Paradise Valley by CJ Box

I thought this was the new "Joe Pickett" novel when I requested it from the library, so imagine my surprise to find out that Paradise Valley features a cop named Cassie Dewell based in North Dakota. Cassie has been trying to catch a serial killer named The Lizard King for several years and thinks she has developed the perfect plan. Of course, things don't go as planned and she is blamed--then loses her job. While she's trying to figure out what to do next, her neighbor Lottie hires her to find Lottie's grandson, Kyle, who set off on a great adventure but hasn't been heard from since. Since the cops aren't doing anything to help Lottie, Cassie decides to see if she can find Kyle and soon realizes that his disappearance may be tied to The Lizard King.

This wasn't a bad story, but I prefer the Joe Pickett novels. And be warned, there is a lot of violence in this book because The Lizard King is a truly twisted character.