About the Book
The discovery of a missing boy’s body uncovers cruel schemes in this twisty, fast-paced K-9 thriller series set in the Windy City of Chicago.
What if the past won’t let you go?
It was supposed to be a fun dog demo day for the students at Henry Horner Elementary School in Chicago—but when Cory Pratt’s cadaver dogs sniff out the body of a missing teenage boy wedged into the wall of the cafeteria, his family’s life is shattered.
It seems like tragedy follows the Shortridges. With the eldest son having taken his life a few years earlier, Patrick being found mutilated and murdered devastates the whole clan further. Now everyone is fearing for seven-year-old sister Charlotte.
When a kidnapping attempt on the young girl fails, Cory and his detective sister Crystal are sure someone is targeting the Shortridges. But who is behind these savage attacks and why would someone want to kill off such a seemingly unassuming family?
“A mighty impressive thriller” (Booklist on The Dead Years), perfect for fans of action-packed K-9 mystery series, such as Margaret Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries, Paula Munier’s Mercy Carr Mysteries and Susan Furlong’s Bone Gap Travellers Mysteries.
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 Boy in the Wall is the third installment in his latest Chicago K-9 thriller series, following The Second Grave and 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 :
A serpentine procedural grounded in an engaging detective duo and their lovable canines
Fast-paced, plot-driven, a heinous crime and a dog wedding . . . If you have read and liked Jeff’s other excellent mysteries (and who hasn’t?), The Boy in the Wall is a must-read
I love Burton’s books . . . As happened last year, I suspect [The Boy in the Wall] will appear on my Best of the Year List
Another solid K-9 thriller with Cory and his dogs
A compelling, police procedural thriller with emotional depth and a satisfying unraveling of long-held secrets
The Boy in the Wall will snag you from page one and never let go . . . Burton delivers again, making this one of my favorite K-9 series!
Burton has an easy writing style. Any grimness is offset by Cory’s love for his canine best friends who are as carefully drawn as the humans. As it should be
Another exciting and thrilling mystery novel by one of the best
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
