Publishers Weekly
★ 02/07/2022
O’Fallon launches her K-9 Special Ops series, a spin-off of her Federal K-9 series, with this expertly wrought romantic suspense novel. DEA Special Agent Adam “Deck” Decker has been determined to keep drugs off the streets ever since his sister OD’d at 16—and even more so after his colleague is nearly killed responding to a drug-related call. Dr. Tori Sampson has a long-standing family grudge against the DEA, but with a deadly new opioid killing people left and right in her ER, she has no choice but to work with Deck. As they hunt for a solution, it becomes clear that someone is after them—and is willing to kill. Meanwhile, Deck’s K-9 partner, a Belgian Malinois named Thor who falls in love with Tori even faster than his human does, steals every scene he’s in. O’Fallon’s 23 years of experience as a federal agent shows in her attention to detail, and she peppers her fast-paced plot with plausible red herrings, keeping readers guessing right up until the pulse-pounding finale. Readers won’t want to put this one down. (Apr.)
Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Vanessa Daniels narrates and provided both the voice of Tori and Deck. She enhanced the tale from their chemistry to the growing danger. Her tone, vocal range and pacing were top-notch.
Kirkus Reviews
2022-03-04
An emergency room doctor and a government agent team up while a lethal opioid cocktail threatens the United States in this thriller.
Dr. Tori Sampson and her staff at a Denver hospital are seeing a shockingly high number of overdoses. As the opioid epidemic plagues the country, a particularly potent drug called “gray death” makes the rounds and can kill with minimal exposure. To combat this deadly concoction, Special Agent Adam “Deck” Decker of the Drug Enforcement Administration K-9 Unit seeks help from Tori for her expertise and access to patients (who are also potential witnesses). But though he’s just met the physician, the two already start to butt heads. She doesn’t trust the DEA because of a case involving her father while Deck’s sister’s fatal overdose has made him wary of medical professionals. But Tori’s yearning to be more “proactive” puts her closer to DEA drug raids and the hunky agent himself. Their physical attraction is mutual, but soon they genuinely care for each other as well. That makes it harder for both when menacing types start gunning for the nosy investigative duo. O’Fallon boosts this entertaining series opener with a likable lead couple—compassionate people who shine in their fields. The story centers a bit more on Tori, so readers don’t see much action with the gun-toting Deck. This sadly curtails scenes with his loyal, four-legged partner, Thor, though the Belgian malinois proves a charmer. Nonetheless, the author deftly keeps the narrative popping. The couple bounce back and forth between romance and conflict (for example, time-consuming jobs), all while dodging baddies’ gunfire. The final act ramps up suspense with someone in unquestionable danger. O’Fallon rounds out the story with a probable leak in the DEA’s operation and an evasive villain called “the Big D” leading the drug-supplying pack.
An appealing romantic couple drive this fast-paced, diverting crime tale.
