Into the Fire

Hunting Grounds is Book 3 in A Maddie Castle Thriller Series by L.T. Ryan and C.R. Gray. 

Maddie Castle (aka "Mads" and "Mad Dog") lost her beloved K-9 "Bear" and suffered a career-ending knee injury from "The Country Killer's" gun. A gun was not his weapon of choice, but against Maddie who got a shot off to wound his left arm, he used one. Maddie's shot halted his brutal serial killing spree. For a while.

Now he's back. And how Maddie becomes aware of it is terrifying and haunting.

She's now a private investigator, but because of her history with this psychopath plus her former partner on the case (and ex-fiancé "Ox"), she joins with the FBI in the hunt for the killer (aka "The Red Ribbon Killer" and "Red"). She has connections that go back to high school which law enforcement does not which she realizes can be dangerous but she's willing to see him to try to get any information that will help. And she does. 

With her connection's source reluctantly supplied, she is able to establish the beginning of an identity. 

Having to jump through more hoops than a Hula Hoop contest, finally things start coming together. 

And then the tear-jerking part of the story begins.

Hunting Grounds hits all the nerves.

Certain readers might find the emotional self-exams of the characters drag a bit, but others will appreciate the background and insights provided into each one. There are some long goodbye scenes which definitely start the tears for some of us. 

This is a good series with strong characters, particularly the mixed-up, convoluted tough gal, Maddie Castle, and her special K-9 Tempest. 

(Plenty of profanity.)

Father, you know all the hearts of your authors and writers. You know them from the inside out as you do with all of us. May they have the pure blessing of knowing you personally. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.