Lost and Found by Amy Shojai

Blurb: An autism cure will kill millions unless a service dog and his trainer find a missing child...in 24 hours. 

An aunt searches for her lost nephew - and dooms her sister. 

A mom gambles a miracle will cure - and not kill - her child. 

A dog finds his true purpose - when he disobeys. 

Animal behaviorist September Day has lost everything - husband murdered, career in ruins, confidence shot - and returns home with her trained Maine Coon cat, Macy, to Texas to recover. She's forced out of hibernation when her nephew Steven and his autism service dog Shadow disappear in a freak blizzard. When her sister trusts a maverick researcher's promise to help Steven, September has 24 hours to rescue them from a devastating medical experiment impacting millions of children, a deadly secret others will kill to protect. As September races the clock, the body count swells. Shadow does his good-dog duty but can't protect his boy. Finally September and Shadow forge a stormy partnership to rescue the missing and stop the nightmare cure. But can they also find the lost parts of themselves?

My Review: It's obvious that I read primarily cozy mysteries, because when the first sweet old lady in Amy Shojai's debut thriller got her face blown off I was stunned!!! Seriously, this is one gripping story that had me on the edge of my seat until the final swipe of my Kindle screen.

September is a very likeable, very real protagonist who has experienced great tragedy in her life (we don't even know the whole extent of what she's gone through until the very end). Of course my favorite moments involve the four-legged characters, particularly the scenes told from Shadow's perspective and his unending quest to be a "good dog", not knowing his greatest triumph will come when he breaks the rules. Macy the cat is a cat through and through, and both of these amazing animals play key roles in the resolution of the murder spree. It's obvious that the author is a certified pet behaviorist...the knowledge she has of animals and their thought processes shines through.

I really hope this book has a sequel. There is great chemistry between September and Officer Combs, and I think his friendship could help her to heal. I loved the final scene on Thanksgiving Day with the message that a family is who you make it, as September is surrounded by her beloved pets as she awaits the arrival of the friends that have stood by her. This is an action-packed adventure with great insight into the human/animal bond.

I received a copy of this book via Story Cartel in exchange for a review.