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Timber Creek K-9 Mystery #6
Hanging Falls
Murder stalks the rugged Colorado high country—and sends Mattie Cobb on a quest to uncover the darkest secrets from her past.
A deluge has flooded the high ground near Hanging Falls—but heavy rains aren’t the only menace descending on Timber Creek. While on a scouting mission to pinpoint trail damage, officer Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo stumble upon a body floating at the edge of a lake. Robo catches human scent, which leads to an enigmatic forest-dweller who quickly becomes suspect number one.
With help from veterinarian Cole Walker, Mattie identifies the victim, and discovers an odd religious cult whose dress and manners harken back to the 19th century. As the list of suspects grows, an unexpected visit from members of Mattie’s long-lost family sheds new light on her childhood as they help Mattie piece together details of the fateful night when she was abducted at age two.
The tangled threads of the investigation and family dynamics begin to intertwine—but darkness threatens to claim a new victim before Mattie and Robo can track down the killers.
WILLA Literary Award for Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Silver IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, Mystery
Colorado Authors League, Mystery
A deluge has flooded the high ground near Hanging Falls—but heavy rains aren’t the only menace descending on Timber Creek. While on a scouting mission to pinpoint trail damage, officer Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo stumble upon a body floating at the edge of a lake. Robo catches human scent, which leads to an enigmatic forest-dweller who quickly becomes suspect number one.
With help from veterinarian Cole Walker, Mattie identifies the victim, and discovers an odd religious cult whose dress and manners harken back to the 19th century. As the list of suspects grows, an unexpected visit from members of Mattie’s long-lost family sheds new light on her childhood as they help Mattie piece together details of the fateful night when she was abducted at age two.
The tangled threads of the investigation and family dynamics begin to intertwine—but darkness threatens to claim a new victim before Mattie and Robo can track down the killers.
WILLA Literary Award for Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Silver IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards, Mystery
Colorado Authors League, Mystery
282 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 2020
406 people are currently reading
2206 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 355 reviews
June 28, 2020
HANGING FALLS by Margaret Mizushima is the sixth book in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series. This has become one of my favorite police procedural series. It is set in and around a small town in the mountains of Colorado.
While this is the sixth 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, her canine partner Robo, local district wildlife manager, Glenna Dalton and her Rhodesian ridgeback are hiking to Hanging Falls. Heavy rains have impacted the trail and the falls. Once they get to the falls, they find a body floating in the water below the falls. With this start, the book is off and running.
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 and some red herrings. As usual, Maggie’s boyfriend, veterinarian Cole Walker, helps with the investigation. 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 enjoyed visiting with my relatively new friends. I 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. Themes include police investigations, murder, a religious cult, horse training, family relationships and dynamics, changing relationships and much more. There are some serious themes in this novel that I won’t reveal due to spoilers.
This is the second book that I have read about Mattie, Robo and Cole; 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 sixth 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, her canine partner Robo, local district wildlife manager, Glenna Dalton and her Rhodesian ridgeback are hiking to Hanging Falls. Heavy rains have impacted the trail and the falls. Once they get to the falls, they find a body floating in the water below the falls. With this start, the book is off and running.
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 and some red herrings. As usual, Maggie’s boyfriend, veterinarian Cole Walker, helps with the investigation. 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 enjoyed visiting with my relatively new friends. I 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. Themes include police investigations, murder, a religious cult, horse training, family relationships and dynamics, changing relationships and much more. There are some serious themes in this novel that I won’t reveal due to spoilers.
This is the second book that I have read about Mattie, Robo and Cole; 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.
August 14, 2020
This is a good series for those that enjoy reading about working dogs. Mattie is a local sheriff's deputy in a small town in Colorado and Robo is her K9 partner. The stories are engaging police procedurals with a strong personal component involving Cole, Mattie’s beau and the local vet, and his family.
Mattie and Robo are out hiking with Glenna, a park ranger and her dog, Moose, when they find a dead body near Hanging Falls. It doesn’t take long to suss out that the man was a member of a religious cult, recently moved into the area. Mizushima gives us lots of potential suspects, but I did correctly suss out the correct one early on.
This book had the added benefit of learning more about Cole’s veterinary practice, working with dogs and horses. The author’s husband is a vet, which explains why these scenes are so realistic.
Mizushima paints a great picture and I could feel the downpours and storms. There’s a constant sense of tension as they fight the weather while attempting to solve what ends up being two murders.
The one theme through all the subplots is family. Cole is struggling with his teenage daughter, Mattie gets to meet her long lost sister and grandmother and even the cult subplot deals with the meaning of family.
My thanks to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of this book.
Mattie and Robo are out hiking with Glenna, a park ranger and her dog, Moose, when they find a dead body near Hanging Falls. It doesn’t take long to suss out that the man was a member of a religious cult, recently moved into the area. Mizushima gives us lots of potential suspects, but I did correctly suss out the correct one early on.
This book had the added benefit of learning more about Cole’s veterinary practice, working with dogs and horses. The author’s husband is a vet, which explains why these scenes are so realistic.
Mizushima paints a great picture and I could feel the downpours and storms. There’s a constant sense of tension as they fight the weather while attempting to solve what ends up being two murders.
The one theme through all the subplots is family. Cole is struggling with his teenage daughter, Mattie gets to meet her long lost sister and grandmother and even the cult subplot deals with the meaning of family.
My thanks to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of this book.
August 3, 2020
I always enjoy getting back together with Deputy Mattie Cob and her wonderful K9 partner, Robo. This book was both disturbing and heartwarming with a focus on family. Timber Creek vet Cole Walker and Mattie have finally acknowledged their love and Mattie feels very comfortable with Cole’s family - 16 year old Angie, 9 year old Sophie and the indomitable Irish housekeeper, Mrs Gibbs. Mattie also gets to have a reunion with some of her biological family after nearly 30 years, which provided some very emotional scenes. In addition, a polygamous religious community has moved to Timber Creek and the family arrangements are questionable and give cause for concern.
At the same time the Sheriff’s department is investigating two murders that have taken place on the trail up to the scenic but rugged Hanging Falls. The prevailing El Niño conditions - increased snow melt and frequent thunderstorms have made conditions on the trails treacherous. There are plenty of suspects but very little hard evidence.
This series is so enjoyable and the characters are so well fleshed out, including the dogs, they are characters in their own right. The ghosts of Mattie’s past have calmed down a lot and she is more evenly poised. I hope Margaret Mizushima keeps writing these wonderful stories. While there is always some danger and intrigue the stories are so character driven that they almost feel like members of your own family. Many thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and Margaret Mizushima for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
At the same time the Sheriff’s department is investigating two murders that have taken place on the trail up to the scenic but rugged Hanging Falls. The prevailing El Niño conditions - increased snow melt and frequent thunderstorms have made conditions on the trails treacherous. There are plenty of suspects but very little hard evidence.
This series is so enjoyable and the characters are so well fleshed out, including the dogs, they are characters in their own right. The ghosts of Mattie’s past have calmed down a lot and she is more evenly poised. I hope Margaret Mizushima keeps writing these wonderful stories. While there is always some danger and intrigue the stories are so character driven that they almost feel like members of your own family. Many thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and Margaret Mizushima for providing a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2020
K-9 police procedurals are particular favorites of mine when done well. Maybe because of my K-9 friends, maybe because of all the nights I spent with a metro K-9 team as an observer. Or maybe it’s because so many of the series are just so darn good.
Hanging Falls is no exception.
On the day before possibly the most important journey of her life, Timber Creek, CO Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo are heading toward Hanging Falls with the local district wildlife manager, Glenna Dalton and her K-9 partner, Moose. Mattie and Glenna are hoping to evaluate the damage done by the unprecedented recent rains. Oh yeah, it storms a lot in this book. I almost read it in my rain slicker. Margaret Mizushima can really make her weather come alive for the reader.
They find a body caught precariously in the branch of a tree. Mattie about freezes to death removing the body from the tree before it is washed downstream. After the troops are mobilized with the Sheriff’s department and veterinarian Cole Walker as horse wrangler and guide, the body is brought down from the high country along with a possible suspect. The floater will not be the first body in Hanging Falls, nor is the first suspect the only suspect.
Family and the various permutation of family almost eclipse the central mystery. In Hanging Falls Mattie finds long lost family members through an on-line DNA search. Mattie, who until recently only loved and trusted her dog, is now expanding her love to Cole Walker and his daughters. In the meantime Cole struggles to find out why his daughters are less than thrilled with his new love and happiness. There are two rough brothers, one a possible horse whisperer, who only care about each other and their horses. There is also a newly arrived, possible polygamist cult that raises and train horses and dogs. Mizushima writes with great insight and sensitivity about these family units.
The investigation, the K-9 searches and even the vet work are all fascinating. For the most part the details ring true, the big exception being that Robo’s blood is not typed six ways to kingdom come. It would seem at the very least; blood typing should be part of Robo’s permanent vet record.
Hanging Falls is part of a terrific series, but can be read as a standalone. The most important back story, Mattie’s screwed up family life is explained. In Hanging Falls there are lovely scenes of family re-uniting, but not all is wonderful. New questions arise.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
Hanging Falls is no exception.
On the day before possibly the most important journey of her life, Timber Creek, CO Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo are heading toward Hanging Falls with the local district wildlife manager, Glenna Dalton and her K-9 partner, Moose. Mattie and Glenna are hoping to evaluate the damage done by the unprecedented recent rains. Oh yeah, it storms a lot in this book. I almost read it in my rain slicker. Margaret Mizushima can really make her weather come alive for the reader.
They find a body caught precariously in the branch of a tree. Mattie about freezes to death removing the body from the tree before it is washed downstream. After the troops are mobilized with the Sheriff’s department and veterinarian Cole Walker as horse wrangler and guide, the body is brought down from the high country along with a possible suspect. The floater will not be the first body in Hanging Falls, nor is the first suspect the only suspect.
Family and the various permutation of family almost eclipse the central mystery. In Hanging Falls Mattie finds long lost family members through an on-line DNA search. Mattie, who until recently only loved and trusted her dog, is now expanding her love to Cole Walker and his daughters. In the meantime Cole struggles to find out why his daughters are less than thrilled with his new love and happiness. There are two rough brothers, one a possible horse whisperer, who only care about each other and their horses. There is also a newly arrived, possible polygamist cult that raises and train horses and dogs. Mizushima writes with great insight and sensitivity about these family units.
The investigation, the K-9 searches and even the vet work are all fascinating. For the most part the details ring true, the big exception being that Robo’s blood is not typed six ways to kingdom come. It would seem at the very least; blood typing should be part of Robo’s permanent vet record.
Hanging Falls is part of a terrific series, but can be read as a standalone. The most important back story, Mattie’s screwed up family life is explained. In Hanging Falls there are lovely scenes of family re-uniting, but not all is wonderful. New questions arise.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
August 2, 2020
Sometimes an unexpected storm leaves behind violence of the human kind.
Deputy Mattie Cobb, an officer in the Sheriff's K-9 department and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, has paired with Glenna Dalton, district wildlife manager. There's been a terrible rainstorm caused by an irritable El Nino. Both young women are out inspecting the damage left behind near Hanging Falls. Mattie walks alongside Robo her highly trained German Shepherd and Glenna hikes with Moose, her dog.
It's Robo who quickly picks up the scent of something that sends him into high alert. The raging creek waters reveal a body of a man lodged in between some fallen logs. Mattie and Robo jump in to retrieve the man only to find the lifeless remains. But on his chest is carved the word "PAY".....a curious memento left behind by the killer. The Sheriff's Department makes the long trek to bring the man back down for identification.
Margaret Mizushima presents the sixth book in her Timber Creek series and each one just gets better and better. Never fear. Hanging Falls reads as a standalone. Mizushima, like surround sound, fills in the character relevance and essential story bits from the earlier books. We find Mattie still letting her guard down slowly in her relationship with Cole Walker, the town vet. And there's a side thread of Mattie's newly found family members from California to round out the storyline. Add in a large religious group who've recently moved into the Timber Creek area and two ornery brothers who have taken issue with the new residents.
Hanging Falls is a solid police procedural with a scenic atmosphere of the Rocky Mountains. Be assured that this is not just a "doggy" story in the making. Mizushima allows us insight into the fine-tuned workings of deputies and their well-trained canines. As a vet herself, she knows the remarkable relationship between human and dog. Bravo, Margaret Mizushima. Another winner.
I received a copy of Hanging Falls through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to Margaret Mizushima for the opportunity.
Deputy Mattie Cobb, an officer in the Sheriff's K-9 department and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, has paired with Glenna Dalton, district wildlife manager. There's been a terrible rainstorm caused by an irritable El Nino. Both young women are out inspecting the damage left behind near Hanging Falls. Mattie walks alongside Robo her highly trained German Shepherd and Glenna hikes with Moose, her dog.
It's Robo who quickly picks up the scent of something that sends him into high alert. The raging creek waters reveal a body of a man lodged in between some fallen logs. Mattie and Robo jump in to retrieve the man only to find the lifeless remains. But on his chest is carved the word "PAY".....a curious memento left behind by the killer. The Sheriff's Department makes the long trek to bring the man back down for identification.
Margaret Mizushima presents the sixth book in her Timber Creek series and each one just gets better and better. Never fear. Hanging Falls reads as a standalone. Mizushima, like surround sound, fills in the character relevance and essential story bits from the earlier books. We find Mattie still letting her guard down slowly in her relationship with Cole Walker, the town vet. And there's a side thread of Mattie's newly found family members from California to round out the storyline. Add in a large religious group who've recently moved into the Timber Creek area and two ornery brothers who have taken issue with the new residents.
Hanging Falls is a solid police procedural with a scenic atmosphere of the Rocky Mountains. Be assured that this is not just a "doggy" story in the making. Mizushima allows us insight into the fine-tuned workings of deputies and their well-trained canines. As a vet herself, she knows the remarkable relationship between human and dog. Bravo, Margaret Mizushima. Another winner.
I received a copy of Hanging Falls through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to Margaret Mizushima for the opportunity.
June 10, 2021
Once again, I got intrigued by the description of a book and didn’t realize I was jumping into the middle of a series until after I downloaded it. The good news is the author gives enough backstory so I didn’t ever feel lost. I was hooked right out of the gate, reading as fast as I could, not wanting to put my Kindle down.
“Hanging Falls,” book 6 in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery Series, is a tense, gripping murder mystery, with realistic, well-developed characters and interesting, compelling subplots. It’s a rich tapestry of relationships, dangerous jobs, and alternate lifestyles that push the boundaries of law, religion and morals. I especially enjoyed Robo, the K-9 partner to Officer Matti Cobb, who is the protagonist in the story. I’m not going to give anything away, but there is so much to this story, and it goes off into a few different directions, all of them very intriguing.
I will definitely be reading more by Margaret Mizushima. She’s a fantastic writer with a broad spectrum of knowledge that make her storytelling so satisfying.
“Hanging Falls,” book 6 in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery Series, is a tense, gripping murder mystery, with realistic, well-developed characters and interesting, compelling subplots. It’s a rich tapestry of relationships, dangerous jobs, and alternate lifestyles that push the boundaries of law, religion and morals. I especially enjoyed Robo, the K-9 partner to Officer Matti Cobb, who is the protagonist in the story. I’m not going to give anything away, but there is so much to this story, and it goes off into a few different directions, all of them very intriguing.
I will definitely be reading more by Margaret Mizushima. She’s a fantastic writer with a broad spectrum of knowledge that make her storytelling so satisfying.
August 7, 2020
3.5 rounded up
This is #6 in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series. I have not read the others and was fearful that I missed a lot of background information. However, this story is fresh and not a cliff hanger from Book #5.
The setting is Timber Creek a small mountain town in Colorado.
Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner German Shepherd Robo find a body. With the help of BF veterinarian Cole Walker, they find in their investigation a polygamists religious cult, a murder, horse training group, family relationships and also more into Mattie background and the details of a night when she was only 2 years old and was abducted.
Want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this early release granted to me in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 8, 2020
This is #6 in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series. I have not read the others and was fearful that I missed a lot of background information. However, this story is fresh and not a cliff hanger from Book #5.
The setting is Timber Creek a small mountain town in Colorado.
Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner German Shepherd Robo find a body. With the help of BF veterinarian Cole Walker, they find in their investigation a polygamists religious cult, a murder, horse training group, family relationships and also more into Mattie background and the details of a night when she was only 2 years old and was abducted.
Want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this early release granted to me in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 8, 2020
July 28, 2021
I have been reading the Timber Creek series since the beginning. This is a series I really look forward to. When I know a new book is coming out, I mark my calendar and I pre-order. I don't need to know what it's going to be about. I just know that I am going to want to read it. It's been so interesting and uplifting to read about how far Mattie has come since the first book. And I'll always be rooting for Robo and Mattie. The bond between the two of them is something that the ordinary person is seldom lucky enough to feel. Unless you have, you'll never know just how much it hurts to lose it. So, I hope there are many more adventures ahead together for Mattie and Robo...and possibly a new family member for Robo. And Cole, Angie, Brody and the whole Timber Creek group. I enjoy reading some of the Sanford books and will continue with them, too, but this series has a special place in my heart. It's much more family oriented, there's no swearing, no overt sex, there is some brutality but this is a mystery-murder series after all and Mattie and Robo are cops. I am anxious to find out what happens to Mattie, Robo and her new family that she just discovered, and her Timber Creek "family" as she forms even closer relationships with them. Now I'll have to mark my calendar again and wait for the next book. And I will be waiting. I hope I don't have to wait too long!
June 2, 2020
Mattie is a K9 officer in her small Colorado town who works with her German Shepherd, Robo, There are some new people who have moved into a local farm, and they appear to be polygamists. When there are two murders, Mattie and Robo investigate, despite the fact that she was supposed to be on vacation. Are the new people really just trying to practice their religion, or is something more sinister going on? Did the men on the neighboring farm know more about the murder victim than they are admitting? And what about the man who claims to be a farrier? If you are a dog lover (or any reader who enjoys a good mystery with likable characters) I think you would enjoy this novel, which is part of a series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but reading the books in order will give more insight into the characters, especially Mattie. Thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for this ARC.
September 10, 2020
4 stars (release date 9-8-2020)
You can read all of my reviews at NerdGirlLovesBooks.
Yet another great mystery starring our favorite K-9 officer Mattie Cobb and her partner Robo. This time Timber Creek is having a lot of rain and areas are starting to flood. While out checking on damaged trails in the mountains, Mattie and Robo stumble on a dead body caught up on a tree in the flood waters. The deceased is linked to a new religious sect that has moved into the area. The members dress in 19th Century attire and practice polygamy.
As the suspect list grows, Mattie connects with her long-lost sister and learns more about her lost childhood and family. Her sister is able to shed light on the night Mattie, her brother and mother were abducted when Mattie was 2. Mattie's boyfriend Cole Walker is also dealing with family issues with his eldest daughter, however the single father practices patience, even when it's in short supply, and the issue resolves itself.
The mystery is full of action, with plenty of suspects and red herrings to throw you off the trail. As always, I really enjoy the interaction with Mattie and Robo, and love reading how they go about tracking and apprehending the bad guys. This is becoming one of my favorite mystery series and I look forward to reading the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
You can read all of my reviews at NerdGirlLovesBooks.
Yet another great mystery starring our favorite K-9 officer Mattie Cobb and her partner Robo. This time Timber Creek is having a lot of rain and areas are starting to flood. While out checking on damaged trails in the mountains, Mattie and Robo stumble on a dead body caught up on a tree in the flood waters. The deceased is linked to a new religious sect that has moved into the area. The members dress in 19th Century attire and practice polygamy.
As the suspect list grows, Mattie connects with her long-lost sister and learns more about her lost childhood and family. Her sister is able to shed light on the night Mattie, her brother and mother were abducted when Mattie was 2. Mattie's boyfriend Cole Walker is also dealing with family issues with his eldest daughter, however the single father practices patience, even when it's in short supply, and the issue resolves itself.
The mystery is full of action, with plenty of suspects and red herrings to throw you off the trail. As always, I really enjoy the interaction with Mattie and Robo, and love reading how they go about tracking and apprehending the bad guys. This is becoming one of my favorite mystery series and I look forward to reading the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2020
Hanging Falls is the 6th book in the Timber Creek K-9 series. This series is one of my favorites! I eagerly await each new book in this series!
Mattie Cobb is a police officer in Timber Creek, CO. Her K-9 partner, Robo, is always at her side. They also hang out often with local Wildlife official Glenna and her dog, Moose. The action in this newest book starts immediately...no waiting! While on a trail run with the dogs, the two women find a body snagged in the branches of a tree near Hanging Falls. Not only does Mattie have to find out who the dead man is...but also how he got in the water, who was responsible and what he might have been doing there. It ends up being a very complex case involving a local religious cult.
The story in this newest book is suspenseful and engrossing. There is some in-depth character development for Mattie in this newest book, plus a bit more focus on her love interest, Cole Walker, his veterinary practice and his daughters. Lots of Mattie & Robo action -- with some vital character and backstory developments!
I read my review copy of this book....but then also checked the audio book out at my local public library when it came out. I love listening to this series on audio. I already knew how the case came out, but I wanted to be able to savor the story on a second read, rather than reading under a review deadline. The audio book is narrated by Nancy Wu. Wu does an excellent job of bringing the story and characters to life. She reads at a steady pace and has a pleasant voice. The audio is just a bit over 10 hours long.
Awesome story! In print....and in audio! I love this series -- can't wait for the next book!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books...and also checked out the audio book from my local library. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Mattie Cobb is a police officer in Timber Creek, CO. Her K-9 partner, Robo, is always at her side. They also hang out often with local Wildlife official Glenna and her dog, Moose. The action in this newest book starts immediately...no waiting! While on a trail run with the dogs, the two women find a body snagged in the branches of a tree near Hanging Falls. Not only does Mattie have to find out who the dead man is...but also how he got in the water, who was responsible and what he might have been doing there. It ends up being a very complex case involving a local religious cult.
The story in this newest book is suspenseful and engrossing. There is some in-depth character development for Mattie in this newest book, plus a bit more focus on her love interest, Cole Walker, his veterinary practice and his daughters. Lots of Mattie & Robo action -- with some vital character and backstory developments!
I read my review copy of this book....but then also checked the audio book out at my local public library when it came out. I love listening to this series on audio. I already knew how the case came out, but I wanted to be able to savor the story on a second read, rather than reading under a review deadline. The audio book is narrated by Nancy Wu. Wu does an excellent job of bringing the story and characters to life. She reads at a steady pace and has a pleasant voice. The audio is just a bit over 10 hours long.
Awesome story! In print....and in audio! I love this series -- can't wait for the next book!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books...and also checked out the audio book from my local library. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
April 5, 2020
5 stars
Mattie Cobb, police officer, and her canine partner Robo are on a run in the woods with her friend and game warden
Glenna and her dog Moose. The dogs discover a man's body tangled in some branches in a river. Mattie thinks she sees someone watching her and Glenna from atop the ridge. She and Robo hike up and she easily arrests the man as he is absolutely terrified of Robo.
Mattie is supposed to go to meet her sister and her grandmother for the first time the next morning. But she now feels obligated to assist with this new case. When she calls her sister to let her know that she needs a couple more days to work, her sister surprises her by saying that she and her grandmother will drive to her instead. Unsure, but Mattie says okay anyway. They hit it off famously – and she learns much about her childhood.
As part of the investigation, Mattie and her boyfriend veterinarian Cole meet a group of men, women and children who live together on an old ranch. They have an assortment of animals, so they will be using Cole's services from time to time. There is so much more going on at that place than happy families.
The case escalates and gets more complicated. Cole and Mattie's families both get involved.
I love Ms. Mizushima's writing!. Her characters are so colorful and real. I really like Mattie and Cole and I also like that the author writes about their family lives as well. I got more of a sense of who they were as people. Her transitions are seamless and the writing flows. The book reads quickly since the pages just fly by. Very well done, Ms. Mizushima.
I want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely delightful book for me to read, enjoy and review.
Mattie Cobb, police officer, and her canine partner Robo are on a run in the woods with her friend and game warden
Glenna and her dog Moose. The dogs discover a man's body tangled in some branches in a river. Mattie thinks she sees someone watching her and Glenna from atop the ridge. She and Robo hike up and she easily arrests the man as he is absolutely terrified of Robo.
Mattie is supposed to go to meet her sister and her grandmother for the first time the next morning. But she now feels obligated to assist with this new case. When she calls her sister to let her know that she needs a couple more days to work, her sister surprises her by saying that she and her grandmother will drive to her instead. Unsure, but Mattie says okay anyway. They hit it off famously – and she learns much about her childhood.
As part of the investigation, Mattie and her boyfriend veterinarian Cole meet a group of men, women and children who live together on an old ranch. They have an assortment of animals, so they will be using Cole's services from time to time. There is so much more going on at that place than happy families.
The case escalates and gets more complicated. Cole and Mattie's families both get involved.
I love Ms. Mizushima's writing!. Her characters are so colorful and real. I really like Mattie and Cole and I also like that the author writes about their family lives as well. I got more of a sense of who they were as people. Her transitions are seamless and the writing flows. The book reads quickly since the pages just fly by. Very well done, Ms. Mizushima.
I want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely delightful book for me to read, enjoy and review.
October 7, 2020
What a marvelous surprise this was! When I choose this ARC, it was with low expectations even though the story features a K-9 officer. Dogs, horses, cats.... they all are elements that I love in any book. However, the quality of the writing, as well as the empathy shown to the characters convinced me to catch up with the earlier books in the series. Mattie Cobb and Robo, her K-9 partner, discover a body while assessing storm damage near Hanging Falls. Meanwhile, her boyfriend, Cole, a veterinarian, treats a dog with an curiously garbed woman and girl. The intricacies of how these story entwine with a backstory of Mattie meeting her long lost family is deftly handled. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2020
In Mizushima's sixth book in the Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries series, Hanging Falls (Penguin Random House 2020), Mattie is a day away from leaving for a trip to meet the family she was separated from as a young child. The night before she leaves, she finds a dead body in a river and she and Robo (her working dog) frantically try to track down clues to find the killer. Before she can finish, another murder occurs that seems to be tied to the first and both have breadcrumbs that lead to a religious group living in the outskirts of Timber Creek. In an odd connection, Mattie's veterinarian boyfriend has been treating one of their dogs and several other of their animals. With two murders and no clear evidence of the killers, Robo's skills become more important than ever, making it impossible for Mattie to leave Timber Creek but that doesn't stop the reunion from happening.
I've loved every book in this series. They are all clever with great details about crime scene dog work and lots of respect for the dogs and their relationship to humans.
"His fur was wet and matted, his Kevlar vest still in place, protecting his chest. She ran the light over his head, figuring that would be where the knife had struck. In the beam, his eyes were narrow, his brow puckered, his pain evident."
"Robo’s limbs trembled, but he’d retreated into that space where wounded animals go to suffer."
I can't wait to read the next.
I've loved every book in this series. They are all clever with great details about crime scene dog work and lots of respect for the dogs and their relationship to humans.
"His fur was wet and matted, his Kevlar vest still in place, protecting his chest. She ran the light over his head, figuring that would be where the knife had struck. In the beam, his eyes were narrow, his brow puckered, his pain evident."
"Robo’s limbs trembled, but he’d retreated into that space where wounded animals go to suffer."
I can't wait to read the next.
December 27, 2023
This series has been a solid 2 stars for me. I liked the dog the most and plus the animal owners are always kind to their pets. I always love that. Plus I liked the mystery. A body is found near Hanging Falls...
Overall, I'm just easily distracted by the dialogue. It sounds old. There were a few phrases in this one that I'm pretty sure people under 50 would never say. It is predictable because all the characters are always on their best behavior....all the time. That doesn't pull me in. So again, 2 stars.
Overall, I'm just easily distracted by the dialogue. It sounds old. There were a few phrases in this one that I'm pretty sure people under 50 would never say. It is predictable because all the characters are always on their best behavior....all the time. That doesn't pull me in. So again, 2 stars.
September 20, 2020
While scouting out trails for upcoming hunting season, K-9 cop Mattie Cobb and her dog Robo find a body in the falls of the lake. The man's body has the word PAY carved into his chest. Their investigation leads to a compound of possible polygamists.
I've read all six of the books in this series. They are all clean mysteries with good character development. Although there's always death, the scenes are not graphic. Robo is one of my all-time favorite canine characters.
Best to start from the beginning of this series to get the full background on Mattie, vet Cole, and each of their families. One thing I like is that the author continues to move the series along. I read several books with K-9s and this is one of the better ones. The best is the Ryder Creed series by Alex Kava.
I've read all six of the books in this series. They are all clean mysteries with good character development. Although there's always death, the scenes are not graphic. Robo is one of my all-time favorite canine characters.
Best to start from the beginning of this series to get the full background on Mattie, vet Cole, and each of their families. One thing I like is that the author continues to move the series along. I read several books with K-9s and this is one of the better ones. The best is the Ryder Creed series by Alex Kava.
January 13, 2021
3-1/2 stars rounded up to 4.
While not a favorite of mine in this series, I continue to enjoy the Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries. Maybe I would have liked this one a little more if I had been able to read it in one or two sittings. Unfortunately, I didn't have much reading time this week, so the mystery fell a little flat for me this time.
The major drawing point for me in these books is the characters. Of course Mattie and her furry partner Robo are awesome, but all of the supporting characters have found a place in my heart too.
In this book we also learn a little more about Mattie's family and their history. This story thread feels like an onion that we peel another layer from in each book, and is one of the many reasons I keep coming back for each installment.
These books and the mysteries/crimes in them feel realistic. There are no outlandish plot twists thrown in for shock value and no extra 100 filler pages for the sake of a thicker book. Can't wait to see what Mattie and Robo get wrapped up in next!
While not a favorite of mine in this series, I continue to enjoy the Timber Creek K-9 Mysteries. Maybe I would have liked this one a little more if I had been able to read it in one or two sittings. Unfortunately, I didn't have much reading time this week, so the mystery fell a little flat for me this time.
The major drawing point for me in these books is the characters. Of course Mattie and her furry partner Robo are awesome, but all of the supporting characters have found a place in my heart too.
In this book we also learn a little more about Mattie's family and their history. This story thread feels like an onion that we peel another layer from in each book, and is one of the many reasons I keep coming back for each installment.
These books and the mysteries/crimes in them feel realistic. There are no outlandish plot twists thrown in for shock value and no extra 100 filler pages for the sake of a thicker book. Can't wait to see what Mattie and Robo get wrapped up in next!
July 5, 2022
Best book in the series so far !!
The author packed lots of suspense and surprises in this one; I am eagerly awaiting the next.
So happy to discover Worldwide Mystery is publishing this series in the traditional small paperback size .. snagged this one at our local used book store.
The author packed lots of suspense and surprises in this one; I am eagerly awaiting the next.
So happy to discover Worldwide Mystery is publishing this series in the traditional small paperback size .. snagged this one at our local used book store.
March 19, 2021
Mattie Cobb is finally going to meet up with her long lost sister and grandmother in this 6th book in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series. If you haven't followed this series, Mattie was raised in foster care after her mother abandoned her when she was young and she was raised by an abusive, alcoholic father. Rescued by the Timber Creek sheriff, she lived with a wonderful foster family who she still considers family. In this story, she meets a woman and her children who are being raised in a cult-like atmosphere. There is also a body found in the creek, and a grave nearby that may have been the initial internment of the dead man. He has the word PAY carved into his chest, so Maddie and the police are on the hunt for a murderer and also the reason behind the death. Does the cult have anything to do with this death. When one of the teenage girls also disappears, Maddie's plans to spend time with her family change quickly.
Margaret Mizushima continues to write wonderful stories in her Timber Creek series and each one just gets better. Having said that, you can read this book as a standalone, but I recommend that you read them all, they are so good. This is a well written police procedural with a great mystery, well-developed storyline and great characters. The setting of Timber Creek and the Rocky Mountains adds to the atmosphere. So many K-9 stories are either about the human or the dog, but Margaret Mizushima writes books with great balance. She knows about dogs and how they work with their human handlers. I am enjoying how Maddie and Cole's relationship is developing. It is realistic and is developing in a slow and honest way. I enjoyed the ending and reveal, even though I was pretty sure who the murderer was. Overall, another great mystery story. Once again, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Nancy Wu. Wu does an excellent job of bringing the story and characters to life. She has a pleasant voice and gave personality to the characters. I definitely recommend this story either in print or on audiobook.
Margaret Mizushima continues to write wonderful stories in her Timber Creek series and each one just gets better. Having said that, you can read this book as a standalone, but I recommend that you read them all, they are so good. This is a well written police procedural with a great mystery, well-developed storyline and great characters. The setting of Timber Creek and the Rocky Mountains adds to the atmosphere. So many K-9 stories are either about the human or the dog, but Margaret Mizushima writes books with great balance. She knows about dogs and how they work with their human handlers. I am enjoying how Maddie and Cole's relationship is developing. It is realistic and is developing in a slow and honest way. I enjoyed the ending and reveal, even though I was pretty sure who the murderer was. Overall, another great mystery story. Once again, I listened to the audiobook narrated by Nancy Wu. Wu does an excellent job of bringing the story and characters to life. She has a pleasant voice and gave personality to the characters. I definitely recommend this story either in print or on audiobook.
August 28, 2020
Mattie and her police K-9 Robo are on the case again. This time they found a body while visiting Hanging Falls in Colorado's wilderness. With the rain closing in, it is up to the two of them to find all the clues they can before they are all washed away. Too bad Mattie was supposed to start her vacation and finally get a chance to meet the sister and grandmother she had lost track of when she was a small child.
Mattie is also dealing with her new relationship with Cole Walker, the local veterinarian. He is recently divorced and his two kids, especially his teenage daughter Angela, aren't sure what to make of his new relationship with another woman. Even though both girls like Mattie, it is still a big change for them to get used to.
The investigation leads to a new group of people who have recently come to settle in the area. The murder victim is identified as a member of that group but they all say that he decided to leave the group and go back home to his family. The group belong to a fundamentalist religion and apparently practice polygamy but the investigators are willing to overlook that as long as there is no child abuse involved.
This story had a lot to do with family relationships as well as the well-plotted mystery. We see Mattie struggling to come to terms with her newly discovered family and her new relationship with Cole and his family.
The mystery was entertaining and enough clues were given for me to figure out who the villains were despite the liberal sprinkling of red herrings through the investigation. Fans of mysteries and especially those animals involved will enjoy this story. I liked learning more about police dogs and loved the relationship Mattie and Robo share.
Mattie is also dealing with her new relationship with Cole Walker, the local veterinarian. He is recently divorced and his two kids, especially his teenage daughter Angela, aren't sure what to make of his new relationship with another woman. Even though both girls like Mattie, it is still a big change for them to get used to.
The investigation leads to a new group of people who have recently come to settle in the area. The murder victim is identified as a member of that group but they all say that he decided to leave the group and go back home to his family. The group belong to a fundamentalist religion and apparently practice polygamy but the investigators are willing to overlook that as long as there is no child abuse involved.
This story had a lot to do with family relationships as well as the well-plotted mystery. We see Mattie struggling to come to terms with her newly discovered family and her new relationship with Cole and his family.
The mystery was entertaining and enough clues were given for me to figure out who the villains were despite the liberal sprinkling of red herrings through the investigation. Fans of mysteries and especially those animals involved will enjoy this story. I liked learning more about police dogs and loved the relationship Mattie and Robo share.
December 28, 2022
I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! Mattie and Robo are a wonderful deputy/doggie duo and over six installments now, Margaret Mizushima has allowed both of them to grow into really interesting characters. The book summary pretty much lays out the first half of the story and introduces the two primary storylines: the investigation of a dead body and the arrival of Mattie’s biological sister and grandmother. There is also a secondary storyline about the growing intimacy and commitment between Mattie and Cole and the challenges it presents with one of Cole’s daughters and, on occasion, Robo. Seems Robo doesn’t like Cole hogging Mattie’s attention when Cole comes over😊
The first half of the story introduces Mattie and the team to a new family in the area that is a polygamist, fundamentalist, religious group. Like all polygamist, fundamental, religious groups, this one also makes a practice of forcing minor girls to marry old married men as a multiple “sister wife” while younger men, who want to marry within the community, are practically forced to leave because the old elders don’t want them around marrying the younger women.
The second half of the story mostly covers the investigations regarding the initial murder as well as another one that occurs. There is also an emotional reunion when Mattie’s sister and grandmother arrive. Once the team identifies the killer, the capture becomes very scary and intense for Mattie and Robo and the rest of the team that actually brought a few tears to my eyes. However, it was the last chapter when the dam finally broke. A satisfying ending that also leads into the next installment that leaves a lot of questions as well as some good news.
The first half of the story introduces Mattie and the team to a new family in the area that is a polygamist, fundamentalist, religious group. Like all polygamist, fundamental, religious groups, this one also makes a practice of forcing minor girls to marry old married men as a multiple “sister wife” while younger men, who want to marry within the community, are practically forced to leave because the old elders don’t want them around marrying the younger women.
The second half of the story mostly covers the investigations regarding the initial murder as well as another one that occurs. There is also an emotional reunion when Mattie’s sister and grandmother arrive. Once the team identifies the killer, the capture becomes very scary and intense for Mattie and Robo and the rest of the team that actually brought a few tears to my eyes. However, it was the last chapter when the dam finally broke. A satisfying ending that also leads into the next installment that leaves a lot of questions as well as some good news.
November 3, 2020
I think this is the best book in the series, so far! Mattie and her K-9 partner Robo, as well as the other members of the sheriff’s department, begin an investigation that has a lot of twists and turns. Hanging Falls is a fast-paced and engrossing mystery with a well-rounded cast of interesting characters.
In addition to the murders Mattie and the sheriff's department are trying to solve, there's added tension centered on Mattie's emotional meeting with her sister and grandmother, whom she was separated from when she was a baby. Mattie has continued to grow and evolve to the point where she is willing to be a little more open. She and Cole are at a more comfortable place in their relationship. (Finally!!)
Of course, I'm all about Robo, as anyone who knows me will understand completely! I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.
In addition to the murders Mattie and the sheriff's department are trying to solve, there's added tension centered on Mattie's emotional meeting with her sister and grandmother, whom she was separated from when she was a baby. Mattie has continued to grow and evolve to the point where she is willing to be a little more open. She and Cole are at a more comfortable place in their relationship. (Finally!!)
Of course, I'm all about Robo, as anyone who knows me will understand completely! I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 19, 2021
I'm so invested in the characters in this series that there is no way (or very few ways) that I wouldn't enjoy this book. The plot line with the polygamist group made me somewhat uncomfortable. Margaret Mizushima seems to have tried to portray these characters in a "fair" light, but I couldn't help feeling that it was a bit stereotypical .
January 11, 2021
I really enjoyed binging this series as Audible freebies--until this last one, which was worth the Audible credit! Now I have to wait until September for the next episode in Mattie & Robo's story. Looking forward to it!
January 28, 2022
This is book #6 in the series. Amazon won’t tell you where each book falls in the series, and neither will the cover, but click on over to Goodreads to get oriented. This installment is a worthy contribution to the series.
By now, the schtick is clear: someone finds a body, Mattie finds herself in a backcountry survival situation, Cole helps her solve the murder(s), the animals are amazing, and the characters work through complex relationships with a mature approach. I like it. But somebody PLEASE send Mattie to a backcountry survival course. Time and time again, she is woefully underprepared for spending time in the backcountry, both in terms of her knowledge and equipment. In some ways, she’s becoming less likeable because she is, frankly, incompetent at things which should be core to her job as a mountain deputy.
I especially enjoyed some of the mundane but vividly realistic scenes. The rushing water is noisy and disorienting. A wet poncho becomes twisted, resulting in a wrestling match. Robo learned some cute commands such as “book him.”
There is an extremely tame, indirect implication of sex. I appreciate the clean, restrained approach to the topic.
By now, the schtick is clear: someone finds a body, Mattie finds herself in a backcountry survival situation, Cole helps her solve the murder(s), the animals are amazing, and the characters work through complex relationships with a mature approach. I like it. But somebody PLEASE send Mattie to a backcountry survival course. Time and time again, she is woefully underprepared for spending time in the backcountry, both in terms of her knowledge and equipment. In some ways, she’s becoming less likeable because she is, frankly, incompetent at things which should be core to her job as a mountain deputy.
I especially enjoyed some of the mundane but vividly realistic scenes. The rushing water is noisy and disorienting. A wet poncho becomes twisted, resulting in a wrestling match. Robo learned some cute commands such as “book him.”
There is an extremely tame, indirect implication of sex. I appreciate the clean, restrained approach to the topic.
February 27, 2021
I like this series and was glad to read this book. Mattie is a local sheriff's deputy in a small town in Colorado and Robo is her K9 partner. This time they are looking for the murderer of not just one man but two!
Mattie and Robo were out hiking with Glenna, a park ranger and her dog, Moose when they found a dead body near Hanging Falls. It doesn’t take long to find out that the man was a member of a religious cult that recently moved into the area.
Checking all the suspects, Mattie visited the religious "family" where she learned the religious cult was polygamists. This was something I couldn't get my head around. I have never been a fan of cult stories but do believe we are free to practice religion freely. Polygamy, not so much.
We heard about Mattie's relationship with Cole and his girls, AND meet the family Mattie lost as a child.
This was an interesting book and if you like the series, you should definitely read it. I am glad I did, even though some things in it weren't for me.
Mattie and Robo were out hiking with Glenna, a park ranger and her dog, Moose when they found a dead body near Hanging Falls. It doesn’t take long to find out that the man was a member of a religious cult that recently moved into the area.
Checking all the suspects, Mattie visited the religious "family" where she learned the religious cult was polygamists. This was something I couldn't get my head around. I have never been a fan of cult stories but do believe we are free to practice religion freely. Polygamy, not so much.
We heard about Mattie's relationship with Cole and his girls, AND meet the family Mattie lost as a child.
This was an interesting book and if you like the series, you should definitely read it. I am glad I did, even though some things in it weren't for me.
November 29, 2020
A body found in the falls on a hike got Mattie leading the investigation along with the Sheriff department. Swift paced, with many suspects, I was led down some false trails. The characters seemed interesting and I thought I would have loved the book more had I read the series right from the beginning. The investigation held my attention right from the get-go and I could finish the book without guessing the killer.
Being the sixth book in the series and my first, I didn't understand the nuances of the characters, yet I enjoyed the murder investigation conducted by Mattie and K9 Robo.
Being the sixth book in the series and my first, I didn't understand the nuances of the characters, yet I enjoyed the murder investigation conducted by Mattie and K9 Robo.
November 11, 2021
Another Great Outing
I really enjoy the Timber Creek K-9 mysteries and this one was no exception. Mattie and Robo are partners in the best sense of the word. I don't read romances and remain a bit concerned that the budding relationship between Mattie and Cole, the veterinarian, could turn the series into a romance. Please don't do that, Ms. Mizushima, your fans are more interested in Mattie and Robo than in a romance. There are plenty of romance series out there, but not so many K-9 mysteries like you do so well! I recommend this book, which could be read as a stand-alone. But it is a lot more enjoyable to start with the first, Killing Trail, which came out in 2015. Happy reading!
I really enjoy the Timber Creek K-9 mysteries and this one was no exception. Mattie and Robo are partners in the best sense of the word. I don't read romances and remain a bit concerned that the budding relationship between Mattie and Cole, the veterinarian, could turn the series into a romance. Please don't do that, Ms. Mizushima, your fans are more interested in Mattie and Robo than in a romance. There are plenty of romance series out there, but not so many K-9 mysteries like you do so well! I recommend this book, which could be read as a stand-alone. But it is a lot more enjoyable to start with the first, Killing Trail, which came out in 2015. Happy reading!
November 4, 2021
I listen to this series on audible. Narrator is extremely talented, as is the writer! A very strong series that takes no credits to download if you are a prime member. Despite it being “free”, this is a series I would pay for. Looking forward to listening to the next book!
September 8, 2021
⭐️⭐️✨
2.5 stars rounded down to 2.
Thoughts at 38%:
1. I mentioned this in my review of the last book, but this is another example of the author having no idea how to write children. Sophie (a 9-year-old) was watching Paw Patrol. What the heck? Paw Patrol is for MUCH younger children. My kids watched it at maybe 3-5? Neither Sophie or her teenaged sister Angie act in a realistic way for their ages.
2. We don't need to be told EVERY SINGLE TIME that Mattie takes Robo out to work (which is a lot because that's what the books are about) something along these lines: "...she began to pat him and chatter in a high-pitched voice that revved up his prey drive." It's getting so repetitive. We know by now why she's doing it, and that it's part of the routine. There are many other ways that the author could write this without repeating herself so much.
3. The spelling of the word "brunette" as "brunet". Misspellings irritate the crap out of me, so I googled it to see if I was missing something, and I wasn't. "Brunette" is the commonly used spelling, but the alternative "brunet" is an outdated way to refer to males with brown hair. And as the author was using it to describe females, it was still incorrect. Also, how completely irrelevant to gender hair colour 🙄 seriously. I can see why the "brunet" spelling has basically disappeared. I'm hoping it was an editing error rather than a deliberate choice that the author made.
4. Also on the topic of characters not acting realistically, the fact that Mattie's new found sister is already saying "I love you" before they even met is weird. And the fact that Mattie is saying it back is even weirder. Given her past issues and the fact that she couldn't admit her feelings for Cole, let alone say "I love you" to him for AGES, makes saying it to her sister waaaay out of character for her. Sigh.
5. I was thinking that each book was improving, and that any problems (such as the ones I discussed above) could be forgiven due to this series being the author's first foray into writing. However, I just realised that this is her 6th book, and these problems should have been ironed out by now (or at least there should be fewer problems). This book is annoying me a bit when the others haven't, which is disappointing given that this book has the highest Goodreads rating out of all of them.
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Yeah this one annoyed me a lot. Due to the reasons listed above, and other small things (like Cole constantly calling himself "your dear old dad" to his kids) 😖
I liked the ending, it answered up some questions. But even so, it all came about way too easily. It felt like there was no journey really to get there. Mattie meets the grandma and sister (for the first time no less), and the grandma automatically trusts Mattie so much that she tells her where her mother is; when the granddaughter who has been raised by her was never told before then? What the? Yeah I definitely likes this book less than most of the other ones. Disappointing to say the least.
2.5 stars rounded down to 2.
Thoughts at 38%:
1. I mentioned this in my review of the last book, but this is another example of the author having no idea how to write children. Sophie (a 9-year-old) was watching Paw Patrol. What the heck? Paw Patrol is for MUCH younger children. My kids watched it at maybe 3-5? Neither Sophie or her teenaged sister Angie act in a realistic way for their ages.
2. We don't need to be told EVERY SINGLE TIME that Mattie takes Robo out to work (which is a lot because that's what the books are about) something along these lines: "...she began to pat him and chatter in a high-pitched voice that revved up his prey drive." It's getting so repetitive. We know by now why she's doing it, and that it's part of the routine. There are many other ways that the author could write this without repeating herself so much.
3. The spelling of the word "brunette" as "brunet". Misspellings irritate the crap out of me, so I googled it to see if I was missing something, and I wasn't. "Brunette" is the commonly used spelling, but the alternative "brunet" is an outdated way to refer to males with brown hair. And as the author was using it to describe females, it was still incorrect. Also, how completely irrelevant to gender hair colour 🙄 seriously. I can see why the "brunet" spelling has basically disappeared. I'm hoping it was an editing error rather than a deliberate choice that the author made.
4. Also on the topic of characters not acting realistically, the fact that Mattie's new found sister is already saying "I love you" before they even met is weird. And the fact that Mattie is saying it back is even weirder. Given her past issues and the fact that she couldn't admit her feelings for Cole, let alone say "I love you" to him for AGES, makes saying it to her sister waaaay out of character for her. Sigh.
5. I was thinking that each book was improving, and that any problems (such as the ones I discussed above) could be forgiven due to this series being the author's first foray into writing. However, I just realised that this is her 6th book, and these problems should have been ironed out by now (or at least there should be fewer problems). This book is annoying me a bit when the others haven't, which is disappointing given that this book has the highest Goodreads rating out of all of them.
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Yeah this one annoyed me a lot. Due to the reasons listed above, and other small things (like Cole constantly calling himself "your dear old dad" to his kids) 😖
I liked the ending, it answered up some questions. But even so, it all came about way too easily. It felt like there was no journey really to get there. Mattie meets the grandma and sister (for the first time no less), and the grandma automatically trusts Mattie so much that she tells her where her mother is; when the granddaughter who has been raised by her was never told before then? What the? Yeah I definitely likes this book less than most of the other ones. Disappointing to say the least.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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