It’s been over a year since I’ve read a book by Jessica R. Patch and was thrilled to see a new series debut from her. Cold Case Takedown has a lot to recommend it.

First, any good Southerner knows how important football is (you don’t have to follow it but you really can’t help but know when the season is each year) and Patch clues readers in to just a touch of that frenzy in her story.

Of course, there is tons of action with Georgia in a killer’s sights and a sweet second chance romance. But what really resonated with me in this book was Georgia’s struggle with crippling anxiety.

The author gives readers an inside look at how fear and anxiety can keep a person from experiencing a full life, ways to cope, and more. I also appreciated how much Georgia leaned on her faith in God and His word.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )

Cold Case Takedown is the first in the Cold Case Investigator series by Jessica Patch. It is a second chance romance filled with lots of action and page turning suspense. Georgia hosts a cold case podcast and Colt is the cold case unit chief, but they were also high school sweethearts. When Georgia brings up a case from their past on the show, it becomes apparent someone doesn't want her to live long enough to find the truth. They team up to solve the case and what begins is a lot of adrenaline pumping action complete with small town secrets that often left me with more questions than answers. I was completely surprised at the ending.

Not only did this book have the suspense with the right amount of romance that I appreciate in a Jessica Patch book, but she also tackled mental health issues in a very appropriate way. Georgia has pretty crippling anxiety and so readers got to see first hand how Georgia deals with that through the help of her dogs and advice from a counselor. Readers get to see the growth in Georgia as she is too afraid of living life for fear of losing someone she loves to realizing she wants to give life and love a chance.

I am looking forward to Cold Case Double Cross which releases later this year.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own. ( )