Wow! The fastest I've read a book in ages. Just couldn't put it down! The characters were well written and made me feel for them (most of them). I didn't know the culprit until it was revealed near the end. I hope there's another book with these characters soon. Will have to invest in more books by this author while I'm waiting!!

I’ve read many Kendra Elliot books and have never been disappointed. This book was another win. I’ve wanted only good things for Evan Bolton since he was introduced into the Kendra Elliot universe, and Rowan and Thor were fascinating when we first met them, so to combine the two was a move I am fully behind.

There were a lot of twists and turns throughout this book. I always enjoy seeing how the threads are going to tie together in the end. The payoff is usually one that I find myself thinking “ok, yes, I knew that was somehow connected but couldn’t figure out HOW we were going to get there.” That held true again here. The suspense was there, it kept me guessing, and it didn’t feel like a random reveal or resolution once the full story played out.

My one issue with the book is that shortly after the halfway point, a first person POV is introduced rather abruptly and it threw me off. Once it was present for a bit longer I got used to it and it made sense, but it still kind of threw off the pacing and flow for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Twenty five years ago, Rowan, her brother and her babysitter were kidnapped. The babysitter was killed and Rowan was able to escape after a few weeks. The brother was never found. Even though Rowan’s family has assumed the worst about the brother, every year for the last twenty five, Rowan has search for him or his remains The kidnapper was eventually caught but refused to give any information about the brother. Now more murders have happened that are eerily similar to those that Rowan’s kidnapper was prosecuted for. Now the search continues for the killer and perhaps a collaborator of the kidnapper. Even though this is #4 in the series, it can easily stand alone.

I love this book so much. Rowan is amazing and I love Evan finally getting his story. This one is full of suspense and wicked twists. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't put it down. I'm never disappointed by this author!

What a ride that book is. The First Death by K. Elliot is a stand-alone and book 4 in the Columbia River Series.
This is Rowan's story.
Rowan is a 30 year old dog handler with SAR. As child she lost her brother in a tragic case.
She never got over the loss of her brother, is still looking for him. But now more victims show up and Detective Evan and Rowan are working together.
This book is a breathtaking read. Fast paced, complex, unique, nailbitingly unputdownable had me the book right from the start. I read the book cover to cover in one sitting, literally I couldn't put it down. And now I'm sitting here and can't get the story out of my head. The characters stubbornly stay with me - and I love it. I love this gem of a story. I recommend TFD, 5 stars.

Well written with a storyline that hooked me and well developed characters. Twisty and unpredictablity I was gripped.

This was another great book in the world of Mercy Kilpatrick. It was great to have this story told about Evan and Rowan. Both of them have intrigued me in past books, so it was great to see them find some resolution in the most recent two books. This book had me hooked and, in some parts, in tears. I had a hard time putting it down and finished it in under a day. You do not need to have read the past books in order to enjoy this one, however, they are excellent so I do recommend them!

A very disturbing read.
When Rowan and her brother Malcolm were taken by the serial killer, they were 5 and 7. I don't understand how sick a person must be to torture little kids for weeks. The physical and psychological torture they experienced would easily shatter a strong person, let alone little kids. However, Rowan still somehow managed to grow up normal. I commend her for that. She did not receive closure as her brother wasn't found and roamed the woods where she was found for years, looking for her brother.
The torture they underwent under the serial killers was disturbing to say the least. They were pitted against each other for every morsel of food. Yet, their bond remained unbreakable. The number of sacrifices Malcolm made for his sister left me with a heartburn and a strong desire to rip the serial killer into shreds. This novel is not about just Rowan and Evan, who are finally finding their way to each other. This novel is the epitome of a brother's love for his little sister and his desire to protect her, no matter the cost.
Even though the blurb mentions that this story is Rowan and Evan's, I find that misleading. This is Malcolm's story. And Rowan's to an extent. Rowan and Evan's love plot was secondary to it.
I would rate this book 4 stars. Thankyou NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I've read by Kendra Elliot. I thought the pace and plot were good, and I liked the characters. I would have liked more character development about Evan, but perhaps that was in earlier books?? (Not sure, since I didn't read others in the series). Rowan is a strong, successful character despite the trauma she endured as a child.
A decent read if you like suspense with slight romance.

This was a difficult read. Don’t get me wrong the action was great, the mystery engaging and the characters well developed and likeable. However, there was the underlying plot of horrific child abuse and that made this an emotional read. I normally gobble up Ms Elliot’s book in a day, but this one took a week as I kept needing a breather. I guess that is a sign of a brilliant author, I really felt the angst and trauma. I loved getting to know Evan better after his supporting role in some of the Mercy Kilpatrick books and I really liked Rowan and of course I fell in love with SAR dog Thor. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read more Kendra Elliot books (I’m hoping we are back to Mercy with the next one), but keep in mind that it is an emotional,roller coaster. Still 5 stars!! Thanks to the Author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

“The First Kill” by Kendra Elliot is my first experience with the author. I discovered that it was a part of a series after I had begun reading it, but it reads well as a stand-alone.
As a mystery-thriller, the book moves at a nice pace. I enjoy a book that doesn’t have a lull in the middle and this was one of them. I loved how I can pick up Thor’s personality from the page.
The book is fast-paced and was a quick read for me with an ending that tackles all possible loose ends - which is exactly what I look in mystery-thriller.

Fantastic story. This is a very heart breaking story about a brother and sister who are kidnapped and they experience very difficult times. Will they be found? How will this experience effect their lives? This is a well written story that you won’t be able to put down.
Thank you netgalley for complimentary copy. Highly recommended.

A childhood abduction, later as an adult to help finding missing children
with her dog Thor. A story full of twists, that started years ago, if Ken had spoken out
what he knew about these two adults, the chain of events would have been different.
Now it’s happening again, similar to the crimes of one who sat in prison.
A plot that catches you and you want answers, well done.
Given ARC by Net Galley and Montlake for my voluntary work and my honest opinion

YOU WILL NOT WANT TO PUT THIS BOOK DOWN.

Rowan and her brother, five and seven years old, were kidnapped along with their babysitter. The babysitter was killed and the siblings were held in the woods, for weeks. They are freed but Rowan has a broken leg and Malcolm, her brother, hides her and goes for help. A search and rescue dog finds her after several days but her brother is never found. Twenty five years later, Rowan and her dog Thor are search and rescue now. She is the best and every year on her brothers birthday she searches where she was found, for his remains. She stumbles across a naked woman’s body.
Evan is a detective and is investigating two young women who have been murdered. He also catches a case where a man has been shot and killed. He was the searcher who found Rowan. Evan believes all the cases are related and the connection is Rowan. Can he catch the killer before someone else dies?
OMG! Best book I’ve read!!! It will keep you on the edge of your seat. Suspense. Action. I believe this is my favorite book my Ms. Elliot. Can be read alone and no cliffhanger.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

Two reviews in one day? Who is she??
I wasn’t planning on finishing a book today, but I started this one and could NOT put it down. The perfect crime thriller. I had no idea this was part of a series, so you definitely don’t have to read the other ones prior. I am for sure going to check out the rest of her books, this was an amazing read! Releasing in June.

I really enjoy reading Kendra Elliot's books and this is no exception. We have met both of the main characters in previous books though this book could be read as a stand alone. The book has many plot twists, some which you can anticipate and others that come out of the blue to keep you on your toes. I found that once I had started reading the book I struggled to put it down. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book once it's published!

Another great read from Kendra Elliot. One of those books that I didn’t want to put down. Two children and their babysitter kidnapped and only one makes it back home. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what actually happened and who was the bad guy. A fantastic read!

I’ve been a fan of Kendra Elliot since the first book/series she wrote Hidden A Bone Secrets Novel in 2012 and I have read every one of her books since. Buried has always been my favorite, now, The First Death has taken the top spot. A story that has pushed me to my edge with emotions that are difficult to describe. This is a story of a brother and sister being kidnapped by the most evil people. Rowan 5, and her brother Malcom 7, endured a horrific 3 weeks until they are let go by a stranger, but poor Malcom is caught and “kept” for the next 2 decades. He is told his sister was killed by animals and his parents were no longer looking for him so he is with his new family. For the next 25 years, Rowan looks for her brothers remains in the wooded area. She meets detective Evan Bolton who is investigating the similar murders of 2 woman and somehow they are similar to murders from over 2 decades ago. This is where the gripping plot twists and suspense not to mention the heartache of a family who has lost one of their own. This is where Kendra Elliot is at her best. The plot is skillful woven with twists and turns and what no matter what you are doing, you have to finish this story. Her best story ever.

Wow just Wow Kendra Elliot produced a book with a highly extricate plot the clues will have you thinking you have the whole plot figured out she changes everything you think you know and sends the story in a whole other way it will truly suprise you where the the plot goes. Two favorites from previous books discover the beginning stages of love this is a very PG rated book. There is potential for at least three more books hint hint.

I didn't want it to end. Give me more!!! I need more Evan, Rowan, Thor and Mercy. Love the crossover between the series and the characters. So well-written! From page 1 until I finished it a few hours later. This was one I couldn't put down.

Thank you #netgalley and #montlake for the eARC.