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Timber Creek K-9 Mystery #5
Tracking Game
Two brutal murders, a menacing band of poachers, and a fearsome creature on the loose in the mountains plunge Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo into a sinister vortex.
An explosion outside a community dance sends Mattie Cobb and Cole Walker reeling into the night, where they discover a burning van and beside it the body of outfitter Nate Fletcher. But the explosion didn't kill Nate--it was two gunshots to the heart.
The investigation leads them to the home of rancher Doyle Redman, whose daughter is Nate's widow, and the object of one of their suspect's affection. But before they can make an arrest, they receive an emergency call from a man who's been shot in the mountains. Mattie and Robo rush to the scene, only to be confronted by the ominous growl of a wild predator.
As new players emerge on the scene, Mattie begins to understand the true danger that's enveloping Timber Creek. They journey into the cold, misty mountains to track the animal--but discover something even more deadly in Tracking Game, the fifth installment in Margaret Mizushima's Timber Creek K-9 mysteries.
An explosion outside a community dance sends Mattie Cobb and Cole Walker reeling into the night, where they discover a burning van and beside it the body of outfitter Nate Fletcher. But the explosion didn't kill Nate--it was two gunshots to the heart.
The investigation leads them to the home of rancher Doyle Redman, whose daughter is Nate's widow, and the object of one of their suspect's affection. But before they can make an arrest, they receive an emergency call from a man who's been shot in the mountains. Mattie and Robo rush to the scene, only to be confronted by the ominous growl of a wild predator.
As new players emerge on the scene, Mattie begins to understand the true danger that's enveloping Timber Creek. They journey into the cold, misty mountains to track the animal--but discover something even more deadly in Tracking Game, the fifth installment in Margaret Mizushima's Timber Creek K-9 mysteries.
282 pages, Hardcover
First published November 12, 2019
592 people are currently reading
3317 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Mizushima
16 books1,187 followersMargaret Mizushima is the author of the award-winning and internationally published Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries. Active within the writing community, Margaret serves as president for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, was elected the 2019-2020 Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and is also a member of Northern Colorado Writers and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Colorado on a small ranch with her veterinarian husband where they raised two daughters and a multitude of animals. She can be found on Facebook/AuthorMargaretMizushima, Twitter @margmizu, Instagram at margmizu, and her website at www.margaretmizushima.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 426 reviews
September 22, 2019
TRACKING GAME by Margaret Mizushima is the most enjoyable police procedural that I have read lately. It is set in and around a small town in the mountains of Colorado.
While this is the fifth book in the series and there are references to events and people that were in previous ones, the novel still worked well as a standalone. In this one Deputy Mattie Cobb and her veterinarian boyfriend Cole Walker are at a community dance when they hear an explosion. Upon reaching the explosion site, they find a burning van, the body of outfitter Nate Fletcher.
Mattie and her K-9 partner Robo and the other members of the sheriff’s department begin an investigation that has a lot of twists and turns, some red herrings and a dangerous wild predator. The characters are appealing and the writing is compelling, engaging and entertaining. The plot is clever, intriguing and very realistic.
I was immediately drawn into the investigation and the lives of Mattie, Robo, Cole and many of the other residents of Timber Creek, Colorado. I felt I had found some new friends. Additionally, I learned a lot about a police K-9 unit and how they are trained and operate. It seemed very realistic and believable. I also believe the fact that the author and her husband run a veterinary clinic and live on a small ranch in Colorado helped with the visualization of the area.
This is a new author for me and I can’t wait to read other books in this series. If you are a dog lover or just enjoy an engaging and suspenseful mystery, I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books, Margaret Mizushima and Net Galley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
While this is the fifth book in the series and there are references to events and people that were in previous ones, the novel still worked well as a standalone. In this one Deputy Mattie Cobb and her veterinarian boyfriend Cole Walker are at a community dance when they hear an explosion. Upon reaching the explosion site, they find a burning van, the body of outfitter Nate Fletcher.
Mattie and her K-9 partner Robo and the other members of the sheriff’s department begin an investigation that has a lot of twists and turns, some red herrings and a dangerous wild predator. The characters are appealing and the writing is compelling, engaging and entertaining. The plot is clever, intriguing and very realistic.
I was immediately drawn into the investigation and the lives of Mattie, Robo, Cole and many of the other residents of Timber Creek, Colorado. I felt I had found some new friends. Additionally, I learned a lot about a police K-9 unit and how they are trained and operate. It seemed very realistic and believable. I also believe the fact that the author and her husband run a veterinary clinic and live on a small ranch in Colorado helped with the visualization of the area.
This is a new author for me and I can’t wait to read other books in this series. If you are a dog lover or just enjoy an engaging and suspenseful mystery, I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books, Margaret Mizushima and Net Galley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
October 3, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded down
Tracking Game is the fifth in the Mattie Cobb series. I’ve enjoyed the prior four books, as they focused on Mattie’s and her K-9 partner, Robo. This book seemed to focus more on Mattie’s romantic relationship with Cole Walker, the town vet. Now, while I’m not big on a lot of romance in my mysteries, Mizushima can take all the time she wants to talk about the relationship between Mattie and Robo. Whether working or not, it’s always the most fascinating part of the books.
This mystery involves a neighbor who had been shot dead and left in his van which is set ablaze. Then one of the chief suspects is also killed. And there’s a large predator cat on the loose in the mountains.
The book is a straightforward police procedural. It starts a little slower than others in the series, mainly because of all the time spent on the romance aspect. Once it ramps up, it maintains a very strong pace and is enjoyable. Mizushima does a good job of keeping you guessing right up until the end.
My thanks to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books forman advance copy of this book.
Tracking Game is the fifth in the Mattie Cobb series. I’ve enjoyed the prior four books, as they focused on Mattie’s and her K-9 partner, Robo. This book seemed to focus more on Mattie’s romantic relationship with Cole Walker, the town vet. Now, while I’m not big on a lot of romance in my mysteries, Mizushima can take all the time she wants to talk about the relationship between Mattie and Robo. Whether working or not, it’s always the most fascinating part of the books.
This mystery involves a neighbor who had been shot dead and left in his van which is set ablaze. Then one of the chief suspects is also killed. And there’s a large predator cat on the loose in the mountains.
The book is a straightforward police procedural. It starts a little slower than others in the series, mainly because of all the time spent on the romance aspect. Once it ramps up, it maintains a very strong pace and is enjoyable. Mizushima does a good job of keeping you guessing right up until the end.
My thanks to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books forman advance copy of this book.
October 18, 2019
There's a lot of WoW in the BoW WoW here with Deputy Mattie Cobb and her renowned police canine, Robo.
Margaret Mizushima takes us once again to the mountains of Timber Creek in Colorado with the fifth installment of the Timber Creek K-9 series. Not to worry if you've just come upon this series. Tracking Game reads as a standalone with plenty of fill-ins by this author.
Mattie receives a call that there's a van on fire after a thundering explosion. The occupant, Nate Fletcher, was pulled from the vehicle but didn't survive. But it wasn't the fire that did him in. Nate was shot at close range with two bullet holes in his chest. Who would have murdered Nate? Nate was known as a local businessman and owner of Mustang Outfitters. He organized hunts, hikes, and trail rides in the outback.
Robo sets out on a search of the area and finds a Smith & Wesson .38 Special nearby. Another unanswered question. Why drop the murder weapon so close to the van? Mattie must find out who had it in for Nate. No sooner does she begin her investigation when another body shows up in the area. Are they linked to each other or just a random hit?
Margaret Mizushima leans a bit in the direction of Mattie's secret backstory in this one. She and the local vet, Cole, are becoming an item, but Mattie just doesn't seem to want to commit. It's my hope that this newly found relationship doesn't overpower this series in the future. I'm tuned in for Mattie's keen investigative skills and her remarkable relationship with the amazing Robo. Just sayin'.
Tracking Game is filled with plenty of unexpected in's and out's while unpacking this worthy mystery. Mizushima always seems to deliver and keeps from revealing too much too soon. Good, good stuff.
I received a copy of Tracking Game through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Publishers and to Margaret Mizushima for the opportunity.
Margaret Mizushima takes us once again to the mountains of Timber Creek in Colorado with the fifth installment of the Timber Creek K-9 series. Not to worry if you've just come upon this series. Tracking Game reads as a standalone with plenty of fill-ins by this author.
Mattie receives a call that there's a van on fire after a thundering explosion. The occupant, Nate Fletcher, was pulled from the vehicle but didn't survive. But it wasn't the fire that did him in. Nate was shot at close range with two bullet holes in his chest. Who would have murdered Nate? Nate was known as a local businessman and owner of Mustang Outfitters. He organized hunts, hikes, and trail rides in the outback.
Robo sets out on a search of the area and finds a Smith & Wesson .38 Special nearby. Another unanswered question. Why drop the murder weapon so close to the van? Mattie must find out who had it in for Nate. No sooner does she begin her investigation when another body shows up in the area. Are they linked to each other or just a random hit?
Margaret Mizushima leans a bit in the direction of Mattie's secret backstory in this one. She and the local vet, Cole, are becoming an item, but Mattie just doesn't seem to want to commit. It's my hope that this newly found relationship doesn't overpower this series in the future. I'm tuned in for Mattie's keen investigative skills and her remarkable relationship with the amazing Robo. Just sayin'.
Tracking Game is filled with plenty of unexpected in's and out's while unpacking this worthy mystery. Mizushima always seems to deliver and keeps from revealing too much too soon. Good, good stuff.
I received a copy of Tracking Game through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Publishers and to Margaret Mizushima for the opportunity.
May 12, 2020
Its good to read a book with a lovely doggie hero and no serial killers for a change. There is a killer, just not not a serial killer. Deputy Mattie Cobb is at a rare social event with the Timber Creek vet, Cole Walker when they hear an explosion. They race off to see what has happened. A van is burning fiercely, and two men are lying on the ground. One of them is dead, but the fire didn’t kill him, the two gunshots to the chest did that.
The next day Mattie gets a call for help from the local real estate agent. He is In the wild, bleeding out from a gunshot. She hurries to find him and help him but is too late. And he has been mauled by a large cat. Mattie heard the cat but it sounded nothing like the cougars native to the area. What could it be? Mattie also wonders whether a hunting party might be involved with the killings but no motive is clear. And so begins a marathon manhunt and cat hunt, in the wild, on horseback. There are dangers and surprises in store for the tracking party. Mattie has to rely on her K-9 partner, Robo, in the wild to find her quarry and to protect her. Can she get everyone down the mountain safely without more bloodshed?
At the end she finally, well no I won’t tell you. But she also gets a surprise result from a DNA swab she sent to a genealogy site. We’ll have to wait for the next book to find out about it though. I love the small community of Timber Creek. I guess some might regard these books as cosies. I’m not sure but it doesn’t matter. I enjoy reading them and the characters are, by now, so well fleshed out that they almost feel like family. And now I’m off to read the next book, the last one for now.
The next day Mattie gets a call for help from the local real estate agent. He is In the wild, bleeding out from a gunshot. She hurries to find him and help him but is too late. And he has been mauled by a large cat. Mattie heard the cat but it sounded nothing like the cougars native to the area. What could it be? Mattie also wonders whether a hunting party might be involved with the killings but no motive is clear. And so begins a marathon manhunt and cat hunt, in the wild, on horseback. There are dangers and surprises in store for the tracking party. Mattie has to rely on her K-9 partner, Robo, in the wild to find her quarry and to protect her. Can she get everyone down the mountain safely without more bloodshed?
At the end she finally, well no I won’t tell you. But she also gets a surprise result from a DNA swab she sent to a genealogy site. We’ll have to wait for the next book to find out about it though. I love the small community of Timber Creek. I guess some might regard these books as cosies. I’m not sure but it doesn’t matter. I enjoy reading them and the characters are, by now, so well fleshed out that they almost feel like family. And now I’m off to read the next book, the last one for now.
July 22, 2019
A local man has been shot and his van set on fire, and it’s up to Deputy Mattie Cobb and her team to find the murderer and, perhaps more importantly, to find out the reason for the crime. Her police dog partner, Robo, finds clues, which lead to a shocking revelation about a popular local family. I am confident that readers who enjoy mysteries with animals will love this one, but I also recommend Tracking Game for anyone who enjoys a well-plotted mystery with great characters.
June 20, 2019
In Margaret Mizushima's Tracking Game (Penguin Random House 2019), next in the Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries, Mattie Cobb and her working dog Robo are called In to find the criminals who blew up a car and killed everyone inside. Timber Creek is a tight community so most residents knew the person killed. That makes it more personal. The two partners start by tracking down clues the murderer may have left, then try to track down people who may have fled the crime scene, and it builds from there. Before they solve the crime, they face an unexpected and highly-dangerous wild predator that should have no part in the Timber Creek wilderness.
With each piece, Mizushima describes in authentic detail how a working dog like Robo can follow a scent, track down non-human evidence, and everything else he does to help his partner solve the crime:
"She let Robo pull her forward through the deep grass while she watched his every move, looking for his head to go up and his hackles to rise, his way of telling her that someone is here, someone is out to get us. Robo raised his face"
"He stuck his nose in a depression between bales to sniff, then turned to sit and stare at her. His signal that he’d found something."
"When she slipped on his narcotics detection collar, it focused all that eagerness into work. She clipped on his"
For those of you who are avid readers of this series, we know Mattie and the town veterinarian Cole have a budding romance. In this installment, it continues to grow but not without a few bumps. Mattie loves Cole, but she has secrets from her past he doesn't know and Mattie is sure when he finds out, he will no longer want any part of her.
In every chapter, every scene, her every move, Mattie's affection for her partner Robo defines her life:
"Life seemed so simple for Robo: rest and relax when you can, take pleasure in a job well done. He didn’t lie awake at night wondering if he’d done the right thing. She loved him for it."
In everything they do, they are partners, each with their own strength, both with a high degree of respect and trust in the other;
"Cops might need a warrant to collect DNA from a person, but there was no law on the book to inhibit a K-9 officer from taking in someone’s scent.
Overall, this is a well-constructed, fast-moving, engaging story you won't want to miss, especially if you're a dog love.
With each piece, Mizushima describes in authentic detail how a working dog like Robo can follow a scent, track down non-human evidence, and everything else he does to help his partner solve the crime:
"She let Robo pull her forward through the deep grass while she watched his every move, looking for his head to go up and his hackles to rise, his way of telling her that someone is here, someone is out to get us. Robo raised his face"
"He stuck his nose in a depression between bales to sniff, then turned to sit and stare at her. His signal that he’d found something."
"When she slipped on his narcotics detection collar, it focused all that eagerness into work. She clipped on his"
For those of you who are avid readers of this series, we know Mattie and the town veterinarian Cole have a budding romance. In this installment, it continues to grow but not without a few bumps. Mattie loves Cole, but she has secrets from her past he doesn't know and Mattie is sure when he finds out, he will no longer want any part of her.
In every chapter, every scene, her every move, Mattie's affection for her partner Robo defines her life:
"Life seemed so simple for Robo: rest and relax when you can, take pleasure in a job well done. He didn’t lie awake at night wondering if he’d done the right thing. She loved him for it."
In everything they do, they are partners, each with their own strength, both with a high degree of respect and trust in the other;
"Cops might need a warrant to collect DNA from a person, but there was no law on the book to inhibit a K-9 officer from taking in someone’s scent.
Overall, this is a well-constructed, fast-moving, engaging story you won't want to miss, especially if you're a dog love.
November 11, 2019
The fifth book in the Timber Creek K-9 mystery series by Margaret Mizushima. Mattie is a police officer in a small Colorado town. Her partner is police dog Robo. In this book, Mattie and Robo investigate two murders.
The novel starts with a bang when an explosion leads to a burning van containing the body of a local outfitter. The police are led to the deceased man's wife and her family, who are local ranchers. When another local man is killed, the list of suspects grows. In addition to the dead bodies, there is a dangerous wild animal on the loose.
This book is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone. I've read one other book in this series, but plan on going back and reading the others. The books I've read have been solid mysteries with engaging characters.
An exciting mystery with a little adventure and romance. Good for fans of crime fiction and books featuring dogs as characters.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The novel starts with a bang when an explosion leads to a burning van containing the body of a local outfitter. The police are led to the deceased man's wife and her family, who are local ranchers. When another local man is killed, the list of suspects grows. In addition to the dead bodies, there is a dangerous wild animal on the loose.
This book is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone. I've read one other book in this series, but plan on going back and reading the others. The books I've read have been solid mysteries with engaging characters.
An exciting mystery with a little adventure and romance. Good for fans of crime fiction and books featuring dogs as characters.
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2019
A friend of mine said this of his Civil Procedure course in law school, “Cases are won and lost on the basis of civil procedure. This makes this subject a required course, because it is boring as hell.”
Tracking Game , the fifth in the Timber Creek series celebrates that sentiment. It is a relatively short mystery that starts off with a homicide, includes a second homicide - with, I have to say, original circumstances, and is wrapped up within four days.
Fans of police procedurals should be pleased by this novel. I am not, however, a reader who loves this type of mysteries. The author had laid everything out in a very methodical manner, ensuring that all the t’s were crossed and i’s were dotted to the detriment of my full enjoyment. The tone of the entire story sounded wooden and close to plodding.
And yet, I have read all 5 in the Timber Creek series. Well, I was initially hooked by the big, strong and handsome partner to the main character, Deputy Mattie Cobb. Don’t worry, I'm not about to describe a bodice-ripper. Her partner is Robo, a 100-pound German shepherd dog, who is trained in search and rescue / apprehension and in the detection of narcotics and gunpowder. Robo is also a near-genius wonder dog.
Margaret Mizushima draws from her personal life, as she is married to a veterinarian and lives on a working ranch in rural Colorado. Her descriptions of the animal and human relationships are accurate and provide insights that non-pet owners might find surprising. Colorado’s mountainous landscape has played as much of a role in her mysteries as any of the assorted members of the Sheriff’s office in the fictional Timber Creek. Both of these aspects in her writing were more apparent in the previous mysteries than in this fifth installment, especially since the author had needed to create the professional and personal bonds of the K-9 unit. Well, this novel takes place 1 year after the first novel, so perhaps the author feels that the canine-human bond is sufficiently established.
Tracking Game is my least liked installment in the series. It’s not as though I dislike the main character or her romantic partner, Cole the local veterinarian. Mattie Cobb is an officer with a stellar work ethic, and she comes with a great deal of emotional baggage. She sounds very typical, does she not? There was no wit, no levity, to brighten her serious demeanor and this has been true throughout the series. The preceding stories, however, had a higher danger quotient which increased the tension compared with this novel. And finally, her romantic partner has said that even he himself doesn’t want to know how he ranks in her affections compared with Robo. Yes, I know the feeling, because that was the key missing aspect for me - bring back the relationship focus to the dog!
Tracking Game , the fifth in the Timber Creek series celebrates that sentiment. It is a relatively short mystery that starts off with a homicide, includes a second homicide - with, I have to say, original circumstances, and is wrapped up within four days.
Fans of police procedurals should be pleased by this novel. I am not, however, a reader who loves this type of mysteries. The author had laid everything out in a very methodical manner, ensuring that all the t’s were crossed and i’s were dotted to the detriment of my full enjoyment. The tone of the entire story sounded wooden and close to plodding.
And yet, I have read all 5 in the Timber Creek series. Well, I was initially hooked by the big, strong and handsome partner to the main character, Deputy Mattie Cobb. Don’t worry, I'm not about to describe a bodice-ripper. Her partner is Robo, a 100-pound German shepherd dog, who is trained in search and rescue / apprehension and in the detection of narcotics and gunpowder. Robo is also a near-genius wonder dog.
Margaret Mizushima draws from her personal life, as she is married to a veterinarian and lives on a working ranch in rural Colorado. Her descriptions of the animal and human relationships are accurate and provide insights that non-pet owners might find surprising. Colorado’s mountainous landscape has played as much of a role in her mysteries as any of the assorted members of the Sheriff’s office in the fictional Timber Creek. Both of these aspects in her writing were more apparent in the previous mysteries than in this fifth installment, especially since the author had needed to create the professional and personal bonds of the K-9 unit. Well, this novel takes place 1 year after the first novel, so perhaps the author feels that the canine-human bond is sufficiently established.
Tracking Game is my least liked installment in the series. It’s not as though I dislike the main character or her romantic partner, Cole the local veterinarian. Mattie Cobb is an officer with a stellar work ethic, and she comes with a great deal of emotional baggage. She sounds very typical, does she not? There was no wit, no levity, to brighten her serious demeanor and this has been true throughout the series. The preceding stories, however, had a higher danger quotient which increased the tension compared with this novel. And finally, her romantic partner has said that even he himself doesn’t want to know how he ranks in her affections compared with Robo. Yes, I know the feeling, because that was the key missing aspect for me - bring back the relationship focus to the dog!
November 9, 2019
This series is one of my favorites. I have a very soft spot in my reader's heart for stories that involve K-9 units. Margaret Mizushima always delivers an exciting, interesting, and often dangerous case for Mattie and Robo to investigate.
Tracking Game is the 5th book in the Timber Creek K-9 series. I enjoyed this newest adventure. The action started immediately and didn't let up until the very end. There are all different types of predators, both man and beast. This time, Mattie and Robo will face down both.
A reader could jump into this series at this new book and still enjoy the characters and the mystery. There is enough background given to understand basic relationships, past cases and all of the characters. But to get the full effect of the characters, prior relationships, some issues with Mattie's past, the town, etc., it might be best to start with book one and read the entire series.
I enjoyed the mystery this time. The case was interesting and had some sneaky twists here and there to spice it up. All in all, another great story in this series! I do have to say that I am getting a bit weary of the relationship problems between Mattie and Cole and the ongoing issues between Cole and his ex-wife. I think Mattie stressing about her past and its possible effect on her relationship, her parents, etc just needs to be wrapped up.... it's just dragging on too long. Either get together or don't..... And while Olivia is important because of Cole and the kids, that side plot is getting old (for me anyway) and needs to be worked out so the plots can move forward and the characters develop past this point. But....I'm not a reader who reads a series for the romantic angle. I'm there for the investigation. Maybe someone who enjoys romantic stories would feel differently.
Very enjoyable addition to this series! I am eagerly awaiting the next book!
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Tracking Game is the 5th book in the Timber Creek K-9 series. I enjoyed this newest adventure. The action started immediately and didn't let up until the very end. There are all different types of predators, both man and beast. This time, Mattie and Robo will face down both.
A reader could jump into this series at this new book and still enjoy the characters and the mystery. There is enough background given to understand basic relationships, past cases and all of the characters. But to get the full effect of the characters, prior relationships, some issues with Mattie's past, the town, etc., it might be best to start with book one and read the entire series.
I enjoyed the mystery this time. The case was interesting and had some sneaky twists here and there to spice it up. All in all, another great story in this series! I do have to say that I am getting a bit weary of the relationship problems between Mattie and Cole and the ongoing issues between Cole and his ex-wife. I think Mattie stressing about her past and its possible effect on her relationship, her parents, etc just needs to be wrapped up.... it's just dragging on too long. Either get together or don't..... And while Olivia is important because of Cole and the kids, that side plot is getting old (for me anyway) and needs to be worked out so the plots can move forward and the characters develop past this point. But....I'm not a reader who reads a series for the romantic angle. I'm there for the investigation. Maybe someone who enjoys romantic stories would feel differently.
Very enjoyable addition to this series! I am eagerly awaiting the next book!
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
July 27, 2021
I've read all of the previous Mattie and Robo books and I enjoyed all of them. Being a dog lover, I especially appreciate all the extra information that the author includes about dogs like Robo; it is really interesting and it fits into the storyline so well. It's very heartening to know that Mattie would do whatever it took to protect her partner, and he would do the same for her. There is such a fierce love between them. This book was interesting, exciting and it kept me guessing up until the end. I like that even though Mattie went through hell as a child, she has been able to realize that she can be loved and can return love, too. (Spoiler alert)...It was also interesting to find that she has a brother or sister she's never met; that she never even knew existed. I can't wait to find out what happens when she actually meets them. There aren't many writers I follow, but this author is definitely one of them.
October 14, 2019
I'm a fan of this series and of Timber Creek Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo. While I enjoyed this one, the fifth, I have to say not quite as much as the predecessors. That is, I think, because of heavier focus on Mattie's romantic life and all the baggage she brings into her budding relationship with local veterinarian Cole Walker - I prefer reading about her relationship with Robo. As for Cole, I do have to wonder when he actually practices his trade given that he's always helping Mattie and her department, taking care of his two daughters and/or trying to cope with his ex-wife, Olivia, who suffers from serious depression.
All that aside, though, the actual story is both intriguing and fast-paced. It begins as Mattie is called to the scene of a burning van. One man has been shot dead and another has been taken to the hospital. The dead man was well known - married to the daughter of an elderly landowner couple - but he was well liked and a motive isn't easy to nail down, at least at the outset. As the investigation progresses - helped along by Robo's considerable tracking skills, of course - a few suspects emerge. But just as one rises to the top, he, too, turns up dead. Clearly, these aren't your garden-variety killings; in fact, they have more to do with the vast forests that surround Colorado's Timber Creek region. And Mattie, Cole and Robo soon learn that there's an even bigger danger than they thought in them thar woods; will they all manage to escape unscathed?
Well, of course I'm not going to answer that - go read it for yourself. The ending also sets the stage for what I expect will be a theme of the next book - one that could alter the course of Mattie's life. Needless to say, I'll be in line to get a copy. Meantime, I enjoyed this one and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
All that aside, though, the actual story is both intriguing and fast-paced. It begins as Mattie is called to the scene of a burning van. One man has been shot dead and another has been taken to the hospital. The dead man was well known - married to the daughter of an elderly landowner couple - but he was well liked and a motive isn't easy to nail down, at least at the outset. As the investigation progresses - helped along by Robo's considerable tracking skills, of course - a few suspects emerge. But just as one rises to the top, he, too, turns up dead. Clearly, these aren't your garden-variety killings; in fact, they have more to do with the vast forests that surround Colorado's Timber Creek region. And Mattie, Cole and Robo soon learn that there's an even bigger danger than they thought in them thar woods; will they all manage to escape unscathed?
Well, of course I'm not going to answer that - go read it for yourself. The ending also sets the stage for what I expect will be a theme of the next book - one that could alter the course of Mattie's life. Needless to say, I'll be in line to get a copy. Meantime, I enjoyed this one and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
September 22, 2020
Another visit to Timber Creek, Colorado. In the past year, this town has seen its fair share of action.
Now, a family is devastated when a son-in-law is murdered. Sheriff McCoy is on a much-needed, but brief time-off. Brody, Mattie and Stella are run ragged even though Robo is at the top of his performance. What a dog! Friend! Partner (!) that has Mattie’s back at all times.
Of course, Dr. Cole Walker is worried about the elevated drama in his personal life. At the same time, he wants more one-on-one time with Deputy Mattie Cobb. The dynamics take front and center until the rush of intensity comes on in the last third of the story.
Next, I am looking forward to Hanging Falls.
4.25 stars
Now, a family is devastated when a son-in-law is murdered. Sheriff McCoy is on a much-needed, but brief time-off. Brody, Mattie and Stella are run ragged even though Robo is at the top of his performance. What a dog! Friend! Partner (!) that has Mattie’s back at all times.
Of course, Dr. Cole Walker is worried about the elevated drama in his personal life. At the same time, he wants more one-on-one time with Deputy Mattie Cobb. The dynamics take front and center until the rush of intensity comes on in the last third of the story.
Next, I am looking forward to Hanging Falls.
4.25 stars
June 8, 2020
I'm so glad I discovered this series. I love the characters and feel they develop more with each book and become even more "real" with each entry. Mattie and her K-9 partner Robo are just awesome together. Each book so far has had an interesting mystery and/or crime element, and these books never feel far-fetched or implausible.
The best thing about these books is the author knows how to keep things short and sweet. There is no unnecessary filler in these books to drag them out for an extra 100 pages; just a suspenseful story that keeps your interest throughout.
Can't wait for the next book!
The best thing about these books is the author knows how to keep things short and sweet. There is no unnecessary filler in these books to drag them out for an extra 100 pages; just a suspenseful story that keeps your interest throughout.
Can't wait for the next book!
June 25, 2019
A steady-paced, character-driven mystery that continues the strong storyline begun in the earlier books in the series. This fifth volume in the series adds more resolution of the growing relationship between Mattie and Cole. The book also continues with the interesting details about working with and supporting a K9 partner. The plot thread about Mattie's DNA drives toward developments in the next book in the series, but it seems like an uncomfortable part of the fifth book.
This book will be released November 2019. With the solid mysteries and crimes to be solved that author Mizushima builds into the series, this title should be on your TBR list for November. Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to the NEXT title to be released!
This book will be released November 2019. With the solid mysteries and crimes to be solved that author Mizushima builds into the series, this title should be on your TBR list for November. Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to the NEXT title to be released!
November 3, 2020
Starting tp drift more into romance than mystery. Kept loosing track of the mystery due to the personal drama.
January 16, 2020
Robo continues to be my absolute hero! I love reading about the relationships between search and rescue dogs and their handlers, and this series demonstrates it superbly. Tracking Game is part romantic drama, part animal-infused mystery, part ongoing exploration of Mattie's troubled psyche, and a big part Robo. I have to say, there were some serious plot twists that surprised me! In my opinion, though, the dog handler parts flowed more seamlessly than the romance parts did. (Although there may be readers who feel quite the opposite!) Also, there are sometimes minute explanations about everyday actions I find unnecessary, which tend to take me out of the moment. I sometimes think: "I know, I know, I know! Get back to the story!" However, as long as this series has Robo in it, I will continue to read it!! 😍
August 5, 2020
I enjoyed Tracking Game for a number of reasons. 1. I am a dog guy, particularly big dogs as I have had a couple of Beaucerons and a couple of Bouvier des Flandres. 2. Claudia and I had a hunting ranch in Central Texas for about 17 years and lived there full time for ten. 3. I enjoy good mystery stories. The book was very well plotted and the characters were varied and, with a couple of notable exceptions, well developed.
Nonetheless, I was torn between rating the book as a three or four. Four, because it was a good story that was engaging and clever. Three because it was not well written. There are some writers for whom beautiful prose just flows like James Lee Burke and the Goldstones. There are other who have to work hard to create a sense of flow and there are others, like Margaret Mizushima, who just do not have the gift no matter how hard they might try. She is a very good story teller but not the quality writer that I like to read. It is my opinion that she would be well served by hiring a writer to flesh out her stories. James Patterson and others have been doing that for years and have profited quite nicely.
I will read at least one of her earlier books because I flat out love Robo, the intrepid German Shepard portrayed in the book. But, beyond that, I am not yet sure.
The End
Nonetheless, I was torn between rating the book as a three or four. Four, because it was a good story that was engaging and clever. Three because it was not well written. There are some writers for whom beautiful prose just flows like James Lee Burke and the Goldstones. There are other who have to work hard to create a sense of flow and there are others, like Margaret Mizushima, who just do not have the gift no matter how hard they might try. She is a very good story teller but not the quality writer that I like to read. It is my opinion that she would be well served by hiring a writer to flesh out her stories. James Patterson and others have been doing that for years and have profited quite nicely.
I will read at least one of her earlier books because I flat out love Robo, the intrepid German Shepard portrayed in the book. But, beyond that, I am not yet sure.
The End
June 14, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC.
This is the fifth in the K-9 Timber Creek series featuring Maggie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo. I just love Robo, what a magnificent dog he is!
Cole Walker, Mattie's love interest, is getting ever closer to Mattie, but she is still cautious because of her difficult past. That part of the story is getting a big tedious, I wish she would just get over it, Cole deserves her love and trust...
The story starts with the murder of a close friend of Cole's and soon thereafter one of the main suspects is also killed. When Mattie and Robo go on the hunt to try and find the body they hear the terrifying roars of what seems to be a large wild cat.
Between this predator and the human ones this mystery is a good one; the bond between Mattie and Robo is as usual great to read about, but I do wish the romantic angle would be less important!
As a dog lover I recommend this book, more of the dog please! 3.5 Stars.
This is the fifth in the K-9 Timber Creek series featuring Maggie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo. I just love Robo, what a magnificent dog he is!
Cole Walker, Mattie's love interest, is getting ever closer to Mattie, but she is still cautious because of her difficult past. That part of the story is getting a big tedious, I wish she would just get over it, Cole deserves her love and trust...
The story starts with the murder of a close friend of Cole's and soon thereafter one of the main suspects is also killed. When Mattie and Robo go on the hunt to try and find the body they hear the terrifying roars of what seems to be a large wild cat.
Between this predator and the human ones this mystery is a good one; the bond between Mattie and Robo is as usual great to read about, but I do wish the romantic angle would be less important!
As a dog lover I recommend this book, more of the dog please! 3.5 Stars.
February 4, 2020
The explosion of a van brings date night between Deputy Mattie Cobb and veterinarian Cole Walker to an end. Racing to the scene, they discover a man has been shot to death. K-9 Robo finds clues to start the sheriff's office investigation. When a 911 call comes in about another man being shot, Maddie and Robo search the woods and encounter a large cat who has already plundered the body.
I live this series mostly due to the K-9 dog Robo being a primary character but also because I like the human characters too. I have been waiting 5 books for the romance to gather steam between Maddie and Cole so I'm happy now. I love to see German Shepherd Robo search. The love between human and dog is so apparent. I love the descriptions of the terrain while the group was tracking on horseback. The last page of the book gives a clear indication of where the next one is headed and I plan to be right there.
This is a good, clean series with no graphic scenes of any type.
I live this series mostly due to the K-9 dog Robo being a primary character but also because I like the human characters too. I have been waiting 5 books for the romance to gather steam between Maddie and Cole so I'm happy now. I love to see German Shepherd Robo search. The love between human and dog is so apparent. I love the descriptions of the terrain while the group was tracking on horseback. The last page of the book gives a clear indication of where the next one is headed and I plan to be right there.
This is a good, clean series with no graphic scenes of any type.
September 15, 2019
An enthusiastic four stars for this book mainly because the author slipped in a twist that I could have tried to guess forever and never would have gotten. Impressive.
This is book five in the Timber Creek K-9 mystery series but readers new to the series will most likely feel right at home beginning here. There are many references to previous cases and characters spoken of in previous books, but they don't act as a deterrent to enjoying this book. There are a lot of family and personal relationship dynamics in this story and that is not a focus I normally enjoy in a mystery novel. However, what keeps me coming back to this series are the details I get regarding the different things Robo (a German shepherd police dog) has been trained to do. The details of searches written into these books are very full and well described. I feel almost as if I'm on that trail in the mountains right along with Timber Creek County, Colorado, Sheriff Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner.
Recommended for readers who enjoy stories which highlight the abilities of working dogs and, in this case, K-9 dogs in particular. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an e-galley of this novel.
This is book five in the Timber Creek K-9 mystery series but readers new to the series will most likely feel right at home beginning here. There are many references to previous cases and characters spoken of in previous books, but they don't act as a deterrent to enjoying this book. There are a lot of family and personal relationship dynamics in this story and that is not a focus I normally enjoy in a mystery novel. However, what keeps me coming back to this series are the details I get regarding the different things Robo (a German shepherd police dog) has been trained to do. The details of searches written into these books are very full and well described. I feel almost as if I'm on that trail in the mountains right along with Timber Creek County, Colorado, Sheriff Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner.
Recommended for readers who enjoy stories which highlight the abilities of working dogs and, in this case, K-9 dogs in particular. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an e-galley of this novel.
November 17, 2019
Tracking Game is book five in Margaret Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series. The novel works as a standalone but additional backstory would have added clarity to some scenes. I suggest reading the series in order, but this novel is still enjoyable as a standalone.
Mattie Cobb is a deputy and K-9 handler with the Timber Creek County Sheriff’s Department. Cole Walker is Mattie’s boyfriend and a highly respected and in-demand veterinarian. Cole consistently verbalizes to Mattie that he loves her but she’s unable to return the sentiment, though she loves him too. Mattie and Cole are not publicly announcing their relationship, but attend the Celebration of Summer dance as a couple. They are enjoying the dance along with everyone else when an explosion disrupts the night. Mattie and Cole are working on their relationship, but at least for the short term, they are more involved in the efforts to solve the ever-evolving crime, that began with the explosion.
If Tracking Game is any indication, this is a great series. The rough, mountainous terrain is smartly utilized as a silent background character. The live characters are well-developed, relatable and likable, for the most part. The plot is exciting and unpredictable. The ending is satisfying and leaves you ready for the next book in the series. I fully enjoyed this novel and give it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend Tracking Game to all readers of mystery, especially if you like a little romance with your mystery.
My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
Mattie Cobb is a deputy and K-9 handler with the Timber Creek County Sheriff’s Department. Cole Walker is Mattie’s boyfriend and a highly respected and in-demand veterinarian. Cole consistently verbalizes to Mattie that he loves her but she’s unable to return the sentiment, though she loves him too. Mattie and Cole are not publicly announcing their relationship, but attend the Celebration of Summer dance as a couple. They are enjoying the dance along with everyone else when an explosion disrupts the night. Mattie and Cole are working on their relationship, but at least for the short term, they are more involved in the efforts to solve the ever-evolving crime, that began with the explosion.
If Tracking Game is any indication, this is a great series. The rough, mountainous terrain is smartly utilized as a silent background character. The live characters are well-developed, relatable and likable, for the most part. The plot is exciting and unpredictable. The ending is satisfying and leaves you ready for the next book in the series. I fully enjoyed this novel and give it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend Tracking Game to all readers of mystery, especially if you like a little romance with your mystery.
My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
April 7, 2022
**READ AT OWN RISK!! SPOILER BELOW!!**
Margaret has done it yet again! I have stuck with this series since Killing Trail and as always, she did not disappoint! Although it seems a bit smaller than the usual I’ve read, the pace kept up till the end. It had its twists and turns as any good mystery would, but even though I had my suspect right, there was another I didn’t fully suspect and the plot just kept seeming to thicken when I thought I had it all figured out.
This book delves deeper into Cole and Mattie’s future relationship and I’m glad to see it blossoming even through Mattie’s troubled past and present.
And just as a spoiler-the wild animal they heard I thought was a cougar, not a TIGER!! OMG!!
A great read and a great series! Can’t wait to read the next in this unforgettable series!
Great job, Margaret!! 🐾
Margaret has done it yet again! I have stuck with this series since Killing Trail and as always, she did not disappoint! Although it seems a bit smaller than the usual I’ve read, the pace kept up till the end. It had its twists and turns as any good mystery would, but even though I had my suspect right, there was another I didn’t fully suspect and the plot just kept seeming to thicken when I thought I had it all figured out.
This book delves deeper into Cole and Mattie’s future relationship and I’m glad to see it blossoming even through Mattie’s troubled past and present.
And just as a spoiler-the wild animal they heard I thought was a cougar, not a TIGER!! OMG!!
A great read and a great series! Can’t wait to read the next in this unforgettable series!
Great job, Margaret!! 🐾
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2019
I love books with K-9 in them and this Blurb thrilled me. The story had a local man shot, with his van set on fire. Deputy Matte Cobb and team started investigating. Her K-9 Robo found the clues which led to a shocking reveal about the murderer.
My first book by this author, I loved the bond between Mattie and Robo. This was my first book with these characters, yet I was entranced with it. The book had murder, investigation, a predator on the prowl, romance, a cohesive team which my thriller heart sing with joy.
It kept to its steady pace and was overall a good read.
My first book by this author, I loved the bond between Mattie and Robo. This was my first book with these characters, yet I was entranced with it. The book had murder, investigation, a predator on the prowl, romance, a cohesive team which my thriller heart sing with joy.
It kept to its steady pace and was overall a good read.
August 7, 2020
The murder mystery part was okay .. but I most enjoyed the Robo parts.
Second to that .. it was good to see Mattie
able (after some counseling help and soul searching) to acknowledge her love for Cole.
She also now has a great affection for his two daughters.
And nice to see the Sheriff, Brody and Stella
her stalwart coworkers back too.
Thanks 2 neighbor Eliz. for loaning me her hardcover copy. I really like the cover.
Second to that .. it was good to see Mattie
able (after some counseling help and soul searching) to acknowledge her love for Cole.
She also now has a great affection for his two daughters.
And nice to see the Sheriff, Brody and Stella
her stalwart coworkers back too.
Thanks 2 neighbor Eliz. for loaning me her hardcover copy. I really like the cover.
July 28, 2019
A killing, a K-9 investigation, and a romantic commitment
Deputy Sheriff Mattie Cobb and her beau, veterinarian Cole Walker, are enjoying a Celebration of Summer community dance when their evening is interrupted by an explosion that calls Mattie and her K-9 partner Robo back onto duty. They find a burning vehicle that was the source of the explosion and the lone occupant dead, not from the explosion itself but from two shots through the chest. They also find Cole’s best friend, who had stopped to try to rescue the victim, severely injured. Nate Fletcher, the murder victim, lived with his wife Kasey on her family’s ranch, where they had an outfitting business taking people on hunting and fishing trips in the area. Nate’s family struggle to hold their business together as they grieve their loss, while Mattie and Robo and the rest of the Timber Creek County Sheriff’s Department work to uncover who killed Nate Fletcher and why. It seems everyone involved with Nate is hiding something, but which secret led to murder?
I like to think of the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series as police procedurals on four feet. To me and many other readers our favorite part of the books is the Mattie-Robo relationship. Incidents in Mattie’s early life make many of her relationships with humans difficult, but there is no problem at all in her commitment to Robo. Mattie clearly loves Robo, and Robo loves both Mattie and his job. In addition to portraying the warm relationship between the two, there are fascinating details about how a forensically trained K-9 operates. For example, Mattie always gives Robo a drink of water before he goes off to follow a scent, because it sharpens a dog’s olfactory ability, and she uses different harnesses or collars, such as a narcotics detection collar, to signal to him what kind of task he is to perform.
The evocation of the setting in rural Colorado is an important element in the series. This element gets a new edge in Tracking Game from the roar of a wild animal that doesn’t quite sound like a cougar….
Like the previous books in the series, Tracking Game has a gripping suspense-filled plot. Nonetheless, this is definitely a character-driven series. If you have not read the earlier books, I strongly recommend you begin with the first book so you can come to know and care about the characters, their lives, and their relationships.
The development of the romantic relationship between Mattie and Cole is the biggest character-driven theme of the series. Tracking Game devotes more attention to it than any of the earlier books, which will no doubt delight many readers and annoy others. It is difficult for someone who has not had the abuse Mattie suffered in childhood to relate fully to the emotional scars such victims carry, but there were times when I felt she was overreacting and wished for less coverage of her internal struggles.
As the book ends, Mattie receives some new information about her past and eagerly shares it with Cole, a good sign of her commitment. No doubt these two topics, plus a new mystery, will be explored further in the next book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance review copy of this book.
Deputy Sheriff Mattie Cobb and her beau, veterinarian Cole Walker, are enjoying a Celebration of Summer community dance when their evening is interrupted by an explosion that calls Mattie and her K-9 partner Robo back onto duty. They find a burning vehicle that was the source of the explosion and the lone occupant dead, not from the explosion itself but from two shots through the chest. They also find Cole’s best friend, who had stopped to try to rescue the victim, severely injured. Nate Fletcher, the murder victim, lived with his wife Kasey on her family’s ranch, where they had an outfitting business taking people on hunting and fishing trips in the area. Nate’s family struggle to hold their business together as they grieve their loss, while Mattie and Robo and the rest of the Timber Creek County Sheriff’s Department work to uncover who killed Nate Fletcher and why. It seems everyone involved with Nate is hiding something, but which secret led to murder?
I like to think of the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series as police procedurals on four feet. To me and many other readers our favorite part of the books is the Mattie-Robo relationship. Incidents in Mattie’s early life make many of her relationships with humans difficult, but there is no problem at all in her commitment to Robo. Mattie clearly loves Robo, and Robo loves both Mattie and his job. In addition to portraying the warm relationship between the two, there are fascinating details about how a forensically trained K-9 operates. For example, Mattie always gives Robo a drink of water before he goes off to follow a scent, because it sharpens a dog’s olfactory ability, and she uses different harnesses or collars, such as a narcotics detection collar, to signal to him what kind of task he is to perform.
The evocation of the setting in rural Colorado is an important element in the series. This element gets a new edge in Tracking Game from the roar of a wild animal that doesn’t quite sound like a cougar….
Like the previous books in the series, Tracking Game has a gripping suspense-filled plot. Nonetheless, this is definitely a character-driven series. If you have not read the earlier books, I strongly recommend you begin with the first book so you can come to know and care about the characters, their lives, and their relationships.
The development of the romantic relationship between Mattie and Cole is the biggest character-driven theme of the series. Tracking Game devotes more attention to it than any of the earlier books, which will no doubt delight many readers and annoy others. It is difficult for someone who has not had the abuse Mattie suffered in childhood to relate fully to the emotional scars such victims carry, but there were times when I felt she was overreacting and wished for less coverage of her internal struggles.
As the book ends, Mattie receives some new information about her past and eagerly shares it with Cole, a good sign of her commitment. No doubt these two topics, plus a new mystery, will be explored further in the next book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance review copy of this book.
May 29, 2019
This is another mostly enjoyable installment in this small town, mountain mystery series. The main character is a sheriff's deputy who partner is a trained K9, part drug and explosives locating dog, part search and rescue dog, and part-time scene stealer.
In between finding criminals, missing people and wildlife, Mattie tries to allow a romance with Cole (local veterinarian and a major character) to move forward, but situations and her history keep getting in the way. Yes, tension is needed but there is too much of this awkwardness, this time. Just jump ahead.
After reading several of these books, I find it surprising that the author relies so heavily on Mattie's crippling relationship fears in this newest book. Her past is what makes her such a great deputy but it also is exhausting to read about and short changes the reader. I want to shout "Come on! Get the girl some therapy!" If this sappy romance stuff keeps up I'm going to relegate this series to the young adult section.
In between finding criminals, missing people and wildlife, Mattie tries to allow a romance with Cole (local veterinarian and a major character) to move forward, but situations and her history keep getting in the way. Yes, tension is needed but there is too much of this awkwardness, this time. Just jump ahead.
After reading several of these books, I find it surprising that the author relies so heavily on Mattie's crippling relationship fears in this newest book. Her past is what makes her such a great deputy but it also is exhausting to read about and short changes the reader. I want to shout "Come on! Get the girl some therapy!" If this sappy romance stuff keeps up I'm going to relegate this series to the young adult section.
April 3, 2021
A good post-Covid 19 vaccine read as it has likable characters and for the most part, a believable plot line that is easy to follow. However, the personal angst of the main character at times slips into the realm of soap opera. So if you are looking for a strong female lead, this one will probably leave you disappointed, as too often it seems that our heroine is on the verge of tears and wanting to fall back on finding comfort in a “good man’s arms.”
December 28, 2019
Mattie and K9 Robo are at it again in the mountains of Colorado. Dogs and horses and wild cats make for a fun and furry read. Sometimes the emotional parts are too long for me, but I can’t wait for the next one nonetheless.
April 15, 2022
Cole Walker and Mattie Cobb are having a night off at a local dance, until Mattie gets notified to come to the scene of an explosion.
Mattie is a local K-9 officer. When Mattie arrives at the scene she finds out that a van is on fire and the guy driving is dead by gunshot wounds.
The deceased is Nate Fletcher.
The investigation leads them to the home of Nate's wife and family, a large ranch nearby.
But, before they can really get going on that, there is a call from a man in the mountains who says he has been shot.
When Mattie arrives with her K-9, Robo, they find the dead man has been mauled by a mountain cat.
However, there is something strange about this cat as its prints are bigger than any cougar would be.
With two murders to solve and a dangerous animal to track, Mattie has her hands full.
A mystery with plenty of action.
Mattie is a local K-9 officer. When Mattie arrives at the scene she finds out that a van is on fire and the guy driving is dead by gunshot wounds.
The deceased is Nate Fletcher.
The investigation leads them to the home of Nate's wife and family, a large ranch nearby.
But, before they can really get going on that, there is a call from a man in the mountains who says he has been shot.
When Mattie arrives with her K-9, Robo, they find the dead man has been mauled by a mountain cat.
However, there is something strange about this cat as its prints are bigger than any cougar would be.
With two murders to solve and a dangerous animal to track, Mattie has her hands full.
A mystery with plenty of action.
May 22, 2021
Mattie is the K9 officer in the Colorado town of Timber Creek. Her large German Shepard partner, Robo works beside her and vet Cole Walker, divorced single dad, is Mattie's big human interest.
While at a dance, an explosion nearby brings Mattie and Cole to a burning van, an injured man, and a dead one, Nate. The death takes Maddie to his local family's ranch, where things have been tough. This further leads to a realtor and to the trip Nate had planned to lead into the wilderness as Timber Creek's finest seek the person responsible for the murder. The situation becomes eventful on both fronts and lead Maddie, Robo, Cole, and other law enforcement folks to undertake a two-pronged pursuit.
I like Mattie well enough; Cole, too. The star for me is Robo, though. That and the nature of the Rockies and the terrific pursuit sequence make this such an enjoyable read. If the relationship between Mattie and Cole matters to you, all the better. This is the third in the series that I've read, but the fifth in the series. More Robo is in my future!
While at a dance, an explosion nearby brings Mattie and Cole to a burning van, an injured man, and a dead one, Nate. The death takes Maddie to his local family's ranch, where things have been tough. This further leads to a realtor and to the trip Nate had planned to lead into the wilderness as Timber Creek's finest seek the person responsible for the murder. The situation becomes eventful on both fronts and lead Maddie, Robo, Cole, and other law enforcement folks to undertake a two-pronged pursuit.
I like Mattie well enough; Cole, too. The star for me is Robo, though. That and the nature of the Rockies and the terrific pursuit sequence make this such an enjoyable read. If the relationship between Mattie and Cole matters to you, all the better. This is the third in the series that I've read, but the fifth in the series. More Robo is in my future!
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