This latest book in the Columbia River series was quite possibly the most intense so far. It was absolutely unputdownable. I’ve loved Evan since he came in the science way back when, and was so glad he paired up with Rowan. His latest case is a very personal one, and becomes dangerous and twisty right from the beginning. Absolutely incredible.

This is an interesting intense mystery thriller about finding the murderer of his beloved mentor. The story keeps us on our toes throughout the whole book and the love between Evan and Rowan is soothing the roughness of the story.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgalley

I’ve read a lot of Kendra Elliott’s work and enjoyed it all. Some plus or minus, but always worth my time. The Next Grave was no exception! In fact, it revealed, again, one of the hallmarks and my favorite attributes of Elliott’s books. She has the distinct, and I believe, unique ability to incorporate lesser known characters from previous books and turn them into the main characters of current work. That is one of the things that keeps her work fresh and interesting to me. In this case, Evan Bolton and Rowan Woulf from preceding stories paired up and starred in this one. K. E. did this with ease and a smooth touch. It was as if Evan and Rowan moved into my neighborhood, starting working locally and became a vital part of the community. So much so that I cared about what happened to them more than I did to my own real-life neighbors.

Evan quickly became embroiled in a murder investigation that hit close to home. Rowan, along with her tracking dog, Thor, played her own part in the investigation. This is one of the places where sticklers to police procedure might find fault. (I’m not sure any law enforcement agency would permit a civilian to be so closely involved in their work.) For me, not a problem. I found her role to add to the reality, rather than detract.

As with several other of Elliott’s books, she took me down a dead end road while I was trying to figure out the behind the scenes co-conspirator. I was sure I had the culprit identified. I was wrong! Definitely, made it worth the read and the four stars I rated this book. I am looking forward to other adventures! Maybe some other characters will make the jump from previous books. Thank you NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for offering this ARC.

First, I’m so thankful I got to read this ARC. I love Kendra Elliot & The Columbus River Series. (Well, all of her series really.) The Next Grave did not disappoint! Kendra Elliot blends mystery / thriller / romantic suspense so well! It kept me on my toes the whole time. I also really loved getting a deeper peak into Rowan & Evan’s relationship / their families. This book was just so great all around. I will never not recommend this author & her books!

The Next Grave is the sixth installment of the Columbia River series by Kendra Elliot. I read the rest of the series earlier this year and was so excited to get a copy of this before it’s published! The series follows recurring characters from Elliot’s other series who are all law enforcement in the Pacific Northwest. In this book, the focus has turned to Evan Bolton, a detective in a small Oregon town, and his girlfriend Rowan Wolff, a search and rescue canine specialist.
This book fit in perfectly with the rest of its series, with an expertly balanced storyline full of drama, police procedure, and well-known characters. This is the fourth book of the series that Evan has been a part of, but his first time being the main character. I really enjoyed the pacing of the plot, which was quick and intense. Every chapter opened new questions Evan had to answer, and it felt like I was racing against a clock to get to the end and make sure everything was okay.
The Columbia River series is classified as romantic suspense, and The Next Grave is the perfect example. We get to know Evan and Rowan and see their character development through a plot-heavy storyline. They’re interesting individually and as a couple, and their chemistry helps drive the already accelerated plot. Elliot’s talents as a writer shine in her couples. Each couple’s dynamics are unique and realistic, and stay true to the characters’ personalities. Her attention to detail is what makes it easy to remember everything in a 3-part integrated series of 21 books. But it’s her skill at showing the variety of emotions and thoughts of several characters at once that continue to capture my interest.
Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Next Grave is another suspenseful book in the Columbia River series.
Detective Evan Bolton is devastated when his old friend and retired mentor Rod McLeod is found murdered after also being brutally tortured. Rod’s daughter and grandson are also missing. With his girlfriend Rowqn and her tracker dog helping to track them down it becomes apparent that Rod was investigating an old case which has caused these events.
When Evan is shot at whilst talking to a possible suspect all manner of things happen as he also finds himself being targeted at work.
Fast paced and exciting there are many twists and turns and the final scenes are jaw dropping. With a great cast of characters that add much depth to this thriller which flows well, a real page turner.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

This is my first ever Kendra Elliot book. I've been wanting to read her books for a very long time. And believe me when I say that the wait was worth it. Yes, I started with the 6th book in the series, but it didn't hinder me from understanding who everyone was and their relationship to one another. From the beginning, it opens up with a slam bang of action. A body found; a mystery uncovered. Where does Evan go from there?

Then you add on Rowan and her search and rescue dog Thor. What a great team they make together. You add Evan to that mix, and you have the perfect mix for fighting crime. This book was a conundrum inside of a conundrum inside of an enigma. I loved the fact that all of the mysterious elements were just like an onion, and you had to keep peeling back layers to get to the next part to understand anything.

You could feel the frustration, the wariness, the abject horror of what the detectives were dealing with and what they had found. To me, it made them human. And that just sucks me right into the story even more. Because it gives me a reason to become invested. Not only in their own lives but in what they're doing and the mysteries that they are trying to solve.

From the first word, I knew everything I needed to know about all of the characters, as if I had been with them since the beginning. As a reader, I appreciate that. And Kendra Elliot did it in such a way that it didn't feel like constantly regurgitated information like it does with some authors. She just gently let you find out as the story unfolded. I am really impressed with how well this story flowed and how well it was written.

And it hasn't left my mind since the book ended. That right there is another reason I love this book. I cannot wait to be able to read more from this series, or heck, any other of her series. I appreciate all of the details and being able to understand each person as they are. They really felt like they had come to life. I whole heartedly recommend this book. It was definitely worth the wait.

Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Kendra Elliot for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are honest and are completely my own.

Very enjoyable read, bur onthe whole, I do think that I prefer the Mercy K novels, though Rowan and Evan are interesting to read about for a change.

I don’t read many thrillers but this one sounded like something I would enjoy. I found myself encapsulated by the plot and it definitely kept me guessing. Highly recommend, even for those who might not usually read thrillers!

Bonus star alert! ⭐️ This one was phenomenal. A stay up all night thrill ride. Absolutely unputdownable, heart stopping, mind blowing wow wow wow. I adore this author and this one has to be one of my favourites now. It was fast paced and full of twists and turns. Oozes suspense. Nail biting to the very last page. The chapters are amazing. The plot and writing were perfect. Freaking awesome! Must must read.

The Next Grave (Columbia River #6) by Kendra Elliot
Publisher: Montlake
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance
Expected Publication Date: December 10, 2024

The Next Grave is the 6th book in the Columbia River series by Kendra Elliot. This book can be enjoyed as part of the series or as a standalone mystery.

I could not put this book down!!! The story was absolutely captivating and I was hooked!

I loved how fast paced this book is! I was captivated by the story and loved trying to solve the mystery. This was detailed and multidimensional with so much depth! The suspense was awesome!!!

I love how the author writes in a way that I feel like I am there in the story. I get lost in her books and my world disappears. I absolutely loved it!!!

I highly recommend this book to crime drama fans.

Love Kendra Elliot's mysteries. There is always a surprise ending and her writing keeps you mesmerized from the very beginning . If you love mysteries and suspense you must read her books. She has several series many with the same leading characters. Highly recommend this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Next Grave by Kendra Elliot

It was fantastic to dive back into the Columbia River Series with The Next Grave! Kendra Elliot’s books never disappoint, and this one is no exception. The suspense, the intricate plot, and the well-developed characters kept me hooked from start to finish.

Detective Evan Bolton is devastated when his friend and mentor, retired detective Rod McLeod, is found murdered, his body hidden in the trunk of a junkyard car. When McLeod’s daughter and grandson mysteriously disappear, Evan knows it’s all connected. He teams up with search and rescue canine specialist Rowan Wolff and her dog, Thor, to track down the missing family.

As the two cases intertwine in a startling twist, Evan uncovers that McLeod had been reexamining old, supposedly solved crimes. One by one, Evan delves into these cases, growing increasingly suspicious that someone in law enforcement is desperate to keep their secrets hidden. With time running out, Evan and Rowan must find the killer before anyone else vanishes or dies. The only thing that could have made this book better was if Mercy and Truman were along for the ride.

Kendra Elliot masterfully weaves a complex, thrilling narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end. Fans of the series and new readers alike will be enthralled by this latest installment. Highly recommended!

Thanks to Ms Elliot, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fast paced read. Everyone is racing against the clock to solve.the murders and abductions. This book s full of twists and turns. The anxiety ramps up for everyone. I held my breath and was frantically turning pages to find out what happens next. The writing is phenomenal and takes you on a wild ride. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I love Kendra Elliot’s books and eagerly devour them all. I find the police procedural aspects are really well explained, without sounding too obvious and robotic, and the relationships between the characters always helps to soften this too.

Another really good book in the series, although not my favourite of the bunch; nevertheless, still very enjoyable.

I liked the plot and there were certain aspects of it that kept me guessing until the big reveal. There was lots of details and parts to the story that kept moving and didn’t feel rushed (I was excited that so much was happening and I wasn’t that far through the book so felt eager to read on!) However, there were a couple of things I found niggled me overall: I felt the ending didn’t satisfy some questions (on the people injured and their recoveries), and probably the biggest issue for me was that there was just something a bit lacking for me in terms of Rowan and Evan… I didn’t get the sense of the relationship that I usually really like from Elliot’s books.

Saying that, I cannot wait to read the next in the series where we will finally get to know Noelle and her story!

I started reading her books in 2012, and they are ones I still look forward to.reading. They have a good flowing plot, characters, and you want to read straight thru to see how tge story ends. Well done, and I recommend.
Given arc by Net Galley and Montlake for my voluntary review

Yes! Another strong Columbia River book by Kendra Elliot. Fast paced with a great story! I couldn't put this one down. From the very beginning, you are completely hooked by the story and the characters. Can't wait for the next one!!

Thank you #netgalley and #montlake #apub for the eARC.

I loved the characters and the mystery. This book grips you from the start. I can’t wait for the next book. Hoping it will be Noelle’s story. I would highly recommend this book and this series.

We’re following Detective Evan Bolton as he’s unknowingly gotten caught up in web murders and lies. Something stinks inside his department that has cost the life of a friend and retired detective McLeod. Now Evan is working non stop to try and piece the puzzle together with what little evidence there is.
But the closer he gets to the answers, trouble comes for him.
Rowan and k-9 Thor are also hot on the trail as members of detective McLeod’s family go missing.
This story is non stop thrills and chills with curves thrown in at every corner.

Kendra Elliot never disappoints and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.

Thank you #netgalley #thenextgrave #montlake #columbiariverseries for this ARC

Kendra Elliot's The Next Grave is a fast pace, murder mystery that takes the readers on one emotional roller coaster after another. The tone set in this book is for the most a grave, somber setting, with just enough lightheartedness tossed in to make the story more realistic given the situation, and the way Ms. Elliot describes the characters you feel everything that is going on. The Next Grave is the fourth book I've read by Ms. Elliot, each one I read only seems to get better. If you haven't read one Ms. Elliot's books, I highly recommend that you pick one up, it'll be a little treat for your mind!