A gut-wrenching investigation into the murder of his now retired mentor has Detective Evan Bolton working overtime. We follow along as he has to put personal feelings aside to work the case. Clues are few and confusing. I couldn’t put this one down.

Detective Evan Bolton is gutted by his latest investigation. His friend and mentor, retired detective Rod McLeod, has been murdered, his body left in the trunk of a junkyard car. When McLeod’s daughter and grandson abruptly vanish, Evan knows it’s not a coincidence. Search and rescue canine specialist Rowan Wolff agrees as she and her dog, Thor, track the missing family.

I found this an enjoyable read. Although it’s part of a series, it works well as a standalone novel. It’s got great characters, a good strong storyline and well paced. There are plenty of twists along the way too.

Of the stories I've read in this series so far, and I admit I read out of order, this one is my favorite. I first met both Evan and Rowan in The First Death, but I know they've both individually popped up in other books, which I need to research so I can go back and start at the beginning.

This story kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. I tried hard to pick up on any clues that would help me figure out who was doing all these things, but I was stumped. When it finally revealed who the killer was, and why no one could have figured out who it was, I was impressed! That was a nice twist.

Admittedly, there are some hard parts to read, the killer was particularly nasty and evil. But Evan and his team, including Rowan, never gave up on trying to figure it out.

My heart was in my throat for the last 10% of the story, and even after reading the final sentence, it was still beating rapidly. Bravo, Ms. Elliot! What a great story!

Wow. What a read. Heart pounding thriller. Will be picking up the other books in the series. Perfect for Law and Order fans.

Talk about incredible writing! This whole series has been fantastic and this new installment is no exception. There were many scenes that played out in my head like a movie, I could almost picture it happening in front of me. And I really didn't know what was going to happen until the end. I highly recommend this book!

🔎 The Next Grave by Kendra Elliot 🐾💔

Elliot delivers again with The Next Grave, a tense and twisty thriller that kept me on edge from the first page to the last! Detective Evan Bolton’s world is turned upside down when his friend and mentor, retired detective Rod McLeod, is found murdered under suspicious circumstances. Teaming up with search-and-rescue expert Rowan Wolff and her amazing canine partner, Thor, Evan dives into a chilling investigation that only deepens as he realizes McLeod had been revisiting old cases—cases with secrets someone is willing to kill to keep hidden.

The stakes rise as Evan and Rowan close in on the truth, only to find themselves up against both time and a dark conspiracy. Elliot does an incredible job weaving suspense with raw, emotional moments that make you feel the characters’ grief and determination. The partnership between Evan, Rowan, and Thor brings both heart and grit to the story, balancing out the darker, suspenseful moments with scenes of trust and resilience.

If you’re into thrillers with well-drawn characters and clever twists, The Next Grave is a fantastic choice. The story is fast-paced, the mystery keeps you guessing, and Thor absolutely steals the show!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5

Have you read this one or any of Kendra Elliot’s other thrillers? Let’s chat in the comments! 🐕👮‍♂️

The sixth Columbia River book begins with Evan Bolton discovering the body of his friend and mentor Rob McLeod in the trunk of a car in a junkyard. He was tortured before his death. Then it is discovered that his daughter has disappeared. At first, it is assumed that his grandson was taken too but he returns from a couple of days with friends and is placed in a remote location with friends until his mother is located.

With the death of a someone in law enforcement, the pressure to find the killer is extreme. Many are going through Rob's old cases and the strange assortment of case files in his home office to try to identify who would want him dead.

Evan is facing additional pressure at work when fingerprints discovered at both Rob's house and his daughter's house indicate that he was on the scene. Rob knows the prints indicate someone probably in law enforcement is trying to frame him. However, he's relieved of duty and then kidnapped.

His live-in lover Rowan is certain that the same person who killed Rob has taken him. She and her search and rescue dog Thor have been involved since the beginning of the case when she was called in to see if she could track the missing daughter. And she's called in again later when the grandson goes missing from the supposedly safe location.

This story was fast paced, filled with action, and filled with tension as law enforcement tries to find answers before it is too late.

I loved the relationship between Evan and Rowan. I thought Rowan's emotions when Evan disappeared, harrowing though they were to read, were realistic. Fans of suspense will enjoy this story.

This series keeps getting better! Evan Bolton is trying to solve the murder of his mentor. The case is intense and the suspense built up quickly. And then there was an unbelievable twist that had me in the edge of my seat. This one had me holding my breath until the last chapter! Readers will enjoy getting to see more from characters we met in earlier installments, including Evan’s girlfriend Rowan and her family. Definitely recommend reading the series in order!

I have loved this series and was thrilled to get my hands on the newest installment. This was dark, twisty, and wholly engaging! I was hooked form the beginning. The case was disturbing and complex- I was thoroughly surprised by the twists. This was a great read and one I could not put down!

Love returning to this series! This book gives us Evan and Rowan’s story. Lots of heart pounding moments and uncertainty over who can be trusted as Evan works to solve the murder of a trusted friend and colleague.

Love this series! Love all of the characters and how they overlap in the author's books. The Next Grave is book six in the Columbia River series and focuses on Evan Bolton, Rowan Wolff and her search-and-rescue dog, Thor. This book can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading all of her series from the beginning. I enjoyed them all and love having the background on the characters. This was a well-written, intense page turner. I found it very hard to put down, as I do with all of her books. The mystery aspect was fascinating, and I especially loved that the author gave Thor a voice too. If you're looking for a fast-paced thriller, these books are for you! I highly recommend!

Thank you to Montlake for granting me digital access via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

When the body of retired detective Rod is found in the boot of a car, Evan is assigned the case. What follows is a series of missing people as he tries to piece together what Rod had discovered that led to his death.

I find it odd to read books where all the characters, both police and victims, know each other and this was one of those books. Although it was in the middle of a series, it worked as a stand alone story.

An OK crime thriller. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is another great addition to the Columbia river series. There are so many great characters that make appearances throughout Kendra's books. Although this is book 6 it can be read as a standalone. The character's backstories are explained enough to make sense and jog the memories of people who have read the whole series.

The tension in this book is next level and I swear I held my breath for the last half. I was stressed about so many different characters. Evan and Rowan are a cute couple and their families are so sweet. I also loved getting to know more of the team and see hints of their personal lives. Thor is such an adorable character.

The investigation is packed full of suspense and I had no idea how they were going to solve the case.

Thank you for the opportunity to read The Next Grave By Kendra Elliot.

I love that this was a development of Evan and Rowan's story.

Another great book for Kendra!

I became a fan of this series after I read and reviewed The First Death, book four.
Kendra Elliott is a must read author. This story was full of action that never stopped.
Search and rescue Rowan and her dog Thor are main characters along with police officer Evan Bolton. When a man from Evan’s past turns up dead, no one could see the spiral of events that were to come after from kidnappings to torture. Evan and Rowan really are a powerhouse couple who support each other through all of the dark times and this story is no exception. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a page turner from beginning to end. Kendra is one of my favorite authors and I love how all the stories explore all the different characters we encounter and isn’t just tied to one or two people. Warning for violence with children. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thrilling and suspenseful read. When his mentor is found dead and the man’s daughter and grandchild are missing he calls for help. He calls Rowan and her dog Thor. Great writing. Terrific author

I missed reading several of the first books in this series but quickly got hooked on Detective Evan Bolton and Rowan with her search and rescue dog. They have traumatic events in their past with deep scars. This makes them both quite relatable and particularly good at their jobs. Both are empathetic to victims. They live in Oregon, the area has rough terrain and beautiful hiking trails. The death of Bolton’s close friend and mentor has him shaken. The author’s crime scene descriptions are etched in my memory, very brutal. Nothing is what it seems and more lives are in jeopardy. Investigations from prior criminal cases seem to be connected, the puzzle pieces just don’t come together. The bond between Rowan and her highly trained dog is moving. The search for clues relies heavily on his ability to track missing people. The plot is filled with time sensitive situations and unforeseen obstacles. It kept me searching for answers right along side them. I look forward to the next in the series.
Thanks to Montlake for providing an Advance Reader Copy (via NetGalley) of “The Next Grave” (Columbia River #6) by Kendra Elliot, publication expected 12/09/2024. The honest, personal thoughts and opinions expressed here are mine alone, given without compensation.

What a page-turner! This is a dark murder-mystery/ police procedural and maintains a sense of urgency from start to finish. The scenes of wanton violence are juxtaposed with the warm and comforting relationships between the main and side characters and the bestest search and rescue dog that I could not get enough of. Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the e-ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my copy of The Next Grave by Kendra Elliot.
Detective Evan Bolton is devastated to find retired detective Rod McLeod dead.
Rod mentored him when he joined the force and he owes him a lot.
When Rod's daughter and grandson also go missing Evan is racing against the clock to find who did this and rescue Rods family.
An engrossing read.