Great story with so many twists and turns. Interesting characters who had layers upon layers. I can't wait to read the next book!

Candace Irving writes several series of novels centered around the military lifestyle. The Garbage Man is the first of the series 'Hidden Valor' and an excellent introduction to this fine author. She knows of what she writes, having herself been the child of a boatswain's mate chief, living all around the world, then she herself became a Navy Lt. in her own rite. She brings to us the traits and mores of those who choose to protect us and our way of life. At times gritty, this thriller is hard to set aside. I read it in a single day and accomplished not one other thing. Oh, well.Irving's characters - even the bad guys - have a sense of humanity that is crisp and clear, and her good guys are that and lovable. Kate Holland, retired from the Navy, is a deputy on the police force of the small town of Braxton, Arkansas. Braxton is the town to which her father retired, the place the family had called home. Though her family is all gone now, she still has dear friends and many good memories to keep her sane in this stretch of land between the Ozarks and the Arkansas River. And with her extensive service history, keeping sane is difficult and at times impossible. Her shepherd Ruger is at times the only thing keeping her out of a padded room. Especially when her fellow veterans are turning up dead, bits and pieces placed in brown paper bags lining country roads, including her own. Night terrors, she thought a thing of the past, are back in force. And the holes in her memory from her last tour in Afghanistan are beginning to fill in, something she had longed for the last five years, but she is now fairly certain not remembering was actually a gift.

I knew the minute I read the synopsis I would love this book, and I was right! Candace Irving is a new author for me, and "The Garbage Man" an exciting thriller, book one of the series Hidden Valor Military Veteran /K-9, was a "First Read" for me. The main character is a female veteran, former army CID, now working in law enforcement in her hometown. Candace Irving has crafted a magnificent heroine, with a transformation character arc that many woman who have served in the military will find inspiring. I especially appreciated the sensitivity, Candace demonstrated in exploring the issues that set apart female veteran health care needs, especially PTSD, from their male counterparts. Kate Holland poignant back story was as captivating to me as the mystery she was trying to solve!I was drawn to this book by the synopsis but was captured and hooked by the opening scene. I was so intrigued I read this book from cover to cover in one sitting. Then as usual cursed myself because in reading so fast, I finished too soon. I guess I will re-read in the future, savoring all the nuances, and carefully plotted twist and turns Candace Irving incorporated into this novel. She really surprised me at the end when the true protagonist was revealed. That ending was very well done! And even with all the death and mayhem, I was left with a feeling of happily ever after, even if in reality the heroine, Kate Holland, has a long way to go before she is ever going to feel whole again!"The Garbage Man" contains all the elements of good story I need. It has wonderfully developed characters, a well written plot, happily ever after ending, with NO Cliffhangers! I encourage all romance readers, especially female veterans, to read it!

Very interesting who done it. Brilliant plot with memorable characters! Only wish Ruger was used more like an on duty police dog!

Awesome read. Gives a civilian a look into what a vet goes thru thou we cannot fully understand. An awesome plot and having a dog in the story is icing on the cake for me. Will be reading the rest of this series for sure.

THE GARBAGE MAN (A Hidden Valor Military Veteran/K-9 Mystery Book #1) by Candace Irving is an intense, gritty, emotional roller coaster mash-up of mystery, suspense, and thriller genres featuring a female small-town deputy on the hunt for a serial killer. I could not put this book down, but be warned, this is a book featuring a serial killer and it contains graphic violence.Former US Army CID investigator Kate Holland saw several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan seeing some of the worse violence man does to man. On her last trip outside of the wire, her group was captured and Kate spent eleven hours at the hands of terrorists. She escaped but has been suppressing the memory of what happened.Now a small-town deputy in her hometown, Kate and her German Shepard, Ruger are trying to just get through each day until she is called to the horrific crime scene left by the road. The clues have ties to fellow vets and begin to make Kate believe this is tied to her captivity overseas, but is it true or is she losing her grip on reality?With each new victim, Kate is forced to face her suppressed past and worry that she may be the next veteran to die.This is one of those books that pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages. The plot comes at you from many different directions, but all the threads come together to a brilliant climax with PTSD, trauma, and revenge all interwoven throughout. Kate is a complex protagonist. She is strong on many levels, but also vulnerable. She is put through difficult situations, personally and professionally, throughout this story. Ruger is a wonderful sidekick, protector, and emotional support for Kate. This book has everything I look for in a gritty, intricately plotted genre mash-up with a memorable protagonist, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.I highly recommend this mystery/suspense/thriller mash-up!

I love a good mystery or suspense and The Garbage Man is that, but so much more. It gives honor to those who have served our country. I cannot imagine the horrors that those service people have experienced but this story gives us a little light into it. Thank you to all service people and bless their journey�s as they return.

The imagery. It�s probably one of the first investigation novels where the final twist knocked me back. I never saw the last part coming.Excellent. I want a Ruger.

A friend of mine was reading this and telling me how good it was so I started reading it. I told her I hate her because I had a ton of things I needed to get done today but instead read from the first to the last page without accomplishing anything else. The story is riviting but not for the faint of heart. It touches on severla things that could be triggering. That said, I absolutely loved it. The characters weren't all black or white but had varying shades of gray in their actions. They all were dealing with something. Of course I loved Ruger. He was a comfort throughout. I cried several times reading this - the story just struck a chord with me. I will read the next book in the series but will read some light hearted books first so I can recover from this one.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. The old saying "it had had my eyes watering " in a few places.

Kate Holland is a decorated ex soldier and she can�t remember the incident that scared her face. Now a Deputy with her local police department, she is pulled into a crime so horrendous that it has opened old wounds she has tried to hide from. Great story, mystery fans! Can�t wait to read book #2.

A somewhat long and twisting road to a satisfying conclusion. Filled with inner thoughts and turmoil. It all comes together in the end and every question is answered.A really great murder mystery with a military element included.Read and enjoy it, I very much did so.

Very interesting who done it. Brilliant plot with memorable characters! Only wish Ruger was used more like an on duty police dog!

This was a great book. I love the parts Ruger played. I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series.

A somewhat long and twisting road to a satisfying conclusion. Filled with inner thoughts and turmoil. It all comes together in the end and every question is answered.A really great murder mystery with a military element included.Read and enjoy it, I very much did so.