Series: Columbia River # 4
Format: Kindle, 313 pages
Release Date: June 13, 2023
Publisher: Montlake
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
For a search and rescue expert, the buried remains of her past are a dangerous obsession in a twisting novel of suspense by a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author.
Rowan Wolff was five years old when she, her brother, and their babysitter were kidnapped by a serial killer in the Pacific Northwest. The babysitter was murdered. Rowan was saved. Her brother was killed and buried in the forest, his remains never found. The convicted killer refuses to say where he buried the boy. Twenty-five years later, Rowan is committed to search and rescue with her faithful canine and is obsessed with finding her brother’s grave—and closure.
Detective Evan Bolton thrives on unraveling tough cases, but his latest is disturbing. There’s another serial killer hunting in Deschutes County, Oregon, and the crimes are identical to those committed by the sociopath languishing in prison. Each victim is linked to Rowan. When skeletal remains of several bodies are exhumed in the forest, Rowan’s connection becomes more entwined and impossible to ignore.
Rowan and Evan are determined to solve the case before someone else dies. And someone else will, as the truth about the past is unearthed.
The First Death is the fourth installment of author Kendra Elliot's Columbia River series. This book alternates between Rowan Wolff, a search and rescue expert, and Detective Evan Bolton as they navigate a chilling investigation in Deschutes County, Oregon, where a new serial killer’s crimes eerily mirror those of a convicted sociopath from Rowan’s past. These characters have played parts in the author's Mercy Kilpatrick series.
The story centers on Rowan Wolff, who, at five years old, survived a harrowing kidnapping alongside her brother, Malcolm, and their babysitter in the Pacific Northwest. The babysitter was murdered, Rowan was rescued, but Malcolm was killed, his remains never found. The convicted killer refuses to disclose the location of Malcolm’s body, leaving Rowan with an enduring obsession to find her brother’s grave for closure. Now an adult, Rowan channels her trauma into her work as a search and rescue expert, partnered with her loyal canine, Thor.
When Detective Evan Bolton investigates a series of murders in Deschutes County, he uncovers a disturbing pattern: the crimes are identical to those committed by the serial killer imprisoned for the events of Rowan’s childhood. As skeletal remains are discovered in the forest, Rowan’s past becomes inextricably linked to the present investigation, pulling her and Evan into a dangerous hunt for a new killer. The narrative unfolds with twists, emotional depth, and a subtle romantic thread between Rowan and Evan, culminating in a satisfying, if emotionally intense, resolution.
Rowan Wolff is a standout protagonist—resilient, driven, and haunted by her past. Her dedication to search and rescue, inspired by her childhood mentor, Ken, and her bond with Thor, add layers to her character, making her relatable and inspiring. Evan Bolton complements her as a determined detective with his own complexities, and their evolving relationship feels organic, though it takes a backseat to the thriller elements. Supporting characters, like Rowan’s family and Thor, enhance the emotional stakes, with the family dynamics praised for their warmth and realism.
This book has a third perspective, but I will not spoil it. You will have to read the book and discover who this person is. The dual timeline—Rowan’s childhood trauma juxtaposed with the present-day investigation—creates a layered narrative that keeps readers guessing. The mystery unfolds gradually, with surprises that avoid predictability, and the climax delivers a well-thought-out resolution.
While it features characters from Elliot’s other series (e.g., Mercy Kilpatrick and Truman Daly), prior knowledge isn’t necessary to enjoy the story, though fans of Elliot’s work appreciate the cameos.
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