🏔️⛑️🐕‍🦺 “Alaskan Avalanche Escape” (K-9 Search & Rescue #9) (2023) 🐕‍🦺⛑️🏔️ – Book Review

 

MY REVIEW

 

 

Series: K-9 Search + Rescue (Book #9)
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense (February 21, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN: 133558756X
ISBN-13: 978-1335587565
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information  

 

“Sabotage in the mountains…

 

Can this K-9 sniff out the truth?

 

After surviving a sudden avalanche, mountain survival expert Jayla Hoyt and her search-and-rescue K-9 discover that it was no accident—someone deliberately triggered the mountain explosion. To uncover the culprit, she’ll have to partner with Alaska park ranger Bryson Clarke, a man she doesn’t trust. But when the investigators become targets, can they capture the criminal mastermind…before they’re buried alive?”

 

Thank you in advance to the author, Darlene L. Turner, for providing a complimentary review copy through her launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

There are some authors I’ve been a fan of from the beginning of their career. Turner is definitely one of them. It’s hard to believe I’ve read seven (7) of her books so far.

 

It started with a publicity tour in April 2020, almost three (3) years ago. I had wanted a copy of the book (Border Breach). I didn’t get it. I did win a host giveaway of an Amazon gift card, and ALMOST got the book then.

 

As luck would have it – I wasn’t able to get that book.

 

It wasn’t until I joined the author’s “Border Patrol” review team that I finally got Border Breach. Since then, I’ve read ALL the books in her Border Patrol series (4), and two (2) books of her Crisis Rescue Team series.

 

So, anytime I see she’s got a new one out – on the TBR list it goes. I don’t hesitate.

 

As of note, this isn’t connected to any of her series, and it seems like a standalone read within the K-9 Search + Rescue series.

 

Just like the other books she’s written – this starts off with a bang, fast-paced action, and definitely high-stakes suspense that carries from the first to the last pages.

 

What I love about this cover are the striking colors of the sky. Then, there’s the ominous one boot with drag marks. I have so many questions and I haven’t even opened the book.

 

Right off, I KNOW nothing is as it seems, and that’s the way it begins.

 

As she usually does, Turner gives us some well-rounded characters with complex backgrounds, along with some that are red herrings:

 

⛑️ Jayla

🏔️ Bryson

🎀 Avery (Bryson’s niece)

🐕‍🦺 Hercules (SAR K-9)

🏔️ Dekker (Jayla’s brother)

🚓 Lt. Trent Clarke (Bryson’s father)

 

And … so many others on both Jayla and Bryson’s team.

 

As of note, there are two suicides mentioned in this book that take place prior to the story, as well as a drug death.

 

The last thing anyone wants is an avalanche, which is what happens when Jayla is is training a crew. And, the last thing she needs is the loss of her supervisor Ethan.

 

The worst thing she needs is Bryson showing up. She blames him for her friend ending up in a wheelchair because he “froze” during a bear attack.

 

He’s investigating suspicious avalanches, though his boss and other team members think his theory is just that – a theory. Still, he can’t quite put it away.

 

Despite Jayla’s feelings towards him, Bryson will only work with her because he only trusts her. He doesn’t trust his team. He’s willing to overlook her issue with him. In turn, despite her feelings, Jayla respects his suspicions.

 

He has his own issues though. His sister was killed in a bear attack and he is now the guardian of his niece Avery. His parents are watching the girl, but his father is over-bearing. In addition, there were “rumors” surrounding his departure from the Alaska State Troopers due to an ex-girlfriend.

 

Knowing they may not find Ethan’s body until spring; Jayla is feeling responsible for another death. Her brother Kyle and fiancé Michael both died by suicide. She feels both deaths were her fault.

 

It isn’t long until an attack on the kennels at her SAR station heighten the suspicion that SOMETHING is going on.

 

They’re targeted when they go back to where Ethan disappeared. They find his backpack, and a note. Jayla’s brother Dekker is hurt, causing her to wonder why. Though her faith remains solid. Bryson didn’t have much faith because of his agnostic father.

 

They manage to get a lead, but someone quiets their informant. And, it seems each lead they get, is blocked when there’s a death, fire, or explosion. Despite this, Bryson’s boss isn’t too convinced there is connection to the avalanches.

 

It isn’t until they go to rescue two skiers, one of which has died, that Bryson’s theory gets some solid proof. Though some doubts do linger among his team members.

 

Bryson and Jayla begin to have feelings for each other as they delve into the how and why the avalanches are connected, and in tracking down the mysterious Murdoc. Yet, each are haunted by their pasts.

 

It is Bryson’s mom that confirms there is something going on when she discovers a precious metal. And, it seems there is a mole on the team. Or is it both teams?

 

Like always with the suspense genre – this is going to be a “down-to-the-wire” read and romance. Will they/won’t they? Who is the main player, what is their motive?

 

Alaskan Avalanche Escape is an intense, explosive, high octane, high body count, unpredictable suspense read. I was drawn right in, and definitely didn’t want to put it down. I read it inside of four (4) hours. That’s pretty much a record as these are what I refer to as “day reads”. I used to read the Intrigue line and read those books in a day usually. Though life has caught up to me and I can’t do that much anymore.

 

When it came to the bad guys – I was and wasn’t surprised by them. I have to admit there were certain plot arcs I didn’t see coming, where others were “yup, that figures”.

 

I loved the relationship, what readers were given, between Bryson and Avery. It is clear he does feel responsible for her mother’s death, but his love and devotion her her is sweet.

 

I also enjoyed the realistic aspect of his parents’ take on his duties to Avery. There are some people, like Bryson’s dad, that do not understand about weather being a factor in certain situations. And, I wanted to scream at Trent “weather isn’t something to be reckless around”.

 

Living in the desert, flash floods are extremely dangerous given the topography and soil.

 

In September 2014, a flash flood devastated an area not far from Las Vegas (a few miles north of Moapa). The flooding wiped out a vital arterial freeway, the I-15 between Las Vegas and Mesquite. There was a chasm that was upwards to 20 feet deep. I suggest Googling it for pictures, articles, and videos. Viewer and reader discretion is HIGHLY advised.

 

This is a road that between 1989-1992 my mother and I traveled to go to a resort, so I knew it quite well and was extremely familiar with it. It was shocking to see what happened with the road. As of note, the road crews got it repaired in record time. This was something unprecedented and couldn’t have been foreseen. After seeing what happened in 2014, I respect the weather and take all advice.

 

Even areas that are used to certain weather can easily and quickly become overwhelmed. I thought Bryson’s dad was a prick. While his concern for Avery was understandable, his consideration for his son’s job and safety were abysmal.

 

As of note, any job can cause one to get stranded because of bad weather. In December 2008, we had a record snowstorm, some areas got 6”. Some people had 4-hour commutes home. People in our region work hospitality (restaurants, hotels, casinos); medical; infrastructure; grocery stores to name a few. I was home and had to talked to my mom on her way home around 11:45pm at night (speakerphone on cell in a cupholder on her end).  Thankfully, the storm was over and only the mounds of snow remained. She didn’t see the “impact” until reaching our exit and arriving home.

 

For those wondering – Bryson’s father does have an epiphany and turns out to be not quite the prick I thought he was. His wife was truly a saint to put up with him.

 

Overall, this was quite the read, and normal for Turner. I wasn’t disappointed at all. It could’ve easily fit in with her other books.

 

As it is distributed by the Christian suspense line, there are some pronounced Christian faith based themes and elements, which is expected of the line.

 

Fans of the author and genre won’t want to miss this. And, I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the Crisis Rescue Team series.  

 

 

 

RATING:

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub

 

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders. 

 

 

You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

 

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darlene.turner.902/

 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenel.turner/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/darlenelturner/

 

 

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