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readingwithmygoldens's review against another edition
4.0
4 strong stars
I was immensely impressed with The Finders and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I was hesitant all those months ago to read it when I originally saw it on Netgalley because I thought it might be a little corny, but when it was offered to me again, I thought, what the heck? Let's give it a try. I'm so glad I did as it was an excellent mystery/thriller and had a unique aspect to it that set it apart from other series I've read and enjoyed.
Most everyone knows that I am a proud dog mom of two Goldens. I LOVE my dogs. As in, maybe sometimes treat them better than my husband?? Just kidding...sort of, lol. I grew up with German Shepherds, but Goldens are now my breed of choice so the fact that both breeds were involved in this story made it click even more. I loved the aspects regarding dogs and how they help with police work in various forms. I wouldn't have minded even more info if I'm being honest. I also had no idea this book would involve chasing a serial killer so that was another huge reason why I enjoyed this book. It was very creepy, the plot was well paced and even though I could see the twist coming at the end - it didn't take away from my enjoying the book. I was really impressed that this was the first in a series. I can't wait to read the next one!
There is only one criticism I had that lowered my rating from a 4.5 to a 4.0. The author was a little heavy handed with the metaphors and humor (which was fine), but about 75% through the book a character used the word 'retarded', which I found offensive and just plan silly and unnecessary. It was also very out of left field since the character never spoke this crudely before. I'm not sure why this was left in the book, but it really annoyed me and left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I'm hoping that it was an error in judgment and the next book will remove any kind of language or 'sense of humor' that includes vocabulary like this. I loved this book so much I'm willing to give the author another chance.
Thanks so much to Sara Beth Haring, Minotaur Books for the finished copy and Jeffrey B Burton for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review.
Review Date: 06/28/20
Publication Date: 06/30/20
I was immensely impressed with The Finders and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I was hesitant all those months ago to read it when I originally saw it on Netgalley because I thought it might be a little corny, but when it was offered to me again, I thought, what the heck? Let's give it a try. I'm so glad I did as it was an excellent mystery/thriller and had a unique aspect to it that set it apart from other series I've read and enjoyed.
Most everyone knows that I am a proud dog mom of two Goldens. I LOVE my dogs. As in, maybe sometimes treat them better than my husband?? Just kidding...sort of, lol. I grew up with German Shepherds, but Goldens are now my breed of choice so the fact that both breeds were involved in this story made it click even more. I loved the aspects regarding dogs and how they help with police work in various forms. I wouldn't have minded even more info if I'm being honest. I also had no idea this book would involve chasing a serial killer so that was another huge reason why I enjoyed this book. It was very creepy, the plot was well paced and even though I could see the twist coming at the end - it didn't take away from my enjoying the book. I was really impressed that this was the first in a series. I can't wait to read the next one!
There is only one criticism I had that lowered my rating from a 4.5 to a 4.0. The author was a little heavy handed with the metaphors and humor (which was fine), but about 75% through the book a character used the word 'retarded', which I found offensive and just plan silly and unnecessary. It was also very out of left field since the character never spoke this crudely before. I'm not sure why this was left in the book, but it really annoyed me and left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I'm hoping that it was an error in judgment and the next book will remove any kind of language or 'sense of humor' that includes vocabulary like this. I loved this book so much I'm willing to give the author another chance.
Thanks so much to Sara Beth Haring, Minotaur Books for the finished copy and Jeffrey B Burton for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review.
Review Date: 06/28/20
Publication Date: 06/30/20
liberrydude's review against another edition
4.0
“Vira is the LeBron James of cadaver dogs.” Lots of action and a startling twist. You think where is this book going when 25% in it appears the mystery has been solved? But it goes to some dark places.
Set in Chicago Mace is a recently divorced dog trainer with two collies and one German Shepherd when he gets another dog, a golden retriever who has survived an inept attempt by his previous owner at “euthanasia” or canine-icide. This dog, Vira, has remarkable scent tracking ability. So it’s superdog versus some remarkably evil serial killers.
Set in Chicago Mace is a recently divorced dog trainer with two collies and one German Shepherd when he gets another dog, a golden retriever who has survived an inept attempt by his previous owner at “euthanasia” or canine-icide. This dog, Vira, has remarkable scent tracking ability. So it’s superdog versus some remarkably evil serial killers.
samalvarez823's review against another edition
5.0
When you combine dogs and mystery’s/thrillers, you’re giving me a twofer so I was super excited to read The Finders. Special thanks to the author, St Martins Press and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy!
This book was so good, the details were perfectly placed, the twists were perfect in number and the story was good.
Mason Reid is a dog trainer, he trains his dogs to discover and find the dead. He doesn’t intend on involving himself in the hunt for a killer but, somehow becomes involved. Then becoming the target of the killer, simply because of his dog, Vira.
I’ve always thought rest stops were creepy and the perfect setting to be abducted and that’s what happens in this story. It made for a really great and suspenseful story. A story I can’t wait to read more about in Jeffrey’s second installment, The Keepers. Special thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for approving me for the second. I’m so excited to continue the story between Mace and Officer Kippy!
I definitely recommend this read!! Grab it whenever you buy your books or Amazon.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was so good, the details were perfectly placed, the twists were perfect in number and the story was good.
Mason Reid is a dog trainer, he trains his dogs to discover and find the dead. He doesn’t intend on involving himself in the hunt for a killer but, somehow becomes involved. Then becoming the target of the killer, simply because of his dog, Vira.
I’ve always thought rest stops were creepy and the perfect setting to be abducted and that’s what happens in this story. It made for a really great and suspenseful story. A story I can’t wait to read more about in Jeffrey’s second installment, The Keepers. Special thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for approving me for the second. I’m so excited to continue the story between Mace and Officer Kippy!
I definitely recommend this read!! Grab it whenever you buy your books or Amazon.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
krystlekouture's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the characters, the mystery and of course the dogs.
4.5 stars rounded down. Only bad comment is it is hard to find a place to stop, always something happening! :)
4.5 stars rounded down. Only bad comment is it is hard to find a place to stop, always something happening! :)
cyireadbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Exciting, intense, suspenseful! These are just some of the adjectives that can be used to describe this novel.
The Finders is the first novel in a planned series involving Mason (Mace) Reid, and his band of Human Remains Detection (HRD) dogs -- with the star being a golden retriever named Elvira or Vira for short. Eventually, Mace teams up with Kippy Gimm, a Chicago police officer to track down a serial killer by locating human remains and extracting any clues.
Suddenly, the tables get turned as the serial killer begins to stalk Mace and Vira. But why? Who is this serial killer? You'll find out in the surprising climax.
Five stars! Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
The Finders is the first novel in a planned series involving Mason (Mace) Reid, and his band of Human Remains Detection (HRD) dogs -- with the star being a golden retriever named Elvira or Vira for short. Eventually, Mace teams up with Kippy Gimm, a Chicago police officer to track down a serial killer by locating human remains and extracting any clues.
Suddenly, the tables get turned as the serial killer begins to stalk Mace and Vira. But why? Who is this serial killer? You'll find out in the surprising climax.
Five stars! Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
nixbix_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick & enjoyable read. The dogs are the stars of this story, and I think this will be an interesting series. I was surprised at who the villain was, which is always a plus.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Finders is the first novel in a new series by Jeffery B. Burton. Released 30th June 2020 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 288 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a standout murder mystery and truly a must-read for lovers of the animal mystery sub-genre. Protagonist Mace Reid is a dog trainer who specializes in training human remains dogs (cadaver dogs). His newest adoptee ('Vira - short for Elvira) is a golden retriever puppy with a traumatic past who is a natural as a cadaver dog, and just might be a canine Einstein in addition. The plot arc is full of action and the author is adept at moving the narrative along without info dumping. The characters are well delineated and fleshed out. I had no trouble keeping them straight or engaging with them (especially Vira, she's wonderful). The denouement was suitably creepy and engaging (no spoilers).
There is some anthropomorphism, but it's not out of control. Honestly for some readers who love animal mysteries, it will be a plus. I think there are relatively few readers who will be yanked out of the story by that facet of the writing. The dialogue was well rendered and flowed smoothly. I liked Mace Reid, he's a sympathetic (dog-crazy) intelligent protagonist and he works pretty well with law enforcement and the secondary characters in the book. The rendering of some of the minor (antagonist) characters, one in particular, struck me as a bit out there, but the author handled the more extreme plot elements logically and (mostly) believably.
This is a strong series debut and I am eagerly looking forward to future entries. Four strong stars for me, certainly 5 for fans of mysteries featuring dogs.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Finders is the first novel in a new series by Jeffery B. Burton. Released 30th June 2020 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 288 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a standout murder mystery and truly a must-read for lovers of the animal mystery sub-genre. Protagonist Mace Reid is a dog trainer who specializes in training human remains dogs (cadaver dogs). His newest adoptee ('Vira - short for Elvira) is a golden retriever puppy with a traumatic past who is a natural as a cadaver dog, and just might be a canine Einstein in addition. The plot arc is full of action and the author is adept at moving the narrative along without info dumping. The characters are well delineated and fleshed out. I had no trouble keeping them straight or engaging with them (especially Vira, she's wonderful). The denouement was suitably creepy and engaging (no spoilers).
There is some anthropomorphism, but it's not out of control. Honestly for some readers who love animal mysteries, it will be a plus. I think there are relatively few readers who will be yanked out of the story by that facet of the writing. The dialogue was well rendered and flowed smoothly. I liked Mace Reid, he's a sympathetic (dog-crazy) intelligent protagonist and he works pretty well with law enforcement and the secondary characters in the book. The rendering of some of the minor (antagonist) characters, one in particular, struck me as a bit out there, but the author handled the more extreme plot elements logically and (mostly) believably.
This is a strong series debut and I am eagerly looking forward to future entries. Four strong stars for me, certainly 5 for fans of mysteries featuring dogs.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
becsmars's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jennifermarla's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent mesh of suspense and humor! Some of the one-liners had me cracking up. But the end had my heart pounding and turning pages with trepidation!
Everyman is creepy as hell.
Mace Reid is the cousin I wish I had.
Everyman is creepy as hell.
Mace Reid is the cousin I wish I had.
calmaxtra's review against another edition
4.0
This book is essentially A Dog’s Purpose meets A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
As a dog lover, I knew I had to read this one. This was a total on a whim read and I have no regrets whatsoever. The story follows Mace Reid, a police dog trainer, his dog(s), and a murder mystery. It holds many unexpected twists and turns and gave me chills numerous times.
There are short chapters which help to keep your attention and is definitely a book you can read in one sitting. The main and secondary characters are well rounded which helped to build a good perspective of the story.
The writing style is mature, but amateur. I have no idea if this is the authors first book or what, but there were definitely some flubby parts of the book. Also, the r slur was in there a couple times which I really didn’t like.
I personally loved the story and will probably read more from Burton. However, the writing style wasn’t really my forte. :)
As a dog lover, I knew I had to read this one. This was a total on a whim read and I have no regrets whatsoever. The story follows Mace Reid, a police dog trainer, his dog(s), and a murder mystery. It holds many unexpected twists and turns and gave me chills numerous times.
There are short chapters which help to keep your attention and is definitely a book you can read in one sitting. The main and secondary characters are well rounded which helped to build a good perspective of the story.
The writing style is mature, but amateur. I have no idea if this is the authors first book or what, but there were definitely some flubby parts of the book. Also, the r slur was in there a couple times which I really didn’t like.
I personally loved the story and will probably read more from Burton. However, the writing style wasn’t really my forte. :)