The second in a series and before I proceed, I absolutely suggest starting with book one in this series as there is a lot of character development for River and Tony in book one that is necessary to understand the happenings in book two.

For book two, I was so glad I read it during the cold month of January and highly suggest reading it now OR holding it for next year during the holiday season as it had perfect wintry vibes. River and Tony head to his parent's house to help his dad who is still in law enforcement with a serial killer that has moved from Des Moines to Burlington and at the beginning there seems to be no ties from one victim to another.

Another book by Nancy Mehl where the pacing was just so spot on. The way the author drops the hints and the action were just so good. Right when I thought it would pause something is thrown our way and I was honestly gasping out loud on an airplane! Although there was one moment where I predicted something, but it was still satisfying to be right and to see the story go there (sorry vague, can't spoil!)

As I stated yesterday, this book also had strong Christian fiction themes running throughout the book. It fit with the character of River and Tony, but even still for me it was distracting from the mystery. The mystery is still good and I will read the next one, but just needed to share.

I am excited that we don't have to wait too long for book three to arrive, as it will be here this summer!

Cold Threat is the second installment of the Ryland & St,Clair series. I hadn't read the first book before I read this one and I followed along nicely. Now that I know this is the second book, I can see where there were things that would've been better explained had I read the first book first. Definitely is a cliff hanger...there will be a third book of that, I'm sure!

This book was a slow-moving mystery/thriller. I wish the thriller portion of the book was more evident throughout the book instead of just the last two chapters. However, that is really the only even slightly negative thing I have to say about the book. Great empathetic characters, the story of River and Tony is adventuresome, and I love the friendship that is beautifully building. The story is very slow moving and I'm not complaining about that because it built amazing friendships and relationships within the books. I felt like there was time to get to know the characters and their surroundings, what they liked and didn't like. I would warn that if you have rape, kidnap, burn victim or abuse triggers then steer clear of this series. Other than those warnings, this is a wonderfully written clean mystery excellently done by Nancy Mehl.

I am giving 3 stars because I wanted more for the thriller aspect, but that is the only reason.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nancy Mehl, and Bethany House Publishers for the chance to read this arc e-version in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have enjoyed every Nancy Mehl story that I have read, which is just about every book she has written. While I loved the FBI profiler stories, I am also enjoying this series, with the on going mystery that is woven into the series, and the PI angle.

I am always drawn to this author for her chilling plots and unpredictable conclusions. This book hooks the reader in the first pages with a chilling scene from the killer’s point of view, which I think is a great way start of a story! While this book does have a great plot and the characters were likable and capable I felt like it read really slowly. It took me a long time to read this book! I think it likely is due to the fact that there seemed to be minimal dialogue and a lot of explanation of actions. There was a heavy focus placed on Tony’s family and their relationship with River, and a lot of emphasis on the faith thread in this story. Now, none of those things are bad, but it did seem to read less like a suspense book than the typical stories I am used to from this author. The characters seemed to get sidetracked from writing their cold case profile and moved over to the investigative side of things. They basically solved the crime instead of writing the profile which wasn’t the most compelling story. I wanted this one to move a bit quicker and I wanted to feel more in the moment suspense and it just didn’t deliver on those points.

Twenty years ago, a serial arsonist known as the Snowman murdered several people before torching their homes in Des Moines, Iowa. Two decades later, it seems that the Snowman is back, this time in Burlington, but the police aren’t convinced it’s the same killer. Private investigators and former behavioral analysts with the FBI, River Ryland and Tony St. Clair, are brought in by Tony’s detective father to construct a profile of the arsonist so they can find him before any more homes are burned or lives are lost.☃️

Nancy Mehl’s more recent books have been a little hit or miss for me, but I really enjoyed this second book in her Ryland & St. Clair series! This book picks up right after the end of book one, and it had me hooked from the prologue. I love a good psychotic villain, and Nancy definitely delivers on that (twice over!). I think River and Tony are great partners, and I appreciate the big focus on their faith, especially for River. While this is definitely romantic suspense, the romance is a very slowww burn. This is book two, and while some feelings are admitted to, nothing has been acted on so far. So, if you prefer more suspense than romance in your books, you’d probably like this series. This was a really great book, and I can’t wait to read the conclusion to this story later this year!🧡

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A big thank you to Bethany House Fiction for sending me this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.📘

This is an easy to read, decent thriller about 2 ex FBI agents who have set up a detective agency and who become involved in a cold case via one of the characters dad.

It’s got Christian themes running through it and obvious attraction between the two lead characters. My challenge with it was the pace…..it’s sooooo slow and not much happens.

There’s nothing to offend and it’s an easy read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House publishers for the opportunity to preview.

Cold Threat the second book in the Ryland & St. Claire series by Nancy Mehl will keep you guessing until the end, “who done it” if you will.

River Ryland and Tony St. Claire, are former FBI profilers. After both are attacked and injured they leave the FBI and started a Private Investigator business. Tony’s dad, a policeman, ask for their assistance on a case that everyone else thinks is solved. Using their profiling training they also can’t help but investigate the more they examine the evidence.

Nancy keeps you guessing as she leads you through the story. I like that it’s suspense but not one incident after the other. Now I can hardly wait for the third and final book of the series.

I highly recommend this and any of Nancy’s books.

River Ryland and Tony St. Clair have been called in by Tony’s police officer father to investigate a cold case that involves murder and arson. It looks like the killer might have begun again, how can they be stopped before anyone else dies? The details, the way the evidence was reexamined, and people were interviewed as part of the investigation made me feel like I was watching a TV show. It was just enough without dragging the story out.

I always feel like a real detective if I can figure out clues along the way. This time I was able to do just that. There were a few questions about the previous case and the threat to River that still is there left you hanging. I am looking forward to the next book.

I enjoyed the discussions River and Tony, and eventually his family had about God and the power of forgiveness and emotional healing. Difficult topics were addressed and I thought were empowering to me as a reader.

Cold Threat is the second book in FBI Profiler Series. If you haven’t read the first book, enough information is given in the second book that it can be read as a standalone. However, not all of the details are given, so you may miss some aspects that are discussed because of the history of River and Tony.

I received a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion.

This is the second novel in a series and like the first one, has as much about the characters and personal lives of the investigators as it does solving a murder. The novel includes quite a bit of character thought and dialogue about previous events in their lives and how they are dealing with them. This novel also includes a very clear and prominent Christian message of faith.

Mehl covers several issues in this novel including whether Christians should be in law enforcement and how God might give us information through dreams. Forgiveness is also an important topic.

While there are hints of danger included, there is little suspense until the very end. Most of the investigative part of the story deals with River and Tony creating a profile while visiting his parents and helping his father solve an old murder. The murderer may again be active so the investigative duo is under pressure to identify the villain before more die.

This is a good novel for readers who like one focusing on the characters as much or more than the investigative work involved. I am invested in the ongoing story of River and Tony and the possibility of a budding romance so will be looking for the next in the series.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This was my first book by the author, and I really appreciated that, even though this was the second book in the series (and I haven’t read the first yet), it felt like a stand-alone novel and did a great job on recapping book one’s main events so that I could easily track what was happening. There were some really great Christian themes in here, and as far as the romance goes, you can’t get much cleaner than this. However, the pacing of this book was really…slow. Nothing really happened until 90% into the book, when the big reveal + showdown came, but even then, it was very anti-climatic and happened so quickly. For a thriller, this book didn’t have much until the very end for a few pages, which was disappointing. My three-star review is a reflection of the slow pacing and uneventful plot and nothing against the content. This book was super clean and, again, had some great themes in there :)

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of Cold Threat. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

Cold Threat by author Nancy Mehl is a book that you absolutely will not want to put down until all the mysteries are solved. This writer is very adept at making her characters come to life as you read. River and Tony and his parents and the villains are going to be living in your thoughts. Also Mehl sets the scene in such a way that you will smell the fire, hear it crackling and popping, and see it blaze. There are twists and turns in Cold Threat that I never saw coming. I enjoyed reading about the faith of River, Tony and his parents. There are themes of trust and forgiveness flowing through the book. Also the book deals with dementia in a straightforward but loving way. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Cold Vengeance. I highly recommend this superb romantic suspense.
I received a complimentary copy through the publisher and am sharing my opinion of this well-written book,

Another thrilling story in the Ryland and St. Clair series by Nancy Mehl.

The second story picks up right after the first book and takes off on another mystery involving a serial killer. This time, Tony and River are helping Tony’s father, Ray, a detective in a different state profile a serial killer that began murdering his victims twenty years prior.

Ray’s theories that the serial killer is still on the loose falls on deaf ears at his department. That’s where Tony and River have been asked to help profile this killer and prove there’s a murderer on the loose and his next victim may be killed soon.

The new characters introduced in this story were a wonderful addition to the series. Meeting Tony’s family unraveled a lot of truth in River’s life and allowed her to understand what true forgiveness really means.

With strong faith elements, a tangled web of mysteries, and the continuation of the Stangler’s accomplice this book is an edge of your seat read.

Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House for an advanced reader copy of this book to honestly read and review. All opinions are my own.
Publication date is Jan. 23, 2024

This is book 2 in the series, but can be read as a standalone. I haven't read book 1 and I was perfectly fine without it.

Although this is a serial killer crime novel, it's not too intense and really can appeal to a wider audience.

I really enjoyed this page turner and I hope to read book 2 and I look forward to more by this author.

This is one of those books that is not just relaxing fiction but it is touching your heart. The faith nuggets throughout is just mind-blown inspiring! Tony and River went through a terrible ordeal. But what do they do with the lessons learned? Ho do they impact other's lives? Will  they identify what makes them stronger? Will they see the love right in front of them? Will they be able to best evil again? I simply cannot wait for the next book in the series!!

Nancy Mehl never disappoints. I think I held my breath during that final scene! This volume of the series continues the story of Tony and River and focuses quite a lot on their budding relationship and Tony’s family. I felt that it was a bit slow at times but I enjoyed the suspense and admired how they did the profiling of the UNSUB and how they came to the correct conclusions. I also liked how Ms Mehl so seamlessly incorporated the faith elements as River grew spiritually. Can’t wait for the next instalment to know how it concludes!

4 star.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This was my first Nancy Mehl and she surely knows how to write a good thriller. Cold Threat is fast paced, intriguing and well written . It follows Tony and River who head to Des Moines to help or dispute Tony's father theory who believes that a serial killer has started killing again. The serial killer would leave behind a snowman ornament hanging ominously on a tree in the victims' front lawns. Fast-paced, quite interesting while keeping the theme of family at the center. I loved it!

This is the second book in the Ryland and St. Clair investigator series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed the depth of the characters in this suspense thriller, with more information provided about both Tony St. Clair and River Ryland. Tony and River travel to a small town in Iowa where Tony’s father Ray is trying to solve the mystery of a serial killer who seems to have followed him when he and his wife moved. The killer has a signature of a snowman hanging near the crime scene, a horrific scene where the victims are left inside a burning home. River and Tony are called upon to use their skills as former FBI profilers to help Ray find the serial killer once and for all and put him away. The novel is a propulsive read as the tension crackles and gets closer and closer to harming favorite characters. With nail-biting suspense and an increasingly creepy villain, this story’s intricate plot threads are woven together masterfully. The writing is sharp, with dynamic and realistic characters who don’t mince words and say what they feel. The plot is fast-moving and edgy, with multiple layers and more than a few red herrings for the readers like me who enjoy guessing who the villain is. The story is a page turner that kept me guessing all the way to the exciting and surprising finale. I loved every minute that I spent with Tony, River and Tony’s lovable family. The characters were so realistic that I felt that I was with them in the situation and felt compelled at times to advise them how to act. This is a brilliantly written and suspense-filled Christian fiction novel and the author does a masterful job of weaving faith into the story. I was captured by the characters, the plot and the faith foundation and loved every minute I spent with these investigators who are intuitive and remarkably well suited to be partners in their new agency.
I am already looking forward to the next book in the series, and although this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend that you not miss a single page of this intriguing series.
Disclaimer
DIsclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Cold Threat by Nancy Mehl is the second book in the Ryland and St. Clair series, and I advise reading the first book in the series. The detective agency is tasked with investigating a series of arsons and murders allegedly committed over twenty years by the Snowman, a serial killer who leaves a snowman ornament as their calling card. This second book is even better than the first as Mehl explores more of the forgiveness journey and growing love between the two main characters. When is book #3 coming out?

LOVED this book. Her writing, characters, raw emotion, chilling suspense, and honesty are perfect!

This is the second book, It can be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend reading the first book.

Christmassy atmosphere. As the snow starts falling, the Snowman seeks revenge.

Tony's father, Head Detective Ray St. Clair, is nearing retirement and he wants to close some of his cold cases. He seeks Tony and River's help in investigating one such case from twenty years ago, which involves the Snowman Killer. As they delve into the case files, they discover that the killer may be closer than they initially thought.

This book is a fast-paced and engaging read with characters that are sure to touch your heart. The writing style is simple yet effective, making the overall flow of the story feel very smooth. The suspense plot is intriguing, providing glimpses of who might be behind it all, but not revealing the true culprit until almost the very end. The final twist was completely unexpected and added extra excitement to the story. POV: River, Tony, and the serial killer.

Christian fiction and suspense with a hint of romance...The book's theme revolves around guilt and the process of forgiveness despite the lack of willingness.

This is a captivating read with well-written characters, engaging dialogue, and a thrilling plot. I'm eagerly anticipating the next book.

Posting Reviews: Goodreads and BookBub immediately and on Amazon and Barnes & Noble publication date.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cold Threat
Christian Romantic suspense
#2 in the Ryland and St. Clair series

The weather isn't the only thing 'cold' in St. Louis this winter!

Suffering from PTSD after a case went horribly wrong and unable to continue as a behavioural analyst for the FBI, River Ryland moves to St. Louis for a fresh start. In addition to being closer to her aging mother, River is pulled by the invitation to start a detective agency with her former FBI partner, Tony St. Clair.

As Tony’s dad, Head Detective Ray St. Clair is edging towards retirement, he wants to tie up loose ends and needs fresh eyes to look over some of his cold cases. Tony and River are given a cold case from 24 years ago, featuring the Snowman Killer. As they dig into the files, they soon realize that the killer is closer than they think. Can they uncover his identity and stop him before he strikes again?

A few things to consider:

1) It can stand alone. I unknowingly jumped into this series at book two…but didn’t realize it until I’d finished the book. So, if you’re wondering if it can stand alone…it worked for me. That being said, I enjoyed it immensely and will be reading book 1 and putting in a pre-order for book 3.

2) It features a serial killer. It wasn’t creepy. He randomly appeared in the narrative and readers get to see things from his point of view, but I couldn’t figure out who it was until closer to the end. I loved this as it increased the tension immensely.

3) It’s a Christian fiction novel. It’s a clean read (language and romance) and with references to verses from the Bible.

Although the theme of this book is being ‘lost,’ it also touches on:
🔎 questioning true humility
🔎 dealing with immense guilt
🔎 fighting evil
🔎 vengeance
🔎 forgiveness; how you forgive someone when you don’t feel like it.
🔎 letting go and letting God; putting things in His hands

I appreciated the point that wisdom from God is always peaceful, but most often our reactions to the wisdom aren’t.

The treacherous circumstances, tension, mystery, and love interest held my attention. River’s questioning faith and the manner in which the author dealt with it, was the ribbon that tied it all together. The masterful plotting, authentic characterization and interaction, and chilling suspense had me putting this new-to-me author on my auto-read list.

I was gifted this copy by Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.