A series of random deaths. A search dog with a nose for trouble. And two teenagers threatened by a mystery they’re determined to unravel.

18-year old Bryce Finn is the youngest Search and Rescue dog handler in Washington state. And thanks to the extraordinary nose of his golden retriever Sierra, he’s also one of the best. When Sierra sniffs out a possible crime scene during a routine potty break, Bryce trusts his dog–and reports the discovery to law enforcement.

At first, the hit-and-run Sierra uncovers looks like just another in a series of accidental deaths. But as Bryce and Sierra, along with Bryce’s girlfriend Katie and her search-dog-in-training Magnum, follow a trail of bodies from the Washington wilderness to a rushing river to a homeless camp, their suspicions grow. Is there some connection between these unexplained deaths? And if there is, can Bryce and Sierra sniff out the killer before the killer finds them - especially with the worst detective on the force questioning their every move?

Packed with action, adventure, and more than a little puppy love, PAYOUT will keep you guessing until the explosive final moments.

PAYOUT is a page-turning adventure that will surprise even the most seasoned mystery fan. A tribute to the real search and rescue experts…and their human partners. – Cloyd Steiger, homicide detective and author of Homicide: The View from Inside the Yellow Tape.

The second in the Sierra the Search Dog series is both readable and realistic. ‘Payout’ will appeal to those who love mysteries, dog stories and old-fashioned gumshoe police procedurals. – Susan Bulanda, author of K9 Search and Rescue Troubleshooting: Practical Solutions to Common SAR Dog Training Problems

Payout is the sixth book in Robert D. Calkins’ Sierra the Search Dog series of books for all ages. Written for teens and adults, Payout is a sequel to Calkins’ breakout novel Digger. Also in the Sierra the Search Dog Series are:

For children:

Sierra Becomes a Search Dog

Sierra the Search Dog Finds Fred

Sierra the Search Dog Saves Sally

For middle-grade readers:

Bryce Bumps His Head

For Teens and Adults:

Digger - Sierra and the Case of the Chimera Killer