Fiction-Net > Book Reviews > The Search

Book Review Title Author Publisher The Search Iris Johansen Coronet Books Fiction-Net Rating Buy It - Buy This Book Cover Story He strikes without warning. He kills without mercy. He's only just begun. As part of an elite K-9 search and rescue team, Sarah Patrick and her golden retriever, Monty, have a gift for finding what no one else can but their latest assignment is not like the others. This time, Sarah is being forced to take part in a deadly mission by a man who knows enough about her past to ensure her cooperation. Billionaire John Logan's top-secret venture has been sabotaged, its facilities destroyed and its handpicked staff massacred. The sole survivor is being held for ransom. Logan knows that the only way to save the man - and the secrets he holds - is to find him as soon as possible. Sarah is furious when she is strong-armed into joining Logan on his search and once she takes the perilous assignment, not even Logan's promises that she and Monty will be safe may be enough to protect them. Because a killer is devising a sadistic vengeance and he may soon find use for Sarah. We Say The amazing abilities of the K-9 search and rescue teams have been demonstrated over and over in all areas of the world. Whenever people are missing and a search is necessary, they often call in the dogs. Sarah Patrick is the handler of Monty, an extraordinary search and rescue dog. Monty and Sarah are among the best in their field because of their abilities to quickly locate victims. Their ability to find victims that others cannot is a direct result of the close relationship they share. Unfortunately, because they are among the best, there is a high price they pay. Not only do Sarah and Monty suffer from the emotional exhaustion that is a result of being first hand witnesses to tragedy but they have also become unwilling players in a game of cat and mouse. A kidnapper and killer uses Sarah's compassion as a tool to destroy his adversary, John Logan. John Logan is a man who is used to getting what he wants. What he wants now is to find and rescue his staff member from a killer. It is unclear if his concern for the safety and well being of one of his employees is his only concern or if there is a more serious reason for his determination to save his employee. At first it seems easy to figure out what type of man Logan is. He pursues his enemy with a single minded purpose and it is because of his determination that Sarah and Monty are dragged into the fray. Logan knows that Sarah and Monty will be able to help him in his efforts but instead of explaining the situation, Logan insists on hiding information as he sets out to convince Sarah to help him. Initially, it seems that Logan will force Sarah and Monty to help him no matter what the cost. However, there is more to Logan than meets the eye. Throughout The Search, it is clear that there is an underlying attraction between Sarah and Logan, despite the initial animosity shown towards each other and this adds an additional element to the book. Iris Johansen creates a most impressive character in the crazed killer determined to destroy Logan. The killer's absolute lack of remorse and his willingness to sacrifice the innocent in order to destroy Logan is slowly revealed to the reader as the novel progresses. Shocking and unbelievable as the events in the book may seem, it really only takes one person to destroy the lives of many innocent people. Iris Johansen is able to reveal the motivation behind an apparent crazed killer and kidnapper and describe what the killer feels is justification for his actions. No matter how misguided his justification for murder is, the author helps the reader realise that the killer honestly believes his actions are justified. When I initially read this book, I felt that some of the scenes were a little far fetched or unbelievable but I was impressed with this novel and I felt that it was worth my time and effort to read it. I must credit Johansen for a well thought out plot and good characters. Review by: Yumi Nagasaki-Taylor Buy It - Buy This Book