Sometimes, when you’re in a reading slump, it’s comforting to revisit your favorite authors who never disappoint. For me, Kendra Elliot is one of those writers, and The First Death was the perfect choice to reignite my thrill for thrillers. This gripping novel masterfully combines suspense, emotion, and an intricate plot that will leave readers unable to put it down.

The story begins with an intense opening: siblings Marcus (7) and Rowan (5) are abducted but manage to escape. Rowan is rescued by a Search and Rescue (SAR) team, but Marcus vanishes. Fast forward 25 years, and Rowan has turned her trauma into a purpose, becoming a SAR professional alongside her loyal dog, Thor. Every year on Marcus’s birthday, she embarks on a private mission to search for him—or at least his remains. This year, she discovers a female body and a small boy's remains. Could this be Marcus?

The narrative alternates between past and present, skillfully unraveling the mystery of what truly happened during those harrowing events. The alternating timelines not only build tension but also provide deeper insights into Rowan’s character and her determination. I found myself deeply invested in her quest for closure and justice, which made the shocking revelations about her rescuer and mentor hit even harder. Elliot’s ability to evoke empathy for Rowan while delivering unexpected twists is a testament to her skill as a storyteller.

Another highlight for long-time fans is the return of beloved characters from previous books, such as Mercy Kilpatrick and Evan and Victoria Perez. Their appearances add depth and familiarity to the story, creating a rich world where past and present stories intertwine seamlessly.

The First Death doesn’t shy away from exploring dark truths, but it balances them with moments of hope, resilience, and human connection. The inclusion of SAR work and the bond between Rowan and Thor brings an authentic, heartwarming layer to the story.

Overall, The First Death is a compelling and emotional read that will satisfy fans of Elliot’s work and thriller enthusiasts alike. It’s a reminder of why Kendra Elliot remains one of my go-to authors for nail-biting suspense. Highly recommended for those who enjoy gripping mysteries with a touch of heart.

a gripping mystery thriller that plunges readers into a race against time to solve a chilling murder case, showcasing Elliot's talent for crafting intricate plots and compelling characters.

Rowan Wolff was five years old when she, her brother, Malcolm, and their babysitter were kidnapped. The babysitter was murdered, Rowan was saved and her brother was killed and buried in the forest, but his remains never found. The man convicted in those crimes, as well as other murders of several women, refuses to say where he buried the body, also stating that it was an accident. Fast forward twenty-five years, and Rowan is now working with search and rescue, partnered with her dog, Thor. On her down time, she still searches for her brother's grave. When new murders begin to occur, Detective Evan Bolton is stumped. The murders are identical to those perpetrated by the sociopath that is in prison. Are they copycat killings or was there a partner that has come out of hiding? It seems that there is some connection to Rowan, which pulls her into the investigation.

This is another gripping Columbia River story. Rowan's story is told in flashbacks and memories, as well as another storyline of a young man who is also a captive. There is sadism and psychopathic behaviour described in those storylines, so fair warning. Rowan is such a strong female character, but I was worried something might happen to her. Rowan and Evan worked well together, and I liked how they investigated and followed the clues. I enjoyed seeing Evan in the main role, as he has appeared in previous books as a secondary character. With the descriptive details from their captivity, I was glad to see that Rowan's family was supportive and of course, Thor is amazing. This is a story that moves quickly, has several twists and reveals that surprised me and kept me gripped from the beginning until the end.

I love Kendra Elliot and when a need a good Crime Fiction book I always turn to her and this was not different. I love this series

Although a series, this book reads as a standalone. It’s my understanding that the author reuses characters but the storylines function separately.

I stayed up late to finish this one, so needless to say it held my attention. I will note that the content could be disturbing for some readers as it contains vivid descriptions of child abuse.

Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A creepy page turned that had me guessing until the last page. I was instantly pulled into the book needing to what happened. A perfect cover for a perfect thriller!

The First Death is a gripping thriller by Kendra Elliot that takes place in the breathtaking backdrop of the Columbia River Gorge. The story follows FBI special agent Zander Wells and his partner, Ava McLane, as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths in the small town of Solitude.
Elliot's vivid descriptions bring the Pacific Northwest to life, immersing readers in the rugged beauty of the region. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats, and the characters are well-developed and compelling.
The author expertly weaves together elements of suspense, romance, and forensic detail, creating a riveting narrative that will captivate readers from start to finish. The First Death is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling mystery set against a stunning natural backdrop.

I can't believe how fast paced this book is, it just doesn't seem to stop. It caught me hook,line and sinker.

This book follows characters we have come across before—Rowan, a search and rescue dog handler, and Evan Bolton, a detective. Murders are taking place that seem to all center around Rowan. What happened when she and her brother were kidnapped 25 years ago? The answer-and the story- are amazing. GreaT writing from this author, once again.

I LOVED this story. This is the first Kendra Elliot book I've read but it will not be the last. This story was so unique and gripping. The story started off quickly and didn't let up. The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat and the plot twists were unmatched. I also can't say how much I love the fact that there was a dog in this story. I am a huge dog lover and only realized when reading The First Death that I don't get near enough stories with them included (thank you for not hurting the dog - I would have never recovered). 5 stars. Thank you so much for writing this.

Rowan and her search and rescue dog Thor help the police find missing people. Rowan has had a very traumatic past as when she was five years old she was abducted along with her brother Malcolm and their babysitter. Rowan was the only one rescued. The babysitter’s body was found and Rowan has been searching to find her brother’s remains for the past twenty five years. Every year on the anniversary of Malcolm’s birthday Rowan visits the area where she was found to search. Thor suddenly discovers the body of a young woman and when the police investigate they find bones which may belong to a young boy. Could they be Malcolm’s? Rowan’s kidnapper was jailed so who could have killed this woman. When more bodies are found, one being the man who rescued Malcolm, they realise that there are more people involved. The story is told in the past and present, with plenty of twists and turns. A highly recommended read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book,

4.5 stars!

I finally got around to reading The First Death, which I really wished I'd prioritized earlier as this book was absolutely phenomenal. We follow Rowan, who was kidnapped along with her brother when she was five years old. Twenty-five years later, Rowan is still trying to locate the body of her brother who is said to be buried in a forest. When skeletal remains of several bodies are found, Rowan can't help but hope one is of her brother.

This is my first Kendra Elliot book and now I'm so keen to read more. Her writing style is fantastic with the characters all likable. There were several twists incorporated into the story which I wasn't expecting too. I also loved that Rowan's dog, Thor, featured so promptly!

This is the fourth book in the Columbia River Series and can be a stand-alone read

The story begins 25 years ago when Rowan and her brother Malcolm are kidnapped along with their babysitter.
This is a fab read. The relationships and characters are great and the story is full of twists that will keep you guessing to the end

4/5

Great novel about a woman and her brother kidnapped when very young, one survives and becomes a SAR with a dog. In the present, bodies are being found, search for a serial killer that connects to the past.

Kendra Elliot is famous for her thrillers but this is the first book of her's I am reading. Having read "The First Death", her 4th book in the Columbia River series, I can see why. Search and Rescue expert Rowan Wollff was five years old when she and her 7 year old brother are kidnapped by a man after he murders their nanny, and tortured for many days, before Rowan's escape and eventual rescue. She and her family have ever since believed that her brother is dead and have done their best to move on, while still keeping him alive in their memories.

When Rowan comes across a bunch of remains near theirs nanny's murder site, the family gets renewed hope for a possible closure, particularly when they find that one of the remains belong to a young boy. However, everything is not as cut and dried as it seems. The cop's efforts in finding the identity of the remains and the murderer takes them through a confounding and convoluted investigation that only raises more questions than answer them. And all these questions are answered through an engaging story which has gripping emotion and intriguing plot points, with the author Elliot managing to hold the attention of the reader effortlessly.

Though there are many excellent authors out there, very few manage to create the magic in their writing, which pulls the reader into their world. Kendra Elliot is one such gifted writer. Her style of narration is very clear and is easily comprehensible; the pacing is on point, with enough pauses intermittently, to give the reader space to absorb the convoluted succession of events. I highly recommend this author and book if you are a lover of thrillers and would love to lose yourself in a chilling and thrilling story.

I, for one, am highly impressed and can't wait to read more of this author's work.

Entertaining story about Rowan, who was kidnapped as a child, along with her brother Malcolm and babysitter. Malcolm was killed and buried, while Rowan was found alive, albeit in bad shape.

The highlight for me was Thor. More books should have a Thor in them! I also rather warmed to Rowan and Evan. I haven't read any of the other books (apparently this is the fourth book) but apparently, you don't need to follow on. While I enjoyed this, it dragged a bit in parts and I do feel the characters could have been a bit more fleshed out, and the story tightened up and polished a bit. I do think I'll check out the rest of the series, just not right away.

A word to the wise, if child abuse bothers you, consider skipping this.

A solid 2-and-a-half-star rounded up to 3 read.

I didn't know how much I wanted Detective Evan Bolton story until I picked up The First Death. From beginning to end this is a perfect blend of romance, mystery and storytelling.
Rowan is a strong female character with a sad beginning to life that pulled her into the direction her life took.
First to last page readers will not be able to put this book down. It is a perfect summer read

Thank you Netgalley

I just discovered Kendra Elliot and her often times writing partner Melinda Leigh over the past 2 years, so I have been trying to catch up and read all of their stories. I saw the blurb for The First Death, and although I knew I would be reading out of order, I went ahead and read this one. The plot intrigued me greatly and I knew Ms. Elliot was going to be taking me on a fast-paced ride to discover the truth.

My heart really went out to Rowan for what she and her brother Malcolm had been through as young children. I will readily admit that I shed quite a few tears while reading this story, particularly at the very end. I couldn't read fast enough to find out if Detective Evan Bolton was going to be able to solve the mystery of who was committing these heinous crimes. And how exactly do these current day crimes connect to the murders that happened 25 years ago, when Rowan and her brother Malcolm had been kidnapped, with only Rowan being rescued?

The thing I love about reading Ms. Elliot's books are that she keeps the pacing moving at a nice even clip. There are no unnecessary lengthy inner monologues to bog the story down, everything is set at a pace that I really connect with and keeps my attention. And that was the case with this story as well. I particularly enjoyed the reader got chapters in current day, chapters telling us what happened firsthand when Rowan and Malcolm were taken, and then eventually chapters from a character that rounded out everything, past and present, that was needed to bring this story to conclusion.

As I said, I shed many tears while reading. The subject matter is not for the faint of heart, and unfortunately everything that was written about are things that occur every single day in the world. Ms. Elliot didn't sugar coat it, but she also didn't get as brutal as she could have which I was grateful for. I know there are a whole set of stories out there in the Mercy Kilpatrick series that I need to go back and catch up on, which I understand is where the reader first meets Rowan and Evan, so I am anxious to get started on those books as well as the other books in this Columbia River series. I have so much to read! Not a bad problem to have.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

The First Death by Kendra Elliott, Columbia River #4, is a twisty murder mystery set in the Pacific Northwest. As a side note, Kendra Elliott locates her intriguing mysteries in this beautiful region. When Rowann Wolf was five, she along with her 8 year old brother and also their babysitter were kidnapped by a vicious sociopath. She and her sibling are imprisoned in a shed, fed a meager amount, kept in the dark, tormented daily. Now, 25 years later, the babysitter has been long dead as well as Rowann's brother. She has become a loner, feeling her brother's demise might not have happened as she was told. With her trusty search and rescue dog, Rowann seeks to locate where he's buried., and she's joined by Det. Evan Bolton.
Kendra always weaves her mysteries deliciously, with a little bit of that, along with increasing tension and twists! The First Death is no exception. Oh, be prepared for the solution, it's not what I anticipated!
I highly recommend this outstanding thrilling mystery by Kendra Elliott!!!

My first read from this author and definitely will check her other books. I love this one. It's a series but definitely can read as a standalone, I don't miss out anything.

What I like:
- The mystery. It's about kidnapping, murder, child abuse, brainwashing, grooming. It's pretty gruesome, some parts is just so hard to read especially that POV from those children, I need to stop to take a breath, it's pretty scary to imagine what those children endure. A page-turner read, one minute my heart races, and the next minute got me thinking what exactly really happen here, what's the connection between these deaths. The back and forth between the past and present really upped the ante.
- The plot twist, even though I guess it right it doesn't take away all the fun guessing what really happen
- It's about family, I love how they always there for each other as family should, always support and protect and will do anything for family, some parts got me teary.
- Thor and all the SAR community, loveeee those wonderful K9 in action to help the case, love the connection between the K9 and the handler, their bond is just amazing.
- The romance. Rowan and Detective Evan are made for each other, I love their banter. And I think the romance is needed here, with all those gruesome details, I need a breather and the romance do exactly that.
- The main characters. Love Rowan and Detective Evan. Loveable characters from the beginning.

What I don't like: none.

Recommended: yes, if you love mystery thriller with a dash of romance, this one is for you, don't forget to read the trigger warning though, some parts just really gruesome.