Reckless Creed

Ryder Creed #3

by Alex Kava

In this edge-of-your-seat thriller from New York Times –bestselling author Alex Kava, Ryder Creed, his K-9 search-and-rescue dogs, and FBI agent Maggie O’Dell find themselves at the center of a dire and mysterious case.
 
In Chicago, a young man jumps from his thirtieth-story hotel room; along the Missouri river, a hunter and his son stumble upon a lake whose surface is littered with snow geese, all of them dead; and in southern Alabama, Ryder Creed and his search-and-rescue dog Grace find the body of a young woman who went missing in the Conecuh National Forest...and it appears she filled her pockets with rocks and walked into the river. Before long Ryder Creed and FBI profiler Maggie O’Dell will discover the ominous connection among these mysterious deaths. What they find may be the most prolific killer the United States has ever known.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Dogs

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2016

About the author

ALEX KAVA IS A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR of the critically acclaimed Maggie O’Dell series and a new series featuring former Marine, Ryder Creed and his K9 dogs. Her stand-alone novel, One False Move, was the 2006 One Book One Nebraska. Published in over thirty countries, Kava’s novels have made the bestseller lists in the UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, Italy and Poland. Her novel Stranded was awarded both a Florida Book Award and the Nebraska Book Award. She is a member of the Nebraska Writers Guild and International Thriller Writers. Kava divides her time between Omaha, Nebraska and Pensacola, Florida.

Reviews

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The idea behind the story was really pretty scary largely because of how realistic everything felt. All of the characters that I have grown to love over the past few years played a part in this complex and exciting story. There was really a lot of action in the story and I had a hard time putting the book down.

The story was very relevant to today's world. The book starts out with several seemingly unrelated events that may be more than they originally appear to be. The events take place in several different locations in the United States. Maggie is called to Chicago to investigate the suspected suicide of a man that appears to have been ill while Ryder and his dogs are searching for a lost girl. As the book progresses, everything starts to be pulled together until a frightening plot is uncovered.

One of the things that I love about reading a series is the characters and this series has some wonderful characters. I have read so many books featuring Maggie O'Dell that I feel like I know her. I am not sure whether I like Maggie or Ryder more but since they are both featured in this series I don't feel like I have to choose. As an animal lover, I love the whole aspect of Ryder's service dogs. Each of the dogs used in the book become an important part of the story with the personality of the dog really adding an authentic element.

I loved the way this story was told though multiple points of view. Each of the points of view added an important element to the story. I loved how each of the plot threads started out being told from a different perspective. Each perspective brought the emotions of the individual and really made things feel real. Figuring out how everything would come together in the end was part of the fun of reading this book.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of mystery. This is the third book in the Ryder Creed series which picks up after the Maggie O'Dell series. While I think readers could enjoy this story as a stand alone, I would recommend reading the series in order if at all possible. I already can't wait to get my hands on the next Alex Kava novel!

I received an advance reader edition of this book from G.P Putnam's Sons via First to Read for the purpose of providing an honest review.

Initial Thoughts
The idea behind this book was really pretty scary. I liked all of the points of view and thought they all added a lot to the story. Loved Maggie, Ryder, and all of the regular characters as usual.

[Li'l Owl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary good! Loved it! Fast paced, full of suspence, and gut clenching! Fantastic way to bring to life the very real, fear of viral pandemics and what would happen if we were unfortunate to encounter one. I learned how dogs can, literally, save many, many lives. It's not fiction anymore. It's a reality. Ties up some loose ends from book 2 in this series very well. But what about the unanswered questions? I can't wait to read about Ryder Creed and his dog's future endeavors! I hope there will be a 4th book!

[CL · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book in the Ryder Creed series can be read as a stand alone story and still be an enjoyable read. There is a conspiracy by those who should be protecting us. Ryder Creed, ex-Marine war veteran and scent dog trainer gives shelter dogs a new lease on life. Local authorities request the use of one of his dogs for the search and rescue of a missing woman. While in search of the missing woman he uncovers a case that could have dire consequences for him and his dogs. FBI profiler Maggie O’Dell and Ryder work together to again to possibly avert what may possibly be an act of terrorism. I would like to thank the Publisher and First To Read for the chance to read this ARC.

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

1,5 stars

The 3rd book in Alex Kava's Ryder Creed Series ( a spin-off from her Maggie O'Dell Series).

The first two books were really good , https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... but I just did not get into this one.

The plot felt old and tired....deadly virus, terrorists on home ground......nothing new there!!
Then the characters......okay, I love dogs and Grace is still my favourite Jack Russell.....but TMI on dog training and nothing on the characters. I was hoping for something to happen between Maggie & Ryder.......but no....

This missed the mark for me..........it was more like a snooze fest....couldn't wait for the last page...which by the way, ended abruptly....made no sense to me!!! Of course, it's a cliffhanger....so I guess we will get more of Ryder and his pooches!!!

Oh, I did try to keep my eyes open until the end...now, off to dreamland for me
!!

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clearly, the best parts of this are the dogs and not the birds. The bird portion of this story clogs and brings down the whole novel. What a shame and a waste. The dogs and their human interactions are far superior than the meddlesome mix in between. 3 of 10 stars

[Maureen DeLuca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok-no maybe not quite a 4 star read ... so why did I give it 4? *sigh* - this is a spin off from the Maggie O'Dell series- she is a FBI profiler. She gets on my nerves. Really she does. Ryer Creed is an ex-marine war vet and gives shelter to scent dogs to help in searches and rescues. Give me a story with our military hero's and dogs and I'm pretty much a sucker!

This is a good enough story that held my interest- Ryder and his wonderful dogs saving us from a possible viral pandemic . Fast paced , 3 star read - but throwing in another star for the military and the dogs that help them!

[Linda Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryder Creed and Maggie O'Dell are back! If you are a follower of this series (or this author) you're probably jumping up and down with glee. If this is your first look at this series, please go back and read them in order. I guarantee you won't be sorry.

Ryder Creed, his K-9 search and rescue dogs , and Maggie find themselves, once again, battling evil forces. This time, though, the evil may destroy everything they hold dear.

Across the country several young people have committed suicide .. or at least it looks like suicides. What's the connection between the victims? And what is their connection to Ryder and his dogs?

It's a fast and furious race to prevent any more deaths. And they are all at risk.

This is a terrific series. Maggie O'Dell, as FBI Agent, has been around awhile, and I sincerely hope she continues. Ryder, former military, has found his place with the dogs. The dogs have been his savior, easing his PTSD. I promise.. the dogs are priceless. He trains some of them as cadaver dogs, they have even been taught to sniff out certain diseases. His dog, Grace, is my personal favorite.

There is plenty of action from start to finish. Horrifying deaths make you hope and pray we never seen anything like this in the headlines.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third installment with Ryder Creed and his k-9 unit. There is an outbreak of bird flu and people are dying at the hands of those who are deliberately infecting others. FBI profiler Maggie O'Dell and Creed not only must figure out who is behind this horrific crime, but stop this mass murdering before any more lives are lost.

[Bent Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book by Alex Kava that I have read, and I wasn't exactly blown away. It is a quick and mostly entertaining read, but several times throughout the book, Kava turns professor and bores the reader (at least me) with unnecessary scientific details about e.g. the virus that is about to decimate the population. Perhaps Kava finds it crucial to the plot, but she doesn't manage to make it interesting to read, and that line is an important and difficult one to walk.
The plot is a little predictable and is wrapped up a little too easily and neatly for my taste, but Kava writes really well and throws in an interesting cast, although I can't say that I really got under the skin of the main characters, Ryder Creed included.

[An ARC of this book was generously provided by the publisher through NetGalley]

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Thriller
*Rating* 4.0

*Thoughts*

Reckless Creed is the third installment in author Alex Kava's Ryder Creed series. In Chicago, a veteran named Tony Briggs has been told to touch as many surfaces as possible by his handlers who keep an eye out on everything he does. Shortly after, he is found on the streets of Chicago as a presumed suicide victim. In Alabama, Ryder and his scent sniffing dog Grace, are asked to find a missing young woman who may have disappeared in Conecuh County. They discover the body in a lake weighted down with rocks. What connects Chicago to southern Alabama?

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Wilde Sky · Rating 2 out of 5]

A series of mysterious deaths leads some investigator to uncover a deadly plot.

The basic idea was sound, but the execution was not very good. The writing / characters didn’t really grab me. The story had too many strands and some of the plot points were a little bizarre.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this addition to the Ryder Creed series!

[Karyn Niedert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent third book in the Ryder Creed series from Alex Kava. Readers of her previous books won't want to miss Creed and Maggie O'Dell as they hunt down a horrific virus and the evil scientist who threatens Americans from coast to coast.

Review note: I actually (gulp) bought this e-book at regular price from Amazon because I was so intrigued by the first two books in this series. Not the worst way to spend money...Get your hands on it when you can!

[Alma (retirement at last) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cannot believe I read this book in the current crisis. Read it and you’ll know what I mean. I read the two previous books featuring Ryder Creed and his dogs and enjoyed them immensely, however, this one fell a little short of my expectations as the dogs didn’t feature enough in it.
It was an easy read so I flew through it and to say Kava wrote this about 2014 it eerily mirrors what is happening in 2020.
Enjoyed it but it was average.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have read other Alex Kava books but this was my first featuring Ryder Creed ... really picked it up out of curiosity, and actually found it better than I had anticipated. An easy fast read, held my interest throughout.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reckless Creed by Alex Kava
Ryder Creek series Book #3
4.5★'s

From The Book:
In Chicago, a young man jumps from his thirtieth-story hotel room; along the Missouri river, a hunter and his son stumble upon a lake whose surface is littered with snow geese, all of them dead; and in southern Alabama, Ryder Creed and his search-and-rescue dog Grace find the body of a young woman who went missing in the Conecuh National Forest...and it appears she filled her pockets with rocks and walked into the river. Before long Ryder Creed and FBI profiler Maggie O’Dell will discover the ominous connection among these mysterious deaths. What they find may be the most prolific killer the United States has ever known.

My Thoughts:
Ryder Creed and his amazing dogs take on an enemy that is virtually invisible until it makes it's self known when it is often too late. Some one is using human carriers to spread a newly concocted strain of bird flu. Creed's kennel of dogs have been trained to detect this virus along with many other virus and cancers. Of course the government is involved and are actually helpful. Creed works out a deal for additional dogs from a kill shelter by getting the government to agree to finance it to become a no-kill shelter with at least 20 dogs a month being trained as air sniffers and sent to other facilities to begin their new "careers". Good job Ryder. Wish reality was that simple and successful. Agent Maggie O'Dell has her place in the story line searching for a physicists that she has chased for over a year and is suspected of inventing the new bird flu virus and infecting the human guinea pigs. Overall...it was another good addition to Kava's newest series. I like her books as she is a dog owner and therefore no dogs are ever harmed in any of her books.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

full disclosure: I won this book in a giveaway. That said, this is one of my favorite books I've read this year. i honestly don't know how many books I've rated a 5 this year, not many.

I've enjoyed Alex Kava's Maggie O'Dell and Ryder Creed series, but to join them together? Genius!

Great suspense, dogs, veterans, potential biological weapons created by crazy people with a diabolical plan for testing and spreading? Excellent book!

[Jasbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sturzflug" ist der dritte Thriller rund um Ryder Creed, der mit seinen Spürhunden schon das ein oder andere Mal das FBI unterstützt hat. Man kann das Buch aber ohne Vorkenntnisse gut lesen, für mich war es auch das erste Buch der Autorin, ich habe aber Lust auf mehr bekommen. Alle Hintergrundinfos, die man wissen muss, werden nochmals aufgegriffen, so gibt es keine Verständnisprobleme.

Den Aspekt, dass es nicht nur "normale" Ermittler gibt, sondern auch Spürhunde eingesetzt werden, fand ich total faszinierend. Es war nicht nur mal etwas anderes, es hat auch deutlich gemacht, was für tolle Eigenschaften die Hunde haben. Ryder Creed als Hundeführer ist ein sehr sympathischer Protagonist, da man immer merkt, dass die Tiere bei ihm an erster Stelle stehen und er ihnen seine ganze Liebe gibt. Er nimmt nämlich vor allem Streuner und ausgesetzt Hunde auf und bringt ihnen diese Fähigkeiten bei.

Neben den Hunden steht aber natürlich die unsichtbare Gefahr im Vordergrund: Ein mutiertes Vogelgrippevirus, dass auch Menschen infizieren kann. Es gilt die totale Pandemie zu verhindern. Und hier wird es einfach nur unglaublich spannend, sodass man das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen kann.

Die Spannung wird noch zusätzlich dadurch aufgebaut, dass man als Leser immer wieder an unterschiedlichen Schauplätzen ist und es so kleine Cliffhanger nach jedem Kapitel gibt. Zum einen verfolgt man das FBI auf der Suche nach dem Auslöser, aber eben auch den Hundeführer und - für mich mit am spannendsten - die infizierten Personen, die selbst nicht wirklich wissen, was mit ihnen geschieht. Der Gedanke, dass die Viren großzügig in den Großstädten Amerikas verteilt werden, ist einfach nur gruselig. Vor allem weil ich immer im Hinterkopf hatte, dass so etwas auch wirklich passieren könnte.

Auch der Schreibstil der Autorin hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Es gab erklärende Passagen, in denen man Einblicke in die Welt der Hundetrainer bekommen hat. Diese waren aber nicht langatmig, sondern boten interessante Einblicke. Rasant ging es dagegen in den Ermittler-Passagen zur Sache. Das war eine schöne Mischung.

Am Ende geht es nochmal Schlag auf Schlag und hier kann man das Buch wirklich nicht mehr weglegen. Alles spitzt sich zu und die Ereignisse überschlagen sich. Trotzdem bleibt in sich alles schlüssig und auch ein bisschen offen. Ich vermute, der Leser darf sich auf mindestens einen weiteren Fall von Ryder freuen.

Mein einziger, kleiner Kritikpunkt ist, dass mich manchmal die vielen Personen etwas verwirrt haben. Dadurch, dass so viele Behörden mitmischen, kann man schon mal durcheinander kommen und die Zuordnung fällt etwas schwer.

Insgesamt gibt es deswegen von mir 4,5 Sterne - und eine klare Leseempfehlung!

[Justyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Zita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome mystery/suspense, a book with a chillingly plausible premise…

This is the third book in the Ryder Creed series that can be read as a stand-alone.

There have been deaths in different parts of the country and the victims have more than the connection of the state of their health at the time of their demise, birds are also falling from the skies. It will take an FBI profiler and a trainer of scent dogs to uncover the ghastly correlation between these events. There is a deadly conspiracy from within, by those who should be protecting us, and unless contained the fear they bring an unsuspecting public is of a pandemic.

Ryder Creed is an ex-Marine Afghanistan war veteran and scent dog trainer, he gives shelter dogs continued life and a purpose. When local authorities request the use of one of his dogs for the search and rescue of a missing woman he inadvertently stumbles on a case that could cost him his business and the lives of his canines yet it is his canines that could make the difference in curtailing a catastrophe.

FBI profiler Maggie O’Dell has been on the trail of a missing scientist who was presumed dead after the destruction of a research facility in a mudslide in North Carolina. Yet there is reason to believe that this person is still alive and possibly guilty of killing people to cover their escape. Learning of the connection between her case and the events surrounding Ryder, who she has worked with before, they join forces pulling in assistance from other numerous concerned agencies.

With the existence of terrorism in today’s world the premise of this book is chillingly plausible. As you read this story you have to wonder the possibility of a biologic attack happening and if our country is prepared to deal with the consequences, the author’s note makes you ponder it more and gives you serious pause.

Being the first time reading this author, I was much impressed with the level of mystery/suspense and how engaging the storyline was, this book was read in one sitting, I just kept turning the pages, wanting to know more. There were numerous points of view besides the main protagonists, the victims and even the villains have their say, their human frailties exposed and relatable to the reader, many chapters were cliffhangers within the book itself as you jumped to different scenarios. This book is well written with much detail to support the complicated plot that resolves nicely at the end yet will leave you to ponder the subject matter. I found character development to be really good, people with demons and vulnerabilities that are so human, you’ll either empathize with them or feel outrage towards them.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher’s First to Read program.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Kava's Reckless Creed (Putnam's Sons 2016) is the third in the series about former detective Ryder Creed, now the owner of K9 CrimeScents, a small company of working dogs in Florida that tracks scents for law enforcement. In this story, he is hired to find a runaway teen. Finding her is the beginning of the problems when he also stumbles across two dead birds that have no evident reason for dying. When it turns out they may have been killed by an illegally-formulated avian flu, it ties in with a case FBI agent Maggie O’Dell (the star of a separate Alex Kava series) is working trying to find a scientist who disappeared while illegally morphing avian flu into a deadly human virus. Creed agrees to train his dogs to sniff out the virus as part of the plan to stop the spread despite numbing reservations about how deadly it would be for his dogs to be around the disease.

I grabbed this book from NetGalley because I've enjoyed every one of the books in this series so far. This one continued the trend. Creed's love of dogs comes through constantly as a guiding light for the story.

"Tails stayed down. Hair at the back of the neck stood on end. Eyes were locked. Ears were still pitched forward. Creed dug a remote from his pocket."

As a dog lover, there were numerous times I flinched as he chased down this deadly and unknown hybrid of avian flu, often running into dastardly characters who would kill anything that got in their way as they unleashed the disease on an unknowing nation. I wasn't worried about mankind as much as Creed's dogs--Grace and Winnie and the entire crew--knowing they would stop at nothing to make their master happy, and only death would stop them. If you don't love dogs, you will still enjoy the story, but might not understand some of the motivations that drive the plot.

Overall: highly recommended for anyone who loves detective stories, murder-mysteries, dog stories, and thrillers.

--I got this book for free from NetGalley in return for an honest review

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reckless Creed was the first book of Alex Kava’s that I read on my Kindle! That’s hard to believe… of the 14 books I’ve read so far (11 in the Maggie O’Dell series and this one marking 3 in the Ryder Creed series) this is the first I read where I didn’t have the actual book in my hands! Turning the pages one by one, seeing myself make actual progression. It was quite a surprise when I found myself finishing it way quicker than I expected! I think it helped that I was able to read on both my Kindle and my phone via the Kindle app.

So much was going on in this book and I absolutely loved it! Much like Fireproof and Stranded, books ten and eleven, respectively, in the Maggie O’Dell series, this story continued on via a plot point introduced in the previous book, Silent Creed, book two.

Dr. Clare Shaw is a scientist who has since disappeared from a North Carolina research facility following a landslide. She is the mastermind behind infecting people who volunteered to take part in medical experiments for money, but the thing they didn’t realize is that they’re being infected with a new, mutated strain of bird flu. All in an attempt to spread the virus to others in different cities.

The story starts off with Ryder Creed finding one of the victims. It doesn’t take long for Maggie O’Dell to be introduced as she’s arriving in Chicago to rendezvous with Benjamin Platt at a hotel where a man, sadly a familiar character if you started at book one, Breaking Creed, seemingly jumped from his balcony to commit suicide. But Maggie has her suspicions, especially after what’s found in the hotel room.

I loved the variety of locations in this one! Maggie in particular got to see Chicago, Atlanta (via a layover), Nebraska, New York City, Florida and Georgia! One character who we get to know quite well via her POV was infected and instructed to walk around NYC. I loved seeing this character manage to do what she was able to do. And the way that this one unsuspecting character in the grand scheme of things managed to do what she did, and end up with another character is fantastic writing! The way it all comes together!

The return of some characters last mentioned in Maggie’s series was amazing!! Charlie Wurth, deputy director of the Department of Homeland Security, and Agent Antonio Alonzo, a tech wizard! I love how well Charlie and Maggie work together. Speaking of characters returning, and inevitably meeting up, for a while I was wondering if Maggie and Creed might not have any in-person interactions at all in this book. But it did happen and I’m so happy that it did, especially considering the ending!! Just the two of them seeing one another again in this book had me screenshotting the page!! I still have to wonder though, how naturally these meetings will occur in the future books. This book did it perfectly, and honestly the other two had as well! Based on the description of book four, I can definitely see how they’d reconnect and get together. As for the others… we’ll see!! :)

I loved that I figured out something crucial around a fifth of the way into the book. I’d read one chapter on my phone at work while on my lunch break. I read that same chapter on my Kindle later when I got home to refresh my memory and if I hadn’t done that I don’t think I would’ve noticed certain bits of information that ultimately made me go, ah-HAAAAA! I may or may not have figured it out as the book progressed and only been surprised when it was figured out by one of the main characters, but the fact that I had a solid feeling that I’d figured it out was so cool! It reminded me of the pilot episode for a show that premiered in 2005. That’s all I’ll say to avoid spoiling!

Every character had a solid purpose and drive in this story. Ryder Creed was tasked with training his dogs to sniff out the carriers of the virus, Maggie O’Dell did her classic investigating and uncovered a sinister plot, supporting characters added their own thoughts and ideas and helped in all the ways they could to ensure this got under control. Jason (who had his nice own little subplot), Hannah, Dr. Avelyn, Charlie, Benjamin, etc. A character introduced in the previous book, one who is notoriously trying to do things for the greater good of humanity no matter what or who is sacrificed all while hoping to cover his own ass is brought back, Colonel Abraham Hess.

Everything that happens in this book just works! In my opinion it’s the best of the three Ryder Creed books I’ve read so far, though in all honesty they’re all pretty freaking awesome!! Thank you, Alex Kava!

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very exciting book three in the series. More dogs were introduced into Creeds dogs, rescued from a kill shelter and trained in 72 hours to be scent trackers for a dangerously released deadly contagion. Ryder and Maggie are brought together again to stop the contagion and capture the evil Dr. Shaw. Again, I have to praise the remarkable dogs in this series and their incredible trainer, Ryder Creed.
(Again, my question, when are Ryder and Maggie going to do something about their obvious attraction to each other? Hmm, just wondering,🧐).

[. · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5

Pomysł o samej epidemii był dobry ale na wykonaniu się zawiodłam, wiele ciekawych wątków które nie były wykorzystane w dobry sposób i sam trójkąt miłosny nie wyszedł dobrze, tak jakby był zrobiony na siłę. Główna antagonistka nie miała w ogóle charakteru. Jedyna rzecz która mi się podobała to jak epidemia się rozwijała.

[Garry Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that I found I had already read. Bummer! One of the best features of Good Reads, keeping track of books that I have read. It doesn't help when I forget to update my lists. I give this novel a three star rating.

[Rhonda B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creed is back along with the dogs to fight crime. Very good book but it has left me with the feeling of possible doom to society with how real this could actually be. Scarey if a story teller can make this up, someone else could actually execute it.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite series. This series is fast moving and not over complicated by extra words we don’t need to sell a story. I’m going to have to pace myself to read the next four books. I am suspecting I’m not going to like when I have to wait for another book.

[Marianne Stehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and easy read, looking forward to the next installment

[Curlyhair · Rating 4 out of 5]

3rd in the series, but not my fav. Decent enough story, just a bit boring for me (sorry - read it all before!). Characters as always worth the read and intrigued as to where they will go.

[Jannene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ryder Creed.