ARC Review: The Lost by Jeffrey B. Burton

The Lost
Author: Jeffrey B. Burton
Series: Mace Reid K-9 Mystery (Book 3)
Publication: Minotaur Books (June 28, 2022)

Description: The Lost is the next mystery from author Jeffrey B. Burton starring an extraordinary cadaver dog and her handler.

Glencoe, Illinois: A home invasion turned kidnapping at the mansion of billionaire financier Kenneth J. Druckman brings Mason “Mace” Reid and his cadaver dog, Vira, to this wealthy northern suburb of Chicago. Druckman was assaulted, left behind while his wife and young daughter were taken for ransom.

Brought to the scene by the FBI, Reid specializes in human remains detection, and Vira is the star of his pack of cadaver dogs he’s dubbed The Finders. After Vira finds the dead body of the mother, former supermodel Calley Kurtz, everyone is on high alert to find Druckman’s missing daughter before the five-year-old disappears forever. But the trail Vira finds on the property’s dense woodlands leads right back to Druckman himself.

With the help of Detective Kippy Gimm, Reid and Vira must race against the clock. Nothing is as it appears to be . . . and the red herrings could be lethal.

My Thoughts: Mace Reid and his cadaver dog, Vira, are called to the home of financier Kenneth J. Druckman by the FBI. Supposedly there was a home invasion, Druckman was beat up, jewels were stolen, and so were Druckman's supermodel wife and six-year-old daughter. Mace and Vira quickly find the murdered body of the wife and Vira indicates that Druckman is the guilty party. But young Eleanor is still missing.

This leaves Mace and his girlfriend Kippy, Chicago homicide's new darling, to find the missing girl. But things are complicated and more people than Druckman are lying.

The story is told from multiple viewpoints including those of a few of the villains of the story. When all is untangled, we have a story of greed financial chicanery including Ponzi schemes, the Russian mobs, and a mysterious financial mogul who isn't going to allow himself to be cheated. 

Along the way we have great scenes with Mace, Kippy, and his assorted dogs. I loved Mace's voice as he narrated is sections of the story. 

Fans of the series will enjoy this third adventure. 

Favorite Quote:

Kippy found herself cast as the fashionable cosmetic concealer used to mask over CPD's black eye.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.