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Wildling Road: Wildling K9 Mystery Series - Book One
** WINNER OF THE 2025 HAWKEYE MANUSCRIPT AWARD **
Atmospheric, emotional, and impossible to put down, Wildling Road is a gripping Australian rural noir that explores courage, belonging, and the unbreakable bond between a woman and her dog.
"The relationship between Mia and her dog Koda is what brings love and heart to the story."
"The blend of mystery, intrigue and unrelenting poignant moments had me turning the pages eagerly."
"A snowballing read of suspense!"
"This was a truly lovely read that I thoroughly enjoyed, especially as the story built toward a gripping and action-packed finale!"
"The small-town setting, combined with the snowy weather, created such a vivid and atmospheric backdrop that really pulled me in."
Beneath the snow-dusted peaks of Australia’s largest alpine national park lies the small farming town of Wildling, where the patriarchy rules, power is inherited—and secrets are worth killing for.
When a teenage girl disappears in Wildling National Park, canine search-and-rescue officer Mia Thomas and her border collie Koda are called to lead the search. What begins as a routine mission turns chilling when Koda leads them to the property of Jack Stanton - the town’s most powerful farmer.
Haunted by a fractured family and a mystic grandmother who lives by the laws of the land, Mia has always existed on the fringe of Wildling’s tight-knit community. She knows better than to cross one of its most powerful men, but when the case takes an unexpected turn, her instincts, and Koda’s, won’t let her walk away.
As danger closes in and the snow begins to fall, Mia must face the truth about Wildling, and herself, before the next girl goes missing.
Perfect for readers of Jane Harper, Sally Hepworth, and Margaret Mizushima, this story will resonate with anyone who loves small-town mysteries, the connection we have with our dogs, and the wild beauty of the Australian landscape.
Atmospheric, emotional, and impossible to put down, Wildling Road is a gripping Australian rural noir that explores courage, belonging, and the unbreakable bond between a woman and her dog.
"The relationship between Mia and her dog Koda is what brings love and heart to the story."
"The blend of mystery, intrigue and unrelenting poignant moments had me turning the pages eagerly."
"A snowballing read of suspense!"
"This was a truly lovely read that I thoroughly enjoyed, especially as the story built toward a gripping and action-packed finale!"
"The small-town setting, combined with the snowy weather, created such a vivid and atmospheric backdrop that really pulled me in."
Beneath the snow-dusted peaks of Australia’s largest alpine national park lies the small farming town of Wildling, where the patriarchy rules, power is inherited—and secrets are worth killing for.
When a teenage girl disappears in Wildling National Park, canine search-and-rescue officer Mia Thomas and her border collie Koda are called to lead the search. What begins as a routine mission turns chilling when Koda leads them to the property of Jack Stanton - the town’s most powerful farmer.
Haunted by a fractured family and a mystic grandmother who lives by the laws of the land, Mia has always existed on the fringe of Wildling’s tight-knit community. She knows better than to cross one of its most powerful men, but when the case takes an unexpected turn, her instincts, and Koda’s, won’t let her walk away.
As danger closes in and the snow begins to fall, Mia must face the truth about Wildling, and herself, before the next girl goes missing.
Perfect for readers of Jane Harper, Sally Hepworth, and Margaret Mizushima, this story will resonate with anyone who loves small-town mysteries, the connection we have with our dogs, and the wild beauty of the Australian landscape.
- GenresMystery
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2026
About the author
Nikki Lee Taylor
10 books146 followersNikki Lee Taylor is an Australian author. In 2024, she was awarded the Sisters in Crime Scarlet Stiletto Award for Crime Fiction. Her latest title, Wildling Road, also won the 2025 Hawkeye Manuscript Development Award.
Nikki has written three independent titles, including International Bestseller The Secrets We Keep, The Truth We Tell, and The Alibi.
Nikki is a former news journalist, coffee addict, dog trainer, and competes in canine scent work trials with her dog Saxon. She lives in Newcastle, NSW.
Nikki has written three independent titles, including International Bestseller The Secrets We Keep, The Truth We Tell, and The Alibi.
Nikki is a former news journalist, coffee addict, dog trainer, and competes in canine scent work trials with her dog Saxon. She lives in Newcastle, NSW.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 22, 2026
I am an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion. This book is interesting.. Set in New South Wales, it primarily features a small town and the secrets hidden beneath the surface of the almost complete hold the biggest landholder and the smarmy, lecherous sheriff have on the population, especially, it seems the women. And two young women, one just a teenager who has dropped out of high school. The other and her search and rescue dog work with the local rescue organisation, always kept busy. Both have low self-esteem, thanks to their families and the town making them feel "not enough and less than". Finding the body of the best friend of the teenager in a ravine sparks revelations. And being abandoned and manipulated by both the man she has always loved and her own brother, the other woman is given the strength to spring into action with her dog when necessary by another young woman who also suffers the effects of the town in a different way. There is tragedy, assault, bullying and false expectations and finally, a shocking revelation in this story. The writing and gradual pulling in by the author as well as the explorations make this a great read
February 23, 2026
I read an ARC copy.
Nikki Lee Taylor has created a delightful partnership between her human and canine characters, Mia and Koda. The other characters are well rounded and some of the men loathsome. I particularly enjoyed Mias's grandmother.
The depiction of country town life with the power of the patriarchy, the shunning of outsiders, the covering up of the misdeeds of important people all rings true.
Her descriptions of the setting of Wildling Road in the national park are superb.
The mystery is intriguing and the ending satisfying with a twist that makes sense.
A most readable and enjoyable rural noir novel.
Nikki Lee Taylor has created a delightful partnership between her human and canine characters, Mia and Koda. The other characters are well rounded and some of the men loathsome. I particularly enjoyed Mias's grandmother.
The depiction of country town life with the power of the patriarchy, the shunning of outsiders, the covering up of the misdeeds of important people all rings true.
Her descriptions of the setting of Wildling Road in the national park are superb.
The mystery is intriguing and the ending satisfying with a twist that makes sense.
A most readable and enjoyable rural noir novel.
March 2, 2026
I picked this up on a whim after seeing it recommended somewhere online and honestly? I wasn't prepared for how much I'd love it.
I'll be honest, I almost put it down in the first couple of chapters because I thought I knew exactly where it was going missing girl, small town, powerful man with secrets. Classic setup, right? But Nikki Lee Taylor does something really clever with that familiarity. She uses it to lull you into a false sense of security and then completely pulls the rug out from under you.
Mia is such a refreshing protagonist. She's not trying to be a hero, she's not reckless or foolishly brave she's just a woman who knows when something is wrong and can't make herself ignore it, even when every sensible part of her brain is screaming at her to walk away. I found that really believable and genuinely compelling. And Koda. Oh my god, Koda. I'm a dog person through and through and the way Taylor writes the bond between Mia and her border collie absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way. There's a scene about two thirds through where Koda's behaviour shifts and I actually had to put the book down for a second because my heart was in my throat.
The setting does a lot of heavy lifting here too. The alpine landscape felt so vivid and atmospheric cold and beautiful and quietly threatening all at once. You could almost feel the temperature dropping as the story progressed. Rural noir is such a specific mood and this nails it.
My only small gripe is that some of the secondary characters felt a little underdeveloped, particularly a couple of the townsfolk who I felt could've added more texture to the community dynamics. But that's a minor thing in an otherwise really strong debut.
If you like Jane Harper's brand of slow-burn tension set against stunning Australian landscapes, you'll devour this. Already eyeing up book two.
I'll be honest, I almost put it down in the first couple of chapters because I thought I knew exactly where it was going missing girl, small town, powerful man with secrets. Classic setup, right? But Nikki Lee Taylor does something really clever with that familiarity. She uses it to lull you into a false sense of security and then completely pulls the rug out from under you.
Mia is such a refreshing protagonist. She's not trying to be a hero, she's not reckless or foolishly brave she's just a woman who knows when something is wrong and can't make herself ignore it, even when every sensible part of her brain is screaming at her to walk away. I found that really believable and genuinely compelling. And Koda. Oh my god, Koda. I'm a dog person through and through and the way Taylor writes the bond between Mia and her border collie absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way. There's a scene about two thirds through where Koda's behaviour shifts and I actually had to put the book down for a second because my heart was in my throat.
The setting does a lot of heavy lifting here too. The alpine landscape felt so vivid and atmospheric cold and beautiful and quietly threatening all at once. You could almost feel the temperature dropping as the story progressed. Rural noir is such a specific mood and this nails it.
My only small gripe is that some of the secondary characters felt a little underdeveloped, particularly a couple of the townsfolk who I felt could've added more texture to the community dynamics. But that's a minor thing in an otherwise really strong debut.
If you like Jane Harper's brand of slow-burn tension set against stunning Australian landscapes, you'll devour this. Already eyeing up book two.
March 17, 2026
This was a truly lovely read that I thoroughly enjoyed, especially as the story built toward a gripping and action-packed finale! The small-town setting, combined with the snowy weather, created such a vivid and atmospheric backdrop that really pulled me in.
As an Australian reader, I was especially drawn to this book because it’s set in Australia and written by an Australian author—and I have to say, it did not disappoint. Even the cover caught my eye right away!
I appreciated the use of multiple points of view, which added depth to the story and heightened the suspense beautifully. Mia is a fantastic main character—I absolutely loved her and the bond she has with her border collie, Koda, it was incredibly heartwarming! Their work together in search and rescue within the national park was a standout element, and it was uplifting to see how her role helped her move through a sudden low point in her life.
The story doesn’t shy away from darker elements, and there are certainly some truly unpleasant characters, but thanks to Mia’s determination, the story has a very satisfying and nail-biting ending! There are also some fun touches throughout, including memorable character names like “Herm the Worm,” which added a bit of charm! I’m definitely going to read the next book ‘Deadman’s Hollow’ (book 2) in the series where Mia’s brother goes missing.
Trigger warnings include: murder, manslaughter, firearms, and references to a past suicide attempt.
I would definitely recommend this to you if you like small town, murder mysteries and a love of dogs like myself!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As an Australian reader, I was especially drawn to this book because it’s set in Australia and written by an Australian author—and I have to say, it did not disappoint. Even the cover caught my eye right away!
I appreciated the use of multiple points of view, which added depth to the story and heightened the suspense beautifully. Mia is a fantastic main character—I absolutely loved her and the bond she has with her border collie, Koda, it was incredibly heartwarming! Their work together in search and rescue within the national park was a standout element, and it was uplifting to see how her role helped her move through a sudden low point in her life.
The story doesn’t shy away from darker elements, and there are certainly some truly unpleasant characters, but thanks to Mia’s determination, the story has a very satisfying and nail-biting ending! There are also some fun touches throughout, including memorable character names like “Herm the Worm,” which added a bit of charm! I’m definitely going to read the next book ‘Deadman’s Hollow’ (book 2) in the series where Mia’s brother goes missing.
Trigger warnings include: murder, manslaughter, firearms, and references to a past suicide attempt.
I would definitely recommend this to you if you like small town, murder mysteries and a love of dogs like myself!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just finished Wildling Road and came away with mixed feelings. Overall, it’s a good book with a compelling premise, strong atmosphere, and an emotional undercurrent that kept me invested—especially the bond between Mia and her search-and-rescue dog, Koda, which added real heart to the story.
The opening pulled me in quickly. The sense of place was vivid and immersive. The mystery and tension were engaging, and there were moments that felt genuinely powerful and haunting.
That said, the pacing was uneven for me. There were several sections that dragged and felt overly drawn out, which slowed the momentum of the story. At times I found myself wanting the plot to move forward more quickly, especially in the middle portions where the narrative lingered longer than necessary.
Still, the strong characters, emotional themes, and atmospheric writing made it worth the read.
While not perfect, Wildling Road is a solid and memorable story—one that will especially resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries with emotional weight.
The opening pulled me in quickly. The sense of place was vivid and immersive. The mystery and tension were engaging, and there were moments that felt genuinely powerful and haunting.
That said, the pacing was uneven for me. There were several sections that dragged and felt overly drawn out, which slowed the momentum of the story. At times I found myself wanting the plot to move forward more quickly, especially in the middle portions where the narrative lingered longer than necessary.
Still, the strong characters, emotional themes, and atmospheric writing made it worth the read.
While not perfect, Wildling Road is a solid and memorable story—one that will especially resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries with emotional weight.
April 21, 2026
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed reading Wildling Road and found it to be a well-written mystery thriller. A spoiler-free review would be difficult, given the genre, but generally, I found the pacing well done, the characters intriguing, and the story captivating. The story contains chapters that alternate between different characters’ perspectives, and I found this mildly difficult to follow at first, given some formatting choices of the chapter headers and the use of first-person narration, but I did get used to it. The story shows a lot of its cards in the onset, but seeing how those cards interact and fall as the story progresses is what kept me tuned in. There are some downright disgusting characters in this book, enough to give me a visceral reaction every time they appeared, but a large part of that disgust was in the realism of it. Koda, of course, stole the show – as a border collie owner myself, I couldn’t help but get attached.
I enjoyed reading Wildling Road and found it to be a well-written mystery thriller. A spoiler-free review would be difficult, given the genre, but generally, I found the pacing well done, the characters intriguing, and the story captivating. The story contains chapters that alternate between different characters’ perspectives, and I found this mildly difficult to follow at first, given some formatting choices of the chapter headers and the use of first-person narration, but I did get used to it. The story shows a lot of its cards in the onset, but seeing how those cards interact and fall as the story progresses is what kept me tuned in. There are some downright disgusting characters in this book, enough to give me a visceral reaction every time they appeared, but a large part of that disgust was in the realism of it. Koda, of course, stole the show – as a border collie owner myself, I couldn’t help but get attached.
April 27, 2026
Absolutely loved this book — so much so I stayed up until 1:40am on a work night because I simply had to know how it ended. That alone says everything.
I became completely invested in the story, and one character stirred such real emotion in me that I was genuinely hoping for a very nasty end for him — which speaks to how well the author writes.
The characters felt authentic, and the family dynamics were relatable and believable. The female lead, Mia, especially touched me, and I found myself deeply connected to her journey. I’m also very eager to continue following Mia and Koda’s story.
The plot has some darker elements, which I personally loved, but what I appreciated just as much was the absence of “spice.” It was a refreshing change and allows the strength of the story, characters, and emotion to shine through, making it suitable for a wide range of readers.
A compelling, engaging read that kept me turning pages late into the night. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
I became completely invested in the story, and one character stirred such real emotion in me that I was genuinely hoping for a very nasty end for him — which speaks to how well the author writes.
The characters felt authentic, and the family dynamics were relatable and believable. The female lead, Mia, especially touched me, and I found myself deeply connected to her journey. I’m also very eager to continue following Mia and Koda’s story.
The plot has some darker elements, which I personally loved, but what I appreciated just as much was the absence of “spice.” It was a refreshing change and allows the strength of the story, characters, and emotion to shine through, making it suitable for a wide range of readers.
A compelling, engaging read that kept me turning pages late into the night. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
February 23, 2026
I enjoyed this book overall. The atmosphere is dark, and the emotional threads running through the story make it realistic. Mia's bond with Koda seems to be stronger than those she shares with her family.
I did find parts of the pacing a little slow, particularly in the middle. That said, some of those quieter sections added to the unsettling undercurrent of the book and deepened the mood, even if they tested my patience at times.
The mystery itself kept me engaged, and the characters are interesting.
I’d definitely be interested in reading more in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I did find parts of the pacing a little slow, particularly in the middle. That said, some of those quieter sections added to the unsettling undercurrent of the book and deepened the mood, even if they tested my patience at times.
The mystery itself kept me engaged, and the characters are interesting.
I’d definitely be interested in reading more in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 11, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is the first book in the Wildling K9 Mystery series and I’m already excited to dive into the next one. The story follows Mia a search and rescue officer and her K9 partner Koda as they investigate a missing girl in a small town. The case quickly takes an unexpected turn and Mia refuses to back down.
This was a page turner from the start, full of great twists and strong pacing. I really enjoyed the characters especially Mia and the setting added so much atmosphere. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery.
This was a page turner from the start, full of great twists and strong pacing. I really enjoyed the characters especially Mia and the setting added so much atmosphere. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery.
April 17, 2026
I really enjoyed this story and can't wait for more of Mia and Koda. Mia (the FMC) is very relatable and her relationship with her dog, Koda, just warmed my heart. The story drew me in from the start and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. The relationships she lost and made throughout the book gave her a story and I'm looking forward to seeing how her journey progresses. I absolutely plan on continuing this series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 8, 2026
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. It took me a couple of paragraphs to warm up to the story, but then, bang, I was completely caught up in it! I really enjoyed getting to know the main character and following her fight to be taken seriously, while at the same time wanting to find out how the mystery would end.
A great read with a nice twist at the end. Would recommend.
A great read with a nice twist at the end. Would recommend.
February 17, 2026
The relationship between Mia and her dog Koda is what brings love and heart to the story. The blend of mystery, intrigue and unrelenting poignant moments had me turning the pages eagerly. I felt immediately drawn to the story and gave it all my attention until the end. I am so excited to see where the series leads.
February 27, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this book full of mystery and suspense.
The leading woman ranger is with her supportive K9 learning the skills to pass the set exams to become the best team. Whilst practising training on Whisky Ridge, they will come across a victim who needs help.
You will be taken on an investigation of twists and turns, which will keep you reading until the end.
Loved it
The leading woman ranger is with her supportive K9 learning the skills to pass the set exams to become the best team. Whilst practising training on Whisky Ridge, they will come across a victim who needs help.
You will be taken on an investigation of twists and turns, which will keep you reading until the end.
Loved it
June 6, 2026
Really enjoyed this. A page turner that combined detailed descriptions of a beautiful Australian setting with an interesting and powerful storyline. There are quite a few themes throughout the book too which add to its appeal - the bond between humans and animals, resilience and past traumas and the dynamics of people living in a small town. Highly recommended.
July 30, 2026
High 3, not quite a 4. The insistence of the men to put her away really got to me. I'm glad Juniper convinced her it was real. I'll see if I can find the second one to see if gaslighting improves. I'm not sure how Mimi is going to get away with shooting someone though. We're kind of against that in Australia.
March 3, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! Complex characters with complex past and present lives was a thrilling read. Even though this is a book of fiction, I could absolutely believe a lot of the plot could or might’ve happened. Very well written and a great read that I didn’t want to put down until the end.
March 19, 2026
Kept me interested in reading the book. Actually I can't wait to read the second book. Thanks for letting me read it through ARC.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews