THE LONG PAW OF THE LAW

A message sewn in an abandoned newborn’s blanket appears to be a cry for help, but a local police officer determined to investigate isn’t sure where to start.

Fort Worth Police Officer Megan Luz wonders at first why her boyfriend, Seth, has called her down to the fire station where he works. It turns out that Seth has something of interest to Megan both personally and professionally: a baby someone dropped off at the station in accordance with the Texas Safe Haven Statute, which promises that parents can drop off newborns without legal sanctions. Megan isn’t so sure that the man who dropped off the newborn is the father, especially when she finds the small word “help” stitched into the baby’s blanket. Though Megan, who aspires to be a detective, wants to investigate, she’s not sure what she’s looking for. Luckily, the blanket holds another clue in the form of a mysterious symbol that connects the newborn to the local community People of Peace, and Megan and Detective Audrey Jackson start their inquiries by asking questions there. Though the People of Peace may claim to be peaceful, they certainly aren’t interested in answering questions, especially not when Megan and her K-9 partner, Brigit, seek to gain access to the compound. As Megan’s story unfolds, her chapters are interspersed with those focused on Juliette, a cult member forced to give up her baby and told by the leaders that the child has died. While Juliette struggles to escape, Megan works to stay strong and trust her gut even when the evidence isn’t in her favor. With Brigit’s help, Seth’s support, and her own ingenuity, Megan is determined to save the day.

Kelly’s series style (Enforcing the Paw, 2017, etc.) of presenting chapters in alternating voices gives readers a chance to experience the icky cult setting, the heroine’s warm albeit square side, and the full-on silliness of Brigit’s canine voice.