Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl: Book Review

 *Book received for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Twenty years ago, several people were murdered in Des Moines, and the only evidence left behind was a snowman ornament hanging ominously on a tree in the victims' front lawns. With a suspect behind bars, the killings have come to an end--or so everyone thought. But now crimes with a similar MO are happening in a small Iowa town, and a local detective believes the killer is back and ready to strike again.

With little time left on the clock before they have another murder on their hands, private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair must work alongside Tony's detective father to find evidence that will uncover an evil that has survived far too long. As the danger mounts and the suspect closes in, it will take all they have to catch a killer--before he catches one of them.

Nancy Mehl (NancyMehl.com) is the author of more than fifty books, a Parable and ECPA bestseller, and the winner of an ACFW Book of the Year Award, a Carol Award, and the Daphne du Maurier Award. She has also been a finalist for the Christy Award. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson.

Cold Threat is the second book in the Ryland & St. Clair series. While the events of the previous books are talked about and there are definitely some aspects of the story that carry through both books, I do believe that this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. 

This picks up River and Tony's story from the previous book, seeing them working on a new case. The great thing about series like this where it's focusing on the same main characters is that we really get to see their growth as the series continues. For the romance, that means it's slowly building in a very realistic way that I really enjoy. In this particular series though, I have to say I also really enjoy seeing River's faith grow as well. It's such a big part of this story and I was glad to catch back up and see where she was on that journey. 

Aside from that though, the case was absolutely fantastic. Right from the first page, I found myself drawn into the story and at the edge of my seat to the very end. I love how the author gives us a glimpse into the bad guy's head, adding another level of creepiness to the story in that way... not that serial killers alone don't make it creepy enough as it is!  The story takes place over the holidays, though certainly isn't MY typical holiday read. While the timing IS important to the story, I wouldn't really consider it a holiday read at all. 

If you love romantic suspense- heavy on the suspense- this is definitely one to check out. 

Purchase here: https://amzn.to/4aMHUtU