Title: The Keepers by Jeffrey B. Burton
Mace Reid K-9 Mystery Series Book Two
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 288 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Jeffrey B. Burton’s The Keepers is the next installment of the Mace Reid K-9 series, featuring golden retriever cadaver dog Vira and her handler, Mason Reid.
Mason “Mace” Reid lives on the outskirts of Chicago and specializes in human remains detection—that is, he trains dogs to hunt for dead bodies. He calls his pack of cadaver dogs The Finders, and his prize pupil is a golden retriever named Vira.
When Mace Reid and Vira are called in to search Washington Park at three o’clock in the morning, what they find has them running for their very lives. The trail of murder and mayhem Mace and CPD Officer Kippy Gimm have been following leads them to uncover treachery and corruption at the highest level, and their discoveries do not bode well for them . . . nor for the Windy City itself.
The Keepers is an exciting, fast-paced mystery filled with courageous dogs you’ll want to root for.
Review:
The Keepers by Jeffrey B. Burton is a clever mystery. Although this newest release is the second book in the Mace Reid K-9 Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone.
Mace Reid and his cadaver dogs work with the Chicago Police Department when they need assistance locating deceased persons. His dog Vira is still in training but she has proven very useful in identifying suspect. Mace and Officer Kippy Gimm are a formidable team and they are working on a few different cases. The first time Mace is called out is to find remains in a burned-out warehouse. There is one deceased person, John Averback, and the evidence points to murder. Reid and Vira are next assisting Kippy on the murder of local singer/songwriter Jonny Whiting. Kippy hopes Vira’s special skill will help identify Jonny’s killer. The third case hits a little close to the CPD home when Special Prosecutor Peter Feist fails to return home following an after-hours meeting. Everyone’s worst fears are realized when Vira discovers his body and there is no question he has been murdered. After Kippy and Mace attract unwanted attention, they are soon embroiled in a hurried attempt to stay one step ahead of the people who are determined to silence them once and for all.
Mace has finally recovered from the shocking demise of his marriage. Now he is finished mourning his divorce, he protects himself from getting hurt again. Staying focused on training his pack of dogs, he welcomes the call from the CPD to check the warehouse for victims. Mace is also eager to help Kippy when she asks him to join her at the scene of Jonny’s murder. There is no need for a cadaver dog but Kippy has her reasons for Mace and Vira to walk through the dead rock star’s home.
The case that puts Mace, Kippy and Kippy’s partner Officer Dave Wabiszewski under the microscope is the one involving State Attorney Peter Fiest. His murder is brutal and at first, there is little evidence that points to any suspects. But Mace has a secret weapon that puts him, Kippy and Dave on the right track. They walk right into a viper’s nest of corruption that is even more dangerous than they suspect. It will take all of their combined wits to escape an increasingly threatening situation.
The Keepers is an intriguing mystery that is quite engrossing. Mace and dogs are quite appealing throughout the story. Kippy is an ambitious police officer who would like to move up the career ladder. But she relies on her track record and strong work ethic for a promotion. The various cases are interesting and Jeffrey B. Burton brings this outstanding mystery to a very thrilling conclusion. Old and new fans are sure to love this newest installment in the Mace Reid K-9 Mystery series.
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