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FBI K-9 #11
Killer Abyss
Not yet published
Expected 24 Nov 26For FBI handler Meg Jennings and her K-9 partner, Hawk, the search for a missing girl leads to the underground caves of Kentucky--ones darker than she ever fathomed.
No descent into the unknown has ever been too treacherous for Meg Jennings and her colleagues in the FBI K-9 unit. They are prepared for anything. But when 14-year old Larissa Whorlow disappears on her way home from school in Nashville, Tennessee, Meg may be proved wrong.
Their only hope is a tracker tag on Larissa's shoe, worn at her protective mother's insistence. Unfortunately, the trail stops dead at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Meg and her black Labrador, Hawk, are among four teams scrambling to solve a kidnapping that has crossed state lines. All Meg can do is to follow Hawk, who's on the scent of the missing girl--right through a narrow break in a limestone rise and straight into a cavernous labyrinth.
With all communication cut off and miles of undiscovered passages and subterranean rivers to navigate, Meg's search gets deeper and darker with every uncertain move forward. Then, at the edge of a dangerous abyss, Meg makes a shocking discovery and realizes that Larissa's vanishing was no random snatch and grab. It's the work of a serial killer who's pulling Meg into terrifying game of cat and mouse. And the only way out is through the blackness below.
No descent into the unknown has ever been too treacherous for Meg Jennings and her colleagues in the FBI K-9 unit. They are prepared for anything. But when 14-year old Larissa Whorlow disappears on her way home from school in Nashville, Tennessee, Meg may be proved wrong.
Their only hope is a tracker tag on Larissa's shoe, worn at her protective mother's insistence. Unfortunately, the trail stops dead at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Meg and her black Labrador, Hawk, are among four teams scrambling to solve a kidnapping that has crossed state lines. All Meg can do is to follow Hawk, who's on the scent of the missing girl--right through a narrow break in a limestone rise and straight into a cavernous labyrinth.
With all communication cut off and miles of undiscovered passages and subterranean rivers to navigate, Meg's search gets deeper and darker with every uncertain move forward. Then, at the edge of a dangerous abyss, Meg makes a shocking discovery and realizes that Larissa's vanishing was no random snatch and grab. It's the work of a serial killer who's pulling Meg into terrifying game of cat and mouse. And the only way out is through the blackness below.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 24, 2026
About the author
Sara Driscoll
19 books962 followersSara Driscoll is the pen name of Jen J. Danna, coauthor of the Abbott and Lowell Forensic Mysteries and author of the FBI K-9s and the NYPD Negotiators. After over thirty years in infectious diseases research, Jen hung up her lab coat to concentrate on her real love—writing “exceptional” thrillers (Publishers Weekly). She is a member of the Crime Writers of Canada and lives with her husband and four rescued cats outside of Toronto, Ontario. You can follow the latest news on her books, including the FBI K-9s, at www.saradriscollauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fourteen year old Larissa has gone missing. She was on her way home from school in Tennessee. A tracker on her shoe shows a location in Mammomth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Meg and Brian follow Hawk and Lacey as they must search underground. With no experience in cave exploration this is a very dangerous mission.
I loved the time spent in the cave. The fear and difficulty navigating through the passages is apparent. I could feel the claustrophobia. I liked the adjustments the humans and dogs had to make to get through certain passages. It all ended too soon for my liking though.
The case didn't end when their time in the cave was up but the investigation did change. There was less suspense while the team went through forensic details. While it was interesting and I leaned some things I grew impatient due to the slow down of the plot. I also missed seeing the dogs in action for such a big chunk of time.
Things pick up again near the end and the hunt for the killer is exciting. There are some developments in the characters' personal lives which was nice to see but I felt it could have been trimmed a little.
As always I enjoyed Meg, Brian, Hawk and Lacey on their searches. I love seeing how they interact and work with each other. There just wasn't as much of that as I would have liked.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
I loved the time spent in the cave. The fear and difficulty navigating through the passages is apparent. I could feel the claustrophobia. I liked the adjustments the humans and dogs had to make to get through certain passages. It all ended too soon for my liking though.
The case didn't end when their time in the cave was up but the investigation did change. There was less suspense while the team went through forensic details. While it was interesting and I leaned some things I grew impatient due to the slow down of the plot. I also missed seeing the dogs in action for such a big chunk of time.
Things pick up again near the end and the hunt for the killer is exciting. There are some developments in the characters' personal lives which was nice to see but I felt it could have been trimmed a little.
As always I enjoyed Meg, Brian, Hawk and Lacey on their searches. I love seeing how they interact and work with each other. There just wasn't as much of that as I would have liked.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It starts on page one. The search is on: from the get-go we are heading into a cave. Deep in. Meg, her K-9 search and rescue dog, Hawk, and the rest of her team are tasked with finding a lost teenager – hopefully alive. As with many of Sara Driscoll’s books, the geography of the search is an important element and this one takes us from that very first chapter right into the depths of the earth. After surviving their last search, one that turned a honeymoon into a geological action-packed job, Meg and the team hope that this time they can locate Larissa quickly and bring her home safely. Instead they are lead on a search for a serial killer who chooses his victims from homeless camps where the inhabitants do not easily share the information they need to figure out both the killer’s psyche and location. But Meg has a secret weapon in Hawk who has that intuitive "dog-way" about him that invites companionship and trust. With the information they can now gather, Meg and Brian begin their search for the killer who uses caves to hide his victims.
The mystery is so compelling that late night reading is going to happen. Expect it. The terror of a lost teenager, the knowledge that another one has been targeted and taken, and no one knows where or why. This book contains all the mystery that caves hide, including those invisible crags, holes and critters, and psychology that strains to understand. For long time readers of Driscoll’s K-9 series, the characters' easy going relationships, their quirks, and their history are apparent. First time readers will easily slip into their relationships and see how much they respect each other’s knowledge and learn from one another…all while the reader learns something new too. For me, the best part are the dogs and in this book, they shine as the troopers they are (it’s dark in those caves… and… tiny spaces!). They melt hearts just by being themselves. This is another winner in the series – and yes, while it does very well on its own, I recommend that those who have not read the series: circle back to #1 and start from the beginning. Enjoy!
I received a preview copy from NetGalley and give this review on my own.
The mystery is so compelling that late night reading is going to happen. Expect it. The terror of a lost teenager, the knowledge that another one has been targeted and taken, and no one knows where or why. This book contains all the mystery that caves hide, including those invisible crags, holes and critters, and psychology that strains to understand. For long time readers of Driscoll’s K-9 series, the characters' easy going relationships, their quirks, and their history are apparent. First time readers will easily slip into their relationships and see how much they respect each other’s knowledge and learn from one another…all while the reader learns something new too. For me, the best part are the dogs and in this book, they shine as the troopers they are (it’s dark in those caves… and… tiny spaces!). They melt hearts just by being themselves. This is another winner in the series – and yes, while it does very well on its own, I recommend that those who have not read the series: circle back to #1 and start from the beginning. Enjoy!
I received a preview copy from NetGalley and give this review on my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The newest entry in the FBI K-9 series opens with the four dog teams and their supervisor who are on site in Kentucky and hunting for a somewhat rebellious teenager (Larissa) who disappeared from Nashville TN a week earlier. Without a ransom note, the only clue is a tracker tag given to the teen by her mother. The dog teams split into duos with Meg and Bryan finding evidence of the tracker and Larissa’s scent at the cavern opening in Mammoth Cave National Park. Prior to Brian’s reaching her Meg goes a short way into the cave and comes to realize that this is going to be a very dangerous search.
Craig hooks them up with a US Park Ranger and an experienced caver to follow the trail into the cavern. I’ve never really been a fan of the horror genre, but the description of the descent into that cave was horrifying and tension filled. I wanted to stop reading and I couldn’t! (Bravo Ms. Driscoll.) At the bottom of the descent, they find Larissa’s body along with several others in a pit. Once the bodies are retrieved, it is obvious this case is dealing with a serial killer, rather than a simple kidnapping, who appears to target homeless youth.
The team works with the assigned FBI agent, brings in BAU Agent Rutherford and the hunt is on to identify other potential victims and discover evidence that will eventually lead to the criminal responsible for the destruction of innocent lives. Hawk and Lacey, who are stars, and able to make even the most skittish of witnesses, victims and potential victims relax and help the FBI to further determine a suspect. And of course, they will bring him down utilizing old friends like Clay McCord while introducing new characters that may become new friends and crop up in later books.
This book has incredible suspense and mystery that leads to a satisfying conclusion and is another great entry in this series. Very enjoyable, scary and satisfying. I can’t wait for the next one. I wish to thank Kensington for the advanced eARC for my honest review.
Craig hooks them up with a US Park Ranger and an experienced caver to follow the trail into the cavern. I’ve never really been a fan of the horror genre, but the description of the descent into that cave was horrifying and tension filled. I wanted to stop reading and I couldn’t! (Bravo Ms. Driscoll.) At the bottom of the descent, they find Larissa’s body along with several others in a pit. Once the bodies are retrieved, it is obvious this case is dealing with a serial killer, rather than a simple kidnapping, who appears to target homeless youth.
The team works with the assigned FBI agent, brings in BAU Agent Rutherford and the hunt is on to identify other potential victims and discover evidence that will eventually lead to the criminal responsible for the destruction of innocent lives. Hawk and Lacey, who are stars, and able to make even the most skittish of witnesses, victims and potential victims relax and help the FBI to further determine a suspect. And of course, they will bring him down utilizing old friends like Clay McCord while introducing new characters that may become new friends and crop up in later books.
This book has incredible suspense and mystery that leads to a satisfying conclusion and is another great entry in this series. Very enjoyable, scary and satisfying. I can’t wait for the next one. I wish to thank Kensington for the advanced eARC for my honest review.
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September 14, 2026★★★★
Killer Abyss is a tense and atmospheric addition to Sara Driscoll’s FBI K-9 series. The underground cave setting creates an intense sense of isolation and danger, making this an especially claustrophobic instalment.
When fourteen-year-old Larissa Whorlow disappears on her way home from school, the tracker attached to her shoe leads FBI handler Meg Jennings, her K-9 partner Hawk and the rest of their team to Mammoth Cave National Park. When the electronic trail ends, Hawk becomes their best chance of finding Larissa alive—leading Meg deep into a maze of narrow passages, subterranean rivers and unexplored caverns.
The caves are used extremely effectively, with darkness, confined spaces and unreliable communication adding constant tension. Driscoll’s descriptions made it easy to imagine how quickly someone could become trapped or completely disoriented underground. Hawk is, as always, a highlight, and the trust between him and Meg gives the story both its momentum and its emotional heart.
What begins as a search for one missing teenager gradually develops into something much more sinister. The discovery that Larissa’s disappearance may be connected to a serial killer raises the stakes considerably and turns the rescue operation into a terrifying game of pursuit.
Some of the detailed cave exploration slowed the pace slightly for me, particularly through the middle, but it also contributed to the authenticity and oppressive atmosphere. Once the investigation gathered momentum, the suspense steadily increased toward a gripping conclusion.
Dark, immersive and unsettling, Killer Abyss is a strong K-9 thriller with a brilliantly menacing setting. It will especially appeal to readers who enjoy search-and-rescue stories, wilderness danger and mysteries set in places where escape is far from guaranteed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Killer Abyss is a tense and atmospheric addition to Sara Driscoll’s FBI K-9 series. The underground cave setting creates an intense sense of isolation and danger, making this an especially claustrophobic instalment.
When fourteen-year-old Larissa Whorlow disappears on her way home from school, the tracker attached to her shoe leads FBI handler Meg Jennings, her K-9 partner Hawk and the rest of their team to Mammoth Cave National Park. When the electronic trail ends, Hawk becomes their best chance of finding Larissa alive—leading Meg deep into a maze of narrow passages, subterranean rivers and unexplored caverns.
The caves are used extremely effectively, with darkness, confined spaces and unreliable communication adding constant tension. Driscoll’s descriptions made it easy to imagine how quickly someone could become trapped or completely disoriented underground. Hawk is, as always, a highlight, and the trust between him and Meg gives the story both its momentum and its emotional heart.
What begins as a search for one missing teenager gradually develops into something much more sinister. The discovery that Larissa’s disappearance may be connected to a serial killer raises the stakes considerably and turns the rescue operation into a terrifying game of pursuit.
Some of the detailed cave exploration slowed the pace slightly for me, particularly through the middle, but it also contributed to the authenticity and oppressive atmosphere. Once the investigation gathered momentum, the suspense steadily increased toward a gripping conclusion.
Dark, immersive and unsettling, Killer Abyss is a strong K-9 thriller with a brilliantly menacing setting. It will especially appeal to readers who enjoy search-and-rescue stories, wilderness danger and mysteries set in places where escape is far from guaranteed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Killer Abyss, the next book in Sara Driscoll’s FBI K-9 series, is an excellent and thrilling read. This book takes K-9 handlers Meg and Brian and their SAR dogs Hawk and Lacey into an environment K-9’s normally wouldn’t attempt, caves. The teams are tracking a kidnapped teenage girl and the scent trail leads them into an unknown cave in the massive cave system of Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. The search is harrowing and dangerous, and ultimately leads to the discovery that a serial killer is responsible for the kidnapping.
The next stage of the search leads the team to the unhoused population of Nashville, TN, where the killer has been stalking his prey. This part of the story sheds light on another skill of the dogs, their ability to form a connection with the people they meet. Hawk becomes a critical asset in helping people who have been beaten down by life overcome their suspicion of authority figures and open up to help the FBI team learn more about the killer.
The team is in the process of discovering new information when the killer kidnaps another teen and a desperate search to rescue him ensues.This sends Meg, Brian, Hawk, and Lacey back to search mode and a dramatic climax in the Kentucky farmland near Mammoth Cave.
Sara Driscoll’s books always provide a nail-biting thriller combined with wonderful character development, a broad range of emotions, and a wealth of detail about the subject matter. I’ve loved reading every book in this series, and Killer Abyss is no exception.
The next stage of the search leads the team to the unhoused population of Nashville, TN, where the killer has been stalking his prey. This part of the story sheds light on another skill of the dogs, their ability to form a connection with the people they meet. Hawk becomes a critical asset in helping people who have been beaten down by life overcome their suspicion of authority figures and open up to help the FBI team learn more about the killer.
The team is in the process of discovering new information when the killer kidnaps another teen and a desperate search to rescue him ensues.This sends Meg, Brian, Hawk, and Lacey back to search mode and a dramatic climax in the Kentucky farmland near Mammoth Cave.
Sara Driscoll’s books always provide a nail-biting thriller combined with wonderful character development, a broad range of emotions, and a wealth of detail about the subject matter. I’ve loved reading every book in this series, and Killer Abyss is no exception.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Killer Abyss, by Sara Driscoll, is a thriller that follows a mystery that eventually escalates into something darker. The premise caught my attention, and I decided to pick it up. Despite some issues, the story was entertaining and I became invested as the stakes rose.
That said, some aspects didn't work for me and could use constructive criticism. The dialogue was sometimes too expository, which led to characters sounding unnatural as they were explaining information to the reader rather than talking naturally to each other. The cave section at the beginning started to feel too repetitive after a couple of pages and the pacing sometimes slowed down too much, especially in the family scenes, which led to a lack of immersion in the first third of the book. But it's important to notice that this is the eleventh installment of a book series and I read it as a standalone.
As I reached the middle point and the later arc of the story, I became invested, especially when the characters were trying to study the killer's psychology. I liked how the author handled some characters, especially Zoey and the homeless community overall, but would have liked to know what happened with them afterwards. The final confrontation with the killer could have been expanded and I would have liked to see a direct conversation between Meg and the killer.
Overall, Killer Abyss was gripping and showed how a thriller, despite some flaws, can make me read until 1 AM.
I want to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.
Killer Abyss, by Sara Driscoll, is a thriller that follows a mystery that eventually escalates into something darker. The premise caught my attention, and I decided to pick it up. Despite some issues, the story was entertaining and I became invested as the stakes rose.
That said, some aspects didn't work for me and could use constructive criticism. The dialogue was sometimes too expository, which led to characters sounding unnatural as they were explaining information to the reader rather than talking naturally to each other. The cave section at the beginning started to feel too repetitive after a couple of pages and the pacing sometimes slowed down too much, especially in the family scenes, which led to a lack of immersion in the first third of the book. But it's important to notice that this is the eleventh installment of a book series and I read it as a standalone.
As I reached the middle point and the later arc of the story, I became invested, especially when the characters were trying to study the killer's psychology. I liked how the author handled some characters, especially Zoey and the homeless community overall, but would have liked to know what happened with them afterwards. The final confrontation with the killer could have been expanded and I would have liked to see a direct conversation between Meg and the killer.
Overall, Killer Abyss was gripping and showed how a thriller, despite some flaws, can make me read until 1 AM.
I want to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another outstanding installment in the FBI K-9 series! Killer Abyss is action packed, and like all of the series, highly informative. While the book (and the entire series) focuses on the dogs and their handlers, the author skillfully blends warm characters and deep human relationships.
In this book, the reader is educated on underground caves and the art of caving. Each of Sara Driscoll's books in this series have a strong educational component related directly to the story line. Every chapter leads with a relevant term and definition, to help the reader understand the unique aspects of underground caves and the sport of exploring them.
Story pacing is perfect; enough catch-your-breath action to keep the reader engaged, yet not so much that the book feels overwhelming. Unlike its predecessors, Killer Abyss describes a main search, broken into in two parts. Those parts of the story sandwich a routine yet successful "simple" search. That's truly needed after the haunting start to the featured search.
For readers who love canines, Killer Abyss prominently features the canine protagonist, Hawk and his search pal, Lacey. One will not want for more dog time; it is exactly right for this story.
The family ties and relationships blossom here, with a warm and extremely happy ending to the book. Fans of the series will be delighted at the way the story closes. Certainly, there is more to come!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonPress for this ARC of #Killer Abyss. I'm eagerly awaiting the next #FBIK-9 book.
In this book, the reader is educated on underground caves and the art of caving. Each of Sara Driscoll's books in this series have a strong educational component related directly to the story line. Every chapter leads with a relevant term and definition, to help the reader understand the unique aspects of underground caves and the sport of exploring them.
Story pacing is perfect; enough catch-your-breath action to keep the reader engaged, yet not so much that the book feels overwhelming. Unlike its predecessors, Killer Abyss describes a main search, broken into in two parts. Those parts of the story sandwich a routine yet successful "simple" search. That's truly needed after the haunting start to the featured search.
For readers who love canines, Killer Abyss prominently features the canine protagonist, Hawk and his search pal, Lacey. One will not want for more dog time; it is exactly right for this story.
The family ties and relationships blossom here, with a warm and extremely happy ending to the book. Fans of the series will be delighted at the way the story closes. Certainly, there is more to come!
Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonPress for this ARC of #Killer Abyss. I'm eagerly awaiting the next #FBIK-9 book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
With Killer Abyss, the 11th book in her FBI K-9 series, Sara Driscoll brings us another heart stopping, heart wrenching novel of adventure and courage. Only a month after Meg and Todd's wonderful and dangerous Hawaiian Honeymoon, she, Brian, Hawk and Lacey are on the path off a kidnapper who has taken his victim into the uncharted caves of the Mammoth Cave group. Fast-paced, terrifying, charming, warm-hearted, and deadly, the search for the suspect leaves the reader, at least me, breathless as I raced to the end without being able to walk away. Every FBI K-9 book is a winner and Killer Abyss is no exception.
My thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Sara Driscoll for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this amazing book. Killer Abyss will be one of my top favorites (yes, I know but who can choose one favorite with so many excellent books out?) I will recommend it to all of my friends and followers. This is a book and anyone should love.
#Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #SaraDriscoll #KillerAbyss #FBIK9
My thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Sara Driscoll for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this amazing book. Killer Abyss will be one of my top favorites (yes, I know but who can choose one favorite with so many excellent books out?) I will recommend it to all of my friends and followers. This is a book and anyone should love.
#Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #SaraDriscoll #KillerAbyss #FBIK9
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sara Driscoll's FBI K9 series, which has been amazing since its first book, becomes even more incredible as the characters develop.
Killer Abyss is set within an adjacent, yet hidden offshoot cavern at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.
As always, the author deeply researched the terrain, allowing her to provide realistic descriptions. This, coupled with heart-pounding action and a well-defined plot, brought the pages to life as Meg, her dog Hawk, and the rest of the team search for a missing teen.
In addition to her understanding of the land, Driscoll always researches the culture and the populations included within her novels. This helps readers relate to the characters, empathize with the victims, and focus on the case.
If you love great thrillers with intelligent dogs, well-defined characters, and a small touch of romance, this page-turner will be hard to put down.
As always, I suggest starting with the first book in the series, before working-up to Killer Abyss.
Happy Reading!
Killer Abyss is set within an adjacent, yet hidden offshoot cavern at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.
As always, the author deeply researched the terrain, allowing her to provide realistic descriptions. This, coupled with heart-pounding action and a well-defined plot, brought the pages to life as Meg, her dog Hawk, and the rest of the team search for a missing teen.
In addition to her understanding of the land, Driscoll always researches the culture and the populations included within her novels. This helps readers relate to the characters, empathize with the victims, and focus on the case.
If you love great thrillers with intelligent dogs, well-defined characters, and a small touch of romance, this page-turner will be hard to put down.
As always, I suggest starting with the first book in the series, before working-up to Killer Abyss.
Happy Reading!
October 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I absolutely loved Killer Abyss. As someone who loves anything involving K9s, this was right up my street.
FBI handler Meg Jennings and her K9 partner Hawk are searching for a missing teenage girl when the investigation leads them deep into Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. What begins as a missing-person case soon takes a much darker turn, and the cave setting adds a brilliant sense of claustrophobia and danger.
The best part for me was the relationship between Meg and Hawk. Their bond felt genuine, and I loved seeing Hawk’s training and instincts play such an important role in the investigation. Meg is a strong, determined character, and I found myself really invested in both of them.
There were plenty of twists, suspense and tense moments that kept me turning the pages, and I loved the darker direction the investigation took.
A gripping and atmospheric K9 thriller with a wonderful partnership at its heart. Definitely a five-star read for me, and I’ll be looking out for more from Sara Driscoll.
I absolutely loved Killer Abyss. As someone who loves anything involving K9s, this was right up my street.
FBI handler Meg Jennings and her K9 partner Hawk are searching for a missing teenage girl when the investigation leads them deep into Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. What begins as a missing-person case soon takes a much darker turn, and the cave setting adds a brilliant sense of claustrophobia and danger.
The best part for me was the relationship between Meg and Hawk. Their bond felt genuine, and I loved seeing Hawk’s training and instincts play such an important role in the investigation. Meg is a strong, determined character, and I found myself really invested in both of them.
There were plenty of twists, suspense and tense moments that kept me turning the pages, and I loved the darker direction the investigation took.
A gripping and atmospheric K9 thriller with a wonderful partnership at its heart. Definitely a five-star read for me, and I’ll be looking out for more from Sara Driscoll.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love the FBI K-9 Search & Rescue series. I always learn something new about dogs and rescue services. This book focuses on caves, especially in Kentucky. Each chapter starts with a caver term that explains various parts of a cave or the sport.
Meg Jennings and her partner Hawk are paired with Brian Foster and his dog Lacey. They work together seamlessly. Someone is snatching unhoused young people from encampments. When one young lady manages to escape it is Hawk who instills confidence that enables the victim to report the details.
Being a caver is not something I would consider doing and I found this one particularly traumatic. There is a continuous labyrinth of caves and tunnels that take you deeper and deeper into the cave system. The dogs were able to scent even that far underground. I couldn't put this down!
I read an ARC through Net Galley. Release date is November 24 2026
Meg Jennings and her partner Hawk are paired with Brian Foster and his dog Lacey. They work together seamlessly. Someone is snatching unhoused young people from encampments. When one young lady manages to escape it is Hawk who instills confidence that enables the victim to report the details.
Being a caver is not something I would consider doing and I found this one particularly traumatic. There is a continuous labyrinth of caves and tunnels that take you deeper and deeper into the cave system. The dogs were able to scent even that far underground. I couldn't put this down!
I read an ARC through Net Galley. Release date is November 24 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
I always look forward to Sara Driscoll’s books and this did not disappoint. What a wonderful, suspenseful, adrenaline-filled book. In Killer Abyss, we are back with Meg and Hawk, Brian and Lacey, as they are called out to Kentucky for a missing teenage girl. She disappeared in Nashville but the trail led north to Mammoth Cave National Park. As can be expected, they end up searching in a cave with some heart-stopping moments. One of the enjoyable aspects of the author’s writing style is her attention to detail. I could feel the tension of being in the cave and the harrowing scenes they encountered. The action never stops in this book, keeping me glued until the end. Each book can be read as a standalone story but I enjoy knowing about the previous experiences when they are mentioned in each book. Therefore, if you have the opportunity, I recommend all of them. I am already looking forward to the next adventure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have very much enjoyed this well written FBI K-9 Search & Rescue series and I am hoping there will be more. This book takes us to Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park where Meg and her German Shepherd dog, Hawk, a trained FBI K-9, and her search partners are tasked with finding a child taken from Nashville, Tennessee. There is reason to believe she may be in the area. When the trail leads to the mouth of a previously unknown cave Meg, Hawk, Brian and his K-9 Lacey accompany the cavers in an effort to continue to follow the scent. There are lots of perils in the pitch black cave but they are able to push through and follow the girl’s scent. This book has lots of intrigue and maybe some nail-biting in well described scenes. If you like a good mystery I think you’ll enjoy this series. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Larissa a fourteen year old teenager has gone missing on her way home from school in Nashville, Tennessee.
Meg and her k-9 rescue dog Hawk, Brian and his k-9 rescue dog Lacey are called in as well as the rest of the team to search for the teenager. Their hope is that the tracker her mom attached to her shoe will help them find her. The search leads them to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky where they follow the scent of Larissa. This leads the team into a pitch black, claustrophobic cave. What they find is Larissa’s body as well as other bodies. A serial killer needs to be caught before more victims turn up.
Tense moments, danger, intrigue, suspense all had me at the edge of my seat as I turned the pages.
Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and Sara Driscoll for the opportunity to read this gripping story.
Meg and her k-9 rescue dog Hawk, Brian and his k-9 rescue dog Lacey are called in as well as the rest of the team to search for the teenager. Their hope is that the tracker her mom attached to her shoe will help them find her. The search leads them to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky where they follow the scent of Larissa. This leads the team into a pitch black, claustrophobic cave. What they find is Larissa’s body as well as other bodies. A serial killer needs to be caught before more victims turn up.
Tense moments, danger, intrigue, suspense all had me at the edge of my seat as I turned the pages.
Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and Sara Driscoll for the opportunity to read this gripping story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Missing in Mammoth Cave National Park
The FBI Human Scent Evidence team are brought in to search for a missing teenage girl in Mammoth Cave National Park. With local assistance, the team with their dogs are deployed to search heavily forested hill and valley terrain. It’s Meg Jennings’ Labrador Hawk whose tracking leads them to an unknown cave entrance. What follows taxes Meg Jennings with Hawk, Brian with Lacey, and an expert caving team as they delve deep into an uncharted underground wilderness in search of the missing girl.
“They’re down about fifty feet,.” What they find is horrific. Then another potential victim escapes and provides a crucial lead that takes the team into the complicated world of the homeless.
Author Sara Driscoll combines technology, caving experience, behavioral analysis, and, of course, dogs in this thrilling 11th entry in the F.B.I. K-9 series.
The FBI Human Scent Evidence team are brought in to search for a missing teenage girl in Mammoth Cave National Park. With local assistance, the team with their dogs are deployed to search heavily forested hill and valley terrain. It’s Meg Jennings’ Labrador Hawk whose tracking leads them to an unknown cave entrance. What follows taxes Meg Jennings with Hawk, Brian with Lacey, and an expert caving team as they delve deep into an uncharted underground wilderness in search of the missing girl.
“They’re down about fifty feet,.” What they find is horrific. Then another potential victim escapes and provides a crucial lead that takes the team into the complicated world of the homeless.
Author Sara Driscoll combines technology, caving experience, behavioral analysis, and, of course, dogs in this thrilling 11th entry in the F.B.I. K-9 series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am a suspense and action addict and Sara Driscoll always offers an all you can read buffet of both! We again join my favorite rescue dogs and their humans. A teen has been kidnapped and leads bring our team to Monmouth National Park. They only have to cover five hundred acres of terrain and dogs and handlers both manage to maneuver the obstacle. The search takes them into the endless twists and turns of the cave system, to a homeless camp where the dogs offer comfort. The trail brings them back to a farm and well, all I will say is you will sit on the edge of your seat, bite your nails and grip your book harder reading this book. I am so glad I was offered the chance to ARC read this book. The books in this K-9 series just keeps getting better and better!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Killer Abyss completely pulled me in! The atmosphere, suspense, and steadily building tension had me hooked from the beginning. Sara Driscoll does such a great job creating that claustrophobic, unsettling feeling where you know something is very wrong, but you’re never quite sure what’s coming next.
I loved the twists and the way the mystery kept unfolding without giving everything away too soon. The pacing kept me turning pages, and the characters felt believable enough that I genuinely cared about what happened to them.
If you’re a fan of thrillers with a dark, eerie atmosphere, high stakes, and plenty of tension, definitely add Killer Abyss to your TBR. A fantastic read and an easy 5 stars from me!
I loved the twists and the way the mystery kept unfolding without giving everything away too soon. The pacing kept me turning pages, and the characters felt believable enough that I genuinely cared about what happened to them.
If you’re a fan of thrillers with a dark, eerie atmosphere, high stakes, and plenty of tension, definitely add Killer Abyss to your TBR. A fantastic read and an easy 5 stars from me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book from NetGalley with no expectations of a positive review. This book starts with Meg, Brian and the K-9 rescue crew being sent to Mammoth Cave area to find a missing girl from Nashville, Tennesee. She wore a tracker so they could have a rough starting point to search. Meg and Hawk found a trail that led them to the tracker. From there, Hawk led them to a cave. Join Meg and Brian as they head into the cave with experienced cavers. They found a lot more than they expected. Join the team as they find the answers to the questions that plague this mystery.
This is a book that will keep you turning the pages. You will not want to put it down. It is a must read for suspense fans. The ending will shock you.
This is a book that will keep you turning the pages. You will not want to put it down. It is a must read for suspense fans. The ending will shock you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sara Driscoll never ceases to amaze me with her level of detail in her books. I was fascinated by all the specifics of caving and Mammoth Cave, as well as particulars of the life of the unhoused. I was hooked by the mystery from page one, with plenty of adrenaline-inducing moments, a nerve-wracking trip through a narrow and twisty cave, and more questions than answers as the story got started. The story had plenty of twists and suspense, it was intense and fast-paced, and I had a hard time putting it down. I love Hawk and Lacey, and am always amazed at what these well-trained SAR dogs are capable of doing. This whole series is always worth a read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Meg and her SAR dog Hawk, along with Brian and SAR dog Lacey, are called in to find a missing teenager. Their search will lead them to the cave system of Mammoth Cave National Park. The search continues in the caves with expert assistance where the girl's body is found, along with other bodies. As the identities of the bodies are revealed, the information will aid in identifying and capturing the serial killer, hopefully before he claims his nest victim. The vivid description of the dangers faced in the cave exploration add to the tension. Thrilling add to the series.
#KillerAbyss #KensingtonPublishing #Kensington #SaraDriscoll #FBIK9 #NetGalley
#KillerAbyss #KensingtonPublishing #Kensington #SaraDriscoll #FBIK9 #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a read that you shouldn't miss. It starts as a missing persons case and turns into the hunt for a killer. FBI dog handler Meg and her dog Hawk followed the scent to find the missing girl, only to find 6 bodies one of which was the missing girl. This is a fast-paced thriller. Meg as usual goes above and beyond to find the killer even though that is not her job. She uses Hawk to help her identify and find the killer. The setting is in Monmouth Cave and some of the action takes place in a cave. The detail of the search in the cave is both thrilling and educational. It also addresses the problems of teens and other who are unhoused as are some of the characters in this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sara Driscoll has done it again, this one is a must read!! Meg & Brian along with their K9 partners Hawk & Lacey search for a missing teenager taken from Tennessee and brought to Kentucky and end up in an undocumented cave system that is part of Mammoth Cave National Park. The journey through the cave brings chills and thrills as they have to go into the unknown cave system. As they go deeper into the pitch black cave they find that this is not just a missing girl, they're on the trail of a serial killer who has been at this for years. As in all of her books, the locations are well researched and come to life in the story. Don't miss the next best read that you will ever pick up!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another heart pounding book in the FBI K9 series. Meg and her dog Hawk, and her coworker Brian and his dog Lacey, are in Kentucky at Mammoth Caves National Park in search of a missing teenager. The darkness and unforgiving environment leads to a treacherous search, and indications that they may need to be searching for a serial killer too.
This is one of my favorite series of books! I love Meg and Hawk! I always learn so much from the author about the various locations and environments that the stories take place in. It is truly a great series!
This is one of my favorite series of books! I love Meg and Hawk! I always learn so much from the author about the various locations and environments that the stories take place in. It is truly a great series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a thrilling book. Much of it takes place in Mammoth Cave National Park, in a fictional cave. It was exciting to read because I was there just a couple of weeks ago. Everything in the storyline lined up perfectly. I love Meg and Brian, along with the rest of the team and their beloved search and rescue dogs. The hunt for the serial killer and his victims were incredibly intense. There are a lot of twists and turns. Meg’s sister had some wonderful news. It’s an intense book that had me eagerly turning the pages.
August 10, 2026
“Killer Abyss” by Sara Driscoll is another amazing FBI K-9 novel! It’s dark, intense, and packed with suspense. Meg and Hawk are sent to Mammoth Cave National Park in search of a missing girl, and the search leads to something way worse than they expected. The claustrophobic atmosphere of the caves made the tension feel even more intense. This one had me on the edge of my seat! I love this series and can’t wait to see where Meg and Hawk go next!
August 13, 2026
I really enjoyed Killer Abyss by Sara Driscoll. I’ve read several of her books, and I thought this was definitely one of her better ones. The story kept my attention, had plenty of suspense, and moved along at a good pace. An entertaining read and another solid addition to the series!
I would have liked to found out how they kept Zoey off the streets and did she get help for her eyes.
#SaraDriscoll #KillerAbyss #NetGalley #Bookstagram
I would have liked to found out how they kept Zoey off the streets and did she get help for her eyes.
#SaraDriscoll #KillerAbyss #NetGalley #Bookstagram
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Killer Abyss by Sara Driscoll is another outstanding entry in the FBI K-9 series. I am addicted to all of Sara Driscoll’s series, but this one is my favorite. I raced through this book, the pacing of the story kept me turning the pages. The author creates such a intense claustrophobic feeling in the caves which really ratchets up the tension. I can’t wait to see where Hawk, Meg and company go next!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Meg and Hawk, along with Brian and Lacey, are on the case of a missing teenager. By using a tracker, they find it near an unknown cave in the Mammouth Cave National Park. This is the first cave they have been in, both dogs or humans. As the dogs follow the sent they have to work thru tight spaces and dangerous lakes. What they find is more horrible than could be imagined. While teams work in the cave another teenager is kidnapped. Will they find him in time?
Goodreads
Goodreads
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book starts off at a fast pace and doesn’t let up! Meg Jennings and her search and rescue partner Brian Foster along with their dogs Hawk and Lacey are tracking a missing girl when the trail leads them to a remote part of Mammoth Cave not on any maps. Unprepared for cave searching or rescue they must bring in other team members. Grab some coffee and be prepared to read for a while!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A thrilling addition to the author's splendid FBI K-9 series, this time with Meg and her dog Hawk called to search for a missing girl in Mammoth Cave National Park. High suspense in the claustrophobic pitch-black caves kept me reading into the wee smalls glued to the pages. Highly recommended!
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