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Veronica Kildare K-9 #4
Can't Run with the Big Dogs
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 24, 2026
Can't Run with the Big Dogs by Tracy Carter follows Veronica Kildare, the owner of Dogged Pursuit K-9, a dog training facility on the outskirts of Boulder, Colorado, and Leda, her six-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever and standout search and rescue/drug detection dog.
The reader meets Veronica and Leda as they try to trace a student from a local university who is seen being abducted while walking down a sidewalk on the outskirts of Boulder. The reader is introduced to a criminal named Finnley, who is playing mind games using riddles, while claiming to have hidden the victim in the wilderness. The reader is made to understand that the search is a battle of wits between a human monster and a canine's natural talent, the latter of whom is framed as an infallible sensor. The reader can't wait for Leda to hit the trail and prove that the kidnapper's arrogance is no match for her nose.
The story then introduces Tommy Arnett, Veronica's lethal antagonist and the cause of indescribable trauma and grief in her life. Veronica recalls her previous career as a legal assistant for a county prosecutor in Ohio. Tommy was served with a restraining order but chose to kill the prosecutor, several of Veronica's co-workers, and her fiancé. But thanks to Leda, Veronica survived a gunshot wound and became the principal witness against him in his trial. Tommy recently broke out of the Ohio State Penitentiary and has killed even more people along his path to Veronica. Unlike Finnley, Tommy is a mass murderer, and he is cunning to the level where he even stages his own death. The reader knows that every moment Veronica and Leda spend on a search or a rescue mission is borrowed time, and that when Tommy finally strikes, he will be aiming at her very soul.
Carter emerges as a master in foreshadowing. For example, she makes repeated references to Tommy's survival, planting seeds for a possible return in later chapters of the book. And by stating that Veronica felt her insides churning with "the same pent-up anxiety that comes right before the roller coaster car plunges from its lofty peak to the bottom of the sickeningly steep hill," she effectively transforms Veronica's dread into a universally recognized physical experience, making the reader feel her helplessness and stomach-dropping plunge. Carter's world is not small; rather, it encompasses multiple threats operating simultaneously. By so doing, she shows that the protagonist's work never ends, ensures that her professional reputation is established through action, and that her assistant, Michael's skills, like Leda's, are not limited to a single domain. Readers will appreciate the power, the detail, and the significance she gives to small moments, such as in a chase where she doesn't just mention the chase, but also the gravel, which scatters like buckshot from beneath speeding tires. This great storytelling aspect mirrors the difference between reading about a meal and tasting it. That detail, among others, pulls readers deeper into the emotional experience while making them feel they are in the able hands of a writer who knows exactly what she is doing.
It is remarkable how Veronica's world is populated with a rich cast of supporting characters--each of whom is carefully crafted with distinct personalities, motivations, and roles. They include the aforementioned Michael, whose criminal justice training makes him effective in crisis, and Bob, Veronica's father, a thinker whose methodical approach readers will appreciate. Others include Tim, Ricardo, and Jenna, who do not emerge as mere decoration but as able pillars upon which the novel's resolution rests.
Quill says: With this story, readers will understand that multiple plot lines, full character arcs, and thematic development need space. The book's length helps develop all of these elements, while allowing it to deliver everything it promised at the beginning, including compelling mystery and thrilling action. The words by the protagonist, "Good riddance and burn in hell," point to a story that leaves readers satisfied after a journey that ends with hard-earned peace for a heroine and well-deserved judgement for a villain. This book is a must-read for fans of character-driven mysteries, especially those who love stories about the unbreakable bond between humans and their dogs.
The reader meets Veronica and Leda as they try to trace a student from a local university who is seen being abducted while walking down a sidewalk on the outskirts of Boulder. The reader is introduced to a criminal named Finnley, who is playing mind games using riddles, while claiming to have hidden the victim in the wilderness. The reader is made to understand that the search is a battle of wits between a human monster and a canine's natural talent, the latter of whom is framed as an infallible sensor. The reader can't wait for Leda to hit the trail and prove that the kidnapper's arrogance is no match for her nose.
The story then introduces Tommy Arnett, Veronica's lethal antagonist and the cause of indescribable trauma and grief in her life. Veronica recalls her previous career as a legal assistant for a county prosecutor in Ohio. Tommy was served with a restraining order but chose to kill the prosecutor, several of Veronica's co-workers, and her fiancé. But thanks to Leda, Veronica survived a gunshot wound and became the principal witness against him in his trial. Tommy recently broke out of the Ohio State Penitentiary and has killed even more people along his path to Veronica. Unlike Finnley, Tommy is a mass murderer, and he is cunning to the level where he even stages his own death. The reader knows that every moment Veronica and Leda spend on a search or a rescue mission is borrowed time, and that when Tommy finally strikes, he will be aiming at her very soul.
Carter emerges as a master in foreshadowing. For example, she makes repeated references to Tommy's survival, planting seeds for a possible return in later chapters of the book. And by stating that Veronica felt her insides churning with "the same pent-up anxiety that comes right before the roller coaster car plunges from its lofty peak to the bottom of the sickeningly steep hill," she effectively transforms Veronica's dread into a universally recognized physical experience, making the reader feel her helplessness and stomach-dropping plunge. Carter's world is not small; rather, it encompasses multiple threats operating simultaneously. By so doing, she shows that the protagonist's work never ends, ensures that her professional reputation is established through action, and that her assistant, Michael's skills, like Leda's, are not limited to a single domain. Readers will appreciate the power, the detail, and the significance she gives to small moments, such as in a chase where she doesn't just mention the chase, but also the gravel, which scatters like buckshot from beneath speeding tires. This great storytelling aspect mirrors the difference between reading about a meal and tasting it. That detail, among others, pulls readers deeper into the emotional experience while making them feel they are in the able hands of a writer who knows exactly what she is doing.
It is remarkable how Veronica's world is populated with a rich cast of supporting characters--each of whom is carefully crafted with distinct personalities, motivations, and roles. They include the aforementioned Michael, whose criminal justice training makes him effective in crisis, and Bob, Veronica's father, a thinker whose methodical approach readers will appreciate. Others include Tim, Ricardo, and Jenna, who do not emerge as mere decoration but as able pillars upon which the novel's resolution rests.
Quill says: With this story, readers will understand that multiple plot lines, full character arcs, and thematic development need space. The book's length helps develop all of these elements, while allowing it to deliver everything it promised at the beginning, including compelling mystery and thrilling action. The words by the protagonist, "Good riddance and burn in hell," point to a story that leaves readers satisfied after a journey that ends with hard-earned peace for a heroine and well-deserved judgement for a villain. This book is a must-read for fans of character-driven mysteries, especially those who love stories about the unbreakable bond between humans and their dogs.
September 2, 2026
Excitement, suspense, and the heroine's special relationships with working dogs make this tale of mystery and hidden menace a must-read!
Can't Run With the Big Dogs is the fourth book in Tracy Carter's dog-loving Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series, featuring the savvy dog trainer and her amazing dog, Leda, and their wonderful circle of family and friends, each with their own working dogs and passion for helping others. In this latest adventure, Veronica and Leda are called upon to trail the paths of several missing, lost, and abducted people, and readers get a front-row seat as a couple of service-dogs-in-training learn their new craft.
Veronica, a lifelong dog lover, has built a new life as the owner of her own dog training facility and the human half of the area's premier search-and-rescue team, alongside her Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Leda. But before settling in Boulder, she had been the victim of an horrific ambush when her district attorney boss and sheriff's deputy fiancé had been gunned down by a violent criminal who then eluded capture. While the gunman's burned-out vehicle with an unidentified body inside had eventually been discovered, there had been no positive proof that his reign of terror and threats to Veronica were over. Throughout the series, the lingering threat that Tommy Arnett was still out there, watching and waiting, has really enhanced the foreboding and suspense of the stories, and this book provides the same brooding background menace. Still, a note of hope lingers as everyone waits for the results of new DNA testing.Veronica's relationship with her delightful professional baseball player beau, Ricardo, has helped heal her emotional wounds from the past, and their time together is warm and comfortable. Veronica is supported by her loving and talented father, Bob, who tests and rights reviews for outdoor outdoors equipment and has a clear genius for manipulating and processing out information via the Internet, besides being a dab hand in the kitchen, and by Michael, the young product of the state foster system, now living on site while attending college and learning to become a K-9 handler and dog trainer himself. Veronica's best friend Sylvia, her husband, Boulder PD Sergeant Tim Donovan, and their brood of two sets of twin teenage daughters round out her close-knit circle of friends. As a group, they focus on service and making a positive impact on their environment and community. While facing some difficult situations, they always strive for excellence and maintain a positive attitude, which becomes very important when partnered with a working dog on assignment.
Yet, the highlights of the book are those featuring Veronica's work with the dogs. Beyond Leda and her exciting rescue operations in the surrounding Colorado wilderness areas, this book also features her adventures with two fledgling service dogs. Sky, an 18-month-old Australian cattle dog mix and shelter rescue, is undergoing training to sniff out and alert nursing home staff to the presence of C. diff, an insidious bacteria that can be deadly to the elderly. Decla, a two-year-old Irish Red and White Setter who lost her human family in a car accident, is finding a new home and purpose as a drug-detection dog at the local horse-racing track. Decla's storyline intersects with the main plot of strange goings-on at the track, where already two grooms with important information have gone missing.Finally, the author chooses an exceptionally versatile setting by placing the action in the Boulder/Denver, Colorado, area. The descriptions of the locations are vivid and so critical to the action that readers can almost feel the bitter cold and damp, smell the crisp, fir-scented air, and feel the loose, rocky trails beneath their feet as Veronica and Leda trail the scent of someone who is having the worst day of their life.
With its engaging cast of characters, vibrant settings, and compelling plot, I recommend CAN'T RUN WITH THE BIG DOGS to readers of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.
July 30, 2026
What’s not to like about Can’t Run with the Big Dogs? Absolutely nothing. From the first sentence, this book is action-packed, excitingly paced, and riveting. Tracy Carter’s story-within-a-story plot is tightly woven, with every twist accounted for; there are no mysteries about why or how events happen. The flow is seamless. The story is multi-faceted, with a focus on horse racing, Veronica Kildare’s search-and-rescue missions, her romance, and the events of her past. The book is written in Veronica’s voice, which makes the sometimes-harrowing events more real and immediate.
All the dogs are a magnet for pet people (reverse spoiler: no dogs die in this story), and the horses are an added draw. There are so many different dog breeds that get the spotlight; they’re an entire sideline to the story, with their descriptions, characteristics, and personal stories. Additional points of interest are the circumstances of each rescue. Carter doesn’t just tell about the people Leda, the trailing dog, finds. She shows each mission from start to finish and provides outcomes. Nothing is left untold.
Veronica Kildare, her dad Bob, and her “adopted little brother” Michael are deeply compassionate, funny, resourceful, and generous; they are the best of us, and they pull readers into the story. While they’re the good guys, they’re not saccharine: they have their frustrations and foibles. They have histories that have forged their resilience and empathy. Their human-ness resonates; we’re comfortable with them. Their charitable work makes them even more admirable. This book is the fourth in the Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series, so the main characters have long since been introduced, but even so, in this installment, we see them as complete people. Who they are is not taken for granted.
Two other qualities of Big Dogs make it a compelling read. First, it’s obvious that Carter has done mountains of research into every aspect of the plot, from search-and-rescue protocols to the procedures and rules of horse racing to bacterial threats in nursing homes. Every piece of the story rings true.
Second, the everyday details are simply delightful. We get descriptions of delicious meals, the handmade ornaments on Christmas trees, even the colors of sports jerseys. All these little things bring the story alive, as does the down-to-earth, believable dialogue.
Tracy Carter’s Can’t Run with the Big Dogs is a great story. It’s a page-turner of a mystery, with dogs. It doesn’t get any better.
All the dogs are a magnet for pet people (reverse spoiler: no dogs die in this story), and the horses are an added draw. There are so many different dog breeds that get the spotlight; they’re an entire sideline to the story, with their descriptions, characteristics, and personal stories. Additional points of interest are the circumstances of each rescue. Carter doesn’t just tell about the people Leda, the trailing dog, finds. She shows each mission from start to finish and provides outcomes. Nothing is left untold.
Veronica Kildare, her dad Bob, and her “adopted little brother” Michael are deeply compassionate, funny, resourceful, and generous; they are the best of us, and they pull readers into the story. While they’re the good guys, they’re not saccharine: they have their frustrations and foibles. They have histories that have forged their resilience and empathy. Their human-ness resonates; we’re comfortable with them. Their charitable work makes them even more admirable. This book is the fourth in the Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series, so the main characters have long since been introduced, but even so, in this installment, we see them as complete people. Who they are is not taken for granted.
Two other qualities of Big Dogs make it a compelling read. First, it’s obvious that Carter has done mountains of research into every aspect of the plot, from search-and-rescue protocols to the procedures and rules of horse racing to bacterial threats in nursing homes. Every piece of the story rings true.
Second, the everyday details are simply delightful. We get descriptions of delicious meals, the handmade ornaments on Christmas trees, even the colors of sports jerseys. All these little things bring the story alive, as does the down-to-earth, believable dialogue.
Tracy Carter’s Can’t Run with the Big Dogs is a great story. It’s a page-turner of a mystery, with dogs. It doesn’t get any better.
July 13, 2026
Action/Mystery/Suspense author Tracy Carter has done it again, delivering yet another exciting installment of her Veronica Kildare books. This one weaves a number of separate thrilling search and rescue stories and ends with a spine-chilling battle against her ultimate nemesis. Fans of crime novels with a touch of romance won’t want to miss it!
Veronica runs a dog training facility, Dogged Pursuit K-9, along with her assistant and officer in the making, Michael, and father Bob. But they don’t just train any dogs here; they train very special service animals. From perceiving oncoming seizures to finding deadly bacteria, these dogs save lives. And none more than Leda, Veronica’s personal dog she rescued from the pound and has made her into a top-notch search and rescue dog. The local police department has learned from experience that Leda and Veronica are unbeatable.
The main case the book follows is centered on a thoroughbred race track whose owners, the Truette family, and Integrity Steward Jenna, fear someone is giving the horses illegal performance-enhancing drugs. There’s also some suspicion that human drugs are being dispensed as well. When Paloma, a stable hand who tried to contact Jenna, goes missing, they fear the worst. On top of that, there’s a stalker on the loose as well as the ghost of Veronica’s would-be killer, Tommy Arnett, who may or may not be as dead as the police assume.
But mixed in with the suspense is the sweet romance between Veronica and pro-baseball player Ricardo, warm family moments, and the encroaching holidays. The dogs in Veronica’s life are where the stories come to life. From an abused Rottweiler they rescue and find a new purpose for, to Decla, an unusual Irish Red and White setter, not to mention Hanna, the rescue cat that rules them all, the animals in this story will claim a piece of your heart.
“Can’t Run With the Big Dogs” is an adventure you’ll read in one sitting!
I was given an ARC of this book for free, but my honest opinions are my own.
Veronica runs a dog training facility, Dogged Pursuit K-9, along with her assistant and officer in the making, Michael, and father Bob. But they don’t just train any dogs here; they train very special service animals. From perceiving oncoming seizures to finding deadly bacteria, these dogs save lives. And none more than Leda, Veronica’s personal dog she rescued from the pound and has made her into a top-notch search and rescue dog. The local police department has learned from experience that Leda and Veronica are unbeatable.
The main case the book follows is centered on a thoroughbred race track whose owners, the Truette family, and Integrity Steward Jenna, fear someone is giving the horses illegal performance-enhancing drugs. There’s also some suspicion that human drugs are being dispensed as well. When Paloma, a stable hand who tried to contact Jenna, goes missing, they fear the worst. On top of that, there’s a stalker on the loose as well as the ghost of Veronica’s would-be killer, Tommy Arnett, who may or may not be as dead as the police assume.
But mixed in with the suspense is the sweet romance between Veronica and pro-baseball player Ricardo, warm family moments, and the encroaching holidays. The dogs in Veronica’s life are where the stories come to life. From an abused Rottweiler they rescue and find a new purpose for, to Decla, an unusual Irish Red and White setter, not to mention Hanna, the rescue cat that rules them all, the animals in this story will claim a piece of your heart.
“Can’t Run With the Big Dogs” is an adventure you’ll read in one sitting!
I was given an ARC of this book for free, but my honest opinions are my own.
July 30, 2026
C. diff infections, illegal horse drugs, illegal human drugs, and of course missing people – author Tracy Carter wastes no time throwing readers back into the exhilarating world of Veronica Kildare. In this fourth installment of the series, Veronica and her team are unstoppable as they charge headlong into danger against the gorgeous backdrop of the Colorado mountains.
This time, the trouble centers on Blue Columbine Downs racetrack, where missing grooms, illicit substances, and a deeper, darker scheme pull Veronica in. With the keen instincts of her K-9 partner, the beloved Leda, Veronica navigates the maze of corruption, as each chapter remains shadowed by the ever-present hum of fear over Tommy Arnett’s escape from the Ohio State Penitentiary three months prior. Tommy’s fixation on Veronica and the vengeance he seeks constantly remind readers of the past Veronica so valiantly escaped.
Carter weaves a complex and tangled plot, unwinding expertly as she delivers twists that genuinely surprise. As the series continues in this latest, “Can’t Run with the Big Dogs” Veronica’s dad once again proves indispensable as his sharp intelligence and cautious nature ground the team. Michael remains the gentle giant, with an ever-expanding role as he continues to shine as a member of the team. And Leda, Veronica’s steadfast Chessie, remains the beating heart of the series.
From the racetrack to school drug searches, car chases and dog rescues, Carter’s latest continues to stun. Nearly wrecking me, and my faith in humanity in the process, Carter reminds us again how dogs are truly a woman’s best friend.
Each book in the Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series pulls me deeper into my adoration for the Dogged Pursuit family. Veronica, Leda, Michael, and Veronica’s ever-prepared father have become more than characters, they’ve become people I know, people I root for, and people I can’t wait to return to.
This time, the trouble centers on Blue Columbine Downs racetrack, where missing grooms, illicit substances, and a deeper, darker scheme pull Veronica in. With the keen instincts of her K-9 partner, the beloved Leda, Veronica navigates the maze of corruption, as each chapter remains shadowed by the ever-present hum of fear over Tommy Arnett’s escape from the Ohio State Penitentiary three months prior. Tommy’s fixation on Veronica and the vengeance he seeks constantly remind readers of the past Veronica so valiantly escaped.
Carter weaves a complex and tangled plot, unwinding expertly as she delivers twists that genuinely surprise. As the series continues in this latest, “Can’t Run with the Big Dogs” Veronica’s dad once again proves indispensable as his sharp intelligence and cautious nature ground the team. Michael remains the gentle giant, with an ever-expanding role as he continues to shine as a member of the team. And Leda, Veronica’s steadfast Chessie, remains the beating heart of the series.
From the racetrack to school drug searches, car chases and dog rescues, Carter’s latest continues to stun. Nearly wrecking me, and my faith in humanity in the process, Carter reminds us again how dogs are truly a woman’s best friend.
Each book in the Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series pulls me deeper into my adoration for the Dogged Pursuit family. Veronica, Leda, Michael, and Veronica’s ever-prepared father have become more than characters, they’ve become people I know, people I root for, and people I can’t wait to return to.
August 8, 2026
Having read all the books in the Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series by Tracy Carter, with Can't Run with the Big Dogs being the fourth, I can honestly say this one ... Wow, did it hit hard !!
The Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series is definitely a power packed series with so much going on that readers cannot catch their breath, in a good way. This series gets your heart pumping and you cannot help but turn the pages as quickly as you can.
In Can't Run with the Big Dogs Veronica and her trusty wonder dog Leda are busy. They are constantly being called to help look for missing people and some of the cases are crucial as the weather in December in Colorado can be challenging. But the dynamo team have very little difficulty getting the job done.
Unfortunately someone from Veronica's past, Tommy Arnett (ugh), is closing in on her. Fortunately she has Leda, her dad, her assistant and like a brother Michael, her search and rescue partner Sgt. Tim Donovan and his family, her boyfriend Ricardo along with all the other police officers you can imagine. And she will need all the help she can get when things get intense !!
There is so much that I could talk about in this series. I could talk for a long time about Veronica's business Dogged Pursuit K-9 training facility, the search and rescue cases that she works, the drug searches that her and Michael work, Veronica's dad and everything that he does, Veronica's sad past, the relationships that she has with everyone, the dogs that her and Michael train, her relationship with Ricardo who is a professional baseball player (which I love baseball) but I think I have given you enough to know that you want to go grab your copy of this book and all the previous ones if you haven't read them yet, I cannot stress it enough that you will thoroughly enjoy them .... and this coming from a cat lover.
The Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series is definitely a power packed series with so much going on that readers cannot catch their breath, in a good way. This series gets your heart pumping and you cannot help but turn the pages as quickly as you can.
In Can't Run with the Big Dogs Veronica and her trusty wonder dog Leda are busy. They are constantly being called to help look for missing people and some of the cases are crucial as the weather in December in Colorado can be challenging. But the dynamo team have very little difficulty getting the job done.
Unfortunately someone from Veronica's past, Tommy Arnett (ugh), is closing in on her. Fortunately she has Leda, her dad, her assistant and like a brother Michael, her search and rescue partner Sgt. Tim Donovan and his family, her boyfriend Ricardo along with all the other police officers you can imagine. And she will need all the help she can get when things get intense !!
There is so much that I could talk about in this series. I could talk for a long time about Veronica's business Dogged Pursuit K-9 training facility, the search and rescue cases that she works, the drug searches that her and Michael work, Veronica's dad and everything that he does, Veronica's sad past, the relationships that she has with everyone, the dogs that her and Michael train, her relationship with Ricardo who is a professional baseball player (which I love baseball) but I think I have given you enough to know that you want to go grab your copy of this book and all the previous ones if you haven't read them yet, I cannot stress it enough that you will thoroughly enjoy them .... and this coming from a cat lover.
Review of advance copy received from Author
C. diff infections, illegal horse drugs, illegal human drugs, and of course missing people – author Tracy Carter wastes no time throwing readers back into the exhilarating world of Veronica Kildare. In this fourth installment of the series, Veronica and her team are unstoppable as they charge headlong into danger against the gorgeous backdrop of the Colorado mountains.
This time, the trouble centers on Blue Columbine Downs racetrack, where missing grooms, illicit substances, and a deeper, darker scheme pull Veronica in. With the keen instincts of her K-9 partner, the beloved Leda, Veronica navigates the maze of corruption, as each chapter remains shadowed by the ever-present hum of fear over Tommy Arnett’s escape from the Ohio State Penitentiary three months prior. Tommy’s fixation on Veronica and the vengeance he seeks constantly remind readers of the past Veronica so valiantly escaped.
Carter weaves a complex and tangled plot, unwinding expertly as she delivers twists that genuinely surprise. As the series continues in this latest, “Can’t Run with the Big Dogs” Veronica’s dad once again proves indispensable as his sharp intelligence and cautious nature ground the team. Michael remains the gentle giant, with an ever-expanding role as he continues to shine as a member of the team. And Leda, Veronica’s steadfast Chessie, remains the beating heart of the series.
From the racetrack to school drug searches, car chases and dog rescues, Carter’s latest continues to stun. Nearly wrecking me, and my faith in humanity in the process, Carter reminds us again how dogs are truly a woman’s best friend.
Each book in the Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series pulls me deeper into my adoration for the Dogged Pursuit family. Veronica, Leda, Michael, and Veronica’s ever-prepared father have become more than characters, they’ve become people I know, people I root for, and people I can’t wait to return to.
This time, the trouble centers on Blue Columbine Downs racetrack, where missing grooms, illicit substances, and a deeper, darker scheme pull Veronica in. With the keen instincts of her K-9 partner, the beloved Leda, Veronica navigates the maze of corruption, as each chapter remains shadowed by the ever-present hum of fear over Tommy Arnett’s escape from the Ohio State Penitentiary three months prior. Tommy’s fixation on Veronica and the vengeance he seeks constantly remind readers of the past Veronica so valiantly escaped.
Carter weaves a complex and tangled plot, unwinding expertly as she delivers twists that genuinely surprise. As the series continues in this latest, “Can’t Run with the Big Dogs” Veronica’s dad once again proves indispensable as his sharp intelligence and cautious nature ground the team. Michael remains the gentle giant, with an ever-expanding role as he continues to shine as a member of the team. And Leda, Veronica’s steadfast Chessie, remains the beating heart of the series.
From the racetrack to school drug searches, car chases and dog rescues, Carter’s latest continues to stun. Nearly wrecking me, and my faith in humanity in the process, Carter reminds us again how dogs are truly a woman’s best friend.
Each book in the Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series pulls me deeper into my adoration for the Dogged Pursuit family. Veronica, Leda, Michael, and Veronica’s ever-prepared father have become more than characters, they’ve become people I know, people I root for, and people I can’t wait to return to.
July 23, 2026
It was a great day when I found the Veronica Kildare Series. Can't Run with the Big Dogs is the 4th in what I hope is a series that goes on for a long time. I anticipated the release of this book for months, and I wasn't disappointed. We the readers needed the resolution of Tommy Arnett and his obsession with Veronica. Oops, I guess that was a spoiler alert. The story line was a stunning example of how a book can stand alone as well as build throughout a series. You don't have to read all the books in the series for this one to entertain you. But you would miss out on the character development and sheer entertainment of the first three books. Ms. Carter has a way with words-I love her full and complete mastery of the English language. She knows how to weave a story that has you turning pages long into the night. I am always impressed with the depth of research she must put into each book so that we the readers can be entertained and maybe educated at the same time. A winning combination for me, and hopefully new readers as well. I encourage everyone to delve into the world of dog training, search and rescue, and in this book the world of racehorses. You won't be disappointed in this fast paced adventure/mystery story.
July 12, 2026
Veronica and Leda, her talented Chesapeake Bay Retriever, return for more adventures and non-stop action in this fourth book in the Veronica Kildare Mystery Series. I especially love reading about the service dogs Veronica trains and their various talents. Winter has arrived in Colorado in this installment and Veronica's team is busy rescuing lost people from the elements while also working on a mystery at a local thoroughbred racetrack. The world of the racetrack comes alive and the twists and turns of the wrongdoing occurring there were fascinating—and cleverly unraveled. Also, Veronica and Leda face their biggest challenge yet as they attempt to escape a villain's devious plan.
This book is a must read for lovers of books about service dogs, K-9 search and rescue, and horses. I highly recommend it!
This book is a must read for lovers of books about service dogs, K-9 search and rescue, and horses. I highly recommend it!
July 8, 2026
This is the fourth book in the Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series. The author, Tracy Carter, again takes you for an exhilarating ride filled with a complex mystery to be solved, lots of action, exciting search and rescue adventures and amazing new ways that service dogs can be trained to assist with our lives. I always look forward to spending time with my favorite characters, Veronica, her K-9 Leda and her family and friends. Following their adventures has made me feel like part of the family. For those who have loved the series, the ending will keep you on the edge of your seat so, get ready!
August 23, 2026
What a wild ride. From the very first harrowing rescue through the end of the book, the action does not stop. Veronica and Leda are an excellent team - if my son was not allergic, I would want a Chessie. Tracy Carter’s descriptions of the characters in this book make them feel as familiar as your friends and family. I love how Tracy seamlessly weaves in dog training tips, nature survival equipment and, in this story, horses and racing, all in between one rescue mission after another. My favorite new characters were David, the young man with epilepsy and his canine match, Lucky the Rottweiler. I hope we see them again!
July 23, 2026
Really enjoyed it.
I've read the entire series so far and am looking forward to the next book. Veronica can take care of herself and Leda is a champion. I really like the relationship between the two of them. All the main characters are good and interesting people. I also am interested in hearing about all the dogs and the explanations about their training. And I loved that Lucky was portrayed as a sweet and loving Rottweiler, rather than the usual scary and ferocious dog. I'll be waiting for the next book.
I've read the entire series so far and am looking forward to the next book. Veronica can take care of herself and Leda is a champion. I really like the relationship between the two of them. All the main characters are good and interesting people. I also am interested in hearing about all the dogs and the explanations about their training. And I loved that Lucky was portrayed as a sweet and loving Rottweiler, rather than the usual scary and ferocious dog. I'll be waiting for the next book.
August 10, 2026
Almost overwhelming..
That one person could encounter so much trouble and attacks in so compressed a time frame. I guess non-stop action would be an appropriate description.
I am glad that she is finally relieved of vicious, but not very smart Tommy Arnett.
On the other hand, the dialog seems stilted and not natural.
That one person could encounter so much trouble and attacks in so compressed a time frame. I guess non-stop action would be an appropriate description.
I am glad that she is finally relieved of vicious, but not very smart Tommy Arnett.
On the other hand, the dialog seems stilted and not natural.
August 24, 2026
a roller coaster of a ride
This is a book filled with vignettes of the life of a search and rescue team as well as the larger mystery of wrongdoing at a racetrack. The ongoing arc of the serial killer Tommy Arnett reaches a wonderful crescendo. Highly recommend for the various layers woven into the story
This is a book filled with vignettes of the life of a search and rescue team as well as the larger mystery of wrongdoing at a racetrack. The ongoing arc of the serial killer Tommy Arnett reaches a wonderful crescendo. Highly recommend for the various layers woven into the story
September 1, 2026
Get ready for another great book
Leda and Veronica are inseparable in the fourth book, Can't Run With The Big Dogs, by author Tracy Carter. This action packed book is filled with mysteries to solve, harrowing search and rescue operations, service dogs to train, and a final goodbye to Veronica's nemesis! I love this K-9 adventure series and am looking forward to the next book!
Leda and Veronica are inseparable in the fourth book, Can't Run With The Big Dogs, by author Tracy Carter. This action packed book is filled with mysteries to solve, harrowing search and rescue operations, service dogs to train, and a final goodbye to Veronica's nemesis! I love this K-9 adventure series and am looking forward to the next book!
July 25, 2026
What's not to like?
Great people, fantastic animals, exciting rescues, intriguing mysteries. Everyone working together, each with their own skill set, to keep the community safe.,
Great people, fantastic animals, exciting rescues, intriguing mysteries. Everyone working together, each with their own skill set, to keep the community safe.,
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