The plot: Ryder Creed is a former marine and a K-9 handler. His best scent dog is a small Jack Russell terrier named Grace; she can find everything from drugs to missing persons to electronic devices. Ryder and Grace are in Nebraska helping the FBI on a human trafficking case. FBI agent Maggie O'Dell is there, too. Ryder is glad to see her even though they haven't exactly defined their relationship. Then Ryder is asked to help find a missing woman named Libby Homes. Only an early October snowstorm blows in, and when Ryder and Grace don't return from their search, Maggie doesn't know if it's because of the snow, or because of the young woman he was searching for. She just knows she has to find him.
My thoughts: Ryder Creed is a favorite character of mine, as is his dog, Grace. I love how he works with her and all his other dogs; and that K-9 component adds a fun layer to these mysteries that I really like. The secondary characters, Maggie, Ryder's sister, Brodie, and Jason, another K-9 handler, are also great. I did think the mystery in this one was not quite as tightly plotted as in Alex Kava's other books, and the ending felt rushed, but I still enjoyed it. So this one isn't my favorite Ryder Creed novel, but it is a good one!
Happy Reading!
Other Ryder Creed books I've reviewed (and loved!):
Funny how I never had any idea that K-9 murder mysteries were a proper sub-genre until I started to read Mercy and Elvis. This sounds excellent, I think I'd like to try the series.
ReplyDeletePopped back to say my county library catalogue has Breaking Creed so I've reserved it. :-D
DeleteYay! Ryder Creed is such a great character. I think you'll really like him. Happy reading. :D
DeleteGlad this was good even if not a favorite. Does sound like an exciting series!
ReplyDeleteIt's a very fun series! And I liked this one, just not as much as some of her other books. :)
DeleteI need to give this series a go. It sounds like a good one!
ReplyDeleteI really like because of the main character and the dogs. They're both great. :)
DeleteIt does sound like a good book. I like the cover!
ReplyDeleteIt is a cool cover, isn't it?
DeleteThis does sound like a great series. I always enjoy mysteries featuring K-9s. :)
ReplyDeleteI do, too! The dogs just seem to make the books better. :)
DeleteNice review, Lark, so glad you're enjoying Grace and the series.
ReplyDeleteThe dogs are so great in this series!
DeleteI love Alex Kava but haven't read her books in several years. I really need to get caught up with this series!
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my favorite series...and one that I'm actually caught up on! :)
DeleteI've ready many reviews of Kava's books, but didn't realize this series was centered around a K9 detective. That definitely makes me want to explore them more!
ReplyDeleteThe dogs are my favorite part. Plus, Ryder Creed is a great character. :)
DeleteI still haven't read any K-9 detective stories. I like the idea of a Jack Russell terrier as a K-9 dog.
ReplyDeleteGrace is a cute dog. I also really like the Margaret Mizushima's Timber Creek K-9 series. That's a good one, too. :)
DeleteEven though it wasn't your favorite it sounds like it was still good.
ReplyDeleteIt was good, mostly because I love the characters so much.
DeleteI love this series. I tend to save these books as treats, and after my glut of ARC reading is completed within the next week or so, I intend to treat myself to Creed and Gracie!
ReplyDeleteThese books are a treat to read! I love Ryder, and all of his dogs. I hope Kava plans to write lots more about them. :)
DeleteI don't think I've ever read of a Jack Russell terrier as a working scent dog before. I love it! Must try this series! Fab review, Lark!
ReplyDeleteLittle Grace is a great character and adds so much fun to the book. And Ryder's relationship with his dogs is a main reason I keep reading this series. :)
DeleteIt's great how you keep track of all the thrillers (I am assuming that's the correct genre here) you read. The only detective series I have ever read start to end are Poirot and Holmes, and I often get confused among the entries! ~Lex
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to keep track of every book in a series! I struggle with it, too, especially if I didn't write a review for a particular book. I'm still working my way through all the Hercule Poirot books. :)
DeleteI don't think I've read anything by this author. And the dogs as part of the characters are always a joy to read! :)
ReplyDeleteKava has written this series, and then another series about FBI agent Maggie O'Dell. I haven't read any of those, but I love her Ryder Creed mysteries. :)
DeleteI was at a dog charity walk this past weekend and saw a terrier there that I thought was the cutest thing! Now I just want to read this for Grace (and the mystery of course!) — ve3rushka @Pop. Edit, Lit.
ReplyDeleteGrace is such a cute part of these books; she makes them even more fun to read. :)
DeleteI'm such a sucker for books that feature dogs. Glad to hear this is still a solid installment in the series even if you had a few issues with it.
ReplyDeleteThe ending just felt a bit rushed to me, which usually doesn't happen with Alex Kava's books. But I do love Ryder Creed and his dog, Grace. :)
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