The series begins with a military base being targeted by a serial killer who has a vendetta against anyone he feels wronged him. Each book has a romance between dog handler and a person accused of helping or being targeted by the killer. As the stories progress, the plots unravel other killers and motives that show missteps based on mistaken assumptions.
The first book is one of the better ones in the series. I found the romance tedious as other romance novels are, with authors using the same kinds of phrases like, “This can’t happen, I will never marry, She / he deserves better, I’m sorry, that shouldn’t have happened, It will be over once the case is solved…” Honestly, I think romance writers just choose from a list of given phrases and cut and paste. Anyway, when authors repeat these phrases ad infinitum, I hit the 30 second advance. Nevertheless, the story was ok and one of the better in the series because I liked the characters and found some of the book worthy of contemplation in regard to why people do what they do. I liked that the plot tension resolved itself leaving time for the characters to advance their relationship with a little glimpse into their future. It makes a better book in my opinion. I hate the ones that wait until the last 5-10 minutes to resolve the plot tension. That is such a rip off.
The whole series has to be criticized in a major plot point. I certainly hope the government is not this inept at conducting investigations. I am not sure why things like surveillance cameras aren’t referenced, cell phones aren’t used more, or forensics aren’t discussed more. This book seems to have more forensic discussion than other books, but I found the lack of electronic data, especially video evidence on a military base, in their investigation puzzling. In addition, the lack of coordination between agencies local, federal, and military was weird. I don’t think the authors know military or investigative protocol. It is like fan fiction for the military without really feeling like it is military. This book, more than others, has regular meetings to discuss findings, but we don’t usually see that in the following books. The agencies just go it alone and don’t tell each other what is going on. Maybe this is how things are done, but it doesn’t really make US law enforcement and military look competent. I don’t think that was the aim of the authors, but that is what I am left wondering. Maybe I am really looking for a clean Patterson novel. lol
In my opinion, the first, second, and third books in the series are the best of the bunch so far. I did not care for book 4. I still have to keep listening because I HAVE TO KNOW HOW THEY CATCH BOYD. I guess I will just keep hitting the 30 second advance when the stories lag. lol. Also, the reader of the first three books is really good. She nails the southern drawl. I liked the male protagonist in book 3 because she did such a good job narrating his sense of humor and intonation. He was really entertaining even when the book’s plot and characters took a bit too long to get to the point.