“Was the Snowman out there right now, planning to kill someone?”

“Look for the children. It’s for them.”

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

3.5 out of 5

After thoroughly enjoying the first book in the series, Cold Pursuit, featuring River Ryland and Tony St. Clair, I was definitely looking forward to the second book, Cold Threat. Although I did not enjoy it as much as the first book, it was still an enjoyable suspense book that points towards Jesus. And it certainly left me wanting to read the third book, Cold Vengeance, when it comes out this summer.

Like the second book in the Kaely Quinn series by Nancy Mehl, Cold Threat deals with an arsonist; however, this one is more of a vengeful serial killer where the arson is a means to an end. I enjoyed trying to figure out the killer’s motives, even though I figured out one plot point almost immediately. The good news is that there were plenty of red herrings and my guess for the villain was incorrect. The ending, though maybe a bit rushed, was thrilling and satisfying.

One complaint for this book was that there seemed to be a lot of filler going on while River and Tony try to complete their profile. A lot of repetitive feeling conversations and a whole lot of shed tears in the St. Clair house. This slowed the book down for me and I would have actually preferred to have the sections set in the serial killer’s mind to be expanded beyond the small snippets. I assume others would disagree with that assessment, but I felt it would help to understand the killer’s motives better.

The great thing about this book, and other Nancy Mehl books, is that there is an equal distribution of suspense/thriller as there is with both characterization as well as faith. I always enjoy reading books where characters show growth and maturity as well as realistically stumble along the way. Mehl does an excellent job showing the human nature of River Ryland; she doesn’t rededicate her life in the last book only to have all the answers or be perfect in this book, but rather makes mistakes, has negative thoughts towards others, and maybe the biggest one - knows she needs to trust in God but has trouble at times putting it into action. I loved this relatable trait.

So once again, looking forward to Book 3, which I think could be the best book yet.

* I received this book free from Netgalley and publisher Bethany House in exchange for an honest review

In the second installment of the Ryland & St. Clair series Nancy Mehl treats us to another mind bending mystery! River and Tony must travel home to help Tony’s dad find who he suspects to be a serial killer and fire starter.

This story had me guessing the ENTIRE time. Normally I have a good inkling of the suspect, but this time, I was caught completely unaware! It was so much fine to try and puzzle this story out alongside River and Tony! The clues were parceled out slow enough to keep you guessing, but always came right at the right time so it didn’t feel like the story was dragging on.

I also appreciated the very real glimpse Mehl gave us into the emotions that the characters around River and Tony experienced when they were shot by the Salt River Killer. I spent a good chunk of the story so frustrated with Tony’s sister on River’s behalf. But it provided such a great example of forgiveness and grace and seeking to understand where the other person is coming from. I liked that Mehl didn’t shy away from this part of the story, though I’m sure it wasn’t always fun to write that part of the storyline!

I’m also so anxious to discover the identity of the mystery man still after River. While I have my suspicions again, truly only time will tell if I get it right! I’m hoping a little bit that Mehl has me fooled again!

Cold Threat is the second in the Ryland & St Clair series by Nancy Mehl. I enjoyed the suspense with the POV of the killer as well as the slow unravelling of his/her backstory. I also liked the positive messages about motherhood, faith and fear but at times it portrayed an unrealistic/perfect portrait of what someone walking out their Christian faith deals with or how they behave which I don't love.
I appreciated the slow burn romance and the discussions about the foster care system and wonder how it will all end!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to review it in exchange for my honest thoughts!

River Ryland and Tony St. Clair, former behavioral analysts for the FBI, have solved two cases in their new private investigation firm. Unfortunately, neither case brought in a paycheck or more clients.

With time on their hands, they agree to help Tony’s dad, a police detective in Burlington, analyze a possible serial killer UNSUB.

Twenty years ago, during a four-year period, an unknown intruder murdered people while they slept and set fires around their bodies in Des Moines, Iowa, where Tony’s dad worked as a new police detective. And now the killer has struck again—this time in Burlington. And just like in Des Moines, Tony’s dad can’t convince the police department a killer is on the loose. He hopes River and Tony can profile the UNSUB and help him convince the police they have a killer poised to strike again before it’s too late.

River struggles to forgive herself for breaking the promise she made to God when the Salt River Strangler left her for dead. To make matters worse, she receives a threatening card. River and Tony know that the serial murderer has an apprentice—one who wants to finish what his mentor started.

As Tony and River explore their feelings for each other, River faces resentment and hostility from Tony’s mother and sister. They blame her for Tony’s near-fatal wounds in the Salt River incident.

As the weather turns colder, Tony and River race to create a profile of the UBSUB—if they don’t, the next snowstorm could mark the end of someone else’s life.

What I Loved About This Book

Mehl keeps readers on the edge of their seats with her multiple plot threads and numerous twists. Readers who doubt God’s goodness or struggle with forgiveness will relate to River.

Fans of Colleen Coble, Dani Pettrey, and Elizabeth Goddard will enjoy this second installment in the Ryland and St. Clair series.

This is the second book in this series. It can be read as a standalone. But if you want to read the first book, it would help to get to know these characters more.

Got to say I love a good mystery murder book. Nancy Mehl delivered all of my expectations for this book. There was never a dull moment.

The serial killers pov was the best. Usually I do not like more than the two povs, but the serial killer was an added bonus.

I like a good character arc, and Nancy Mehl’s characters really do have a good growth. I like the emotions displayed in the characters so much that I can cry. I like scenes that deal with vulnerability. It makes them feel real. If I could give Nancy Mehl 10 stars, I would.

This is a Christian closed door novel free from language and sex.

I requested and received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Awesome Awesome book!! I have read all the Author's books and love them! Full of suspense and excitement!! When you read this book you'll definitely get the WOW factor!!

Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl continues the series of River Ryland and Tony St. Clair (you could probably read this as a standalone, but I think you might miss some things). River and Tony have started their private investigation firm and are called to create a profile for a serial arsonist who only strikes when it’s snowing. This is a race-against-the-clock story as River and Tony get closer to the killer…and each other.

I have loved this series from the start. Nancy Mehl is great at building tension and suspense. This story had a lot more introspection for the characters as River deals with her past trauma, knowing she’s still in the crosshairs of a serial killer. Not to mention there’s the growing attraction for her co-worker Tony. And Tony struggles with his feelings and the need to keep River safe. Plus, there's the whole serial killer on the loose, and the two must figure out who is behind the brutal attacks before he strikes again.

This is a great addition to the series and I can’t wait to read the next one.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own

It’s been over two decades since rookie cop Ray St. Clair ran into a burning home to rescue a six-year-old after her grandparents were murdered. The case went cold for years until similar cases began to appear. A suspect is caught and convicted of ONE of the cases, but not the others since the fires left no tangible evidence… then the guy dies of a heart attack!

Ray’s gut instinct tells him there was NO link and the convicted killer was a copycat and fears the original killer has an agenda he’s yet to complete. Nearing retirement, he’s calls on his private investigator son, Tony, and his partner, River Ryland, to go over his files and determine if a killer is walking free or Ray is simply obsessed.

Reeling from their own brush with serial killer Joseph Baker (the Salt River Strangler) that nearly took their lives and led to them leaving the FBI, Tony and River agree to look over Ray’s case files to see of their forensic profiler skills can be of any use.

While they both agree Ray’s concerns are more than credible, they’re not fully focused on the case as their personal baggage – River’s PTSD, Tony’s aphasia, River’s mom’s health, their growing unspoken feelings for each other, and the reality that the imprisoned Baker has an apprentice/sycophant who isn’t done with River – keeps them off-center.

Both people of faith, Tony and River’s upbringing formed the basis of who they are and couldn’t be more different. Tony’s stable, loving and supportive Christian family is at the other end of the spectrum compared to River’s, who was raised by a fire and brimstone preaching father and a distant mother. There’s was little joy and love in her life, especially after her father left the family for his church secretary. Now River struggles to re-establish a positive relationship with God beyond her dysfunctional childhood and near-death trauma. Tony is a guiding force for her, but he’s also a complication.

The pacing and excellent writing along with great characters makes this a compelling read. Villains are mysterious and nefarious while managing to evoke sympathy and the good guys are realistic and honest without being pious and preachy. Plot twists contribute to a more than satisfying ending, and have me looking forward to the conclusion of this series.

Enjoy!

A good read that felt familiar, like an old friend, a very enjoyable read.

It’s been twenty years since a serial killer known as the snowman murdered several people in Des Moines. Things seem to have stopped until similar murders start up in a small Iowa town and a detective from the original crimes is determined they are related. River Ryland and Tony St. Clair come to help Tony’s father try and solve the case that has haunted him for years. They don’t have long before another murder happens, and they work to uncover the evil that has been around for far too long.

I have been wracking my brain for days trying to figure out why this story seems so familiar, still haven’t figured it out. Something about the storyline was like déjà vu with each chapter. The storyline itself was good and kept me interested, I just wish I could figure out why it seems so familiar, especially the part about how the bad guys subdue their targets. I do like the slow burn between River and Tony, it is so much better than when things are rushed. This is a quick read that fans of Romantic Suspense will not want to miss.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

When I put in for this ARC, I didn't realize it was book two of a series. I went back to check out the first one (Cold Pursuit) before I read this one. While you could read Cold Threat as a stand-alone, I appreciated the back story and discovering the character growth from the initial story. This is a Christian, romantic suspense book with an enjoyable main duo, River and Tony. I admit, it took me a while to establish that River was the female of the pair and Tony the male due to past books with names of the opposite sex.

In this installment, River and Tony are called by Tony's father who is a detective trying to solve a cold case of a serial arsonist. The two travel to Tony's hometown to unravel the mystery of the "Snowman killer." I enjoyed watching River and Tony as their relationship took a more romantic view even if neither of them openly admitted their feelings yet. They have such a great friendship and working partnership. The fact that River has opened up her life to being a Christian and can finally share in Tony's faith is a plus. And Tony's family was such a pleasure (other than his sister for most of the book, but there is hope!) There is some carry over from book one with mention of the serial killer who is determined to get River after his mentor failed to kill her...

I am looking forward to the next book and hopefully a full declaration of love! :)

River Ryland and Tony St. Clair must work alongside Tony's detective father to prove that the real Snowman murderer is once again active after 20 years and not the man accused and found guilty. Wow! Twists and turns, numerous clues that lead nowhere. This killer is very smart but if they keep profiling and updating their new, not known before evidence, it all comes together but... well, see if you can figure it out before the final showdown!

The story kicks off with a gripping flashback, thrusting us 24 years back into the past through the eyes of our antagonist. The sheer intensity of this scene immediately grabbed my attention.

In the current timeline, we follow River and Tony as they make their way to Iowa, tasked with creating a profile for Tony's father, detective Ray St. Clair. Two decades earlier, Ray played the hero by rescuing a young girl from a destructive fire ignited by an arsonist who has once again resurfaced.

Now, Ray suspects the return of the arsonist, endangering more lives. River and Tony work together with Ray to unravel the mystery of the culprit and their motives. All the while they remain on high alert for the imminent threat to River's life from the Salt River Strangler apprentice.

This book not only delivers a pulse-pounding narrative that had me burning the midnight oil on more than one occasion but also explores the theme of forgiveness. River's spiritual journey, grappling with forgiving her father and embracing her mother's love, struck a deep chord and served as a poignant reminder of the significance of forgiveness.

I am eagerly anticipating the release of Book 3 in this exceptionally engaging series.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. I was under no obligation to provide a review and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Can Tony & River solve a Cold Case?

Master Storyteller, Nancy Mehl, has created another multilayered, outstanding, FBI Profiler Thriller, Romantic Suspense in "Cold Threat (Ryland & St. Clair Book #2)"! It's Best Understood, by 📖ing the Series in Chronological Order.

Tony's Police Detective Dad, asks for River & Tony help to find a suspected Serial Killer. These 2 PI's (& former FBI Profilers), travel to Iowa to investigate, at Christmastime.

NM sucked me in from the first riveting page, & pulled me deeper into an intricate, danger-filled plot. As God continues to heal River's emotional trauma, she opens herself to the beginnings of a romantic relationship.

The 📕's pace kept me on the edge of my seat. I Highly Recommend You 📖 this twisting, poignant Thriller, that blends modern-day Christianity, with razor-sharp Suspense! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I will continue to say how AMAZING Nancy Mehl's Christian Suspense books are. She always blows me away with her writing, characters, on the edge of your seat feeling and the faith content throughout the story! This is book 2 in the Ryland and St. Clair Series, with book 1 being Cold Pursuit. These books are PERFECT for Winter Time and make you have that "I HAVE TO KNOW" feeling where you just really want to pick it up and finish it so quickly! This is the 5th Nancy Mehl book I have read and needless to say, she is my favorite Christian Suspense author now.

In this book, we have a solid story where River and Tony are back at it in their jobs as private investigators/profilers with a serial killer resurfacing after 20 years. 20 years ago, several people were murdered in Des Moines and the only evidence left behind was a snowman ornament hanging on a tree in their front lawns. A suspect was put behind bars and Tony's father, who works for the FBI, thought the case was closed...but was it? With new killings occurring, it appears the "Snowman" killer is back. Can Tony and River figure this old cold case out that Tony's father worked on so long ago?

My favorite part of this story is seeing so much of Tony and River working together and seeing the romantic emotions start to form and take root. We know they care about each other and it was great to see. While this is mostly classified as a general suspense and romance is not a main thread in this story, we saw more romance than you might normally see in a Nancy Mehl book from their feelings standpoint and I loved that! I love how River and Tony work so well together and they would do anything to protect one another. I also loved the scenes with Tony's family and getting to know his parents and seeing the journey his sister went on.

The faith journey River specifically went on in this series was beautiful to see. She is really coming in to her own and trusting God in everything. This is truly an honorable mention for my top books of the year - 4.5 stars just because I wanted a bit more detail in the ending when "everything was going down" with our killer to see how it played out, but overall SO SO good and I can't wait to see how Book 3 ends!

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love this series! Nancy Mehl has once again created memorable characters and placed them in intense and twisted scenarios that grip the reader until the final page is turned.

My thanks to the publisher for my advance copy. My review has not been solicited. My review is honest.

Having read several of Nancy Mehl's books, I was looking forward to reading Cold Threat and I was not disappointed. Although second in the Ryland & St Clair series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone book. The author fills in the back story well so the reader is not in the dark about the back story. Former FBI profilers, River and Tony, are now fledgling PIs and have agreed to help his father with a case that has haunted him for decades. The story is full of family, faith, edge-of-the-seat mystery, and a bit of romance too. The cast of characters is diverse, with each character having their unique personalities and personal boundaries that are tested as the hunt for the killer progresses. I enjoy books in a series and I can't wait to read the next installment. If you're a fan of contemporary mystery and suspense stories, then you'll want to read this book. I read a complimentary copy of the book and I was not required to write a positive review. However, the opinions expressed above are entirely my own.

Absolutely enjoy this author's work.
This is the second book in the series. And i'm ready for the third book which comes out this summer..

#Christian'ssuspense
At it Best.

In this thrilling edge of your seat story, We have a serial killer. These are my favorite kind of books these days. this serial killer likes to kill when it snowing, he likes leaving a little gifts behind..

This was totally an Fascinating story, I feel like the story picked up where the first book left off. And I totally loved that first book.

River ryland. And Tony St Clair.
Perfect investigators.
They bring the story to life.

This book can be read as a standalone.
You don't have to read the first book in order to read this one and enjoy it immensely..

My favorite part of the book Was when, The story came out How tony got his nickname.
That honestly made me Giggle . Such a funny part.

But this was such a great book.
The highly suggests this one. Because well I do like serial killer books they're so Intriguing.

Another excellent suspense novel.
I loved every minute of this book.
It was exciting with the many twists and turns that I didn't see coming.
Mehl is just that good.
I find it interesting that some of this is told from the killers POV. I loved seeing his thoughts and what makes him tick and sometimes set him off. Pretty weird and cool at the same time.

WHAT?! 🤯🤯🤯🤯

My mind is BLOWN!!!! I never saw that coming.

I'm really enjoying this series that follows the same characters and their growth. I'm enjoying River's journey into true faith, the development of Tony and River's partnership/friendship.

There are kind of three threads to this book - River's journey, the case, and whoever is messing with River! When it comes to River's journey, I liked how meeting Tony's family helped her see what a family is supposed to be like. I appreciated the discussions of scars and the part they play in our lives. This portion was so powerful:

"When we are deeply hurt, we may still have scars. And we don't have to feel ashamed of them. We didn't put them there, and we can't heal them by ourselves. He has scares too, you know. No one understands scars more than Jesus. Someday you'll barely notice yours. I promise that God will restore you, but He'll do it in His own time and His own way. And that's okay. Please stop punishing yourself for what someone else did to you."

This book had something I don't think I've ever encountered in fiction before. Tony's mom talks about the great importance of motherhood. How it is often overlooked and undervalued. It was a very touching moment and I am thankful that there is a character saying these things because I know a lot of people who feel the same way but think they need to do something "more" with their lives.

Nancy Mehl is brilliant and is crafting a very compelling series. You definitely should jump into River and Tony's adventures! (Although maybe not if you live alone :)


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required.

Another exciting thrill ride in the Ryland and St. Clair series! I was eagerly anticipating the continuation of River’s and Tony’s story after the first book Cold Pursuit. This book was just as intense with a devious new serial killer known as “The Snowman” and the continued threat of River’s stalker always present in the background. It’s an edge of your seat, inspirational, romantic suspense that’s extremely hard to put down.

This story can be read as a standalone since Nancy Mehl expertly reintroduces River Ryland, an ex-FBI behavioral analyst, and her former partner Tony St. Clair with enough background so new readers can quickly be brought up to speed. They’ve teamed up to form their own private investigative firm after suffering serious side effects from a particularly harrowing case where River was nearly killed and Tony injured.

In this story, River’s accompanying Tony to his childhood home at Christmas time to help his law enforcement father with a case that’s been troubling him for over 20 years. The serial killer murdered his victims and then set fire to their houses leaving the same type of snowman ornament at the scene of the crime. Though a man was convicted of the murders, fires with the same MO are happening where Tony’s parents live in Burlington, Iowa. Is this a copycat, or did the real killer escape punishment?

I absolutely enjoyed this story! I loved seeing River and Tony grow closer. There was a hint of romance in the first book, and it’s explored more here. I also liked seeing the dynamics of Tony’s family. There are some who blame River for what happened to Tony, as she does herself. Her need to find faith, forgiveness, and peace from the past are issues River grapples with throughout the story. I love her relationship with Tony and am definitely cheering for these two to find love and a happily ever after.

The investigation surrounding the serial killer was intense, especially when there are times we get his perspective. The ending was particularly nail-biting and I was on pins and needles wondering how everything would be resolved. It’s a fast-paced, suspenseful sequel not only with this serial killer, but with River’s stalker popping up throughout.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series! It’s a definite must read for Christian romantic suspense fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Partners in Crime Tours. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.