Review copy was received from Author, NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Boy in the Wall by Jeffrey B Burton Series: Chicago K-9 Thriller #3
Published by Severn House on March 3, 2026
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 251
Format: eARC
Source: Author, NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple
It was supposed to be a fun dog demo day for the students at Henry Horner Elementary School in Chicago—but when Cory Pratt’s cadaver dogs sniff out the body of a missing teenage boy wedged into the wall of the cafeteria, his family’s life is shattered.
It seems like tragedy follows the Shortridges. With the eldest son having taken his life a few years earlier, Patrick being found mutilated and murdered devastates the whole clan further. Now everyone is fearing for seven-year-old sister Charlotte.
When a kidnapping attempt on the young girl fails, Cory and his detective sister Crystal are sure someone is targeting the Shortridges. But who is behind these savage attacks and why would someone want to kill off such a seemingly unassuming family?
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. 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, and is in college. Their father was a veterinarian.
In The Boy in the Wall, we get perspectives from Cory, Crystal and the bad guys. The case is a very complex one with scenes from past alternating with ones from the present. It begins when the dogs find a body in the wall at a school that had renovations. As always, I could have used more dog time.
For most of the case, Cory and the dogs are holed up at a hotel for safety purposes. He does connect with the victim’s little sister and provides her with emotional support. Crystal is in and out as she goes to scenes and interviews witnesses and reads files. She is really smart and thorough.
The pacing is good as there is always a new action or piece of information. Cory doesn’t do much in his “safe house” life. He’s attracted to a female friend who has a boyfriend and is trying to decide if he needs to stop being friends with her. He seems so young in some ways. Crystal doesn’t seem to have any life beyond work and I’d love to see her developed more. We did learn a little about a co-worker of hers who interacted a bit with Cory.
The mystery is well plotted but it’s amazing Crystal was able to figure it out and get evidence for arrests. The killers were ruthless and enjoyed killing. I’ll always look forward to more mysteries with Crystal driving the solution and especially if Cory is involved with more dog work on them.
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.
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:
- 26-COYER
This sounds very good, and I love the cover with the two dogs! Although I would want more of the dogs in the story too😁
yes even if the story was totally about the dogs from their point of view I might still need more. lol The investigation was especially well done.
This series really sounds good. There can never be enough dog time😏 Great review, Anne💜
Thanks Jonetta. The investigation was good but I always want more dog work.
Glad to see the mystery was well done even if you didn’t get enough k-9 time.
To be fair there is no such thing as enough K9 time.
OH, how devastating. I don’t think I could read this one.
It’s certainly horrifying for the family targeted, especially have no idea about a great grandparents transgressions.
This sounds very intense! And I know you love a good dog mystery. Great review!
Thanks Lisa. They mystery plots are good but I could always use more dog time.
ALL THE PUPPERS ON THE COVER. Awwww
There can’t be too many puppies.