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K-9 Search & Rescue Mysteries #5
The Burning Season: K-9 Search & Rescue Mysteries, Book 5
The Ridgeline Fire is four thousand acres and growing. The Warren Haskell trial begins in one week. And someone just found remains in the burn zone.
Twenty-six years after Brianna Hartley disappeared into the Colorado wilderness, justice is finally within reach. Gemma is set to testify. Vera Hartley-Price, who has attended every legal proceeding in Elk Creek for a quarter century hoping for answers, is finally going to get them. But the mountains have other plans.
When firefighters report human remains in the path of the advancing wildfire, Gemma and Kira are deployed into an active fire zone to confirm and recover before the evidence burns. What they find deep in the Haskell family’s back country is the final piece of a case that was never supposed to be solved.
The trial will happen. The evidence will speak. But Warren Haskell has spent twenty-six years being the most untouchable man in Elk Creek and he didn’t build that protection to abandon it now.
In a season of fire and reckoning, Gemma will finally learn whether the truth is enough. And whether the mountains that kept Brianna’s secret so long are finally ready to let it go.
Perfect for fans of C.J. Box, Dana Stabenow, and Nevada Barr. The Burning Season is the culmination of the cold case arc, emotional, propulsive, and deeply satisfying.
Book 5 of 14. The Brianna Hartley cold case reaches its courtroom reckoning. Start with Book 1: Trail Gone Dark.
Twenty-six years after Brianna Hartley disappeared into the Colorado wilderness, justice is finally within reach. Gemma is set to testify. Vera Hartley-Price, who has attended every legal proceeding in Elk Creek for a quarter century hoping for answers, is finally going to get them. But the mountains have other plans.
When firefighters report human remains in the path of the advancing wildfire, Gemma and Kira are deployed into an active fire zone to confirm and recover before the evidence burns. What they find deep in the Haskell family’s back country is the final piece of a case that was never supposed to be solved.
The trial will happen. The evidence will speak. But Warren Haskell has spent twenty-six years being the most untouchable man in Elk Creek and he didn’t build that protection to abandon it now.
In a season of fire and reckoning, Gemma will finally learn whether the truth is enough. And whether the mountains that kept Brianna’s secret so long are finally ready to let it go.
Perfect for fans of C.J. Box, Dana Stabenow, and Nevada Barr. The Burning Season is the culmination of the cold case arc, emotional, propulsive, and deeply satisfying.
Book 5 of 14. The Brianna Hartley cold case reaches its courtroom reckoning. Start with Book 1: Trail Gone Dark.
- GenresMystery
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 3, 2026
Riveting!
I had to read about this trial after I finished the last book. I didn't read it cover to cover though. I read just the trial. The build up, the evidence presented, then trying to tear it apart. The emotions were riveting and charged. All the characters were detailed and filled out, each one, not just the main actors.
Then came the break in the excitement and suspense. Another case dropped in the middle. So, I thumbed through that and continued with the plot that was building and evolving. When the fire called a halt, I went back and picked up the other case. What a difference in two guilty men. Then I could read the summations and verdict.
Reading, I was so proud of Kira, good dog, best dog. But I worried about the constant remarks about her 8 years ( not 10, that was said in one part) . Her injury is concerning. Will she later be replaced, "put out to pasture" in later books? She is a real hero, reflecting from her handlers quality.
This deserves the five stars. But the editor and proof readers are still letting this fine Author down. Too many mistakes and errors that are real distractions. I have to back track often,still, to see who is saying what.
I had to read about this trial after I finished the last book. I didn't read it cover to cover though. I read just the trial. The build up, the evidence presented, then trying to tear it apart. The emotions were riveting and charged. All the characters were detailed and filled out, each one, not just the main actors.
Then came the break in the excitement and suspense. Another case dropped in the middle. So, I thumbed through that and continued with the plot that was building and evolving. When the fire called a halt, I went back and picked up the other case. What a difference in two guilty men. Then I could read the summations and verdict.
Reading, I was so proud of Kira, good dog, best dog. But I worried about the constant remarks about her 8 years ( not 10, that was said in one part) . Her injury is concerning. Will she later be replaced, "put out to pasture" in later books? She is a real hero, reflecting from her handlers quality.
This deserves the five stars. But the editor and proof readers are still letting this fine Author down. Too many mistakes and errors that are real distractions. I have to back track often,still, to see who is saying what.
April 6, 2026
Gemma, Kira and Marco - what a team
Let Gemma see something that's a little bit off and she's like a dog with a bone. Let Kira sense Gemma's in trouble and she's like a dog with a leg or an arm and you don't want her standing on your back. Jury picked. Time to start the trial. Prosecutor showing evidence, including a tape recording, and character witnesses. The Defense having character witnesses and a sharp mind trying to cause a bit of doubt. In the background is the Pine Ridge fire and a body found in a trench. A fireman that's been missing for 9 years that was lost in a fire when the wind changed. With all that was going on, there's still a happy ending. Great job. Thank you!
Let Gemma see something that's a little bit off and she's like a dog with a bone. Let Kira sense Gemma's in trouble and she's like a dog with a leg or an arm and you don't want her standing on your back. Jury picked. Time to start the trial. Prosecutor showing evidence, including a tape recording, and character witnesses. The Defense having character witnesses and a sharp mind trying to cause a bit of doubt. In the background is the Pine Ridge fire and a body found in a trench. A fireman that's been missing for 9 years that was lost in a fire when the wind changed. With all that was going on, there's still a happy ending. Great job. Thank you!
April 26, 2026
Poor Editing
The fifth book in the series contained a climax to a key crime investigation from all of the earlier books. Sadly, numerous typos and errors distracted from the plot. For example, in Chapter 8 Rosa Arriaga was described as having a trace of accent after living in Colorado for 60 years, yet she later said she had lived in Elk Creek for all of her 88 years. In chapter 21, Kira was described as both 9 and 10 years old. Sophie Lyon is a talented writer who deserves better editing.
The fifth book in the series contained a climax to a key crime investigation from all of the earlier books. Sadly, numerous typos and errors distracted from the plot. For example, in Chapter 8 Rosa Arriaga was described as having a trace of accent after living in Colorado for 60 years, yet she later said she had lived in Elk Creek for all of her 88 years. In chapter 21, Kira was described as both 9 and 10 years old. Sophie Lyon is a talented writer who deserves better editing.
July 9, 2026
wonderful refreshing reading of dog and human relations.
I have cried so much and lost so much sleep over the great and sad moments in this book. It is truly an amazing story of the love and commitment of a woman and her dog for each other and the way they work together to find peace and happiness from previous experiences.
Solving three murder mysteries and finding herself a love is so exciting I couldn't go to sleep before two and three am. If you are a dog person you must read this book.
I have cried so much and lost so much sleep over the great and sad moments in this book. It is truly an amazing story of the love and commitment of a woman and her dog for each other and the way they work together to find peace and happiness from previous experiences.
Solving three murder mysteries and finding herself a love is so exciting I couldn't go to sleep before two and three am. If you are a dog person you must read this book.
March 7, 2026
Great story
I loved this book, the excitement of the trial and the fire. Wondering if the fire would win or turn.
However there were several errors throughout the book. Kira’s age has gone from 7 to 10 before settling at 8. Gemma answers questions that aren’t directed to her. Kira is described as both a german shepherd and a Belgian Malinois. She can’t be both.
I love your books but the errors sometimes makes it hard to follow.
I loved this book, the excitement of the trial and the fire. Wondering if the fire would win or turn.
However there were several errors throughout the book. Kira’s age has gone from 7 to 10 before settling at 8. Gemma answers questions that aren’t directed to her. Kira is described as both a german shepherd and a Belgian Malinois. She can’t be both.
I love your books but the errors sometimes makes it hard to follow.
June 13, 2026
K-9 Search & Rescue #5
Once the fire started the air never felt clear. The heat and the flames pushed through heading towards the town. At the same time townsfolk gathered for the court hearing of the wealthy man who gave funds to many things but was evil when it came to women and what he might do. Gemma is a witness to both. She and Kira held the line and would not let go. Another great book in the series.
Once the fire started the air never felt clear. The heat and the flames pushed through heading towards the town. At the same time townsfolk gathered for the court hearing of the wealthy man who gave funds to many things but was evil when it came to women and what he might do. Gemma is a witness to both. She and Kira held the line and would not let go. Another great book in the series.
September 1, 2026
Fire's are scary and then everything else in this story too
So this time the town faces a crazy forest fire. These are the kind that destroy everything in its path. But there is also the trial going on. So let's add another murder mystery to solve. Fun. So the sad news is the puppy is getting older and now shows it more. But we get a really nice happy dance; it's a ring on her finger!!
So this time the town faces a crazy forest fire. These are the kind that destroy everything in its path. But there is also the trial going on. So let's add another murder mystery to solve. Fun. So the sad news is the puppy is getting older and now shows it more. But we get a really nice happy dance; it's a ring on her finger!!
June 12, 2026
doesn’t anyone proofread anymore?
I have enjoyed reading all of this series by Sophie Lyon however when I have to go back pages to reread due to errors in the timeline or glitches in the story it makes for an unsatisfying read. The series is easy to read and fairly predictable but entertaining nonetheless.
I have enjoyed reading all of this series by Sophie Lyon however when I have to go back pages to reread due to errors in the timeline or glitches in the story it makes for an unsatisfying read. The series is easy to read and fairly predictable but entertaining nonetheless.
August 2, 2026
that’s a wrap!
I was at the gym reading the end of this or I would have cried at least twice. There were a lot of real moments captured in this book about the people who had carried some guilt about the unsolved mystery of Brianna Hattley. This book reminds that forgiveness of self is also part of grief and healing
I was at the gym reading the end of this or I would have cried at least twice. There were a lot of real moments captured in this book about the people who had carried some guilt about the unsolved mystery of Brianna Hattley. This book reminds that forgiveness of self is also part of grief and healing
March 6, 2026
Needs proofreading.
Character confusion. Courtroom confusion. Very hard to follow due to confusion. I was very disappointed in this book. The story was great but hard to keep with who said what to who.
Character confusion. Courtroom confusion. Very hard to follow due to confusion. I was very disappointed in this book. The story was great but hard to keep with who said what to who.
March 8, 2026
To get to 5 stars
I disliked all the errors in the book, they keep repeating throughout each book. The author should have someone proof read her books before publishing. It was the author copied and pasted the same mistakes over and over.
I disliked all the errors in the book, they keep repeating throughout each book. The author should have someone proof read her books before publishing. It was the author copied and pasted the same mistakes over and over.
March 10, 2026
Poor editing
I like the story line. I didn't like the editing errors . There were instances where the wrong person said something, or the amount of time or the year was wrong. These mistakes in editing make it a difficult read.
I like the story line. I didn't like the editing errors . There were instances where the wrong person said something, or the amount of time or the year was wrong. These mistakes in editing make it a difficult read.
March 24, 2026
Good story but needs better editing.
This is a good series that incorporates search and rescue with mysteries and small town drama. There are inconsistencies, some misspellings and editing errors that distract from the plot.
This is a good series that incorporates search and rescue with mysteries and small town drama. There are inconsistencies, some misspellings and editing errors that distract from the plot.
March 25, 2026
Endingd
This, the fifth book of the series, helps bring things to an end. The trial that ends a 25 year mystery. Another murderer caught and afire that affects the trial and endangers their town.
This, the fifth book of the series, helps bring things to an end. The trial that ends a 25 year mystery. Another murderer caught and afire that affects the trial and endangers their town.
April 19, 2026
Editing
The story was excellent, as it has been through the series.
But the editing is less than stellar. More attention needs to be paid to those details.
On to the next installment!
The story was excellent, as it has been through the series.
But the editing is less than stellar. More attention needs to be paid to those details.
On to the next installment!
June 1, 2026
Yes, Finally!
Finally Brianna Hartley has justice and can rest in peace wherever her sister Vera puts her to rest. Definitely not in an old abandoned silver mine. Warren Haskell will become very familiar with the prison system.
Yes!, she said yes to his proposal!!!
Finally Brianna Hartley has justice and can rest in peace wherever her sister Vera puts her to rest. Definitely not in an old abandoned silver mine. Warren Haskell will become very familiar with the prison system.
Yes!, she said yes to his proposal!!!
June 29, 2026
The trial and new investigation.
This book has moments you don't expect. Shows a community come together during a spreading fire and has you getting to know the characters and appreciate the closeness a community can have. Ms Lyon writes great books hard to put down.
This book has moments you don't expect. Shows a community come together during a spreading fire and has you getting to know the characters and appreciate the closeness a community can have. Ms Lyon writes great books hard to put down.
July 13, 2026
gmma and. Kira
These are such good books can't wait till the next one,love the way Emma looks out for her dog ,and the way she goes after the bad guys,it feels like I am right there with her,keep writing,can't wait to start next one
These are such good books can't wait till the next one,love the way Emma looks out for her dog ,and the way she goes after the bad guys,it feels like I am right there with her,keep writing,can't wait to start next one
July 31, 2026
Absolutely outstanding!
Wow!! I had so many questions, and assumptions. I had so many guesses and hopes! All of these were satisfied in this book. Justice remained a thing. And, love prevailed! A definite read for everyone!
Wow!! I had so many questions, and assumptions. I had so many guesses and hopes! All of these were satisfied in this book. Justice remained a thing. And, love prevailed! A definite read for everyone!
August 15, 2026
Enjoyable
Enjoyable reading but annoying parts. Kira the dog is eight then she is ten then eight again. Silly facts throughout that could be checked. Repeated half sentences. Does no one proof read.
Enjoyable reading but annoying parts. Kira the dog is eight then she is ten then eight again. Silly facts throughout that could be checked. Repeated half sentences. Does no one proof read.
March 3, 2026
The Burning Season
Nice climax. Please please do a better job of editing. The stories are nice but the lack of editing is irritating. I hope the next story will be better.
Nice climax. Please please do a better job of editing. The stories are nice but the lack of editing is irritating. I hope the next story will be better.
March 12, 2026
Good story
But..its obvious the writer doesn't know how trials are run. Also, multiple errors in which character was speaking and when. Love Kira!
But..its obvious the writer doesn't know how trials are run. Also, multiple errors in which character was speaking and when. Love Kira!
March 18, 2026
Reads like a first draft.
Story line is inconsistent. Facts and time lines constantly changing. Author needs to reread her books before submission. Proofreading required.
Story line is inconsistent. Facts and time lines constantly changing. Author needs to reread her books before submission. Proofreading required.
April 19, 2026
Maybe the best of the series!
Wow what a story this one was! So many things happening at once and then wrapping up with a beautiful ending! Well done!
Wow what a story this one was! So many things happening at once and then wrapping up with a beautiful ending! Well done!
April 22, 2026
Book 5
Loved all the different parts running at the same time.Confusing without being confused.Relationships with different people really good.Ready for the next one.
Loved all the different parts running at the same time.Confusing without being confused.Relationships with different people really good.Ready for the next one.
April 26, 2026
A new beginning and mysteries to unravel with a promised ending.
A very good story that kept me up late reading and picked up again to read more in the morning.
A very good story that kept me up late reading and picked up again to read more in the morning.
May 1, 2026
Seasons by Sophie Lynn
I loved all 5 of the K-9 Search and Rescue Mysteries. Kept me up at night and I found myself reading it until I was done. Thank you Sophie Lynn.
I loved all 5 of the K-9 Search and Rescue Mysteries. Kept me up at night and I found myself reading it until I was done. Thank you Sophie Lynn.
May 3, 2026
With each book this series gets more intense. My heart was in my stomach during the trial. The fire was almost a relief. Keep up the great writing!
May 23, 2026
My go to read.
These stories are clean and a enjoyable read. Love the characters, the community and of course Kira. On to book 6 and the next adventure.
These stories are clean and a enjoyable read. Love the characters, the community and of course Kira. On to book 6 and the next adventure.
June 1, 2026
Who will the town believe?
Another great story.Full of action and suspense. A story of a k(9 and her handler. Stories of killers hiding in plain site.
Another great story.Full of action and suspense. A story of a k(9 and her handler. Stories of killers hiding in plain site.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews