Donna Ball’s intriguing mystery, RAPID FIRE (Raine Stockton Dog Mystery #2) turns up a notch with hidden diamonds, eco-terrorism, an ex-boyfriend wanted by the FBI, an ex-husband and Deputy Sheriff on his trail, the FBI, and a fearless golden retriever, Cisco — making for an unstoppable team of characters!

Raine Stockton is a consultant and a rescue officer with the Forest Service in the Smoky Mountains of NC, with her own kennel business, Dog Daze Boarding and Training, still managing to attend competitions with her dogs. (always lots of surprises).

When yummy ex-husband, Deputy Sheriff Buck Lawson, comes charging in with the FBI wanting answers about her old college boyfriend, Andy Fontana, a terrorist, she is shocked. The FBI thinks Andy is back in the NC area and suspects he has hidden diamonds near her house.

Raine believes in Andy’s innocence, and knows there is a conflict between Buck and Andy. The only way to prove Andy is not the real killer, she begins a mission with the help of her beloved golden retriever, Cisco to solve the mystery.

If you have not read Donna Ball’s Ladybug Series, you are missing a real treat! As mentioned in my previous reviews, I am such a fan of her work, and as always golden’s, hold a special place in my heart. Donna Postel, narrator provided an engaging performance via the audiobook, as well.

An entertaining mystery filled with humor, and lots of smiles! Look forward to reading the other books in this heartwarming series!

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I enjoyed the first book in this mystery series featuring search-and-rescue dogs, Smoky Mountain Tracks, so I picked this one up as soon as it came out. I just ordered the third book in the series, Gun Shy.

Rapid Fire brings the mystery a little closer to home for kennel owner, dog trainer, and search-and-rescue officer Raine Stockton: her college boyfriend, Andy Fontana, is back in the area, wanted by the FBI as a known terrorist and suspect in recent eco-terrorism crimes.

He'd disappeared ten years ago when he was suspected of bombings, but Raine's never believed he's guilty. Now they think he's back, looking for his payment for that job--a cache of diamonds.

Raine's faith is tested, however, when she keeps finding rainbows--Andy's nickname for her, and the symbol of the eco-terrorism group he's suspected of heading. Still, she believes in him and it's a race to find him before the authorities.

Rapid Fire is a more intense book than its predecessor, both because of the personal connection and emotions and because the issue isn't black-and-white. Raine has to reevaluate her former and present relationships, and has to decide where she draws the line between her views on the environment and the law.

And of course there are the dogs. One subplot involves Raine entering a dog in an event for which he's unsuited. The dog training echoes and clarifies larger issues in the plot and in life in general.

The first book was simply entertaining. This one is deeper. I'm looking forward to finding out where the series goes from here. ( )