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Timber Creek K-9 Mystery #8
Standing Dead
Deputy Mattie Cobb and her sister, Julia, travel to Mexico to visit their mother, but when they arrive, they discover that she and her husband have vanished without a trace. Back in Timber Creek, Mattie finds a chilling note on her front door telling her to look for “him” among the standing dead up in the high country.
The sheriff’s department springs into action and sends a team to the mountains, where Mattie’s K-9 partner, Robo, makes a grisly discovery—a body tied to a dead pine tree. Mattie is shocked when she realizes she knows the dead man. And then another note arrives, warning that Mattie’s mother is in desperate straits. In a last-ditch gambit, Mattie must go deep undercover into a killer’s lair to save her mother—or die trying.
The sheriff’s department springs into action and sends a team to the mountains, where Mattie’s K-9 partner, Robo, makes a grisly discovery—a body tied to a dead pine tree. Mattie is shocked when she realizes she knows the dead man. And then another note arrives, warning that Mattie’s mother is in desperate straits. In a last-ditch gambit, Mattie must go deep undercover into a killer’s lair to save her mother—or die trying.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2023
224 people are currently reading
709 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 268 reviews
April 10, 2023
Nice to see old friends again!
I read the first two books in this series many years ago. Besides Robo the dog, my memory has been slightly hazy. Glad to report that book #8 Standing Dead, can be read on its own.
Deputy sheriff and K-9 handler Mattie Cobb from Timber Creek, Colorado is visiting her mother in Pueblo del Sol, a small village in Mexico. She arrived with her sister Julia but found their mother missing. Soon, Mattie's family circle vanished one by one. Who is taking her family and why? A substory is compelling also, her fiance and veterinarian Dr. Cole Walker is getting calls about ill horses.
I really enjoyed both stories and found the characters well-developed. Standing Dead has a lot of Mattie's backstory. Very entertaining and a good procedural with K9. Nancy Wu is an excellent voice for this series.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for my ALC.
Released March 7, 2023.
I read the first two books in this series many years ago. Besides Robo the dog, my memory has been slightly hazy. Glad to report that book #8 Standing Dead, can be read on its own.
Deputy sheriff and K-9 handler Mattie Cobb from Timber Creek, Colorado is visiting her mother in Pueblo del Sol, a small village in Mexico. She arrived with her sister Julia but found their mother missing. Soon, Mattie's family circle vanished one by one. Who is taking her family and why? A substory is compelling also, her fiance and veterinarian Dr. Cole Walker is getting calls about ill horses.
I really enjoyed both stories and found the characters well-developed. Standing Dead has a lot of Mattie's backstory. Very entertaining and a good procedural with K9. Nancy Wu is an excellent voice for this series.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for my ALC.
Released March 7, 2023.
November 23, 2022
Standing Dead.....
Just waiting for their demise. 22 million acres of Lodgepole pines in Colorado standing upright within miles and miles of forest. Some already infested by the Mountain Pine Beetle but still rigid even in their death. It's only a matter of time. Steming the spread is like crime fighting. No guarantees on the outcome.
Deputy Mattie Wray knows that uphill battle. She works for the Timber Creek Police Department in Timber Creek, Colorado as a K9 Handler. She and her remarkable German Shepherd, Robo, have a long history of saving lives in Timber Creek. Mattie is dedicated to the point of exhaustion at times. That's just how she operates.
Don't get scared off by the #8 in this series. Margaret Mizushima fills in all the backstories nicely and we just spring forward as this reads as a standalone. And don't eye this as a "doggie book". Mizushima is an actual veterinarian herself. She doesn't pull punches here. The crimes in this series are as serious as the headlines today. Cozy is just not happenin".
It's personal this time for Mattie. She and her sister, Julia, had ventured into a small town in Mexico where her mother, Ramona, and her husband, Juan, were residing. No sign of either of them. The women were told that Ramona and Juan left town in a hurry with no forwarding address. Mattie realizes that the couple must be in danger. Ramona witnessed the murder of her first husband, Border Patrol Agent Douglas Wray. The murderers threatened to kill Ramona's daughters who were just children at the time. Mattie fears that they will never find her mother and Juan.
But Mattie soon receives threatening notes in regard to her mother. And then Juan's body is found tied to one of those Standing pines. These maniacs are serious as the next breath.
And eventually Mattie will have to put herself in the scope of these killers in order to save her mother and sister. But is she too late?
Standing Dead is a superb read in the hands of Margaret Mizushima. She knows police work and she knows the ins and outs of veterinarian medicine when we have several horses poisoned in the forest campgrounds. Standing Dead has some of the most hardcore criminals that we've had throughout this series. It's written in real tones with Mizushima guiding this storyline to an intense conclusion. Don't miss it.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and the talented Margaret Mizushima for the opportunity.
Just waiting for their demise. 22 million acres of Lodgepole pines in Colorado standing upright within miles and miles of forest. Some already infested by the Mountain Pine Beetle but still rigid even in their death. It's only a matter of time. Steming the spread is like crime fighting. No guarantees on the outcome.
Deputy Mattie Wray knows that uphill battle. She works for the Timber Creek Police Department in Timber Creek, Colorado as a K9 Handler. She and her remarkable German Shepherd, Robo, have a long history of saving lives in Timber Creek. Mattie is dedicated to the point of exhaustion at times. That's just how she operates.
Don't get scared off by the #8 in this series. Margaret Mizushima fills in all the backstories nicely and we just spring forward as this reads as a standalone. And don't eye this as a "doggie book". Mizushima is an actual veterinarian herself. She doesn't pull punches here. The crimes in this series are as serious as the headlines today. Cozy is just not happenin".
It's personal this time for Mattie. She and her sister, Julia, had ventured into a small town in Mexico where her mother, Ramona, and her husband, Juan, were residing. No sign of either of them. The women were told that Ramona and Juan left town in a hurry with no forwarding address. Mattie realizes that the couple must be in danger. Ramona witnessed the murder of her first husband, Border Patrol Agent Douglas Wray. The murderers threatened to kill Ramona's daughters who were just children at the time. Mattie fears that they will never find her mother and Juan.
But Mattie soon receives threatening notes in regard to her mother. And then Juan's body is found tied to one of those Standing pines. These maniacs are serious as the next breath.
And eventually Mattie will have to put herself in the scope of these killers in order to save her mother and sister. But is she too late?
Standing Dead is a superb read in the hands of Margaret Mizushima. She knows police work and she knows the ins and outs of veterinarian medicine when we have several horses poisoned in the forest campgrounds. Standing Dead has some of the most hardcore criminals that we've had throughout this series. It's written in real tones with Mizushima guiding this storyline to an intense conclusion. Don't miss it.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and the talented Margaret Mizushima for the opportunity.
January 17, 2023
The Timber Creek series is perfect for fans of police procedurals with working dogs. Mattie Cobb/Wray is a K-9 handler in Colorado. Returning from a trip to Mexico searching unsuccessfully for her mother, she’s immediately drawn into the search for a missing man. The man is found dead and Mattie also realizes he’s her mother’s husband.
Mizushima does a wonderful job giving detailed explanations of both search techniques and veterinary practices. Unlike some books about working dogs for which the dog seems more of a prop, this one fully incorporates the dog as a main character in the story. I love how Mizushima understands the comfort a dog can provide - how even ruffling their fur or putting forehead to forehead can calm a person.
The story moves at a steady pace and I was pleased there was no OTT ending. It kept me engaged as the villain is determined to go after all of Mattie’s family. The story veers between Mattie and Cole’s POV. It was Cole who really tugged at my emotions, his struggle to accept the risks Mattie was willing to take to save her family.
This might work as a stand-alone, but a lot of background will be missing from the reader’s understanding.
My thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of this book.
Mizushima does a wonderful job giving detailed explanations of both search techniques and veterinary practices. Unlike some books about working dogs for which the dog seems more of a prop, this one fully incorporates the dog as a main character in the story. I love how Mizushima understands the comfort a dog can provide - how even ruffling their fur or putting forehead to forehead can calm a person.
The story moves at a steady pace and I was pleased there was no OTT ending. It kept me engaged as the villain is determined to go after all of Mattie’s family. The story veers between Mattie and Cole’s POV. It was Cole who really tugged at my emotions, his struggle to accept the risks Mattie was willing to take to save her family.
This might work as a stand-alone, but a lot of background will be missing from the reader’s understanding.
My thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of this book.
March 16, 2023
3.75 Stars
This novel can be read as a standalone, but it would be best if read in order.
Deputy Mattie Cobb and her sister had gone to Mexico to visit their mom and stepdad. But when they arrived, no one was home. It was a bit odd but they thought nothing further. It wasn't until Mattie found a creepy note attached to her door that she knew her mom and stepdad's disappearance wasn't a coincidence. It was now a race against the clock to find her family and those behind their abductions.
Since I jumped straight to #8 without reading any of the other books, I felt like I was missing some information. The book briefly went over past events in Mattie's life and childhood but not in great detail. With that being said, it was still an entertaining read. The author did a great job when it came to the details of K-9 and veterinary procedures.
Would recommend to those who have already started the series!
***Thank you to NetGalley, Margaret Mizushima, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
This novel can be read as a standalone, but it would be best if read in order.
Deputy Mattie Cobb and her sister had gone to Mexico to visit their mom and stepdad. But when they arrived, no one was home. It was a bit odd but they thought nothing further. It wasn't until Mattie found a creepy note attached to her door that she knew her mom and stepdad's disappearance wasn't a coincidence. It was now a race against the clock to find her family and those behind their abductions.
Since I jumped straight to #8 without reading any of the other books, I felt like I was missing some information. The book briefly went over past events in Mattie's life and childhood but not in great detail. With that being said, it was still an entertaining read. The author did a great job when it came to the details of K-9 and veterinary procedures.
Would recommend to those who have already started the series!
***Thank you to NetGalley, Margaret Mizushima, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
January 7, 2023
I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! Yeah, I know, I’ve said that before, but it has just become such an interesting and wonderful series with great characters and exciting stories. Personally, the books would not work well as standalones, at least for me they wouldn’t. Every book delves more and more into Mattie’s background and history and while there are updates in every book, I truly believe a reader needs to start the series from the beginning to enjoy the whole story and not miss out on any details. JMHO😊
Anyway, the book summary lays out the beginning of the story and the primary storyline of finding Mattie's mother that has gone missing along with her husband, and the discovery of a dead body along with threatening notes being left on the bodies for Mattie. There is a lot going on in this book so there are other storylines as well. In the early part of the story, Cole gets involved because horses were poisoned by a water trough near the crime scene and a friend of Mattie’s is shot investigating a campsite near the crime scene as well as several suspicious campers and locals who become persons of interest.
Then in the second half of the story, the killer(s) start threatening, terrorizing, and abducting people Mattie loves. Mattie and the team come up with a plan to go after the killer(s) and it’s a very dangerous plan for Mattie. The conditions in the mountains are treacherous and it gets really scary and intense for Mattie and the team and Mattie’s family that kept me on edge from page to page. It was a late night finishing the book because I could not go to sleep until I knew how the story ended.
MY FAVE BOOK IN THE SERIES!!! I can’t wait to read the next installment to see Mattie get her HEA! Mizushima is a good writer and a wonderful storyteller. The characters she creates are interesting, complex and flawed and the environments and locales she builds are beautiful yet unpredictable and risky.
On another note, I’m curious though why Mattie’s old name is still being used in the book summaries of numerous websites. In the previous book, she changed her last name to her biological name, Wray, and in this installment, everyone is starting to use that name as well. It’s not like the series is named after Mattie that her name change would affect the series recognition or identity on the internet or social media.
Just something that I was wondering about, and think should be addressed in future series installments. I know the author doesn’t have any control over book summaries, but I would think that the publishers do and would be more cognizant of that. What do I know though? I’m not a publisher; I’m just an avid reader and a fan of the series😊
I want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
@NetGalley @CrookedLaneBooks @StandingDead
Anyway, the book summary lays out the beginning of the story and the primary storyline of finding Mattie's mother that has gone missing along with her husband, and the discovery of a dead body along with threatening notes being left on the bodies for Mattie. There is a lot going on in this book so there are other storylines as well. In the early part of the story, Cole gets involved because horses were poisoned by a water trough near the crime scene and a friend of Mattie’s is shot investigating a campsite near the crime scene as well as several suspicious campers and locals who become persons of interest.
Then in the second half of the story, the killer(s) start threatening, terrorizing, and abducting people Mattie loves. Mattie and the team come up with a plan to go after the killer(s) and it’s a very dangerous plan for Mattie. The conditions in the mountains are treacherous and it gets really scary and intense for Mattie and the team and Mattie’s family that kept me on edge from page to page. It was a late night finishing the book because I could not go to sleep until I knew how the story ended.
MY FAVE BOOK IN THE SERIES!!! I can’t wait to read the next installment to see Mattie get her HEA! Mizushima is a good writer and a wonderful storyteller. The characters she creates are interesting, complex and flawed and the environments and locales she builds are beautiful yet unpredictable and risky.
On another note, I’m curious though why Mattie’s old name is still being used in the book summaries of numerous websites. In the previous book, she changed her last name to her biological name, Wray, and in this installment, everyone is starting to use that name as well. It’s not like the series is named after Mattie that her name change would affect the series recognition or identity on the internet or social media.
Just something that I was wondering about, and think should be addressed in future series installments. I know the author doesn’t have any control over book summaries, but I would think that the publishers do and would be more cognizant of that. What do I know though? I’m not a publisher; I’m just an avid reader and a fan of the series😊
I want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
@NetGalley @CrookedLaneBooks @StandingDead
December 19, 2022
I started reading the Timber Creek mysteries in September of 2020. I soon learned Mattie and her K-9 partner, Robo, had recently formed a working relationship.
I enjoyed the small-town setting in Colorado, the secondary characters and, of course, a good mystery. Less than 4 weeks later I was finishing the sixth story, Hanging Falls. I am only mentioning this because you need to read the series in order. If not, you won't enjoy the books as much.
Mattie not only finds love just around the corner when she meets Veterinarian Cole Walker, but she also forms various friendships at work. In addition, both Mattie and you, the reader, learn about her childhood. She had plenty of familial baggage and, with each story, you learn more about the trauma she went through earlier in her life.
Striking Range was published in 2021 and, finally, Standing Dead. Mattie found closure. It took a while, hence the four stars. I am not sure if the author will continue with Mattie, Robo and Cole, veer off with one of the secondary characters or start a new series. No matter what, I will be waiting...
Thank you to NetGalley, Margaret Mizushima and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the small-town setting in Colorado, the secondary characters and, of course, a good mystery. Less than 4 weeks later I was finishing the sixth story, Hanging Falls. I am only mentioning this because you need to read the series in order. If not, you won't enjoy the books as much.
Mattie not only finds love just around the corner when she meets Veterinarian Cole Walker, but she also forms various friendships at work. In addition, both Mattie and you, the reader, learn about her childhood. She had plenty of familial baggage and, with each story, you learn more about the trauma she went through earlier in her life.
Striking Range was published in 2021 and, finally, Standing Dead. Mattie found closure. It took a while, hence the four stars. I am not sure if the author will continue with Mattie, Robo and Cole, veer off with one of the secondary characters or start a new series. No matter what, I will be waiting...
Thank you to NetGalley, Margaret Mizushima and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2022
Mattie and her K9 partner Robo work with the sheriff's department in Colorado. This case is personal. When Mattie was a child, her father was murdered and she eventually went into foster care. Now the people involved in her father's death all those years ago are after not only Mattie, but also her family and friends. Murder, cryptic notes, and kidnapping are part of the plan, and it all leads to the exciting conclusion, when Mattie must confront the perpetrators to save what is left of her family. Recommended for anyone who enjoys thrillers, especially dog lovers. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
February 12, 2023
4 and a half stars
Number 8 in Margaret Mizushima's excellent procedural series focused on Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner, Robo, in the Colorado high country. Opening with Mattie and her sister, Julia, in Mexico hoping to reconnect with their mother. When it seems her mother and stepfather have gotten spooked and disappeared. Throughout the series, the murder of Mattie's father was been a major plotpoint, and this one is no different. While it can certainly be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading a few earlier in the series as background to increase your enjoyment. Both the terrain and working with K-9 officers are essential elements in the story/series. Pulse-popping action and strong characters will keep you riveted to the pages. My slight ding in the star rating results from the plausibility and intensity of the revenge motive. To say any more would spoil your enjoyment. Happy reading!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Number 8 in Margaret Mizushima's excellent procedural series focused on Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner, Robo, in the Colorado high country. Opening with Mattie and her sister, Julia, in Mexico hoping to reconnect with their mother. When it seems her mother and stepfather have gotten spooked and disappeared. Throughout the series, the murder of Mattie's father was been a major plotpoint, and this one is no different. While it can certainly be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading a few earlier in the series as background to increase your enjoyment. Both the terrain and working with K-9 officers are essential elements in the story/series. Pulse-popping action and strong characters will keep you riveted to the pages. My slight ding in the star rating results from the plausibility and intensity of the revenge motive. To say any more would spoil your enjoyment. Happy reading!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2023
Thanks to Dreamscape & NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review
I was drifting off and skipped over a lot because some part became tiresome.
I couldn't really get into it which I know it has to do with me not being familiar with the previous books.
I'm sure I'll have loved it more if I had read the other books because everyone I know loved it.
My honest mistake as i did not realize it was the 8th book in a series.
I was drifting off and skipped over a lot because some part became tiresome.
I couldn't really get into it which I know it has to do with me not being familiar with the previous books.
I'm sure I'll have loved it more if I had read the other books because everyone I know loved it.
My honest mistake as i did not realize it was the 8th book in a series.
December 9, 2022
Big thanks to both Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Standing Dead!
How I love Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo!!
Mattie's veterinarian fiancé gets called out to a campground to tend a pair of suddenly sickened horses and discovers they were poisoned with selenium, which could only have been acquired from the horse troughs nearby.
At the same time, Mattie's mom and stepdad have disappeared from where they were living in Mexico. As more people in Mattie's inner circle start disappearing and/or being attacked, it becomes very personal! Can the poisoning of the horses possibly be related?
I loved how Mattie's friends, co-workers, and beloved dog, Robo, banded together in Standing Dead, to work as a solid team. This book is a pulse pounding, tense and satisfying ride that can be read as a stand-alone. I definitely recommend it!
How I love Deputy Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo!!
Mattie's veterinarian fiancé gets called out to a campground to tend a pair of suddenly sickened horses and discovers they were poisoned with selenium, which could only have been acquired from the horse troughs nearby.
At the same time, Mattie's mom and stepdad have disappeared from where they were living in Mexico. As more people in Mattie's inner circle start disappearing and/or being attacked, it becomes very personal! Can the poisoning of the horses possibly be related?
I loved how Mattie's friends, co-workers, and beloved dog, Robo, banded together in Standing Dead, to work as a solid team. This book is a pulse pounding, tense and satisfying ride that can be read as a stand-alone. I definitely recommend it!
September 24, 2023
4 stars
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is another great mystery focusing on Deputy Mattie Cobb. She and her sister travel to Mexico to visit her mother, but find her gone. She returns home to find a note on her door telling her to find "him" among the standing dead. The sheriff's race to the forest and they find a dead man tied to a tree. Mattie knows the man, and when she finds another note telling her that her mother is in bad shape, Mattie knows she has to do whatever it takes to save her.
Once again, the author writes a great mystery with plenty of tense action and twists and turns. I really like Mattie and the relationship with her vet fiance gets stronger and stronger. I find it so interesting how the author is able to find different ways for her fiance to be in the thick of the action, despite him being a civilian. I do hope, however, that we're done with Mattie's family drama so we can get back to normal mysteries that involve the entire sheriff's department again. I missed having them be a bigger part of the story.
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is another great mystery focusing on Deputy Mattie Cobb. She and her sister travel to Mexico to visit her mother, but find her gone. She returns home to find a note on her door telling her to find "him" among the standing dead. The sheriff's race to the forest and they find a dead man tied to a tree. Mattie knows the man, and when she finds another note telling her that her mother is in bad shape, Mattie knows she has to do whatever it takes to save her.
Once again, the author writes a great mystery with plenty of tense action and twists and turns. I really like Mattie and the relationship with her vet fiance gets stronger and stronger. I find it so interesting how the author is able to find different ways for her fiance to be in the thick of the action, despite him being a civilian. I do hope, however, that we're done with Mattie's family drama so we can get back to normal mysteries that involve the entire sheriff's department again. I missed having them be a bigger part of the story.
March 7, 2023
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this fantastic book
oh my word what a book i was on the edge of my seat at times, couldnt put it down
mattie is out doing her job with her k9 partner robo, they are searching the pine woods and find a dead body...one that will have repercussions for mattie and her family
and its not long in coming danger is all around and nobody is safe
could this have something to do with past events from matties childhood
oh my word this book had me right from the first page and the pace didnt relent, some shocking discoveries and action all the way
cant wait for the next book in this series
oh my word what a book i was on the edge of my seat at times, couldnt put it down
mattie is out doing her job with her k9 partner robo, they are searching the pine woods and find a dead body...one that will have repercussions for mattie and her family
and its not long in coming danger is all around and nobody is safe
could this have something to do with past events from matties childhood
oh my word this book had me right from the first page and the pace didnt relent, some shocking discoveries and action all the way
cant wait for the next book in this series
August 10, 2023
Genres: Crime/Mystery
I had a hard time rating this one. I liked the main characters. I liked the setting and the premise. And the dog....who doesn't love a good dog and an even better dog owner! Now with that said, I struggled with the story line.
The antagonist, before his/her identity is known, has tentacles in Mexico, California, & Colorado. They know the areas and they seem to have people everywhere. But then it just turns out to be some random person with a grudge that is a couple of decades old. What? and that leads me to my second question, Why? I failed to be gripped by this one.
This one felt a little on the 'hokey' side. I think one of the reasons for that was because of the narrator of the audio. She certainly had a pleasant voice, but more than a few times, this felt overacted. The vibe I was getting from the story and the vibe coming off the narrator didn't match up. Overall, I wasn't pulled in.
This wasn't quite 3 stars for me, but I'll round up for the MC and the dog.
I had a hard time rating this one. I liked the main characters. I liked the setting and the premise. And the dog....who doesn't love a good dog and an even better dog owner! Now with that said, I struggled with the story line.
The antagonist, before his/her identity is known, has tentacles in Mexico, California, & Colorado. They know the areas and they seem to have people everywhere. But then it just turns out to be some random person with a grudge that is a couple of decades old. What? and that leads me to my second question, Why? I failed to be gripped by this one.
This one felt a little on the 'hokey' side. I think one of the reasons for that was because of the narrator of the audio. She certainly had a pleasant voice, but more than a few times, this felt overacted. The vibe I was getting from the story and the vibe coming off the narrator didn't match up. Overall, I wasn't pulled in.
This wasn't quite 3 stars for me, but I'll round up for the MC and the dog.
March 27, 2025
Audiobook from Hoopla.
Nancy Wu = best narrator of 3 that I have tried so far.
4.5 stars. Quite dark read BUT all Mattie’s family mystery is finally solved !!
A Christmas wedding (in a month) is planned.
Cole will take Hannah on PT at the clinic :)
I have noticed that the vet bits in last two books were very detailed.
Sassy and the 8 pups are all well.
Nancy Wu = best narrator of 3 that I have tried so far.
4.5 stars. Quite dark read BUT all Mattie’s family mystery is finally solved !!
A Christmas wedding (in a month) is planned.
Cole will take Hannah on PT at the clinic :)
I have noticed that the vet bits in last two books were very detailed.
Sassy and the 8 pups are all well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2023
This novel was the second one I’ve read by by Margaret Mizushima. It’s book #8 but can be read as a stand-alone. MM writes a compelling and a different murder mystery. She took me in to the inside world of a canine and police. The close relationship that’s needed and a deeper understandings of the training.
I recommend this and really enjoyed the narrator.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via NetGalley.
I recommend this and really enjoyed the narrator.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via NetGalley.
December 8, 2023
I’m sorry, I’m probably a monster but I’m so tired of Mattie’s family drama. So an entire book that revolved around that - not great.
On the other hand, it seems as if that part of Mattie’s life might be resolved for good (please god let it be so).
A HEA ending I guess. I feel like this book could be the end of the series, but could also continue.
At this point I’m just here for the veterinary stuff and animals.
On the other hand, it seems as if that part of Mattie’s life might be resolved for good (please god let it be so).
A HEA ending I guess. I feel like this book could be the end of the series, but could also continue.
At this point I’m just here for the veterinary stuff and animals.
June 4, 2023
This was an ok mystery. It wasn’t anything special it was just average.
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 2, 2024
A nice police procedural featuring a cast of capable cops with a K-9 unit (best boy!!!)
Can be read standalone, though I'm now tempted to check out the earlier books too :D
Can be read standalone, though I'm now tempted to check out the earlier books too :D
January 10, 2024
Nope. Done with this series, too.
Mystery--let's just traumatize our main character some more.
Dog--barely part of the story, and never anything interesting.
Love interest--boring, and some sort of weird "dog gets more attention" jealousy going on.
Supporting characters--if main character likes them, let's terrorize them...oh wait, but just the women.
Baddies--ridiculous, and no good through line between "they are sophisticated enough to pull this part off," and the ineptitude at the end. Sheesh.
Mystery--let's just traumatize our main character some more.
Dog--barely part of the story, and never anything interesting.
Love interest--boring, and some sort of weird "dog gets more attention" jealousy going on.
Supporting characters--if main character likes them, let's terrorize them...oh wait, but just the women.
Baddies--ridiculous, and no good through line between "they are sophisticated enough to pull this part off," and the ineptitude at the end. Sheesh.
May 29, 2023
The 8th book in the Timber Creek K-9 mystery series. Mattie is a police officer in a small Colorado town. Her partner is police dog Robo. In this book, the case Mattie works is personal. Tense and intriguing.
November 6, 2022
A great continuation for the Timber Creek Series! I enjoyed following Mattie as she uncovers more information about her family’s past while continuing to grow her relationship with Cole and his kiddos. An easy, keep you on your toes read!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy!
December 23, 2022
I really liked this book. It was amazing. It really kept me on my toes. There was not one boring moment in this book. i read this whole book in just a few hours. I enjoyed learning more about Maddie’s family as she uncovered more about their past
June 12, 2023
Standing Dead is the 8th book in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series. Although each book has it's own crime/mystery to solve, there is an over-reaching ARC in this series involving Mattie and her family. This story brings it home and will be a huge spoiler if you want to read the previous books in the series. Having said that, Margaret Mizushima fills in all the backstories nicely so you will not be lost if you choose to read it as a standalone. The story opens with Mattie and her sister Julia attempting to visit their mother in Mexico. She and her husband are gone, leaving in a hurry and not telling anyone where they are going. Fast forward and Mattie is back home and there is a message nailed to her front door. She needs to find someone who needs her help. Mattie, her K-9 partner, Robo and others from the Sheriff's office head out to the forests and hills to see what they can find. What they find is Mattie's mother's husband, Juan Martinez. While out, they meet several hunters and their horses who seem to be poisoned in the various campgrounds. When her sister goes missing, the crime becomes personal as well as being a race against time. It becomes apparent that whoever is behind this, wants Mattie.
This was an action story, moving quickly, with a lot of twists and suspense. Mattie knows that whoever has her mother and daughter must be behind her father's murder years ago, but not sure why they have come out of the woodwork so many years later. The setting of the forests in the Colorado hills adds that tenseness and even more danger. Not only is Mattie involved, but the local veterinarian, who is also Mattie's partner. He is taking care of the various poisoned animals, and gets involved in the search as well. I enjoy seeing her team in action, how they have each other's backs, the tools they use and how they work together to protect one another, especially in the open areas. The criminals were well-developed, as well as dangerous and psychopathic. I love how Mattie figures them out and is able to get into their heads. Of course, Robo is an integral part of the story and investigation. I love how he is involved in the take down and arrest at the end of the book, but you will have to read it to find out how. Margaret Mizushima lead me on an enjoyable chase with this book. Her knowledge of K-9s and veterinary medicine shines through in these stories. A gripping mystery, well plotted and developed, with characters I love, especially the dogs. I highly recommend it. I have been enjoying the audiobooks, narrated by Nancy Wu. She is the voice of Maggie and does a great job with the others. I will continue listening to this series and if you enjoy audiobooks, I recommend that format.
This was an action story, moving quickly, with a lot of twists and suspense. Mattie knows that whoever has her mother and daughter must be behind her father's murder years ago, but not sure why they have come out of the woodwork so many years later. The setting of the forests in the Colorado hills adds that tenseness and even more danger. Not only is Mattie involved, but the local veterinarian, who is also Mattie's partner. He is taking care of the various poisoned animals, and gets involved in the search as well. I enjoy seeing her team in action, how they have each other's backs, the tools they use and how they work together to protect one another, especially in the open areas. The criminals were well-developed, as well as dangerous and psychopathic. I love how Mattie figures them out and is able to get into their heads. Of course, Robo is an integral part of the story and investigation. I love how he is involved in the take down and arrest at the end of the book, but you will have to read it to find out how. Margaret Mizushima lead me on an enjoyable chase with this book. Her knowledge of K-9s and veterinary medicine shines through in these stories. A gripping mystery, well plotted and developed, with characters I love, especially the dogs. I highly recommend it. I have been enjoying the audiobooks, narrated by Nancy Wu. She is the voice of Maggie and does a great job with the others. I will continue listening to this series and if you enjoy audiobooks, I recommend that format.
April 23, 2023
The trauma of the past comes full circle to threaten Colorado deputy sheriff and K-9 handler Mattie Wray and those she loves in the eighth in this engaging mystery series.
Mattie and her recently discovered sister Julia go to Mexico to see their mother and inform her one of the men who murdered their father is dead and another is in prison, no longer a threat to her. But, they discover Ramona and her new husband Juan Martinez has disappeared and no one can tell them where they've gone.
Disappointed and worried, Julia and Mattie meet with San Diego Detective Sonia Alvarez who is looking into the cold case murder of their father, Border Patrol agent Douglas Wray before going home, Julia to California, and Mattie back to Colorado.
But, on arrival at her house in Timber Creek, Mattie finds a note pinned to the front door, telling her to look for "him" among the standing dead up in the high country.
Her team at the sheriff's department goes on alert and mounts a search. Robo, Mattie's K-9 partner, leads her to the body of her stepfather, bound to a dead pine tree. Meanwhile, veterinarian Cole Walker, Mattie's fiance, has been called to a nearby campground where several horses have been poisoned by selenium in the drinking water.
More notes alert Mattie her mother is in poor condition and, then, that Julia also has been kidnapped and is bound for Colorado. The only way to save them is for Mattie to put herself in jeopardy and meet the perpetrator as requested.
Mizushima has spun a taut tale with more twists and turns than a mountain trail, one guaranteed to keep you up past your bedtime and turning pages to see what happens next. She skillfully maintains reader interest in Mattie's quest to understand her family history and in her developing relationship with Cole. We're as anxious to solve the mystery of Mattie's checkered past as she is and our empathy makes us want her relationship with Cole to succeed.
It doesn't hurt that she adds puzzling crimes and solid detective work to the mix. And there's also the bonus of information on the training and handling of police dogs and the skills of veterinary work.
Mattie and her recently discovered sister Julia go to Mexico to see their mother and inform her one of the men who murdered their father is dead and another is in prison, no longer a threat to her. But, they discover Ramona and her new husband Juan Martinez has disappeared and no one can tell them where they've gone.
Disappointed and worried, Julia and Mattie meet with San Diego Detective Sonia Alvarez who is looking into the cold case murder of their father, Border Patrol agent Douglas Wray before going home, Julia to California, and Mattie back to Colorado.
But, on arrival at her house in Timber Creek, Mattie finds a note pinned to the front door, telling her to look for "him" among the standing dead up in the high country.
Her team at the sheriff's department goes on alert and mounts a search. Robo, Mattie's K-9 partner, leads her to the body of her stepfather, bound to a dead pine tree. Meanwhile, veterinarian Cole Walker, Mattie's fiance, has been called to a nearby campground where several horses have been poisoned by selenium in the drinking water.
More notes alert Mattie her mother is in poor condition and, then, that Julia also has been kidnapped and is bound for Colorado. The only way to save them is for Mattie to put herself in jeopardy and meet the perpetrator as requested.
Mizushima has spun a taut tale with more twists and turns than a mountain trail, one guaranteed to keep you up past your bedtime and turning pages to see what happens next. She skillfully maintains reader interest in Mattie's quest to understand her family history and in her developing relationship with Cole. We're as anxious to solve the mystery of Mattie's checkered past as she is and our empathy makes us want her relationship with Cole to succeed.
It doesn't hurt that she adds puzzling crimes and solid detective work to the mix. And there's also the bonus of information on the training and handling of police dogs and the skills of veterinary work.
July 5, 2023
I always get super excited when a new Margaret Mizushima book comes out! I have come to love the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery Series! Oddly, it's such a feel-good, clean mystery, that you can't help but love! I love the stories and the characters of each and every book!
Standing Dead brings us a little deeper into Maddie and Cole's relationship, as well as Maddie's relationship with her biological family, not to mention her relationship with her partner, the ever so famous Robo! You can't help but love that German Shepherd dog! You also can't help but love that the ending leaves room for another story, which I'm dying for already!
I was able to gobble Standing Dead up within about a day of reading! I love that Margaret Mizushima's stories are kind and to the point, but shrouded with a particular mystery! If there is every such a thing as a feel-good mystery that isn't a cozy, she's got it down pat.
I listened to the audio version of this book, which was narrated by Nancy Wu and she is the absolutely perfect fit for this series! What I really appreciate is that she narrated every book in the series thus far!
Overall, I adore this series so much that when a new release comes out, I try to get it and get it read as soon as possible. I really enjoy that each book in the series gives us a little more insight into the character's lives! If you're looking for a quick and easy-to-get-through mystery series, the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery Series is your series!!
Standing Dead brings us a little deeper into Maddie and Cole's relationship, as well as Maddie's relationship with her biological family, not to mention her relationship with her partner, the ever so famous Robo! You can't help but love that German Shepherd dog! You also can't help but love that the ending leaves room for another story, which I'm dying for already!
I was able to gobble Standing Dead up within about a day of reading! I love that Margaret Mizushima's stories are kind and to the point, but shrouded with a particular mystery! If there is every such a thing as a feel-good mystery that isn't a cozy, she's got it down pat.
I listened to the audio version of this book, which was narrated by Nancy Wu and she is the absolutely perfect fit for this series! What I really appreciate is that she narrated every book in the series thus far!
Overall, I adore this series so much that when a new release comes out, I try to get it and get it read as soon as possible. I really enjoy that each book in the series gives us a little more insight into the character's lives! If you're looking for a quick and easy-to-get-through mystery series, the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery Series is your series!!
February 3, 2023
Lots of threads wrap up in this eighth book in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series. Mattie Wray and her recently met sister Julia go to a small town in Mexico where there mother has been hiding from the gang that murdered her husband and kidnapped her and her children when Mattie was two. But Mattie and Julia find that their mother and her husband hve fled again, leaving them disappointed.
When Mattie returns to her job as a Colorado Sheriff's Deputy and K-9 officer, she finds a note on her door saying that she'll find him among the standing dead. She alerts the sheriff and grabs her K-9 Robo and heads up to the high country to find out who "he" is.
Discovering the dead body of her mother's husband begins a hunt for her missing mother and leads to more notes and more kidnappings. Meanwhile, her fiancé veterinarian Cole Walker is dealing with cases of selenium poisoning up in the same high country and with canine coronavirus closer to home.
With Mattie as the target of a murderer who was part of the original gang that killed her father, the rush is on to finally unravel that plot and save her mother and sister's lives.
Excellent addition to an engaging series. I really enjoy Mattie's relationship with her K-9 Robo.
When Mattie returns to her job as a Colorado Sheriff's Deputy and K-9 officer, she finds a note on her door saying that she'll find him among the standing dead. She alerts the sheriff and grabs her K-9 Robo and heads up to the high country to find out who "he" is.
Discovering the dead body of her mother's husband begins a hunt for her missing mother and leads to more notes and more kidnappings. Meanwhile, her fiancé veterinarian Cole Walker is dealing with cases of selenium poisoning up in the same high country and with canine coronavirus closer to home.
With Mattie as the target of a murderer who was part of the original gang that killed her father, the rush is on to finally unravel that plot and save her mother and sister's lives.
Excellent addition to an engaging series. I really enjoy Mattie's relationship with her K-9 Robo.
March 25, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This book provided in exchange for an honest review.
After Mattie’s mother and stepfather go missing, she and her working dog Robot go on a mission to find them.
I read this book as a standalone, but I think if they were read in order I would have gotten more out of it.
The plot was interesting, kept me reading, and had lots of twists and turns. I’m a huge dog person, so having a working dog was an added bonus. There were some sections of the book that felt info-dumpy, especially when describing characters. I generally liked it, but it’s not a book that will stick with me long term.
After Mattie’s mother and stepfather go missing, she and her working dog Robot go on a mission to find them.
I read this book as a standalone, but I think if they were read in order I would have gotten more out of it.
The plot was interesting, kept me reading, and had lots of twists and turns. I’m a huge dog person, so having a working dog was an added bonus. There were some sections of the book that felt info-dumpy, especially when describing characters. I generally liked it, but it’s not a book that will stick with me long term.
February 25, 2024
Book #8 in this series, and what an exciting tense filled storyline this book was. A lot going on, as usual, for Mattie and her canine partner, Robo. Many lives are at stake here: Mattie’s, her newly found family, Cole and his family, and Mattie’s friends. They have determined the threats are coming from someone who had something to do with the killing of Matties father 30 years ago. But who is it and why after so many years? With so many innocent lives at risk, the action never lets up until the end of the book.
I’ve said this in each of the books, Robo is amazing and he will always protect Mattie with his life.
I’ve said this in each of the books, Robo is amazing and he will always protect Mattie with his life.
April 2, 2023
3-1/2 stars.
I'm a big fan of this series, and as soon as a new entry comes out, I buy it. I have really grown to love these characters over the years. In this book, we finally get all the final pieces of the puzzle of what happened with Mattie's parents all those years ago and put her life on its trajectory. While I did like this book, I didn't find it quite as engrossing as most of the others in the series.
I'm not sure if this book is intended to be the final entry, but I sure hope we get more of Mattie, Robo, and company!
I'm a big fan of this series, and as soon as a new entry comes out, I buy it. I have really grown to love these characters over the years. In this book, we finally get all the final pieces of the puzzle of what happened with Mattie's parents all those years ago and put her life on its trajectory. While I did like this book, I didn't find it quite as engrossing as most of the others in the series.
I'm not sure if this book is intended to be the final entry, but I sure hope we get more of Mattie, Robo, and company!
October 12, 2023
The most exciting end to what has been a gripping story running through all the books. I really hope this is not the end of the tales of Mattie and Robo though. I'm someone who doesn't normally read romance but I love the romantic element running through the books with Cole. The series has been absolutely fantastic and I hope it continues with the day to day exploits of the K9 unit.
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