Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Dead Years by Jeffrey B Burton Narrator: Will Tulin
Series: Chicago K-9 Thriller #1
Published by Tantor Audio on May 27, 2025
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Length: 8 hours, 7 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
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Siblings Cory and Crystal Pratt are still trying to get their lives together after a tragic accident which killed their parents years ago. The only thing that distracts them now is their jobs. With Crystal working as a newly minted detective at the Chicago Police Department and Cory owning a dog training academy with two human remains detection dogs of his own, their professional paths cross every now and then. Crime, and especially murder, in Chicago is nothing new, but when a string of killings happen that seem to be connected to a Netflix docuseries and its cast and crew, Cory and Crystal are called in to stop the number of bodies from piling any higher. But when the siblings start poking around the killer's business, the killer sets their sights on the pair . . . and particularly on Cory and his dogs! Will they be able to escape the fury of the serial killer or become the newest victims?
I read Burton‘s unrelated Mace Reid K-9 Mystery series and liked it. The Dead Years starts off the Chicago K-9 Thriller series which I think will be a bit better. We have a brother and sister team who lost their parents in a car crash. Crystal was old enough to assume a quasi parental role for her almost adult brother, Cory. Crystal is a Chicago police detective, and Cory has a dog training business. We get mostly Cory’s perspective.
Crystal is on the case in the hunt for a serial killer who was not caught 7 years ago but has been dormant. Cory and his trained dogs, Alice and Rex, assist in searches and later a surveillance operation. I have some trouble with this because Cory is not official, and he and his dogs are not respected or trusted. They also aren’t protected in the way members of the team would be.
When the killer starts going after people from the original investigation, who have some knowledge or experience to pass to the current team, they start to think it may be someone within their ranks. The dogs reveal a suspect, but only Cory and Crystal believe them. There’s some real twists and turns until the killer is caught.
I hope Cory and the dogs get more certification and official standing rather than going along with Crystal. Alice and Rex are mainly cadaver dogs but they are also very smart. They seem to easily follow smells of live people too. The next book, The Second Grave, is already out in ebook and will be on audio later this year.
Narration:
I’m not familiar with this narrator but he’s narrator quite a few audiobooks. I was comfortable with his voices for the characters. The tones were neutral enough to leave me completely in the story and not distracted but the narration. I listened at my normal speed of 1.5x.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Jeffrey B Burton
Jeff was born in Long Beach, California, grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, and received his BA in Journalism at the University of Minnesota.
Novels in Jeff’s Agent Drew Cady mystery series include: THE CHESSMAN, THE LYNCHPIN, and THE EULOGIST. His short stories have appeared in dozens of magazines.
Jeff is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and the Horror Writers Association. He lives in St. Paul with his wife, an irate Pomeranian named Lucy, and a goofball of a Beagle named Milo.
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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:
- 25-Audio
- 25-COYER
Ooh, a new K-9 series! Thanks for featuring, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. We will see how it goes. The dogs are smart and they do have them work.
I’m surprised the police would allow dogs outside the force to work on cases, but hey, I still like the idea.
yes that aspect didn’t seem right but it was still a fun read.
The dogs sound great! I’ll have to give this series a try.
The dogs are great. The human rules are a bit whack though.
I have come to really enjoy mysteries with K-9 investigation members.
It’s my favorite!
I hope after proving themselves they’ll get certification.
That would be what I want too.
I haven’t read any investigations with dogs involved! This one sounds thoroughly intriguing:).
There are others I prefer but I like this one also. K9 mysteries are a real favorite of mine I’ve 2 series on Saturday with them.
Sounds like a mystery series I’d enjoy! Love the addition of search dogs in the mix.
The setup is a little weird and I hope they work that out in the next book.
I know a bit about how cadaver and search dogs are trained and they would have to have earned some certifications and passed a variety of tests to be really considered. It’s not uncommon for search dogs (live or cadaver) to be brought in on a consultant basis but they’re to find someone not for anything investigative purposes. That said this does sound like a good enough mystery that I could get past the issues and that it would be a fun read.
Well the dogs were just along with the handler who was with his sister. They weren’t brought to find dead bodies but did. But the Cory and Crystal knew they would try for finding people so it wasn’t completely innocent bringing along dogs who weren’t certified. Still it’s an interesting story and I always enjoy dogs active roles.
Sounds like this author does a great job with including the dogs in his stories. Great review!
yes but I wish it was a little more realistic.