About the Book
The discovery of two graves digs up past crimes and a dangerous killer trying to erase their tracks in this fast-paced K-9 thriller series set in Chicago.
Another day another find for dog trainer Cory Pratt’s cadaver dogs Alice and Rex. This time a mass grave with three bodies and a second single grave over three decades old. A cold case that Cory’s sibling and Chicago Police detective Crystal has to solve fast as the killer of the four men is still out there.
While the identities of the men are determined one by one, the bodies are linked to an infamous crime which remains unsolved to this day. And with the killer trying to cover their tracks, other dangerous and lethal individuals start getting involved . . .
Figuring out what happened all those years ago while trying to minimise the current body count, Cory, Crystal and the dogs are hot on the heels of the killer. But their involvement puts them right on their list and in more danger than they bargained for.
For fans of action-packed K-9 mystery series, such as Margaret Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 mystery, Paula Munier’s Mercy Carr mystery and Susan Furlong’s Bone Gap Travellers mystery: "A mighty impressive thriller" (Booklist)
About the Author :
Novels in Jeffrey B. Burton's critically-acclaimed Mace Reid K-9 mystery series include The Finders, The Keepers, and The Lost. His Agent Drew Cady thrillers include The Chessman, The Lynchpin, and The Eulogist. The Second Grave is the second instalment in his new Chicago K-9 thriller series preceded by The Dead Years. Jeff lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his wife, Cindy, an irate Pomeranian named Lucy, and a happy galoot of a Beagle named Milo.
Review :
It’s likely The Second Grave will be on my Best of 2025 List. Very likely
The author [has] considerable talent
Well-written and fun to read
A gripping addition to the mystery genre . . . a standout and engaging read
[A brisk] Windy City crime yarn, with dogs
An unputdownable book filled with nonstop action, great characters, and a fantastic setting. This should be on every mystery fan's nightstand
Past and present come together smoothly in the story, in which the two dogs play a critical role
This is a mighty impressive thriller . . . Readers will take to Burton’s brother-sister duo in this series launch and look forward to more Chicago K-9 thrillers
Readers will fall in love with Alice and Rex, of course . . . The twists and turns will keep you reading
What an amazing book . . . So inventive, it's so creative . . . A lot of fun to read
Another solid dog thriller from Burton, that makes good use of the dogs, the lead characters pasts, and twists you don’t see coming. Fans of his previous books will enjoy this one
This intense series opener is the first in the Chicago K-9 thrillers
Will keep readers turning the pages. Dog lovers are in for a treat
An intricately plotted, fast-paced story . . . For fans of K-9 mysteries
Burton displays a too-rare knack for keeping the heat on while moving a complex story to its finale, all the while injecting welcome jolts of humor
The Lost grabs you with both hands and keeps you turning the pages to the very end. Burton’s tremendous talent for storytelling is gripping, suspenseful, and spot on. And if you are a dog lover, this book is essential reading. I highly recommend it
A thriller that’s not only compelling but offers a good many chuckles along the way. The plot is wonderfully twisty. Add to the mix a pack of cadaver dogs that’ll charm your socks off, a wry narrative voice, and you’ve got the recipe for a deliciously delightful read. You’ll savor this one, I guarantee it
A high-octane thriller that will keep you guessing until the electrifying ending. Exceptional character development and breakneck pacing
Corrupt politicians, the mob, a brutal killer, and a shocking death combine in a fast-paced story of an ordinary man and his extraordinary dogs. For fans of Paula Munier's or Susan Furlong's books featuring dogs
The fast-paced, action-packed plot builds to a thrilling finale. Burton carefully crafts each dog’s personality, ensuring that they, like the humans, are fully realized characters. Dog lovers are in for a treat
[A] celebration of great mystery fiction, complex characters, and a smart and loveable cadaver dog. Riveting, scary, funny, and devious as hell! Highly recommended
Taut and gritty, Burton expertly weaves a narrative that begs, 'just one more page . . .'
A wonder of a thriller, crammed to bursting with everything genre fans are pining for: fascinating characters, sparky dialogue, wry humor, sweaty-palm tension – all in a literate narrative that is a joy to follow . . .contains a few surprises for jaded genre fans who think they've seen it all . . . Pair it with Robert Crais' Suspect
This action-packed series debut will entice fans of Margaret Mizushima and Paula Munier's K-9 mysteries . . . an intense, graphic serial killer novel with a likable, aw-shucks hero and a remarkable dog
Burton offers the right balance of humor and seriousness, along with a lead whose love and understanding of dogs will endear him to many, not just dog people
The Finders gets its hooks into you and doesn't let go
If you love both dogs and thrillers, well, have I got a book for you
An irresistible, expertly-woven thriller . . . Compelling and suspenseful. We should all be so fortunate as to have a best friend like Vira. I loved it!
The Finders boasts a compelling roller-coaster ride of a plot, but ultimately the star of the show is Vira, a fierce beauty of a canine that dog lovers will find impossible to resist
Unique voice and compelling characters, both human and canine, make The Finders a terrific thriller
