Such a beautiful story. Maggie, a beautiful (but traumatised) German Shepherd, who lost her Pete in Afghanistan, joins up with Scott, a young cop, almost killed in the line of duty (losing his partner in the process). Together, they will train, form a special bond, and search for justice. I love it, as I have loved all Robert Crais' novels. It's a lot different from the Elvis Cole series, but it's just as good. I recommend all of his books.

I'm not usually one for weeping on a continual basis in my reading but I must be honest and confess to pretty much outright sobbing with this book. Oh, poor Maggie, what a tragic story she has. But what a 'dude'!! She is the heroine of the piece and I was rooting for her from the start. With every tail wag I grinned, with every protective growl I felt my heart lurch, and at one point when Cowley (another great character by the way) has to make the choice of saving Scott, the terribly injured police officer paired with Maggie in the K9 unit, or letting Maggie do her job of protecting her pack I cried out loud as Cowley raised her gun, sobbing as she did so with the prospect of shooting this wonderful dog she (Cowley) had come to admire. Scott is an interesting chap, injured in the line of duty in an incident which cost his partner's life he finds salvation in the company of Maggie, an absolutely beautiful German Shepherd. Together they uncover a criminal conspiracy wrought by some dirty cops out to make money through their mayhem and murder. There are some other great characters, Leland for example, a particularly grizzly chap who in actuality is a soft old teddy bear who just loves his dogs, he's ALL about the dogs! Scott, Cowley and Maggie, though, are at the centre of the plot and one can't help but think that there is a future for the three of them! Crais writes with passion and has done his research, though, he admits to taking some liberties for the sake of the timeline. As a stand alone book it is a good read, it doesn't quite live up to the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels, but then what would? A fun, albeit soppy tear soaked, few hours in Maggie and Scott's company makes for a good read.