SCENT OF MURDER

Combining a fast-paced mystery with her personal experience as a volunteer with a canine search-and-rescue team, Alwyn has created an exceptional first novel. In addition to working for old high school friend Jett Culpepper, a private investigator in Sacramento, Calif., Brenna Scott heads a search team that uses specially trained dogs. While in Seattle for a conference, Brenna and Jett, accompanied by her German Shepherd, Brie, volunteer to help in the search for a missing four-year-old girl—a search that will lead Brenna and her team into a deadly game of kidnapping and murder. Weeks later, when another child disappears, it's apparent a diabolical murderer is on the loose. After the fiend starts to e-mail Brenna, breaks into her apartment and challenges her to play his game, the frazzled Brenna and her colleagues agree to ignore the team rule not to become involved in a criminal chase. With their expertly trained dogs, they embark on a hunt that ends in a spine-tingling showdown. This is a page-turner with a cast of warm, natural characters, both human and canine; searches so vivid you can hear twigs snap, and dramatic tension that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Even the uncanine-inclined will marvel at these remarkable animals as they follow the scent. Hopefully, this is the first of many such stories. Agent, Anne Hawkins. (July 16)