Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The First Death by Kendra Elliot Series: Columbia River #4
Published by Montlake Romance on June 13, 2023
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 313
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
Rowan Wolff was five years old when she, her brother, and their babysitter were kidnapped by a serial killer in the Pacific Northwest. The babysitter was murdered. Rowan was saved. Her brother was killed and buried in the forest, his remains never found. The convicted killer refuses to say where he buried the boy. Twenty-five years later, Rowan is committed to search and rescue with her faithful canine and is obsessed with finding her brother’s grave—and closure.
Detective Evan Bolton thrives on unraveling tough cases, but his latest is disturbing. There’s another serial killer hunting in Deschutes County, Oregon, and the crimes are identical to those committed by the sociopath languishing in prison. Each victim is linked to Rowan. When skeletal remains of several bodies are exhumed in the forest, Rowan’s connection becomes more entwined and impossible to ignore.
The Columbia River series is a mix of stories utilizing characters from some of the author’s other series or supporting characters. The First Death is the fourth book and features Sheriff Evan Bolton and Rowan Wulf, who were supporting characters in other series. Evan was also heavily involved in the previous book In the Pines along with Mercy Kirkpatrick and Truman Daly, who are briefly here as well, so I would at a minimum read it, if not the entire series.
Evan is investigating recent murders of young, blond women. Then Ken Steward, a K9 trainer is also murdered. Evan discovers connections which keep him in contact with Rowan. They are attracted and admit it but Evan feels he should back off until these cases are solved because she has involvement with them, although not as a suspect.
Evan does want to support her though as she goes through the funeral of Ken and also doing her annual search for her brother, Malcolm. She and her brother were abducted 25 years ago. Ken is the searcher who found Rowan, a few weeks later, only five years old and with a badly broken leg.
I really enjoyed getting to know Evan and Rowan. Rowan’s family is incredible and their grief about Malcolm continues. The man in prison for the killings then admitted to killing Malcolm but couldn’t remember where he buried him.
Evan is a smart and caring investigator and with Rowan’s help they track down the serial killer, Ken’s killer and learn what happened to Malcolm. I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend it. I was all in and didn’t want to stop reading as the twists and turns were stunning.
About Kendra Elliot
An Amazon #1 selling author, Kendra Elliot has sold over 5 million books.
She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest and still lives there with her family and three cats. She’s fascinated with forensics, refuses to eat anything green, and dreams of living every day in flip flops.
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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I like all of Kendra Elliot’s books and am really looking forward to this one too! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I really enjoy them also.
I love Elliot’s Mercy Kilpatrick series. I haven’t read any of the books in this series yet. But Evan and Rowan do sound like great characters.
This series also has quite a bit of Mercy and Truman. I am enjoying it.
Sounds really good! Thanks for sharing 😀
Thank you! I am really enjoying this series.
Wow, this one really hit me emotionally with what happened to those kids. Loved seeing Evan get his book.
yes it was very emotional. I felt worst for Malcolm. Evan is great and I enjoy having him in the series. I wonder if now we will see more of him and Rowan together in the future books.
This was offered for audio review and I wanted it so bad but I haven’t started the series yet. Wonderful review, Anne💜 It’s on my list.
This series is amazing. The 3rd book is lots about Truman and Mercy and I remember you enjoyed the Mercy books.
I’m so happy this is KU read and listen for free (when it releases)! I love this series and I as so happy to get more Mercy and Truman in the last one. I like all her characters, but they’re my favorite so far. What a sad story for Rowan’s family! She sounds like a great character. Wonderful review, Anne!
Thanks Rachel. I have loved all her series too.
I need to get back to this series. I think I have read the first two. Great review!
Thank you! I really enjoy them. Here series are all a bit interconnected and the 3rd one has big Mercy and Truman scenes.