The Boy in the Wall - (Chicago K-9 Thriller) by Jeffrey B Burton (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The discovery of a missing boy's body uncovers cruel schemes in this twisty, fast-paced K-9 thriller series set in the Windy City of Chicago.

What if the past won't let you go?

It was supposed to be a fun dog demo day for the students at Henry Horner Elementary School in Chicago--but when Cory Pratt's cadaver dogs sniff out the body of a missing teenage boy wedged into the wall of the cafeteria, his family's life is shattered.

It seems like tragedy follows the Shortridges. With the eldest son having taken his life a few years earlier, Patrick being found mutilated and murdered devastates the whole clan further. Now everyone is fearing for seven-year-old sister Charlotte.

When a kidnapping attempt on the young girl fails, Cory and his detective sister Crystal are sure someone is targeting the Shortridges. But who is behind these savage attacks and why would someone want to kill off such a seemingly unassuming family?

"A mighty impressive thriller" (Booklist on The Dead Years), perfect 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.

Review Quotes

[A brisk] Windy City crime yarn, with dogs-- "Kirkus Reviews on The Second Grave"

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

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 of The Strand Magazine on The Second Grave"

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

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

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 on The Second Grave"

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 on The Second Grave"

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"