This book was so so good, I was gripped from the first page to the last. I haven't read any of the other 3 books in the Columbia river series but I have since downloaded them all. This read features Evan Bolton and Rowan Wolff, a pair who is continuously drawn together while investigating several murders. Evan is the lead detective and he notices a pattern, all of these cases tie to Rowan. I don't want to give anything away but definitely pick this up, you won't believe the twist.

I thoroughly enjoyed this crime novel. It was well written. Some of the story has harrowing details of child abuse and so it was difficult to read at times.
I have read Kendra Elliot before and enjoy her writing. Would definitely recommend.

Twenty-five years ago, Rowan Wolff, her brother, and their babysitter were kidnapped. Their babysitter was killed, and Rowan managed to escape with the help of her brother. Her brother's body was never found after he and Rowan managed to escape. Rowan, along with her search and rescue dog, has never given up searching for her brother and hopes that someday she'll be able to give her family the closure they desperately need. Det. Evan Bolton is known for solving tough cases and his two current homicide cases seem to have one thing in common... Rowan. When Rowan stumbles upon a body in the woods, the similarities to the case twenty-five years ago are impossible to ignore. Rowan and Evan are determined to find the killer before another person is killed.

This is book #4 of the Columbia River Series. While some of the characters have been seen in previous books, it can easily be read as a standalone. This book hooked me from the beginning and didn't let go until the end! It could easily be my favorite of the series. Rowan and Evan are characters I definitely want to read more of together. If you like a good crime novel that keeps you guessing until the end, pick up this book.

Trigger warning: child abuse.

Grab tissues but please grit your teeth and read this one. You'll be surprised at the goings on in Bend, OR and with Rowan and her brother. When they were kidnapped as children.

Even as Evan is looking for a current killer Rowan and her dog, Thor, is at his scene searching for the boy who's mother has just been found dead.

But his mind keeps going back and forth between then case and another. Does he have a third victim? And then he's called to yet another case.

Rowan has grown into an amazing SAR team with her dog and they work hard to be able to help find those who are missing. This story comes closer to home than some others and it will keep them close to many of Evan's cases.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another good book by this author,featuring some characters from previous novels. Complex and intriguing,also heartbreaking. An excellent read.

SEARCH AND RESCUE volunteer Rowan Wolff has a terrible history. She and her brother Malcolm were kidnapped by a sadist when they were children, starved, and tortured. When they escaped, Malcolm left her in a hidden spot to try and find help. Rowan was found, but Malcolm never was.

Fast forward 25 years and the man who rescued Rowan has been murdered. Along with detective Evan Bolton, she helps discover why. The story takes a decided left turn when others are found murdered and Rowan appears to be connected to the investigation.

This book had so many twists and turns I was afraid I would get whiplash – in a good way. Excellent storytelling is a gift that Kendra Elliot possesses in spades. I couldn’t put this book down, and while parts were difficult to read – here’s a trigger warning if child abuse bothers you – the story itself was sound and everything made sense.

5 stars from me and thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for the ability to read and review it.

Thank you, #NetGalley for the ARC of The First Death by Kendra Elliot. This is the first book by this author that I have read, and I loved the book. Some dark elements may be disturbing for some readers. The storyline kept me reading, and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries, thrillers, or crime stories.

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

Utterly compelling and brilliantly written. You won't forget this book or its developed characters in a hurry.

Rowan is a very strong kidnapping survivor that turns her childhood trauma into a heroic calling to find those that are lost. She has a tight fellowship with other search and rescue handlers and their dogs, as well as a keen bond with her dog. She becomes a peripheral link to a current-day murder and to a collection of bones found in the woods. Her quest to find her missing brother (kidnapped with her as a child) becomes part of a much larger investigation. Kendra Elliot's books have great characters that you can relate too, are so rich in detail, and contain enough twists and turns to keep you hanging on til the end. The First Death is another hit out of the park! A must read for anyone who likes fast=paced mysteries.

Omg this absolutely blew me away!!! Right from the start, it gets you hooked and it just all kicks off from there. For once there's no opening hook and then the books slows to a crawl, this absolutely kept the pace throughout. The characters were so well written and felt real. I immediately cared about them and what they were going through. In part I assume due to them all being so people and the dogs also being so adorable well written. It has plenty twists and turns without ever getting silly or feeling forced and yeah, I can't rate it highly enough. It was such an amazing read!! This is one of those books that other thrillers aspire to live up to

The First Death is a great thriller that I finished reading in one night. Rowan is a likable heroine and her dog Thor is lovable.
I'd look forward to a spinoff series with Naomi.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the digital review copy.

A well written story. I pretty much knew where it was going at about 30% in, so that is why it did not get 5 stars.

Wow!!.. absolutely unputdownable. From start to finish I was hooked… twists and turns I did not see coming… brilliant and suspenseful. HIGHLY recommend.
I adore this author and this book did not disappoint. Moments that took my breath away, moments of terror and suspense and finally… moments of tears. This book did, in fact, bring me to tears. What an incredibly well written book. The characters came to life. The story gripped me. This was an incredible read. 5 stars

This one was an edge of your seat read. I couldn’t put it down.
I loved learning of Rowans past, what a horrible thing to go through. Never knowing where her brothers body is. Past emotions and new feelings kept me riveted.
Evan has so many cases going on and still stays a great character. Absolutely loved every second of this one, my favorite of the series so far.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review.

The First Death by Kendra Elliot was so hard to put down.

Twenty-five years ago, 5-year-old Rowan was found hiding in bushes after she and her brother were kidnapped. Her 7-year-old brother, Malcolm, was never found. The story shifts between 25 years ago and the present day, which builds to the ultimate reveal.

The story is told between Evan, Rowan, and another character. I cried out at one point in the story when something was revealed and burst into tears—so good!

And Thor (Rowan's German shepherd)!! I was so worried about him throughout the book.

I also loved the mention of FBI Agent Mercy Kilpatrick and having Truman Daly as part of the investigation.

I am a huge Kendra Elliot fan, and this book does not disappoint. I would highly recommend this book and this author.

#TheFirstDeath #NetGalley @AmazonPub

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my
Copy of this book


Rowan Wolff is a survivor. When she was 5 she escaped from her kidnapper. Her brother Malcolm unfortunately didn’t. Rowan now works in search and rescue with her dog Thor.

When her rescuer/mentor Ken, is found shot in the woods and then 3 skeletons are going close by, detective Evan Bolton gets the case.

As Evan investigated and fights his growing attraction to Rowan, he realises that all the cases are linked to her in some way. What is the link?

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great (especially Thor!). So many twists and turns with an ending I never saw coming.

I can’t wait to read another instalment to see how Evan and Rowan’s relationship develops.

5 stars!

The First Death by Kendra Elliot Tense, suspenseful crime thriller that is fast paced and hard to put down. Enjoyed getting to know Rowan and Thor and learn more about the search and rescue community and their work. Not sure if Evan Bolton is a good fit with Rowan, hopefully they will be a focus in future books. Looking forward to more books in the Columbia River series.
Thank you to the author, Montlake Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book

I didn't realize when I started reading this, but the First Death is actually a spinoff from Kendra Elliot's Mercy Kilpatrick series. Thankfully no prior knowledge is needed to enjoy this one - it's been so long since I read a Mercy book I'd forgotten Evan Bolton and Rowan Wolff even existed and that didn't affect my experience here at all.

The synopsis does an excellent job of summing up the plot so I won't go into too many details here, but this is a very enjoyable thriller/mystery. Rowan Wolff is an interesting character, still dealing with trauma from twenty five years earlier when she and her brother were kidnapped - she escaped but her brother was never found, motivating her to become part of a canine search and rescue team that works with law enforcement.

The book flashes back frequently to the kidnapping and doesn't pull any punches in the horrific abuse suffered by the children. It's not p[easant reading but I do think it's necessary to understand both Rowan and events later in the book.

Overall I really liked this. It's a fast paced story with an unexpected ending and no cliffhanger, always a blessing since this will likely turn into a series. If you liked teh author's Mercy series, you'll like this for sure. If you haven't read those I'd recommend giving this a shot anyway if you're in the mood for a good thriller.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the author/publisher for the free advanced review copy.

Oh my goodness! What a great read!
Twenty-five years ago, 5 year old Rowan Wolff and her 7 year old brother Malcolm are kidnapped along with their babysitter by some evil men. Taken deep in the woods of Oregon they are mentally tortured and the babysitter murdered. One evening one of the men want to play a game of hunt ... chasing the children through the woods and capturing. Rowan manages to get away but Malcolm isn't as lucky. Rowan was eventually found and taken to safety, but her brother never was. 25 years pass and Rowan is still searching for her missing brother. Now working Search and Rescue with her beloved dog, Thor, she finds peace in helping families find their missing loved ones. When a dead woman in the woods is discovered along with bones of others, Rowan ends up in the middle of a decades long mystery that is more connected to her than she ever dreamed. Detective Evan Bolton starts working on the case and soon is afraid that a serial killer may be in the area.

This is a nonstop edge of your seat read. The multiple points of view and timelines worked well together. I did figure out several connections but that didn't distract from the story. Can definitely be read as a stand alone. Don't miss this!