Tracing a Kidnapper's Trail JustRead Tour {book review and giveaway}

February 27, 2026

Tracing a Kidnapper's Trail JustRead Tour {book review and giveaway}

Tracing a Kidnapper's Tail JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Tracing a Kidnapper's Trail by Katy Lee, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Tracing a Kidnapper's Trail
Series: K-9 Search and Rescue #18
Author: Katy Lee
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: February 24, 2026
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Solving an abduction case

means a relentless K-9 manhunt…

When search and rescue worker Hunter Shelton and his bloodhound Libby are called to a crime scene, he discovers his ex-fiancée murdered and her young daughter missing—and he's attacked. Soon, he realizes the little girl may have been taken by drug runners, and could possibly be his own child. With no one else to turn to, Hunter teams up with DEA Agent Marlee Price and her narcotics K-9, despite their rocky history. As they face escalating threats and uncover a rising body count, an old enemy from Marlee's past resurfaces. Will they be able to rescue the child and bring dangerous criminals to justice before time runs out?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Excerpt One:

But why should Marlee jump at his call?

Hunter Shelton was from her past and better off left there. But he also had been in distress. This case was more than a missing child, just as he’d said.

Personal.

Someone had been murdered. Someone he knew. There were also drugs involved, and that was Marlee’s specialty.

She felt the typical excitement for the hunt well up within her. She and Gustav sniffed out drug houses daily for the pure joy of it. She’d vowed to shut down every one of the despicable sites.

For Ben.

But Ben would expect her to help his lifelong best friend now. Could she do this for her brother? Could she face the man she blamed for Ben’s death? She hadn’t spoken to Hunter in eight years and had never planned to again.

Except, here she was climbing out of bed, knowing in a few hours, their paths would cross regardless.

Excerpt Two:

Bark exploded from the tree into flying bits… The echo of a gunshot bounced between the canyon walls.

“Get down!” Marlee yelled. She shoved Hunter and her K-9 down as bullets whistled over their heads. They were open targets, unprotected. With each blast around them, she felt her body tense. Her gun arm trembled like never before. She was always a sure and steady shot.

What was going on with her?

Hunter sprawled low beside Marlee and the concern in his eyes told her he saw it, too. She wanted him to stop looking at her like that…like something was wrong with her.

The rapid beat of her pulse echoed through her head and she forced her breath to slow. She became aware of her erratic breathing.

“Marlee, talk to me,” Hunter said, glancing around, bracing for the next shot. The sniper was still around.

Yet she couldn’t respond…

“Do you always react this way to gunfire?” he asked.

The words formed on her lips, but two did in her mind. I’m ruined.

My Thoughts

Tracing a Kidnapper's Trail is the first book I have read by Katy Lee, although it isn't the first book I have read in the K-9 Search and Rescue series. And I certainly want to read more of both!

This is an action-packed page turner, which made me not want to put it down! Yes, that meant lost sleep. LOL It is full of suspense, danger, betrayal, and, yes, dead bodies...and one scared little girl.

The growing relationship between Marlee and Hunter becomes undeniable. Each one is protective of the other, and of that scared little girl for whom they are searching. The action is nonstop until the very end, so hang on to your seat when you start reading!

If you enjoy Christian suspense with a touch of romance, you will certainly want to add this one to your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy. These opinions are my own.

About the Author

#1 Publishers Weekly, best-selling author Katy Lee writes character-driven romantic suspense that thrills and inspires her readers, keeping them coming back for more. She is a multi-award winner and nominee for the Rita Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, Holt Medallion, and Selah Award, celebrating excellence in mystery and suspense. Katy lives in Utah's beautiful, rugged mountains and is also a special education teacher. She runs a literary nonprofit called Story Haven Writers, helping people write their healing stories from trauma. Keep up with Katy and her latest news, including her monthly newsletter, "Novel Ideas" at www.KatyLeebooks.com.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 VISA gift card with a plush Bloodhound and a matching signed bookmark!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 24, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 3, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!