This book was unbelievably good. My heart broke for 5 year old Rowan but it was decimated for poor Malcolm. The romance between Rowan and Evan is a slow simmer. The book is primarily focused on murders and the supposed murder of 7 year old Malcolm 25 years ago. The storyline is so intense and so interesting. I loved this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

CW: child abuse/torture

5 year old Rowan Wolff and her 7 year old brother Malcolm were kidnapped along with their babysitter. 25 years later Rowan is still searching for her missing brother. Her job, a search and rescue dog trainer, means she has been able to reunite missing people with family. Every year I’m his birthday she searches for Malcolm, on his 33rd birthday she finds something.

This was my first book by the author and it was pretty intense. The descriptions of the torture and cruelty to the children were rather more than I was comfortable with. Rowan is a well adjusted adult, despite her experiences, and I was rooting for her throughout. There was some romance elements, which I enjoyed but that may not be to everyone’s taste. Overall a well plotted story.

Number 4 in Kendra Elliott’s Columbia River series, this thriller stars Detective Evan Bolton and Rowan Wolff, a canine search-and-rescue expert (her dog Thor and all canine finders are always described as person and dog, remember that 😅). Both Evan and Rowan assisted FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick (another Elliott series) in an earlier novel, but really don’t know each other well. The central mystery here revolves around Rowan, who was kidnapped 25 years ago at age 5 with her 7 year old brother, Malcolm. Although their kidnapper was captured and imprisoned, Malcolm was never found. Now the man who located a lost Rowan in the forest and inspired her to become a canine rescue handler has been found murdered. As Rowan does her annual return to the woods to find some clue to Malcolm, she and Evan also become involved in the discovery of more serial killings, similar to the ones her kidnapper was convicted of.

The plot was twisty and suspenseful — Rowan has a lot of disturbing connections to the murders and Evan would them resolved so he can act on his attraction to her. You never knew what would be the next reveal — an edge of your seat thriller that kept me entranced. The lead characters (especially Thor, the dog) are so easy to like and root for. I like Ms. Elliott’s books because although the characters have secrets, they usually never turn out to be disappointing unreliable narrators. You can trust the plot to resolve itself and the good guys mostly win. 4 stars! I’ll be looking for more Columbia River books — and, by the way, this one also shines as a stand alone.

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review! 4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Kendra Elliott books are so easy to read, like episodes of your favorite law enforcement TV show.

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES The “river woman” has green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Lots of forest vignettes, but nothing out of place in the Pacific Northwest.

I really enjoyed reading this suspenseful novel, it had a great concept and was executed really well. I really enjoyed how well this was a mystery novel and I enjoyed every part of this journey. The characters were really well done and I was invested in their story. I enjoyed what Kendra Elliot wrote and I thought it was well written. I can't wait to read more from her.

"He hated him. Malcolm didn’t understand why the man had thought it would be funny to tell him he would send Rowan home and then take it back. He thought the man had lied about his parents moving away, but then why hadn’t anyone found them?"

Omg! Wow! Great book! Totally messed up storyline but unfortunately close to real life stories too! This book had suspense, Intrigue, action, murder, mystery, a bit of a who done it and great K9 action too! It hurt my heart for the little kids! But The storyline was so very interesting and had me glued to my Kindle! I highly recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me! Big thank you to Kendra Elliot for your amazing words! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! Can't wait for more!

Another great novel from Elliot. Rowan Wolff and her dog Thor appeared in a previous story and now get full treatment. I enjoyed the story and tye alternating perspectives. A great mystery.

I LOVE this author and this series, well I've loved all her books. I've been looking forward to Evan's story!!

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this one as there were a lot of twists and turns, murder, kidnapping, torture, evil characters, and it's always nice reconnecting with old, awesome characters.

Do yourself a favor and read this series and fall in love with these friends/characters.

#Rowan #Malcolm #Evan #Noelle #Ken #SAR #Thor #LovedIt #ReadyForTheNextOne #NetGallery

Pretty disturbing!

I like the writing so much! There’s so much tension throughout the entire read. I just couldn’t stop reading once I reached the first half of the first chapter. It’s so addictive because it’s so disturbing.

I hope no child got to get through such things.

I won’t go for the plot. But I will say what I like about the book so much. The writing matches the pace and the plot. The characters are realistic. The events that are happening are realistic enough. The author doesn’t waste words. The ending is good. Things wrapped up well and good. However, you will find yourself looking forward for the next book!

And yes, you can read this as a standalone.

Thank you, Montlake, for the advance reading copy.

This was such a nostalgic read for me. I've been reading this author since her first book and this one reminded me so much of her Bone Secrets series. A new couple, horrible atrocities done by despicable people, edge of your seat story and suspense. I loved it!!!

This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Kidnapped children and murdered women, this thriller is an edge of your seat read. Rowan and her brother were kidnapped as children and she was found, but her brother never was. As an adult, she helps find others and after finding a dead girl in the woods, she ends up in the middle of a decades long mystery that is more connected to her than she realizes.

I loved the multiple points of view and timelines, it kept me guessing all through the story. The mystery was good and I enjoyed all the little tidbits of information given along the way.

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the subplot of the love story between the main characters, as it kind of seemed to come out of nowhere. They were in love without even spending much time together or even having gone on a date. It was a little out of left field and unnecessary to the overall story.

So. Very. Good!!!

I don't always have the urge to push everything aside to finish a book, but I definitely had it with this one.

The writing was fabulous. It was one where you get multiple perspectives, yet it still keeps you guessing. The characters kept your interest, and I didn’t guess whodunnit (high praise in a mystery book).

Totally recommend!