In Jeffrey Burton's second book in the Chicago K9 Thriller series, The Second Grave, Cory Pratt's cadaver dogs, Alice and Rex, are called out on what should be a routine find-a-missing-elder who wandered into the woods, at night, in the cold. The dogs should have no problem tracking him, and in fact, they don't. What they also find are two more graves with four bodies, all three decades old. Cory is excellent with working dogs, but he's young, in school to learn IT, and still finding his way in life. His sister Chrystal, though, has a passion for this sort of cold case. She manages to see connections others might have missed, despite that the bodies have no ID and little to indicate who they are or why they were buried in the middle of a forest. Are they related? Or is this coincidence? One clue leads to another until it seems all were involved in a long unsolved bank robbery with unproven connections to organized crime. Though it is a cold case, the killer doesn't seem to know that because as soon as the graves are opened, s/he begins to attempt to cover his/her tracks.

This is a good story with unique characters and a sense of humor to keep the murders and threats from getting too dark. It is told as a dual timeline, from Cory and Crystal's present day and the events leading up to the three decades old murder. I enjoyed it, though some plot spots left me scratching my head. I think --IMHO--the author took a few too many liberties with the privileges of writing fiction and mixing the timelines for me to get completely lost in the book although with dogs, detectives, funny guy for a character, I really wanted to. I give this a shaky4/5, but probably won't pick up Book 3 in the series.

This story centers on Cory Pratt, a canine dog trainer/handler and his sister Crystal, a police detective. The discovery by Cory and his dogs of graves in a remote area of their town becomes the storyline. I think more emphasis on their relationship would have strengthened the storyline and increased the likeableness of both of them. I would definitely read another book featuring this brother-sister duo, but hopefully featuring more developed characters. I received an ARC from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed are my own.

A bit slow to get going but plenty of twists and turns. Interesting characters especially the two cadaver dogs.

The Second Grave by Jeffrey B. Burton is a gripping addition to the K-9 thriller series that seamlessly weaves tension, mystery, and the bond between humans and their canine counterparts. Set against the backdrop of Chicago, the story kicks off with the discovery of two graves, igniting a race against time.

The narrative centers around Cory Pratt, a dedicated dog trainer, and his brave cadaver dogs, Alice and Rex. Their latest find—a mass grave along with an older, solitary grave—unearths dark secrets from the past and connects to a notorious unsolved crime. As the identities of the victims are revealed, the stakes rise, revealing a dangerous killer intent on erasing any connection to their past. The author portrays the dynamic between Cory and Crystal, a Chicago Police detective. Their collaboration is both heartwarming and full of tension, emphasizing not just their professional objectives but their personal stakes in the case.

The tension builds not only from the investigation of the crimes but also the unpredictable threats that emerge as they delve deeper. Fans of thrillers and dog lovers alike will appreciate the strong representation of the K-9 unit. The loyalty and instincts of the dogs add an enriching layer to the story, enhancing the emotional depth and highlighting the teamwork required in such dangerous pursuits.

Overall, The Second Grave is a good read for anyone looking for a gripping, well-crafted mystery. With its clever twists and well-drawn characters, it’s a page-turner that makes one eager for the next installment in this series.

#TheSecondGrave #NetGalley @severnhouse

Hidden graves, murder, bank heists, fixers, mob bosses, revenge, betrayals and search and rescue dogs - complex and fast moving investigative tale, great for fans of detective mysteries, and there are dogs!

The discovery of two graves digs up past crimes and a dangerous killer trying to erase their tracks in this fast-paced K-9 thriller series set in Chicago!
Good book! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, a great who done it and a few twists and turns. The story was interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!