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The Suicide Detective
On a mission to capture a ruthless Al Qaeda terrorist, Sergeant Amber Downing is captured and Razor, her military working dog is injured and left for dead. Special Forces teams make heroic attempts to rescue her, but the enemy is deadly and cunning. Despite his injury, Razor never gives up on his beloved master.
After her military service, Amber, a disabled Veteran, works for the VA Medical Center in Grand Junction. With the help of her service dog, Nikita, an ultra-loyal German Shepherd, Amber tries to leave the scars of her captivity and the loss of her fiancé, a fellow soldier, behind. When Amber meets someone who is overcoming his own devastating loss, Amber realizes she just might be able to love again and move on. Amber is given a task to track recent Veteran suicides, but she begins to see anomalies in the data that she can’t ignore. When events from her captivity in Iraq and the loss of her fiancé collide with her VA project discoveries, Amber and Nikita must confront evil men who will stop at nothing to prevent her from unraveling a dark conspiracy.
This spellbinding tale of loyalty, betrayal, love and redemption will leave the reader turning pages late into the night.
After her military service, Amber, a disabled Veteran, works for the VA Medical Center in Grand Junction. With the help of her service dog, Nikita, an ultra-loyal German Shepherd, Amber tries to leave the scars of her captivity and the loss of her fiancé, a fellow soldier, behind. When Amber meets someone who is overcoming his own devastating loss, Amber realizes she just might be able to love again and move on. Amber is given a task to track recent Veteran suicides, but she begins to see anomalies in the data that she can’t ignore. When events from her captivity in Iraq and the loss of her fiancé collide with her VA project discoveries, Amber and Nikita must confront evil men who will stop at nothing to prevent her from unraveling a dark conspiracy.
This spellbinding tale of loyalty, betrayal, love and redemption will leave the reader turning pages late into the night.
- GenresFiction
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2024
87 people are currently reading
1113 people want to read
About the author
William L. Bach
3 books14 followersW.L. Bach is an award-winning author and retired U.S. Navy SEAL who served 27 years in uniform. He deployed to Desert Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq, and numerous operations throughout Asia and the Middle East. Bach holds a B.S. in English from the U.S. Naval Academy and an M.A. in Education from Pacific Lutheran University.
After retiring from the military, he taught high school NJROTC before turning to writing full-time. Now based in Colorado with his wife, he spends his time exploring public lands across the West, riding dirt bikes, and volunteering for veteran causes. When not writing, he enjoys time with his two grown children, two grandchildren and his loyal German Shepherd.
After retiring from the military, he taught high school NJROTC before turning to writing full-time. Now based in Colorado with his wife, he spends his time exploring public lands across the West, riding dirt bikes, and volunteering for veteran causes. When not writing, he enjoys time with his two grown children, two grandchildren and his loyal German Shepherd.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 13, 2024
William L. Bach is a fantastic author. He writes his stories and pulls your heartstrings!!!
This story like his last one kept me on the edge of my seat. I did not want to put it down!
I don't give 5 stars to many but this author takes his book past the 5 starts! Well done Lance!!
This story like his last one kept me on the edge of my seat. I did not want to put it down!
I don't give 5 stars to many but this author takes his book past the 5 starts! Well done Lance!!
September 3, 2025
3.5 stars
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and to author William Bach for providing me with a Kindle copy of this fictional account of Sergeant Amber Downing’s experiences during two periods in her life: her service as a working dog handler coordinating with United States special forces in the Saladin Province, Iraq and her subsequent employment as a data analyst working for the Grand Junction Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Colorado. The novel primarily alternates between two timelines, the fall of 2008 when Downing served in Iraq and during the summer of 2012 while Downing worked for the VA. To provide more context to the events that occurred in the fall of 2008 and the summer of 2012, respectively, the book also secondarily chronicles happenings in Baghdad, Iraq during the summer of 2008, and in Grand Junction, Colorado in the spring of 2011, each of which impacted Downing’s work at the VA.
In the summer of 2012, John Hutson, the Grand Junction VA Hospital Administrator and Downing’s boss, assigned Downing a project to collect data on veteran suicides during the prior 5 years in a small geographical area around Grand Junction, Colorado as the VA in Washington, D.C. tried to implement a nationwide study to grapple with the high number of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who committed suicide. In addition to objective criteria like the name, age, and rank of the veteran who committed suicide, the task involved a deep dive into the method of suicide and the rationale behind the self-killing. Hutson wanted to discuss the project with Downing in more detail because Downing’s fiancé, Chris Hawkins, a veteran of the Iraq war, committed suicide by firearm. As Downing obtained information about the 142 suicides that occurred within the last 5 years in the Grand Junction area, she noticed anomalies in the suicides of Corporal Jerry Arnold and Sergeant Henry Lopez, both of whom served in the same platoon in Iraq and were friends. In the cases of Arnold and Lopez, the military files of those two service members went missing, both did not show overt signs of inner turmoil after returning from Iraq, and both committed suicide by placing a gun in their mouths, which is an extremely rare way to commit suicide by firearm.
As Downing investigated the Arnold and Lopez suicides in more depth and veering beyond the scope of the VA project, she confided in her best human friend and fellow veteran Hannah Livingston, a member of the Montrose police department, about her suspicions that the Arnold and Lopez suicides did not add up and foul play could be involved. Through Livingston, Downing met Brian Dixon, a fellow police officer and boyfriend of Livingston, and Master Sergeant John Holmes, who served in Iraq with both Arnold and Lopez, who was Dixon’s best friend, and who was a Grand Junction police officer. As Downing investigated further, she learned that Arnold, Lopez, and Holmes experienced a traumatic event while on a mission in Baghdad during the summer of 2008. What was that tragic event? Was it related to the Arnold and Lopez suicides? How did Holmes cope with the event while his platoon mate inwardly struggled so hard? Did Arnold and Lopez commit suicide? If not, what happened?
In the search for the truth, the novel explored Downing’s experiences in Iraq as a working dog handler and how the United States military placed the upmost importance on never leaving any of its brothers or sisters behind. The readers learned of the trauma that Downing experienced in Iraq and her subsequent diagnosis with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition to coming to terms with her horrific experiences in Iraq, Downing was trying to understand why her fiancé Hawkins took his own life, and she struggled to find answers and closure. Was her love not enough? What was Hawkins dealing with that he had not confided in Downing?
This is an above average novel that explores important themes such as the epidemic of veteran suicide, the necessity and loyalty of military working dogs and civilian service dogs, and the bravery and sacrifice of female veterans and Special Operation Forces in an interesting, easy to understand, and heartfelt way with the occasional citation to statistics to provide support. Any animal lover should be able to relate to the relationships that Downing had with Razor, her military working dog in Iraq, and Nikita, her service dog that helped her cope with her PTSD diagnosis. The descriptions of what service members had to deal with in Iraq, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), bombs strapped to women and children, the smells of war, and the constant stress while on patrol were explored well. I applaud the author for having a female service member as the main character and that her best human friend, Livingston, also had a distinguished career in the military. Further, the message of asking for mental health services is not a weakness but a necessary step to readjust from a war zone to civilian life when a member of the military returns to life in the United States is an important one. It is essential to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Finally, the message of focusing on forgiveness over revenge is critical to maintain a happy life. The declarations made by Downing at the police board meeting toward the end of the novel were powerful.
Despite the interesting story and the touching interactions among a few of the characters and Downing and her dogs, there were a few items that I wanted to flag. First, Downing was described as beautiful, stunning, and had a great figure. I generally do not like this beautiful woman trope though I can excuse it in this novel as it is tangentially related to how Hutson viewed Downing. Second, a few of the similes went a bit overboard. Examples include comparing a military officer to a point guard and a knock on the head with a pistol to a pinata at a 12-year old’s birthday party. Third, the relationship between Tony and Downing occasionally seemed contrived, especially the anger felt by Downing for Tony having some doubts about their relationship. Finally, I think the timeline of the Hawkins suicide was inconsistent throughout the book. It ranged from occurring two years prior to 2012 to October 2008 to October 2012 (though I think this last date reference was a typo in the book).
I encourage people to check out this easy to read, interesting, and emotional book. The novel has short chapters so it is easy to pick up and put down though readers will likely be turning pages quickly. Thank you, Mr. Bach, for your service to our country, and I look forward to checking out your other book “Black Dog Escape” soon.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and to author William Bach for providing me with a Kindle copy of this fictional account of Sergeant Amber Downing’s experiences during two periods in her life: her service as a working dog handler coordinating with United States special forces in the Saladin Province, Iraq and her subsequent employment as a data analyst working for the Grand Junction Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Colorado. The novel primarily alternates between two timelines, the fall of 2008 when Downing served in Iraq and during the summer of 2012 while Downing worked for the VA. To provide more context to the events that occurred in the fall of 2008 and the summer of 2012, respectively, the book also secondarily chronicles happenings in Baghdad, Iraq during the summer of 2008, and in Grand Junction, Colorado in the spring of 2011, each of which impacted Downing’s work at the VA.
In the summer of 2012, John Hutson, the Grand Junction VA Hospital Administrator and Downing’s boss, assigned Downing a project to collect data on veteran suicides during the prior 5 years in a small geographical area around Grand Junction, Colorado as the VA in Washington, D.C. tried to implement a nationwide study to grapple with the high number of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who committed suicide. In addition to objective criteria like the name, age, and rank of the veteran who committed suicide, the task involved a deep dive into the method of suicide and the rationale behind the self-killing. Hutson wanted to discuss the project with Downing in more detail because Downing’s fiancé, Chris Hawkins, a veteran of the Iraq war, committed suicide by firearm. As Downing obtained information about the 142 suicides that occurred within the last 5 years in the Grand Junction area, she noticed anomalies in the suicides of Corporal Jerry Arnold and Sergeant Henry Lopez, both of whom served in the same platoon in Iraq and were friends. In the cases of Arnold and Lopez, the military files of those two service members went missing, both did not show overt signs of inner turmoil after returning from Iraq, and both committed suicide by placing a gun in their mouths, which is an extremely rare way to commit suicide by firearm.
As Downing investigated the Arnold and Lopez suicides in more depth and veering beyond the scope of the VA project, she confided in her best human friend and fellow veteran Hannah Livingston, a member of the Montrose police department, about her suspicions that the Arnold and Lopez suicides did not add up and foul play could be involved. Through Livingston, Downing met Brian Dixon, a fellow police officer and boyfriend of Livingston, and Master Sergeant John Holmes, who served in Iraq with both Arnold and Lopez, who was Dixon’s best friend, and who was a Grand Junction police officer. As Downing investigated further, she learned that Arnold, Lopez, and Holmes experienced a traumatic event while on a mission in Baghdad during the summer of 2008. What was that tragic event? Was it related to the Arnold and Lopez suicides? How did Holmes cope with the event while his platoon mate inwardly struggled so hard? Did Arnold and Lopez commit suicide? If not, what happened?
In the search for the truth, the novel explored Downing’s experiences in Iraq as a working dog handler and how the United States military placed the upmost importance on never leaving any of its brothers or sisters behind. The readers learned of the trauma that Downing experienced in Iraq and her subsequent diagnosis with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition to coming to terms with her horrific experiences in Iraq, Downing was trying to understand why her fiancé Hawkins took his own life, and she struggled to find answers and closure. Was her love not enough? What was Hawkins dealing with that he had not confided in Downing?
This is an above average novel that explores important themes such as the epidemic of veteran suicide, the necessity and loyalty of military working dogs and civilian service dogs, and the bravery and sacrifice of female veterans and Special Operation Forces in an interesting, easy to understand, and heartfelt way with the occasional citation to statistics to provide support. Any animal lover should be able to relate to the relationships that Downing had with Razor, her military working dog in Iraq, and Nikita, her service dog that helped her cope with her PTSD diagnosis. The descriptions of what service members had to deal with in Iraq, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), bombs strapped to women and children, the smells of war, and the constant stress while on patrol were explored well. I applaud the author for having a female service member as the main character and that her best human friend, Livingston, also had a distinguished career in the military. Further, the message of asking for mental health services is not a weakness but a necessary step to readjust from a war zone to civilian life when a member of the military returns to life in the United States is an important one. It is essential to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Finally, the message of focusing on forgiveness over revenge is critical to maintain a happy life. The declarations made by Downing at the police board meeting toward the end of the novel were powerful.
Despite the interesting story and the touching interactions among a few of the characters and Downing and her dogs, there were a few items that I wanted to flag. First, Downing was described as beautiful, stunning, and had a great figure. I generally do not like this beautiful woman trope though I can excuse it in this novel as it is tangentially related to how Hutson viewed Downing. Second, a few of the similes went a bit overboard. Examples include comparing a military officer to a point guard and a knock on the head with a pistol to a pinata at a 12-year old’s birthday party. Third, the relationship between Tony and Downing occasionally seemed contrived, especially the anger felt by Downing for Tony having some doubts about their relationship. Finally, I think the timeline of the Hawkins suicide was inconsistent throughout the book. It ranged from occurring two years prior to 2012 to October 2008 to October 2012 (though I think this last date reference was a typo in the book).
I encourage people to check out this easy to read, interesting, and emotional book. The novel has short chapters so it is easy to pick up and put down though readers will likely be turning pages quickly. Thank you, Mr. Bach, for your service to our country, and I look forward to checking out your other book “Black Dog Escape” soon.
October 9, 2024
Compelling
A well written story about suicides among the military and ex military. The main character is Amber, an ex MP dog handler who had suffered abduction by AlQueda. Upon returning to Civilian life she is assigned To look into Why and how Military and ex military committed suicide. A very compelling story That I could not put-down to the end
A well written story about suicides among the military and ex military. The main character is Amber, an ex MP dog handler who had suffered abduction by AlQueda. Upon returning to Civilian life she is assigned To look into Why and how Military and ex military committed suicide. A very compelling story That I could not put-down to the end
January 21, 2025
Great book
Gulf War Veteran by a Gulf War Veteran. He know what he's talking about about. With a strong female Veteran character written xery well by a Male Veteran. Let's you see the real War and what our Veterans go through. Good insight into why so many commit suicide.
Gulf War Veteran by a Gulf War Veteran. He know what he's talking about about. With a strong female Veteran character written xery well by a Male Veteran. Let's you see the real War and what our Veterans go through. Good insight into why so many commit suicide.
April 6, 2025
What a great story!
I am really impressed with this great story, it is one of the best reads with lots of drama and it was most interesting to me.Go ahead and read it and share it with others….
I am really impressed with this great story, it is one of the best reads with lots of drama and it was most interesting to me.Go ahead and read it and share it with others….
July 10, 2025
Suicide detective
This is by far the most.moving novel I have read on the Iraq war. I was there for Desert
Storm and could picture the descriptions and feel the emotions. Too many veterans are stil! dying from suicide. thanks for high living this tragedy.
This is by far the most.moving novel I have read on the Iraq war. I was there for Desert
Storm and could picture the descriptions and feel the emotions. Too many veterans are stil! dying from suicide. thanks for high living this tragedy.
March 23, 2025
This one will stick with me for a while. Such a heavy read, but definitely worth reading.
October 25, 2025
W.L. Bach’s The Suicide Detective is more than a suspense novel; it’s a psychological excavation. Amber Downing, a former cop turned investigator of suicide cases, is a protagonist who carries her trauma like armor. Bach doesn’t just sketch her pain; he lets us feel it, scene by scene, with a quiet intensity that lingers.
The pacing is sharp but never rushed. Each chapter builds tension while allowing space for reflection. The procedural elements are grounded and believable, and the emotional stakes are high without tipping into melodrama. Bach’s background in military and law enforcement clearly informs the authenticity of the narrative, but what stands out most is his empathy. Amber isn’t just solving cases; she’s trying to survive her own.
The supporting cast adds texture, especially the glimpses into the lives of those left behind by suicide. Bach handles these moments with care, never exploiting grief for drama. Instead, he invites readers to sit with discomfort, to ask questions, and to consider the invisible battles people fight.
If there’s one critique, it’s that the story could benefit from a slightly deeper dive into Amber’s past earlier. Her motivations are compelling, and a touch more backstory upfront might have amplified the emotional resonance. But that’s a minor note in an otherwise gripping and thoughtful read.
The Suicide Detective is a standout in the indie thriller space. It’s a story of trauma, redemption, and the fragile hope that comes from facing the darkness head-on.
The pacing is sharp but never rushed. Each chapter builds tension while allowing space for reflection. The procedural elements are grounded and believable, and the emotional stakes are high without tipping into melodrama. Bach’s background in military and law enforcement clearly informs the authenticity of the narrative, but what stands out most is his empathy. Amber isn’t just solving cases; she’s trying to survive her own.
The supporting cast adds texture, especially the glimpses into the lives of those left behind by suicide. Bach handles these moments with care, never exploiting grief for drama. Instead, he invites readers to sit with discomfort, to ask questions, and to consider the invisible battles people fight.
If there’s one critique, it’s that the story could benefit from a slightly deeper dive into Amber’s past earlier. Her motivations are compelling, and a touch more backstory upfront might have amplified the emotional resonance. But that’s a minor note in an otherwise gripping and thoughtful read.
The Suicide Detective is a standout in the indie thriller space. It’s a story of trauma, redemption, and the fragile hope that comes from facing the darkness head-on.
August 29, 2024
If I could give a book 10 stars then this would be it. Definitely one of my top 5 books of this year. The story is told as a multi-timeline tale and the movement over these is spot on, keeping the listener updated as to what is happening and possibly why. It may be fiction but the author obviously knows his subject intimately. There are not many books that can tear me up but this one had me falling apart at times. Cannot recommend it enough but do beware, it's an emotional roller coaster of a ride. Williams narration is good, a little flat at times but this does not matter in this book, the emotion he feels while narrating his own book is there in bucket-fulls. **********!
October 22, 2024
An emotional story about a war veteran and her faithful dog Nikita. Amber had lost her dog Razor to the war in Afghanistan and now her and her dog Nikita work for the VA trying to discover why veterans are committing suicide. This task takes her on very difficult interviews with the families of the fallen vets. I know how faithful my Belgian Malinois is and it sure comes out in this story. Keep the stories coming! SEMPER FI
July 19, 2025
Wow, just wow
Articulately written and fills me with an understanding of the moral injuries they endured on a daily basis. The daily basis continues every day and might after they return. It addresses the courage of those who choose to end their suffering to release themselves as well. Brilliantly written. I hope it becomes a limited series on TV, because a 90 minute movie could never do it justice.
Articulately written and fills me with an understanding of the moral injuries they endured on a daily basis. The daily basis continues every day and might after they return. It addresses the courage of those who choose to end their suffering to release themselves as well. Brilliantly written. I hope it becomes a limited series on TV, because a 90 minute movie could never do it justice.
January 3, 2025
This was a Goodreads win - thank you!
This was an amazing story. I found it to be a salute to the brave men, women and canine soldiers. It made me more aware of issues with veteran suicide. It tugged at my emotions. It was so well written; I absolutely loved it. Mr. Bach, Thank you for writing this story.
This was an amazing story. I found it to be a salute to the brave men, women and canine soldiers. It made me more aware of issues with veteran suicide. It tugged at my emotions. It was so well written; I absolutely loved it. Mr. Bach, Thank you for writing this story.
August 16, 2025
Loved the narration from William Lance Bach
Amber is a veteran and her faithful dog Nikita are now working for the VA and is searching and investigating why trying veterans are committing suicide. This book is one emotional rollercoaster as Amber must interview the veterans families .
Emotional, drama and full of pride.
Amber is a veteran and her faithful dog Nikita are now working for the VA and is searching and investigating why trying veterans are committing suicide. This book is one emotional rollercoaster as Amber must interview the veterans families .
Emotional, drama and full of pride.
October 11, 2024
This is a compelling story that deals with suicide among veterans and those currently serving in the military. The bond and connection between Amber and her service dog Nikita was heartwarming. Their relationship was built on strength and loyalty. WL Bach did a great job with the narration.
March 7, 2025
Sad very descriptive narrative of the pressures of war and PSTD often leading to suicide and violence. Read this Kindle book using the Alexa audio asset. Purchased this edition on February 16, 2025, for free.
January 2, 2025
Interesting read. I loved the character and, of course, the dog. I follow this author and look forward to his next book.
February 16, 2025
22 A DAY...
That is the statistics we were told when my son deployed.
Thank you for this story. People can never know enough to understand the "Why?"
That is the statistics we were told when my son deployed.
Thank you for this story. People can never know enough to understand the "Why?"
July 26, 2025
This book was a pleasant surprise of suspense and action. Reminded me a lot of Jack Reacher books.
January 29, 2025
A big thank you to the author, William L. Bach, Endure All Publishing, and Goodreads for the privilege of being able to win The Suicide Detective in a giveaway in digital format. This story is not something I normally would pick up, but it was definitely compelling and emotionally charged the whole way. The plot was really up and down, and there were moments I had to push through and others that I flew through. The characters were pretty engaging.
May 23, 2025
The Suicide Detective by William L. Bach is a gripping and emotional journey that pulled me in from the very first page. As a veteran and someone who has faced my own struggles, I found Amber’s story deeply relatable. Bach captures the complex emotions and challenges of military service, trauma, and the long road to healing with incredible accuracy and empathy.
Amber’s connection with her service dog, Nikita, is one of the most heartwarming and authentic portrayals of loyalty I’ve read. The multi-timeline narrative flows seamlessly, offering glimpses into Amber’s past while keeping the tension high in the present. The balance between action, emotion, and intrigue is spot on, keeping me engaged right until the final page.
Bach’s understanding of the emotional weight veterans carry is evident, and his storytelling hits all the right notes. This is not just a story of survival but one of hope, resilience, and finding a path forward after immense loss.
For anyone who has struggled with mental health or loves a well-crafted thriller, The Suicide Detective is an absolute must-read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Amber’s connection with her service dog, Nikita, is one of the most heartwarming and authentic portrayals of loyalty I’ve read. The multi-timeline narrative flows seamlessly, offering glimpses into Amber’s past while keeping the tension high in the present. The balance between action, emotion, and intrigue is spot on, keeping me engaged right until the final page.
Bach’s understanding of the emotional weight veterans carry is evident, and his storytelling hits all the right notes. This is not just a story of survival but one of hope, resilience, and finding a path forward after immense loss.
For anyone who has struggled with mental health or loves a well-crafted thriller, The Suicide Detective is an absolute must-read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews