Member Reviews
Terri went to find the remains of her brother when she ends up getting sucked into something she never expected. Case was a former cop but due to the corruption of other and his sense of justice he's not working for them any more. When case spots a women in trouble he helps her out but after a short while they realize shes a witness to a murder and now must be protected.
Overall pretty enjoyable book. I liked getting to know the characters and what led them to this point in the story. I'm a dog person so I loved seeing the short moments of Cutter popping in and out of it. I loved how supportive the characters in and how nicely they like Terri and Case in, I mean Terri hasn't had the best childhood and these people were so helpful and did everything they can to make sure she was safe. There was so plenty going on to keep the readers interested and I really enjoyed this book.
This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the 15th book in the Cutter's Code series. I did not hate this book, but I also did not love it. I found this book to be overall just ok, and I found the suspense leaving me wanting more. I also found parts of this book to be weird and not flowing great. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Harlequin Romantic Suspense) or author (Justine Davis) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
I have been a huge fan of Cutter and his people since the first book came out. In the third book of the series, Operation Blind Date, we meet Teague Johnson, a Foxworth Foundation operative haunted by his sister's disappearance while he served in the military. He has never given up his search for her.
In this book, we meet Terri, a woman who left home when she was seventeen, escaping parents who rejoiced at the death of Terri's brother. She got a fake ID with a new name and ran as far as she could, eventually settling in Iowa. She took control of her life but never stopped mourning her beloved brother. After almost ten years, she returned to Washington to find her brother's grave. As the book opens, she is attacked by a man she witnessed robbing a convenience store, and she is saved when a passerby intervenes.
Case is a former policeman, forced out and discredited when he attempted to expose some corruption. For the past year, he has been at loose ends, unable to move on from what happened. When he sees a woman fighting off an attacker, his instincts send him running to the rescue. Those same instincts insist that he look after her when she is injured.
Terri is wary and not very forthcoming about herself. Case's instincts warn him that she is hiding something. When he spots the contents of her purse on the floor, sees two old letters addressed to her brother, and reads a little of her journal about him, Case heads for his computer to find out more about the man. He's surprised to find out that the man is not dead and works for the mysterious Foxworth Foundation. Case takes it upon himself to contact the foundation and talk to Quinn about Terri. Quinn asks Case to bring Terri to them the next day.
I loved Case's protectiveness and support when Terri learned that her brother was alive (but away on his honeymoon). She doesn't want to interfere with that and insists on waiting for her reunion. In the meantime, Quinn and Hayley learn what brought her and Case together and discover that the convenience store clerk has died from his injuries. This makes Terri the only witness to a murder. I loved watching Quinn and the others jump right into protecting Terri. They enlist Case to help when Terri insists on keeping him near.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Case and Terri develop. There were sparks between them from the beginning. Terri embraces the attraction, but Case resists it. He is unemployed and feeling beaten down by everything that has happened to him. He feels he is in no position to get involved with Terri, but he can't deny his need to protect her. I loved watching them together and seeing the feelings between them grow. Case tries to keep a distance between them, physically and emotionally but is thwarted at every turn by Cutter. Case and Terri grow closer over the week as they await Teague's return and for her attacker to be found. In addition to Case's protectiveness, I loved Terri's belief in Case. Seeing how her support helped put Case on the road to healing was sweet. The ending was terrific.
The story's suspense was good though not very intense until the end. As soon as Quinn is aware of the danger Terri is in, the full resources of Foxworth are used to keep her safe and find the bad guy. It is always fascinating to see them at work, each member using their talents to resolve the problem. I enjoyed seeing so many characters from previous books. The tension ramped up when they used Terri to bait a trap for the murderer. The final confrontation had me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
In addition to the suspense involving Terri and her witnessing of the crime, we had Case's backstory. I ached for how he was treated by the people who should have had his back. I could feel his pain at losing the career he loved, and the people he thought were his friends. He was surprised by the respect he received from Quinn and the others at Foxworth, and I loved their proposal for him at the end.
I can't say enough about how much I love the dog Cutter. Watching him work his matchmaking magic on each couple throughout the series is fun. I also enjoy seeing how the Foxworth people have come to trust Cutter's instincts after all this time. I loved his reaction to seeing Terri for the first time.
I couldn't wait to see the reunion between Terri and Teague; it was everything I could have hoped for. It was beautiful to see how his friends at Foxworth were so happy for him, and seeing their reactions to Terri was almost as good as Teague's.
4.5/5 - Operation Witness Protection by Justine Davis, book fifteen in the Cutter’s Code series, is a story of, love-in several forms, grief, found family and the cutest wily dog named Cutter who adds levels of depth to the story. Although this is the first book in this series that I’ve read, enough background is given to fill in any missing information. I do plan to go back and read previous stories in the series.
Case McMillan hasn’t been a cop in fourteen months, but those instincts never really leave you. Seeing a women being held at gunpoint in a back alley, behind a convenience store, those instincts have him running into the scene, to save the victim. Terri Johnson is a wary, secretive woman, who ran away from home when she was seventeen; to get away from her heartless parents after the only person she ever trusted, her brother, is taken from her. As a sole witness to a murder, Terri needs more protection that he can provide and turns to a place that works in the shadows, but he’s not leaving her side until he knows she’s safe. Here they follow a journey of suspense, murder, blast from their pasts, new friends, and the cutest match making dog in history, Cutter. There is murder, attempted murder, disloyal family and wonderful family and friends, laughter, tears, reunion, some heat and a chance for a happy future, together. I highly recommend Operation Witness Protection to other readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Operation Witness Protection is the 15th romantic suspense novel in Justine Davis' Cutter's Code series, a series I've been following since its inception, and it's a series I eagerly look forward to reading because I've been a fan of Ms. Davis' novels since reading her first novel, "Loose Ends" in 1991. As far as romantic suspense novels go, hers are reliably standouts, but although this one totally grabbed me at the outset, it seemed to fall a bit flat in the middle, which is why I'm giving it a 4-star rather than a 5-star rating.
Case, the human hero (can't forget that Cutter, for whom the series is named, is quite an unusal, psychic, matchmaking and protection dog) is a good guy ex-cop whose attempt to expose corruption starting from the police force on up to the governor's office, failed, and his efforts cost him not only his job and reputation, but also his self-respect. He's just heading into a small grocery store for a late night cup of coffee when a commotion in the back alley catches his attention. A very large man appears to be trying to kill a much smaller person, and that person turns out to be Terri Jones, a woman who was in the store trying to get warm and an innocent bystander when the masked man held up the store clerk, taking the cash on hand and severely beating him after the robbery. Terri got away but witnessed the crime, and saw the face of the assailant. The thug caught up to her in the alley, and, no sooner sees Case coming to the rescue when he warns Case that if he doesn't back off, he'll kill her, and yes, he has his gun under her chin. Since Case assumes he'll kill her anyway, he distracts and disarms the thug, and rescues Terri before the anyone from law enforcement arrives. The thief had thrown Terri into a wall, where she hit her head, but she refuses to go to the hospital to get checked out, so Case takes her home to his small apartment to keep an eye on her through the night in case she has a concussion.
While Terri is sleeping on his sofa, she manages to knock her handbag off the coffee table, and a curious Case finds 2 old letters addressed to a Teague Johnson, as well as Terri's journal, so while Terri is sleeping, he heads to his computer to try to discover who Teague Johnson is, and discovers that he's employed by the mysterious Foxworth Foundation--and if you're familiar with this series, you already know where this is headed. If not, you'll soon learn that they are a group of highly trained men and women who help those who've been wronged and have exhausted all other methods of getting justice.
There's one big issue here--as Terri offers Case some of her background information, we learn that she believes her brother, Teague, an active duty Marine, was killed in action 10 years earlier. When her parents received notice of his death, they rejoiced, which this reader found really hard to believe. It was disturbing enough that 17-year-old Terri, who adored her big brother, ran away from home and never wanted to see her parents again. She's been on the streets and alone, doing what she could to survive for the past 10 years, and only returned to her hometown to locate her brother's grave--except that Teague isn't dead, he's employed by the Foxworth Foundation.
When Case takes her to Foxworth the next day, she shocked and astonished to discover that they recognized her without her having to say a word, the resemblance to her brother was unmistakeable, but Teague is away on his honeymoon, and they also soon learn that the store clerk who was beaten, died from his injuries, leaving Terri as the only witness to the murder, and the only one who saw the face of the criminal--that is, if they can keep her alive until he's caught and brought to trial.
A very exciting set-up at the beginning of this novel, but it's during the week she spends at Foxworth, with Case at her side, that their relationship develops, all while waiting to surprise her brother, who's been searching for her for a decade, that the story seems to stall. We are re-introduced to the other operatives we've met in the earlier movels, and we certainly see Cutter in action, but it's not until they try to lure the murderer into their clutches that the action picks up again, and even though I was waiting for some serious action and risk with Terri as the bait, the takedown felt somehwat lackluster as well.
Yes, there are also some sexy times and relationship issues with Case and Terri, and the expected HEA ending, but the excitement I've become accustomed to in this series just wasn't there. Nevertheless, this was still a well-written novel, with well-developed characters, it simply wasn't as powerfully moving as the previous novels in this series. It's a good read, but sadly, not a great one.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
Case McMillan hasn’t been a cop in 14 months, but those instincts never really leave you. When he sees a women being held at gunpoint in a back alley those instincts having him running. Terri, a skittish, secretive women who ran away from home to get away from her heartless parents after the only person she ever trusted is taken from her. As a sole witness to a murder, Terri needs more protection that he can provide and turns to a place that works in the shadows, but he’s not leaving her side until he knows she’s safe.
This was my first book by Justin Davis and it most certainly will not be my last! As per usually I select books right in the middle of a series and then I have to add the rest to my ever growing TBR. This book has loss, love-in several forms, grief, found family and the cutest wily dog named Cutter who literally makes the book! If you’re a fan of the Cutter’s Code series or looking for a good read without having to read the rest of the series to understand this is a good one!
This book release March 28th! I wasn’t to thank Harlequin for sending this to me via NetGalley in an exchange for a review!
All he wanted was a cup of coffee. All she was looking for was safety. Could they provide each other with what the other needs and keep each other safe?
Terri's not sure what brought her back to the town that she had once run away from but it's definitely not to be the sole witness to a robbery murder. Fortunately for her she is rescued by Case McMillan who is fighting his own demons. Now they've got to find a way to keep her safe and potentially locate her brother whom she thought had been killed in action. Their search takes them to the Foxworth Group.
The Foxworth Group is a well-funded group who takes on criminals and corrupt politicians and all other manner of bad people. Terri's brother is alive but on his honeymoon. In the meantime, they are offered shelter and Case is provided an opportunity to protect Terri because it turns out that the criminal, she witnessed in action has a reputation of never leaving a witness alive.
The book has an interesting cast of characters that I did not know well since I have not read the fourteen other books in the series though I followed along with this story line with no trouble. Apparently, the dog Cutter has quite the reputation as a match maker and guardian and it's kind of fun if a bit unreal to see him do his thing.
All in all, an interesting story, definitely worth a read.
Operation Witness Protection is book fifteen in the Cutter’s Code series of standalones. I haven’t read the other books in this series but I don’t feel like I missed anything by not reading them. I really enjoyed this book. It is a quick and suspenseful read and I loved Case and Terri…and don’t forget the pup, Cutter! If you like a well written book with suspense, action, found family, dogs, romance and a little bit of spice then you will love this book!
Operation Witness Protection is a very well written romantic suspense. The plot is a real edge of your seat page turner. I definitely recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.
Operation Witness Protection (Cutter's Code, 15) by Justine Davis
I really enjoyed this book even if I have not read the previous books. (Which I plan to do) Case and Terri make a great couple and I loved Cutter the dog. There is murder, attempted murder, disloyal family and wonderful family and friends, laughter, tears, reunion, some heat and a very HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read Action packed Happily Ever After Tear-jerker Tragic Entertaining Funny Informative Page-turner Wonderful characters Romantic.
All Case McMillan wanted was a cup of coffee… but when he see’s a women getting attacked in an alley behind the convenience store, the “ex” cop jumps in to save her, leading them both on a journey of suspense, murder, blast from the pasts, new friends and the cutest match making dog in history, Cutter.
I didn’t think I would like this book when I started it, but it honestly had me hooked right away! It’s a cute romantic suspense novel that is perfect to read on those cold days, wrapped up with a blanket and a hot cup of coffee ( that’s what I did). I hope Justine writes a novel for Rafe soon, because he deserves it and I wanna read it ! Cutter can do it again!!!!
5/5 great read! You will not regret it!
I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
This book is an action packed and suspense filled book. Terri comes back to her hometown only to witness a horrific crime and murder. Case is there and saves her from the murderer but as he reveals more of her story he realizes she needs his help more than ever.
Meeting the Foxworth firm they find a great group of people that are always helping those in need. They team up with them in not only guarding Terri but reconnecting her with a brother she thought dead.
Great read and you will fall in love with the characters and Cutter too of course.