Author: Jeffrey B. Burton
Series: Mace Reid K-9 Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Minotaur Books (June 30, 2020)
Description: Jeffrey B. Burton's The Finders marks the beginning of a fast-paced new mystery series featuring a heroic golden retriever cadaver dog named Vira and her handler, Mason Reid.
Mason "Mace" Reid lives on the outskirts of Chicago and specializes in human remains detection. He trains dogs to hunt for the dead. Reid’s coming off a taxing year―mourning the death of a beloved springer spaniel as well as the dissolution of his marriage. He adopts a rescue dog with a mysterious past―a golden retriever named Vira. And when Reid begins training Vira as a cadaver dog, he comes to realize just how special the newest addition to his family truly is…
Suddenly, Reid and his prize pupil find themselves hurled into a taxing murder case, which will push them to their very limits. Paired with determined Chicago Police Officer Kippy Gimm, Mace must put all his trust in Vira's abilities to thwart a serial killer who has now set his sights on Mace himself.
My Thoughts: Mace Reid trains dogs. He especially trains Human Remains Detection dogs. He has recently gone through a divorce and lost his favorite dog to kidney disease. But now his friend Paul has introduced him to a new puppy, one who survived carbon monoxide poisoning.
Mace names the dog Elvira. All his dogs are named for something relating to Country Music. Vira seems to be a canine genius as she quickly picks up both ordinary commands and the special things she needs to know to find human remains.
Vira first hunt has to do with finding the body of a victim of the Velvet Choker Killer who kidnaps, abuses and then kills young women. Vira is quick to find the body. But she is also quick to attack one of the spectators at the crime scene.
Fearing that his dog will be killed, Mace decides to look into the "innocent victim" and discovers that he had another young woman held captive in his house and evidence that he was the Velvet Choker Killer.
That should be the end of things. Except Mace seems to have attracted someone who wants him dead. Maybe the Velvet Choker Killer had a partner. Mace investigates along with Officer Kippy Gimm who is the one who rescued Vira from the carbon monoxide filled garage.
I enjoyed this mystery both for the plot and for the main character's love of dogs. Fans of mysteries with animals will enjoy this one.
Favorite Quote:
"I'm sorry," Landvik said, likely grateful he wouldn't have to form a search party. "I should have met you at reception."I received this one in exchange for an honest review from Edelweiss. You can buy your copy here.
"No worries," I said. "The guy paid to surf Facebook was very helpful."
Landvik shook my hand. "Looks like Tommy B. and I will be having another chat."
Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing this one on several blogs. I like books where one of the main characters is a smart dog.
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