I have been enjoying the FBR K-9 series by Sara Driscoll and Under Pressure was a great addition to the series. Meg Jennings and her K-9 partner, Hawk, a Labrador work together well. She is on vacation when she is called in to her boss' office. When she arrives, Brian Foster, another agent and his dog, Lacy, are also there. They are briefed about a case that sounds dangerous and different from others they have worked. Agent Finn Pierce of the Organized Crime Program is undercover with a Philadelphia syndicated that is smuggling in conflict (blood) diamonds. He can't wear a tracker or wire because he would be immediately killed if caught. They want to use K-9s to track him when he is sent on a drop. After practicing a few times, they take on the case, but it is dangerous and risky due to number of criminals and others involved. McCord, is also around using his investigative skills and journalistic contacts to help with the investigation. When he misses a check in, the team is not on a rescue mission as well.

Under Pressure is the 6th book in the FBI K-9 series. Although each case in solved in each book, the character development and relationships continue throughout the series, so I recommend reading the series in order if you want the full story of the recurring characters. I found this story to be extremely interesting. There was information in the book about "blood/conflict" diamonds, which was interesting but not overwhelming. The use of Lacy and Hawk to trail someone was different and I'm not sure if it is possible or a technique that was used in real cases, but it added suspense to the story. As always, there was a lot of action and the story moved quickly. The danger they were facing made the story even more gripping, especially as they raced to save McCord, and had me listening intently to see what would happen next. The characters, both human and canine, make this series for me. They recur in the stories and I enjoyed seeing them again. We also get to see their personal lives, Meg and Webb, Cara (Meg's sister) and McCord and their parents. In a previous book, Lacy had been injured, so it was great to see her back in this book. Another great story that I don't hesitate to recommend if you enjoy a good police procedural with K-9 partners.

Under Pressure was a fantastic book! The title was perfect because it was filled with suspense right up until the end. The ending of the book especially had me on my toes, waiting to find out what happened to the beloved characters that I have come to known and love!

This book was a little different than some of the books in the past, as it was not set in a unique locale, but closer to home for the main characters, in Philadelphia’s Jewelers Row.

This book centers around the illegal blood diamond trade here in the states and as in all of Sara’s books, I learned a lot about a new subject that I really didn’t know anything about.

Blood diamonds are gems that are mined in African war torn areas often through forced labor that are used to fund extremely violent military campaigns that bring great suffering to civilians. They are added into shipments of legitimately, mined diamonds and then end up being sold on the open market. The problem is, there’s no way to tell these blood diamonds from legitimately mined diamonds once they reach the open market.

The FBI has a plan to use the K9’s track to track a diamond smuggler that they have planted in the network. They want to follow the path of the blood diamonds from the king pin who received them entering the country, to their final destination in order to break the supply chain from the ground up.

Attempts to track the smuggler from pick up to drop off using electronic devices are not feasible and create a potential danger for the implanted smuggler to be discovered. Therefore, the K9’s are the FBI’s only hope.

Unfortunately, things don’t go as easy as expected, putting Megan, Brian and their K9 counterparts in danger on multiple occasions.
The plot kept me intrigued, wondering whether or not they would be successful and whether my favorite characters would make it out alive, right up until the final nail biting scene!

UNDER PRESSURE (An FBI K-9 Novel Book #6) by Sara Driscoll is another exciting fast paced crime thriller/FBI procedural featuring FBI canine handler Meg Jennings and her K-9 Labrador partner, Hawk. These books can easily be read as standalone books due to the unique crime case plots, but the core characters and their relationships continue to evolve in each book, so I feel they are best read in order of their release.

FBI canine handlers Meg Jennings and Brian Foster are paired together to help with an FBI Organized Crime case investigating the smuggling of conflict “blood” diamonds by the mob in Philadelphia. The FBI has an agent embedded in the syndicate, but he would be killed if he was caught with a wire or tracking device. Meg and Brian will use their dogs, Hawk and Lacy to track the agent to criminal locations while keeping the agent’s identity a secret.

As the investigation heats up, Meg is identified as law enforcement and she barely escapes an attempt on her life with the help of Hawk. At the same time, McCord is using his journalistic skills on the same investigation and it becomes a race for the entire team to find him when he does not check in on time.

I really enjoyed this addition to the series and catching up with all the recurring main characters. The information on conflict diamonds was well researched and interesting. The use of Hawk and Lacy when a wire or tracking device could not be used was unique and I wonder if that was pulled from an actual case. The action is continually fast paced and the tension high throughout with the dog tracking the FBI embedded agent and the race to rescue McCord at the climax. It is always great to check back in on the lives of Meg and Webb and Cara and McCord and of course all the dogs. I was also very glad that Brian was able to return with a healed Lacy.

I highly recommend this crime thriller/FBI procedural and the entire series!

I love anything with K-9s in the story and this one was just what I wanted to read. I enjoyed the storyline and it kept me immersed in the book. This is the sixth in the series so I will have to go back and read the others now.

Hey folks, daddy Steve again with some doggiebook talk, and once again, two for two, it’s NOT a romance book! 😁 This one is the 6th book in the FBI K9 Novel series by Sara Driscoll titled Under Pressure.

Five books before this one and yes, I’ve read them and loved them all. This one is no exception. Such a very, very good series. It feels well researched, complete. The dog action is great. It’s god police procedurals that feel right. It being an FBI series, it’s got complicated cases, this book is no exception.

I love the ensemble cast they’ve put together. Hawk the black lab is a superstar and I feel like I always learn something wher reading these books.

I say « they » because Sara Driscoll is actually a team of two writers, Jen J. Danna and Ann Vanderlann. Sadly, we learned earlier this Summer that Ann Vanderlann passed away from illness. May she rest in peace. Jen J. Danna had just confirmed that she had a contract for at least two more books in the series and she will continue writing under the pen name Sara Driscoll.

This one came out last Summer but I was so behind on my reporting that it fell by the wayside. I’ve already secured an advance reader copy for book #7 in the series, Still Waters, that’s to be published this Fall.

I will tell you, this one is not only a recommended read, but I highly recommend it. It’s some very good stuff!

Huge thanks to NetGalley who provided a free eBook advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. This is as honest as it gets... The book is currently available to purchase.

#Malcolmstories #doggiebooks
#NetGalley #UnderPressure

In Sara Driscoll’s Under Pressure, the 6th installment in the FBI K-9 thriller series, this new thriller is riveting and compelling on every page from start to finish. For Meg Jennings, a former cop and K-9 dog handler, it was nothing but a routine search and rescue mission with her dog Hawk. While things were going good with her partner Todd Webb, a firefighter/paramedic, she received a call from her boss to go on a special assignment for the FBI. They needed her to trail an undercover agent named Finn Pierce who investigated an illegal diamond trade joint on in Philadelphia. Between her and her colleague Ryan and his dog Lacey, they did a practice trail without giving themselves and his location away after a couple of tries. When they passed, they dealt with the real thing and real big-time danger dealing with the Philly crime family and their illegal crime operations in the city. When someone attacked her and the dog, it became personal. And when danger attacked her, it hit close to home when she fought for her life. When her sister’s partner go missing, it’s up to Meg and Hawk, Brian and Lacey to find him before it’s too late to save him.

This K-9 thriller is suspenseful and daring. I cared for Meg on how she cared for her sister and for her dog Hawk. I could see the passion in her eyes and why she loved her job as a SAR dog handler. I also cared for Brian, Webb, McCord, and Cara. They were a stellar cast of characters. Hawk and Lacey were amazing dogs who took care of her owners. The locations set in Philly, Washington D.C, and Virginia were picturesque with vivid scenic settings. The theme of the story is watch your step when trouble follows you home.

This twisted FBI thriller is captivating and keeps you wanting to read more. I couldn’t find anything to nitpick on since I love dog-themed novels. I rated this book, four out of five stars for no reason. If you love K-9 thrillers with twists and turns with riveting non-stop action, plenty of dramatic suspense, and tons of drama, Under Pressure is right up your alley. This book is recommended for those who love Margaret Mizushima, dog-centric thrillers, and K-9/FBI thrillers and dramas

Another excellent book in the FBI canine series. I love the characters, the dogs, the detailed settings that make you feel like you're there with them, the snippets of info to introduce each chapter. This time they are in Philadelphia, taking on the mob and blood diamonds. A great addition to an already great series

Special Agent Meg Jennings and her search-and-rescue Labrador, Hawk, normally track people, working with her partner, Brian Foster, and his dog, Lacey. This time the case is unique. They are tracking an undercover agent who has infiltrated the group that’s importing illegal blood diamonds. Those are the gems mined using dangerous methods and child labor who are always considered expendable. If the agent can pass along a clue as to the starting point where he’ll meet his contact, Hawk and Lacey can put their noses to work. An extra challenge is to blend it like folks jogging with their dogs, not look like search and rescue teams on the job.

One of the problems is the agent is never alone when picking up or delivering the diamonds. Meg has to make sure Hawk won’t rush toward his find – the agent – and give away his secret and also hope the second man isn’t one who’s seen her casually jogging with Hawk on a previous drop.

Meg’s friend, Clay McCord, is a journalist. He’s helped Meg in the past, with the understanding he’ll hold the story until it’s safe to print. This time, he’s on the trail of a big story and shocked to find his search for information crosses Meg’s. When he gets a little too close, there are drastic consequences. Will Meg and Hawk and the rest of the team be able to find McCord in time?

There’s a lot more to worry about with Lacey just back to work after being attacked by a cougar on their last search. And then there’s a home invasion—Meg’s home by someone determined to silence her.

For a thrilling look behind the scenes of a illegal operation and how law enforcement uses the abilities of all its officers, human and K9, this is the place to start.

This is the sixth book in the series. There’s enough backstory given that readers who start here won’t be lost but not so much that after reading this one, you won’t want to go back to book one. This is a series I always look forward to reading. You will, too.

Great book, by an author I will read more of! Thrilling plot, great writing and brilliant characters. Highly recommend to others.

The sixth book of Sara Driscoll’s FBI K-9 series, Under Pressure, deftly carries on the consistency of outstanding story that I’ve come to expect in this series. This series has proved itself a solid part of crime/mystery fiction’s finest and one of my favorites. The plot, the pacing, and the characters (both human and animal) work seamlessly together to keep the reader reading just a little bit more and then a little bit more. I always find it hard to find a stopping point for my bookmark, which can lead to some seriously late-night reading. Meg Jennings and her search-and-rescue Labrador Hawk lead the way as readers follow them into another dangerous case, showing us just how valuable an asset the FBI K9s are.

FBI K-9 Handler Meg Jennings and her D.C. firefighter/paramedic boyfriend Todd Webb have taken the plunge and moved in together. In what is the best of living situations, Meg’s sister Cara and her boyfriend, Washington Post journalist Clay McCord, have also moved in together, with each couple occupying an identical half of a duplex. The proximity of the couples is a good arrangement, as McCord has become an unofficial resource in Meg’s FBI cases. No sooner are the moving boxes unloaded than another case for the FBI’s Human Scent Evidence Team comes up.

Usually, Meg and Hawk work with Brian Foster and his German shepherd Lacey under the direction of Special-Agent-in-Charge Craig Beaumont, but in a first time inter-departmental collaboration for the K-9 unit, they will be working with the Organized Crime Program and the Diamond Trafficking Program. The issue at hand is conflict diamonds, known also as blood diamonds, that are being brought into the United States by the “Philly Mob.” The goal is to have the dogs track one of the couriers and bust up the selling and buying of these illegal diamonds. The courier is an undercover FBI agent who is deeply embedded into one of the crime families and who will supply his scent for tracking. It’s an experimental endeavor, but Meg and Brian feel Hawk and Lacey are up to the task. Journalist Clay McCord reveals that he’s been working on a story about the Philadelphia Mob that includes conflict diamonds and other illegal transactions, which expands the scope of the investigation beyond just conflict diamonds and raises the stakes for both the mob and for those hunting for truth and justice.

Most of the action in Under Pressure takes place in Philadelphia, where the Italian Mob is heavily entrenched in their illegal activities. Sara Driscoll is one of the best authors I read who give a sense of place so clearly and interestingly. There’s no superfluous description of setting, but a thorough knowledge of it is apparent. There is an astute efficiency in every book of the series acclimating the reader to the lay of the land. I can imagine that someone who is quite familiar with Philadelphia feels themselves running alongside Meg and Brian and their dogs.

There’s always so much to talk about that the author does right in these books. Although I’ve commented in reviews of previous books in this series, I feel a review of any of these books is incomplete without a mention of how great the characters are. Those of us who have read all the books thus far would no doubt agree that we are heavily invested in Meg, Cara, Todd, and Clay, and that we are absolutely besotted with Hawk and Lacey, and the non-working dogs-- Blink, Saki, and Coy. The evolution of the main characters’ closeness has been a story in itself to watch unfold, and I look forward to further developments. And, a shout-out for the dialogue with its witty additions to an already cleverly written narrative.

I so highly recommend the FBI K-9 series and this most recent book, Under Pressure. From the insightful title of many connections to the exciting action and clock driven suspense to the characters who rise to impossible challenges, Under Pressure is another unmitigated success in this series of brilliant storytelling.

I love this series. The characters are great (especially the dogs!) and the stories are always good. In this book, the plot is especially explosive with plenty of action and danger. I'm always holding my breath that nothing happens to the dogs!!

Looking forward to the next book!

Under Pressure by Sara Driscoll
FBI K-9 #6

Great addition to a wonderful series ~ Can’t wait for book seven!

What I liked:
* Meg Jennings: FBI search and rescue officer with K-9 partner Hawk the wonderful Labrador, works well with humans and dogs, is a team player, caring, kind, communicates openly with teammates and her life partner Todd Webb, smart, professional, capable, can be lethal but also loving. I like her.
* Todd: fireman and paramedic, strong, capable, caring, wise, open, communicates his feelings, Meg’s partner, stalwart, a good man, and great love interest-book boyfriend for Meg.
* Hawk: extraordinary dog, wonderful with humans and other animals, professional, protective, makes me smile thinking about him.
* Clay McCord: journalist, partner, and lover of Meg’s sister, determined, honest, focused, strong willed, honest, brave, will do much but not anything for a story.
* Cara: Meg’s sister, dog trainer, cares deeply for Clay, doesn’t have a big part in this book, liked seeing her again.
* Brian and Lacy – nice to see she has healed and ready to be back at work
* The FBI K-9 team – there for one another, not much said about them in this book but hope to hear more about them in the future. Also admired their leaders as I could respect them…or what I saw of them in this book.
* Meg & Cara’s parents: good people that run an animal rescue sanctuary – and getting to see Emma and how she is faring (Emma from a previous book)
* The informative epigraph at the beginning of each chapter – learned a lot about diamonds by reading them.
* That the title of the book is pertinent to the story in more than one way
* That this time the story was about using the abilities of the dogs to circumvent and stop crime. Diamond trafficking.
* That the people and animals I hoped would live did and will show up in the next book…hopefully
* Knowing that there is another book to look forward to

What I didn’t like:
* Exactly who and what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that conflict-blood diamonds do exist and that the horrors surrounding them are all to real
* Having to wait for the next book in the series

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Under Pressure by Sara Driscoll (FBI K9 #6) 4 stars

This time we see Meg Jennings and her K-9 Hawk helping to investigate a case of diamond smuggling orchestrated by the Italian mob. Meg and Brian and their respective canines Hawk and Lacey are tasked with finding and following an undercover FBI agent while he is delivering the diamonds. There is plenty of action and a few harrowing moments in the book. The action hits close to home when McCord, a reporter and friend is missing in action. Can Meg and Hawk find McCord before he is fitted for cement shoes? (cliche I know)

This was a thrilling book from start to finish. I enjoyed the tidbits at the beginning of each chapter about diamonds. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.

Again we see Meg and her K9 Hawk called into help solve a case. Although this time is different, as they are dealing with conflict diamonds and the mob. She and Brian, along with their K-9's Hawk and Lacey, are trying to help the FBI who have a man in undercover. They are tracking the undercover agent. As usual, Meg's boyfriend Todd and her sister Cara along with Cara's boyfriend Clay end up involved in helping to solve the case. The action is constant and the characters interesting. Each chapter starts with a quick bit about diamonds or the mob, which I found very fascinating. The book is a good addition to the series, just not my favorite since I'm not into reading about the mob.

This is an edge of your seat read. Love this series. Wonderful characters and I fast moving page turning plot that kept this reader interested till the last page.

Conflict or "blood" diamonds drama

This is the 6th book in th FBI K-9 series and this one is a bit different, taking FBI K-9 handler Meg Jennings and her K-9 partner Hawk to Philadelphia along with other FBI agents searching for members of the Italian Mob responsible for distributing illegal conflict, or "blood" diamonds in the Philadelphia area.

Working with an undercover agent embedded within the Mob, they are looking at mainly the diamond distribution but also at other illegal Mob activities to take down.

Full of interesting facts about diamonds and hair-raising action on the Philadelphia streets, I enjoyed this latest in this exciting series that's also full working dogs and FBI drama. This is a favorite series of mine and I highly recommend it.

I received this book from Kensington Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

Meg and Hawk are on the case, this time in trying to help with a blood diamond smuggling case. I have read all the books in this series and I enjoyed this one too, although it wasn't quite up to the standard of the others. I think the search and rescue scenarios are my favourite :)

Meg and Hawk are joined by Brian and Lacey, and I really love the combination of these two humans and their dogs, so much. Cara, Meg's sister, lives in the other half of her duplex with her journalist boyfriend, McCord, who is doing a story on the blood diamonds too. He gets tangled up in their case and there are some tense moments when it comes to staying off the radar of the baddies, as much as you can, anyway. Webb, Meg's partner, is on hand to offer medical assistance and a hug, as needed.

A good, solid book but I would have liked a bit more emotional depth. The main characters are not fully fleshed out, somehow.

4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books.

This is the 6th entry to this excellent series by Sara Driscoll. It's a fast paced,
powerful story and we follow Meg and Hawk, along with her partner Brian and his dog Lacey, as they assist the FBI in investigating the mob and the smuggling of blood diamonds. This story is very different from the others in the series but exciting and well researched. As always the dogs take center stage, which in my opinion makes these books some of the best K9 books being written today. I also love Meg and Webb, Cara and McCord, and Meg's partner Brian. They are all strong, well developed characters that are continuing to grow. I'm happy to recommend this book...and the others in the series to anyone who enjoys reading good, suspenseful K9 stories.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Finally moving into their duplex, FBI Agent Meg Jennings and firefighter Todd Webb live in one side while her sister, Cara and Clay McCord, moved into the other. Just as they think they will have time to unpack, she catches a case along with her partner Brian Foster and his K9 Lacey who has recovered from her injuries. They are tasked with tracking couriers who are dealing in smuggled and uncut diamonds. An undercover FBI agent has been imbedded in the syndicate and provides them with the coordinates for the sales. Having been seen by one of the couriers, Meg and her K9 Hawk are now in danger. The courier has plans to make her disappear, but he didn’t count on a strong woman and her protective K9. When her friend and colleague is taken captive, will they be able to rescue him in time? An amazing police procedural with a heart racing finish for Meg and Hawk. I have read and enjoyed every book in this series and I was especially pleased to learn more about Emma. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

This latest installment has something for everyone. The K9 searches, the mob, blood diamonds, big operations, suspense, and the characters we have grown to love. This book had some of the most tension of the series. There were several instances that had me holding my breath. I love this series. There was a nice update of characters and a very satisfying ending that left me wondering if this was the last book. If not, I'll be reading the next.