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Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City #4
Hunting a Killer
Ride along on the riveting cases of the Tactical Crime Division — TCD. An elite team of FBI agents specializing in high-risk threats.
A prison break is a job for the Tactical Crime Division's K-9 unit.
When K-9 handler Selena Lopez discovers her half brother’s a fugitive from justice, she must find him—and his dangerous crew. It’s a good thing that her partner is infuriatingly efficient and handsome lead agent Axel Morrow. But as smart and cunning as the duo may be, it’s a race against time to catch the armed and dangerous criminals before they kill again.
A prison break is a job for the Tactical Crime Division's K-9 unit.
When K-9 handler Selena Lopez discovers her half brother’s a fugitive from justice, she must find him—and his dangerous crew. It’s a good thing that her partner is infuriatingly efficient and handsome lead agent Axel Morrow. But as smart and cunning as the duo may be, it’s a race against time to catch the armed and dangerous criminals before they kill again.
249 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 7, 2021
About the author
Nicole Helm
328 books509 followersNicole Helm is the national bestselling author of fast-paced romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue and down-to-earth contemporary romance. Her Intrigues routinely land on the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list, and she’s received starred PW reviews for her contemporary romances. She’s written over 75 books, known for their emotional depth and happily ever afters.
Nicole also writes with Megan Crane/Caitlin Crews as Hazel Beck writing the Witchlore series, which began with SMALL TOWN, BIG MAGIC in 2022.
In her spare time, Nicole loves losing herself in genealogy research, watching Cardinals baseball, and hiking with her family. She lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons.
You can contact her via email: Nicole@nicolehelm.com
You can sign up for Nicole’s monthly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/V973n
Nicole also writes with Megan Crane/Caitlin Crews as Hazel Beck writing the Witchlore series, which began with SMALL TOWN, BIG MAGIC in 2022.
In her spare time, Nicole loves losing herself in genealogy research, watching Cardinals baseball, and hiking with her family. She lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons.
You can contact her via email: Nicole@nicolehelm.com
You can sign up for Nicole’s monthly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/V973n
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 29, 2021
4.25 Stars / 1.5 Steam Fans
I enjoyed this ending of the Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City and learning about the sisters of the team. There was action and suspense with just a little bit of romance.
Video review available in Week 14: Apr 4 – Apr 10, 2021, full weekly book reviews available on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
I enjoyed this ending of the Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City and learning about the sisters of the team. There was action and suspense with just a little bit of romance.
Video review available in Week 14: Apr 4 – Apr 10, 2021, full weekly book reviews available on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
August 12, 2026
She is his addiction....
Axel and Serena have tried to ignore their chemistry, deny the attraction but Axel reaches the end of his restraint and their passion is a wildfire neither can control. I love seeing Axel and Serena finally get their chance and embrace the love that has been growing between them throughout this series. The hunt they are on is personal for Serena...even when she tries to convince herself it's not. An emotional finale to the series, I listened to this on Audible.
Axel and Serena have tried to ignore their chemistry, deny the attraction but Axel reaches the end of his restraint and their passion is a wildfire neither can control. I love seeing Axel and Serena finally get their chance and embrace the love that has been growing between them throughout this series. The hunt they are on is personal for Serena...even when she tries to convince herself it's not. An emotional finale to the series, I listened to this on Audible.
July 4, 2021
3.5
My least favorite of the series but still solid overall… it just didn’t feel as thrilling as the other books. But Axel?!?! The “finally”?!?! Hot damn!
Pop Culture Readathon Prompt: Eight Legged Freaks (Read a book with phobias)
My least favorite of the series but still solid overall… it just didn’t feel as thrilling as the other books. But Axel?!?! The “finally”?!?! Hot damn!
Pop Culture Readathon Prompt: Eight Legged Freaks (Read a book with phobias)
Read
January 2, 2021Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City (Book #4)
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City (Book #4)
October 28, 2021
Nada memorable.
Easily forgettable.
Easily forgettable.
April 4, 2022
Skip read. Not as good as i wanted it 2B.
March 4, 2021
Good mix of intense suspense and a long-building romance. K-9 handler Serena Lopez gets a shock when the Tactical Crime Division's latest case hits close to home. They must track down a trio of escaped prisoners, one of whom is her half-brother. Her partner for this op is the frustratingly calm and efficient Axel Morrow.
In the series's earlier books, I felt a certain amount of tension between Serena and Axel. That tension becomes more evident in this book as they work together to track the escapees. Serena is well aware of the effect Axel has on her, but a previous workplace relationship turned out badly, so she is wary of giving in to it. Axel is equally attracted to Serena and has his own doubts and conflicting emotions to deal with, which he does by burying them deep.
I liked watching the development of the relationship between Axel and Serena. They've worked together for four years, and their attraction has simmered for almost as long. The intensity of their situation brings the feelings they've hidden so long to the surface. They are also more in tune with each other than either expected, which creates a few uncomfortable moments. Serena learns of the tragic past that set Axel on his FBI path and drives his compulsions when it comes to murderers. She aches for the guilt he feels and sets out to help him overcome it. At the same time, Serena shares her half-brother's story and its effect on her and her family. Axel helps Serena see that she has her own guilty feelings to deal with. One of the things I liked best was the respect each one had for the other's abilities. Axel had his protective feelings toward Serena, but he didn't let it interfere with her doing her job. That became even more Important as they closed in on the fugitives. When it was all over, Axel and Serena had to decide what to do about their future. I loved Axel's confidence in the face of Serena's worry over what their teammates would say. I loved the scene after Axel got out of the hospital and his friend/teammate Max took him home. The epilogue with the post-case party was terrific.
The suspense of the story was excellent. From the moment they learned of the escape, I could feel the TCD's determination to capture the fugitives before they could cross the border. With Axel, Serena, and her dog Blanca in the lead, it was fascinating to watch their plan unfold. The closer they got, the more questions they had about what the fugitives were doing. The first confrontation raised concerns about what kind of outside help they received, while Axel and Serena overheard something alarming. After a break to treat injuries and rest a little, Axel and Serena intensified their pursuit and came up with a plan to separate the bad guys. An unforeseen twist put Serena at the mercy of a man with nothing to lose. I was on the edge of my seat as the scene played out, wondering what would happen. The turning point came from an unexpected source, but it was still a close call.
Another essential part of the story was the relationship between Serena and her sister, Opaline, another TCD member. In the earlier books, the tension between the two women is obvious. In this book, we finally learn that it is rooted in family issues, mainly dealing with their half-brother. The two women's attitudes are very different, and it isn't surprising that they clash. There is a very rough patch near the end, but Opaline comes through, which goes a long way toward redeeming her.
In the series's earlier books, I felt a certain amount of tension between Serena and Axel. That tension becomes more evident in this book as they work together to track the escapees. Serena is well aware of the effect Axel has on her, but a previous workplace relationship turned out badly, so she is wary of giving in to it. Axel is equally attracted to Serena and has his own doubts and conflicting emotions to deal with, which he does by burying them deep.
I liked watching the development of the relationship between Axel and Serena. They've worked together for four years, and their attraction has simmered for almost as long. The intensity of their situation brings the feelings they've hidden so long to the surface. They are also more in tune with each other than either expected, which creates a few uncomfortable moments. Serena learns of the tragic past that set Axel on his FBI path and drives his compulsions when it comes to murderers. She aches for the guilt he feels and sets out to help him overcome it. At the same time, Serena shares her half-brother's story and its effect on her and her family. Axel helps Serena see that she has her own guilty feelings to deal with. One of the things I liked best was the respect each one had for the other's abilities. Axel had his protective feelings toward Serena, but he didn't let it interfere with her doing her job. That became even more Important as they closed in on the fugitives. When it was all over, Axel and Serena had to decide what to do about their future. I loved Axel's confidence in the face of Serena's worry over what their teammates would say. I loved the scene after Axel got out of the hospital and his friend/teammate Max took him home. The epilogue with the post-case party was terrific.
The suspense of the story was excellent. From the moment they learned of the escape, I could feel the TCD's determination to capture the fugitives before they could cross the border. With Axel, Serena, and her dog Blanca in the lead, it was fascinating to watch their plan unfold. The closer they got, the more questions they had about what the fugitives were doing. The first confrontation raised concerns about what kind of outside help they received, while Axel and Serena overheard something alarming. After a break to treat injuries and rest a little, Axel and Serena intensified their pursuit and came up with a plan to separate the bad guys. An unforeseen twist put Serena at the mercy of a man with nothing to lose. I was on the edge of my seat as the scene played out, wondering what would happen. The turning point came from an unexpected source, but it was still a close call.
Another essential part of the story was the relationship between Serena and her sister, Opaline, another TCD member. In the earlier books, the tension between the two women is obvious. In this book, we finally learn that it is rooted in family issues, mainly dealing with their half-brother. The two women's attitudes are very different, and it isn't surprising that they clash. There is a very rough patch near the end, but Opaline comes through, which goes a long way toward redeeming her.
August 8, 2022
This is a great series! The FBI brings in the "big guns" when there is a fugitive or some other large scale investigation. The members of the Tactical Crime Division are brought in to find three prisoners who have escaped. This story is centered around Serena Lopez and her K-9 and lead agent Alex Morrow. Serena's half brother is one of the fugitives from the prison break. This book was action packed from cover to cover as they race against time and the elements as well as injuries to catch the fugitives before anyone else dies. There is also the mystery as to "why" these three prisoners are together which needs to be solved in order to figure out exactly what is going on. Nicole Helm is a great writer who knows how to write suspense and intrigue well. There is a little romance mixed in as well. I only wish there were more books in this series!
July 13, 2023
It's bad enough that one has no real relationship with one's sister, but when one's half-brother is running from the law and he could end up dead, life is pretty bad. So it is with FBI K-9 operative Selena Lopez. Making the chase to find and possibly save her brother even worse is that she's partnered with FBI agent Axel Morrow, whom she's had the hots for for years, but chosen not to do anything about it.
What she doesn't know is that he feels the same about her, but has kept his distance because he doesn't want to make their respective jobs any harder than they already are. And tracking three fugitives in the snow in February in the UP isn't exactly fun, either. What remains to be seen is if they'll be able to catch the bad guys, save Selena's brother and/or act (finally) on their desires for each other. Read on to find out.
What she doesn't know is that he feels the same about her, but has kept his distance because he doesn't want to make their respective jobs any harder than they already are. And tracking three fugitives in the snow in February in the UP isn't exactly fun, either. What remains to be seen is if they'll be able to catch the bad guys, save Selena's brother and/or act (finally) on their desires for each other. Read on to find out.
April 22, 2022
Great ending to this book! This book was so interesting from the budding relationship between Axel and Selena to how all the pieces came together. I enjoyed reading how Axel and Selena fought their attraction for each other and made it work both personally and professionally. I loved that Axel fought for them after knowing ultimately what he wanted; a life with her and her dog, Blanca. I loved the moment that Selena finally gave in. In the beginning I thought I knew Selena, what type of character she was but as I was reading I realized there was more to her and her story. Overall, a great read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2021
Great suspense, good amount of action, some family drama and a dash of romance. I definitely enjoyed the suspense and the family drama really played a bit of a role in the story. I wish there could have been just a little more romance but it was still done well. You could tell that there was a lot of tension between the two main characters Selena and axel. The ending was good, I thought it wrapped up nicely. If you enjoy romantic suspense that's big on suspense you're definitely going to enjoy this one.
February 3, 2021
An exciting and action filled romantic suspense. Three prisoners on the run. Many FBI agents and a dog chasing them through the snow. A page turner. So happy to have won this book on Goodreads. I will be looking for more by this author.
February 7, 2021
Harlequinn and other serial series are great because the reader knows, within reason, what they are getting. With an Intrigue, you get a little mystery or thriller and a romance. Hunting a Killer fits the mold perfectly giving the reader just the right amount of thriller and romance.
February 10, 2021
Actual 3.5 - This was my least favorite of the four books in this TCD series. It had a much slower start than the other three and didn’t REALLY pick up until the last 75-ish pages. But that explosive ending! 😱 Enjoyable overall 😁
August 20, 2023
It says Serena on the back cover and Selena in the book.
I also find it stretches credibility that an FBI agent would be assigned to a case involving her own brother.
But whatever. It was otherwise a decent read for the standards of the genre.
I also find it stretches credibility that an FBI agent would be assigned to a case involving her own brother.
But whatever. It was otherwise a decent read for the standards of the genre.
May 19, 2024
Selena is tasked with helping to find three criminals that escaped from prison. One of which is her half brother! Axel is there to help. Can they find these criminals in time? Will they finally act of the feelings they have for each other?
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January 2, 2021Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City (Book #4)
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City (Book #4)
March 1, 2021
An exciting and action-packed romantic suspense. Happy to have won this book on Goodreads--looking forward to catching up on the rest of the series and more of Nicole's other books.
March 25, 2021
This book kept my interest to the last page.....a great read.
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November 13, 202120
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March 1, 2025Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective, Multicultural & Interracial Romance
Miniseries
Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City (Book #4)
Miniseries
Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City (Book #4)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews