An Ear for Trouble
Elise Butler is a wildlife biologist who enjoys her stable (if somewhat predictable) job in finance at the World Wildlife Trust. However, when the veterinarian at Riverbend Animal Conservation Center goes missing, Elise offers to help the unlucky wildlife Conservation Center get back on its feet. Not only will the job in Riverbend, Indiana let her get back to her roots of working with animals, but it’s also a short drive from her sister’s workplace at Riverbend K-9 Academy, a training center for some of the FBI’s best explosive detection dogs.
FBI Special Agent Finn Cooper and his canine partner, Sedona, are chasing a well-funded animal trafficking ring. After an injury sidelines Finn from official FBI undercover work, he goes to work at Riverbend K-9 Academy to stay busy while he recovers…and to investigate his only remaining lead in the animal trafficking case.
Just as Elise begins to settle into life in Riverbend, her sister asks her to help the K-9 Academy by fostering one of their puppies. Finn is eager to keep Elise focused on training Zeke, the enthusiastic German shepherd puppy earmarked to become Riverbend’s first wildlife detection K-9, and keep her well away from his quiet animal trafficking investigation. Zeke quickly proves himself an expert both at chewing shoes and sniffing out clouded leopards. When Zeke starts finding scents where they don’t belong, Elise and Finn begin to realize that the Conservation Center may be more criminal than unlucky. And if Elise doesn’t keep her nose out of it, she might be the next target.
An Ear for Trouble is Book 2 in the Riverbend K-9 Series. All books in the Riverbend K-9 Series may be enjoyed as standalone novels or as a series.
My review
This is a cosy with a difference. Whilst animals feature extensively in these lighter mysteries, they aren’t often involved in the sleuthing side of things! But here with have Zeke who proves to be Elise’s right-hand dog. There’s also Sedona helping Finn, but they’re a more professional pairing.
Events seem a little complex to start with, but all becomes clear as the action proceeds. The personalities of the characters both human and animal emerge, and the plot begins to unfold. We also get an insight into dog training, zoo operation and organization and endangered wildlife. I always enjoy learning when I’m being entertained, so thanks to the author for that.
The second in a series, the book works fine as a standalone. I shall be reading the first book in the series, and there will be more books to come I’m sure as I’m sure Finn and Elise’s relationship will develop more.
An interesting and clever cosy mystery.
Purchase Links
Author bio
K.T. Lee is a writer, mom, and engineer who grew up on a steady diet of books from a wide variety of genres. She’s the author of multiple books, including those in the Riverbend K-9 Series and The Calculated Series.
Social Media Links –
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KTLeeWrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ktleeauthor/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ktleewrites
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