This is book two of the Murphy Shepherd series. Since his first book dealt primarily with the details of the flesh trade and Murphy's own heartbreak, I was wondering how the story would continue. I also wondered how many more times Murphy and Gunner could be shot, cut, blown up, tossed in the ocean and still survive! I know the human body (and canine body) can go through a lot and still survive, but these two seemed to have at least nine lives.
Fortunately, this book veered away from the specific details of the flesh trade (except for Casey sharing her horrendous story) and concentrated on the history of Murphy & Marie and Murphy & Bones. It was really nice to get the background information on these two significant relationships. This book also centered around the healing process after trauma. Murphy and his new "family", Ellie (his daughter with Marie), Casey (rescued by Murphy in the first book), Summer (Murphy's new love) and her daughter Angel (also rescued by Murphy in the first book) stayed in Colorado in Freetown. This gave them a chance to re-group - and heal - from the physical & emotional wounds from the first book.
Murphy was finally able to place Marie in a separate compartment of his heart and allow Summer entrance into it. Long time coming for sure! He also found the courage to propose to, and marry, Summer in Colorado. But, on the night of their wedding, Murphy, Clay, Gunner & Bones end up rescuing the 68 girls on their property from a raging fire while the loves of Murphy's live disappear. So Murphy, once again on limited sleep, does what he does best and tracks his wife and girls and their abductor. He is successful, but nearly dies this time. Actually, he does die but miraculously returns to his life. This time his rehab is extensive.
So the question that remains is: who took Summer & the girls and why? At the end of the book Bones infers that it may have been his brother, who Murphy thought was dead. We don't find anything else than that however. So I guess I know what the third book will be about! This next installment is due to be published in June 2022. So we wait.....
Wendy's Rating: ****
