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K-9 Search & Rescue Mysteries #11
The Good Man: K-9 Search & Rescue Mysteries, Book 11
A fifty-seven-year-old secret. A dying dog. And the question that connects What makes a life good?
When bones surface at a historic Elk Creek homestead, Gemma finds herself investigating a 1968 disappearance while navigating the most personal loss of her life. Harold, an eighty-year-old widower, knows what happened to Tommy Brixton. He's kept the secret for fifty-seven years. And the reason why will break your heart. Meanwhile, Kira is living her last good months.
THE GOOD MAN is the book readers have been dreading and desperate for. Kira's death scene has been called 'the most devastating chapter in modern mystery fiction.' For readers of Fredrik Backman and Kent Haruf who also love a good mystery.
Experience the book readers say 'changed how they think about dogs, grief, and what it means to live well.' Scroll up and click Buy Now
When bones surface at a historic Elk Creek homestead, Gemma finds herself investigating a 1968 disappearance while navigating the most personal loss of her life. Harold, an eighty-year-old widower, knows what happened to Tommy Brixton. He's kept the secret for fifty-seven years. And the reason why will break your heart. Meanwhile, Kira is living her last good months.
THE GOOD MAN is the book readers have been dreading and desperate for. Kira's death scene has been called 'the most devastating chapter in modern mystery fiction.' For readers of Fredrik Backman and Kent Haruf who also love a good mystery.
Experience the book readers say 'changed how they think about dogs, grief, and what it means to live well.' Scroll up and click Buy Now
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 1, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this series with Gemma, Kira, Marco & the rest of the characters.
I literally balled the last 5/6 chapters.
On a separate note, whomever or whatever is doing the proofreading needs to up their game.
In the last few chapters they called Rosa - Marcos mother instead of grandmother a few times & there were errors on Scout...referred to as he instead of she. I noticed this in a previous book during the trial. I had to collect the "train of thought" & make sure I understood which character they were talking about.
I literally balled the last 5/6 chapters.
On a separate note, whomever or whatever is doing the proofreading needs to up their game.
In the last few chapters they called Rosa - Marcos mother instead of grandmother a few times & there were errors on Scout...referred to as he instead of she. I noticed this in a previous book during the trial. I had to collect the "train of thought" & make sure I understood which character they were talking about.
August 17, 2026
Ms Lyon tells good stories
I have been reading the Search and Rescue series books by Sophie Lyon, from the beginning. Her writing has gotten much better over time and she does a better-than-average job of evoking a scene and reflecting on the emotional truth of the characters.
Earlier on, she struggled with some of the technical components of telling stories - but, in this book, they have largely disappeared.
But there are two problematic categories that still remain that I want to point out.
The less worrying reflect speech patterns of young people (primarily women, I’m sorry to say) who use words like “thousands” “hundreds” and maybe even once, “tens of thousands” in the context of having done or said something many times. As in “She had worn that dress a thousand times…” when clearly the numerical reference is not a literal representation of behavior.
The reason I don’t like this practice is because a) she uses it quite frequently and b) it is sloppy and unsophisticated.
I’d be happy if someone were to eliminate all of these. They are not germane to the story.
The other concern of mine is not only difficult to understand why it happens but may be indicative of some intellectual lapse on the part of the author - or even some other issue.
The problem is that the author writes something that is not at all consistent with the timing of events that she has presented in earlier parts of the series.
For example, did Gemma arrive in Elk Creek with a two year old Kira, live there two more years before Kira dies at age 10? Not possible.
If Kira and Gemma arrived in Elk Creek when Kira was 8 - and already had years of S&R behind them in Minnesota, how was it that all of Kira’s human rescues could be plotted on a map of the Colorado Rockies. Not possible.
And these are just two instances. They happen many time in every book. (I’m tempted to write “hundreds” of times - but I won’t. This is not something to joke about.)
How can an author “forget” key elements of when things she describes in her books happened? Is this forgetfulness or some mental glitch about the sequence of events - or are there many people contributing various pieces to various books? I know it’s not AI - because AI simply cannot make mistakes like these.
Whatever it is, in my opinion, it is serious enough that each book up to this point in time needs correcting so that the time line of events is consistent across all parts of every book.
I don’t know how many other readers agree that this is a VERY serious and worrying problem with at least the first eleven books in this series. Count on me to post whether it continues in subsequent books as well.
One other troubling but largely sloppy series of mistakes occurred at least in book 10 if not before. It is that Scout was sometimes designated “he” and sometimes “her”. And often in the same chapter, page, and paragraph. I assume sloppy proofreading or mental glitches - but not at all acceptable in a high quality publication.
The above-referenced issues with Ms Lyons books frustrate me enormously. One reason is that I notice such things is that they interfere with my enjoyment of the books. The other is that these problems are barriers to these books attaining the stature they deserve. No book gets a “5” rating from me that has these problems. I feel that I’m somewhat overrating this one by giving it a 3.
I have been reading the Search and Rescue series books by Sophie Lyon, from the beginning. Her writing has gotten much better over time and she does a better-than-average job of evoking a scene and reflecting on the emotional truth of the characters.
Earlier on, she struggled with some of the technical components of telling stories - but, in this book, they have largely disappeared.
But there are two problematic categories that still remain that I want to point out.
The less worrying reflect speech patterns of young people (primarily women, I’m sorry to say) who use words like “thousands” “hundreds” and maybe even once, “tens of thousands” in the context of having done or said something many times. As in “She had worn that dress a thousand times…” when clearly the numerical reference is not a literal representation of behavior.
The reason I don’t like this practice is because a) she uses it quite frequently and b) it is sloppy and unsophisticated.
I’d be happy if someone were to eliminate all of these. They are not germane to the story.
The other concern of mine is not only difficult to understand why it happens but may be indicative of some intellectual lapse on the part of the author - or even some other issue.
The problem is that the author writes something that is not at all consistent with the timing of events that she has presented in earlier parts of the series.
For example, did Gemma arrive in Elk Creek with a two year old Kira, live there two more years before Kira dies at age 10? Not possible.
If Kira and Gemma arrived in Elk Creek when Kira was 8 - and already had years of S&R behind them in Minnesota, how was it that all of Kira’s human rescues could be plotted on a map of the Colorado Rockies. Not possible.
And these are just two instances. They happen many time in every book. (I’m tempted to write “hundreds” of times - but I won’t. This is not something to joke about.)
How can an author “forget” key elements of when things she describes in her books happened? Is this forgetfulness or some mental glitch about the sequence of events - or are there many people contributing various pieces to various books? I know it’s not AI - because AI simply cannot make mistakes like these.
Whatever it is, in my opinion, it is serious enough that each book up to this point in time needs correcting so that the time line of events is consistent across all parts of every book.
I don’t know how many other readers agree that this is a VERY serious and worrying problem with at least the first eleven books in this series. Count on me to post whether it continues in subsequent books as well.
One other troubling but largely sloppy series of mistakes occurred at least in book 10 if not before. It is that Scout was sometimes designated “he” and sometimes “her”. And often in the same chapter, page, and paragraph. I assume sloppy proofreading or mental glitches - but not at all acceptable in a high quality publication.
The above-referenced issues with Ms Lyons books frustrate me enormously. One reason is that I notice such things is that they interfere with my enjoyment of the books. The other is that these problems are barriers to these books attaining the stature they deserve. No book gets a “5” rating from me that has these problems. I feel that I’m somewhat overrating this one by giving it a 3.
July 3, 2026
Grab a box of kleenex
Sophie Lyon final novel about Gemma and Life's work together as handler and dog comes to a close. No.surprise as the preceding led us to this final search. It's touching and poignant delve into the last chapter of their relationship is honest and heart-rending. The new job of motherhood lifts the reader from some of sadness. The entire series is definitely worth the read ; Sophie Lyon at her best.
Sophie Lyon final novel about Gemma and Life's work together as handler and dog comes to a close. No.surprise as the preceding led us to this final search. It's touching and poignant delve into the last chapter of their relationship is honest and heart-rending. The new job of motherhood lifts the reader from some of sadness. The entire series is definitely worth the read ; Sophie Lyon at her best.
July 10, 2026
In #11 we find big issues behind the human bones found during the re-construction of the elementary school. On the other side of the spectrum readers must say goodbye to Kira. She is an old dog whose body has worn out. It is time to cross the rainbow bridge. Her family struggles to say goodbye as do readers. Any one of us who has lost a beloved pet will find themselves crying at her passing. Lyon has done an excellent job in writing this episode. Be prepared to let your emotions flow.
July 19, 2026
An important part of the series
This book was just as enjoyable as the rest. It has some important changes happening to the characters, so it’s an important book in this series. It also contains dual elements, rather like two books in one, but occurring at the same time. I liked that. I also still think these books are better read in the order they were written. Possibly just my own personal opinion.
This book was just as enjoyable as the rest. It has some important changes happening to the characters, so it’s an important book in this series. It also contains dual elements, rather like two books in one, but occurring at the same time. I liked that. I also still think these books are better read in the order they were written. Possibly just my own personal opinion.
August 16, 2026
So Many Emotions
Written with drama, I kept thinking poetry but it's not a poem, rhythmic metre maybe. The turning over and over of someone's inner thoughts. Starts with a body being dug up by a construction crew in the school parking lot. The original work being played in 1968. The baby is growing, Kira is slowing down. And now a cold case. This is one of the very best, laughter, tears and sighs. Thank you.
Written with drama, I kept thinking poetry but it's not a poem, rhythmic metre maybe. The turning over and over of someone's inner thoughts. Starts with a body being dug up by a construction crew in the school parking lot. The original work being played in 1968. The baby is growing, Kira is slowing down. And now a cold case. This is one of the very best, laughter, tears and sighs. Thank you.
July 2, 2026
it will make you cry
I have read the whole series and this is the best one so far. I have felt the loss of dogs I loved and wept for the memories of them. The mystery solved also made me weep. How do you atone for causing a death? Good editing made this a remarkable story, well done.
I have read the whole series and this is the best one so far. I have felt the loss of dogs I loved and wept for the memories of them. The mystery solved also made me weep. How do you atone for causing a death? Good editing made this a remarkable story, well done.
July 3, 2026
I only read 7\8 of the book. Why?
I have learned to drop out of the book about 7\8 th of the way through. While I enjoy these stories very much, the back part of the book is rehashing the story, detailing drama of the relationships, and general philosophy. Good wisdom in the book. Great detail on search and rescue. Exciting plots.
I have learned to drop out of the book about 7\8 th of the way through. While I enjoy these stories very much, the back part of the book is rehashing the story, detailing drama of the relationships, and general philosophy. Good wisdom in the book. Great detail on search and rescue. Exciting plots.
July 5, 2026
Oh the tears!
I was weeping through the death watch, the burial, the silence in the house and car. I just hate it when a (canine) friend dies and the world just keeps on. Your writing was so on point about the grief. How it doesn't leave just sits beside all the other emotions slowly allowing for living again...in a different way.
I was weeping through the death watch, the burial, the silence in the house and car. I just hate it when a (canine) friend dies and the world just keeps on. Your writing was so on point about the grief. How it doesn't leave just sits beside all the other emotions slowly allowing for living again...in a different way.
July 13, 2026
best dog & handler rescue team ever!
This book is the best search and rescue dog team, ever. I laughed & cried throughout. I've had dogs all my life but the rescue dog has got to be the best one. To just be able to get a scent on the breeze & find lost people this dog is amazing. You must read it!
This book is the best search and rescue dog team, ever. I laughed & cried throughout. I've had dogs all my life but the rescue dog has got to be the best one. To just be able to get a scent on the breeze & find lost people this dog is amazing. You must read it!
July 2, 2026
I’m truly enjoying this series. It’s easy to get sucked in and feel like you, the reader, is part of the story and plot. If you’ve ever loved a dog you’ll be like me and have rivers of tears coming down.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Looking forward to the rest of the series.
July 7, 2026
The End and a Bew Begining
The story ends and yet memories move on and on. Life grows back in different steps from total grief to a new understanding. The dog is gone, the lease is still hanging up but unused.
The story ends and yet memories move on and on. Life grows back in different steps from total grief to a new understanding. The dog is gone, the lease is still hanging up but unused.
July 14, 2026
you will cry
As any dog owner knows, there comes a time when you have to say goodbye. This is a story that will touch your heart and remind you of relationships with your dogs through the years. It’s a good remembering.
As any dog owner knows, there comes a time when you have to say goodbye. This is a story that will touch your heart and remind you of relationships with your dogs through the years. It’s a good remembering.
July 24, 2026
Touches the heart
I loved the fact that Harold got an ending he deserved.
The last half was terribly hard for me to read because I have lost so many lately. I have to say, Sophie is an excellent story teller and her descriptions are so accurate and rare.
I loved the fact that Harold got an ending he deserved.
The last half was terribly hard for me to read because I have lost so many lately. I have to say, Sophie is an excellent story teller and her descriptions are so accurate and rare.
July 25, 2026
Grief, explained
Unbelievable.... grief was examined, explained and tested in a way that had me crying for an hour. The writing was phenomenal and I was able to look at my own grief in a whole new light. Truly exceptional.
Unbelievable.... grief was examined, explained and tested in a way that had me crying for an hour. The writing was phenomenal and I was able to look at my own grief in a whole new light. Truly exceptional.
July 25, 2026
Best Girl
I dreaded reading this one, Book 11. There was joy and sorrow, justice and mercy, teachers and students. Sophie creates beautiful stories and spends time studying all the emotions and learning.
I dreaded reading this one, Book 11. There was joy and sorrow, justice and mercy, teachers and students. Sophie creates beautiful stories and spends time studying all the emotions and learning.
August 1, 2026
Have tissues handy
This is a hard story to read, it has some very sad times . Very sad. It's a very thoughtful story and many things to learn.
It's clean and the characters are good.
This is a hard story to read, it has some very sad times . Very sad. It's a very thoughtful story and many things to learn.
It's clean and the characters are good.
August 23, 2026
soothing
I cried when Kira died. I was moved by the rhythm of repetition in this book that had annoyed me in previous books. Grief is a real thing and I think it is book has soothed the lose and prepares us for what comes next- a notable transition.
I cried when Kira died. I was moved by the rhythm of repetition in this book that had annoyed me in previous books. Grief is a real thing and I think it is book has soothed the lose and prepares us for what comes next- a notable transition.
July 5, 2026
The good man
A mystery in the making and solved for me it was a difficult and emotional and half way expected to read. Necessary for the series
A mystery in the making and solved for me it was a difficult and emotional and half way expected to read. Necessary for the series
July 9, 2026
Great
I loved this series of stories about a search and rescue dog and her handler. It made me cry and still made me laugh. I could hardly set the stories down. Great read!
I loved this series of stories about a search and rescue dog and her handler. It made me cry and still made me laugh. I could hardly set the stories down. Great read!
July 11, 2026
Depressing as hell.
July 19, 2026
Sadness
I knew. By the cover Kira would not live to the end of this book. I could barely read through my heavy tears.
I knew. By the cover Kira would not live to the end of this book. I could barely read through my heavy tears.
August 2, 2026
Crying
Grief,
An island from which the edges go on forever.
A footsteps in a ebbing tide.
An evening birdsong
A hole in the heart.
A place to come home from.. Some day.
Maybe
Grief,
An island from which the edges go on forever.
A footsteps in a ebbing tide.
An evening birdsong
A hole in the heart.
A place to come home from.. Some day.
Maybe
August 11, 2026
Kira’s goodby
This book was so hard to read. Crying my eyes out while reading Gemma saying goodbye. So heartbreaking. Best girl. Always.
This book was so hard to read. Crying my eyes out while reading Gemma saying goodbye. So heartbreaking. Best girl. Always.
August 24, 2026
I don't cry when I read books...EVER
But I cried when I read this one.
I surprised myself... I shocked myself.
Kira. Best Girl. Ever.
I will remember that one!
But I cried when I read this one.
I surprised myself... I shocked myself.
Kira. Best Girl. Ever.
I will remember that one!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews