andimontgomery's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this quiet, but engaging, story which starts with a police detective, Ben, who was forced to retire from the police force early due to a traumatic head injury, and how he gently and patiently cares for his father, Peter, who is suffering from dementia. Ironically, due to his injury, Ben has difficulty communicating and remembering his day-to-day activities, and so he utilizes a journal to write down things he wants to remember.
When their tenant (who rents the cottage on back of their property) suddenly goes missing, Ben takes it upon himself to investigate Grace’s disappearance. With that, he recalls his skills as a detective, and finds renewed energy in his purpose and life.
I’ll say that I really liked Ben. He so patiently cares for his father, and it’s evident he and his father have a deep bond, with both of them trying to care for—and protect—one another. And I loved seeing Ben find his purpose through his search for Grace. The ending was very good as well.
So, why the reason for only 3.5 stars? It was purely because of the author’s political jab at the end. Let’s keep politics out of fiction! While I’d love to continue with Ben’s story (if that is even in the cards), this turned me off from reading any more novels from this author.
When their tenant (who rents the cottage on back of their property) suddenly goes missing, Ben takes it upon himself to investigate Grace’s disappearance. With that, he recalls his skills as a detective, and finds renewed energy in his purpose and life.
I’ll say that I really liked Ben. He so patiently cares for his father, and it’s evident he and his father have a deep bond, with both of them trying to care for—and protect—one another. And I loved seeing Ben find his purpose through his search for Grace. The ending was very good as well.
So, why the reason for only 3.5 stars? It was purely because of the author’s political jab at the end. Let’s keep politics out of fiction! While I’d love to continue with Ben’s story (if that is even in the cards), this turned me off from reading any more novels from this author.
wisetara's review
5.0
Just when I think I won't be surprised by Dilts's skill, I get blown away all over again. Such is the case with this latest Long Beach Homicide book. I mean, it was just amazing. In the previous book, I was so impressed by how Dilts managed to take a narrator we all knew and make him mildly unreliable. It was amazing. And now this. Now, we have a character who should be unreliable but is the opposite, and there's a whole new perspective coming to us, and it makes perfect sense. Moreover, if Dilts can tell the story that is Mercy Dogs, then there's really no reason for him to ever bore of writing the "series," which is good news for fans like me.
Dilts can tell any damn story he pleases, and I'm gonna read it. Moreover, as an audiobook listener, I hope he reads every damn story he writes.
Dilts can tell any damn story he pleases, and I'm gonna read it. Moreover, as an audiobook listener, I hope he reads every damn story he writes.
louisekf's review
4.0
Another solid entry from Tyler Dilts (I’ve read all 4 of his Long Beach Homicide books). This one is a stand-alone novel, although it has minor appearances by some of the characters from his LB series. This one was quite interesting, with an exploration of the nature of memory. Given that my sister-in-law has dementia, I really understood what the main character’s father was going through.
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