Striking Range

A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery

De: Margaret Mizushima

Narrado por: Nancy Wu

He was suspect number one - the man who tried to kill Deputy Mattie Cobb and may have killed her father 30 years earlier. But when Mattie and cold-case Detective Jim Hauck reach the Colorado state prison where they will finally get to interview him, he's found dead in his cell. There's only one clue: a map leading to Timber Creek and rugged Redstone Ridge.

Following the clue, Mattie and her K-9 partner, Robo, journey into the burned forest surrounding Redstone Ridge. But before they can finish their search, they're called to help investigate the death of a young woman found in a campground filled with elk hunters. Identification of the deceased points to her having recently given birth, but the infant is nowhere to be found.

As a deadly storm descends upon the mountains, covering everything with a layer of ice and snow, Mattie and her team search for the missing newborn. The storm batters the area, taking its toll on the team and forcing the sheriff to call in reinforcements. When new evidence surfaces, they decide that finding the woman's killer will lead them to her baby, making them even more desperate to solve the case.

Then veterinarian Cole Walker goes missing, stranded alone in the high country with a person that Mattie now suspects is the mastermind behind several murders, including her father's. She and Robo take to the trail to find Cole - but the killer has a cold-blooded plan that threatens them all.

©2021 Margaret Mizushima (P)2021 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Another Excellent Novel in This Series

5-
This is was one of the best in this excellent series of novels. I have read them all, and now sadly I must wait another year for the next one. I enjoy books about dogs, but they must be either authentic or clearly designed to be humorous.

Many mysteries and thrillers about working dogs and their handlers, especially in law enforcement or the military, show little accuracy in what dogs actually can do. The authors are too often ignorant of training methods and the realistic capabilities of these animals. Margaret Mizushima is married to a veterinarian. She often includes the care and repair needed with dogs and other creatures as background. In this novel, she provides a detailed account of a Caesarean birth of puppies, probably using her husband as her research source.

Robo, the German Shepard who partners with a small town deputy sheriff in this series, is always a dog. He and his handler have a very close relationship, but he never becomes "humanized" as so often happens in books about dogs and their people. The methods for training Robo to work are those used by good canine trainers in the real working dog world. This author portrays dogs in her novels respectfully, with authenticity. His handler, Mattie, never forgets either Robo's substantial abilities or his limitations. Working dogs are wonderful, but they need to be treated as the potentially serious animals they are. They are not fuzzy pets, although at times they can act that way.

This is a very good series, with a cast of characters who grow and develop as the novels progress over time. Children become adolescents, and adults gain wisdom from their mistakes. I strongly suggest beginning with the first book and moving sequentially as each novel builds upon the previous ones. However, each one will stand alone if that is what the reader prefers. But, I am committed to this series and to a few others in which the authors create people I care about and want to remain in touch with. Mattie and her dog, Robo, are prime examples.

more books

good story hope there are going to be more books in the series. see you later

Mizushima Never Disappoints

If you are looking for your next series, this is it! Even trying to pace myself, I finished this most resent installment into deputy Mady Wrays life. I was not disappointed. Start with book one and read them all, you’ll be hooked. Hoping September 2022 comes quickly so I can find out what happens next.

another great read

Mizushima provides well developed plot and characters with twist in plot. Fall in live with characters and respect struggle challenges of life.

Striking Range

I have read all Margaret M’s books. I tbink this is my favorite for a variety of reasons. I won’t give any spoilers, but i will say this had a good mystery, a wonderful conclusion and a variety of opportunities for the next book! I love this series…