Monday, April 12, 2021

Review of "The Keepers: A Mace Reid K-9 Mystery" by Jeffrey B. Burton

 


In this second book in the 'Mace Reid K-9 Mystery Series', cadaver dog trainer Mace Reid gets involved in a dangerous case. The novel works fine as a standalone.

*****

Chicago resident Mason Reid (Mace) trains cadaver dogs to search for human remains. Most of Mace's work involves helping the Chicago Police Department or local sheriffs' departments look for missing people who are presumed dead.




Mace's most accomplished cadaver dog is a golden retriever named Vira, who "takes the art of human remains detection to the next level.....the Sherlock Holmes level."



When Vira visits a crime scene she attempts to "perform some kind of forensic analysis on the various smells and odors - the scent DNA - and decipher their meaning." In other words, Vira can eke out the smell of the murderer, and when she's successful, has a kind of shaking seizure. For the most part, Mace keeps Vira's ability secret, knowing people will scoff at him.

Mace's other cadaver dogs are German shepherd Sue;



collies Delta Dawn and Maggie May;



and newbie bloodhound Bill, a puppy who's learning the ropes. Bill is cute, but he seeks out the stinkiest gunk to roll around in - like squirrel poop and old puke - and has his own private 'car wash.'



As the story opens, Mace and his golden retriever Vira are called to the apartment of an aging rock star named Jonny Whiting, whose head has been bashed in with a guitar.



Vira does her Sherlock Holmes thing, and Mace and Vira help Officer Kippy Gimm and her partner Officer Dave Wabiszewki (Wabs) solve the case. Mace and Kippy have a social relationship as well, but they're 'just friends'.....to Mace's regret. 😏



After nabbing the Whiting murderer, Mace, Vira, Kippy, and Wabs get involved in another case. This one focuses on the murder of Special Prosecutor Peter Feist, who's been trying to root out corruption in Chicago.



The Feist inquiry has tendrils that extend to Chicago mobsters and nefarious government officials, which makes things VERY dangerous for the investigative team.

The bad guys are exceptionally capable foes, and there's plenty of intrigue and action in the book.



On the lighter side, the death and destruction are occasionally lightened by Mace's humorous quips, which add a fun element to the story.

I enjoyed this entertaining thriller, and look forward to future books in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley, Jeffrey Burton, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the book.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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