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lynguy1's review
5.0
The Keepers by Jeffrey B. Burton is the second book in the Mace Reid K-9 Mystery series. Sometimes second books in a series can be a let-down, but that is not the case here. Burton has increased the potency in this novel and managed to seamlessly combine an amateur sleuth mystery with a police procedural that also highlights relationships between dogs and people.
Mason (Mace) Reid lives outside of Chicago and trains dogs with various end goals such as obedience and missing persons tracking, as well as searching for drugs and explosives. However, his specialty is training dogs in human remains detection (HRD or cadaver dogs). He is often called in to help the Chicago Police Department and local sheriff’s departments. Little did he know that when he and his golden retriever, Vira, are called in to search Washington Park that their lives are about to change. Vira seems to have an uncanny ability that borders on the paranormal in her ability to locate not just the dead bodies, but also their murderers.
Mace is a compelling and well-developed character with flaws that have led to a divorce and a job change. It was great to see some of the secondary characters show up again in this book and gain some depth. Additionally, the canines have been well-developed and their personalities came through as the story progress. They aren’t just an afterthought, but play important roles in the series. It was also great to see the relationship between Mace and Kippy develop.
The writing style is engaging, but also has an intensity to it that kept me turning the pages. At the same time, there were moments of humor that elevated the book and made Mace and his dogs come to life for me.
This story is complicated and has multiple subplots, but it’s never confusing. The overall plot was clever and kept me engrossed in the tale. Its twists and turns led to a dramatic conclusion. Like in book one, the bonds between Mace and his five dogs are the highlights of the book. Themes include murder, corruption, trust, and relationships between dogs and people as well as between people.
Overall, this was an entertaining novel and a great addition to the series. I look forward to the next book and I want to read this author’s FBI Special Agent Drew Cady mystery series starting with The Chessman. If you enjoy books where special animals play a role in a mixed genre novel, then this may be the next series for you.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Jeffrey B. Burton for an ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for June 29, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Mason (Mace) Reid lives outside of Chicago and trains dogs with various end goals such as obedience and missing persons tracking, as well as searching for drugs and explosives. However, his specialty is training dogs in human remains detection (HRD or cadaver dogs). He is often called in to help the Chicago Police Department and local sheriff’s departments. Little did he know that when he and his golden retriever, Vira, are called in to search Washington Park that their lives are about to change. Vira seems to have an uncanny ability that borders on the paranormal in her ability to locate not just the dead bodies, but also their murderers.
Mace is a compelling and well-developed character with flaws that have led to a divorce and a job change. It was great to see some of the secondary characters show up again in this book and gain some depth. Additionally, the canines have been well-developed and their personalities came through as the story progress. They aren’t just an afterthought, but play important roles in the series. It was also great to see the relationship between Mace and Kippy develop.
The writing style is engaging, but also has an intensity to it that kept me turning the pages. At the same time, there were moments of humor that elevated the book and made Mace and his dogs come to life for me.
This story is complicated and has multiple subplots, but it’s never confusing. The overall plot was clever and kept me engrossed in the tale. Its twists and turns led to a dramatic conclusion. Like in book one, the bonds between Mace and his five dogs are the highlights of the book. Themes include murder, corruption, trust, and relationships between dogs and people as well as between people.
Overall, this was an entertaining novel and a great addition to the series. I look forward to the next book and I want to read this author’s FBI Special Agent Drew Cady mystery series starting with The Chessman. If you enjoy books where special animals play a role in a mixed genre novel, then this may be the next series for you.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Jeffrey B. Burton for an ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for June 29, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
dkpalmer13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
debojean's review
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It took me quite a while to get into this book. There’s Lots of bumbling internal dialogue(by Mace) that I just couldn’t relate too. But he grows on you. And the dogs are awesome.
malreynolds111's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book more than I did the first in the series. There was still some I've go the hots for Kippy but it didn't take over the story as much as it did the first book. There is some harming of animals, so if that is a trigger for you, this may not be your book.
simoneclark's review
4.0
Thank you, St. Martin's, for an ARC of this book!
I loved the first book in the series, The Finders. That means I had great expectations when I agreed to read and review this book. I have to say that I was not disappointed! This book started with action right of the bat. It felt as if I couldn't take a breath if I didn't want to miss anything. Great sequel!
I loved the first book in the series, The Finders. That means I had great expectations when I agreed to read and review this book. I have to say that I was not disappointed! This book started with action right of the bat. It felt as if I couldn't take a breath if I didn't want to miss anything. Great sequel!
readingwithmygoldens's review
3.0
3.5
I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first book, but that is because a corruption plot is not as interesting as a serial killer plot to me. I’m also grading down because the author used an offensive term in the first book, (which was at the near end of the book, did nothing to further the plot so in my opinion was totally unnecessary) and the author did the exact same thing in this book at the exact same point in the book, but used a different offensive term. I don’t get it.
With that said, I still plan to continue with the series, because I love the idea of a Golden Retriever as a pivotal character and her handler. I love learning about how dogs are used in police investigations and the background on the different training, etc. While I really wish the author would stop using offensive words at the tail end of his books, I don't think it warrants never reading them again. Since I mention my dissatisfaction with him including these words in his writing, I am hoping that will do enough for anyone who considers reading this series.
I may expand upon this review, but I’m not sure yet.
Thanks to St. Martins Press, Sara Beth Harding and the author for a print review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review Date: 06/13/2021
Publication Date: 06/29/2021
I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first book, but that is because a corruption plot is not as interesting as a serial killer plot to me. I’m also grading down because the author used an offensive term in the first book, (which was at the near end of the book, did nothing to further the plot so in my opinion was totally unnecessary) and the author did the exact same thing in this book at the exact same point in the book, but used a different offensive term. I don’t get it.
With that said, I still plan to continue with the series, because I love the idea of a Golden Retriever as a pivotal character and her handler. I love learning about how dogs are used in police investigations and the background on the different training, etc. While I really wish the author would stop using offensive words at the tail end of his books, I don't think it warrants never reading them again. Since I mention my dissatisfaction with him including these words in his writing, I am hoping that will do enough for anyone who considers reading this series.
I may expand upon this review, but I’m not sure yet.
Thanks to St. Martins Press, Sara Beth Harding and the author for a print review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review Date: 06/13/2021
Publication Date: 06/29/2021
liberrydude's review against another edition
4.0
Mace has five dogs he uses for drug and human remains detection as a contractor with the Chicago Police. One of his dogs has the remarkable ability to scent the killer for a period after the crime. Several people are killed with corruption seen as the reason hovering in the background. Not until a city prosecutor is killed does the book take off in directions I didn’t see coming at all. The dogs alert on somebody who should be above reproach. Mace and his female cop friend, Kippy, take flight to Wisconsin to escape a frame job and it’s intense action with the dogs protecting their master from both the mob and corrupt cops.