This book is a good easy read. Lots of redundancy in the story narrative which takes away from the main story. The childhood repetition was overdone and unnecessary. There was good focus on the value of family and the relationship as a whole with being willing to forgive and give second chances.

Brooke is a forensic anthropologist who's looking into a case that not only is supposed to be a cold case but might be connected to current bodies. Unwilling to give the shot away to someone else she looks into it with the help of Zeke Daniels a former secret agent who is now on a mission to help protect her she has picked up a stalker. Together they will find the stalker and figure out who is behind the murders.

This is a pretty good book I pretty much devoured it in one day. I just really enjoyed the book and following along as things played out when it came to being stalked and getting closer to figuring out who might be behind this. and it was a pretty good mystery suspense novel I really enjoyed it. I'm also just finding out that this is a part of the series so I'm going to have to look for the previous books because I really enjoyed this one and have high hopes for the previous ones as well as any future books that come up I'll have to keep an eye out.

Cold Case Murder Mystery by Nicole Helm had an intriguing premise, but the story did not live up to it. I started reading Cold Case Murder Mystery and I felt like I was plopped into the middle of the story. The writing style was awkward which made it impossible for me to get into the story. I was not a fan of the main characters (I really did not like Brooke). I did not understand Brooke’s reasoning for not telling the detectives on the case that someone was following her. Instead, she calls Zeke Daniels. You can tell that she really did not want to call him, but feelings for him still exist (which we get to hear about frequently). Of course, we are only told about the feelings (described). The story lacked emotional depth. There is too much repetition of details as well (I do not need the same details repeated ten times). I was unable to get into Cold Case Murder Mystery (it is a story that I read, but it did not engage me). I was happy when I turned the last page. I did not feel that this was a finished story (more liked a first draft). While Cold Case Murder Mystery was not my cup of tea, I have enjoyed other books by Nicole Helm.

his was an intriguing mystery with a second-chance romance. Zeke and Brooke worked with the North Star Operations, where they became more than coworkers. When North Star closed its doors, Zeke walked away from their relationship and bought a ranch in Wyoming. Brooke continued her career as a forensic anthropologist. He recommended Brooke to local law enforcement when bones turned up in a cave near his home (Cold Case Discovery).

Brooke identified those bones and helped catch the killer, but now she has found more bones that are much older. While working on identifying these remains, Brooke believes she is being followed. Despite her past with Zeke, she contacts him about her concerns. Zeke doesn't hesitate to step in to protect her. The tension between the former lovers is palpable as both try to keep their past out of the equation. However, neither can deny the attraction that still exists.

Zeke is determined to keep Brooke safe even though she resists many of his efforts. Brooke is determined to protect her heart, which results in her trying to keep distance between them. This also includes keeping possibly vital information from him, making his job more difficult. During their time together, Zeke slowly realizes that walking away from her was as much to protect himself as her. The question is, can he convince Brooke that he's ready for a different outcome? Can Brooke trust that he won't walk away again?

The suspense of the story was great. From the unexpected identity of Brooke's stalker to the final confrontation in the cave, I couldn't put the book down. When Zeke and Brooke discover a connection to the Sons of the Badlands, a gang North Star thought they'd wiped out, Zeke calls on his old friends for help. The final confrontation regarding the cave bones was creepy, terrifying, and nightmare-inducing. Meanwhile, the blast from the past confrontation outside the cave was intense and exciting.

Cold Case Murder Mystery by Nicole Helm, book seven in the Hudson Sibling Solutions series, is an enjoyable, second chance story with a bit of mystery and intrigue running through it. This is my first book in the Hudson Siblings and I plan to try to read the previous ones. This book immediately grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go until the end.

Brooke and Zeke have a prior history, from their time in the North Star group. When things ended between them, they both walked away hurt, despite Brooke thinking she was the only one who hurt. Brooke, a forensic anthropologist, has been asked to help solve the mystery behind bones found in a cave; possibly a serial killer. When she needs help while working at the excavation site, she reaches out to Zeke as a last resort. He doesn't hesitate to help her or to protect her; even though he still suffers from the pain of walking away from her. He thought he was doing a good thing, but seeing her again makes him wonder if he did it to protect himself instead. From the first time you read about these two being together you can sense the chemistry sizzling between them.

Brooke is truly in danger, being pursued by people who were part of the Sons of the Badland, a gang the North Star group thought they had broken up, once and for all. Zeke becomes protective of Brooke and brings in his friends from the North Star group to help him keep Brooke safe while she does her job-excavating skeletal remains from a cave in the state park. Brooke, Zeke, and the troopers protecting her, are determined to figure out who killed these people and how it went on for so long. One suspect was Jen Rogers guilty of a previous crime in the cave; could others be involved. Brooke had her work cut out for her, but someone will stop at nothing to make sure she can't finish this case.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Harlequin #ColdCaseMurderMystery

Former Marine and rancher Zeke Daniels left North Star Operations and now resides in Sunrise, Wyoming. He was surprised when Brooke Campbell, who had also worked for North Star, contacted him with her concern that she was being followed. As a forensic anthropologist, she has been processing bones that have been found in a local cave. Some of the bones she identified and the killer was found, but now she is finding bones from an earlier time with no idea who they are, who killed them and why. She was once in love with Zeke and only her serious concern for her safety enabled her to contact him. As they discover who is following her, this will lead to questions as to whether her father, who was sentenced to prison, is still there. Before they disbanded, North Star had eliminated The Sons of the Badlands, a group that involved her father. Should they be concerned that some of the members may have escaped? As the attraction once again escalates between Zeke and Brooke, the danger escalates as well. With the help of their friends, will they be able to finally eliminate the threat and have a second chance at love? I appreciate that the author provided enough back story and character description so as to understand both even if you had not read the previous books. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Zeke Daniels has retired as a protection agent to try his hand at the quiet ranching life. His ex-girlfriend that he left with a broken heart, Brooke Campbell, is called in as a forensic anthropologist on a local case. But when Brooke appears to be the target of a stalker, Zeke’s resolve to not step in and protect Brooke fails. They will work together to solve a long cold case that is related to a not so cold recent murder and get a second chance at love.

Quick Thoughts: I’m a bit surprised this was closed door, as the build up to their second chance romance indicated a lot more steam than an abrupt fade to black. That was rather disappointing only because it would serve to show the characters further reconnecting their relationship and sharing some greater emotional intimacy.

The case was interesting and I gather in previous books there may have been related cases that were discussed here. I didn’t feel lost by not having the full backstory, as the writer laid the groundwork effectively.

Although parts of the climax and details on the killer were a bit of a stretch, I still happily went along for the ride on this one. Finished it in one sitting, which speaks to the pacing and engaging story. Will read more in this series and can recommend it as a solid category Romantic Suspense title.
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Harlequin Intrigue (Mar 2025)
Series: Hudson Sibling Solutions #7

LEO: They are both former private operatives that worked outside traditional law enforcement.

Setting: Fictional Small Town Montana

BIPOC Characters: neither main character

Steam/Spice Level: closed door/fade to black

POV: third person, past tense, dual POV, no antagonist POV

Standalone: part of a series, but I read standalone and it was not an issue

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Advanced Reader Copy provided by Harlequin Publishing. Expected publication date: Feb 25, 2025

MCs were in a relationship years prior and also worked for the same secret agency to take down criminals. However, when the agency disbanded 3 yrs prior, so did their relationship as Hero walked away and in turn broke both their hearts.

In the present, Hero recommends heroine for a job as she is a forensic anthropologist who is investigating a serial killer and has found human remains in a nearby cave in a town close to where Hero now lives that may link to the person making all these killings. But when she finds herself in danger, she reaches out to Hero for help and he doesn’t hesitate to protect her and in turn fix things between them because he now realizes he may have been a coward who was trying to protect himself instead of her.

There’s a lot of action and suspense that you normally find in HP Intrigue stories and the romance as always often takes a bit of a backseat and can be lacking & underdeveloped which seems to be the standard these days with Intrigue. Only one author ever made it work and that was HelenKay Dimon with her Corcoran Series. I wish more authors could write like her in the present.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin in exchange for a honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Zeje and Brooke both come from rough backgrounds. They met and fell in love while working undercover but neither was able to commit. When the agency broke up two years ago, everyone went their separate ways.

Zeke returned home and bought a farm to be near his siblings. Brooke continued as a forensic criminologist and when skeletons and bones are found in a series of caves near Zeke, he recommends her for the job. Now they are maneuvering around their past and both looking to the future. Can they overcome the sins of the past to make a future together and are they ready to commit? There's plenty of mystery and suspense with a bit of romance in this book and it's worth reading.

Although I received a free ARC from Net Galley and the publisher, all thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are honest.

This is a second-chance romance. There are multiple dead bodies in a cave, but that is only a part of the mystery. Some tense moments. Good characters. Lots of insight relating to their past experiences in life. Not at all necessary to read the others in this series in order to enjoy this one thoroughly. Of course, once I've read one, I am eager to read them all. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This romantic suspense novel delivers an engaging mix of mystery, action, and second-chance romance. Brooke and Zeke’s history adds emotional depth, while the excavation site and its deadly secrets provide a compelling backdrop for danger and intrigue.

The pacing keeps the tension high, especially as threats against Brooke escalate and the North Star team gets involved. The mystery surrounding the skeletal remains is intriguing, though the balance between the romance and suspense could be stronger—at times, the action overshadows their emotional journey.

Overall, it’s a gripping read for fans of romantic suspense, with a solid blend of danger, unresolved feelings, and a mystery that keeps you turning the pages.

Brooke Campbell is in town to study the bones found in a cave. When she notices she is being followed she calls Zeke Daniels. Brooke and Zeke have a history one which they no longer talk.

They worked together years ago to bring down a dangerous gang. Zeke didn't see a future with Brooke and broke off the relationship.

The caves where she are working are bring in more information on murders from years ago; along with the recent ones.

Great suspense story.

I'm a sucker for any romantic suspense that gives me a former secret agent and a forensic anthropologist. Loved Zeke I mean what's not to love a former secret agent turned rancher. And Brooke the forensic anthropologist that takes no crap from anyone. We need more forensic anthropologist characters in romantic suspense. I think it's a job everyone forgets about.

I was given a chance to read and review this book from the author and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first book by Nicole Helm but won't be my last. I am late to the game involving the Hudson Siblings so I will be going back to catch up. This book immediately sucked me into the life of Brooke who is an anthropologist searching for a serial killer finding clues in a cave. And it happens to land her back into the life of Zeke. You can immediately feel the chemistry between the two. I loved how fast paced this book was and the mystery surrounding it. You will love this book as much as I did!!

Cold Case Murder Mystery is a well written suspense. I enjoyed the plot and the character dynamics. I definitely recommend this fast paced book.

Brooke is a forensic anthropologist called in to unravel the mystery of bones in a cave. Zeke is the man from her past that broke her heart. As she finds herself with more of a mystery than she expected and Zeke steps in to help protect her, their past relationship and work collide for an interesting mystery. I enjoyed the culmination of the Hudson Sibling Solutions story and liked how it tied into another series. Thank you Harlequin and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Loved, loved, loved seeing the North Star gang again in Cold Case Murder Mystery! Brooke and Zeke have a history from their time in the North Star group, and when things ended between them, they both walked away hurt, even if Brooke thought she was the only one. When she needs help while working her new excavation site, she reaches out to Zeke as a last resort, but he doesn't hesitate to protect her despite the pain he still suffers after walking away from her. He thought he was doing it for her own good, but seeing her again makes him wonder if he did it to protect himself.

When it becomes clear that the people after Brooke have something to do with the Sons of the Badland, a gang North Star thought they'd eradicated once and for all, Zeke finds himself drawing in his friends from North Star to help him keep Brooke safe while she does her job-excavating skeletal remains from a cave in the state park. Who killed these people, and how did it go on for so long before the perpetrator was caught? Was Jen Rogers the only one guilty of these crimes or were others involved? Brooke had her work cut out for her, but someone will stop at nothing to ensure she can't finish it.

You won't be disappointed with Cold Case Murder Mystery! If you've read Nicole's North Star Series, you'll smile to see old friends. I highly recommend that you do!

Absolutely loved this one - I jumped into this series with this book and while I could tell there was a lot I was missing, it absolutely didn't affect my enjoyment of the book. I really loved this second-chance romance and the way they worked through the issues that broke them apart in the first place. Since I read this, I've gone back and read the rest of this series and the one before it!

I was really intrigued by the potential of this book, but it really felt like an extended outline of a novel rather than an actual narrative. It lacked any depth of emotion for me, instead it was simply describing what the characters were feeling. It just felt very disconnected to me. Unfortunate.