Captures you at the first page and doesn't let you go. It is a heart pounding, heart wrenching thriller with pages after pages of suspense. There is darkness with physical and emotional child abuse. There is light and hope as Rowan lives her life helping others with her SAR dog Thor. Rowans family is mind boggling. This is Detective Evans story and connecting him with Rowan is not only plausible, it was emotionally moving. Seeing Truman and hearing of Mercy are icing on the cake. I read this in one setting and it hit on so many levels. There is no problem reading this as a standalone, but I promise - you will want to read every book Kendra Elliot has written. I have! I also have a lot in audio because they are so well done. Thank you for the arc! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #Thefirstdeath #columbiariver #kendraelliot #montlake #netgalley

I love Kendra Elliot. I need to go back and read book 1 and 2 of this series because it's so good. Each book is a standalone focusing on different main characters in the same area. There are so many great characters to fall in love with. This book was an emotional rollarcoaster and it definitely broke my heart in places. I thought it was going to be a pretty straight forward crime but there were still a twist I did not see coming.

Rowan is so badass and her family is just adorable and so damn strong. Thor is obviosuly the star character. What a dog. I really enjoyed the romance element. It breaks up the horror of what else is going on. I was hooked and could not put it down. The ending was perfect and I really hope we get to catch up with Rowan and her family again.

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I loved meeting Evan in Mercy's series, and getting one on one time with his very own story is everything. A formidabel detective that goes the extra mile with every case and lives for his work. When Rowan comes into his life, he feels like he may be missing out. But timing is always an issue until his newsstand case hits a little close to home for Rowan, and he can't help but want to be there for her in every way. Her traumatic past is back with a vengeance, and he wants to keep the brave woman safe. Formidabel, in her own way and dedicated to her search and rescue job, she is shocked to discover the past is back. All the years searching for her brother and thinking the killer was in jail have rocked her world. Her family has never forgotten Malcolm and never moved on without a body to bury. A thrilling, tragic story of resilience and bravery and healing. I loved it! Rowan and Evan took me on a journey I will not forget!

The First Death is technically the #4 book in the Columbia River Series by author Kendra Elliot but it can be read as standalone. According to the Goodreads profile this series brings together characters from Kendra Elliot’s other series but as I’ve not read any of those either, it didn’t affect my enjoyment of this book. The story has the much loved tropes of cold case meets present day and male and female investigators working together to solve a grisly crime. The main character, Rowan is in search and rescue and her delightful dog Thor is sure to me a much loved part of this book. For those concerned, nothing bad happens to the dog. Overall, this one was a fast-paced, heart-breaking at times thriller that doesn’t let up. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters and hope that the author gives us more in future books. I’m a new fan of this author and look forward to read more in the future.

In this installment of the Columbia River series, we get to learn more about Rowan Wolff and Detective Evan Bolton. If when you first met Rowan you wondered why she walked with a limp - you'll soon find out!

Rowan, her older brother, and their babysitter were abducted when she was 5 years older and her brother was 7. Rowan eventually escaped but the babysitter and her brother were killed; her brother's remains were never found. While a killer was found and convicted, he has always maintained that he does not remember where her brother Malcom was buried. While the physical and mental wounds of that trying time have slowly healed, Rowan and her search and rescue dog, Thor, continue to look for his grave each year.

Meanwhile, Detective Bolton is working on a few new murder cases that at first don't seem connected, but then skeletal remains are found in the forest that seem to match the killings of the same killer who kidnapped Rowan and is still in prison. Are all these cases connected? If so how? And why do they all seem to be connected to Rowan?

I'm surprised it took me a full 5 days to read this book as I was always looking forward to when I could pick it back up again and read more! The resolutions to Ken's murder, what happened to Malcom, and the recently discovered bodies were surprising and satisfying. I'm very grateful to netgalley.com for providing an advance copy of this book.

Wow what a roller coaster ride that was, and I just want to jump back on for another round!
This was my first Kendra Elliot book and despite this being book #4 in the series, I was able to read it standalone. But now I really need to read the others!
The story of siblings that were kidnapped at a young age, and told from current day with flashes to the past, this book was thrilling, sad, happy, and overall a great book to devour.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Evan and Rowan have met each other through work quite a few times and their paths seem to be crossing more and more during cases that Evan is investigating. Rowan and her SAR dog Thor help Evan find a young boy and then Rowan also finds the remains of a young woman. It turns out there might be a tie in to the kidnapping of Rowan and her brother when she was 5. Rowan’s family has always believed that her brother died and that the man responsible is behind bars, so Rowan is thrown when it looks like there is way more going on than expected. Evan and his partner Noelle work hard to try to unravel who is behind the murder of 3 young woman and the man who found Rowan when she was kidnapped. There is a lot going on, but it all ties up at then end and makes sense. Evan and Rowan get closer and closer the more time they spend together. There was a big twist, which I didn’t expect and loved! I’m a big Kendra Elliot fan and this is her at her best!

To say I wanted more would be an understatement. This was a delicious page turner right from the start. Everytime I had to put it down, it was all I could think about. I did end up finishing way past my bedtime, just so I would be able to sleep. If you love a quick, immersive thriller, than this is definitely for you!

This book was great! I didn’t realize it was part of a series but it didn’t take away from the story at all. There is a very disturbing and quite convoluted mystery/murder/kidnapping plot, with lots of child abuse so be prepared. I really enjoyed both the female and male main characters, and how their lives begin to intertwine. Elliot does a good job of building the romantic tension between Evan and Rowan. There’s plenty of side characters throughout as well, and makes me excited to read the other books in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

I loved this book and completely devoured it! My only regret is that I did not read the others in the series before this one. It was not at all necessary for the story line— but I would love to have experienced them in order. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more by Ms. Elliot. Thank you NetGalley and Montclair for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've read quite a bit of Kendra Elliot's work so was surprised to see that this was book 4 in a series I hadn't noticed before. However this was such a great story that I have already ordered books 1 to 3. Incidentally there are no spoilers in this so it can easily be read as a stand alone story. I don't know when I have last had such a deep loathing for a character as I had for the kidnapper here. The level of cruelty he perpetrated against 2 innocent children was shocking to say the least. I was even more shocked when I found out how involved some other characters were. This is a book that will evoke many different reactions in the reader but that only makes the climax even more thrilling.

This is a harrowing book that will chill any parent to the bone, because this could happen to anyone. Two children along with their babysitter are kidnapped from their home. All the babysitter did was to open the door to a man who had been to the house before.

All three were taken to a cabin in the woods, where the babysitter was killed. The kidnapper separated the children from each other and tormented them, including telling them that their other sibling was dead. Then one day her brother saw an opportunity to give his five-year-old sister a chance to be found.

The book alternates between the past and the present, where one of the children, Rowen, was rescued and now works with the police as a search and rescue officer. Her interest began when a dog found her in the woods after she had been missing for three weeks. Twenty-five years later, Rowen is still searching for her missing brother's body. Then a man on death row claims to know something about her and her brother's kidnapping.

This is the fourth book in the series. I didn't know that until after I had finished it, but in my opinion, it's not necessary to read any of the previous books to enjoy this one. I received a review copy of this book from the publisher Montlake via NetGalley. It was my pleasure to voluntarily read and review this book.

Rowan Wolff and her dog Thor are a very successful search and rescue team working in the Pacific Northwest. They also help the police and other emergency services when asked, with Rowan always on board when children are missing as her life was saved by a similar team when she was only five.

Detective Evan Bolton has been amazed by Rowan and Thor's special relationship and expertise meaning he is always keen to ask for her assistance if his investigation demands it. Unfortunately his latest case draws her in initially as she can identify his latest victim. With her traumatic past appearing to be inextricably linked to an increasing number of bodies and the danger moving ever closer can they identify the killer or will history begin repeating itself once again?

The fourth installment of Kendra Elliot's excellent Colombia River series concentrates on Rowan Wolff's story with the investigation focusing on her traumatic past. It is an exciting, page turner of a thriller with a hint of romance, family relationships, and all the well researched detail you would expect from this brilliant author. It also once again allows fans of her other series a chance to revisit with their favourite characters.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I loved this and happily recommend it.

The First Death by Kendra Elliot is book #4 in the Columbia River series. The evil characters made me shudder. So chilling. This is a complex case. It encompasses past and present. There are situations in the past to solve and murders in the present to solve. The detectives in this book were kept very busy. The surprises kept coming as I read along. I couldn't put this book down. I really liked the main characters, Rowan Wolff and her Search and Rescue K-9 Thor and Detective Ethan Bolton. This author has written about these characters in the past and I am happy they both not only get their own stories told but also get their Happily Ever After together as well.

Kendra Elliot has done it again. Every book is as good as the last. I will hopefully read every book as soon as it come out. Buy her books.

This is the fourth book in the Columbia River series. This is the only books I've read in this series, but it could easily stand alone. In fact, I'd be hard pressed to guess which characters are appearing from the previous books, unless it is Detective Eric Bolton - and he may be it.

The description:
"Rowan Wolff was five years old when she, her brother, and their babysitter were kidnapped by a serial killer in the Pacific Northwest. The babysitter was murdered. Rowan was saved. Her brother was killed and buried in the forest, his remains never found. The convicted killer refuses to say where he buried the boy. Twenty-five years later, Rowan is committed to search and rescue with her faithful canine and is obsessed with finding her brother’s grave—and closure.

Detective Evan Bolton thrives on unraveling tough cases, but his latest is disturbing. There’s another serial killer hunting in Deschutes County, Oregon, and the crimes are identical to those committed by the sociopath languishing in prison. Each victim is linked to Rowan. When skeletal remains of several bodies are exhumed in the forest, Rowan’s connection becomes more entwined and impossible to ignore.

Rowan and Evan are determined to solve the case before someone else dies. And someone else will, as the truth about the past is unearthed."

This is a tense, dramatic read that kept me turning the pages late into the night. I really didn't want to put the book down until I found out how it would end. My heart broke for Malcolm. The kidnapper was horror personified. I have to say I stayed angry through much of the book. I loved the relationship Rowan had with her dog, Thor. I admired Rowan's resolve and her chosen profession of helping other after her ordeal. Detective Eric Bolton came across as a strong, sensitive man and an intuitive detective.

Thanks to Montlake through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on June 13, 2023.

What a ride!! So lovely to reunite with Evan and Rowan and that they get a love story!!! I admit I cried a bit… no spoilers here but what a heartbreaking, bittersweet, traumatic and beautiful story. The SAR aspect with Rowan and Thor was very well researched and fascinating. The suspense kept me on edge and tense the entire read! Thank you Kendra and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Good Read

This was an enjoyable (although some spots were disturbing) and fast read, A young brother and sister, Malcolm and Rowan, were kidnapped, along with their babysitter. The babysitter was killed. The children were tortured. Eventually Rowan escaped. Years later she is a SAR worker and still looking for the body of her missing brother.

I liked the book, which involved several people in the Search and Rescue world. But it seemed like none of them had jobs, Since SAR work is normally done by volunteers and gear and training can be quite expensive, I kept waiting for Rowan to mention a job or have to go to it, But, nope.

But it was a good book and had lots of characters from others in the series.

Loved it and would give the book 4.5stars!! After I read A Merciful Promise, I put in my review that there needed to be a book about Rowan and Thor. I was pleasantly surprised that my wish became true. There could be a whole series about them searching for missing people. Loved getting to know Rowan and her family. Her parents and sisters never forgot Malcolm and keep his memory alive. Loved seeing a little glimpse of Mercy and Truman. I was hooked from the start and couldn't wait to find out who kidnapped Rowan and Malcolm and why. Love Thor. My lazy corgi would never be able to find someone, unless the person was wrapped in bacon and standing right in front of him. Thor always seems to know what people need. Great mystery with twists and turns. I would have never guessed who was involved and also who could have went to the police right away with information. I guess "family" sticks together, even if they are killers. This is the second book I read in the series, and can be read as standalones.

Definitely recommend the book. It was a great mystery/thriller. Loved the characters, story and writing style. Looking forward to reading more books by the author. I can't wait for the next Mercy Kilpatrick book and excited to read more about Detective Noelle Marshall. Love the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Montlake through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I simply love Kendra Elliot and I have read all her books.
She creates amazing little worlds in her series that I love losing time in.
Her Mercy Kilpatrick series are fascinating and opens a way of living totally unknown to me: the preppers! I live in the UK and it was fascinating to discover through the series. So good,...
The Callahan and McLane series is probably one of my all time favourite series (and I am an avid reader). My husband can rest at peace: Callahan is only fictional LOL!!!
The Columbia River series (of which first Death is the 4th) is also a very pleasant extension of these series. Mercy and Truman are amazing characters to follow.
In this book however, Evan and Rowan previously secondary characters, take the main scene and have their story. Very clever indeed from Kendra Elliot and I thoroughly enjoyed it as ever.
Once again, the murder mystery is cleverly set with some upsetting scenes of children abuse (beware of potential triggers). The main characters Evan and Rowan are well developed and highly likable (which I like very much). The backdrop of Deschutes County, Oregon is picturesque and adds much pleasure to the book..
I cannot recommend highly enough this book and indeed this author....