I always love Nancy Mehl’s suspense novels, and Cold Vengeance did not disappoint! While you could probably read this one as a stand-alone, I really recommend you read the entire series so that you can get the full story and better appreciate the growth and change that has taken place in both River’s and Tony’s lives. Plus, why read only one when you can read all three??

Cold Vengeance is probably my favorite book in the series. River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are approached by a young man looking for his missing girlfriend, who happens to be a cold-case crime podcaster. As they work together to find the missing girl, they continue to deal with a serial killer who has set his sights on River.

I love the relationship that Tony and River have. They are best friends and work well together, while pushing each other to grow and holding each other accountable. And, of course, I love that they have been slowly and sweetly falling in love with each other!

This series is a great read for anyone looking for clean, romantic suspense novels. I highly recommend them!

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

I have enjoyed River and Tony, the two main characters of this series and seeing their relationship grow throughout. They not only make a great investigative team, but a terrific couple.They have each other’s back and want the best for each other.

The disappearance of April, a cold case podcaster, leads River and Tony to not only to try and locate her but also to review all of the cases she was investigating. This was interesting and unique to the story since they helped solve the majority of them based upon the work that April had previously completed. What happened to April and who was behind her vanishing provided an unexpected twist.

The killer who has been after River and Tony is lurking in the background. It was interesting to see River facing her fear of confronting the killer again. Her faith was strong and really helped her to be able to overcome that which has haunted her. There were some tense moments that I wasn’t sure what was going to be the outcome.

If you are a fan of Christian romantic suspense, I highly recommend reading this series. You will want to read the other two books in the series before reading this one since it is a continuation.

I voluntarily reviewed this complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher, NetGalley, and Just Read Tours. All views are my opinion in which I was not required to write a review.

I have enjoyed the previous books in this series and love how the author wrapped things up. It seems like there is a lot going on that needs to be wrapped up, with the on going serial killer after them and then a missing cold case podcast host. I love how their search for the host brings in some of that person's cases. This was a unique mystery that I enjoyed.

"Sacrificing yourself for me could kill us both.”

This was going to be my first book by this author (which would also make it my first book in this series). However, after I read a few pages I decided to see if I could quickly grab the first two books to read first. I did not regret that decision. These books are highly intertwined and reading the third without the first two would leave out so much buildup. It also took me a bit to flesh out her writing style and gain my bearings about timelines of events. I’m glad that I was able to do it on the other books so I was prepared for this one.

This book was the end to a trilogy. I liked the buildup throughout the series with the extra simmering suspense in the background. I felt like everything came together all at once a little conveniently and that’s why I knocked off a star.

I enjoyed this Christian Thriller with Romance trilogy. It was a great into to this author and I’m looking forward to going and reading her backlist. The best friends angle was very well done. These characters have gone through trauma in their FBI BAU past and they are working through things, with God in faith, as they work to get their new private investigator business off the ground. The focus on cold cases was a cool way to get more law enforcement and suspense into the story. River’s mother has Alzheimer’s and I believe that it was represented very well. The romance definitely wasn’t a huge aspect of this book, but more something that was simmering in the background.

I received an ARC of this book via Just Read Tours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

When a popular true crime podcaster goes missing, her boyfriend turns to River Ryland and Tony St. Clair, behavioral analysts turned private investigators, for help in finding her. As they look into the podcaster’s recent episodes and investigations, they realize she was on the verge of solving several deadly cold cases and that one of these killers might have wanted to take her out before their crimes were revealed. At the same time, an enemy from River and Tony’s past has them in his sights and is preparing to finally take them down for good.🎙️

Cold Vengeance is the finale of Nancy Mehl’s Ryland & St. Clair series, and I was so glad to finally get closure on the case that prompted River and Tony to become private investigators (and to finally see them admit their feelings to each other!). Like the last two books, this book is chock full of suspense as you follow not one but two different cases, and the romance between the main characters is a very slow burn, so if you don’t love a lot of romance with your suspense, this series would be perfect for you. I also appreciated how prominent a role the characters’ faith plays in this book and in the whole series. If you’re looking for a newly completed suspense series with psycho villains and a strong faith thread, check out Cold Pursuit, Cold Threat, and Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl!💚

Release Date: July 16, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

Cold Vengeance is the third book in the Ryland and St. Clair series. While each book in the series has it's own unique story at the center of it and could probably still be enjoyed as a standalone, there are also some things that carry throughout the series as well. As such, I think readers will best be able to appreciate it when read in order.

Nancy Mehl does such a wonderful job of creating suspense stories that will absolutely keep you on the edge of your seat. This was absolutely no exception. River and Tony find themselves investigating the disappearance of a podcaster who digs into cold cases... and as such, we're giving peeks at a lot of different crimes and a lot of potential suspects to keep us guessing. There were definitely twists and turns throughout that kept me guessing to the end. We also get glimpses into the inner thinking of the bad guys... which definitely adds a layer to creepiness to the overall story. All of that darkness is mixed in with messages of faith that help keep things from getting too dark... and I loved seeing River's faith journey throughout the story.

If you love a good romantic suspense, this is absolutely a book and series not to miss!

**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

We don’t forgive people because they didn’t do anything wrong. I think we all have the ability to deceive ourselves. Some more than others.”

I couldn’t put this book down! It’s the best in the series so far; the twists kept me guessing and the author’s ability to showcase God’s power to change people was amazing. I did feel the author’s urgency to communicate her faith message more in this book than the previous two and I was thankful for her persistent prompting. River’s transformation was inspiring.

I was reminded that like April, whose podcast ‘Hot Coffee and Cold Cases’ brings to light the investigations the police have closed due to lack of evidence, God also doesn’t give up on us when we, or others, deem us a hopeless case. The author’s reminders about needing to pray about decisions and the need for forgiveness hit close to home for me. I also haven’t stopped thinking about the line that highlights that there’s no belief system or so-called god in this world who can change people from the inside out as God can.

I love this series and am eagerly anticipating the next installment.

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

This book is adventuresome with a tense story line. I think at times it moved slow but was good. If you like fast paced action with clean story line you will like this book. I had a hard time getting into it at first, but it was good as it went and I had not read any others in the series.
Tense page turner

One thing I love about this series is that you don’t HAVE to read the others to read this one. They could be stand alones. And I love how Nancy adds trusting God within her story plot as well. Shows the importance than when we trust Him, he keeps us safe. Very well balanced story.

Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl is an absolutely cracking contemporary Christian suspense. It is the third book in the Ryland & St Clair series but can be read as a stand-alone. For maximum enjoyment I recommend reading the previous two books first, especially as there is a story thread that runs throughout the three books.
River Ryland is a newly returned Christian. She is learning to trust God to do the things that she cannot. “She… asked God to take over.” Giving God the driving seat of our lives is always a wise thing to do.
We all have a past. Sometimes we are still hurting from our pasts. “When she let God back into her life, healing had begun.” Surrendering our lives to God is always the best thing that we can do.
We all have scars. Some are visible, others are not. “Wounds can leave scars… Give yourself some compassion.” Scars speak of where we have been, not necessarily where we are going. We cannot alter the past but we can learn from it. “I can’t fix the past, but maybe we can build something new.”
God spoke to people in the past and He still speaks today. “God is knowable. He still speaks to people today. I know He’s real. He speaks to me, and He’s answered my prayers. I’m not guessing.” Everyone can know God. We need to give Him our lives and then tune our ears to His heart.
We need to be faithful people of God. “He’d allowed his fear to crowd out His faith.” If we focus on our faith, then our fear will diminish. “The Bible is full of hope, faith … and love.” We need to live lives of love, having a firm foundation built on the promises of God. “She prayed silently, asking God to keep her hope alive.” Without hope, the people perish.
Prayer is important. Prayer connects us to God. We need to live lives that are closely entwined with God.
We see the dreadful disease that is Alzheimer’s. It robs us of our loved ones bit by bit. Sometimes we glimpse the person inside. “This was the mother she’d always wanted.”
All the characters were well drawn and believable. They were easy to empathise with. It was wonderful to see a heart newly reconnected with God.
I have loved all three books in the series. I am hoping for more, more, more!
I received a free copy from Just Read Tours. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I always look forward to books by Nancy Mehl and this one was a nail biter.
A missing podcaster who investigates cold cases has River and Tony on a chase, not only to find April but to dig into those cases. And do not forget the killer who still has them in his sights.
Lots of danger when they did not expect it as well as anticipating the final blow from the villain they know is after them. To complicate things, River’s mom, Rose, has Alzheimers and her dad, who says he is asking for forgiveness, ramps up the pressure to meet with them. Then there is the attraction between River and Tony that neither one wants to acknowledge or discuss.
The author has told a complex story with complicated family dynamics and interesting details about solving cold cases. River and Tony are growing in their faith and the sweet romance is based on respect for each other. This was a satisfying conclusion to the series.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley through Interviews and Reviews. A print copy was obtained on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

Cold Vengeance is the perfect ending to this blockbuster series by Nancy Mehl who knows how to stack up the clues, ramp up the action, and write believable stories that jump off the page.

Ryland and Tony are working their new PI business when they’re brought an intriguing case. A cold case podcaster, April Bailey has disappeared and only her boyfriend is convinced there was foul play.

As they work the clues they are drawn into April’s cases, but is her disappearance connected or is something else at play. Things may get dangerous, but they also can’t forget the partner of the Salt River Strangler is still after Ryland.

Amidst all of this Ryland’s personal life is changing with her mom’s illness, her absent father wanting to reconnect, and her growing feelings for Tony. This is the perfect time to lean into her growing faith and rely on God who can help carry it all.

I loved this book. It drew me into the lives of the characters as though I was there. I highly recommend it.

I was given a copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews and Reviews. This is my honest opinion of the book.