I really enjoyed this fast paced, action filled, romantic suspense! Sadie is a single mom struggling to make ends meet when her house is set on fire. Rocco is on the case of bringing to justice a serial arsonist and serial killer. Now he must protect her and her son until he can solve the case. I fell in love with the couple. It is such a sweet romance. I also loved the service dog and K-9! I’m not a dog person but the author really made them loveable with their contributions to the story. I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in trade for my honest opinion. My thoughts are my own.

Action packed from beginning to end! Sadie is being followed, her house burned down, shot at and run off the road. Someone is clearly out to get her.

Thank you NetGalley for the audio version of this book!

This is a fast paced, murder mystery thriller with a tiny subplot of friends to lovers and Jesus to fill in the cracks. I truly had no clue who was guilty down to the very end when it was revealed.

This single mom is managing a deplorable ex-husband, a child with a diabetes diagnosis, and running her deceased father’s food truck when chaos strikes. Every day the stakes are higher, leaving her feeling more and more trapped.

If you are looking for action, getting in your feels, finding strength and hope in adversity…this book is for you!

I liked the ‘small town’ vibes, the female lead and many of the secondary characters. I tried to like the male lead, but he was presented to the reader as unlikable first and I never totally got over that.

The writing wasn’t the strongest, continuity was iffy at times, full-on poor at others. It seemed like some things were more convenient to write than made to actually fit in with the story. So for me, it could’ve flowed better.

I think with stronger writing skills, this could’ve been a really fun read, it has potential.

Murder-mystery / serial killer on the loose.
Small town.
Very smart, intuitive, loyal dog secondary characters.
Leads obsessed with God.
Adorable child character.


Overall:
The continuity could be tighter.
And the frequent mentions of God were a bit much—in some instances, it fit in just fine. For example, one lead is struggling with a decision and the other reminds her that God will guide her. Sure, that is smooth. But many times they made a point to simply throw in remarks about God that felt forced—made it feel like the author was trying hard to really push God at the front and center. IMO, it’s okay to have beliefs and not mention them in every single sentence. I liked it better when the mentions actually fit in smoothly, as I’m big on having continuity and plausibility in my fiction.

I also struggled with the back & forth of the ‘Oh well, I do have an ex, but he’d never…’
‘Oh! Maybe it’s my ex…’ with no basis whatsoever. And then it did go back and forth a bit.
It’s as if the author wanted the reader to have the ex as a suspect but didn’t know how to convey this. Weak writing.

Ultimately:
It was okay. Had some things I disliked, some elements I really enjoyed, writing could’ve been stronger. 3 stars.

Audio:
Very good—not exactly flawless, but close. The narrator would sometimes confuse her voices, meaning she’d be in FMC’s PoV and then switch to MMC’s, but not switch to his voice for a line or two. No biggie for me, I could see some readers complaining.
Overall sound quality is perfect—4 stars.

Trail of Threats by Jessica R. Patch is book #6 in the Mountain Country K-9 Unit. This is a first by this author read and I am now a fan!

I liked how in the very beginning of her book - she started with scripture and how that verse was woven through the story. This was a read that I didn't want to stop listening too and can be considered a "cozy mystery" as well.

Sadie is a single mom raising a son (3 yrs old) who is a diabetic and runs her own food truck - a gift from her late father. Sadie is well liked in her small town and all of a sudden, someone is out for her. Fires & gun shots at every turn. Officer Rocco enjoys his banter with Sadie everyday and when the attacks start on Sadie's life - he is set to keep her safe.

Can Rocco find who is trying to kill Sadie before it's too late? Can Sadie get over her fears to believe in love again? This is one really good "quick" read!

Trail of Threats by Jessica R. Patch is a clean, romantic, suspenseful drama. It is the first I have read in this series, and I am interested to go back and check out some of the backlog. This story centers on Sadie, her son, and Rocco, an officer with a dog trained in detecting accelerates. This particular skill is essential as someone is determined to burn down anything that leads the truth back to them. Sadie finds herself the target on more than one occasion and I enjoyed watching the trust bloom between her and Rocco. There is humor and wit mixed in with the series situations as well as inspiration and faith to keep everyone grounded in the Truth. Overall, it was an enjoyable story, consistent with what I have come to expect from Jessica R. Patch.
I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, narrated by Courtney Patterson. I thought she did a good job overall with distinguishing all the characters, nuances, and general essence of the story. I did not care for her representation of the little boy, so it was a little more difficult to follow in those sections, but not enough to make me want to turn it off or stop.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

This book was intense! And I mean that in the best way, I mean that's what you're looking for when you pick up a romantic suspense, right? Not scary, but this book will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I love the elements of faith and I love that they both already had faith to lean on and that they could lean on each other. The romance was fantastic. It started as him protecting her, and then he just kind of slowly like wiggled his way into their life by just being there for her and taking care of her he was so supportive of her. That's got to be one of my favorite ways to watch a romance develop in a book.

Very, very good story lots of twists and turns the Rocky Mountain killer element of the story I thought was a little a little much to keep up with and probably would’ve made a little bit more since I started the series from the beginning, But Sadie’s mystery was easy to follow.

I like the narrator she had a lot of good expression in her voice that kind of added to the suspense and the in the really intense moments it’s dual point of view, but single narrator, and it was a great book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of the audio book.

I haven't read a book by Jessica Patch before. This is one of the better books under the Love Inspired Suspense collection. I haven't had a lot of good to say about audio books on these but this one was very well done. I think it is the best one I have heard on audio. I enjoyed listening to this arc provided to me by NetGalley and Harlequin. I have only read one other book in this Mountain Country K-9 Unit series. I like that they can be read separately but they all tie in on an overriding mystery. If you enjoy a clean romantic suspense you may want to pick up this series and this one in particular.

Trail of Treats is a gripping mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows single mom Sadie Owens, whose life is turned upside down when her home is set ablaze with her and her son trapped inside. Officer Rocco Manelli and his arson dog make a heroic rescue, but the danger is far from over. The persistent attacks force Rocco to protect Sadie and her son from a vengeful arsonist with a deadly agenda. The relationship between Sadie and Rocco is well-developed, adding depth to the narrative. The inclusion of Christianity woven throughout the book adds a unique layer to the story. The dog on the cover is a charming touch and was a key reason for picking up the book. Overall, Trail of Treats is a compelling whodunnit that delivers suspense and heartwarming moments.

Trail of Threats by Jessica R. Patch
(Mountain Country K-9 Unit Book 6)
An arsonist at large…
A K-9 team in the line of fire.
mom Sadie Owens’s fear of being watched is confirmed when her home is set ablaze—while she and her son are trapped inside. Officer Rocco Manelli and his arson dog arrive in the nick of time to make a rescue. But as attacks persist, it’s up to Rocco to keep Sadie and her three-year-old safe from a criminal with a lethal agenda. Can he keep a vengeful arsonist from scorching a deadly path through Elk Valley—before Sadie and her son become the next victims?
This is Sadie Owens and son's story.
This is Officer Rocco Manelli and his arson dog's story.
Someone was watching.
Sadie Owens peered out of her food truck window and scanned Main Street, where she parked her mobile restaurant, Sadie’s Subs. She didn’t normally stay open this late on weeknights. After five, most businesses closed in Elk Valley, but tonight had been an open house at the elementary school and she’d hoped to catch hungry families who hadn’t had time to cook due to the rush from work to the school to meet their children’s teachers. She’d done well this evening, even if she’d struggled to manage it alone, but she desperately needed the money and couldn’t afford to share tonight’s bonus money with another employee. She already struggled to pay her part-time employees—all two of them.
A car approached and parked in front of her truck. Elk Valley’s finest. The driver’s-side door opened and Officer Rocco Manelli strutted out. If the police cruiser hadn’t scared off the creep, Rocco’s imposing figure would have. His hair and eyes were as dark as the night and the perpetual scruff around his chin and cheeks added to his menacing effect. If she were a criminal, she would certainly cower at his physicality before even thinking about the fact he had a weapon and was trained to use it.
“Kinda late to be out on a weeknight, isn’t it?” he asked in his deep, velvety voice.
I recommend this book.
Trail of Threats by Jessica R. Patch is a 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Jessica R. Patch.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.

Trail of Threats
by Jessica R. Patch
Part of Mountain Country K-9 Unit
Pub DateMay 06 2025
Harlequin Audio
Christian| Romance


Netgalley and Harlequin Audio sent me a copy of Trail of Threats to review:


There is an arsonist at large...


A K-9 team in the firing line.


As Sadie Owens and her son are trapped in their burning home, her fear of being watched is confirmed. Officer Rocco Manelli and his arson dog arrive just in time to save the day. But as the attacks continue, it's up to Rocco to keep Sadie and her three-year-old safe. He must stop a vengeful arsonist from scorching a deadly path through Elk Valley-before Sadie and her son become the next victims.  


I give Trail of Threats five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Great Romantic Suspense! Jessica is becoming one of my favorite Love Inspired Authors and knows how to create suspense and drama in her stories.

Saddie has someone after her who doesn't want her around and wants her preferably dead. Saddie does everything she can to keep her and her son Miles safe including taking the help from Rocky, an officer she grows to love. This one will have you guessing until the end.

I received a complimentary audiobook version of this book and the narrator was easy to listen to.

This quick audiobook was great. The suspense was perfectly thrown in with the romance. The chapters ended on cliff hangers that kept you engaged and wanting to find out what happens next. I didn't predict the ending either!

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the sixth book in the Mountain Country K-9 Unit series. I have read most of the other books in this series before picking up this book. I read this book by listening to the audiobook, and I loved the narrator. I really have loved reading this series and getting to know all the characters, and this book was no different. I really loved the characters in this book. I loved all the drama and suspense/action in this book. I was pulled into this story right away and did not want to put this book down. Great read and just what I needed. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Trail of Threats by Jessica R Patch, narrated by Courtney Patterson is the 6th book in her Mountain Country K-9 unit series. Great read, with suspense, threats, action and romance. You will love this series. Thank you to #NetGalley, #Harlequin Audio for this Arc. Releases May6. This is my honest review.

This latest addition to the series, is a stand alone and belongs to Sadie Owens and Rocco Manelli.
Sadie is a single mom who owns a food truck and her three year old with diabetes is her life.
When her home is torched due to arson, officer Manelli comes to her rescue and offers his home. As more fires escalate the danger, the culprit remains on the run. Who is after Sadie and why?
Meanwhile , feelings develop between Sadie and Rocco but she’s not ready for a relationship after her ex treated her so badly and didn’t want to be burdened with his son’s illness.
Rocco is determined to keep them safe. Plus he adores the boy and will do anything for Sadie.
This was an engaging , clean, suspense romance that will keep you guess who is the arsonist and whether it’s connect to the criminal in previous stories.
The main characters are likable and well developed.
This is a story about new beginnings, faith, hope, and second chances in life and love.
The narrator, Courtney Patterson, does a good job with the various voices. Thus bringing the story to life.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley and Harlequin Audio. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

A touching, relatable story. Sadie is a strong, single mom trying to make it in her business and home life with her diabetic son. Rocco steps in to protect her and her son as they struggle to find out who is trying to kill them. Very enjoyable.

I received an audiobook review copy from Harlequin and Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

The narration was fantastic! The story pulled me in from the very beginning. A delightful suspense that kept me hooked until the very end!

I received an audio ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

This is #6 in the series set in the Rocky Mountains. While I didn't read the first 5 books, this book reads well as a stand alone, too. The mystery and suspense will grip you from the beginning and the ending leaves you surprised and yet satisfied. I read this as an audiobook and really enjoyed the narration, as well. Great read.

The sixth book in 'Mountain County K-9 Unit' continuity series published in August 2024. The audio books are just releasing now.

So enjoyed Courtney Patterson's animated narration of 'Trail of Threats.' The writing is phenomenal as is, but Patterson's interpretation of these characters amplified my reading pleasure all the more. Love that so many more Love Inspired novels are being made available in this format!

Breath-snatching suspense with the kind of drawn out tension that keeps a reader on her toes right to the very end. The heart-in-throat gripping opening scene sets the stage for compelling creepy-ish suspense that gave me all the nervy feels (in a good way!)

I just read the fifth book in this series a few weeks ago where Rocco played a significant secondary role so it was fun to get his complete story here. Having said that, this works wonderfully well as a standalone novel as well.

Rocco's connection to Sadie, and the way their relationship plays out is so believable and full of emotion... and quite a few laughs courtesy of sassy Sadie. Not to mention some flirty banter. Ohhhh, and don't get me started on the toe-curling scenes artfully interspersed throughout! A fantastic blend of romance and suspense where both keep you on the edge all the way through.

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.