What?! A twisty murder mystery and a heroic golden retriever cadaver dog? Sign me up please! This is a brilliant, entertaining and wonderful first book of the Mace Reid K-9 series!

The Story: Elvira (Vira) was only 9 weeks old when she is rescued from an abusive owner. Mason "Mace" Reid who lives on the outskirts of Chicago adopts and trains her as HRD (human remains detection/cadaver dog). Later on, the Chicago Police Department seeks Mace's help as there is a serial killer known as the Velvet Choker Killer who is targeting young women and may be responsible for the many unsolved disappearances of young women.

My thoughts: What caught my attention about this book is the cadaver dog aspect. I read a lot of crime fiction but this is the first book that is about cadaver dogs. I enjoyed learning about how cadaver dogs are trained. It is really interesting and an eye-opening one for me!

Besides this fascinating aspect, I also find that this story has all the right elements of a good murder mystery. It is indeed a clever plot with unexpected twists and turns. It was suspenseful and had me guessing. My jaw dropped when the perpetrator is revealed in the end. For the life of me, I couldn't have guessed the right one!

The characters are so endearing! Of course I adore Vira. She's an awesome dog with exceptional abilities. There are also other cadaver dogs in this story that I find interesting and important for the plot. The budding friendship between Mace and Kippy is interesting, and overall the characters in this book are pretty well-developed.

In a nutshell, read this book if you want a good and entertaining murder mystery! I enjoyed it and looking forward to read the next book in this series.

Pub. Date: 30 Jun, 2020

***Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this gifted review copy in exchange for an honest review.***

The Finders flows really well and is a fast-paced read - from all sides of the story. The introductory chapter with Christine was an interesting choice of an opener but it does make sense further on into the story. This book is told from multiple points of view and alternates between first and third person - first person for Mace and third for every other character's point of view. The antagonist's story being relayed as third person enhances how little we do know about him in the beginning and lends to his overall mysteriousness. The descriptions of the surroundings our characters are in are also described well and it doesn't take much effort to form the environments described.

I enjoyed Mace as a character, he is exceedingly loyal to his dogs and he is laughably awkward in some situations. Overall he is a character that is relatable because he is human, complete with flaws and a common albeit sad history. We learn quite a bit about our serial killer antagonist through his chapters and he is both interesting and complex. The one character we didn't get much of a background on is Kippy and I am hoping since this is the first book in a series that we will see more of her and her partner Officer Dave Wabiszewski. Mace and Kippy's relationship with Vira is similar to that of parents and what you normally think of when you hear people referred to as dog parents. Vira's beginning is sad but unfortunately not an uncommon fate met by pets daily (even if the means differ) - just that thought horrifies me but it doesn't make it any less true. There was really only one thing that bugged me a little bit - what Officer Ennis shouts at our killer when he is confronted. It's not really something I would bet on an officer saying but when said officer is "in the moment" who knows and Chicago is a little outside of my normal area as well. I visualize Officer Ennis to be similar to Criminal Minds Derek Morgan in my head.

I definitely didn't guess the identity of our serial killer - the story did well at not divulging much detail about him that could be strung together until you had most of the pieces to play with. Even then his sheer mindset and situational brutality were pretty... wow. While we do get some historical background information about the killer we don't go very far. His early years only get some brief mentions when he talks about typical behaviors that can be exhibited by and associated with serial killers as children.

The level of dog love from the author and from the main character, Mace Reid, reminds me of books written by Dean Koontz that also feature golden retrievers. I would highly recommend reading this book, I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading The Finders and I would definitely return to the series for the second installment. If you love dogs, this book is for you - even more so if you love thrillers, serial killers and just a touch of endearingly awkward romance. I would especially like to thank St. Martin's Press for reaching out and offering the opportunity to read a digital ARC of The Finders via NetGalley - all opinions are my own.

My thoughts
Would I recommend it? Yes
Would I read more of this series? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
At first I did know if I want to be made or if I want to hate this author because he made me cry not once but three times for something that happens in the book, but after reading more of it I started to enjoy the story and the inter action between the characters. Another thing this story has going for it is the promise and potential of it even though its a first book to a new series, and I loved the usage of old classic country songs , songs that I actually know since I grew up listing to them and how they tie into the story. Another thing was with every turn of the page you get to see how much Mace loves his dogs, their his fur babies,his family. as for the story itself the way the author writes the story in fascinating detail, just brings it more to life, and that along with have you hook and wanting to now more about what is happening ,with that said I want to says a big thanks to NetGalley foe letting me read and review it, and I can't wait for the next book in the series

I am feeling mixed about this book for one reason only, the author used a word I don’t like (retarded) and I am now struggling to get past that.

While I can see this book being the first of many in a series, and in a series I could see myself enjoying. It is fast pace, short chapters, good dialogue, and an interesting enough story line.

My only critique is that I urge the author and editors to please find a different describing word.

All over the world, wonderful rescue and service dog stories warm our hearts. But what if there is an exceptional hero among them. Prodigy kind. The intelligence level of Albert Einstein or Stephen Hawking in the dog world, wouldn't that be amazing?

Alvira is such a cadaver dog and together with his handler Mason Reid, they solve crimes. All the chapters are from either Mason's point of view and few of them from killer's point of view. It is a strange and comforting mix. Mason is good-hearted characters - awkward and funny sometimes. Slipping into the mind of the killer, Everyman, was a clever twist as well. It was like Dexter without any moral compass. I was disappointed that there weren't any from Vira's point of view but it was wishful thinking on my side. It might explain the phenomena of how she is identifying the killer from the victim's remains but it is explained from other people's guesswork which is fine as well.

I really like the story and narration, it wasn't too tedious to follow, like some CSI because our protagonist Mason Reid is not the police but a dog handler. I am motivated to continue this series.

The novel overall was interesting, but a little slow t0o read. I enjoyed the premise of a dog tracking serial killers.

This is the first book that I have read by Jeffrey B. Burton and it will not be my last. This is a very good suspense thriller, great narrative and heart throbbing moments. The story is about two vicious serial killers, one which was apprehended early in the process and the second who took the police and Mace, a detective, for a ride. A dog is truly a man’s best friend, as Mace’s dogs saved his life numerous times during the story. I enjoy the budding friendship between Mace and Officer Kippy and I hope as the series continue, she will be open to dating him.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. I highly recommend this book.

This was a very interesting and well written book. Mace trains dogs to find cadavers and he gets caught up in a huge mess of a mystery. He works with the police and is called to a park to have his cadaver dogs find a body but unfortunately a police officer gets killed and the crazy man shoots Mace in the shoulder. This books goes thru a lot of twists and I found it to be a very entertains book.

Thank you for the early chance to read it!!

This was an entertaining, fast-paced read. I would have liked a little more character development, but I really enjoyed the feature of the dogs in the story. The ending was a surprise, and very suspenseful. I received a copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was hoping to love this book and I did ! A thriller with dogs !! Loved it ! Exceeded my expectations ! Serial Killer or Serial Killers ? A funny yet flawed Cadaver dog trainer and his 4 awesome dogs ! Very fast paced. Easy read ! If you love suspense and you love dogs, you need to get this book !

A trainer with a smarter than usual cadaver dog. A serial killer who could be anyone. Their paths are intersecting.
This mystery will keep you reading until the end to find out what happens. The character building put you into the character's shoes. This book could stand on its own or be the start of a series. We will wait and see.

I was invited to read this book by the publisher as I have a passion for mysteries. I was a bit dubious at the beginning and started reading without huge expectations, but OMG how wrong I was!
I started the book before bed and I honestly couldn’t put it down! I read almost half and then I had finished it by the next morning.
Mason ‘Mace’ Reid trains dogs in human remains detection, after adopting his latest recruit, Vira, a golden retriever, he realises she has amazing abilities and gets involved in a hunt for a serial killer who soon turns his sights on Mace as he gets closer to the truth.
Thanks to Vira, Mace meets officer Kippy Gimm and working close with her to catch the killer he starts falling for her.
The book is well written, and Mace’s love for his dogs makes him very endearing and a lovable character.
I look forward to the next book to find out how the relationship between Mace and Kippy will develop and what mysteries they’ll be solving together.
Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for letting me review this book.

I have a soft spot in my heart for mystery novels with K-9 units in them. When I saw this first book in a new series, I jumped right on reading a review copy. I'm glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I can't wait for more of this series!

Mace Reid trains cadaver dogs. He's had a rough year. He lost a dog and got divorced. He adopts a new dog, Vira, and starts training her. Just as he is getting to know his newest dog, a serial killer begins targeting women in the area, and Reid finds himself, and his dogs, on the trail of a gruesome, cruel killer.

This book is well written and kept my attention from start to finish. I love how close Mace Reid gets to his dogs. The other characters are well developed and interesting. The mystery itself was paced perfectly, with suspense and surprises to keep readers engaged. I can tell this is going to be a standout series!

I can't wait to find out what's in store for Mace Reid and his dogs next! This is the first book by Jeffrey Burton that I have read. I will definitely be reading more!

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

This was a fun and thrilling mystery that kept me turning the digital pages past my bedtime. Mason Reid trains dogs and his specialty is cadaver dogs. Mason adopts and trains a golden retriever that miraculously survived her previous owner trying to kill her. Vira takes to being a cadaver dog like she was born for it but Vira seems to have further talents. Mason finds himself helping the police with more than locating bodies as he becomes a serial killer’s target. This was well written and the story was very engaging.

My first book by this author, and I really liked it. Though the plot wasn't terribly original in terms of a mystery, I really liked Mace and his relationship with his dogs. That's a highlight and the strength of this story. He treats the dogs as characters and gives them great personalities. For those with animal sensitivities, dogs do get seriously injured but no dogs die.

The story is carried quickly along with short chapters, plenty of action, smart dialog, and even some humor. I found the characters and their motivations and actions believable, even the secondary ones. I always like books where an average guy gets caught up in circumstances beyond his control or comfort zone. He doesn't have mad military skills or secret abilities.....he's just a guy who trains dogs. Lucky for him, his dogs are the 'special' ones, the ones with mad skills!

All in all, a great start to a new series and I look forward to more installments. I hope he keeps the focus on the dogs - they're delightful!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the ARC - I thoroughly enjoyed it!

The first book in this series is quite intense as we're introduced to Mace, 'Dogman' and Vira, his cadavers dog. Mace unknowingly comes across a serial killer when Vira viciously attacks a bystander at a crime scene. He needs to find evidence of wrongdoing before Vira is put down for the attack. The evidence found will turn into a manhunt for another killer. I loved the inside view of the training of the dogs. The IDOT also was quite interesting in the way the department tracks people. Will be interesting to follow the working dogs in the next installment.

The Finding by Jeffrey B. Burton Reviewed June 6, 2020 3.4 stars
Needless to say, this novel is for dog lovers who certainly cannot resist this cover!
My first Mason “Mace” Reid and he lives outside of Chicago. I have a grandson Mason and we lived outside of Chicago…so this got my attention. Also the story starts out with Christine Dack driving her pearl white Miata and yep I drive a pearl white Miata. Then there is Vira, the golden retriever rescue dog, found and trained by Mace to be a cadaver dog.
Well, we have great protection from and any dogs out for a walk on a leash and stops to smell the tree in our front yard. Our little white Multi-poo provides barking that might scare ~ no one! However, she doesn’t notice when an opossum walked through our backyard and hangs out in my potting shed and knocks to the ground all the flower pots on my planting shelf. Yep! Dogs are special.

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this early release granted to me in exchange for an honest professional review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 30, 2020

Book Info
Hardcover, 288 pages
Expected publication: June 30th 2020 by Minotaur Books
ISBN 1250244536 (ISBN13: 9781250244536)
Series Mace Reid K-9 Mystery #1
Other Editions (2)
Source:Netgalley EARC Buy book from Amazon B&N
BOOK BLURB
What happens when the hunter becomes the hunted?

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.

My Thoughts
Not only does Mason Reid train dogs to hunt for the dead he also bonds with them deeply creating a relationship far and beyond that of master and working animal.

His female Collies Delta and Maggie, alpha male German Shepherd Sue, Golden Retriever and star Elvira/ Vira are also a family/friends combo that give Mason joy every day he spends with them that far surpasses anything most humans have been able to.

Despite the somewhat contradictory twists and turns within the story itself readers still will be able to follow along easily and in some cases even jump ahead in figuring out what comes next.

This was an unusual choice of reads for me in some respects and in others one that was perfectly matched to me.

I have always loved dogs, enjoy crime thrillers, like to see characters overcome loss and personal sorrow but most of all like how an author manages to give the reader enough information about what is going on to make them think about possible outcomes.

All these things are part of this new-to-me-authors work while at the same time there also are some underlying issues which kept me guessing right along with Mason Reid and the, at times reluctant, police who work with him to solve a murder case that turns into something more complicated as story unfolds.

I found this to be intense when necessary with fast paced action offset by certain times when information was given both concerning what was happening as well as the motivations behind this particular set of serial killers.

Finale was in character with rest of book and will be more than pleased to see where author takes our dog handler/trainer Mace Reid and his dynamic dogs next if given the chance in future.
[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

The writing is good. But I was hoping to read about the natural instincts and talents of well-trained dogs, not supernatural ones. This book was not for me, I'm afraid.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the chance to read this title. This is my honest review.

I like dogs. As in, I am the kind of person that the main character of this book wouldn't really like because I do not LOVE dogs. BUT I like dogs enough to have enjoyed a lot of this book. Vira, the main character/trained cadaver super dog, was adorable and written in the appropriate level of awesomeness that should be given to animals in books.

Yet, Vira wasn't a believable dog. Many times Vira acted in a way that made her too good to be true. I do not know much about special training for dogs, so there is not too much I can add about the training, behavior, and usage of a cadaver dog, and what I did learn as I was reading was very interesting. Vira's characteristics do add to the action and fun of the story- yet not being able to believe its possibility made parts of the story off-putting.

I enjoyed the mystery. In the end, there were multiple mysteries and the initial murder tied in well with the resolution.

There was a throwaway character- literally a throwaway character- that I kept thinking about after finishing the book. This character was characterized as lazy, which caused the main character to sigh "f--ing millennials" under his breath when he saw him. Not much else to the interaction and completely unnecessary for anything in the plot, other than to isolate millennials and make them realize that this book is targeted for people (and written by a person) much older than them.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.