Once again, the incredibly intuitive Cutter, the Foxworths' amazing dog, has brought them another case of an underdog needing help - this time via a set of dog tags. Jordan witnessed his best friend Eddie's death by friendly fire and finds himself in the crosshairs of a powerful family that doesn't want the truth to come out.

Eddie's sister, Emily, is still grieving Eddie's loss. She's stunned when she receives a handwritten letter from Jordan revealing the truth behind Eddie's death. A call to Sloan Dunbar (Operation Power Play) of Accountability Counts, a group that helps people like Jordan, puts her in contact with the Foxworth Foundation. I loved Emily's first contact with Cutter. She thought his fur looked soft and fluffy until she saw his eyes. "That gaze was anything but." I loved her first impression of Quinn and Haley, too.

Jordan made his way from Missouri to Washington, hoping to talk to Emily, but has difficulty mustering the courage. A chat with the former military owner of the campground Jordan is staying at results in a visit from Emily and the Foxworths. Once again, Cutter works his soothing magic on a tense subject while urging Jordan forward at the same time. "I'm a lot of things, dog, but I'm not a sheep." I loved Jordan's first encounter with Quinn. I expected his immediate respect for Quinn. Jordan did not expect Quinn's respect for him, even though he was "just a mechanic."

The first meeting between Emily and Jordan was intense. I ached for Jordan and the guilt he felt over Eddie's death, even though it wasn't his fault. He's stunned that Emily has no trouble believing that Eddie's death happened the way Jordan wrote it to her. Neither expected the sparks of attraction that flared between them or their instant connection. As the book progressed and Emily and Jordan spent time together, those feelings grew stronger. The biggest obstacle is Jordan's lack of self-confidence. There are some lovely scenes of the two together, and I loved seeing Emily call him out when he was down on himself. Of course, neither stands a chance against Cutter's matchmaking magic, and it was always fun to see his efforts.

I loved watching Quinn and the others get to work, assembling the facts needed to take down the man responsible for Eddie's death. It is always fascinating to see the teamwork involved and the belief that success is all but guaranteed. I enjoyed seeing characters from previous books play their parts in this one. I laughed out loud to see Emily and Jordan's reactions to the depth of support available. The tension ramped up as they prepared for the final confrontation. It was every bit as satisfying as I expected, including Cutter's part. ( )