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scoutmomskf's review
5.0
Very good book. From its (literally) explosive beginning to the final confrontation, the story sucked me in and didn't let go until the end. The suspense and action are intense, and I often felt I was in the middle of it.
Keara moved to Desparre, Alaska, from Houston six years earlier to distance herself from the memories of her husband's unsolved murder. She's happy there and has grown to love the people of the tiny town. After the bomb went off in Luna, she spent the day reassuring her people that they were safe, then drove to Luna to see what she could find out. The devastation she saw brought back memories of Juan's murder.
Jax is a victim specialist with the FBI. He's relatively new to Alaska, transferring there from DC after dealing with too many mass casualty events. Alaska's beauty and more laid-back atmosphere are healing. Jax and his therapy dog, Patches, spent the day talking to survivors and witnesses, offering comfort and support. Patches zeroed in on Keara shortly after her arrival, sensing Keara's turbulent emotions. Jax and Keara had a short conversation before her emotions overwhelmed her, and she left.
Keara and Jax saw each other again a few hours later when he came to her rescue during a bar fight caused by overwrought emotions mixed with alcohol. Both Keara and Jax impressed me with their cool heads, though Jax did end up the worse for wear. While two of the agents questioned Keara about things she may have heard or seen, one of them asked Keara's opinion about a symbol found on a bomb fragment.
This is where the intensity begins to ramp up. The last time Keara saw that symbol was in relation to her husband's murder. But how could there be a connection between a murder in Houston and a bombing in Alaska? The FBI agents are skeptical but permit Jax to check past case files. Jax is determined to find the link, despite his coworkers' frequent reminders that he isn't an agent. Jax and Keara work together to go through the cases and soon find information that may back up their theory, despite some puzzling differences. When a second bomb explodes, in Desparre this time, Jax and Keara realize the bomber is escalating his attacks. As they come closer to identifying the suspect, the attacks become personal, putting them both in danger. An unexpected twist created a nail-biting confrontation at the end.
From the moment they met, sparks flew between Keara and Jax. Keara fights the attraction, not wanting it to interfere with their investigation. She also feels unable to move on while Juan's murder remains unsolved. Jax struggles to ignore his growing attraction to Keara. He mostly succeeds in focusing on the case, with a few forays into protectiveness. I also loved how Patches is equally as smitten with Keara. I loved watching them grow closer and wondered how they would overcome the 400-mile obstacle to being together. I didn't see the solution coming, but I loved how right it was.
Keara moved to Desparre, Alaska, from Houston six years earlier to distance herself from the memories of her husband's unsolved murder. She's happy there and has grown to love the people of the tiny town. After the bomb went off in Luna, she spent the day reassuring her people that they were safe, then drove to Luna to see what she could find out. The devastation she saw brought back memories of Juan's murder.
Jax is a victim specialist with the FBI. He's relatively new to Alaska, transferring there from DC after dealing with too many mass casualty events. Alaska's beauty and more laid-back atmosphere are healing. Jax and his therapy dog, Patches, spent the day talking to survivors and witnesses, offering comfort and support. Patches zeroed in on Keara shortly after her arrival, sensing Keara's turbulent emotions. Jax and Keara had a short conversation before her emotions overwhelmed her, and she left.
Keara and Jax saw each other again a few hours later when he came to her rescue during a bar fight caused by overwrought emotions mixed with alcohol. Both Keara and Jax impressed me with their cool heads, though Jax did end up the worse for wear. While two of the agents questioned Keara about things she may have heard or seen, one of them asked Keara's opinion about a symbol found on a bomb fragment.
This is where the intensity begins to ramp up. The last time Keara saw that symbol was in relation to her husband's murder. But how could there be a connection between a murder in Houston and a bombing in Alaska? The FBI agents are skeptical but permit Jax to check past case files. Jax is determined to find the link, despite his coworkers' frequent reminders that he isn't an agent. Jax and Keara work together to go through the cases and soon find information that may back up their theory, despite some puzzling differences. When a second bomb explodes, in Desparre this time, Jax and Keara realize the bomber is escalating his attacks. As they come closer to identifying the suspect, the attacks become personal, putting them both in danger. An unexpected twist created a nail-biting confrontation at the end.
From the moment they met, sparks flew between Keara and Jax. Keara fights the attraction, not wanting it to interfere with their investigation. She also feels unable to move on while Juan's murder remains unsolved. Jax struggles to ignore his growing attraction to Keara. He mostly succeeds in focusing on the case, with a few forays into protectiveness. I also loved how Patches is equally as smitten with Keara. I loved watching them grow closer and wondered how they would overcome the 400-mile obstacle to being together. I didn't see the solution coming, but I loved how right it was.
kbranfield's review
4.0
K-9 Cold Case by Elizabeth Heiter is an intriguing mystery that takes place in the Alaskan bush. This third installment in the K-9 Alaska series can be read as a standalone. But I highly recommend the previous books as well.
Desparre Police Chief Keara Hernandez moved to Alaska to try to put her husband Juan’s murder behind her. She has grown to love the small town and she closely watches over its residents. When a bomb goes off in nearby Luna, Keara’s past comes rushing back when something found at the scene appears to link the current case to Juan’s still unsolved murder. Keara and FBI victim specialist Jax Diall (and his adorable K-9, Patches) work together to try to find the person or persons responsible for the bombing and Juan’s murder.
Keara is attracted to Jax but she does not want her personal interest in him to interfere with their investigation. She hopes that solving Juan's case will allow her to fully move on. Although his fellow agents doubt her conviction Juan’s murder and the bombings are related, they do give Jax the go-ahead to look their case files. Since he is not an investigator, Jax and Keara go through the case files together in search of similar cases. With growing excitement, Jax and Keara discover information that backs up their theory. But this new lead is quite puzzling and they continue trying to figure out how this new information can help them unearth the suspect(s)’s identity.
Jax is also interested in Keara, and he finds it difficult to ignore his growing attraction to her. He mainly succeeds in focusing on the ongoing investigation. Jax becomes a little frustrated with his fellow agents’ skepticism about his and Keara’s theory but he manages to push his irritation aside. Jax cannot quite turn off his psychologist’s mind so he is able to deduce a few things about Keara. Jax is not the only one in tune with her emotions. His K-9 comfort dog Patches is also quite intuitive and she sticks close to Keara’s side.
K-9 Cold Case is a clever mystery with an interesting storyline. The characters are engaging and their reactions and issues ring true. Patches is a wonderful dog who will steal readers’ hearts. The Alaskan setting springs vibrantly to life. With an unexpected plot twist, Elizabeth Heiter brings this incredible mystery to a breathtaking conclusion. Old and new fans do not want to miss newest addition to the outstanding K-9 Alaska series.
Desparre Police Chief Keara Hernandez moved to Alaska to try to put her husband Juan’s murder behind her. She has grown to love the small town and she closely watches over its residents. When a bomb goes off in nearby Luna, Keara’s past comes rushing back when something found at the scene appears to link the current case to Juan’s still unsolved murder. Keara and FBI victim specialist Jax Diall (and his adorable K-9, Patches) work together to try to find the person or persons responsible for the bombing and Juan’s murder.
Keara is attracted to Jax but she does not want her personal interest in him to interfere with their investigation. She hopes that solving Juan's case will allow her to fully move on. Although his fellow agents doubt her conviction Juan’s murder and the bombings are related, they do give Jax the go-ahead to look their case files. Since he is not an investigator, Jax and Keara go through the case files together in search of similar cases. With growing excitement, Jax and Keara discover information that backs up their theory. But this new lead is quite puzzling and they continue trying to figure out how this new information can help them unearth the suspect(s)’s identity.
Jax is also interested in Keara, and he finds it difficult to ignore his growing attraction to her. He mainly succeeds in focusing on the ongoing investigation. Jax becomes a little frustrated with his fellow agents’ skepticism about his and Keara’s theory but he manages to push his irritation aside. Jax cannot quite turn off his psychologist’s mind so he is able to deduce a few things about Keara. Jax is not the only one in tune with her emotions. His K-9 comfort dog Patches is also quite intuitive and she sticks close to Keara’s side.
K-9 Cold Case is a clever mystery with an interesting storyline. The characters are engaging and their reactions and issues ring true. Patches is a wonderful dog who will steal readers’ hearts. The Alaskan setting springs vibrantly to life. With an unexpected plot twist, Elizabeth Heiter brings this incredible mystery to a breathtaking conclusion. Old and new fans do not want to miss newest addition to the outstanding K-9 Alaska series.
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