Wow! What a way to finish a series! This book is really good. There are some twists and turns in this mystery, and some new characters this time. I think this is my favorite story of the 3. What an ending! If you like mystery/suspense written from a Christian perspective, you'll love this!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This was the first book I’ve read from this author, and I really enjoyed it. It had a believable plot, likable characters, and plenty of action. I’ll be reading the rest of this series, for sure.

Nancy Mehl's Cold Vengeance serves as a captivating conclusion to her thrilling series, offering readers a satisfying end to the saga of River and Tony. Their journey has been so engaging that witnessing their story come to a close is both thrilling and bittersweet. The novel’s plot, with its central mystery involving a missing podcaster, keeps readers on their toes, as Mehl masterfully navigates an unpredictable narrative. I loved wathcing River and Tony work through the cold cases that the podcaster was working on. Additionally, the series-long enigma of the Strangler serial killer continues to weave tension and intrigue throughout the story as he works to wreak his vengeance on River. While Cold Vengeance can be read as a standalone, immersing yourself in the entire series is highly recommended for a richer, more compelling experience. This book—and the series as a whole—comes with my strong endorsement for fans of gripping mysteries and well-crafted suspense.

Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl is the third book in the Ryland and St. Clair series. Mehl wraps up the serial killer that has been after the private investigators in the previous two books while adding in another case of a missing podcaster. I would recommend reading the first two books before reading this one.

Cold Vengeance is the final book in the Ryland and St. Claire series. This reader has missed the previous two titles but that did not impact the reading of this fast-paced book. It is a solid entry into the romantic suspense genre. The plot is fast-paced and the suspense on who was responsible for April's disappearance kept the book engaging for this reader. The relationship between River and Tony is sweet and believable and even with out the backstory from the two previous titles, Ms. Mehl wrote Cold Vengeance so that any reader could quickly begin rooting for this couple. Recommend Cold Vengeance to any romantic suspense fan, but encourage them to pick up Cold Pursuit first so the ride is really enjoyable! This reader can't wait to read the previous two titles to fill in the backstory of River and Tony.

Cold Vengeance is the final book in a 3-part series by Nancy Mehl. Romantic suspense is the genre, and Mehl delivers on both. The novels feature River Ryland and Tony St. Clair, FBI behavioral analysts turned private investigators. The series follows the two as they tackle cold cases. There’s also a serial killer who stalks River through the 3 books — complex plotting reigns! I especially liked Cold Vengeance not only because the mystery that has been present throughout the series is finally revealed, but because River and Tony investigate their hardest case to date — a missing podcaster who also investigates cold cases. Besides looking for April Bailey, River and Tony delve into April’s cold cases. Sound complicated? It is a bit, but I loved how Mehl handled the various story lines — I was never confused and always engaged. The romance side of the story develops naturally. There is chemistry between the two main characters from the beginning, but it’s not rushed, making it feel true to life. Relationships is a big theme in Cold Vengeance. The author looks at the positives and the negatives, showing how every action impacts the growth of an individual. The most important relationship one can have, the one with God, is presented as well. The spiritual themes are strong and woven seamlessly within the narrative.

Of all the books in this series, Cold Vengeance is my favorite. It really should not be read by itself though, so you are in luck — lots of great reading ahead! I’m also hoping this will not be the last we see of River and Tony, and April really needs her own series too!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl is everything I’d hoped it would be. The third book in the series helped tie up lots of loose ends that I really wanted to learn. I especially loved how River and Tony grew emotionally and spiritually.
The suspense kept me coming back for more and the characters sucked me in. I recommend this for readers of clean romantic suspense.

By far the best book in the series and the best book I have read by Nancy Mehl! Cold Vengeance is a must read for fans of Christian Fiction!

River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are retired from the FBI after years of being there and leaving after a nasty case affected them both. Now they have their own private investigators office and are working to help solve cold cases in their hometown while River also helps take care of her mother who is having memory issues. They are tasked with a case after a crime podcaster goes missing and her boyfriend knows she is still alive and would never leave him. This case becomes more and more complicated with each turn. Not only are they trying to locate the missing podcaster, but they are also dealing with an enemy who has been after them for years. In order to survive, they will have to trust each other like never before.

Cold Vengeance was a great read. I loved the way it played out, especially the last few chapters wrapping things up nicely for the series. In a way I’m sad to see this series end, it has been one of the better romantic suspense ones I have read in a long time. It seems that a good portion of the romantic suspense out now is a formula that is all the same, I was pleased to really enjoy this one from start to finish. River is a great female protagonist and I enjoyed following along with her as she and Tony got closer with each case. I would recommend this book to fans of Christian romantic suspense for a great series with fun characters and lots of twists and turns.

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

While still worried about a serial killer, ex-FBI profilers River and Toby have opened a detective agency in St. Louis. Hoping to specialize in cold cases they are thrilled when one walks in their door - a young woman missing for several months. Their current case, the dangerous serial killer and their private lives combine to provide an excellent Christian suspense.

I absolutely loved this book! I loved the characters River and Tony, I loved the Christian themes, and I love the non-stop action packed book. River already has a target on her back from a serial killer, and Tony will stop at nothing to protect her. Together they investigate the disappearance of a crime podcaster, April. The ending was such a twist and the entire novel left you on the edge of your seat! I have read almost all of Nancy Mehl's novels and I love them all!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

The conclusion to the Ryland & St. Clair triolgy will have readers on the edge of their seats as the duo searches for a missing podcaster. Readers will want to read the first two books to thoroughly enjoy the series. River and Tony make a great team solving crimes but will they ever admit their love for each other? Loved the detective work by using the research of the missing podcaster. The constant threat of the serial killer after River certainly added tense moments. Great series with the powerful message of forgiveness. Highly recommended!

A killer will enact his final cold vengeance...

Wow! I think Cold Vengeance has got to be the most exciting and flat out best romantic suspense book that I've read in while. Of course, I've really come to expect this quality from Nancy Mehl as she delivers every time.

The Ryland & St. Clair series has proven that rule three times over without disappointment. And though I am sorry to be saying goodbye to River and Tony – and Watson – I can say that Cold Vengeance is a humdinger of a series finale. Mysteries within mysteries that lead to danger and shocking revelations kept me on the edge of my seat and trying to guess who exactly was guilt of what.

This third and final Ryland & St. Clair novel was a lot of fun to read and I couldn't seem to put it down. There were some romantically sweet moments for our two leads as well as some poignant ones revolving around the slow decline of a loved one to Alzheimers. Through those moments author Nancy Mehl really brought the story together in a moving way. And after turning that last page I will be both thinking about it and the characters for awhile as well as anxiously awaiting wherever the author takes us next....

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl - 4 Stars
(Book 3 in the Ryland & St. Clair Series)

Such a great conclusion to this series! As always, Nancy does not disappoint! She writes great Christian suspense stories! This is the 7th Nancy book I have read and each time, each book is engaging with compelling characters, an intricate plot and a seamless integration of faith and suspense. She also gives the perspective of the killer in her books and that gives insight to the reader to try and figure things out along the way and know more in depth about the situations at hand.

In this conclusion in the Ryland and St. Clair Series, we see River and Tony investigate the case of a missing crime podcaster, as well as wrap up events that have occurred throughout the series. Since this is book 3, you should read these in order because it would spoil books 1 and 2.

Seeing River and Tony's friendship grow to a romance throughout the series has been great. They truly care about one another and are always there for each other.

I also loved seeing River's faith developments throughout this series. She learned to trust in the Lord and both her and Tony shared many prayers and faith moments together.

You will be hooked in this series from beginning to end -- highly recommend for anyone who is looking for a great Christian suspense!

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

4.5 stars

Reading the final book in a series like Mehl’s Ryland & St. Clair novels carries with it a mixed bag of emotions. On the one hand, I really don’t want my time with these characters to be over just yet. Tony and River – and even River’s mother Rose and Rose’s caregiver Mrs. Weyland – are so multilayered and engaging that I can’t help but be deeply invested in them. But on the other hand, I have also been deeply invested in solving the identity of – and capturing – the guy who’s been after River since the first book & the case that had them leaving the BAU and becoming private investigators in the first place. AND my KissingBooks heart has been waiting oh-so-impatiently for River and Tony to admit their feelings for one another because this is what I live for, of course. So… my giddiness at knowing that Nancy Mehl would likely wrap up these two plot arcs in this third and final book, Cold Vengeance, outweighed my sadness at saying goodbye to these great characters. (Mostly.)

But THEN…. then, the author had to go and weave in a fascinating case involving a missing true crime podcaster and the unsolved crimes she had profiled… and I was deeply invested for a whole different reason. I found the various dimensions to this new mystery so compelling, strong enough to carry the book on its own merit, that even if you haven’t been following the series from the beginning I still think you’ll find this book impossible to put down. (But do read the whole series all the way through if you can, because some significant developments in this novel won’t be as jaw-dropping without that background.) Is this podcaster still alive after all? If so, where is she? Who is behind her disappearance? Someone close to her? Someone who thinks she was getting too close to the truth on one of the cases she was researching? Each layer that the author reveals (courtesy of River & Tony’s own investigation) just captivated me even further, and Mehl’s trademark stunning ‘I didn’t see that coming even though I thought I was watching for it’ twists reminded me yet again why I love her books so much.

Bottom Line: Cold Case Vengeance by Nancy Mehl – and really the whole Ryland & St. Clair series – has something for nearly every reader. Strong faith thread? Check. Disturbed serial killer(s)? Check. Sweet romance? Check. Family drama? Compelling crimes to solve? Edge-of-your-seat danger? Check. Check. Check. I’ve loved every story with River and Tony, but this third one is hands-down my favorite. Mehl’s strong plotting skills and engaging writing voice kept me glued to the pages, and the meaningful (and practical) faith journeys she takes her characters on touched my heart. Granted, the faith thread gets a bit sermon-y in a couple of places but it tracks with the characters’ development across the series so I didn’t mind the story-pausing so much in this case. If you are looking for wonderful characters and a tightly-written suspense novel that also points you to Jesus, make sure you read Cold Vengeance as soon as possible! (And while you can read it as a standalone, I think your reading experience will be that much better if you start with book one first)

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Tony and River are on a fresh case but their heckles are still raised knowing that River is still in a madman’s crosshairs. The memories of what she’s been through continue to accost her mind and she tries to focus and move on, each painful memory torturous, but your girl is a fighter and pushes through to the bitter end.

Though I haven’t had a chance to read the first two novels in this series, yet the author does a wonderful job of interweaving parts of the first two installments into this narrative. It gives the reader a taste of what has happened in the past while flowing right along with the current investigation, so you never feel left out of the loop.

I really liked the organic banter between Tony and River. It’s clear that they have a chemistry that feels natural and have a great deal of respect and admiration for one another without being over the top. I appreciated how both of them used their faith to hold one another up, even quoting Scripture for strength. These moments were quite powerful to me.

The multilayers of this story are what really made this novel stand out. Having the cold cases interwoven into the missing person case was great and the serial killer stalker was the horrifying cherry on top and took it to a whole other level. Once I hit the halfway mark, I could not put it down and read it straight through to the end. The only thing I regret is not reading the first two novels in this series first! This was a fantastic read with a satisfying ending and is a clean Christian suspense that I highly recommend.

Cold Vengeance is the third in the Ryland and St. Clair series. The books should be read in order, as River and Tony discuss events/cases that happened in previous books.

"Her will to fight was fueled more by fear than resolve, but it was all she had left."

From the first sentence, I was hooked. What was going on? Who is she? The next chapter starts with the bad guys' perspective. He makes his intent clear, and the scene makes me wonder if his target is the one held captive in that first line.

River and Tony work together and the series follows them from case to case. In Cold Vengeance a thread continues from a previous case. The story has a lot going on and sometimes I found it difficult to keep straight. The reveal connected all the threads of the story quite nicely.

River and Tony have been friends throughout the series and they have the slowest of slow start toward a romance. It was great seeing their friendship evolve throughout the series, and how they supported each other through their trials.

Thank you to JustReads Publicity, Net Galley, and the author for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! This book is a faith-filled thrill ride and the perfect conclusion to River and Tony’s story. In this final book in the Ryland and St. Clair series, River and Tony are investigating a missing podcaster, April Bailey at the request of her boyfriend Nathan. They begin to methodically research and end up delving into the cold cases that she covered in her podcast. This novel is a propulsive thriller and impossible to put down. Expertly crafted to weave faith into the storylines, Cold Vengeance is multi-layered and a gripping tale with escalating tension as the story unfolds. The second layer is one of family and relationships as River struggles with forgiving her father for walking out on her mom. This is heart touching and so realistic that I found myself praying for her to do the right thing before I reminded myself that she is a fictional character. The third layer is the helper of the Salt River Strangler who is still stalking River; the danger that he presents to her life is always there, just beneath the surface, as Tony won’t even let her out of his sight. Tony makes a good, determined protector and even shows his vulnerable side when he is personally attacked. I enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters and their humorous banter. I really liked River’s endurance and steadfast faith as she faces the unimaginable. I especially enjoyed the glimpses of the villains and the clues they gave me into who the perpetrator was. This is intriguing, complex and brilliantly written Christian fiction that balances faith with action and suspense with romance in a masterful way.
Disclaimer
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, but I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”

What a chilling conclusion to Nancy Mehl’s Ryland & St. Clair series! Cold Vengeance continues the search for the accomplice of the Salt River Strangler by private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair while investigating a new case of the disappearance of a popular podcaster. River is still haunted by her previous experiences with the strangler and escalating threats as they work on their new case make them wonder if there might just be a connection.

Nancy Mehl has once again given her readers a thriller that will make them wonder what is coming next. Well rounded characters and vivid imagery are blended with just the right amount of action, danger, romance, and faith to make Cold Vengeance a satisfying read. Multiple twists and surprises led to a most satisfying finale. I also enjoyed watching as the relationship of River and Tony developed as they faced ever increasing danger.

I would definitely recommend Cold Vengeance but suggest beginning with the first book and reading the entire series to get the entire story.

This one was much better! I still think maybe I'm just not the right audience, but this book was definitely an improvement over the first in the trilogy. This one also had the unique privilege of being the conclusion and allowed for River to look back at the previous cases and experience she's had in the field. From her time with Tony to an FBI agent to now, a lot has happened, and this chance to work through how those things brought it full circle and getting to see River contemplate that and just what brings her and her partner Tony to this exciting finale was fun to see. I also found this book overall much more enjoyable and palatable than the first! I actually found myself enjoying the story, the mystery was interesting, but seeing Tony and River working together as a team, and seeing River finally accept the life she was always meant for was a wonderful story in itself, and was really my favorite part of this one!

Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl is the third book in her heart pounding, page turning series, Ryland & St. Clair. I would not read this as a standalone book. The first two books are just as good as this, and they really are essential in terms of character development and appreciating the overarching unsolved case in the series. Trust me! These thrillers are amazing!

Cold Vengeance is my favorite novel in this series because it brings closure and peace to problems presented in the other two. The case in this one is that of a missing crime podcaster. I really like listening to true crime podcasts, but I read so much that I don’t listen to them much. In this case, the podcaster was looking into several cold cases and stumbled upon one that put her in danger. I just could not put this down! The suspense in this book will keep you flipping the pages. I loved the unexpected twists, and I was kept guessing until the end. Since this book wraps up the series, you get double the twists and turns!

Though suspense is the driving force of the series, it’s the characters that make these novels so moving. I had all the feelings reading Cold Vengeance! This one has the strongest spiritual message about forgiveness. I won’t get into the details because it would spoil stuff for you, and you need to read it! It brought me to tears. There are many heartwarming moments, and there’s more romance in this than the others. If you’re a cryer, be prepared!

I highly recommend Cold Vengeance as well as Cold Pursuit and Cold Threat (which are essential to character development). You’ll love the suspense, characters, and romance! Five huge stars!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.