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Dead Man's Trail
A frightened boy turns into a runaway murder witness, relying on only his bike and brains to evade the killers.
When Ricky Lopez skips school and bikes out to his boss’s remote bungalow, he isn’t worrying about anything except collecting his pay. Cleaning portables isn’t a fun job, and he doesn’t intend to let anyone cheat him out of his hard-earned cash.
But his life is upended when he witnesses a shocking murder and discovers the portables are used for trafficking illegal drugs. Worse, the killers know his name, and what he’s seen. Now he’s on the run and hiding in the San Gabriel Mountains, with only his bike and a bag of stolen cocaine for company.
Private investigator Nikki Drake and her K-9 Gunner aren’t looking for a new case. But Ricky’s distraught mother doesn’t believe Ricky is playing hooky with his friends and she needs help. Soon, Nikki and Gunner are deep in the California wilderness, desperate to find Ricky before the killers do.
However, the gang leader has an inside track and trusting the wrong person can be deadly. For both Ricky and Nikki.
- GenresMystery
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2024
About the author
Bev Pettersen
37 books253 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author Bev Pettersen writes K9 mystery thrillers and romantic suspense that blend pulse-pounding action with unforgettable animal characters. Her Nikki Drake K9 Mystery Series features a private investigator, her loyal German Shepherd partner, and cases that test the bonds between humans and their dogs.
After establishing herself as an award-winning romantic suspense author, Bev has found her true passion in mystery thriller writing—stories where dogs are heroes, danger is real, and justice always has teeth.
A three-time National Readers Choice Award nominee, she's won numerous honors including a Kirkus Recommended Read, HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, and Reader Views Reviewer's Choice Award.
Bev competed on the Alberta Thoroughbred race circuit and is an Equine Canada certified coach, expertise she weaves into her animal-centered thrillers. She lives in Nova Scotia with her family and their four-legged companions.
Want to know more about her next K9 mystery or receive special offers? Visit https://www.BevPettersen.com and sign up for her newsletter.
After establishing herself as an award-winning romantic suspense author, Bev has found her true passion in mystery thriller writing—stories where dogs are heroes, danger is real, and justice always has teeth.
A three-time National Readers Choice Award nominee, she's won numerous honors including a Kirkus Recommended Read, HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, and Reader Views Reviewer's Choice Award.
Bev competed on the Alberta Thoroughbred race circuit and is an Equine Canada certified coach, expertise she weaves into her animal-centered thrillers. She lives in Nova Scotia with her family and their four-legged companions.
Want to know more about her next K9 mystery or receive special offers? Visit https://www.BevPettersen.com and sign up for her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 25, 2025
I’m completely in love with Bev Pettersen’s books!! This series has me wanting to grab the next book as soon as I finish and the mysteries, Nikki and her K9 friend, family and partner, Gunner are merciless when it comes to finding a missing kid or helping a helpless person. As a PI Nikki can only do so much, so that’s where her boyfriend and detective, Justin comes in and always has her back.
From book one I have loved Nikki, Justin and Gunner and I can’t get enough of them!! But I am planning on reading Pettersen’s other series!!
From book one I have loved Nikki, Justin and Gunner and I can’t get enough of them!! But I am planning on reading Pettersen’s other series!!
February 2, 2025
Bev Pettersen’s gripping mystery “Dead Man’s Trail,” book 4 of the K-9 Mystery Series, centers on a desperate hunt for a missing teenager who is running from his assailants after he steals a valuable item from them.
Ricky Lopez, twelve, is determined to get his money from his boss, Pope, which he earned by cleaning dirty seats, replenishing hand sanitizer, and setting up portables at sporting events and concerts. He proceeds to hunt for Pope at his house, where he witnesses an altercation between him and two other men. In the conversation, the men talk about “a product,” Pope’s greed, and his cleaner, who, according to Pope, has no idea what he has been doing behind the porta potty business. Ricky hears close-range gunfire from his hiding spot and is even more startled when the two strangers claim that their boss wants Ricky, the cleaner, murdered as well. This realization sends him escaping on his bike, as bullets whizz around him.
Meanwhile, Ricky’s mother Andrea approaches private investigator Nikki to assist in finding him after he disappears for three days. Nikki departs for the assignment with Gunner, her K-9 tracking buddy and companion, whom she has been training to detect drugs. After questioning the man who assisted Ricky in landing the job with Pope, Nikki interacts with his ex-wife, who reveals surprising details about his behavior. Later, Nikki sees Andrea kissing a man she earlier denied knowing much about, much to her surprise. But when a follow-up to the man’s trail reveals a dead corpse, Nikki realizes that locating Ricky may not be easy and may be the most difficult test of her career.
The reader is taken on a journey filled with secrets that are concealed in plain sight in this gripping story. The lovely private investigator and her dog are endearing characters who face off against a violent gang seeking to seal any gaps in their operations. The subject is a person whose well-being unexpectedly clashes with dubious business interests that rise to positions no one could have predicted.
. The tale is well-written and fast-paced, and I felt that the scenarios were vividly depicted by the author’s word choice. There is a fascinating backstory involved, which adds to this satisfying ride. In contrast to other mystery novels, “Dead Man’s Trail” from the K-9 Mystery Series by Bev Pettersen will captivate you with its action sequences and keep you rooting for the young heroes the entire time. It will also undoubtedly test even the most astute readers’ capacity for clue interpretation and prediction. It is highly recommended for everyone who enjoys a fast-paced read.
Ricky Lopez, twelve, is determined to get his money from his boss, Pope, which he earned by cleaning dirty seats, replenishing hand sanitizer, and setting up portables at sporting events and concerts. He proceeds to hunt for Pope at his house, where he witnesses an altercation between him and two other men. In the conversation, the men talk about “a product,” Pope’s greed, and his cleaner, who, according to Pope, has no idea what he has been doing behind the porta potty business. Ricky hears close-range gunfire from his hiding spot and is even more startled when the two strangers claim that their boss wants Ricky, the cleaner, murdered as well. This realization sends him escaping on his bike, as bullets whizz around him.
Meanwhile, Ricky’s mother Andrea approaches private investigator Nikki to assist in finding him after he disappears for three days. Nikki departs for the assignment with Gunner, her K-9 tracking buddy and companion, whom she has been training to detect drugs. After questioning the man who assisted Ricky in landing the job with Pope, Nikki interacts with his ex-wife, who reveals surprising details about his behavior. Later, Nikki sees Andrea kissing a man she earlier denied knowing much about, much to her surprise. But when a follow-up to the man’s trail reveals a dead corpse, Nikki realizes that locating Ricky may not be easy and may be the most difficult test of her career.
The reader is taken on a journey filled with secrets that are concealed in plain sight in this gripping story. The lovely private investigator and her dog are endearing characters who face off against a violent gang seeking to seal any gaps in their operations. The subject is a person whose well-being unexpectedly clashes with dubious business interests that rise to positions no one could have predicted.
. The tale is well-written and fast-paced, and I felt that the scenarios were vividly depicted by the author’s word choice. There is a fascinating backstory involved, which adds to this satisfying ride. In contrast to other mystery novels, “Dead Man’s Trail” from the K-9 Mystery Series by Bev Pettersen will captivate you with its action sequences and keep you rooting for the young heroes the entire time. It will also undoubtedly test even the most astute readers’ capacity for clue interpretation and prediction. It is highly recommended for everyone who enjoys a fast-paced read.
July 21, 2025
i just won this kindle book, thanks so much! 7 20 2025
shes a pi and her cop boyfriend got her a german shepard that flunked out of police school to protect her. hes great at search and rescue but shes training him for drugs too. her best friends brother od'ed and she wants the dog to check her ranch to make sure he didnt sneak any in
she met a mom at santa anita racetrack . her teen son is missing. he was working cleaning port a potty's but didnt get paid. he went to see the man he was working for who never showed up but some bad men got there and he hid in one of the port a potty's. he learned there were drugs hidden in the paper dispenser. he stole a brick of drugs and took off on his bike. they killed the man he was working for
the dog tracked and found the man dead. she called 911 (the cops were not very nice to her)
the moms boyfriend is no good and is not helping find the boy. he knows more than hes saying. he quit his job at the track
the mom claims the son came home so the pi and her go back to her apt
but he didnt
so the pi went to her friends farm, the addict brother found the kids bike but wouldnt say where
but the sister had put a tracking device on his backpack so they saw where he went
he didnt want to tell them he was going to give the boy another bike in exchange for some of the drugs
the pi and dog took off to find the boy
the moms boyfriend was there and the boy threw the drugs to him. but the drug guys were there too, they took the drugs and killed the boyfriend. the boy took off
the dog tracked him but he was in the river. the dog rescued him, they made a small fire to warm up
a bad man was after them, they ran and hid. a police helicopter killed him before he got to them
the boy went back to his moms and they told her the boyfriend had been killed. he really did like the boy and was trying to protect him
they thought the owner of the track was involved with the drugs. the pi wen to the x wifes house and found she had killed the track man. it was the x wife who was the head of it. she tried to kill the pi but her own dog went after her, as well as the pi's dog who was waiting in the car with the window down
the brother is in rehab, but left a nice bike for the boy
good series i would read more
shes a pi and her cop boyfriend got her a german shepard that flunked out of police school to protect her. hes great at search and rescue but shes training him for drugs too. her best friends brother od'ed and she wants the dog to check her ranch to make sure he didnt sneak any in
she met a mom at santa anita racetrack . her teen son is missing. he was working cleaning port a potty's but didnt get paid. he went to see the man he was working for who never showed up but some bad men got there and he hid in one of the port a potty's. he learned there were drugs hidden in the paper dispenser. he stole a brick of drugs and took off on his bike. they killed the man he was working for
the dog tracked and found the man dead. she called 911 (the cops were not very nice to her)
the moms boyfriend is no good and is not helping find the boy. he knows more than hes saying. he quit his job at the track
the mom claims the son came home so the pi and her go back to her apt
but he didnt
so the pi went to her friends farm, the addict brother found the kids bike but wouldnt say where
but the sister had put a tracking device on his backpack so they saw where he went
he didnt want to tell them he was going to give the boy another bike in exchange for some of the drugs
the pi and dog took off to find the boy
the moms boyfriend was there and the boy threw the drugs to him. but the drug guys were there too, they took the drugs and killed the boyfriend. the boy took off
the dog tracked him but he was in the river. the dog rescued him, they made a small fire to warm up
a bad man was after them, they ran and hid. a police helicopter killed him before he got to them
the boy went back to his moms and they told her the boyfriend had been killed. he really did like the boy and was trying to protect him
they thought the owner of the track was involved with the drugs. the pi wen to the x wifes house and found she had killed the track man. it was the x wife who was the head of it. she tried to kill the pi but her own dog went after her, as well as the pi's dog who was waiting in the car with the window down
the brother is in rehab, but left a nice bike for the boy
good series i would read more
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2024
Very short and fast-reading thriller with a K-9 co-star. All familiar characters to me, and I was more than happy to visit them again. (Except, of course, the perp and his victims. They were new.) The only complaint I could possibly have is that I wish the books were a little longer, to give me more time to spend in her world.
I do wish that the author would find a better way to introduce the story than depicting an episode in the victims point of view. It starts with the runaway kid and I was anticipating having to skip half of the book, if she was going to keep switching back and forth, but luckily she didn't. Only once more, briefly, near the end, did she switch POV. But still I don't know why it was necessary to start off the book that way--it seems like there would be a million clever ways to launch a story than show "the incident" like they do on TV crime dramas. And this one wasn't even an "incident"--just a bit of a kid's life.
I do wish that the author would find a better way to introduce the story than depicting an episode in the victims point of view. It starts with the runaway kid and I was anticipating having to skip half of the book, if she was going to keep switching back and forth, but luckily she didn't. Only once more, briefly, near the end, did she switch POV. But still I don't know why it was necessary to start off the book that way--it seems like there would be a million clever ways to launch a story than show "the incident" like they do on TV crime dramas. And this one wasn't even an "incident"--just a bit of a kid's life.
October 27, 2024
If you're looking for a good mystery, look no further.
When a young boy, Ricky, witnesses a murder he becomes a target for drug cartel. He has no choice but to hide in the dangerous woodland near his home. The police are unconcern about his disappearance because he has a history of dodging school. However, his mother is convinced something has happened to him and asks Nikki and Gunner to locate him.
It doesn't take long for Nikki to become suspicious that the boy is in danger. But why and by whom are the questions that keep you turning the pages as Nikki and Gunner track the trail of a murder. Then another question arises. Will they find Ricky in time?
When a young boy, Ricky, witnesses a murder he becomes a target for drug cartel. He has no choice but to hide in the dangerous woodland near his home. The police are unconcern about his disappearance because he has a history of dodging school. However, his mother is convinced something has happened to him and asks Nikki and Gunner to locate him.
It doesn't take long for Nikki to become suspicious that the boy is in danger. But why and by whom are the questions that keep you turning the pages as Nikki and Gunner track the trail of a murder. Then another question arises. Will they find Ricky in time?
October 31, 2025
What an Excellent Book!!
I'm telling you, the more I read about Nikki & Gunner, the more I want to go out & get myself a trained K9 Shepherd to have my back at all times!! I love these books!! Incredible series!! But don't just take my word for it, go get the first book & read it yourself & you'll be hooked too!! Y'all enjoy!! I sure did!! On to the next one!! I hope there's a next one, oh no, there better be a next one!! Bye Y'all 😬
I'm telling you, the more I read about Nikki & Gunner, the more I want to go out & get myself a trained K9 Shepherd to have my back at all times!! I love these books!! Incredible series!! But don't just take my word for it, go get the first book & read it yourself & you'll be hooked too!! Y'all enjoy!! I sure did!! On to the next one!! I hope there's a next one, oh no, there better be a next one!! Bye Y'all 😬
January 3, 2025
Bev Pettersen's books are automatic for me. She writes great mysteries and her animals are always part of the action and one of the reasons I love them. Buy it, you'll really enjoy it. Especially if you like stories with dogs and horses!
January 24, 2025
They have a boy to save! He is hiding!
He went to get they pay he did not receive! His boss was shot and he was there! She is looking for he boy ! Can she find him? Thus ends book#4!
He went to get they pay he did not receive! His boss was shot and he was there! She is looking for he boy ! Can she find him? Thus ends book#4!
April 23, 2025
Bev’s always a good read,
Then dog facts are good. The ending a completely unexpected twist, which hasn’t happened in a ooong time. Throughly enjoyable tale that kept me up late into early morning.
Then dog facts are good. The ending a completely unexpected twist, which hasn’t happened in a ooong time. Throughly enjoyable tale that kept me up late into early morning.
August 3, 2025
Of you love dogs & horses this exciting story is a must read!
I really enjoyed this story. The author's characters, human and animal, were realistic. The plot was well developed & exciting. The ending was a surprise as I didn't figure it out like I usually can.
I really enjoyed this story. The author's characters, human and animal, were realistic. The plot was well developed & exciting. The ending was a surprise as I didn't figure it out like I usually can.
October 18, 2025
Good read
From the track to the mountains, Nikki and Gunner work to locate a missing boy and solve a bad drug’s source. As always, Nikki is unwilling to step back when she believes there is more she can do!
From the track to the mountains, Nikki and Gunner work to locate a missing boy and solve a bad drug’s source. As always, Nikki is unwilling to step back when she believes there is more she can do!
October 22, 2024
Great book
Lots of suspense who are the bad guys and who aren’t. Dog training for K 9’ what to look for & how to train them
Lots of suspense who are the bad guys and who aren’t. Dog training for K 9’ what to look for & how to train them
November 10, 2024
Nikki just gets better and better as a person
I really like how the author develops the characters.
Gunner grows, too. And now hth as Ginger as a friend.
I really like how the author develops the characters.
Gunner grows, too. And now hth as Ginger as a friend.
December 7, 2024
Great series! Love gunner and nikkie! Justin is great too!
Love search and rescue! Love the mystery! Fun and exciting book! Only took 2 days to read. Kept me guessing.
Love search and rescue! Love the mystery! Fun and exciting book! Only took 2 days to read. Kept me guessing.
January 1, 2025
Quick read with a plot that keeps you guessing till the end. Always great to have horses and dogs in the mix.
February 2, 2025
enjoyable read
Characters well developed, pace busy and well drawn to take the reader into the story line but not boring…looking forward to reading more from this author
Characters well developed, pace busy and well drawn to take the reader into the story line but not boring…looking forward to reading more from this author
June 11, 2025
What an ending!
Great reading, this book was exciting and especially full of action and suspension and the ending was a shocker. Can't wait to read the next book
Great reading, this book was exciting and especially full of action and suspension and the ending was a shocker. Can't wait to read the next book
July 26, 2025
Interesting plot and characters. I enjoyed this story and the twists, the danger, the edge of seat suspense.
January 20, 2026
Two-haiku review:
Teen boy is missing
Nikki and Gunner are called
Bad guys after boy
Liked the characters
Figured out the one bad guy
But surprised at end
Teen boy is missing
Nikki and Gunner are called
Bad guys after boy
Liked the characters
Figured out the one bad guy
But surprised at end
April 23, 2026
This is a fabulous series! I've been binge reading this series, and I'm about to download the next one! I can't wait to read it
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews