bethany House and Baker Publishing for a copy of this book to read and honestly review.
*thank you to Bethany House and Baker Publishing for a copy of this book to read and honestly review.
June 9, 2023
"Cold Pursuit" by Nancy Mehl was sooo good! I characters are well developed and I loved the main characters, River and Tony. This book had me guessing and there are twists that I never saw coming. This book solved a mystery yet still had a cliffhanger. I like when books keep you guessing and you want to come back for more! I can't wait to read the next one! Nancy Mehl continues to be one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend this book!
I received this book through the publisher from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
I received this book through the publisher from NetGalley for my honest opinion.
January 9, 2024
This book immediately plunges you into a life or death situation that both MCs survive but deal with the mental, physical, and emotional repercussions of throughout the whole book.
Mehl is a talented writer: not only does she create a mysterious case with villian viewpoints that are disturbing in some aspects but also make the reader feel sympathy for the speaker, she also writes complex characters, dealing with recent trauma and who have backstories. I really enjoyed that River was not a Christian and harbored hostile feelings about Christianity since we get to see her come to faith and, personally, she reminded me a bit of myself pre-Jesus, so I connected with her and was invested in what happened.
We get multiple third-person perspectives that were all really interesting to read. River's mother has alzehimers that I think Mehl handled pretty well as far as believability and as an added layer of stress and struggle in River's life. I loved seeing River and her mother's relationship change over time.
There is no romance in this suspense story which didn't bother me (unusual I know!) but I can see the faintest hints of perhaps there could be more. I mean who moves states, uproots their whole life, and starts a new career path for just a friend?! 👀 Even without the Romance, their relationship was very endearing with their banter and with the respective protectiveness of each character towards the other, particularly Tony.
I am not sure about some of the believability and/or what was realistic. There were also a few statements that were kind of a miss for me as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this story (particularly the last 20%, there were a few things that really surprised me)--I lucked out that I read this in the month that the 2nd book comes out because this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger--I don't have much longer til I find out more of Tony and River's story!
Content: mental illness (schizophrenia, synthesisia), alzheimers, disturbing realities of murder and serial killers
Christian faith rating: 2/3
Mehl is a talented writer: not only does she create a mysterious case with villian viewpoints that are disturbing in some aspects but also make the reader feel sympathy for the speaker, she also writes complex characters, dealing with recent trauma and who have backstories. I really enjoyed that River was not a Christian and harbored hostile feelings about Christianity since we get to see her come to faith and, personally, she reminded me a bit of myself pre-Jesus, so I connected with her and was invested in what happened.
We get multiple third-person perspectives that were all really interesting to read. River's mother has alzehimers that I think Mehl handled pretty well as far as believability and as an added layer of stress and struggle in River's life. I loved seeing River and her mother's relationship change over time.
There is no romance in this suspense story which didn't bother me (unusual I know!) but I can see the faintest hints of perhaps there could be more. I mean who moves states, uproots their whole life, and starts a new career path for just a friend?! 👀 Even without the Romance, their relationship was very endearing with their banter and with the respective protectiveness of each character towards the other, particularly Tony.
I am not sure about some of the believability and/or what was realistic. There were also a few statements that were kind of a miss for me as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this story (particularly the last 20%, there were a few things that really surprised me)--I lucked out that I read this in the month that the 2nd book comes out because this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger--I don't have much longer til I find out more of Tony and River's story!
Content: mental illness (schizophrenia, synthesisia), alzheimers, disturbing realities of murder and serial killers
Christian faith rating: 2/3
July 9, 2023
This was a good, fast paced story. In true author fashion, the story starts off intense and stays the same throughout!
River is intense. She has been traumatized by a previous incident, and it compels her to set a new direction for her life. Her partner, Tony, does the same thing. River and Tony remind me a lot of Alex and Logan from her other series The Quantico Files. The author does a great job of creating investigators who come against some seriously crazy people.
Tony is loyal and has started a PI business with River. Their first client certainly starts them off on an intense note! Connecting the dots isn't easy, to say the least. While they're searching for one person, another shows up in the story that they know nothing about. Talk about creepy.
The author also deals with Alzheimer's and does a good job with it. It'll be interesting to see how that part of the story unfolds over the next couple of books. I was also fascinated by the condition synesthesia. There's a song called "smell the color nine" and the condition made me think of that song. It was so captivating to read about the mentally ill character in the story who has it. That along with schizophrenia.
There's definitely a thread of faith in the story and it'll be good to watch River grow in her faith throughout the series.
If you liked the other series I mentioned above, then this will feel very much the same. If you enjoyed that series, you'll enjoy this one.
*I received the book for review. This is my personal opinion.
River is intense. She has been traumatized by a previous incident, and it compels her to set a new direction for her life. Her partner, Tony, does the same thing. River and Tony remind me a lot of Alex and Logan from her other series The Quantico Files. The author does a great job of creating investigators who come against some seriously crazy people.
Tony is loyal and has started a PI business with River. Their first client certainly starts them off on an intense note! Connecting the dots isn't easy, to say the least. While they're searching for one person, another shows up in the story that they know nothing about. Talk about creepy.
The author also deals with Alzheimer's and does a good job with it. It'll be interesting to see how that part of the story unfolds over the next couple of books. I was also fascinated by the condition synesthesia. There's a song called "smell the color nine" and the condition made me think of that song. It was so captivating to read about the mentally ill character in the story who has it. That along with schizophrenia.
There's definitely a thread of faith in the story and it'll be good to watch River grow in her faith throughout the series.
If you liked the other series I mentioned above, then this will feel very much the same. If you enjoyed that series, you'll enjoy this one.
*I received the book for review. This is my personal opinion.
July 26, 2023
I loved the twists and turns in this book! I enjoyed trying to solve the mysterious disappearance along with Tony and River. I also love that Nancy Mehl always finds a way to include a positive and uplifting message in the story. I can't wait to see what is next!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
August 2, 2023
This is the first book in a new suspense-filled series, and I look forward to reading the others!
River Ryland and her partner Tony St. Clair have opened a PI firm. This goes well with both of their histories of FBI.
But...something keeps coming after them. They'd thought they'd put the Strangler behind them, but this awful serial killer from their past somehow has popped up again and is trying to kill them again.
(this is a mystery that remains unsolved, and I'm guessing it will carry over through out the series...creepy!)
The primary mystery in this story is the cold case of a teen boy who disappeared four years earlier. His mother really wants closure, so asks River and Tony to try and solve the case.
Lots of action. Suspense. Mystery. Danger. Thrills.
This book is a page-turner and kept me glued to the very end. And left me wanting more.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
River Ryland and her partner Tony St. Clair have opened a PI firm. This goes well with both of their histories of FBI.
But...something keeps coming after them. They'd thought they'd put the Strangler behind them, but this awful serial killer from their past somehow has popped up again and is trying to kill them again.
(this is a mystery that remains unsolved, and I'm guessing it will carry over through out the series...creepy!)
The primary mystery in this story is the cold case of a teen boy who disappeared four years earlier. His mother really wants closure, so asks River and Tony to try and solve the case.
Lots of action. Suspense. Mystery. Danger. Thrills.
This book is a page-turner and kept me glued to the very end. And left me wanting more.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
February 3, 2024
Wow!!! Mehl nailed it with this book. The characters, storyline, and pacing were great! I had trouble putting it down. 5/5 stars.
September 21, 2023
You know when you’re so excited for a book and then when you finally get to read it, it doesn’t live up to your expectations? That feeling of regret, disappointment, betrayal. Well, this book has effectively caused that feeling of betrayal within me.
Now, was that intro a bit dramatic? Perhaps. But, I am upset about how little I enjoyed this book. And with good reason! It has such an interesting premise with so much room for expansion upon important subjects such as Christianity and schizophrenia. And yet, it still falls short (for me.) I’m happy for all y’all who have enjoyed the book, but I just can’t get over this.
To begin on specific things about the book, I hated Brian’s POV. It completely took away from the suspense that could have been present in the book if his POV wasn’t there. I, as the reader, knew exactly what was going to happen throughout the entire book because I had been inside of the unsub’s head before River and Tony even knew that there was an unsub to find. In fact, I stopped reading his POV parts of the chapters at 42% (as well as skimmed the last unbelievably predictable 25%) and I still understood everything perfectly and had the entire story figured out before the certain character even walked into the trouble.
There was also, literally, no suspense. In the Suspense novel. It honestly read like a cozy mystery with how slowly it was paced, except hold the cozy part. So.. you see my issue…
Tony and River’s relationship (+ Tony himself) was the only thing that I truly enjoyed about this book. It was just so lovely to read about! Their banter and clear care for one another was honestly refreshing in comparison to other romances / male/female dynamics that I’ve read, especially recently. I also should mention that I adore Tony with my entire heart and soul! I want to jump into this book just to give him a hug for all of the good that he does!! The two stars are for Tony and his relationship with River, and that is it.
Content Warnings:
Moderate - Murder + descriptions of it, Suicide (2 instances, one only alluded to + one pretty detailed)
Now, was that intro a bit dramatic? Perhaps. But, I am upset about how little I enjoyed this book. And with good reason! It has such an interesting premise with so much room for expansion upon important subjects such as Christianity and schizophrenia. And yet, it still falls short (for me.) I’m happy for all y’all who have enjoyed the book, but I just can’t get over this.
To begin on specific things about the book, I hated Brian’s POV. It completely took away from the suspense that could have been present in the book if his POV wasn’t there. I, as the reader, knew exactly what was going to happen throughout the entire book because I had been inside of the unsub’s head before River and Tony even knew that there was an unsub to find. In fact, I stopped reading his POV parts of the chapters at 42% (as well as skimmed the last unbelievably predictable 25%) and I still understood everything perfectly and had the entire story figured out before the certain character even walked into the trouble.
There was also, literally, no suspense. In the Suspense novel. It honestly read like a cozy mystery with how slowly it was paced, except hold the cozy part. So.. you see my issue…
Tony and River’s relationship (+ Tony himself) was the only thing that I truly enjoyed about this book. It was just so lovely to read about! Their banter and clear care for one another was honestly refreshing in comparison to other romances / male/female dynamics that I’ve read, especially recently. I also should mention that I adore Tony with my entire heart and soul! I want to jump into this book just to give him a hug for all of the good that he does!! The two stars are for Tony and his relationship with River, and that is it.
Content Warnings:
Moderate - Murder + descriptions of it, Suicide (2 instances, one only alluded to + one pretty detailed)
March 22, 2024
I thought the book had a great storyline and themes, but I struggled with the writing style, believability at times, and expression of the themes.
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