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Kate Marino #1
In the Killer's Sight
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
3 days and 10:40:59
100 copies available
U.S. only
When her niece disappears, a K-9 officer returns to the home of her own childhood trauma to track down a killer who hunts women like prey—and face the past that continues to haunt her.
Officer Kate Marino has a complicated relationship with her hometown. But there’s one thing that could bring her back: Her seventeen-year-old niece Alice disappeared two days ago. And she’s not the only woman who’s gone missing.
With police dogs Nero and Bella (now retired) in tow, Kate returns to her childhood home and the ghosts that inhabit it. It’s not just the looming presence of her father, however, that hinders Kate’s investigation. Something even more sinister awaits her there.
Dead bodies confirm the missing women are the work of a serial killer who hunts his prey through the New Hampshire wilderness. With time running out, Kate’s determined to find Alice before she becomes his next victim.
Alongside Deputy Sheriff Roy Hoover, Kate and her loyal dogs scour the area for clues, motive, and the secrets harbored by each victim. Kate ran away from Cooperton once before—but this time, she’ll stay and face its demons…
Officer Kate Marino has a complicated relationship with her hometown. But there’s one thing that could bring her back: Her seventeen-year-old niece Alice disappeared two days ago. And she’s not the only woman who’s gone missing.
With police dogs Nero and Bella (now retired) in tow, Kate returns to her childhood home and the ghosts that inhabit it. It’s not just the looming presence of her father, however, that hinders Kate’s investigation. Something even more sinister awaits her there.
Dead bodies confirm the missing women are the work of a serial killer who hunts his prey through the New Hampshire wilderness. With time running out, Kate’s determined to find Alice before she becomes his next victim.
Alongside Deputy Sheriff Roy Hoover, Kate and her loyal dogs scour the area for clues, motive, and the secrets harbored by each victim. Kate ran away from Cooperton once before—but this time, she’ll stay and face its demons…
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Mike Omer
22 books2,438 followersMike Omer is the author of the Zoe Bentley Mystery Series, the Abby Mullen Thrillers, and more. In the past, he's been a journalist, a game developer, and the CEO of the company Loadingames. He lives in Ireland, and is married to a woman who diligently forces him to live his dream. He is the father of an angel, a pixie, and a leprechaun.
Mike loves to write about true-to-life people who are perpetrators or victims of crimes. He also likes writing funny stuff. He mixes these two loves quite passionately into his mystery books.
You can contact Mike by sending him an e-mail to mikeomerauthor@gmail.com
Mike loves to write about true-to-life people who are perpetrators or victims of crimes. He also likes writing funny stuff. He mixes these two loves quite passionately into his mystery books.
You can contact Mike by sending him an e-mail to mikeomerauthor@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 253 reviews
September 5, 2026
~4.5~
Mike Omer brings another strong, relatable, and interesting FMC to life. Much like Abby Mullen and Zoe Bentley, Kate Marino solves crimes.
Kate is a single mom to a 13-year-old and a K-9 police officer whose husband was killed in the line of duty when their daughter was just 2. Kate was physically abused as a child by her drunk of a father, something that's handled with sensitivity and appropriate gravitas.
Any time a book features a dog, I'm going to like it that much more. In this story, Bella, a Labrador Retriever and retired cadaver dog, and Nero, a German Shepherd in training to be a top scent tracker, are heroes. We even get a couple chapters from their POV, which sounds hokey but wasn't.
The mystery plot was suspenseful, fast-paced, and immersive. I was entirely invested in the investigation.
I had guesses throughout, but the perp, who believes he's saving young women from corruption, wasn't at all obvious. The chapters from the perp's perspective were really well done. I find digging into the minds of serial killers fascinating.
The secondary characters, particularly the victims held captive, felt so believable, my heart was in tatters. Whether it's a drugged-up prostitute or the heir to a royal family, life isn't disposable; no one gets to play God.
Thus far, there are two books planned in this series, but I hope there are more.
Mike Omer brings another strong, relatable, and interesting FMC to life. Much like Abby Mullen and Zoe Bentley, Kate Marino solves crimes.
Kate is a single mom to a 13-year-old and a K-9 police officer whose husband was killed in the line of duty when their daughter was just 2. Kate was physically abused as a child by her drunk of a father, something that's handled with sensitivity and appropriate gravitas.
Any time a book features a dog, I'm going to like it that much more. In this story, Bella, a Labrador Retriever and retired cadaver dog, and Nero, a German Shepherd in training to be a top scent tracker, are heroes. We even get a couple chapters from their POV, which sounds hokey but wasn't.
The mystery plot was suspenseful, fast-paced, and immersive. I was entirely invested in the investigation.
I had guesses throughout, but the perp, who believes he's saving young women from corruption, wasn't at all obvious. The chapters from the perp's perspective were really well done. I find digging into the minds of serial killers fascinating.
The secondary characters, particularly the victims held captive, felt so believable, my heart was in tatters. Whether it's a drugged-up prostitute or the heir to a royal family, life isn't disposable; no one gets to play God.
Thus far, there are two books planned in this series, but I hope there are more.
September 16, 2026
A wonderful read from Mike Omer! I loved the kind-hearted MC, the two memorable police dogs—Bella and Nero—and the gripping serial-killer storyline. A well-deserved 5 stars, and I’m already looking forward to the continuation.
September 17, 2026
Thank you Mike Omer and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
Okay, I absolutely loved that. Especially when the author decided to personify the dogs to keep the narrative going.
The case was pretty intense but not what you would usually expect in regards for the "why" but in some ways, as most thrillers are, it was a bit predictable but I loved it.
Overall, a great read.
Okay, I absolutely loved that. Especially when the author decided to personify the dogs to keep the narrative going.
The case was pretty intense but not what you would usually expect in regards for the "why" but in some ways, as most thrillers are, it was a bit predictable but I loved it.
Overall, a great read.
August 19, 2026
Interesting who done it
Packed with lovable characters and real life drama. I enjoyed getting to know this family and loved the ending. Hope more are in this series.
Packed with lovable characters and real life drama. I enjoyed getting to know this family and loved the ending. Hope more are in this series.
Review of advance copy
‘In The Killer’s Sight’ was a roll of the dice, an Amazon Prime First Reads by an author who was new to me. I’m glad I took the risk. The book was a delightful surprise: a mystery with a strong plot, good pacing, a credible female lead, believable (although not always pleasant) family relationships and two very good dogs.
The opening chapter was unpleasant and disturbing. It put me inside the head of a serial killer. It was credible and not exploitative, which made it even more disturbing. I knew that I wouldn’t make it through the novel if I had to spend a long time in this guy’s head.
Fortunately, the second chapter pushed back the slime of the first. It delivered fast action and rapid, simple but effective character building. The finely tuned tension was salted with Kate Marion’s spiky, witty, interior monologue. The whole chapter was lifted by Kate’s working relationship with an engaging dog.
The plot was solid and kept me guessing about who the killer was. The tension was finely honed. Suspects were subtly trailed. The balance between threat and hope kept the story moving.
I liked that the women the killer took were not just victims or necessary plot devices. They were drawn as clearly as the rest of the characters.
Kate Marino was an excellent lead character – not a superhero, but a woman whose strength had been tested by having bad things happen to her and who keeps moving forward because she is a single parent with a teenage daughter.
What I liked most were the scenes in Kate's family. The way the women talked to each other felt real. These conversations grounded the rest of the book.
My best surprise was that each of the two dogs got a chapter written from their point of view. For me, those were two of the best chapters in the book. I loved being inside their heads.
‘In the Killer’s Sight’ is the first in a series. I’ll certainly be back for more when the next book comes out.
The opening chapter was unpleasant and disturbing. It put me inside the head of a serial killer. It was credible and not exploitative, which made it even more disturbing. I knew that I wouldn’t make it through the novel if I had to spend a long time in this guy’s head.
Fortunately, the second chapter pushed back the slime of the first. It delivered fast action and rapid, simple but effective character building. The finely tuned tension was salted with Kate Marion’s spiky, witty, interior monologue. The whole chapter was lifted by Kate’s working relationship with an engaging dog.
The plot was solid and kept me guessing about who the killer was. The tension was finely honed. Suspects were subtly trailed. The balance between threat and hope kept the story moving.
I liked that the women the killer took were not just victims or necessary plot devices. They were drawn as clearly as the rest of the characters.
Kate Marino was an excellent lead character – not a superhero, but a woman whose strength had been tested by having bad things happen to her and who keeps moving forward because she is a single parent with a teenage daughter.
What I liked most were the scenes in Kate's family. The way the women talked to each other felt real. These conversations grounded the rest of the book.
My best surprise was that each of the two dogs got a chapter written from their point of view. For me, those were two of the best chapters in the book. I loved being inside their heads.
‘In the Killer’s Sight’ is the first in a series. I’ll certainly be back for more when the next book comes out.
September 23, 2026
In the Killer’s Sight is basically a novel-length episode of NCIS: Criminal Minds: SVU & Order. Compliment intended. Does CBS have a K-9 procedural? 🤔 I digress. The setup is familiar and the investigation hits plenty of the beats you’d expect, but familiar doesn’t mean ineffective. It moves. It entertains. It works.
Kate worked for me as the lead. There’s plenty of baggage in her past, but she isn’t really defined by it. She’s a widow, a mother, a K-9 officer and someone who deliberately built a life away from her abusive father. That said, she can come off a little wooden. Every once in a while, an otherwise ordinary conversation would have me thinking, “Kate, that’s not how we do talking.” And then there’s Roy. I liked their dynamic, but whatever may or may not be brewing there romantically gets a mild side-eye once their shared history comes into focus. 👀
Throw in a serial killer, young women being hunted through the woods, a couple of K-9 cops and some very judiciously rationed dog POV and I was happy. Special shout-out to Colette, whose oddly specific, matter-of-fact manner had me wondering if Temperance Brennan had wandered onto the wrong sound stage. More of her, please.
There’s something to be said for familiar done well. Just a really solid thriller and the change of pace I needed.
Kate worked for me as the lead. There’s plenty of baggage in her past, but she isn’t really defined by it. She’s a widow, a mother, a K-9 officer and someone who deliberately built a life away from her abusive father. That said, she can come off a little wooden. Every once in a while, an otherwise ordinary conversation would have me thinking, “Kate, that’s not how we do talking.” And then there’s Roy. I liked their dynamic, but whatever may or may not be brewing there romantically gets a mild side-eye once their shared history comes into focus. 👀
Throw in a serial killer, young women being hunted through the woods, a couple of K-9 cops and some very judiciously rationed dog POV and I was happy. Special shout-out to Colette, whose oddly specific, matter-of-fact manner had me wondering if Temperance Brennan had wandered onto the wrong sound stage. More of her, please.
There’s something to be said for familiar done well. Just a really solid thriller and the change of pace I needed.
September 20, 2026
Kate Marino is a K-9 officer who has spent years avoiding the hometown—and the family history—she left behind. But when her seventeen-year-old niece Alice disappears, Kate returns to Cooperton with her retired police dogs, Nero and Bella, determined to find her.
Alice isn’t the only missing woman, and the discovery of bodies in the New Hampshire wilderness confirms there is a serial killer hunting women in the area. Kate joins Deputy Sheriff Roy Hoover in the investigation while also being forced to confront an extremely difficult relationship with her father and memories she would rather have left buried.
The K-9 aspect was probably my favorite part, and Kate is a capable, determined protagonist. The combination of the missing-person investigation, serial killer case, and Kate’s personal history gave the story plenty to work with. Unfortunately, it never quite developed the intensity or emotional pull I expected from the premise. However, it’s a decent start to the Kate Marino series, but my hope, is that it grows. 🌱
Alice isn’t the only missing woman, and the discovery of bodies in the New Hampshire wilderness confirms there is a serial killer hunting women in the area. Kate joins Deputy Sheriff Roy Hoover in the investigation while also being forced to confront an extremely difficult relationship with her father and memories she would rather have left buried.
The K-9 aspect was probably my favorite part, and Kate is a capable, determined protagonist. The combination of the missing-person investigation, serial killer case, and Kate’s personal history gave the story plenty to work with. Unfortunately, it never quite developed the intensity or emotional pull I expected from the premise. However, it’s a decent start to the Kate Marino series, but my hope, is that it grows. 🌱
August 14, 2026
This book was excellent. Very funny; I laughed out loud a bunch of times. Appropriately dark but not horror, and the MC is a reliable narrator which I appreciate very much. This isn’t one of those books where there character refuses to eat or sleep or drink water until they are crazy. She works hard but she mostly takes care of herself. The dogs in this book are wonderful. The plot takes a little suspension of disbelief but that’s alright. It was really good.
September 16, 2026
K-9 Officer Kate Marino is pulled back to her childhood hometown, where the memories of child abuse and complicated relationships still haunt her, by one of the only things that could get her to return; her niece has disappeared following a few other mysterious disappearances by a man who hunts down girls like prey.
Kate will need to face her last traumas if she is going to be able to help bring her niece home alive.
I listened to the audiobook, which was fantastically done. I was hooked pretty quickly by this story and its constant heart drop moments that left me questioning a number of people and their true motives.
There was a few heavy subjects involved in this story (SA, kidnapping, and child abuse), so check your trigger warnings.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, Mike Omer, and Net Galley for the audio copy of this book.
Kate will need to face her last traumas if she is going to be able to help bring her niece home alive.
I listened to the audiobook, which was fantastically done. I was hooked pretty quickly by this story and its constant heart drop moments that left me questioning a number of people and their true motives.
There was a few heavy subjects involved in this story (SA, kidnapping, and child abuse), so check your trigger warnings.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, Mike Omer, and Net Galley for the audio copy of this book.
September 14, 2026
Who’re the good dogs? Good dogs! Good dogs!!
September 16, 2026
His books never disappoint!
Amazing, as always
Amazing, as always
September 15, 2026
This was a good thriller, if a bit cliché and predictable at times.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. She was a good fit for the character and kept me engaged.
Kate, a K-9 officer, returns to her hometown when her niece goes missing. She quickly becomes invested in finding Alice and, even though she isn’t a detective, naturally ends up being the one picking up on clues that everyone else seems to miss. The detectives actually working the case aren’t exactly thrilled with Kate inserting herself into the investigation, but we all know that isn’t going to stop her.
The storyline is pretty much exactly what you’d expect from this kind of thriller. Of course Kate has to make a few of those questionable main-character decisions that you know are coming but still annoy you when they happen. Like yes, by all means, go investigate something suspicious by yourself and tell absolutely no one where you’re going. What could possibly go wrong?
That said, I was invested. I enjoyed the listen and spent a good portion of the book thinking I knew who was responsible. I was on the right track, but the actual reveal wasn’t really something I ever could have guessed based on what we were given earlier in the story. That kind of twist is never my favorite, and I would have preferred a little more setup leading into it.
Toward the end, we also get a few moments from the dogs’ perspectives, which got a little too cheesy for me. I probably would have preferred to leave those out.
Overall, though, this was an entertaining thriller and an easy listen. It didn’t do anything especially new, but it kept me interested and I enjoyed it. If this becomes a series, I’d keep following Kate and the dogs on their next adventure. I just don’t need the dogs’ perspective next time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the advanced listening copy.
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrator. She was a good fit for the character and kept me engaged.
Kate, a K-9 officer, returns to her hometown when her niece goes missing. She quickly becomes invested in finding Alice and, even though she isn’t a detective, naturally ends up being the one picking up on clues that everyone else seems to miss. The detectives actually working the case aren’t exactly thrilled with Kate inserting herself into the investigation, but we all know that isn’t going to stop her.
The storyline is pretty much exactly what you’d expect from this kind of thriller. Of course Kate has to make a few of those questionable main-character decisions that you know are coming but still annoy you when they happen. Like yes, by all means, go investigate something suspicious by yourself and tell absolutely no one where you’re going. What could possibly go wrong?
That said, I was invested. I enjoyed the listen and spent a good portion of the book thinking I knew who was responsible. I was on the right track, but the actual reveal wasn’t really something I ever could have guessed based on what we were given earlier in the story. That kind of twist is never my favorite, and I would have preferred a little more setup leading into it.
Toward the end, we also get a few moments from the dogs’ perspectives, which got a little too cheesy for me. I probably would have preferred to leave those out.
Overall, though, this was an entertaining thriller and an easy listen. It didn’t do anything especially new, but it kept me interested and I enjoyed it. If this becomes a series, I’d keep following Kate and the dogs on their next adventure. I just don’t need the dogs’ perspective next time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the advanced listening copy.
September 10, 2026
In the Killer’s Sight by Mike Omer is the first book in the new Kate Marino thriller series, released in September 2026.
I instantly was hooked when I read that the main character Kate Marino is a K-9 police officer! She has built a life far away from the small New Hampshire town where she grew up. She has plenty of reasons to stay away—especially her abusive father and the painful memories of her childhood.But Kate is forced to return when her 17-year-old niece, Alice, disappears.
Kate brings her K-9 partners with her: Nero, a young German Shepherd trained for tracking and searches, and Bella, her beloved retired cadaver dog. What initially appears to be a missing-person case quickly becomes something much darker. Nero’s abilities help uncover evidence suggesting that Alice isn’t the only young woman who has disappeared from the area.
Things that drew me in:A K-9 officer as the protagonistTwo memorable dogs, Nero and Bella , Missing women + serial-killer investigation, Small-town secrets, Kate’s complicated and emotional family history, Multiple red herrings and twists
Some chapters explore the killer’s perspective, giving readers a disturbing look into his thinking.
And in the last few chapters, you even get the perspective of what the K-9’s perspective which I found to be such a great creative idea!
Overall, It’s a police procedural mixed with a psychological thriller, but Kate and her dogs are really the heart of the story. And because this is Book 1 of the Kate Marino series, it sets up Kate, her family, her relationship with one of the officers on the case with her, and her K-9 partners for future cases.
I gave this 4 stars and can’t wait for the next book in the series!Thank you Thomas & Mercer Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book released on Sept 1.
I instantly was hooked when I read that the main character Kate Marino is a K-9 police officer! She has built a life far away from the small New Hampshire town where she grew up. She has plenty of reasons to stay away—especially her abusive father and the painful memories of her childhood.But Kate is forced to return when her 17-year-old niece, Alice, disappears.
Kate brings her K-9 partners with her: Nero, a young German Shepherd trained for tracking and searches, and Bella, her beloved retired cadaver dog. What initially appears to be a missing-person case quickly becomes something much darker. Nero’s abilities help uncover evidence suggesting that Alice isn’t the only young woman who has disappeared from the area.
Things that drew me in:A K-9 officer as the protagonistTwo memorable dogs, Nero and Bella , Missing women + serial-killer investigation, Small-town secrets, Kate’s complicated and emotional family history, Multiple red herrings and twists
Some chapters explore the killer’s perspective, giving readers a disturbing look into his thinking.
And in the last few chapters, you even get the perspective of what the K-9’s perspective which I found to be such a great creative idea!
Overall, It’s a police procedural mixed with a psychological thriller, but Kate and her dogs are really the heart of the story. And because this is Book 1 of the Kate Marino series, it sets up Kate, her family, her relationship with one of the officers on the case with her, and her K-9 partners for future cases.
I gave this 4 stars and can’t wait for the next book in the series!Thank you Thomas & Mercer Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book released on Sept 1.
September 17, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Really loved this book! It kept me hooked, especially the last few chapters which were so good and really ramped up the tension.
I loved the change of perspective in the short chapters, and the chapters from Nero and Bella’s perspective were such a great touch. I honestly wish there had been more of them! 🐾
Kate was a great character and I really enjoyed the K-9 element, which made this feel a little different from other thrillers I’ve read.
This was my first book by Mike Omer, but definitely won’t be my last. I’ll be looking out for more from this author!
Really loved this book! It kept me hooked, especially the last few chapters which were so good and really ramped up the tension.
I loved the change of perspective in the short chapters, and the chapters from Nero and Bella’s perspective were such a great touch. I honestly wish there had been more of them! 🐾
Kate was a great character and I really enjoyed the K-9 element, which made this feel a little different from other thrillers I’ve read.
This was my first book by Mike Omer, but definitely won’t be my last. I’ll be looking out for more from this author!
September 13, 2026
A thriller detective novel based around Kate Merino a police dog handler. The story unfolds with the hunt for Kate’s niece, Alice, who’s been abducted. Kate reluctantly becomes involved in the search for her and the unfolding case - it transpires there are other murdered women found in woods near Alice’s home. The story also reveals Kates troubled past with an abusive father and the community amd family she fled from herself. A compelling story which was well written. Good enough to read the second book written about Kate.
September 3, 2026
very slow burn
I rated In the Killers Sight 3.5 stars. I was honestly hoping for so much more from this book. The premise had a lot of potential, but unfortunately, the story felt really, really slow for me and never quite picked up the pace.
It wasn’t a bad story by any means, but I kept waiting for things to get more intense, suspenseful, or unpredictable and that moment never really came. There were definitely some interesting elements, but I never felt completely pulled into the story or on the edge of my seat. I think with a little more tension and a faster pace, this could have been so much more engaging.
I listened to this one on audio, though, and I really enjoyed the narrator. The narration definitely made the experience more enjoyable and helped keep me going when the story itself wasn’t holding my attention as much as I’d hoped.
Overall, it was an okay read, but sadly, it just didn’t have the suspense or intensity I was looking for. A solid 3.5 stars, but I wanted more!
I rated In the Killers Sight 3.5 stars. I was honestly hoping for so much more from this book. The premise had a lot of potential, but unfortunately, the story felt really, really slow for me and never quite picked up the pace.
It wasn’t a bad story by any means, but I kept waiting for things to get more intense, suspenseful, or unpredictable and that moment never really came. There were definitely some interesting elements, but I never felt completely pulled into the story or on the edge of my seat. I think with a little more tension and a faster pace, this could have been so much more engaging.
I listened to this one on audio, though, and I really enjoyed the narrator. The narration definitely made the experience more enjoyable and helped keep me going when the story itself wasn’t holding my attention as much as I’d hoped.
Overall, it was an okay read, but sadly, it just didn’t have the suspense or intensity I was looking for. A solid 3.5 stars, but I wanted more!
September 25, 2026
A solid police procedural with dogs thrown in. Not as dark as I usually like my novels about serial killers but good nonetheless.
September 14, 2026
As always, Mike is phenomenal. His books never disappoint! I love how he always adds so much detail to the characters... I feel like I know them by the time that I finish each book! And now adding the two canines as well, what a lovely surprise!! I loved how he made their characters stand out. Loved every second of this read!
August 23, 2026
A disappointing read .
I thought the storyline was unconvincing and the dogs ' thoughts ' grated .
The main character Kate was physically abused by her father as a child everyone was seemingly aware of this but turned a blind eye . She moves in with her aunt , because of work related issues , taking her teenage daughter with her . She knows that her father , who she has avoided for years , will be in close proximity . Would a mother really put her daughter in sight of an abuser .
Her aunt admits she knew that Kate was being abused and didn't talk to her brother for three years but then reestablished relationships and saw him again as he was family!
I thought the storyline was unconvincing and the dogs ' thoughts ' grated .
The main character Kate was physically abused by her father as a child everyone was seemingly aware of this but turned a blind eye . She moves in with her aunt , because of work related issues , taking her teenage daughter with her . She knows that her father , who she has avoided for years , will be in close proximity . Would a mother really put her daughter in sight of an abuser .
Her aunt admits she knew that Kate was being abused and didn't talk to her brother for three years but then reestablished relationships and saw him again as he was family!
Review of advance copy
Read as an August 2026 First Reads selection. On the surface, this is a fairly formulaic / typical contemporary serial-killer-in-the-woods mystery-thriller, but I was surprised that I found it more gripping than I expected, and I really enjoyed that the two K-9 characters.
Kate Marino is a widowed K-9 handler with the Manchester (NH) police force, struggling to balance raising her 13 year old daughter mostly on her own with her work as a police officer. She works with her own dogs, who she treats like typical pets when they're not working - I'm not sure how realistic this is, but it does make for more enjoyable reading. Any scene with the dogs, in which Omer includes the dogs' antics and (anthropomorphized) facial expressions, is better than any scene without the dogs.
When Kate's cousin's daughter Alice goes missing, Kate returns to her hometown to help with the search, forcing her to confront her own abusive childhood and exposing the misogynistic rot in the small town's culture. After the initial search, with the help of Kate's young K-9-in-training Nero, indicates to police that they are actually dealing with a serial killer rather than a simple case of a girl getting lost in the woods, Kate fights to involve herself more in the investigation and eventually starts doing her own police work. (Note there's quite a bit of "this would never fly in a real police investigation" in here, so some suspension of belief is required - but I personally found it easy to ignore because the story kept moving along, and it's frankly more interesting to follow Kate than it is to follow the other characters who were legitimately involved in the case.)
There are parts of the narrative that are told from the perspective of the killer, where Omer tries to take the reader inside his mind so that we understand his motivations. These are, as one might expect, disturbing - particularly as we watch the killer rewriting events in his head to fit his own deluded convictions and make him a hero to himself. There's also some discussion of Kate's abusive father, and some frustrating encounters between Kate and her father that are intended to show how Kate as an adult is finally learning to break free of the psychological impact of her father's behavior. This may be triggering to readers who have experienced childhood trauma like this... and I didn't get the feeling that Kate's thought process here is necessarily realistic. If anything, the way she deals with it ultimately felt a little too easy, although it did allow the story to keep moving without dwelling on the backstory that is certainly critical but not the main point of the plot.
There are also 3 short chapters told from the perspectives of Nero (the younger K-9 who's still learning his profession) and Bella (who's officially retired due to hip issues in her advanced age, but is very accomplished and certainly more experienced than Nero). While it's cute to "hear" the dogs' thoughts, these are obviously highly anthropomorphized, and imply a level of logical thought that dogs do not have - so if the lack of realism bothers you, it might make more sense to skip those chapters. But if you're a dog lover, those brief chapters will probably be highly enjoyable, and they do provide a welcome break from some dark, tense moments during the climactic moments of the investigation.
Overall, I was surprised I enjoyed this story - possibly thanks to the dogs being real characters, and possibly because the pacing and "clue" reveals were well done. The red herrings felt like plausible misdirections rather than just hiding things from the reader, and although we've been in the killer's mind throughout the book, we aren't given his identity until Kate figures it out from the information she has. I'd read more about Kate, and especially Nero, in another installment from this author.
Kate Marino is a widowed K-9 handler with the Manchester (NH) police force, struggling to balance raising her 13 year old daughter mostly on her own with her work as a police officer. She works with her own dogs, who she treats like typical pets when they're not working - I'm not sure how realistic this is, but it does make for more enjoyable reading. Any scene with the dogs, in which Omer includes the dogs' antics and (anthropomorphized) facial expressions, is better than any scene without the dogs.
When Kate's cousin's daughter Alice goes missing, Kate returns to her hometown to help with the search, forcing her to confront her own abusive childhood and exposing the misogynistic rot in the small town's culture. After the initial search, with the help of Kate's young K-9-in-training Nero, indicates to police that they are actually dealing with a serial killer rather than a simple case of a girl getting lost in the woods, Kate fights to involve herself more in the investigation and eventually starts doing her own police work. (Note there's quite a bit of "this would never fly in a real police investigation" in here, so some suspension of belief is required - but I personally found it easy to ignore because the story kept moving along, and it's frankly more interesting to follow Kate than it is to follow the other characters who were legitimately involved in the case.)
There are parts of the narrative that are told from the perspective of the killer, where Omer tries to take the reader inside his mind so that we understand his motivations. These are, as one might expect, disturbing - particularly as we watch the killer rewriting events in his head to fit his own deluded convictions and make him a hero to himself. There's also some discussion of Kate's abusive father, and some frustrating encounters between Kate and her father that are intended to show how Kate as an adult is finally learning to break free of the psychological impact of her father's behavior. This may be triggering to readers who have experienced childhood trauma like this... and I didn't get the feeling that Kate's thought process here is necessarily realistic. If anything, the way she deals with it ultimately felt a little too easy, although it did allow the story to keep moving without dwelling on the backstory that is certainly critical but not the main point of the plot.
There are also 3 short chapters told from the perspectives of Nero (the younger K-9 who's still learning his profession) and Bella (who's officially retired due to hip issues in her advanced age, but is very accomplished and certainly more experienced than Nero). While it's cute to "hear" the dogs' thoughts, these are obviously highly anthropomorphized, and imply a level of logical thought that dogs do not have - so if the lack of realism bothers you, it might make more sense to skip those chapters. But if you're a dog lover, those brief chapters will probably be highly enjoyable, and they do provide a welcome break from some dark, tense moments during the climactic moments of the investigation.
Overall, I was surprised I enjoyed this story - possibly thanks to the dogs being real characters, and possibly because the pacing and "clue" reveals were well done. The red herrings felt like plausible misdirections rather than just hiding things from the reader, and although we've been in the killer's mind throughout the book, we aren't given his identity until Kate figures it out from the information she has. I'd read more about Kate, and especially Nero, in another installment from this author.
Review of advance copy
In The Killer’s Sight by Mike Omer publishes September 1st with Thomas & Mercer and is the first book in a new series featuring K-9 officer, Kate Marino. Mike Omer’s books have sold over 3 million copies, and been translated to over 20 languages but, for some reason, his name has never crossed my radar until now. I was excited to hear that he lives in the parish somewhere (as in Cork) which was an extra bonus.
Kate Marino is centre stage in this really engaging thriller set in New Hampshire in the US. Now a widow, she lives with her daughter, struggling to juggle all the balls on a daily basis. A passionate dog lover, her K9 partners are a very important part of her life, giving her reason to continue in the job that took the life of her husband. Kate had a challenging childhood in Cooperton, as the daughter of an alcoholic, so when the opportunity arose she left her hometown only returning on a rare occasion out of necessity.
When Kate receives a very distressing call that her seventeen-year-old niece Alice is missing, she is left with no alternative but to travel to Cooperton to assist in the search. Initially it is thought that Alice may just be lost or hurt so Kate, with her active K9 companion, Nero, are initiated into the search in the New Hampshire wilderness in the hope that they will pick up her scent. These woods are familiar to Kate. She holds no fear walking through the dark forestry as this place was often a sanctuary for her when escaping the wrath of her physically abusive father. When Nero picks up a scent, the team stumble onto a scene of tragic proportions.
It soon becomes very clear to all that there is a violent presence lurking in the wilderness targeting young women but why? What is their motive?
In the meantime, Kate has to cross paths with her father, a man she had never wanted to see ever again. Not much has changed but this time Kate is stronger, more able for his knockdowns and hurtful comments. She needs to maintain her focus for Alice’s sake and for other young women who could be in the sightline of this smart killer.
As the hunter lines up his prey, Kate instincts kick in and, with her K9 partners by her side, she never lets up in the search. But can she get there in time before the killer turns his stare on Alice?
Kate Marino and her furry companions will be back in the future and I am really looking forward to reading more about this relentless and sharp-witted K9 officer. A book that completely hooks you from the opening chapter, In The Killer’s Sight is an addictive read. With plenty of red-herrings and a feisty lead protagonist, this is a thoroughly enjoyable thriller.
Kate Marino is centre stage in this really engaging thriller set in New Hampshire in the US. Now a widow, she lives with her daughter, struggling to juggle all the balls on a daily basis. A passionate dog lover, her K9 partners are a very important part of her life, giving her reason to continue in the job that took the life of her husband. Kate had a challenging childhood in Cooperton, as the daughter of an alcoholic, so when the opportunity arose she left her hometown only returning on a rare occasion out of necessity.
When Kate receives a very distressing call that her seventeen-year-old niece Alice is missing, she is left with no alternative but to travel to Cooperton to assist in the search. Initially it is thought that Alice may just be lost or hurt so Kate, with her active K9 companion, Nero, are initiated into the search in the New Hampshire wilderness in the hope that they will pick up her scent. These woods are familiar to Kate. She holds no fear walking through the dark forestry as this place was often a sanctuary for her when escaping the wrath of her physically abusive father. When Nero picks up a scent, the team stumble onto a scene of tragic proportions.
It soon becomes very clear to all that there is a violent presence lurking in the wilderness targeting young women but why? What is their motive?
In the meantime, Kate has to cross paths with her father, a man she had never wanted to see ever again. Not much has changed but this time Kate is stronger, more able for his knockdowns and hurtful comments. She needs to maintain her focus for Alice’s sake and for other young women who could be in the sightline of this smart killer.
As the hunter lines up his prey, Kate instincts kick in and, with her K9 partners by her side, she never lets up in the search. But can she get there in time before the killer turns his stare on Alice?
Kate Marino and her furry companions will be back in the future and I am really looking forward to reading more about this relentless and sharp-witted K9 officer. A book that completely hooks you from the opening chapter, In The Killer’s Sight is an addictive read. With plenty of red-herrings and a feisty lead protagonist, this is a thoroughly enjoyable thriller.
September 3, 2026
Anyone who reads the reviews that I write (and I want to thank both of you) will know that I don't trust any mystery that I can solve before the ending. That said, such a mystery is like any other genre or artifact in the world: It can be done well or done poorly. In my mind, I knew most of the events that would lead up to the resolution of In the Killer's Sight. But it was still...pretty good.
In rural New Hampshire, w hole raft of women has gone missing. This keeps Deputy Sheriff Roy Hoover plenty busy, but Hoover is not the star of the show. The lead protagonist, Kate Marino, is summoned back to the New Hampshire town in which she grew up because of her uncommon talent: She's a K-9 officer, who has her two bad-guy sniffing dogs, the venerable Bella (who is largely retired due to aging hips) and the spritely Nero, both of whom bring unique detection abilities to any crime scene. In between passages illustrating the skills of the K-9ers, readers get to venture inside the mind of the perpetrator. He's convinced that he is only kidnapping women in order to help them, by teaching them survival skills that he believes have eroded in most of humanity.
As the scenes between captor and captives add up, readers will sense impending disaster, not only limited to the imprisonment site: Kate has been ordered off the case because the local big wigs believe there is no longer any need for the involvement of a K-9 officer. Cagey readers will begin to suspect that Kate herself has attracted the attention of the kidnapper, and to give due credit, the pace of the book picks up once readers reach that point.
Author Mike Omer's story is not exactly unprecedented, but it has quite a few attractive elements. The toe K-9 crew members are charming, well-skilled, and immensely talented. Two of the detectives assigned to the case are actually among the good guys for a change, and the byplay between them will evoke smiles. The resolution is satisfactory, although not without blood shed, and readers just may want to forge ahead to Kate Marino Book #2.
In rural New Hampshire, w hole raft of women has gone missing. This keeps Deputy Sheriff Roy Hoover plenty busy, but Hoover is not the star of the show. The lead protagonist, Kate Marino, is summoned back to the New Hampshire town in which she grew up because of her uncommon talent: She's a K-9 officer, who has her two bad-guy sniffing dogs, the venerable Bella (who is largely retired due to aging hips) and the spritely Nero, both of whom bring unique detection abilities to any crime scene. In between passages illustrating the skills of the K-9ers, readers get to venture inside the mind of the perpetrator. He's convinced that he is only kidnapping women in order to help them, by teaching them survival skills that he believes have eroded in most of humanity.
As the scenes between captor and captives add up, readers will sense impending disaster, not only limited to the imprisonment site: Kate has been ordered off the case because the local big wigs believe there is no longer any need for the involvement of a K-9 officer. Cagey readers will begin to suspect that Kate herself has attracted the attention of the kidnapper, and to give due credit, the pace of the book picks up once readers reach that point.
Author Mike Omer's story is not exactly unprecedented, but it has quite a few attractive elements. The toe K-9 crew members are charming, well-skilled, and immensely talented. Two of the detectives assigned to the case are actually among the good guys for a change, and the byplay between them will evoke smiles. The resolution is satisfactory, although not without blood shed, and readers just may want to forge ahead to Kate Marino Book #2.
Review of advance copy
A book that completely hooks you from the opening , this is an addictive read, with plenty of red-herrings and a feisty protagonist, a thoroughly enjoyable thriller.
Meet Kate Marino a K9 officer, in this thriller set in New Hampshire in the US. She's a widow, lives with her teenage daughter, juggling on a daily basis, a passionate dog lover, and so her K9 partners one of the most important parts of her life.
Kate had a challenging childhood in a town called Cooperton, so when the opportunity arose she left only returning on a rare occasion out of necessity. It becomes necessary after Kate receives a very distressing call that her seventeen-year-old niece Alice is missing.
Alice may just be lost or hurt so Kate, with her newest K9 companion, Nero, are involved into the search in the New Hampshire wilderness in the hope that they will pick up her scent in the woods that are familiar to Kate. She has no fear walking through the forest as this place was often a sanctuary for her when she was young.
When Nero picks up a scent, it
soon becomes very clear to all that there is a violent presence lurking in the wilderness targeting young women .
In returning, Kate has to cross paths with her father, deal with her teenage daughter, help her sister by finding her missing daughter and deal with a police force that is hiding its own secrets.
Kate is now older, more able to take the knocks and hurtful comments, but she needs to maintain her focus for both Alice’s sake and for others in the sightline of this killer.
This is a chase to the finish.
I hope Kate Marino and her K9 companions be back in the future and I am really looking forward to reading more by this author.
Meet Kate Marino a K9 officer, in this thriller set in New Hampshire in the US. She's a widow, lives with her teenage daughter, juggling on a daily basis, a passionate dog lover, and so her K9 partners one of the most important parts of her life.
Kate had a challenging childhood in a town called Cooperton, so when the opportunity arose she left only returning on a rare occasion out of necessity. It becomes necessary after Kate receives a very distressing call that her seventeen-year-old niece Alice is missing.
Alice may just be lost or hurt so Kate, with her newest K9 companion, Nero, are involved into the search in the New Hampshire wilderness in the hope that they will pick up her scent in the woods that are familiar to Kate. She has no fear walking through the forest as this place was often a sanctuary for her when she was young.
When Nero picks up a scent, it
soon becomes very clear to all that there is a violent presence lurking in the wilderness targeting young women .
In returning, Kate has to cross paths with her father, deal with her teenage daughter, help her sister by finding her missing daughter and deal with a police force that is hiding its own secrets.
Kate is now older, more able to take the knocks and hurtful comments, but she needs to maintain her focus for both Alice’s sake and for others in the sightline of this killer.
This is a chase to the finish.
I hope Kate Marino and her K9 companions be back in the future and I am really looking forward to reading more by this author.
September 5, 2026
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
I was very excited to start this series if it was going to have K9 work and police work. Kate Marino is a K9 officer. She has a retired cadaver K9 Bella and a new drug and people search dog, Nero. Neither seems quite disciplined enough to do actual K9 work and Kate doesn't seem to make sure they have water or other protections.
The main story is Kate's cousin's daughter, Alice goes missing in a town about 2 hours away where she grew up. She is a single Mom to her daughter Ivy. Her husband was shot in the line of duty and his mother, Dolly, lives nearby and helps watch Ivy when she is gone.
Kate goes to help search for Alice. She has to fight to stay on the task force with the FBI people and local law enforcement, even though she is also an officer plus she knows the local woods better than almost all of them from her childhood. Kate is the one who finds every major clue and eventually finds Alice.
Kate is rarely in her hometown although her father and his sister and the cousins live there because her father is a drunk and abused her after her mother died. She did go live with his sister Ruth and she is fond of her. Ivy barely knows them and doesn't understand why exactly. Ivy seemed really immature for her age in the story. Kate is good at work work but a bit of a hot mess otherwise.
I'm not sure where the series will go from here so I'll probably read more.
Narration:
I have listened to Nicol Zanzarella before and enjoyed her work. The voices seemed gender and age appropriate and kept me comfortably in the story. Kate is our primary point of view so her voice was the strongest. We do briefly get the dog's thoughts. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 hearts
I was very excited to start this series if it was going to have K9 work and police work. Kate Marino is a K9 officer. She has a retired cadaver K9 Bella and a new drug and people search dog, Nero. Neither seems quite disciplined enough to do actual K9 work and Kate doesn't seem to make sure they have water or other protections.
The main story is Kate's cousin's daughter, Alice goes missing in a town about 2 hours away where she grew up. She is a single Mom to her daughter Ivy. Her husband was shot in the line of duty and his mother, Dolly, lives nearby and helps watch Ivy when she is gone.
Kate goes to help search for Alice. She has to fight to stay on the task force with the FBI people and local law enforcement, even though she is also an officer plus she knows the local woods better than almost all of them from her childhood. Kate is the one who finds every major clue and eventually finds Alice.
Kate is rarely in her hometown although her father and his sister and the cousins live there because her father is a drunk and abused her after her mother died. She did go live with his sister Ruth and she is fond of her. Ivy barely knows them and doesn't understand why exactly. Ivy seemed really immature for her age in the story. Kate is good at work work but a bit of a hot mess otherwise.
I'm not sure where the series will go from here so I'll probably read more.
Narration:
I have listened to Nicol Zanzarella before and enjoyed her work. The voices seemed gender and age appropriate and kept me comfortably in the story. Kate is our primary point of view so her voice was the strongest. We do briefly get the dog's thoughts. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
September 16, 2026
An average, but entertaining thriller.
In The Killer’s Sight, just released on September 1, is the first book in Omer’s new Kate Marino Thrillers series.
Kate Marino is the K-9 officer for the Manchester, NH police department. Her husband, also a cop, had been murdered several years earlier in the line of duty and now she was the single parent of her 13 year old daughter, Ivy.
Kate also has 2 police dogs: Nero, a male German Shepherd, and Bella, an older female Labrador who is now retired.
After getting home late one night Kate is surprised to get a call from Noelle, her cousin, still living in Cooperton, their family’s hometown. Noelle’s 17 year old daughter, Alice, has been missing for 2 days and the local police don’t seem to be making any progress. Noelle wants Kate to come help find Alice with her dogs.
The local police initially welcome Kate’s participation and her efforts produce results; finding Alice’s phone and then finding 2 buried bodies of other women, but not Alice.
As the search for Alice continues, and 2 more bodies are found, it becomes apparent that they are searching for a serial killer. And, while Kate is continuing to work with her dogs, the local police begin to shut her out o the investigation and Kate has to deal with old wounds she had hoped had been left behind when she left Cooperton, not the least of which is an adversarial relationship with her father.
As the story goes on Kate finds herself also hunted by the serial killer and must fight for both her and Alice’s life.
While the plot was fairly typical, the story moved smoothly and quickly. Mixing in Kate’s relationship with her family. Also made the story mor complex and provided different perspectives for the story.
In The Killer’s Sight, just released on September 1, is the first book in Omer’s new Kate Marino Thrillers series.
Kate Marino is the K-9 officer for the Manchester, NH police department. Her husband, also a cop, had been murdered several years earlier in the line of duty and now she was the single parent of her 13 year old daughter, Ivy.
Kate also has 2 police dogs: Nero, a male German Shepherd, and Bella, an older female Labrador who is now retired.
After getting home late one night Kate is surprised to get a call from Noelle, her cousin, still living in Cooperton, their family’s hometown. Noelle’s 17 year old daughter, Alice, has been missing for 2 days and the local police don’t seem to be making any progress. Noelle wants Kate to come help find Alice with her dogs.
The local police initially welcome Kate’s participation and her efforts produce results; finding Alice’s phone and then finding 2 buried bodies of other women, but not Alice.
As the search for Alice continues, and 2 more bodies are found, it becomes apparent that they are searching for a serial killer. And, while Kate is continuing to work with her dogs, the local police begin to shut her out o the investigation and Kate has to deal with old wounds she had hoped had been left behind when she left Cooperton, not the least of which is an adversarial relationship with her father.
As the story goes on Kate finds herself also hunted by the serial killer and must fight for both her and Alice’s life.
While the plot was fairly typical, the story moved smoothly and quickly. Mixing in Kate’s relationship with her family. Also made the story mor complex and provided different perspectives for the story.
September 20, 2026
In the Killer’s Sight is one of those thrillers that gets your attention right away and makes you want to keep reading.
Kate Marino has plenty on her plate when her seventeen-year-old niece Alice goes missing, but finding her becomes even more urgent when Kate realizes that other women have disappeared too. Going back to the hometown she has spent years trying to leave behind makes the situation even more personal.
I really liked the idea of Kate returning with her K-9 partners, Nero and Bella, while having to deal with the painful memories connected to her childhood home. There’s a good mix of the investigation and Kate’s personal history, so it feels like she is fighting more than just a case. She’s also being forced to face parts of her past that she would rather leave behind.
The serial killer storyline adds a lot of tension, especially with the women being hunted through the New Hampshire wilderness. The setting works really well for this kind of story because there’s already a feeling of isolation and danger.
Kate is also an easy character to root for. She’s determined to find Alice, even when the investigation takes her into places she would rather not revisit. Her partnership with Roy Hoover and the dogs gives the investigation another interesting element too.
I enjoyed the combination of a missing-person investigation, a serial killer mystery, family history, and the K-9 angle. There’s enough going on to keep the story moving without losing sight of Kate’s personal struggle.
If you enjoy crime thrillers with strong female investigators, missing-person cases, serial killers, and a darker wilderness setting, this is definitely one to check out.
Kate Marino has plenty on her plate when her seventeen-year-old niece Alice goes missing, but finding her becomes even more urgent when Kate realizes that other women have disappeared too. Going back to the hometown she has spent years trying to leave behind makes the situation even more personal.
I really liked the idea of Kate returning with her K-9 partners, Nero and Bella, while having to deal with the painful memories connected to her childhood home. There’s a good mix of the investigation and Kate’s personal history, so it feels like she is fighting more than just a case. She’s also being forced to face parts of her past that she would rather leave behind.
The serial killer storyline adds a lot of tension, especially with the women being hunted through the New Hampshire wilderness. The setting works really well for this kind of story because there’s already a feeling of isolation and danger.
Kate is also an easy character to root for. She’s determined to find Alice, even when the investigation takes her into places she would rather not revisit. Her partnership with Roy Hoover and the dogs gives the investigation another interesting element too.
I enjoyed the combination of a missing-person investigation, a serial killer mystery, family history, and the K-9 angle. There’s enough going on to keep the story moving without losing sight of Kate’s personal struggle.
If you enjoy crime thrillers with strong female investigators, missing-person cases, serial killers, and a darker wilderness setting, this is definitely one to check out.
September 5, 2026
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Amazon First Reads. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5
I was very excited to start this series if it was going to have K9 work and police work. Kate Marino is a K9 officer. She has a retired cadaver K9 Bella and a new drug and people search dog, Nero. Neither seems quite disciplined enough to do actual K9 work and Kate doesn't seem to make sure they have water or other protections.
The main story is Kate's cousin's daughter, Alice goes missing in a town about 2 hours away where she grew up. She is a single Mom to her daughter Ivy. Her husband was shot in the line of duty and his mother, Dolly, lives nearby and helps watch Ivy when she is gone.
Kate goes to help search for Alice. She has to fight to stay on the task force with the FBI people and local law enforcement, even though she is also an officer plus she knows the local woods better than almost all of them from her childhood. Kate is the one who finds every major clue and eventually finds Alice.
Kate is rarely in her hometown although her father and his sister and the cousins live there because her father is a drunk and abused her after her mother died. She did go live with his sister Ruth and she is fond of her. Ivy barely knows them and doesn't understand why exactly. Ivy seemed really immature for her age in the story. Kate is good at work work but a bit of a hot mess otherwise.
I'm not sure where the series will go from here so I'll probably read more.
Review copy was received from Amazon First Reads. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5
I was very excited to start this series if it was going to have K9 work and police work. Kate Marino is a K9 officer. She has a retired cadaver K9 Bella and a new drug and people search dog, Nero. Neither seems quite disciplined enough to do actual K9 work and Kate doesn't seem to make sure they have water or other protections.
The main story is Kate's cousin's daughter, Alice goes missing in a town about 2 hours away where she grew up. She is a single Mom to her daughter Ivy. Her husband was shot in the line of duty and his mother, Dolly, lives nearby and helps watch Ivy when she is gone.
Kate goes to help search for Alice. She has to fight to stay on the task force with the FBI people and local law enforcement, even though she is also an officer plus she knows the local woods better than almost all of them from her childhood. Kate is the one who finds every major clue and eventually finds Alice.
Kate is rarely in her hometown although her father and his sister and the cousins live there because her father is a drunk and abused her after her mother died. She did go live with his sister Ruth and she is fond of her. Ivy barely knows them and doesn't understand why exactly. Ivy seemed really immature for her age in the story. Kate is good at work work but a bit of a hot mess otherwise.
I'm not sure where the series will go from here so I'll probably read more.
Review of advance copy
Readers seeking a police procedural involving kidnapping and murder in a rural setting may wish to try “In the Killer’s Sight,” especially if they like stories involving dogs and/or are interested in how K-9 units operate.
Kate Marino is a Manchester, New Hampshire police officer, partnered with Nero, her young German Shepherd who is a talented tracker. Kate is the widow of a slain police officer. She lives with her teenage daughter, Ivy, Nero, and her former K-9 partner, yellow lab Bella, once one of the country’s leading “cadaver dogs,” now retired and semi-lame, but still game to work.
When Kate’s niece, Alice, disappears in the New Hampshire woods, Kate must return to her hometown with both Nero and Bella to help in the search for the teen. That search reveals there’s a serial killer on the loose. Who is it? Is it someone local? Someone everyone knows? And why is he doing it? Those are the questions meant to keep readers turning the pages.
Author Mike Omer has delivered an intelligently written mystery that concentrates not only on the procedures involved in rural searches for missing persons, and in murder cases, but also on Kate’s relationships with her dogs, her daughter, and the hometown and extended family she left behind due to her abusive father. The pacing sometimes seems slow, and the story occasionally gets bogged down in detail. But Omer does manage to inject humor into his narrative, and there are surprises in store.
3.75 stars rounded up to 4.
Kate Marino is a Manchester, New Hampshire police officer, partnered with Nero, her young German Shepherd who is a talented tracker. Kate is the widow of a slain police officer. She lives with her teenage daughter, Ivy, Nero, and her former K-9 partner, yellow lab Bella, once one of the country’s leading “cadaver dogs,” now retired and semi-lame, but still game to work.
When Kate’s niece, Alice, disappears in the New Hampshire woods, Kate must return to her hometown with both Nero and Bella to help in the search for the teen. That search reveals there’s a serial killer on the loose. Who is it? Is it someone local? Someone everyone knows? And why is he doing it? Those are the questions meant to keep readers turning the pages.
Author Mike Omer has delivered an intelligently written mystery that concentrates not only on the procedures involved in rural searches for missing persons, and in murder cases, but also on Kate’s relationships with her dogs, her daughter, and the hometown and extended family she left behind due to her abusive father. The pacing sometimes seems slow, and the story occasionally gets bogged down in detail. But Omer does manage to inject humor into his narrative, and there are surprises in store.
3.75 stars rounded up to 4.
September 8, 2026
Well, Mike Omer… you got me. This was my first book by him, and it definitely won’t be my last.
Kate Marino is a widowed single mom, a police officer, and a K-9 handler to Nero, her young partner who apparently came equipped with a badge, four paws, and enough sass to steal the entire book.
When Kate’s niece disappears, she’s forced to return home, confront demons she’s spent years avoiding, and help find her before it’s too late.
What really hooked me was the multiple perspectives. We get Kate’s point of view, glimpses inside the killer’s mind that drop little hints without giving too much away, AND… Nero’s perspective.
Yes. The dog.
Nero's Inner thoughts had me going from "Awww!" to "Who's a good boy?" while reading a crime thriller. I didn’t know I needed that combination, but apparently I did.
The mystery itself kept me guessing. Every time I thought I might have things figured out, another little piece made me question myself. It was fast paced, intriguing, and kept me turning pages right up to the end.
The story does deal with domestic violence, so that’s worth knowing going in. I felt those elements were handled thoughtfully and without becoming unnecessarily graphic.
Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone who loves a good crime mystery, multiple POVs, plenty of twists, and a sassy K-9 who might just become your favorite character.
And the best news? This is only book one in the series. You better believe I’ll be checking out the rest.
Kate Marino is a widowed single mom, a police officer, and a K-9 handler to Nero, her young partner who apparently came equipped with a badge, four paws, and enough sass to steal the entire book.
When Kate’s niece disappears, she’s forced to return home, confront demons she’s spent years avoiding, and help find her before it’s too late.
What really hooked me was the multiple perspectives. We get Kate’s point of view, glimpses inside the killer’s mind that drop little hints without giving too much away, AND… Nero’s perspective.
Yes. The dog.
Nero's Inner thoughts had me going from "Awww!" to "Who's a good boy?" while reading a crime thriller. I didn’t know I needed that combination, but apparently I did.
The mystery itself kept me guessing. Every time I thought I might have things figured out, another little piece made me question myself. It was fast paced, intriguing, and kept me turning pages right up to the end.
The story does deal with domestic violence, so that’s worth knowing going in. I felt those elements were handled thoughtfully and without becoming unnecessarily graphic.
Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone who loves a good crime mystery, multiple POVs, plenty of twists, and a sassy K-9 who might just become your favorite character.
And the best news? This is only book one in the series. You better believe I’ll be checking out the rest.
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