Tracking a Killer by Elizabeth Goddard is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: “I know it’s been a long day of travel, girl, but our services are needed.” Harlow Zane secured Nell, her beagle specializing in cadaver detection in the back of her rental Jeep.
But first the photo and Scripture. I took this unusual photo of the clouds from my driveway. I liked the way the black contrasted with the sunlight trying to break through. It almost looked like fire. And when I looked at the photo the verse in 2 Corinthians 4 came to mind. I love the cadence of that verse and it didn’t hurt that I’d already heard the verse twice this week. 🙂
Now for Elizabeth Goddard’s Tracking a Killer. Here’s the cover and back copy:
Can an officer and her furry partner survive a killer and the wilderness?
When Rocky Mountain K-9 officer Harlow Zane and her cadaver dog, Nell, join the search for a serial killer, the last thing she expects is that she’ll draw the killer’s obsessive attention. But her former academy rival, FBI Special Agent Wes Grey, notices she matches the victim profile. After another look-alike goes missing, they must work together to catch the criminal…before Harlow’s the next to disappear.
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
My Take:
I found Harlow a really interesting character. And Wes as well. They had a lot of baggage with each other going into the investigation. In fact, each was surprised to find the other one in the investigation.
After messing up royally at the FBI academy, Harlow Zane and her cadaver dog, Nell, are given a chance to prove the two of them are more than competent. She hopes that if she helps catch the serial killer roaming the Rocky Mountains, she’ll move past her defining incident at the academy. What she didn’t count on was Wes Grey being the Agent-in-Charge. The same agent who caused her embarrassing incident at the FBI academy.
What made the incident worse was the fact she and Wes were falling in love before it happened. They had a lot to overcome to work together. It didn’t help that before she even arrived at the crime scene, Harlow was attacked, maybe by the serial killer. She feared Wes would send her home.
Elizabeth Goddard keeps the reader turning pages as the killer gets closer and closer to Harlow. For a while, I wasn’t sure if the person who was after her was the same one killing blonde-haired, blue-eyed women. Harlow fit the description of the other victims. And I’m not going to spoil the story by answering that question.
Oh, and I can’t talk about Tracking a Killer without talking about Nell, Harlow’s beagle cadaver dog. Her role in the story was very interesting! Beagles aren’t what I usually think of in a search and rescue dog, but then again, Nell was a beagle and very good at her job.
This is the sixth book in the Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit series, but I had no trouble following the story. I will go back and read the other five books now, though. 🙂 And I’ll be getting the other three when they release.
You can find buy links here.
Leave a comment or the first line of the book you’re reading and I’ll enter you in a September drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card (or one of your choice)!
August winner is Mj Christopher!
Tracking a Killer by Elizabeth Goddard is this week's Reader Friday. Great read if you like suspense, romance and a dog in the story! Share on X
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Comments 41
Great picture inverse and the storyline does have a few sticky wickets. Complicated and probably headache producing 🙂
Author
Love it, Delores! And sorry I’m late to the party, but I went to the eye doctor and he dilated my eyes, and I can barely see to type.
Strategic Plan by Lynn Shannon
A blood-curdling scream echoed across the lake.
Author
Ohhh, I like that, Phyllis!
What a great photo, Pat! You can see the light shining out of darkness as the verse says.
I just finished “Texas Buried Secrets” by Virginia Vaughan this morning. Thank you for tipping me off to this great author. Now to find the time to read the rest of her suspense novels.
Pat, you stole my next book choice with your review of “Tracking a Killer”. I’m starting that one today!
The book I plan to read following that is “Captured at Christmas” by Jodie Bailey. It begins “The small residential street was quiet, dusted with a brief afternoon snowfall. The dozen houses along both sides of the narrow road were decked out in Christmas tree lights and sparkly decorations. If she wasn’t undercover trying to catch a spy, the scene would be idyllic.”
Author
I’ve got to get Jodie’s book! And I’m glad you like the photo. I loved the way the light broke through the darkness!
The picture is gorgeous! Love the verse, too! Good review. I wouldn’t think of beagles as a search and rescue dog, but with their big noses, I guess it makes sense. The first line from Academic Curveball by James J. Cudney: “I’ve never been comfortable flying.” Oh dear, poor Kellan!
Author
I like that first line, Vera! Mainly because I don’t like flying. lol
My first reaction when the photo popped up was, “WHOA!” That was some powerful-looking sky! How long did that last? I’ve never seen a sky like that. It looked like heavenly arms reaching out to pull me into a strong embrace. Although the face I saw in the clouds didn’t remind me of my picture of God. I did feel the pull of the hug. Excellent Scripture for the photo. Just Excellent!
I finished Texas Cold Case Threat by Jessica Patch last night and already shelved it, so I don’t have a first line. Now for the hard task of choosing another book from my TBR pile.
Author
I know, I know, Barbara, about choosing a new book to read! I’m just hoping my eyes undilate by bedtime so I can read! And I knew you’d like the photo!
lol You know me well 😉 on all of it! I hope your eyes dilate before bedtime as well. There’s nothing like sitting around wanting to do everything and can’t see to do anything! hate having dilated eyes! Brutal for ADHD….
A peaceful opportunity to practice Psalm 46:10. Speaking to self here.
Author
My eyes are bac! Thanks for being concerned.
I just finished this book and loved it! I love this series and plan to read all of the books! Yes, that beagle won my heart!
Author
Me, too, Jackie! I thought I’d read some of them, but when I looked at the titles, I realized I hadn’t. Will. Remedy.That.
Lovely photo and great verse for it. My next book will be Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks.
Prologue Hanford, Washington November 23, 1988
The November wind blew across the almost barren plain, attempting to leach any warmth from the man’s black wool coat.
Author
Oh, Gloria, I have to get Carrie’s book. That sounds so good!
I love a good suspense story in this book sounds like it would be a good one. Also what a lovely picture you’re a great photographer that is something I’ve always said that I am not.
Author
I never thought of myself as a good photographer, Judy, but I kept trying and each bad photo taught me something. 🙂 So keep trying!
Just Give Me Jesus by Anne Graham Lotts. A touch your heart book.
Author
I love Anne Graham Lotz’s books, Gail!
Hi Patricia, thank you for sharing your beautiful photo and the beautiful verse with us. This book sounds like a great read and I love the book cover! Thank you for sharing your review of it , I love the sound of it, it sounds very intriguing . Have a great weekend and stay safe God Bless you and your family.
Author
Thanks, Alicia! I’m glad you enjoyed the photo. And I love all of Elizabeth Goddard’s books.
Beautiful picture!
Author
Thanks, Megan!
Your picture truly depicts what the verse says: light out of darkness. The dark clouds trying to block the sun but they just can’t hold back the light.
One of my uncles used to keep beagles for hunting. I don’t see much of a stretch from hunting animals to sniffing out cadavers. Depending on circumstances, it seems a dog with a good sense of smell might pick up on the scent of a cadaver quicker than a live animal. Just my own rambling thoughts.
I’m currently doing a first read on one of Jody Hedlund’s upcoming books. I’m also reading Chip Ingram’s book, Culture Shock. I don’t have it handy but will say that it is well worth reading if you want to get a strong Christian perspective on several of the pressing social issues of our day. When I finish Jody’s book, I plan to start reading Colleen Coble’s Edge of Dusk. The first line is: “Was that the Windigo?” Nine-year-old Annie Vitanen yanked her little sister’s hand to pull her to a stop in the deep shadows of the pines.
Author
Oooh, that first line sounds spooky, Edward! And I agree about the clouds and light. 🙂 I hope you and everyone else has a great Labor Day Weekend!
I have a copy of Tracking a Killer ordered and on the way. Right now I’m in the middle of Lisa Phillips’ book Cold Dead Night. The opening line is, “If Kenna didn’t run fast enough, a child would die tonight.” It’s a great book!
Author
Oh, L. Murphy, that first line sounds heart-pounding!
Love K-9 dogs in stories.
Author
Me, too. I’m about to start one!
” No,Oh no!” Addison Keller scrolled past picture after picture, fear choking her. Oh, God, please don’t let this be happening again. Crime Scene Connection by Deena Alexander
Author
Shelia, that’s a great opening!
“The small, furry, shrew-like quadrupled erupted from the dark hole in the moist, steamy earth on her short but powerful legs and paused briefly at her colony’s entrance.” The Zombie Virus by Paul Hetzer
Author
Oh, wow! That’s quite an opening, BN!
Miss Willadean Dearmon found the body on the courthouse steps at exactly 8:59 am
Author
Lisa, I love that first line. What’s the name of the author and title?
I really enjoy Elizabeth’s books! But I need to catch up with this K-9 series as well as her books too 🙂
I just finished “Finding Love in Calico, California”, though I also found it under “Love Finds You in Calico, California” by Elizabeth Ludwig. They’re the same story so I’m not sure why it has two different titles? Anyway, it’s a historical western and I really enjoyed it! She’s written several Guidepost mysteries along with other historicals. My first few lines:
Calico, 1883
“Fire! The mine is on fire!”
Abigail bolted upright in her bed, the blankets clutched to her chest. Pounding feet and strangled cries mingled with the wispy fingers of her dreams. Outside her widow, an eerie orange glow illuminated the night sky.
Author
Hi Trixi. Love that first line. As for why there are two titles…the first publisher went out of business and the rights reverted back to the author and she republished it. 🙂
Oh well that makes sense! Thanks for explaining it Patricia
Failing to plan was the same as planning to fail, and Caroline refused to be a failure-even a failure at having the perfect engagement. P.S. Goodbye – Tari Faris
Beautiful photo for the scripture!
Author
Thanks, Caryl!