Creed appreciation post

The Creed series is a spin-off of sorts by American author, Alex Kava, based on the separate set of novels featuring Maggie O'Dell's crime solving pursuits for the FBI. The Creed and O'Dell series sit in parallel but you can read each series independently from the other.

The Creed books in order to date are: Breaking Creed (2015), Silent Creed (2015), Reckless Creed (2016), Lost Creed (2018), Desperate Creed (2019), Hidden Creed (2020), and Fallen Creed (2022) and Midnight Creed (2023). The series follows Ryder Creed, a K9 handler and his work with the FBI with his detection dogs. Ryder and FIB Agent Maggie O'Dell collaborate on cases and their relationship is developed through the series.

I've read all the novels in the Creed series now. I recommend reading them in order, mostly for the personal side of the stories. While each novel is self-contained, the relationship between Creed and Maggie is something that is best read in order as it progresses through the books, as does Creed's backstory about the search for his missing sister.

I was initially drawn to the Creed series because of my love of dogs, something the author clearly shares. Creed is a marine veteran who runs a successful dog rescue shelter and canine detection training business. There is a case to deal with in each novel that is a crime in itself to solve, with both Maggie and Creed involved. The crimes are always well-crafted and suitably suspenseful, with the added bonus of the ongoing character development of the two main players. There's also a great cast of supporting characters who live and work at Creed's dog rescue and training facility. These characters provide the opportunity to delve into veteran PTSD issues.

What I like most is the search and detection side of the case involving Creed and his dogs. Alex Kava seems to have done her research and it's super interesting to read about how canine rescue works. Creed loves his dogs, and the relationship he has with them - characterised by mutual trust, respect and loyalty - is a joy to read.

I wrote this post initially after reading book 7, published in 2022. All seven books in the series to that point earn my five star vote. See my comments below on book 8.

Series rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Post update:

I read the 8th book in the series, Midnight Creed, in March 2024 (published December 2023). It is still a quality read, but my least favourite of the series so far. I found it a bit flat and lacking the depth of the other novels. The story at the heart of the novel is complex and compelling, however, it feels unusually slow-paced for a Creed novel. There are a lot of unanswered questions at the end for me (perhaps to be dealt with in the next book). Usually Maggie and Creed's roles in the crime are nicely connected, but this feels forced in Midnight Creed. That said, I always learn something when I read a Creed novel. This time, the focus is on the homeless and their pets, and the military dogs left behind in Afghanistan😢. I always love reading about Creed's dogs and his love and respect for them. I've also enjoyed the ongoing character development of Jason, one of Creed's dog handlers and a fellow veteran, and Creed's sister, Brodie.

Book 8 rating: ⭐⭐⭐