Feel free to jump in with The Next Grave, you will not be lost! The Next Grave delivers mystery, police work, K9 search, family lost and found, relationships in progress and heart wrenching lost. All of the characters, the good, the bad are relatable or understandable. I felt like I was with Evan trying to understand and dig through clues. I was with Rowan on her search or when she was with her family. You are encompassed within the pages. Mercy appearing was the cherry on top. I do recommend reading books 1-5 , not because you will be lost with out, but it makes everything deeper and richer. Thank you for the advanced copy. I freely volunteer my honest thoughts and opinions. #TheNextGrave #ColumbiaRiver6 #KendraElliot #Montlake #NetGalley

Loved it!! I really enjoy this series and seeing characters from previous books. Loved seeing Rowan and Thor as the main characters, along with Detective Evan Bolton. 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. Ivy and Iris are the best sisters. Rowan's whole family is wonderful. I was hooked from the start and couldn't imagine what happened to Rod and his daughter Sophia. Their disappearance had to be related. Mercy Kilpatrick makes an appearance when Zack mysteriously vanishes. They must have been targeted for a reason. Evan has a bullet fired at him and the terrible house fire. How can Rowan and Evan be related to what happened to Rod's family? There were so many twists and turns. I wasn't exactly sure who was involved. How could Evan's fingerprints get all over the place? The killer/kidnapper is crazy and one of the worst with all the violence to his/her victims. The torture that he/she put them through was awful.

Definitely recommend the book. It was a great mystery/thriller. Loved the characters, story and writing style. I love how the main characters change with each book. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Hopefully, Detective Noelle Marshall will finally tell her story.. This is the fourth book I read in the series, and can be read as a standalones. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

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

The Next Grave (Columbia River, #6) by Kendra Elliot
I enjoyed this book very much but only gave it 4* because of the violence and torture involved. Some of it was very hard to read. Evan and Rowan are great together and Thor is amazing. There is mystery, suspense, good friends and work partners enough to get us to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed Great world building Haunting Happily Ever After Page-turner Romantic Scary Tear-jerker Tragic Wonderful characters.

After reading a lot of the reviews of this book I think you’re either a Kendra Elliot fan or you aren’t. I loved the start and was feeling pleased to have discovered a new to me author. However the delight didn’t last. The story is a good American cop procedural tale but the characters never developed much depth. Despite this I did find it easy to remember who was who so not confusing at all. This was one in a series but on the whole it is one that stands alone ok. The plot never rang true and neither did the relationship between Even and Rowan even with the addition of a search and rescue dog Thor who would have been the subject of major awards if he had been real.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

This was a great romantic suspense thriller that left me guessing until the end. Evan and Rowan continue on their relationship journey but an old colleague comes up dead in a trunk and the case begins to find the murderer.

Lots of action, murder and investigation aspects in this book that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

4.5 stars rounded up.

I love when I can’t figure out a mystery early on in a book and I feel like I’m along for the ride as the characters themselves work things out. Kendra Elliot is so good at writing books like that, and this was another success for me.

I’ve always been a fan of Evan Bolton and I love that we continue to get to know him better with this Columbia River series. I also love Rowan (and Thor), so seeing their relationship blossom even more is lovely.

The case they have to solve here involves one their law enforcement own and his family, who Evan has close ties to, so the stakes are even higher. There are multiple leads to follow, and each one ratchets up the tension as they face even more challenges along the way. It keeps you on edge as the danger escalates and more characters find themselves in harms way. It reaches a harrowing conclusion that will have a lasting impact on everyone involved.

Kendra Elliot is a go-to author for suspense and mystery. She teased that a book for Noelle is in progress and I can’t wait to read that one. Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a propulsive murder mystery that kept me glued to the pages. I felt all the characters were well fleshed out although I did find it OTT that most of the characters had traumatic pasts. Being a dog person, I loved we got the dog’s POV and it did not feel strange. It melded well with the story. While there is a romantic connection between Rowan and Evan, it did not overwhelm the mystery part of the story. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic book. I love Evan and Rowan’s story and what a story it is. It’s full of mystery; suspense and wow what an ending. If I could give it more that 5 stars, I certainly would. It kept me on the edge of my seat tha whole book. Don’t miss this one.

The Next Grave is a easy to follow storyline that ebbs and flows effortlessly with a nice balance between the emotional pull of the characters and the action packed fast paced ever changing plot with unexpected twist and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
I received a advance reader's copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review

When Detective Evan Bolton arrives at the scene of a suspected dead body, he could never have imagined the horrors that would await. As he investigates the brutal murder of his mentor to uncover any leads, he is left wondering who in the department can be trusted. Elliot delivers a plot that starts with shocking news and continues to build to have you at the edge of your seat wondering how it will all end and who will be left standing.

This book brings us more of Evan and Rowan's story, now living together they are enjoying couple bliss until the latest investigation sends their lives into a spin they could not have imagined and hoping beyond everything that they will survive it.

We get to see a little more or Rowan's older brother Malcolm, Evan's sister and her family, FBI agent Mercy makes an appearance and Detective Noelle Marshall takes on a more prominent role, no spoiler but in the acknowledgements, looks like Noell's story is coming in Summer 2025!

"The Next Grave" By Kendra Elliot was a fast paced edge of your seat story that kept you guessing and wanting more. This is part of a series.
Evan has caught the case that he never wanted to catch. Someone close to him was hurt and he needs to solve the case for his friend. While working the case another detective is working another part of the case that is connected with Evan's. While Evan is working the case things seem to be happening to hurt him. Rowen is there to help Evan through his trouble, but when the unthinkable happens Rowen doesn't know what to do.
Highly recommend this book and the whole series.

This book left me speechless!! I was extremely excited to see that this book was going to have Evan and Rowan back, as I loved both of them in previous books. Evan is trying to find out who killed his friend and retired officer, when everything seems to be pointing to an insider who's targeting him and Rowan. Kendra always has crazy twists that I never see coming and this book did not disappoint. This story kept me in its grip and up way too late finishing it as I could not put it down. While this is the 6th book in the series it could be read on its own. However, I would read the others first as it will give you both Evan and Rowan's back stories and help you to know all the players making cameos!!

******TikToc and Amazon review links will be provided closer to release day.

When a smell emanates from a trunk of a car, Detective Evan Bolton is called to the scene. What he finds begins a downward spiral in his personal and work life that he and the rest of his team never expected. Non-stop heartache, twists and always the question why? Another good book by Kendra Elliot who is fast becoming a favorite author. No matter what series you read of her books, you can always experience an excellent read. Thank you Netgalley and Montlake Publishers for the early readers copy. This review is my honest opinion.

Detective Evan Bolton and SAR Rowan Wolff (and her dog Thor) find themselves dealing with two twisty cases which eventually meet in this latest in the series-which I enjoyed as a standalone. It's a well done procedural with a touch of romance (not much to be sure). Bolton's mentor Rod Mcleod is dead and Mcleod's daughter and grandchild are missing-and he's got to find them. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a fast paced read so no spoilers from me.

Gah I just love Rowan, Evan and THOR! Elliott's interweaving SAR dogs into her plot always delights me. The Next Grave gives us a brief visit from Mercy - yayyyy- while an investigation of a friend and fellow police officer being murdered and his daughter missing has Evan digging. When it's realized that Evan is being directly targeted, the investigation moves to possibly someone inside the force. What a wild ride, Kendra is a master at weaving a perfect, edge of your seat tale. Can't wait for Noelle's story! Thank you Kendra for the ARC!

This is book 6 of the ‘Columbia River’ series and we are back with Detective Evan Bolton and his search and rescue canine specialist girlfriend Rowan Wolff. This time around Detective Bolton is tasked with investigating the murder of his mentor, a retired police detective who has been looking at old, closed cases in his spare time. Rowan and her canine companion Thor are called in to help the investigation when people start to go missing.
As Evan and Rowan dig deeper into the cold cases, things become more complex and dangerous for them both personally and professionally.
‘The Next Grave’ hit all the right notes for me. I thought this was a great read that had an interesting and compelling plot that kept me guessing till the end. Kendra Elliott is always good and this book didn’t disappoint. 4 stars.

Police Procedural about an Oregon detective and his SAR canine specialist girlfriend as they team up to solve a retired detective's murder and search for his missing family.

5/5 stars: This is the sixth entry in Elliot's Columbia River series which is a Police Procedural Mystery set in Oregon which features a sheriff's department detective who's newest case, the murder of his friend and mentor, a retired detective, gets complicated when the victim's daughter and grandson vanish. He teams up with his girlfriend, a search and rescue canine specialist and her dog, to track the missing family and after discovering his friend had been reinvestigating old crimes—solved but not forgotten. He soon has a a disturbing suspicion someone in law enforcement has something to hide and will do anything to keep those secrets buried. With time slipping away, the two have to find the killer before anyone else dies. With plenty of twists and turns, Elliot writes a gripping fast-paced police procedural investigative tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final reveal. I really like how Elliot's plot unfolds and the deft way the old cases weave together with the current day's events so effortlessly. The investigation is intriguing and the reveals are masterful. Additionally, Elliot's writing and character work is stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Evan and Rowan, their colleagues and friends and family and I love seeing how they're building their relationship. Plus I loved Rowan's interactions with her dog, Thor, and their SAR work. There are some very tough topics tackled, so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, The Last Sister. Oh and if you want more of Mercy's story grab the first book in the Mercy Kilpatrick series, A Merciful Death. Elliot's a long-time favorite author, highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to Montlake in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This began with quite a blow to who would turn out to be one of the main characters. I was immediately invested in the story due to the emotions that each consequent character dealt with as well. Despite being a strong procedural law enforcement story, this really dug into my heart and had me reading at moments when I should have set it aside and got busy with life.

I enjoyed all the steps these characters took to work out who, what, where and why. There were some great twists along the way. Some I suspected were coming and others blindsided me completely. I love when a story can tangle me up in such a way.

While the romance is not in the forefront of the story, it is never forgotten. This author had it interwoven throughout the drama and danger in such a way it added to the intensity of the climax of the story and I loved every moment.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Evan has his hands full with his new case. He believes a murder and another case have alot in common. He needs to find the individual before someone else is killed. A good read.

If you’re looking for a book with suspense, mystery, twists, romance and great characters, The Next Grave is your next read. If you’ve read previous Elliot books you’ll enjoy meeting up with characters from her series of books, but this book easily is a standalone. Then again when you finish reading The Next Grave, you might decide you want to go check out some of those earlier novels. You’ll enjoy them. Detective Evan Bolton and his girlfriend Rowan Wolff are the main characters shocked by the murder of Evan’s mentor and friend, retired detective Rod McLeod. When his daughter and grandson disappear there is real concern. Evan investigates the murder while the missing family members are sought by Rowan, a search and rescue specialist. Lives are in danger, threats are thrown, suspicions of who is the guilty party are rampant with a lot of emotional chaos threatening the story's characters. Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC.