What do you think?
Rate this book
Raine Stockton Dog Mystery #1
Smoky Mountain Tracks
Raine Stockton, a dog trainer who gave up her career as a Search and Rescue worker after a tragic loss, reluctantly returns to active duty when a mother and daughter are kidnapped and taken deep into the forest where nothing is what it seems. Original.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
437 people are currently reading
1932 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
May 31, 2018
3.5 stars, rounded up
“It has been said that every woman deserves one good man in her lifetime, and one good dog. I haven’t yet found the one good man, but I’ve already had my one good dog.” Raines Stockton is still getting over the loss of that one good dog when this book starts. Cassidy, a golden retriever, was a rescue dog with a great history of recoveries. And when you read about her death, I dare you to stay dry eyed. Or maybe that’s just me...
But Raines is now training Cisco, a two year old Golden. The book starts when she’s called out to search for a missing woman and child. This will be Cisco’s first real rescue. Things don’t go well and Raines is distraught at their inability to find the child.
Anyone with a dog, especially a goofball breed like a retriever, will find themselves chuckling at Cisco’s antics. He’s a true two year old. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could say he’s usually better behaved but… not really he’s a golden retriever…”
There were several twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The dogs are the true heroes of the book. This is a decent mystery. Not earth shattering but enjoyable enough that I will seek out book two of the series.
“It has been said that every woman deserves one good man in her lifetime, and one good dog. I haven’t yet found the one good man, but I’ve already had my one good dog.” Raines Stockton is still getting over the loss of that one good dog when this book starts. Cassidy, a golden retriever, was a rescue dog with a great history of recoveries. And when you read about her death, I dare you to stay dry eyed. Or maybe that’s just me...
But Raines is now training Cisco, a two year old Golden. The book starts when she’s called out to search for a missing woman and child. This will be Cisco’s first real rescue. Things don’t go well and Raines is distraught at their inability to find the child.
Anyone with a dog, especially a goofball breed like a retriever, will find themselves chuckling at Cisco’s antics. He’s a true two year old. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could say he’s usually better behaved but… not really he’s a golden retriever…”
There were several twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The dogs are the true heroes of the book. This is a decent mystery. Not earth shattering but enjoyable enough that I will seek out book two of the series.
August 6, 2019
Raine Stockton has lived in the small town of Hansonville, North Carolina all of her life. She had retired from doing search and rescue work after the loss of her dog, Cassidy, but when she gets a call at 3:00 in the morning to help find a young child who is missing, she reluctantly agrees. The task of finding a small child in the dark, freezing cold night, deep in the wilderness is difficult enough and Raine knows that the odds are not in her favor to begin with. Now she must put all her faith in her young and inexperienced golden retriever, Cisco, and that makes the success of the search that much harder. What she and Cisco find is a gruesome sight, one that leaves her badly shaken, but the little girl is still out there somewhere in the dark, cold, unforgiving night.
This is a well written mystery with interesting, well developed characters along with a plausible story line. I genuinely adored Raine, her friend Maude, her dog Cisco, and the little female border collie who added her own bit of drama to the mix.
The story has plenty of action, suspense, twists, and turns to keep the pace moving quickly. Just when I thought I'd worked out who the killer was, there was a twist in the story line, I was proved wrong in the end. Again.
This is the first in the Raine Stockton dog mystery series and the ending left some tantalizing bits and pieces behind leading up to the next book in the series, Gun Shy.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs and a good mystery mixed up together.
This is a well written mystery with interesting, well developed characters along with a plausible story line. I genuinely adored Raine, her friend Maude, her dog Cisco, and the little female border collie who added her own bit of drama to the mix.
The story has plenty of action, suspense, twists, and turns to keep the pace moving quickly. Just when I thought I'd worked out who the killer was, there was a twist in the story line, I was proved wrong in the end. Again.
This is the first in the Raine Stockton dog mystery series and the ending left some tantalizing bits and pieces behind leading up to the next book in the series, Gun Shy.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs and a good mystery mixed up together.
October 4, 2016
A man is murdered, a child is missing in the mountains. Raine is called on to find the lost girl. But her Search and Rescue dog is big on enthusiasm but sadly lacking in experience.
Smoky Mountain Tracks is a good book that could have been great. The best parts of this book were the SAR parts. That's what I was expecting and it's what I wanted. A woman and her dog in the wilderness searching for a child. The mystery was OK but honestly mysteries like this one are a dime a dozen.
Onto book 2 and hopefully it's heavy on the SaR and light on the mystery.
Smoky Mountain Tracks is a good book that could have been great. The best parts of this book were the SAR parts. That's what I was expecting and it's what I wanted. A woman and her dog in the wilderness searching for a child. The mystery was OK but honestly mysteries like this one are a dime a dozen.
Onto book 2 and hopefully it's heavy on the SaR and light on the mystery.
August 21, 2022
Nice story and mystery. I enjoyed the story all the way through, but definitely a nice finish to wrap it all up. No Kleenex needed at the end and nothing to much that sensitive people wouldn't like. Some people may want more danger and grit in their story and perhaps rate it less. For the first half I was thinking, good but maybe 4 stars, but with a nice finish and very good parts for the dogs (Golden Retriever and Border Collie) to play I finished wanting to give it a 5. Probably not the best mystery + dog book out there, but a good comfortable read.
There is an element with a dog psychic in there, but I think it is done it is used well.
As far as they mystery goes, I suspected some things early on, but am not the sort to really stop as I go and definitively 'know.' You have to introduce elements that you can put together for the end and I thought that worked very well so I would recommend the book.
There is an element with a dog psychic in there, but I think it is done it is used well.
As far as they mystery goes, I suspected some things early on, but am not the sort to really stop as I go and definitively 'know.' You have to introduce elements that you can put together for the end and I thought that worked very well so I would recommend the book.
January 5, 2017
I am totally enthralled with this series by Donna Ball. Ive found a really great mystery set. I love the characters, the main lead "Raine Stockton" is strong, funny, intelligent and doesn't take crap from anyone. I love the dogs too. She has one smart golden retriever, "Cisco".
Ive read all of the books out of order and haven't missed a thing in character development other than how far her dog has come in training to be a search and rescue dog.
I highly recommend to anyone who loves mysteries and especially if you love smart dogs!
In this book a little girl named Angel has come up missing. The cops come to Raine to give her dog a shot at finding anything connected to the little girl. They search the forest and everything seems to go wrong. The dog finds an old can of baked beans instead of what they had hoped for in evidence of the missing child. Raine falls and breaks her knee and nothing goes according to plan. What follows is a series of misadventures which turns out a great story. Loved it!
Ive read all of the books out of order and haven't missed a thing in character development other than how far her dog has come in training to be a search and rescue dog.
I highly recommend to anyone who loves mysteries and especially if you love smart dogs!
In this book a little girl named Angel has come up missing. The cops come to Raine to give her dog a shot at finding anything connected to the little girl. They search the forest and everything seems to go wrong. The dog finds an old can of baked beans instead of what they had hoped for in evidence of the missing child. Raine falls and breaks her knee and nothing goes according to plan. What follows is a series of misadventures which turns out a great story. Loved it!
April 11, 2013
Ninety-nine cent Kindle Promo book and the first in this series. Raine Stockton is a dog trainer who volunteers for Search and Rescue. Her estranged husband is the deputy sheriff. Her current SAR dog is a youngster who has not yet proven himself and she has a new neighbor who claims to be an animal communicator. Add to that, the story is set in the mountains of North Carolina and there's a lot that appeals to me in this story. Not great literature but a fun quick read. Some character development thank goodness because at first I wanted to bop Raine over the head for the way she treated her dog. I would read more in this series.
February 4, 2014
Another fun, breezy mystery featuring dog trainer & accidental female sleuth Raine Stockton. The second in the series, I enjoyed this title as much as the first, which isn't always the case with series. Author Donna Ball knows how stir up a good mix of drama and dog training info without letting the pace lag. I also enjoyed the romantic tension between her and her on-and-off ex-husband Buck, a mans' man whose one weakness is that he's also a ladies man. But no worries, Raine has a man in her life, named Cisco, who's loyal and true if unruly at times. He just happens to be canine.
June 19, 2018
Every once in a while I need a cozy type book for a fun, fast read- and not "too corny!"
As far as a cozy mystery goes - this is a winner for sure..... if you like law enforcement books with a dog as a 'co-star' then this is for you. This was a fun, fast, read where you love the main character, enjoy the secondary characters and absolutely fall in love with the dog!!!
So looking forward to picking up book number 2 !!
As far as a cozy mystery goes - this is a winner for sure..... if you like law enforcement books with a dog as a 'co-star' then this is for you. This was a fun, fast, read where you love the main character, enjoy the secondary characters and absolutely fall in love with the dog!!!
So looking forward to picking up book number 2 !!
November 6, 2019
While the mystery is a bit intense for my taste, the rescue dogs make this story very interesting. The characters are quite varied, the setting is intriguing, and I'm hoping there will be more from an author I'd already come to appreciate.
October 21, 2016
I Love The Dogs!
This story started out slow! I thought that it was going to be a dud. Well, I was wrong! It kept me on the edge of my seat until we found out what happened to all concerned people. I was worried that one of the dogs was going to get hurt. It is bad that there was one dead body, but not a hurt animal, that would be too much!
It was a very well written mystery and I enjoyed the animal training spots. All in all it is a good read.
This story started out slow! I thought that it was going to be a dud. Well, I was wrong! It kept me on the edge of my seat until we found out what happened to all concerned people. I was worried that one of the dogs was going to get hurt. It is bad that there was one dead body, but not a hurt animal, that would be too much!
It was a very well written mystery and I enjoyed the animal training spots. All in all it is a good read.
September 5, 2016
Disappointing Read
Extreme dog lover that I am, I was expecting more from this book. Where was the suspense? A dog trainer that does not believe in her own dog? An emotionless read about a missing little girl when the story was more about the main character, Raine, who felt sorry for herself. Not so sure I want to give the other books in this series a try.
Extreme dog lover that I am, I was expecting more from this book. Where was the suspense? A dog trainer that does not believe in her own dog? An emotionless read about a missing little girl when the story was more about the main character, Raine, who felt sorry for herself. Not so sure I want to give the other books in this series a try.
August 24, 2018
This book was more along the lines of 2.5 stars. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't great. This book suffered from a severe lack of action and sleuthing. The writing was solid but the plot line was agonizingly slow. I enjoyed reading about the search and rescue, but otherwise the amateur sleuthing was terrible since it was nonexistent. I'm not going to read the next in this series.
March 21, 2019
NOTE - Though I read the full series I'm placing the rating on the first book only.
Some in the series were better than others but overall disappointed by the hoped for but not achieved maturing for both Raine, (the handler) and Cisco (the dog).
Others ratings and glimpses that gave hope, kept me moving forward. You know the character. The one you're talking to as they walk into the room where the lights won't work, they hear noises, keep walking and your yelling in your head WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?
That's Raine. Different scenarios, same blundering over and over and...
Some in the series were better than others but overall disappointed by the hoped for but not achieved maturing for both Raine, (the handler) and Cisco (the dog).
Others ratings and glimpses that gave hope, kept me moving forward. You know the character. The one you're talking to as they walk into the room where the lights won't work, they hear noises, keep walking and your yelling in your head WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?
That's Raine. Different scenarios, same blundering over and over and...
March 23, 2025
3.75 stars
Raine Stockton gets called on to help the police track a mother and daughter that they believe have been injured and/or abducted from their home. Raine is working with a new dog and dealing with her ex-husband, who happens to be a policeman she is now working with.
The search intensifies and Raine believes her dog did not work well.
A new person calls on Raine to help her with a dog she just found on the property that she just purchased. Things are going on in the town that could change the whole complexion of the small town. What does that have to do with the case Raine is working on? Could it be connected?
Quick and pleasant read.
Raine Stockton gets called on to help the police track a mother and daughter that they believe have been injured and/or abducted from their home. Raine is working with a new dog and dealing with her ex-husband, who happens to be a policeman she is now working with.
The search intensifies and Raine believes her dog did not work well.
A new person calls on Raine to help her with a dog she just found on the property that she just purchased. Things are going on in the town that could change the whole complexion of the small town. What does that have to do with the case Raine is working on? Could it be connected?
Quick and pleasant read.
July 18, 2022
Great, clean mystery to listen to on Audible.
May 30, 2015
Raine Stockton is a dog trainer and she has a history of being involved in Search and Rescue.
She and her dog Cassidy, were successful more times than not when searching for victims. In Raine’s mind and heart, there will never be another dog like Cassidy. Cassidy excelled at agility training, Search and Rescue and being a therapy dog. When Cassidy passes away, Raine cannot get over the loss. Although she now owns another golden retriever, Cisco, an offspring of Cassidy, Raine does not have the interest or the heart to do any of that anymore. And Cisco is too young and to puppyish to be any good.
But when Raine gets a phone call in the middle of the night and finds out that a mother and daughter are missing and could be out in the cold in the dark woods, she agrees to bring Cisco and search for them. When it has been determined that mother and daughter have been kidnapped, the situation becomes even more dangerous. Although Cisco is anxious to please Raine, the search does not end well. The kidnapper is found dead at the bottom of a ravine, and although the mother is found, there is no sign of the child. Time is running out before the search and rescue mission becomes a recovery mission.
The characters are very well rounded, realistic and three dimensional. Raine is someone who wants the world to think she is strong and fearless but in reality she has a soft side. She will do whatever it takes to protect her dogs and to help rescue those in danger. But she is not so certain of things when it comes to her estranged husband, Buck, who works for the sheriff’s department. And when it comes to getting over Cassidy’s death, she is struggling a lot. Buck is likable and at times I wanted to see the two of them get back together. Then there’s Maude, who is a no-nonsense type of person who tells it like it is. And Sonny is a lawyer and dog communicator that plays an important part in solving the mystery. The character that really stole the show for me was Cisco. He is full of puppy exuberance and mischief but he wants desperately to please Raine and win her love. I could have read all day about his antics and been very happy doing it.
I love reading Search and Rescue fiction and I think this is one of the best ones that I have read. The author is very talented in bringing the scenes to life and I could picture in my mind the rough terrain and the dangers that awaited Raine and Cisco. The author is also very talented in bringing out the emotions of the reader. There were times when I laughed out loud at something that Cisco did and then there were times when I had tears in my eyes. The suspense and mystery were carried on throughout the whole book and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing as to the killer’s identity.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. If you enjoy Search and Rescue, then this book is a must read. I read this book many years ago and I am so glad that I reread it. I think I enjoyed it even more the second time. And the fact that there are many more books in the series makes it even better.
She and her dog Cassidy, were successful more times than not when searching for victims. In Raine’s mind and heart, there will never be another dog like Cassidy. Cassidy excelled at agility training, Search and Rescue and being a therapy dog. When Cassidy passes away, Raine cannot get over the loss. Although she now owns another golden retriever, Cisco, an offspring of Cassidy, Raine does not have the interest or the heart to do any of that anymore. And Cisco is too young and to puppyish to be any good.
But when Raine gets a phone call in the middle of the night and finds out that a mother and daughter are missing and could be out in the cold in the dark woods, she agrees to bring Cisco and search for them. When it has been determined that mother and daughter have been kidnapped, the situation becomes even more dangerous. Although Cisco is anxious to please Raine, the search does not end well. The kidnapper is found dead at the bottom of a ravine, and although the mother is found, there is no sign of the child. Time is running out before the search and rescue mission becomes a recovery mission.
The characters are very well rounded, realistic and three dimensional. Raine is someone who wants the world to think she is strong and fearless but in reality she has a soft side. She will do whatever it takes to protect her dogs and to help rescue those in danger. But she is not so certain of things when it comes to her estranged husband, Buck, who works for the sheriff’s department. And when it comes to getting over Cassidy’s death, she is struggling a lot. Buck is likable and at times I wanted to see the two of them get back together. Then there’s Maude, who is a no-nonsense type of person who tells it like it is. And Sonny is a lawyer and dog communicator that plays an important part in solving the mystery. The character that really stole the show for me was Cisco. He is full of puppy exuberance and mischief but he wants desperately to please Raine and win her love. I could have read all day about his antics and been very happy doing it.
I love reading Search and Rescue fiction and I think this is one of the best ones that I have read. The author is very talented in bringing the scenes to life and I could picture in my mind the rough terrain and the dangers that awaited Raine and Cisco. The author is also very talented in bringing out the emotions of the reader. There were times when I laughed out loud at something that Cisco did and then there were times when I had tears in my eyes. The suspense and mystery were carried on throughout the whole book and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing as to the killer’s identity.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. If you enjoy Search and Rescue, then this book is a must read. I read this book many years ago and I am so glad that I reread it. I think I enjoyed it even more the second time. And the fact that there are many more books in the series makes it even better.
October 26, 2020
Everything you might want in a K-9 mystery and more. Edge of the seat action. Endearingly imperfect dogs. A mystery plot that is believable and twisty. Characters you actually care about. Humor.
A mystery this good it hurts to put down. From about page...oh...one, I was hooked and determined to get to the end. Missing children have a way of doing that, not to mention search and rescue dogs and their owners with a certain snappy attitude that you can't help but like. I'm looking forward to the rest of them.
I have only one quibble with the series: some of them are kind of short. If they could only be three times as long!
A mystery this good it hurts to put down. From about page...oh...one, I was hooked and determined to get to the end. Missing children have a way of doing that, not to mention search and rescue dogs and their owners with a certain snappy attitude that you can't help but like. I'm looking forward to the rest of them.
I have only one quibble with the series: some of them are kind of short. If they could only be three times as long!
April 7, 2013
First book in a series I want to keep reading, as I am a fan of outdoor mysteries. Good complex plot, I was a bit underwhelmed by the main character's radical personality change. I hope the next book stabilizes Raine a bit more.
First paragraphs
Chapter One If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my thirty-odd (sometimes very odd) years of life, it’s that nothing good ever happens at three o’clock in the morning. Well, okay, sometimes someone has a baby, or a litter of puppies, but since no one I knew was expecting either, and since anyone who knew me understood that no matter how excited they were about the news, I would be much more likely to receive it in the spirit it was meant after sunrise, I had no reason to expect to hear anything that would make me happy when the phone rang at 3: 06 a.m. I was right. I spent a few moments trying not to choke on my own adrenaline as the first couple of rings jolted me up on my elbows in bed and pounded panic through my head,
Ball, Donna (2010-04-09). Smoky Mountain Tracks (Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries) (pp. 1-2). Blue Merle Publishing. Kindle Edition.
February 21, 2018
Wrenching dual conflicts. One, recovering from the loss of a working partnership when Raine's first Search & Rescue partner passed away (before the beginning of this book. The second, a missing child with crummy weather, an inexperienced new S&R dog and the related complications for this new partnership.
A small community in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, long standing family dynamics and events from outside the community shine a light on other stressors.
Lots of suspense, atmospheric descriptions and a good foundation of knowledge of the likely players in the following books in this series.
A small community in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, long standing family dynamics and events from outside the community shine a light on other stressors.
Lots of suspense, atmospheric descriptions and a good foundation of knowledge of the likely players in the following books in this series.
September 29, 2016
Just discovered this author on Goodreads & am going through the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery series. This is the 1st book in the series so I'm just dipping my toe in here. Enjoyed the plot/story-line. You learn a lot about search & rescue training & about dog training in general. Obviously, this is a cozy series for dog lovers, so if you fit that mold, plan on enjoying the experience.
May 24, 2014
A very pleasant light mystery about a trainer and her dogs. I read it pretty much in one sitting.
There were a couple if plot points kept back in a slightly clunky way. But Even so, I enjoyed the details of the dogs and the mountains. I love that setting.
There were a couple if plot points kept back in a slightly clunky way. But Even so, I enjoyed the details of the dogs and the mountains. I love that setting.
March 18, 2016
I loved it. Maybe because I lived in the Smokies for years and because I love dogs, but I thought it was great.
August 9, 2023
This is a little book but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I can see not letting a big, shedding Golden into your bed. Every time the dog moves at wakes you up. The hair would be in my mouth in my eyes and in my nose!
But, I so love having my little 10 pound Havanese sleep with me. Of course she has a special cover on her side of the bed but she does tend to ooze over onto my side. Sometimes, she lies so tight against me that I find myself just short of oozing off my side of the bed onto the floor! That’s OK; It’s carpeted.
I must admit, it’s warm and comforting to lay there feeling her little body tight up against mine.
“Why do people persist in investing their dogs with emotions that only humans – thank God – are capable of possessing?”
Answer: Because dogs have many emotions that you might have and they are experts at reading what we feel.
Humans pretty much hear what we speak, whether it’s true or not.
You never have to lie to a dog. You never have to put on a happy face. You don’t have to be nice and polite when you’re just not feeling it.
Dogs know what we feel by closely observing our faces and interpreting our body language. Like humans, all dogs aren’t that invested in their humans emotions but, there are those that are.
“Dogs view the world and everything in it only in relation to how they affect them. They couldn’t care less what privileges others might acquire as long as they themselves don’t feel deprived.” (Sounds pretty human to me.) “This, of course, incited the jealousy of mischief, her sister who bounded over… and tried to wiggle her way into the center of the action.”
My first dog, a beautiful collie, knew and understood me probably better than anyone did.
He proved that time and time again.
A funny little aside;
I named my collie Satin Rex. Satin not being a very common name. But yet, when I got his papers back from the AKC I saw his dam’s name was Satin Doll. Hmmm.
I can see not letting a big, shedding Golden into your bed. Every time the dog moves at wakes you up. The hair would be in my mouth in my eyes and in my nose!
But, I so love having my little 10 pound Havanese sleep with me. Of course she has a special cover on her side of the bed but she does tend to ooze over onto my side. Sometimes, she lies so tight against me that I find myself just short of oozing off my side of the bed onto the floor! That’s OK; It’s carpeted.
I must admit, it’s warm and comforting to lay there feeling her little body tight up against mine.
“Why do people persist in investing their dogs with emotions that only humans – thank God – are capable of possessing?”
Answer: Because dogs have many emotions that you might have and they are experts at reading what we feel.
Humans pretty much hear what we speak, whether it’s true or not.
You never have to lie to a dog. You never have to put on a happy face. You don’t have to be nice and polite when you’re just not feeling it.
Dogs know what we feel by closely observing our faces and interpreting our body language. Like humans, all dogs aren’t that invested in their humans emotions but, there are those that are.
“Dogs view the world and everything in it only in relation to how they affect them. They couldn’t care less what privileges others might acquire as long as they themselves don’t feel deprived.” (Sounds pretty human to me.) “This, of course, incited the jealousy of mischief, her sister who bounded over… and tried to wiggle her way into the center of the action.”
My first dog, a beautiful collie, knew and understood me probably better than anyone did.
He proved that time and time again.
A funny little aside;
I named my collie Satin Rex. Satin not being a very common name. But yet, when I got his papers back from the AKC I saw his dam’s name was Satin Doll. Hmmm.
January 26, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up
This is another series that has been highly recommended by several of my reading friends and has been in Mt. TBR for nearly a decade. I finally decided to see what all the fuss is about, and do not regret the decision. As mentioned before, I really like the author’s Ladybug Farm series, and enjoyed the first book in her Dogleg Island series read earlier this month, so I expected to like this book too and was not disappointed.
I’ve never been to North Carolina, but have driven through part of the Smoky Mountains and was awestruck. How incredible it must be to live on the edges of such natural beauty. I liked Raine, her friends, and her dogs, especially Cisco. What’s not to like about a golden retriever?😊 When I worked at our local public library, we often had families come in who were training puppies to become support dogs and seeing eye dogs, and I was always impressed by the time, effort and dedication they put into the training. I imagine training a dog for Search and Rescue would be even more demanding.
As usual from this author, the mystery was well-done. There were only a handful of suspects for serious consideration, but conflicting clues were dropped throughout the story, and it was hard to settle on one name to put at the top of the list. I knew one character was somehow involved, but wasn’t sure about how until it was revealed in the book. I was happy that Raine’s attitude toward Cisco changed and look forward to seeing that develop in the next book in the series.
This is another series that has been highly recommended by several of my reading friends and has been in Mt. TBR for nearly a decade. I finally decided to see what all the fuss is about, and do not regret the decision. As mentioned before, I really like the author’s Ladybug Farm series, and enjoyed the first book in her Dogleg Island series read earlier this month, so I expected to like this book too and was not disappointed.
I’ve never been to North Carolina, but have driven through part of the Smoky Mountains and was awestruck. How incredible it must be to live on the edges of such natural beauty. I liked Raine, her friends, and her dogs, especially Cisco. What’s not to like about a golden retriever?😊 When I worked at our local public library, we often had families come in who were training puppies to become support dogs and seeing eye dogs, and I was always impressed by the time, effort and dedication they put into the training. I imagine training a dog for Search and Rescue would be even more demanding.
As usual from this author, the mystery was well-done. There were only a handful of suspects for serious consideration, but conflicting clues were dropped throughout the story, and it was hard to settle on one name to put at the top of the list. I knew one character was somehow involved, but wasn’t sure about how until it was revealed in the book. I was happy that Raine’s attitude toward Cisco changed and look forward to seeing that develop in the next book in the series.
June 19, 2021
Excellent stories with great details about training dogs and the lush setting in the North Carolina wilderness mountains. Raine Stockton is a part-time Search and Rescue volunteer and a full-time dog training and boarding business owner. When a man is murdered and a young six-year-old girl goes missing, Raine reluctantly takes her golden retriever out to help search. Cisco is the grandson of her much beloved Cassidy and is young and rambunctious. But he's a good dog with lots of potential. I think his biggest problem is that Raine as his trainer expects perfection--both in Cisco, comparing him to award-winning Cassidy, and in herself as a trainer. She is embarrassed too easily when he breaks training and acts like the not quite three-year-old dog that he is. Fun character in a rich, defense lawyer who has moved into the area and says she that she can hear what dogs are saying somewhat. Raine likes her but doesn't quite believe her, although she seems to get some things right. Raine's ex-husband is a deputy in the police department, her father was the judge for years before he died, and her uncle is the police chief, so she is well-connected in the community. I've read the first four books already and just bought the fifth from Kindle.
October 3, 2020
Donna Ball clearly loves dogs - you could take the mystery element out of it altogether leaving just a woman, a dog, and Search and Rescue and you'd have a pretty good read.
"In my life I have loved one dog and been fascinated and amused by a great many others," notes the main character, Raine Stockton. That dog was 'Cassidy' - "She was my heart" - and Raine rates all her dogs against her- in particular her SAR dog-in-training Cisco.
Throw in a missing child, a murder, a lawyer who may talk to dogs, oncoming development of the rural area, and Raine's husband Buck (they've married twice, divorced once, and currently live apart) and you have all the makings for a good read.
I liked it.
"In my life I have loved one dog and been fascinated and amused by a great many others," notes the main character, Raine Stockton. That dog was 'Cassidy' - "She was my heart" - and Raine rates all her dogs against her- in particular her SAR dog-in-training Cisco.
Throw in a missing child, a murder, a lawyer who may talk to dogs, oncoming development of the rural area, and Raine's husband Buck (they've married twice, divorced once, and currently live apart) and you have all the makings for a good read.
I liked it.
September 15, 2019
Good books except for...
I greatly enjoy this series, and highly recommend to dog lovers especially. But one thing that drives me crazy is the emphasis on the AKC, and I’m deducting a star for that emphasis. I work daily alongside border collies, without whom I could never do my job alone - I raise sheep for meat and wool. The AKC is responsible for ruining many working dog breeds by rewarding looks over brains and ability. Beware! If you want a smart, capable companion who will never let you down, don’t be fooled by “AKC registration”. If you only want decoration, then by all means proceed.
I greatly enjoy this series, and highly recommend to dog lovers especially. But one thing that drives me crazy is the emphasis on the AKC, and I’m deducting a star for that emphasis. I work daily alongside border collies, without whom I could never do my job alone - I raise sheep for meat and wool. The AKC is responsible for ruining many working dog breeds by rewarding looks over brains and ability. Beware! If you want a smart, capable companion who will never let you down, don’t be fooled by “AKC registration”. If you only want decoration, then by all means proceed.
November 15, 2023
Donna Bell's title should have been THE SCENT THAT STAYED WITH THE DOG instead of SMOKY MOUNTAIN TRACTS. Cisco, a fun loving Golden in training to be a search and rescue dog, who in spite of everything (read it for the everything) stuck with his job until, tracking a young child. An interesting topic tossed in besides the search, rescue, getting the bad guys etc. was the possibility of...maybe...being able to communicate with animals?...think about it. And Raine? Her ability is with her dogs. For sure, not her yo-yo relationship with her ex. (but he's such a nice dude in spite of with his wondering ways....)
March 23, 2021
This is actually the second time I've read this book. I first read it in 2012, which was before I opened a Goodreads account and shortly after I got my first Kindle. Having recently read the first book in another series by the same author, I thought I'd skim through this one again to remind myself about the characters and setting and then carry on with the series. It had been long enough since I'd read it that I remembered very little from the first read through and found myself reading every word. I liked it then. I loved it this time around.
November 12, 2022
I liked this one. It had a rich setting, in North Carolina near the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are complex characters. Best of all, there are dogs with actual abilities and personalities. They mystery was a bit easy to figure out with the "bad guys" being more cliche than what I suspect will be long term characters.
Note: I bought this. These books don't seem to be available at any library except one of the 15 in the series. So I want to read the rest but it may be slowly if I'm buying them.
Note: I bought this. These books don't seem to be available at any library except one of the 15 in the series. So I want to read the rest but it may be slowly if I'm buying them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews