A Mace Reid Mystery, #1
Synopsis
Jeffrey B. Burton’s The Finders marks the beginning of a fast-paced new mystery series featuring a heroic golden retriever cadaver dog named Vira and her handler, Mason Reid.
Mason “Mace” Reid lives on the outskirts of Chicago and specializes in human remains detection. He trains dogs to hunt for the dead. Reid’s coming off a taxing year—mourning the death of a beloved springer spaniel as well as the dissolution of his marriage. He adopts a rescue dog with a mysterious past—a golden retriever named Vira. And when Reid begins training Vira as a cadaver dog, he comes to realize just how special the newest addition to his family truly is…
Suddenly, Reid and his prize pupil find themselves hurled into a taxing murder case, which will push them to their very limits. Paired with determined Chicago Police Officer Kippy Gimm, Mace must put all his trust in Vira’s abilities to thwart a serial killer who has now set his sights on Mace himself.
Details
- Title: The Finders
- Author Jeffrey B. Burton
- Publisher Minotaur / St. Martin’s Press
- Publication Date June 30
- Pages 288
- Read an Excerpt
My Thoughts
I can’t tell you how excited I was to start this book. The description sounded so interesting. But, for me, the first few pages felt like running a hurdle race without any preparation. The path wasn’t smooth and each time I reached a hurdle I wanted to slither under it or knock it down.
Okay, in book-talk, the sentences didn’t flow and the use of dashes throughout made me feel uncomfortable. But while the use of dashes didn’t seem to stop, the sentences and use of dashes soon stopped bothering me. In fact, everything started falling in place. And as I continued reading, I began to care more and more about the story.
When Mace and his new rescue dog Elvira (Vira for short) begin to work together he soon discovers that she has some extraordinary qualities. Not only does she pick up on her training quickly, but she has abilities that are extremely unusual.
Things begin to happen when Mace and his dogs team up with Chicago Police Officer Kippy Gimm and her partner to solve the mystery of a lady who has disappeared. The search begins to open new discoveries are thoughts.
Every other chapter is that of a sociopath who is cunning and enjoys taking chances. But when Mace’s efforts start messing up the sociopath’s well-thought-out plans, it’s time for him to eliminate his newest problem.
What Concerned Me
As I mentioned earlier, the use of so many dashes tended to distract me. I also felt the sentences didn’t flow in the beginning. They felt overlong and the dashes contributed to a choppy feel. (I think this is probably a personal concern, so I wouldn’t let this stop you from considering the book.)
I also had trouble feeling too much of an attachment to the characters.
What I Liked Best
The longer I read the more involved I became and the faster the pages turned. It was also a very original plot.
My thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for an ARC of this book and the ability to post a review of how I felt about the book.
Rating
About the Author
JEFFREY B. BURTON is the author of The Chessman and The Eulogist. He is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers and the Horror Writers Association and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with his family.
