K-9 Cold Case

K-9 Alaska #3

by Elizabeth Heiter

Two bombs in six days…
And the culprit isn’t finished.

With the help of his K-9 companion, Patches, FBI victim specialist Jax Diallo vows to help police chief Keara Hernandez solve the attacks rocking their Alaskan community. Evidence suggests the crimes are connected to her husband’s long-unsolved murder. And the strikes are becoming more personal. When dodging bullets becomes a daily event, Jax risks everything to keep his beautiful new partner from meeting a violent end…

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Harlequin

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2021

About the author

Publishers Weekly bestselling author ELIZABETH HEITER likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists, and a little bit of romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy’s shooting range. Her novels have been published in more than a dozen countries and eight languages; they've also been shortlisted for the National Readers' Choice, Daphne Du Maurier and Booksellers' Best awards and won the HOLT Medallion and the RT Reviewers' Choice award.

Elizabeth graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature. She’s a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America and Romance Writers of America. You can also find Elizabeth on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elizabeth.heiter.author , on Instagram at www.instagram.com/elizabeth_heiter/ and on Twitter @ElizabethHeiter.

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

K-9 Cold Case by Elizabeth Heiter
3rd in the K-9 Alaska series. Harlequin Intrigue. Can be read as a stand-alone but the stories are connected by characters in common so should be read in order for continuity.
When a bomb goes off in a neighboring town, police chief Keara Hernandez investigates in the interest of keeping her own town safe but catches the interest of the bomber instead. K-9 FBI handler Jax and labrador Patches help calm the wounded and fall for Keara while helping investigate.

Gripping and intense, this story moves fast and includes both enough back story for depth and romance to sweeten.
I liked the heroine’s strength and determination but have to question her “do as I say, not as I do” leadership style. She’s certainly brave and willing to jump into the fray.
And you gotta love those therapy dogs. I just want to hug them all.

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

K-9 COLD CASE (K-9 Alaska Book #3, Unsolved Mystery Book #3) by Elizabeth Heiter is another fast-paced, exciting romantic suspense in the Harlequin Intrigue K-9 Alaska series. This book is set in small-town Alaska featuring the chief of police and an FBI Victim Specialist and his therapy dog chasing an unsub who has left the same image at all his crime scenes over the last eight years. This book is part of two series but is easily read as a standalone crime mystery.

Chief of Police Keara Hernandez moved to Desparre, Alaska after the murder investigation of her detective husband in Houston became a cold case six years ago to try and heal. When a bomb goes of in the neighboring town of Luna, Keara offers to assist the FBI agents called in to lead the investigation.

Jax Diallo is an FBI Victim Specialist who travels with his therapy dog, Patches to work with the crime victims as other FBI special agents investigate the crime. As Jax and Keara do their jobs, a second bomb is exploded in Desparre’s public park. Both times a symbol is left behind that Keara recognizes from the pictures of her husband’s cold case. But what do a bomber and a murderer have in common? Also, as they work together, they try to fight the growing attraction they feel for each other.

Jax and Keara try to discover what ties all the cold cases and recent bombings together, but the bomber has Keara in his sights, and he has plans to make Keara a cold case like her dead husband.

I love both Keara and Jax in this book. They are well written and believable with both the pacing of their investigation and their attraction. The crime/suspense plot was well paced with twists that made it exciting and I just kept turning the pages. Of course, I also love the canine companion in each book in this series. This is a gripping romantic suspense with more suspense than romance, but it works in this story.

I highly recommend this addition to the series and I am looking forward to many more by this author!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. From its (literally) explosive beginning to the final confrontation, the story sucked me in and didn't let go until the end. The suspense and action are intense, and I often felt I was in the middle of it.

Keara moved to Desparre, Alaska, from Houston six years earlier to distance herself from the memories of her husband's unsolved murder. She's happy there and has grown to love the people of the tiny town. After the bomb went off in Luna, she spent the day reassuring her people that they were safe, then drove to Luna to see what she could find out. The devastation she saw brought back memories of Juan's murder.

Jax is a victim specialist with the FBI. He's relatively new to Alaska, transferring there from DC after dealing with too many mass casualty events. Alaska's beauty and more laid-back atmosphere are healing. Jax and his therapy dog, Patches, spent the day talking to survivors and witnesses, offering comfort and support. Patches zeroed in on Keara shortly after her arrival, sensing Keara's turbulent emotions. Jax and Keara had a short conversation before her emotions overwhelmed her, and she left.

Keara and Jax saw each other again a few hours later when he came to her rescue during a bar fight caused by overwrought emotions mixed with alcohol. Both Keara and Jax impressed me with their cool heads, though Jax did end up the worse for wear. While two of the agents questioned Keara about things she may have heard or seen, one of them asked Keara's opinion about a symbol found on a bomb fragment.

This is where the intensity begins to ramp up. The last time Keara saw that symbol was in relation to her husband's murder. But how could there be a connection between a murder in Houston and a bombing in Alaska? The FBI agents are skeptical but permit Jax to check past case files. Jax is determined to find the link, despite his coworkers' frequent reminders that he isn't an agent. Jax and Keara work together to go through the cases and soon find information that may back up their theory, despite some puzzling differences. When a second bomb explodes, in Desparre this time, Jax and Keara realize the bomber is escalating his attacks. As they come closer to identifying the suspect, the attacks become personal, putting them both in danger. An unexpected twist created a nail-biting confrontation at the end.

From the moment they met, sparks flew between Keara and Jax. Keara fights the attraction, not wanting it to interfere with their investigation. She also feels unable to move on while Juan's murder remains unsolved. Jax struggles to ignore his growing attraction to Keara. He mostly succeeds in focusing on the case, with a few forays into protectiveness. I also loved how Patches is equally as smitten with Keara. I loved watching them grow closer and wondered how they would overcome the 400-mile obstacle to being together. I didn't see the solution coming, but I loved how right it was.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as I have most of this author’s books. I really enjoy Elizabeth Heiter’s writing style. This one started with a bang, quiet literally. A bombing in a quiet Alaskan community. An FBI victim specialist, Jax Diallo, comes in to assist with his K-9 partner, Patches. Jax meets Keara Hernandez the police chief of Desparre. There is chemistry immediately between the two. Then another bombing. A symbol is found among the ruins that draws the cases together and includes an older unsolved murder case of Chief Hernandez’s husband. Things become intense when Keara, with Jax and Patches help, start trying to solve the cases. Many twists and turns throughout to keep the reader engaged leaving one wanting more at the end. Cannot wait for next Alaskan adventure!
I was provided a free copy by the author for an honest review.

[Patrizia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Questo libro mi è proprio piaciuto, personaggi interessanti, una cagna adorabile e una storia piena di mistero, nel senso che, come le persone che indagavano, non riuscivo proprio a venirne a capo.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

K-9 Cold Case by Elizabeth Heiter is an intriguing mystery that takes place in the Alaskan bush. This third installment in the K-9 Alaska series can be read as a standalone. But I highly recommend the previous books as well.

Desparre Police Chief Keara Hernandez moved to Alaska to try to put her husband Juan’s murder behind her. She has grown to love the small town and she closely watches over its residents. When a bomb goes off in nearby Luna, Keara’s past comes rushing back when something found at the scene appears to link the current case to Juan’s still unsolved murder. Keara and FBI victim specialist Jax Diall (and his adorable K-9, Patches) work together to try to find the person or persons responsible for the bombing and Juan’s murder.

Keara is attracted to Jax but she does not want her personal interest in him to interfere with their investigation. She hopes that solving Juan's case will allow her to fully move on. Although his fellow agents doubt her conviction Juan’s murder and the bombings are related, they do give Jax the go-ahead to look their case files. Since he is not an investigator, Jax and Keara go through the case files together in search of  similar cases. With growing excitement, Jax and Keara discover information that backs up their theory. But this new lead is quite puzzling and they continue trying to figure out how this new information can help them unearth the suspect(s)’s identity.

Jax is also interested in Keara, and he finds it difficult to ignore his growing attraction to her.  He mainly succeeds in focusing on the ongoing investigation. Jax becomes a little frustrated with his fellow agents’ skepticism about his and Keara’s theory but he manages to push his irritation aside. Jax cannot quite turn off his psychologist’s mind so he is able to deduce a few things about Keara.  Jax is not the only one in tune with her emotions. His K-9 comfort dog Patches is also quite intuitive and she sticks close to Keara’s side.

K-9 Cold Case is a clever mystery with an interesting storyline. The characters are engaging and their reactions and issues ring true. Patches is a wonderful dog who will steal readers’ hearts. The Alaskan setting springs vibrantly to life.  With an unexpected plot twist, Elizabeth Heiter brings this incredible mystery to a breathtaking conclusion. Old and new fans do not want to miss newest addition to the outstanding K-9 Alaska series.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. The third in the K-9 Alaska series. Ms. Heiter writes great characters and I loved Jax and his K-9 Patches. When the first bomb goes off in Luna and Jax who works with the FBI as a victim specialist talking to the victims and helping through it. That’s when he meets Chief of Police Keara Hernanez from Desparre something weird is found at the crime scene that might just point to her husbands murder.
While they both work together another bomb goes off and that one is in Desparre. It becomes dicey, and more things happen.

I highly suggest getting the book because there’s more to come. I was provided a copy of this book for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. I have also purchased a copy to pass on.

The others in the series: All stand-alones.
Book 1: K-9 Defense
Book 2: Alaska Mountain Rescue

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not engage me .. skip read almost from start.

[Holly Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

A phycologist turned victim advocate for the F.B.I., a Texas Detective turned Alaskan Police Chief, a bunch of F.B.I. agents, and a lovable black and tan Labrador puppy named Patches who works as a therapy dog make this a quick book to read. Keara Hernandez' husband and partner was brutally murdered forcing her to leave Houston when his murder was still unsolved. Now the Police Chief of a small Alaskan town where a bomber has set off 2 explosions close together, in a neighboring town and in "her" town the F.B.I. come to help...Will Keara find the bomber? is it connected to her husband's unsolved murder for seven years before? and can she trust the feelings she is developing for Jax Diallo??

[Marilyn Gamble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story.

I did enjoy this story but to somewhere between 15 minutes and 30 minutes I felt like the story got boring and then came back full force. I was surprise but I was glad I stayed because it finished well.

[Happily Ever After Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

The K-9 Alaska series continues with the third title, K-9 Cold Case. We’ve met Keara Hernandez before as the police chief of this tiny, tiny town she’s played a slight part in the previous stories, especially in Alaska Mountain Rescue. Now it’s time for Keara’s story to be told, and it’s intense.

It’s said that people come to Alaska to escape, to get off the grid, to enjoy the survival mode that anyone living in this beautiful but deadly state needs to have a mindset for – and most of those folks are good guys just wanting to leave their past behind to make a new start, but there will always be the villains who are hiding from the consequences of their actions. Keara came to Alaska, to take the police chief position in Desparre as a way of escaping the memories she’d hoped to leave behind in Houston, Texas – mainly the murder of her husband, the unsolved now cold case murder that still haunts her to this day.

A seemingly random bombing will lead the way to questions that take an odd track, right back to Houston and her husband’s murder. The past has finally caught up to the present day… but there’s more at stake than just Keara’s future this time. One stubborn, dedicated man and his talented, loving therapy dog have wound themselves up in her future, now she just has to take a stand to make that possible future for Jax and Patches as well.

K-9 Cold Case is a gripping, intense, action-packed story that kept me on edge throughout. The romance, the attraction between Keara and Jax was well-played, there from the beginning and slowly, steadily growing. Yet, it was the current bombing case and the possible connection to Keara’s murdered husband’s cold case that fed their story. The writing is smooth and well done as I always expect from this author, the plot was tight with a few twists along the way. I fell in love with one adorable and talented pup, Patches. She often seemed to save the day for her humans. I enjoyed returning to this world once again. And now I’m waiting for Tate’s story that’s up next… yeah, from the hints, I really want to know more about Tate.

I own a Kindle edition of K-9 Cold Case.

[Andriana Ristevska · Rating 4 out of 5]

One bombing case brings FBI and the local police together. Luna is a quiet and peacefull place in Alaska, until someone sets two bombs in six days...

Who is this person? And how is the symbol on the bombs conected to a murder seven years ago? Can it be the same person?

Chief Keara is still sad about her husband's death and she can't move on because his killer was never found. But suddenly after seven years she recognized the symbol that's connected to one of his cases. Is this just coincidence or the killer strikes again?

Jax is FBI victim specialist and with help from his dog, Patches, he tries to help people involved in tragedies. This case is everything but simple. People are confused, who would do that in a town like this one? Jax tries to help Keara solve this case. He convinced himself that he is just helping, but the attraction between him and Keara is there from the beginning.

Will he be able to protect her? Is it worth risking his life for a woman that is still stuck in the past? And will she finally open her heart again and give him a chance?

This book is so contagious. I love the author's style. When you open the book you become one of the agents trying to solve this case. The case itself is so confusing, at some point I was like: "What? There's no way they're going to solve this one." But they did at the very end, leaving me anxious the whole time. I love how the romance fits in the story, it's not too much, the focus is on the mystery/thriller.

I gave it 4 stars because something was missing for me. Maybe it's because it's a part of a series and this book is the third one. But I absolutely loved every single page of it and I highly recommend it.

[Toth Jo-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this story. For it was well written and a interesting discussion about K-9 dogs that bring comfort to victims from the FBI. I really found it interesting how Elizabeth made the story interesting by having a incident happen in 2 towns that are close together. I enjoyed watching the characters Jaz and chief Keara draw close as they draw close. She makes the story interesting by the way she draws you in at the beginning of the story. She does a great job of keeping you interested by what is happening in the story. The tension between Jaz and Keara is fun to read. It's never boring. With the the action and romance going on. There's a few surprises in the book but they make it interesting. I look forward to the next book of hers. J

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Police Chief Keara Hernandez is still haunted by her husband’s unsolved murder. She moved to a quiet Alaskan town to get away from the high crime rates. Now someone has set off a bomb in her quiet village and the FBI has descended on the town. Jax Diallo is a victim specialist along with his adorable K-9, Patches. A weird symbol is left at the scene which is hauntingly familiar to the one left at the scene of her husband’s murder. This is an action packed mystery with the police and FBI always being behind. Patches will steal your heart. There is a romantic twist as well. This is a great mystery which will have you flying through the pages.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense and intrigue

Keara's husband's murder was a cold case and she couldn't help solve it. She moved to Alaska and became sheriff in a small town. When a bomb is set off in a neighboring town, the FBI comes to investigate. Jax is a victims specialist along with his K9 dog Patches. As the investigation is shifted to Keara's town, she and Jax fight their attraction. Are the bombings connected to her husband's murder? Will they catch the bomber in time? This book is a real page turner.

[Chrystal Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully orchestrated suspense romance

Keara had found her normal as the police chief in small town Alaska when an explosion in the park changed everything. Solving the mystery of a couple of local explosions and a possible connection to her husband's murder could turn her whole life in a brand new direction... Add a handsome handler of a support K-9 from the FBI and his sweet sidekick, and you have a page turner of a suspense romance.

[Wanita Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

K-9 Alaska Book 3

A story test is a fast moving mystery and includes a different kind of dog- a therapy dog that works to help people through tragedy. A police chief whose life for 7 years has been on hold because of tragedy. A man who uses his brain and heart to help people and a killer like no other. Great book

[Nalria · Rating 4 out of 5]

good fast moving read!

This search for a murderer has lots of twists and unexpected turns with some romance and an adorable FBI service dog! FBI and local police working together on a bombing crime that ties to a cold case.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of her husband, Keara Hernandez moved to a small town in Alaska to become the police chief. She couldn't live with the looks she got from fellow officers when his murder was never solved. Worried about her town, she investigated when a bomb went off in a neighbouring town. FBI victim specialist, Jax Diallo arrived, with his K-9, Patches, to help calm the wounded and their families. He wasn't an agent but the phycologist in him couldn't help trying to help with the investigation. Especially when another bomb went off in Keara's town. Dax had come to care for Keara which increased the urgency of finding the bomber.

I love books set in Alaska and this intense mystery kept me wanting to know what would happen next! With great characters, including a K-9 therapy dog, this was a great book that I highly recommend.

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the K-9 Alaska series, in which police chief Keara Hernandez remains frustrated that she never solved her husband's murder when they both worked in Houston. Now she's dealing with a bombing in a nearby town near where she lives in Alaska. Who is it and why haven't the FBI or her own officers been able to identify the perpetrator? Even the Victim Specialist, Jax Diallo isn't sure how to help her, but help her he will. And then a second bomb goes off, this time in Keara's town.

Going back through records the FBI sends her begins to add information that Jax is certain will open things up. But when he finds the key to the bomber's identity, it may be too late when he realizes that the bomber may have taken Keara. Will he be able to find her? Will the FBI team on the ground be able to save her? If not, will Jax do then?

[Mary Lawson]

K-9 Cold Case
(A K-9 Alaska Novel Book 3)
Elizabeth Heiter

Once again you are taken to the Alaskan wilderness community of Desparre where people go to find peace from many different issues. The sheriff is no different and after 7 years that peace is shattered for her. Keara is thrown back into a painful time in her life, but doesn’t understand how that is connected to the bombings. FBI victim specialist is drawn into finding answers before Keara becomes a victim herself. Will they succeed?
Plan on a late night read as these strong determined hero/heroine try to fit the pieces of the cold case puzzles together. Twists and turns, information that doesn’t seem to connect or does it, pulls the reader from one page to the next until the end. A great addition to the series.

[Jean V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the best part of the story was the last several chapters. It was a bit slow and too bland. I hope the other books are better. I like stories that are more than one book!

I read at least 3 or 4 books a week. It is amazing how many times I've had to look and look for something that is worth my time.

[Skadams9038 Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.. Alaska can become the most dangerous place

People who face off against criminals are just as trampled as those who are victims and we sometimes forget this. Yet we need more people who stand and serve. Read how one dog and one man can make such a difference to how we see the world.

[sandy moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

K-9 Cold Case

Of all the K-9 stories I have read, this was the most disjointed. There was no connectivity to the story and a reserved feeling of never getting to know the people in the story.

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A K-9 Alaska Novel (Book #3)

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A K-9 Alaska Novel (Book #3)

[Rebecca Delio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Story

I enjoyed this book very much, I was happy the bomber was caught and no more damage was done to anything or anyone....

[Ginny Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This waa a great book very intense keep me guessing what was going on &who did it sure did not knew who it was

[Christine C Buckner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed this book with its twists and turns that kept me guessing as to the killer. The law enforcement officers really had to search for answers!

[Dorel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the 4th book I read by Elizabeth Heiter. The only thing I liked about this story was Patches 🐕. I'm sorry the rest of this story 📖 was boring. My favorite book in this series was K-9 Hideout