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On Scene: Inspired by one of the longest manhunts in Canadian history
"...thoroughly researched work...an enticing game of hide-and-seek across the tundra." - Kirkus Reviews
Near a tiny town in northern Saskatchewan, it fell to Sergeant Walter Regitnig and his canine partner Bruce to track a killer. He'd hunted men before, but never one who'd murdered his best friend.
Speculation is a dangerous thing when dealing with someone's life.
What causes people to react the way they do? Say the things they say?
Fear. Anger. Mental instability. Revenge.
Sometimes there is no clear motive at all.
The absence of why is where speculation is born.
Speculation can kill a man.
On October 9, 1970, it killed two of them.
"If you want to be a dogman, you better be prepared for anything."-Sgt. W.J. O. Regitnig (Reg. #17364)
Near a tiny town in northern Saskatchewan, it fell to Sergeant Walter Regitnig and his canine partner Bruce to track a killer. He'd hunted men before, but never one who'd murdered his best friend.
Speculation is a dangerous thing when dealing with someone's life.
What causes people to react the way they do? Say the things they say?
Fear. Anger. Mental instability. Revenge.
Sometimes there is no clear motive at all.
The absence of why is where speculation is born.
Speculation can kill a man.
On October 9, 1970, it killed two of them.
"If you want to be a dogman, you better be prepared for anything."-Sgt. W.J. O. Regitnig (Reg. #17364)
- GenresFiction
282 pages, Hardcover
Published November 15, 2021
14 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 3, 2022
Kate's writing paints a picture of the love and friendships of RCMP families and their immense pain at the loss of two officers. The fictionalized story of a little known piece of Canadian history depicts a tragedy that didn't have to happen and the search for justice. It won't take long to become fully invested in the characters and story. Enjoy your read!
July 3, 2022
Kate is an amazing Author and this is a very well written story. Highly recommend.
January 24, 2022
On Scene by Kate Kading. I ordered this book upon seeing the author post the book release on the Spouses of the RCMP group page. My interest peaked to read this book to support the Author, who is also a PDS spouse (“From one ‘Wally and Dolores’ to another “). On Scene did not disappoint, I ‘binge’ read this book cover to cover within 4-5 days.
On Scene is a book about a Dog Handler and his K-9 partner. They were called out to a track a killer that killed two police officers in the line of duty in Northern Saskatchewan. On Scene is a story inspired by one of the longest manhunts in Canadian History.
This book definitely held my interest. The more I read, the more I could relate to the story. I read several passages aloud to my husband, some while I was laughing, while I was crying, and while I had a pit in my stomach.
“Yeah, well, if I don’t get to eat yet, neither do you. Catch this asshole fast so we can get back.”
“A job like this wasn’t just a job; it was your whole life.”
“Thrown around like a rag doll at the mercy of eighty-eight pounds of obstinate German shepherd, the suspect screeched like an injured rabbit.”
“Bruce headed north, feet eating the miles in an effortless gait only an experienced tracker could maintain, with a strong arm-yanking only a seasoned dog master’s bicep could easily handle. He kept the dog leashed now, for safety.”
“The dog masters called the dogs the tip of the spear. They were the first line of defense. The first to know. But the dark made the terrain hazardous, and Wally needed to feel Bruce’s reactions through the leash. It was his lifeline. They didn’t know where the shooter was but the breeze still held clues. The dog’s nose wove through the air, side to side, then something he smelled drew his head down to the ground and he set to work. Wally was thankful for each and every yank on that line.” Best known as the Guardians of the Night.
“He missed her. They’d gone more than twenty-four hours without speaking on countless occasions. He didn’t often get to call home when he was tracking someone and she understood.”
I would recommend this book to anyone whether they like mystery or action or complex characters or based on true stories. It is my opinion that On Scene is an honest version of PDS life ‘a lifestyle within the RCMP lifestyle’.
Congratulations Kate Kading! Job well done 😊
M. Muzzerall
On Scene is a book about a Dog Handler and his K-9 partner. They were called out to a track a killer that killed two police officers in the line of duty in Northern Saskatchewan. On Scene is a story inspired by one of the longest manhunts in Canadian History.
This book definitely held my interest. The more I read, the more I could relate to the story. I read several passages aloud to my husband, some while I was laughing, while I was crying, and while I had a pit in my stomach.
“Yeah, well, if I don’t get to eat yet, neither do you. Catch this asshole fast so we can get back.”
“A job like this wasn’t just a job; it was your whole life.”
“Thrown around like a rag doll at the mercy of eighty-eight pounds of obstinate German shepherd, the suspect screeched like an injured rabbit.”
“Bruce headed north, feet eating the miles in an effortless gait only an experienced tracker could maintain, with a strong arm-yanking only a seasoned dog master’s bicep could easily handle. He kept the dog leashed now, for safety.”
“The dog masters called the dogs the tip of the spear. They were the first line of defense. The first to know. But the dark made the terrain hazardous, and Wally needed to feel Bruce’s reactions through the leash. It was his lifeline. They didn’t know where the shooter was but the breeze still held clues. The dog’s nose wove through the air, side to side, then something he smelled drew his head down to the ground and he set to work. Wally was thankful for each and every yank on that line.” Best known as the Guardians of the Night.
“He missed her. They’d gone more than twenty-four hours without speaking on countless occasions. He didn’t often get to call home when he was tracking someone and she understood.”
I would recommend this book to anyone whether they like mystery or action or complex characters or based on true stories. It is my opinion that On Scene is an honest version of PDS life ‘a lifestyle within the RCMP lifestyle’.
Congratulations Kate Kading! Job well done 😊
M. Muzzerall
March 3, 2022
This book was so freaking good! The pain and anguish of the fellow officers comes right off the page and gets right into the reader's heart. The funeral had me in tears, Kate Kading has managed to bring the reader right into the story and feel the loss of these two RCMP officers. Hoping for many more books of Kate's to read!!
February 13, 2024
My first five star on Kindle. Wish I could read this for the first time again. The author clearly did her research on a manhunt that has not been talked about enough and left me wondering and curious about the area.
May 15, 2023
This was a great read- a fiction story of an actual event. I liked the focus of the author.
November 19, 2024
An interesting account combining fact with fiction.
March 2, 2022
Based on one of the longest manhunts in Canadian history. On Scene brings to life the story of Sergeant Walter Regitnig and his canine partner Bruce and details their struggle to find the man who shot and killed two RCMP officers, one of which was his best friend, on October 9, 1979.
This book illustrates the power of great research from the first page to the last, including some impressive author’s notes. A love story based on true crime, On Scene captures perfectly the bond of friendship, the dedication officers have for one another and their chosen life’s work, the devotion between human and canine partners, and the love of family. Richly written, from the characters to the settings, On Scene will take you on a journey that starts near a small town in Northern Saskatchewan to the frozen prairies that at times feels so realistic you’re relieved to stop at the diner for a hot coffee with Wally. An engaging read from start to finish, On Scene will have you laughing, crying, sitting on the edge of your seat, and everything in between! This was Kading’s debut novel, and I will be among the first in line for her next!
This book illustrates the power of great research from the first page to the last, including some impressive author’s notes. A love story based on true crime, On Scene captures perfectly the bond of friendship, the dedication officers have for one another and their chosen life’s work, the devotion between human and canine partners, and the love of family. Richly written, from the characters to the settings, On Scene will take you on a journey that starts near a small town in Northern Saskatchewan to the frozen prairies that at times feels so realistic you’re relieved to stop at the diner for a hot coffee with Wally. An engaging read from start to finish, On Scene will have you laughing, crying, sitting on the edge of your seat, and everything in between! This was Kading’s debut novel, and I will be among the first in line for her next!
February 16, 2022
A page-turner that I did not want to put down! I felt a little guilty that I read it so quickly because the author put so much work into researching the story; I felt that I should have taken more time to savour it.
I can easily picture this story as a movie and I really hope that happens. I recommend readers keep track of the names from the start; I'm terrible with remembering names, and by Chapter 4 I realized I had to go back to note the names of the characters so I could keep them straight until I got to know them better. I also recommend readers check out the podcast where the author is interviewed about her book and the process of taking on this HUGE project and condensing it into a novel. After reading this book I wanted to know more about this true story.
I can easily picture this story as a movie and I really hope that happens. I recommend readers keep track of the names from the start; I'm terrible with remembering names, and by Chapter 4 I realized I had to go back to note the names of the characters so I could keep them straight until I got to know them better. I also recommend readers check out the podcast where the author is interviewed about her book and the process of taking on this HUGE project and condensing it into a novel. After reading this book I wanted to know more about this true story.
February 24, 2022
I chose this book because of my memories of this crime. The story is told creatively using the timeline of the search and the others involved off scene. I found it well written and well organized. I appreciated the chapter by chapter explanation between the fiction and facts the author used to write this story. Thanks for that!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews