“Any kid with a social media account can call themselves an influencer.”
Seventeen shots fired. Four victims.
One K-9 detective team.
Barely a year before, Le Fontainebleau opened to little fanfare in downtown Columbus. A lifetime passion project of an immigrant from the French countryside, it was meant to fill a glaring hole in the local dining scene. Simple peasant dishes offered in a modest setting.
Clean cooking that soon developed an avid following, helping to elevate it to one of the must-eat locations in the city.
And the site where, at just after noon on a dreary spring Wednesday, a hooded gunman entered, raised the automatic weapon hidden under his jacket, and opened fire.
Only hours removed from their graveyard shift, Columbus Police and state Bureau of Criminal Investigation Detective Reed Mattox and his K-9 partner Billie are both home in bed when the news first hits the airwaves.
A single phone call forces the pair to unravel the largest public shooting in central Ohio history. A violent and heinous act, taking the lives of four seemingly unrelated victims, occurring barely more than a mile from the offices of the two highest elected officials in the state.
All the ingredients for a public spectacle, imposing a ticking clock over their heads as they fight to unravel the series of competing interests at play. Everything from social unrest to political posturing to, ultimately, who might commit such an act.
And what they were trying to accomplish by doing so...
I originally hail from the midwest, growing up in the heart of farm country, and still consider it, along with West Tennessee, my co-home. Between the two, I have a firm belief that football is the greatest of all past-times, sweet tea is really the only acceptable beverage for any occasion, there is not an event on earth that either gym shorts or boots can't be worn to, and that Dairy Queen is the best restaurant on the planet. Further, southern accents are a highly likeable feature on most everybody, English bulldogs sit atop the critter hierarchy, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with a Saturday night spent catfishing at the lake.
Since leaving the midwest I've been to college in New England, grad school in the Rockies, and lived in over a dozen different cities ranging from DC to Honolulu along the way. Each and every one of these experiences has shaped who I am at this point, a fact I hope is expressed in my writing. I have developed enormous affinity for locales and people of every size and shape, and even if I never figure out a way to properly convey them on paper, I am very much grateful for their presence in my life.
To sum it up, I asked a very good friend recently how they would describe me for something like this. Their response: "Plagued by realism and trained by experiences/education to be a pessimist, you somehow remain above all else an active dreamer." While I can't say those are the exact words I would choose, I can't say they're wrong. I travel, live in different places, try new foods, meet all kinds of different people, and above all else stay curious to a fault.
Here's hoping it continues to provide us all with some pretty good stories...
A new fantastic tale (tail?) from the mind of the prolific genius Dustin Stevens.
Reed and his faithful K-9 partner and fellow detective Billie are once again thrust into a headlong chase of unknown criminals who have perpetrated a heinous and seemingly random mass shooting. As is usual with these high-profile cases, Reed and Billie are under extreme pressure to solve this quickly, not only to protect the public and apprehend the guilty, but also the attendant political pressure applied by, in this case, both the governor AND the city mayor.
Can the dynamic duo solve this case before the politicians hold yet another press conference and undermine the progress already achieved? Or worse, clue the unsubs into the direction of the investigation sending them underground, perhaps never to be found?
As with all Reed & Billie novels, their relationship takes center stage. Not only do they rely upon each other while in the field, they also lean on each other (figuratively and literally) to support each other through the fatigue and emotional stress of the relentless, non-stop drive to solve this difficult crime. Their emotional bond is very satisfying and comforting, and one of the great appeals of this series. The vicious offenders are, as is par for the Reed & Billie course, an interesting and unexpected part of the criminal element. This makes the case exponentially more difficult to solve (no rounding up of the usual suspects here). With a little bit of current, social commentary thrown in to make it even more compelling.
The narrative is basically first person and in real time, so the call out from his superior is like a starter’s pistol, the signal for Reed & Billie to sprint into action, charging unabated full-force until the gripping conclusion.
I strongly recommend this non-stop, intriguing, and heart-felt action/procedural thriller. A can’t-put-it-down adrenaline rush, with an interesting puzzle to solve, with the warm and beautiful relationship between Reed & Billie at its core.
If you are already a fan, this is a no-brainer. If you are unfamiliar with this series, this will work as a stand-alone, but as always, knowing the characters history and the subtleties of the relationships enriches the story. So, start at the beginning and read them all, you will not regret it.
Worth the wait. Dustin Stevens has rewarded loyal Reed and Bille fans with another gripping addition to the series.
The Influencer is the 14th installment in Dustin Stevens' Reed & Billie series and builds on his legacy of complex plots, strong and well developed characters, and interpersonal dynamics - all intertwined with a maze of procedural case solving.
When Stevens opens a novel with a mass shooting you know that you are all in and it will be a wild ride. The Influencer engaged me with the deft undertone of current events and contemporary trends. Mass shootings are all too frequent, outrageous online behavior is commonplace, and cutthroat business dealings - it’s complicated. Add to that political grandstanding when a governor and a mayor trot out a posthumus deep friendship with one of the victims.
The Influencer deals with the frustration faced by law enforcement in crime solving in the new digital age where clues at the scene of the crime and clues in cyberspace both come into play. K-9 Detective Billie deploys her unique skills to help Reed fill in the blanks as clues are assembled. Each addition to this series gives the reader more insight into the actual capabilities of a K-9.
The Influencer is Stevens’ storytelling at his best. There is clean narrative, intricate and unpredictable plot, believable action, and solid characters. When Stevens develops an evil character, he does not shy away from imbuing them with evil. The Influencer is a great read…highly recommended.
Reed and Billie are back and better than ever! I've always enjoyed this detective human/dog team up, and the many volumes that came before have fully fleshed out both the back story behind this team's formation, and going forward, their increasing value in high-profile cases the Ohio governor keeps throwing their way.
As always, Stevens is a master of both descriptive language and weaving multiple story threads into a coherent and compelling story arc. In some books, this style of threaded story arcs can start off far apart and involve so many characters, it can be hard for a simpleton like me to follow the full story progression until quite far in. This volume was seamless, however, making it easy to remember who was who, but that didn't stop there from being an unexpected reveal - at least for me - near the very end.
As always, I'd love to see K-9 partner Billie have an even greater part in the storyline, since Reed and Billie are a team, after all. With that said, this was another winner in the detective series that looks like it still has a very long run ahead! I highly recommend it.
Detectives Reed Mattox and his K-9 partner Billie had barely gotten to sleep when they are called out to a mass shooting incident. Four people shot and killed inside a restaurant. The killer got away. The intended target appears to be the head of a large chain store conglomerate. Because the intended target is high profile, both the Governor and the Mayor inserting themselves into the investigation. Both are trying to outdo each other in their attempts to garner media attention. But it’s when the detectives are able to trace the getaway car to a dump site that they discover their first real clue: a parking ticket that held the culprit’s scent. Now Billie is able to put her refined sense of smell to work. Add that to Mattox’s ability to ferret out clues and put them together, the duo is able to follow the twists and turns of a crime so convoluted, you’ll never see the end coming. Stevens writes books that keep the reader on the edge of their seats. The author does such a wonderful job of creating characters that are so believable and situations that are ripped right from the news. Billie and Reed are perfect partners. They work seamlessly together. The series is fast-paced and packed with intrigue, with enough twists that you want to read ‘just one more chapter’. Just like the characters in the books, the reader follows along with the investigation, trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. I also want to note how much I like the cover art.
I have now read 11 of the 14 Reed and Billie series and each has had its various degrees of suspense and plot twists. This one doesn’t disappoint. A bizarre shooting involving a prominent businessman and 3 lesser known individuals becomes a political quagmire for Reed and Billie because both the Mayor and Governor want to show off their clout to have the shooting solved ASAP. The person who is the Influencer orchestrates the violence from afar and we are all kept guessing as to who that person is and why the violence was even necessary. There are a few villains who Reed and Billy need to identify and chase and Deke, their resident computer genius plays an important role. The ending is very exciting as The Influencer is finally identified and brought to justice and the associates are dealt with. I highly recommend this read.
Who knew Received my ARC copy and am voluntarily leaving this review. Dustin does such a great job developing his characters and building the story to the who did it conclusion. Sometimes you feel like you are holding your breath as you wait for the next clue and in the end you look back on the timeline for the story and it all takes place in a matter of days. This starts with a phone call from mom, a television news report, a call from his boss and Reed and Billie literally hit the ground running. Love the pieces where he makes sure his partner gets exercise plus fed. The leads in this start with the shooting at the restaurant and one of the victims is a high profile guy. Leads start to develop for clue left in a car and then people start getting murdered….is it connected, is it random, or is someone tying up loose ends. Hmmmm, another great book.
3 3/34 Stars, rounded up: I generally really enjoy the Reed and Billie series. It’s great to get a glimpse into the partnership between a detective and his K-9 counterpart. I’ve enjoyed seeing their relationship develop and deepen. I also enjoy the dynamics and growth in relationships between Reed and Grimes, Chief, Earl, and other police officers. One thing I wish the author would spend time on and filling us in on the relationship between Reed and his sweetheart in Oklahoma. It bothers me that in these novels the police work is somehow finally wrapped up in just a couple or few days. I can’t imagine that this timing correlates with real police work. The plot in this book seemed forced and unrealistic, more political and celebrity hype than things based in reality. Overall, not my favorite.
Dustin Stevens brings us outstanding "The Influencer", Reed and Billie, #14!
This story starts with q bang: four victims are found in the Le Fontaineblea Restaurant, located in downtown Columbus. The killer seems to be gotten away without being seen. But he used seventeen bullets bring about a crime scene that is the largest in state of Ohio.
Reed and Billie are tasked solving the crime. He has friendly superior police officers but has the mayor and state governor grandstanding to keep Ohio citizens informed of the progress of the investigation. But this is an involved case that has a number of team members headed by a person named The Influencer.
Heads up: this book is one of those that is difficult to put down once you start reading!
Reed and Billie are among my most favorite K9 pairings! I absolutely love the relationship that has been developed over this series. The strength of their bond is the foundation to the characters and to the novels themselves.
As always, there is tons of action, lots of character development and non-stop entertainment. Mr. Stevens never gives us too many characters to follow, and he always brings back favorites to help Billie and Reed along the way.
This one was particularly adrenaline inducing, and I had a hard time putting it down! I would love to see Billie do more, but, as always, their bond is such a perfect backdrop for the amazing plots.
It's noon in a French restaurant in downtown Columbus when a gunman opens fire and within seconds 4 people are dead. Detectives Reed Mattox and his canine partner Billie are called to the scene. They set to work to figure out the "who" and "why" this violent crime was committed and who ordered this hit on 4 individuals, seemingly unrelated. If you want to read an adventure that keeps you guessing until the very end, with twists and turns along the way, then this is one book you want to read. The Reed and Billie series is one of my favorite written by Dustin Stevens. I recommend them all.
The Influencer is hidden behind several layers of secrecy that prevent Reed from discovering clues to who ordered assassinations at a local exclusive restaurant and why were they the victims. Reed and Billie work tirelessly to unravel the purposes of murders of the chain perpetrators. Billie’s nose uncovering some surprising clues and Reed’s ability to gain clues from people seemingly unrelated to the case help them weave through the web of deception. It’s suspense and action from the start until the final chapter.
Billie and Reed are back with another fabulous story.
As you are reading this great new Billie & Reed adventure with other known and new characters, keep in mind the title of the book. What is an Influencer and what/whom do they influence? When you are positive you have it figured out, you want to think again. The story will make you laugh, cry, possibly hide your head under the covers and go what the heck how did I miss that. Then you will go Humm and remember what author you are reading.
Looking forward to the next read from the author Dustin Stevens.
Let me start with, I'm a fan. A big one. I love the dog. And the detective is one of those real, good guys. So there's that. Then there's the story and the feeling of being right there with Reed and Billie working through the case.
The Reed and Billie series can be read in order or out, so if you haven't started the series yet, don't let that stop you from grabbing The Influencer right now!
This book had great action, amazing suspense and an ending that took me by surprise! The combination made for fun reading.
It is hard to keep a multibook series fresh and not too character redundant but Steven's seems to pull it off. I loved how he ties current events such as YouTube Influencers into the plot of this story. Great twist at the end when the complete motive to the murders was exposed. I don't see how you can't love the main characters- Reed and Billie. I hope Steven's continues to evolve and expand Reed, Billie, and all other reappearing characters. I look forward to the next book.
The Influencer is another in a long line of Dustin Stevens winners. The Reed and Billie franchise does not disappoint in this latest adventure. An apparent mass shooting in a restaurant, turns into something else entirely and it is up to the Detectives to figure who and why the shooting took place. You will embark on a journey that twists and turns its way to an improbable conclusion. Put yhos book on your wish list immediately!!!
Another can’t put it down page turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat and in suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I love the interaction between Reed and his partner Billie. Billie never ceases to amaze me. Great characters and a fast paced intriguing story that will keep you up at night until it’s solved. This is the 14th book in the series but can be read as a standalone. Great work, Dustin, keep them coming!
Reed and Billie are tasked with solving a highly visible mass murder of 4 Columbus residents. Under pressure from the mayor and governor Reed and Billie work to quickly solve the crime.
The evidence and leads are slim, but through Reed’s persistence and assistance from Billie and other individuals you will find it difficult to put the book down till the crime is solved.
Complex, engaging plot that stretches the reader’s imagination, meticulous and hard driven detective work, self-serving politicians claiming credit, collaboration with a skilled an motivated team, a twisted evil mastermind combined with a relentless pace for a great entertaining read. Last but not least is the loyal, largely seen and not heard, except when needed, Billie who fulfills her job like no other.
A very well-written book with wonderfully-interesting characters. Interesting, pulse-pounding plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Enjoyed every minute of it!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
Wow! Another masterful creation by Dustin Stevens. As the characters are introduced, they are woven together, as Reed’s pace to face the pressures he and Billy are facing, make this another page turner. As you read you try to predict the ‘who done it’ you won’t see this one coming! Another thrilling story!
Reed and Billie are such a great detective team and I've loved every book in the series that I have read so far. It was difficult for them to figure out just who the intended victim was in this murder(s) and once they do and figure out who The Influencer really is was a shock to me!
The influencer by Dustin Stevens features my favorite characters, Reed and his K-9 partner Billie. While Billie consistently steals the scenes, Reed's dry sense of humor perfectly balances the darker tones of this suspenseful story. They form a dynamic K-9 detective team that is without equal making it impossible to put the book down until the very last word.
Couldn't put it down, the pace was exhilarating! From sleazy motel rooms to glass mansions, Reed and Billie stormed through this ugly, complex assignment! Don't miss this latest in the cop/canine combo! Having recently sent my senior furbaby to heaven, I long to give Billie a good back massage, like her great partner does! Good Girl, Super K-9!
I have had the pleasure of reading every Reed and Billie novel, and they just get better and better. This book kept you guessing on who really killed 4 people and why. Both Reed and Billie always find out the truth in the end. Can't wait for next book in this series to come out!
This is the best Reed and Billie ever. The descriptions are bold and eye-opening. Dustin writes beautifully, excitingly, and without a doubt, hard for anyone else to ever come close. A WOW story. If any book deserves 10 Stars, this is it. Superb. Highly Recommended.
Fantastic, read. Dustin has done it again. He sure knows how to weave a story and keep the reader guessing. The Influencer, was a delightful read. Kept me turning the pages and couldn't wait to find out exactly who the influencer was.
Fantastic Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2025 Reed and Billie are back and better than ever. From the beginning it starts off with an innocent call from Reeds mom from there it's race agnest time to solve these seamless murders.
Reed and Billie are on another wild adventure. They are trying to unravel the mystery of a mass shooting. This is the latest installment in a fantastic series but it also reads well as a stand alone.
A great plot with lots of twists and turns makes this a book that is hard to put down.
I've enjoyed all 14 of the books, but this is one of the best if not the best. He's got a formula that he follows which can cause you to want to skip a chapter, but doing so means you will miss some clues. Can't wait for the next one.
So many twists in this thriller, it's head spinning as DS brings the excitement to an explosive climax. Deek's character is becoming more vital in this techno age.