Paradise Valley
Ratings3
Average rating3.7
For three years, Investigator Cassie Dewell has been on a hunt for a serial killer known as The Lizard King. He works as a long haul trucker. His prey are the "lot lizard" prostitutes who frequent truck stops. And she almost caught him...once. Working for the Bakken County, North Dakota sheriff's department, Cassie has set what she believes is the perfect trap and she has lured him and his truck to a depot. Standing by, ready to close the net are half a dozen undercover officers, including Cassie's fiance Ian. But the plan goes horribly wrong, and the blame falls to Cassie. Disgraced, she loses her job and investigation into her role is put into motion.
At the same time, Kyle Westergaard, a troubled kid whom Cassie has taken under her wing, has disappeared, telling everyone he is going on a long-planned adventure. Kyle's grandmother begs Cassie to find him and with nothing else to do, she agrees--all the while planning a new trap for The Lizard King. But Cassie is now a lone wolf. And in the same way that two streams converge into a river, Kyle's disappearance may have a more sinister meaning than anyone realizes. With no allies, no support, and only her own wits to rely on, Cassie must take down a killer who is as ruthless as he is cunning. But can she do it alone, without losing her own humanity or her own life?
Series
Featured Series
5 primary booksCassie Dewell
Cassie Dewell is a 5-book series with 5 primary works first released in 2013 with contributions by C.J. Box.
Featured Series
6 primary booksThe Highway Quartet
The Highway Quartet is a 6-book series with 6 primary works first released in 2011 with contributions by C.J. Box.
Reviews
Popular Reviews
Reviews with the most likes.
Listen to the audio version of this book did not realize this was book four in the series. (Chirp)
Although, I was able to follow the story, now that I know it's book 4, that explains the fact that if felt like it started in the middle. Lol.
Cassie, female officer who is after a truck driver known as the Lizard King, turned serial killer. Who has now kidnapped to local teenagers who took off on a raft on an adventure. He holds them hostage with dog collars he engineers into shock-explosive collars.
I enjoyed listening to the story it held my attention but I don't know if I could have listened to all four books or read them.
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader as part of a quick takes post to catch up–emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.
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Here we go. Cassie Dewell vs. The Lizard King: The Final Battle. Kyle Westergaard comes along for the ride, too—because we can't have a Highway novel without a young person's perspective. A lot of other characters from the entire series make appearances (important ones), too.
This was a solid—horrifying, but solid—conclusion to this arc. And it does set up a way for things to continue beyond this point.
I'm really glad that I started this series (it, too, started with a “don't make me spend money on audiobooks while I wait for holds to become available” listen)
