Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Killer Tracks by Mary Keliikoa Series: Misty Pines Mystery #3
Published by Level Best Books on September 30, 2025
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 319
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon
Sheriff Jax Turner is worried about going off-grid and leaving his young team of deputies behind. But while his getaway with his ex is meant to help them reconnect, Jax is distracted by signs of a break-in at their rented lookout.
After a string of unsettling events and an approaching wildfire turn their isolated retreat into a danger zone, he’s stunned to find a dead body with marks tying it to a killer he put away a decade ago.
Terrified that his attempt at reconciliation has led them both into a fatal setup, Jax rushes back to his estranged wife before she joins the list of victims. But his dedication to serving and protecting could become an Achilles heel as other players join them among the darkening trees.
The Misty Pines Mystery series has both work and personal stories of Sheriff Jax Turner and his deputies. Jax lost his daughter to cancer and isolated himself to try to stop the pain. In Hidden Pieces, he decides he wants to put himself together, do a great job and renew his relationship with his ex-wife. He has a team of young deputies and just hired his old partner’s daughter, Rachel, as his chief deputy. His old partner Jameson, is not happy about it. Rachel brings along Koa, a “failed” K9, a favorite character of mine.
Jax is now set to take a week off with his ex-wife, Abby. They go to a remote cabin in an area that has been closed for rebuilding. Jax is surprised by this since he is an outdoor guy but Abby is more spa and luxury hotel. It is remote and quiet. Or it would be if someone wasn’t squatting there. Things get more dangerous as their time continues with sabotage to their options to remain connected.
Trudy, the mother hen of the office, is determined Jax and Abby have time to themselves so she won’t tell anyone where they are and when Jax checks in briefly tells him everything is great and hangs up on him. Rachel is running things but of course, there’s an explosion and murder, even as Jax is leaving town.
Rachel is struggling with her family being mad at her for leaving them and Portland, feeling she isn’t ready to be so far from home. She’s not getting along with her girlfriend who is more serious than she is. Rachel struggles at times to control her emotions when witnesses lie or evade her. But she generally goes in the right directions. The other deputies do help. The ME and Trudy have first class skills. The ME sees a connection to a case a decade ago where the killer has just been released on a technicality.
I found the plot and mystery to be engaging. I appreciate the personal growth and the flaws they all have, as real people do. It’s only getting more interesting and I look forward to more.
About Mary Keliikoa
Mary Keliikoa is the author of Hidden Pieces and the upcoming Deadly Tides in the Misty Pines mystery series, the PI Kelly Pruett mystery series which includes the Shamus, Lefty, Agatha and Anthony nominated Derailed for best debut, and the upcoming Don’t Ask, Don’t Follow out Summer of 2024. Her short stories have appeared in Woman’s World and in the anthology Peace, Love and Crime.
A Pacific NW native, she admits to being that person who gets excited when called for jury duty. When not in Washington, you can find Mary with toes in the sand on a Hawaiian beach. But even under the palm trees and blazing sun, she’s plotting her next murder—novel that is.
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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Sounds like a series I could get into. Great review, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. There are some really interesting and flawed characters.
Love that there’s a dog! This is a series I really need to try. 😀
It’s always better with a dog, for sure.
Sounds like this couple has been through a lot. Glad he’s getting back on track. The dog sounds like a nice addition to the story!
The dog adds a bit of fun and smart to a bad situation.
This sounds like a good series. I have a book by this author on my TBR thanks for reminding me.
I’ve enjoyed the series and look forward to what’s next.
I like when a series shows character growth and isn’t just the same cookie cutter story every time. Great review!
Thanks Lisa. The main characters here have gone through a LOT.
Love flaws and personal growth!!!
They have the flaws in a big way.