After their parents' deaths in a tragic accident years ago, siblings Cory and Crystal Pratt live in the family home, and their working lives sometimes intertwine. Crystal is a detective in the Chicago Police Department, and Cory has two human remains detection dogs as well as a dog training academy.
Both are called in when a string of recent murders seems to be connected to a Netflix documentary, but when the pair begin investigating, the killer focuses on stopping them.
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I have enjoyed previous books by Jeffrey B. Burton. He has a knack for creating irreverent, sympathetic characters and pairing them with working dogs-- always a potent combination in my book. Although the same framework is present here, I found The Dead Years to be less satisfying.
The story is told from Cory Pratt's perspective, and I liked this twentysomething's voice. However, I found his angst over the deaths of his parents a bit of a yawn. (Why do so many characters in mysteries have parents who died tragically?) His canine partners, Alice the bloodhound and Rex the springer spaniel, did their jobs well, and Cory's sister, Crystal, is the more logical, grounded one of the pair.
The serial killer in The Dead Years is a bit different, resurrecting his reign of terror after becoming incensed over his portrayal in a Netflix documentary, and he also plays a role in Cory's dreams. Readers learn the killer's identity before Cory and Crystal do, but once they do know, it's a race to the finish.
I did enjoy this book. It's all there: fast pace, engaging story, sympathetic characters, but I have to admit that it felt as if I'd read it all before. Even a winning formula can become tired.
The Dead Years by Jeffrey B. Burton
eISBN: 9781448312405
Severn House © 2024
eBook, 224 pages
Thriller, #1 Chicago K-9
Rating: C+
Source: Net Galley
This is an interesting setup for a story, Cathy, and I can see how the premise would appeal. You make an interesting point about the angst, though. I guess it's because I've been reading books lately in which characters are dealing with past tragedies, but I see your point. It's hard to balance that with making sure the characters are interesting and fleshed out. Well, at any rate, I'm glad you found things to like about this.
ReplyDeleteThere are several things to like about it, Margot. I also believe that it's possible to have multi-faceted, interesting characters without killing off their parents...
DeleteThat's too bad. There was potential for this one to be so good. But I've run into tired and overdone plotlines in a lot of thrillers/mysteries lately, and sometimes it makes me DNF the book just because I feel like I've read that story before.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, but this one never reached that point for me.
Delete"Even a winning formula can become tired." True and insightful words!
ReplyDeleteAs I've said before, I'm so glad that I'm a reader and not a writer!
DeleteAnother book I'm saved from reading.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I'm learning more about the suburbs of Chicago by reading Burton's books.
Delete