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Raine Stockton Dog Mystery #11
Land of the Free
No one knows the mountains of North Carolina like Raine Stockton and her search and rescue dog, Cisco. When they are called in to search for an elderly man who has wandered away from home it seems like a routine mission, until Raine looks through her binoculars and sees something she wasn’t supposed to see. A dead man is very much alive, a felon is walking around free, and Raine is the only person who can testify to the fact. The problem is that no one takes her claims seriously...except the person who wants her dead.
Unwillingly thrust into the midst of an unpleasant child custody battle and a hotly contested political race, Raine finds herself questioning her own judgment and uncertain who to trust. Is she suffering from PTSD, or has a nightmare from her past materialized to haunt her? The police tell her one thing, her common sense tells her another. But when murder strikes too close to home, the hypothetical question becomes all too real, and no one is above suspicion: not the man Raine loves, not the man she once married, not even Raine herself. And they all must choose how far they’re willing to go to protect the ones they love.
In this thrilling conclusion to the trilogy that includes HOME OF THE BRAVE, DOG DAYS and LAND OF THE FREE, Raine and Cisco face their biggest challenge yet, and when it is over nothing will ever be the same.
Unwillingly thrust into the midst of an unpleasant child custody battle and a hotly contested political race, Raine finds herself questioning her own judgment and uncertain who to trust. Is she suffering from PTSD, or has a nightmare from her past materialized to haunt her? The police tell her one thing, her common sense tells her another. But when murder strikes too close to home, the hypothetical question becomes all too real, and no one is above suspicion: not the man Raine loves, not the man she once married, not even Raine herself. And they all must choose how far they’re willing to go to protect the ones they love.
In this thrilling conclusion to the trilogy that includes HOME OF THE BRAVE, DOG DAYS and LAND OF THE FREE, Raine and Cisco face their biggest challenge yet, and when it is over nothing will ever be the same.
306 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2016
332 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 27, 2016
Love,Love,Love Raine and Cisco!
The only thing I disliked about this book was that it had to end. Ms. Ball needs to crank these out faster. I love Cisco and his curious ways. I love that Miles appreciates her for who she is. I'm so glad that Buck is basically out of her life with a wife of his own to care for. They are best as friends. Melanie and Corny add a lot of flair to the stories and I even enjoy Miles' mothers. Great set of characters.
The only thing I disliked about this book was that it had to end. Ms. Ball needs to crank these out faster. I love Cisco and his curious ways. I love that Miles appreciates her for who she is. I'm so glad that Buck is basically out of her life with a wife of his own to care for. They are best as friends. Melanie and Corny add a lot of flair to the stories and I even enjoy Miles' mothers. Great set of characters.
January 31, 2022
An interesting insight into a working kennel with some memorable dog characters though I wish wish Mischief and Magic were more 3D.
August 16, 2020
My favorite one of the Raine Stockton books.
Wow! suspense, romance and sadness. This was my favorite one so far. I can’t wait to start reading the next one. I’m starting to like Jolene a little now.
Wow! suspense, romance and sadness. This was my favorite one so far. I can’t wait to start reading the next one. I’m starting to like Jolene a little now.
May 31, 2021
It appears I just can't get enough of Donna Ball's dog mysteries. Even though she insists on repeating what I consider a deathly sin in detective fiction--beating up on the heroine's friends and family. You know what I mean? It seems like that if you can't keep the suspense alive without killing/maiming/fatally wounding the detective's husband/mother/sister/girlfriend then you're not writing an imaginative story. How much misery can a side character endure in one series? Why not introduce new characters to beat up on?
But no, she did it again and she did it so well I could barely stop reading, let alone slow down and savor the situations.
But no, she did it again and she did it so well I could barely stop reading, let alone slow down and savor the situations.
January 26, 2023
I read this on my Kindle, and enjoyed it very much; in fact I read it too fast and now I am wishing for the next book in the series. These Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries are some of my favorite comfort reads. Good suspense and action, good character relationships, and great information about dogs and dog training. In this story, elements and characters from the previous book, resurfaced. I love how the two titles are so compatible (although because the titles have such a similar feel, I was getting them confused.) The story starts out with a bang and then backtracks to give details and set up for that explosive opening scene. Well done.
June 7, 2018
Meh. Okay. I like this series, mostly, because the dogs are realistic and dog ownership (the necessities of feeding, exercising, etc.) is accurately portrayed. But Raine Stockton comes across too often in this one as annoying and irrational. Also, her love interest, Miles, seems to get richer and richer and less realistic as time goes on.
Side note: I couldn't help but wonder, why no ever worried about Corny's safety. Miles and Raine are being targeted, yet it occurs to no one that Corny being alone in the kennel might also have been in danger? Hmm.
Side note: I couldn't help but wonder, why no ever worried about Corny's safety. Miles and Raine are being targeted, yet it occurs to no one that Corny being alone in the kennel might also have been in danger? Hmm.
September 20, 2017
I love this series and am so sad that I just finished the last one that has been written so far.. The characters are so real and feel like people that I know...including the dogs. This will always be one of my favorite series. Well written and great suspense. This is one of the few series that I will keep the entire collection on my bookshelf. and, the covers are always beautiful.
January 2, 2018
So much more than another dog and dog trainer series
This series is a wonder. The mystery is always interesting, but it’s the relationships that keep me coming back for more. I love the care and concern displayed between the two legged and four legged characters in each one of these stories.
This series is a wonder. The mystery is always interesting, but it’s the relationships that keep me coming back for more. I love the care and concern displayed between the two legged and four legged characters in each one of these stories.
March 22, 2019
I really like the Raine Stockton series. This one ties together the last two books. Donna Ball is very good at telling a story that is complete on its own but it might help to fill in the blanks to read them in order. Not nessary but helpful.
December 8, 2019
Love these books
I love dogs and I guess I like the idea of tough women who still have love affairs. These books deliver me a pleasant nondemanding read that I seem to be addicted to.
I love dogs and I guess I like the idea of tough women who still have love affairs. These books deliver me a pleasant nondemanding read that I seem to be addicted to.
February 16, 2022
Another Great Book
If you are a dog person you will totally relate to the characters in this book. Lots of twists and turns. Don't stop writing these books. They are a great feel good book.
If you are a dog person you will totally relate to the characters in this book. Lots of twists and turns. Don't stop writing these books. They are a great feel good book.
January 9, 2023
I think the reason I skipped over this book was because I didn't like the first book in the trilogy. I'm glad I finally went back and read it, but I'm glad that's over with and hope we never see any of those domestic terrorists again!
February 12, 2025
I love this series by Donna Bell! The characters are quirky and fun. The antics of the dogs are hilarious. Plus, you get great training tips for your own dogs. Especially, the cooked hot dog bites. Great cozy mystery series. Her Hummingbird series is another great read.
July 26, 2017
I hear wedding bells tuning up ...
August 15, 2017
Strong story with a fun ending.
August 24, 2017
Great to be back with old friends.
October 22, 2017
Love this series
Dog trainer and trouble magnet Raine lives in the hills of north Carolina. Fun series. Read in order for best experience.
Dog trainer and trouble magnet Raine lives in the hills of north Carolina. Fun series. Read in order for best experience.
January 24, 2019
4.5 stars
January 27, 2020
This is the third of the trilogy within the series. What a great read!
December 26, 2023
my fog isn't in this book so why are you reading it?
November 24, 2025
WOW!! Another great installment in the series.
August 25, 2017
My Favorite Thus Far
I have enjoyed everything in the series. Fun easy read and this plot just happened to be my favorite. I would recommend to all dog lovers who also enjoy fun mysteries.
I have enjoyed everything in the series. Fun easy read and this plot just happened to be my favorite. I would recommend to all dog lovers who also enjoy fun mysteries.
November 28, 2016
I am a major fan of the Raine Stockton series so it was no surprise to me that I loved it! The characters are already in my heart and Land of the Free maintained the outstanding quality of complex plot and complex characters. Fans of the series, and anyone who loves dogs or mysteries will love the book. Although I believe that most of the books of the series can be read as stand-alone, I recommend that at very least a reader would better appreciate this one more if it is read after Home of the Brave.
One of Raine's greatest concerns in her relationship with Miles has occurred; she has to socialize with the elite. While the party becomes a true nightmare, it isn't the wealthy and famous guests that take it over the top, it is Miles's ex, an unknown gunman, and a dead body. Life continues to get more and more complicated at the plot progresses. A terror from her past may have returned, but Miles's life has become so complicated she doesn't want to turn to him. Something is very wrong in the country and Buck may be lying to her. Although she couldn't trust him in their marriage, she always felt that she could trust him, her best friend, in everything else, now she just isn't sure.
One of Raine's greatest concerns in her relationship with Miles has occurred; she has to socialize with the elite. While the party becomes a true nightmare, it isn't the wealthy and famous guests that take it over the top, it is Miles's ex, an unknown gunman, and a dead body. Life continues to get more and more complicated at the plot progresses. A terror from her past may have returned, but Miles's life has become so complicated she doesn't want to turn to him. Something is very wrong in the country and Buck may be lying to her. Although she couldn't trust him in their marriage, she always felt that she could trust him, her best friend, in everything else, now she just isn't sure.
April 24, 2018
Love her books
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews