Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Another terrific entry in the Cutter's Code series. The story opens as Parker visits his friend Ray, taking Ray's dog Woof along for a visit. He's stunned when Ray tells him that he witnessed a kidnapping, but no one believes him. I loved that Parker knew Ray well enough to believe him. Unfortunately, the sheriff's deputy who came out to take the report was skeptical. The next morning, while drinking his coffee, Parker saw Woof take off with another dog and ran after them. The dog was Cutter, who led Parker right to Quinn Foxworth with that look that says, "This man has a problem you need to fix." I always enjoy peoples' first impressions of Cutter and his unique abilities, and this was no exception. Quinn's immediate belief in Ray's story surprised Parker, as did his call to the sheriff's office.
Detective Carly Devon works with Detective Brett Dunbar (Operation Power Play) and is familiar with Cutter's reputation. She's a bit skeptical until she meets Cutter and suspects the stories are true. I loved how she listened to her instincts and followed up by talking to Ray and visiting the possible crime scene. Her easy way with Ray was sweet, and I loved their banter.
I had to laugh when the group that went to visit Ray got back in the car to visit the crime scene. The two Foxworth people, Teague and Laney, were in the front seat, with Parker and Carly in the backseat. Rather than ride in the back, as usual, Cutter got on the back seat, too, pushing Carly up against Parker. Teague and Laney (Operation Blind Date) looked at each other with raised brows because they also have personal experience with Cutter's other talent - he has a 100% success rate as a matchmaker.
As is usual with a Cutter's Code book, I was sucked into the story and couldn't put it down until I was finished. Carly is a by-the-book detective and is very good at what she does. But without actual evidence of kidnapping, there isn't anything she can do officially. With the help of Cutter and the Foxworth Foundation, they begin to piece together the clues until they get enough information to go official. There are some interesting twists as they delve further into what happened, and I enjoyed following their investigation. The final confrontation and resolution kept me glued to the pages. The danger created a nail-biting intensity that didn't let up until it was all over.
I loved watching the development of the relationship between Parker and Carly. Parker has had a rough go of it lately. The son of self-centered and uncaring parents, he found himself in a tough spot when he took a job they recommended him for. He blew the whistle on the company owner who was running a Ponzi scheme. He also refused to keep any of his earnings, leaving him jobless and homeless. He's very down on himself for not seeing what was happening sooner and depressed over his prospects. Looking after Woof for Ray came at the perfect time. When Parker met Carly, he was immediately attracted to her but felt unworthy of doing anything about it. Carly was just as attracted to him and very impressed when she learned who he was.
I loved Carly's support of Parker as she learned more about him and his past. There were quite a few times I wanted to shake him for constantly putting himself down. Even though many people told him what a great thing he did and called him a hero, he refused to see it. One of the things I loved about Carly was the way she'd call him out when he started wallowing in his past. I loved how Parker realized that being around Carly made him happy in ways he'd never felt before. It was entertaining to see Cutter assist in pushing Carly and Parker together. Everyone around them can see what is happening, though Parker is oblivious until Carly fills him in. Once he realizes his feelings, Parker's self-doubts keep holding him back until he gets some good advice from Ray. As the resolution of the kidnapping grew closer, I loved the shifting dynamics as Carly's professional abilities took precedence over Parker's protectiveness. Teamwork won the day though not without consequences.
I loved the ending. It was a great wrap-up to the book. I felt for Parker as he faced another trial and loved his realization that this one would be different, thanks to Gavin de Marco (Operation Notorious). The new dynamic of Carly, Parker, and Ray (and Woof) as a family was fantastic, though Parker's future was still a dark spot in his attitude. I loved Cutter's assistance in taking care of that issue. Haley put it best: "You see, Cutter doesn't just demand we fix things. He sometimes shows us how to fix things." "Are you sure that's just a dog?" Ray asked. "Nope," Haley said. "Not at all."
Detective Carly Devon works with Detective Brett Dunbar (Operation Power Play) and is familiar with Cutter's reputation. She's a bit skeptical until she meets Cutter and suspects the stories are true. I loved how she listened to her instincts and followed up by talking to Ray and visiting the possible crime scene. Her easy way with Ray was sweet, and I loved their banter.
I had to laugh when the group that went to visit Ray got back in the car to visit the crime scene. The two Foxworth people, Teague and Laney, were in the front seat, with Parker and Carly in the backseat. Rather than ride in the back, as usual, Cutter got on the back seat, too, pushing Carly up against Parker. Teague and Laney (Operation Blind Date) looked at each other with raised brows because they also have personal experience with Cutter's other talent - he has a 100% success rate as a matchmaker.
As is usual with a Cutter's Code book, I was sucked into the story and couldn't put it down until I was finished. Carly is a by-the-book detective and is very good at what she does. But without actual evidence of kidnapping, there isn't anything she can do officially. With the help of Cutter and the Foxworth Foundation, they begin to piece together the clues until they get enough information to go official. There are some interesting twists as they delve further into what happened, and I enjoyed following their investigation. The final confrontation and resolution kept me glued to the pages. The danger created a nail-biting intensity that didn't let up until it was all over.
I loved watching the development of the relationship between Parker and Carly. Parker has had a rough go of it lately. The son of self-centered and uncaring parents, he found himself in a tough spot when he took a job they recommended him for. He blew the whistle on the company owner who was running a Ponzi scheme. He also refused to keep any of his earnings, leaving him jobless and homeless. He's very down on himself for not seeing what was happening sooner and depressed over his prospects. Looking after Woof for Ray came at the perfect time. When Parker met Carly, he was immediately attracted to her but felt unworthy of doing anything about it. Carly was just as attracted to him and very impressed when she learned who he was.
I loved Carly's support of Parker as she learned more about him and his past. There were quite a few times I wanted to shake him for constantly putting himself down. Even though many people told him what a great thing he did and called him a hero, he refused to see it. One of the things I loved about Carly was the way she'd call him out when he started wallowing in his past. I loved how Parker realized that being around Carly made him happy in ways he'd never felt before. It was entertaining to see Cutter assist in pushing Carly and Parker together. Everyone around them can see what is happening, though Parker is oblivious until Carly fills him in. Once he realizes his feelings, Parker's self-doubts keep holding him back until he gets some good advice from Ray. As the resolution of the kidnapping grew closer, I loved the shifting dynamics as Carly's professional abilities took precedence over Parker's protectiveness. Teamwork won the day though not without consequences.
I loved the ending. It was a great wrap-up to the book. I felt for Parker as he faced another trial and loved his realization that this one would be different, thanks to Gavin de Marco (Operation Notorious). The new dynamic of Carly, Parker, and Ray (and Woof) as a family was fantastic, though Parker's future was still a dark spot in his attitude. I loved Cutter's assistance in taking care of that issue. Haley put it best: "You see, Cutter doesn't just demand we fix things. He sometimes shows us how to fix things." "Are you sure that's just a dog?" Ray asked. "Nope," Haley said. "Not at all."
