The Second Grave - (Chicago K-9 Thriller) by Jeffrey B Burton

Book Synopsis

The discovery of two graves digs up past crimes and a dangerous killer trying to erase their tracks in this fast-paced K-9 thriller series set in Chicago.

Another day, another find for dog trainer Cory Pratt's cadaver dogs Alice and Rex. This time a mass grave with three bodies and a second single grave over three decades old. A cold case that Cory's sibling and Chicago Police detective Crystal has to solve fast as the killer of the four men is still out there.

While the identities of the men are determined one by one, the bodies are linked to an infamous crime which remains unsolved to this day. And with the killer trying to cover their tracks, other dangerous and lethal individuals start getting involved . . .

Figuring out what happened all those years ago while trying to minimize the current body count, Cory, Crystal and the dogs are hot on the heels of the killer. But their involvement puts them right on their list and in more danger than they bargained for.

For fans of action-packed K-9 mystery series, such as Margaret Mizushima's Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries, Paula Munier's Mercy Carr Mysteries, and Susan Furlong's Bone Gap Travellers Mysteries: "A mighty impressive thriller" (Booklist)

Review Quotes

[A brisk] Windy City crime yarn, with dogs-- "Kirkus Reviews"

A gripping addition to the mystery genre . . . a standout and engaging read-- "Book Junkie Reviews"

An unputdownable book filled with nonstop action, great characters, and a fantastic setting. This should be on every mystery fan's nightstand-- "Andrew Gulli, Editor-in-Chief, The Strand Magazine"

It's likely The Second Grave will be on my Best of 2025 List. Very likely-- "Kings River Life Magazine"

Past and present come together smoothly in the story, in which the two dogs play a critical role-- "Twin Cities Pioneer Press"

Readers will fall in love with Alice and Rex, of course . . . The twists and turns will keep you reading-- "Kings River Life Magazine on The Dead Years"

The author [has] considerable talent-- "Booklist"

This is a mighty impressive thriller . . . Readers will take to Burton's brother-sister duo in this series launch and look forward to more Chicago K-9 thrillers-- "Booklist on The Dead Years"

Well-written and fun to read-- "Red Carpet Crash"

What an amazing book . . . So inventive, it's so creative . . . A lot of fun to read-- "NPR's Radio Pet Lady (Tracie Hotchner) on Dog Talk on The Dead Years"