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Maddie Castle #1
The Handler
A dead police officer...
A department desperate for answers...
Maddie Castle must take on the role that nearly took her life...
She must once again become The Handler.
A NEW crime thriller series from Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author L.T. Ryan with C.R. Gray!
Wounded in the line of duty, former K9 Handler Maddie Castle finds herself back to square one. The bullet that shredded her leg took the life of her four-legged partner. The pain of recovery goes well beyond the daily physical torment she endures.
Time is the supposed healer of all wounds. In Castle’s case, this hasn’t proven true. In a hail of gunfire, she lost not only her dog, but the one thing she loved above all else…the job.
Castle is back home in the trailer park she vowed never to return to. Taking a job as a private investigator has proven an unrewarding comparative to her former career. Barely making ends meet and hampered by the ever-present pain in her leg, Castle struggles to keep her footing in her new life.
A K9 handler from Castle’s old unit is gunned down. Castle is called in to assess whether the dog can be rehabilitated. The alternative is a consequence Castle can’t live with. Working to save the K9 might just well save Castle from herself.
As the hunt for the killer continues, Castle receives a call from a desperate mother searching for her missing son. The hunt for the boy leads Castle into the criminal underbelly of Pittsburgh. Powerful players who will stop at nothing stand in her way. Behind them lies the truth. Getting to it may cost her everything, including her life, as she seeks to expose a dark secret that could bring a city to its knees.
Follow Maddie Castle as she walks the blurred line of right and wrong in a desperate search for justice.
A department desperate for answers...
Maddie Castle must take on the role that nearly took her life...
She must once again become The Handler.
A NEW crime thriller series from Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author L.T. Ryan with C.R. Gray!
Wounded in the line of duty, former K9 Handler Maddie Castle finds herself back to square one. The bullet that shredded her leg took the life of her four-legged partner. The pain of recovery goes well beyond the daily physical torment she endures.
Time is the supposed healer of all wounds. In Castle’s case, this hasn’t proven true. In a hail of gunfire, she lost not only her dog, but the one thing she loved above all else…the job.
Castle is back home in the trailer park she vowed never to return to. Taking a job as a private investigator has proven an unrewarding comparative to her former career. Barely making ends meet and hampered by the ever-present pain in her leg, Castle struggles to keep her footing in her new life.
A K9 handler from Castle’s old unit is gunned down. Castle is called in to assess whether the dog can be rehabilitated. The alternative is a consequence Castle can’t live with. Working to save the K9 might just well save Castle from herself.
As the hunt for the killer continues, Castle receives a call from a desperate mother searching for her missing son. The hunt for the boy leads Castle into the criminal underbelly of Pittsburgh. Powerful players who will stop at nothing stand in her way. Behind them lies the truth. Getting to it may cost her everything, including her life, as she seeks to expose a dark secret that could bring a city to its knees.
Follow Maddie Castle as she walks the blurred line of right and wrong in a desperate search for justice.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2023
9,333 people are currently reading
1,338 people want to read
About the author
L.T. Ryan
209Ìýbooks1,344ÌýfollowersL.T. RYAN is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
BOOKS IN THE JACK NOBLE SERIES
The Recruit (prequel short story)
The First Deception (prequel)
Noble Beginnings
A Deadly Distance
Thin Line
Noble Intentions
When Dead in Greece
Noble Retribution
Noble Betrayal
Never Go Home
Noble Judgment
Never Cry Mercy
Deadline
End Game
BOOKS IN THE BEAR LOGAN SERIES
Ripple Effect
Blowback
Takedown
Deep State (coming January, 2020)
BOOKS IN THE CLARISSA ABBOT SERIES
Beyond Betrayal
BOOKS IN THE MITCH TANNER SERIES
The Depths of Darkness
Into the Darkness
Deliver Us From Darkness (coming soon)
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan):
Facebook (Jack Noble Page):
Twitter:
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ:
Contact L.T. Ryan at [email protected]
About the Author
L.T. RYAN is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan):
Facebook (Jack Noble Page):
Twitter:
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ:
Contact L.T. Ryan at [email protected]
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
BOOKS IN THE JACK NOBLE SERIES
The Recruit (prequel short story)
The First Deception (prequel)
Noble Beginnings
A Deadly Distance
Thin Line
Noble Intentions
When Dead in Greece
Noble Retribution
Noble Betrayal
Never Go Home
Noble Judgment
Never Cry Mercy
Deadline
End Game
BOOKS IN THE BEAR LOGAN SERIES
Ripple Effect
Blowback
Takedown
Deep State (coming January, 2020)
BOOKS IN THE CLARISSA ABBOT SERIES
Beyond Betrayal
BOOKS IN THE MITCH TANNER SERIES
The Depths of Darkness
Into the Darkness
Deliver Us From Darkness (coming soon)
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan):
Facebook (Jack Noble Page):
Twitter:
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ:
Contact L.T. Ryan at [email protected]
About the Author
L.T. RYAN is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author. The new age of publishing offered L.T. the opportunity to blend his passions for creating, marketing, and technology to reach audiences with his popular Jack Noble series.
Living in central Virginia with his wife, the youngest of his three daughters, and their three dogs, L.T. enjoys staring out his window at the trees and mountains while he should be writing, as well as reading, hiking, running, and playing with gadgets. See what he's up to at ltryan.com.
Social Media Links
Facebook (L.T. Ryan):
Facebook (Jack Noble Page):
Twitter:
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ:
Contact L.T. Ryan at [email protected]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 436 reviews
April 17, 2024
Dog sidekicks always make me nervous, so for anyone concerned about Tempest. She's lives. She's in her healing era, but she'll be fine.
I'm concerned the story is setting us up for the FMC to have 3 love interests, which is annoying. But other than that and the dumb nicknames everyone has, this was a solid read.
It's not the most complicated mystery, and I didn't expect the narrator to bark like a dog for the audiobook, but I would recommend this book for a road trip.
I'm concerned the story is setting us up for the FMC to have 3 love interests, which is annoying. But other than that and the dumb nicknames everyone has, this was a solid read.
It's not the most complicated mystery, and I didn't expect the narrator to bark like a dog for the audiobook, but I would recommend this book for a road trip.
February 21, 2023
Looking forward to more in this series!
4.5 stars…I enjoyed this hurt/comfort themed suspense book. But rather than a romance novel this is the hurt/comfort trope between the MC and a trained K9 who loses his partner/handler. I just loved the dynamic between the two and I loved the way the relationship plays out and the symbiotic relationship.
The crime elements of the book were obvious to me from the beginning. It did not dampen my enjoyment of the book as I enjoyed watching how it all unfolded. The final crisis moment (there are several!) was tense and so satisfying to me. (But I’m kind of bloodthirsty towards the villains!)
It was a bit slow moving at the start and I wasn’t sure I was going to like Maddie. But as the story progressed and the character development kicked in I began to like her more and more. Now I am really looking forward to the next book in the series!
4.5 stars…I enjoyed this hurt/comfort themed suspense book. But rather than a romance novel this is the hurt/comfort trope between the MC and a trained K9 who loses his partner/handler. I just loved the dynamic between the two and I loved the way the relationship plays out and the symbiotic relationship.
The crime elements of the book were obvious to me from the beginning. It did not dampen my enjoyment of the book as I enjoyed watching how it all unfolded. The final crisis moment (there are several!) was tense and so satisfying to me. (But I’m kind of bloodthirsty towards the villains!)
It was a bit slow moving at the start and I wasn’t sure I was going to like Maddie. But as the story progressed and the character development kicked in I began to like her more and more. Now I am really looking forward to the next book in the series!
January 21, 2023
Who doesn't love a book about a girl and her dog. This is no exception. Strong female lead with a badass attitude. Full of twists and turns that keep you guessing til the end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and waiting on the next book!
October 2, 2023
This author has several series going, and I had tried one of the others about five years ago and didn't care for it. That applies to this other series I have just sampled in reading the first of this series featuring a female cop / dog handler. The dog handling aspect I did find interesting, but the personal life and policing did not appeal. I had forgotten I had tried one of his series previously so maybe I will remind myself here to give it up now.
Amazon "Prime Reading"
Amazon "Prime Reading"
February 23, 2023
This had all the makings of a good book, an ex-detective and a dog with PTSD! Unfortunately it was just kind of boring all the way through. Indeed it was so boring that I had to resort to my “one-chapter-a-day-until-it’s-over� plan of survival.
The characters? Meh…The plot?…slow. The dog?…cool but she really doesn’t do much until the end. Just not a compelling book.
The characters? Meh…The plot?…slow. The dog?…cool but she really doesn’t do much until the end. Just not a compelling book.
January 26, 2023
Excellent work
Maddie, was a police officer who got hurt and lost her partner who was a dog. Her live in Ox was also a cop. She didn't do well after it happened and lost her way.. Between not being a cop anymore and losing her best friend and partner, she became addicted to painkillers. She lost Ox as well and was spiraling downhill. She opened a private eye business and things weren't great. A case came up with a teen she helped in the past and she helps his Mom find him. It gets dicey as he witnessed a murder of a cop or did he?
Maddie, was a police officer who got hurt and lost her partner who was a dog. Her live in Ox was also a cop. She didn't do well after it happened and lost her way.. Between not being a cop anymore and losing her best friend and partner, she became addicted to painkillers. She lost Ox as well and was spiraling downhill. She opened a private eye business and things weren't great. A case came up with a teen she helped in the past and she helps his Mom find him. It gets dicey as he witnessed a murder of a cop or did he?
April 16, 2024
So it wasn’t a bad book after all. Not a 5 star but almost a 4�
Maddie is a PI/ former cop trying to help a Mom get her kid out of a jam but winds up getting into a mixer case. She has to take on retraining a dead cops police dog during all this.
It was an entertains book, not too long that I got bored with it and the chapters are fairly short.
Maddie is a PI/ former cop trying to help a Mom get her kid out of a jam but winds up getting into a mixer case. She has to take on retraining a dead cops police dog during all this.
It was an entertains book, not too long that I got bored with it and the chapters are fairly short.
December 12, 2023
There’s a dog. The dog plays an important role in this private detective story, and Maddie Castle immediately gains my sympathy when I know she loved her dog. She loves her neighbor’s dog. And soon she might love the rather fierce, possibly dangerous police dog whose handler has just died.
All this feeds into a mystery as the hunt for the killer progresses. Meanwhile Maddie needs paid work, and a former client is looking for her missing son. Maddie may be struggling after losing her job due to injury, but it turns out she cares a lot about people as well as dogs, and soon the reader is eager to see her rescue herself as well as those she’s called to help.
The end is satisfying, following well-hidden clues, and feels just right. And Maddie’s a great protagonist with a great sense for what’s good rather than simple rights and wrongs.
Disclosure: I’d enjoy reading more about this character� and her dog.
All this feeds into a mystery as the hunt for the killer progresses. Meanwhile Maddie needs paid work, and a former client is looking for her missing son. Maddie may be struggling after losing her job due to injury, but it turns out she cares a lot about people as well as dogs, and soon the reader is eager to see her rescue herself as well as those she’s called to help.
The end is satisfying, following well-hidden clues, and feels just right. And Maddie’s a great protagonist with a great sense for what’s good rather than simple rights and wrongs.
Disclosure: I’d enjoy reading more about this character� and her dog.
October 14, 2024
A thoroughly enjoyable quick read.
This book follows a former K-9 officer going through difficult personal, professional, and physical challenges, and all while investigating another officer’s death. It was easy to become invested in the mystery of the case, along with Maddie’s struggles and to root for her to overcome so many things that would have taken most people down. This also an excellent book for dog lovers, as the K-9 component in this book plays an integral role throughout. I was left wanting to read the next in series to see where Maddie’s life takes her next.
This book follows a former K-9 officer going through difficult personal, professional, and physical challenges, and all while investigating another officer’s death. It was easy to become invested in the mystery of the case, along with Maddie’s struggles and to root for her to overcome so many things that would have taken most people down. This also an excellent book for dog lovers, as the K-9 component in this book plays an integral role throughout. I was left wanting to read the next in series to see where Maddie’s life takes her next.
January 11, 2024
Great Read
I was recommended this author via Facebook. I was informed that this series was one that would be hard to put down. It's true. I almost read this in one sitting. I definitely recommend this author to anyone who loves a good book.
I was recommended this author via Facebook. I was informed that this series was one that would be hard to put down. It's true. I almost read this in one sitting. I definitely recommend this author to anyone who loves a good book.
April 24, 2024
Wonderful murder mystery with a police dog
The training and respect of the police dog added so much love and twists to the story. Reading dog signals is an art. You must listen, and each dog has an individual language.
The training and respect of the police dog added so much love and twists to the story. Reading dog signals is an art. You must listen, and each dog has an individual language.
March 7, 2025
I think this series is going to be great. This author is amazing and she never disappoints when she writes a book. This book was very heartfelt and exciting at the same time. Can’t get any better than that.
January 26, 2024
I was hesitant about this because of the mixed first person/third person and the kind of confusing timelines at the beginning. But once it got going, it WENT.
January 17, 2023
An intriguing police plot that keeps you guessing
Love this new character, Maddie Castle, who is strong and smart yet fallible as humans are.
Maddie is recovering from a gunshot wound seriously injuring her knee & causing her addiction to painkillers, grief from her police dog also getting shot & dying, and a breakup from her long- time detective boyfriend, Ox. Now a P.I., Maddie lives in a trailer while trying to get her business going.
She gets involved in a police case when a cop is killed and she’s asked to help protect the 14 yr old witness while also re- training the deceased cop’s service dog, Tempest. The case gets complicated when more people are killed, drug deals are questioned, then Ox is shot as he investigates.
Love this new character, Maddie Castle, who is strong and smart yet fallible as humans are.
Maddie is recovering from a gunshot wound seriously injuring her knee & causing her addiction to painkillers, grief from her police dog also getting shot & dying, and a breakup from her long- time detective boyfriend, Ox. Now a P.I., Maddie lives in a trailer while trying to get her business going.
She gets involved in a police case when a cop is killed and she’s asked to help protect the 14 yr old witness while also re- training the deceased cop’s service dog, Tempest. The case gets complicated when more people are killed, drug deals are questioned, then Ox is shot as he investigates.
November 17, 2023
Easy read, some good twists, compelling story. Enjoyed enough to buy book 2!
June 2, 2023
I'm not sure exactly how this book got into my library, but I'm glad I found it. I wasn't sure if I had read this author before and went back and realized that I actually had read all of the Jack Noble series. After reading this summary, I was definitely interested.
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. We just got a new Siberian Husky puppy a few months ago, so I was doubly excited to read a book with a K9 character(s) in it. This book did not disappoint on that front.
We are introduced to the character of Maddie Castle after the worst months of her life. The story seems to start kind of in "the middle" in terms of the timeline. After finishing this book, I realized that there was a "prequel" already out that gave us the backstory regarding what happened to Maddie. It wasn't a full length story, but it definitely had some heft to it. I think it was around 170 pages. I HIGHLEY recommend finding and reading the prequel. It helps to fully solidify the events happening in the first and second books.
Maddie is asked to help to save and train a K9 dog whose handler (and police officer) was shot and killed during an ambush attack. The dog was also injured and has reacted to everything by becoming aggressive - too aggressive to be able to go home safely with a family. Tempest is just what Maddie needs to help her focus change from her own situation to becoming a savior for a dog in need.
Of course, there is a killer out there that needs to be found.
Fun, fun, fun......
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. We just got a new Siberian Husky puppy a few months ago, so I was doubly excited to read a book with a K9 character(s) in it. This book did not disappoint on that front.
We are introduced to the character of Maddie Castle after the worst months of her life. The story seems to start kind of in "the middle" in terms of the timeline. After finishing this book, I realized that there was a "prequel" already out that gave us the backstory regarding what happened to Maddie. It wasn't a full length story, but it definitely had some heft to it. I think it was around 170 pages. I HIGHLEY recommend finding and reading the prequel. It helps to fully solidify the events happening in the first and second books.
Maddie is asked to help to save and train a K9 dog whose handler (and police officer) was shot and killed during an ambush attack. The dog was also injured and has reacted to everything by becoming aggressive - too aggressive to be able to go home safely with a family. Tempest is just what Maddie needs to help her focus change from her own situation to becoming a savior for a dog in need.
Of course, there is a killer out there that needs to be found.
Fun, fun, fun......
January 28, 2023
I read the prequel (title: Maddie Castle), so I had a good idea of Maddie Castle's back story. As a K9-handler police officer, Maddie is injured working a serial murder case. The injury forces her off the police force and into the role of a private investigator. After multiple personal losses, Maddie has a tough time pulling herself out of an emotionally dark place. Pain killers and booze threaten to send her down the same sad path as her mother.
Maddie Castle's first real case as a PI puts her in the crosshairs of murderous drug dealers and some bad cops.
I found the characters real and believable. Even cops - and former cops - aren't perfect. The heroes of the story are the dogs. Overall, I loved the mystery and twist at the end. l'm looking forward to the sequel.
Maddie Castle's first real case as a PI puts her in the crosshairs of murderous drug dealers and some bad cops.
I found the characters real and believable. Even cops - and former cops - aren't perfect. The heroes of the story are the dogs. Overall, I loved the mystery and twist at the end. l'm looking forward to the sequel.
November 23, 2024
Wounded in the line of duty, former police K9 handler Maddie Castle lost more than her career when a bullet shredded through her leg, she lost her beloved four legged partner, her marriage and everything she valued in her life � including her health. Trying to piece everything back together by working as a PI she’s barely making ends meet and struggles daily to push past the pain � physical and emotional. When a K9 handler from her previous unit is gunned down, Castle lets herself get talked into retraining Tempest, to try and rehabilitate the devastated K9. Simultaneously she’s looking for a missing teenage boy, only to discover there’s a lot more to both cases than she had ever considered.
I’m an absolute sucker for military or police procedurals with four legged co-stars and I was thrilled to find this book was an exceptional addition to my regular roster. This is a new to me author, and the first in a new to me series so I was fairly cautious about giving it a go. I was about half way through when I put the book down and eagerly ordered the next in the series. I also did a quick search online to reassure myself this is still an ongoing series. I was really impressed with both the writing � which was a style I enjoyed � and with the plot and pacing.
As the first book in this series, there is a bit of background and character introduction which I enjoyed and helped me get a good feel and comfort with the world and main characters. By about a quarter of the way in the main plot threads were starting to interweave together in both a realistic and logical manner and even though there were some twists I felt it all worked together really cohesively and wasn’t over the top nor was it all a bunch of coincidences that felt pat or too contrived.
While it took a while for the action to really get rolling � I do feel this should appeal to readers who like a more police procedural style of novel as well as those who like a bit more action. There was plenty going on in this book and I enjoyed watching it all come together. I felt a particular strength in this book was none of the characters were clearly all good or all bad. Maddie is our heroine so clearly good, but she’s got both emotional scars and baggage to work through as well as some drug dependency. In a similar manner Simeon Gunn is clearly a “bad guy�, being the main drug source in their small area, and yet he is adamant none of his network sell to or recruit kids, and show proper respect to others in the community. So I really enjoyed how the characters were very clearly multi-layered and not two dimensional “good� or “bad�.
Readers who enjoy their mysteries with complicated characters, a good pace and plots that interweave together should find this book well worth a try, and particularly readers who enjoy animal side-kicks should be very satisfied with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next in the series. Recommended.
I’m an absolute sucker for military or police procedurals with four legged co-stars and I was thrilled to find this book was an exceptional addition to my regular roster. This is a new to me author, and the first in a new to me series so I was fairly cautious about giving it a go. I was about half way through when I put the book down and eagerly ordered the next in the series. I also did a quick search online to reassure myself this is still an ongoing series. I was really impressed with both the writing � which was a style I enjoyed � and with the plot and pacing.
As the first book in this series, there is a bit of background and character introduction which I enjoyed and helped me get a good feel and comfort with the world and main characters. By about a quarter of the way in the main plot threads were starting to interweave together in both a realistic and logical manner and even though there were some twists I felt it all worked together really cohesively and wasn’t over the top nor was it all a bunch of coincidences that felt pat or too contrived.
While it took a while for the action to really get rolling � I do feel this should appeal to readers who like a more police procedural style of novel as well as those who like a bit more action. There was plenty going on in this book and I enjoyed watching it all come together. I felt a particular strength in this book was none of the characters were clearly all good or all bad. Maddie is our heroine so clearly good, but she’s got both emotional scars and baggage to work through as well as some drug dependency. In a similar manner Simeon Gunn is clearly a “bad guy�, being the main drug source in their small area, and yet he is adamant none of his network sell to or recruit kids, and show proper respect to others in the community. So I really enjoyed how the characters were very clearly multi-layered and not two dimensional “good� or “bad�.
Readers who enjoy their mysteries with complicated characters, a good pace and plots that interweave together should find this book well worth a try, and particularly readers who enjoy animal side-kicks should be very satisfied with this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next in the series. Recommended.
December 1, 2023
Female wounded warrior and dogs-what's not to love?
The Handler is a series starter of L.T. Ryan, C.R Gray. The authors are new to me and were reccommended when i did a google search for books featuring K-9 mysteries. What sealed the deal for me was the main character,Maddie Castle. Maddie is a dog handler who is has suffered the ultimate loss, her K-9 partner is killed in the line of duty, and Maddie loses her police career due to injury sustained at the same time.
Maddie is the perfect flawed main character, who like most of us, struggles to conquer her demons, in the same slow and tedious way it happens in reality. Her character is well-developed and easy to relate to. Though I admit Maddie's transformation was almost too real at times. I couldn't put this book down as I was dying to know what was going to happen next, at the same time I was crying over the realism the authors wrote about. Given the depth of sensitivity and understanding of PTSD, addiction, survivors guilt and depression with which the author's wrote, I am sure I am not the only one who could relate to Maddie's torment.
The support characters were also well-written,and perfect for Maddie's journey. Yet, they were as always, trumped by the character of Tempest, the K-9 who lost a partner in the line of Duty. While there is a love interest developing in the background, it is the healing relationship between woman and dog that takes center stage. My love for service and working dogs and woman who struggle to find out who they are in a world turned upside down by tragedy,made this book, this series, a Must Read.
I can't forget to mention that The Handler is a thriller- suspense novel. The twists and turns throughout this plot made it impossible to put this book down. It was definitely,exciting in a hanging by a thread, edge of your seat suspense way. At times things looked hopeless for Maddie and Tempest. Then when the situation was hopeless and I was ready to give up and declare there would be mo HEA for Maddie, a hail Mary play was executed and the tension eased.The Handler was well worth the late nights and sleep deprivation I had while I read this book.
The Handler was such a great book, I immediatelystarted the second book and today ordered book three. This book and the subsequent series is well worth the time and money it takes to read it! Pick up your own copy and fall in love with Maddie Castle and her dog Tempest.
The Handler is a series starter of L.T. Ryan, C.R Gray. The authors are new to me and were reccommended when i did a google search for books featuring K-9 mysteries. What sealed the deal for me was the main character,Maddie Castle. Maddie is a dog handler who is has suffered the ultimate loss, her K-9 partner is killed in the line of duty, and Maddie loses her police career due to injury sustained at the same time.
Maddie is the perfect flawed main character, who like most of us, struggles to conquer her demons, in the same slow and tedious way it happens in reality. Her character is well-developed and easy to relate to. Though I admit Maddie's transformation was almost too real at times. I couldn't put this book down as I was dying to know what was going to happen next, at the same time I was crying over the realism the authors wrote about. Given the depth of sensitivity and understanding of PTSD, addiction, survivors guilt and depression with which the author's wrote, I am sure I am not the only one who could relate to Maddie's torment.
The support characters were also well-written,and perfect for Maddie's journey. Yet, they were as always, trumped by the character of Tempest, the K-9 who lost a partner in the line of Duty. While there is a love interest developing in the background, it is the healing relationship between woman and dog that takes center stage. My love for service and working dogs and woman who struggle to find out who they are in a world turned upside down by tragedy,made this book, this series, a Must Read.
I can't forget to mention that The Handler is a thriller- suspense novel. The twists and turns throughout this plot made it impossible to put this book down. It was definitely,exciting in a hanging by a thread, edge of your seat suspense way. At times things looked hopeless for Maddie and Tempest. Then when the situation was hopeless and I was ready to give up and declare there would be mo HEA for Maddie, a hail Mary play was executed and the tension eased.The Handler was well worth the late nights and sleep deprivation I had while I read this book.
The Handler was such a great book, I immediatelystarted the second book and today ordered book three. This book and the subsequent series is well worth the time and money it takes to read it! Pick up your own copy and fall in love with Maddie Castle and her dog Tempest.
February 13, 2023
What a Combo!
A dirty cop, a drug dealer with morals, an addict ex-cop, and one damaged K-9. Wow. This thriller has all the ingredients for a great read and follows through.
Maddie is a fascinating character. She loved being a K-9 cop. It was her calling, her world. Until the night her life changed forever. Now she lives alone in a "tin can" and drives a ratty car, hoping she'll get another PI gig before her rent is due. She's allowed her disability to victimize her, and she loathes herself for it. The person that stares back at her in the mirror these days is not the woman she is. She just doesn't seem to have the right gear to pull herself out of this mire.
Maddie isn't the only character worthy of attention here. Her ex, Ox, is a pretty intense guy with communication issues. Then there's the childhood best friend that just moved in next door to Maddie. Bentley is pretty much the antithesis of Ox. In fact, the only thing they have in common is that they're both adult males, and they both love Maddie. Oh, that drug lord I mentioned-- the one with "morals." Yep. I know. He's a drug dealer leading a shady life, but he has his own moral code that he not only sticks to, he expects those who work for him to abide by it as well. That's different.
It's hard to say whether I was more captivated by the characters or the storyline. Both areas are well done and thought-provoking. The plot is well-paced and balanced with intensity and wit. The K-9, Tempest, displays as much personality and emotion as the other characters and is definitely a force within the cast. She's also aptly named.
This series is, without a doubt, a winner for any fans of crime thrillers, suspense reads, or street justice novels. There are dirty cops, great cops, thugs, and people with their own sense of right and wrong here. One thing is obvious: justice will be served. It just might not be done through the legal system.
A dirty cop, a drug dealer with morals, an addict ex-cop, and one damaged K-9. Wow. This thriller has all the ingredients for a great read and follows through.
Maddie is a fascinating character. She loved being a K-9 cop. It was her calling, her world. Until the night her life changed forever. Now she lives alone in a "tin can" and drives a ratty car, hoping she'll get another PI gig before her rent is due. She's allowed her disability to victimize her, and she loathes herself for it. The person that stares back at her in the mirror these days is not the woman she is. She just doesn't seem to have the right gear to pull herself out of this mire.
Maddie isn't the only character worthy of attention here. Her ex, Ox, is a pretty intense guy with communication issues. Then there's the childhood best friend that just moved in next door to Maddie. Bentley is pretty much the antithesis of Ox. In fact, the only thing they have in common is that they're both adult males, and they both love Maddie. Oh, that drug lord I mentioned-- the one with "morals." Yep. I know. He's a drug dealer leading a shady life, but he has his own moral code that he not only sticks to, he expects those who work for him to abide by it as well. That's different.
It's hard to say whether I was more captivated by the characters or the storyline. Both areas are well done and thought-provoking. The plot is well-paced and balanced with intensity and wit. The K-9, Tempest, displays as much personality and emotion as the other characters and is definitely a force within the cast. She's also aptly named.
This series is, without a doubt, a winner for any fans of crime thrillers, suspense reads, or street justice novels. There are dirty cops, great cops, thugs, and people with their own sense of right and wrong here. One thing is obvious: justice will be served. It just might not be done through the legal system.
June 1, 2023
FABULOUS DOG/INTERESTING HUMANS
Murder mysteries are not my favorite genre, but I'm a total sucker for any book that has a primary dog character. I have particularly liked several other series based on working dogs. What doesn't usually work out for me is the human characters are just too "speshul" and I can't relate. And, with each series I've previously tried, the plots with each book wind away from the great working dog at the same time they drag me into a boring human romance.
The Handler has made a great start. Both Maddie (ex cop PI) and Tempest (narcotics police dog) are talented, but not "speshul". In fact, both those girls are traumatized and physically and emotionally injured. Maddie felt really genuine to me; her emotional responses, her thinking, her reactions all made sense to me. And, the explanations of what was going in Tempest's mind and what she needed for recovery was so interesting. This isn't the kind of mystery that leaves you hanging. Most of the book, you are given the clues as the PI gets them and the conclusion is fairly obvious. But there is still one twist at the end and a moment when Tempest is key to the whole resolution and that was quite satisfying. There are some hints about future romance, but nothing in this book. I HOPE HOPE HOPE that Ryan and Gray will steer clear of the romantic elements or at least don't let that become what drives the story in future books. Romance as a plot driver puts the humans front and center and that destroys all the fun K-9 training and problem-solving. Authors, you've created a great dog character here, don't let her get lost in the future!
Katie Hagaman did a fine job with narration and is the narrator for Book 2 so I've picked up Tracking Justice and hope for the same quality story I found in The Handler.
Murder mysteries are not my favorite genre, but I'm a total sucker for any book that has a primary dog character. I have particularly liked several other series based on working dogs. What doesn't usually work out for me is the human characters are just too "speshul" and I can't relate. And, with each series I've previously tried, the plots with each book wind away from the great working dog at the same time they drag me into a boring human romance.
The Handler has made a great start. Both Maddie (ex cop PI) and Tempest (narcotics police dog) are talented, but not "speshul". In fact, both those girls are traumatized and physically and emotionally injured. Maddie felt really genuine to me; her emotional responses, her thinking, her reactions all made sense to me. And, the explanations of what was going in Tempest's mind and what she needed for recovery was so interesting. This isn't the kind of mystery that leaves you hanging. Most of the book, you are given the clues as the PI gets them and the conclusion is fairly obvious. But there is still one twist at the end and a moment when Tempest is key to the whole resolution and that was quite satisfying. There are some hints about future romance, but nothing in this book. I HOPE HOPE HOPE that Ryan and Gray will steer clear of the romantic elements or at least don't let that become what drives the story in future books. Romance as a plot driver puts the humans front and center and that destroys all the fun K-9 training and problem-solving. Authors, you've created a great dog character here, don't let her get lost in the future!
Katie Hagaman did a fine job with narration and is the narrator for Book 2 so I've picked up Tracking Justice and hope for the same quality story I found in The Handler.
July 21, 2023
This is a solid police/crime book with the added attraction of having a German Shepherd Dog, Tempest, as a protagonist. Maddie Castle was a cop, and a dog handler, who was seriously injured on duty, resulting also in the loss of her canine partner. The latter experience caused serious psychological damage, almost more severe than the knee injury that brought her to drug dependency and the loss of her job. Now a PI, Maddie is asked to try to rehabilitate a canine partner of another cop killed in the line of duty. The dog, Tempest, has become dangerous and unpredictable, in part due to the trauma of losing her human and also due to the laxity of discipline of her former partner, leaving her obedience less than predictable. Maddie takes on Tempest, as well as a promise to the widow to find out who really killed her husband. Set in a small town environment where everyone knows everyone, Maddie has to navigate her changed life with her former fiance still on the police force and still in love with her, the return of her childhood best friend to town, and her growing dependency on opiates to deal with her emotional and physical pain. A believable plot, well drawn characters and solid writing makes this a really engaging read.
February 26, 2024
The Handler is the first in the Maddie Castle series. Maddie had been a police officer until an incident left her wounded and her K9 partner dead. Now she’s a PI and a dog trainer, still dealing with physical ailments that have her addicted to painkillers. After the murder of a police officer, she’s asked to help rehabilitate his now aggressive K9. At the same time, she’s helping a young man, a former client, after he witnesses something involved in that killing.
Maddie is a complex, fully fleshed out character. We learn her backstory, especially her prior marriage, in bits and pieces about what led up to her present day situation intermingled with the current investigation.
The sections involving dog training were excellent. Dog owners could actually pick up a few pointers. And, of course, a highlight of the book is watching the growing bond between Maddie and Tempest.
The police procedural was solid, with several red herrings. I will definitely seek out the second in the series. I appreciated that Ryan and Gray didn’t feel the need to have a romantic component.
I listened to this and was impressed by Katie Hagaman’s narration.
Maddie is a complex, fully fleshed out character. We learn her backstory, especially her prior marriage, in bits and pieces about what led up to her present day situation intermingled with the current investigation.
The sections involving dog training were excellent. Dog owners could actually pick up a few pointers. And, of course, a highlight of the book is watching the growing bond between Maddie and Tempest.
The police procedural was solid, with several red herrings. I will definitely seek out the second in the series. I appreciated that Ryan and Gray didn’t feel the need to have a romantic component.
I listened to this and was impressed by Katie Hagaman’s narration.
September 8, 2023
it was that morality was never black and white. People who never had to deal with the trials and tribulations of the worst of civilization could think in that linear fashion, and no harm followed. In a situation like this?
I loved this anti-hero protagonist.
The main character, Maddie, resigned from the police force due to physical and mental trauma. She starts a private detective business in the town where she was born and raised.
Some of her childhood friends are shady characters. She helps people in a world that is not so black and white. This setting makes her actions less predictable and the story more intriguing.
Her only reliable partner is Tempest, a police dog who has her own personality and story. Maddie is a skilled trainer, and the book also focuses on how she gains the dog's trust. If you appreciate dog training elements, you'll like it.
I love the characters and the attention to detail on the dogs. The story is unpredictable and emotionally satisfying. I'm heading straight to the second one.
June 15, 2024
A solidly paced thriller with a strong protagonist
I’ll do it, I only read this because of a Kindle challenge, where I had to read the first in a series and I didn’t already have any of the options listed, so I decided to purchase one, and for whatever reason, this caught my eye. Maybe it’s because I like cop stories. I think I understand the connection people have with dogs, especially handlers and K9 officers, but since I’m allergic and have been all my life, I can’t say I have ever experienced it. Maybe that’s why I read this.
The protagonist, Maddie Castle, is more complex, flawed, and nuanced than I expected her to be. She’s certainly not cookie cutter, and she actually undergoes quite a lot throughout her arc in this book. There’s also plenty of intrigue, a little action here and there, and it sets up a series pretty well. If I didn’t have hundreds of other books I want to read, I’d easily pick up #2, but then again, I might do it anyway, since I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I did.
I’ll do it, I only read this because of a Kindle challenge, where I had to read the first in a series and I didn’t already have any of the options listed, so I decided to purchase one, and for whatever reason, this caught my eye. Maybe it’s because I like cop stories. I think I understand the connection people have with dogs, especially handlers and K9 officers, but since I’m allergic and have been all my life, I can’t say I have ever experienced it. Maybe that’s why I read this.
The protagonist, Maddie Castle, is more complex, flawed, and nuanced than I expected her to be. She’s certainly not cookie cutter, and she actually undergoes quite a lot throughout her arc in this book. There’s also plenty of intrigue, a little action here and there, and it sets up a series pretty well. If I didn’t have hundreds of other books I want to read, I’d easily pick up #2, but then again, I might do it anyway, since I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I did.
December 2, 2024
surprisingly, giving this five stars. i thought a girl+dog book was going to be soo cheesy, but it was complex enough to keep me engaged whilst not rolling my eyes.
maddie’s imperfect character was fascinating—the book explores aspects of her addiction, trauma, long-time friendship, romance, family dynamics, and even small-town dynamics. she was earnest, and thankfully, not too frustrating as some other heroine characters can be. no smut, and she maintains a lot of surprisingly sweet relationships in the book.
tempest’s involvement in the plot was *just* enough. if she played any bigger of a role this book would’ve felt like Airbud. she anchors the plot and strings a lot of different people together, which i think is an interesting use of a dog character who can’t talk.
a lot of engaging plot twists; i got a little confused with the names—a lot of white male names between families, friends, colleagues, etc. if i read this again i’d pay slightly closer attention to the introduction of each new character.
found a couple typos but not a huge deal.
maddie’s imperfect character was fascinating—the book explores aspects of her addiction, trauma, long-time friendship, romance, family dynamics, and even small-town dynamics. she was earnest, and thankfully, not too frustrating as some other heroine characters can be. no smut, and she maintains a lot of surprisingly sweet relationships in the book.
tempest’s involvement in the plot was *just* enough. if she played any bigger of a role this book would’ve felt like Airbud. she anchors the plot and strings a lot of different people together, which i think is an interesting use of a dog character who can’t talk.
a lot of engaging plot twists; i got a little confused with the names—a lot of white male names between families, friends, colleagues, etc. if i read this again i’d pay slightly closer attention to the introduction of each new character.
found a couple typos but not a huge deal.
September 24, 2023
This was my first book by LT Ryan and CR Gray. I choose the book as part of a reading challenge in Kindle this month.
Maddie's having problems after a knee replacement. She'd overdosed and isn't getting any more pain meds from her doctor. Her former boss Vanzant is selling her Oxycodons.
Vanzant is the head of the narcotics unit and he is selling her drugs!
"I dumped his bottle of oxycodone into mine. Something I’d learned in law enforcement. If you’re taking drugs that aren’t yours, but you’re prescribed, don’t be the idiot who gets caught with someone else’s bottle." But she put more tablets in the bottle than she should have got from the beginning!
Gunn bent down, grabbed the orange bottle that’d fallen from my bag, and read the label. Likely realizing I was prescribed ten, and there were easily two dozen in the container. Why would she be that stupid!
Good enough book but I don't feel like I know any of the characters after reading the book.
Maddie's having problems after a knee replacement. She'd overdosed and isn't getting any more pain meds from her doctor. Her former boss Vanzant is selling her Oxycodons.
Vanzant is the head of the narcotics unit and he is selling her drugs!
"I dumped his bottle of oxycodone into mine. Something I’d learned in law enforcement. If you’re taking drugs that aren’t yours, but you’re prescribed, don’t be the idiot who gets caught with someone else’s bottle." But she put more tablets in the bottle than she should have got from the beginning!
Gunn bent down, grabbed the orange bottle that’d fallen from my bag, and read the label. Likely realizing I was prescribed ten, and there were easily two dozen in the container. Why would she be that stupid!
Good enough book but I don't feel like I know any of the characters after reading the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2024
good read
I enjoyed this book. Great pacing, well written, believable characters. I like how Gray and Ryan have incorporated the reality that is opioid addiction with the FMC’s story arc. Especially highlighting how the road of sobriety is an every day battle for an addict. That recovery isn’t a solo act either. You have to have people in your corner to love you, support you, and hold you accountable. The plot itself is engaging although I will say that I had one of the bad guys figured early on even though I didn’t have all the pieces of the puzzle. It just made the most sense. And as the book continued past what would seem like the end point I felt like I had already figured out the ending as well just not quite the how. Except for a few details I was right. Despite feeling like the mystery wasn’t so mysterious I still enjoyed the story. I’d read more of their books and recommend this one to others for an easier murder mystery/thriller read.
I enjoyed this book. Great pacing, well written, believable characters. I like how Gray and Ryan have incorporated the reality that is opioid addiction with the FMC’s story arc. Especially highlighting how the road of sobriety is an every day battle for an addict. That recovery isn’t a solo act either. You have to have people in your corner to love you, support you, and hold you accountable. The plot itself is engaging although I will say that I had one of the bad guys figured early on even though I didn’t have all the pieces of the puzzle. It just made the most sense. And as the book continued past what would seem like the end point I felt like I had already figured out the ending as well just not quite the how. Except for a few details I was right. Despite feeling like the mystery wasn’t so mysterious I still enjoyed the story. I’d read more of their books and recommend this one to others for an easier murder mystery/thriller read.
March 13, 2025
After a week of clawing my way through “Great Expectations,� I looked for some lighter reading and turned to L. T. Ryan and C. R. Gray’s, “The Handler.� Maddie Castle was a K-9 Officer until a tragic even at work took the life of her “partner� and handed her a physical disability that disqualified her from being a police officer. Maddie battles an addiction to pain pills, financial problems because of her struggling P. I. practice, problems with her ex, and the understanding that her dream job as a police officer was over. But, when another K-9 officer is killed in the line of duty she is called up to rehabilitate his dog, and is soon pulled into the investigation of the officer’s death.� Like all of Ryan’s stories, this one moves rapidly, and the relationship struggles go hand in hand with the “who dun it� part of the story. Not the greatest book, but a very entertaining change to the laborious writing of Dickens. (280 pages) I'd give it 3 1/2 stars is I could.
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