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K-9 Search & Rescue Mysteries #3
What She Knew: K-9 Search & Rescue Mysteries, Book 3
She kept the secret for twenty-five years. Tonight, she’s going to tell it.
Mud season in Elk Creek strips things bare. The snow retreats, the trails reopen, and the past resurfaces — sometimes violently. When Dot Chambers, the former hostel manager who signed in every thru-hiker who came through Elk Creek in 1998, is found attacked in her kitchen the night before she planned to speak to investigators, Gemma understands the stakes have changed.
Dot saw Brianna Hartley the night she disappeared. She saw the man who came for her. And she saw them leave together — Brianna walking into the darkness with someone who wasn’t the boyfriend everyone blamed. What she knew could break open a twenty-five-year-old cold case and expose the real killer who has been living among them all along.
With Dot fighting for her life and her testimony in jeopardy, Gemma and Marco race to piece together what happened that summer night in 1998. But Elk Creek is a town built on loyalty and silence, and the people who know the most are also the people with the most to lose.
Old alliances are shattering. New dangers are emerging. And the thaw is revealing everything the town tried to keep frozen.
Perfect for fans of Margaret Mizushima, Jenn McKinlay, and Nevada Barr. What She Knew is the book where the cold case finally begins to crack open.
Book 3 of 14. The cold case builds toward its first break. Start with Book 1: Trail Gone Dark
Mud season in Elk Creek strips things bare. The snow retreats, the trails reopen, and the past resurfaces — sometimes violently. When Dot Chambers, the former hostel manager who signed in every thru-hiker who came through Elk Creek in 1998, is found attacked in her kitchen the night before she planned to speak to investigators, Gemma understands the stakes have changed.
Dot saw Brianna Hartley the night she disappeared. She saw the man who came for her. And she saw them leave together — Brianna walking into the darkness with someone who wasn’t the boyfriend everyone blamed. What she knew could break open a twenty-five-year-old cold case and expose the real killer who has been living among them all along.
With Dot fighting for her life and her testimony in jeopardy, Gemma and Marco race to piece together what happened that summer night in 1998. But Elk Creek is a town built on loyalty and silence, and the people who know the most are also the people with the most to lose.
Old alliances are shattering. New dangers are emerging. And the thaw is revealing everything the town tried to keep frozen.
Perfect for fans of Margaret Mizushima, Jenn McKinlay, and Nevada Barr. What She Knew is the book where the cold case finally begins to crack open.
Book 3 of 14. The cold case builds toward its first break. Start with Book 1: Trail Gone Dark
- GenresMystery
385 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 1, 2026
What She Knew
The story was very good. I like the characters. However it needs better editing. Mixing up who is speaking, unfinished sentences. Chapters need to be in better time line, not mixed up.
The story was very good. I like the characters. However it needs better editing. Mixing up who is speaking, unfinished sentences. Chapters need to be in better time line, not mixed up.
May 29, 2026
too repetitive
I read both Book 2 and 3. Not only were there times when paragraphs were repeated (editing issues) but there are plenty of mistakes. Example: favorite place in Mae’s Cafe is the second booth by the window but another time it states a stool at the counter. I found that often the author almost completely wrote the same scene in both books word for word. Ms. Lyon needs a more qualified editor.
I read both Book 2 and 3. Not only were there times when paragraphs were repeated (editing issues) but there are plenty of mistakes. Example: favorite place in Mae’s Cafe is the second booth by the window but another time it states a stool at the counter. I found that often the author almost completely wrote the same scene in both books word for word. Ms. Lyon needs a more qualified editor.
February 8, 2026
Good stories, confusing series
Each book in this series has been a good stand alone book. But as a series it's been confusing. And all of them could have used better editing. Details wrong, contradictory info between books, unnecessary repeats. I read all 3 books in a row...might have been easier if I'd had a bit of space between each one. No surprise endings. Not much mystery. But interesting characters.
Each book in this series has been a good stand alone book. But as a series it's been confusing. And all of them could have used better editing. Details wrong, contradictory info between books, unnecessary repeats. I read all 3 books in a row...might have been easier if I'd had a bit of space between each one. No surprise endings. Not much mystery. But interesting characters.
June 19, 2026
A good Story
The plot thickens, the personal stories build.
What comes next?
So, why always only 3 stars? These books need better proof readers and editing. They are sometimes difficult to tell what is meant, just by missed proper words or spelling. The speech layout can be confusing. Not every short sentence needs to be a paragraph.
This reads like an AI generated book. Facts are repeated, verbatim, over and over and over. Some reminders are helpful. But every chapter?
The scenery disciption is very well written. You can feel the beauty of the mountains and valley. Being told what a persons eyes or look is telling is helpful. The characters are real and meaningful. It's about time, Gemma and Marco! Rosa knew all along.
Now, how are we going to get Warren Haskell to pay the piper?
The plot thickens, the personal stories build.
What comes next?
So, why always only 3 stars? These books need better proof readers and editing. They are sometimes difficult to tell what is meant, just by missed proper words or spelling. The speech layout can be confusing. Not every short sentence needs to be a paragraph.
This reads like an AI generated book. Facts are repeated, verbatim, over and over and over. Some reminders are helpful. But every chapter?
The scenery disciption is very well written. You can feel the beauty of the mountains and valley. Being told what a persons eyes or look is telling is helpful. The characters are real and meaningful. It's about time, Gemma and Marco! Rosa knew all along.
Now, how are we going to get Warren Haskell to pay the piper?
August 2, 2026
Good story, good characters but….
…this book shows many characteristics of having been written by AI.
This is not necessarily a bad thing - if the author had done a thorough proofreading and dealt with the following issues.
- The conversations include no contractions. Not normal in ordinary dialog between humans.
- Many paragraphs are repeated exactly in different chapters.
- The time sequencing is off in critical sections in the book. Things happening for “the first” time early in the book and then again later on.
The above are quite annoying and almost impossible to ignore while reading this book. I hope such content issues will have been corrected in future books - because while Ms Lyon is a good-enough story teller, she is not so great that I’m willing to put up with these structural issues in the future.
…this book shows many characteristics of having been written by AI.
This is not necessarily a bad thing - if the author had done a thorough proofreading and dealt with the following issues.
- The conversations include no contractions. Not normal in ordinary dialog between humans.
- Many paragraphs are repeated exactly in different chapters.
- The time sequencing is off in critical sections in the book. Things happening for “the first” time early in the book and then again later on.
The above are quite annoying and almost impossible to ignore while reading this book. I hope such content issues will have been corrected in future books - because while Ms Lyon is a good-enough story teller, she is not so great that I’m willing to put up with these structural issues in the future.
June 4, 2026
I attempted to listen to this because it was available on Audible for free. The "Virtual Voice" label had me curious and the description suggested it would appeal to Nevada Barr fans so I hoped to add the series to my list. The narration was so monotonous I kept wandering away from my phone and missing parts. The AI mispronounced so many words and had no concept of actual speech patterns to the point where I was so distracted by errors I stopped paying attention to the story. The publisher may have saved money on voice talent but they lost any chance of future purchases from me. Too bad for the author.
February 6, 2026
This series is good, but the author can be very redundant. Almost as if she wrote the first book, then 2 years later wrote the next book, without remembering or rereading the previous book. Jemma repeats herself and obsesses about a suspect with no evidence, repeatedly, in all 3 books so far. I think these could be better with less redundancy and a stronger plot. Witnesses keep important information secret, but the information is not that helpful, it seems this area of the plot could have been stronger. I am dropping the series at this point.
October 24, 2026
What She Knew by Sophie Lyon
Gemma and Kiera have started settling in for another winter in the Colorado Mountains. She is beginning to make friends as the town of Elk Creek beginning to trust her due to her SAR efforts. Two recent cold cases solved! Time now to try to solve the twenty-five year old cold case! There is a lot going on in this little mountain town,a lot of secrets and lies. Mystery is beckoning and Gemma and Kiera are ready to search! I give it five stars because I enjoy this series so much. Hope you will give this series a try. You won't be disappointed!
Gemma and Kiera have started settling in for another winter in the Colorado Mountains. She is beginning to make friends as the town of Elk Creek beginning to trust her due to her SAR efforts. Two recent cold cases solved! Time now to try to solve the twenty-five year old cold case! There is a lot going on in this little mountain town,a lot of secrets and lies. Mystery is beckoning and Gemma and Kiera are ready to search! I give it five stars because I enjoy this series so much. Hope you will give this series a try. You won't be disappointed!
June 5, 2026
Get an editor!
Beyond repetitive. I found myself mouthing the dialogue beforehand. This book, all the books in this series, are painful. I stuck it through to the third to discover the cold case killer. Thankfully he was revealed. I can't endure another book to read the outcome. Is he caught? Will he stand trial? Who cares? Not I. This author will spend the next ELEVEN books explaining in eleven million ways how it all played out, over and over and over. 😑
Beyond repetitive. I found myself mouthing the dialogue beforehand. This book, all the books in this series, are painful. I stuck it through to the third to discover the cold case killer. Thankfully he was revealed. I can't endure another book to read the outcome. Is he caught? Will he stand trial? Who cares? Not I. This author will spend the next ELEVEN books explaining in eleven million ways how it all played out, over and over and over. 😑
July 22, 2026
loving too hard
This series has been about untangling secrets and this book was know different. The pace of this book is methodical or procedural but with respect to getting it right. Anyone who has dealt with law enforcement knows nothing goes fast or bad expected. I don’t know if the real life law enforcement personnel get this personal in cases but this is a small town where everyone knows everybody’s everything! Even Warren Haskell.
This series has been about untangling secrets and this book was know different. The pace of this book is methodical or procedural but with respect to getting it right. Anyone who has dealt with law enforcement knows nothing goes fast or bad expected. I don’t know if the real life law enforcement personnel get this personal in cases but this is a small town where everyone knows everybody’s everything! Even Warren Haskell.
April 14, 2026
Getting to the Truth
The overall plot is good but again the author’s narrative has too much repetition, the facts, the insights, the clues. This book could have and should have been told in half the space. It is also a bit unusual that a former paramedic and now a search and rescue person is so involved in solving these cases.
The overall plot is good but again the author’s narrative has too much repetition, the facts, the insights, the clues. This book could have and should have been told in half the space. It is also a bit unusual that a former paramedic and now a search and rescue person is so involved in solving these cases.
April 16, 2026
Abysmal
I ended up skimming this one. Gave the series my best shot hoping the writing would improve, but it did not. Repetition of the same things just made the book longer and more boring. The actual meat could have been covered in a handful of chapters. The author uses repetition as filler. It is written for an eight year old.
I ended up skimming this one. Gave the series my best shot hoping the writing would improve, but it did not. Repetition of the same things just made the book longer and more boring. The actual meat could have been covered in a handful of chapters. The author uses repetition as filler. It is written for an eight year old.
May 24, 2026
Another good book
I’m definitely enjoying this series of books by Sophie Lyon. They’re easy reading with just enough mystery to keep me looking forward to continuing. I’m glad that I took a chance and picked up a book of hers. So far they are interesting stories that make me think and not a foolish romance novel. I hope they continue this way.
I’m definitely enjoying this series of books by Sophie Lyon. They’re easy reading with just enough mystery to keep me looking forward to continuing. I’m glad that I took a chance and picked up a book of hers. So far they are interesting stories that make me think and not a foolish romance novel. I hope they continue this way.
May 26, 2026
Lots of repetition
The storyline is really good. Its a unique mystery. The weakness comes from repeating same clues and threads not just once or twice but multiple times. I finally just skipped to the last few pages. Great story idea, great characters. A short story is better than the Gordon of repetition.
The storyline is really good. Its a unique mystery. The weakness comes from repeating same clues and threads not just once or twice but multiple times. I finally just skipped to the last few pages. Great story idea, great characters. A short story is better than the Gordon of repetition.
July 1, 2026
It seems odd that Gemma is a better detective than
Marco. The plot is still interesting and it unfurls smoothly. The characters are interesting and growing. Continuity is still a blemish on this novel, as is repetition. I was beginning to wonder if the editor returned the copy with advice to double the word count, in any way possible.
Marco. The plot is still interesting and it unfurls smoothly. The characters are interesting and growing. Continuity is still a blemish on this novel, as is repetition. I was beginning to wonder if the editor returned the copy with advice to double the word count, in any way possible.
August 3, 2026
What She Knew
Sophie Lyon did it again. She is a great storyteller who can put you in the middle of the action with her words. Her love of animals shines through with her treatment of Kari and her abilities. Lyon still repeats throughout her book but I can’t hold this against her. The story, the characters and the action add up to a fun to read cozy mystery.
Sophie Lyon did it again. She is a great storyteller who can put you in the middle of the action with her words. Her love of animals shines through with her treatment of Kari and her abilities. Lyon still repeats throughout her book but I can’t hold this against her. The story, the characters and the action add up to a fun to read cozy mystery.
August 19, 2026
Do you really know the truth
This time you got a journey into how to find the truth. And then you could feel the way the person did after finding out his version of the story wasn't right. Oops. But there's still the old case to be worked on to. And the relationship between them is getting closer!
This time you got a journey into how to find the truth. And then you could feel the way the person did after finding out his version of the story wasn't right. Oops. But there's still the old case to be worked on to. And the relationship between them is getting closer!
August 23, 2026
Great premise to these books. This one, the third that I have read in the serie, seemed to be too repetitive. The middle of the book didn’t go anywhere just repeated over again. I am going to read the fourth book in the series and hope for a bit more action. Four stars- for now. I still recommend the series if you like mountains, dogs, and mysteries!
September 26, 2026
Super read
Started this series and can't stop reading these books, binge reading! These are read before going to sleep books, not so violent that you are too amped to sleep, which would describe my last binge series but I did read them all with passion, these books are just wonderful and addictive, thanks a million!
April
Started this series and can't stop reading these books, binge reading! These are read before going to sleep books, not so violent that you are too amped to sleep, which would describe my last binge series but I did read them all with passion, these books are just wonderful and addictive, thanks a million!
April
October 4, 2026
the editing gets worse
I am beginning to think these books are AI written. This one didn’t have enough dog presence to overcome the lack of editing. I’ll not try the next book. It’s too bad- the series started strong. Good characters. Interesting plot lines, only the poor editing in the last quarter. But each following book got worse.
I am beginning to think these books are AI written. This one didn’t have enough dog presence to overcome the lack of editing. I’ll not try the next book. It’s too bad- the series started strong. Good characters. Interesting plot lines, only the poor editing in the last quarter. But each following book got worse.
March 7, 2026
I find this author a tough read.Loved premise of story,,editing was tough.I found no continuity.charaters introduced in previous books were re introduced as new,entire chapters going over the same information.Loved the characters,just found myself skimming over pages and pages of repeated info
March 15, 2026
Good stories
I have read 3 of your books. Do you have a proofreader? You lose continuity between books and repeat yourself so much it makes for a frustrating read.
I do like your style and your messages, but you need someone to prop and edit your work.
I have read 3 of your books. Do you have a proofreader? You lose continuity between books and repeat yourself so much it makes for a frustrating read.
I do like your style and your messages, but you need someone to prop and edit your work.
March 18, 2026
Crime Solving Dog
I loved the showing of the dog's intelligence. Many people do not recognize how smart dogs can be. But how smart pairing a dog with a human brings all kinds of knowledge.
I loved the showing of the dog's intelligence. Many people do not recognize how smart dogs can be. But how smart pairing a dog with a human brings all kinds of knowledge.
May 11, 2026
Best Mystery Series!
Crazy thrill ride! You won't be able to put this book down. Suspense, emotional and heartfelt.
It amazes me how people keep secrets that cause decades of pain and heart ache.
Sophie Lyon, is a brilliant writer!
Crazy thrill ride! You won't be able to put this book down. Suspense, emotional and heartfelt.
It amazes me how people keep secrets that cause decades of pain and heart ache.
Sophie Lyon, is a brilliant writer!
May 31, 2026
Deep Mystery
I enjoy reoccurring characters and how their lives evolve, I want to know the next secret! The beautiful way the mountains of Colorado are described take me back to time spent there! Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I enjoy reoccurring characters and how their lives evolve, I want to know the next secret! The beautiful way the mountains of Colorado are described take me back to time spent there! Looking forward to the next book in the series.
July 9, 2026
I guessed correctly!!
This is Avery good read!! So many people, so many problems. They seemed to stay silent forever. The way the characters handled situations, makes it vert hard to put this book down ! Very well done!!
This is Avery good read!! So many people, so many problems. They seemed to stay silent forever. The way the characters handled situations, makes it vert hard to put this book down ! Very well done!!
August 5, 2026
Gems is beginning to let her past rest and live life to the fullest
With Gem a and Marco working together hopefully they will be able to settle some of the mysteries from the past.a Great read
With Gem a and Marco working together hopefully they will be able to settle some of the mysteries from the past.a Great read
September 11, 2026
Great characters, good books bad efiting
This is the third book I've read in the series. I really like the characters & the storyline. However, the poor editing makes them hard to read.
This is the third book I've read in the series. I really like the characters & the storyline. However, the poor editing makes them hard to read.
September 18, 2026
So much repetition
I forgot why I had not continued this series...now I remember she repeats the same things so many times it becomes annoying. Whoever edits for her needs a different job. Not a series I recommend.
I forgot why I had not continued this series...now I remember she repeats the same things so many times it becomes annoying. Whoever edits for her needs a different job. Not a series I recommend.
September 20, 2026
Long winding tail
The premise of the book is solid. The Author does tend to repeat details way too much. Over all it is read you can start put down come back to and not have to reread anything to get back up to speed.
The premise of the book is solid. The Author does tend to repeat details way too much. Over all it is read you can start put down come back to and not have to reread anything to get back up to speed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews