Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Hiding Place by Paula Munier Series: Mercy & Elvis Mysteries #3
Published by Minotaur Books on March 30, 2021
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Some people take their secrets with them to the grave. Others leave them behind on their deathbeds, riddles for the survivors to solve.
When her late grandfather’s deputy calls Mercy to his deathbed, the former MP and her sniffer dog Elvis inherit the cold case that haunted him—and may have killed her grandfather. But finding Beth Kilgore 20 years after she disappeared is more than a lost cause. It’s a Pandora’s box releasing a rain of evil on the very people Mercy and Elvis hold most dear. Most at risk may be her grandmother, and Mercy and Elvis must team up with Vermont Game Warden Troy Warner and his search-and-rescue dog Susie Bear to save her from the man who murdered her husband, who’s escaped from prison and is now out for revenge.
I have really enjoyed this Mercy & Elvis Mysteries series. The first two books seemed quite different from each other to me. The first had her working with the game warden Troy and their dogs, as well as both Mercy & Elvis trying to recover from the grief after losing Martinez. I loved all the dog work and searches which were part of the mystery. The second was more set in her parent’s world, working for Daniel, a wealthy local. She spent almost no time with Troy and they had some issues, and there was less dog involvement.
A Hiding Place is back to having a bit more dog involvement. There are two storylines with some complex emotional aspects. When her grandfather’s deputy is dying, she ends up with a cold case which really bothered him. It also seems to involve her grandmother, Patience. One of the involved parties escapes from prison and her grandmother could be in danger. Patience seems determined to go on about her normal life.
Then, another MP from the Army shows up claiming Elvis is his dog. I was really torn up over this and spent considerable time worrying and crying. He thinks Mercy’s life is too dangerous for Elvis and Mercy can’t disagree. She also continues to sort out her feelings about Martinez, along with her issues with Troy.
Mercy makes some progress with her parents and their relationship. She continues to enjoy her grandmother, even if she is stubborn. I wonder where she will go from here, or if she will formalize her investigating in any way.
There was a lot of action and events, keeping things fast paced. There were some flashbacks to the old days when the woman who disappeared in the cold case. Mercy gradually puts together bits of information to learn what happened. Everyone seemed to abuse this woman, so hopefully she left and wasn’t murdered. It’s very complicated but Mercy untangles it. I look forward to more in this fascinating world and the dogs. I always love the dogs.
About Paula Munier
PAULA MUNIER is the author of the bestselling Plot Perfect, The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings, Writing with Quiet Hands, and the acclaimed memoir Fixing Freddie. The first novel in her mystery series, A BORROWING OF BONES (Minotaur, 2018) was inspired by the hero working dogs she met through Mission K9 Rescue, her own Newfoundland-retriever-mix rescue Bear, and her lifelong passion for crime fiction. In her fabulous day job as Senior Literary Agent and Content Strategist for Talcott Notch Literary, she represents many great writers. Her specialties include crime fiction, women’s fiction, upmarket fiction, MG/YA, high-concept SFF, and nonfiction. She lives in New England with her family, Bear, Freddie, and a torbie tabby named Ursula.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Spring
I love dog stories too, but they can be stressful! I think all authors should have a little blurb at the front of the book saying “don’t worry, the dog is ok at the end.”
Oh there was never any doubt (in my mind) that the dog would be ok. Mercy had a lot of personal decisions and growth to handle.
I’m a sucker for stories with dogs. Sounds like you’re enjoying it, too. Excellent review, Anne?
Thanks Jonetta. Yes I want to read all the stories with dogs.
I think I started the first book and left off. I’d be nervous over the fate of Elvis, too. Sounds like Mercy has a lot to sort out. Maybe I’ll get back to the series someday. Wonderful review, Anne!
It’s a great series Rachel and pretty realistic overall. Mercy is really trying to adjust to her civilian life and loss of her fiance so even without the guy showing up and issues with Troy, this one was going to be emotional.
I am always a fan of mysteries that involve dogs! This sounds like a fun series and the mystery sounds complicated enough to hold my interest. I will have to check out this series someday!
That’s it. The mysteries are complex enough, along with the large amount of Mercy’s emotional adjustments in this book to really be a great story and hold interest on many levels.