Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: To Serve
SERIES: Carlisle K-9 (Book 2)
AUTHOR: Andrew Grey
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 231 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 5, 2026
BLURB:
Marty Waters is a computer support specialist and history buff whose main hobby is working at the local historical society. When a boy goes missing, Marty offers his tech skills to aid the police in finding him.
Enter Officer Hottie and his K-9 partner, Dexter. Grant Webster works as a K-9 officer with the Carlisle PD, and he’s been assigned to the recent kidnapping case. He could do without the assistance of the computer geek who insists on helping, though, no matter how cute he is.
It turns out, Marty’s historical knowledge and research skills are more useful than Grant expected, and together they’re able to recognize the kidnapper’s pattern, but the long hours bring an intense attraction neither of them has ever experienced. Is the interest real or just a reaction to the excitement and danger? As more children are taken, they will have to set aside their attraction and rely on each other, and Dexter, to find the kids in time.
REVIEW:
Kids in serious peril is not my usual reading choice. So this one surprised me how much it ensnared me.
Marty and the neighbors what to know why their peaceful neighborhood in Carlisle is being swarmed by the police two times now. That house is a menace to their quiet neighborhood since it’s been vacant for so many years. And this second round of investigation is peaking Marty’s interest. There has been a child missing and he helps lead Officer Hottie and his beautiful service dog to what turns out was a secret space that Marty has discovered in his researching at the historical society. It’s was super common back when these grand homes were built. What he never imagine that day was that he was going to become a foster parent to that sweet, scared boy. And that Grant (aka Officer Hottie as the neighbor ladies coined him) and him would also form a deep lasting relationship.
As I stated, I do not do children in peril! Period. End of discussion! The movies send me into nightmares and I can’t let my eyes off of the kids I’m with. My ex-husband eventually banned the playing of them after the whole Adam Walsh kidnapping and murder movie. I literally became so paranoid that our sons would be taken. So this book surprised me that I not only didn’t have night terrors last night but that I read the whole story without my usual level of anxiety. Andrew Grey has the unique ability to keep a story thrilling and engaging yet without the crippling anxiety that most of this style of books bring on. I love that I can trust his writing to be not only real but that he won’t take it too far.
This book had the fascinating mix of Marty being a local historical building buff as a hobby and therefore a great resource in helping lead to the capture of the kidnapper. The story had just enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages as quickly as possible without going too far.
I will say that the eventual kidnapper’s identity was an interesting twist that I never saw coming. Quite creative twist that added to another layer of this intriguing storyline.
I love these Carlisle stories so much that I have visiting Carlisle, PA on my own personal bucket list. This town and its fierce protectors have worked their way into my heart.
RATING: 
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