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winemakerssister's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
There were some good things about this book (mainly the Golden Retriever) and lots of issues:
* The story started well but really dragged through the middle 60-70%
* Some of the hero's inner humor was extremely strange and awkward
* We spent way too much time inside the head of the villain
* Most of the cultural references came from the 1960s and 1970s. At first I thought the book had been written in the 80s or 90s but no, it was published in 2020. So the references are from decades before the hero was born. Huh?
* I get the sense that the author couldn't decide whether to write a cozy mystery or a thriller. Mace's thoughts are warm and folksy but the villain fits in a thriller. They don't make a lot of sense together.
There were some good things about this book (mainly the Golden Retriever) and lots of issues:
* The story started well but really dragged through the middle 60-70%
* Some of the hero's inner humor was extremely strange and awkward
* We spent way too much time inside the head of the villain
* Most of the cultural references came from the 1960s and 1970s. At first I thought the book had been written in the 80s or 90s but no, it was published in 2020. So the references are from decades before the hero was born. Huh?
* I get the sense that the author couldn't decide whether to write a cozy mystery or a thriller. Mace's thoughts are warm and folksy but the villain fits in a thriller. They don't make a lot of sense together.
jleeanderson's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I honestly hated this book so much and the only reason I didn't dnf it was it was for a book club. The main character would be insufferable if his character staged consistent his emotional and logical thinking swinging wildly from chapter to chapter almost like he wasn't the same character. This books only redeeming quality was I actually liked the seriel killer somehow he was the most understandable and complex character most of the characters were so one dimensional it was crazy. Most characters existed just to say a line then go but we're given so much backstory I thought they were going to be main characters.
I know with most murder mysteries you have to suspend disbelief but some of it was too much. Mace being in semi witness protection then all of the sudden being able to join the investigation.
Also Elvira was supposed to be put down and while I'm glad she wasn't they made a whole deal about how he needed to change her name yet he says her knew name once then never again
Some of the language used is so off a alcoholic man thought himself a murderer yet being framed is compelling reading the words "got Latin temper" is not.
Also Kippy saying she would flash her tits for 3 grey gooses? At the bar I work that's max 30$ yet she is also framed like a pretty conservative woman at work?? The characterization is all over the place
Some of the writing is foggy I didn't even realize at first the feral boy was dead I thought only passed out, but that may be from trying to rush and finish this book so it would be over quicker
I know with most murder mysteries you have to suspend disbelief but some of it was too much. Mace being in semi witness protection then all of the sudden being able to join the investigation.
Also Elvira was supposed to be put down and while I'm glad she wasn't they made a whole deal about how he needed to change her name yet he says her knew name once then never again
Some of the language used is so off a alcoholic man thought himself a murderer yet being framed is compelling reading the words "got Latin temper" is not.
Also Kippy saying she would flash her tits for 3 grey gooses? At the bar I work that's max 30$ yet she is also framed like a pretty conservative woman at work?? The characterization is all over the place
Some of the writing is foggy I didn't even realize at first the feral boy was dead I thought only passed out, but that may be from trying to rush and finish this book so it would be over quicker
kwax903's review against another edition
3.0
Mason Reid trains dogs to find human remains. Mason acquires a special dog, Vira. Mason and his dogs are on the hunt for a serial killer. Will they find him before the killer does?
This was a fun, quick, suspenseful book and with dogs!! I enjoyed the pace of the story, how the storyline gives us the point of view between Mason and the serial killer. I was really interested in the dog storyline and how they are trained and how they can “snuff” out a killer.
This was a fun, quick, suspenseful book and with dogs!! I enjoyed the pace of the story, how the storyline gives us the point of view between Mason and the serial killer. I was really interested in the dog storyline and how they are trained and how they can “snuff” out a killer.
bink_64's review against another edition
4.0
I chose this book strictly because it had a Golden Retriever on the cover and I am a Golden mom. The story is about a dog trainer who specializes in human remains detection and Vira his golden retriever. They get caught up in a serial killer case and become the target of the killer. Stories like this make me anxious and it did, but there is no horribly graphic scenes just tension. The author does a good job of making you nervous without a lot of blood and gore. A lot of good info on these dogs work! It was a little creepy that it took place in Chicago and Northwest Indiana where I am from, makes you realize scary things happen anywhere. This is the first in a series and I think it will be worth following VIra to see where her nose takes her!
negarcia2920's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It was very interesting reading the different POVs between the main character and villain.
theeclecticreview's review against another edition
5.0
If you love dogs, this book is for you. Okay, it also has a gripping murder mystery as well, but, come on…dogs!
The author knows how to weave a good story with realistic and diverse characters. Mason “Mace” Reid is a quirky and devoted dog trainer with a proclivity for detective work that ultimately gets him into trouble. Officer Kippy Gimm is an inquisitive police officer and a dog lover who has the skills and passion to become a great detective. As for the adorable and extremely smart Elvira “Vira” the human cadaver dog, well….she just steals the show with her almost supernatural powers of “scent DNA” where she can pick out a killer in a crowd in two shakes of a “dog’s” tail.
What an absorbing and thrilling suspense novel with an evil serial killer and a loveable and heroic canine. I was hooked from the first page. A great start to a promising series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mr. Burton for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
The author knows how to weave a good story with realistic and diverse characters. Mason “Mace” Reid is a quirky and devoted dog trainer with a proclivity for detective work that ultimately gets him into trouble. Officer Kippy Gimm is an inquisitive police officer and a dog lover who has the skills and passion to become a great detective. As for the adorable and extremely smart Elvira “Vira” the human cadaver dog, well….she just steals the show with her almost supernatural powers of “scent DNA” where she can pick out a killer in a crowd in two shakes of a “dog’s” tail.
What an absorbing and thrilling suspense novel with an evil serial killer and a loveable and heroic canine. I was hooked from the first page. A great start to a promising series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mr. Burton for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
kle105's review against another edition
5.0
This is what I want dog handler stories to be, the dog is present throughout not just a prop. Not only Vira but also the other dogs he trains showing their individual personalities. The mystery itself was well flushed out, and kept the story moving, I devoured this in one day.
You have two different serial killers in this story, hearing from their POV's at times. Also hearing from Mace the dog training, his process, training, and his interest in Kippy the female officer that first met Vira. Kippy checks in on Vira, the dog she helped save on a call and while she is taking a break from dating she finds herself entangled with Mace on this new case.
When I finished the book I wanted to run and find the next book, however it isn't out yet! That is the sign of a good book.
I received a free book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
You have two different serial killers in this story, hearing from their POV's at times. Also hearing from Mace the dog training, his process, training, and his interest in Kippy the female officer that first met Vira. Kippy checks in on Vira, the dog she helped save on a call and while she is taking a break from dating she finds herself entangled with Mace on this new case.
When I finished the book I wanted to run and find the next book, however it isn't out yet! That is the sign of a good book.
I received a free book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
drosereadstherainbow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
jess_mango's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Let me start off by saying that I am more of a cat person than a dog person. My cat is nestled up next to me as I write this.
BUT, I was intrigued by the idea of a murder/thriller story told from the perspective of a Cadaver Dog Trainer. Mason "Mace" Reid regularly works with Chicago-area police by bringing in his dogs to sniff out human remains. After one of his 4 dogs dies, Mace gladly adopts a golden retriever pup that police rescued from a house where some bad stuff went down. This puppy, Vira, turns out to be extraordinarily gifted at finding cadavers. Mace and Vira find themselves entangled in the case of a local serial killer.
OK, so there were some insensitive bits in this book that made me cringe and I didn't really connect with any of the characters. It was very much an action driven story vs. a character-driven tale. I feel like we only got to know the characters at a surface level. The story itself kept me hooked and it was a fun read. This is supposed to be the first in the series, so I will keep my eye out for the 2nd book.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start off by saying that I am more of a cat person than a dog person. My cat is nestled up next to me as I write this.
BUT, I was intrigued by the idea of a murder/thriller story told from the perspective of a Cadaver Dog Trainer. Mason "Mace" Reid regularly works with Chicago-area police by bringing in his dogs to sniff out human remains. After one of his 4 dogs dies, Mace gladly adopts a golden retriever pup that police rescued from a house where some bad stuff went down. This puppy, Vira, turns out to be extraordinarily gifted at finding cadavers. Mace and Vira find themselves entangled in the case of a local serial killer.
OK, so there were some insensitive bits in this book that made me cringe and I didn't really connect with any of the characters. It was very much an action driven story vs. a character-driven tale. I feel like we only got to know the characters at a surface level. The story itself kept me hooked and it was a fun read. This is supposed to be the first in the series, so I will keep my eye out for the 2nd book.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
ifollowedthatrabbit's review against another edition
5.0
This has been such an entertaining read! It's been hard to put it down.
I must confess that the golden retriever on the cover got my total attention, so that's how I picked it up. If the story has dogs (or any other animals) I'm all in!
I must confess that the golden retriever on the cover got my total attention, so that's how I picked it up. If the story has dogs (or any other animals) I'm all in!