I do feel this book was a great introduction into a new series. The characters are all great, they are relatable and likeable. The storyline had great flow, so it was an easy read. The suspense was good, but it was not a storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page, but I am looking forward to reading more in this story to see where the author takes the great characters.

A Borrowing of Bones is the first book in a projected series by this author. The second title will be published in early November. I definitely plan to read that as well.

This novel has mysteries, murders, a great setting and some villains. It also has characters, both human and canine, with whom I truly enjoyed spending time. There is a backstory for the characters that engages the reader as well.

Protagonist Mercy was named Mercy because of the Quaker history in her family. However, her life has not been quiet and peaceful. Mercy has not followed the path that her parents set out for her. They wanted Mercy to follow in their own footsteps by becoming a Boston based lawyer. Instead, Mercy became a military MP. While in Afghanistan, she fell in love with her fiancee who was Mexican American. He has died and Mercy has the care of his well trained military dog. This is not a spoiler as the reader knows of Martinez's death early in the story. The reader gets to know Mercy in all of her Shakespeare quoting stubabornness, intelligence and integrity.

On the other side of Mercy is Troy and his dog Susie Bear, who is named from the John Irving book. Together, the dogs and human grow close. They solve murders, thefts and ensure the well-being of a young mother and her baby.

I truly enjoyed this book. My trip to Vermont in these fictional pages was time well spent.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

Two ex-military. Two trained dogs. One set of bones buried in the woods. That’s just the beginning for this book. Troy and Mercy are reconnected after many years and decide to team up in order to figure out the mystery of a baby found in the woods. While current game warden, Troy, tries to keep Mercy out of it, she just want let sleeping dogs lie. These characters are highly likable and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

A Borrowing of Bones is a wonderful start to a new series of mysteries. Mercy and Elvis may be down but they aren’t out by any stretch of the imagination. I loved watching them solidify into a team. Mercy is smart and stronger than she knows. I really liked the terrific cast of supporting characters and really look forward to visiting again.

Such a great book. I am so excited this will be a new series, I cannot wait to read the next book.

I am such a fan of the smart working dog, in any form they choose, and so I look for series that involve them and their human partners. While this story has some tissue moments for me it has way more new beginnings and I loved it. I loved both Elvis and Susie Bear and look forward to the work they do in the future. The cast of humans is wonderful and I especially fell in love with Patience. I like the others perfectly well but Patience is probably my favorite. Mercy and her relationship is lovely and it makes me miss my grandmother.

Overall this book was winner for me and if you are a K9 fan in anyway it will be a winner for you as well.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. It had everything I love in a story. A strong mystery. The book is a great read, the author keeps everything moving, so there is no chance of boredom. I highly recommend this first mystery in a new series.

First in a gripping new mystery series about a retired MP and her bomb-sniffing dog who become embroiled in an investigation in the beautiful Vermont wilderness
It may be the Fourth of July weekend, but for retired soldiers Mercy Carr and Belgian Malinois Elvis, it’s just another walk in the remote Lye Brook Wilderness—until the former bomb-sniffing dog alerts to explosives and they find a squalling baby abandoned near a shallow grave filled with what appear to be human bones. U.S. Game Warden Troy Warner and his search-and rescue Newfoundland Susie Bear respond to Mercy’s 911 call, and the four must work together to track down a missing mother, solve a cold-case murder, and keep the citizens of Vermont safe on potentially the most incendiary Independence Day since the American Revolution.

A Borrowing of Bones is full of complex twists and real details about search-and-rescue dog training that Paula learned through the training of her own dog. With its canine sidekicks and rich, dramatic story, this debut will be a must-have for mystery fans.

My Thoughts
Five stars all the way
The perfect start to a new series that I can't wait to read more of .It has everything in that I love , a good mystery of who done it and why , dogs .Really great characters , and the author pulls you into the story and never lets you go. It has action all the way though it and never stops there . With that said I would love to thank Netgalley for letting me read it and review it in change for my honest opinion. Can't wait for the next book to come out .

This is a first book in a new storyline from Paula Munier. This book follows Mercy and Elvis, both being retired war veterans. Elvis is a Belgian Malinois, and Mercy is his new handler. Elvis’ handler, Martinez, was killed overseas in Afghanistan and was also Mercy’s fiancé. Now, they are struggling to overcome the PTSD and injuries they obtained while in Afghanistan and they retreated to a small town in Vermont and walk in the mountains to heal. They come across a baby in the wilderness and some bones nearby while hiking. They have been given a renewed purpose in understanding the mystery of who the baby is and where her parents are, as well as who do the bones belong to.

This is the first book of Munier’s that I have read and I must say, I really enjoyed it. In doing a quick search on the author, this seems to be the first suspense novel she has written and I really enjoyed it. There was mystery, suspense, and lots of emotions as you got a glimpse into what it means for soldiers when they return from war unsure of what they should do next. I really hope there is another book that follows this one and I would definitely say I am a new fan of Munier’s.

First book it the Mercy and Elvis series and I was pleasantly surprised! The writing just flowed and I felt like there was just enough mystery. Look forward to the next in the series.

This is the first in a new series by the author and I hope the beginning of a long successful series to come with many more releases.. it is always enjoyable to find a new mystery author and rare to find one that is so gifted in writing mysteries is especially thrilling.
I loved this book and highly recommend it for everyone that enjoys thrillers and mysteries.
Thank you for the ARC which does not influence my opinion.
In this book we meet Mercy Carr and her fantastic explosive sniffing trained dog Elton . They have just returned from Afghanistan where Mercy lost her fiance and Elton lost his owner. They are both grieving and retreat to Vermont. She also has a scent dog Susie and a rescue kitten named Muse. I already loved this book in the beginning with her compassion for a grieving dog. Her love of animals is primary in this book and endearing to all of us that love animals.
As they explore the wilds of Vermont they attempt to heal each other. Both taking care of each other. They are hiking one weekend and Mercy finds a baby left in a backpack. He signals his owner that he smells explosives but none are found with the baby.
The dogs also locate an old grave site of bones. Elton signals that explosives again are present but the police do not find any explosives. When the baby is kidnapped from the hospital she is on the case in spite of warnings to stay out of the matter. With Elton and Susie by her side she investigates and finds many disturbing clues along the way.
This is so well crafted that I could not put this book down. .it is a exciting read and definitely a page turner. The mystery, clues and whodunit are very well formatted to the plot. I loved the animals, Mercy's love for the animals and her talent to solve the mystery. A excellent read !

What a great new series by Paula Munier. Filled with mystery and an excellent cast of characters, this book is fast paced and even those that aren’t dog lovers will find something to love about Elvis and Susie Bear. Mercy, a retired MP and Troy, a Game Warden, are an interesting pair, add the dogs and it becomes a very good read. Munier does a nice job of keeping the reader interested and tying everything together in the end. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Mercy and Elvis Series!

It's always such a pleasure to read a mystery, to grow close to the characters, to be satisfied with the plotting and the resolution, and THEN to discover it's the first in a series. Woohoo! Mercy is my favorite kind of character: smart, brave, and flawed. And wounded--a former soldier who is dealing with loss. She feels like a real person to me, and I was rooting for her the entire way through the book.

The supporting characters are also well-drawn and complex. Even though there are a fair number of them, they are all easily distinguishable, but not stereotypes--that's a hard thing to pull off.

The plotting is strong, and I couldn't put this down. Can't wait for book #2!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Borrowing of Bones is the first book in a new series by author Paula Munier. Mercy Carr, US Army MP, has retired to be near her caring grandmother after an ambush and fire fight in Afghanistan that left Mercy wounded and her fiancé, Sgt. Martinez, dead. She now lives in a cabin on a small piece of land outside of Northshire, VT, with Martinez’s PTSD suffering explosive detection dog, Elvis.

Now working her way back towards normalcy, Mercy and the Belgian shepherd rehab with long daily walks in the Vermont woods, especially on the trail to Lye Brook Falls. On a late June day, Elvis makes some unexpected discoveries; first a baby girl left upright in a hiking backpack and then he alerts to explosives.

Responding to Mercy’s 911 call is Vermont Fish and Wildlife Game Warden Troy Warner and his search and rescue Newfoundland mix, Susie Bear. After taking the infant to the local hospital, Mercy accompanies Warner back to where the discoveries were made and she had marked the areas using duck tape. When they arrive the two dogs are sent to search following the scent from a baby blanket. They seem to be off task and playing until it is discovered that they have found what appears to be human bones.

With medical examiner Dr. Darling on site with her crew to sift for bones, the wait was long. But when the ME discovers the skull of an adult male that has obviously been shot in the head, the beginnings of an intertwined plot that brings together murder, Vermont First secessionists, artists working in art trouve, an art heist, and a most unexpected mastermind.

This is a fast paced mystery pairing two dedicated law enforcement officers seeking answers to what has been and what can be prevented. This is the beginning of a new series that I look forward to reading as this page turner was a treat. I very much enjoyed this book and do recommend it!

This is the first in a series and got it off to a great start! This is the perfect mystery, as it had likeable characters and the plot moved along pretty quickly! Extra points for having a dog in the book!

A BORROWING OF BONES by Paula Munier, is a strong start to a new series! I love the premise of the plot about a medically discharged soldier and service dog. Mercy Carr, and her deceased fiancé’s injured canine, Elvis, are two veterans learning to overcome their wounds. Not only are their wounds physical but both are struggling with PTSD. Ms. Munier tackles this heart-wrenching issue facing our veterans and creates a richly detailed suspense that draws the reader in. Mercy and Elvis are well-developed characters and I enjoyed their interaction as they work together and learn to trust each other. The information about working with the varied expertise of the service dogs intrigued me. It is obvious that the author has extensively researched this aspect along with the Vermont setting detailed in the story. It adds an air of authenticity to the book.

Mercy’s grandmother and the handsome game warden are also great supporting characters. They provide opportunities for Mercy’s personality to be revealed instead of her carefully crafted façade she uses to shield herself from the outside world. I especially enjoyed the Shakespearean quotes Mercy uses throughout the book for various situations. The plot flowed at an even pace and there was a palatable buildup to the suspenseful and exciting conclusion. The only thing that detracted me from the story was the often large amounts of inappropriate junk food Mercy and the game warden feed their dogs. I hope her veterinarian grandmother remedies that in the next book. Despite that, I greatly enjoyed A BORROWING OF BONES and look forward to reading the next release!

I've quickly become hooked on mysteries featuring working dogs-- especially military or police dogs. I think it's because the bond between human and dog is so strong and because the dog's capabilities are extraordinary. When I learned of this first Mercy and Elvis mystery, I knew I had to read it, and the only thing I can say now is that I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

A Borrowing of Bones is fast-paced and well-plotted, with a mystery that keeps readers guessing. Munier also makes her Vermont setting come to life, so much so that I wanted to book the next flight there. Not only do you get a feel for the lifestyle of the people living there, you can also do a bit of fantasizing since the main characters have what would be to me dream homes. (Mercy and Elvis in a perfect cabin deep in the woods complete with a fireplace and a wall of books, and Troy and Susie Bear in a converted fire lookout tower.)

However, the characters of Mercy, Elvis, Troy, and Susie Bear are what really matter. Mercy has a lot of sharp edges and bad memories. With the special bond between Martinez and Elvis, she's always felt like an outsider, as though the man and his dog were a closed circuit. She's got a lot to work through, and Troy quickly discovers that it's going to be a challenge to get to know her. I also liked the fact that Elvis has canine PTSD since most people probably aren't aware that dogs can suffer from it. Yes, compared to Mercy and Elvis, Troy and Susie Bear are big softies, so this is a relationship that's going to be fun to watch develop.

If you like fast-paced, intriguing mysteries in vivid settings that are filled with multi-faceted characters and wonderful working dogs, I strongly recommend that you get in on the ground floor of the Mercy and Elvis series. A Borrowing of Bones is a winner.

A great first novel in what I hope becomes a series. Munier creates complex and interesting characters, both human and canine, in this story, which finds ex-MP Mercy Carr and retired sniffer dog Elvis and game warden Troy Warner and Newfoundland-mix Susie Bear in a thriller involving separatist movements, poachers, and artists in small-town Vermont. The book's pacing is perfect, the logic is solid, and I felt pleasantly immersed in an area I knew little about. The dogs are well-written and neither too cute nor too anthropomorphized. I'm recommending this widely.

This first book, in what I hope will be a very long running series, took hold of me from page one and I read it in less than a weekend. (I did take time to sleep a bit) I was drawn into the story so firmly that I lost track of time. The flow of the words, the story - that rare storyteller who crafts a seamless string of words - this was a book I didn't want to leave.
Mercy Carr is a wonderful character, an Army Corporal/MP back from Afghanistan, battered both mentally and physically. She has lost her love, Martinez, a dog handler who died in battle. All she has left of him is his most awesome K9 partner, Elvis. After some effort she gains custody of Elvis and together they settle down in Vermont. Not too far away from her grandmother Patience, the local vet. Patience is a force to be reckoned with, kind, gentle, the widow of a policeman. She helps Mercy reconnect to her childhood roots. One of those connections was the teenaged life guard Mercy had a crush on when she was fourteen and he was eighteen. Troy is all grown up, working as a Warden for Fish and Wildlife. And he has an equally awesome search and rescue dog, a Newfie mutt name Susie Bear.
The mystery is very satisfying, well laid out with some nice twists and turns. I don't want to give any of the story away, I don't want to spoil the pleasure of each paragraph, each page, each chapter. These are people and animals I would love to have in my life. From Mercy quoting Shakespeare to everybody's interaction with each other and the setting of a town in Vermont and the dogs! Oh, the wonderful dogs...Now I can't wait to read the next Mercy and Elvis mystery.

“Babies, bombs, bones.” Troy looked at Mercy. “You and your dog have had a very busy day.”

Retired military MP Mercy Carr is back home in Vermont after her fiance was killed in Afghanistan. Her last promise to him was to take care of his bomb sniffing dog Elvis and she's finally able to get Elvis back to Vermont to live with her. Both Mercy and Elvis are suffering from grief and PTSD and find the Vermont wilderness calming.

That is until one day when Elvis not only alerts to explosives but also finds a baby abandoned in the forest.

This brings Mercy into contact with Vermont Fish and Wildlife Game Warden Troy Warner (who she happened to have a big crush on when she was 14 years old) and who also has a dog, a SAR dog named Susie Bear.

This story goes in many different directions, with all kinds of twists. It's the first book in a new series and I enjoyed the storytelling and the many characters especially of the canine variety.

I received this book from Minotaur Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

Retired MP and Afghanistan vet Mercy Carr brought home the Belgian Malinois, Elvis, and they are living a quiet life after she is granted the ex-bomb-sniffing dog. Mercy is exercising the high energy canine early when the dog suddenly darts into the dense underbrush and alerts to a baby.

It is the July 4th holiday in the Lye Brook Wilderness of the Vermont mountains and the closest law enforcement officer is U.S. Game Warden Troy Warner. Troy has a search-and-rescue Newfoundland mix he calls Susie Bear. Elvis has also alerted to explosives and together their dogs discover human bones.

It doesn't take long to fall in love with both totally different animals--the dogs, that is. Mercy is a maverick, stoic, separated from her well educated, professional parents to enter the military and returned with PTSD. She is driven, wholly and completely, to find and assure that the baby and her mother are safe. Troy, also a military vet, is from the same town, a few years older, and enjoys his job. He's cute and a keeper.

The story creates a strong multi-protagonist bond in the foursome, the animals as much a force as the humans. Along with Mercy, her grandmother Patience evokes a strong support character presence, as does Troy's captain. The dialogue between Mercy and her grandmother provide a few chuckles.

Overall, a strong, complex, and well-plotted and researched narrative that moves at a fair pace, keeping engagement. I had to question the choice of foods (human) provided the dogs, and Mercy's ability to continue beyond normal human endurance.

The pace speeds toward the hair-raising and explosive conclusion and then the dust is allowed to settle at an informal dinner/epilogue. I received this download from the publisher and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. Hands down, the dogs take middle stage and I'm looking forward to reading how the relationships progress. Wholly recommended for all who enjoy a canine-driven mystery, interesting and complex male/female protagonist team, and the beauty of Vermont and their distinctive Yankee spirit.