I have a very soft spot in my heart for books that involve K-9 officers. I'm not sure how I missed book 1 of this series, but I jumped at the chance to read a review copy of book 2! So glad I did...I can tell this series is going to quickly become one of my favorites!

Mercy Carr is a former Army MP. Her fuzzy sidekick, Elvis, is a retired bomb sniffing dog. They team up with local game warden Troy Warner and his search and rescue dog to investigate a killing. A young autistic boy was lost in the woods and may have witnessed the murder. Someone is after the boy now, too. So, the two dogs....and their two people....have to team up to protect the boy and catch a killer.

A reader could jump into this second book without reading the first story. There are enough clues to the characters, relationships and background stories to fill in any gaps. But, I am going to backtrack and read book one, then re-read this one. I want to get the whole picture! In fact, I have the first book, A Borrowing of Bones, waiting for me at the library.

The investigation moved along at a nice pace, with plenty of clues, suspects, twists and action. There are also some secrets, past relationships and a bit of drama in the character development. I like the setting in Vermont. And several of the side characters are just awesome! Henry is an awesome character. I hope he shows up in later stories!

All in all, a very entertaining reading experience. Well-written, suspenseful and engrossing! It definitely kept my attention from start to finish.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!
Blind Search is a terrific mystery. Mercy & Elvis are back and entangled in another murder mystery and keeping a special little boy safe. This story takes place in Vermont in the autumn and the location is as much a part of the story as the suspects. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more adventures with Mercy & Elvis.

Book re iew, Kellerman
Reading a novel that hasn't had its final editing can be frustrating. At times, when she becomes he, or a character whose name was changed during writing didn't get changed everywhere, or a certain descriptive phrase is used waay too many times, divining the author's intent or competency can be tricky.
In this second book of the series, Mercy Carr and her ex-Army dog Elvis must deal with not only blizzards and illegal night hunters but Henry, a nine year-old autistic math genius who may hold the decisive clues to solving a pair of grisly bow-and-arrow homicides. When Henry's father is arrested for the first, Mercy and Elvis must track down the real killer. Adding to the complications is the growing attraction between game warden Troy Warner and Mercy, whose fiancé -Elvis's handler - died in Afghanistan.
This is a textbook small-town murder mystery. Maybe a bit too textbook. Bucolic setting: check. Feisty ex-military heroine with emotional baggage: check. In fact, both lead characters with cartloads of baggage: double check. Quirky, charming kid in danger: check. Quirky support characters including an aunt who seemingly can move mountains and a millionaire who literally could: check. Military-veteran dogs: check. A blustering, incompetent cop: yet another check.
The primary mystery and its denouement are entwined with the many other facets of the story, including physical aspects such as miles of primal forests and waves of lethal weather. Clearing the underbrush and finding the murderer sends Mercy digging into the past. The murderer is canny and ruthless, the unearthing of ancient clues reveals a series of surprises. Marital status, parentage, inheritance, ancient loyalties and loves, all called into question.
One thing the book lacks (so far) is a sensitivity reader. The author's use of a stereotyped, tacky dialect for an Indian physician was clumsy and offensive. I've had multitudes of interactions with Indian doctors and none of them spoke like streetside chatt-wallahs. it weren't for that gaffe, I'd give this a four. As it reads today (but not, I hope, at publishing), I must give it a three.

"Blind Search" is a mystery/suspense novel. It's the second book in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this novel didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous novel.

The characters were engaging, complex, and acted in realistic ways. The mystery was complex since things were happening at the same time which may or may not have been connected: two murders, illegal hunting, gun smuggling, and more. Mercy and her talented service dog, Elvis, were hired by her billionaire neighbor to track down clues and protect their only witness, an autistic boy who isn't talking about what he saw. She worked with U.S. Game Warden Troy Warner and his search and rescue dog since he had the right to investigate and arrest when it came to several of their leads. The suspense remained high since several people were after the boy and other suspects simply didn't want to get caught doing other illegal activities.

There was occasional use of bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to people who enjoy canine mysteries and suspense.

Terrific read. Emotional with many levels of investigation and characters alive with intelligence. I read this is one night-- no I didn't sleep. The child makes the plot intense
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

The adventures of Mercy and Elvis continues. An intriguing child is involved. Clever, convoluted relationships. I look forward to reading the next one.

I really enjoy this series by Paula, I found myself not wanting to put the book down. Quarter the way through had to purchase book #1 as I was enjoying it so much. Looking forward to book #3.

This is the second book in the series and it was as good as the first one! The story started off with a bang and I had a hard time putting it down. I really liked the characters especially the dogs. I thought it was very descriptive, I felt like I was in the forest and the snow with them. I really enjoyed the book! Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the early copy

law-enforcement, murder-investigation, K-9, protective-dogs, search-and-rescue, autism-spectrum, small-town, Vermont

Elvis the Belgian Malinois is a retired US army MP with two tours in Afghanistan behind him, just like his human partner, Mercy. Susie Bear, the beautiful Newfoundland dog is a search and rescue specialist working with her Fish and Wildlife warden, Troy.
The good natured bazillionaire with the magnificent compound in Vermont has a group of old friends out for legal hunting on his property, but it turns out very badly with the first murder. Even worse, the murder was witnessed by a young boy who has enough problems of his own and becomes targeted by persons unknown. Thankfully, he has both protectors enjoying and guarding him while their partners go about doing the detecting. Lots of plot twists and red herrings to keep things crazy!
A good read that grabbed me by the brain and wouldn't let go until finished!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

This book was so good!! It is full of action, suspense and a mystery to solve. It is well written and holds your attention from the first page until the last.. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Thank you St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Blind Search by Paula Munier. 4.5 stars

Mercy Carr Mystery #2' a follow up to last year's "A Borrowing of Bones".

This was an engrossing mystery starring Mercy Carr and her dog, Elvis. In the first book we are introduced to all the main characters. Mercy Carr, a vet who has left the military after two tours in Afghanistan. Her dog, Elvis who is trained to find explosives. A game warden, Troy Warner and his dog partner, Susie Bear. The mystery was pretty good, but the story focused on providing background for all the main characters. This book as a mystery was better than the first.

In this book, the mystery focuses on an autistic boy, Henry and what he might have seen in the woods - because Mercy finds a dead woman shot through her heart with and arrow.. Interwoven in the main mystery are side investigations into poaching and gun smuggling. There are almost too many crimes to investigate in one book. What is also fun is the relationship between Mercy and Troy. Mercy is still mourning her boyfriend who was killed overseas. Troy is lying to Mercy, but it's lying through omission. How they will progress through several obstacles will have to wait for the next book.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

I adore this series and this book is really good. Although I have to say you don't ever feed onions to dogs.

I fell in love Henry and Yolanda and cannot wait to see what if any roles they play in future books.

Mercy is once again is brilliant and shows Harrington up once again. Although I think maybe she has more than one admirer.

I'm loving the ending and cannot wait for the next book.

I absolutely love this book, from the beginning to the end, it's perfect. I felt for Henry, Mercy, Troy and all the rest all the way. This book is even better than the first one. I can't wait for the next!. #Blind Search #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc.

I have read A Borrowing of Bones -- the 1st Mercy & Elvis book and enjoyed it. I looked forward to this read as well. I love dog stories (they don't need walking like my dogs do), and Elvis is very much a character and real part of these stories. As is Susie Bear... Mercy and Troy are likeable as well, but it's the older gals in this story that stole the show for me, Patience & Lillian. Blind Search very much felt like one almost all the way through -- a complex collection of crimes to be figured out. It moved at a fast pace, slowed down only by a couple of snow storms (snow?? in Vermont?, who knew) Several new characters were added into Northshire and I'd like to see more of them in future books.

I'd also like to see more in-depth character development and fewer details of clothing, furniture, high-end automobiles, etc.

3.5 stars rounded up.