Another good mystery set in Montana. This was not my favorite in the series but I do enjoy meeting all the different law enforcement agents in the area, including the FBI agents in this story. ( )

Reeve Landon has an incredibly interesting research job. His dog is trained to sniff out grizzly bear scat so Reeve can bag it and take it to researchers working to better know the elusive grizzlies. Reeve works in the environs of Glacier National Park; much of his time is spent alone with his dog, hiking far flung trails. Reeve is a loaner and loves the solitude.

But a female reporter convinces Reeve that she wants to write about him, the dog, and Reeve’s work. Soon after spending time in the mountains with Reeve, the reporter is found dead. Reeve is her last known contact; it’s obvious she’s been in his bed and he is the prime suspect.

He contacts his ex-girlfriend Ali Paige, the mother of his daughter. She is an FBI agent in the region and is convinced that Reeve could not possibly be the killer. Although she has no official jurisdiction, she delves deeply in the case, upsetting both local law enforcement and her FBI bosses.

Both Reeve and Ali had very troubled childhoods with heavy losses. It was what brought them together and what broke them apart.

This isn’t a typical murder mystery. There aren’t many clues leading to the perpetrator. Rather it’s the story of two flawed people trying to not let their experiences affect their daughter and being impossibly mixed into a murder.

I loved the mountain setting; it rang very true. I enjoyed seeing the story unfold from two alternating viewpoints as we learn the characters’ backstories.

My main concern about the story is the amount of detective interfering Ali could do without being fired from the FBI.

Nevertheless, I would recommend this one to anyone who loves mountainous places with a bit of murder and mystery thrown into the mix. ( )

I'm really enjoying Christine Carbo's books ( )

The murdered body of journalist Anne Marie is discovered in a remote region near the Canadian border. She had been writing an article about a canine research program and was last seen interviewing a man named Reeve Landon, whose chocolate Lab was one of the subjects of the piece. Now he's the prime suspect. He calls FBI agent Ali Paige, his ex-girlfriend and mother of his daughter, for help even though she’s not officially assigned to the case. Ali has only one objective in mind: to help Reeve so that her daughter is saved from the pain of abandonment she endured as a child.

Ali and Reeve had very difficult childhoods and now they have a lot of difficulty with close relationships. This was well done and really drew me in to care about them. The story had a slow buildup to develop these characters but the pace picked up later and kept me turning the pages. It also kept me guessing as to whether Reeve was the killer or not. This is the 2nd book I’ve read by Carbo, which also focused a lot on relationships. I like the way she makes them understandable and hopeful. I’ll read more by her. ( )

I absolutely love suspense novels that have an outdoors theme. This is the first book by Christine Carbo that I have read....and OMG....I have to read this entire series! I loved this book!

Reeve Landon works in Glacier National Park with his dog, McKay, as part of a canine research program. McKay sniffs out wildlife scat...Reeve bags it up....and researchers analyze it to gain insight about the wildlife in the park. Landon works alone most of the time, and likes it that way. Then his boss requires him to let a journalist tag along. Anne is writing a story about the canine detection program. Landon reluctantly agrees to the interview, and Anne accompanies him out into the difficult terrain of the park. The journalist is mysteriously shot to death, and Reeve Landon finds himself the main murder suspect. His ex-girlfriend and mother of his daughter is an FBI agent. Ali knows that Landon is not a murderer and although she has no jurisdiction in the case, she begins to investigate to clear his name. The chapters alternate point of view, adding dimension to the plot and developing the characters expertly.

I enjoyed this book because both main characters are strong, but deeply flawed. As the story develops, a true picture of their lives, former relationship and characters form alongside the murder investigation. The plot moves at a perfect pace clear up to the twist at the end. And the backdrop of Glacier National Park is superb!

This book kept my attention from beginning to end. It is well-written and maintained suspense until the very end. Very enjoyable read!!

I have already backtracked and bought a copy of the first book in this series, The Wild Inside. There are now four books in the series. I will be caught up and ready by the time the next book comes out!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Atria Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )