Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1)

Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1)
Suspect - Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1
Author: Robert Crais
LAPD cop Max Kent is not doing so well. Eight months ago, a shocking nighttime assault by unidentified men killed his partner Allie, nearly killed him, and left him enraged, ashamed, and ready to explode. He is unfit for duty -- until he meets his new partner. — Maggie is not doing so well, either. A German shepherd who survived three tours in Ir...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780399161483
ISBN-10: 0399161481
Publication Date: 1/22/2013
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 68

4.1 stars, based on 68 ratings
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Outstanding story and writing. This is the only book I have ever read twice within one week. The second time was simply to enjoy the emotional tug of the major characters.
VCD3 avatar reviewed Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1) on + 196 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Terrific book. A great whodunit read. Dog lovers will love it. Animal lovers will find it enticing. If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking this book has your answer. I greatly enjoyed it. One of the few five stars I've ever given.
cathyskye avatar reviewed Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1) on + 2259 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Before I go any farther, I have a warning: have a hankie in hand as you begin reading the prologue-- especially if you are a dog lover. I found the prologue in Suspect to be gut-wrenching, and although I wanted to wait a few minutes to calm down before continuing to read, I was already hooked.

Crais provides excellent insight into the mind of a dog, in particular the mind of a war or police dog. When Scott and Maggie are partnered, it's a learning experience for both of them, and it was so rewarding to watch them heal each other.

This isn't just the Scott and Maggie Show, however. Crais gives us some marvelous secondary characters in fellow police officers Cowley, Leland, and Budress. Leland as the hard-as-nails head of the K-9 unit and Budress who constantly risks reprimand for helping Scott may be a touch two-dimensional, but they're the sort of characters you love regardless of their cardboard tan tinge. The female detective Cowley is another story. You're never quite sure what she thinks of Scott. You're never quite sure what she's willing to do to help. You're never quite sure how tough she is. By book's end, your questions will be answered.

The investigation into Scott's partner's death is filled with plenty of danger. Crais is a pro at ratcheting up the suspense. As is always the case when a dog is a member of the cast, readers always wonder about Old Yeller Syndrome, especially in a story involving the police and lots of flying bullets. I'm not about to enlighten you here. All I'll say is that I was hooked from the prologue and couldn't read fast enough. Scott and Maggie are going to stay with me for a long time. They're that good.
jjares avatar reviewed Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1) on + 3242 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is my first book by this author and I was wowed by the tight plot and excellent writing. This story grabbed me on the first page and didn't let go. I certainly hope this is the beginning of a new series for Robert Crais.

The book opens with Maggie's story; this German shepherd survived three tours in the Middle East sniffing explosives before her partner (handler) dies in a sniper attack. She's been turned over to LAPD but they have found that her PSTD is too severe to use her.

LAPD cop Scott James is recovering from a night-time attack that killed his partner Stephanie and nearly ended his life. Because Scott was such a good cop, he has called in chips to work in the K-9 group (he could have been given a permanent medical retirement). When Scott goes to collect his K-9 partner, he demands the opportunity to work with Maggie. They are two lost souls that bond with each other; it's interesting that Scott has more to learn than Maggie. The info about the training and commitment between a dog and his handler is fascinating and is woven skillfully into the story.

Nine months later, Stephanie's death is still an open case and the new man investigating the case calls in Scott for his insights into the disaster. Before long, Scott isn't just a side-liner; he and Maggie push buttons that bring new clues to light.

This is a masterful, tension-filled race to the finish. The relationship between Maggie and Scott is intense and emotional. This is a great story.
Read All 17 Book Reviews of "Suspect Scott James Maggie Bk 1"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1) on + 3083 more book reviews
I can only give it 3 stars and that is because it tends to repeat and repeat the events that leads Scott and Maggie together, in the beginning we know what happens to Maggie and then we get the story about Scott then throughout the book it is repeated over and over, then when they get together it is repeated over and over the part of training for this and training for that until I just got tired of reading repeats, I felt like the main story got lost in all the repeating and that made the story drag, if this should be a first book in a series then I'm afraid the next book would have to be much better.
debs avatar reviewed Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1) on + 638 more book reviews
This has all the elements of an excellent suspense/thriller: can't stop reading from page 1; characters that you really care about and can get into their heads; step-by-step detective work that lets you see the puzzle pieces going together one piece at a time. It also has something I haven't seen in other mystery-thriller novels: a wonderful, loving relationship of a man and his K-9 police dog. It even lets you get into the head of the dog, Maggie, as if you just know what she's thinking. Satisfying ending, doesn't leave you hanging. I wish the book had another 300 pages!
reviewed Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
The best of Robert Crais books.
legal22 avatar reviewed Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1) on + 132 more book reviews
I loved this book and although it says "Book 1" there are no other books in a series. That makes me so sad!! I would read this series in a heartbeat!
reviewed Suspect (Scott James & Maggie, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
We read this book in our local Mystery Club. Everybody loved it. I think it was the dog that really sold the story. Well written.


Genres: