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amishoard

Ami's Hoard

To Read is To Live

Suspect - Robert Crais 4.5 starsI gobbled this up for few hours -- safely to say that this is, so far, my FAVORITE Robert Crais novel, Cole/Pike notwithstanding.For me personally, this novel is less on the thriller-suspense but more on the friendship between Scott and the amazing 85-pound black-and-tan German shepherd dog by the name of Maggie. Both Scott and Maggie have experienced a tragedy in their lives. Scott got shot at the same night he lost his partner, Stephanie in a sudden nighttime assault. Scott always feels guilty because he thinks Stephanie's last thought was that of Scott leaving her in the moment of need (he didn't, he just crawled away to their police car to try to call for help). Meanwhile, Maggie also suffered from PTSD after her handler was killed by IED in Afghanistan, and she also got shot. Determined not to take medical retirement, Scott undergoes K9 training. On the day he is supposed to get K9 dog, Scott and Maggie find each other. They are both considered 'suspect' -- not right for the job. But Scott and Maggie prove everyone wrong. It is such a wonderful story. Scott never considers himself a dog man, but he learns how to deal with Maggie, how to talk to her, how to love her. And Maggie learns about his new 'Alpha', his mood, his body language. They end up healing each other. The part where Scott breaks down and cry and hugs Maggie is simply heartbreaking. I love the chapters where Maggie is the narrator. Her thoughts are simple yet honest..."The threat was gone.Crate safe.Pack safe.Alpha safe.Her job was done."My other favorite secondary character would be the K-9 Platoon Chief Trainer, Dominick Leland. He seems to love his dogs more than he likes people *lol*. It's a near perfect read for me. My only complain would be -- because Scott is not a homicide detective, he is not fully involved in the investigation of his shooting. Which is why I think the suspense is rather lacking. The ending also feels a bit rushed.Despite of that... I know that I can just reread several sections of this book over and over again.